JP2023037469A - Trestle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a trestle which can flexibly set the size and the shape of a travel surface on which an article carrier travels.SOLUTION: The whole of a travel surface Ff is composed of a combination of at least two kinds of a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit and a fifth unit 5, a contour of a first top plate part is formed into a square in plan view with a length of one side thereof being a first length, a contour of a second top plate part is formed into a rectangular in plan view with a length of a long side thereof being a first length and a length of a short side thereof being a second length, a contour of a third top plate part is formed into a square in plan view with a length of one side thereof being a second length, a contour of a fourth top plate part is formed into a rectangular in plan view with a length of a long side thereof being a first length and a length of a short length thereof being a third length, and a contour of a fifth top plate part is formed into a rectangular in plan view with a length of a long side thereof being a second length and a length of a short length thereof being a third length.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mount that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles travels.

In recent years, the automation of work in distribution warehouses is progressing. In particular, there is a growing demand for article transport vehicles that automatically transport articles. There are various forms of such article transport vehicles. For example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2020-011790 (Patent Document 1), an article transport vehicle (4) that travels on a continuous plane-like traveling surface is used to transport an article (W). there is

JP-A-2020-011790

By the way, Patent Literature 1 does not disclose how the traveling surface on which the article transport vehicle (4) travels is configured. Such a travel surface range is a range in which the article transport vehicle (4) can transport the article (W). Therefore, by enabling installation of a traveling surface having an appropriate size and shape as a transport facility using the article transport vehicle (4), it is possible to realize a transport facility that meets various demands. However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not consider this point.

In view of the above-mentioned actual situation, it is desired to realize a mount that can flexibly set the size and shape of the traveling surface on which the article transport vehicle travels.

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports an item runs,
The entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit,
The first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate that forms part of the traveling surface, and first support legs that support the first top plate. , and
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
The fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion forming part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion supporting the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and fifth support leg portions that support the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 2/2 of the first length. a second length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the third top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the second length,
The outer shape of the fourth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 1/1 of the first length. a third length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the fifth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side thereof is the second length, and the length of the short side thereof is the third length.

According to this configuration, various top plate portions each having a square or rectangular outer shape in a plan view are arranged side by side so that the sides of the top plate portions are adjacent to each other, thereby providing a continuous A running surface can be easily formed. Here, each side of the first top plate portion to the fifth top plate portion has a first length, a second length that is 2/3 of the first length, or a length that is the first length. It has a third length that is 1/3 the length. Therefore, for the first unit inevitably having a large first top plate portion due to the provision of the receiving portion, at least two types of the second unit to the fifth unit are combined to configure the frame, thereby reducing the travel distance. The overall size and shape of the surface are flexibly set to the required size and shape in units of 1/3 of the first length, which is the length of one side of the first top plate. can do. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to flexibly set the size and shape of the traveling surface on which the article transport vehicle travels.

Further features and advantages of the technology according to the present disclosure will become clearer from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

A plan view of an article transport facility with a pedestal Explanatory drawing showing the transport path of the container by the transport unit A traveling direction view showing a state in which articles are transferred to a receiving section by an article transport vehicle. Running direction view showing how articles are dropped from the receiving section to the conveyor unit Perspective view of the first unit A plan view showing the first to fifth units A plan view showing the arrangement of each unit forming the running surface A plan view showing the arrangement of units forming a running surface in another embodiment.

Embodiments of the pedestal will be described below by exemplifying a case where the pedestal is provided in an article transport facility that sorts and transports articles.

[Overview of goods transport equipment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the article transport facility F includes an article transport vehicle V that transports articles W, a running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V travels, and an article transport vehicle V that supplies the articles W to be transported to the article transport vehicle V. A supply section 9 and a receiving section I for receiving the articles W conveyed by the article conveying vehicle V are provided. The platform 100 forms a running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V runs. The running surface Ff is formed so as to extend in a plane. A passage R (see FIG. 3, etc.) along which the article transport vehicle V travels is defined on the travel surface Ff. The receiving units I are provided at a plurality of locations on the running surface Ff, and are configured to receive the articles W transported by the article transport vehicle V. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, each of the receiving sections I provided at a plurality of locations has a receiving opening Ia that guides the article W below the traveling surface Ff.

As shown in FIG. 2, the article transport facility F includes a transport section T that transports a container C for containing at least one article W, and an empty container C that does not contain any article W (hereinafter referred to as an "empty container"). and a shipping unit 7 for shipping a container C containing at least one article W (hereinafter referred to as a “full container Cf”). there is The transport section T is arranged below the running surface Ff (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the transport section T includes an empty container loading section 80 that loads empty containers Ce supplied from the empty container supply section 8, and a full container Cf containing articles W received at the receiving section I. A full container unloading section 70 and a receiving/conveying section Ti provided to connect the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70 are provided. In this embodiment, the transport section T includes a plurality of receiving and transporting sections Ti, and each of the plurality of receiving and transporting sections Ti is provided to connect the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70. ing. In this example, the plurality of receiving and transporting parts Ti are arranged side by side in a plan view. In this embodiment, the empty container loading section 80, the full container unloading section 70, and the plurality of receiving and transporting sections Ti are configured by conveyors.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiving section I is arranged so as to overlap the receiving and transporting section Ti in plan view. A container C is arranged at a position corresponding to the receiving section I in the receiving and transporting section Ti. As a result, the articles W received from the article transport vehicle V in the receiving section I are guided below the travel plane Ff through the receiving opening Ia, and then stored in the container C arranged in the receiving and transporting section Ti. (See also Figures 3 and 4). In this embodiment, a plurality of receiving sections I are arranged side by side corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving and transporting sections Ti. Then, the container C is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving portions I, more specifically, at a position immediately below each of the plurality of receiving portions I.

In the present embodiment, the empty container carrying-in section 80 sets containers C in the same number as the number of receiving sections I arranged corresponding to one receiving transfer section Ti as a container group, and a plurality of containers C per container group unit. are configured to be synchronously transported. Similarly, the receiving/transporting section Ti and the full container unloading section 70 are configured to synchronously transport a plurality of containers C for each container group. In the illustrated example, 21 receiving units I are provided corresponding to one receiving transport unit Ti. Twenty-one containers C are synchronously transported for each container group. In this case, the receiving/transporting section Ti transports the 21 containers C after the articles W have been accommodated in all of the 21 containers C constituting the container group.

In this article conveying facility F, for example, when an article W is received at a specific receiving section I designated based on sorting information such as the type, quantity, and shipping destination of the article W among a plurality of receiving sections I, A plurality of articles W are sorted. The sorted articles W are stored in containers C and transported by the transport section T. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the article transport facility F has a shutter S for opening and closing the receiving port Ia (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The shutter S keeps the receiving port Ia closed until the receiving section I receives at least one article W to be sorted based on the sorting information. The shutter S opens the receiving opening Ia after the receiving section I receives at least one article W to be sorted based on the sorting information. As a result, at least one article W sorted into each of the plurality of receiving sections I by the article transport vehicle V is guided through the receiving port Ia below the traveling plane Ff and placed in the receiving and transporting section Ti. It is housed in a container C with a

In the article supply unit 9, for example, the articles W, for which a specific receiving section I is designated as the destination based on the sorting information, are supplied to the article transport vehicle V by a supply entity such as an operator or a robot. Then, the article transport vehicle V, which has received the articles W supplied by the article supply section 9, travels along the path R (see FIG. 3, etc.) defined on the traveling surface Ff, and is designated based on the sorting information. The article W is conveyed to the receiving section I.

A position information holding section (not shown) holding position information indicating the position corresponding to each receiving section I is provided around each of the plurality of receiving sections I. FIG. The article transport vehicle V travels toward a specific receiving section I designated as a destination, and the position information held in the position information holding section corresponding to the receiving section I is detected by a position information detecting section (not shown). Upon detection, the article W is delivered to the receiving section I by stopping at that position (or traveling at a low speed). As the position information holding unit, for example, a display body such as a bar code (for example, a two-dimensional bar code) that displays position information, a storage element such as an RFID tag (radio frequency identifier tag) that stores position information, and a position information It is configured as a signal transmitter such as a beacon that transmits a signal. For example, when the position information holding unit is a barcode, the position information detection unit is configured as a barcode reader, and when the position information holding unit is an RFID tag, the position information detection unit is configured as an RFID reader. , when the location information storage unit is a beacon, the location information detection unit is configured as a receiver.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire running surface Ff includes at least two types of a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5, It is composed of a combination of The portion indicated by reference mark “1” in FIG. 1 is the first unit 1 . In this example, a plurality of first units 1 are arranged in a grid pattern in a plan view to form part of the running surface Ff. In FIG. 1, in order to make it easier to distinguish between the first units 1, one of the plurality of first units 1 forming part of the running surface Ff is denoted by a reference mark "1". there is

3 and 4 show one first unit 1. FIG. 3 and 4 are views of the first unit 1 as seen in the running direction. The description will be continued below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

[Goods carrier]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the article transport vehicle V travels along a path R defined on a travel surface Ff (see FIG. 1) to transport articles W from the article supply section 9 to the reception section I. is configured to Hereinafter, the direction in which the article transport vehicle V travels along the passage R of the first unit 1 is referred to as "traveling direction X", and the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction X in plan view is referred to as "width direction Y".

In this embodiment, the article transport vehicle V comprises a carriage body Va having wheels, an article support section Vb for supporting articles W, and a transfer section Vc for transferring articles W by operating the article support section Vb. , is equipped with

In this embodiment, the article support portion Vb is configured to place an article W thereon. In this example, the article supporting portion Vb is formed in a plate shape, and the article W is placed on the upper surface thereof. In this example, the article support portion Vb is provided on the upper portion of the carriage body Va, and is configured to swing around the axis along the traveling direction X with respect to the carriage body Va.

The transfer unit Vc includes a drive source such as a motor. In this embodiment, the transfer section Vc is configured to swing the article support section Vb around the axis along the running direction X with respect to the carriage body Va. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer section Vc slides the article W in the width direction Y on the article support section Vb by inclining the article support section Vb in the width direction Y, thereby The article W is transferred to a transfer location arranged outside in the width direction Y. In this example, the transfer section Vc swings the article support section Vb so as to move the receiving sections I (transfer locations) arranged on both sides of the article transport vehicle V in the width direction Y. , is configured to deliver the goods W.

[First unit]
Next, the first unit 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. The first unit 1 supports a receiving portion 101 that receives articles W from the article transport vehicle V, a first top plate portion 10 that forms a part of the traveling surface Ff (see FIG. 1), and the first top plate portion 10. and a first support leg 11 that The receiving portion 101 is formed in the first top plate portion 10 . The first top plate portion 10 is connected to the upper portion of the first support leg portion 11 and is arranged at a position spaced upward from the floor surface. The receiving section 101 is a section for receiving the articles W transported by the article transport vehicle V, and is included in the receiving section I described above.

In this embodiment the first unit 1 comprises a conveyor unit 12 . The conveyor unit 12 is arranged below the first top plate portion 10 . In this embodiment, the receiving portion 101 has an opening 101a penetrating vertically. The conveyor unit 12 is arranged so as to pass directly under the opening 101 a and is supported by the first support leg portion 11 .

In this embodiment, the first top plate portion 10 includes a central member 10m and a pair of side members 10s arranged on both sides in the width direction Y with respect to the central member 10m. The central member 10m is configured to connect the pair of side members 10s in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. In this example, the central member 10m and each of the pair of side members 10s are detachably connected by fastening members such as bolts.

In this embodiment, the central member 10m is provided with a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. A receiving portion 101 is provided in each of the pair of side members 10s. In this example, a plurality of receiving portions 101 are arranged side by side along the running direction X in each of the pair of side members 10s. Here, three receiving portions 101 are arranged on each of the pair of side members 10s.

The receiving portion 101 has an opening 101a penetrating vertically. In this embodiment, the opening 101a is formed so as to vertically penetrate the side member 10s. The opening 101a is an opening for receiving the article W from the article transport vehicle V, and is included in the receiving opening Ia described above. In this example, an article W is loaded (transferred) by the article transport vehicle V into the opening 101a.

In this embodiment, the receiving section 101 includes a guide member 101b that guides the article W received from the article transport vehicle V to the opening 101a. As a result, the article W can be received from the article transport vehicle V appropriately. The guide member 101b may have any structure as long as it can properly guide the article W received from the article transport vehicle V to the opening 101a. In the illustrated example, the guide member 101b has a peripheral wall portion 101b1 surrounding the opening 101a so that the articles W received from the article transport vehicle V do not protrude outside the opening 101a. In addition, the guide member 101b has an inclined portion 101b2 that is inclined downward from the central member 10m side toward the side member 10s side in the width direction Y so that the article W can be smoothly transferred from the article transport vehicle V. I have.

As described above, the article transport facility F has a shutter S for opening and closing the receiving port Ia. In this embodiment, the shutter S is provided in the first unit 1 and configured to open and close the opening 101a. In this example, the first unit 1 includes a plurality of shutters S. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the first unit 1 includes as many shutters S as the openings 101a.

The shutter S includes a shutter main body Sa that moves between an open position that opens the opening 101a and a closed position that closes the opening 101a, and a shutter drive section Sb that drives the shutter main body Sa between the open position and the closed position. , is equipped with In this embodiment, the shutter main body Sa is configured to slide along the width direction Y below the first top plate portion 10 . Further, the shutter drive section Sb includes a drive source such as a motor, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force generated by the drive source to the shutter main body Sa. The transmission mechanism includes, for example, shaft members, sprockets, chains, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the shutter S has the shutter main body Sa at the closed position to close the opening 101a until the articles W are conveyed to the receiving section 101 by the article conveying vehicle V. maintain state. As a result, the article W received by the receiving section 101 is held in the receiving section 101 for a certain period of time. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter S places the shutter main body Sa at the open position and opens the opening 101a at an arbitrarily set timing. As a result, the article W held in the receiving section 101 drops downward through the opening 101a. The dropped article W is accommodated in a container C arranged on the conveyor unit 12, as will be described later. The "setting timing" described above is arbitrarily set according to the operation of the facility. In this example, at least one article W to be sorted based on sorting information such as type, quantity, and shipping destination is transported by the article transport vehicle V to the receiving section 101 . The "set timing" is preferably set to the timing at which all the articles W to be sorted based on the sorting information have been received by the receiving unit 101, or a timing later than that.

As described above, the first support leg portion 11 is configured to support the first top plate portion 10 from below. The first support leg portion 11 includes a plurality of support members 110 arranged along the vertical direction, and a plurality of beam members 111 connecting the support members 110 to each other.

Each of the pair of side members 10 s is supported from below by a support member 110 . In this embodiment, the central member 10m is supported by the strut member 110 via a pair of side members 10s. That is, in this embodiment, no dedicated supporting member is provided for supporting the central member 10m. In addition, in this example, the shutter S is connected to the support member 110 .

As described above, the conveyor unit 12 is arranged below the first top plate portion 10 . The conveyor unit 12 is configured to convey the articles W below the first top plate portion 10 . In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 is configured to convey the article W contained in the container C by conveying the container C. As shown in FIG. In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured as part of the transport section T (see also FIG. 2), and is provided between the transport path between the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70 .

The conveyor unit 12 is arranged so as to pass directly under the opening 101 a and is supported by the first support leg portion 11 . In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 is supported by the beam member 111 of the first support leg 11 . Specifically, the conveyor unit 12 is supported while being placed on the beam member 111 of the first support leg portion 11 . In this example, a later-described transport support member 121 in the conveyor unit 12 is fixed to the beam member 111 of the first support leg portion 11 while being in contact with the beam member 111 from above.

In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 constitutes a part of the receiving transport section Ti, and can arrange a plurality of containers C side by side along the traveling direction X (see also FIG. 2). Specifically, the conveyor unit 12 is configured such that the container C (empty container Ce) carried in from the empty container carrying-in unit 80 can be arranged at a position corresponding to the opening 101 a in the receiving unit 101 . In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured to arrange the container C (empty container Ce) at a position overlapping each of the plurality of openings 101a (receiving portion 101) in plan view. When the article W received by the receiving section 101 is accommodated in the container C, the conveyor unit 12 conveys the container C (full container Cf). In this example, after the articles W sorted based on the sorting information are accommodated in all the containers C arranged side by side along the traveling direction X, the conveyor unit 12 collects all the containers C together. transport.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 includes a conveying member 120 and a conveying support member 121 that supports the conveying member 120. As shown in FIGS. In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured by a roller conveyor, and the conveying member 120 is configured by rollers. The transport support member 121 is configured by a frame to which the transport member 120 is connected. In this example, the transport support member 121 rotatably supports a roller as the transport member 120 .

[Frame]
Next, the configuration of the gantry 100 will be described. As described above, the gantry 100 forms the running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V runs. The running surface Ff is formed so as to extend in a plane. It should be noted that "spreading in a plane" generally means spreading along a flat surface. Therefore, an uneven surface may be formed on a part of the running surface Ff. Also, part or all of the running surface Ff may be inclined.

The gantry 100 includes a first unit 1 and at least two units out of a second unit 2 , a third unit 3 , a fourth unit 4 and a fifth unit 5 . As shown in FIG. 6, the entire running surface Ff is made up of a combination of a first unit 1 and at least two of a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5. It is configured. FIG. 6 shows a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5 in order from left to right in the figure.

As described above, the first unit 1 includes the first top plate portion 10 that forms part of the running surface Ff, and the first support leg portion 11 that supports the first top plate portion 10 . The outer shape of the first top plate portion 10 is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the first length L1. Support members 110 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the first top plate portion 10 which is square in plan view. In this embodiment, strut members 110 are provided in addition to the four corners of the first top plate portion 10 . In the illustrated example, a total of eight support members 110 are provided on the first top plate portion 10 . Specifically, four support members 110 are provided on each of a pair of opposing sides of the first top plate portion 10 .

The second unit 2 includes a second top plate portion 20 that forms part of the running surface Ff, and second support leg portions 21 that support the second top plate portion 20 . The outer shape of the second top plate portion 20 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length L1, and the length of the short side is 2/2 of the first length L1. a second length L2 of length 3; The second support leg 21 has a plurality of strut members 210 . Support members 210 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the second top plate portion 20 which is rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, support members 210 are provided only at the four corners of the second top plate portion 20 . That is, a total of four support members 210 are provided on the second top plate portion 20 .

The third unit 3 includes a third top plate portion 30 that forms part of the running surface Ff, and third support leg portions 31 that support the third top plate portion 30 . The external shape of the third top plate portion 30 is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the second length L2. The third support leg 31 has a plurality of strut members 310 . Support members 310 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the third top plate portion 30 which is square in plan view. In this embodiment, support members 310 are provided only at the four corners of the third top plate portion 30 . That is, a total of four support members 310 are provided on the third top plate portion 30 .

The fourth unit 4 includes a fourth top plate portion 40 that forms part of the running surface Ff, and fourth support leg portions 41 that support the fourth top plate portion 40 . The outer shape of the fourth top plate portion 40 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length L1, and the length of the short side is ⅓ of the first length. is the third length L3, which is the length of The fourth support leg 41 has a plurality of strut members 410 . Support members 410 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the fourth top plate portion 40 which is rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, support members 410 are provided only at the four corners of the fourth top plate portion 40 . That is, a total of four support members 410 are provided on the fourth top plate portion 40 .

The fifth unit 5 includes a fifth top plate portion 50 that forms part of the running surface Ff, and fifth support leg portions 51 that support the fifth top plate portion 50 . The outer shape of the fifth top plate portion 50 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side thereof is the second length L2, and the length of the short side thereof is the third length L3. The fifth support leg 51 has a plurality of strut members 510 . Support members 510 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the fifth top plate portion 50 which is rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, support members 510 are provided only at the four corners of the fifth top plate portion 50 . That is, a total of four support members 510 are provided on the fifth top plate portion 50 .

As described above, the third length L3 is 1/3 of the first length L1. The second length L2 is 2/3 of the first length L1. In other words, the first length L1 is three times the third length L3, and the second length L2 is twice the third length L3. In this embodiment, the third length L3 is set according to the width of the passage R (see FIGS. 3 and 4) along which the article transport vehicle V travels. As a result, the size and shape of the travel surface Ff can be set so as to have the required size and shape with the width of the passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels as the minimum unit.

In the present embodiment, a square area having a side length of the third length L3 is defined as a unit area Au, and the first top plate portion 10, the second top plate portion 20, the third top plate portion 30, the fourth top plate portion A region occupied by each of the top plate portion 40 and the fifth top plate portion 50 in plan view is formed by combining a plurality of unit regions Au.

A region occupied by the first top plate portion 10 in plan view is formed by a combination of nine unit regions Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along each side of the first top plate portion 10 having the first length L1, and a total of nine (3×3) unit areas Au are planar. They are visually arranged in a grid pattern.

The region occupied by the second top plate portion 20 in plan view is formed by combining six unit regions Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the second top plate portion 20 having the first length L1, and the second top plate portion 20 having the second length L2 Two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the short side of the , and a total of six (3×2) unit areas Au are arranged in a grid pattern in plan view.

A region occupied by the third top plate portion 30 in plan view is formed by a combination of four unit regions Au. Specifically, two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along each side of the third top plate portion 30 having the second length L2, and four (2×2) unit areas Au are arranged in a plane as a whole. They are visually arranged in a grid pattern.

A region occupied by the fourth top plate portion 40 in plan view is formed by a combination of three unit regions Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 having the first length L1, and the fourth top plate portion 40 having the third length L3 One unit area Au is arranged side by side along the short side of , and as a whole, three (3×1) unit areas Au are arranged in a grid pattern in plan view.

A region occupied by the fifth top plate portion 50 in plan view is formed by a combination of two unit regions Au. Specifically, two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the fifth top plate portion 50 having the second length L2, and the fifth top plate portion 50 having the third length L3. One unit area Au is arranged side by side along the short side of , and two (2×1) unit areas Au as a whole are arranged in a grid pattern in plan view.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the arrangement of each unit that configures the gantry 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. In addition, in FIG. 7, in order to make the arrangement of each unit easier to understand, configurations that are not related to the explanation are omitted, and a reference mark is shown in the center of each unit. For example, the first unit 1 is arranged in the part indicated by "1" in the drawing, and the second unit 2 is arranged in the part indicated by "2". The same applies to other units. Further, hereinafter, the specific direction in plan view is referred to as "first direction D1", and the direction orthogonal to first direction D1 in plan view is referred to as "second direction D2".

As described above, the gantry 100 forms the travel surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V travels. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the running surface Ff in plan view is rectangular. The region occupied by the running surface Ff in plan view has a size obtained by combining a plurality of unit regions Au (see FIG. 6) each having a side length of the third length L3. In this example, the dimension of the running surface Ff in the first direction D1 is the first length L1×N (N is a natural number), and the dimension of the running surface Ff in the second direction D2 is the first length L1×M (M is a natural number). As described above, the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1), the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3), and the fourth top plate portion 40 Each of the (fourth unit 4) and the fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5) is configured by combining a plurality of unit areas Au. Therefore, by combining these top plate portions (units), the dimension in the first direction D1 is the first length L1×N and the dimension in the second direction D2 is the first length L1×M. Ff can be easily formed.

In this embodiment, the entire running surface Ff is configured by combining a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, and a fifth unit 5, as shown in FIG. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the fourth unit 4 is not used to form the running surface Ff.

In this embodiment, a plurality of first units 1 are arranged adjacent to each other to form a receiving area Ai for receiving articles W from article transport vehicles V. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 7, 35 first units 1 are arranged in a grid pattern in plan view to form a receiving area Ai. The outer edge of the receiving area Ai is composed of one or more sides of the first unit 1 arranged along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As described above, the length of one side of the first top plate portion 10 of the first unit 1 is the first length L1. Therefore, each side forming the outer edge of the receiving area Ai has a length that is an integral multiple of the first length L1, depending on the number of the first units 1 arranged along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. It is In the illustrated example, seven first units 1 are arranged in the first direction D1 and five first units 1 are arranged in the second direction D2. Therefore, the length of the side of the receiving area Ai along the first direction D1 is seven times the first length L1, and the length of the side of the receiving area Ai along the second direction D2 is the first length L1. is five times as large as

In the present embodiment, an area in which units other than the first unit 1 are arranged adjacent to the receiving area Ai is defined as an adjacent area An, and the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) is arranged in the adjacent area An. It is The second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) arranged in the adjacent area An is arranged such that its long side is adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1). . The long side of the second top plate portion 20 and the side of the first top plate portion 10 both have a first length L1 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the second top plate portion 20 and the side of the first top plate portion 10 adjacent thereto are set to the same range ( (a range corresponding to the first length L1).

In this embodiment, the adjacent area An surrounds the reception area Ai all around. In other words, the adjacent areas An are provided on both sides in the first direction D1 and on both sides in the second direction D2 with respect to the receiving area Ai. In this example, a plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged in such a receiving area Ai.

Further, in the present embodiment, the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3) and the plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second unit 2) are arranged adjacent to each other, and at least the third top plate portion Each of two adjacent sides of 30 (third unit 3) is adjacent to the short side of second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2). The side of the third top plate portion 30 and the short side of the second top plate portion 20 both have a second length L2 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the side of the third top plate portion 30 and the short side of the second top plate portion 20 adjacent thereto are set to the same range ( (a range corresponding to the second length L2). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the region where the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3) and the plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged adjacent to each other is the traveling surface Ff , in the end region in the first direction D1 and in the end region in the second direction D2 (upper right and upper left in the drawing).

Further, in the present embodiment, the fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5) and the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) are arranged adjacent to each other, and the fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5) is adjacent to the short side of the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2). The long side of the fifth top plate portion 50 and the short side of the second top plate portion 20 both have a second length L2 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the fifth top plate portion 50 and the short side of the second top plate portion 20 are set to the same range (second (range corresponding to length L2). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the region where the fifth top plate portion 50 (the fifth unit 5) and the plurality of second top plate portions 20 (the second units 2) are arranged adjacent to each other is the traveling surface Ff , in the end region in the first direction D1 and in the end region in the second direction D2 (lower right and lower left in the drawing).

In this embodiment, the area where the articles W are supplied to the article transport vehicle V is defined as an article supply area Aw. 30 (third unit 3), fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4), and fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5); and a non-arranged portion where is not arranged. In this example, an article supply section 9 is provided in the non-placement section.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) are provided in the article supply area Aw. Each of the plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) is arranged such that the long side thereof extends along the first direction D1. The plurality of second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged side by side with a space therebetween along the second direction D2. An article supply section 9 is arranged in a non-arranged section formed between the plurality of second top plate sections 20 (second units 2) in the article supply area Aw. In the example shown in FIG. 7, five article supply units 9 are arranged in the article supply area Aw. Two of the five article supply units 9 (the article supply units 9 arranged on both end sides in the second direction D2 in the drawing) have the same size as the second top plate unit 20 (the second unit 2) in plan view. It's becoming Specifically, two of the five article supply units 9 have a rectangular outline in plan view, with long sides having a first length L1 and short sides having a second length L2. there is On the other hand, the remaining three of the five article supply units 9 (the article supply units 9 arranged on the center side in the second direction D2 in the figure) have the same size in plan view as the second top plate portion 20 ( It is smaller than the second unit 2). Specifically, the outer shape of the remaining three out of the five article supply units 9 in a plan view is formed in a rectangular shape with long sides having a first length L1 and short sides having a third length L3. It is

In areas other than the receiving area Ai, the adjacent area An, and the article supply area Aw on the traveling surface Ff, the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3), At least two of the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) and the fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5) are arranged, and in the example shown in FIG. Three types of top plate portions (units) are arranged: (second unit 2), third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3), and fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5).

According to the gantry 100 described above, various top plate portions each having a square or rectangular outer shape in plan view are arranged side by side so that the article transport vehicle V can travel. It is possible to easily form a continuous running surface Ff for Then, the size and shape of the running surface Ff can be flexibly set.

[Other embodiments]
Next, another embodiment of the mount will be described.

(1) In the embodiment described above, the example in which the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is not used to form the running surface Ff has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) may be used to form the running surface Ff. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) and the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) are arranged adjacent to each other. The long side of the unit 4) is adjacent to the long side of the second top plate portion 20 (the second unit 2). Here, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the article supply area Aw. In the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7, the article supply section 9 is placed in the non-placement section formed in a rectangular shape with the long side having the first length L1 and the short side having the third length L3. However, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth top plate section 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the non-arrangement section. Thus, the running surface Ff can also be formed using the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4). However, when the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is used, the configuration is not limited to the one described above. 1 unit 1) may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) may be adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1). . In this case, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is preferably arranged in the adjacent area An (not shown).

(2) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) is arranged in the adjacent area An has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, if the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) or the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the adjacent area An good. When the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the adjacent area An, the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) arranged in the adjacent area An It is arranged so as to be adjacent to the side of one top plate portion 10 (first unit 1). The long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 and the side of the first top plate portion 10 both have a first length L1 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 and the side of the first top plate portion 10 are set to the same range (first length can be arranged in the range corresponding to the height L1).

(3) In the above embodiment, each of the two adjacent sides of the third top plate portion 30 (the third unit 3) is adjacent to the short side of the second top plate portion 20 (the second unit 2). An example was described. However, without being limited to such an example, each of the three sides or four sides of the third top plate portion 30 (the third unit 3) is the short side of the second top plate portion 20 (the second unit 2). may be adjacent to

(4) In the above embodiment, the example in which a plurality of first units 1 are arranged adjacent to each other to constitute the receiving area Ai for receiving the articles W from the article transport vehicle V has been described. This receiving area Ai may be composed of only the first unit 1, or at least the second unit 2, the third unit 3, the fourth unit 4, and the fifth unit 5 in addition to the first unit 1. It may be configured to include one type. Moreover, the receiving areas Ai may be provided at a plurality of locations on the running surface Ff.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the third length L3 is set according to the width of the passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. However, without being limited to such an example, the third length L3 may be set independently of the width of the passage R.

(6) In the above embodiment, the example in which the first unit 1 includes the conveyor unit 12 has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the first unit 1 may not include the conveyor unit 12 .

(7) It should be noted that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as there is no contradiction. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[Overview of the above embodiment]
The pedestal described above will be described below.

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports an item runs,
The entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit,
The first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate that forms part of the traveling surface, and first support legs that support the first top plate. , and
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
The fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion forming part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion supporting the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and fifth support leg portions that support the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 2/2 of the first length. a second length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the third top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the second length,
The outer shape of the fourth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 1/1 of the first length. a third length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the fifth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side thereof is the second length, and the length of the short side thereof is the third length.

According to this configuration, various top plate portions each having a square or rectangular outer shape in a plan view are arranged side by side so that the sides of the top plate portions are adjacent to each other, thereby providing a continuous A running surface can be easily formed. Here, each side of the first top plate portion to the fifth top plate portion has a first length, a second length that is 2/3 of the first length, or a length that is the first length. It has a third length that is 1/3 the length. Therefore, for the first unit inevitably having a large first top plate portion due to the provision of the receiving portion, at least two types of the second unit to the fifth unit are combined to configure the frame, thereby reducing the travel distance. The overall size and shape of the surface are flexibly set to the required size and shape in units of 1/3 of the first length, which is the length of one side of the first top plate. can do. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to flexibly set the size and shape of the traveling surface on which the article transport vehicle travels.

a plurality of said first units arranged adjacent to each other to constitute a receiving area for receiving said goods from said goods transport vehicle;
An area in which units other than the first unit are arranged adjacent to the receiving area is defined as an adjacent area,
The second top plate portion or the fourth top plate portion is arranged in the adjacent area,
The second top plate portion arranged in the adjacent area is arranged such that its long side is adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion, and the fourth top plate portion arranged in the adjacent area is: It is preferable that the long side is arranged so as to be adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion.

According to this configuration, it is possible to preferentially set the range of the receiving area, and then form an adjacent area having a required size and shape according to the range of the receiving area. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly set the size and shape of the traveling surface on which the article transport vehicle travels, while appropriately securing the receiving area provided with the receiving section for receiving the articles.

It is preferable that the third length is set according to the width of the passage along which the article transport vehicle travels.

According to this configuration, it is possible to set the size and shape of the traveling surface so as to have the required size and shape, with the minimum unit being the width of the passage on which the article transport vehicle travels. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to flexibly set the size and shape of the running surface while ensuring the appropriate running of the article transport vehicle.

The third top plate portion and the plurality of second top plate portions are arranged adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that at least each of two adjacent sides of the third top plate portion is adjacent to a short side of the second top plate portion.

According to this configuration, the third unit including the third top plate portion and the second unit including the second top plate portion can be appropriately combined and arranged.

The fourth top plate portion and the first top plate portion or the second top plate portion are arranged adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that the long sides of the fourth top plate portion are adjacent to the sides of the first top plate portion or the long sides of the second top plate portion.

According to this configuration, the fourth unit including the fourth top plate portion and the first unit including the first top plate portion or the second unit including the second top plate portion are appropriately combined and arranged. can do.

The fifth top plate portion and the second top plate portion are arranged adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that the long side of the fifth top plate portion is adjacent to the short side of the second top plate portion.

According to this configuration, the fifth unit provided with the fifth top plate portion and the second unit provided with the second top plate portion can be appropriately combined and arranged.

the first unit comprises a conveyor unit;
The receiving part has an opening penetrating in the vertical direction,
It is preferable that the conveyor unit is arranged to pass directly under the opening and supported by the first support leg.

According to this configuration, the article can be conveyed below the first top plate portion by the conveyor unit, which is a conveying means separate from the article conveying vehicle. In this case, the article received by the receiving section from the article transport vehicle is conveyed through the opening to the conveyor unit arranged below the first top plate section. The article is then further transported by the conveyor unit. That is, according to this configuration, the stage in which the article is conveyed can be divided into the stage in which the article is conveyed by the article conveyance vehicle and the stage in which the article is conveyed by the conveyor unit. Therefore, for example, it is possible to collectively convey a plurality of articles conveyed by the article conveying vehicle a plurality of times by the conveyor unit in a single conveying operation. .

The technology according to the present disclosure can be used for a stand that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports an article runs.

100: Mounting frame 1: First unit 10: First top plate part 101: Receiving part 101a: Opening 11: First support leg part 12: Conveyor unit 2: Second unit 20: Second top plate part 21: Second support Leg 3 : Third unit 30 : Third top plate 31 : Third support leg 4 : Fourth unit 40 : Fourth top plate 41 : Fourth support leg 5 : Fifth unit 50 : Fifth top Plate 51 : Fifth support leg Ai : Receiving area An : Adjacent area Ff : Running surface R : Passage V : Article transport vehicle W : Articles

Claims (7)

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports an item runs,
The entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit,
The first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate that forms part of the traveling surface, and first support legs that support the first top plate. , and
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
The fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion forming part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion supporting the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms part of the running surface, and fifth support leg portions that support the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 2/2 of the first length. a second length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the third top plate portion is formed in a square shape in plan view, and the length of one side thereof is the second length,
The outer shape of the fourth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the length of the long side is the first length, and the length of the short side is 1/1 of the first length. a third length having a length of 3;
The outer shape of the fifth top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, the length of the long side is the second length, and the length of the short side is the third length. trestle. a plurality of said first units arranged adjacent to each other to constitute a receiving area for receiving said goods from said goods transport vehicle;
An area in which units other than the first unit are arranged adjacent to the receiving area is defined as an adjacent area,
The second top plate portion or the fourth top plate portion is arranged in the adjacent area,
The second top plate portion arranged in the adjacent area is arranged such that its long side is adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion, and the fourth top plate portion arranged in the adjacent area is: The pedestal according to claim 1, wherein the long side is arranged so as to be adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion. 3. The platform according to claim 1, wherein said third length is set according to the width of a passage along which said article transport vehicle travels. The third top plate portion and the plurality of second top plate portions are arranged adjacent to each other,
The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least each of two adjacent sides of the third top plate portion is adjacent to a short side of the second top plate portion. The fourth top plate portion and the first top plate portion or the second top plate portion are arranged adjacent to each other,
The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the long sides of the fourth top plate portion are adjacent to the sides of the first top plate portion or the long sides of the second top plate portion. The fifth top plate portion and the second top plate portion are arranged adjacent to each other,
The mount according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the long sides of the fifth top plate portion are adjacent to the short sides of the second top plate portion. the first unit comprises a conveyor unit;
The receiving part has an opening penetrating in the vertical direction,
The platform according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conveyor unit is arranged to pass directly under the opening and supported by the first support leg.

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