JP2001270434A - Suspended type lifting conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit stable travel on branch paths by means of a simple arrangement and to prevent lateral slip. SOLUTION: In travel rollers 26 mounted at both the front and rear of a truck 23, the front left travel roller 26 and the rear left travel roller 26 pass through a clearance 22b in a conveying rail 22 in sequence and are then derailed when traveling to a branch path of conveyance, but even if one of the travel rollers is derailed, other travel rollers 26 sandwich a travel part 22a from above and below, thus enabling the truck 23 to continue to travel without tilting and to smoothly and stably travel along the branch path of conveyance. As a result, the need to use a lateral slip prevention mechanism is eliminated and stable travel at high speed is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suspension type lifting / lowering apparatus used in semiconductor manufacturing, hospitals and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS.
Is shown in The prior art suspension type lifting / lowering transport device 1 shown in FIG.
A drive source (not shown) for the transport trolley 3 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer rail 2 has a box shape in cross section with a gap formed in the lower portion, and both sides of the lower portion form a running surface 2a, and a gap 2b is formed between the running surfaces 2a. I have.

On the other hand, the transport carriage 3 has an elevating unit at its lower part for raising and lowering the transported object W. The upper part of the carrier 3 has a bogie structure, and a traveling roller 6 and a guide roller 7 are attached to the bogie 4 via a frame 5.
Further, the branch rollers 11 are rotatably mounted respectively. The traveling rollers 6 are used to move the transport vehicle 3 by rolling on the traveling surface 2 a of the transport rail 2. Two traveling rollers 6 are provided at the front and rear portions of the transport vehicle 3. The guide rollers 7 guide the traveling of the transport carriage 3 by rolling on both side walls of the transport rail 2. The branch roller 11 will be described later.

The driving source has a primary side 8 mounted on the upper part of the transporting carriage 3 and a secondary side 9 installed on the upper inner wall of the transporting rail 2 so as to face the primary side 8. Constructs a DC motor. The linear DC motor is driven and controlled by an inverter (not shown) provided in the transport trolley 3 when receiving power supply from a power supply unit (not shown) provided in the transport rail 2. ,
The carrier 3 is run.

[0005] When the transport object W is transported, the transport vehicle 3 first travels on the travel surface 2a by controlling the drive of a linear DC motor as a drive source.
Is moved to above and stopped, and in that state, the elevating unit is lowered to the position of the transported object W. At the time when the transported object W and the elevating unit are fixed, the transported unit W is moved up to the desired height by the elevating unit and stopped, and then the linear DC motor is driven again to move the transport cart 3. Thus, the article W is transported to a position above the unloading position. When the transport vehicle 3 reaches above the unloading position, the transport vehicle 3
Is stopped, the conveyed object W is lowered by the elevating unit,
Further, after being placed at a predetermined place, the fixing of the transported object W and the elevating unit is released, and the elevating unit is rolled up, thereby completing the transfer operation.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art, as shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle is configured to be able to travel between a straight conveying path 2A and a curved branch conveying path 2B. That is, a branch guide 10a as shown on the left side in FIG. 7 is attached to the linear transport path 2A on the transport rail 2, and a branch guide 10b as shown on the right side in FIG. 7 is attached to the branch transport path 2B. A movable rod 12 is provided above the bogie section 5 of the transport carriage 3 so as to be movable left and right along the horizontal direction, and branching rollers 11 are attached to both ends of the movable rod 12. When the transport cart 3 travels from the straight transport path 2A to the right branch transport path 2B, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the moving rod 12 is driven at a position where there are no branch guides 10a and 10b, and the branch roller 11 is driven. Is moved to the right, and in this state, the transport cart 3 is advanced, and the branch roller 11 is guided along the branch guide 10b of the branch transport path 2B, so that the transport cart 3 travels along the branch transport path 2B. It is configured to be moved.

[0007]

By the way, the above-mentioned conventional suspension type elevating / lowering transport device is used either when traveling on the transport rail 2 of the linear transport path 2A or when branching and traveling to the branch transport path 2B. Also had the problems described below.

That is, for example, when traveling from the linear transport path 2A to the transport rail of the branch transport path 2B, the transport carriage 3
Of the branch roller 11 is the branch guide 10 of the branch conveying path 2B.
8, the traveling locus X shown in FIG. 8 is taken. At this time, the traveling roller 6b on the right side in FIG.
When moving along the running surface of B, the left running roller 6a
Must pass through the gap 2b between the transport rails 2 of the linear transport path 2A, so that the traveling roller 6a on the left side derails, and can smoothly move on the transport rail of the branch transport path 2B. become unable.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
Is formed in a long shape, and a further set of traveling rollers 1 is provided between the front wheels and the rear wheels of the traveling rollers 6 of the transporting carriage 3.
3, when the guide rollers 14 are respectively added to move from the transport rail 2 on the linear transport path 2A onto the transport rail on the branch transport path 2B, one of the traveling rollers 6 and 13 on the left side has a gap 2b. Therefore, it is conceivable to allow the transport cart 3 to travel to the branch transport path 2B by maintaining the state in which the traveling rollers of the other set do not derail even if the wheel is derailed.

However, in order to allow the vehicle to travel to the branch conveyance path 2B without any problem, if a pair of traveling rollers 13 and guide rollers 14 are newly added as described above, the vehicle travels in a curve around a point on a vertical line from the center of the vehicle body. In this case, the distance from the center to the rollers on both sides of the vehicle body is equal, but the distance from the center to the roller 14 is different from the center. Therefore, the added center roller 13 causes side slip. For this reason, a prevention mechanism for preventing the sideslip of the roller 13 on the center side is required, which leads to an increase in the number of parts of the sideslip prevention mechanism, resulting in an increase in the number of assembly steps and an increase in cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension type lifting / lowering transport device that can reliably branch and travel on a branch travel rail with a simple configuration and can reliably prevent a traveling roller from skidding.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a transport rail fixed at an upper position, a transport vehicle for moving an object to be lifted and running along the transport rail, and a drive source for the transport vehicle are provided. A suspension type lifting / lowering transport device comprising: a traveling roller that travels on a traveling portion of a transport rail; a guide roller that guides the travel of the transport vehicle; and a branching roller that is guided by a branch guide of the transport rail. , Wherein the traveling roller comprises a plurality of rollers sandwiching the traveling portion of the transport rail. As described above, the present invention is configured such that the traveling rollers are composed of a plurality of members sandwiching the traveling portion of the transport rail, so that when traveling to the branch transport path, the traveling rollers are respectively attached to the front and rear sides of the transport vehicle. Of which, the front left traveling roller and the rear left traveling roller sequentially pass through the gap of the transport rail,
Although it will be derailed, even if one of the traveling rollers derails, the other traveling roller sandwiches the traveling part up and down, so that the transport vehicle can continue traveling without tilting, The vehicle can travel smoothly along the branch transport path in a stable state.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the engaging portions are formed at both ends of the conveying rail that form the gap for running the conveying vehicle, and the outer periphery of the conveying roller is formed with a notch adapted to the engaging portion. The transport roller rolls while being adapted to the engaging portion of the transport rail when the transport vehicle travels. According to the present invention, since the traveling roller of the transport vehicle rolls in a state of being adapted to the engaging portions at both ends forming the clearance of the transport rail, when traveling to the branch transport path, one of the traveling rollers has the clearance. Therefore, even if the vehicle comes off the wheel, stable transportation of the transportation vehicle can be obtained, and the transportation vehicle can be prevented from skidding. As a result, an effect similar to that of the first aspect can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the engaging portion is an inclined surface formed above and below both ends of the transport rail, which forms a gap for running the transport vehicle. . As described above, when the inclined surface is formed as the engaging portion of the transport rail, there is an effect that the transport unit and the traveling roller are easily manufactured.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show an embodiment of a suspension type elevating and conveying apparatus of the present invention. The suspension type lifting / lowering transport device 20 includes a transport rail 22 and a transport vehicle 2
3 and a drive source (not shown) for the transport vehicle 23.

The transport rail 22 is fixed to the ceiling 21 as shown in FIG.
And a gap 22 between the running portions 22a, 22a.
b is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, a branch guide 30 is mounted on one side of the transfer rail 22 along a straight transfer path 22A and a curved transfer path 22B. The transport vehicle 23 has an elevating unit for elevating and lowering the article W to be transported, and also has a transport rail 2
A traveling roller 26 that travels on the second traveling portion 22a, a guide roller 27 that guides the traveling of the transport carriage 23, and a branching roller 31 that is guided by a branching guide 30 are attached.

In the present invention, the traveling rollers 26 are configured as a pair of two members sandwiching the traveling portion 22a of the transport rail 22. That is, this running roller 26 is
As shown in the figure, the upper roller 2 located on the traveling portion 22a
6a and a lower roller 26b located below the traveling portion 22a, and the two rollers 26a and 26b
2a is pinched in the vertical direction so as to roll.
Therefore, the upper roller 26a is rotatably mounted on a frame 25 mounted on the bogie section 24 of the transport carriage 23 via a supporting member 25a, and the lower roller 26b is provided on the frame 25 and Gap 22
b is rotatably attached to a tip end of a support member 25b formed so as to pass toward the bottom of the traveling portion 22a.

The guide roller 27 is rotatably mounted on the frame 25 via a support 25c. Both the traveling roller 26 and the guide roller 27 are provided on the front, rear, and both sides of the transport carriage 23, respectively. When the course is changed between the straight conveyance path 22 </ b> A and the branch conveyance path 22 </ b> B, the branching roller 31 moves when the conveyance carriage 23 moves to the retreat position of the both conveyance paths (the position without the branch guide 30). The rod 32 is selectively moved to the left or right by the rod 32 and is guided by the branch guide 30 of the transport path to travel.
Similarly, two are provided on each of the front and rear sides of the transport vehicle 23. The moving rod 32 is operated by a driving unit 33 installed on the frame 25. The drive source has a primary side 28 attached to the upper part of the bogie section 24 and a secondary side 29 installed on the upper inner wall of the transport rail 22 so as to face the primary side 28 to provide a linear DC motor. When the power is supplied from a power supply unit (not shown) in the transport rail 22, the vehicle is driven and controlled by an inverter (not shown) provided in the transport vehicle 3, and travels on the transport vehicle 23. Let it.

In the apparatus having the above-described configuration, in order for the transport carriage 23 to travel from the linear transport path 22A to the branch transport path 22B, first, the branch roller 31 is branched at the retreat position of the transport paths 22A and 22B. The transport carriage 22B is moved to the right side along the branch guide 30 of the transport path 22B, and then the linear transport motor is driven, so that the transport carriage 23 travels toward the branch transport path 22B. During this traveling, the transport carriage 23 is
As shown in FIG. 7, the branch roller 31 is guided along the branch guide 30 of the branch transport path 22B, and the traveling roller 26 rolls on the traveling section 22a.
The vehicle will travel in the 2B direction.

At this time, as shown in FIG.
When the front left traveling roller 26 of the front, rear, left, and right traveling rollers 26 reaches the gap 22b of the linear transport path 22A, the wheel is derailed, and the transport carriage 23 may be inclined. However, as described above, the transport rollers 26 are all composed of a pair of upper and lower rollers 26a and 26b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Rollers 26B to 26D
Since the traveling portion 22a is sandwiched between the upper and lower sides to achieve a three-point support structure, the traveling state can be maintained as it is without the transport carriage 23 being inclined. Then, when the traveling of the transport vehicle 23 proceeds and the traveling roller 26A on the front left side that has been derailed reaches the clearance traveling portion 22a, the traveling portion 22a is again sandwiched in the vertical direction there. In such a state, the same occurs in the rear left traveling roller 26C, and at this time, the other traveling rollers 2 except the traveling roller 26C
Since the three-point support structure of 6A, 26B, and 26D is achieved, the traveling state can be maintained without the carrier cart 23 also tilting in that case. For convenience of explanation, reference numeral 26A in FIG. 4 indicates a front left traveling roller that has been derailed, and reference numerals 26B, 26C, and 26D have front right, rear left, and rear rear that have not been derailed. It is each showing a roller.

Therefore, when traveling to the branch transport path 22B, the front left traveling roller 26 and the rear left traveling roller 26 of the traveling rollers 26 attached to the front and rear sides of the transport carriage 23 respectively are transport rails. 22 are sequentially passed through the gaps 22b, and the wheels are derailed. However, even if one of the traveling rollers is derailed, the other traveling rollers 26 are not moved by the traveling portion 2
Since the carrier 2a is sandwiched between the upper and lower sides, the transport carriage 23 can continue traveling without tilting, and can travel smoothly along the branch transport path 22B in a stable state.

As a result, the traveling roller 26 is
When the two transport surfaces 22a are sandwiched, it is not necessary to use a side slip prevention mechanism as in the related art, and even if one of the two wheels comes off the wheel, stable traveling can be obtained without being concerned with it. A simple structure of sandwiching between upper and lower portions is sufficient, and stable high-speed traveling is possible without incurring high assembly man-hours and high costs. In addition, since the traveling roller 26 sandwiches the traveling portion 22b up and down as described above, the transport vehicle 23 does not cause side slip, and stable high-speed traveling can be realized without causing vibration or the like. .

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the suspension type lifting / lowering transport device. In this case, engaging portions (not shown) constituting a traveling portion are provided at both ends of the transport rail 2 forming the gap 22b for the transport vehicle traveling, while the transport vehicle 2 is provided.
The third running roller 26 is formed in a shape suitable for the inclined surfaces 22c and 22d.

More specifically, as the engaging portion,
Upper and lower sides of both ends forming the gap 22b of the transport rail 2 have inclined surfaces 22c and 22d formed in opposing shapes, and constitute a traveling portion. Each of these inclined surfaces 22
c and 22d are tapered at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees, and are formed in an overall U shape. That is, although the upper and lower ends of both ends forming the gap 22b are chamfered, the shape is not limited to this, and may be a waveform. Therefore, the bottom plate 22 'provided with the gap 22b of the transport rail 2 is
It is made of a thicker material so that the inclined surfaces 22c and 22d can be formed. The traveling roller 26 is provided with the inclined surface 22c,
In order to roll the traveling part consisting of 22d, it is rotatably attached to the tip of a frame 25c formed so as to protrude to the position of the gap 22b in the bogie part 24 of the carriage 23,
A notch 34 having a shape adapted to the inclined surfaces 22c and 22d is provided on the outer periphery thereof. Therefore, the traveling roller 26
Are inclined surfaces 22c and 22d at both ends forming a gap 22b.
It rolls in a state that is compatible with. FIG.
In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

According to this embodiment, the traveling roller 26 of the transport carriage 23 is adapted to roll in a state of being fitted to the engaging portions at both ends forming the gap 22b of the transport rail 22, so that the branch transport path 22B When traveling, one traveling roller 2
When the vehicle 6 passes through the gap 22b, the other traveling roller can achieve stable traveling of the transport vehicle 23, and can prevent the transport vehicle 23 from skidding. As a result, the same operation as in the above-described embodiment is performed. The effect can be obtained. In particular, if the inclined surfaces 22c and 22d are formed as the engaging portions, there is an effect that the production of the transporting portion and the traveling roller is facilitated.

[0027]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the traveling roller is constituted by a plurality of rollers sandwiching the traveling portion of the transport rail in the up-down direction. Even if one of the traveling rollers derails, the other traveling rollers continue to travel without tilting by sandwiching the traveling part up and down, and are smoothly and stably along the branch transport path without using the side slip prevention mechanism. As a result, it is possible to realize stable high-speed traveling without incurring high assembly man-hours and high cost and without causing vibration and the like. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the traveling roller of the transport vehicle rolls in a state of being fitted to the engaging portions at both ends forming the gap between the transport rails. Can be obtained.

According to the third aspect, since the inclined surface is formed as the engaging portion of the transport rail, there is also an effect that the production of the transport portion and the traveling roller is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a suspension type elevating and lowering transport device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a straight conveyance path and a branch conveyance path.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram when a traveling roller of a transport vehicle passes through a gap in a linear transport path.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view when the traveling roller on the front left side of the transport vehicle is derailed in the gap between the transport rails of the linear transport path.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the suspension type elevating and conveying device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional suspension type lifting / lowering transport device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional suspension type lifting / lowering transport device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in a case where the vehicle travels in a branch from a straight transport path to a branch transport path.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration for solving a problem caused by the conventional suspension type lifting / lowering transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

20: suspension type lifting / lowering transport device, 22: transport rail, 22a
... running part, 22b ... gap, 23 ... transport carriage, 26 ... running roller, 27 ... guide roller, 30 ... branch guide, 31
... Branch roller, 22A ... Linear conveyance path, 22B ... Branch conveyance path, w ... Conveyed object.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A transport rail fixed at an upper position, a transport vehicle that raises and lowers an object to be transported and travels along the transport rail, and a drive source for the transport vehicle. A traveling roller traveling on a traveling portion of the transport rail,
In a suspension type lifting / lowering transporting device having a guide roller that guides the travel of the transport trolley and a branching roller guided by a branch guide of the transport rail, the travel roller includes:
A suspension type lifting / lowering transport device comprising a plurality of portions sandwiching a traveling portion of a transport rail. 2. A transport rail fixed to an upper position, a transport trolley for raising and lowering an object to be transported and running along the transport rail, and a drive source for the transport trolley. A traveling roller traveling on a traveling portion of the transport rail,
In a suspension type lifting / lowering transporting device having a guide roller for guiding travel of a transport vehicle and a branching roller guided by a branch guide of the transport rail, engagement portions are formed at both ends of the transport rail to form a clearance for transport vehicle travel. A notch is formed on the outer periphery of the transport roller so as to fit the engaging portion, and the transport roller rolls in conformity with the engaging portion of the transport rail when the transport vehicle travels. Suspended lifting device. 3. The suspension type elevating transport according to claim 2, wherein the engagement portion is an inclined surface formed on upper and lower sides of both ends of the transport rail, which forms a gap for traveling the transport vehicle. apparatus.