DE3630095A1 - Method for destination-controlled assembling or commissioning of consignments of goods, and commissioning installation for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

A description is given of a method for destination-controlled assembling or commissioning of consignments of goods, and of a commissioning installation for carrying out the method, in which the identification codes assigned to the respective consignment of goods are given to the goods carrier which is to be occupied by the consignment. For the purpose of receiving the identification codes, the goods carrier is equipped with identity carriers which come into the working ranges of writing and/or reading heads which, if appropriate in cooperation with a computer, make the respectively necessary commissioning or route decisions.

Description

The invention relates to a method for targeting compiling or picking in particular a plurality of the same and / or also of various articles, e.g. pharma teutical, consignments, in which the individual Articles in their predetermined storage location in one of the container assigned to the relevant consignment brought a pallet or a similar goods carrier and each container or the like in sequence in the area or breakpoint of the different Containing articles of the relevant consignment Storage bins or picking areas transported in which further each container or the like prior to the start of the compilation or commissioning at an identification point of his route automatically a special one - the respective consignment corresponding - identifier is assigned, and at which by identifying the path of each container or the like is determined and / or influenced.

However, the invention also relates to an order picker was able to carry out this procedure.  

The task and aim of such computer-based small goods comm Mission assignments are described, for example, in "Fördermit tel-journal ", issues 4 and 5 from April and May 1986 in the essays "On the Threshold of Full Automation" and "Only a few steps to full automation".

Mainly in pharmaceutical wholesale one on using containers with automatic readable and assigned container identifiers based picking technology enforced. The individual containers are given order numbers, Destinations in the picking system, weight data, Order completion times and others, each required information assigned.

By automatic reading of the respective container shop tification from central or decentralized arranged computers the respectively required associated values and if necessary the resulting decisions.

Due to the large number of data to be managed in view of the high throughput requirements time-critical processes that are always complex lead their computer systems.

The invention now aims at the method and the computer-controlled picking systems to overcome known shortcomings of inherent shortcomings men. That is why it is based on the task, not only to specify a procedure, but also a commission to create a kidney system through which or with which Manage the scope of the actual computer system  the data is reduced to an absolute minimum and thereby the effort for the computer hardware and Software can be significantly reduced as well time-critical read, write and control processes be completely avoided.

This object is achieved according to the invention in procedural aspects according to the hallmark of the Claim 1, namely achieved by that every single container or the like itself at the latest when the identification point of a computer with at least one assigned to it Goods shipment and / or its specified route corresponding identifier is provided, that in front of or at every camp in the route place stop the identifier of the respective container or the like tapped or read and their Information about the bin stop reached or whose identifier is compared, that the respective comparison result either for Influencing article display and / or removal units at the relevant storage location stop and / or for influencing the route further container or the like is used, and that, if applicable, the comparison result, e.g. the breakpoint and / or article signals as well as the Route signals, transmitted to or from the computer be queried.

This type of procedure has the advantage that on the respective decision-making location through those located there Read and / or write heads each required Information directly from the storage medium of the Read out container or the like and then  the required decisions are made can. The execution of predefined commands, e.g. the Removal of goods from the storage bin and / or control branch paths, can be done by Registered mail must be noted in the storage medium. Further can be queried centrally by the respective reading and / or print heads through the computer each execution or also non-execution of commands in time processed uncritically. Derived from this too Information, e.g. the location of the Container or the like can be used for the conveying process be recycled yourself.

While maintaining the ease of use of the computer controlled order picking systems of known type however, the disadvantages of complex computer hardware and- software when linking this data over Automatically readable, unchangeable container code avoided.

Due to the fact that the memory can be changed at any time medium contained data can also container Ver ties, for example in the context of the so-called follow-up halter procedure, or corrections of the given target data, e.g. the removal of small quantities from the storage bins due to a lack of stocks so that an early correction of order paper and invoice documents or the like reached can be.

By providing the exact place of removal or the exact article name and the respective associated Item quantity can also be a simple link of the  well-known serial-manual order picking technology Automatic picking and picking robots respectively.

Even when the containers or the like are discharged removal units arranged so as to be movable, for example floor-mounted order picking vehicles Withdrawal instructions can be easily assigned if these with appropriate write and / or read heads are equipped.

According to claim 2, the invention provides that at least the comparison result relating to the article signals the identifier of the associated container or the like at or after every storage location controlled in the route Breakpoint is assigned additively and / or subtractively.

Another training measure according to the invention is characterized according to claim 3 in that the Article range of each individual container or such identifying identifier from a series of Identifier parts is formed, the content of which on the Number of storage location stops to be controlled or picking areas within the entire Coordinated route and their information content on the one to be taken over at the respective storage location stop Article quantity is set while the identifier for the route specification of each individual container or the like by the comparison results to the individual storage point stops or picking points range within the specified route, possibly computer-controlled, influenced or is corrected.  

According to the invention, it is also provided according to claim 4 hen that if the comparison result deviates from the predetermined identifier of the container or the like the resulting deviation signal Identification of the container or the like as an error signal nal imprinted and possibly also on the computer is transmitted.

According to claim 5, the error signal from one Storage location identifier are accompanied, for example, when at the respective bin stop there goods usually to be added in full or some are missing and so far the one to be picked Consignment cannot be completed.

In this context, it turns out to be special useful if the error signal late according to claim 6 least at the end of the path of the container in question or the like from the container identifier in the Computer read in and from this as a negative feature saved, processed for the relevant consignment and / or is displayed. The ones created by the computer Picking documents or invoice documents to be created ge can then be according to the respective Correct the error signal automatically. That also applies also for the article file managed by the computer.

According to claim 7 is an important procedural sches further training feature also seen in that the containers or the like programmable ident carrier, in particular microprocessor chips and this along the computer-controlled route at least at the approached storage location stops  or read in the picking areas and be wrote and checked or queried by the computer will.

It can on or with the containers or the like in If necessary, identifiers can also be used describe with infrared technology or magnetic technology and / or have it read.

A picking system for carrying out the procedure According to the invention, rens is essential according to claim 8 characterized in that the individual containers or the like with programmable identifiers for the Storage of identification information or can be populated while walking along the walkways for these containers or the like arranged distributed with the identifiers of the containers or the like correctly sponding read and / or write heads are located also, for example to influence the path of the containers or the like and / or for program correction of the ident carrier, can be connected to a computer.

Another configuration of the picking system is also according to the invention in that the storage areas of the picking areas programmable identifiers as well as corresponding assigned read and / or write heads and are optionally connectable to the computer.

According to claim 10, the invention also proposes before the switches, branches and crossings of the Read and / or write heads assigned and this are optionally connectable to the computer.  

Another important feature of the invention is set forth in Claim 11 also seen in that the Storage bins or in the picking areas, Drives via the writing and / or effective there Read heads, for example depending on the containers or the like and also the storage areas of the commissioners Identification areas assigned to the identification areas can be influenced are.

Finally, it is also possible according to claim 12, that the routes of the commissioning system forming transport routes - depending on needs - consist of continuous conveyors, shuttle conveyors, floor conveyors or the like and / or combinations thereof.

The invention is illustrated below with the aid of a drawing explained in more detail. Show here

Fig. 1 in schematically simplified Prinzipdarstel averaging the basic structure of a device operating with conveying sections, target controlled Kommissionieran location for consignments

Fig. 2 in a schematically simplified side view of a transport carrier, for example. A pallet, a supporting plate or a container as it is usable for receiving a consignment of goods in connection with the order-picking system of FIG. 1,

. 3, in turn, is the sectional area with III marked off, in which the carrier for the transport associated, programmable identification carrier can be seen in Fig. 2 in Fig schematically simplified representation principle and on a larger scale,

Fig. 4 also schematically simplified schematic diagram of a picking from a storage of order-picking system of FIG. 1 and

Fig. 5 on a larger scale, the area marked V in Fig. 4, in which there is a programmable identifier belonging to a specific article group or to a specific storage location stop.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, a picking system 1 is illustrated for consignments of goods associated with a computer 2. As a route for the feeding of empty goods carriers 3 , for example pallets, plates, containers or the like, it has a feeding conveyor track 3 which leads past an identification point 4 . After this identification point 4 , an empty weight or tare scale 5 for individual goods carriers 6 ( FIG. 2) can be provided in the feed conveyor section 3 . From the empty weight or tare scale 5 , a conveyor line 7 starts, which is guided past a bearing 8 , which has several, for example five, in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor line 7 commissioning areas 8 a , 8 b , 8 c , 8 d and 8 e includes. Following the warehouse 8 or its last picking area 8 e there is a checkweigher 9 in the conveyor line 7 , to which in turn a conveyor line 10 connects, which is guided along a control area 11 .

Via a branch 12 , the conveyor section 10 can either be connected to an intermediate conveyor section 13 or an outflow conveyor section 14 .

Each of the picking areas 8 a to 8 e of the warehouse 8 is also assigned a branch conveyor 7 a to 7 e , via which the conveyor 7 can be connected to the intermediate conveyor 13 if necessary.

At the intermediate conveyor line 13 , the conveyor line 15 follows, which is guided past a second bearing 16 , which, for example, again five, picking areas 16 a , 16 b , 16 c , 16 d and 16 e comprises. At least at the end of the warehouse 16 , i.e. behind the order-picking area 16 e , the conveyor line 15 can also be assigned a checkweigher 17 , to which the conveyor line 18 connects, which in turn leads along a control area 19 and merges into a discharge conveyor line 20 .

The discharge conveyor section 14 also opens into the discharge conveyor section 20 via a switch 21 .

From the intermediate conveyor line 13 , a plurality of branch conveyor lines 15 a to 15 e lead directly to the individual picking areas 16 a to 16 e of the warehouse 16 , with the possibility of a direct coupling of the branch conveyor lines 15 b to 15 f to the branch -Conveyance routes 7 a to 7 e can be taken into account.

Via a further branch conveyor line 22 , the conveyor line 7 adjoining the empty weight or tare scale 5 can also be connected directly to the conveyor line 15 , which is guided along the warehouse 16 or its picking areas 16 a to 16 e .

Referring to FIG. 1 the two control scales is assigned to 9 and 17 each a write and / or read head 23 and 24 respectively. A corresponding write and / or read head 25 is also located in the area of the empty weight or tare scale 5 .

In the picking system 1 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, it is important that in the area of the bearings 8 and 16 each individual picking area 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e at least one separate write and / or read head 34 a up to 34 e or 35 a to 35 e is assigned.

In addition, it can prove to be expedient for each individual branch conveyor section 7 a to 7 e to have at least one separate write and / or read head 36 a to 36 e and each branch conveyor section 15 a to 15 f to have at least one separate write and / or or read head 37 a to 37 f and the branch conveyor section 22 to assign at least one write and / or read head 38 . In addition, write and / or read heads 39 a and 39 b can be located in the region of the branching 12 and also in the area of the switch 21 which connects the discharge conveyor line 14 to the discharge conveyor line 20 , a write and / or or read head 40 can be provided. The discharge conveyor line 20 is also assigned the write and / or read head 33 .

All write and / or read heads of the commissioning system 1 are designed so that they can correspond with programmable identifiers 26 , which are located on each of the product carriers 6 or each of these product carriers 6 are given.

The identification carrier 26 can preferably be Use microprocessor chips that are based on electronics Describe it and have it read.

However, it is also conceivable to use identification carriers 26 which can be written on and read using infrared technology and / or magnetic technology.

In any case, the identifiers 26 arranged on or assigned to the individual goods merchants 6 are designed such that they can be written both in the area of the identification point 4 and in the area of all existing writing and / or reading heads, and that their identification Information can also be read there. It is also expedient, however, to lay out the identifiers 26 in such a way that the identification information provided to them may vary, for example, supplement or expand and, if necessary, also be reduced, at least in the area of certain write and / or read heads.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 1, the order-picking goods carriers are required, 6 introduced via the supply conveyor line 3 and thereby brought with their identification carriers 26 tion point first into the region of identifica. 4 There the written picking documents are given to him, for example, and his identification carrier 26 is provided with an identifier 27 assigned to the respective goods shipment ( FIG. 3). At the same time, a route identifier 28 can also be written into the identifier 26 .

By the Leergewichts- or tare balance 5 whose empty weight be determined - before the product carrier 6 is brought from the identification point 4 on the conveyor line 7, can - for control purposes. Here, the product carrier 6 with its identification carrier 26 is located in the area of the write and / or read head 25 . The latter writes the empty weight identifier 29 into the identifier 26 and at the same time also gives him an identifier 30 assigned to the relevant consignment. This identifier 30 can include the coded designation of the various NEN articles or the relevant storage location breakpoint as well as the number and / or the target weight of the same. As is indicated graphically in FIG. 3, the identifier 30 can consist of a larger number of information groups, each of which is assigned to a special picking area 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e of the warehouse to be approached with the goods carrier 6 8 and 16 can be assigned. Identifier 26 can also be set up for recording error identifiers 31 and correction identifiers 32 .

After the write and / or read head 25 has written the empty weight identifier 29 and the consignment identifier 30 into the identification carrier 26 of the relevant carrier 6 , the latter is brought onto the conveying path 7 or the branch 22 . In the former case it then passes into the region of the bearing 8, where he any process PRE-in identification carrier 26 surrounded a picking area can be supplied to 8 e the holding section 8. In the second case, however, it is passed directly to the conveyor line 15, where it any process a may be supplied to 16 e to the holding point in his identification carrier 26 predetermined picking area sixteenth

In semi-automatic order picking personnel working in the various picking areas 8a to 8e can sell on the goods support 6 specified in the Kommissionierbelegen number of items stored there manually. In this case, it is advisable to assign the write and / or read heads 34 a to 34 e and 35 a to 35 e of the individual picking areas 8 a to 8 e and 16 a to 16 e input devices that register the Allow the type and quantity of items removed from the relevant picking areas and placed on the goods carrier 6 .

In fully automatic picking mode, the items stored in the controlled picking areas can be automatically deposited on the goods carrier by picking machines or robots provided there, by controlling them accordingly by the number or weight-related identifier of the identifier 26 . The control commands for the COMMISSIO nierautomaten or mixers are thereby of the in each picking area 8 a to 8 e and 16 a to 16 e provided for writing and / or reading heads 34 a to 34 e and 35 a to 35 e from the Identifier 26 of the concerned article carrier 6 queried and processed.

By means of the writing and / or reading heads 23 and 24 , the actual weight of the articles located on the respective goods carrier 6 can be determined in connection with the assigned checkweigher 9 or 17 when leaving the relevant warehouse 8 or 16 and associated with the given, if applicable The target weight identifier in the identification carrier 26 thereof is compared. If the target / actual weight relation is correct, the relevant goods carrier 6 is then transported on. From the area of the warehouse 8 , the goods carrier 6 then passes via the connecting conveyor section 10 and the branch 12 either onto the intermediate conveyor section 13 in the direction of the warehouse 16 or onto the outflow conveyor section 14 . From the warehouse 16 , the goods carrier 6 in question is brought via the connection conveyor section 18 to the outlet conveyor section 20 .

If the target / actual weight relationship in the area of the checkweigher 9 is incorrect, a corresponding error code 31 is written into the identification carrier 26 by the write and / or read head 23 and the goods carrier 6 is discharged into the control area 11 . If necessary, the relevant error identifier 31 can also be reported from the write and / or read head 23 to the computer 2 or queried by the latter.

If the target / actual weight relationship in the area of the checkweigher 17 is incorrect, the relevant error code 31 is written into the identifier 26 by the write and / or read head 24 and the goods carrier 6 from the connecting conveyor line 18 into the checkbe rich 19 removed. The error identifier 31 can also be reported to the computer 2 or queried by the write and / or read head 24 .

If no error feedback is given to the computer 2 , only the error identifier 31 is written into the identifier 26 , and additionally shown by writing a correction identifier 32 in the identifier 26 that a certain, normally in one of the picking areas 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e stored article is actually missing, then - depending on requirements - via the nearest branch 7 a to 7 e or 15 a to 15 f or also via the connecting conveyor section 10 and the branching 12 the relevant goods carrier 6 are transported by the shortest route to the next storage location stop to be approached. Its path is determined by the read and / or read heads 34 a to 34 e , 35 a to 35 e , 36 a to 36 e , 37 a to 37 f , 38 g , 39 a , 39 b and 40 passed by the respective goods carrier - if necessary with the involvement of computer 2 - monitored.

If the identification carrier 26 of a product carrier 6 is given an error identifier 31 and / or a correction identifier 32 , then this can be read into the computer 2 at an early stage by the relevant read and / or read head, so that the latter outputs the relevant consignment of goods Correct picking documents and / or issue correspondingly corrected invoice documents.

The computer 2 expediently intervenes in the operation of the order-picking system 1 only if it has to influence the route necessary for the respective consignment of goods in a way that is not predetermined by the assigned identification carrier 26 . In addition, he only creates the picking documents and the invoice documents and, if necessary, carries out necessary document corrections after the respective picking process has ended. However, the computer 2 is completely relieved of the management of the goods shipment data and, if appropriate, the error and correction data.

The picking technology can also be optimized in that the individual picking areas 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e of the warehouse 8 and 16 or the article groups stored there are also programmable identifiers 41 , bpsw. Are assigned Mirkroprozessor chips, such as the example in Fig. 4. For picking area 8 c is schematically indicated simplified. In this picking area 8 c , for example, three different article groups 8 c ', 8 c '', 8 c ''' are stored, each article group being assigned a special identifier 41 .

According to FIG. 5, each identification carrier 41 can receive an identifier 42 for the relevant picking area. In addition, it can contain an identifier 43 for a specific article.

A further identifier 44 detects the number of articles in each article group concerned, while an identifier 45 can be used as an error identifier and a further identifier 46 as a correction identifier.

The identifiers 41 provided in the area of the different picking areas 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e can correspond to the identifiers 26 of the merchandise carriers 6 via the respective writing and / or reading heads. However, they can also be queried by computer 2 and / or influence the order picking machines or robots with regard to their mode of operation.

Particularly advantageous is the assignment proving the identification carrier 41 to the picking areas 8a to 8 e and 16 a to 16 e of the bearing 8 and 16, when the picking with corridor movable cooperates vehicles picking which the individual picking from any direction and can also start in any order. In this case, there is at least one write and / or read head on each order picking vehicle, with which not only the identification carrier 41 of the picking area, but also the identification carrier 26 can be queried from the carrier vehicles 6 applied to the commissioning vehicles.

The programmable identification carriers 26 do not necessarily have to be located on a product carrier 6 , but they can also be a temporary or permanent component of other elements, for example packaging materials. However, if the identifiers are provided on the product carriers 6 , then it is expedient to install them in a largely protected manner against mechanical damage and the resulting errors.

In contrast to computer-controlled order picking systems, the order picking system 1 described above is largely unaffected by a failure of the computer 2 . Shorter computer failures need not even have a negative impact on the throughput of the goods carriers 6 through the picking system.

A restart of the entire system is beyond that also comparatively unproblematic, especially as time criticism operations are avoided.

The picking system can be used with any suitable Conveyor system can be equipped. Doing so also completely different in terms of construction and effect Combine funding with one another, provided that provision is made is taken that these mutually in mutual Can make handover connection.

Claims (12)

1. A method for target-oriented compilation or picking of, in particular, a plurality of the same and / or also of different articles comprising, for example, pharmaceutical goods shipments, in which the individual articles are placed on a pallet at their predetermined storage location in a container assigned to the goods shipment concerned or a similar goods carrier are brought and each container or the like is successively transported to the area or stopping point of the storage or picking area containing the various articles of the respective consignment, in which each container or the like before the start of the compilation or picking an identification point of its route is automatically assigned a special identifier, and in which the identifier determines and / or influences the route of each container or the like, characterized in that
that each individual container ( 6 ) or the like itself is provided (26) by a computer ( 2 ) at the latest when the identification point ( 4 ) is reached with an identifier ( 30 ) corresponding to the goods shipment assigned to it and / or its predetermined route (26),
that the identification of the respective container ( 6 ) or the like is picked up or read ( 23 to 25 , 34 a to 34 e , 35 a to 35 e ) and their information with the or before or at each storage location stop controlled in the route The identification of the storage location stop reached is compared,
that the respective comparison result is used either to influence the item display and / or removal units at the relevant storage location stop and / or to further influence the route of the relevant container ( 6 ) or the like,
and that, if necessary, the comparison result, for example the breakpoint and / or article signals and the route signals, are transmitted to or queried by the computer ( 2 ). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the comparison result relating to the article signals of the respective identifier of the container ( 6 ) or the like is additively and / or subtractively assigned to or after each storage location stop controlled in the route. 3. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the article assortment of each individual container ( 6 ) or the like determining identifier ( 30 ) is formed from a number of identifier parts ( Fig. 3), the content of which The number of the respective storage location breakpoints or picking areas ( 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e ) coordinated within the entire route and their information content adjusted to the quantity of articles to be taken over at the respective storage location breakpoint, while the identifier (28) for the path-setting of each individual container (6) or the like by the comparison results to the individual bin breakpoints and COMMISSIO nierbereichen (8a to 8 e and 16 a to 16 e) of the same within the predetermined travel path, optionally computer controlled, influenced or corrected. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the event of deviations in the comparison result from the predetermined identifier of the container ( 6 ) or the like, the resulting deviation signal of the identifier ( 29 , 30 ) of the container ( 6 ) or the like impressed as an error signal ( 31 ) and / or possibly transmitted to the computer ( 2 ). 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized, that the error signal from a bin identifier is accompanied. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the error signal ( 31 ) at the latest at the end of the path from the container identifier - the identifier ( 26 ) - in the computer ( 2 ) read ( 33 ) and is saved, processed and / or displayed by the latter as a negative characteristic for the shipment in question. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the containers ( 6 ) or the like programmable bare identifiers ( 26 ), in particular microprocessor chips, given and this along the computer controlled route at least at the approached storage location stops or . are read and described in the picking areas ( 8 a to 8 e or 16 a to 16 e ) and checked or queried by the computer ( 2 ) ( 23, 24, 25, 34 a to 34 e and 35 a to 35 e ; Fig. 1). 8. Picking system for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the individual containers ( 6 ) or the like with programmable identifiers ( 26 ) for the storage of identification information ( 27 to 32 ) are provided or can be equipped , while along the paths for these containers ( 6 ) or the like arranged with the identifiers ( 26 ) of the container ( 6 ) or the like corresponding reading and / or writing heads ( 4 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 33 , 34 a to 34 e , 35 a to 35 e , 36 a to 36 e , 37 a to 37 f , 38 , 39 a and 39 b , 40 ), which also, for example for influencing the path of the containers ( 6 ) or the like and / or can be connected to a computer ( 2 ) for program correction of the identifiers ( 26 ). 9. Picking system according to claim 8, characterized in that the storage spaces (for example 8 c ' , 8 c'' , 8 c ''') of the picking areas (for example 8 c ) also programmable identifiers ( 41 ) and thus corresponding reading and / or write heads are assigned and can optionally be connected to the computer ( 2 ) ( FIGS. 4 and 5). 10. Picking system according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the switches ( 22 , 7 a to 7 e , 15 a to 15 f , 21 ) branches ( 12 ) and crossings of the walkways for the container ( 6 ) or the like Read and / or write heads ( 38 , 36 a to 36 e , 37 a to 37 f , 39 a , 39 b , 40 ) are assigned and can optionally be connected to the computer ( 2 ). 11. Picking system according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the storage areas (for example 8 c ', 8 c'' , 8 c ''') of the picking areas (for example 8 c ) picking machines or robots are located, the drives via the effective write and / or read heads ( 34 a to 34 e or 35 a to 35 e ) can be influenced by the identifiers ( 26 and 41 ). 12. Picking system according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the transport routes forming the routes ( 3 , 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20 ) from ascending conveyors, spiral conveyors, floor conveyors or the like and / or from combinations the same exist.