JP2023111352A - Elevating device - Google Patents

Abstract

To inhibit an object from falling out of an elevating support table.SOLUTION: An elevating device 30 for delivering or receiving an object directly or indirectly to or from a horizontal carrier or an outside conveyance device between a plurality of horizontal carriers for loading or unloading the object onto or from an object-storage shelf and the outside conveyance device for carrying the object from or toward an outside location, comprises: a drive source that is electrically drive-controlled; an elevating support table 32 that is raised or lowered in conjunction with an action of the drive source; and a fall-inhibitive structure 70 that covers at least a part of a surrounding of an object 10 placed on the elevating support table and inhibits the object 10 placed on the elevating support table from falling in the event of an emergency stop of the elevating support table 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

There is an application for exception to loss of novelty

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a lifting device for lifting objects.

Patent Literature 1 discloses an automated warehouse including a storage shelf, a temporary storage shelf for storage, an elevator mechanism for storage, a temporary storage shelf for storage, an elevator mechanism for storage, and a transfer carriage. . The articles conveyed by the warehousing conveyor are stored in the storage rack via the warehousing elevating and lowering mechanism unit and the warehousing temporary storage rack and the transfer cart. In addition, the articles stored in the storage shelf are delivered from the transfer carriage to the delivery conveyor via the delivery temporary storage shelf and the delivery lift mechanism. In the elevator mechanism for entering and the elevator mechanism for leaving, the articles are lifted while being placed on the elevator transfer section.

JP 2014-159340 A

Due to a power failure or the like, the lifting/lowering transfer section may suddenly stop. In such a case, it is required to prevent the article from falling from the lifting/lowering transfer section due to the article jumping up or the like.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to prevent objects from falling from the lifting support base.

In order to solve the above problems, the lifting device includes a plurality of horizontal conveying bodies for entering or leaving the article storage rack, and an outer conveying device for conveying the article from or toward the outer position. A lifting device that directly or indirectly passes or receives an object to or from the horizontal conveying body or the outer conveying device between the and a lifting support base that is lifted and lowered by the lifting support base, and at least a part of the periphery of the object placed on the lifting support base is covered to prevent the object placed on the lifting support base from falling when the lifting support base suddenly stops. and a fall suppression structure that suppresses the

According to this lifting device, the fall prevention structure can prevent objects from falling from the lifting support table.

1 is a schematic side view showing an automated warehouse according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an automated warehouse; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing components on the receiving side of the automated warehouse; It is a side view which shows a raising/lowering support base and a fall suppression structure. It is a front view which shows a raising/lowering support stand and a fall suppression structure. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a raising/lowering support base stops suddenly.

A lifting device according to an embodiment will be described below.

<About automated warehouse>
An overall configuration of an automated warehouse, which is an application example of the lifting device according to the embodiment, will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an automated warehouse, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the automated warehouse.

The automated warehouse 20 includes an incoming conveyor 16 , an outgoing conveyor 18 , an elevating device 30 , a horizontal carrier 40 , a storage rack 50 , and a transfer device 60 .

The warehousing conveyor 16 is an example of an outer conveying device that conveys the articles 10 from a position outside the storage rack 50 toward a position closer to the storage rack 50 . Outgoing conveyor 18 is an example of an outer conveying device that conveys articles 10 from a position near storage shelf 50 toward an outer position further away from storage shelf 50 . The warehousing conveyor 16 and the warehousing conveyor 18 are, for example, roller conveyors or belt conveyors.

The storage shelf 50 is provided on at least one side of the travel path 48 of the horizontal transfer body 40 . Here, a pair of storage racks 50 are provided on both sides of the travel path 48 . The storage shelf 50 has a plurality of shelves 52 supported at intervals in the vertical direction. Each shelf 52 can support and store items 10 . Multiple objects 10 can also be supported on the shelves 52 on each level. Therefore, when viewed as the storage shelf 50 as a whole, a plurality of items 10 are stored in a state of being arranged vertically and horizontally. A space in which the object 10 is stored in the storage shelf 50 is a storage space. For this reason, the storage rack 50 is formed with a plurality of storage spaces arranged along the movement direction of the horizontal transport body 40 traveling on the travel path 48 . Each storage space may be continuous without a partition, or may be partitioned.

The travel path 48 is provided along the extending direction of the storage racks 50, here between a pair of storage racks 50, along the extending direction therebetween. The travel path 48 extends along the extending direction of the storage shelf 50 and to the transfer device 60 . The running path 48 is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of upper and lower shelf stages. Each running path 48 may be configured with a pair of rails, for example. The rail may also serve as a horizontal frame of the storage shelf 50 or may be configured separately from the storage shelf 50 .

The horizontal carrier 40 is a device called a picker or dolly, and is configured to be able to travel back and forth on the travel path 48 . The horizontal carrier 40 is provided with an article loading/unloading mechanism 42 for loading and unloading the articles 10 with respect to the storage shelf 50 and the transfer device 60 . The article loading/unloading mechanism 42 has a pair of arms 43 that can move forward and backward with respect to the storage shelf 50 and the transfer device 60. The article 10 is horizontally conveyed by claws 44 provided at the ends of the pair of arms 43. It is moved between the body 40 and the storage shelf 50 or the transfer device 60 (see FIG. 3). Objects 10 are taken in and out from the storage shelf 50 from the travel path 48 side. A horizontal transporter 40 traveling on a travel path 48 can take articles 10 into and out of both of a pair of storage racks 50 . The horizontal carrier 40 is an example of a device for loading or unloading the articles 10 from the storage shelf 50 .

In this embodiment, an example in which a plurality of running paths 48 and a plurality of horizontal conveying bodies 40 are provided corresponding to each of the upper and lower shelf stages will be described, but this is not essential. For example, one running path may be provided in common for a plurality of upper and lower shelf stages, and the transfer carriage may run on the running path. In this case, it is preferable to provide the transfer carriage with an elevating mechanism so that the storage items can be taken in and out of the plurality of upper and lower shelves. Also, a plurality of transfer carriages may travel along one travel path.

A lifting device 30 and a transfer device 60 are provided in a part of the storage shelf 50 in the extending direction. In this embodiment, a transfer device 60 for warehousing, a lifting device 30 for warehousing, and a conveyor 16 for warehousing are provided at one end of each of the pair of storage racks 50 . At the other end of each of the pair of storage racks 50, a transfer device 60 for delivery, a lift device 30 for delivery, and a conveyor 18 for delivery are provided. A transfer device, an elevating device, and a loading/unloading conveyor may be provided in the longitudinally intermediate portion of the pair of storage racks 50 . The transfer device, the lifting device and the conveyor do not need to be divided into those for warehousing and those for warehousing, and may be used for both warehousing and warehousing.

The transfer device 60 is a portion also called a temporary storage shelf, and is a device that relays objects between the lifting device 30 and the horizontal carrier 40 . The transfer device 60 includes a plurality of support bases 62 corresponding to each of the plurality of rack stages. A plurality of support stands 62 are provided next to the storage shelf 50 and at the same height as the corresponding shelf 52 . The support table 62 is, for example, a roller conveyor having rollers 62a. The article 10 can be moved along the conveying direction by rotationally driving the motor incorporated in the roller 62a. The object 10 on the support table 62 may be moved by being pushed along the transport direction by a pusher driven by an actuator such as a separately provided cylinder. A horizontal transfer body 40 provided corresponding to each shelf can transfer the object 10 to the support table 62 and the shelf 52 on the shelf.

The lifting device 30 is a lifting device that directly or indirectly delivers or receives the article 10 to the horizontal conveying body 40 or to the incoming conveyor 16 or the outgoing conveyor 18, which are outer conveying devices. In this embodiment, the elevator device 30 for warehousing directly receives the article 10 from the conveyor 16 for warehousing. The warehousing conveyor 16 indirectly transfers the article 10 to the horizontal conveyer 40 via the warehousing transfer device 60 . In addition, the lifting device 30 for unloading indirectly receives an object from the horizontal conveying body 40 via the transfer device 60 for unloading. The lifting device 30 for unloading directly transfers the article to the conveyor 18 for unloading. The lifting device 30 may directly transfer or receive the object 10 to the transfer device 60 .

The elevating device 30 is a device for elevating the object 10 and is also called a reservoir. The lifting device 30 includes a lifting support base 32 that moves up and down while supporting the object 10 . The lifting support table 32 is, for example, a roller conveyor having rollers 33a. The plurality of rollers 33a are rotatably supported by, for example, a frame while being arranged in parallel. The article 10 can be moved along the conveying direction by rotationally driving the motor incorporated in the roller 33a. The object 10 on the lifting support table 32 may be moved by being pushed along the transport direction by a pusher driven by an actuator such as a cylinder provided separately. The elevating support table 32 is driven up and down by an elevating drive mechanism 34 . The elevation drive mechanism 34 has, for example, a drive source 34a and a circulation rotor 34b. The drive source 34a is, for example, a motor that is electrically driven and controlled. The circulating rotor 34b is a chain or a circulating belt, and is wound around sprockets or pulleys rotatably supported above and below the column 31. As shown in FIG. By rotating the driving source 34a, the circulating rotating body 34b is circulated and rotated, whereby the lifting support table 32 connected to the circulating rotating body 34b moves up and down. The lift support base 32 is driven up and down in conjunction with the operation of the drive source 34a, so that the lift support base 32 moves up and down to positions adjacent to the transfer device 60 and corresponding to the plurality of support bases 62 respectively. be moved. By locating the lift support base 32 at a height corresponding to one of the support bases 62 , the object 10 can be horizontally moved and transferred between the lift support base 32 and the support base 62 . In addition, the lifting support table 32 is moved up and down to a position adjacent to the end of the warehousing conveyor 16 or the warehousing conveyor 18 near the storage shelf 50 and corresponding to the warehousing conveyor 16 or the warehousing conveyor 18 respectively. be moved. By positioning the elevating support table 32 at a height corresponding to the entrance conveyor 16 or the exit conveyor 18, the article 10 moves horizontally between the elevation support table 32 and the entrance conveyor 16 or the exit conveyor 18. can be transferred.

The control unit 90 controls the conveying operation of the warehousing conveyor 16 and the warehousing conveyor 18, the lifting operation of the lifting device 30, the transfer operation, the transfer operation of the transfer device 60, the traveling operation of the horizontal conveying body 40, and the loading and unloading of the articles 10. control behavior. In this automated warehouse 20 , articles 10 are put in and taken out under the control of the control unit 90 .

Focusing on the goods 10 to be stored, as shown in FIG. Then, the lifting device 30 lifts and lowers the article 10 to a position corresponding to the shelf in which the article 10 is stored. After that, the object 10 supported by the lifting support table 32 is transferred to the transfer device 60 . The object 10 supported by the transfer device 60 is transferred to the horizontal carrier 40 . The horizontal conveying body 40 travels along the travel path 48 while supporting the article 10 and moves toward the planned storage position of the article 10 in the storage shelf 50 . When the horizontal transporter 40 reaches the planned storage position, the object 10 is transferred from the horizontal transporter 40 to the storage shelf 50 and stored in the storage shelf 50 . After the object 10 is lifted by the lifting device 30 to the shelf position where the object 10 is to be stored, the object 10 is temporarily supported by the transfer device 60 until the horizontal transfer body 40 takes in the object 10 . Therefore, the standby time of the lifting device 30 and the horizontal transport body 40 can be reduced, and the goods 10 can be stored efficiently.

Focusing on the article 10 to be delivered, the horizontal conveying body 40 on the shelf corresponding to the storage position of the article 10 travels to the position corresponding to the storage position of the article 10 . After this, the horizontal carrier 40 picks up the article 10 from the storage shelf 50 . The horizontal conveying body 40 that has taken in the article 10 moves toward the transfer device 60 for unloading, and transfers the article 10 to the transfer device 60 . The lifting device 30 for unloading lifts and lowers the lifting support table 32 to the position of the shelf corresponding to the article 10 to be unloaded. Then, the object 10 on the transfer device 60 is transferred to the elevating support table 32 on the shelf. The lifting device 30 for unloading moves the lift support table 32 to a position suitable for unloading, for example, a height position of the conveyor 18 for unloading. After that, the article 10 is transferred to the delivery conveyor 18 . The articles 10 are delivered to the outside by the delivery conveyor 18 . After the horizontal conveying body 40 moves toward the unloading transfer device 60, the article 10 can be temporarily supported by the unloading transfer device 60 until the lifting support table 32 moves to the unloading height position. . Therefore, the waiting time of the lifting device 30 and the horizontal transport body 40 can be reduced when the goods 10 are taken out of the warehouse.

In the automatic warehouse 20, when an item 10 is stored, a database is generated and updated in which the specific information (identification code or name of the item) and the storage position of the item 10 are associated with each other. When the article 10 is stored, the database is referenced to identify vacant positions in the storage rack 50, and one of the vacant positions is selected as the planned storage position. Further, when the article 10 is delivered, the storage position of the article 10 is specified by referring to the database. The database may be stored in the storage section of the control section 90, or may be stored in another storage section.

In order to improve the loading/unloading speed of the articles 10 in the automatic warehouse 20, it is conceivable to increase the lifting speed of the lifting support table 32 in the lifting device 30. FIG. For example, it is assumed that the maximum ascending speed of the lifting support table 32 is 150 m/min, 200 m/min, or 240 m/min. In order to increase the speed of the lifting support table 32, the capacity of the drive source 34a is appropriately selected according to the weight of the object 10 to be moved. For example, a motor with a rated output of 3.5 kW, preferably 7 kW, may be selected as the motor that is the drive source 34a.

An object 10 is placed and supported on the lifting support table 32 . During normal operation, the lifting support table 32 gradually decelerates toward the target position. Therefore, the object 10 on the lifting support table 32 is prevented from floating from the lifting support table 32 . However, it is conceivable that the lifting support base 32 suddenly stops due to a power failure or the like. If the lifting support base 32 that is rising at high speed suddenly stops, the object 10 placed on the lifting support base 32 may jump up and the object 10 may drop from the lifting support base 32 . A configuration for suppressing the dropping of the object 10 from the elevating support table 32 will be described below.

<About the fall control structure>
FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the fall restraint structure 70 supported by the lifting support base 32 . FIG. 4 is a side view showing the lifting support table 32 and the fall prevention structure 70, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing the lifting support table 32 and the fall prevention structure 70. As shown in FIG. The fall restraint structure 70 may be provided not only on the elevator support table 32 on the entrance side but also on the elevator support table 32 on the exit side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lifting device 30 includes a fall restraint structure 70. As shown in FIG. The fall suppression structure 70 covers at least a part of the periphery of the object 10 placed on the lift support base 32, and prevents the object 10 placed on the lift support base 32 from falling when the lift support base 32 suddenly stops. is a structure that suppresses

In this embodiment, the fall restraint structure 70 includes a first support portion 72 , a second support portion 74 , and a bar-shaped portion 78 .

The first support portion 72 has at least one strut portion 72a and a lateral support portion 72b. In this embodiment, the first support portion 72 has two support portions 72a and one lateral support portion 72b. A lower end portion of one of the strut portions 72a is supported vertically on one side surface of the lifting support base 32 . A lower end portion of the other supporting column portion 72a is supported in a vertical posture on the other side surface of the lifting support base 32 . The two pillars 72a are supported so as to extend upward from both side surfaces of the lifting support table 32 at the same position in the conveying direction of the object 10 on the lifting support table 32 . Both ends of the rod-like lateral support portion 72b are connected to the upper ends of the two support columns 72a. The bar-shaped lateral support portion 72b extends horizontally between the upper ends of the two support portions 72a. The rod-shaped lateral support portion 72b is positioned upwardly away from the mounting surface of the lifting support table 32 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the object 10 on the lifting support table 32 (hereinafter referred to as the lifting support table 32). (sometimes referred to as the width direction). The first support portion 72 is formed, for example, by bending a metal rod or metal pipe into a U shape.

The length of the column portion 72a is set so that the height of the lateral support portion 72b with respect to the lift support table 32 is greater than the height of the object 10 assumed to be transported by the lift support table 32. For example, the length of the support section 72a is set such that the lateral support section 72b is arranged 3 cm or 5 cm above the height of the object 10 .

Fixation of the column portion 72a to the side surface of the lifting support base 32 is performed by screwing, for example. More specifically, a bracket 33 through which the lower end of the support 72a can be inserted is attached to the side surface of the lifting support base 32 by welding, screwing, or the like. A screw S is passed through the bracket 33 and the column portion 72a and screwed into the nut N, whereby the lower end portion of the column portion 72a is fixed to the side surface of the lifting support base 32 via the bracket 33. In this case, by tightening or removing the screw S, the fall restraint structure 70 can be detachably attached to the elevation support base 32 . Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the drop restraint structure 70 (particularly, replace it with one having a different height) according to the size (especially height) of the object 10 to be stored in the automated warehouse 20 .

The second support portion 74 has at least one strut portion 74a and a lateral support portion 74b. In this embodiment, the second support portion 74 has two strut portions 74a corresponding to the two strut portions 72a and one lateral support portion 74b corresponding to one lateral support portion 72b. It has the same configuration as the first support portion 72 .

The first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74 are positioned apart from each other in the conveying direction of the object 10 on the lifting support table 32 . Therefore, the two lateral support portions 72b extend along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the object 10 on the lift support table 32 above the lift support table 32, and extend in the transport direction. They are arranged so that they are in a parallel position apart from each other.

It is not essential that both the first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74 have two strut portions 72a or two strut portions 74a. Even if one or both of the first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74 support the lateral support portion 72b or the lateral support portion 74b in a cantilever manner with one strut portion 72a or one strut portion 74a. good.

The bar-shaped portion 78 is supported so as to bridge between the lateral support portion 72b of the first support portion 72 and the lateral support portion 72b of the second support portion 74. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a plurality of (here, two) rod-shaped portions 78 are supported so as to bridge between the horizontal support portions 72b. A plurality of (here, two) rod-shaped portions 78 are supported in a parallel posture spaced apart in the width direction of the lifting support table 32 in a posture along the conveying direction of the object 10 on the lifting support table 32 . The rod-shaped portion 78 is, for example, a metal rod or a metal pipe whose both ends are welded or screwed to the horizontal support portions 72b, 72b.

For this reason, the horizontal support portions 72b and 74b and a plurality of bar-shaped portions 78 are arranged in a horizontal posture above the lifting support table 32. As shown in FIG. The lateral support portions 72b and 74b extend along the width direction of the lifting support table 32 and are positioned apart in the conveying direction of the object 10. As shown in FIG. The interval between the lateral support portions 72b and 74b may be smaller or larger than the length in the conveying direction of the object 10 assumed as an object. In this embodiment, the distance between the lateral support portions 72b and 74b is greater than the length of the object 10 assumed as the target in the transport direction. The interval between the rod-shaped portions 78 is smaller than the width of the object 10 assumed as an object perpendicular to the conveying direction. Therefore, when at least part of the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 is positioned between the horizontal support portions 72b and 74b in a plan view, the rod-shaped portion 78 between the horizontal support portions 72b and 74b is positioned above the object 10. can be located.

The fall restraint structure 70 includes an upward movement restricting portion 76 positioned above the object 10 placed on the lifting support table 32 . For example, the upward movement restricting portion 76 includes the plurality of rod-shaped portions 78 described above. The upward movement restricting portion 76 may be understood to include a plurality of rod-shaped portions 78 and lateral support portions 72b and 74b.

The drop restraint structure 70 has an object passage space S1 that allows the object 10 to horizontally pass over the lifting support table 32 between the transfer device 60 and the conveyors 16 and 18 . In this embodiment, a space surrounded by the first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74 and extending below the plurality of rod-shaped portions 78 is defined along the transport direction of the object 10 on the lifting support table 32. This is the object passage space S1.

In addition, the fall restraint structure 70 has an opening S2 that allows access to objects on the lifting support base 32 from above. In this embodiment, the opening surrounded by the two lateral support portions 72b, 74b and the two rod-shaped portions 78 is the access opening. Here, access to the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 means that a worker or the like around the lifting support base 32 takes out or touches the internal contents of the object 10 placed on the lifting support base 32. It means to

For example, it is assumed that the object 10 is a container 10a with an open top and an object 10b inside the container 10a. In this case, at least a portion of the bar-shaped portion 78 and the lateral support portions 72b and 74b are positioned above the container 10a to suppress the upward jumping of the container 10a. Also, it is preferable that the stored object 10b can be taken out of the container 10a through the opening S2 between the bar-shaped portion 78 and the lateral support portions 72b, 74b (see arrow T1 in FIGS. 3-5).

A gap longer than the length of the object 10 is provided between the first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74 so that the object 10 can be moved laterally outward of the elevating support table 32 between the support portions 72a and 74a. An opening S3 may be formed to allow extraction. As a result, the object 10 is taken out to the side of the lifting support table 32 through the opening S3 (see arrow T2 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how the lifting support table 32, which is being lifted, suddenly stops. As shown in the figure, the elevating support base 32 on which the object 10 is placed is ascending at the maximum speed Vmax. Assume that the lifting support base 32 suddenly stops and the speed of the lifting support base 32 becomes zero due to power failure, detection of an abnormal state, or the like during movement. In this case, the object 10 jumps up with respect to the lifting support base 32 . However, the bar 78 is positioned above the object 10 . For this reason, the object 10 hits the rod-shaped portion 78 and the upward movement of the object 10 is suppressed. This prevents the object 10 from falling from the lifting support table 32 .

<Effects, etc.>
According to the lifting device 30 configured as described above, even if the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 jumps up due to the sudden stop of the lifting support base 32, the object 10 is prevented from falling by covering at least a part of the periphery of the object 10. Movement of object 10 is restrained by structure 70 . This prevents the object 10 from falling from the lifting support table 32 .

In particular, when the lifting support table 32 is raised at 150 m/min or more, it is conceivable that the lifting support table 32 suddenly stops and an object on the lifting support table 32 jumps up and falls. The drop suppression structure 70 can effectively suppress the drop of the object 10 from the lifting support base 32 that rises at high speed.

In addition, the fall restraint structure 70 has an object passage space S1 that allows the object 10 to pass over the elevation support base 32 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the object 10 can be easily transferred between the lifting support table 32 and the horizontal carrier 40 (or the transfer device 60) or the conveyors 16 and 18.

The fall restraint structure 70 also includes an upward movement restricting portion 76 positioned above the object 10 placed on the lift support table 32 . Therefore, the upward movement restricting part 76 restricts the upward movement of the object 10 that has moved upward with respect to the lifting support table 32, thereby suppressing the dropping of the object 10 from the lifting support table 32. .

Also, the upward movement restricting portion 76 includes a plurality of bar-shaped portions 78 . Therefore, upward movement of the object 10 can be effectively restricted by each of the plurality of rod-shaped portions 78 . In addition, the operator can easily access the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 by using the area not covered by the plurality of rod-shaped parts 78 .

Further, the fall restraint structure 70 includes a first support portion 72 and a second support portion 74, and the upward movement restricting portion 76 is a lateral support portion 72b of the first support portion 72 and a lateral support portion of the second support portion 74. It includes a rod-like portion 78 supported so as to extend over the portion 72b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the object 10 from jumping up from the lifting support base 32 over the entire area between the lateral support portions 72b and 74b. For this reason, for example, the two first support portions 72 and the second support portions 74 arranged at a distance equal to or greater than the length of the article 10 along the conveying direction can be used in a relatively long range and in the first direction. Also between the first support portion 72 and the second support portion 74, upward movement of the object 10 can be restricted. As a result, it is possible to achieve a configuration capable of suppressing the dropping of the object 10 from the lifting support table 32 over a relatively long range at low cost.

In addition, the fall restraint structure 70 has an opening S2 that allows access to the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 from above. Therefore, in a state where the lifting support table 32 is suddenly stopped, it is possible to easily carry out an operation such as taking out the stored object 10b from the container 10a on the lifting support table 32. FIG.

{Modification}
It is not essential that the fall suppression structure 70 has the above configuration. For example, the bar-shaped portion 78 may be omitted, and the horizontal support portion 72b of the first support portion 72 and the horizontal support portion 74b of the second support portion 74 may suppress the object 10 from jumping upward. In this case, the lateral supports 72b, 74b are preferably arranged at intervals smaller than the length of the object 10 in the conveying direction. Further, for example, the upward movement restricting portion arranged on the lifting support table 32 may be a single rod-shaped portion, a grid formed by combining a plurality of rod-shaped members vertically and horizontally, an eave-like plate, or a net. Further, the upward movement restricting portion 76 does not necessarily need to be supported by the strut portions 72a and 74a, and may be supported by a plate-like or grid-like member. If the fall restraint structure 70 is composed only of a combination of elongated members, access to the object 10 on the lifting support base 32 can be facilitated. Further, the upward movement restricting portion 76 may be omitted, and the lateral movement of the object 10 may be restricted by a wall portion surrounding at least a part of the periphery of the object 10, thereby suppressing the object 10 from falling. .

The fall restraint structure 70 does not have to be supported by the lifting support base 32 , and may be supported by the pillar 31 so as to move up and down in synchronization with the lifting support base 32 .

It should be noted that the configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

The specification and drawings disclose each of the following aspects.

In a first aspect, between a plurality of horizontal conveyers for entering or exiting an article storage shelf and an outer conveying device for conveying articles from or toward an outer position, the horizontal A lifting device that directly or indirectly delivers or receives an object to or from a conveying body or the outer conveying device, comprising a drive source that is electrically driven and controlled, and a lift that is lifted and lowered in conjunction with the operation of the drive source. A fall restraint that covers at least a part of a support base and an object placed on the lift support base to prevent the object placed on the lift support base from falling when the lift support base suddenly stops. A lifting device comprising: a structure;

According to this lifting device, even if the object on the lifting support base moves due to the sudden stop of the lifting support base, the movement of the object is suppressed by the fall suppression structure that covers at least a part of the periphery of the object. This prevents objects from falling from the lifting support table.

As in the second aspect, in the lifting device according to the first aspect, the lifting support base may have a maximum lifting speed of 150 m/min or more. When the lifting support base rises at 150 m/min or more, it is conceivable that an object on the lifting support base may spring up and fall due to the sudden stop of the lifting support base. The fall prevention structure can effectively prevent an object from falling on such a lifting support table that rises at high speed.

As in the third aspect, in the lifting device according to the first or second aspect, the fall suppression structure has an object passage space that allows an object to pass horizontally on the lifting support base. may have In this case, objects can be easily transferred between the lifting support base and the horizontal conveying body or the outer conveying device.

As in the fourth aspect, in the lifting device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the fall suppression structure is positioned above an object placed on the lifting support base. An upward movement restricting part may be included. In this case, the upward movement restricting portion restricts the object that has moved upward with respect to the lifting support from moving further upward, thereby suppressing the falling of the object from the lifting support.

As in the fifth aspect, in the lifting device according to the fourth aspect, the upward movement restricting portion may include a plurality of bar-shaped portions. Thereby, the upward movement of the object can be restricted by the plurality of rod-shaped portions. Areas not covered by the plurality of rods can be used to facilitate access to objects on the lift support.

As in the sixth aspect, in the lifting device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the fall suppression structure further includes a first support portion and a second support portion, and the first support portion and the second support include at least one strut extending upward from the lifting support, and a lateral support supported at a position above the lifting support by the strut, The movement restricting portion may include a rod-shaped portion supported so as to bridge between the lateral support portion of the first support portion and the lateral support portion of the second support portion. As a result, it is possible to prevent objects from jumping up from the lifting support over the entire area between the lateral support portion of the first support portion and the lateral support portion of the second support portion.

As in the seventh aspect, in the lifting device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the fall restraint structure has an opening that allows access to an object on the lifting support base from above. may have This facilitates access to objects on the lift support.

The above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that numerous variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention.

10 Item 16 Conveyor for warehousing 30 Elevating device 32 Elevating support base 34 Elevating drive mechanism 34a Drive source 34b Circulating rotating body 40 Horizontal conveying body 50 Storage rack 52 Shelf 60 Transfer device 62 Support base 70 Drop suppression structure 72 First support part 72a Column portion 72b Horizontal support portion 74 Second support portion 74a Column portion 74b Horizontal support portion 76 Upward movement restricting portion 78 Rod-shaped portion S1 Object passage spaces S2, S3 Opening

Claims (7)

between a plurality of horizontal carriages for entering or exiting an article storage shelf and an outer conveying device for conveying articles from or to an outer position; A lifting device that delivers or receives objects directly or indirectly to the device,
a driving source that is electrically driven and controlled;
an elevating support base that is elevated and lowered in conjunction with the operation of the drive source;
a fall suppression structure that covers at least part of the periphery of an object placed on the lift support base and suppresses the fall of the object placed on the lift support base when the lift support base suddenly stops;
A lifting device comprising a The lifting device according to claim 1,
The lifting device, wherein the lifting support table has a maximum lifting speed of 150 m/min or more. The lifting device according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The drop restraint structure has an object passage space that allows an object to pass over the lift support base in a horizontal direction. The lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A lifting device, wherein the fall restraint structure includes an upward movement restricting portion positioned above an object placed on the lifting support base. The lifting device according to claim 4,
The lifting device, wherein the upward movement restricting portion includes a plurality of bar-shaped portions. The lifting device according to claim 4 or claim 5,
The fall suppression structure further includes a first support and a second support,
Each of the first support portion and the second support portion includes at least one strut portion extending upward from the lifting support base, and a lateral support portion supported at a position above the lifting support base by the strut portion. including
The lifting device, wherein the upward movement restricting portion includes a bar-shaped portion that is supported so as to extend between the lateral support portion of the first support portion and the lateral support portion of the second support portion. The lifting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An elevating device, wherein the fall restraint structure has an opening that allows access to an object on the elevating support base from above.

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