GB2282803A

GB2282803A - Semi-circular multi-level storage rack

Info

Publication number: GB2282803A
Application number: GB9422730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hachiro Tsuchiya
Original assignee: HKK Inc
Current assignee: HKK Inc
Priority date: 1993-11-11
Filing date: 1994-11-10
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-10
Also published as: JPH07137808A; GB9422730D0; GB2282803B

Abstract

A multi-level storage rack arrangement comprises two semi-circular vertical arrays 4, 5 of racks 3 either abutting (Fig 3, not shown) or joined by straight racking 10, 11 and a stacker crane which is rotatable about the one or two axes of the centre(s) of curvature of the arrays 4, 5 and has an arm 13 movable vertically and radially for loading and unloading the racks 3. The arm 13 may be a robot arm and co-operates with a supply conveyor 21 and a despatch conveyor 20 outside the racking. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR STORING WITH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved apparatus for storing with goods, or a stocker that can conveniently receive and store various goods and allow picking out any desired ones out of the stored goods.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrating a known typical stocker, it comprises a plurality of rows of immovable multi-layer racks B, C, each having a number of vertically arranged on-story unit racks A, and a stacker crane D movable between a pair of oppositely arranged racks, or racks B and C for example, horizontally back and forth along doublepointed arrow E, Vertically up and down along double-pointed arrow F and transversally along arrow G or H in order to collect the goods stored in a particular rack of a particular rack or load it with given goods. Such a storage apparatus is normally housed in a building and hence called a stacRer-rack building system.

Figs. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings show another known typical stocker called a multiple rotary rack system. t also comprises multi-layer racks 1, each of which has a number of vertically arranged one-story unit racks and can rotate horizontally along arrows K, K on the floor J of the apparatus until a particular rack gets to and stops at unloading spot L, where the goods stored in the rack are collected, and then it moves further to loading spot M, where given goods are put into the rack or storage.

The storage apparatus of Figs. 7 and 8 may be so modified that the unit racks N, O, of a rack can rotate independently from each other or the racks of the apparatus rotate not horizontally but vertically.

However, a storage apparatus as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is accompanied by such drawbacks that dead spaces P, Q, need to be provided and that it requires a large stacker crane equipped with a drive mechanism and a lift device connected with each other by means of chains that can easily go out of order when any of the chains are irreversibly elongated by external force. Hence, such a apparatus requires frequent and time-consuming servicing and maintenance.

A apparatus as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is disadvantageous in that it consumes enormous power as a heavy multi-layer rack is rotated fro operation in addition to the drawbacks described above by referring to the apparatus of Figs. 5 and 6.

Additionally, any of the above described known facilities comprises a number of movable members and therefore not suited for se in a dust-free clean room.

In view of the above identified problems ol conventional storage facilities of the type under consideration, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a stocker that comprises only a reduced number of movable components and hence is free from dimensional disorders such that it affords easy maintenance and reduced time for the operation of storing and collecting goods without requiring a large space and, at the same time, it can be installed, if appropriate, in a dust-free clean roou because its movable components can be sealed without difficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved by providing an apparatus for stocking with goods, or a sticker comprising; racks arranged vertically and along first and second semicircular lines. said semicircular lines being symmetrically disposed; and loading/unloading means having an arm, said loading/unloading means being rotatable around a center of the semicircular lines, said arm being movable upwardly, downwardly, back and forth, said arm being movable outwardly through the rack.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the stocker may additionally comprises that racks are arranged vertically and along the first semicircular line to form a first semicircular multi-layer rack-row having ends; racks are arranged vertically and along the second semicircular line to form a second semicircular multi-layer rack-row having ends; racks are arranged vertically and along straight lines to form straight multi-layer rack-rows; the ends of the first semlcircular multi-layer rack row are continued to the ends of the second semicircular multI- layer rack row through the straight multi-layer rack-rows; and said loading/unloading means is guided to move by rails arranged between a center of curvature of the first semicircular line and a center of curvature of the second semicircular line.

According to the thlrd aspect of the invention, racks are arranged vertically and along the first semicircular line to form a first semicircular multi-layer rack-row having ends; racks are arranged vertically and along the second semicircular line to form a second semicircular multi-layer rack-row having ends; and the ends of the first semicircular multi-layer rack-row are adjacent to the ends of the second semlcircular multi-layer tack- row.

According to the invention, since it comprises a pair of oppositely and symmetrically arranged semicircular immovable multl-layer racks, each having a number of racks, and a loading/unloading means movable along a line connecting the centers of curvature of the semicircular racks. said robot having an arm capable of rotating and moving up and down and back and forth, passing through a rack, it eliminates any dead space that a comparable known stocker has at an end of the rows of racks to increase the number of racks that can be installed within a given space of a storage apparatus.

Additionally. since the operation of loading a selected rack of the semicircular rack-rows with goods or collecting the goods stored in it can be carried out simply by rotating and moving up and down and back and forth the arm of the lOdding/unloadJn robot. the tiwe required for the operation can be significantly reduced.

When straight racks are additionally installed and hence the loading/unloading robot has to be moved along them, the time required for loading/unloading goods can still be reduced because the movement of the arm of rotating and moving up and down and back and forth can be combined with the linear movement of the robot itself so that they may take place concurrently.

Since any loading/unloadJ.ng operation can be carried out only by moving the arm of the robot and the robot itself, if necessary, while the racks remain immovable, the apparatus is free from dimensional disorders and hence affords easv maintenance and reduced time for the operation of storing and collecting goods.

Since the movable members of the apparatus are those of the loading/unloading robot, they can be hermetically sealed and hence the entire apparatus may be installed in a dust-free clean room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along line Y-Y in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 js a schematic plan view of a conventional stocker Fig. 6 is a schematic side iew of the apparatus of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of another conventional stocker.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the apparatus of Fig. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TitE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the invention A number of racks or pigeon-holes 3 are arranged or disposed vertically and along a semicircular line 1 to form a semicircular multi-layer (or multi-story) rack-row 4. Also, a number of racks or racks 3 are arranged or disposed vertically and along a semicircular line 2 to form a semicircular multilayer (or multi-story) rack-row 5. The faulti-layer rack-rows 4 and 5 are arranged symmetrically disposed. Also, a number of racks or racks 3 are arranged or disposed vertically and along a straight line to form straight multi-layer (or multi-story) rackrows 10 and 11.

The semicircular multi-layer rack-row 4 has ends 8 and 7.

The semicircular multi-layer rack-row 5 has ends 8 and 9. The end 6 of the rack-row 4 is continued to the end 8 of the rack-row 5 through the straight multi-layer rack-row 10 and the end 9. of the rack-row D is s continued to the end 7 of the rack-row 4 through the straight multi-layer rack-row 11.

A loading/unloading robot 12 is provided with its vertically axis aligned with a center 0 of a curvature of the semicircular line 1 or the semicircular multi-layer rack-ro 4. The robot 12 fas an arm 13. The robot 12 with the arm 13 can rotate along a double-pointed arrow R, The arm 13 is movable upwardly and downwardly along a double-pointed arrow S. and back and forth along arrows T and 1. The arm 13 can move outwardly through the rack or rack 3.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a drive mechanism for rotating the robot 12 with the arm 13 along the arrow R. Reference numeral 15 denotes a drive mechanism for driving the arm 13 of the robot 12 along the arrows T and U. A drive mechanism for driving the arm 13 upwardly and downwardly along the arrow S is included in a hollow column housing 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, rails 17, 18 are arranged between the center 0 of curvature of the semicircular line 1 and the center V of curvature of the semicircular line 2. The loadng/unloading robot 12 can be moved by a drive mechanism housed in a bottom section 19 of the hollow column 16. The loading/unloading robot 12 can be guided to move along a doublepointed arrow W and hence along the straight rack-rows 10, 11 by the drive mechanism housed in the bottom section 19.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a roll-out conveyer 20 for outgoing goods is arranged at an outside of the rack-row 10 and d roll-in conveyer 21 for incoming goods is also arranged at the outside of the rack-row 10 and located right above the roll-out conveyer 20.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Pigs. 1 and 2, when the loading/unloading robot 12 is positioned at the center 0 or V of the curvature, the robot 12 can access to any rack or rack of the rack-row 4 or 5 to pick up the goods stored therein, or can load it with goods by simply operating the arm 13 to move along the double-pointed arrow R and move up and down along the double-pointed arrow S arid back and forth along the arrows T and L'.

Thus, nvhle the robot moves toward the roll-oul conveyer 20 along the rails 17. 18, the robot can rotate the arm 13 toward the roll-out conveyer 20 so as to significantly reduce the operation time. Also, while the robot moves toward the roll-out conveyer 20 along the rails 17, 18, the arm 13 can move upwardly and downwardly so as to significantly reduce the operation time.

In other words, the rotation of the arm 13 occurs simultaneously with the movement of the robot along the rails 17, 18 and the upward and downward movement of the arm 13 occurs concurrentl) with the movement of the robot along the rails 17. 18.

After delivering the goods to the roll-out conveyer 20, the robot 12 collects or pick up the goods on the roll-in conveyer 21. When the robot 12 moves along the rails 17, 18 toward one of racks 3, the arm 13 is rotated and moved upwardly ad downwardly concurrently to store the goods in the rack 3.

Figs. 3 and 4 sbow a second preferred embodiment of the invention. A number of racks or pigeon-holes 24 are arranged or disposed vertically arid along a semicircular line 22 to form a semicircular multi-layer (or multi-story) rack-row 25. Also, a number of racks 24 are arranged or disposed vertically and along a semicircular line 23 to form a semicircular multi-layer (or multi-story rack-row 28. The multi-layer rack-rows 25 and 26 are arranged symmetrically disposed. The semicircular multi-layer rack-row 25 has ends 27 and 28. The semicircular multi-layer rack-row 26 has ends 29 and 30.The end 27 of the rack-row 25 is adjacent to the end 29 of the rack-row 26 and the end 30 of the rack-row 26 is adjacent to the end 28 of the racks row 25 to for:; a circular muti-layer (or multi-story) rack-row.

A loading/unloading robot 31 is provided with its vertically axis aligned with the center O of curvatures of the semicircular lines t and 23 or the semiclrcular multi-layer racks 25 and 26.

The robot 31 has an arm 32 as in the case of the first embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. . The robot 31. with the arm 32 can rotate along a double-pointed arrow R. The arm 32 is movable upwardly and downwardly along a double-pointed arrow S, and back and forth along arrows T and U. The arm 32 can move outwardly through the racks or rack 24.

A roll-out conveyer 33 for outgoing goods is arranged at an outside of te rack-rows 25, 26. A roll-in corveyer 34 for incoming goods is also arranged at the outside of the rack-rows 25, 28 and located right above the roll-out conveyer 33.

According to the above described second embodiment, since the racks 24 are arranged in the shape of a cylinder (in other words, without straight rack-rows), a large number of racks can be provided in a relatively narrow space. Goods can be picked up from or stored in any selected rack simply by rotating and moving up and down the arm 32 of the stationary loading/unloadlng robot 31 located at the center of curvature of the circular racks 24 of the semicircular rack-rows 25, 26, so that any loading/unloading operation of goods can be conducted quickly. Thus, the loading/unloading robot 31 can be hermetically sealed so that the entire apparatus may be installed in a dust-free clean room.

[ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION] As described above in detail, since a stocker according to ttle invenllon comprises a pair of oppositely and symmetrically arranged semicircular immovable multl-layer racks, each having a number of racks, and a loadlng/unloading robot movable along a line connecting the centers of curvature of the semicircular racks. it eliminate any dead space that a comparable knon stocker has at an end of the rows of racks to increase the number of racks that can be installed within a given space of a storage apparatus or, if the number of racks is given, the entire spac required fro installing the apparatus can be reduced.

Additionally, since the operation of loading a selected rack of the semicircular racks with goods or collecting the goods stored in it can be carried out simply by rotating and moving up and down and back and forth the arm of the loading/unloading robot and concurrently moving the robot itself, if necessary, the time required for the operation can be significantly reduced.

Since any ].oading/unloading operation can be carried out only by moving the arm of the robot and the robot itself, if necessary, while the racks remain immovable, the entire apparatus is free ro dimensional disorders and hence affords easy servicing and maintenance.

Since the movable members of the apparatus are those of the loading/unloading robot, they can be hermetically sealed. If the loading/unloading robot is stationary, it can be easily sealed and hence the entlre apparatus may be installed in a dust-free clean room.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for stocking with goods comprising racks (3, 24) arranged vertically and along first and second semicircular lines (1,

2. 22, 23), said semicircular lines (1, 2, 22, 23) being symmetrically disposed. and loadlng/unloading means (12, 31) having an arm (13, 32), said loading/unloading means (12, 31) being rotatable around a center of the semicircular lines (1, 2, 22, 23), said arm (13, 32) being movable upwardly, downwardly, back and forth, said arm (13, 32) being movable outwardly through the rack (3, 24), 2.The apparatus according to the claim 1. wherein racks (3) are arranged vertically and along the first semicircular line (I) to form a first semicircular multi-layer rack-row (4j having ends (6. 7), racks (3) are arranged vertically and alone the second semicircular line (2) to form a second semicircular multi-layer rack-ro (5) having ends (8, 9), racks !3) are arranged vertically and along straight lines to form straight multi-3ayer rack-rows (10, (11), the ends (6, 7) of the first semicircular multi-layer rack row ) are continued to the ends (8, 9) of the second semicircular multi-layer rack row (5) through the straight multilayer rack-rows (10, 11), and said loading/unloading means (12) is guided to move by rails (17. l8) arranged between a center (O) of curvature of the first semicircular line (1) and a center (V) of curvature of the second semicircular line (2).

3. The apparatus according to the claim 1. wherein racks (24) are arranged vertically and along the first semicircular line (22) to form a first semicircular multi-layer rack-row (25) having ends (27. 28).

racks (24) are arranged vertically and along the second semicircular line (93) to form a second semlclrcular multi-layer rack-row (26) having ends (29, 30), and the ends (27, 28) of the first semicircular multi-layer rack-row (25) are adjacent to the ends (29, 30) of the second semicircular multi-layer rack-row (25).