GB2297544A

GB2297544A - System for storage and retrieval of steel plates

Info

Publication number: GB2297544A
Application number: GB9607802A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shuji Miyake; Masao Nakata; Jun Chiba; Takashi Kawabata; Yoshikazu Fujii; Tomishige Iwai; Tomotaka Yoshino; Ken Ichi Ariyoshi; Takeshi Myoga; Shoji Imazu; Kenzo Nishiyama; Koji Saito; Hideki Furubayashi; Kazuo Saito; Eikichi Nakanishi
Original assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corp
Current assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corp
Priority date: 1993-04-05
Filing date: 1994-03-29
Publication date: 1996-08-07
Also published as: GB2297970A; GB9607760D0; GB2297545B; GB9607802D0; GB2297545A; GB9607813D0

Abstract

In a steel plate store with a rack 4 having plural vertically and laterally spaced storage spaces 3 for storing steel plates T disposed at the starting end of cutting process lines 2A to 2C and a plate handling device 5 movable laterally of the rack for loading and unloading the spaces, each space 3 is inclined upwardly to the rear and has laterally spaced fore and aft beams 62 at the bottom with steel plate support rollers 64 and pivotal stops 51 at the front to prevent a plate T from leaving the space 3.

Description

Svstem for Storaae and Retrieval of Steel Plates The present invention relates to a system for storage and retrieval of steel plates for storing a multiplicity of sheet steel plates and roll shaped steel plates, and retrieving these steel plates when requested.

In the known rack storing equipment, the storing and retrieving systems are being established for relatively easy-to-handle cargo such as commodities contained in carton boxes or containers, whereas the storing and retrieving systems are incomplete for steel plates and roll shaped plates which are heavy and require a wide storing area, and steel plates or roll shaped steel plates transported by truck or the like are delivered into a plurality of layers of racks by using a crane or the like, and taken out of the racks when needed, and sent into the processing line.

In such equipment, however, in the case of mass storage of steel plates and retrieval thereof to processing line in steel frame works or the like, the number of steel plates that can be handled is limited, and it takes time in putting in and out the steel plates, and moreover it is not efficient and involves problems in safety. Or when installed parallel to a plurality of processing lines, the steel plate storing equipment occupies a very wide area, and the space for the processing line is limited.

However, automation is demanded in putting in and out steel plates, but, for example, the stacker crane used in the existing rack warehouse or the like is constituted by disposing an elevating platform on a carriage and attaching a retractable tool such as fork to the elevating platform, and hence it is extremely difficult to move in and out accurately the heavy and broad steel plates in a storing space in the racks by using such stacker crane, and since the steel plates occupy a wide area, if steel plates are delivered without accurate centring, the occupied space in the storage rack becomes wider and the dead space increases.

In the case of steel plates having a plurality of sheets combined by welding (hereinafter called jointed steel plates), it is also impossible by the known stacker crane.

It is hence an aim of the invention to present a system for storage and retrieval of steel plates capable of storing and retrieving steel plates efficiently in a short time, and saving the entire space.

According to the present invention there is provided a system for storage and retrieval of steel plates comprising: racks including a plurality of divided storing spaces capable of storing steel plates, and a device capable of storing and retrieving steel plates into and from the divided storing spaces disposed movably along the front of the divided storing space of the racks, wherein the racks comprise; a plurality of steel plate storing spaces of which a rear part is inclined upward, capable of storing steel plates one by one, being divided into a plurality of sections in the vertical direction and lateral direction, a plurality of longitudinal beams disposed along the longitudinal direction, at specific intervals in the lateral direction in the bottom of the divided storing spaces, a roller conveyor capable of supporting steel plates being disposed on the longitudinal beams, and stoppers for preventing steel plates from slipping out, being disposed in the front of the steel plate storing spaces.

Since the line delivery device is installed in part of the steel plate storing racks it is sufficient to transfer from the specified divided storing space into the line delivery space disposed with the processing line delivery device so that the delivery of steel plates into the processing line can be done in a very short time. In addition, since the steel plate storing racks are provided at the starting end of the processing line, the space disposed with the starting end in the processing line can be utilized effectively, so that the entire space can be saved.

Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of a system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view of the front part of steel plate storing racks of the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing the structure of the steel plate storing racks.

Fig. 4 is a partial side view showing the front part of the steel plate storing racks.

Fig. 5 is a partial plan view showing the front part of the steel plate storing racks.

Fig. 6 is a partial side view for explaining the operation of the front part of the steel plate storing racks.

Fig. 7 is a general perspective view of a device for storing and retrieving steel plates comprised in the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a steel plate centering device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of a center block of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing an elevating platform of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 11 is a side view showing the elevating platform of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 12 is a front view showing a roller for centering of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing the roller for centering of the steel plate centering device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates.

Fig. 14 is a partial side view showing a steel plate clamp device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 15 is a partial plan view showing the steel plate clamp device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 16 is a schematic plan view for explaining the centring procedure of unaligned steel of the steel plate centring device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view for explaining the centring procedure of unaligned steel of the steel plate centring device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 18 is a schematic plan view for explaining the centring procedure of unaligned steel of the steel plate centring device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates;; Fig. 19 is a schematic plan view for explaining the centring procedure of unaligned steel of the steel plate centring device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 20 is a schematic plan view for explaining the centring procedure of unaligned steel of the steel plate centring device of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates; Fig. 21 is a partial perspective front view showing a second embodiment of the steel plate storing racks of the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig. 22 is a partial side view showing the front part of the second embodiment of the steel plate storing racks of the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig. 23 is a plan view of another system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig.24 is a front view of a transfer carriage of the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; ; Fig. 25 is view A-A in Fig. 23; Fig. 26 is view B-B in Fig. 23; Fig. 27 is a partially cut-away magnified side view of the other system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; Fig. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view in the second embodiment of the other system for storage and retrieval of steel plates; and Fig. 29 is a partial magnified view of Fig. 28.

A system for storage and retrieval of steel plates of the invention comprises, as shown in fig. 1, an entrance area 1 for a transfer track 6 to deliver steel plates T, steel plate storing racks 4 possessing a plurality of divided storing spaces 3 for storing the steel plates T one by one as being disposed on the start end portions of four cutting process lines 2A to 2D for processing steel plates T by cutter or welding machine, a device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 for putting in and out the steel plates T in the divided storing spaces 3 of the steel plate storing racks 4 being disposed so as to be free to move along the front side of the steel plate storing racks 4 at the entrance area 1 side of the steel plate storing racks 4, an overhead travelling crane 7 for transferring the steel plate T from the transfer truck 6 in the entrance area 1 onto the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, and a line delivery conveyor (line delivery device) 8 connected to the cutting process lines 2A to 2C being disposed in the lowest position of the steel plate storing racks 4.

On the side of the entrance area 1, a jointed steel plate manufacturing line 9 is provided for forming a jointed steel plate T' by welding and linking cut steel plates.

The devices for composing the system for storage and retrieval of steel plates are described in detail below.

In the steel plate storing racks 4, as shown in fig.3, longitudinal beams 13 are coupled between middle posts 12 set up between upper and lower large cross beams 11, in the longitudinal direction with a slight upward inclination of the rear part in every pitch p for storing one steel plate T in the vertical direction, and cross beams 14 are linked in the lateral direction, and low profile divided storing spaces 3 are formed in a plurality of layers and a plurality of rows. In each divided storing space 3, as shown in fig.

2 and fig. 4, between the bottom cross beams 14, a pair of right and left chain supports 15 provided with semicircular arc rail parts 15b curved downward at the front end and rear end of support rails 15a are stretched over, and an endless roller chain 16 capable of movably supporting the steel plate T is wound through multiple support rollers 16a disposed in a chain line 14b on the support rail parts 14a. At the front end of each cargo support member 2, a roller support bracket 17 is projecting forward from the cross beams 14, and in the front part of the roller support bracket 17, a cargo receiving guide roller 18 coinciding with the cargo support level L of the roller chain 17 at the top is disposed rotatably about the horizontal shaft center. Furthermore, at both sides of the divided storing spaces 3, side guide plates 20 for guiding the edge of the steel plate T are provided.

Between roller support brackets 19, a pair of right and left stopper devices 51 are provided. As the stopper devices 51, as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, a stopper mounting arm 52 projecting forward fro the roller support bracket 19 is provided from the cross beam 14, and a rectangular stopper plate 54 is rotatably attached to the front end of the stopper mounting member arm 52 through a horizontal shaft 53. This stopper plate 54 is defined at standing position by a stopping part 52a of the stopper mounting arm 52, as being thrust to the standing side by a coil spring 55 externally fitted to the horizontal shaft 53, so as to be free to stand and tilt between the standing position and the tilting position tilted to the stopper mounting arm 52 side.

This stopper plate 54 is formed so that the top may project upward from the cargo support level L at the standing position, and stopper rollers 56 projecting upward and forward from the upper end and front end of the stopper plate 54 at the standing position are rotatably provided through horizontal pins 57 in the front end front part of the stopper plate 54.

The lowest part of the steel plate storing racks 4 is divided into three line delivery spaces 58 corresponding to cutting process lines 2A to 2C as shown in fig. 1, and in these line delivery spaces 58, the line delivery conveyors 8 having driving rollers for transferring the incoming steel plates T into the cutting process lines 2A to 2C are disposed.

The device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 comprises, as shown in fig. 7, a travelling carriage 22 for freely moving on a pair of right and left travelling rails 21 laid along the front side of the steel plate storing racks 4, an elevating platform 23 capable of mounting the steel plate T laterally as being disposed elevatably on the travelling carriage 22, a steel plate centring device 24 disposed on the travelling carriage 22 and elevating platform 23, and a steel plate feeding/discharging device 25 disposed movably in the longitudinal direction on the elevating platform 23.The divided storing spaces 3 in the width direction and height direction are allotted with addresses and the feeding and discharging positions are preliminarily entered by addresses in a control device (not shown) in the operation room attached to the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, and the data provided for each type of steel plate T delivered from the entrance area 1 into the divided storing space 3 or type of processing is entered upon every storage (for example, by bar code), and the necessary data of steel plate T is entered upon every retrieval, so that the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 automatically moves to the desired divided storing space 3 position.

[Travelling carriage) The traveling carriage 22 is furnished with traveling wheels 27 for running on the traveling rails 21 laid at the front side of the steel plate storing racks 4 as being driven by a travelling motor 26, at four corners.

[Elevating platform] The elevating platform 23 is elevatably supported on an elevating frame 28 set up at four corners of the traveling carriage 22 by means of an elevating drive unit 29. The elevating drive unit 29 is composed of an elevating chain 29c coupled to the elevating platform 23 as being wound on sprockets 29a, 29b disposed in the upper part and lower part of each elevating frame 28, and an elevating motor 29f for rotating and driving a coupling shaft 29d for coupling the front and rear lower sprockets 29b through a reduction gear mechanism 29e, and the elevating platform 23 is moved up and down by driving the elevating chain 29c by the elevating motor 29f.

On the elevating platform 23, as shown in fig.l0, a steel plate guide support tool 32 is provided, in which four roller rows disposing guide rollers 31 in the longitudinal direction at specific intervals are disposed, to support the steel plates T so as to be free to move in the longitudinal direction, and the steel pate centring device 24 is disposed in the middle of the roller rows, thereby constituting so as to be capable of centring the steel plate T.

In this steel plate centring device 24, as shown in fig. 8, a pair of right and left in a set of front and rear centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are disposed on a pair of front and rear screw shafts 24a disposed in the lateral direction so as to be free to move closer or apart mutually through female screw members 24b, and in the case of a rectangular steel plate T, by synchronously rotating the screw shafts 24a through sprockets 24d, 24e and chain 24f by the centring motor 24c of the centring drive unit, the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are moved closer and apart mutually in synchronism to cause the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL to abut against both the edges of the steel plate T, thereby moving the steel plate T onto the centre line C of the elevating platform 23.

However, to slide the steel plate T which is a heavy object in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the guide roller 31, a large driving force is required, and the sliding surface may be flawed. To slide the steel plate T easily in the lateral direction by preventing this, the centring device 24 is constituted as shown in figs. 12, 13, in which a plurality of support posts 24g are set up at positions not interfering with the guide roller 31 on the travelling carriage 23, and centring rollers 24h capable of conveying the steel plate T in the lateral direction are disposed at upper ends of the support posts 24g.Therefore, as shown in fig. 12, after transferring the steel plate T from the guide roller 31 to the centring roller 24h by lowering the elevating platform 23, by moving the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL closer to each other, centring of the steel plate T may be easy.

This steel plate centring device 24 is provided with a centring mechanism for matching the centre line C with the centre line TC passing through the centre of the maximum width of the misaligned steel plate T' formed by coupling a plurality of steel plates on the jointed steel plate manufacturing line 9.

That is, as shown in figs. 8 and 9, mat switches (contact detectors) 33A, 33B are provided at front and rear positions on the steel plate abutting surfaces of the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL, and a centring controller 34 is provided for controlling the centring motors 24c according to the detection signals of these mat switches 33A, 33B. At the front side of the mat switches 33A, 33B, protective covers 35A, 35B for preventing damage due to contact with the steel plate T are provided oscillatably through hinges 36. Moreover, there are position detectors (not shown) for detecting the positions of the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL by, for example, the amount of rotation of the centring motor 24c.

The steel plate abutting surfaces of the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are formed parallel to the centre line C, while the edge of the jointed steel plate T' in other centring state is formed parallel to the centre line C, except for the rear right side where a step is formed.

Therefore, while the jointed steel plate T' is parallel to the centre line C, the mat switches 33A, 33B of the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BL except for the centring block 24BR at the rear right side will individually detect the abutting.

These steel plate abutting surfaces may be formed parallel to the abutting edge of the jointed steel plate T' in the centring state of the steel plate abutting surfaces of the centring block before and after one side or both of the pair of right and left ones of the four centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL, and of course the steel plate abutting surface may be inclined to the centre line C corresponding to the abutting edge of the jointed steel plate T'.

As described later, consequently, according to the detection signals of the mat switches 33A, 33B and detection values of position detectors, the centering blocks 24AR, 24BR, 24AL, 24BL are separately moved closer by the centering controller 34, so that the centering of the jointed steel plate T' may be achieved.

[Device for storing and retrieving steel plates] The device 25 for storing and retrieving steel plates comprises, as shown in Figs. 14, 15, a clamp carriage 41 disposed movable in the longitudinal direction on the elevating platform 23, a storing/retrieving drive unit 42 for driving the clamp carriage 41 in the longitudinal direction, and a steel plate clamp device 43 mounted on the clamp carriage 41.

(Clamp carriage) The clamp carriage 41 is movably disposed through the traveling wheels 41a on a pair of right and left guide rails 44 disposed in the longitudinal direction in the middle of the elevating table 23.

(Storing/retrieving drive unit) The storing/retrieving drive unit 42 has an endless drive chain 42d stretched between a drive sprocket 42b rotated and driven by a storing/retrieving motor 42a disposed between the guide rails 44 in the front part of the elevating table 23, and a driven sprocket 42c disposed between the guide rails 44 in the rear part of the elevating platform 23, and one end of the drive chain 42d is fixed to the clamp carriage 41 by a coupler 42e, and it is designed to move the clamp carriage 41 reciprocally along the guide rails 44 by moving the drive chain 42d through the sprockets 42b, 42c by the storing/retrieving drive motor 42a.

The clamp device 43 comprises two right and left sets of a pair of upper and lower clamp arms 43c, 43d supported by a clamp frame 43b rotatably in the vertical direction through a support pin 43a in the middle part, and by expanding and contracting a clamp cylinder 43e coupled to the rear ends of the clamp arms 43c, 43d, it is designed to clamp the upper surface and lower surface of the steel plate T by grips 43f, 43g disposed at the front ends of the clamp arms 43c, 43d. In the lower clamp arm 43d, a release plate 43h slightly inclining upward at the front side in release position is disposed behind the rear end of the steel plate T and near the bottom of the steel plate T to be held, so as to be abutted against a stopper roller 56 of the stopper device 51.

The steel plate storing action in this constitution is described below.

(1) When the steel plates T are delivered into the entrance area 1 by the transfer truck 6, each plate is put on the elevating platform 23 of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 by the overhead travelling crane.

(2) In the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, the elevating platform 23 is stopped at the centring position where the centring roller 24h is below the guide roller 31 of the travelling carriage 22, and in the case of a rectangular steel plate T, by moving the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL closely to each other in synchronism by means of the steel plate centring device 24, the centring of the rectangular steel plate T is achieved.

The case of a jointed steel plate T' is described later.

(3) By the storing/retrieving drive unit 42 of the steel plate storing/retrieving device 24, the clamp carriage 41 is moved just before the steel plate T and stopped, and the clamp cylinder 43e of the steel plate clamp device 43 is advanced and the crank arms 43c, 43d are closed, and the upper and lower side of the front part of the steel plates T are held by grips 43f, 43g, thereby fixing the steel plate T.

(4) The travelling carriage 22 is moved by driving the travelling motor 26, and the elevating platform 23 is lifted by the elevating drive unit 29, and the elevating platform 23 is stopped opposite the front side of the divided storing space 5 of the intended steel plate storing rack 4.

(5) The clamp carriage 41 is moved forward by the storing/retrieving drive unit 42, and the steel plate T is pushed out to the divided storing space 3 side along the cargo support level L. In consequence, as shown in Fig. 4, the front end of the steel plate T abuts against the stopper roller 56 of the stopper plate 54 at the standing position, and tilts the stopper plate 54 in the direction of arrow A by resisting the coil spring 55. While the stopper roller 56 is rolling on the bottom of the steel plate T, the steel plate T is guided by the cargo receiving guide roller 18, and pushed onto the roller chain 16, and is further transferred by the guide of the side guide plate 20, rotation of the support roller 16a and movement of the chain link 16b, and is supported on the roller chain 16 of the divided storing space 3.

The crank arms 43c, 43d reach the front part of the cross beams 14, and the steel plate T is pushed behind the stopper roller 56, and then the stopper roller 56 moves from the bottom of the steel plate T to the bottom of the release plate 43h, so that the tilted position of the stopper plate 54 is maintained.

(6) By the steel plate clamp device 43, the clamp arms 43c, 43d are opened, and the grips 43f, 43g are departed from the steel plate T. As a result, the stopper plate 54 is pushed down by the releasing portion.

(7) Next, by the storing/retrieving drive unit 42, the clamp carriage 41 is moved back, and the clamp arms 43c, 43d are withdrawn. In consequence, the stopper roller 56 is departed from the release plate 43h, and is turned forward indicated by arrow B by the action of the coil spring 55, and the stopper plate 54 is returned to the standing position, thereby completing the delivery. This steel plate T is arrested by the stopper plate 54 since the longitudinal beams 13 and the support rail part 15a of the chain support 15 are inclined downward from the rear part (inner side) to the front part, thereby securely preventing the steel plate T from popping out due to earthquake, vibration or similar cause.

[Retrieving actions The steel plate retrieving action in this constitution is described below.

(1) The traveling carriage 22 is moved by driving the traveling motor 26, and the elevating platform 23 is lifted by the elevating drive unit 29, and the elevating platform 23 is stopped opposite the front side of the divided storing space 5 of the intended steel plate storing rack 4.

(2) Next, the clamp arms 43c, 43d are opened by the steel plate clamp device 43, and the clamp carriage 41 is moved forward by the storing/retrieving device 42, and the crank arms 43c, 43d are moved to project to the divided storing space 3 side, and the release plate 43 is abutted against the stopper roller 56 from the stopper plate 54, thereby tilting the stopper plate 54 in the direction of arrow A.

(3) The crank arms 43c, 43d are closed by the steel plate clamp device 43 to hold the steel plate T, and the clamp carriage 41 is drawn back by the storing/retrieving device 42, and the crank arms 43c, 43d are withdrawn. In consequence, the stopper roller 56 is moved from the release plate 43h to the bottom of the steel plate T and rolls to maintain the inclined position of the stopper plate 54, and the steel plate T is drawn out from above the roller chain 16 to the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 side through the cargo receiving guide roller 18. As a result, the stopper roller 56 is released, and turned in the direction of arrow B by the coil spring 55 to return to the standing position.

If the steel plate T is abutting against the stopper plate 54 at the time of discharging, the steel plate T can be pushed to the divided storing space 3 side by tilting the stopper plate 54 by the release plate 43h, so that the discharging action may not be disturbed.

(Centering action} The centering action of the jointed steel plate T' by the steel plate centering device is described below by reference to Figs. 16 to 20.

(1) As shown in Fig. 16, to the jointed steel plate T' mounted on the elevating platform 23 at the centering position, the centering motors 24c are driven in synchronism by the signal from the centering controller 34, and the centering blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are mutually moved closer to each other. As indicated by virtual line, when the mat switch 33A of the centering block 24AL detects contact of the jointed steel plate T', the centering blocks 24AR, 24BL on the second diagonal line D2 opposite to the first diagonal line Dl passing the centering block 24AL are stopped, while the centering blocks 24AL, 24BR on the first diagonal line D1 continue to move.

(2) As shown in Fig. 17, the centering block 24BR at the rear right side also abuts against the jointed steel plate T', and the jointed steel plate T' is turned by both centering blocks 24AL, 24BR. Then2 as shown in Fig. 18, when the center line TC of the jointed steel plate T' becomes parallel to the center line C, the mat switches 33A, 33B before and after the centering block 24AL simultaneously detect the contact of the jointed steel plate T', and the centering blocks 24AL, 24BR are stopped according to this detection signal.

(3) The centering blocks 24AR, 24BL on the second diagonal line D2 are moved closer, and when either one of the mat switches 33A, 33B of the centering blocks 24AR, 24BL detects the contact of the jointed steel plate T', the centering blocks 24AR, 24BL are stopped.

(4) Herein, the positions of the centering blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are measured by the position detector, and fed into the centering controller 34, and the deviation S of the center line C of the elevating platform 23 from the center line TC of the jointed steel plate T' is calculated from the maximum width W of the jointed steel plate T' in the centering controller 34. By the portion of this deviation S, the centering blocks 24AAR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL are moved in the same direction to move the jointed steel plate T' parallel, so that the center line TC of the jointed steel plate T' coincides with the center line C of the elevating platform 23.

This constitution brings about the following effects.

(1) The steel plate storing racks 4 having a plurality of layers of divided storing spaces 3 are disposed at the starting end of the cutting process lines 2A to 2C, the line delivery space 58 is formed in the lowest position of the steel plate storing racks 4, and the line delivery conveyor 8 is connected to the cutting process lines 2A to 2C, and therefore the sending route of the steel plate T from the steel plate storing racks 4 to the cutting process lines 2A to 2C can be cut to the shortest distance, and steel plates T can be delivered quickly, and the upper space at the starting end of the cutting process lines 2A to 2C can be utilized effectively, so that the entire space can be saved.

(2) Since the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5 is disposed movably in the front part of the steel plate storing racks 4, a large quantity of steel plates T can be stored, controlled, and distributed fully automatically, thereby realizing efficiency of the job, improvement of productivity, and enhancement of safety.

(3) In the steel plate storing racks 4, by transferring and storing the steel plates T on the roller chain 16, heavy materials can be easily loaded and unloaded.

(4) In the steel plate storing racks 4, by movably winding the endless roller chain 16 on the chain support 15, abrasion is uniform, and the life of the roller chain 16 can be extended.

(5) In the steel plate storing racks 4, by moving the steel plate T on the roller chain 16, bruising of the surface of the steel plate T can be prevented.

(6) In the steel plate storing racks 4, by inclining the longitudinal beams 13 and support rails 15a of the chain support 15 downward from the rear part (inner side) to the front part, the steel plate T is always arrested by the stopper plate 54, and cannot be shaken loose by earthquake or vibration.

(7) In the steel plate storing racks 4, since the clearance between the steel plate T and rack structure can be narrowed, the storing capacity can be increased.

(8) In the steel plate storing racks 4, since the side guide plate 20 is disposed in the divided storing space 3, meandering of the steel plate T is prevented so it can be put in and out smoothly.

(9) In the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, the steel plate guide support tool 32 having multiple guide rollers 31 for movably supporting the steel plates T in horizontal state is disposed on the elevating platform 2 elevatably disposed on the travelling carriage 22, and the steel plate storing/retrieving device 25 for fixing and transferring the steel plates T by gripping with the steel plate clamp device 43 is also disposed, so that heavy and wide steel plates T can be safely transferred by stably mounting on the elevating platform 23.

(10) In the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, since the steel plate centring device 24 is disposed on the elevating platform 23, the steel plate T can be accurately put into and out of the divided storing spaces 3 of the steel plate storing racks 4.

(11) In the steel plate centring device 24 of the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, the centring roller 24h for movably supporting the steel plate T movably in the lateral direction orthogonal to the centre line direction by projecting upward of the support surface of the guide roller 31 of the elevating platform at the descending position of the elevating platform 23 is disposed, so that a heavy steel plate T can be easily centred by moving with a small driving force by four centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL. It is also effective for preventing bruising of the slide surface of the steel plate T.

(12) According to the centring method of the jointed steel plate T' in the device for storing and retrieving steel plates 5, by sequentially moving the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL by the mat switches 33a, 33b provided at front and rear positions of each steel plate contact surface of the four centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL, and the centring controller 34, together with the signals from the mat switches 33a, 33b and signals of the position detectors of the centring blocks 24AR, 24AL, 24BR, 24BL, even a distorted jointed steel plate T' can be accurately matched between the center line TC passing through the center of its maximum width and the center line C of the elevating platform 23 in a small number of steps.

Therefore1 the width of the divided storing spaces 3 of the steel plate storing racks 4 can be effectively utilized, so that effective storing on racks and accurate loading and unloading of jointed steel plates T' are realized.

[Second embodiment) Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 relate to a second embodiment of steel plate storing racks 4, in which a roller conveyor is used instead of the roller chain 16. Same parts as in the first embodiment are identified with same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted.

That is, in steel plate storing racks 61, a pair of right and left conveyor frames as longitudinal beams 62 are coupled between middle posts 12 set up between upper and lower large cross beams 11, in the longitudinal direction with a slight upward inclination of the rear part in every pitch p' for storing one steel plate T in the vertical direction1 and cross beams 14 are linked in the lateral direction, and low profile divided storing spaces 63 are formed in plural layers and plural rows at plural pitches p'. In each divided storing space 63, between the pair of right and left conveyor frames as longitudinal beams 62 stretched between the bottom cross beams 14, support rollers 64 are rotatably supported at every specific interval in the longitudinal direction, thereby forming a roller conveyor 65.A pair of right and left stopper devices 51 are disposed on the front cross beams 14 of the divided storing spaces 63. The stopper plate 54 of the stopper device 21 is formed so that the top part may project upward from the cargo support level L' of the roller conveyor 65 at the standing position.

According to the second embodiment, as compared with the steel plate storing racks 4 in the first embodiment, the following benefits are brought about.

(1) As compared with the pitch p of the racks of the roller chain 16 that requires an endless reciprocating route, the roller conveyor 65 has a smaller rack interval p', so that the entire structure is compact.

(2) The roller chain 16 requires a tension, and the tension device of the roller chain 16 is needed and the structure of turning part of the roller chain 16 is complicated, and moreover the cargo receiving guide roller 18 is required, whereas the entire structure may be simplified by installing the roller conveyor 65, and the manufacturing precision is enhanced, too, so that the equipment cost may be saved.

(3) Daily tension control is necessary in the roller chain 16, and the maintenance work is complicated, and a working space for adjusting the tension device is needed, whereas the roller conveyor 65 is low in maintenance and saves space.

(4) For loading and unloading steel plate spliced material joined by welding in the middle part, since the welding bead is projecting, the built-up part may contact with the chain link 16b to be damaged in the roller chain 16, whereas the roller conveyor 65 is capable of loading and unloading without trouble if welding bead is present, so that steel plates in a wide range can be stored.

The rack storing equipment for steel plates T is described in the foregoing embodiments, and the rack storing equipment for roll shaped steel plates (hereinafter called coils) is described below by reference to Figs. 23 to 29.

Numeral 71 is a rack for storing a coil 72. The rack 71 has a plurality of upper and lower layers of a plurality of divided storing spaces 73 disposed in the horizontal direction, and the divided storing spaces 73 are formed by bottom plates 76 for supporting the coils 72 through holding members 75, and partition plates 77 for separating the adjacent divided storing spaces 73, and the front side is the access 78. Each divided storing space 73 can store two sets of coil 72 at the inner side and the fore side. The lower part of the rack 71 is buried beneath the floor 79.

As shown in Fig. 25, moreover, elevators 82, 83 are installed at both sides of the rack 71 as an example of an elevating device. The elevators 82, 83 are composed of an elevating platform 84, a wire 85 for lifting the platform 84, and a hoist 86 for hoisting the wire 85, Both sides of the elevators 82, 83 are divided by a partition wall 87, and an access 88 is formed in the vertical direction before the elevators 82, 83 as shown in Fig. 23. One elevator 82 is for putting in, and the other elevator 83 is for sending out. As shown in Fig. 23, an entrance 89 is formed behind the IN elevator 82 and an exit 90 is formed behind the OUT elevator 83.

Travelling passages 93 are formed in the horizontal direction from the access 78 side of the divided storing spaces 73 of each layer to the access 88 side of the elevators 82, 83. A pair of front and rear passage rails 94 are provided in these travelling passages 93 in the width direction of the rack 71. The passage rails are distributed between the longitudinal frame 102 and the front side of the rack 71. Numeral 95 denotes a self-propelled travelling carriage disposed in each travelling passage 93 of each layer, and the travelling carriages 95 are supported and guided by the passage rails 94 through travelling wheels 96, and move the travelling passages 93 in the horizontal direction.

Numeral 97 is a self-propelled conveying carriage having a mounting arm 98 for mounting the coil 72. A plurality of conveying carriages 97 are provided, and it is free to transfer between the platform 84 of the elevators 82, 83 and the travelling carriage 95, and between the travelling carriage 95 and the bottom plate 76 of the divided storing space 73. That is, a pair of right and left rails 99 are provided on the top surfaces of the platform 84, travelling carriage 95 and bottom plate 76, and the conveying carriage 97 is supported and guided by the rails 99 through the travelling wheels 100 to be transferred and moved. As shown in Fig. 24, a pair of right and left mounting arms 98 are provided, and the coil 72 is supported in a state of being held between both mounting arms 98.

Both mounting arms 98 are provided with a pair of rotatable holding claws 101 (example of holding tool) mutually confronting in the lateral direction. As indicated by virtual line in Fig. 24, as both holding claws 101 turn downward, the coil 72 is lowered, and as turning upward as indicated by solid line, the coil 72 is lifted.

Moreover, as shown in Fig. 23, on the bottom 79 behind the rack 71, an incoming object space 104 for laying incoming coils 72, and an outgoing object space 104 for laying outgoing coils 72 are formed, and an entrance rail 106 is laid between the incoming object space 104 and the entrance 89, and an exit rail 107 is laid between the outgoing object space 107 and the exit 90. The conveying carriage 97 is free to travel as being supported and guided by the entrance rail 106 and exit rail 107, and it is free to transfer on the rail 99 between the entrance rail 106 and IN elevator 82, and on the rail 99 between the exit rail 107 and OUT elevator 83.

The operation of the above constitution is described below.

When putting in the coil 72, the conveying carriage 97 uns on the entrance rail 106, and puts the coils 72 laid out in the incoming object space 104 onto the mounting arms 98. At this time, after inserting the both mounting arms 98 into both sides of the coil 72, by turning the both holding claws 101 upward, the coil 72 is lifted by the both holding claws 101,and put on the both mounting arms 98.

Afterwards, the platform 84 of the IN elevator 82 descends to the floor 79, and the rail 99 of the platform 84 is connected to the entrance rail 106. The conveying carriage 97 on which the coil 72 is put runs on the entrance rail 107, and is transferred to the rail 99 on the platform 84, and stops.

Consequently, as the platform 84 of the IN elevator 82 ascends to stop at specified height, the rail 99 of the platform 84 is connected to the rail 99 of the travelling carriage 95. The conveying carriage 97 is transferred from the rail 99 of the IN elevator 82 to the rail 99 of the travelling carriage 95, and stops.

In consequence, the travelling carriage 95 is supported and guided on the passage rails 94 through traveling wheels 96, and moves horizontally along the travelling passage 93, and stops before t he intended divided storing space 73. As a result, as shown in Fig. 27, the rails 99 of the travelling carriage 95 are connected to the rail 99 of the divided storing space 73, and the conveying carriage 95 is transferred from the rail 99 of the travelling carriage 95 to the rails of the divided storing space 73, and stops in the inner side of the divided storing space 73.

.s indicated by virtual line in Fig. 24, by turning the both holding claws 101 downward, the coil 72 is lowered onto the holding member 75. Then, as the conveying carriage 97 is transferred onto the travelling carriage 95, the both mounting arms 98 are released from both sides of the coil 72, and the coil 72 is put into the inner side of the intended divided storing space 73. When putting the coil 72 to the front side of the divided storing space 73, the conveying carriage 97 is stopped before the divided storing space 73.

When sending out the coil 72, an empty conveying carriage 97 conveyed by the travelling carriage 95 is transferred onto the intended divided storing space 73, and then as indicated by solid line in Fig. 24, the coil 72 in the divided storing space 73 is lifted by both holding claws 101, and put on both mounting arms 98, and the conveying carriage 97 is transferred from the divided storing space 73 to the travelling carriage 95. As the travelling carriage 95 moves horizontally and stops opposite the access 88 of the OUT elevator 83, while the platform 84 of the OUT elevator 83 descends and stops at the same level as the travelling carriage 95. Next, the conveying carriage 97 is transferred from the travelling carriage 95 to the platform 84 of the OUT elevator 83, and this platform 85 descends to the floor 79.

Afterwards, as indicated by virtual line (A) in Fig. 27, the conveying carriage 97 is transferred from the platform 84 of the OUT elevator 83 to the exit rail 107 and runs, and stops at the outgoing object space 105. By turning down the both holding claws 101, the coil 72 is lowered from the mounting arms 98 onto the floor 79, thereby finishing the retrieving operation. Then, the coil 72 laid on the outgoing object space 105 is carried to a target place by a forklift truck, crane or the like.

(Effects) The above constitution brings about the following effects.

(1) By installing the IN elevator 82 and OUT elevator 83, a plurality of conveying carriages 97, and travelling carriages 95 for each layer, the vertical move, horizontal move, and transfer of coils 72 can be done simultaneously, and storing and retrieving operations can be done at the same time, so that the working efficiency may be enhanced.

(2) Since the vertical move, horizontal move, and transfer of the coils 72 are done by dividing into the elevators 82, 83, travelling carriages 95, and conveying carriages 97, if the coils 72 are heavy or the racks 71 are high, the entire equipment can be downsized as compared with the rack storing equipment using stacker crane or the like.

In the embodiment, the elevators 82, 83 are installed at both sides of the rack 71, but, instead of both sides, they may be installed in the middle of the rack 71. Or three or more elevators may be installed.

In this embodiment, as an example of holding tool, a pair of right and left rotatable holding claws 101 are provided in the conveying carriage 97, but elevatable forks may be provided instead.

[Second embodiment] A second embodiment having a pair of front and rear racks 71 is explained by reference to Figs. 28 and 29.

That is, a pair of front and rear racks 71a,71b are disposed parallel, oppositely to the access 78 of each divided storing space 73. Between both racks 71,71b, travelling passages 93 and travelling carriages 95 are provided in each layer, and a turn table 116 rotatable about the vertical direction axial center 115 is mounted on each travelling carriage 95. Rails 99 for supporting and guiding the conveying carriage 97 are provided on the upper surface of the turn table 116. The conveying carriages 97 and IN and OUT elevators (not shown) are disposed same as in the foregoing embodiments.

According to this embodiment, as indicated by solid line in Fig. 29, when putting in and out of one rack 71a, the conveying carriage 97 stops on the rails 99 of the travelling carriage 95, and the turn table 115 rotates, and the mounting arms 98 of the conveying carriage 97 change direction to one rack 71a side. Afterwards, the conveying carriage 97 is transferred from the travelling carriage 95 to the intended divided storing space 73, thereby lifting and lowering the coil 72.

Or, as indicated by virtual line in Fig. 29, when putting in and out of the other rack 71b, similarly, the turn table 116 rotates reversely, and the mounting arms 98 of the conveying carriage 97 convert direction to the other rack 71b side.

Claims

1. A system for storage and retrieval of steel plates comprising: racks including a plurality of divided storing spaces capable of storing steel plates, and a device capable of storing and retrieving steel plates into and from the divided storing spaces disposed movably along the front of the divided storing space of the racks, wherein the racks comprise; a plurality of steel plate storing spaces of which a rear part is inclined upward, capable of storing steel plates one by one, being divided into a plurality of sections in the vertical direction and lateral direction, a plurality of longitudinal beams disposed along the longitudinal direction, at specific intervals in the lateral direction in the bottom of the divided storing spaces, a roller conveyor capable of supporting steel plates being disposed on the longitudinal beams, and stoppers for preventing steel plates from slipping out, being disposed in the front of the steel plate storing spaces.