JP3143717U - Rack equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a rack device that is excellent in versatility and does not require a skilled operation when a load is taken in and out of a storage shelf.
A rack device 1 having a slide body 4 slidably provided on a storage shelf 1b. The slide body 4 is formed with an opening through which a fork 11 of a forklift 10 passes from below to above. . A detector 6 for detecting the position of the fork 11 is provided on the storage shelf 1b side. When the fork 11 comes close to the storage rack 1b, the detector 6 transmits a first detection signal, and the controller 7 controls the slide device 5 based on the first detection signal to store the slide body 4. When the fork 11 is slid from the shelf 1b to the upper position of the fork 11 and lifts the load 8 placed on the slide body 4 through the opening, the detector 6 outputs a second detection signal. The controller 7 controls the slide device 5 based on the second detection signal to slide the slide body 4 into the storage shelf 1b.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention provides a storage shelf for storing a load, a slide body that is slidably provided in the storage shelf, and a slide that loads and removes the load placed on the slide body by sliding the slide body. The present invention relates to a rack device having a device.

  Conventionally, various rack apparatuses are known (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, there are a plurality of upper and lower storage shelves, a slide body that is slidable with respect to the storage rack, and a slide device that slides the slide body into and out of the load placed on the slide body. A rack apparatus is known. The slide device is controlled by a controller provided at a position away from the rack device, and the slide body is slid so that the load comes out of the storage shelf together with the slide body. The controller controls an overhead crane provided in the factory, and the overhead crane lifts the load from the slide body and conveys it.

Conventionally, a forklift including a push-pull device that can load and unload a load is also known (see Patent Document 2). The forklift has a pair of masts standing in front of the vehicle body and a fork that moves up and down with respect to the mast. The push-pull device is attached to the mast and pushes the load placed on the fork forward, or is hooked on the load disposed in front of the fork and pulls the load onto the fork. ing.
JP-A-6-144520 JP-A-5-8999

  However, since the conventional rack apparatus (refer patent document 1) requires large facilities, such as an overhead crane, there existed a problem that it was large and was not excellent in versatility. Further, when loading and unloading from the storage shelf using a forklift, there is a problem that it is necessary to provide a push-pull device (see Patent Document 2) on the forklift, or when there is no push-pull device, the fork is moved to the front. Therefore, there is a problem that a skillful operation for inserting the container into the storage shelf while adjusting the height is necessary. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a rack apparatus that is excellent in versatility and does not require skilled operation when a load is taken in and out of a storage shelf.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a rack apparatus having a configuration as described in each claim. According to the invention described in claim 1, a storage shelf for storing a load, a slide body provided slidably on the storage shelf, and a load placed on the slide body by sliding the slide body, the storage shelf Rack device having a slide device to be taken in and out and a controller for controlling the slide device, wherein the slide body has an opening for allowing the fork of the forklift to pass upward from below Yes. A detector for detecting the position of the fork is provided between the storage shelf or the slide body and the fork. When the fork comes close to the storage shelf, the detector transmits a first detection signal, and the controller controls the slide device based on the first detection signal to move the slide body from the storage shelf to above the fork. When the fork rises and lifts the load placed on the slide body through the opening, the detector emits the second detection signal, and the controller outputs the second detection signal. Based on this, the slide device is controlled to slide the slide body into the storage shelf.

  Therefore, the load in the storage shelf can be taken out of the storage shelf and transported by the slide body and the forklift. Therefore, since large equipment and systems such as an overhead crane are not required, it is easy to miniaturize and is excellent in versatility. Further, since the slide device is provided on the rack device side, it is not necessary to provide a push-pull device or the like on the forklift side. Further, the load is automatically taken out from the storage shelf only by lifting the fork, the load is lifted by the fork, and the slide body is returned to the storage shelf after being lifted. As a result, the load can be transferred to the fork without requiring a skilled operation of the fork.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the detector includes first and second laser sensors that detect the laser that oscillates and reflects the light that has hit the fork. The first laser sensor detects a laser reflected from the fork side when the fork approaches the storage shelf, and transmits a first detection signal. The second laser sensor detects a laser reflected from the fork side when the fork lifts the load from the slide body, and transmits a second detection signal.

  Therefore, the two positions of the fork are detected by the first and second laser sensors, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect the two positions as compared with the case where the two positions of the fork are detected by one sensor. The laser sensor is configured to detect a laser reflected from the fork side. For this reason, it is only necessary to provide a portion where the laser reflects on the fork side, so that the modified portion on the fork side becomes small. Thus, excellent versatility can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the slide body is connected to the pair of support portions that support the load at both ends in the slide direction, and the pair of support portions are connected at a position avoiding the load and slides with respect to the storage shelf side. It has a rail part that is supported. The pair of forks extending substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the slide body is configured to lift the load from the lower side of the slide body through the opening between the pair of support portions.

  Therefore, by loading a forklift in front of the rack device and moving the pair of forks upward in this state, the load can be transferred from the storage shelf onto the pair of forks. Therefore, the load can be transferred from the storage shelf onto the fork even in a narrow place where the forklift cannot be disposed facing the rack device. In addition, since the load can be transferred from the storage shelf to the fork while the forklift is placed side by side, the number of times that the forklift needs to be retracted and turned is reduced, and workability is improved. In addition, since loading and unloading can be confirmed from the side of the forklift, loading and unloading can be performed smoothly and reliably.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the rack apparatus 1 has a rack body 1a and an automatic storage unit 2 attached to the rack body 1a. The rack main body 1a has a plurality of storage shelves 1b. For example, the rack body 1a has a plurality of storage shelves 1b in the vertical direction and a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction. A load 8 placed on the pallet 9 is stored together with the pallet 9 in the storage shelf 1b. The pallet 9 housed in the first shelf 1b is placed on the floor. The pallet 9 accommodated in the second or higher level is placed on the support 1c of the storage shelf 1b. The pallet 9 in the storage shelf 1 b to which the automatic storage unit 2 is attached is placed on the slide body 4 of the automatic storage unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic storage unit 2 includes a base 3, a slide body 4 that is slidably attached to the base 3, and a slide device 5 that slides the slide body 4. The base 3 is long in the front-rear direction (sliding direction of the slide body 4), and has an attachment portion 3a attached to the support base 1c of the storage shelf 1b at the lower part. A guide portion 3b that slidably supports the rail portion 4a of the slide body 4 is formed on the upper portion of the base 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slide body 4 has a rectangular shape and includes a pair of rail portions 4 a and a pair of support portions 4 b and 4 c. The rail portion 4a extends in the sliding direction of the slide body 4, and is slidably inserted into the guide portion 3b. A plurality of rollers 4f are juxtaposed in the slide direction on the rail portion 4a. The roller 4f is cylindrical and is attached to the rail portion 4a so as to be able to roll. When the rail portion 4a slides relative to the guide portion 3b, the roller 4f rolls in contact with the guide portion 3b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a support portion 4b extends between the end portions of the rail portion 4a in the sliding direction. The support portion 4b extends in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and the left end portion extends upward and is connected to the left rail portion 4a. The right end portion of the support portion 4b extends below the right rail portion 4a. Therefore, the support part 4b is supported by only one rail part 4a in a cantilever shape. A gap 4e is formed between the right end portion of the support portion 4b and the right rail portion 4a. The height of the gap 4e is set to be larger than the thickness of the fork 11 of the forklift as shown in FIG. Therefore, the fork 11 is configured to be able to pass in the horizontal direction with respect to the gap 4e.

  A support portion 4c extends between the base end portions of the rail portion 4a in the sliding direction as shown in FIG. The support portion 4c extends in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, and both end portions extend upward and are connected to the rail portions 4a. Accordingly, the support portion 4c is supported in a doubly supported beam shape by the pair of rail portions 4a. On the pair of support portions 4b and 4c, as shown in FIG. 7, a pallet 9 is placed across the support portions 4b and 4c.

  Between the pair of support portions 4b and 4c, an opening 4d is formed as shown in FIGS. The opening 4d is set to a size that allows the pair of forks 11 to be inserted, specifically, a size that allows the pair of forks 11 extending in the same direction as the support portions 4b and 4c to be inserted. Therefore, the pallet 9 placed on the support portions 4b and 4c can be lifted by the fork 11 by moving the pair of forks 11 upward from the lower side through the opening 4d.

  A pair of slide devices 5 are provided between the base 3 and the slide body 4 for sliding the slide body 4 relative to the base 3 as shown in FIGS. The slide device 5 includes rollers 5b and 5c that are rotatably attached to both ends in the slide direction of the slide body 4, a chain 5d that is hung on the rollers 5b and 5c, and a motor 5a that applies a rotational force to the roller 5b. Have. The motor 5 a is provided on the slide body 4. The chain 5d is annular and is disposed so as to cover the upper surface and the lower surface of the rail portion 4a. A part of the chain 5d is fixed to the base 3 by the locking member 5e. The locking member 5e is attached to the distal end portion of the guide portion 3b of the base 3 in the sliding direction. Therefore, when the roller 5b is rotated by the motor 5a, the rotational force of the roller 5b is converted into a horizontal sliding force with respect to the base 3 of the slide body 4 by the chain 5d and the locking member 5e.

  The forklift 10 has a vehicle body 15, a mast 12, and a fork 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The forklift 10 can be self-propelled, and the vehicle body 15 is provided with a travel device (not shown). The mast 12 has an outer mast fixed to the vehicle body 15 and an inner mast that moves up and down relative to the outer mast. A bracket 13 is attached to the mast 12 so as to be movable up and down, and a pair of forks 11 is attached to the bracket 13.

  An elevator 14 for raising and lowering the fork 11 is provided between the mast 12 and the bracket 13 (see FIG. 1). The elevator 14 has a hydraulic cylinder that moves the inner mast up and down relative to the outer mast, and a chain that connects the outer mast and the bracket 13. The chain is suspended by a pulley provided on the upper part of the inner mast, and moves up and down the bracket 13 and the fork 11 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the inner mast.

  The rack device 1 is provided with a detector 6 for detecting the position of the fork 11 as shown in FIGS. The detector 6 has first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b arranged vertically. The first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b are reflection type laser sensors that oscillate the laser and detect the reflected laser. As shown in FIG. 7, on the fork 11 side, a reflection plate 13 a that reflects the laser is attached to the side surface of the bracket 13 (the side surface facing the rack device 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first laser sensor 6a is a sensor that detects that the fork 11 has approached the storage shelf 1b (has reached the proximity position), and is attached to the storage shelf 1b. . In detail, it is attached to the front side surface (surface facing the fork 11) of the support base 1c which comprises the lower surface of the storage shelf 1b. Therefore, when the fork 11 moves upward from the lower side of the storage shelf 1b and the reflecting plate 13a approaches the first laser sensor 6a, the laser oscillated by the first laser sensor 6a is reflected by the reflecting plate 13a. Then, the reflected laser is detected by the first laser sensor 6a, and the first laser sensor 6a transmits a first detection signal to the controller 7 electrically connected (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Thus, the first laser sensor 6a can detect that the fork 11 has reached the proximity position.

  The second laser sensor 6 b is a sensor that detects that the fork 11 has reached the position where the pallet 9 is lifted (lifted position) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, and is attached to the slide body 4. Specifically, it is attached to the side surface (right side surface) of the support portion 4c of the slide body 4 and at the same height as the gap 4e. When the slide body 4 is located in the storage shelf 1 b, the second laser sensor 6 b is located at a location far from the fork 11. On the other hand, when the slide body 4 slides in the direction of exiting the storage shelf 1b, the second laser sensor 6b approaches the fork 11 and is positioned above the first laser sensor 6a.

  When the fork 11 moves upward from the lower side of the slide body 4 with the slide body 4 coming out of the storage shelf 1b and the fork 11 lifts the pallet 9, the reflecting plate 13a is moved to the second laser sensor 6b. To approach. Then, the laser oscillated by the second laser sensor 6b is reflected by the reflecting plate 13a, the reflected laser is detected by the second laser sensor 6b, and the second laser sensor 6b electrically transmits the second detection signal. A call is transmitted to the connected controller 7 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Thus, the second laser sensor 6b can detect that the fork 11 has reached the lifted position.

  The controller 7 is provided on the base 3 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 7 is electrically connected with first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b and a motor 5a. Therefore, the controller 7 can receive the detection signals from the first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b, control the motor 5a based on the detection signals, and slide the slide body 4 with respect to the storage shelf 1b. (See FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Hereinafter, a method of transferring the load 8 from the storage shelf 1b to the forklift 10 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the forklift 10 is moved along the passage 16 on the front side of the rack device 1, and the forklift 10 is placed in front of the rack device 1. In this state, the fork 11 is moved from below to above. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, when the fork 11 comes close to the storage shelf 1b to which the automatic storage unit 2 is attached, the first laser sensor 6a transmits a first detection signal. Next, the controller 7 controls the slide device 5 based on the first detection signal, and the slide body 4 slides out of the storage shelf 1b as shown in FIG. As a result, the slide body 4 moves above the fork 11.

  When the fork 11 is further raised, the fork 11 lifts the pallet 9 placed on the slide body 4 through the opening 4d (see FIG. 2) from below the slide body 4 as shown in FIG. In this state, the second laser sensor 6 b transmits a second detection signal to the controller 7. Next, the controller 7 controls the slide device 5 based on the second detection signal, and the slide body 4 slides into the storage shelf 1b. As a result, the fork 11 comes off the slide body 4 in the horizontal direction through the gap 4e before hitting the right rail 4a.

  As described above, the opening 4d that allows the fork 11 to pass from below to above is formed in the slide body 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The rack device 1 is provided with a detector 6. When the fork 11 is raised, the slide body 4 automatically slides above the fork 11 by the detector 6 and the controller 7, and the fork 11 lifts the load 8 placed on the slide body 4. Thereafter, the slide body 4 automatically slides into the storage shelf 1b. Therefore, the load 8 can be transferred to the fork 11 without requiring a skilled operation of the fork 11.

  Further, the load 8 in the storage shelf 1b can be taken out of the storage shelf 1b and transported by the slide body 4 and the forklift 10. Therefore, since large equipment and systems such as an overhead crane are not required, it is easy to miniaturize and is excellent in versatility. Further, since the slide device 5 is provided on the rack device 1 side, it is not necessary to provide a push-pull device or the like on the forklift 10 side.

  The detector 6 includes reflective first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b as shown in FIGS. Therefore, the two positions of the fork 11 are detected by the first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b, respectively. Therefore, compared with the case where the two positions of the fork 11 are detected by one sensor, the two positions can be reliably detected. The laser sensors 6a and 6b are configured to detect the laser reflected from the fork 11 side. For this reason, since only the part that reflects the laser needs to be provided on the fork 11 side, the modified part on the fork 11 side becomes small. Thus, excellent versatility can be obtained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the slide body 4 has a pair of support portions 4b and 4c and a rail portion 4a for connecting the pair of support portions 4b and 4c. A pair of forks 11 extending substantially parallel to the direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the slide body 4 lifts the load 8 from the lower side of the slide body 4 through the opening 4d between the pair of support portions 4b and 4c. It is configured.

  Therefore, the forklift 10 can be laid sideways in front of the rack device 1 (see FIG. 1), and the load 8 can be moved onto the fork 11 from the storage shelf 1b by moving the pair of forks 11 upward in that state (see FIG. 1). 5). Therefore, the load 8 can be transferred from the storage shelf 1 b onto the fork 11 even in a narrow place where the forklift 10 cannot be disposed in the facing direction with respect to the rack device 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, since the load 8 can be transferred from the storage shelf 1b to the fork 11 while the forklift 10 is placed sideways, the number of times that the forklift 10 needs to be retracted and turned is reduced, and workability is improved. In addition, since the loading / unloading of the load 8 can be confirmed from the side of the forklift 10, the loading / unloading of the load 8 can be performed smoothly and reliably.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be the following form.
(1) The detector 6 of the above embodiment has two sensors (first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b). However, the fork position (for example, the proximity position and the lifting position) may be detected by one sensor or three or more sensors.
(2) The first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b of the above embodiment are reflection type laser sensors that detect a laser that oscillates and reflects the laser. However, an oscillator that oscillates a laser may be provided on either the rack device side or the fork side, and a light receiver that receives the laser may be provided on the other side, and the position of the fork may be detected by these.
(3) Instead of the laser sensors 6a and 6b of the above embodiment, a magnet provided on one of the rack device side and the fork side and a magnetic field detection provided on either one of them to detect the magnetic field of the magnet The form which has a magnetic sensor which has a container may be sufficient. Or it may replace with a laser sensor and the form which has an infrared sensor may be sufficient.
(4) In the detector 6 of the above embodiment, the first and second laser sensors 6a and 6b are provided on the rack device 1 side, and the reflection plate 13a is provided on the fork 11 side. However, the laser sensor may be provided on the fork side, and the first and second reflectors may be provided on the rack device side.
(5) The slide body 4 of the above embodiment has a pair of left and right rail portions 4a. However, the slide body 4 may have only the left rail portion 4a connecting the support portions 4b and 4c, and may not have the right rail portion 4a.
(6) The slide body 4 of the above embodiment has support portions 4b and 4c extending in a direction orthogonal to the slide direction, and an opening 4d formed between the support portions 4b and 4c. A pair of forks 11 extending substantially parallel to 4b and 4c can pass through the opening 4d from the lower side to the upper side. However, a pair of forks having a pair of support portions extending in the sliding direction and an opening formed between the support portions, and a pair of forks extending substantially parallel to the support portion (direction facing the rack device) You may be the structure which can pass the said opening part upwards from the lower side.
(7) The slide device 5 of the above embodiment has a form having the motor 5a and the chain 5d. However, instead of the motor 5a and the chain 5d, an electric actuator having a motor and a gear, the gear rotating by the rotation of the motor, and the slide body sliding relative to the base, or provided between the base 3 and the slide body 4 is provided. It is also possible to have a configuration in which the slide body slides with respect to the base when the hydraulic cylinder expands and contracts by hydraulic pressure.

It is the front view of a rack apparatus, and the left view of a forklift. It is a perspective view of an automatic accommodation unit. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram of electrical wiring. It is the partial front enlarged view of the rack apparatus in the slide unit vicinity. It is the partial front enlarged view of the rack apparatus in the slide unit vicinity. It is the upper surface schematic of a slide unit and a fork. It is the upper surface schematic of a slide unit and a fork.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Rack apparatus 1a ... Rack main body 1b ... Storage shelf 2 ... Automatic storage unit 3 ... Base 4 ... Slide body 4a ... Rail part 4b, 4c ... Support part 4d ... Opening part 5 ... Slide apparatus 5a ... Motor 5d ... Chain 6, 6a, 6b ... detector 7 ... controller 8 ... load 9 ... pallet 10 ... forklift 11 ... fork 12 ... mast 13 ... bracket 13a ... reflector 14 ... lift 15 ... vehicle body 16 ... passage

Claims (3)

A storage shelf for storing the load, a slide body slidably provided on the storage shelf, and a slide device for sliding the load placed on the slide body into and out of the storage shelf by sliding the slide body; A rack device having a controller for controlling the slide device,
The slide body is formed with an opening that allows the fork of the forklift to pass from below to above,
Between the storage shelf or the slide body and the fork, a detector for detecting the position of the fork is provided,
When the fork comes close to the storage shelf, the detector transmits a first detection signal, and the controller controls the slide device based on the first detection signal so that the slide body is When the fork is lifted from the storage shelf to the upper position of the fork and lifts the load placed on the slide body through the opening, the detector detects a second detection signal. And the controller controls the slide device based on the second detection signal to slide the slide body into the storage shelf. The rack device according to claim 1,
The detector has a first and a second laser sensor that oscillates the laser and detects the laser reflected on the fork side,
The first laser sensor detects a laser reflected from the fork side when the fork is close to a storage shelf and transmits a first detection signal;
The rack device, wherein the second laser sensor detects a laser reflected from the fork side when the fork lifts a load from a slide body and transmits a second detection signal. The rack apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The slide body includes a pair of support portions that support a load at both ends in the sliding direction, and a rail portion that connects the pair of support portions at a position avoiding the load and is slidably supported with respect to the storage shelf side. Have
A pair of forks extending substantially parallel to a direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the slide body is configured to lift the load from the lower side of the slide body through an opening between the pair of support portions. A rack device characterized by that.

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