Logistics warehouse equipment

Abstract

To dramatically improve overall processing efficiency in a conventional distribution warehouse facility, effectively utilize a warehouse space, and provide a safe access to a work site.SOLUTION: A distribution warehouse facility 1 of the present invention is laid out by a stock area L1, a pick-up area L2, a packing area L3, and a shipping area L4. The stock area L1 and the pick-up area L2 are provided with a traveling region R in which a self-propelled conveyor apparatus 2 that mounts a mobile rack 3 and is controlled to travel is shared, a work region W by an operator at an outer periphery position contacting the traveling region R.EFFECT: A fixed facility such as a conveyor facility can be omitted in the warehouse, the distribution warehouse facility contributes to space saving, and at the same time, the warehouse can be easily operated as a manpower-saving automated warehouse in a small warehouse, and can be flexibly and easily adapted to future changes at a low cost.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics warehouse facility that can ensure the safety of workers in a logistics warehouse and improve work efficiency. [Background technology]

[0002] The layout of a typical logistics warehouse generally consists of a delivery area where products are received into the warehouse, a stock area where products delivered from the delivery area are stored, a pickup area where products transferred from the stock area are individually picked up, a packing area where products picked up in the pickup area are packaged, and a shipping area where products are shipped from the packing area.In such warehouses, workers push carts between shelves to pick products.

[0003] The recent trend in the logistics industry as a whole is toward automation and labor-saving, and such equipment is being introduced in each area of ​​the layout described above. For example, in the stock area, multi-tiered shelving units with numerous vertical and horizontal shelves are fixedly arranged with passageways for multiple stacker cranes. Stacker cranes are devices that automatically store and retrieve products from the multi-tiered shelves (hereinafter, conventional logistics warehouses are referred to as automated warehouses). In such automated warehouses, the location of each shelf is managed by a control unit that manages and controls each piece of equipment in the logistics warehouse. Delivered products are then stored on each shelf of the multi-tiered shelving unit. The control unit manages the locations by storing the association between the product and the shelf.

[0004] Automated warehouses incorporating the above-described equipment are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2009-12668 A), Patent Document 2 (JP 2017-39596 A), and Patent Document 3 (JP 2018-8775 A). Furthermore, from the perspective of reducing worker labor, instead of the above-described stacker cranes, automated warehouses have also been proposed in which automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) travel along aisles with multi-tiered shelves between a stock area and a pickup area. The AGV is controlled by a control unit to travel to the multi-tiered shelves where the required products are stored, pick up the products from the multi-tiered shelves, and transfer the products to the pickup area.

[0005] Furthermore, to improve the efficiency of transportation between the stock area and the pickup area, it has been proposed to use an automated guided vehicle (CTU: Container Transfer Unit) that retrieves products from multi-tiered shelves. A CTU, for example, is configured as shown in Patent Document 4 (Utility Model Registration No. 3226837), and retrieves products in the stock area from shelves ranging from high to low positions on the same or other multi-tiered shelves, and transports the retrieved products to the pickup area.

[0006] Here, the CTU described in Patent Document 4 is roughly configured to include a base, an AGV mounted on the bottom of the base, a support pillar equipped with a lifting mechanism mounted on the base, a vertically arranged multi-tiered storage shelf on one side of the support pillar on which products removed from the multi-tiered shelf or products to be returned to the multi-tiered shelf can be placed, and a handling mechanism on the other side of the support pillar which can be raised and lowered toward the multi-tiered storage shelf and which removes products from the multi-tiered shelf to the storage shelf or returns products from the storage shelf to the multi-tiered shelf.

[0007] Based on the program, the control unit causes the CTU to travel toward the desired multi-tiered shelf in the stock area, remove the desired products from the multi-tiered shelf, place them on a storage shelf at a certain level, travel toward the pickup area, and after all the desired products have been removed from the multi-tiered shelf and placed on the storage shelf of the CTU, travel to the pickup area.

[0008] In the pickup area, workers pull out products from the storage shelves of the CTU that has traveled to the area, take the desired products from the pulled out products, and transfer them to the shipping products heading for the shipping area. After all the products carried by the CTU have been removed, the control unit controls the CTU to travel toward the multi-tiered shelves and return the removed products to the original multi-tiered shelves.

[0009] Furthermore, in recent years, AGVs have been used to lift multi-tiered shelves storing a large number of products and move them to a pickup area where the products are picked in front of workers. This differs from the traditional method of people moving around to pick, and is based on the concept of GTP (Goods to Persons), which moves the products to be picked right in front of the worker, reducing the burden on the worker of moving around.

[0010] Even in automated warehouses that use AGVs, products are still picked up in the pickup area, inserted into containers, and sent to the packing area on a conveyor, or products packaged in the packing area are loaded onto carts and transported manually to the shipping area.In the shipping area, there is a sorter that sorts the packaged products by shipping destination, and at the downstream end of the sorter, the products are loaded onto basket cars for each destination and then carried onto trucks for transporting them to each destination.

[0011] As mentioned above, although AGVs have been widely used in automated warehouses up to now, time reductions have only been achieved in the limited process from the stock area to the pickup area, and have not contributed to a dramatic improvement in overall processing efficiency.

[0012] Furthermore, conventional automated warehouses still require conveyors, sorters, or manual labor in downstream processes after the pickup area, which creates the problem of not being able to use the warehouse space as widely as possible due to these facilities.

[0013] Furthermore, in conventional automated warehouses, workers are forced to work in a small space surrounded by equipment, such as AGVs moving in front and conveyors in the rear, making it dangerous to move from the work area for breaks or shift changes.

[0014] Furthermore, conventional automated warehouses have many fixed facilities such as stacker cranes and conveyors, making them unable to quickly adapt to changes with the times, limiting flexibility in layout, etc., and requiring large initial investments, making them difficult to apply to small warehouses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0015] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-12668 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-39596 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-8775 [Patent Document 4] Utility Model Registration No. 3226837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] The problem to be solved was that conventional logistics warehouse facilities still did not contribute to a dramatic improvement in overall processing efficiency, and the facilities prevented the use of a wide range of warehouse space. Furthermore, the fixed facilities meant that layouts lacked flexibility and required a large initial investment. Workers were forced to work in small spaces surrounded by facilities, and it was dangerous for them to move from their work areas for breaks or shift changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the logistics warehouse facility of the present invention includes a stock area where the delivered products are stored as loose products, a pickup area where the products transported from the stock area are picked up, a packing area where the products picked up in the pickup area are packed, and a shipping area where the packed products are shipped. and a product group pickup area where workers pick and transfer the necessary products from the pallet storage area, which stores pallets loaded with products that are shipped in large quantities and frequently. In a logistics warehouse laid out as above, a self-propelled transport device is provided which travels under control and includes a base, a transport mechanism provided under the base, and a lifting mechanism provided on the base. , must a plurality of movable shelves that can be moved by the self-propelled transport device while being loaded with necessary products; The self-propelled transport device travels on a grid of grids each having position information. Set up a driving area This travel area is shared by the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area, At the outer peripheral position in contact with the running area , in the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area It was decided to set up a work area for workers. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The present invention has the advantage that the running area of ​​the self-propelled transport device is shared among each area, making it possible to omit fixed equipment within the warehouse, such as transport facilities.Furthermore, by providing a work area where workers can work at the outer periphery adjacent to the running area of ​​the self-propelled transport device, it is possible to provide a space in which workers can safely move in the direction opposite the running area, in combination with the elimination of fixed equipment, thereby making it possible to make effective use of the space within the warehouse.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention is configured so that the travel area of ​​the self-propelled transport device is shared among each area and the movable shelves are moved by this self-propelled transport device, which contributes to space saving and makes it possible to operate even a small warehouse as a so-called labor-saving automated warehouse.Furthermore, as mentioned above, since fixed equipment is omitted and the space within the warehouse can be used effectively, there is also the advantage that future changes can be accommodated flexibly and easily at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the layout of a logistics warehouse facility according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a self-propelled conveying device and a movable storage shelf in a logistics warehouse facility of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a pickup area in a logistics warehouse facility of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a pickup area in the logistics warehouse facility of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a packing area in a logistics warehouse facility according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a shipping area in a logistics warehouse facility of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a pallet storage area in a logistics warehouse facility of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention aims to dramatically improve overall processing efficiency, effectively utilize the warehouse space, and ensure safe travel to and from work sites. This aim is achieved by the following: a stock area where delivered products are stored as loose products; a pickup area where products transported from the stock area are picked up; a packing area where the products picked up in the pickup area are packed; and a shipping area where the packed products are shipped. and a product group pickup area where workers pick and transfer the necessary products from the pallet storage area, which stores pallets loaded with products that are shipped in large quantities and frequently. In a logistics warehouse laid out as above, a self-propelled transport device is provided which travels under control and includes a base, a transport mechanism provided under the base, and a lifting mechanism provided on the base. , must a plurality of movable shelves that can be moved by the self-propelled transport device while being loaded with necessary products; The self-propelled transport device travels on a grid of grids each having position information. Set up a driving area This travel area is shared by the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area, At the outer peripheral position in contact with the running area , in the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area This was achieved by providing a work area for workers.

[0022] In other words, the present invention omits the transport system equipment that has previously been installed in a fixed manner within a warehouse spanning areas such as from the stock area to the pickup area, and from the pickup area to, for example, a packing area or shipping area, and instead transports mobile shelves using a self-propelled transport device in a travel area shared by each area.By isolating the travel area of ​​the self-propelled transport device from the worker's work area, it is possible to ensure the safety of workers and improve processing capacity by increasing the speed of the self-propelled transport device.

[0023] For example, the present invention provides a travel area for the self-propelled transport device in the center of the floor area of ​​a logistics warehouse, with a working area provided around the outer periphery of this travel area. The outer periphery of the travel area is not only the working area, but also a loading area for transporting goods into the stock area and a connecting area with, for example, trucks in the shipping area.

[0024] The travel area of ​​the self-propelled transport device may be arranged so that, for example, movable shelves that can be moved by the self-propelled transport device are arranged in a manageable manner. For example, movable shelves are prepared for storing products in a stock area, for storing products picked up for shipping in a pickup area, and for loading products directly onto trucks in a shipping area. Because these movable shelves are managed, they are moved to each area by a controlled self-propelled transport device. In the work area, the products stored on the movable shelves brought by the self-propelled transport device are processed.

[0025] By doing this, it is possible to reduce the amount of equipment related to each conveying system, and since there is no need to provide each conveying system with equipment that performs similar operations, the floor space within the warehouse can be used extremely effectively and widely.Furthermore, since there is no equipment in the work area other than the part facing the traveling area, a safe traffic line can be ensured.

[0026] In the present invention, in the above configuration, a picking instruction means for instructing a worker which product to pick from the movable shelf may be provided in the work area. This speeds up the worker's picking work, and as a result, the overall speed of the movable shelf operated by the self-propelled conveying device can be increased.

[0027] Furthermore, in the present invention, in the above-described configuration, an assortment instruction means may be provided in the work area to instruct the worker on the movable shelf on which the removed products are to be collected and stored. This speeds up the collection and storage work by the worker, and as a result, the overall speed of the movable shelf operated by the self-propelled conveying device can be increased.

[0028] In the present invention, in the above configuration, the outer shape of the movable shelf as viewed from above may be square. By doing so, the diameter of rotation of the movable shelf transported by the self-propelled conveying device does not become large when it rotates around the center of the base of the self-propelled conveying device to change direction, and self-propelled conveying devices carrying movable shelves can pass each other or change direction in close proximity, making it possible to use the travel area efficiently.

[0029] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, the present invention may use a mobile storage shelf that stores products before they are picked up, and a mobile consolidation shelf that stores a collection of products after they have been picked up.

[0030] This makes it easier for workers in the pickup area to distinguish between the mobile shelf from which they should take out products and the mobile shelf where the taken-out products are stored, and also separates traffic within the travel area of ​​the self-propelled transport device equipped with the mobile shelf, thereby reducing the complexity of the travel of the self-propelled transport device.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the present invention may be provided with a pallet storage area for storing pallets loaded with product groups that are shipped in large quantities and at high frequency, and a product group pickup area in which workers pick the required product groups from the pallet storage area and transfer them to the movable shelf, the product group pickup area being provided with the traveling area and the working area, and the pallet storage area being provided on the outer periphery of the product group pickup area.

[0032] In this way, for product groups that are shipped in large quantities and frequently, a travel route can be set up within the travel area that moves directly from product pickup area to pickup area, further improving work efficiency.

[0033] Furthermore, in the above, the present invention may be configured such that the pallet storage area is provided with a pallet storage shelf divided into at least two levels, upper and lower, and a pallet moving means is provided for moving pallets on the pallet storage shelf.

[0034] In this way, pallets loaded with products that are shipped in large quantities and frequently in the pallet storage area can be moved sequentially to the vicinity of the work area (or, for example, a pallet storage shelf located adjacent to the work area), allowing workers to quickly transfer the products to mobile shelves in the work area of ​​the product group pickup area, improving work efficiency.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the present invention may be configured such that the working area in the pickup area is formed into a hook shape by the travel area and is located at an inner corner of this hook shape. In this way, a movable shelf storing products to be picked up can be placed on one side of the hook shape, and a movable shelf for collecting and storing the picked up products can be placed on the other side, thereby making the pickup operation, i.e., the product transfer operation, more efficient. [Example]

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Reference numeral 1 denotes a material warehousing facility (hereinafter referred to as facility 1) of the present invention, which is employed in a logistics warehouse L (hereinafter referred to as warehouse L) having the following layout.

[0037] The warehouse L is composed of a delivery area (not shown in this embodiment) that receives products C into the warehouse L, a stock area L1 that stores the products C delivered from the delivery area, a pickup area L2 that individually picks up the products C transferred from the stock area L1, a packing area L3 that packs the products C picked up in the pickup area L2, a shipping area L4 that transports the packed products C to various destinations, such as trucks T, a pallet storage area L5 that stores product groups CA that are shipped in large quantities and at high frequency, and a product group pickup area L5a that transfers the product groups CA from the pallet storage area L5 to the mobile shelf 3 described below that heads to the pickup area L2.

[0038] The logistics warehouse facility 1 of the present invention has the travel area R of the self-propelled transport device 2 described below located in the center of the floor of the warehouse L, and in this example, work areas W for workers, which include a pickup area L2, a packing area L3, a shipping area L4, and a product group pickup area L5a, are provided at the outer periphery adjacent to this travel area R.

[0039] A plurality of self-propelled transport devices 2 that travel under control are deployed in the travel area R. Each self-propelled transport device 2 comprises a base 2a on which a movable shelf 3 (described later) is placed, a transport mechanism 2b provided below the base 2a, and a lifting mechanism 2c provided on the base 2a for lifting the movable shelf 3 placed in the travel area R above the floor of the travel area R. Each self-propelled transport device 2 is assigned unique identification information.

[0040] The logistics warehouse facility 1 is equipped with a plurality of movable shelves 3 that can be moved by self-propelled conveying devices 2 in a stock area L1, a pickup area L2, a packing area L3, and a shipping area L4. The logistics warehouse facility 1 also has a control unit 1x that controls the entire facility. Note that this control unit 1x is actually located in a control room (not shown), but in the drawings it is represented by a wireless controller symbol.

[0041] In this example, this mobile shelf 3 is divided into a storage mobile shelf 3A that stores loose products C1 that have been brought in from the delivery area and have not yet been picked up, a case C2 that collects the loose products C1 that have been picked up, and a consolidation mobile shelf 3B that stores product groups CA in the product group pickup area L5a, and a shipping mobile shelf 3C that sends packaged items C3 that have been removed from the case C2 and packed to the shipping area L4.

[0042] When referring collectively to the storage mobile shelf 3A, the consolidation mobile shelf 3B, and the shipping mobile shelf 3C, they will each be referred to as mobile shelf 3. When referring to loose products themselves, they will be referred to as product C. That is, in this example, depending on the handling and condition, product C is shown as product C1 when it is on the storage mobile shelf 3A, as case C2 when it is on the consolidation mobile shelf 3B, and as package C3 when it is on the shipping mobile shelf 3C. Note that product group CA does not refer to individual units (loose), but rather to products C that are moved in bulk, such as one case or one dozen per single product.

[0043] In this example, the movable shelf 3 has an overall square shape when viewed from above as shown in Figure 1, with multiple shelves 3b provided at predetermined height positions on support posts 3a at the four corners. The support posts 3a also serve as legs at the bottom, allowing the shelf to stand on its own. Bulk products C1 are placed on the shelves 3b of the movable storage shelf 3A, while cases C2 containing collected products C1 or product groups CA are placed on the shelves 3b of the movable consolidation shelf 3B. Packages C3 are placed on the shelves 3b of the movable shipping shelf 3C.

[0044] Each movable shelf 3 and each product C is assigned unique identification information, and each product C is also assigned unique identification information. The control unit 1x grasps and manages which product C is stored on which movable shelf 3.

[0045] The storage mobile shelf 3A moves in a travel area R spanning the stock area L1 and the pickup area L2 by a self-propelled transport device 2. The aggregation mobile shelf 3B moves in a travel area R spanning the pickup area L2 and the packing area L3, and the product group pickup area L5a and the pickup area L2 or the packing area L3 by a self-propelled transport device 2. The shipping mobile shelf 3C moves in a travel area R spanning the packing area L3 and the shipping area L4 by a self-propelled transport device 2.

[0046] However, there is no clear delineation between the placement positions and movement routes (travel routes of the self-propelled conveying device 2) of the storage mobile shelf 3A and the aggregation mobile shelf 3B in the travel area R, and the self-propelled conveying device 2 may be controlled to move them to a location that is efficient for subsequent processing and place them in that position.

[0047] The relationship between the movable shelf 3 and the self-propelled transport device 2 is as follows: When the self-propelled transport device 2 is positioned at the bottom of the movable shelf 3 and in the center of the four support legs 3a, the lifting mechanism 2c raises the base 2c, causing the underside of the lowest shelf 3b of the movable shelf 3 to come into contact with the base 2c, and the entire movable shelf 3b lifts at least the support legs 3a off the floor. In this state, the movable shelf 3 is ready to be moved by the self-propelled transport device 2.

[0048] The travel area R is gridded to match the overall outline (square) of the movable shelf 3 when viewed from above, and a two-dimensional code S, for example, is embedded in the center of each grid B. The two-dimensional code S is linked to a location (address), and the control unit 1x uses the two-dimensional code S containing this location information to determine on which grid the target self-propelled conveying device 2 or movable shelf 3 is currently located. Note that the two-dimensional code S is not limited to this, and may be a sensor.

[0049] Therefore, based on the information on the movable shelf 3 and the information on the self-propelled transport device 2, the control unit 1x can control the self-propelled transport device 2 located on a certain grid B to move toward the movable shelf 3 located on the target grid B. The control unit 1x can also control the self-propelled transport device 2 equipped with the movable shelf 3 to move from a certain position to a target position, for example, the position of the working area W of the pickup area L2, or to move from the pickup area L2 to the working area W of the packing area L3, for example.

[0050] That is, in the logistics warehouse facility 1 of the present invention, the travel area R contains only a plurality of mobile shelves 3 (storage mobile shelves 3A, consolidation mobile shelves 3B, shipping mobile shelves 3C) and a plurality of self-propelled conveying devices 2. The work area W where workers work is located so that (workers) do not intrude into the travel area R and is located in a clearly demarcated position relative to the travel area R, that is, in a position where there is no grid B (and no two-dimensional code S).

[0051] The pickup area L2, packing area L3, and shipping area L4 are configured to be positioned at the inner corners of a hook formed by the travel area R, as shown in the case of pickup area L2 in Fig. 4. The configuration of each of areas L2 to L5 will be described below.

[0052] (Pickup area) The travel area R in the pickup area L2 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is hook-shaped, and is configured so that the storage mobile shelf 3A arrives from the stock area L1 at a side position parallel to the stock area L1, and the aggregation mobile shelf 3B waits at a side position perpendicular to the stock area L1, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, in this example, the pickup area L2 is integrally provided with a picking instruction means 4 that instructs the worker which product C1 to take from the storage mobile shelf 3A, and an assorting instruction means 5 that instructs the worker on the position of the case C2 where the product C1 taken from the storage mobile shelf 3A should be collected and stored on the collection mobile shelf 3B, for example, at a diagonal position from the intersection position of the hook-shaped traveling area R to the working area W.

[0054] The picking instruction means 4, under the control of the control unit 1x, emits, for example, a laser beam to instruct the worker which product C1 to pick from the mobile storage shelf 3A. The assorting instruction means 5 instructs the worker on the position of the case C2 on the mobile consolidation shelf 3B where the product C1 should be consolidated and stored.

[0055] (Packing Area) 5 is configured to be located at an inner corner of the travel area R, which in this example has a hook shape similar to the pickup area L2. A packing table D is located at this inner corner. In addition, in the packing area L3, the consolidation mobile shelf 3B arrives from the pickup area L2 or the product group pickup area L5a at a side position of the hook shape that is parallel to the stock area L1, for example, and the shipping mobile shelf 3C heading to the shipping area L4 waits at a side position that is perpendicular to the stock area L1, for example.

[0056] In this example, the packing area L3 is provided with, for example, the above-mentioned picking instruction means 4, which is configured to instruct the case C2 storing the product C1 to be packed or the product group CA on the consolidation mobile shelf 3B by irradiating it with a laser beam.In this example, the packing area L3 is provided with, for example, an assorting instruction means 5, which is configured to instruct the shipping mobile shelf 3C on which to store the package C3 of the product C1 or the product group CA.

[0057] Then, in the packing area L3, workers take out and pack the products C1 from the cases C2 stored on the consolidation mobile shelves 3B that have been transported from the pickup area L2 by the self-propelled transport device 2, or pack the product groups CA that have been loaded onto the consolidation mobile shelves 3B from the product group pickup area L5a, and store the packages C3 on the shipping mobile shelves 3C that have been divided into sections for each shipping destination.

[0058] (Shipping Area) 6 is configured to be located at an inner corner of the hook-shaped travel area R, similar to the pickup area L2. In the shipping area L4, the shipping mobile shelves 3C arriving from the packing area L3 arrive at a position on a side of the hook-shaped area parallel to the stock area L1, and are then moved by the self-propelled conveying device 2 to a position on a side perpendicular to the stock area L1.

[0059] The mobile shipping shelf 3C is moved to a side position perpendicular to the stock area L1 by the self-propelled transport device 2, and at the most extreme position closest to the shipping truck T, the self-propelled transport device 2 places the mobile shipping shelf 3C on the floor by lowering the lifting mechanism 2c. Then, a worker uses a cart instead of the self-propelled transport device 2 to carry the mobile shipping shelf 3C onto the truck T.

[0060] In the shipping area L4, the travel area R may be expanded to the position of the loading platform of the truck T, and the shipping movable shelf 3C may be directly carried in by the self-propelled transport device 2.

[0061] (Pallet storage area) 7 is arranged on the outer periphery of the product group pickup area L5a, which is located on the outer periphery adjacent to the travel area R of the self-propelled transport device 2 on a side position parallel to the stock area L1. In other words, this pallet storage area L5 is the only area in which the travel area R and pallet storage area L5 are arranged on opposite sides of the work area W.

[0062] In this example, for example, for a product group C that is shipped in large quantities and with high frequency, only such products are collected together and stored on a pallet P as a product group CA in the pallet storage area L5. This product group CA specifically means that it is not a single unit, and is not a bulk product C such as one product or a dozen. Then, in the product group pickup area L5a, a worker removes the product group CA from the pallet P in the pallet storage area L5 and loads it onto the mobile consolidation shelf 3B waiting in the travel area R.

[0063] In this example, the work of picking up the product group CA in the work area W of the pallet storage area L5a is performed by a worker, but it may also be performed by deploying, for example, an arm-type picking robot. The work area W of the pallet storage area L5a is configured differently from the other areas, the pickup area L2, the packing area L3, and the shipping area L4, in that the side of the work area W opposite the stock area L1 is not open, and a pallet storage shelf 6 exists in the same direction. Therefore, deploying a picking robot in this work area W will enable labor savings and an improvement to the worker's working environment.

[0064] That is, in this example, the product group pickup area L5a refers to the section where the mobile consolidated shelf 3B arrives and departs in the travel area R of the stock area L1, and the work area W. The pallet storage area L5 refers to the section in the opposite direction of the work area W from the stock area L1, where the product group CA that is shipped in large quantities and with high frequency is stored.

[0065] In this example, the pallet storage area L5 is configured with pallet storage shelves 6, divided into two levels, for example, upper and lower, in one row (called the front row) in the opposite direction from the stock area L1 of the work area W, and another row (called the back row) on the outer periphery away from the work area W.

[0066] Between these front and rear pallet storage shelves 6, 6, a pallet moving means 7 is provided which moves a pallet P from the rear pallet storage shelf 6 to the front pallet storage shelf 6, moves the pallet P on the upper level of the pallet storage shelf 6 to the lower level, and moves the pallet P emptied of the product group CA to a predetermined position.

[0067] In this example, the pallet moving means 7 is, for example, a forklift, but it may also be provided with a facility that moves forks freely along vertical and horizontal axes, such as a so-called stacker crane.

[0068] (Overall operation explanation) The logistics warehouse facility 1 of the present invention configured as described above is operated as follows: In the stock area L1, the mobile storage shelves 3A storing the loose products C1 are placed in the travel area R in a state that appears disorderly at first glance, but whose positions are grasped and managed by the control unit 1x.

[0069] In the pallet storage area L5, pallets P carrying product groups CA that are shipped in large quantities and with high frequency are moved by pallet moving means 7 from the rear row to the lower level of the front row pallet storage shelf 6.

[0070] When work begins from this initial state, the control unit 1x first directs the self-propelled conveying device 2 closest to the storage mobile shelf 3A in the stock area L1, which is loaded with the required product C according to the order.

[0071] When the control unit 1x arrives at the location where the mobile storage shelf 3A is located, that is, when it moves to the underside of the lowest shelf 3b of the mobile storage shelf 3A, it operates the lifting mechanism 2c to raise the base 2a and lift the support columns 3a of the mobile storage shelf 3A above the floor surface of the travel area R. This makes the mobile storage shelf 3A movable by the self-propelled transport device 2. Thereafter, the control unit 1x controls the transport mechanism 2b to move the mobile storage shelf 3A to the nearest pickup area L2.

[0072] Furthermore, the control unit 1x similarly moves an available consolidation mobile shelf 3B to the product group pickup area L5a by the nearest self-propelled transport device 2. For example, in this explanation, assume that there is an order to ship a large quantity of high-frequency products, and the product group CA is taken out from the lower level of the front pallet storage shelf 6 in the product group pickup area L5a and stored in an available consolidation mobile shelf 3B.

[0073] Furthermore, at this time, the other self-propelled conveying devices 2 are moving toward the nearest vacant consolidation mobile shelf 3B that is no longer needed, for example, in the packing area L3. The vacant consolidation mobile shelf 3B is managed by the control unit 1x. The vacant consolidation mobile shelf 3B is moved by the self-propelled conveying devices 2 from the packing area L3 to the pickup area L2 or the product group pickup area L5a.

[0074] When the storage mobile shelf 3A and the consolidation mobile shelf 3B move to the pickup area L2, the picking instruction means 4 instructs the worker in the work area W of the pickup area L2 which product C1 should now be taken out from the storage mobile shelf 3A, and almost simultaneously, the assorting instruction means 5 instructs the worker on the position on the consolidation mobile shelf 3B where the taken-out product C1 will be consolidated and stored. The worker transfers the product C according to the instructions from the picking instruction means 4 and the assorting instruction means 5.

[0075] When the work in the pickup area L2 is completed, the storage mobile shelf 3A from which the product has just been removed returns to its designated position in the stock area L1, and the self-propelled transport device 2 places the storage mobile shelf 3A on the floor of the traveling area R, and the self-propelled transport device 2 then heads off to transport another mobile shelf 3.

[0076] Meanwhile, after the consolidation mobile shelf 3B that departed from the pickup area L2 arrives at the packing area L3, the case C2 on the consolidation mobile shelf 3B is instructed by the picking instruction means 4, and a worker removes the product C to the packing table D, where the worker packs it, and after packing, the worker places the packaged item C3 on the waiting shipping mobile shelf 3C according to instructions from the assorting instruction means 5. If there is a consolidation mobile shelf 3B that has arrived from the product group pickup area L5a, it is packed here according to the picking instruction means 4, and the worker places the packaged item C3 on the shipping mobile shelf 3C according to instructions from the assorting instruction means 5.

[0077] In the packing area L3, the consolidation mobile shelf 3B after the packaging work is moved to the pickup area L2 or the product group pickup area L5a as an empty consolidation mobile shelf 3B. Meanwhile, the shipping mobile shelf 3C is moved from the packing area L3 to the shipping area L5 by the self-propelled transport device 2. The consolidation mobile shelf 3B on which the case C2 was loaded is moved to the pickup area L2, and the consolidation mobile shelf 3B on which the product group CA was directly loaded is moved to the product group pickup area L5a.

[0078] When the shipping mobile shelf 3C arrives at the shipping area L5 and arrives at the standby position where trucks T are located for transporting in various directions, in this example, the self-propelled transport device 2 places the shipping mobile shelf 3C on the floor and heads off to another location. In this example, the shipping mobile shelf 3C placed at the standby position is carried into the truck T by an operator.

[0079] In this way, the present invention is configured so that the travel area R of the self-propelled conveying device 2 is shared by the stock area L1, pickup area L2, packing area L3, and shipping area L4, and the movable shelves 3 are moved, so there is no concept of placing the movable shelves 3 in a fixed position.In other words, there is no need to perform the process of returning the movable shelves 3 to their fixed positions, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required for work within the logistics warehouse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 (Logistics warehouse) equipment 1x control unit 2 Self-propelled transport device 3 Mobile shelves 3A Storage mobile shelf 3B Aggregation shelf 3C Shipping Mobile Shelf 4. Picking teaching method 5 Assorted teaching methods 6 Pallet storage shelves 7 Pallet transport means L Logistics warehouse L1 Stock Area L2 Pickup Area L3 Packing Area L4 Shipping Area L5 Pallet storage area L5a Product Group Pickup Area R driving area W work area

Claims

1. In a logistics warehouse that is laid out with a stock area where delivered products are stored as loose products, a pickup area where products transported from said stock area are taken out, a packing area where the products taken out in said pickup area are packed, a shipping area where the packed products are shipped out, and a product group pickup area where workers pick and transfer required product groups from a pallet storage area that stores pallets loaded with product groups that are shipped in large quantities and frequently, a self-propelled transport device that travels under control and includes a base, a transport mechanism provided below the base, and an elevating mechanism provided on the base; a plurality of movable shelves that can be moved by the self-propelled transport device while loaded with necessary products; A logistics warehouse facility in which a gridded travel area is provided in the stock area, where the self-propelled transport device travels, with each grid having position information, this travel area is shared by the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area, and work areas for workers in the pickup area, the packing area, the shipping area, and the product group pickup area are provided at outer periphery positions adjacent to the travel area.

2. A logistics warehouse facility as described in claim 1, wherein a picking instruction means is provided in the work area to instruct workers on which products to remove from the movable shelves.

3. A logistics warehouse facility as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein an assortment instruction means is provided in the work area to instruct workers on the movable shelves that consolidate and store the removed goods.

4. A logistics warehouse facility described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external shape of the movable shelf when viewed from above is square.

5. A logistics warehouse facility described in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mobile shelves are storage mobile shelves that store goods before pick-up and consolidation mobile shelves that store goods in a consolidated manner after pick-up.

6. A logistics warehouse facility described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the working area in the pickup area is formed into a hook shape by the traveling area and is located at the inner corner of this hook shape.

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