JP2023182334A - Fixing device for heavy object - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fixing device for a heavy object, which automatically performs the work of fixing the heavy object in an erected state and prevents falling-down of the heavy object.SOLUTION: A fixing device 1 for a heavy object B fixes the heavy object B in an erected state, and comprises a first automatic holding mechanism 2 for automatically holding the lower side of the heavy object B, and a second automatic holding mechanism 3 for automatically holding the upper side of the heavy object B. The first automatic holding mechanism 2 is provided integrally with a load cell 102 for measuring the weight of the heavy object B, and holds the lower side of the heavy object B in a fixed state relative to the load cell 102. The second automatic holding mechanism 3 is provided integrally with a cabinet 100 for storing the heavy object B inside, and holds the upper side of the heavy object B in a free state relative to the load cell 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a heavy object fixing device for fixing a heavy object such as a gas cylinder in an upright state.

For example, cylinder cabinets are widely used as equipment for supplying various gases. In the cylinder cabinet, the door is opened and closed, and a pair of gas cylinders are stored in an upright storage space inside the cabinet. Further, in the cylinder cabinet, while gas is being supplied from one of the gas cylinders, by replacing the other gas cylinder, it is possible to perform the gas supply without interrupting the gas cylinder.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-057747 JP2012-229727A

By the way, in the above-mentioned cylinder cabinet, as an earthquake countermeasure, the gas cylinder is required to be properly fixed in the storage space so that the gas cylinder does not fall over in the event of an earthquake (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 above). . For this reason, in the conventional gas cylinder fixing method, the gas cylinder is manually fixed using a fixing tool such as a chain or a metal band.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned gas cylinder replacement work, gas cylinders are transported using a cylinder transport trolley, and the gas cylinders are carried out and carried in (replaced) between the cylinder transport trolley and the cylinder cabinet. .

However, such gas cylinder replacement work requires a worker to carry the heavy gas cylinder in his/her arms, which is extremely dangerous and hard work. Furthermore, the above-mentioned work of fixing the gas cylinder had to be done manually, resulting in poor workability.

The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional circumstances, and provides a device for securing heavy objects that automatically performs the work of securing heavy objects in an upright position and prevents the heavy objects from falling over. The purpose is to

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
[1] A heavy object fixing device for fixing a heavy object in an upright state,
A device for fixing a heavy object, comprising at least one automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the heavy object.
[2] A first automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the lower side of the heavy object;
The heavy object fixing device according to item [1], further comprising a second automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the upper side of the heavy object.
[3] The first automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a load cell that measures the weight of the heavy object, and holds the lower side of the heavy object in a fixed state with respect to the load cell,
[2] The second automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a cabinet in which the heavy object is stored, and holds the upper side of the heavy object in a free state with respect to the load cell. ] The heavy object fixing device described in ].
[4] The first automatic holding mechanism has a pair of arm parts that are automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a sandwiched state between the pair of arm parts,
The second automatic holding mechanism is characterized in that it has a shutter section that is automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a state where the upper side of the heavy object is cut off from the loading/unloading entrance of the cabinet by the shutter section. The device for securing a heavy object according to item [3] above.
[5] The device for fixing a heavy object as described in [3] above, further comprising a slide support mechanism that supports the heavy object in a slidable manner in the front-rear direction of the cabinet.
[6] The slide support mechanism has a plurality of rollers arranged on the load cell in the front-rear direction of the cabinet, and supports the heavy object in an upright state so as to be slidable by the plurality of rollers. The heavy object fixing device according to item [5] above.
[7] The device for securing a heavy object according to any one of [1] to [6] above, wherein the heavy object is a gas cylinder.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heavy object fixing device that automatically performs the work of fixing a heavy object in an upright state and prevents the heavy object from falling over.

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view showing a state before gas cylinders are fixed in a cylinder cabinet equipped with a gas cylinder fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective plan view showing the cylinder cabinet in a state before the gas cylinders are fixed. In the cylinder cabinet, it is a transparent front view showing the state after fixing the gas cylinder. In the cylinder cabinet, it is a perspective plan view showing the state after fixing the gas cylinder.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
As one embodiment of the present invention, a cylinder cabinet 100 equipped with a gas cylinder B fixing device 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described.

In addition, FIG. 1 is a perspective front view showing the state before fixing the gas cylinder B in the cylinder cabinet 100 equipped with the fixing device 1 for the gas cylinder B. FIG. 2 is a perspective plan view showing the state of the cylinder cabinet 100 before the gas cylinder B is fixed. FIG. 3 is a perspective front view showing the cylinder cabinet 100 after the gas cylinder B is fixed. FIG. 4 is a perspective plan view showing the state of the gas cylinder B after it is fixed in the cylinder cabinet 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cylinder cabinet 100 of this embodiment serves as a system for automatically transporting gas cylinders B, which are heavy items, and serves as a destination for transporting gas cylinders B. Further, the cylinder cabinet 100 is installed on the floor as equipment for supplying the gas filled in the gas cylinder B to semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

The cylinder cabinet 100 has a housing 101a having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a port for carrying in and out of the gas cylinder B on the front side of the housing 101a is opened and closed by a pair of left and right doors 101b. Further, the cylinder cabinet 100 stores a pair of gas cylinders B in an upright position in a storage space S inside the housing 101a.

The cylinder cabinet 100 stores a pair of gas cylinders B in a storage space S side by side in the width direction. In the gas supply equipment, while gas is being supplied from one of these gas cylinders B, the other gas cylinder B can be replaced without interrupting the gas supply. It is now possible.

At the bottom of the storage space S, a load cell 102 for measuring the weight of the gas cylinder B and a slide support mechanism 103 for supporting the gas cylinder B so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the storage space S are provided.

A load cell 102 is installed at the bottom of the storage space S corresponding to each gas cylinder B. In the gas supply equipment, the remaining amount of gas in the gas cylinder B is determined by measuring the weight of the gas cylinder B, and the replacement time of the gas cylinder B is predicted and managed.

The slide support mechanism 103 consists of free rollers, including a plurality of rollers 103a arranged on the load cell 102 in the front-rear direction of the storage space S, and a pair of rollers 103a that rotatably support the plurality of rollers 103a, corresponding to each of the load cells 102. It has a frame 103b.

In the slide support mechanism 103, the gas cylinder B placed on the plurality of rollers 103a can be slid in the front-rear direction of the storage space S via the plurality of rollers 103a in an upright state. .

Note that the slide support mechanism 103 is not necessarily limited to the above-described free roller, and for example, a belt conveyor or the like may be used.

In addition, the cylinder cabinet 100 also includes, for example, piping connected to the gas cylinder B, a control box housing equipment for opening/closing valves, monitoring pressure, monitoring gas leakage, etc., and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. A piping box (none of which is shown), etc., containing piping for connecting to devices and the like is provided.

By the way, as an earthquake countermeasure, the cylinder cabinet 100 of the present embodiment includes the fixing device 1 of the present embodiment that fixes the gas cylinder B stored in the storage space S in an upright state so that the gas cylinder B does not fall over when an earthquake occurs. We are prepared.

Specifically, this fixing device 1 includes at least one (two in this embodiment) automatic holding mechanisms 2 and 3 to automatically hold the gas cylinder B. In this embodiment, of the two automatic holding mechanisms 2 and 3, the first automatic holding mechanism 2 automatically holds the lower side of the gas cylinder B, and the second automatic holding mechanism 2 automatically holds the upper side of the gas cylinder B. A holding mechanism 3 is provided.

The first automatic holding mechanism 2 employs a mechanism that is provided integrally with the load cell 102 and holds the lower side of the gas cylinder B in a fixed state with respect to the load cell 102. In this embodiment, the first automatic holding mechanism 2 includes a pair of arm parts 4 that are automatically driven to open and close using a drive source such as an air drive, a motor drive, or an electromagnetic drive (air drive in this embodiment). An arm mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "arm mechanism 2") is adopted.

Specifically, this arm mechanism 2 is attached to a frame 5 that is assembled integrally with a frame 103b (slide support mechanism 103) on the load cell 102. The pair of arm portions 4 have substantially arcuate shapes and are rotatably supported at their proximal ends via a hinge portion 4a.

Further, the pair of arm portions 4 are connected via a link mechanism 7 to an air cylinder 6 serving as a driving source. The air cylinder 6 and the link mechanism 7 are located on the back side of the storage space S and are attached to the upper part of the pedestal 5.

The arm mechanism 2 automatically opens and closes the pair of arms 4 by converting the vertical movement of the air cylinder 6 into a movement that rotates the pair of arms 4 in opposite directions via the link mechanism 7. It is now possible to do so.

Therefore, in the arm mechanism 2, the lower side of the gas cylinder B is sandwiched between the pair of arm parts 4 from both sides while the pair of arm parts 4 are rotated in opposite directions to each other. It is possible to hold (grasp) the lower side in a stable state.

Further, the arm mechanism 2 is provided with a stopper mechanism 8 that restricts the pair of arm portions 4 from rotating in the opening direction when the gas cylinder B is sandwiched between the pair of arm portions 4.

The stopper mechanism 8 has a pin cylinder connected to the air cylinder 6 serving as a driving source, and by inserting the pin of this pin cylinder into the hole of one of the arm parts 4, the pair of arm parts 4 are moved in the opening direction. It is restricted from being rotated.

Note that the stopper mechanism 8 is not necessarily limited to one that employs such a mechanism, and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, although the arm mechanism 2 uses the air drive described above, if a motor drive or electromagnetic drive is used, the pair of arm parts 4 can be moved in the opening direction without providing such a stopper mechanism 8. It is possible to restrict rotation.

Further, the arm mechanism 2 can be adapted to gas cylinders B of different sizes by changing the size of the spacers 4b attached to the pair of arm parts 4 according to the size of the gas cylinder B.

Note that the first automatic holding mechanism 2 is not necessarily limited to one that employs the above-described arm mechanism; for example, a vacuum mechanism that holds the gas cylinder B while sucking it may be employed.

The second automatic holding mechanism 3 is provided integrally with the cylinder cabinet 100 and employs a mechanism that holds the upper side of the gas cylinder B in a free state relative to the load cell 102. In this embodiment, the second automatic holding mechanism 3 includes a shutter section 9 that is automatically driven to open and close using a drive source such as an air drive, a motor drive, or an electromagnetic drive (air drive in this embodiment). A shutter mechanism (hereinafter referred to as "shutter mechanism 3") is adopted.

Specifically, this shutter mechanism 3 is attached to a housing 101a of a cylinder cabinet 100. The shutter portion 9 has a linearly extended shape, and its proximal end side is rotatably supported via a hinge portion 9a.

Further, the shutter section 9 is connected via a link mechanism 11 to an air cylinder 10 serving as a driving source. The air cylinder 10 and the link mechanism 11 are located on the side of the storage space S and attached to the housing 101a.

The shutter portions 9 are disposed corresponding to each of the pair of gas cylinders B arranged in parallel in the width direction of the storage space S, and are symmetrically attached to both left and right sides of the housing 101a. On the other hand, a stopper 12 is provided at the center in the width direction of the storage space S, which comes into contact with the shutter part 9 when shutting off.

The shutter mechanism 3 automatically opens and closes the shutter section 9 by converting the vertical movement of the air cylinder 10 into a movement that rotates the shutter section 9 between a vertical position and a horizontal position via a link mechanism 11. It is possible to drive.

Therefore, in the shutter mechanism 3, while rotating the shutter part 9 from the vertical position to the horizontal position, the shutter part 9, whose tip end side is in contact with the stopper 12, moves the upper side of the gas cylinder B to the loading/unloading entrance of the cylinder cabinet 100. It is possible to maintain the system in a state where it is cut off between the two.

In the fixing device 1 of this embodiment having the above configuration, the arm mechanism 2 and shutter mechanism 3 described above automatically hold the lower and upper sides of the gas cylinder B, thereby fixing the gas cylinder B in an upright state. It is possible to automatically carry out the work that is to be done, and to prevent the gas cylinder B from falling over in the event of an earthquake.

In addition, in the fixing device 1 of this embodiment, as the first automatic holding mechanism 2 described above, an arm is provided integrally with the load cell 102 and holds the lower side of the gas cylinder B in a state fixed to the load cell 102. As the second automatic holding mechanism 3, a shutter mechanism is adopted which is provided integrally with the cylinder cabinet 100 and holds the upper side of the gas cylinder B in a free state relative to the load cell 102.

That is, this fixing device 1 includes a first automatic holding mechanism (arm mechanism) 2 that automatically holds the lower side of the gas cylinder B while in contact with the gas cylinder B, and a first automatic holding mechanism (arm mechanism) 2 that automatically holds the lower side of the gas cylinder B while in contact with the gas cylinder B. A second automatic holding mechanism (shutter mechanism) 3 is provided to automatically hold the upper side of the gas cylinder B in the above state.

In this case, when the lower and upper sides of the gas cylinder B are held by the first automatic holding mechanism (arm mechanism) 2 and the second automatic holding mechanism (shutter mechanism) 3, the load measurement of the gas cylinder B by the load cell 102 is affected. It is possible to prevent the gas cylinder B from falling over without causing any damage.

On the other hand, if the upper side of the gas cylinder B is held by the second automatic holding mechanism 3 while in contact with the gas cylinder B, there is a possibility that the load on the casing 101a side of the cylinder cabinet 100 will be applied to the load cell 102. In this case, the load measurement of the gas cylinder B by the load cell 102 will vary, so in the worst case, the gas supply may stop.

Note that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, although the fixing device 1 to which the present invention is applied is suitably used in the cylinder cabinet 100 that stores the gas cylinder B mentioned above in an upright position, it is not limited to the fixing device that fixes the gas cylinder B in an upright position. The present invention can be widely applied to a heavy object fixing device that fixes a heavy object in an upright state in order to prevent the heavy object from falling.

1... Fixing device 2... First automatic holding mechanism (arm mechanism) 3... Second automatic holding mechanism (shutter mechanism) 4... Arm portion 5... Frame 6... Air cylinder 7... Link mechanism 8... Stopper mechanism 9... Shutter Part 10... Air cylinder 11... Link mechanism 12... Stopper 100... Cylinder cabinet 101a... Housing 101b... Door 102... Load cell 103... Slide support mechanism S... Storage space B... Gas cylinder (heavy object)

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
[1] A heavy object fixing device for fixing a heavy object in an upright state,
a first automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the lower side of the heavy object;
a second automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the upper side of the heavy object;
The first automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a load cell that measures the weight of the heavy object, and holds the lower side of the heavy object in a fixed state with respect to the load cell,
The second automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a cabinet in which the heavy object is stored, and holds the upper side of the heavy object in a free state with respect to the load cell. Fixation device .
[ 2 ] The first automatic holding mechanism has a pair of arm parts that are automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a state where the lower side of the heavy object is sandwiched between the pair of arm parts,
The second automatic holding mechanism is characterized in that it has a shutter section that is automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a state where the upper side of the heavy object is cut off from the loading/unloading entrance of the cabinet by the shutter section. The device for securing a heavy object according to item [ 1 ] above.
[ 3 ] The device for fixing a heavy object as described in [ 1 ] above, further comprising a slide support mechanism that supports the heavy object in a slidable manner in the front-rear direction of the cabinet.
[ 4 ] The slide support mechanism has a plurality of rollers arranged on the load cell in the front-back direction of the cabinet, and supports the heavy object in an upright state so as to be slidable by the plurality of rollers. The device for securing a heavy object according to item [ 3 ] above.
[ 5 ] The heavy object fixing device according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ] above, wherein the heavy object is a gas cylinder.

Claims (7)

A heavy object fixing device for fixing a heavy object in an upright state,
A device for fixing a heavy object, comprising at least one automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the heavy object. a first automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the lower side of the heavy object;
The heavy object fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second automatic holding mechanism that automatically holds the upper side of the heavy object. The first automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a load cell that measures the weight of the heavy object, and holds the lower side of the heavy object in a fixed state with respect to the load cell,
2. The second automatic holding mechanism is provided integrally with a cabinet in which the heavy object is stored, and holds the upper side of the heavy object in a free state with respect to the load cell. A device for securing heavy objects as described in . The first automatic holding mechanism has a pair of arm parts that are automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a state where the lower side of the heavy object is sandwiched between the pair of arm parts,
The second automatic holding mechanism is characterized in that it has a shutter section that is automatically driven to open and close, and holds the heavy object in a state where the upper side of the heavy object is cut off from the loading/unloading entrance of the cabinet by the shutter section. The heavy object fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: 4. The heavy object fixing device according to claim 3, further comprising a slide support mechanism that supports the heavy object so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the cabinet. The slide support mechanism has a plurality of rollers arranged on the load cell in the front-rear direction of the cabinet, and supports the heavy object in an upright state so as to be slidable by the plurality of rollers. The heavy object fixing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The device for securing a heavy object according to claim 1, wherein the heavy object is a gas cylinder.

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