JP2003212309A - Article transferring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article transferring device capable of preventing an increase of weight of a whole device and reducing a manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: The stacker crane has a traveling frame body travelably provided on a predetermined route and retaining and moving an article through a liftable carriage. Front and rear strut frames 11 constituting the traveling frame body and an upper frame 12 for connecting upper parts of both strut frames 11 are connected by a bolt/nut 19A, 19B through a right/left connection plate 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article transfer device provided in, for example, an article storage facility for loading and unloading articles, and more particularly to a traveling frame capable of holding and traveling articles. The present invention relates to a structure of a connecting portion between frames forming a body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 13, an article transfer device, such as a stacker crane, installed in an article storage facility for loading and unloading articles is provided with an elevator for raising and lowering an article and a lower portion. 1 has a traveling frame body 101 provided with traveling wheels, and the traveling frame body 101 has a bogie frame 102 provided with traveling wheels.
And the front and rear support frames 103 standing from the front and rear ends of the bogie frame 102, and the support frame 1
03 and a connecting frame 104 connecting the upper end portions of each other.

A flange structure has heretofore been used as a connection structure between the front and rear support frames and the connection frame. That is, at the upper end of the column frame 103,
A lower flange 111 having a horizontal contact surface 111a is fixed by welding, and a horizontal contact surface 11 that abuts the horizontal contact surface 111a is provided at an end of the connection frame 104.
The upper flange 112 on which 2a is formed is fixed by welding, and when connecting the frames 103 and 104 to each other, the horizontal contact surfaces 111a and 112a of the flanges 111 and 112 are brought into contact with each other, for example, They were fixed to each other via bolts and nuts.

[0004]

However, according to the connection structure as described above, the thick flanges 111 and 112 are provided at the respective ends of both the support frame 103 and the connection frame 104.
Need to be fixed by welding, thus increasing the weight of the stacker crane as a whole, and
Since it is necessary to machine the contact surfaces 111a and 112a of 11, 112, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is high.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article transfer apparatus capable of preventing an increase in the weight of the entire apparatus and reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an article transfer device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a traveling frame for holding and moving an article which is movably provided on a predetermined path. And a connection member for connecting a front and rear support frame forming the traveling frame and a connection frame for connecting the upper parts of both support frames to each other, and the connection member. And each of the above frames are connected via a bolt.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the article transfer device in which the connecting member in the device according to the first aspect is constituted by a pair of left and right connecting plates. Further, in the article transfer device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the connection plate in the device according to claim 2 is connected to a horizontal connection portion connected to an end portion of the connection frame and an end portion of the support frame. It is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the side and is composed of a vertical connection portion.

Further, in the article transfer device according to claim 4 of the present invention, the connection member in the device according to claim 1 is connected to the end portion of the connection frame by a horizontal connection portion and the end portion of the support frame. And a vertical connection portion integrally formed with the horizontal connection portion.

According to each of the above-mentioned configurations, since both the support frame and the connecting frame are connected to each other through the connecting member using the bolts and nuts, compared with, for example, the one using the flange structure. In addition, it is possible to prevent an increase in the weight of the entire article transfer device and to eliminate the need for machining the flange contact surface, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An article transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As the article transfer apparatus, for example, a stacker crane which is provided in a shelf facility having a plurality of storage shelves and which carries articles in and out of these storage shelves will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the stacker crane 1 is generally provided with an article lifting platform (elevating member).
A traveling frame 4 having an elevating space S in which a carriage 2 is vertically movable and traveling wheels 3 are provided.
Further, an elevating electric motor (elevating drive means) 5 for elevating the carriage 2 and a traveling electric motor (traveling drive means) 6 for rotating (driving) the traveling wheels 3 are provided. The stacker crane 1 is guided by a traveling rail R1 laid on the floor and a guiding rail R2 arranged on the ceiling side, as in the conventional example.

The traveling frame 4 holds and moves articles, and a pair of front and rear support frames 11 (11A, 11B) each provided with traveling wheels 3 at the lower ends thereof, and the support frame 11 of both of them. An upper frame (connecting frame) 12 for connecting the upper end portions to each other, and the above-mentioned support frame 1
1 and the lower frame 13 that connects the lower end portions of each other to each other.
It is detachably assembled with, for example, bolts and nuts, and in particular, the upper end portion of each column frame 11 and the upper frame 12 are connected via a connecting member 14.

Next, the connecting member 14 for connecting the end portions of the upper frame 12 and the support frame 11 to each other will be described with reference to FIGS. The connecting member 14 connects a pair of left and right connecting plates 16 having an L-shape in a side view, which are integrated with each other via a pair of connecting plates 15, and the upper ends of the connecting plates 16 to each other, and is connected to the ceiling side. It is composed of a mounting plate 18 provided with a pair of left and right guide rollers 17 for sandwiching the provided guide rail R2, and a space portion (between both connection plates) of a vertical portion (vertical connection portion) 14a which is a lower portion thereof. The upper end of the column frame 11 is inserted into the space) and integrated by the bolts and nuts 19A, and a pair of long members 12a constituting the upper frame 12 are provided on both sides of the horizontal portion (horizontal connection portion) 14b. The upper end of the is externally fitted and integrated by the bolt and nut 19B. The long members 12a are connected to each other by a connecting member 12b with a predetermined gap.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the connecting member 14, that is, the width of both connecting plates 16 is such that the upper frame 1
The width of the two long members 12a and the width of the support frame 11 are matched. For example, for the horizontal portion 14b, the long member 12a of the upper frame 12 is guided (inserted).
Therefore, it is formed in a groove shape narrower than the vertical portion 14a. Further, the rear end portion 16a of each connection plate 16 is bent with a predetermined width so as to cover the end surfaces and side surfaces on the side of the frames 11 and 12.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower frame 13 has a pair of left and right long members each having a groove 21a (a groove-shaped member, specifically, a grooved steel or a C-shaped steel is used. ) 21 are arranged in parallel with each other so as to have a predetermined gap (specifically, a size capable of accommodating the traveling rail R1), and the openings of these elongated members 21 are outside. It is provided so as to be located at (also called an external tooth system). Further, the two long members 21 are integrated with each other by a connecting plate material (not shown) at an appropriate position. In the groove 21a of the elongated member 21, for example, the electric wiring 22 is arranged, and the opening is closed by a cover plate (cover) 23. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 24 denotes a connecting member provided on the support frame 11 side, and the lower frame 13 is connected (connected) to each support frame 11 via this connecting member or directly. To be done.

Next, the carriage 2 and the guide mechanism for guiding the carriage 2 in the vertical direction will be described with reference to FIGS. The carriage 2 includes a carriage main body (elevating table main body) 31 that holds an article (also referred to as placement) and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and guide members 32 that are provided upright from front and rear portions of the carriage main body 31. Has been done. The carriage main body 31 is provided with an article holding means for holding the article, for example, a retractable holding device including two (may be one) forks, or a grip type for holding both sides of the article and retracting the article. There is a holding device.

The corner portion 31a of the carriage main body 31 is formed in a curved shape (also an arc shape) in the plan view shape and the side view shape. To be more precise, from the carriage main body 31 to the guide member. The connection portion 33 to the 32 is formed in a curved shape (arc shape) in the plan view shape and the side view shape. Of course, not only the corner portion 31a but also the front edge portion and the rear edge portion may each be formed in a curved shape (arc shape) as a whole.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the front edge portion and the rear edge portion of the carriage 2 are curved (arcuate) so that their lower surfaces 31b are upwardly convex when viewed from the front. Has been formed.

Further, each of the guide members 32 is provided with an end guide roller 34 for guiding the front and rear surfaces and a side guide roller 35 for guiding the left and right surfaces, respectively. Substantially the entire part is provided so as to fit into the support frame 11 side.

Here, the structure of the support frame 11 side in which the guide member 32 is fitted will be described. As shown in the horizontal cross-sectional views of FIGS. 10 and 11, a guide groove 36 provided in the vertical direction inside each of the column frames 11 (on the space for elevation) has a large concave portion 36a through which the guide member 32 can pass. The large concave portion 36a is formed so as to bulge toward the outer peripheral side of the center, and is composed of a small concave portion 36b for guiding the respective guide rollers 34, 35, and both side portions of the guide groove 36 of each strut frame 11 are formed. 11a is tapered toward the opening side (tip side).

Next, the drive mechanism for the traveling wheels 3 and the carriage 2 provided on the traveling frame 4 will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the traveling electric motors 6 for rotating the traveling wheels 3 provided at the lower ends of the respective column frames 11 respectively correspond to the traveling wheels 3 and each column frame 11A. , 11B, respectively (attached). In the drawing, the traveling electric motor 6 (6
A) is clearly shown on the front side, but the traveling electric motor 6 (6B) provided on the other column frame 11B is not shown because it is located on the other side of the traveling wheel 3. Therefore, the number leading line is shown by a broken line.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the raising / lowering electric motor 5 for raising / lowering the carriage 2 has one of the column frames 11
The carriage 2 is provided at the bottom of (11A).
A pair of left and right lifting chains 41 connected to both ends of the
The pair of drive sprockets 42 engaged with (41A, 41B) are rotated. The one lifting chain 41A has a guide sprocket 4 whose both ends are arranged near the upper and lower portions of the one column frame 11A.
3 and 44 are connected to the upper and lower parts of one guide member (one end of the carriage) 32 of the carriage 2 via endlessly provided, and the other lifting chain 41B.
With regard to the above, one end thereof is connected to one guide member 32 of the carriage 2 via a guide sprocket 45 provided on the lower portion of one of the column frames 11A, and the other end is an upper portion of the one column frame 11A. It is connected to the other guide member 32 of the carriage 2 via guide sprockets 46 and 47 provided in the vicinity and in the vicinity of the upper part of the other column frame 11B. That is, the other lifting chain 41B is used for the carriage 2
The other end of is simply hung from above. The guide sprockets 43, 46, 47 provided near the upper portions of the column frames 11A, 11B are rotatably provided on the connecting member 14 side.

Further, a control box 7 for controlling the stacker crane 1, that is, a control device for controlling each of the electric motors 5 and 6 is a support frame 11 (where one of the elevating motors 5 is arranged). 11A) is arranged (attached) on the lower side of the other column frame 11 (11B) on the opposite side and its longitudinal direction is along the frame.

When the stacker crane 1 having the above structure is transported (shipped) from a factory to an installation location of a three-dimensional automated warehouse by a truck or the like, the connection by bolts and nuts is released, as shown in FIG. The frames 11 to 13 assembled in a movable state are disassembled. In particular, regarding the connection points between the two column frames 11 and the upper frame 12, bolts and nuts 19A and 19B are used.
Is loosened and the connecting member 14 is removed to be disassembled.

At this time, after the lifting chain 31 is removed from the carriage 2, the end portions of the two lifting chains 41 are connected to each other on the side of the column frame 11A where the lifting motor 5 is provided. Depending on the rope such as wires,
They are endlessly connected and fixed to each other.

Further, the electrical wiring between the control box 7 and the traveling electric motor 6 provided on the column frame 11A on which the control box 7 is not arranged is temporarily removed, but the control box 7 is removed.
With respect to the driving devices such as the electric motors 5 and 6, the frames 11 to 13 are disassembled in the mounted state.

At the time of this disassembly, the traveling wheels 3, the traveling electric motor 6 and the lifting electric motor 5 are arranged on one of the supporting columns 11A. As for the lifting electric motor 5, the one supporting frame 11A is arranged. It is in a state of being erected along with.

Further, traveling wheels 3, a traveling electric motor 6 and a control box 7 are arranged on the other column frame 11B, and this control box 7 is also installed upright along the other column frame 11B. It is in a state.

The remaining upper frame 12 and lower frame 13 are not attached to driving equipment or the like. On the other hand, when assembling the traveling frame 4,
It is carried out by connecting the pillar frames 11 to 13 to each other with bolts and nuts. Especially, the support frame 1
When connecting 1 and the upper frame 12, the connecting member 1
The upper end of the column frame 11 is inserted between the vertical parts 14a of the four connecting parts by bolts and nuts 19A, and a pair of long lengths that form the upper frame 12 in the groove part of the horizontal part 14b of the connecting member 14. The end of the length member 12a is inserted from the outside, and the two are connected by a bolt / nut 19B.

As described above, both the support frame 11 and the upper frame 12 are connected at least through the pair of connecting plates 16 with the bolts and nuts 19A and 19B, that is, without using a flange (without providing a flange). Since both are connected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the weight of the stacker crane 1 as a whole as compared with, for example, a structure adopting a flange structure, and it is not necessary to machine the flange contact surface, which reduces the manufacturing cost. Can be realized.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connecting member has a divided structure consisting of a pair of connecting plates and a connecting plate for connecting these connecting plates together. However, this connecting member is provided at the end of the connecting frame. As an integrated structure (one member) having an L shape in a side view, which includes a horizontal connecting portion to be connected and a vertical connecting portion that is connected to an end portion of a column frame and integrally formed with the horizontal connecting member. Good. That is, one protrusion (horizontal connection) of the L-shaped connection member
A hole (or a mounting portion that can be engaged with the end portion) into which the end portion of the connecting frame can be inserted is formed, and the end portion of the support frame can be inserted into the other projecting portion (vertical connection portion). It may be formed with a hole (or a mounting portion that can be engaged with the end).

[0033]

As described above, according to the structure of the article transfer device of the present invention, both the support frames and the connecting frame are connected to each other through the connecting member using the bolts and nuts. , As compared with, for example, a structure adopting a flange structure, it is possible to prevent an increase in the weight of the entire article transfer device and to eliminate the need for machining the flange contact surface.
The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stacker crane according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the stacker crane.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an upper frame of a traveling frame body of the stacker crane.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of an upper frame of the traveling frame body.

5 is a view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a lower frame of the traveling frame body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carriage in the stacker crane.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the carriage.

9 is a view taken along the line BB of FIG.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a column frame of the traveling frame body.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing an exploded state of the stacker crane.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a conventional stacker crane.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Stacker crane 2 carriage 3 running wheels 4 Running frame 5 Lifting motor 6 Running electric motor 7 control box 11 prop frame 12 Upper frame 12a Long member 13 Lower frame 14 Connection member 16 Connection plate 19A bolts and nuts 19B bolts and nuts 21 Long member 21a groove 31 Carriage body 31a Corner part 32 Guide member 33 Connection part 34 End guide roller 35 Side guide roller 36 guide groove 36a Large concave portion 36b Small concave portion

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An article transfer device having a traveling frame body which is movably provided on a predetermined route and holds and moves an article, comprising front and rear column frames constituting the traveling frame body and both columns. An article transfer device, characterized in that a connection member is provided for connecting a connection frame for connecting the upper parts of the frames to each other, and the connection member and each of the frames are connected via bolts. 2. The article transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is composed of a pair of left and right connecting plates. 3. The connecting plate is formed in an L shape in a side view, which is composed of a horizontal connecting portion connected to an end portion of the connecting frame and a vertical connecting portion connected to an end portion of the support frame. The article transfer device according to claim 2. 4. The connecting member comprises a horizontal connecting portion connected to an end portion of the connecting frame, and a vertical connecting portion connected to an end portion of the support frame and integrally formed with the horizontal connecting portion. The article transfer device according to claim 1, wherein: