JP2019218157A - Warehouse system - Google Patents

Abstract

To deliver a component tray between an elevator unit and a transport unit with a simple and inexpensive configuration.SOLUTION: A warehouse system is provided with an elevator unit (10) provided for entrance/exit port of a component warehouse storing a number of component trays (T); and a transfer unit (60) for transferring the component tray to and from the elevator unit. The elevator unit is provided with a pair of elevation stages (21) for supporting a lower edge of the component tray from both sides. The transfer unit is provided with a transfer stage (76) for supporting a lower surface except for the lower edge of the component tray. With the transfer stage positioned inside the pair of elevator stages, a support surface (22) of the pair of elevator stages can be lowered until it becomes lower than a support surface (77) of the transfer stage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a warehouse system.

  In a production system of an electronic device, components are mounted on a substrate by a mounting device equipped with a tape feeder or the like. A carrier tape in which a number of components are packaged is mounted on the tape feeder, and the components are supplied to the pickup position by sending out the carrier tape. In such a production system, a parts warehouse for storing parts such as a tape feeder and a parts tray is installed in addition to a manufacturing apparatus such as a mounting apparatus (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a parts warehouse, parts are stored in each storage room, and parts are stored so as to be able to enter and leave for each room number of the storage room.

Japanese Patent No. 5963863

  By the way, a configuration in which an elevating unit is provided in the parts warehouse for loading and unloading as a warehouse system, and a transport unit transports a component tray or the like between the elevating unit and the manufacturing apparatus is being studied. In this case, a component tray or the like is delivered between the lifting unit and the transport unit. However, there is a problem that the mutual unit configuration of the lifting unit and the transport unit is complicated and the cost is increased.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a point, and has as its object to provide a warehouse system that can provide an effect that a component tray can be delivered between a lifting unit and a transport unit with a simple and inexpensive configuration. One.

  A warehouse system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a warehouse including an elevating unit provided for loading and unloading in a parts warehouse storing a large number of parts trays, and a transport unit that transfers a part tray to and from the elevating unit. In the system, the lifting unit is provided with a pair of lifting stages that support a lower edge of a component tray from both sides, and the transport unit supports a lower surface except for a lower edge of the component tray. A transfer stage is provided, and in a state where the transfer stage is positioned inside the pair of lift stages, the transfer surface can be lowered until the support surface of the pair of lift stages is lower than the support surface of the transfer stage. It is characterized by the following.

  According to the present disclosure, when the component tray is unloaded, the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages are lowered below the support surface of the transport stage, so that the component tray supported by the pair of elevating stages is delivered to the transport stage. . In addition, when the component trays enter the warehouse, the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages rise from below the support surface of the transport stage, so that the component trays supported by the transport stage are transferred to the pair of elevating stages. The component tray can be smoothly transferred by passing the pair of elevating stages and the transport stage, and the elevating unit and the transport unit can be formed with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

It is an appearance perspective view of a warehouse system of this embodiment. It is a rear view of the warehouse system of this Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lifting unit according to the embodiment. It is a rear view of the elevating unit of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the raising / lowering unit of this Embodiment. It is a front view of the shutter unit of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transport unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transporter and a transport cart according to the present embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the conveyance cart of this embodiment from the lower part. It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the transport cart of this Embodiment and a transporter. It is explanatory drawing of the connection operation | movement of the conveyance machine and conveyance cart of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the connection operation | movement of the conveyance machine and conveyance cart of this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the connection operation | movement of the conveyance machine and conveyance cart of this Embodiment. It is an explanatory view of a warehouse operation | movement of the warehouse system of this Embodiment. It is an explanatory view of a warehouse operation of the warehouse system of the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a warehouse system will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the warehouse system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the warehouse system according to the present embodiment. Note that the warehouse system of the present embodiment is merely an example, and can be appropriately changed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the warehouse system 1 is provided with an intermediate warehouse 7 functioning as a buffer in an automatic warehouse 5 storing a large number of component trays T, and further, in the intermediate warehouse 7, a plurality of elevators for loading and unloading. A unit 10 is provided. Further, the warehouse system 1 is provided with a transport unit 60 for transporting the component tray T between the lifting unit 10 and a manufacturing apparatus (not shown). A large number of component trays T are stored in a storage shelf in the automatic warehouse 5, and a component tray T awaiting delivery is temporarily stored in the temporary storage shelf in the intermediate warehouse 7. The automatic warehouse 5 and the intermediate warehouse 7 are connected by a cover 8, and the automatic warehouse 5 and the intermediate warehouse 7 form one parts warehouse.

  Although details are omitted, the parts tray T is delivered between the automatic warehouse 5 and the intermediate warehouse 7 by an arm (not shown) of the automatic warehouse 5, and the intermediate warehouse 7 and a plurality of intermediate trays are transferred by the arm (not shown) of the intermediate warehouse 7. The component tray T is delivered between the lifting units 10. The component tray T stores a tape reel (not shown) of a carrier tape in which a large number of components are packaged, but it is also possible to store components other than the tape reel. Also, component trays T of different sizes are prepared according to component types and supply forms. The components stored in the component tray T are provided with identification marks indicating component type information such as bar codes.

  In the intermediate warehouse 7, separate entrances and exits are formed for each size of the component tray T, and a lifting unit 10 is installed for each size of the component tray T so as to cover each entrance and exit. A transfer space 38 into which the transport unit 60 can enter is provided below each elevating unit 10, and the component tray T is transferred between the elevating unit 10 and the transport unit 60 in the transfer space 38. In the transport unit 60, a self-propelled transport device 61 is detachably mounted on a transport cart 70 designed for each size of the component tray T. When the transporter 61 changes the transport cart 70, the component trays T having different sizes are transported by one transporter 61.

  As described above, in the warehouse system 1, the component trays T are moved in and out for each size. Therefore, since the lifting unit 10 and the transport unit 60 may be designed for each size of the component tray T, the structure can be simplified. In addition, since the intermediate warehouse 7 is installed between the elevating unit 10 and the automatic warehouse 5, for example, while the parts tray T is being delivered from the elevating unit 10 to the transport unit 60, the warehouse is scheduled to leave from the automatic warehouse 5. The component tray T can be found and temporarily stored in the intermediate warehouse 7. By storing the component trays T waiting for retrieval in the intermediate warehouse 7, the search time for the component trays T is shortened, and the efficiency of the entry / exit operation is improved.

  By the way, a complicated mechanism is required for transferring the component tray T to a general elevating unit and a transport unit. For example, a gripping mechanism for gripping the component tray T so as to be sandwiched in the elevating unit is provided, and the component tray T is released from the elevating unit to the transport unit by releasing the component tray T from directly above the transport unit. It is. Thus, the lifting unit must be provided with a gripping mechanism in addition to the lifting mechanism. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transport stage 76 of the transport unit 60 is positioned inside the pair of lift stages 21 of the lift unit 10, and the component tray T is delivered by passing the lift stage 21 and the transport stage 76.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 9, a detailed configuration of the elevating unit, the shutter unit, and the transport unit of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lifting unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the lifting unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lifting unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view of the shutter unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the transport unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transporter and the transport cart according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the transport cart according to the present embodiment as viewed from below. 3 to 5 show a state in which the exterior cover of the lifting unit is removed.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the frame 11 of the elevating unit 10 has a four-legged frame structure in which support frames 12 at four corners are connected by side frames 13, front frames 14, and rear frames 15. Some of the side frames 13 are provided with a pair of elevating mechanisms 17 for elevating and lowering the component tray T. Each lifting mechanism 17 is provided with a pair of guide rods 18 parallel to the Z direction, a lifting plate 19 and a lifting stage 21 slidably connected to the pair of guide rods 18. The upper surfaces of the pair of elevating stages 21 serve as support surfaces 22 that support lower edges of the component tray T extending from below in the longitudinal direction (Y direction).

  A side surface guide 23 for guiding the side surface of the component tray T is provided on the support surface 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21. A guide surface 24 parallel to the YZ plane is formed on the opposing surfaces of the pair of side guides 23 so as to extend in the Z direction. While the side surfaces of the component trays T are guided by the guide surfaces 24 of the pair of side guides 23, the component trays T are moved in and out between the elevator stage 21 and the intermediate warehouse 7 (see FIG. 1). The plurality of component trays T are positioned with their longitudinal directions aligned in the Y direction. An elevating plate 19 is connected to an intermediate position in the vertical direction of each side guide 23.

  Each lifting plate 19 is provided with a nut portion 25, and a ball screw 26 is screwed to the nut portion 25. A pulley 27 is fixed to one end of the ball screw 26, and an output shaft of a drive motor 29 is connected to the pulley 27 via a timing belt 28. When the ball screw 26 is rotationally driven by the pair of drive motors 29, the pair of lift stages 21 together with the pair of lift plates 19 are moved up and down in the Z-axis direction while supporting the component tray T along the guide rod 18. At this time, the drive of the pair of drive motors 29 is synchronized, and the component tray T is maintained in a horizontal posture when the pair of lift stages 21 is raised and lowered.

  Above the elevating stage 21, a height sensor 31 for detecting the height of the upper surface of the component tray T loaded on the elevating stage 21 is provided. The height sensor 31 is, for example, a proximity sensor, and is turned ON when the uppermost component tray T rises to the loading / unloading height, and turned OFF when the uppermost component tray T is lowered from the loading / unloading height. By raising the pair of elevating stages 21 until the height sensor 31 is turned on, the uppermost component tray T is positioned at the loading / unloading height regardless of the number of component trays T loaded on the elevating stage 21. Can be The height sensor 31 prevents the component tray T from exceeding the entry / exit height and rising too much.

  The upper front frame 14 and the upper rear frame 15 are connected by a bridge 16, and the bridge 16 is provided with a reader 32 that reads component information from a component identification mark when the component tray T is stored. The reader 32 is, for example, a code reader or a camera, and outputs the component information read from the identification mark or the presence or absence of the component to the control unit of the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1). The automatic warehouse 5 manages the component tray T in a database in which the component information is associated with the room number of the storage shelf, and refers to the database and refers to the component information output from the reader 32 to store the room in which the component tray T is stored. The number is specified.

  The front support frame 12 is provided with an exit sensor 33 for detecting the exit of the component tray T from the intermediate warehouse 7 (see FIG. 1) to the elevating unit 10 at the entrance / exit port. The retrieval sensor 33 is, for example, a photo sensor, and is turned ON when the component tray T crosses the optical path of the retrieval sensor 33, and is OFF when the component tray T passes through the optical path of the retrieval sensor 33. When the exit sensor 33 is switched from ON to OFF, it is detected that one component tray T has been exited from the entrance / exit port. The retrieval sensor 33 prevents the lifting stage 21 from starting to lower before the component tray T is completely retrieved.

  The pair of lower side frames 13 is provided with a pair of guide rollers 34 for guiding the transport unit 60 (see FIG. 7) to the transfer space 38. The pair of guide rollers 34 have a number of rollers arranged in the Y direction, and are in rolling contact with the transport unit 60 to guide the entry into the transfer space 38. When the transport unit 60 comes into contact with the pair of guide rollers 34, the transport unit 60 enters the delivery space 38 with the transport unit 60 positioned in the left-right direction. Therefore, the transport unit 60 is prevented from colliding with the pair of lifting stages 21 and the pair of side guides 23 of the lifting unit 10.

  3 to 5 show only one type of lifting unit 10, a plurality of lifting units 10 are designed with a pair of lifting stages 21 and a pair of side guides 23 according to the size of the component tray T. ing. For example, the interval between the pair of elevating stages 21 is designed to be narrower than the width of the component tray T in the short direction so that the lower edge of the component tray T facing in the short direction (X direction) can be supported. Have been. The spacing between the guide surfaces 24 of the pair of side guides 23 is designed to be slightly larger than the width dimension of the component tray T so that both side surfaces connected to the lower edge of the component tray T can be guided.

  Thus, a plurality of elevating units 10 corresponding to the size of the component tray T are prepared. Since a mechanism for changing the distance between the pair of lifting stages 21 and the pair of side guides 23 is not required, the structure of the lifting unit 10 can be simplified. Each of the lifting units 10 is integrally controlled by a control unit of the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1), and the component trays T loaded on the pair of lifting stages 21 are simultaneously raised and lowered by a control signal from the control unit. The control unit includes a processor, a memory, and the like that execute various processes. The memory stores a control program for the entry / exit operation.

  At the time of unloading of the component tray T, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are positioned at the loading / unloading height, and each time the component tray T is unloaded from the intermediate warehouse 7, the supporting surface 22 of the elevating stage 21 is connected to the component tray T. It is lowered by the thickness. In this case, each time the retrieval of the component tray T is detected by the retrieval sensor 33, the drive motor 29 is driven by the control unit, and the pair of elevating stages 21 is lowered by one tray so that the component tray T is moved in and out of the retrieval height. (See FIG. 14B). By repeating this operation, a plurality of component trays T are stacked on the pair of elevating stages 21 in order from the bottom.

  When the parts tray T is stored, the pair of elevating stages 21 is moved up until the height sensor 31 detects the upper surface of the uppermost parts tray T, and each time the parts tray T is stored in the intermediate warehouse 7, the elevating stage 21 is moved. Is raised by the thickness of the component tray T. In this case, each time the parts tray T is taken out from the pair of lifting stages 21 by the arm of the intermediate warehouse 7, the drive motor 29 is driven by the control unit, and the pair of lifting stages 21 rises by one tray and the next. The component tray T is positioned at the loading / unloading height (see FIG. 15C). By repeating this operation, a plurality of component trays T are lowered from the pair of lifting stages 21 in order from the top.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the shutter unit 40 has a rectangular slide door 43 in a plan view that is slidable in a vertical direction with respect to a base plate 41 in which a doorway 42 is formed. A pair of guide rails 44 and 45 extending in the height direction are provided on both ends in the width direction of the base plate 41. One guide rail 44 guides one end of the slide door 43 in the longitudinal direction, and the other guide rail 45 is provided with a slider 46 provided at the other end of the slide door 43 in the longitudinal direction. A timing belt 47 is fixed to the slider 46, and the timing belt 47 is connected to an output shaft of a drive motor 49 via a pulley 48.

  The base plate 41 is provided with a full-open sensor 51 that detects the full opening of the slide door 43 and a full-close sensor 52 that detects that the slide door 43 is fully closed. The fully open sensor 51 is installed at a position where it can contact the slider 46 when the slide door 43 is fully opened, and the fully closed sensor 52 is installed at a position where it can contact the slider 46 when the slide door 43 is fully closed. When the fully open sensor 51 comes into contact with the slider 46, it is turned on to detect the full opening of the entrance / exit port 42, and when the fully closed sensor 52 comes into contact with the slider 46, it is turned on and the fully closed entrance / exit port 42 is detected. The fully open state and the fully closed state of the slide door 43 are checked by the fully open sensor 51 and the fully closed sensor 52.

  In the intermediate warehouse 7, the entrance and exit are closed by a cover plate as a standard, and a shutter unit 40 is retrofitted in place of the cover plate. The height of the elevating unit 10 is smaller than the height of the intermediate warehouse 7 (see FIG. 1), and the upper stage of the elevating unit 10 is positioned in the middle of the intermediate warehouse 7 in the height direction. . A shutter unit 40 is installed between the middle part of the intermediate warehouse 7 in the height direction and the upper part of the elevation unit 10 in the height direction, and the shutter unit 40 opens and closes the doorway 42. The entrance / exit port 42 is not formed at a high position, and the workability of the operator who uses the entrance / exit port 42 at the time of trouble is improved.

  The shutter unit 40 configured as described above is integrally controlled by a control unit of the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1), and the entrance / exit port 42 is opened only when a control signal for entering / exiting from the control unit is received. It is. At the start of loading and unloading of the component tray T, the drive motor 49 is driven by the control unit, and the slide door 43 moves upward until the fully closed sensor 52 switches from ON to OFF and the fully open sensor 51 switches from OFF to ON. Is done. At the completion of loading and unloading of the component tray T, the drive motor 49 is driven by the control unit, and the slide door 43 is moved down until the fully open sensor 51 switches from ON to OFF and the fully closed sensor 52 switches from OFF to ON. Is done.

  The shutter unit 40 closes the entry / exit port 42 except when the component tray T is entered / exited, thereby minimizing a change in temperature and a change in humidity due to inflow of outside air from the entry / exit port 42 into the warehouse. . Further, the air conditioner of the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1) is assisted by the shutter unit 40, and the use time of the parts can be prolonged even when the parts that need to be stored at low humidity are unwrapped. Since the opening / closing of the shutter unit 40 is controlled by the control unit of the automatic warehouse 5, the loading / unloading operation of the intermediate warehouse 7, the lifting / lowering operation of the lifting / lowering unit 10, and the opening / closing operation of the shutter unit 40 are smoothly coordinated.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the transport unit 60 has a self-propelled transport device 61 detachably mounted on the transport cart 70, and pulls the transport cart 70 loaded with the component trays T by the transport device 61. ing. A traveling wheel 63 is provided at a lower portion of the transporter main body 62, and a coupling mechanism 100 for coupling to the transport cart 70 is provided at an upper portion of the transporter main body 62. A pair of antennas 64 are provided at the front of the transporter main body 62, and are wirelessly connected to a host computer (not shown) via the antennas 64. The transporter 61 runs by itself while towing the transport cart 70 along a prescribed route by wireless communication with a host computer.

  The connection mechanism 100 accommodates various members in the connection box 65, and switches the connection state and the release state with respect to the transport cart 70 by causing the contact claws 101 to protrude and retract from the slits on the upper surface of the connection box 65. A pair of left and right optical sensors 66 are provided on the upper surface of the connection box 65 to detect the size of the component tray T. A plurality of guide rollers 67 that are in contact with the inside of the transport cart 70 when the transporter 61 enters the inside of the transport cart 70 are provided on the side surface of the connection box 65. At the rear of the connection box 65, a contact plate 68 that contacts the transport cart 70 in a positioned state is provided. The connection structure between the transport cart 70 and the transporter 61 will be described later.

  The transport cart 70 is formed so as to cover both sides and an upper portion of the transporter 61 with a pair of side covers 71 and a top cover 72. Below the pair of side covers 71, a plurality of driven wheels 73 that follow the traveling of the transporter 61 are provided. Inside each side cover 71, a braking mechanism 74 that brakes the transport cart 70 by grounding a braking member 75 on the floor surface is provided. A transport stage 76 on which a plurality of component trays T are loaded is installed above the top cover 72. The upper surface of the transfer stage 76 is a support surface 77 that supports the lower surface of the component tray T from below except for a lower edge extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the component tray T.

  A front guide 78 that guides the front of the component tray T and a rear guide 79 that guides the rear of the component tray T are provided before and after the transfer stage 76. Guide surfaces 81 and 82 parallel to the XZ plane are formed on the facing surface of the front guide 78 and the rear guide 79 so as to extend in the Z direction. The front guide 78 is configured such that an opening / closing door 84 is attached to a pair of sub-guides 83 erected with the transport stage 76 interposed therebetween so as to be able to open horizontally. As described above, the front guide 78 is provided with the pair of sub-guides 83 for guiding both side surfaces of the component tray T, and the opening / closing door 84 is formed so that the component tray T on the transport stage 76 can be taken out.

  The component tray T is delivered between the pair of elevating stages 21 (see FIG. 3) and the transport stage 76 while the component tray T is guided back and forth and left and right by the front guide 78 and the rear guide 79. Further, on the transport stage 76, the plurality of component trays T are positioned by the front guide 78 and the rear guide 79 such that the longitudinal directions of the component trays T are aligned in the Y direction. The positioning of the component tray T prevents the component tray T from dropping from the transport stage 76 during transport by the transport unit 60. Further, by opening the opening / closing door 84, the component tray T can be easily taken out from the transport unit 60, and the workability of the operator is improved.

  7 and 8 show only one type of the transport unit 60, the transport cart 70 of the transport unit 60 has a transport stage 76, a front guide 78, and a rear guide 79 according to the size of the component tray T. Is designed. For example, the width dimension of the transport stage 76 and the rear guide 79 is designed to be narrower than the facing distance between the pair of elevating stages 21 so as to be able to enter the inside of the pair of elevating stages 21 (see FIG. 3). The distance between the front guide 78 and the rear guide 79 is designed to be slightly larger than the length of the component tray T so that the front and rear surfaces of the component tray T can be guided.

  Thus, a plurality of transport carts 70 corresponding to the size of the component tray T are prepared. Since the transport cart 70 does not require a complicated configuration such as a drive mechanism, the structure of the transport cart 70 can be simplified. The transport unit 60 moves to the transfer space 38 directly below the elevating unit 10 (see FIG. 3), and the component tray T is smoothly transferred between the elevating unit 10 and the transport unit 60 by the elevating operation of the elevating unit 10. .

  As described above, the transport stage 76 is formed to be narrower than the facing distance between the pair of lifting stages 21 (see FIG. 3), and the front guide 78 extends in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the facing direction of the pair of side guides 23 (see FIG. 3). And the rear surface guide 79 face each other. Therefore, when the pair of elevating stages 21 move up and down, collision between the pair of elevating stages 21 and the transport stage 76 is avoided, and collision between the pair of side guides 23, the front guide 78, and the rear guide 79 is also avoided. In this way, with the transfer stage 76 positioned inside the pair of lift stages 21, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of lift stages 21 can be lowered until the support surfaces 22 are lower than the support surfaces 77 of the transfer stage 76. I have.

  At the time of unloading of the component trays T, the transport stage 76 is positioned below the pair of elevating stages 21 (see FIG. 3) on which the plurality of component trays T are loaded. By lowering the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 below the support surfaces 77 of the transport stage 76, a plurality of component trays T are simultaneously transferred from the elevating stage 21 to the transport stage 76 (see FIG. 14D). ). When the component trays T are stored, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are positioned below the support surfaces 77 of the transport stage 76 on which the plurality of component trays T are loaded. When the pair of elevating stages 21 move up, a plurality of component trays T are simultaneously transferred from the transport stage 76 to the elevating stage 21 (see FIG. 15B).

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a pair of entry guides 85 are provided on the lower surface of the top cover 72 so as to extend from the near position to the back position in the entry direction of the transporter 61 (see FIG. 8) with respect to the transport cart 70. Has been. The guide roller 67 (see FIG. 8) of the transporter 61 rolls into contact with the pair of entry guides 85, so that the transporter 61 can enter the transport cart 70 to the back in a positioning state. An L-shaped projection 86 is provided in front of the lower surface of the top cover 72 so as to be connectable to the contact claw 101 of the transporter 61. A positioning plate 87 is provided which comes into contact with the contact plate 68 in a positioning state.

  In the vicinity of the positioning plate 87, a detection plate 88 whose opening position is changed according to the size of the component tray T loaded on the transport cart 70 is provided. The detection plate 88 is opposed to a pair of left and right optical sensors 66 (see FIG. 8) of the transporter 61, and the detection light is emitted from each optical sensor 66 toward the detection plate 88, and the reflected light is reduced at the opening 89. Then, the size of the component tray T is detected by changing the light receiving state of each optical sensor 66. The detection plate 88 is opened at two positions in front and rear of the detection plate 88 so as to be deviated to one side with respect to a center line along a direction in which the transporter 61 enters the transport cart 70. By reversing the mounting direction of the detection plate 88, the opposing position of the optical sensor 66 and the opening 89 changes.

  By changing the opening 89 of the detection plate 88 facing the pair of left and right optical sensors 66, the amount of light received by the optical sensor 66 facing the opening 89 is significantly reduced. The type of the transport cart 70 attached to the transporter 61, that is, the size of the component tray T, is detected depending on which of the pair of left and right optical sensors 66 has reduced the amount of received light. By changing the mounting direction of the detection plate 88 with respect to the transport cart 70 according to the size of the component tray T, the component trays T of two sizes are detected by the transporter 61. The size of the component tray T is identified by the transporter 61, and the transport cart 70 can be transported to the elevating unit 10 for each size of the component tray T.

  Inside the pair of side covers 71, a braking mechanism 74 that brakes the transport cart 70 by moving the braking member 75 toward and away from the floor surface is provided. The braking mechanism 74 is provided with a pair of swing frames 91 that are swingably supported by the pair of side covers 71. A braking member 75 is provided at the lower end side of the swing frame 91, and the braking member 75 moves to a contact position where the braking member 75 contacts the floor surface and a separation position where the braking member 75 separates from the floor surface by the swing of the pair of swing frames 91. Switches between a braking state and a non-braking state. The upper ends of the pair of swing frames 91 are connected by a connecting rod 92, and the pair of swing frames 91 are integrally swung via the connecting rod 92.

  Further, the swing frame 91 is connected to the side cover 71 via a tension spring 93, and the swing frame 91 is pulled by the tension spring 93 so as to position the braking member 75 at the ground contact position. When the connecting rod 92 is pushed into the abutment claw 101 (see FIG. 8) of the conveyor 61, the braking mechanism 74 swings in a direction in which the braking member 75 moves away from the floor surface against the tensile force of the tension spring 93. The frame 91 swings. Further, since the pushing of the connecting rod 92 by the contact claw 101 of the transporter 61 is eliminated, the swing frame 91 swings in the direction in which the braking member 75 comes into contact with the floor surface by the restoring force of the tension spring 93. The details of the braking operation of the braking mechanism 74 will be described later.

  Subsequently, a connection structure between the transport cart and the transporter will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a connection structure between the transport cart and the transporter according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 omits some components such as a connection box for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the transporter 61 enters the inside of the transport cart 70 from the entrance side, the transport cart 70 and the transporter 61 are detachably connected. The transport cart 70 is provided with a projection 86 provided with an L-shaped locking surface 94 in a side view at a position short of the transport cart 70 in the direction in which the transport device 61 enters. A guide rail 102 is provided at an upper portion of the transporting device 61 and extends from a near position to a deep position in the approach direction. A slider 103 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 102. The slider 103 is reciprocated between a near position and a far position in the approach direction by a linear motion mechanism 105 including a guide rail 102 and a drive motor 104.

  A contact claw 101 is supported by the slider 103 so that the posture can be changed between an inclined posture and a horizontal posture. The toe side of the contact claw 101 is formed at an acute angle by a contact surface 106 that contacts the projection 86 of the transport cart 70 and a back surface 107 on the back side of the contact surface 106. When the contact claw 101 is in the inclined posture, the contact surface 106 is vertical and the back surface 107 is inclined (see FIG. 12). When the contact claw 101 takes a horizontal posture, the contact surface 106 becomes an inclined surface, and the back surface 107 becomes a horizontal surface. In the inclined posture of the contact claw 101, the contact surface 106 is directed to the entrance side, and in the horizontal posture of the contact claw 101, the back surface 107 is directed upward. On the back surface 107 of the contact claw 101, a guide groove 111 into which a pin 109 of a push-down portion 108 described later is inserted is formed.

  The contact claw 101 is connected to the slider 103 via a tension spring 112, and the contact claw 101 is pulled by the tension spring 112 so as to maintain the inclined posture. One end of the extension spring 112 is connected near the support position of the contact claw 101, and the distance between the support position of the contact claw 101 and one end of the extension spring 112 is smaller than the distance between the support position of the contact claw 101 and the transport cart. The distance to the contact position where it contacts the projection 86 of 70 is increased. An upper part of the transporter 61 is provided with an inverted L-shaped pressing part 108 for pressing the contact claw 101 to a horizontal posture when the slider 103 moves to the back position. The push-down unit 108 is provided with a pin 109 (which may be a rotating roller) inserted into the guide groove 111 of the contact claw 101.

  In the coupling mechanism configured as described above, when the slider 103 moves to the near position in the approaching direction, the contact claw 101 is set in the inclined posture by the tensile force of the tension spring 112. In addition, when the slider 103 moves to the back position in the approach direction, the pin 109 of the pressing portion 108 enters the guide groove 111 of the contact claw 101, and the contact claw 101 is pushed down by the pin 109 to a horizontal posture. Therefore, when the transporter 61 enters the transport cart 70 and the slider 103 reciprocates, the connected state and the released state of the transport cart 70 and the transporter 61 are switched. Further, two operations of moving the contact claw 101 in the reciprocating direction and changing the posture of the contact claw 101 are performed by a single drive motor 104.

  Further, even when the transporter 61 in which the abutment claw 101 is in the inclined posture enters the transport cart 70 from a state in which it does not enter, the inclined back surface 107 of the abutment claw 101 abuts on the projection 86 and the abutment claw. 101 is pushed down (see FIG. 13). Thereby, the transporter 61 does not strongly collide with the transport cart 70, and the transporter 61 can be smoothly mounted on the transport cart 70. At this time, since the vicinity of the support position of the contact claw 101 is pulled by the tension spring 112, the distal end side of the contact claw 101 far from the support position is pushed down, so that the contact claw 101 is pressed down with a weak force. Can be. Furthermore, since the connecting rod 92 of the braking mechanism 74 is positioned on the movement trajectory of the contact claw 101, the braking state is switched at the same time as the connected state by the movement of the slider 103 (contact claw 101).

  With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, a description will be given of an operation of connecting the transporter and the transport cart. FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 are explanatory diagrams of the connecting operation of the transporter and the transport cart according to the present embodiment. 11 to 13, some components such as a connection box are omitted for convenience of description.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the slider 103 is moved from the near position in the approach direction to the deep position in a state in which the transporter 61 has entered the transport cart 70, the protrusions 86 of the transport cart 70 contact the transporter 61. The connection is released by separating the claws 101. In this case, as the contact claw 101 moves to the depth position in the approaching direction, the pin 109 of the pressing portion 108 is inserted into the guide groove 111 of the back surface 107 of the contact claw 101. When the pin 109 relatively moves along the guide groove 111 on the rear surface 107 of the contact claw 101 toward the distal end, the contact claw 101 is moved from the inclined posture to the horizontal posture against the pulling force of the tension spring 112. The contact surface 106 of the contact claw 101 is separated from the projection 86.

  When the contact claw 101 is in the horizontal position, the connecting rod 92 that has been pushed into the L-shaped engaging surface 94 of the protrusion 86 in a side view is released. The tensile force of the tension spring 93 acts on the swing frame 91, and the swing frame 91 is swung so that the connecting rod 92 is separated from the locking surface 94 of the projection 86. The brake member 75 on the lower end side of the swing frame 91 moves to the ground contact position, and the transport member 70 is braked by the ground of the brake member 75 on the floor. Accordingly, the connection between the transport cart 70 and the transporter 61 is released, and at the same time, the transport cart 70 is braked, so that the transport cart 70 can be left in place and only the transporter 61 can be retracted.

  First, the transporter 61 enters the transport cart 70, and the contact plate 68 of the transporter 61 contacts the positioning plate 87 of the transport cart 70. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, when the slider 103 is moved from the depth position in the approach direction to the front position in a state where the transporter 61 has entered the transport cart 70, the protrusion 86 of the transport cart 70 The contact claws 101 are brought into contact and connected. In this case, as the contact claw 101 moves to the near position in the approaching direction, the pin 109 of the push-down portion 108 moves relative to the rear end side along the guide groove 111 of the back surface 107 of the contact claw 101. Move. When the pin 109 of the pressing part 108 is separated from the guide groove 111 of the contact claw 101, the posture of the contact claw 101 is changed from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture by the pulling force of the tension spring 112, and the contact of the contact claw 101 is performed. Surface 106 abuts projection 86. The positioning plate 87 and the contact plate 68 abut on the rear side in the traveling direction, and the contact claws 101 of the transport unit 61 abut on the projections 86 of the transport cart 70 on the front side in the traveling direction. connect.

  In addition, the connecting rod 92 abuts on the abutting surface 106 of the abutting claw 101 when the abutting claw 101 assumes the inclined posture. When the connecting rod 92 is pressed by the contact claw 101, the swing frame 91 is swung so that the connecting rod 92 approaches the locking surface 94 of the projection 86 against the tensile force of the extension spring 93. When the braking member 75 on the lower end side of the swing frame 91 moves to the separated position, and the braking member 75 is separated from the floor surface, the braking of the transport cart 70 is released. Thereby, at the same time when the transport cart 70 and the transporter 61 are connected, the braking of the transport cart 70 is released, and the transporter 70 can be pulled by the transporter 61.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the slider 103 is positioned at the near side in the approach direction in a state where the transporter 61 has not completely entered the transport cart 70, the transporting device 61 is brought into contact with the transporter 61 by the tensile force of the tension spring 112. The claw 101 is maintained in the inclined posture. In addition, since the transporter 61 does not completely enter the transport cart 70, the braking member 75 is grounded on the floor surface, and a braking force acts on the transport cart 70. In this state, when the transporter 61 enters the transport cart 70, the rear surface 107 of the contact claw 101 contacts the projection 86 of the transport cart 70 from the opposite side. When the abutment claw 101 is pushed down by the protrusion 86 as the transporter 61 enters, the abutment claw 101 is pushed down from the inclined posture against the tensile force of the extension spring 112.

  When the contact claw 101 is pushed down, the transporter 61 can enter the inside of the transport cart 70 without causing the transporter 61 to strongly collide with the transport cart 70. In this way, when the contact claw 101 is in the inclined posture and the contact surface 106 of the contact claw 101 comes into contact with the projection 86 from the side opposite to the approaching direction, the contact claw 101 is in the inclined posture. When the rear surface 107 of the contact claw 101 comes into contact with the projection 86 from the approach direction, the contact claw 101 is pushed down from the inclined posture. Further, since a drive source such as a motor is not directly connected to the contact claw 101, the change in the posture of the contact claw 101 does not adversely affect the drive source.

  With reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the leaving operation and the receiving operation of the warehouse system will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a leaving operation of the warehouse system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the storage operation of the warehouse system according to the present embodiment. Each operation of the following warehouse system is controlled by a control signal of entry and exit from the control unit of the automatic warehouse.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, at the time of unloading of the component tray T, the transport unit 60 is positioned directly below the pair of elevating stages 21 and is guided by the pair of guide rollers 34 (see FIG. 3) and stands by in a positioning state. . Further, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are positioned at the entrance / exit height. When an exit command is output from the control unit of the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1), the slide door 43 of the shutter unit 40 moves upward to open the entry / exit port, and the fully open sensor 51 switches from OFF to ON. . When the fully open sensor 51 is turned ON, the storage operation of the component tray T by the intermediate warehouse 7 is started.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, the component tray T is taken out from the intermediate warehouse 7, and the exit sensor 33 detects that the component tray T has been completely exited from the entrance / exit port. Each time when the delivery of the component tray T is detected, the supporting surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are lowered by the thickness of the component tray T, and the plurality of component trays T are loaded on the pair of elevating stages 21. Thereafter, the slide door 43 of the shutter unit 40 moves down to close the entrance / exit port, and the fully closed sensor 52 switches from OFF to ON. When the fully-closed sensor 52 is turned on, the unloading operation of the component tray T by the intermediate warehouse 7 is completed, and the transfer operation is started by the lifting unit 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 14C and 14D, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are lowered until they are lower than the support surface 77 of the transport stage 76. The transport stage 76 relatively enters the inside of the pair of elevating stages 21, and a plurality of component trays T are simultaneously transferred from the pair of elevating stages 21 to the transport stage 76. The component tray T is positioned on the pair of side guides 23 on the lifting stage 21, and the component tray T is positioned on the front guide 78 and the rear guide 79 on the transport stage 76. Therefore, the component trays T are delivered in the same orientation while avoiding collision between the lifting unit 10 and the transport unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, when the parts tray T enters the warehouse, the pair of elevating stages 21 are in a standby state in a lowered state, and the transport unit 60 is moved up and down so that the transport stage 76 enters the inside of the pair of elevating stages 21. Approach the unit 10. Since the transport unit 60 is guided by the guide rollers 34 (see FIG. 3) of the lifting unit 10, the transport stage 76 does not collide with the pair of lifting stages 21 from the front. As described above, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 on which the component trays T are loaded are positioned below the support surfaces 77 of the transport stage 76.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when a storage command is output from the control unit of the automatic warehouse 5, the pair of elevating stages 21 move up, and the plurality of component trays T are simultaneously received from the transport stage 76 to the pair of elevating stages 21. Passed. The pair of elevating stages 21 move up until the height sensor 31 detects the upper surface of the component tray T, and the uppermost component tray T is positioned at the loading / unloading height. Further, the identification information of the component is read by the reader 32 (see FIG. 5), and the room number of the storage destination of the component tray T in the automatic warehouse 5 (see FIG. 1) is specified. In addition, in the stocking operation, similarly to the stocking operation, the component trays T are delivered in the same orientation.

  As shown in FIG. 15C, when the entry destination of the component tray T is specified, the slide door 43 of the shutter unit 40 moves upward to open the entry / exit opening, and the fully open sensor 51 switches from OFF to ON. When the full-open sensor 51 is turned on, the intermediate warehouse 7 starts a stocking operation of the component tray T. Each time the component trays T are taken into the intermediate warehouse 7, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are raised by the thickness of the component trays T, and the plurality of component trays T are sequentially lowered from the pair of elevating stages 21.

  As shown in FIG. 15D, when all the component trays T on the pair of elevating stages 21 are stored in the intermediate warehouse 7, the slide door 43 of the shutter unit 40 is moved down and the entrance / exit port 42 is closed, The fully closed sensor 52 switches from OFF to ON. When the fully closed sensor 52 is turned ON, the unloading operation of the component tray T by the intermediate warehouse 7 is completed. In the automatic warehouse 5, the component tray T is stored in a room number corresponding to the component identification information.

  As described above, in the warehouse system according to the present embodiment, when the component tray T is unloaded, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 are lowered below the support surface 77 of the transport stage 76, so that the pair of elevating stages The component tray T supported by 21 is transferred to the transfer stage 76. Further, when the component trays T enter the warehouse, the support surfaces 22 of the pair of elevating stages 21 rise from below the support surface 77 of the transport stage 76, so that the component trays T supported by the transport stage 76 are moved to the pair of elevating stages 21. Handed over to The component trays T can be smoothly transferred by passing the pair of elevating stages 21 and the transport stage 76, and the elevating unit 10 and the transport unit 60 can be formed with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the parts warehouse is provided with an intermediate warehouse in addition to the automatic warehouse. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The parts warehouse only needs to store a large number of parts trays, and for example, may be constituted only by an automatic warehouse.

  Further, in the present embodiment, although the side guide is provided in the elevating unit and the front guide and the rear guide are provided in the transport unit, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The lifting unit only needs to be provided with at least the lifting stage, and may not be provided with the side guide. The transport unit only needs to be provided with at least a transport stage, and need not be provided with a front guide and a rear guide.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the opening and closing door is formed on the front guide, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. An opening / closing door may be formed on the rear guide instead of the front guide.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lifting unit and the transport unit are designed to be designed for each component tray size, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. The lifting unit and the transport unit may be designed to accommodate component trays of a plurality of sizes.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the transporter is configured to be detachable from the transport cart, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The transport cart and the transporter may be integrally formed.

  Further, the program of the present embodiment may be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is not particularly limited, but may be a non-transitory storage medium such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory.

  In addition, although the present embodiment and the modification have been described, as another embodiment, the above embodiment and the modification may be wholly or partially combined.

  Further, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and may be variously changed, replaced, or modified without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in another way by the advance of the technology or another derived technology, the method may be implemented using the method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that can be included within the scope of the technical idea.

The features of the above embodiment will be described below.
The warehouse system according to the above-described embodiment is a warehouse that includes a lifting unit provided for loading and unloading in a parts warehouse storing a large number of parts trays, and a transport unit that transfers the part tray to and from the lifting unit. In the system, the elevating unit is provided with a pair of elevating stages that support the lower edge of the component tray from both sides, and the transport unit supports the lower surface excluding the lower edge of the component tray. A stage is provided, and in a state where the transport stage is positioned inside the pair of elevating stages, the stage can be lowered until the supporting surfaces of the pair of elevating stages are lower than the supporting surface of the transport stage. According to this configuration, when the component tray is unloaded, the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages are lowered below the support surface of the transport stage, so that the component trays supported by the pair of elevating stages are transferred to the transport stage. . In addition, when the component trays enter the warehouse, the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages rise from below the support surface of the transport stage, so that the component trays supported by the transport stage are transferred to the pair of elevating stages. The component tray can be smoothly transferred by passing the pair of elevating stages and the transport stage, and the elevating unit and the transport unit can be formed with a simple and inexpensive configuration.

  In the warehouse system according to the above-described embodiment, the lifting unit is provided with a pair of side guides that guide both sides connected to the lower edge of the component tray, and the transport unit has a front surface that guides the front of the component tray. A guide and a rear guide for guiding a rear surface of the component tray are provided. According to this configuration, while avoiding collision between the lifting unit and the transport unit, the component tray is delivered between the lifting unit and the transport unit while the orientation of the component tray is aligned by the pair of side guides, the front guide, and the rear guide. be able to.

  In the warehouse system described in the above embodiment, an opening / closing door from which a component tray on the transport stage can be taken out is formed on one of the front guide and the rear guide. According to this configuration, the component tray can be taken out of the transport unit by opening the opening / closing door, and the workability of the operator is improved.

  In the warehouse system described in the above embodiment, the transport unit is configured such that a self-propelled transport device is detachably mounted on the transport cart, and the transport cart is designed for each component tray size. According to this configuration, by changing the transport cart to the transporter, a single transporter can transport component trays of a plurality of sizes.

  In the warehouse system described in the above embodiment, the elevating unit lowers the supporting surfaces of the pair of elevating stages by the thickness of the component tray each time the component tray is unloaded from the component warehouse, and loads a plurality of component trays. The pair of transport stages operate so as to descend until the support surfaces of the pair of lifting stages are lower than the support surface of the transport stage. According to this configuration, a plurality of component trays can be simultaneously transferred from the elevating unit to the transport unit when the component tray is unloaded.

  In the warehouse system described in the above embodiment, the lifting unit is provided with a height sensor that detects the height of the upper surface of the component tray on the pair of lifting stages, and the lifting unit loads a plurality of component trays. The supporting surfaces of the pair of elevating stages are positioned below the supporting surface of the transfer stage, and the pair of elevating stages are raised to a height at which the component tray is detected by the height sensor, and the component tray is stored in the component warehouse. It operates so as to raise the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages by the thickness of the component tray each time. According to this configuration, a plurality of component trays can be simultaneously delivered from the transport unit to the elevating unit when the component trays are stored.

1: Warehouse system 5: Automatic warehouse (parts warehouse)
7: Intermediate warehouse (parts warehouse)
10: Lifting unit 21: Lifting stage 22: Lifting stage support surface 23: Side guide 31: Height sensor 60: Transport unit 61: Transporter 70: Transport cart 76: Transport stage 77: Transport stage support surface 78: Front surface Guide 79: Rear guide 84: Openable door T: Parts tray

Claims (6)

A warehouse system including an elevating unit provided for loading and unloading in a parts warehouse storing a large number of parts trays, and a transport unit that transfers a part tray between the elevating units,
The lifting unit is provided with a pair of lifting stages that support the lower edge of the component tray from both sides,
The transfer unit is provided with a transfer stage that supports the lower surface except for the lower edge of the component tray,
A warehouse system wherein the support surface of the pair of elevating stages can be lowered until the support surface of the pair of elevating stages is lower than the support surface of the transfer stage with the transfer stage positioned inside the pair of elevating stages. The lifting unit is provided with a pair of side guides that guide both side surfaces connected to the lower edge of the component tray,
The warehouse system according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit includes a front guide that guides a front surface of the component tray and a rear guide that guides a rear surface of the component tray.   The warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein an opening / closing door capable of taking out a component tray on the transport stage is formed on one of the front guide and the rear guide. The transfer unit is a detachable self-propelled transfer device mounted on a transfer cart,
The warehouse system according to claim 2, wherein the transport cart is designed for each component tray size.   The elevating unit lowers the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages by the thickness of the component trays each time a component tray is unloaded from the component warehouse, loads a plurality of component trays, and supports the pair of elevating stages. The warehouse system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of transport stages operate so as to move down to a position below a support surface of the transport stage. The lifting unit is provided with a height sensor that detects the height of the upper surface of the component tray on the pair of lifting stages,
The elevating unit positions the support surfaces of the pair of elevating stages below the support surface of the transfer stage loaded with a plurality of component trays, and the height sensor detects the component trays until the height of the pair of component trays is detected. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lifting stage is raised, and each time a component tray is stored in the parts warehouse, the supporting surfaces of the pair of lifting stages are moved up by the thickness of the component tray. 5. The warehouse system according to any one of 5.

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