JP2004095748A - Product conveying device, product storing device, product conveyance controller, product conveying system and product conveying method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a product conveying system capable of shortening the conveying time of products, and increasing the conveyance quantity of the products in a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: Products are carried in/out from two directions with respect to one product storing device 2 equipped with a conveyance truck 1b driven along a loop-shaped conveyance route 1a for carrying products to store products conveyed by the conveyance truck 1b. Even at the time of conveying the products to the product storing device 2 positioned oppositely to the conveying direction of the products, the conveying time of the products can be shortened. Thus, it is possible to increase the conveyance quantity of the products, and to improve the productivity of the products. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【００２４】
ここで、製品搬送装置１が図２の矢印Ａに示す方向に駆動する場合において、例えばＳＴ−１からＳＴ−２にポッドを搬送するときには、表１のマップ表に従って、ＳＴ−１の製品搬入箇所ｂからポッドを搬出して、ＳＴ−２の製品搬入箇所ｂからポッドを搬入するように製品搬送制御装置で制御する。
【００２５】
従来例のように、製品の搬入／搬出をする製品保管装置２の搬入出箇所の方向が１方向しかなかった場合には、ＳＴ−１からＳＴ−２にポッドを搬送しようとすると、製品搬送装置１は、搬送路のループ領域を約１周しなければ、次工程の製品保管装置２に搬入を行なうことができない。
【００２６】
これに対して、本実施形態の製品搬送システムでは、製品保管装置２からのポッドの搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を２方向から行なえるようにすることで、１方向のみの搬出入箇所の場合と比較して、その搬送距離を短くすることができる。これにより、特に、搬送先の製品保管装置が製品の搬送方向と逆に位置する場合であっても、製品の搬送時間を短縮することができるため、製品搬送量を増加させることができ、製品の生産性向上を図ることができる。特に、半導体ウエハ製造工程のように、何度も同一工程を繰り返す複雑な製造工程である場合には、その効果をさらに顕著とすることができる。
【００２７】
前述した効果の確認を行なうために、図９に示した従来例の製品搬送システムと図１に示した本実施形態における製品搬送システムについて、その平均搬送時間と最大搬送量をシミュレーションにより検証した。下記に示すシミュレーション結果は、製品を入出庫する製品保管装置の移載時間、製品保管装置から製品搬送装置への製品の移載時間、製品の入出庫回数、搬入出の回数等の検証結果により算出をした。
【００２８】
製品搬送システムのシミュレーションの検証結果は以下の通りである。
平均搬送時間については、従来例では９．０分であるのに対して、本実施形態では４．８分であった。また、最大搬送量については、従来例では１８２．５ｍｏｖｅｓ／時間であったのに対して、本実施形態では２５２．４５ｍｏｖｅｓ／時間であった。ここで、ｍｏｖｅｓ／時間とは、単位時間あたりに搬送する製品が何個（何回）動いたかという単位である。例えば、ある製品保管装置から他の製品保管装置に１個の製品が搬送された場合は１ｍｏｖｅｓ、１０個の製品が搬送された場合は１０ｍｏｖｅｓとなる。
【００２９】
このシミュレーションの検証結果から、従来例に比べて製品搬送時間が約半分となっており、搬送時間の大幅な短縮を図ることができることが実証できた。また、製品の最大搬送量も増加することが実証でき、極めて効率のよい製品搬送システムを実現することができることが分かった。
【００３０】
−変形例−
次に、本実施形態の諸変形例について説明する。
【００３１】
（変形例１）
図３は、本実施形態の変形例１を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。変形例１の製品搬送システムは、製品搬送装置１が駆動する搬送路のループ領域を結ぶように、別の製品搬送装置４を構成したものである。このように構成することで、別の製品搬送装置４を適宜経由させてポッドの搬送を行なうことができるようになるため、さらにポッドの搬送距離を短くすることができる。
【００３２】
（変形例２）
図４は、本実施形態の変形例２を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。変形例２の製品搬送システムは、製品搬送装置１が駆動する搬送路のループ領域を結ぶように、工程毎に設けられた製品保管装置２とは別に中継の製品保管装置５を構成したものである。このような構成とすることで、中継の製品保管装置５に一時的にポッドを保管することができるようになり、ポッドの搬送距離を短くすることができるとともに、製品搬送装置１の待ち時間を短縮すことができる。
【００３３】
（変形例３）
図５は、本実施形態の変形例３を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。変形例３の製品搬送システムは、製品搬送装置１が駆動する搬送路のループ領域の外側に、製品搬送装置１が駆動する搬送路をさらに構成したものである。一線上に製品保管装置２を並べ、その周りを取り囲むように製品搬送装置１が配置され、互いに対向する箇所に製品の搬入出箇所ａ、ｂを設けている。ここで、一線上とは、製造工場のレイアウトと関連して直線上にしたり、Ｌ字にしたりすること等で定義される（図の一点鎖線）。製品保管装置２の設置スペースの関係や製造工場の運用の関係で、製品保管装置２の周りを取り囲む製品搬送装置１の外側に別の製品搬送装置を接続させることは容易である。このような構成とすることで、互いに離れて配置された製品保管装置２同士間でも搬送することができ、工場設計のレイアウトの自由度を向上させることができる。例えば、領域６の部分が一定の洗浄レベルを保てない領域であるときに、領域６を回避して製品を相互に搬送することなどに用いて好適である。
【００３４】
（変形例４）
図６は、本実施形態の変形例４を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。変形例４の製品搬送システムは、製品搬送装置１に、搬送路１ａとは別ルートの分岐路７を設けたものである。このような構成とすることで、例えば搬送台車１ｂが分岐路７の位置で製品保管装置２に対して製品の搬入／搬出を行なっているときに、他の搬送台車１ｂが搬送路１ａ上を駆動できるようになるため、搬送台車１ｂの渋滞が緩和され、より効率的に製品搬送を行なうことができる。
【００３５】
（変形例５）
図７は、本実施形態の変形例５を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。変形例５の製品搬送システムは、複数の搬送路を組み合わせて、製品搬送装置１がそれらの搬送路間を駆動できるように構成したものである。図７に示す例では、製品搬送装置１が駆動するループ領域上に、製品搬送装置８、製品搬送装置９のループ領域と接続する地点に製品引渡し箇所８ａ、９ｂを設けている。このような構成とすることで、例えば、図７の破線に示すルートを搬送台車１ｂが駆動することができ、各製品搬送装置にそれぞれ搬送手段である搬送台車を設ける必要がなくなり、効率のよい搬送を行なうことができる。
【００３６】
（第２の実施形態）
図８は、本発明の第２の実施形態における製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
本実施形態の製品搬送システムは、ポッドの搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を４方向から行なえるように構成したものである。また、製品搬入出箇所を製品保管装置２と製品搬送装置１とが対向する箇所ではなく、製品保管装置２の側面に設けることも可能である。本実施形態のように構成することで、搬送路幅が狭いために、製品保管装置２と製品搬送装置１とが対向する箇所でのポッドの搬入／搬出ができない場合などにおいては有効となる。
【００３７】
なお、第１の実施形態の製品搬送システムにおいては、製品の搬入／搬出方向を２方向とし、また、第２の実施形態の製品搬送システムにおいては、製品の搬入／搬出方向を４方向とした例を開示しているが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、例えば、製品の搬入／搬出方向を５方向以上有していてもよい。
【００３８】
以下、本発明の諸態様を付記としてまとめて記載する。
【００３９】
（付記１）　製品の搬送経路を形成する搬送路と、前記搬送路に沿って前記製品を搬送する搬送手段とを有する製品搬送装置と、
前記製品を保管し、前記製品搬送装置に対して少なくとも２方向から前記製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行なう箇所を有する複数の製品保管装置と、前記製品保管装置に保管されている前記製品を前記製品搬送装置により搬送する際に、当該製品の搬送距離が最短となるような前記製品保管装置からの搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方の方向を指示する製品搬送制御装置と
を含むことを特徴とする製品搬送システム。
【００４０】
（付記２）　前記搬送路はループ領域を有しており、前記各製品保管装置は前記ループ領域内に配設されていることを特徴とする付記１に記載の製品搬送システム。
【００４１】
（付記３）　前記搬送路は、相異なる複数の前記ループ領域を有することを特徴とする付記２に記載の製品搬送システム。
【００４２】
（付記４）　前記搬送路は、前記ループ領域内を結ぶ搬送経路を有していることを特徴とする付記２又は３に記載の製品搬送システム。
【００４３】
（付記５）　隣接する前記各ループ領域間で前記製品の授受を行なう箇所を有することを特徴とする付記３又は４に記載の製品搬送システム。
【００４４】
（付記６）　製品の搬送経路を形成する搬送路と、
前記搬送路に沿って前記製品を搬送する搬送手段と
を含み、
前記製品を保管する複数の製品保管装置との間で、少なくとも２方向から前記製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行なうことを特徴とする製品搬送装置。
【００４５】
（付記７）　前記搬送路はループ領域を有しており、前記各製品保管装置は前記ループ領域内に配設されていることを特徴とする付記６に記載の製品搬送装置。
【００４６】
（付記８）　相異なる複数の前記ループ領域を有することを特徴とする付記７に記載の製品搬送装置。
【００４７】
（付記９）　前記搬送路は、前記ループ領域内を結ぶ搬送経路を有していることを特徴とする付記７又は８に記載の製品搬送装置。
【００４８】
（付記１０）　隣接する前記各ループ領域間で前記製品の授受を行なう箇所を有することを特徴とする付記８又は９に記載の製品搬送装置。
【００４９】
（付記１１）　製品を保管し、当該製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行なう製品保管装置であって、
前記製品の搬送経路を形成する搬送路に沿って前記製品を搬送する製品搬送装置に対して少なくとも２方向から前記製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行なう箇所を有することを特徴とする製品保管装置。
【００５０】
（付記１２）　前記搬送路のループ領域内に複数配設されていることを特徴とする付記１１に記載の製品保管装置。
【００５１】
（付記１３）　前記搬送路の相異なる複数の各ループ領域内に配設されていることを特徴とする付記１１に記載の製品保管装置。
【００５２】
（付記１４）　製品の搬送経路を形成する搬送路と、前記搬送路に沿って前記製品を搬送する搬送手段とを有する製品搬送装置と、
前記製品を保管し、前記製品搬送装置に対して少なくとも２方向から前記製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行なう箇所を有する複数の製品保管装置と
を駆動制御する製品搬送制御装置であって、
前記製品保管装置に保管されている前記製品を前記製品搬送装置により搬送する際に、当該製品の搬送距離が最短となるような前記製品保管装置からの搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方の方向を指示することを特徴とする製品搬送制御装置。
【００５３】
（付記１５）　前記搬送路はループ領域を有しており、前記各製品保管装置は前記ループ領域内に配設されていることを特徴とする付記１４に記載の製品搬送制御装置。
【００５４】
（付記１６）　前記搬送路は、相異なる複数の前記ループ領域を有することを特徴とする付記１５に記載の製品搬送制御装置。
【００５５】
（付記１７）　前記搬送路は、前記ループ領域内を結ぶ搬送経路を有していることを特徴とする付記１５又は１６に記載の製品搬送制御装置。
【００５６】
（付記１８）　隣接する前記各ループ領域間で前記製品の授受を行なう箇所を有することを特徴とする付記１６又は１７に記載の製品搬送制御装置。
【００５７】
（付記１９）　製品を保管する製品保管装置と前記製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を行ない、前記製品の搬送経路を形成する搬送路に沿って前記製品を搬送する製品搬送方法であって、
前記搬送路に形成されたループ領域内に複数の前記製品保管装置を配設し、
前記製品保管装置に保管されている前記製品を搬送する際に、前記製品の搬送距離が最短となるような前記製品保管装置からの搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方の方向を指示することを特徴とする製品搬送方法。
【００５８】
（付記２０）　前記搬送路は、相異なる複数の前記ループ領域を有することを特徴とする付記１９に記載の製品搬送方法。
【００５９】
（付記２１）　前記搬送路は、前記ループ領域内を結ぶ搬送経路を有していることを特徴とする付記２０に記載の製品搬送方法。
【００６０】
（付記２２）　隣接する前記各ループ領域間で前記製品の授受を行なう箇所を有することを特徴とする付記２０又は２１に記載の製品搬送方法。
【００６１】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、製品保管装置からの製品の搬入及び搬出の少なくとも一方を少なくとも２方向から行なえるようにしたので、製品搬送装置による製品の搬送を１方向に行なうときに、製品搬送装置の搬送方向とは反対の方向に製品を搬送するときでも、その搬送距離を短くすることができ、製品の搬送時間も短縮することができる。これにより、製品の搬送量を増加させることができ、製品の生産性向上を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態における製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図２】製品搬送システムの搬送方法を説明するための概略構成図である。
【図３】第１の実施形態の変形例１を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図４】第１の実施形態の変形例２を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図５】第１の実施形態の変形例３を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図６】第１の実施形態の変形例４を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図７】第１の実施形態の変形例５を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図８】本発明の第２の実施形態を示す製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図９】従来例を示し、製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図１０】従来例を示し、製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図１１】従来例を示し、製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【図１２】従来例を示し、製品搬送システムの概略構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１、８、９　製品搬送装置
１ａ　搬送路
１ｂ　搬送台車
２　製品保管装置
３　製品搬送制御装置
４　別の製品搬送装置
５　中継の製品保管装置
６　領域
７　分岐路
ａ、ｂ　製品搬入出箇所
８ａ、９ｂ　製品引渡し箇所
１０　ショートカット[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a product transport device, a product storage device, a product transport control device, a product transport system, and a product transport method, and is particularly suitable for transport and storage in a manufacturing process of a product such as a semiconductor, a liquid crystal, and a magnetic disk. Things.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the case of a manufacturing process in which the same process needs to be repeated many times, such as a semiconductor device manufacturing process, products are frequently transported between each process. In the manufacture of this semiconductor device, an automatic warehouse called a stocker is provided for each process of processing a semiconductor wafer, and functions as a storage device for supplying the semiconductor wafer processed in each process to the next process. The transfer between the steps is performed by a product transfer device that carries in / out a pod containing semiconductor wafers sequentially via a stocker.
[0003]
Here, an example of a conventional semiconductor wafer product transfer system is shown in FIG. 9 and the description will be made with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, a conventional product transport system includes a product transport device 1 including a transport path 1a formed in a loop and a transport trolley 1b that drives the transport path 1a, and a product storage device ( The product storage device 2 is disposed so as to surround the loop-shaped transport path 1a. In addition, the transport vehicle 1b carries out the product transfer via each product storage device 2 sequentially while rotating in one direction along the transport path 1a, thereby performing the transport between the processes. As another configuration of the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 10, a shortcut 10 is provided in a transport path 1a of a product transport apparatus 1 to shorten a transport distance.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when a product is transported to an adjacent or near product storage device, when the product storage device at the destination is located in the transport direction, the transport distance is short, which is inconvenient. However, conversely, when transporting a product to a product storage device that is located opposite to the transport direction, the transport distance is physically longer because the transport direction is one direction. This results in a significant loss of time.
[0005]
In consideration of the above case, in order to shorten the transport distance, a product transport system capable of transporting the product in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions has been devised. For example, the transport paths of the product transport apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 11 are arranged in two rows in the width direction, or the transport paths of the product transport apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 12 are arranged in two rows in the height direction. There is something.
[0006]
However, in the product transport system shown in FIG. 11, the transport path width of the product transport device 1 is increased, and in the product transport system of FIG. 12, another product transport device must be provided in the height direction. . Such a two-way transfer path complicates the layout of the factory design and limits the degree of freedom of the layout.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and employs a method of driving a product in one direction on a transport path in order to simplify an apparatus configuration, but to shorten a product transport time and transport a product. It is an object of the present invention to realize a product transport device, a product storage device, a product transport control device, a product transport system, and a product transport method that can increase the amount.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive studies, the present inventor has reached various aspects of the invention described below.
[0009]
A product transport system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transport path that forms a transport path for a product, a transport apparatus that transports the product along the transport path, and a product transport apparatus that stores the product. A plurality of product storage devices having a location to perform at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions, when transporting the product stored in the product storage device by the product transport device, And a product transfer control device for instructing at least one of the directions of loading and unloading from the product storage device such that the transport distance of the product is minimized.
[0010]
The product transport device of the present invention includes a transport path that forms a transport path for a product, and transport means that transports the product along the transport path, and a plurality of product storage devices that store the product. Wherein at least one of loading and unloading of the product is performed from at least two directions.
[0011]
A product storage device of the present invention is a product storage device that stores a product and performs at least one of loading and unloading of the product, wherein the product transports the product along a transport path that forms a transport path of the product. It is characterized in that it has a place for carrying in and / or out of the product from at least two directions with respect to the transport device.
[0012]
A product transfer control device according to the present invention includes a product transfer device having a transfer path that forms a transfer path of a product, and a transfer unit that transfers the product along the transfer path; A product transport control device that drives and controls a plurality of product storage devices having a location for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions with respect to the device, wherein the product storage device is stored in the product storage device. When a product is transported by the product transport device, at least one direction of loading and unloading from the product storage device is specified so that the transport distance of the product is minimized.
[0013]
The product transport method of the present invention is a product transport method that transports the product along a transport path that forms a product transport path by performing at least one of a product storage device that stores the product and the loading and unloading of the product. A plurality of the product storage devices are arranged in a loop area formed in the transport path, and when transporting the product stored in the product storage device, the transport distance of the product is the shortest. In this case, at least one direction of loading and unloading from the product storage device is instructed.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, various embodiments of the product transport system of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0015]
In the embodiments of the present invention, an embodiment using a semiconductor wafer as a “product” will be described. However, the “product” according to the present invention is not limited to this semiconductor wafer. It is also possible to apply to a disk or the like.
[0016]
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the product transport system includes a product transport device 1 that transports a pod containing a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a product storage device (stocker) 2 that stores pods, a product transport device 1, and a product storage device 2. And a product transport control device 3 for issuing an instruction in transporting the product.
[0017]
The product transport device 1 includes a transport path 1a having a loop area that forms a closed path, and a transport trolley 1b that is driven along the transport path 1a, and a product storage device 2 is provided in the loop area. The carrier 1b carries in / out the pods containing the semiconductor wafers sequentially at the product carrying-in / out locations a and b via the product storage device 2 while rotating around the carrying path 1a in one direction. A plurality of transport vehicles 1b circulate on the transport path 1a. In the present embodiment, in a closed loop driven by the transport trolley 1b of the product transport device 1, there are two locations where at least one of loading and unloading of pods is performed with respect to one product storage device 2.
[0018]
The product storage device 2 is disposed in the transport path 1 a of the product transport device 1, and is configured so that at least one of loading and unloading of the pod with respect to the product transport device 1 can be performed from two directions. . The product storage device 2 has a storage shelf for storing a pod containing a plurality of semiconductor wafers. The storage shelf has a loading / unloading operation for loading / unloading the pod to / from a transport vehicle 1b driven on the transport path 1a. A carry-out section is provided for each product carry-in / out location. In this embodiment, since there are two locations (a, b) on the transport path 1a for one product storage device 2, the product storage device 2 has two loading / unloading sections. Have been. Further, an automatic robot for loading / unloading the pod from the loading / unloading section to the storage shelf is installed in the product storage device 2, so that the pod can be efficiently stored. I have.
[0019]
The product transport control device holds a matrix map of product loading / unloading locations a and b to which port numbers are assigned, and based on the matrix map, a product storage device 2 for unloading a pod and a product storage device for loading a pod. An instruction is issued to the product transport device 1 and the product storage device 2 by selecting a transport route that minimizes the transport distance to the product transport device 2.
[0020]
The instruction from the product transport control device instructs the product storage device 2 that unloads the pod, in one of the two unloading directions, the direction in which the transport distance to the product storage device 2 that loads the pod becomes short. Then, the product storage device 2 that carries out the pod that receives the instruction drives the automatic robot to carry out the pod stored in the storage shelf to the carry-in / carry-out unit in the designated carry-out direction. On the other hand, the product storage device 1 is instructed on the product loading / unloading location selected by the matrix map, and the product transport device 1 receiving the instruction causes the transport trolley 1b to reach the position of the selected predetermined product loading / unloading location. When the vehicle arrives, an instruction is issued to drive the transport trolley 1b to carry out the pod at the carry-in / carry-out section of the product storage device 2.
[0021]
Next, a specific example of the transport method of the product transport system will be described with reference to FIG.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a case where the product storage devices 2 are arranged in a line in the product transfer device 1, and ST-1, ST-2,..., ST-10 and ten product storage devices 2 are arranged in order from the left. 1 shows a product transport system.
Table 1 shown below is a map table showing a product transfer pattern of the product transfer control device in the product transfer system of FIG. “B / b” shown in the map table indicates that the pod is carried out from the b direction of the product storage device 2 in the previous process and the pod is carried in from the b direction of the product storage device 2 in the next process.
[0023]
[Table 1]

[0024]
Here, when the product transport apparatus 1 is driven in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 2, for example, when transporting a pod from ST-1 to ST-2, the product transport of ST-1 is performed according to the map table of Table 1. The pod is unloaded from the location b, and the product transport control device controls the pod to be loaded from the product loading location b in ST-2.
[0025]
As in the conventional example, when there is only one direction of the loading / unloading location of the product storage device 2 for loading / unloading the product, when the pod is transported from ST-1 to ST-2, the product transport is performed. The device 1 cannot be carried into the product storage device 2 in the next process unless the device 1 makes a round of the loop area of the transport path.
[0026]
On the other hand, in the product transport system according to the present embodiment, at least one of the loading and unloading of the pod from the product storage device 2 can be performed from two directions. In comparison, the transport distance can be shortened. Thereby, especially, even when the product storage device at the destination is located in the opposite direction to the product transport direction, the product transport time can be reduced, so that the product transport amount can be increased, and the product transport amount can be increased. Can be improved in productivity. In particular, in the case of a complicated manufacturing process in which the same process is repeated many times, such as a semiconductor wafer manufacturing process, the effect can be further remarkable.
[0027]
In order to confirm the effects described above, the average transport time and the maximum transport amount of the conventional product transport system shown in FIG. 9 and the product transport system in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 were verified by simulation. The simulation results shown below are based on verification results such as the transfer time of the product storage device that takes in and out the product, the transfer time of the product from the product storage device to the product transfer device, the number of times the product has been moved in and out, and the number of times of loading and unloading It was calculated.
[0028]
The verification results of the simulation of the product transport system are as follows.
The average transport time was 9.0 minutes in the conventional example, but was 4.8 minutes in the present embodiment. In addition, the maximum transport amount was 182.5 moves / hour in the conventional example, but was 252.45 moves / hour in the present embodiment. Here, moves / time is a unit indicating how many (how many times) products conveyed per unit time have moved. For example, when one product is transported from a certain product storage device to another product storage device, the number is 1 move, and when 10 products are transported, the value is 10 moves.
[0029]
From the verification results of this simulation, it was demonstrated that the product transfer time was about half that of the conventional example, and the transfer time could be significantly reduced. In addition, it was demonstrated that the maximum transport amount of the product was also increased, and it was found that an extremely efficient product transport system could be realized.
[0030]
-Modification-
Next, various modifications of the present embodiment will be described.
[0031]
(Modification 1)
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a first modification of the present embodiment. In the product transport system according to the first modification, another product transport device 4 is configured to connect loop regions of a transport path driven by the product transport device 1. With such a configuration, the pod can be transported via another product transport device 4 as appropriate, so that the pod transport distance can be further reduced.
[0032]
(Modification 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a second modification of the present embodiment. The product transport system of Modification 2 is configured such that a relay product storage device 5 is provided separately from the product storage device 2 provided for each process so as to connect loop regions of a transport path driven by the product transport device 1. is there. With such a configuration, the pod can be temporarily stored in the relay product storage device 5, the pod transport distance can be shortened, and the waiting time of the product transport device 1 can be reduced. Can be shortened.
[0033]
(Modification 3)
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a third modification of the present embodiment. The product transport system according to Modification 3 further includes a transport path that is driven by the product transport apparatus 1 outside the loop area of the transport path that is driven by the product transport apparatus 1. The product storage devices 2 are arranged in a line, and the product transport device 1 is arranged so as to surround the product storage devices 2, and product carry-in / out locations a and b are provided at locations facing each other. Here, “on a line” is defined by making it linear or L-shaped in relation to the layout of the manufacturing factory (dashed line in the figure). Due to the installation space of the product storage device 2 and the operation of the manufacturing plant, it is easy to connect another product transport device to the outside of the product transport device 1 surrounding the product storage device 2. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to convey between the product storage devices 2 that are arranged apart from each other, and it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the layout of the factory design. For example, when the part of the area 6 is an area where a certain cleaning level cannot be maintained, it is suitable to be used for avoiding the area 6 and transporting products to each other.
[0034]
(Modification 4)
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a fourth modification of the present embodiment. In the product transport system of the fourth modification, the product transport apparatus 1 is provided with a branch path 7 having a different route from the transport path 1a. With such a configuration, for example, when the transport vehicle 1b is carrying in / out the product to / from the product storage device 2 at the position of the branch path 7, the other transport vehicles 1b move along the transport path 1a. Since the vehicle can be driven, congestion of the transport vehicle 1b is reduced, and the product can be transported more efficiently.
[0035]
(Modification 5)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a fifth modification of the present embodiment. The product transport system of Modification 5 is configured such that the product transport device 1 can drive between the transport routes by combining a plurality of transport routes. In the example shown in FIG. 7, on the loop area where the product transport apparatus 1 is driven, product delivery points 8a and 9b are provided at points connected to the loop areas of the product transport apparatus 8 and the product transport apparatus 9. By adopting such a configuration, for example, the transport trolley 1b can drive the route shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, and there is no need to provide a transport trolley as a transport unit in each product transport apparatus, which is efficient. Transport can be performed.
[0036]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The product transport system of the present embodiment is configured so that at least one of loading and unloading of a pod can be performed from four directions. Further, the product loading / unloading location may be provided on the side surface of the product storage device 2 instead of the location where the product storage device 2 and the product transport device 1 face each other. The configuration as in the present embodiment is effective when the pod cannot be loaded / unloaded at a location where the product storage device 2 and the product transport device 1 face each other because the transport path width is narrow.
[0037]
In the product transport system of the first embodiment, the direction of loading / unloading the product is set to two directions, and in the product transport system of the second embodiment, the direction of loading / unloading the product is set to four directions. Although an example is disclosed, the present invention is not limited to this, and may have, for example, five or more product loading / unloading directions.
[0038]
Hereinafter, various aspects of the present invention will be collectively described as supplementary notes.
[0039]
(Supplementary Note 1) A product transfer device having a transfer path that forms a transfer path of a product, and transfer means that transfers the product along the transfer path;
Store the product, a plurality of product storage devices having a location to perform at least one of the loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions to the product transport device, and the product stored in the product storage device When the product is transported by the product transport device, the product transport device includes a product transport control device that instructs at least one of loading and unloading from the product storage device such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. Product transport system.
[0040]
(Supplementary Note 2) The product transport system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the transport path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is disposed in the loop area.
[0041]
(Supplementary Note 3) The product transport system according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the transport path includes a plurality of different loop regions.
[0042]
(Supplementary Note 4) The product transport system according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the transport path has a transport path that connects the inside of the loop area.
[0043]
(Supplementary Note 5) The product transport system according to Supplementary note 3 or 4, further comprising a portion for exchanging the product between the adjacent loop regions.
[0044]
(Supplementary Note 6) A transport path that forms a transport path for the product,
Transport means for transporting the product along the transport path,
A product transport device, wherein at least one of loading and unloading of the product is performed from at least two directions with a plurality of product storage devices that store the product.
[0045]
(Supplementary note 7) The product transfer device according to supplementary note 6, wherein the transport path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is disposed in the loop area.
[0046]
(Supplementary Note 8) The product transport apparatus according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the product transport apparatus includes a plurality of different loop regions.
[0047]
(Supplementary Note 9) The product transfer device according to Supplementary Note 7 or 8, wherein the transport path has a transport path that connects the inside of the loop area.
[0048]
(Supplementary Note 10) The product transport apparatus according to Supplementary Note 8 or 9, further including a portion for exchanging the product between the adjacent loop regions.
[0049]
(Supplementary Note 11) A product storage device that stores a product and performs at least one of loading and unloading of the product,
A product storage device, comprising: a portion for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions with respect to a product transport device that transports the product along a transport path that forms the transport route of the product. .
[0050]
(Supplementary Note 12) The product storage device according to Supplementary Note 11, wherein a plurality of the storage devices are provided in a loop area of the transport path.
[0051]
(Supplementary Note 13) The product storage device according to supplementary note 11, wherein the product storage device is provided in each of a plurality of different loop areas of the transport path.
[0052]
(Supplementary Note 14) A product transfer device that includes a transfer path that forms a transfer path of a product, and transfer means that transfers the product along the transfer path.
A product transport control device that stores and stores the product and drives and controls a plurality of product storage devices having a location for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions with respect to the product transport device,
When transporting the product stored in the product storage device by the product transport device, instruct at least one of loading and unloading from the product storage device such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. A product transfer control device characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0053]
(Supplementary Note 15) The product transfer control device according to supplementary note 14, wherein the transport path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is disposed in the loop area.
[0054]
(Supplementary note 16) The product transfer control device according to supplementary note 15, wherein the transport path includes a plurality of different loop regions.
[0055]
(Supplementary Note 17) The product transfer control device according to Supplementary Note 15 or 16, wherein the transfer path has a transfer path that connects the inside of the loop area.
[0056]
(Supplementary Note 18) The product transport control device according to Supplementary Note 16 or 17, further including a portion for exchanging the product between the adjacent loop regions.
[0057]
(Supplementary Note 19) A product transport method for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product and a product storage device that stores the product, and transporting the product along a transport path that forms a transport path for the product.
Arranging a plurality of the product storage devices in a loop area formed in the transport path,
When transporting the product stored in the product storage device, at least one direction of loading and unloading from the product storage device is instructed such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. Product transport method.
[0058]
(Supplementary Note 20) The method of delivering a product according to supplementary note 19, wherein the transport path includes a plurality of different loop regions.
[0059]
(Supplementary Note 21) The product transfer method according to supplementary note 20, wherein the transfer path has a transfer path that connects the inside of the loop area.
[0060]
(Supplementary note 22) The product transport method according to Supplementary note 20 or 21, further comprising a portion for exchanging the product between the adjacent loop regions.
[0061]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, at least one of the loading and unloading of the product from the product storage device can be performed in at least two directions. Even when the product is transported in the direction opposite to the transport direction, the transport distance can be shortened, and the transport time of the product can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to increase the transport amount of the product, and to improve the productivity of the product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a transport method of a product transport system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a first modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a modified example 2 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a third modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a modified example 4 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system showing a modified example 5 of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a conventional example and is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system.
FIG. 10 shows a conventional example and is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system.
FIG. 11 shows a conventional example and is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system.
FIG. 12 shows a conventional example and is a schematic configuration diagram of a product transport system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 8, 9 Product transfer device 1a Transfer path 1b Transfer trolley 2 Product storage device 3 Product transfer control device 4 Another product transfer device 5 Relay product storage device 6 Area 7 Branch path a, b Product loading / unloading locations 8a, 9b Product delivery location 10 Shortcut

Claims (10)

A transport path that forms a transport path of the product, and a product transport apparatus having transport means that transports the product along the transport path;
Store the product, a plurality of product storage devices having a location to perform at least one of the loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions to the product transport device, and the product stored in the product storage device When the product is transported by the product transport device, the product transport device includes a product transport control device that instructs at least one of loading and unloading from the product storage device such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. Product transport system. The product transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is provided in the loop area. A transport path that forms a transport path for the product;
Transport means for transporting the product along the transport path,
A product transport device, wherein at least one of loading and unloading of the product is performed from at least two directions with a plurality of product storage devices that store the product. 4. The product transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transport path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is disposed in the loop area. A product storage device that stores a product and performs at least one of loading and unloading of the product,
A product storage device, comprising: a portion for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions with respect to a product transport device that transports the product along a transport path that forms the transport route of the product. . The product storage device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the storage devices are provided in a loop area of the transport path. A transport path that forms a transport path of the product, and a product transport apparatus having transport means that transports the product along the transport path;
A product transport control device that stores and stores the product and drives and controls a plurality of product storage devices having a location for performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product from at least two directions with respect to the product transport device,
When transporting the product stored in the product storage device by the product transport device, instruct at least one of loading and unloading from the product storage device such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. A product transfer control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. The product transfer control device according to claim 7, wherein the transfer path has a loop area, and each of the product storage devices is disposed in the loop area. A product transport method for transporting the product along a transport path that forms a transport path for the product by performing at least one of loading and unloading of the product and a product storage device that stores the product,
Arranging a plurality of the product storage devices in a loop area formed in the transport path,
When transporting the product stored in the product storage device, at least one direction of loading and unloading from the product storage device is instructed such that the transport distance of the product is minimized. Product transport method. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transport path has a plurality of different loop regions.

Images