JP3104782B2 - Storage equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of storage shelves each provided with a plurality of article storage sections, which are provided in a side-by-side state, and wherein articles are taken in and out of the article storage sections. A traveling device provided with a transfer device is provided, and the storage shelves are configured to be movable along the direction of juxtaposition while their loads are supported by a plurality of shelf support rails, and are adjacent to each other. It is configured to be switchable between a loading / unloading operation state in which a traveling passage of the traveling device is formed between storage shelves and a storage state in which adjacent storage shelves are brought close to each other, and the traveling device is provided in the traveling passage. The present invention relates to a storage facility which is provided so as to be able to move and run while its load is supported by a running rail intersecting with the shelf supporting rail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the above-mentioned storage apparatus, as shown in, for example, JP-A-6-107307, the rails for supporting the shelves and the rails for traveling cross each other at substantially the same height, and Are provided in a state where they are both supported on the ground-side installation surface, and where these rails intersect, the flanges of the storage-wheel-side flanged wheels or the traveling-device-side collared wheels are attached to the respective rails. A groove for preventing interference is formed, and the respective wheels are provided so as to be able to pass through the rail intersection, so that the storage device can be switched between a working state and a storage state, and the traveling device is moved and moved in a load supporting state. There was one that could be freely supported.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional structure, the above-mentioned grooves are formed at the respective intersections of the respective rails, so that each wheel travels in the grooves. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the traveling movement cannot be performed smoothly, such as generation of vibration and noise due to the collision of the wheel with the edge of the groove.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, it is necessary to form grooves at the intersections of the rails for supporting the shelves and the rails for traveling, respectively. There is also a disadvantage that the manufacturing process becomes complicated on the rail manufacturing surface.

As a method for solving the above-mentioned disadvantage, for example, as a configuration in which the traveling rail is integrally formed on a lateral side portion of the storage shelf, a configuration in which a series of rails are provided in a continuous manner can be considered. With this configuration, the load of the traveling device is supported by the storage shelves via the traveling rails, and it is necessary to increase the support strength of the storage shelves, which disadvantageously complicates the configuration. There are also disadvantageous aspects such as a possibility that stored articles may be displaced due to vibration or the like when the traveling device travels.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to switch a storage shelf between a working state and a storage state, and to support a traveling device so that it can move and travel in a load supporting state. An object of the present invention is to provide a storage facility which can perform vibration and noise as much as possible and can perform a smooth traveling movement without complicating a rail manufacturing process.

[0007]

According to the characteristic configuration of the present invention, the shelf supporting rail and the traveling rail are formed in a continuous series, and the shelf supporting rail is provided on the ground side. The traveling rail is installed while being supported on an installation surface, and the traveling rail is installed and supported above the shelf supporting rail. When the traveling rail is switched to the carrying-in / out work state in which the traveling passage of the traveling device is formed by the moving operation means, the traveling rail is in the supporting action position for guiding and supporting the traveling device. Moved
In the storage state where the adjacent storage shelves are close to each other, the storage shelves are moved to the retreat position where they are retreated from the movement passage area of the storage shelves, so that the traveling rail does not hinder the movement of the storage shelves.

[0008] Since each rail is formed in a continuous state, there is no concave portion or the like in the middle, so that when the storage shelf or the traveling device travels, no impact is generated, and vibration and noise are generated. Is able to perform smooth traveling while traveling is suppressed. In addition, each rail does not need to be subjected to a special process such as a groove in the middle thereof, and such a special process is not required, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0009] Since the traveling rails are installed in a state of being mounted and supported on the shelf supporting rails, mounting errors and the like occur as compared with a configuration in which each rail is separately mounted and fixed on an installation surface. There is no danger, and the relative vertical position of each rail is always maintained in the same state. As a result, it becomes easier to position each article storage section in the storage shelf with the transfer device provided in the traveling device.

According to the characteristic structure of the present invention, since the moving operation means is constituted by a telescopic operation mechanism for moving the traveling rail toward or away from the storage shelf, In the required working state, the traveling rail is moved to a predetermined supporting action position separated from the storage shelf by the telescopic operation mechanism, and in the stored state,
Since the traveling rail moves to the predetermined retreat position by approaching the storage shelf, the switching movement of the storage shelf to the storage state is not hindered.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the telescopic operation mechanism moves the traveling rail toward or away from the storage shelf by a moving operation force of the storage shelf. By effectively utilizing the moving operation force of the storage shelf, there is no need to provide a dedicated driving unit for moving the traveling rail, and the configuration can be simplified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the traveling rail is configured to be located at the center in the width direction of the traveling passage in the working state, and the moving operation means is configured to move the traveling rail. Each of the storage shelves located on both sides of the passage, and a link mechanism pivotally linked to each of the traveling rails, the link mechanism switches the storage shelf between the working state and the storage state. The travel rails are configured to move in conjunction with each other, the maximum distance between each of the storage shelves and the travel rail is regulated to a set distance, and each of the storage shelves is controlled. Is configured to allow the approaching movement.

Accordingly, as the storage shelf is switched between the working state and the storage state, the traveling rail is interlockedly moved between the supporting action position and the retreat position by the link mechanism. There is no need to provide a dedicated driving means such as an actuator, so that a simple configuration is sufficient, and the maximum separation distance,
That is, in the working state in which the travel passage is formed, the travel rail can be accurately moved to the support action position by mechanically regulating the movement amount.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the link mechanism is constituted by a four-node link mechanism in which four links are pivotally connected, and a pair of nodes at diagonal positions of the link mechanism. Are pivotally connected to the respective storage shelves, and each of a pair of nodes at the other diagonal positions is pivotally connected to the traveling rail via a flexible portion formed along the rail longitudinal direction. As the storage shelves move closer to and away from each other, the location where the traveling rails are pivotally connected is located at the center in the width direction of the traveling passage, and with a simple configuration. It can always be properly positioned at the support operation position.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a storage facility according to the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of storage shelves 2 provided with a plurality of article storage units 1 are provided side by side in the left-right direction along a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, respectively, and articles are stored in each of the article storage units 1. And can move and travel over the inside of the traveling passage T formed between the storage shelves 2 and the standby position located outside one end of the passage T, and A stacker crane 5 is provided as a traveling device including a transfer device 4 for loading and unloading articles into and from the article storage sections 1 and the article carrying-in / out section 3. In the standby position, the stacker crane 5 is supported by a traverser 6 as a movable trolley. The traverser 6 is provided movably along the direction in which the storage shelves 2 are arranged, and puts articles into and out of the transfer device 4. At the same time, a transport device 6a for transferring articles to and from the article carrying-in / out section 3 is provided, and articles can be taken in and out of the article carrying-in / out section 3 via the carrying apparatus 6a.

The storage shelves 2 on both sides in the left-right direction among the plurality of storage shelves 2 are fixedly installed on the floor surface, respectively, and a plurality of storage shelves 2 located between these fixed storage shelves 2a are provided.
Are configured as movable storage shelves 2b that are movable along the juxtaposition direction.

The movable storage shelves 2b are movably mounted and supported by a plurality of wheels 8 by a plurality of shelves 7 serving as a plurality of shelves supporting rails fixedly installed on the floor as an installation surface on the ground side. The wheels 8 are rotatably driven by an electric motor and are provided so as to be movable in the juxtaposed direction. Each of the movable storage shelves 2 can be switched between a work state in which a work space for carrying in and out is formed therebetween, and a storage state in which the work shelves 2 are close to each other without the work space being formed. It is configured. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a working space is formed in one of the plurality of movable storage shelves 2b and provided in a storage state in the other locations, and each movable storage shelf 2 is moved. By doing so, a working space can be formed at any location. With such a configuration, the installation space along the direction in which the storage shelves 2 are juxtaposed can be reduced as much as possible while securing a working space.

The traverser 6, while supporting the stacker crane 5, is mounted and supported on two support rails 10 by wheels so as to be movable in the direction in which the storage shelves 2 are juxtaposed (left-right direction). It is configured to travel by driving and rotating wheels by an electric motor.

When the traverser 6 moves to the place where the traveling passage T is formed, the stacker crane 5 can be made to travel toward the inside of the traveling passage T. The stacker crane 5 has a traveling path T
When the vehicle travels, the vehicle is mounted and supported by wheels 13 on a traveling rail 12 installed in a state substantially perpendicular to the shelf rail 7, and is supported by a support frame 14 at the upper end. The guide rollers 15 on both sides are configured to be guided and supported along guide rails 16 provided on the storage shelf 2. The stacker crane 5 is provided with a traveling electric motor 17, and the wheels 13 are driven to rotate by the driving force of the electric motor 17 so that the traveling movement on the traveling rail 12 is possible. The traverser 6 is provided with a rail portion 18 and a guide rail 19 for guiding the stacker crane 5 to travel between an end position of the traveling path in the traveling path T and a standby position mounted and supported on the traverser 6. Have been.

Although not described in detail, the transfer device 4 is provided so as to be vertically movable by an electric motor based on a well-known lifting operation structure, and transfers and stores articles to an arbitrary article storage unit 1. It is configured so that the articles placed and stored in the article storage unit 1 can be carried out. Each storage shelf 2 is provided with a power supply device on the shelf side for supplying driving power to the stacker crane 5, and the stacker crane 5 has A power collection device is provided that receives power from the power supply device while maintaining a state of contact with the power supply device.

An operation panel section 25 is installed outside the traverser moving path in a fixed position.
5, a worker is instructed to issue work information. A shelf control unit (not shown) provided on each of the movable storage shelves 2 is connected to an operation panel unit 23. The electric motors of the movable storage shelves 2 are controlled so that the traveling passages T are formed at the designated locations. Each of the movable storage shelves 2 is configured to detect a detection plate installed on the floor surface in advance at a position corresponding to the movement stop position by a photoelectric sensor and automatically stop the movement at a predetermined stop position. .

The traverser 6 and the stacker crane 5
And a control device as control means for controlling the respective operations of the transfer device 4 is provided on the stacker crane 5 side, and the control information is in a wireless state between the operation panel unit 25 and the control device by optical communication. Is configured to be transmitted. That is, the operation panel unit 25 and the traverser 6 are communicated by optical signals transmitted along the moving direction of the traverser 6 by optical communication devices provided respectively, and the communication between the traverser 6 and the stacker crane 5 is performed. In the same manner, the optical communication devices provided in the respective sections are configured to communicate with each other by optical signals transmitted along the moving direction of the stacker crane 5. The traveling electric motor 1 mounted on the traverser 6 based on the control information communicated in this manner.
1 and a drive electric motor 17 mounted on the stacker crane 5.

Although not shown, the traverser 6 is also provided with a photoelectric sensor for position detection similarly to the movable storage shelf 2, and stops the movement corresponding to each traveling path T specified by the operation panel unit 25. At the position, the detection plate previously installed at an appropriate position on the floor surface is configured to automatically stop moving at a stop position designated based on information detected by the photoelectric sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the traverser 6 determines whether or not there is a detector 35 provided at a predetermined position on each of the storage shelves 2 on both left and right sides on the storage shelf 2 side. A pair of reflective photoelectric sensors 36 for determining whether or not T is formed properly is provided, and the traveling rail 12 in the traveling path T is positioned at an appropriate position corresponding to the wheels of the stacker crane 5. A distance-measuring optical sensor 37 is provided to detect whether or not there is an object. Then, after the control device confirms that each of the reflective photoelectric sensors 36 has detected the detection body 35 and that the distance-measuring optical sensor 37 has confirmed that the position of the traveling rail 12 is appropriate, The stacker crane 5 is configured to start running.

The shelf rail 7 and the traveling rail 12
Are formed in a state of being connected in series, are installed in a state where the shelf rail 7 is supported on the installation surface on the ground side, and are installed in a state where the traveling rail 12 is placed and supported on the upper part of the shelf rail 7. ing. Then, in the working state, the traveling rail 12 is moved to a support operation position for guiding and supporting the stacker crane 5, and in the retracted state, the traveling rail 12 is moved to a retreat position where the traveling rail 12 retreats from the movement passage area of the storage shelf 2. Means I are provided.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the traveling rails 12 are supported by rolling wheels 41 which are supported by support members 40 which are fixed to the lower surfaces thereof.
In the working state, it is configured to be located at the center in the width direction of the traveling passage T in the working state. The moving operation means I is constituted by storage shelves 2 and 2 located on both sides of the traveling path T, and a link mechanism R pivotally linked to each of the traveling rails 12. The mechanism R is configured such that the traveling rails 12 move in conjunction with the storage shelves 2 and 2 being switched between a working state (see FIG. 5) and a storage state (see FIG. 6). ,
The maximum separation distance between the storage racks 2 and 2 is regulated to a set distance, and the storage shelves 2 and 2 are allowed to approach and move.

More specifically, the link mechanism R is constituted by a four-node link mechanism in which four links 42 of substantially the same length are pivotally connected to each other by pivot pins 43. A pair of nodes at the diagonal positions is
, Are pivotally connected to each other so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. Also, the pivot pins 43 of the pair of joints at the other diagonal positions are inserted into the support members 40 through the flexible elongated holes 45 (an example of the flexible portions) formed along the rail longitudinal direction. With the pin 43 movable along the rail longitudinal direction along the accommodation slot 45, the link mechanism R and the support member 40, that is, the traveling rail 12, are relatively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. It is pivotally connected.

When the storage shelves 2, 2 on both sides are moved in the separating direction so as to form a traveling path T so as to be switched to a working state, the traveling rail 12 is accordingly moved to the respective storage shelves 2, 2. It moves interlockingly along the shelf moving direction while maintaining the state of being located in the middle in the width direction. When the operation state is switched to the operation state in which the predetermined traveling path T is formed, the pivot pins 43 move in a direction approaching each other, reach the end of the accommodation slot 45, and further move. The maximum distance between each of the storage shelves 2 and 2 and the travel rail 12 is regulated, the set distance is regulated, and the position of the travel rail 12 is regulated at the supporting action position.

When the storage shelves 2, 2 are switched from the working state to the storage state, the pivot pins 43 move in a direction away from each other, and the storage shelves 2, 2 move closer. Is allowed, and the traveling rail 12
Is retracted from the supporting action position and is switched to the retracted state, each pivot pin 43 approaches the opposite end of the accommodation slot 45, and the traveling rail 12 moves to the retracted position. . A rolling roller is provided at a sliding position between the pivot pin 43 and the slot 45 to reduce sliding contact resistance.

[Another Embodiment] (1) In the above-described embodiment, a case is described in which a long hole is formed as an example of the accommodation portion so that the pivot pin 43 slides relative to the traveling rail 12. As an example, instead of such a configuration, the pivot pin is provided on the traveling rail 12 in a fixed position, and the traveling rail 12 is moved in the rail longitudinal direction with respect to a support member on which the rolling wheel is supported. A flexible portion is formed by engaging and linking relative sliding movement only along the rail, and the traveling rail 12
May slide in the longitudinal direction.

(2) In the above embodiment, the moving operation means I
Although the storage shelves 2 and 2 and the traveling rail 12 are pivotally connected via a four-bar link mechanism, the following configuration may be used instead of such a configuration.

As shown in FIG.
Is fixedly mounted on a supporting member 40 on which a rolling wheel 41 rolling and moving on the shelf rail 7 is supported, and movably mounted and supported on the shelf rail 7. A hydraulic cylinder 47 as an example of the expansion / contraction operation mechanism S is interposed between the storage cylinder 2 and the frame 44 of one of the storage shelves 2, 2 with the expansion / contraction operation of the hydraulic cylinder 47. Alternatively, the traveling rail 12 may be configured to move between the support operation position and the retreat position. or,
Instead of the hydraulic cylinder, various actuators such as an electric cylinder including an electric motor and a screw feed mechanism may be used.

(3) As the telescopic operating mechanism S, instead of using the above-described telescopic operating actuator, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, a coil spring 48 in which a separating operation force acts in a direction for separating them may be provided, and further restrictive movement may be restricted by a restricting tool 49 at a set separating position. In this case, when switching to the storage state, the traveling rail 12 moves closer to the storage shelf against the spring force of the coil spring 48 by the moving operation force of the storage shelf 2.

(4) The moving operation means I may have the following configuration. Left and right storage shelves 2,2
With respect to the frame body 44 of one of the storage shelves 2,
The traveling rails 12 are connected via a support arm in a state where the traveling rails 12 are separated by a set distance corresponding to the supporting action position, and the traveling rails 12 are placed and supported on the shelf rails 7, and a retracted state in which the set amount is raised. The lifting and lowering hydraulic cylinder for vertically lifting and lowering the support arm is provided to perform the lifting and lowering operation. Further, when the traveling rail 12 is stored in the storage shelf on the opposite side in a retracted state, It may form an evacuation space in which the rail 12 can enter and retreat.

(5) In the above embodiment, the traveling rail 12 is movably mounted on and supported by the shelf rail 7 via the support member on which the rolling wheel is supported. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the use rail 12 is directly placed and supported on the shelf rail 7 and is slidably moved by the moving operation means I.

(6) In the above embodiment, one running rail is provided at the center of the running passage. However, instead of such a configuration, a plurality of running rails are provided in the running passage. Is also good.

In the claims, the reference numerals are used to facilitate comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the attached drawings.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage facility.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the traveling device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a storage facility.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a link mechanism disposition portion.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a link mechanism disposition portion in a working state.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a link mechanism disposition portion in a retracted state.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a moving operation unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a moving operation unit according to another embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Article storage section 2 Storage shelf 4 Transfer device 5 Traveling device 7 Shelf support rail 12 Traveling rail 45 Flexible section I Moving operation means R Link mechanism S Expansion / contraction operation mechanism

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of storage shelves (2) each provided with a plurality of article storage sections (1) are provided in a side-by-side state, and articles are stored in each of the article storage sections (1). A traveling device (5) including a transfer device (4) for loading and unloading is provided, and the storage shelf (2) is supported by a plurality of shelf support rails (7) in a state where its load is supported. A work state for carrying in and out, which is configured to be movable along the juxtaposed direction and forms a traveling path of the traveling device (5) between the adjacent storage shelves (2), and an adjacent storage shelf (2). ) Is configured to be switchable to a storage state in which the rails (12) are brought close to each other, and the traveling device (5) applies a load to the traveling rail (12) crossing the shelf supporting rail (7) in the traveling passage. A storage facility movably provided in a supported state, wherein the shelf supporting rail is provided. 7) and the running rail (1
2) is formed in a state of being connected in series, the shelf support rail (7) is installed in a state where it is supported on an installation surface on the ground side, and the traveling rail (12) is mounted on the shelf support rail. The traveling rail (12) is mounted and supported on the upper part of (7), and is moved to a supporting action position for guiding and supporting the traveling device (5) in the working state. In the storage state, the storage shelf (2)
A storage facility provided with a moving operation means (I) for moving to a retreat position for retreating from a moving passage area of the vehicle. 2. The moving operation means (I) comprises a telescopic operation mechanism (S) for moving the traveling rail (12) toward or away from the storage shelf (2). Storage equipment according to 1. 3. The telescopic operating mechanism (S) moves the traveling rail (12) toward or away from the storage shelf (2) by a moving operation force of the storage shelf (2). 3. A storage facility according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The traveling rail (12) is configured to be located at the center in the width direction of the traveling passage in the working state, and the moving operation means (I) is provided on both sides of the traveling passage. Each storage shelf (2) located,
(2) and a link mechanism (R) that is pivotally linked to each of the traveling rails (12). The link mechanism (R) is configured so that the storage shelf (2) is in the working state. The traveling rail (12) is configured to move in conjunction with the switching to the storage state, and each of the storage shelves (2),
The maximum separation distance between (2) and the travel rail (12) is regulated to a set distance, and the storage shelves (2) and (2) are allowed to approach and move. The storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the storage facility is provided. 5. The link mechanism (R) is constituted by a four-joint link mechanism in which four links are pivotally connected, and a pair of joints at diagonal positions of the link mechanism (R) are:
Each of the storage shelves (2) and (2) is pivotally connected to each other, and each of a pair of nodes at other diagonal positions travels via the flexible portion (45) formed along the rail longitudinal direction. 5. The storage facility according to claim 4, wherein the storage facility is configured so as to be pivotally connected to the rail for use.