Automatic warehousing system and operating file therefor

• US 5,340,262 A
• Filed: 01/13/1992
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daifuku Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Daifuku Company Limited
• Inventors: Goto, Yukihiro, Ohnishi, Katsuji, Tsujimoto, Kazushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Application Number:
  US07/793,405
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 414/273, 414/277-283, 364/478, 156/56, 235/385, 235/383, 235/375, 235/462
• US Class Current: 414/273
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

An automatic warehousing system which provides for improvement in the operating efficiency of the operator. An operating file has codes formed therein for incoming and outgoing goods. A code signal corresponding to a load and a operation mode signal for operation of the automatic warehousing system which are searched from the file are input to a control unit which controls load entry and delivery operations of a load handling crane. Management of load storing spaces within the rack and goods stored in the spaces is carried out according to these signals. In this way, inventory management is carried out by the control unit. Therefore, the operator can perform entry and delivery setting for the control unit without considering the rack number of the load storing space with respect to the load being handled. The system involves less operational procedure than the prior art arrangement and contributes toward improved operating efficiency.

Claims

1. An automatic warehousing system characterized by racks (2) having a plurality of load storing spaces (1), a place (9) for the acceptance and delivery of the load (4), means (6) movable on a predetermined path (10) extending between said racks (2) and along a boundary line of said place (9) for taking the load (4) in and out of any one of said spaces (1), and safety fences (7) disposed in both end portions of said predetermined path (10), one of said safety fences (7) being equipped with a control unit (8) to which a code reading (19) is removably connected and with an openably closed door structure (15), said door structure (15) being equipped with a holding portion (24) for a file formed with codes corresponding to goods (4).

2. An automatic warehousing system characterized by racks (2) having a plurality of load storing spaces (1), a place (9) for the acceptance and delivery of the load (4), means (6) movable on a predetermined path (10) extending between said racks (2) and along a boundary line of said place (9) for taking the load (4) in and out of any one of said spaces (1), a control unit (8) for controlling said means (6), said control unit (8) being disposed in one end portion of said predetermined path (10), a code reader (19) connected to said control unit (8), and a door structure (15) hinged on the control unit side for being pivoted for opening and closing movement, said door structure (15) being equipped with a holding portion (24) for a file for use with said code reader (19) and a table (17), said table (17) being formed with a setting portion (18) at a location adjacent said control unit (8).

3. An automatic warehousing system characterized by racks (2) having a plurality of load storing spaces (1), a place (9) for the acceptance and delivery of the load (4), means (6) movable on a predetermined path (10) extending between said racks (2) and along a boundary line of said place (9) for taking the load (4) in and out of any one of said spaces (1), a control unit (8) disposed in one end portion of said predetermined path (10), a code reader (19) detachably connected to said control unit (8), and a holding device (21) for a file for use with said code reader (19), said holding device (21) comprising a table (17), a vertically extending insertion hole (23) formed in the table (17), and a housing portion (24) having a top end opening (24A) which is in communication with said insertion hole (23), wherein the file is housed at a level lower than the surface of the table (17).

4. An automatic warehousing system characterized by racks having a plurality of load storing spaces, load handling means for handling goods for entry into and delivery from the load storing spaces within said racks, input means for inputting codes corresponding to the goods, and control means which performs management of each of said load storing spaces in said racks and goods stored in each load storing space according to a code signal corresponding to the goods, input from said input means, and which controls load entry and delivery operations of said load handling means, said input means having an operation file comprising a plurality of sheets bound in the form of a file, each of said sheets being adapted for a code label to be stuck thereon and corresponding to said goods and having a space for the entry of item names or items numbers of said goods, and said input means having means for reading the code of said code label.

5. An automatic warehousing system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said input means further inputs operation modes and said control means performs said management and control on the basis of an operation mode signal and a code signal corresponding to the goods input from said input means.

6. An automatic warehousing system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said input means further inputs digital codes and said control means performs said management and control on the basis of said operation mode signal, a digitalized quantity signal and said code signal corresponding to the goods input from said input means.