JP2012116651A - Automated warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automated warehouse capable of preventing an excessive load from being imposed on a rack unit and a rail unit, and reducing cost.SOLUTION: This automated warehouse 1 includes a rack unit 2 for storing storage objects, a rail unit 3 installed on a ceiling of the rack unit 2, and a carriage 4 running on the rail unit 3 to carry in and taking out the storage object R. In the automated warehouse, the rail unit 3 includes first rails 3a, second rails 3b extending in a direction orthogonal to the first rails 3a, and turn rails 3d turnably arranged at parts where the first rails 3a intersect the second rails 3b; and the carriage 4 includes four wheels arranged at positions corresponding to the four adjacent turn rails 3d to form apexes of a quadrangle and rolling on the rail unit 3, and a traveling control device for changing over a traveling direction by turning the wheels at 90°.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic warehouse including a rack unit for storing stored items, a rail unit laid on the ceiling of the rack unit, and a cart that travels on the rail unit and loads and unloads stored items. About.

  As a conventional automatic warehouse, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatic warehouse 11 is laid on the ceiling of the rack unit 12 and the rack unit 12 in which the multistage racks 12 a to 12 d for storing the roll-shaped articles (storage items) R are arranged. A rail unit 13 composed of three rails 13a to 13c, a main carriage 14 that travels on the rail unit 13, and a child that travels on the rail 14a laid on the main carriage 14 to carry in and out the roll-shaped article R. A dolly 15 is included.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main carriage 14 includes wheels 14 b that roll on the rail unit 13 and guide wheels 14 c that roll along one side surface or both side surfaces of the rail unit 13. The vehicle travels in a direction (y direction) perpendicular to the parallel direction of 12d.

The child carriage 15 includes wheels 15 a that roll on rails 14 a laid on the parent carriage 14, and travels in the parallel arrangement direction (x direction) of the multistage racks 12 a to 12 d. In addition, the child carriage 15 includes a carrier 16a that can be moved up and down in the center of the vehicle body, a vertical guide 16b that is attached to the vehicle body so as to sandwich the carrier 16a, and a vertical that is attached to the carrier 16a so as to sandwich the vertical guide 16b. Guide wheels 16c are provided.
The carrier 16a moves up and down in the standing direction (z direction) of the guide column 17 by rolling the vertical guide wheel 16c along the vertical column 16b and the guide column 17 standing between the multistage racks 12a to 12d. To do.

  According to the automatic warehouse 11, when the roll-shaped article R is carried into or out of a predetermined storage space in the multi-stage racks 12a to 12d, the main carriage 14 and the slave carriage 15 are moved to above the storage space. Then, the roll-like article R can be carried in and out by lowering the carrier 16a to the same height as the storage space.

JP-A-4-129906

  However, since the conventional automatic warehouse 11 includes two carriages, a parent carriage 14 and a child carriage 15, there is a risk that an excessive load is applied to the rack unit 12 and the rail unit 13 due to the weight of these carriages. May increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic warehouse capable of preventing an excessive load from being applied to a rack unit or a rail unit and reducing the cost. There is.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an automatic warehouse according to the present invention includes a rack unit in which multistage racks for storing stored items are arranged side by side, a rail unit laid on the ceiling of the rack unit, and a rail unit. An automatic warehouse that includes a cart that travels and loads and unloads storage items,
The rail unit includes a first rail composed of two rails extending in the direction in which the multi-stage racks are juxtaposed or in a direction perpendicular to the juxtaposed direction, and three or more rails extending in the direction orthogonal to the first rail. A second rail, and a turn rail that is pivotably provided at a portion where the first rail and the second rail intersect,
The carriage is provided at a position corresponding to the four turn rails adjacent to each other so as to form an apex of the quadrilateral, and four wheels that roll on the rail unit, and a traveling control that switches the traveling direction by turning the wheels 90 degrees. And a device.

  According to this configuration, the rail unit is provided with a turn rail provided so as to be turnable, and the carriage is provided with a travel control device that turns the wheel 90 degrees. Therefore, the travel control device turns the wheel to turn the turn rail. By doing so, the traveling direction of the carriage can be switched to freely travel on the rail unit.

  In the automatic warehouse according to the present invention, the wheel has a plurality of protrusions that are provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface and are urged in the protrusion direction, and the first rail and the second rail are wider than the protrusions. It is preferable that the guide groove is formed narrower than the wheel, and the protrusion protruding from the wheel is guided by the guide groove.

  According to this configuration, since the protrusion protruding from the wheel is guided by the guide groove, it is possible to reliably prevent the carriage from derailing from the rail unit.

  In the automatic warehouse according to the present invention, the first rail has a guide groove on both of the two rails, and the second rail has a guide groove on every three or more rails. Is preferred.

  According to this configuration, the cost of the rail unit can be reduced by reducing the number of rails provided with guide grooves.

  Furthermore, in the automatic warehouse according to the present invention, the turn rail may have a guide groove.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while preventing an excessive load from being applied to a rack unit or a rail unit, it is possible to provide an automatic warehouse that can reduce costs.

It is a perspective view of the automatic warehouse which concerns on this invention. It is the partial front view which looked at the automatic warehouse which concerns on this invention from the y direction. It is the partial top view which looked at the rail unit in this invention from the z direction. It is a wheel of a cart in the present invention, (a) is a side view and (b) is a sectional view in line AA of (a). It is a figure for demonstrating the movement path | route of the trolley | bogie in this invention. It is a perspective view of the conventional automatic warehouse. It is the partial front view which looked at the conventional automatic warehouse from the y direction.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an automatic warehouse according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic warehouse 1 according to this embodiment includes a rack unit 2 for storing a roll-shaped article (contained item) R, a rail unit 3 laid on the ceiling of the rack unit 2, a rail A carriage 4 that travels on the unit 3 and carries in and out the roll-shaped article R is included.

  The roll-shaped article R includes a core tube, a roll film wound around the core tube, and a shaft inserted into the core tube.

  The rack unit 2 includes four multistage racks 2a to 2d arranged in parallel. As shown in FIG. 2, gaps are provided between the multi-stage rack 2a and the multi-stage rack 2b and between the multi-stage rack 2c and the multi-stage rack 2d for raising and lowering the carrier 6a provided in the carriage 4. Guide struts 7 are provided in the gap. On the other hand, the multistage rack 2b and the multistage rack 2c are arranged side by side without a gap.

  Each of the multi-stage racks 2a to 2d is partitioned with a plurality of storage spaces for storing the roll-shaped article R, and each storage space has two shaft holders for holding the shaft of the roll-shaped article R. Is provided.

  The rail unit 3 includes a first rail 3a composed of two rails 3a-1 and 3a-2 extending in a direction (y direction) orthogonal to the juxtaposed direction of the multistage racks 2a to 2d, and the multistage racks 2a to 2d. A second rail 3b composed of eight rails 3b-1 to 3b-8 extending in the direction parallel to the first rail 3a (direction x), and 1 extending in parallel with the first rail 3a A third rail 3c of the book, and a turn rail 3d that is turnably provided at a portion where the first rail 3a and the second rail 3b intersect with each other are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distance between the third rail 3c and the rail 3a-2 on the third rail 3c side of the first rail 3a is equal to the two rails 3a-1, 3a- in the first rail 3a. It is equal to the interval between the two.

Moreover, the 1st rail 3a and the 2nd rail 3b have the guide groove 8 in the center of the width direction of each rail. The guide groove 8 is for guiding a protrusion 5b protruding from a wheel 5 of the carriage 4 described later, and is formed in a concave cross section so as to be wider than the protrusion 5b and narrower than the wheel 5. .
In the first rail 3a of the present embodiment, guide grooves 8 are formed in both of the two rails 3a-1 and 3a-2, and the second rail 3b is in contrast to the eight rails 3b-1 to 3b-8. Every other guide groove 8 is formed.

  The guide groove 8 is also provided in the turn rail 3d. The guide groove 8 communicates with the guide groove 8 provided in the first rail 3a or the guide groove 8 provided in the second rail 3b by turning the turn rail 3d.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the carriage 4 includes four wheels 5 that are turnably provided at the four corners of the lower portion of the vehicle body, a travel control device (not shown) that controls the turning and rolling of the wheels 5, and a vehicle center A carrier 6a provided on the vehicle body, a vertical guide 6b attached to the vehicle body so as to sandwich the carrier 6a, and a vertical guide wheel 6c attached to the carrier 6a so as to sandwich the vertical guide 6b.

  The carrier 6a is for carrying in and carrying out the roll-shaped article R, and includes two slide arms for holding the shaft of the roll-shaped article R. The carrier 6 a moves up and down along the vertical guide 6 b and the guide column 7 by rolling the vertical guide wheel 6 c along the vertical guide 6 b and the guide column 7.

  The four wheels 5 are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the four turn rails 3d adjacent to each other so as to form a quadrangular apex. These four wheels 5 are composed of two drive wheels and two idle wheels, and the drive wheels and the idle wheels are diagonally positioned.

  Further, a rod of a hydraulic cylinder is connected to each of these four wheels 5, and the wheel 5 turns 90 degrees by expansion and contraction of the rod. When the wheel 5 turns 90 degrees, the turn rail 3d also turns 90 degrees along with the wheel 5. The expansion and contraction of the rod is controlled by the travel control device.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel 5 includes a wheel body 5a composed of two halves, a protrusion 5b provided so as to be freely protrudeable from the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body 5a, and a spring that biases the protrusion 5b in the protruding direction. And the like.

  The protrusion 5b protrudes into the guide groove 8 when the wheel 5 rolls on the rail having the guide groove 8. On the other hand, when the wheel 5 rolls on a rail (flat rail) that does not have the guide groove 8, the protrusion 5b is pushed into the space 5d provided in the wheel body 5a by the weight of the carriage 4 (the wheel body). 5a) is not protruding from the outer peripheral surface.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the movement path | route of the trolley | bogie 4 in this embodiment is demonstrated concretely.
In this specific example, the carriage 4 stopped in the region 1 on the rail unit 3 receives a command from the outside, and carries out the roll-shaped article R from the storage space X1 located below the region 11. The roll-shaped article R is carried into the storage space X2 located below the region 13.

  In the initial state where the carriage 4 is stopped in the region 1, the guide grooves 8 provided in the turn rail 3d communicate with the guide grooves 8 provided in the rail 3a-1 and the rail 3a-2 of the first rail 3a, respectively. The projection 5b of each wheel 5 is assumed to protrude into the guide groove 8 provided in the turn rail 3d.

  When the cart 4 receives the above command, first, the traveling control device extends the rod of the hydraulic cylinder to turn the wheel 5 by 90 degrees. When the wheel 5 turns 90 degrees, the turn rail 3d also turns 90 degrees with the wheel 5, and the guide groove 8 provided on the turn rail 3d and the guide groove 8 provided on the rail 3b-1 communicate with each other.

  When the guide groove 8 communicates, the traveling control device rolls the wheel 5 to move the carriage 4 from the region 1 to the region 11. At this time, the protrusion 5b of the wheel 5 rolling on the rail 3b-2 is pushed into the space 5d provided in the wheel body 5a because the rail 3b-2 is a flat rail without the guide groove 8. Become. On the other hand, the protrusion 5b of the wheel 5 that rolls on the rail 3b-1 is projected into the guide groove 8 provided on the rail 3b-1.

When the carriage 4 moves to the area 11, the carrier 6 a moves down along the vertical guide 6 b and the guide column 7 to the front of the storage space X 1 in the multistage rack 2 d located below the area 11.
When the carrier 6a descends to the front of the storage space X1, the carrier 6a slides the two slide arms to take out the roll-shaped article R from the storage space X1. Even if it rises along the guide 6b, it returns to the original position (vehicle center).

  Subsequently, the travel control device moves the cart 4 from the region 11 to the region 1 in order to carry the unrolled roll-shaped article R into the storage space X2 in the multistage rack 2 c located below the region 13.

  When the carriage 4 moves to the region 1, the traveling control device contracts the rod of the hydraulic cylinder to turn the turn rail 3d by 90 degrees together with the wheel 5, and the guide groove 8 provided in the turn rail 3d and the rail 3a- 1 and the guide groove 8 provided in the rail 3a-2.

  When the guide groove 8 communicates, the travel control device moves the carriage 4 from the region 1 to the region 3 and turns the wheel 5 again by 90 degrees, thereby causing the guide groove 8 provided on the turn rail 3d and the rail 3b to move. The guide groove 8 provided in -3 is communicated. Then, the traveling control device moves the carriage 4 from the region 3 to the region 13.

  When the carriage 4 moves to the region 13, the carrier 6a descends to the front of the storage space X2 along the vertical guide 6b and the guide column 7 while holding the roll-shaped article R. When lowered to the front of the storage space X2, the carrier 6a slides the two slide arms to store the roll-shaped article R in the storage space X2, and then rises along the guide column 7 and the vertical guide 6b. Return to position (center of vehicle).

  Eventually, according to the automatic warehouse 1 according to the present embodiment, the traveling control device turns the wheel 5 to turn the turn rail 3d, thereby switching the traveling direction of the carriage 4 and traveling freely on the rail unit 3. Therefore, it is possible to carry in and out the roll-shaped article (contained item) R with one carriage 4.

  Moreover, according to the automatic warehouse 1 which concerns on this embodiment, when the wheel 5 rolls on the rail which has the guide groove 8, the protrusion 5b will be in the state protruded in the guide groove 8, and the wheel 5 will be in the guide groove 8. When rolling on a flat rail that does not have a protrusion, since the protrusion 5b does not protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the wheel body 5a, the carriage 4 can be reliably prevented from derailing from the rail unit 3, By reducing the number of rails having the guide grooves 8, the cost of the rail unit 3 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of the automatic warehouse which concerns on this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said structure.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the guide groove 8 is provided in both of the two rails 3a-1 and 3a-2 constituting the first rail 3a, but the guide groove 8 is provided in only one of the rails. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 2nd rail 3b is comprised from the eight rails 3b-1-3b-8, the number of the rails of the 2nd rail 3b is arbitrary according to the magnitude | size of the rack unit 2. Can be changed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, since the trolley | bogie 4 is not made to drive | work along the rail 3a-2 and the 3rd rail 3c of the 1st rail 3a, the turn rail 3d is provided in the part which the 2nd rail 3b and the 3rd rail 3c cross | intersect. Although not provided, the turn rail 3d may be provided in this portion, and the carriage 4 may be run along the rail 3a-2 and the third rail 3c. In this case, it is necessary to change the shape of the guide groove 8 provided in the turn rail 3d from a single character shape to a cross shape in a plan view.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the guide groove 8 is not provided in the 3rd rail 3c, it is comprised from five or more multistage racks in which the rack unit 2 was arranged in parallel, and the 3rd rail 3c consists of several rails. In the case of being configured, it is preferable to provide the guide grooves 8 for every other rail for reducing the cost of the rail unit 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic warehouse 2 Rack unit 2a-2d Multistage rack 3 Rail unit 3a 1st rail 3b 2nd rail 3c 3rd rail 3d Turn rail 4 Car 5 Wheel 5a Wheel main body 5b Protrusion 5c Energizing means 5d Space 6a Carrier 6b Vertical guide 6c Vertical guide wheel 7 Guide post 8 Guide groove

Claims (4)

A rack unit in which multi-stage racks for storing storage items are juxtaposed, a rail unit laid on the ceiling of the rack unit, and a carriage that travels on the rail unit and carries the storage items in and out. Automatic warehouse including
The rail unit is
A first rail comprising two rails extending in the direction in which the multi-stage racks are juxtaposed or in a direction perpendicular to the juxtaposition direction;
A second rail comprising three or more rails extending in a direction orthogonal to the first rail;
A turn rail that is pivotably provided at a portion where the first rail and the second rail intersect;
With
The cart is
Four wheels that roll on the rail unit, provided at positions corresponding to the four turn rails adjacent so as to form a vertex of a quadrangle;
A travel control device that turns the wheel 90 degrees to switch the travel direction;
An automatic warehouse characterized by having. The wheel has a plurality of protrusions provided so as to protrude freely from the outer peripheral surface and biased in the protruding direction,
The first rail and the second rail have guide grooves formed wider than the protrusions and narrower than the wheels,
The automatic warehouse according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion protruding from the wheel is guided by the guide groove. The first rail has the guide groove on both of the two rails,
The automatic warehouse according to claim 2, wherein the second rail has the guide groove every other rail in the three or more rails.   The automatic warehouse according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the turn rail has the guide groove.

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