Picking system

Abstract

A picking system (1) comprises: a conveyance carriage (13); a plurality of raising / lowering conveyance devices (23); a picking station (25); and a controller (3). The controller (3) manages a plurality of articles included in one or more orders as a single conveyance group and controls the conveyance carriage (13) to convey articles included in the one conveyance group to a preparation area (21). The controller (3) controls the raising / lowering conveyance devices (23) to convey, to the picking station (25), articles that are included in the one conveyance group which has arrived at the preparation area (21).

Description

Picking System

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a picking system.

[0002] A conventional practice is to ship groups of items of the type included in an order from each of the item box warehouses provided for each type of item, to pick items of the type and quantity that match the order from the shipped group of items, and to consolidate these items and store them in a delivery box (also known as sorting work or picking). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse that can efficiently ship items included in an order during such sorting work.

[0003] JP 2022-94210 A

[0004] However, in order to deliver items in the order of their orders, it may be necessary to have the conveying device holding the items wait along the way. This reduces the efficiency of transporting items when they are delivered from the automated warehouse. Also, items delivered from the automated warehouse do not necessarily arrive at the picking station in the order of their orders. In this case, it is necessary to wait for items that arrive later in order to perform sorting work.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a picking system that can improve the transport efficiency when items are removed from an automated warehouse, while allowing items removed from the automated warehouse to arrive at a picking station in order of order.

[0006] (1) A picking system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a rack on which items are placed, a transport cart that transfers the items onto the rack, a plurality of lifting and lowering transport devices that are arranged so that items can be handed over via a preparation area formed in part of the rack and that transport a plurality of items, a picking station that is arranged so that a plurality of items can be handed over to each of the plurality of lifting and lowering transport devices, and a controller that manages the transportation of the items, wherein the controller manages a plurality of items included in one or more orders as a single transport group, controls the transport cart to transport the items included in one transport group to the preparation area, and controls the lifting and lowering transport devices to transport the items included in one transport group that have been gathered in the preparation area to the picking station.

[0007] In a picking system with this configuration, after moving an item from a rack to a preparation area, the transport vehicle does not remain there and can continue transporting the item based on the order. This improves the transport efficiency when items are removed from the automated warehouse. In addition, the lifting transport device transports all the items in one transport group to the picking station at the same time once all the items in that group are collected. This allows the items removed from the automated warehouse to arrive at the picking station in the order of their orders.

[0008] (2) In the picking system described in (1) above, each of the multiple lifting conveying devices may have a lifting platform on which multiple items are placed and a lifting platform drive unit that moves the lifting platform vertically. The preparation area may be formed from one tier of multiple racks arranged in the conveying direction of the lifting conveying device and may be configured to allow multiple items to be placed along the travel path of the transport vehicle. The controller may control the transport vehicle to transport items included in one transport group to the preparation area formed from one tier, and control the lifting conveying device to transport items included in one transport group gathered in the preparation area on one tier to the picking station. With this configuration, items transferred en masse from one preparation area formed on one tier can be transported nonstop to the picking station. This reduces the number of times the lifting conveying device needs to stop to transfer items from the preparation area, thereby further improving transport efficiency.

[0009] (3) The picking system described in (1) or (2) above may include a plurality of lifting and conveying devices, a plurality of transfer machines, and a single transfer machine drive unit that drives the plurality of transfer machines. In this configuration, a configuration for transferring articles between the lifting and conveying devices and the preparation area, and between the lifting devices and the picking station can be constructed inexpensively.

[0010] (4) The picking system according to any one of (1) to (3) above may further include an external connection conveyor that is disposed on the opposite side of the rack with one of the plurality of lifting and conveying devices interposed therebetween and that is capable of transferring items to and from the one lifting and conveying device. In this configuration, for example, new items can be stored in the automated warehouse via the external connection conveyor and the lifting and conveying device, and emptied item boxes at the picking station can be discharged via the lifting and conveying device and the external connection conveyor.

[0011] (5) The picking system described in any one of (1) to (4) above may further include a temporary storage unit that is disposed on the opposite side of the rack from one of the plurality of elevator transport devices and that is configured to be able to transfer items to the elevator transport device. This configuration allows items that will be used soon to be stored in the temporary storage unit without being returned to the automated warehouse. This allows items to be quickly supplied to the picking station regardless of the order order.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the transport efficiency when articles are removed from an automated warehouse, while allowing articles removed from the automated warehouse to arrive at a picking station in the order of their orders.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a picking system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the picking system taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the picking system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a picking system according to a first modified example. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a picking system according to a second modified example. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the picking system taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a picking system according to a third modified example. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a picking system according to a fourth modified example. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the picking station shown in FIG. 8.

[0014] Hereinafter, a picking system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the picking system 1 supplies a picking station 25 with an item box (item) B1 containing items to be sorted from each of a plurality of automated warehouses 10 in which items are stored by type. At the picking station 25, an operator P removes items from the item box B1 in the type and quantity that correspond to the order of the shipping destination, consolidates them, and stores them in an empty delivery box B2. The picking system 1 is a system that supports such sorting work (picking). An order from a shipping destination is, for example, the items and their quantity ordered online by a purchaser of the items. Alternatively, an order from a shipping destination may be an order from a physical store or a parts procurement request from a manufacturing plant.

[0016] The picking system 1 includes a plurality of automated warehouses 10, an automated inter-warehouse conveying device 18, an elevator conveying device 23, a picking station 25, and a controller 3.

[0017] Each of the multiple automated warehouses 10 stores multiple item boxes B1, each containing different types of items, and delivers the item boxes B1 based on an order. Each of the multiple automated warehouses 10 is capable of receiving the item boxes B1 that have been delivered and returned, and storing the item boxes B1 again. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the multiple automated warehouses 10 are arranged horizontally in one direction. The number of automated warehouses 10 included in the picking system 1 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the type and size of the automated warehouses 10 (the number of item boxes B1 stored) are not particularly limited, and the multiple automated warehouses 10 may be different in type and size from one another. Each of the multiple automated warehouses 10 includes a pair of racks 11A, 11B, a transport cart 13, an outgoing lifting device 14, an incoming lifting device 15, an outgoing conveying device 16, and an incoming conveying device 17.

[0018] The pair of racks 11A, 11B are shelves for storing item boxes B1. The pair of racks 11A, 11B store a plurality of item boxes B1 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The pair of racks 11A, 11B are arranged facing each other with a transport cart 13 in between. The transport cart 13 is provided for each stage of the pair of racks 11A, 11B. The transport cart 13 travels horizontally. When the transport cart 13 unloads the item box B1 from the automated warehouse 10, it receives the item box B1 from one of the pair of racks 11A, 11B and hands it over to the unloading lifting device 14. When the transport cart 13 loads the item box B1 into the automated warehouse 10, it receives the item box B1 from the loading lifting device 15 and hands it over to one of the pair of racks 11A, 11B.

[0019] The outgoing lifting device 14 transports the item box B1 received from the transport cart 13 in the vertical direction and hands it over to the outgoing transporting device 16. The incoming lifting device 15 transports the item box B1 received from the incoming transporting device 17 in the vertical direction and hands it over to the transport cart 13. The outgoing lifting device 14 and the incoming lifting device 15 are, for example, lifting devices in which a lift section on which the item box B1 is placed moves in the vertical direction.

[0020] The outgoing conveying device 16 conveys the item box B1 received from the outgoing lifting device 14 in the horizontal direction and hands it over to the automatic inter-storage conveying device 18. The incoming conveying device 17 conveys the item box B1 received from the automatic inter-storage conveying device 18 in the horizontal direction and hands it over to the incoming lifting device 15. The outgoing conveying device 16 and the incoming conveying device 17 are, for example, belt conveyors or roller conveyors.

[0021] The automated inter-storage conveying device 18 conveys the article box B1 between the automated warehouses 10, 10. The automated inter-storage conveying device 18 receives the article box B1 from the outgoing conveying device 16 in one automated warehouse 10, and delivers the article box B1 to the incoming conveying device 17 in the other automated warehouse 10. The automated inter-storage conveying device 18 is, for example, a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor.

[0022] A rack 11B of an automated warehouse 10 arranged at one end in one direction among multiple automated warehouses 10 is provided with a preparation area 21 where item boxes B1 can be transferred to and from the lifting and transporting device 23. The preparation area 21 allows multiple item boxes B1 to be placed along the travel path of the transport vehicle, and is provided on each tier of a shelf that is formed in multiple vertical tiers. The preparation area 21 may be provided on one or multiple tiers of the shelves that are formed in the vertical direction in the rack 11B. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which all shelves on multiple tiers are formed as preparation areas 21, and the preparation areas 21 are formed in two locations in the horizontal direction (the transport direction of the transport vehicle 13). In other words, it can be said that two rows of preparation areas 21 are formed on each tier when viewed from the arrangement direction of the automated warehouse 10.

[0023] The lifting and conveying device 23 conveys a plurality of item boxes B1. The lifting and conveying device 23 is arranged so that the rack 11B and the item boxes B1 can be transferred to and from each other via the preparation area 21. The lifting and conveying device 23 has a pair of guide units 23A, 23A, a lifting platform 23B, a lifting platform driving unit 23C, a plurality of transfer machines 23D, and one transfer machine driving unit 23E.

[0024] The pair of guide portions 23A, 23A extend vertically and guide both ends of the lifting platform 23B. The lifting platform 23B is configured to be able to place multiple (e.g., five) item boxes B1 on it. The lifting platform 23B is attached to a driven member such as a chain or belt that is arranged along the guide portion 23A. The driven member is wound up, unwound, rotated, etc. by driving the lifting platform drive portion 23C. In other words, the lifting platform 23B, which is connected to the driven member, can be moved vertically by driving the lifting platform drive portion 23C. The lifting platform 23B is provided with multiple transfer machines 23D.

[0025] The multiple transfer machines 23D are provided corresponding to the number of item boxes B1 that can be placed on the lifting platform 23B. The transfer machines 23D are, for example, slide forks that hold both sides of the item box B1 to transfer the item box B1 between the preparation area 21 and the lifting platform 23B and between the picking station 25 and the lifting platform 23B. The transfer machine drive unit 23E drives the multiple transfer machines 23D placed on the lifting platform 23B. In other words, one transfer machine drive unit 23E drives the multiple transfer machines 23D collectively.

[0026] The picking station 25 is provided so that it can deliver multiple item boxes B1 to the lifting and conveying device 23. The picking station 25 is arranged in the work space S. The work space S is a space where a worker P picks out items of the type and quantity that match the order of the shipping destination from the item boxes B1, consolidates them, and stores them in an empty delivery box B2. The work space S is arranged with the picking station 25, a movable shelf 31, a delivery shelf 33, and a terminal device 27. The picking station 25 supplies the item boxes B1 to the worker P who will perform the sorting work.

[0027] The picking station 25 has an input section 25A, a sorting section 25B, an output section 25C, and a conveying section 25D. The input section 25A is a section where the item boxes B1 are handed over from the lifting and conveying device 23. The sorting section 25B is a section where a worker performs sorting work. The conveying section 25C is a section where the item boxes B1 are handed over to the lifting and conveying device 23. The conveying section 25D conveys the item boxes B1 in the order of the input section 25A, the sorting section 25B, and the output section 25C. The picking station 25 can hold five item boxes B1 in each of the input section 25A, the sorting section 25B, and the output section 25C. In other words, the picking station 25 can temporarily hold 15 item boxes B1.

[0028] The movable shelf 31 stores empty item boxes B1. The movable shelf 31 is equipped with wheels and can be moved by a worker P and transported to the work space S. The delivery shelf 33 stores delivery boxes B3, which have been sorted and filled by the worker P. The delivery shelf 33 is equipped with wheels and, when the delivery shelf 33 is fully loaded with delivery boxes B3, can be moved by the worker P and transported to a shipping space (not shown). The terminal device 27 has a display unit (display) that displays the type (item name) and number of items to be placed from the item box B1 into the delivery box B2, a completion button for inputting completion of the work, and the like. The worker P places items into the delivery box B2 based on the content displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 27 and presses the completion button. Here, items included in one order are placed into one delivery box B2. When the completion button is pressed, the type and number of items to be placed next into the delivery box B2 are displayed on the display unit.

[0029] The controller 3 manages the transportation of item boxes B1 in the picking system 1. In this embodiment, the controller 3 manages one or more item boxes B1 containing items included in one or more orders as one transport group. That is, when one order includes multiple types of items, the controller 3 manages the order as one transport group and the multiple item boxes B1 containing the items as one transport group. Alternatively, when one order includes only one type of item, the controller 3 manages the multiple orders as one transport group and the multiple item boxes B1 containing the items as one transport group. The controller 3 controls the transport vehicle 13 to transport the item boxes B1 containing the items included in one transport group to the preparation area 21. One order may include multiple types of items. Furthermore, when a transport group consisting of multiple orders includes common items, the item box B1 containing the common items is shared by the multiple orders. That is, items are taken out of the item box B1 based on the quantities of each of the multiple orders. The number of orders included in one group can be set to be equal to or less than the number of item boxes B1 that are simultaneously transferred from the elevator conveying device 23 to the picking station 25.

[0030] The controller 3 may control the transport cart 13 to transport items included in one transport group to one tier of preparation areas 21, or may control the transport cart 13 to transport items included in one transport group across multiple tiers of preparation areas 21 that are lined up vertically and can be transferred by the same lifting and transporting device.

[0031] The controller 3 controls the lifting and lowering conveying device 23 so as to transport the items included in one transport group that has been gathered in the preparation area 21 to the picking station 25. When the items included in one transport group have been transported to the preparation area 21 of one tier, the controller 3 controls the lifting and lowering conveying device 23 so as to receive the items included in one transport group from the corresponding preparation area 21 and transport them to the picking station 25. As a result, when all (e.g., five) item boxes B1 included in one transport group have been gathered in the preparation area 21 of one tier, all of the item boxes B1 are handed over to the lifting and lowering conveying device 23 from the preparation area 21 of one tier and transported.

[0032] When items included in one transport group are transported across multiple levels of preparation areas 21, the controller 3 controls the lifting and lowering transport device 23 to receive the items included in one transport group from each of the corresponding preparation areas 21 and transport them to the picking station 25. As a result, when all (e.g., five) item boxes B1 included in one transport group have been gathered in multiple (e.g., two-level) preparation areas 21, the item boxes B1 are handed over to the lifting and lowering transport device 23 in order from each of the multiple preparation areas 21 and transported.

[0033] The effects of the picking system 1 of the above embodiment will be described. In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, the transport vehicle 13 that has transferred items to the preparation area 21 based on an order does not remain in place, but can continue transporting the items based on the order. This improves the transport efficiency when items are released from the automated warehouse 10. Furthermore, the lifting transport device 23 transports all the items in one transport group to the picking station 25 at the same time. This allows the items released from the automated warehouse 10 to arrive at the picking station 25 in the order of the order.

[0034] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, the controller 3 controls the transport vehicle 13 to transport items included in one transport group to the preparation area 21 formed from one tier, and controls the lifting transport device 23 to transport items included in one transport group that has gathered in the preparation area 21 of one tier to the picking station 25. This allows items that have been transferred in bulk from one preparation area 21 formed on one tier to be transported non-stop to the picking station 25. This reduces the number of times the lifting transport device 23 stops to hand over items from the preparation area 21, thereby further improving transport efficiency.

[0035] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, the lifting and conveying device 23 has a plurality of transfer machines 23D and one transfer machine drive unit 23E that drives the plurality of transfer machines 23D. This makes it possible to inexpensively construct a configuration for transferring item boxes B1 between the lifting and conveying device 23 and the preparation area 21, and between the lifting and conveying device 23 and the picking station 25.

[0036] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0037] (Variation 1) While the picking station 25 in the above embodiment has been described as having an input unit 25A, a sorting unit 25B, an output unit 25C, and a transport unit 25D, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , a picking system 1 according to Variation 1 may include a picking station 26 as a support platform capable of collectively transferring multiple item boxes B1 transported by the lifting transport device 23, instead of the picking station 25 in the above embodiment. The picking station 26 supports the item boxes B1 from below. A worker P picks items included in an order from the item boxes B1 placed on the picking station 26 and places them in a delivery box B2. Even with the picking system 1 according to Variation 1 including a picking station 26 having such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0038] (Variation 2) In addition to the configuration of the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment or the picking system 1 according to Variation 1, the picking system 1 according to Variation 2 includes, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , an external connection conveyor 51 that is arranged on the opposite side of the rack 11B across the lifting and conveying device 23 and is capable of delivering an item box B1 to the lifting and conveying device 23. The external connection conveyor 51 may be arranged above the picking station 25. The controller 3 may control the lifting and conveying device 23 to deliver items to and from the external connection conveyor 51. The external connection conveyor 51 branches off from the external connection conveyor 50 as a main line and is arranged to reach the opposite side of the rack 11B across the lifting and conveying device 23. Note that the external connection conveyor 50 as a main line may be arranged to reach the opposite side of the rack 11B across the lifting and conveying device 23.

[0039] The external connection conveyor 51 transports at least one of an item box B1 containing an item and an empty item box B1 containing no item. The lifting transport device 23 receives the item box B1 transported by the external connection conveyor 51 and delivers it to the picking station 25. With the configuration of the picking system 1 according to the second modification, items can be delivered directly to the picking station 25 immediately after arrival.

[0040] The external connection conveyor 51 may also transport a delivery box B3 containing items picked at a picking station 25 in another area, and supply it to the picking station 25 via the lifting and transporting device 23. Then, at the picking station 25 to which the delivery box B3 has been supplied, newly picked items can be added to the delivery box B3 (additional loading is possible).

[0041] Furthermore, for example, the lifting transport device 23 receives an item box B1 containing items transported by the external connection conveyor 51, and hands it over to the transport cart 13 via the preparation area 21. The transport cart 13 transports the delivered item box B1 to a predetermined position on the rack 11A or rack 11B and transfers it, or may transport it to another automated warehouse 10 by the inter-automated warehouse transport device 18. In a picking system 1 configured in this way, by storing an item box B1 containing items from outside via the external connection conveyor 51 and the lifting transport device 23, it is possible to replenish items that have been removed from the automated warehouse 10, or to newly store new items that have not been stored in the automated warehouse 10.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the external connection conveyor 51 receives and conveys the empty item box B1 that does not contain any items from the lifting and conveying device 23. In the picking system 1 configured in this way, the item box B1 that has become empty due to the sorting work can be discharged outside the picking system 1 via the lifting and conveying device 23 and the external connection conveyor 51.

[0043] (Variation 3) As shown in FIG. 7 , a picking system 1 according to Variation 3 may include, in addition to the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment, the configuration of the picking system 1 according to Variation 1, or the configuration according to Variation 2, a temporary storage unit 61 that is disposed on the opposite side of the rack 11B across the lifting conveying device 23 and that is configured to be able to transfer an item box B1 to the lifting conveying device 23. The temporary storage unit 61 may be disposed above the picking station 25. The temporary storage unit 61 is a support platform that supports the item box B1 from below. The controller 3 may control the lifting conveying device 23 to transfer items to the temporary storage unit 61. With this configuration, item boxes B1 that will be used soon from among the item boxes B1 supplied to the picking station 25 can be evacuated to the temporary storage unit 61 without being returned to the automated warehouse 10. This enables rapid supply to the picking station 25 regardless of the order order.

[0044] (Variant 4) The picking system 1 according to variant 4 is the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment, the configuration of the picking system 1 according to variant 1, the configuration according to variant 2, or the configuration according to variant 3, with the lifting and conveying device 23 and the picking station 25 partially modified, and further includes a delivery box conveying device 70.

[0045] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the lifting and transporting device 23 differs from the lifting and transporting device 23 of the above embodiment in that it has a right lifting and transporting section 23Ba and a left lifting and transporting section 23Bb. The right lifting and transporting section 23Ba is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a guide section 23Aa arranged on the right side. The left lifting and transporting section 23Bb is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a guide section 23Ab arranged on the left side. The configuration in which the right lifting and transporting section 23Ba can move along the guide section 23Aa and the configuration in which the left lifting and transporting section 23Bb can move along the guide section 23Ab are similar to those of the lifting and transporting device 23 of the above embodiment. The right lifting and transporting section 23Ba and the left lifting and transporting section 23Bb may move up and down synchronously or independently.

[0046] Unlike the picking station 25 of the above embodiment, the picking station 25 has a right side portion (intake section 25A, sorting section 25B, discharge section 25C, and conveying section 25D) and a left side portion (intake section 25A, sorting section 25B, discharge section 25C, and conveying section 25D). Between the right side portion and the left side portion, a gap is formed in which an empty box intake section 71 and a delivery box discharge section 72, which will be described in detail later, are disposed.

[0047] The delivery box conveying device 70 carries delivery boxes B2 into the work space S and carries delivery boxes B3 into which items have been placed. The delivery box conveying device 70 has an empty box conveying section 73, a delivery box conveying section 74, an empty box carry-in section 71, and a delivery box discharge section 72. The empty box conveying section 73 conveys empty boxes, which are delivery boxes B2 that are empty. Empty boxes are supplied to the upstream end of the empty box conveying section 73. The empty box carry-in section 71 supplies empty boxes conveyed by the empty box conveying section 73 to the work space S. The delivery box discharge section 72 carries out delivery boxes B3 into which items have been placed by a worker P in the work space S. The delivery box conveying section 74 transports delivery boxes B3 carried out from the delivery box discharge section 72 to a shipping space not shown.

[0048] In the picking system 1 according to the modified example 4, the empty delivery box B2 is transported to the work space S, which reduces the burden on the worker P compared to when the worker P transports the mobile shelf 31 loaded with the delivery box B2 to the work space S. Also, in the picking system 1 according to the modified example 4, the delivery box B3 with items placed in it is transported from the work space S, which reduces the burden on the worker P compared to when the worker P transports the delivery shelf 33 loaded with the delivery box B3 to the shipping space.

[0049] (Other Modifications) In the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment and the above modification, an example has been described in which the multiple transfer machines 23D provided on the lifting and conveying device 23 transfer the item boxes B1 from the preparation area 21 to the lifting and conveying platform 23B and from the lifting and conveying platform 23B to the picking station 25, but this is not limiting. For example, the preparation area 21 may be provided with a drive conveyor for transferring the item boxes B1 to and from the lifting and conveying device 23. Furthermore, the preparation area 21 may be provided with a push-pull type transfer machine or a side-arm type transfer machine. This makes it possible to transfer the item boxes B1 between the preparation area 21 and the lifting and conveying device 23.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, the loading section 25A of the picking station 25 or the picking station 26 may be provided with a drive conveyor for transferring the item box B1 between the lifting and conveying device 23. Furthermore, instead of providing a transfer machine in the lifting and conveying device 23, the loading section 25A of the picking station 25 or the picking station 26 may be provided with a push-pull type transfer machine or a side-arm type transfer machine. This makes it possible to transfer the item box B1 between the preparation area 21 and the lifting and conveying device 23.

[0051] In the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment and the above modified example, the lifting and transporting device 23 is provided with a lifting platform 23B capable of placing multiple item boxes B1 thereon, and the lifting and transporting device 23 transports multiple item boxes B1 at once. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the picking system 1 may be configured such that multiple (e.g., five) transport devices are provided that move independently of each other between the preparation area 21 and the picking station 25 (in other words, one item box B1 is placed on one lifting platform).

[0052] In the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which at least the transport cart 13 is used to deliver the item boxes B1 from some of the racks 11A and 11B in the automated warehouse 10 to the preparation area 21. However, this is not limiting. For example, the transport cart 13 may be a cart having both a lifting function for moving along the vertical direction of the racks 11A and 11B and a traveling function for moving horizontally along the racks 11A and 11B. Furthermore, the transport cart 13 may have a crossing function for moving in a direction crossing the racks 11A and 11B instead of or in addition to the lifting function and the traveling function. In this case, all or some of the outgoing lifting device 14, the incoming lifting device 15, the outgoing conveying device 16, the incoming conveying device 17, and the inter-automated warehouse conveying device 18 may be omitted.

[0053] In the picking system 1 according to the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which all of the item boxes B1 included in one transport group are placed on one lifting platform 23B. That is, an example has been described in which the item boxes B1 included in one transport group are transported by a single movement of the lifting platform 23B from above to below, but this is not limited to this. For example, if the number of item boxes B1 included in one transport group is too large to fit on one lifting platform 23B, the item boxes B1 belonging to the same group may be placed on the lifting platform 23B so as to be consecutive and transported.

[0054] 1...picking system, 3...controller, 10...automated warehouse, 11A, 11B...rack, 13...transport cart, 14...outgoing lifting device, 15...storage lifting device, 16...outgoing conveying device, 17...storage conveying device, 18...automated inter-warehouse conveying device, 21...preparation area, 23...lifting conveying device, 25, 26...picking station, 27...terminal device, 31...movable shelf, 33...delivery shelf, 51...external connection conveyor, 61...temporary storage section, 70...delivery box conveying device, 71...empty box loading section, 72...delivery box unloading section, 73...empty box conveying section, 74...delivery box conveying section, B1...goods box, B2...delivery box, B3...delivery box, P...worker, S...work space.

Claims

1. A picking system comprising: a rack on which items are placed; a transport cart that transfers the items onto the rack; a plurality of lifting transport devices that are arranged so that the items can be delivered via a preparation area formed in part of the rack and that transport a plurality of the items; a picking station that is arranged so that the plurality of items can be delivered to each of the plurality of lifting transport devices; and a controller that manages the transportation of the items, wherein the controller manages a plurality of the items included in one or a plurality of orders as one transport group, controls the transport cart to transport the items included in one transport group to the preparation area, and controls the lifting transport device to transport the items included in one transport group that have been gathered in the preparation area to the picking station.

2. A picking system as described in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lifting and conveying devices has a lifting platform on which the plurality of items are placed, and a lifting platform drive unit that moves the lifting platform in a vertical direction, the preparation area is formed from one tier of the racks arranged in the conveying direction of the lifting and conveying device, and is configured so that the plurality of items can be placed along the travel path of the conveying cart, and the controller controls the conveying cart to transport the items included in one of the conveying groups to the preparation area formed from one tier, and controls the lifting and conveying device to transport the items included in one of the conveying groups that have gathered in the preparation area of ​​one tier to the picking station.

3. A picking system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of lifting and conveying devices has a plurality of transfer machines and one transfer machine drive unit that drives the plurality of transfer machines.

4. A picking system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an external connection conveyor arranged on the opposite side of the rack across one of the plurality of lifting and conveying devices, and configured to be able to transfer the item to and from said one lifting and conveying device.

5. A picking system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a temporary storage section arranged on the opposite side of the rack across one of the plurality of lifting and conveying devices, and configured to enable the item to be handed over to the one lifting and conveying device.

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