automated warehouse

Abstract

To provide an automated warehouse which can effectively utilize a limited number of storage parts.SOLUTION: In loading and transporting processing of an object article 8 which is an object to be loaded and transported, a control system conveys the object article 8 to a storage part 21B for adjustment prior to a general storage part 21A and stores the object article 8 in the storage part 21B for adjustment as a conveyance destination when the object article 8 is an adjustment necessary article 8T requiring attitude adjustment by an attitude adjustment device 90, conveys the object article 8 from the storage part 21B for adjustment to the general storage part 21A, and stores the object article 8 in the general storage part 21A as the conveyance destination when there is an adjustment necessary article among subsequent loaded articles which are articles 8 to be loaded and conveyed within a predetermined set period or a predetermined set number of articles after the loading and transporting processing of the object article 8, and does not convey the object article 8 to the general storage part 21A and keeps the storage of the object article 8 in the storage part 21B for adjustment when there is no adjustment necessary article 8T in the subsequent loaded articles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated warehouse that includes storage shelves for storing items and a transport device for transporting the items. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such an automated warehouse is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-252406 (Patent Document 1). In the automated warehouse of Patent Document 1, one or more posture adjustment devices (posture correction shelves 201) for adjusting the posture of an item (baggage N) are arranged in a storage section of a storage shelf (storage shelf 101). When a posture adjustment is required for an item, a conveying device (stacker crane 103) transports the item to the storage section where the posture adjustment device is arranged, and stores the item in the storage section to which it is transported. The posture of the item is adjusted while it is being stored in the storage section where the posture adjustment device is arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-252406 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the automated warehouse of Patent Document 1, the storage sections in which the posture adjustment devices are installed do not store any items, so the number of items that can be stored on the storage shelves is reduced by the number of storage sections in which the posture adjustment devices are installed.

[0005] Therefore, in an automated warehouse equipped with a posture adjustment device for adjusting the posture of an article, it is desirable to be able to make effective use of the limited number of storage sections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The automated warehouse according to the present disclosure is a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which can store an item; a conveyance device that performs an in-stock conveyance process, which is a conveyance process of the item for storing the item on the storage shelf; a control system for controlling the transport device; An automated warehouse equipped with some of the plurality of storage sections are adjustment storage sections in which a posture adjustment device that adjusts the posture of the article by temporarily holding the article is disposed, The accommodation unit in which the attitude adjustment device is not disposed is defined as a general accommodation unit, The control system includes: In the pre-entry warehouse transport process of the target item which is the item that is the target of the warehousing transport process, If the target article is an adjustment-requiring article that requires posture adjustment by the posture adjustment device, the target article is transported to the adjustment-use storage section prior to the general storage section and stored in the adjustment-use storage section as a destination; If the item requiring adjustment is among the subsequently received items that are scheduled to undergo the receiving transport process within a predetermined set period or within a predetermined set number of items after the previous entry transport process of the target item, the target item is transported from the adjustment storage section to the general storage section and stored in the general storage section as a destination, If the subsequently received goods do not include the goods requiring adjustment, the goods are not transported to the general storage section, and the goods are kept stored in the storage section for adjustment.

[0007] According to this configuration, if there is an item that requires adjustment among the subsequently stored items, the adjustment storage section can be used to adjust the posture of the subsequently stored items, and if there is no item that requires adjustment among the subsequently stored items, the adjustment storage section can be used to store the items. Therefore, with this configuration, the limited number of storage sections can be used effectively.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the techniques according to the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Plan view of an automated warehouse according to an embodiment [Figure 2] Front view of an automated warehouse [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view of a posture adjustment device with an object placed thereon; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of an attitude adjustment device according to another embodiment; [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the control configuration including the control system [Figure 6] Flowchart for warehouse transportation processing [Figure 7] Flowchart for outbound transportation processing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of an automated warehouse will be described with reference to the drawings. The automated warehouse 1 of this embodiment is used to make effective use of a limited number of storage sections 21 in, for example, a factory or a logistics center. 1 and 2, the automated warehouse 1 of this embodiment includes a storage shelf 2, a storage section 3, a shipping section 4, and a conveying device 5. The automated warehouse 1 further includes a control system C, as shown in FIG.

[0011] The storage shelf 2 has a plurality of storage sections 21 capable of storing items 8. The storage shelf 2 has a plurality of storage sections 21 arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of tiers. In this embodiment, the automated warehouse 1 has a plurality of storage shelves 2 (two in the illustrated example), and these two storage shelves 2 are arranged facing each other with the conveying device 5 in between. Note that the number of storage shelves 2 provided in the automated warehouse 1 is not limited to this, and may be one or three or more.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 3, the goods 8 of this embodiment include a pallet 81 and a load 82 (for example, a roll product wrapped in film) placed on the pallet 81. The load 82 may be in an exposed state or may be housed in another container. In the latter case, the load 82 also includes the container.

[0013] Some of the multiple storage sections 21 are adjustment storage sections 21B, as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, in which a posture adjustment device 90 is arranged to adjust the posture of the item 8 by temporarily holding the item 8, and the remaining sections are general storage sections 21A in which a posture adjustment device 90 is not arranged.

[0014] In this embodiment, a wireless tag 9 is attached to the item 8. The wireless tag 9 is a tag that can be read and written by wireless communication. Any of passive, active, and semi-active types may be used as the wireless tag 9. In this embodiment, a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag is used as the wireless tag 9. RFID tags of various frequency bands, such as UHF band RFID and HF band RFID, can be used as the RFID. The wireless tag 9 stores unique identification information (item ID associated with the type of item) for the item 8 to which the wireless tag 9 is attached. In this embodiment, the wireless tag 9 is attached to the top surface of the baggage 82 constituting the article 8 .

[0015] The receiving section 3 is a section for carrying out the receiving and transporting process of the items 8 to be stored on the storage shelves 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the receiving section 3 is provided with an infeed path 31 for carrying the items toward the storage shelves 2. The infeed path 31 may be formed in a straight line, or may be formed to include a curved section, an L-shaped path, or the like. The infeed path 31 extends to the vicinity of the storage shelves 2. A gate 33 is installed in the infeed path 31 of the receiving section 3 at a point just before the storage shelves 2, through which the items 8 carried in along the infeed path 31 pass.

[0016] 2, a wireless tag reader 34 is fixed to the gate 33. The wireless tag reader 34 reads a wireless tag 9 attached to an article 8. In this embodiment, the wireless tag reader 34 is an antenna that reads an RFID as the wireless tag 9.

[0017] In this embodiment, one wireless tag reader 34 is provided per gate 33, positioned above the article 8, and reads the wireless tag 9 attached to the top surface of the baggage 82. In this way, the storage and transportation process performed in the storage unit 3 includes a reading process in which the wireless tag reader 34 reads the identification information recorded in the wireless tag 9 of each article 8.

[0018] The unloading section 4 is a section for carrying out unloading and transporting processing of the items 8 unloaded from the storage shelves 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the unloading section 4 is provided with an unloading path 41 for unloading the items 8 from the storage shelves 2. The unloading path 41 may be formed in a straight line, or may be formed to include a curved section, an L-shaped path, or the like. The unloading path 41 extends from the vicinity of the storage shelves 2.

[0019] The conveying device 5 performs an in-warehouse conveying process for conveying an item 8 from the receiving section 3 to one of the storage sections 21, and an out-warehouse conveying process for conveying an item 8 from one of the storage sections 21 to the out-warehouse section 4. The conveying device 5 in this embodiment is configured as a stacker crane and includes a traveling carriage 51, a mast 52, and a transfer device 54. The traveling carriage 51 travels on a traveling rail installed on the floor surface between a pair of storage shelves 2. The masts 52 are provided in pairs upright from the traveling carriage 51. The transfer device 54 includes a lifting platform 53 that is raised and lowered by a drive unit (not shown) in the vertical direction along the pair of masts 52 (the direction of arrow Z in FIGS. 1 and 2), a holding unit 54a that is fixed to the lifting platform 53 and holds the item 8, and a drive unit (not shown) that moves the holding unit 54a forward and backward in the out-and-back direction (the direction of arrow Y in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the posture adjustment device 90 arranged in the adjustment storage section 21B is equipped with a guide mechanism that adjusts the widthwise position of the item 8 relative to the holding section 54a by guiding the item 8 held by the holding section 54a, which is lowered by a drive section (not shown), in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the exit / entrance direction (arrow X direction) when viewed in the up and down direction (viewed in the direction along arrow Z), in order to adjust the posture of the adjustment-requiring item 8T, which is the item 8 that requires posture adjustment. More specifically, the posture adjustment device 90 includes a pair of rail members 94 that extend in the retraction direction (arrow Y direction) and on which one and the other widthwise ends of the article 8 can be placed. The pair of rail members 94 are fixed on legs 93 that are fixed to the bottom 21c of the adjustment storage section 21B. Each of the pair of rail members 94 has an inclined surface 91 that slopes inward in the width direction from top to bottom when viewed in the retraction direction shown in FIG. 3 , and a placement surface 92 on the inner side of the inclined surface 91 on which the lower end of the adjustment-requiring article 8T (the leg 81a of the pallet 81 on which the article 8 is placed) can be placed. The width between the inner end of the inclined surface 91 of one rail member 94 and the inner end of the inclined surface 91 of the other rail member 94 is the same as the widthwise width of the pair of legs 81a of the adjustment-requiring item 8T. The inclined surfaces 91 and placement surfaces 92 of the pair of rail members 94 function as a guide mechanism. The matching rail member 94 is provided horizontally in the advancing / retracting direction (direction along the arrow Y), and also adjusts the inclination (posture) of the adjustment-requiring article 8T in the advancing / retracting direction.

[0021] 5, the control system C is configured by implementing hardware or software (programs), or both, with a central processing unit such as a CPU as its core component to perform various processes on input data. The control system C is connected to a host controller HC, a wireless tag reader 34, a recording unit M, and a transport device 5 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0022] The recording unit M has a hardware configuration including a recording medium capable of storing and rewriting information, such as a hard disk drive or flash memory. The recording unit M records the identification information of each item 8. More specifically, the recording unit M sequentially records the identification information (item ID) of each item 8 obtained from the wireless tag 9 attached to the item 8 passing through the gate 33 by a wireless tag reader 34 provided at the gate 33.

[0023] The host controller HC comprehensively controls the storage status and transport status of the items 8 in the entire facility including the automated warehouse 1. For example, the host controller HC is aware of the type and number of items 8 stored in the storage shelves 2, the type and number of items 8 being brought into the storage shelves 2, and the type and number of items 8 being taken out from the storage shelves 2. The host controller HC also is aware of fluctuations in the stock of items 8 due to new production, items being brought in from outside, and items being taken out to outside.

[0024] The upper controller HC stores the identification information recorded in the wireless tag 9 attached to each item 8 in association with attribute information (e.g., type, number, weight, expiration date, etc.) related to the item 8. By managing the identification information of the wireless tag 9 attached to each item 8, the upper controller HC manages the attribute information of each item 8 using the identification information as a key.

[0025] The transfer processing unit C1 of the control system C performs inbound transfer processing, outbound transfer processing, and controls the transfer device 5, etc. The transport processing unit C1 controls the operation of the transport device 5. In the incoming transport process, the transport processing unit C1 controls the operation of each of the traveling cart 51, the lifting platform 53, and the transfer device 54 so as to transport the article 8 from the receiving section 3 to any of the storage sections 21. In the outgoing transport process, the transport processing unit C1 controls the operation of each of the traveling cart 51, the lifting platform 53, and the transfer device 54 so as to transport the article 8 from any of the storage sections 21 to the outgoing section 4. The transport processing unit C1 further controls the operation of each of the traveling cart 51, the lifting platform 53, and the transfer device 54 so as to transport the article 8 between two different storage sections 21.

[0026] In the warehousing and transport process, a process is performed to record unique identification information related to the item 8 in the recording unit M. In addition, in this embodiment, the warehousing and transport process includes a reading process in which the wireless tag reader 34 reads the identification information recorded in the wireless tag 9 of each item 8, as described above. In the reading process as part of the warehousing and transport process, the transport processing unit C1 temporarily records the unique identification information (item ID) related to the item 8 read by the wireless tag reader 34 as identification information of the item 8 undergoing the warehousing and transport process in the recording unit M, linking it to a warehousing order number indicating the order of warehousing. When storing items 8 in the storage section 21, the transport processing section C1 reads out the identification information of the items 8 stored in the order of storage from the recording section M based on the order of storage (storage order number), and recognizes the type of item 8 associated with the identification information. To further explain, the transport processing section C1 recognizes whether the type of item 8 is an adjustment-requiring item 8T that requires posture adjustment by the posture adjustment device 90 based on the identification information and the order of storage (storage order number). The transport processing unit C1 according to this embodiment executes the following control when the adjustment-requiring item 8T is included as the target item 8 to be subjected to the warehousing transport process.

[0027] In the inbound transport process, if the target item 8 to be transported is an adjustment-requiring item 8T that requires attitude adjustment by the attitude adjustment device 90, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 to the adjustment storage unit 21B before the general storage unit 21A and stores it in the destination adjustment storage unit 21B. If there is an adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently stored items that are scheduled to undergo inbound transport processing within a predetermined set number of items (e.g., 1, 5, 10, etc.) after the inbound transport process of the target item 8, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 from the adjustment storage unit 21B to the general storage unit 21A and stores the target item 8 in the destination general storage unit 21A, and if there is no adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently stored items, the transport processing unit C1 does not transport the target item 8 to the general storage unit 21A, and maintains the storage of the target item 8 in the adjustment storage unit 21B as is. In a configuration in which multiple adjustment storage sections 21B are provided, even if there is an adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently stored items, the posture adjustment of the adjustment-requiring item 8T may be performed in another adjustment storage section 21B. In such a case, the transport processing section C1 determines that the adjustment-requiring item 8T included in the subsequently stored items is not an adjustment-requiring item 8T related to the adjustment storage section 21B that stores the target item 8 (specifically, the posture adjustment device 90 arranged in that adjustment storage section 21B), that is, determines that there is no adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently stored items, and maintains the storage of the target item 8 in the adjustment storage section 21B as is. Incidentally, the set number of items may be a fixed value as described above, or may be settable and changeable depending on the frequency of goods entering and leaving the warehouse. Furthermore, in the warehouse-entry transport process, if the target item 8 is an item requiring adjustment 8T and a preceding item, which is another item 8, is already stored in the adjustment storage section 21B, the transport processing section C1 transports the preceding item from the adjustment storage section 21B to the general storage section 21A using the transport device 5, and then transports the target item 8 to the adjustment storage section 21B and stores the target item 8 in the adjustment storage section 21B to which it is to be transported. When the transport processing unit C1 has completed storing the target item 8 in the storage unit 21, it records the storage number, which is the number of the storage unit 21 where the target item 8 is to be stored, in the recording unit M, linked to the identification information of the target item 8. As a result, the transport processing unit C1 determines whether the item 8 is stored in the general storage unit 21A or the adjustment storage unit 21B by checking whether the identification information is recorded in the recording unit M linked to the storage number corresponding to the specified storage unit 21 (general storage unit 21A or adjustment storage unit 21B).

[0028] Furthermore, the items 8 include a plurality of adjustment-requiring items 8T of different types, and in this embodiment, the adjustment-requiring items 8T include a first-type item 8S and a second-type item 8L having different widths in the width direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the posture adjustment device 90 includes a first-type adjustment device 90S that adjusts the posture of the first-type item 8S and a second-type adjustment device 90L that adjusts the posture of the second-type item 8L, and the first-type adjustment device 90S and the second-type adjustment device 90L are arranged in different adjustment storage sections 21B. In this case, the transportation processing unit C1 performs the inventory transportation processing of the target item 8, assuming that the first-type item 8S is an item 8T requiring adjustment related to the first-type adjustment device 90S but not an item 8T requiring adjustment related to the second-type adjustment device 90L, and that the second-type item 8L is an item 8T requiring adjustment related to the second-type adjustment device 90L but not an item 8T requiring adjustment related to the first-type adjustment device 90S.

[0029] To further explain, the second type adjustment device 90L is arranged in the second adjustment accommodating section 21L, which is an adjustment accommodating section 21B different from the first adjustment accommodating section 21S, and the first type adjustment device 90S is arranged in the first adjustment accommodating section 21S, which is an adjustment accommodating section 21B different from the second adjustment accommodating section 21L. If the target item 8 is a first-class item 8S and there is a first-class item 8S among the subsequently stored items, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 to the first adjustment storage unit 21S, stores it therein, and then transports it from the first adjustment storage unit 21S to the general storage unit 21A; if the target item 8 is a first-class item 8S and there is not a first-class item 8S among the subsequently stored items, the target item 8 is stored directly in the first adjustment storage unit 21S without being transported to the general storage unit 21A. On the other hand, if the target item 8 is a second-type item 8L and there is a second-type item 8L among the subsequently stored items, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 to the second adjustment storage unit 21L, stores it therein, and then transports it from the second adjustment storage unit 21L to the general storage unit 21A; if the target item 8 is a second-type item 8L and there is not a second-type item 8L among the subsequently stored items, the target item 8 is stored directly in the second adjustment storage unit 21L without being transported to the general storage unit 21A.

[0030] On the other hand, in the outgoing transport process, if an item 8 that can be the target of the outgoing transport process is stored in both the general storage section 21A and the adjustment storage section 21B, the transport processing section C1 prioritizes the item stored in the adjustment storage section 21B as the target of the outgoing transport process over the item 8 stored in the general storage section 21A. The transport processing section C1 deletes the identification information related to the item 8 that is carried out from the storage shelf 2 from the recording section M in connection with the outgoing transport process.

[0031] The flow of the warehousing and transportation process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, the adjustment-requiring items 8T include first-class items 8S and second-class items 8L, but after it is determined that the adjustment-requiring items 8T are either the first-class items 8S or the second-class items 8L, in either case, the warehousing and transportation process is executed based on the flowchart in Fig. 6. For this reason, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the adjustment-requiring items 8T are first-class items 8S.

[0032] The transportation processing unit C1 recognizes the type of target item 8 that is the subject of the inventory transportation process based on the identification information (item ID) of the target item 8 that is linked to the inventory order (inventory order number) of the target item 8 and recorded in the recording unit M, and determines whether the target item 8 is an item 8T requiring adjustment (first type item 8S) (step #11). If the target item 8 is not an adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S) (NO in step #11), the transport processing unit C1 stores the target item 8 in the general storage unit 21A (step #13), and if the target item 8 is an adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S) (YES in step #11), it checks whether the first adjustment storage unit 21S, which adjusts the posture of the adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S), is empty (step #12). If the first adjustment storage section 21S, which adjusts the posture of the adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S), is empty (YES in step #12), the transport processing section C1 stores the adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S) in the first adjustment storage section 21S (step #14), and if a preceding item is stored in the first adjustment storage section 21S (NO in step #12), the transport processing section C1 transports the preceding item stored in the first adjustment storage section 21S to the general storage section 21A and stores it there (step #15), and stores the adjustment-requiring item 8T (first-type item 8S) in the first adjustment storage section 21S (step #16). Thereafter, if there is an item 8T requiring adjustment (first-type item 8S) among the subsequently stored items within the predetermined set number of items (YES in step #17), the transport processing unit C1 transports and stores the target item 8 after its posture has been adjusted in the first adjustment storage unit 21S to the general storage unit 21A (step #18), and if there is no item 8T requiring adjustment (first-type item 8S) among the subsequently stored items within the set number of items (NO in step #17), it maintains the storage of the target item 8 in the first adjustment storage unit 21S (step #19).

[0033] Next, the flow of the outbound transport process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The transport processing unit C1 determines whether an item 8 of the same type as the identification information (identification ID) of the item 8 to be shipped is stored in both the general storage unit 21A and the storage unit for adjustment 21B (step #21). If the item 8 to be shipped is stored in both the general storage unit 21A and the storage unit for adjustment 21B (YES in step #21), the transport processing unit C1 designates the item 8 stored in the storage unit for adjustment 21B as the item to be shipped (step #22). If the item 8 to be shipped is not stored in either the general storage unit 21A or the storage unit for adjustment 21B (NO in step #21), the transport processing unit C1 designates the item stored in either the general storage unit 21A or the storage unit for adjustment 21B as the item to be shipped (step #23).

[0034] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the automated warehouse will be described.

[0035] (1) In the above embodiment, the attitude adjustment device 90 is configured to adjust the attitude of one type of adjustment-requiring item 8T. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the attitude adjustment device 90 may be configured to adjust the attitudes of a plurality of types of adjustment-requiring items 8T. To provide further explanation, for example, the items requiring adjustment 8T may further include a first-type item 8S and a third-type item 8M of a different type from the first-type item 8S, and the first-type adjustment device 90S as the posture adjustment device 90 may be configured to include, as guide mechanisms, a first guide mechanism that guides the first-type item 8S in the width direction and a second guide mechanism that guides the third-type item 8M in the width direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the first-type adjustment device 90S adjusts the posture of a first-type item 8S and a third-type item 8M, which has a width (dimension) larger in the width direction than the first-type item 8S (not shown). The first-type adjustment device 90S includes a pair of rail members 94 extending in the extension / retraction direction (arrow Y direction) and capable of supporting one and the other widthwise ends of an article 8. The pair of rail members 94 are fixed on legs 93 fixed to the bottom 21c of the adjustment storage section 21B. Each of the pair of rail members 94 has a first inclined surface 91 that slopes inward in the width direction from top to bottom when viewed in the extension / retraction direction shown in FIG. 4 , and a first mounting surface 92 on the widthwise inner side of the first inclined surface 91 on which the lower end (not shown) of a first-type article 8S (not shown) can be placed. The width between the inner end of the first inclined surface 91 of one rail member 94 and the inner end of the first inclined surface 91 of the other rail member 94 is the same as the width in the width direction of the pair of lower ends of the first-type article 8S. The first inclined surface 91 and the first mounting surface 92 of the pair of rail members 94 function as a first guide mechanism. Furthermore, each of the pair of rail members 94 has a second inclined surface 95 that slopes inward in the width direction from top to bottom when viewed in the forward / backward direction shown in Figure 4, and has a second loading surface 96 on the inside of the second inclined surface 95 in the width direction on which the lower end of the third-type item 8M (the leg 81a of the pallet 81 on which the third-type item 8M is placed) can be placed. The width between the inner end of the second inclined surface 95 of one rail member 94 and the inner end of the second inclined surface 95 of the other rail member 94 matches the width in the width direction of the pair of legs 81a of the third-type item 8M. The second inclined surface 95 and second loading surface 96 of the pair of rail members 94 function as a second guide mechanism. In other words, the width between the inner end of the first inclined surface 91 of one rail member 94 and the inner end of the first inclined surface 91 of the other rail member 94 is narrower than the width between the inner end of the second inclined surface 95 of one rail member 94 and the inner end of the second inclined surface 95 of the other rail member 94.

[0036] (2) In the above embodiment, the posture adjustment device 90 is exemplified as being configured to adjust the posture of the item 8T requiring adjustment by guiding the item 8 held by the holding portion 54a, which is lowered by a drive unit (not shown), in the width direction, with the direction perpendicular to the exit / entrance direction (arrow X direction) when viewed in the vertical direction (viewed in the direction along arrow Z). This adjusts the widthwise position of the item 8 relative to the holding portion 54a. However, without being limited to such a configuration, and although not shown in the figures, the guide mechanism of the posture adjustment device 90 may be configured so that the direction of advance / withdrawal is the depth direction, and the article 8 held by the holding portion 54a, which is lowered by a drive unit (not shown), is guided in the depth direction, thereby adjusting the depth position of the article 8 relative to the holding portion 54a.

[0037] (3) In the above embodiment, the article 8 includes a plurality of adjustment-requiring articles 8T, and a configuration example is shown in which a posture adjustment device 90 is provided for each of the plurality of adjustment-requiring articles 8T to adjust the posture of each of the plurality of adjustment-requiring articles 8T. However, without being limited to such a configuration, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the item 8 includes one adjustment-requiring item 8T and is equipped with one posture adjustment device 90 that adjusts the posture of the one adjustment-requiring item 8T.

[0038] (4) In the above embodiment, in the inbound transport process, if the target item 8 to be transported is an adjustment-requiring item 8T that requires attitude adjustment by the attitude adjustment device 90, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 to the adjustment storage unit 21B before the general storage unit 21A and stores it in the destination adjustment storage unit 21B; if there is an adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently-entered items that are scheduled to be processed for inbound transport within a predetermined set number of items (for example, 1, 5, 10, etc.) after the inbound transport process of the target item 8, the transport processing unit C1 transports the target item 8 from the adjustment storage unit 21B to the general storage unit 21A and stores the target item 8 in the destination general storage unit 21A; if there is no adjustment-requiring item 8T among the subsequently-entered items, the transport processing unit C1 does not transport the target item 8 to the general storage unit 21A, but maintains the target item 8 stored in the adjustment storage unit 21B. However, the transport processing unit C1 can use a predetermined set period (for example, one month, one week, one day, three hours, one hour, etc.) instead of a predetermined set number of items. The set period may be a fixed value or may be configurable depending on the frequency of incoming and outgoing goods. To provide further explanation, in this other embodiment (4), the transport processing unit C1 determines whether or not there are any items 8T requiring adjustment among the subsequently incoming items that are scheduled to undergo in-stock transport processing within the set period, based on the incoming schedule of items 8 from the current point in time onwards, such as the type and number of items stored in the upper controller HC.

[0039] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the target item 8 is a type of item 8 that requires attitude adjustment by the attitude adjustment device 90, the control system C determines that the target item 8 is an adjustment-requiring item 8T that requires attitude adjustment by the attitude adjustment device 90, regardless of the attitude of the target item 8. However, without being limited to such a configuration, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a posture detection device that detects the attitude of the target item 8 is provided in the storage section 3, etc., and when the target item 8 is a type of item 8 that requires attitude adjustment by the attitude adjustment device 90 and the amount of deviation of the attitude of the target item 8 from the reference posture (ideal posture) exceeds a predetermined set amount, the target item 8 is determined to be an adjustment-requiring item 8T.

[0040] (6) In the above embodiment, the different types of articles 8 have different widths (dimensions) in the width direction. Other examples of different types of items 8 may include items with different shapes and models.

[0041] (7) In the above embodiment, the automated warehouse 1 has been described as having a configuration including a host controller HC, a control system C, a recording unit M, and a wireless tag reader 34, which are communicatively connected to the control system C. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the control system C provided in the automated warehouse 1 may integrally include some or all of the functions of the host controller HC, the control system C, and the recording unit M. Alternatively, at least some of the host controller HC, the control system C, and the recording unit M may be further subdivided and communicatively connected to each other.

[0042] (8) In the above embodiment, the warehousing and transportation process was described as an example of a configuration in which the process of reading the identification information of the item 8 to be stored and the process of recording the identification information of the item 8 to be stored in the recording unit M are performed. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the warehousing and transport process may further include, for example, a process of checking the condition of the goods 8 to be stored (inspection process).

[0043] (9) In the above embodiment, the wireless tag 9 is attached to the baggage 82 constituting the goods 8. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the wireless tag 9 may be attached to the pallet 81 of the goods 8.

[0044] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage unit 3 and the delivery unit 4 are provided independently. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the storage unit 3 and the delivery unit 4 may be combined into one unit.

[0045] (11) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveying device 5 is configured as a stacker crane. However, the conveying device 5 is not limited to such a configuration, and any device that can convey at least the items 8 may be used as the conveying device 5, for example, a combination of a conveyor, a lifter, a shuttle, etc. Alternatively, the conveying device 5 may be, for example, a rail-guided high-speed sorting cart, an unmanned guided vehicle, or any other type of transport vehicle.

[0046] (12) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments (including the above-described embodiments and other embodiments; the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are illustrative in all respects and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0047] [Summary of this embodiment] The following provides a summary of the embodiments of the automated warehouse described above.

[0048] a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which can store an item; a conveyance device that performs an in-stock conveyance process, which is a conveyance process of the item for storing the item on the storage shelf; a control system for controlling the transport device; An automated warehouse equipped with some of the plurality of storage sections are adjustment storage sections in which a posture adjustment device that adjusts the posture of the article by temporarily holding the article is disposed, The accommodation unit in which the attitude adjustment device is not disposed is defined as a general accommodation unit, The control system includes: In the pre-entry warehouse transport process of the target item which is the item that is the target of the warehousing transport process, If the target article is an adjustment-requiring article that requires posture adjustment by the posture adjustment device, the target article is transported to the adjustment-use storage section prior to the general storage section and stored in the adjustment-use storage section as a destination; If the item requiring adjustment is among the subsequently received items that are scheduled to undergo the receiving transport process within a predetermined set period or within a predetermined set number of items after the previous entry transport process of the target item, the target item is transported from the adjustment storage section to the general storage section and stored in the general storage section as a destination, In an automated warehouse, if there are no items requiring adjustment among the subsequently received items, the target items are not transported to the general storage section, but are kept stored in the adjustment storage section.

[0049] According to this configuration, if there is an item that requires adjustment among the subsequently stored items, the adjustment storage section can be used to adjust the posture of the subsequently stored items, and if there is no item that requires adjustment among the subsequently stored items, the adjustment storage section can be used to store the items. Therefore, with this configuration, the limited number of storage sections can be used effectively.

[0050] In one embodiment, In the pre-entry warehouse transport process of the target item, if the target item is an item requiring adjustment and a preceding item, which is another item, is already stored in the adjustment storage section, it is preferable that the control system transports the preceding item from the adjustment storage section to the general storage section using the transport device, and then transports the target item to the adjustment storage section and stores the target item in the adjustment storage section to which it is to be transported.

[0051] According to this configuration, even if an item is stored using the adjustment storage section, if it becomes necessary to use the posture adjustment device later, the item stored in the adjustment storage section can be moved to the general storage section, and a new target item can be transported to the adjustment storage section to adjust the posture of the target item.

[0052] In one embodiment, The transport device also performs an out-of-stock transport process, which is a transport process of the item for retrieving the item from the storage shelf, When an item that may be subject to the outgoing transport process is stored in both the general storage section and the adjustment storage section, it is preferable that the control system prioritizes the item stored in the adjustment storage section as the subject of the outgoing transport process over the item stored in the general storage section.

[0053] With this configuration, when it becomes necessary to use the posture adjustment device to adjust the posture of a new target object, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a previous object is stored in the adjustment storage section, thereby reducing the number of times the transport process for moving the object stored in the adjustment storage section to the general storage section is performed.

[0054] In one embodiment, The adjustment-required items include first-class items and second-class items, the attitude adjustment device includes a first-type adjustment device that adjusts the attitude of the first-type article and a second-type adjustment device that adjusts the attitude of the second-type article, The first type adjusting device and the second type adjusting device are disposed in different adjustment accommodating portions, It is preferable that the control system performs the pre-entry warehouse transportation process for the target items by assuming that the first-type items are items requiring adjustment for the first-type adjustment device but not items requiring adjustment for the second-type adjustment device, and that the second-type items are items requiring adjustment for the second-type adjustment device but not items requiring adjustment for the first-type adjustment device.

[0055] According to this configuration, even if there are multiple types of items and the posture adjustment device differs depending on the type of item, the inventory transport process can be performed appropriately depending on the type of item being transported, and the adjustment storage section can be effectively used to store the items.

[0056] In one embodiment, the transport device includes a transfer device that transfers the article between the storage unit and the transport device, the transfer device includes a holding unit that holds the article, and a drive unit that moves the holding unit forward and backward along a forward and backward direction and raises and lowers the holding unit along a vertical direction, When viewed from above, the direction perpendicular to the exit / entrance direction is defined as the width direction. the posture adjustment device includes a guide mechanism that adjusts the widthwise position of the article relative to the holding unit by guiding the article held by the holding unit, which is lowered by the drive unit, in the widthwise direction; The adjustment-required items further include a third type of item, It is preferable that the first type adjustment device includes, as the guide mechanism, a first guide mechanism that guides the first type item in the width direction and a second guide mechanism that guides the third type item in the width direction.

[0057] According to this configuration, by temporarily holding the article on the posture adjustment device, the widthwise position of the article relative to the transfer device can be appropriately adjusted, which makes it easier to store the article in an appropriate position within the general storage section when storing the article in the general storage section. Furthermore, with this configuration, one posture adjustment device can adjust the postures of multiple types of articles. This makes it easier to keep the number of adjustment storage sections low relative to the number of types of articles, allowing for even more effective use of the limited number of storage sections. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The technology disclosed herein can be used in automated warehouses that are equipped with a posture adjustment device for adjusting the posture of an item and that can make effective use of a limited number of storage sections. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1: Automated warehouse 2: Storage shelf 5:Transportation device 8: Target item (item) 8S: 1st class goods 8L: 2nd class goods 8T: Items requiring adjustment 21: Storage unit 21A: General accommodation section 21B: Adjustment housing section 54:Transfer device 54a: Holding part 61: Transport control unit 90: Posture adjustment device 91: 1st slope (slope) 92: First mounting surface (mounting surface) 95:Second slope 96: Second loading surface 90S: 1st class adjustment device 90L: 2nd class adjustment device

Claims

1. a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which can store an item; a conveyance device that performs an in-stock conveyance process, which is a conveyance process of the item for storing the item on the storage shelf; a control system for controlling the transport device; An automated warehouse equipped with some of the plurality of storage sections are adjustment storage sections in which a posture adjustment device that adjusts the posture of the article by temporarily holding the article is disposed, The accommodation unit in which the attitude adjustment device is not disposed is defined as a general accommodation unit, The control system includes: In the pre-entry warehouse transport process of the target item, which is the target item, If the target object is an object requiring posture adjustment by the posture adjustment device, the target object is transported to the adjustment storage section and stored in the adjustment storage section at the destination; If the item requiring adjustment is among the subsequently received items that are scheduled to undergo the receiving transport process within a predetermined set period or within a predetermined set number of items after the previous entry transport process of the target item, the target item is transported from the adjustment storage section to the general storage section and stored in the general storage section as a destination, If there are no items requiring adjustment among the subsequently received items, the automated warehouse does not transport the target items to the general storage section, but instead maintains the target items stored in the adjustment storage section.

2. The automated warehouse described in claim 1, wherein, in the pre-entry warehouse transport process for the target item, if the target item is the item requiring adjustment and a preceding item, which is another item, is already stored in the adjustment storage section, the control system transports the preceding item from the adjustment storage section to the general storage section using the transport device, and then transports the target item to the adjustment storage section and stores the target item in the adjustment storage section as a destination.

3. The transport device also performs an out-of-stock transport process, which is a transport process of the item for retrieving the item from the storage shelf, The automated warehouse described in claim 2, wherein when the item that may be the subject of the outgoing transport process is stored in both the general storage section and the adjustment storage section, the control system prioritizes the item stored in the adjustment storage section as the subject of the outgoing transport process over the item stored in the general storage section.

4. The adjustment-requiring items include a first type item and a second type item, the attitude adjustment device includes a first-type adjustment device that adjusts the attitude of the first-type article and a second-type adjustment device that adjusts the attitude of the second-type article, The first type adjusting device and the second type adjusting device are disposed in different adjustment accommodating portions, The control system performs a front-entry warehouse transport process for the target items, assuming that the first-class items are items requiring adjustment for the first-class adjustment device but not items requiring adjustment for the second-class adjustment device, and that the second-class items are items requiring adjustment for the second-class adjustment device but not items requiring adjustment for the first-class adjustment device.

5. the transport device includes a transfer device that transfers the article between the storage unit and the transport device, the transfer device includes a holding unit that holds the article, and a drive unit that moves the holding unit forward and backward along a forward and backward direction and raises and lowers the holding unit along a vertical direction, When viewed from above, the direction perpendicular to the exit / entrance direction is defined as the width direction. the posture adjustment device includes a guide mechanism that adjusts the widthwise position of the article relative to the holding unit by guiding the article held by the holding unit, which is lowered by the drive unit, in the widthwise direction; The adjustment-required items further include a third type of item, The automated warehouse according to claim 4, wherein the first-type adjustment device includes, as the guide mechanism, a first guide mechanism that guides the first-type items in the width direction and a second guide mechanism that guides the third-type items in the width direction.

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