JP2024071778A - Item storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a luggage storage device that allows easy access to the inside of a storage box in an emergency, etc., without changing the orientation of the storage box. [Solution] The luggage storage device comprises a storage box 4 that stores luggage inside, a loading/unloading section for loading and unloading luggage into and from the storage box 4, a storage section for storing luggage together with the storage box 4, and a moving device for moving the storage box 4 between the loading/unloading section and the storage section. The storage box 4 comprises a box main body 4c, a first door, and a second door. The box main body 4c stores luggage inside. The first door is arranged so as to be openable and closable on a surface of the box main body 4c through which luggage can be loaded and unloaded at the loading/unloading section. The second door is arranged so as to be openable and closable on a surface of the box main body 4c different from the surface on which the first door is arranged. [Selected Figure] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a luggage storage device.

Examples of storage devices for storing items include an entrance and exit for loading and unloading items, a storage shelf for storing the items, and a moving device for moving the items between the entrance and the storage shelf and between the storage shelf and the exit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In this storage device, the articles are placed on a pallet, and the pallet is then transported by a transport device to the desired storage shelf or exit port.

Japanese Patent No. 4626821

In the above storage device, the items are placed on pallets and transported to the desired storage shelf or exit port. However, when the above storage device is used for storing luggage entrusted by users on the storage shelf, it is necessary to take measures such as putting the luggage in a storage box and storing it on the storage shelf or moving it in order to prevent the luggage from becoming dirty or dusty or falling off.
In this case, the box body of the storage box is provided with a door that can be opened at the entrance or exit. However, if the storage box cannot be moved to the exit due to a power supply failure or other reason, depending on the storage position or stop position of the storage box, it may be difficult to easily remove the items inside. Also, depending on the storage position or stop position of the storage box, it may be impossible to open the door and access the items inside the storage box even in an emergency unless the orientation of the box body of the storage box is changed.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a luggage storage device that allows easy access to the inside of a storage box in an emergency, etc., without having to change the orientation of the storage box.

The luggage storage device according to the present application comprises a storage box for storing luggage inside, a loading/unloading section for loading and unloading the luggage into and from the storage box, a storage section for storing the luggage together with the storage box, and a moving device for moving the storage box between the loading/unloading section and the storage section, and the storage box is characterized in that it comprises a box main body section capable of storing the luggage inside, a first door arranged so as to be openable and closable on a surface of the box main body section through which the luggage can be loaded and unloaded at the loading/unloading section, and a second door arranged so as to be openable and closable on a surface of the box main body section different from the surface on which the first door is arranged.

With the above configuration, when loading and unloading luggage at the loading/unloading section, the first door is opened at the loading/unloading section to allow access to the inside of the main box of the storage box. In addition, when the storage box cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section due to a power supply failure or other reason, or during sudden inspection, the inside of the main box of the storage box can be accessed by opening at least one of the first and second doors.

It is desirable that the second door be arranged on the surface of the box body that faces the inspection work space.
In this case, in an emergency or the like in which it is not possible to move the storage box to the loading/unloading section, the second door can be opened in the inspection work space where a relatively large space is secured.

The second door may be detachably attached to the box body.
In this case, the opening of the box body can be opened to its maximum extent by removing the second door from the box body, so that items stored in the box body can be removed relatively easily.

The luggage storage device may further include a second loading/unloading section for loading and unloading the luggage into and from the storage box, the loading/unloading section and the second loading/unloading section each having a first outer door and a second outer door, the first door including a first interlocking section that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the first outer door, and the second door including a second interlocking section that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door.
In this case, if the first door is linked to the first outer door of the loading/unloading section through the first interlocking part when the storage box is located in the loading/unloading section, the first door can be opened and closed in response to the opening and closing of the outer door. Also, if the second door is linked to the second outer door of the second loading/unloading section through the second interlocking part when the storage box is located in the second loading/unloading section, the second door can be opened and closed in response to the opening and closing of the second outer door. Therefore, for example, when the loading/unloading section is used as a user's window and the second loading/unloading section is used as a service provider's window, the outer doors of each window and the corresponding door of the storage box can be opened and closed at the same time, despite the simple structure.

In the present invention, the second door is arranged so as to be openable and closable on a side of the box body of the storage box that is different from the side on which the first door is arranged. Therefore, in an emergency in which the storage box cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section due to a power supply system failure or the like, by opening at least one of the first door and the second door, it is possible to easily access the inside of the storage box without changing the orientation of the storage box.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a luggage storage device according to a first embodiment, viewed obliquely from the front. 2 is a plan view of the luggage storage device of the first embodiment with the ceiling wall portion omitted. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage box according to the first embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box is placed in the loading/unloading section of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a small storage box is placed in the loading/unloading section of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the luggage storage device of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the luggage storage device of the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the luggage storage device of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a luggage storage device according to a second embodiment with the ceiling wall portion omitted. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of Figure 11. A cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box is placed in the second loading/unloading section of the second embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the luggage storage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
First, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 will be described.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage storage device 1 of the first embodiment, seen from the front side. The luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment is installed in stations, airports, stores, accommodation facilities, etc., and is a device for temporarily storing a user's luggage N. As shown in Fig. 1, the luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment includes a base 2, a storage shelf 3, a storage box 4, a moving device 5, an outer shell 6, and a loading/unloading section 7.

The luggage storage device 1 has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the luggage storage device 1 when viewed from above is referred to as the width direction, and the transverse direction of the luggage storage device 1 when viewed from above is referred to as the depth direction. Additionally, the right hand side in the width direction when viewed from a user who is about to use the luggage storage device 1 is referred to as the right side, and the left hand side in the width direction when viewed from a user who is about to use the luggage storage device 1 is referred to as the left side. Additionally, the user side in the depth direction when viewed from the luggage storage device 1 is referred to as the front side, and the side opposite the user in the depth direction when viewed from the luggage storage device 1 is referred to as the rear side.

The base 2 is a flat platform that supports the storage shelves 3, the moving device 5, and the loading/unloading section 7 from below, and is installed on the floor surface X. The base 2 also indirectly supports the storage boxes 4. In this embodiment, the outer shell 6 is erected on the floor surface X, but it may be supported by the base 2. In a plan view, the base 2 is formed in a rectangular shape with the width direction as the long side and the depth direction as the short side, and is composed of multiple flat plates.

Two storage shelves 3 are installed in the depth direction with the moving device 5 between them. These storage shelves 3 have a structure in which rods are connected in a lattice pattern. A number of spaces surrounded by the rods form storage sections 3a for storing storage boxes 4. Each storage section 3a stores a storage box 4 so that it can be easily inserted and removed. When luggage N is stored in a storage box 4, the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a, and the luggage N is stored in the storage section 3a.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the luggage storage device 1 with the ceiling wall portion 6e, which will be described later, omitted. As shown in Figure 2, on each of the front and rear storage shelves 3, a plurality of storage sections 3a are arranged linearly in the width direction. In this embodiment, the width dimensions of each storage section 3a are set to be the same.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. Three storage sections 3a are arranged vertically on the storage shelf 3. Of the three storage sections 3a arranged vertically, the height dimensions of the storage sections 3a in the middle and upper positions are the same, and the height dimension of the storage section 3a in the lower position is set smaller than the height dimensions of the storage section 3a in the middle and upper positions. In the following description, the storage section 3a stored in the lower position is referred to as the small storage section 3c, and the storage section 3a stored in the middle and upper positions is referred to as the large storage section 3b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage shelf 3 arranged in front of the moving device 5 has a section with no storage section 3a, which is the same width as one storage section 3a. This section without a storage section 3a is used as a transfer passage 3d for transferring baggage N that is being carried in and out at the carrying-in/out section 7 between the carrying-in/out section 7 and the moving device 5.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2. As shown in this figure, the delivery passage 3d is located at the center in the width direction of the storage shelf 3 arranged in front of the moving device 5. In this embodiment, the delivery passage 3d is provided so as to penetrate the storage shelf 3 in the vertical direction. In other words, no storage section 3a is provided above or below the delivery passage 3d. However, it is also possible to provide a storage section 3a above the delivery passage 3d. Furthermore, the delivery passage 3d may be located not only in the center region in the width direction of the storage shelf 3, but also in a position offset to the left or right.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a loading/unloading section 7 is disposed at the bottom of the delivery passage 3d. As shown in Figure 2, the loading/unloading section 7 is disposed between the storage sections 3a in the central region in the arrangement direction of the storage sections 3a in a plan view.

The storage box 4 is a box into which the luggage N is loaded and unloaded at the loading/unloading section 7. The storage box 4 is stored in a specific storage section 3a on the storage shelf 3. Figure 5(a) is an oblique view of a large storage box 4 stored in the large storage section 3b, and Figure 5(b) is an oblique view of a small storage box 4 stored in the small storage section 3c. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are oblique views of each storage box 4 as viewed from the rear side.

The luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment handles two types of storage boxes 4 with different volumes. In the following, when distinguishing between these different types of storage boxes 4, the one with a relatively large volume will be referred to as a large storage box 4a, and the one with a relatively small volume will be referred to as a small storage box 4b.
5(a) and 5(b), the height dimension of the large storage box 4a is greater than the height dimension of the small storage box 4b. The large storage box 4a has a size that allows it to be stored in the large storage section 3b of the storage shelf 3. The small storage box 4b has a size that allows it to be stored in the small storage section 3c of the storage shelf 3.

As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the storage box 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped box body 4c in which luggage N is stored. The box body 4c has openings on the front and rear sides through which luggage N can be put in and taken out. A front door 60 (first door) that can open and close the front opening of the box body 4c is attached to the front side of the box body 4c. The front door 60 is installed at the front of the box body 4c so that it can be raised and lowered. The front door 60 is a door for putting luggage N in and taking it out of the box body 4c mainly at the loading/unloading section 7.
The left and right side edges of the front door 60 are guided by guide grooves (not shown) at the front of the box body 4c, allowing the front door 60 to slide vertically. When the front opening of the box body 4c is closed, the front door 60 can only be displaced upward. Downward displacement of the front door 60 is restricted by a stopper fitting (not shown). The stopper fitting is detachably attached to the lower end of the front end of the box body 4c by a screw 63 (see FIG. 12).

The upper end of the front door 60 is provided with a protrusion 60a (see Figures 6 and 7) that protrudes forward. The protrusion 60a is inserted into an insertion portion 7b1 provided on an outer door 7b of the loading/unloading section 7, which will be described later. The protrusion 60a is inserted and engaged from the rear side into the insertion portion 7b1 of the outer door 7b, thereby linking the front door 60 to the outer door 7b in an interlocking manner. When the protrusion 60a is disengaged from the insertion portion 7b1 of the outer door 7b, it releases the interlock between the front door 60 and the outer door 7b. The protrusion 60a constitutes an interlocking portion (first interlocking portion) for interlocking the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the outer door 7b.

A rear door 61 (second door) that closes the rear opening of the box body 4c is attached to the rear side of the box body 4c. The rear door 61 is detachably attached to the rear end of the box body 4c with screws 62 (fixing means). In other words, the rear door 61 can be removed from the box body 4c by releasing the fastening with the screws 62. The rear door 61 is not opened or closed during normal use, and is removed only in emergencies or during maintenance.

A moving passage T is provided between the front and rear storage shelves 3 spaced apart in the depth direction. The moving device 5 is disposed in the moving passage T. During maintenance of the luggage storage device 1, the moving passage T becomes an inspection work space where workers can perform maintenance work.

3, the moving device 5 includes a dolly 5a capable of traveling along the moving passage T, a pair of masts 5b erected on the dolly 5a, and a lifting platform 5c that is raised and lowered along the masts 5b. A transfer device (not shown) is attached to the lifting platform 5c. The transfer device is a device for transferring the storage box 4 between the lifting platform 5c and the placement portion of the storage box 4.
The moving device 5 moves in the width direction using the cart 5a and raises and lowers the lifting platform 5c, thereby facing the transfer device to any storage section 3a or loading/unloading section 7, and the transfer device moves the storage box 4 between the storage section 3a or the loading/unloading section 7 and the lifting platform 5c.
The configuration of the moving device 5 is not particularly limited. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration including a linear guide that moves the transfer device in the width direction and a linear guide that can move the linear guide in the up and down direction.

The outer shell 6 is a wall that surrounds the storage shelf 3 and the moving device 5, and as shown in FIG. 1, has a front wall 6a, a rear wall 6b, a right side wall 6c, a left side wall 6d, and a ceiling wall 6e. The front wall 6a is a wall that stands in front of the front storage shelf 3. The outer wall surface 6a1 of this front wall 6a is the surface that faces a user who loads and unloads luggage N through the loading/unloading section 7, and in this embodiment, it is a design surface with patterns, letters, etc.

In addition, an opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 is provided at the bottom of the center of the width of the front wall 6a. The part of the front wall 6a where this opening 7a1 is provided functions as the outer wall 7a of the loading/unloading section 7. In other words, in this embodiment, the outer wall 7a of the loading/unloading section 7 is integrated with the front wall 6a of the outer shell 6.

The rear wall 6b is a wall erected behind the rear storage shelf 3. The right side wall 6c is a wall erected on the right side of the storage shelf 3. The left side wall 6d is a wall erected on the left side of the storage shelf 3. The ceiling wall 6e is a wall horizontally disposed above the storage shelf 3, and is supported from below by the front wall 6a, the rear wall 6b, the right side wall 6c, and the left side wall 6d.

The loading/unloading section 7 is a location where users of the luggage storage device 1 can load and unload luggage N, and the luggage N to be loaded and unloaded by the users is placed there.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the large storage box 4a is placed in the loading/unloading section 7. Fig. 6(a) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is closed, and Fig. 6(b) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is open. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the small storage box 4b is placed in the loading/unloading section 7. Fig. 7(a) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is closed, and Fig. 7(b) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is open.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the loading/unloading section 7 includes an outer wall section 7a, an outer door 7b, a door drive section 7c, a loading platform 7d, a weight measuring section 7e, and a user interface section 7f (see Figure 1).

The outer wall 7a is a wall that is provided integrally with the front wall 6a as described above, and is a wall that separates the loading platform 7d from the outside. This outer wall 7a is provided with an opening 7a1 that penetrates in the depth direction. The opening 7a1 is an opening for passing luggage N through, and has approximately the same opening area as the opening area when the front door 60 of the large storage box 4a is open.

The outer door 7b is a door for opening and closing the opening 7a1, and can be raised and lowered by the door drive unit 7c. The outer door 7b closes the opening 7a1 when lowered as shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), and opens the opening 7a1 when raised as shown in Figures 6(b) and 7(b).

The outer door 7b has an insertion portion 7b1 with a groove at a position that matches the height of the protrusion 60a of the large storage box 4a and at a position that matches the height of the protrusion 60a of the small storage box 4b. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the protrusion 60a of the large storage box 4a is inserted into the upper insertion portion 7b1 when the large storage box 4a is placed on the placement base 7d. In this state, by raising and lowering the outer door 7b, the front door 60 of the large storage box 4a is raised and lowered to match the outer door 7b, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Also, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the protrusion 60a of the small storage box 4b is inserted into the lower insertion portion 7b1 when the small storage box 4b is placed on the placement base 7d. In this state, by raising and lowering the outer door 7b, the front door 60 of the small storage box 4b is raised and lowered to match the outer door 7b, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

The door drive unit 7c is disposed inside the outer shell 6 and is connected to the outer door 7b. The door drive unit 7c is controlled by a control device (not shown). The door drive unit 7c raises and lowers the outer door 7b upon receiving a control command from the control device.

The loading platform 7d is located inside the outer shell 6, below the delivery passage 3d of the storage shelf 3. The loading platform 7d is a platform on which the storage box 4 is placed.

The weight measuring unit 7e is a weight sensor disposed under the loading platform 7d, and measures the weight of the luggage N stored in the storage box 4 placed on the loading platform 7d. Such a weight measuring unit 7e measures the weight of the luggage N including the storage box 4, for example. The weight measuring unit 7e is connected to the signal input unit of the control device, and outputs a signal including weight information of the luggage N to the control device. The control device calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the storage box 4 from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measuring unit 7e. In other words, the control device pre-stores the weights of the large storage box 4a and the small storage box 4b, and when the storage box 4 placed on the loading platform 7d is the large storage box 4a, it calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the large storage box 4a from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measuring unit 7e. Furthermore, if the storage box 4 placed on the platform 7d is a small storage box 4b, the control unit calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the small storage box 4b from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measurement unit 7e.

The user interface unit 7f is installed on the exterior wall 7a as shown in FIG. 1 and is exposed to the outside of the exterior wall 7a. This user interface unit 7f includes a touch panel that allows the user to input information and displays information to the user, a printing unit that creates a baggage storage slip on which information about the baggage N is printed, and a settlement unit that settles the storage costs.

(Operation of luggage storage device 1)
When a user actually deposits luggage N in the luggage storage device 1, the user operates the user interface unit 7f to select the size of the luggage N. When the size of the luggage N is selected, the control device determines the availability of storage boxes 4 that can store the selected luggage N, and controls the moving device 5 to transport an available storage box 4 to the loading platform 7d of the loading/unloading unit 7.

When the storage box 4 is transported to the placement platform 7d, the control device controls the door drive unit 7c to raise the outer door 7b. At this time, if the storage box 4 is a large storage box 4a, the control device raises the outer door 7b to the maximum extent to fully open the opening 7a1. On the other hand, if the storage box 4 is a small storage box 4b, the control device raises the outer door 7b about halfway to half-open the opening 7a1. In this way, when the outer door 7b is raised, the front door 60 of the storage box 4 rises together with the outer door 7b, and the front side of the storage box 4 is opened.

With the front side of the storage box 4 open, the user places luggage N inside the storage box 4. Thereafter, when the control device detects that luggage N has been stored in the storage box 4 by the user operating the user interface unit 7f, etc., it controls the door drive unit 7c to lower the outer door 7b. As a result, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading unit 7 is closed by the outer door 7b, and the front of the storage box 4 is closed by the front door 60. Thereafter, the control device controls the movement device 5 to return the storage box 4 containing the luggage N to the storage unit 3a where the storage box 4 was stored. The control device also causes the printing unit to output a luggage storage slip as necessary.

On the other hand, when a user removes a piece of luggage N from the luggage storage device 1, the user inputs, for example, information printed on a luggage storage slip into the user interface unit 7f. Based on the input information, the control device identifies the piece of luggage N to be removed, and controls the moving device 5 to transport the storage box 4 containing the identified piece of luggage N to the loading platform 7d of the loading/unloading unit 7.

When the storage box 4 is transported to the placement platform 7d, the control device controls the door drive unit 7c to lift the outer door 7b. At this time, the control device controls the amount of lift of the outer door 7b according to the size of the storage box 4 in the same manner as described above, and if the storage box 4 is a large storage box 4a, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 is fully opened, and if the storage box 4 is a small storage box 4b, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 is half opened. As a result, the front door 60 of the storage box 4 is lifted together with the outer door 7b, and the front of the storage box 4 is opened.

With the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 and the front of the storage box 4 thus open, the user removes the luggage N from inside the storage box 4. When the control device detects that the luggage N has been removed from the storage box 4 by the user's operation of the user interface section 7f, etc., it controls the door drive section 7c to lower the outer door 7b. This closes the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 and closes the front door 60 of the storage box 4. The control device then controls the movement device 5 to return the storage box 4 to the storage section 3a where it had been stored until now.

(Removal of baggage N in an emergency, etc.)
For example, if the storage box 4 containing the luggage N cannot be moved to the carry-in/out section 7 due to a failure of the power supply system or the like, the storage box 4 in the storage section 3a can be opened as follows, and the luggage N inside the storage box 4 can be removed. Below, how to open the storage box 4 will be described separately for the case where the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the storage shelf 3 on the front side and the case where the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the storage shelf 3 on the rear side.

(1) When the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the front storage shelf 3 Figure 8 is a diagram showing in sequence (a), (b), and (c) the state when the storage box 4 (large storage box 4a) stored in the storage section 3a (large storage section 3b) of the front storage shelf 3 is opened from the rear and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving passage T (inspection work space) side facing the front storage shelf 3, and removes the multiple screws 62 securing the rear door 61 with a tool 74 such as a screwdriver, as shown in FIG. 8(a).

Then, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the worker applies the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75 to the rear surface of the rear door 61, and in that state operates the suction cup tool 75 in an appropriate direction. As a result, the rear door 61 is released from the locking claws protruding from the rear surface of the box body 4c, and is removed from the rear of the box body 4c.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the worker pulls out a part of the box body 4c from the storage section 3a toward the transfer passage T, and removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the rear side of the box body 4c.

After removing the package N as described above, the worker returns the box body 4c to its original state in the storage section 3a and uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the rear door 61 to the rear surface of the box body 4c.

Thereafter, the worker uses a tool 74 such as a screwdriver to fix the rear door 61 to the rear surface of the box body 4c with the screws 62.
Although Figure 8 shows luggage N being removed from a large storage box 4a stored in the large storage section 3b of the front storage shelf 3, luggage N can be removed from a small storage box 4b in the same manner and the rear door 61 can be returned to its original state.

(2) When the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the rear storage shelf 3 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing in sequence (a), (b), (c), and (d) the state when the small storage box 4b stored in the small storage section 3c of the rear storage shelf 3 is opened from the front and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving aisle T (inspection work space) side facing the rear storage shelf 3 and pulls out a portion of the box main body 4c of the small storage box 4b from the small storage section 3c to the moving aisle T side (forward side), as shown in Figure 9 (a).

Next, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), the worker applies suction to the front surface of the front door 60 with the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75, and in this state displaces the suction cup tool 75 upward. As a result, the front door 60 rises while being guided by the guide groove at the front of the box main body 4c, and when it reaches a certain height, it is released from the guide groove. When the front door 60 is thus removed from the front of the box main body 4c, the front of the box main body 4c opens.

After this, the worker removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the front side of the box body 4c.

After removing the luggage N as described above, the worker uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the front door 60 to the front of the box body 4c. After this, the worker pushes the small storage box 4b into the small storage section 3c of the rear storage shelf 3, returning the small storage box 4b to its original state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing, in sequence, (a), (b), (c), and (d) the state when a large storage box 4a stored in the large storage section 3b of the rear storage shelf 3 is opened from the front and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving aisle T (inspection work space) side facing the rear storage shelf 3 and pulls out part of the box main body 4c of the large storage box 4a from the large storage section 3b to the moving aisle T side (forward side), as shown in Figure 10 (a).

Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the worker removes the stopper fitting (not shown) from the box body 4c by removing the screw 63 at the bottom end of the front side of the box body 4c. This releases the downward displacement restriction of the front door 60 by the stopper fitting.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the worker applies suction to the front surface of the front door 60 with the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75, and in that state displaces the suction cup tool 75 downward. As a result, the front door 60 descends while being guided by the guide groove at the front of the box main body 4c, and when it descends to a certain height, it disengages from the guide groove. When the front door 60 is thus removed from the front of the box main body 4c, the front of the box main body 4c opens.

After this, the worker removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the front side of the box body 4c.

After removing the luggage N as described above, the worker uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the front door 60 to the front of the box body 4c.

Then, the worker repositions the stopper metal fitting (not shown) at the bottom end of the front side of the box body 4c and fixes the stopper metal fitting to the bottom end of the box body 4c by tightening the screw 63. This causes the downward displacement of the front door 60 to be restricted by the stopper metal fitting.

Finally, the worker pushes the large storage box 4a into the large storage section 3b of the rear storage shelf 3, returning the large storage box 4a to its original state.

(Effects of the First Embodiment)
As described above, in the luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment, the rear door 61 serving as the second door is disposed on a side of the box main body 4c of the storage box 4 that is different from the side on which the front door 60 (first door) is disposed. Therefore, in an emergency in which the storage box 4 cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section 7 due to a failure in the power supply system or the like, by opening either the rear door 61 or the front door 60 inside the outer shell 6, it is possible to easily access the inside of the box main body 4c without changing the orientation of the box main body 4c.
Therefore, when the storage box 4 of this embodiment is adopted, the luggage N inside the box main body 4c can be reliably removed in an emergency, etc., without having to provide the luggage storage device 1 with a complex mechanism for changing the orientation of the box main body 4c.
In this embodiment, the rear door 61 disposed at the rear end of the box body 4c constitutes the second door, but the second door may be disposed on the left and right side surfaces or the top and bottom surfaces of the box body 4c. In this case, the same effect as above can be obtained.

In addition, in the luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment, a second door, the rear door 61, is disposed on the side of the box body 4c of the storage box 4 that faces the inspection work space (movement passage T) within the luggage storage device 1 during storage. Therefore, in an emergency or other situation where the storage box 4 cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section 7, the rear door 61 can be opened in the inspection work space where a relatively large space is secured.

Furthermore, in the luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment, the rear door 61, which is the second door of the storage box 4, is detachably attached to the box main body 4c. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the front door 60, which is the first door, cannot be opened, the rear opening of the box main body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the rear door 61 from the box main body 4c. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, luggage N stored in the box main body 4c can be removed relatively easily.

In addition, in the luggage storage device 1 of this embodiment, the front door 60, which is the first door of the storage box 4, is also detachably attached to the box body 4c. Therefore, even when opening the front door 60 in an emergency, the front opening of the box body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the front door 60 from the box body 4c.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment shown in Figures 11 to 13 will be described. In Figures 11 to 13, the same reference numerals are used to designate parts common to the first embodiment. In the following, detailed descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment will basically be omitted, but parts requiring detailed descriptions will be described by partially using the drawings of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the luggage storage device 101 of the second embodiment with the ceiling wall portion omitted, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box 104a (storage box 104) is placed in the second loading/unloading section 107 of the luggage storage device 101. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 2 of the first embodiment, and Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 3 of the first embodiment.
In the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a front storage shelf 3 and a rear storage shelf 3 are arranged on either side of a moving passage T inside an outer shell body 6, and each storage shelf 3 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 3a. A moving device 5 similar to that of the first embodiment is arranged in the moving passage T. The storage sections 3a arranged in the middle position and the storage sections 3a arranged in the upper position of each storage shelf 3 are large storage sections, and the storage sections 3a arranged in the lower position of each storage shelf 3 are small storage sections. Large storage boxes 104a are stored in the large storage sections, and small storage boxes (not shown) are stored in the small storage sections.

In the first embodiment, the loading/unloading section 7 is arranged only in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3, but in the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, a similar loading/unloading section 107 is arranged not only in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3 but also in the central region in the width direction of the rear storage shelf 3. Hereinafter, the loading/unloading section arranged in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3 is referred to as the first loading/unloading section 7, and the loading/unloading section arranged in the central region in the width direction of the rear storage shelf 3 is referred to as the second loading/unloading section 107. Note that the first loading/unloading section 7 and the second loading/unloading section 107 may be arranged not only in the central region in the width direction of the storage shelf 3 but also in positions offset to the left or right.

The first loading/unloading section 7 has the same configuration as the loading/unloading section 7 of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the first loading/unloading section 7 includes an outer wall section 7a, an outer door 7b, a door drive section 7c, a mounting table 7d, and a weight measuring section 7e. The outer wall section 7a has an opening 7a1 penetrating in the depth direction, and the opening 7a1 is opened and closed by the outer door 7b. The first loading/unloading section 7 also includes a user interface section. The outer wall section 7a, the outer door 7b, the door drive section 7c, the mounting table 7d, the weight measuring section 7e, and the user interface section are configured in the same manner as those of the first embodiment.
In the following, the outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7 will be referred to as the first outer door 7b.

As shown in FIG. 13, the second loading/unloading section 107 includes an outer wall 107a integral with the rear wall 6b of the outer shell 6, a second outer door 107b, a door drive unit 7c, a mounting table 107d, and a weight measuring unit 107e. The outer wall 107a has an opening 107a1 penetrating in the depth direction, and the opening 107a1 is opened and closed by the second outer door 107b. The outer wall 107a, the second outer door 107b, the mounting table 107d, and the weight measuring unit 107e in the second loading/unloading section 107 are configured in the same manner as the outer wall 7a, the first outer door 7b, the mounting table 7d, and the weight measuring unit 7e in the first loading/unloading section 7, respectively. The second loading/unloading section 107 also includes a user interface unit similar to the first loading/unloading section 7.

The storage boxes 104 (large storage box 4a and small storage box) have a rectangular parallelepiped box body 104c in which luggage is stored. Openings are formed at the front and rear of the box body 104c. A front door 60 (first door) that can open and close the opening at the front side of the box body 104c is attached to the front side of the box body 104c. The front door 60 is attached to the front of the box body 104c so that it can be raised and lowered.
A rear door 160 (second door) that can open and close the opening on the rear side of the box main body 104c is attached to the rear side of the box main body 104c. The rear door 160 is attached to the rear of the box main body 104c so that it can be raised and lowered. The front door 60 and the rear door 160 are detachably attached to the box main body 104c in the same way as the front door 60 of the first embodiment.

The upper end of the front door 60 is provided with a protrusion 60a that protrudes forward. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the protrusion 60a is capable of engaging with the insertion portion 7b1 provided on the first outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7. The protrusion 60a is inserted and engaged with the insertion portion 7b1 of the first outer door 7b from the rear side, thereby linking the front door 60 to the first outer door 7b in an interlocking manner. Furthermore, when the protrusion 60a is disengaged from the engagement with the insertion portion 7b1 of the first outer door 7b, it releases the interlocking between the front door 60 and the first outer door 7b. The protrusion 60a constitutes a first interlocking portion for interlocking the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b.

The upper end of the rear door 160 is provided with a protrusion 160a that protrudes toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 13, this protrusion 160a is capable of engaging with the insertion portion 107b1 provided on the second outer door 107b of the second loading/unloading section 107. The protrusion 160a is inserted and engaged with the insertion portion 107b1 of the second outer door 107b from the front side, thereby linking the rear door 160 to the second outer door 107b in an interlocking manner. When the protrusion 160a is disengaged from the insertion portion 107b1 of the second outer door 107b, it releases the interlocking between the rear door 160 and the second outer door 107b. The protrusion 160a of the rear door 160 constitutes a second interlocking portion for interlocking the rear door 160 with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b.

In the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, the first loading/unloading section 7 on the front side of the outer shell 6 can be used as a window for users, and the second loading/unloading section 107 on the rear side of the outer shell 6 can be used as a window for service providers. Specific usage forms are described below.

(Usage form 1)
Usage form 1 is used when delivering merchandise sold on an internet website or the like to a user (consumer) at a storefront. The luggage storage device 101 is arranged so that the first loading/unloading section 7 on the front side, which is the user's window, is located on the consumer passage side of the storefront, and the second loading/unloading section 107 on the rear side, which is the service provider's window, is installed on the storefront side so that it is not visible from the user's window side.

The service provider places the product purchased from a website or the like on the Internet in a designated storage box 104 at the second loading/unloading section 107, and stores it together with the storage box 104 in a designated storage section 3a using the moving device 5. Meanwhile, the service provider sends purchase information such as the order number to the consumer (user) who purchased the product by email or the like.

The consumer (user) stands in front of the first loading/unloading section 7 of the in-store luggage storage device 101, and after performing identity authentication, etc., enters purchase information such as the product number via a user interface such as a touch panel. This causes the moving device 5 to move under the control of the control device to the storage section 3a where the target product is stored, and moves the storage box 104 containing the product to the first loading/unloading section 7.

When the target storage box 104 has been moved to the first loading/unloading section 7, the front door 60 of the storage box 104 opens together with the outer door 7b. The consumer (user) removes the purchased product from inside the storage box 104. When it is confirmed that the consumer has removed the product, the control device controls the moving device 5 to return the emptied storage box 104 to the original storage section 3a.

(Usage form 2)
Usage pattern 2 is used when an item to be serviced (for example, an item to be repaired or cleaned) is left at the storefront and then picked up after the service provided by the service provider is completed.

The user operates the user interface unit at the first loading/unloading section 7 of the luggage storage device 101, and causes the moving device 5 to move the specified storage box 104 to the first loading/unloading section 7. At the first loading/unloading section 7, the luggage to be serviced (e.g., items to be repaired or cleaned) is stored in the box body section 104c of the storage box 104.

The luggage storage device 101 uses the moving device 5 to move the storage box 104 containing the luggage to be serviced to the second loading/unloading section 107, which is the service provider's counter. At the second loading/unloading section 107, the service provider removes the luggage from the box body section 104c of the storage box 104 and provides services such as repairs and cleaning to the luggage. After providing services to the luggage, the second loading/unloading section 107 returns the serviced luggage to the box body section 104c of the storage box 104. The luggage storage device 101 then uses the moving device 5 to move the storage box 104 to the specified storage section 3a and stores the storage box 104 in the specified storage section 3a.

After a predetermined time, the user who requested the service performs an operation on the user interface unit to specify the luggage for which the service has been provided at the first loading/unloading unit 7. In response, the luggage storage device 101 uses the moving device 5 to move the storage box 104 containing the luggage for which the service has been provided from the storage unit 3a to the first loading/unloading unit 7. The user removes the luggage for which the service has been provided from the box body unit 104c of the storage box 104 that has arrived at the first loading/unloading unit 7.

In the above description of the usage of the luggage storage device 101, details of the linked opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b and the front door 60 of the storage box 104 at the first loading/unloading section 7, and the linked opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b and the rear door 160 of the storage box 104 at the second loading/unloading section 107 have been omitted. These opening and closing operations are performed in the same manner as the opening and closing operation of the outer door 7b and the front door 60 of the storage box 4 in the first embodiment.

In the case of the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, if the storage box 104 cannot be moved to the first loading/unloading section 7 or the second loading/unloading section 107 due to a power supply system failure or the like, the front door 60 and rear door 160 of the storage box 104 can be removed in the movement passage T (inspection work space) inside the outer shell 6, and the luggage inside the box main body 104c can be removed. The front door 60 and rear door 160 can be removed and restored in the same manner as the operations shown in Figures 8 to 10 of the first embodiment.

(Effects of the Second Embodiment)
As described above, in the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, the rear door 160 serving as the second door is disposed on a surface of the box main body 104c of the storage box 104 different from the surface on which the front door 60 (first door) is disposed. Therefore, in an emergency in which the storage box 104 cannot be moved to the first loading/unloading section 7 or the second loading/unloading section 107 due to a failure in the power supply system or the like, by opening either the rear door 160 or the front door 60 inside the outer shell 6, it is possible to easily access the inside of the box main body 4c without changing the orientation of the box main body 4c.
Therefore, even when the storage box 104 of this embodiment is adopted, the luggage N inside the box main body portion 104c can be reliably removed in an emergency, etc., without the need for a complex mechanism for changing the orientation of the box main body portion 104c of the storage box 104.

In addition, in the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 are arranged on the side of the box body 104c of the storage box 104 that faces the inspection work space (movement passage T) during storage. Therefore, in the event of an emergency, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 can be opened in the relatively large space of the inspection work space (movement passage T).

In addition, in the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60 and rear door 160 of the storage box 104 are detachably attached to the box main body 104c. Therefore, when opening the front door 60 or rear door 160 in an emergency, the opening of the box main body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the front door 60 or rear door 160 from the box main body 104c. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, luggage stored in the box main body 104c can be removed relatively easily.

Furthermore, in the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60, which is the first door of the storage box 104, is provided with a protrusion 60a (first interlocking part) that interlocks the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b, and the rear door 160, which is the second door of the storage box 104, is provided with a protrusion 160a (second interlocking part) that interlocks the rear door 160 with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b. Therefore, when the storage box 104 is positioned in the first loading/unloading section 7, if the front door 60 can be interlocked with the first outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7 through the protrusion 60a, the front door 60 can also be opened and closed in response to the opening and closing of the first outer door 7b. Furthermore, when the storage box 104 is positioned in the second loading/unloading section 107, if the rear door 160 is capable of linking with the second outer door 107b of the second loading/unloading section 107 through the protrusion 160a, the rear door 160 can also be opened and closed in accordance with the opening and closing of the second outer door 107b.
Therefore, when the luggage storage device 101 of this embodiment is adopted, despite its simple structure, when the first loading/unloading section 7 is used as a user's counter and the second loading/unloading section 107 is used as a service provider's counter, the outer doors 7b, 107b of each counter and the corresponding doors 60, 160 of the storage box 104 can be opened and closed at the same time.

(Other technical ideas)
Other technical ideas that can be extracted from the second embodiment described above will be listed below together with their effects.
[Supplementary Note 1] A storage device (e.g., the storage box 104 in the second embodiment) on which an article (e.g., the baggage N in the second embodiment) is placed,
A first loading/unloading section (for example, the first loading/unloading section 7 in the second embodiment) through which a user loads and unloads the item into and from the storage device;
A second loading/unloading section (for example, the second loading/unloading section 107 in the second embodiment) through which the service provider loads and unloads the item into and from the storage device;
A storage unit (for example, the storage unit 3a in the second embodiment) that stores the item together with the storage device;
An item storage device characterized by being equipped with a moving device (e.g., moving device 5 in the second embodiment) that moves the storage device between the first loading/unloading section, the storage section, and the second loading/unloading section.

According to Supplementary Note 1 above, the goods provided by the service provider that are placed on the storage device at the second loading/unloading section are stored in the storage section, and the user can pick up the goods stored in the storage section at any time by performing a specified operation at the first loading/unloading section. Therefore, when using the goods storage device of this embodiment, the user and the service provider can hand over and pick up the goods at a time that is convenient for each of them.

[Appendix 2] The item storage device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the first loading/unloading section is provided with a user interface section for performing operations to identify a user and an item.

In this case, the user can correctly receive the item temporarily stored in the storage unit by performing an operation to identify the user and the item on the user interface unit of the first loading/unloading unit.

[Additional Note 3] The storage unit and the moving device are provided with an outer shell (for example, the outer shell 6 in the second embodiment),
The item storage device described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2, characterized in that the first loading/unloading section is arranged on one side wall of the outer shell body, and the second loading/unloading section is arranged on the other side wall opposite the one side wall of the outer shell body.

In this case, the service provider can prepare the service to be provided in an area that is not visible from the first loading/unloading section used by the user, sandwiched between the outer shell body, and can receive and deliver items at the second loading/unloading section. This can further improve the quality of the service provided.

[Appendix 4] The storage device is
A box body portion (for example, the box body portion 104c in the second embodiment) capable of storing an article therein and having openings at one end and the other end;
A first door (for example, a front door 60 in the second embodiment) that can open and close an opening on one end side of the box main body portion at the first loading/unloading portion;
The item storage device described in Appendix 3 is characterized in that it is equipped with a second door (e.g., rear door 160 in the second embodiment) that can open and close the opening on the other end side of the box main body portion at the second loading/unloading section.

In this case, by storing items in the box main body and closing the first and second doors, the storage device can prevent dirt and dust from adhering to the stored items and preventing the items from falling out. In addition, since the first and second doors are provided at one and the other ends of the box main body, the inside of the storage device can be accessed at the first loading/unloading section and the second loading/unloading section without changing the orientation of the storage device. Therefore, when the item storage device of this embodiment is adopted, there is no need to provide a mechanism for changing the orientation of the storage device, and the internal structure can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the number of rows of storage shelves 3 installed inside the outer shell 6 is not limited to two rows, front and back, but may be a single row. Furthermore, the size of the storage boxes 4 is not limited to two types, large and small, but may be one type or three or more types.

1, 101 ... luggage storage device 3a ... storage section 4, 104 ... storage box 4c, 104c ... box main body section 5 ... moving device 7 ... loading and unloading section 7b ... outer door 60 ... front door (first door)
60a...protrusion (first interlocking portion)
61...Rear door (second door)
160…Rear door (second door)
160a...protrusion (second interlocking portion)
107: Second loading/unloading section; 107b: Second outer door; T: Passageway (inspection work space);

The present invention relates to an article storage device .

Examples of storage devices for storing items include an entrance and exit for loading and unloading items, a storage shelf for storing the items, and a moving device for moving the items between the entrance and the storage shelf and between the storage shelf and the exit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In this storage device, the articles are placed on a pallet, and the pallet is then transported by a transport device to the desired storage shelf or exit port.

Japanese Patent No. 4626821

In recent years, there has been a demand for an article storage device that stores articles provided by a service provider in a storage unit and enables a user to receive the articles stored in the storage unit at any time.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an item storage device that stores items provided by a service provider in a storage unit and enables a user to receive the items stored in the storage unit at any time, allowing the user and the service provider to hand over and receive items at a time that is convenient for each party .

The item storage device of the present application is characterized by comprising a storage device on which items are placed, a first loading/unloading section where a user loads and unloads the items into and from the storage device, a second loading/unloading section where a service provider loads and unloads the items into and from the storage device, a storage section that stores the items together with the storage device, and a moving device that moves the storage device between the first loading/unloading section, the storage section, and the second loading/unloading section .

According to the above configuration, the goods provided by the service provider that are placed on the storage device at the second loading/unloading section are stored in the storage section, and the user can receive the goods stored in the storage section at any time by performing a predetermined operation at the first loading/unloading section. Therefore, when the goods storage device of this embodiment is used, the user and the service provider can hand over and receive the goods at a time that is convenient for each of them.

A user interface unit for performing an operation to identify a user and an article may be disposed in the first loading/unloading unit.
In this case, the user can correctly receive the item temporarily stored in the storage unit by performing an operation to identify the user and the item on the user interface unit of the first loading/unloading unit.

The storage section and the moving device may be installed inside an outer shell body, and the first loading/unloading section may be arranged on one side wall of the outer shell body, and the second loading/unloading section may be arranged on another side wall of the outer shell body opposite the one side wall.
In this case, the service provider can prepare the service to be provided in a portion of the outer shell that cannot be seen from the first loading/unloading section used by the user, and can receive and deliver items at the second loading/unloading section, etc. This can further improve the quality of the provided service.

The storage device may comprise a box main body portion capable of storing items therein and having openings at one end and the other end, a first door capable of opening and closing the opening at one end of the box main body portion at the first loading/unloading section, and a second door capable of opening and closing the opening at the other end of the box main body portion at the second loading/unloading section.
In this case, by storing items in the box body and closing the first and second doors, the storage device can prevent dirt and dust from adhering to the stored items and preventing the items from falling out. In addition, since the first and second doors are provided at one and the other ends of the box body, the inside of the storage device can be accessed at the first loading/unloading section and the second loading/unloading section without changing the orientation of the storage device. Therefore, when the item storage device of this embodiment is adopted, there is no need to provide a mechanism for changing the orientation of the storage device, and therefore the internal structure can be simplified.

According to the present invention, the goods provided by the service provider are stored in a storage unit, and the user can receive the goods stored in the storage unit at any time. Therefore, when the present invention is adopted, the user and the service provider can hand over and receive the goods at a time that is convenient for each of them.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an article storage device according to a reference example , viewed obliquely from the front. 1 is a plan view of an article storage device according to a reference example with the ceiling wall portion omitted. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a storage box according to a reference example . 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box is placed in the loading/unloading section of the reference example . FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a small storage box is placed in the loading/unloading section of the reference example . FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the article storage device of the reference example . FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the article storage device of the reference example . FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing how luggage is removed from a storage box in an emergency in the article storage device of the reference example . FIG. 2 is a plan view of the article storage device of the embodiment with the ceiling wall portion omitted. FIG. This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of Figure 11. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box is placed in the second loading/unloading section of the embodiment . FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an article storage device according to the present invention will be described together with a reference example with reference to the drawings.

< Reference Example >
First, a reference example shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 will be described.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an article storage device 1 of the reference example , seen from the front side. The article storage device 1 of the reference example is installed in stations, airports, stores, accommodation facilities, etc., and is a device for temporarily storing a user's luggage N. As shown in Fig. 1, the article storage device 1 of the reference example includes a base 2, a storage shelf 3, a storage box 4, a moving device 5, an outer shell 6, and a loading/unloading section 7.

The item storage device 1 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the item storage device 1 in a plan view is referred to as the width direction, and the lateral direction of the item storage device 1 in a plan view is referred to as the depth direction. In addition, the right hand side in the width direction as seen from a user who is about to use the item storage device 1 is referred to as the right side, and the left hand side in the width direction as seen from a user who is about to use the item storage device 1 is referred to as the left side. In addition, the user side in the depth direction as seen from the item storage device 1 is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side to the user in the depth direction as seen from the item storage device 1 is referred to as the rear side.

The base 2 is a flat platform that supports the storage shelves 3, the moving device 5, and the loading/unloading section 7 from below, and is installed on the floor surface X. The base 2 also indirectly supports the storage boxes 4. In this reference example , the outer shell 6 is erected on the floor surface X, but it may be supported by the base 2. The base 2 is formed in a rectangular shape with the width direction as the long side and the depth direction as the short side in a plan view, and is composed of multiple flat plates.

Two storage shelves 3 are installed in the depth direction with the moving device 5 between them. These storage shelves 3 have a structure in which rods are connected in a lattice pattern. A number of spaces surrounded by the rods form storage sections 3a for storing storage boxes 4. Each storage section 3a stores a storage box 4 so that it can be easily inserted and removed. When luggage N is stored in a storage box 4, the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a, and the luggage N is stored in the storage section 3a.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the article storage device 1, omitting a ceiling wall portion 6e (described later). As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of storage sections 3a are arranged linearly in the width direction on each of the front and rear storage shelves 3. In this reference example , the width dimension of each storage section 3a is set to be the same.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. Three storage sections 3a are arranged vertically on the storage shelf 3. Of the three storage sections 3a arranged vertically, the height dimensions of the storage sections 3a in the middle and upper positions are the same, and the height dimension of the storage section 3a in the lower position is set smaller than the height dimensions of the storage section 3a in the middle and upper positions. In the following description, the storage section 3a stored in the lower position is referred to as the small storage section 3c, and the storage section 3a stored in the middle and upper positions is referred to as the large storage section 3b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage shelf 3 arranged in front of the moving device 5 has a section with no storage section 3a, which is the same width as one storage section 3a. This section without a storage section 3a is used as a transfer passage 3d for transferring baggage N that is being carried in and out at the carrying-in/out section 7 between the carrying-in/out section 7 and the moving device 5.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2. As shown in this figure, the delivery passage 3d is disposed at the central position in the width direction of the storage shelf 3 disposed in front of the moving device 5. In the present reference example , the delivery passage 3d is provided so as to penetrate the storage shelf 3 in the vertical direction. In other words, no storage section 3a is provided above or below the delivery passage 3d. However, it is also possible to provide a storage section 3a above the delivery passage 3d. Moreover, the delivery passage 3d may be disposed not only in the central region in the width direction of the storage shelf 3, but also in a position offset to the left or right.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a loading/unloading section 7 is disposed at the bottom of the delivery passage 3d. As shown in Figure 2, the loading/unloading section 7 is disposed between the storage sections 3a in the central region in the arrangement direction of the storage sections 3a in a plan view.

The storage box 4 is a box into which the luggage N is loaded and unloaded at the loading/unloading section 7. The storage box 4 is stored in a specific storage section 3a on the storage shelf 3. Figure 5(a) is an oblique view of a large storage box 4 stored in the large storage section 3b, and Figure 5(b) is an oblique view of a small storage box 4 stored in the small storage section 3c. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are oblique views of each storage box 4 as viewed from the rear side.

The article storage device 1 of this reference example handles two types of storage boxes 4 with different volumes. In the following, when distinguishing between these different types of storage boxes 4, the one with a relatively large volume will be referred to as a large storage box 4a, and the one with a relatively small volume will be referred to as a small storage box 4b.
5(a) and 5(b), the height dimension of the large storage box 4a is greater than the height dimension of the small storage box 4b. The large storage box 4a has a size that allows it to be stored in the large storage section 3b of the storage shelf 3. The small storage box 4b has a size that allows it to be stored in the small storage section 3c of the storage shelf 3.

As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the storage box 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped box body 4c in which luggage N is stored. The box body 4c has openings on the front and rear sides through which luggage N can be put in and taken out. A front door 60 (first door) that can open and close the front opening of the box body 4c is attached to the front side of the box body 4c. The front door 60 is installed at the front of the box body 4c so that it can be raised and lowered. The front door 60 is a door for putting luggage N in and taking it out of the box body 4c mainly at the loading/unloading section 7.
The left and right side edges of the front door 60 are guided by guide grooves (not shown) at the front of the box body 4c, allowing the front door 60 to slide vertically. When the front opening of the box body 4c is closed, the front door 60 can only be displaced upward. Downward displacement of the front door 60 is restricted by a stopper fitting (not shown). The stopper fitting is detachably attached to the lower end of the front end of the box body 4c by a screw 63 (see FIG. 12).

The upper end of the front door 60 is provided with a protrusion 60a (see Figures 6 and 7) that protrudes forward. The protrusion 60a is inserted into an insertion portion 7b1 provided on an outer door 7b of the loading/unloading section 7, which will be described later. The protrusion 60a is inserted and engaged from the rear side into the insertion portion 7b1 of the outer door 7b, thereby linking the front door 60 to the outer door 7b in an interlocking manner. When the protrusion 60a is disengaged from the insertion portion 7b1 of the outer door 7b, it releases the interlock between the front door 60 and the outer door 7b. The protrusion 60a constitutes an interlocking portion (first interlocking portion) for interlocking the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the outer door 7b.

A rear door 61 (second door) that closes the rear opening of the box body 4c is attached to the rear side of the box body 4c. The rear door 61 is detachably attached to the rear end of the box body 4c with screws 62 (fixing means). In other words, the rear door 61 can be removed from the box body 4c by releasing the fastening with the screws 62. The rear door 61 is not opened or closed during normal use, and is removed only in emergencies or during maintenance.

A transfer passage T is provided between the front and rear storage shelves 3 spaced apart in the depth direction. The transfer device 5 is disposed in the transfer passage T. During maintenance of the item storage device 1, the transfer passage T serves as an inspection work space for an operator to perform maintenance work.

3, the moving device 5 includes a dolly 5a capable of traveling along the moving passage T, a pair of masts 5b erected on the dolly 5a, and a lifting platform 5c that is raised and lowered along the masts 5b. A transfer device (not shown) is attached to the lifting platform 5c. The transfer device is a device for transferring the storage box 4 between the lifting platform 5c and the placement portion of the storage box 4.
The moving device 5 moves in the width direction using the cart 5a and raises and lowers the lifting platform 5c, thereby facing the transfer device to any storage section 3a or loading/unloading section 7, and the transfer device moves the storage box 4 between the storage section 3a or the loading/unloading section 7 and the lifting platform 5c.
The configuration of the moving device 5 is not particularly limited. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration including a linear guide that moves the transfer device in the width direction and a linear guide that can move the linear guide in the up and down direction.

The outer shell 6 is a wall portion surrounding the storage shelf 3 and the moving device 5, and includes a front wall portion 6a, a rear wall portion 6b, a right side wall portion 6c, a left side wall portion 6d, and a ceiling wall portion 6e, as shown in Fig. 1. The front wall portion 6a is a wall portion erected in front of the front storage shelf 3. The outer wall surface 6a1 of the front wall portion 6a is the surface that faces a user who takes in and out luggage N through the loading/unloading portion 7, and in this reference example , is a design surface on which patterns, letters, etc. are drawn.

Further, an opening 7a1 of the load/unload section 7 is provided at the lower part of the center in the width direction of the front wall 6a. The part of the front wall 6a where the opening 7a1 is provided functions as the outer wall 7a of the load/unload section 7. In other words, in this reference example , the outer wall 7a of the load/unload section 7 is integrated with the front wall 6a of the outer shell 6.

The rear wall 6b is a wall erected behind the rear storage shelf 3. The right side wall 6c is a wall erected on the right side of the storage shelf 3. The left side wall 6d is a wall erected on the left side of the storage shelf 3. The ceiling wall 6e is a wall horizontally disposed above the storage shelf 3, and is supported from below by the front wall 6a, the rear wall 6b, the right side wall 6c, and the left side wall 6d.

The loading/unloading section 7 is a location where a user using the item storage device 1 loads and unloads luggage N, and where luggage N to be loaded and unloaded by the user is placed.
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the large storage box 4a is placed in the loading/unloading section 7. Fig. 6(a) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is closed, and Fig. 6(b) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is open. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the small storage box 4b is placed in the loading/unloading section 7. Fig. 7(a) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is closed, and Fig. 7(b) is a view showing a state where the outer door 7b is open.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the loading/unloading section 7 includes an outer wall section 7a, an outer door 7b, a door drive section 7c, a loading platform 7d, a weight measuring section 7e, and a user interface section 7f (see Figure 1).

The outer wall 7a is a wall that is provided integrally with the front wall 6a as described above, and is a wall that separates the loading platform 7d from the outside. This outer wall 7a is provided with an opening 7a1 that penetrates in the depth direction. The opening 7a1 is an opening for passing luggage N through, and has approximately the same opening area as the opening area when the front door 60 of the large storage box 4a is open.

The outer door 7b is a door for opening and closing the opening 7a1, and can be raised and lowered by the door drive unit 7c. The outer door 7b closes the opening 7a1 when lowered as shown in Figures 6(a) and 7(a), and opens the opening 7a1 when raised as shown in Figures 6(b) and 7(b).

The outer door 7b has an insertion portion 7b1 with a groove at a position that matches the height of the protrusion 60a of the large storage box 4a and at a position that matches the height of the protrusion 60a of the small storage box 4b. As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the protrusion 60a of the large storage box 4a is inserted into the upper insertion portion 7b1 when the large storage box 4a is placed on the placement base 7d. In this state, by raising and lowering the outer door 7b, the front door 60 of the large storage box 4a is raised and lowered to match the outer door 7b, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b). Also, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the protrusion 60a of the small storage box 4b is inserted into the lower insertion portion 7b1 when the small storage box 4b is placed on the placement base 7d. In this state, by raising and lowering the outer door 7b, the front door 60 of the small storage box 4b is raised and lowered to match the outer door 7b, as shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b).

The door drive unit 7c is disposed inside the outer shell 6 and is connected to the outer door 7b. The door drive unit 7c is controlled by a control device (not shown). The door drive unit 7c raises and lowers the outer door 7b upon receiving a control command from the control device.

The loading platform 7d is located inside the outer shell 6, below the delivery passage 3d of the storage shelf 3. The loading platform 7d is a platform on which the storage box 4 is placed.

The weight measuring unit 7e is a weight sensor disposed under the loading platform 7d, and measures the weight of the luggage N stored in the storage box 4 placed on the loading platform 7d. Such a weight measuring unit 7e measures the weight of the luggage N including the storage box 4, for example. The weight measuring unit 7e is connected to the signal input unit of the control device, and outputs a signal including weight information of the luggage N to the control device. The control device calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the storage box 4 from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measuring unit 7e. In other words, the control device pre-stores the weights of the large storage box 4a and the small storage box 4b, and when the storage box 4 placed on the loading platform 7d is the large storage box 4a, it calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the large storage box 4a from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measuring unit 7e. Furthermore, if the storage box 4 placed on the platform 7d is a small storage box 4b, the control unit calculates the weight of the luggage N by subtracting the weight of the small storage box 4b from the value indicated by the signal input from the weight measurement unit 7e.

The user interface unit 7f is installed on the exterior wall 7a as shown in FIG. 1 and is exposed to the outside of the exterior wall 7a. This user interface unit 7f includes a touch panel that allows the user to input information and displays information to the user, a printing unit that creates a baggage storage slip on which information about the baggage N is printed, and a settlement unit that settles the storage costs.

(Operation of the item storage device 1)
When a user actually deposits luggage N in the item storage device 1, the user operates the user interface unit 7f to select the size of the luggage N. When the size of the luggage N is selected, the control device determines the availability of storage boxes 4 that can store the selected luggage N, and controls the moving device 5 to transport an available storage box 4 to the loading platform 7d of the loading/unloading unit 7.

When the storage box 4 is transported to the placement platform 7d, the control device controls the door drive unit 7c to raise the outer door 7b. At this time, if the storage box 4 is a large storage box 4a, the control device raises the outer door 7b to the maximum extent to fully open the opening 7a1. On the other hand, if the storage box 4 is a small storage box 4b, the control device raises the outer door 7b about halfway to half-open the opening 7a1. In this way, when the outer door 7b is raised, the front door 60 of the storage box 4 rises together with the outer door 7b, and the front side of the storage box 4 is opened.

With the front side of the storage box 4 open, the user places luggage N inside the storage box 4. Thereafter, when the control device detects that luggage N has been stored in the storage box 4 by the user operating the user interface unit 7f, etc., it controls the door drive unit 7c to lower the outer door 7b. As a result, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading unit 7 is closed by the outer door 7b, and the front of the storage box 4 is closed by the front door 60. Thereafter, the control device controls the movement device 5 to return the storage box 4 containing the luggage N to the storage unit 3a where the storage box 4 was stored. The control device also causes the printing unit to output a luggage storage slip as necessary.

On the other hand, when a user removes a package N from the item storage device 1, the user inputs, for example, information printed on a package storage slip into the user interface unit 7f. The control device identifies the package N to be removed based on the input information, and controls the moving device 5 to transport the storage box 4 containing the identified package N to the loading platform 7d of the loading/unloading unit 7.

When the storage box 4 is transported to the placement platform 7d, the control device controls the door drive unit 7c to lift the outer door 7b. At this time, the control device controls the amount of lift of the outer door 7b according to the size of the storage box 4 in the same manner as described above, and if the storage box 4 is a large storage box 4a, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 is fully opened, and if the storage box 4 is a small storage box 4b, the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 is half opened. As a result, the front door 60 of the storage box 4 is lifted together with the outer door 7b, and the front of the storage box 4 is opened.

With the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 and the front of the storage box 4 thus open, the user removes the luggage N from inside the storage box 4. When the control device detects that the luggage N has been removed from the storage box 4 by the user's operation of the user interface section 7f, etc., it controls the door drive section 7c to lower the outer door 7b. This closes the opening 7a1 of the loading/unloading section 7 and closes the front door 60 of the storage box 4. The control device then controls the movement device 5 to return the storage box 4 to the storage section 3a where it had been stored until now.

(Removal of baggage N in an emergency, etc.)
For example, if the storage box 4 containing the luggage N cannot be moved to the carry-in/out section 7 due to a failure of the power supply system or the like, the storage box 4 in the storage section 3a can be opened as follows, and the luggage N inside the storage box 4 can be removed. Below, how to open the storage box 4 will be described separately for the case where the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the storage shelf 3 on the front side and the case where the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the storage shelf 3 on the rear side.

(1) When the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the front storage shelf 3 Figure 8 is a diagram showing in sequence (a), (b), and (c) the state when the storage box 4 (large storage box 4a) stored in the storage section 3a (large storage section 3b) of the front storage shelf 3 is opened from the rear and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving passage T (inspection work space) side facing the front storage shelf 3, and removes the multiple screws 62 securing the rear door 61 with a tool 74 such as a screwdriver, as shown in FIG. 8(a).

Then, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the worker applies the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75 to the rear surface of the rear door 61, and in that state operates the suction cup tool 75 in an appropriate direction. As a result, the rear door 61 is released from the locking claws protruding from the rear surface of the box body 4c, and is removed from the rear of the box body 4c.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the worker pulls out a part of the box body 4c from the storage section 3a toward the transfer passage T, and removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the rear side of the box body 4c.

After removing the package N as described above, the worker returns the box body 4c to its original state in the storage section 3a and uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the rear door 61 to the rear surface of the box body 4c.

Thereafter, the worker uses a tool 74 such as a screwdriver to fix the rear door 61 to the rear surface of the box body 4c with the screws 62.
Although Figure 8 shows luggage N being removed from a large storage box 4a stored in the large storage section 3b of the front storage shelf 3, luggage N can be removed from a small storage box 4b in the same manner and the rear door 61 can be returned to its original state.

(2) When the storage box 4 is stored in the storage section 3a of the rear storage shelf 3 FIG. 9 is a diagram showing in sequence (a), (b), (c), and (d) the state when the small storage box 4b stored in the small storage section 3c of the rear storage shelf 3 is opened from the front and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving aisle T (inspection work space) side facing the rear storage shelf 3 and pulls out a portion of the box main body 4c of the small storage box 4b from the small storage section 3c to the moving aisle T side (forward side), as shown in Figure 9 (a).

Next, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), the worker applies suction to the front surface of the front door 60 with the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75, and in this state displaces the suction cup tool 75 upward. As a result, the front door 60 rises while being guided by the guide groove at the front of the box main body 4c, and when it reaches a certain height, it is released from the guide groove. When the front door 60 is thus removed from the front of the box main body 4c, the front of the box main body 4c opens.

After this, the worker removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the front side of the box body 4c.

After removing the luggage N as described above, the worker uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the front door 60 to the front of the box body 4c. After this, the worker pushes the small storage box 4b into the small storage section 3c of the rear storage shelf 3, returning the small storage box 4b to its original state.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing, in sequence, (a), (b), (c), and (d) the state when a large storage box 4a stored in the large storage section 3b of the rear storage shelf 3 is opened from the front and luggage N is removed.
The worker first stands on the moving aisle T (inspection work space) side facing the rear storage shelf 3 and pulls out part of the box main body 4c of the large storage box 4a from the large storage section 3b to the moving aisle T side (forward side), as shown in Figure 10 (a).

Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the worker removes the stopper fitting (not shown) from the box body 4c by removing the screw 63 at the bottom end of the front side of the box body 4c. This releases the downward displacement restriction of the front door 60 by the stopper fitting.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the worker applies suction to the front surface of the front door 60 with the suction cup of the suction cup tool 75, and in that state displaces the suction cup tool 75 downward. As a result, the front door 60 descends while being guided by the guide groove at the front of the box main body 4c, and when it descends to a certain height, it disengages from the guide groove. When the front door 60 is thus removed from the front of the box main body 4c, the front of the box main body 4c opens.

After this, the worker removes the luggage N from inside the box body 4c through the opening on the front side of the box body 4c.

After removing the luggage N as described above, the worker uses the suction cup tool 75 to reposition the front door 60 to the front of the box body 4c.

Then, the worker repositions the stopper metal fitting (not shown) at the bottom end of the front side of the box body 4c and fixes the stopper metal fitting to the bottom end of the box body 4c by tightening the screw 63. This causes the downward displacement of the front door 60 to be restricted by the stopper metal fitting.

Finally, the worker pushes the large storage box 4a into the large storage section 3b of the rear storage shelf 3, returning the large storage box 4a to its original state.

(Effects of the Reference Example )
As described above, in the article storage device 1 of this reference example , the rear door 61 serving as a second door is disposed on a side of the box main body 4c of the storage box 4 that is different from the side on which the front door 60 (first door) is disposed. Therefore, in an emergency in which the storage box 4 cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section 7 due to a failure in the power supply system or the like, by opening either the rear door 61 or the front door 60 inside the outer shell 6, it is possible to easily access the inside of the box main body 4c without changing the orientation of the box main body 4c.
Therefore, when the storage box 4 of this reference example is adopted, the luggage N inside the box main body portion 4c can be reliably removed in an emergency, etc., without having to provide the item storage device 1 with a complex mechanism for changing the orientation of the box main body portion 4c.
In this embodiment , the rear door 61 disposed at the rear end of the box body 4c constitutes the second door, but the second door may be disposed on the left and right side surfaces or the top and bottom surfaces of the box body 4c. In this case, the same effect as above can be obtained.

Furthermore, in the article storage device 1 of this reference example , a rear door 61, which is a second door, is disposed on the side of the box body 4c of the storage box 4 that faces the inspection work space (movement passage T) within the article storage device 1 during storage. Therefore, in an emergency or the like in which the storage box 4 cannot be moved to the loading/unloading section 7, the rear door 61 can be opened in the inspection work space where a relatively large space is secured.

Furthermore, in the article storage device 1 of this reference example , the rear door 61, which is the second door of the storage box 4, is detachably attached to the box body 4c. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the front door 60, which is the first door, cannot be opened, the rear opening of the box body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the rear door 61 from the box body 4c. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the luggage N stored in the box body 4c can be relatively easily removed.

In addition, in the article storage device 1 of this reference example , the front door 60, which is the first door of the storage box 4, is also detachably attached to the box body 4c. Therefore, even when the front door 60 is to be opened in an emergency, the front opening of the box body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the front door 60 from the box body 4c.

<Embodiment>
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. In Figures 11 to 13, the same reference numerals are used to designate parts common to the reference example . In the following, detailed descriptions of parts common to the reference example will basically be omitted, but parts requiring detailed descriptions will be described by partially using the drawings of the reference example .

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the item storage device 101 of the embodiment with the ceiling wall portion omitted, and Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a large storage box 104a (storage box 104) is placed in the second loading/ unloading section 107 of the item storage device 101. Fig. 11 corresponds to Fig. 2 of the reference example , and Fig. 12 corresponds to Fig. 3 of the reference example .
In the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, similar to the reference example , a front storage shelf 3 and a rear storage shelf 3 are arranged on either side of a moving passage T inside an outer shell body 6, and each storage shelf 3 is provided with a plurality of storage sections 3a. A moving device 5 similar to that of the reference example is arranged on the moving passage T. The storage sections 3a arranged in the middle position and the storage sections 3a arranged in the upper position of each storage shelf 3 are large storage sections, and the storage sections 3a arranged in the lower position of each storage shelf 3 are small storage sections. Large storage boxes 104a are stored in the large storage sections, and small storage boxes (not shown) are stored in the small storage sections.

In the reference example , the loading/unloading section 7 is arranged only in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3, but in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, a similar loading/unloading section 107 is arranged not only in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3 but also in the central region in the width direction of the rear storage shelf 3. Hereinafter, the loading/unloading section arranged in the central region in the width direction of the front storage shelf 3 is referred to as the first loading/unloading section 7, and the loading/unloading section arranged in the central region in the width direction of the rear storage shelf 3 is referred to as the second loading/unloading section 107. Note that the first loading/unloading section 7 and the second loading/unloading section 107 may be arranged not only in the central region in the width direction of the storage shelf 3 but also in positions offset to the left or right.

The first loading/unloading section 7 has the same configuration as the loading/unloading section 7 of the reference example . That is, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the first loading/unloading section 7 includes an outer wall section 7a, an outer door 7b, a door drive section 7c, a mounting table 7d, and a weight measuring section 7e. The outer wall section 7a has an opening 7a1 penetrating in the depth direction, and the opening 7a1 is opened and closed by the outer door 7b. The first loading/unloading section 7 also includes a user interface section. The outer wall section 7a, the outer door 7b, the door drive section 7c, the mounting table 7d, the weight measuring section 7e, and the user interface section are configured in the same manner as those of the reference example .
In the following, the outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7 will be referred to as the first outer door 7b.

As shown in FIG. 13, the second loading/unloading section 107 includes an outer wall 107a integral with the rear wall 6b of the outer shell 6, a second outer door 107b, a door drive unit 7c, a mounting table 107d, and a weight measuring unit 107e. The outer wall 107a has an opening 107a1 penetrating in the depth direction, and the opening 107a1 is opened and closed by the second outer door 107b. The outer wall 107a, the second outer door 107b, the mounting table 107d, and the weight measuring unit 107e in the second loading/unloading section 107 are configured in the same manner as the outer wall 7a, the first outer door 7b, the mounting table 7d, and the weight measuring unit 7e in the first loading/unloading section 7, respectively. The second loading/unloading section 107 also includes a user interface unit similar to the first loading/unloading section 7.

The storage boxes 104 (large storage box 4a and small storage box) have a rectangular parallelepiped box body 104c in which luggage is stored. Openings are formed at the front and rear of the box body 104c. A front door 60 (first door) that can open and close the opening at the front side of the box body 104c is attached to the front side of the box body 104c. The front door 60 is attached to the front of the box body 104c so that it can be raised and lowered.
A rear door 160 (second door) that can open and close the opening on the rear side of the box main body 104c is attached to the rear side of the box main body 104c. The rear door 160 is attached to the rear of the box main body 104c so that it can be raised and lowered. The front door 60 and the rear door 160 are detachably attached to the box main body 104c in the same way as the front door 60 of the reference example .

The upper end of the front door 60 is provided with a protrusion 60a that protrudes forward. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the protrusion 60a is capable of engaging with the insertion portion 7b1 provided on the first outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7. The protrusion 60a is inserted and engaged with the insertion portion 7b1 of the first outer door 7b from the rear side, thereby linking the front door 60 to the first outer door 7b in an interlocking manner. Furthermore, when the protrusion 60a is disengaged from the engagement with the insertion portion 7b1 of the first outer door 7b, it releases the interlocking between the front door 60 and the first outer door 7b. The protrusion 60a constitutes a first interlocking portion for interlocking the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b.

The upper end of the rear door 160 is provided with a protrusion 160a that protrudes toward the rear. As shown in FIG. 13, this protrusion 160a is capable of engaging with the insertion portion 107b1 provided on the second outer door 107b of the second loading/unloading section 107. The protrusion 160a is inserted and engaged with the insertion portion 107b1 of the second outer door 107b from the front side, thereby linking the rear door 160 to the second outer door 107b in an interlocking manner. When the protrusion 160a is disengaged from the insertion portion 107b1 of the second outer door 107b, it releases the interlocking between the rear door 160 and the second outer door 107b. The protrusion 160a of the rear door 160 constitutes a second interlocking portion for interlocking the rear door 160 with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b.

In the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, the first loading/unloading section 7 on the front side of the outer shell 6 can be used as a window for users, and the second loading/unloading section 107 on the rear side of the outer shell 6 can be used as a window for service providers. Specific usage patterns will be described below.

(Usage form 1)
Usage form 1 is used when delivering merchandise sold on an internet website or the like to a user (consumer) at a storefront. The article storage device 101 is arranged so that the first loading/unloading section 7 on the front side, which is the user's window, is located on the consumer passage side of the storefront, and the second loading/unloading section 107 on the rear side, which is the service provider's window, is installed on the storefront side so that it is not visible from the user's window side.

The service provider places the product purchased from a website or the like on the Internet in a designated storage box 104 at the second loading/unloading section 107, and stores it together with the storage box 104 in a designated storage section 3a using the moving device 5. Meanwhile, the service provider sends purchase information such as the order number to the consumer (user) who purchased the product by email or the like.

A consumer (user) stands in front of the first loading/unloading section 7 of the in-store item storage device 101, and after performing identity authentication, etc., inputs purchase information such as a product number via a user interface such as a touch panel. This causes the moving device 5 to move to the storage section 3a where the target product is stored under the control of the control device, and moves the storage box 104 containing the product to the first loading/unloading section 7.

When the target storage box 104 has been moved to the first loading/unloading section 7, the front door 60 of the storage box 104 opens together with the outer door 7b. The consumer (user) removes the purchased product from inside the storage box 104. When it is confirmed that the consumer has removed the product, the control device controls the moving device 5 to return the emptied storage box 104 to the original storage section 3a.

(Usage form 2)
Usage pattern 2 is used when an item to be serviced (for example, an item to be repaired or cleaned) is left at the storefront and then picked up after the service provided by the service provider is completed.

A user operates a user interface unit in the first loading/unloading unit 7 of the item storage device 101, and causes the moving device 5 to move a specific storage box 104 to the first loading/unloading unit 7. In the first loading/unloading unit 7, the item to be serviced (e.g., an item to be repaired or cleaned) is stored in the box body 104c of the storage box 104.

The item storage device 101 moves the storage box 104 storing the parcel to be serviced by the moving device 5 to the second loading/unloading section 107, which is the service provider's window. At the second loading/unloading section 107, the service provider removes the parcel from the box body section 104c of the storage box 104 and provides the parcel with service such as repair and cleaning. After providing the service to the parcel, the second loading/unloading section 107 returns the parcel for which the service has been provided to the box body section 104c of the storage box 104. The item storage device 101 then moves the storage box 104 to the specified storage section 3a by the moving device 5, and stores the storage box 104 in the specified storage section 3a.

After a predetermined time, the user who requested the service performs an operation on the user interface unit to specify the parcel for which the service has been provided at the first loading/unloading unit 7. In response to this, the item storage device 101 causes the moving device 5 to move the storage box 104 containing the parcel for which the service has been provided from the storage unit 3a to the first loading/unloading unit 7. The user removes the parcel for which the service has been provided from the box body 104c of the storage box 104 that has arrived at the first loading/unloading unit 7.

In the above description of the usage of the item storage device 101, details of the linked opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b and the front door 60 of the storage box 104 at the first loading/unloading section 7 and the linked opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b and the rear door 160 of the storage box 104 at the second loading/unloading section 107 are omitted. These opening and closing operations are performed in the same manner as the opening and closing operations of the outer door 7b and the front door 60 of the storage box 4 in the reference example .

Also, in the case of the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, when the storage box 104 cannot be moved to the first loading/unloading section 7 or the second loading/unloading section 107 due to a failure of the power supply system or the like, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 of the storage box 104 can be removed in the movement passage T (inspection work space) inside the outer shell 6, and the luggage inside the box main body 104c can be taken out. The front door 60 and the rear door 160 can be removed and restored in the same manner as the operations shown in Figures 8 to 10 of the reference example .

(Effects of the embodiment )
As described above, in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, the rear door 160 serving as the second door is disposed on a surface of the box main body 104c of the storage box 104 that is different from the surface on which the front door 60 (first door) is disposed. Therefore, in an emergency in which the storage box 104 cannot be moved to the first loading/unloading section 7 or the second loading/unloading section 107 due to a failure in the power supply system or the like, by opening either the rear door 160 or the front door 60 inside the outer shell 6, it is possible to easily access the inside of the box main body 4c without changing the orientation of the box main body 4c.
Therefore, even when the storage box 104 of this embodiment is adopted, the luggage N inside the box main body portion 104c can be reliably removed in an emergency, etc., without the need for a complex mechanism for changing the orientation of the box main body portion 104c of the storage box 104.

In addition, in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 are arranged on the side of the box body 104c of the storage box 104 that faces the inspection work space (movement passage T) during storage. Therefore, in an emergency, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 can be opened in the relatively wide space of the inspection work space (movement passage T).

In addition, in the article storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60 and the rear door 160 of the storage box 104 are detachably attached to the box body 104c. Therefore, when the front door 60 or the rear door 160 is opened in an emergency, the opening of the box body 4c can be opened as wide as possible by removing the front door 60 or the rear door 160 from the box body 104c. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the baggage stored in the box body 104c can be relatively easily removed.

Furthermore, in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, the front door 60, which is the first door of the storage box 104, is provided with a protrusion 60a (first interlocking part) that interlocks the front door 60 with the opening and closing operation of the first outer door 7b, and the rear door 160, which is the second door of the storage box 104, is provided with a protrusion 160a (second interlocking part) that interlocks the rear door 160 with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door 107b. Therefore, when the storage box 104 is positioned in the first loading/unloading section 7, if the front door 60 is interlockable with the first outer door 7b of the first loading/unloading section 7 through the protrusion 60a, the front door 60 can also be opened and closed in response to the opening and closing of the first outer door 7b. Furthermore, when the storage box 104 is positioned in the second loading/unloading section 107, if the rear door 160 is capable of linking with the second outer door 107b of the second loading/unloading section 107 through the protrusion 160a, the rear door 160 can also be opened and closed in accordance with the opening and closing of the second outer door 107b.
Therefore, when the item storage device 101 of this embodiment is adopted, despite its simple structure, when the first loading/unloading section 7 is used as a user's counter and the second loading/unloading section 107 is used as a service provider's counter, the outer doors 7b, 107b of each counter and the corresponding doors 60, 160 of the storage box 104 can be opened and closed at the same time.

The item storage device 101 of this embodiment also includes a storage box 104 (storage tool) on which luggage N (item) is placed, a first loading/unloading section 7 where a user loads and unloads the luggage N into and from the storage box 104, a second loading/unloading section 107 where a service provider loads and unloads the luggage N into and from the storage box 104, a storage section 3a that stores the luggage N together with the storage box 104, and a moving device 5 that moves the storage box 104 between the first loading/unloading section 7, the storage section 3a, and the second loading/unloading section 107. Therefore, the luggage N provided by the service provider that is placed in the storage box 104 by the second loading/unloading section 107 is stored in the storage section 3a, and the user can receive the luggage N stored in the storage section 3a at any timing by performing a predetermined operation at the first loading/unloading section 7.
Therefore, when the article storage device of this embodiment is adopted, the user and the service provider can hand over and receive the article at a time that is convenient for each of them.

Furthermore, in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, a user interface unit for performing an operation to identify a user and an item is disposed in the first loading/unloading unit 7. Therefore, the user can correctly receive the item temporarily stored in the storage unit 3a by performing an operation to identify the user and the baggage N (item) on the user interface unit of the first loading/unloading unit 7.

The item storage device 101 of this embodiment also includes an outer shell 6 in which the storage unit 3a and the moving device 5 are installed, and a first loading/unloading unit 7 is disposed on one side wall of the outer shell 6, while a second loading/unloading unit 107 is disposed on the other side wall opposite the one side wall of the outer shell 6. This allows the service provider to prepare the service provided in a portion of the outer shell 6 that is not visible from the first loading/unloading unit 7 used by the user, and to receive and deliver the luggage N (item) at the second loading/unloading unit 107. This can further improve the quality of the service provided.

Furthermore, in the item storage device 101 of this embodiment, the storage box 104 includes a box body portion 104c capable of storing luggage N (items) therein and having openings at one end and the other end, a front door 60 (first door) capable of opening and closing the opening at one end of the box body portion 104c at the first loading/unloading section 7, and a rear door 160 (second door) capable of opening and closing the opening at the other end of the box body portion 104c at the second loading/unloading section 107. Therefore, the storage box 104 can prevent dirt and dust from adhering to the stored luggage N and the luggage N from falling off by storing luggage N (items) in the box body portion 104c and closing the front door 60 and the rear door 160. In addition, since the front door 60 and the rear door 160 are provided at one end and the other end of the box body portion 104c, the inside of the storage box 104 can be accessed at the first loading/unloading section 7 and the second loading/unloading section 107 without changing the orientation of the storage box 104. Therefore, when the item storage device 101 of this embodiment is adopted, there is no need to provide a mechanism for changing the orientation of the storage box 104, and therefore the internal structure can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the number of rows of storage shelves 3 installed inside the outer shell 6 is not limited to two rows, front and back, but may be a single row. Furthermore, the size of the storage boxes 4 is not limited to two types, large and small, but may be one type or three or more types.

3a...storage section 5...moving device
6...Shell
7... First loading/unloading section
60…Front door (first door)
101...Item storage device
104...Storage box (storage device)
160…Rear door (second door)
107...Second loading/unloading section
N: Luggage (items)

Claims (4)

A storage box for storing luggage inside;
A loading/unloading section for loading/unloading the luggage into/from the storage box;
a storage unit that stores the luggage together with the storage box;
a moving device that moves the storage box between the loading/unloading section and the storage section,
The storage box includes:
A box body portion capable of storing the luggage therein;
A first door is disposed in an openable and closable manner on a surface of the box body through which the luggage can be loaded and unloaded at the loading/unloading section;
A second door is arranged to be openable and closable on a surface of the box main body different from a surface on which the first door is arranged;
A luggage storage device comprising: The luggage storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second door is arranged on the side of the box body that faces the inspection work space. The luggage storage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second door is detachably attached to the box body. A second loading/unloading unit is further provided for loading/unloading the luggage into/from the storage box,
the loading/unloading section and the second loading/unloading section each have a first outer door and a second outer door,
The first door includes a first interlocking part that interlocks with an opening and closing operation of the first outer door,
The luggage storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second door is provided with a second interlocking portion that interlocks with the opening and closing operation of the second outer door.

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