JP2002173224A - Carrying device and carrying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carriage capable of coping with two kinds of cargoes different in a width, and capable of reducing a cost, size, and weight. SOLUTION: A travel body for freely traveling along a carrying passage 20 is provided with a transfer means 24 for supporting and taking in and out a pallet 5a. The transfer means 24 is composed of a pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b, and an interval adjusting means 31 for mutually approaching and separating the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b in the width W direction of the pallet 5a. Both roller conveyors 30a and 30b are provided with a guide member 50 for guiding the pallet 5a in the taking in and out direction 51. When carrying the pallet 5a having a wide width W, the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b separate up to a first position A, and when carrying the pallet having a narrow width, the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b approach up to a second position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport apparatus for receiving and transporting a plurality of types of loads having different widths and then delivering the loads, and a transport facility having such a transport apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of transfer device, for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, an automatic warehouse facility (not shown) for storing a plurality of types of loads 101a and 101b having different widths W is used. There is a transport trolley 103 to be used. That is,
An automatic warehouse (not shown) has a shelf having a plurality of load storage units, and moves along the front of the shelf to load the load storage unit with a load 101.
a and a stacker crane for taking in and out 101b. Plural conveyors (not shown) for loading and unloading are installed next to each of the shelves, and the transport carriage 103 is arranged next to these conveyors.

The transport carriage 103 has a traveling body 109 which can travel along a transport path 108, and supports the loads 101a and 101b provided on the traveling body 109 and takes in and out in a direction orthogonal to the transport path 108. And a roller conveyor 110. This roller conveyor 110
Is a plurality of rollers 112 rotatable about a rotation axis 111 along the direction of the transport path 108, and a support frame 114 for supporting the shafts at both ends of the rollers 112.
And a rotation driving device 115 for rotating each roller 112. The rotation drive device 115 includes a drive chain 117 wound around a sprocket 116 provided at an end of each roller 112, a motor (not shown) for rotating the drive chain 117, and the like. .

[0004] A load 101 is placed on the transport carriage 103.
A pair of front and rear guide members 119 for guiding a and 101b in and out direction 128 (a direction orthogonal to the transport path 108).
Are provided so as to be able to approach and separate from each other along the width W direction (front-back direction) of the loads 101a and 101b.

That is, a pair of guide members 119 are located above the rollers 112, respectively, and a pair of left and right mounting plates 1 are provided.
It is mounted on a pair of slide members 121 via 20. The pair of slide members 121 respectively
It is located below the roller 112, and is supported and guided by a pair of left and right guide rails 122 so that the loads 101a, 1
01b is configured to slide along the width W direction (front-back direction). The mounting plate 120 is inserted between the rollers 112 in the vertical direction and provided between the guide member 119 and the slide member 121.

Below the roller 112, there is provided an interval adjusting means 124 for adjusting the interval by moving the pair of guide members 119 closer to and away from each other. This interval adjusting means 1
Reference numeral 24 denotes a rotating arm 125 located between the two sliding members 121, and the rotating arm 125 and the sliding member 121.
And a motor 127 that rotates the rotary arm 125. The distal ends of the pair of connecting arms 126 are respectively moved with respect to the slide member 121 in and out directions 128.
Is movably engaged.

According to this, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 12, by rotating the rotary arm 125 in one direction, a pair of guide members 1 together with a pair of slide members 121 are provided.
19 are separated from each other to a first position A, and a pair of guide members 1
The spacing between 19 is widened. Also, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 12, by rotating the rotary arm 125 in the other direction, the pair of guide members 119 move together with the pair of slide members 121 to the second position B, and the pair of guide members The space between 119 is reduced.

For example, when unloading the loads 101a and 101b from a shelf (not shown) of an automatic warehouse (not shown), a stacker crane (not shown) is operated and a predetermined load storage unit (not shown) is operated. ), Take out the loads 101a and 101b,
Transfer to a conveyor for loading and unloading (not shown). Then load 1
01a and 101b are conveyors for loading and unloading (not shown)
, And is transferred from a loading / unloading conveyor (not shown) onto the roller conveyor 110 of the transport trolley 103. At this time, each roller 112 is rotated by the rotation driving device 115, and the loads 101a and 101b are
It is pulled up on 10 and supported. Then, the transport vehicle 1
03 travels along the transport path 108, and the loads 101a, 1
01b is transported to a predetermined place.

When handling a wide load 101a in such an unloading operation, the pair of guide members 119 are moved to the first position A as shown by the solid line in FIG. 10 and the solid line in FIG.
, And the space between the pair of guide members 119 is widened. Thus, when the load 101a is transferred from the loading / unloading conveyor (not shown) onto the roller conveyor 110 of the transport carriage 103, the load 101a is transferred to the pair of guide members 1
19 reliably guides in and out direction 128.
When handling a narrow load 101b, FIG.
As shown by the imaginary line of FIG. 11 and the imaginary line of FIG. 11, the pair of guide members 119 are moved closer to the second position B, and the distance between the pair of guide members 119 is reduced. Accordingly, when the load 101b is transferred from the loading / unloading conveyor (not shown) onto the roller conveyor 110 of the transport vehicle 103, the load 1
01b is reliably guided in the insertion / removal direction by the pair of guide members 119.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional type, the length of the roller 112 of the roller conveyor 110 needs to correspond to the wide load 101a, so that the length of the roller 112 becomes very long. This makes it easier to bend. In order to prevent the deflection of the roller 112, the diameter of the roller 112 may be increased, but there is a problem in that the cost and weight increase.

When the pair of guide members 119 approach and separate from each other, the mounting plate 120 moves between the rollers 112, and each mounting plate 120 is driven by the drive chain 117 and the support frame 114.
As shown in FIG. 11, both ends of the roller 112 need to be positioned further outside the mounting plate 120 of the two guide members 119 separated to the first position A, as shown in FIG. There is a problem that the total length of 112 must be lengthened extra by length L,
As a result, there arises a problem that the transport carriage 103 becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a transporting apparatus and a transporting equipment capable of coping with a plurality of types of loads having different widths and achieving cost reduction and reduction in size and weight.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transporting device for transporting a plurality of types of loads having different widths, the traveling device being capable of traveling along a transporting path. Transfer means for supporting the load and taking it in and out of the traveling body is provided, and the transfer means includes a pair of transfer devices, and at least one transfer device in the width direction of the load with respect to the other transfer device. And a distance adjusting means for moving the apparatus along and away from each other, and a guide member for guiding the load in the loading / unloading direction is provided in each of the transfer devices.

According to this, the loading and unloading of the load to and from the transfer device is performed by the pair of transfer devices. At this time, the distance between the pair of transfer devices can be changed according to the width of the load by moving at least one of the transfer devices toward and away from the other transfer device by the distance adjusting means. As a result, a plurality of types of loads having different widths can be handled by a pair of transfer devices.Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a long roller on a roller conveyor to handle a wide load as in the related art. Become.

Further, as the transfer device approaches or separates, the interval between the pair of guide members also changes according to the width of the load. Thus, the load is guided into and out of the transport device by the pair of guide members without being shifted. In this manner, the pair of guide members approach and separate integrally with the pair of transfer devices, so that a conventional mounting plate for moving between rollers is not required, and as a result, the length of the rollers of the roller conveyor is reduced. There is no need for an unnecessary configuration such as extra lengthening.

Thus, the cost can be reduced, and the size and weight of the transfer device can be reduced. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transfer devices are configured so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and the distance adjusting means sets the movement direction of the other transfer device to be opposite to the movement direction of the other transfer device. In this way.

According to this, the loading and unloading of the load to and from the transport device is performed by the pair of transfer devices. At this time, the distance between the pair of transfer devices can be changed according to the width of the load by moving the pair of transfer devices closer to and away from each other by the distance adjusting means.

Further, as the pair of transfer devices approach and separate from each other as described above, the interval between the pair of guide members is also changed according to the width of the load. Thus, the load is guided into and out of the transport device by the pair of guide members without being shifted.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the interval adjusting means includes a rotatable pinion provided between the pair of transfer devices, and a rack mounted on the transfer device side and meshing with the pinion. It is configured.

According to this, the rack is moved by the rotation of the pinion, and at least one of the transfer devices approaches and separates from the other transfer device. Further, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the interval adjusting means is operated while the traveling body is running in a state where no load is present on the transfer means, and the interval between the pair of transfer devices is adjusted.

According to this, while the traveling body is traveling in an empty state where there is no load on the transfer means, the interval adjusting means is operated, and according to the width of the load to be conveyed next. The interval between the pair of transfer devices is changed in advance. As a result, the next load can be immediately received and transported, so that the operation time is reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport facility including the transport device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a plurality of transfer units for transferring a load are provided in the middle of the transport path. Formed, in each of the transfer units, a load support for supporting a load is arranged, and there are a plurality of types of the load support in accordance with the width of the load. It is configured to be able to deliver a load between them.

According to this, the load is transferred by the transfer device, and is further transferred between the transfer device and the load support according to the width of the load.

[0024]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a storage facility, which includes automatic warehouses 3a and 3b for storing the loads 2a and 2b, and a transport facility 4 for transporting the loads 2a and 2b to and from the automatic warehouses 3a and 3b. As shown in FIG. 7, the loads 2a and 2b are respectively
A first load 2a composed of an article 6a placed on a pallet 5a having a wide width W and a second load 2b composed of an article 6b placed on a pallet 5b having a small width W There are two types.

As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic warehouse 3a comprises:
The first load 2a corresponds to the first load 2a.
Shelves 9 provided with a plurality of storage sections 8 for storing
And a stacker crane 10 for moving the first load 2a into and out of the storage section 8 while moving along the front of the storage section 8. As shown in FIG.
Is composed of a traveling body 11 that travels along the front of the shelf 9, a vertically movable bed 12 provided on the traveling body 11, and a fork 13 provided on the bed 12.

Next to each of the shelves 9, there is a first load 2
A first conveyor 14a for loading and unloading, which transports a, is provided. Each of the first conveyors 14a has a pair of left and right endless chains 15, and the first chains 2 are rotated while the first load 2a is supported on the both chains 15, so that the first chains 14 are rotated. The load 2a is transported along the transport path 16. Note that the interval between the pair of chains 15 is formed to be wider according to the width W of the pallet 5a of the first load 2a. In addition, the stacker crane 10 is for loading and unloading the first load 2a between the shelf 9 and the first conveyor 14a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic warehouse 3b comprises:
It corresponds to the second load 2b, and includes a shelf 9 and a stacker crane 10 as in the automatic warehouse 3a described above. In addition, next to each of the shelves 9, a second load 2
A second conveyor 14b for loading and unloading transporting b is installed. The interval between the pair of chains 15 of the second conveyor 14b is equal to the width W of the pallet 5b of the second load 2b.
Is formed narrower than that of the first conveyor 14a.

The transport equipment 4 transports the first and second loads 2a and 2b, and includes a plurality of transport vehicles 21 (transport) movable along a loop (endless) transport path 20. (An example of a device). As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the transport cart 21 supports a traveling body 23 that is supported and guided by a pair of left and right traveling rails 22 laid along the transport path 20 and can travel freely, and the loads 2 a and 2 b. And a transfer means 24 for taking in and out of the traveling body 23.

The traveling body 23 has a plurality of traveling wheels 25 rolling on the traveling rail 22 and one of the traveling wheels 2.
5, a plurality of guide rollers 26 for preventing falling off from the running rail 22, and a power supply rail (not shown) provided along the running rail 22.
And a current collecting device (not shown) that is in sliding contact with the device.

The transfer means 24 is a pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b which are movable in the front-rear direction (in the direction of the transport path 20) and are capable of approaching and separating from each other, and an interval for moving the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b toward and away from each other. Adjusting means 31
It is composed of The pair of roller conveyors 30
a and 30b are a plurality of rollers 33 rotatable around a rotational axis 32 in the front-rear direction,
3 comprises a support frame 35 for supporting shafts 34 at both ends and a rotation drive device 36 for rotating each roller 33. The rotation drive device 36 includes a drive chain 38 wound around a sprocket 37 provided at an end of each roller 33, a motor 39 for rotating the drive chain 38, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, a base frame 40 is provided on the traveling body 23.
In 0, a pair of left and right guide rails 41 is provided for each pair. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a slide member 42 that is supported and guided by the guide rail 41 and slides in the front-rear direction is provided at the bottom of the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b. The pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b is
2 slides on the guide rail 41,
Approach and separate.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the distance adjusting means 31 includes a pair of roller conveyors 30a,
A rotatable pinion 44 provided between the roller conveyors 30b and a pair of racks 45 provided below the roller conveyors 30a and 30b and meshing with the pinion 44 from both left and right sides.
And a rotation operating device 46 such as a motor for rotating the pinion 44. The pinion 44 is attached to a lower end of a rotating shaft 47 provided vertically to the base frame 40.

As shown in FIG.
When the pinion 44 is rotated to one side, the pair of racks 45 moves, and the roller conveyors 30a, 30
The pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are separated from each other up to the first position A where the interval between 0b becomes maximum. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Is rotated to the other side, the pair of racks 45 reversely move, and the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 3a reach a second position B where the interval between the roller conveyors 30a, 30b is minimized.
0b approach each other. The pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are provided on the base frame 40 at the first position A.
And a second stopper 49 for stopping the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b at the second position B.

As shown in FIG. 6, pallets 5a and 5b are provided on the upper portions of the support frames 35 located on the front and rear outer sides of the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b, respectively.
A guide member 50 for guiding b in and out directions 51 (left and right directions) is provided. When the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b move to the first position A as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, the interval between both guide members 50 is slightly smaller than that of the pallet 5a having a large width W as shown in FIG. 6 and a pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30a as shown by phantom lines in FIG.
When b moves to the second position B, as shown in FIG.
The space between the two guide members 50 is slightly wider than that of the pallet 5b having a small width W.

As shown in FIG. 6, both roller conveyors 30a, 30b are provided with both roller conveyors 30a, 30b.
A load detecting device (for example, a light-emitting device 52 and a light-receiving device 53 of a photoelectric switch) for detecting the presence / absence of the loads 2a and 2b on the b.

Each of the transport vehicles 21 has the motor 39 described above.
And a control unit 54 for controlling the rotary operating device 46. By supplying power from the power supply rail (not shown) to the drive device 19, the motor 39, and the rotation operating device 46 via a current collector (not shown),
Each transport vehicle 21 travels, the roller 33 rotates, and the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b approach and separate.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of stations 60 (an example of a transfer section) for transferring the loads 2a and 2b by stopping the transfer carriage 21 are formed in the middle of the transfer path 20. Each of these stations 60 includes a first station conveyor 61a or a transport vehicle 21 for transferring the first load 2a into and out of the transport vehicle 21 among two types of station conveyors 61a and 61b (an example of a load support). On the other hand, one of the second station conveyors 61b for taking in and out the second load 2b is provided.

The first station conveyor 61a
Has a pair of left and right endless chains 63. When both chains 63 rotate while the first loads 2a are supported on both chains 63, the first loads 2a are transported along the transport path. It is transported along 64. The distance between the pair of chains 63 of the first station conveyor 61a is the first load 2
The width of the pallet 5a is widened according to the width W of the pallet 5a.

Further, the second station conveyor 6
1b, like the first station conveyor 61a,
It has a pair of left and right endless chains 63, and with both chains 63 supporting the second load 2 b on both chains 63.
Is rotated, the second load 2b is transferred to the transport path 64.
Conveyed along. The interval between the pair of chains 63 of the second station conveyor 61b is formed to be narrower than that of the first station conveyor 61a according to the width W of the pallet 5b of the second load 2b. Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

For example, when unloading the first load 2a, a predetermined code or the like of the first load 2a is input by a personal computer or the like (not shown). As a result, the traveling body 11 of the stacker crane 10 in the automatic warehouse 3a travels, the loading platform 12 moves up and down, the fork 13 moves out and out, a predetermined first load 2a is taken out from the shelf 9 of the automatic warehouse 3a and stacked. It is passed from the crane 10 to the first conveyor 14a. Thereafter, both chains 15 of the first conveyor 14a rotate, and the first load 2a is transported toward the transport facility 4.

At this time, a command from the personal computer is sent to the specific transport vehicle 21, and the control unit 54 of the specific transport vehicle 21 operates the rotation operating device 46 based on the instruction, and
As shown in (1), a pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are previously separated to a first position A. In this state, the control unit 54 stops the driving device 19 and causes the specific transport vehicle 2
1 is stopped in front of the first conveyor 14a.

Then, the first load 2a is transferred from the first conveyor 14a to a pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b of a specific transporting vehicle 21. At this time, the roller conveyor 30
Since the rollers 33a and 30b are rotating, the first load 2a is drawn onto the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b and is supported on the roller conveyors 30a and 30b. Since the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are separated to the first position A, the interval between the pair of guide members 50 corresponds to the width W of the pallet 5a of the first load 2a.
Thereby, the pallet 5a of the first load 2a is accurately drawn into the roller conveyors 30a and 30b without being shifted in the front-rear direction while being guided by the pair of guide members 50.

Thereafter, the specific transport vehicle 21 travels along the transport path 20 and stops in front of the predetermined first station conveyor 61a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the pallet 5a of the first load 2a is
Roller conveyors 30a, 30
Since the first carriage 2a is supported on the carriage b, the first load 2a can be prevented from being displaced in the front-rear direction when the transport carriage 21 starts and stops.

Then, a pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30
Each of the rollers 33 rotates the first load 2a to a predetermined first station conveyor 61a. At this time, since both chains 63 of the first station conveyor 61a rotate, the first load 2a is
Pulled up and supported on the first station conveyor 61a. The pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30
b to the first position A, the first load 2a
The pallet 5a is accurately drawn into both chains 63 while being guided by the pair of guide members 50 without shifting in the front-rear direction. As a result, the predetermined first load 2a is delivered to the first station conveyor 61a, and the worker performs a picking operation or the like on the first load 2a on the first station conveyor 61a.

After the above picking operation or the like is completed, the first
The first load 2a on the station conveyor 61a is stored in the shelf 9 of the automatic warehouse 3a. The entry procedure is the reverse of the exit procedure described above. Even in the case of warehousing, the first load 2a is transferred from the first station conveyor 61a to the transport vehicle 21 by previously separating the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b of the transport vehicle 21 to the first position A. When the sheet is transferred to the first conveyor 14a from the transfer cart 21 or when being transferred to the first conveyor 14a, the sheet is guided by the pair of guide members 50, so that the shift in the front-rear direction is prevented.

Similarly, when unloading the second load 2b,
When the stacker crane 10 of the automatic warehouse 3b operates, the second
From the shelf 9 of the automatic warehouse 3b to the second conveyor 14
b. Then, the control unit 54 of the specific transport vehicle 21 operates the rotation operating device 46 to bring the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b closer to the second position B in advance as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, when the second load 2b is transferred from the second conveyor 14b to the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b of the specific transport vehicle 21, the pair of roller conveyors 30a
Since a and 30b are close to the second position B, the interval between the pair of guide members 50 corresponds to the width W of the pallet 5b of the second load 2b. As a result, the pallet 5b of the second load 2b is accurately guided by the pair of guide members 50 without being displaced in the front-rear direction.
0b. Also, when transferring the second load 2b from the transport trolley 21 to the second station conveyor 61b, the pallet 5b of the second load 2b is connected to the pair of guide members 5a.
While being guided to zero, it is accurately drawn into the second station conveyor 61b without shifting in the front-rear direction. As a result, the predetermined second load 2b is unloaded to the second station conveyor 61b, and the worker performs a picking operation or the like on the second load 2b on the second station conveyor 61b.

After the picking operation or the like is completed, the second load 2 on the second station conveyor 61b is set.
is stored in the shelf 9 of the automatic warehouse 3b. The entry procedure is the reverse of the exit procedure described above.

As described above, the pair of roller conveyors 30
The two types of loads 2a having different widths W are changed by changing the interval between the two types of loads 2a, 30b according to the width W of the pallets 5a, 5b.
2b, so that conventional (see FIG. 10)
It is not necessary to provide a long roller 112 on the roller conveyor 110 to correspond to the load 101a having a large width W as described above. Thus, a roller having a smaller diameter than the conventional roller can be used as the roller 33 of the roller conveyors 30a and 30b.

Further, in the prior art (see FIG. 11),
Apart from the roller conveyor 110, a pair of guide members 119
Have a mounting plate 120 that moves between the rollers 112. However, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the pair of guide members 50 are connected to the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b. Since it is configured to approach and separate integrally, the mounting plate 120 as in the related art is unnecessary, and as a result, the roller 1 as in the related art (see FIG. 11) is used.
There is no need for a wasteful configuration in which the entire length of the Twelve 12 needs to be lengthened by an extra length L. Thus, the cost can be reduced, and the size and weight of the carrier 21 can be reduced.

In addition, the transport cart 21 is provided with the loads 2a, 2b.
Is lowered to the station conveyors 61a and 61b at the time of unloading (or after being lowered to the conveyors 14a and 14b at the time of storage), the vehicle travels on the transport path 20 in an empty state, and the distance adjusting means 31 during traveling. Operates, and the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b are switched in advance to the first position A (see FIG. 1) or the second position B (see FIG. 2) in accordance with the width W of the loads 2a, 2b to be conveyed next. Can be in this way,
While the empty transport cart 21 is traveling, the pair of roller conveyors 30
By changing the interval between a and 30b in accordance with the width W of the next load 2a and 2b, the next load 2a and 2b can be immediately received and transported, thereby shortening the operation time.

In the above embodiment, both of the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are configured to be movable, but either one of the roller conveyors 30a (or 30b) is movable.
b) may be fixed and only the other roller conveyor 30b (or 30a) may be configured to be able to approach and separate.

In the above-described embodiment, a pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b are used as an example of the transfer device. However, the present invention is not limited to the roller conveyor. May be used.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The pinion 44, the rack 45, and the rotation operating device 46 are used as the interval adjusting means 31, but are not limited to these configurations, and the roller conveyors 30a and 30b may be moved using a cylinder or the like, or Roller conveyors 30a, 30b using sprockets and chains
May be moved.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The transport vehicle 21 travels on a pair of right and left (two) traveling rails 22. However, a monorail type traveling on one traveling rail 22 may be used. It may run.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Loads 2a and 2b are respectively transferred to pallets 5a and 5b and articles 6
Although the pallets 5a and 5b are unnecessary, two types of articles 6a and 6b having different widths may be directly handled as a load. The loads 2a and 2b may be containers or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, two types of loads 2a and 2b having different widths W are handled. However, the present invention is not limited to two types of loads, and three or more types of loads may be handled. . Also, a pair of roller conveyors 30a,
Although the interval between 30b is changed in two stages of the first position A and the second position B, it may be changed in three stages or more depending on the type of the load. In addition, two kinds of loads 2
Two types of station conveyors 61 according to a and 2b
a, 61b, but 3 depending on three or more types of load.
More than two types of station conveyors may be provided.

In the above embodiment, each of the conveyors 14a,
Reference numerals 14b, 61a, and 61b denote chain conveyor-type conveyors having a pair of left and right endless chains 15, 63, respectively. However, the conveyor is not limited to the chain conveyor, but may be a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Although the transport path 20 of the transport vehicle 21 is formed in a loop shape (endless shape), the shape is not limited to the loop shape, and may be formed in a linear shape or an end curve.

In the above-described embodiment, the interval between the pair of roller conveyors 30a, 30b is changed according to the width W of the next load 2a, 2b during the travel of the empty transport vehicle 21. Alternatively, the interval between the pair of roller conveyors 30a and 30b may be changed in a state where the empty transport vehicle 21 has stopped traveling.

[0061]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a roller conveyor with a long roller to cope with a wide load, unlike the conventional roller conveyor. There is no need for a mounting plate that moves between the rollers, thereby eliminating the need for a wasteful configuration in which the length of the rollers of the roller conveyor needs to be extra long as in the related art. For this reason, the cost can be reduced, and the size and weight of the transfer device can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance between the pair of transfer devices can be changed according to the width of the load by moving the pair of transfer devices closer to and away from each other. The distance between the pair of guide members is also changed according to the width of the load. Thus, the load is guided into and out of the transport device by the pair of guide members without being shifted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the rack is moved by the rotation of the pinion, and at least one of the transfer devices approaches and separates from the other transfer device. According to the fourth aspect, the next load can be immediately received and transported, so that the operation time is reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the load is transferred by the transfer device, and is further transferred between the transfer device and a load support according to the width of the load.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transport vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which an interval between a pair of roller conveyors is widened.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same carriage, showing a state in which an interval between a pair of roller conveyors is reduced.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the transfer cart.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the transport cart.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the distance adjusting means of the transport vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view of the distance adjusting means of the transport vehicle.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of loads conveyed by the transporting cart, wherein FIG. 7A shows a wide load and FIG. 7B shows a narrow load.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a loading / unloading section between the transport trolley and the automatic warehouse.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a transfer facility equipped with a transfer cart and an automatic warehouse.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a conventional transport vehicle.

11 is a view as viewed in the direction of arrows XX in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the distance adjusting means of the transport vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2a, 2b Load 4 Transport equipment 20 Transport path 21 Transport trolley (transport device) 23 Traveling body 24 Transfer means 30a, 30b Roller conveyor (transfer device) 31 Interval adjusting means 44 Pinion 45 Rack 50 Guide member 60 Station (Transfer section) ) 61a, 61b Station conveyor (load support) W Width of load

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claims 1. A transport device for transporting a plurality of types of loads having different widths, wherein the transport device is capable of traveling along a transport route.
Transfer means for supporting the load and taking it in and out of the traveling body is provided, and the transfer means includes a pair of transfer devices, and at least one transfer device in the width direction of the load with respect to the other transfer device. And a distance adjusting means for moving the apparatus along and away from each other, and a guide member for guiding the load in the loading and unloading direction is provided in each of the transfer apparatuses. 2. The transfer devices are configured so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and the interval adjusting means is configured such that the movement direction of the other transfer device is opposite to the movement direction of the other transfer device. 2. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is approached and separated. The distance adjusting means is constituted by a rotatable pinion provided between a pair of transfer devices, and a rack attached to the transfer device side and meshing with the pinion. The transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distance adjusting means operates to adjust the distance between the pair of transfer devices while the traveling body is traveling with no load on the transfer means. The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A transfer facility comprising the transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of transfer units for transferring a load are formed in the middle of the transfer path, and each of the transfer units is provided. A load support for supporting the load is arranged, and there are a plurality of types of the load support in accordance with the width of the load, and in each of the transfer units, a load can be transferred between the load support and the transport device. Conveying equipment characterized by comprising.