JP4153730B2 - Control device for electric moving shelf device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a control device in an electric movable shelf device, and more particularly to a control device in an electric movable shelf device that automatically opens a desired space between adjacent movable shelves without performing any special operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional example of an electric moving shelf apparatus in which a plurality of moving shelves placed on rails are moved by a reversible motor provided on each moving shelf, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2760279 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-262748 are disclosed. There are those described in the Gazette.
[0003]
In the former, an operation switch for moving each moving shelf along the rail is provided on a wall surface in the vicinity of the moving shelf, and in the latter, an operation switch is provided on each side of each moving shelf.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In any of the above-mentioned electric mobile shelf devices, when moving each mobile shelf, the operator must press the operation switch by hand, and when the operator has documents or luggage with both hands, Once a document or baggage is placed on the floor or the like, the operation switch must be operated, which makes it difficult to open and close the movable shelf.
[0005]
In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention can automatically open between desired moving shelves without performing a special operation, and reduces the risk of malfunction or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for an electric movable shelf device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
(1) An electric movable shelf apparatus in which a plurality of movable shelves facing in the front-rear direction are moved in the left-right direction by an electric drive means so that a working path can be formed between desired adjacent movable shelves. , Each non-contact type object detection sensor is provided on the front surface of each moving shelf, and the pair of moving shelves adjacent to each other operate at the same time for a predetermined set time. An activation input signal for moving each movable shelf is sent to the control means of the electric drive means so that a working path is formed between the shelves.
[0007]
(2) In the above item (1), non-contact type object detection sensors are provided on both sides of the front surface of each moving shelf, and the sensors adjacent to each other on the front surface of the adjacent moving shelf are set for a predetermined time. By operating at the same time, an activation input signal for moving each moving shelf is sent to the control means of the electric drive means so that a working passage is formed between the moving shelves provided with both sensors. To do.
[0008]
(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the sensitive region in the horizontal direction of each sensor is limited to a value smaller than twice the horizontal width of the front surface of each movable shelf.
[0009]
(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the work path formed by the input of the start input signal after the start input signal is input and until the cancel signal from the release means is input A safety means is provided for preventing the movement of each movable shelf in the direction of closing the door.
[0010]
(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (4), a visually observable display means for indicating that the sensor is operating is provided in the vicinity of the sensor on the front surface of each movable shelf.
[0011]
(6) In any one of the above items (1) to (5), a means for adjusting the set time of the timer is provided.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an electric movable shelf apparatus including a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, two rails (2) facing in the left-right direction are laid in parallel on the floor (1), and the left end of the rail (2) is on the floor (1). It is in contact with the right side surface of the fixed shelf (3) facing the front-rear direction.
[0014]
On the rail (2), wheels (7) provided at the bottom of a plurality (three in this example) of electric moving shelves (4) (5) (6) facing in the front-rear direction are placed. The fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelves (4) and (5) are arranged in the left-right direction.
[0015]
Each movable shelf (4), (5) and (6) has a built-in motor (8) capable of rotating forward and reverse, which is an electric drive means linked to the wheel (7). Each moving shelf (4), (5), (6) can move to the right or left along the rail (2) by rolling or reversing.
[0016]
On the right side of the front surface of the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelf (4), (5), (6), there is provided a protrusion (9) that protrudes forward in a side-view mountain shape. The top of (9) is covered with an indicator lamp (10), the upper inclined surface above it is covered with a passage button (11), and the lower downward inclined surface is always covered with a cover (12). A separate emergency operation switch (13) is provided.
[0017]
The passage button (11) has a fixed shelf (3) or a movable shelf (4) (5) (6) on which it is provided, and a movable shelf (4) (5) (6) adjacent to the right side thereof. The passage button (11) of the rightmost moving shelf (6) is formed so as to be pushed when it is desired to form a passage for entry between the passage button (11) and the indoor side wall (not shown) provided on the right side. This is for generating a release signal for releasing the lock state by pressing when the passage is closed and the passage can be closed.
However, according to the present invention, as will be described later, the entry path can be formed by other means without pressing the passage button (11). The function may be omitted.
[0018]
In this example, the indicator lamp (10) lights in green when the passage is open and locked, and the movable shelves (4), (5) and (6) move to form the passage. Flashes in green when an abnormality occurs in the passage, lights up in red, and the movement of the movable shelves (4), (5), (6) is automatically performed by the operation of a safety device (not shown), etc. When it is stopped automatically, it is set to light up in orange.
[0019]
Since the emergency single operation switch (13) is not directly related to the present invention, further detailed description is omitted.
[0020]
Non-contact type object detection sensors (hereinafter simply referred to as sensors) are provided on the right side of the front of the fixed shelf (3) and the left and right sides of the front of the movable shelves (4), (5) and (6). (14R) (14L) and pilot lamps (15R) (15L), which are visible display means that the sensors (14R) (14L) are operating, i.e., detecting an object, They are arranged close to each other.
The right sensor (14R) and the pilot lamp (15L) on the front surface of the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelves (4), (5) and (6) are provided on the left side of the protrusion (9).
In this example, each sensor (14R) (14L) is an ultrasonic sensor that is activated when an object such as a person enters within approximately 30 cm immediately before it, but it may have a similar function. For example, other sensors such as an infrared sensor may be used.
[0021]
Above the passage button (11) on the front surface of the fixed shelf (3), there is an operation changeover switch (16) for switching the operation state between normal operation and end operation. A switch (17) and a set time adjustment knob (set time adjustment means) (18) of a timer (not shown) built in a centralized control circuit (20) to be described later are provided.
[0022]
When the operation changeover switch (16) is switched to the normal operation side, each movable shelf (4), (5), (6) operates as described later, and when it is switched to the end operation side, all the movable shelves ( 4) (5) (6) moves to the fixed shelf (3) side, and the fixed shelf (3) and all the movable shelves (4) (5) (6) are in a converging state without gaps in the left-right direction.
[0023]
The set time adjustment knob (18) is designed so that the set time of the timer built in the central control circuit (20) can be freely set in the range of 0 to 3 seconds, for example.
[0024]
Between the upper ends of the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelves (4), (5), and (6) that are adjacent to each other, a two-bar link type in a plan view that opens and closes as the distance between them increases or decreases. The wiring guide (19) is provided, and the wiring guide (19) enables the wiring of the feeder line and the signal line from the fixed shelf (3) to each movable shelf (4) (5) (6). ing.
[0025]
The floor (1) or each movable shelf (4) (5) (6) has a sensor or linear encoder for detecting the position of each movable shelf (4) (5) (6), and other movable shelf ( 4) Devices necessary for the control of (5) and (6) are provided, but since they are not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the control device of the present invention. The above-described members are shown with the same reference numerals.
The central control circuit (20) (may be an external computer) provided in the fixed shelf (3) includes the power switch (17), the operation changeover switch (16), the passage button ( 11) The indicator lamp (10) and the sensor (14R) are electrically connected to each other.
[0027]
Terminals (21) provided in each mobile shelf (4) (5) (6) (both of which have the same configuration, FIG. 4 shows only the mobile shelf (4) as a representative thereof). ), A passage button (11), an indicator lamp (10), and sensors (14R) (14L) are electrically connected to each other and a motor control circuit (motor) for controlling forward and reverse rotation of the motor (8). Control means) (22) is connected.
[0028]
Each terminal (21) is connected to the central control circuit (20) via a cable (not shown) through which the wiring guide (19) is inserted, and power and signals are supplied from the central control circuit (20) side. In addition, the detection signals of the sensors (14R) and (14L) and the operation signals of the passage buttons (11) can be sent to the central control circuit (20) from each movable shelf (4), (5) and (6) side. It has become.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the control device of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the power switch (17) is turned on (S1), the operation selector switch (16) is switched to the normal operation side (S2), and all the indicator lamps (10) are lit. When the operator stands in front of the contact portion between the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelf (4) in the absence (S3) state, as shown in the subroutine 1 shown in FIG. 14R) is activated (S4), and the sensor (14L) on the left side of the moving shelf (4) adjacent to it is also activated (S5), so that the timer built in the central control circuit (20) starts aging. (S6) None of the above sensors (14R) and (14L) are turned off (S7) and (S8). When the set time of the timer elapses (S9), the first in the central control circuit (20) A passage opening signal is generated (S10).
[0030]
When the worker stands in front of the contact portion between the movable shelf (4) and the movable shelf (5), the subroutine 1 does not operate, and the subroutine of the movable shelf (4) is performed as in the subroutine 2 shown in FIG. The right sensor (14R) is activated (S11), and the left sensor (14L) of the moving shelf (5) adjacent thereto is also activated (S12), whereby the timer built in the central control circuit (20) is activated. The time starts (S13), and none of the above sensors (14R) (14L) is turned off (S14) (S15) .When the set time of the timer elapses (S16), the central control circuit (20) Thus, the second passage opening signal is generated (S17).
[0031]
When the worker stands in front of the contact portion between the movable shelf (5) and the movable shelf (6), subroutines 1 and 2 do not operate, and the movable shelf (5 ) Right sensor (14R) is activated (S18), and the left sensor (14L) of the moving shelf (6) adjacent to it is activated (S19), thereby being integrated into the central control circuit (20). The timer starts to elapse (S20), and none of the above sensors (14R) (14L) is turned OFF (S21) (S22) .When the set time of the timer elapses (S23), the central control circuit (20 ) Generates a third passage opening signal (S24).
[0032]
When the operator stands in front of the contact portion between the movable shelf (5) and the movable shelf (6), neither of the subroutines 1, 2, and 3 operates, and the subroutine moves as in subroutine 4 shown in FIG. The sensor (14R) on the right side of the shelf (6) is activated (S25), the timer built in the central control circuit (20) starts to elapse (S26), and the sensor (14R) is not turned off (S26). When the set time of the timer elapses (S27), a fourth passage opening signal is generated in the central control circuit (20) (S29). That is, for the right passage of the rightmost moving shelf (6), there is no moving shelf adjacent to the right side, so that the timer is activated only by the operation of the right sensor (14R). It is.
[0033]
The first passage is formed between the fixed shelf (3) and the moving shelf (4) adjacent thereto, and the second passage is formed between the moving shelves (4) and (5). The third passage is formed between the moving shelves (5) and (6), and the fourth passage is formed on the right side of the moving shelf (6).
[0034]
When any of the first to fourth passage opening signals is generated, which moving shelf (4) (5) (6) is based on the signal and the position information of the current moving shelf (4) (5) (6). ) Is determined in the central control circuit (20), and it is sent to the motor control circuit (22) of each moving shelf (4) (5) (6). Each motor (8) is operated as instructed, and each moving shelf (4), (5), (6) is moved so that any one of the designated first to fourth passages is opened. It is done.
[0035]
The control after any one of the first to fourth passage opening signals is generated is the same as when one of the passage buttons (11) corresponding to the first to fourth passages is first pressed, Since they are the same as the conventional ones, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0036]
When the designated passage is completely opened, this is detected by a position detection sensor or the like, and all the movable shelves (4), (5), and (6) are locked, which is the most in the opened passage. The near display lamp (10) lights up in green, and is displayed.
[0037]
After the work in the open passage is completed, when the worker exiting the passage presses the passage button (11), a release signal is sent from the passage button (11) to the central control circuit (20), and the locked state is released. (In this example, the passage button (11) is the release means), and the corresponding display lamp (10) that has been lit in green until then is turned off, and this is displayed.
[0038]
Thereafter, the operator stands in front of the portion corresponding to the first to fourth passages or presses the passage button (11) corresponding to the passage, thereby performing a desired passage by the same operation as described above. Can be opened automatically.
[0039]
For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the state where the space between the movable shelves (4) and (5) is open and the work passage (23) that is the second passage is formed therebetween, the rightmost When a worker (24) stands in front of a contact portion between the movable shelf (6) and the movable shelf (5) adjacent to the left side, the sensor (14R) on the right side of the movable shelf (5) and adjacent to it When the sensor (14L) on the left side of the moving shelf (6) to be operated operates and the set time of the timer elapses as it is, the third passage opening signal is generated by the operation of the subroutine 3, and the moving shelf (5) Is moved until it abuts against the movable shelf (4), the previous working passage (23) is blocked, and a new working passage (between the movable shelf (4) and the movable shelf (5) ( (Not shown) is formed.
[0040]
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electric movable shelf device provided with the second embodiment of the control device of the present invention.
In this example, a left and right sensitive region (L) is provided at the approximate center of the front surface of each of the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelves (4), (5) and (6), and the width (W ) Is provided with one non-contact type object detection sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a sensor) (25) limited to a value smaller than twice (2W), and a pair of adjacent sensors (25, 25) By operating at the same time for a set time, a working path is provided between the fixed shelf (3) and the movable shelves (4), (5) and (6) provided with the pair of sensors (25) and (25). As shown in FIG. 4, start input signals for moving the movable shelves (4), (5), and (6) are sent to motor control means (motor (8) in FIG. 4) and motor control circuit ( (See 22)).
Other configurations can be the same as those of the first embodiment described above.
[0041]
With such a configuration, the number of sensors (25) can be significantly reduced from that of the first embodiment, and accordingly, the control mode can be simplified, and more than two sensors can be used. It is possible to reduce the risk of malfunction such as a sensor prepared for one worker.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved.
(a) According to the first aspect of the invention, the operator can stand for a short time in front of a pair of moving shelves adjacent to each other that he / she wants to open without performing any special operation. This is convenient when the operator's hands are closed with documents or the like.
[0043]
(b) According to the invention described in claim 2, since the sensors are provided on both sides of the front surface of each movable shelf, it can be confirmed that the sensors adjacent to each other on the adjacent movable shelf are operated. The accuracy of confirmation by the operator is high, and the risk of malfunction or the like in which another sensor detects the worker can be reduced.
[0044]
(c) According to the invention described in claim 3, since the sensitive area in the left-right direction of each sensor is limited to a value smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the front surface of each movable shelf, the accuracy of confirmation by the operator is increased. The risk of malfunctions, etc., in which the sensor detects the worker can be reduced.
[0045]
(d) According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to reliably prevent a worker from being closed in the work passage or the work passage from being closed while the residual value of the contents is left, and to be safe. Can increase the sex.
[0046]
(e) According to the invention described in claim 5, by confirming the display contents of the left and right display means, it is possible to confirm that each sensor corresponding to them is operating reliably. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the operator keeps waiting without being noticed when the stop position is bad and one of the sensors is not activated.
[0047]
(f) According to the invention described in claim 6, since the set time of the timer can be adjusted according to the reaction speed of the worker, the working conditions, etc., a person with a slow walking speed has passed in front of the moving shelf. It is possible to eliminate the possibility of waiting for a long time until the moving shelf starts moving in an environment that requires a quick response or a quick response.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of an electric moving shelf apparatus including a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the front surface of the fixed shelf.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the same control mode.
6 is a flowchart showing subroutine 1 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing subroutine 2 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing subroutine 3 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing subroutine 4 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electric moving shelf apparatus provided with a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
(1) Floor
(2) Rail
(3) Fixed shelf
(4) (5) (6) Moving shelf
(7) Wheel
(8) Motor (electric drive means)
(9) Projection
(10) Indicator lamp
(11) Passage button
(12) Cover
(13) Emergency operation switch
(14R) (14L) Non-contact type object detection sensor
(15R) (15L) Pilot lamp (display means)
(16) Operation selector switch
(17) Power switch
(18) Set time adjustment knob (Set time adjustment means)
(19) Wiring guide
(20) Central control circuit (control means)
(21) Terminal
(22) Motor control circuit (motor control means)
(23) Work passage
(24) Worker
(25) Non-contact type object detection sensor

Claims (6)

In the electric movable shelf apparatus in which a plurality of movable shelves facing in the front-rear direction are moved in the left-right direction by an electric drive means so that a working path can be formed between desired adjacent movable shelves,
A non-contact type object detection sensor is provided on the front surface of each moving shelf, and each pair of moving shelves adjacent to each other operates at the same time for a predetermined timer setting time. Control in the electric movable shelf apparatus, wherein a start input signal for moving each movable shelf is sent to the control means of the electric drive means so that a work passage is formed between the shelves. apparatus. Non-contact type object detection sensors are provided on both sides of the front surface of each moving shelf, and the sensors adjacent to each other on the front surface of the moving shelf adjacent to each other operate simultaneously for a predetermined set time. 2. The start input signal for moving each movable shelf is sent to the control means of the electric drive means so that a working passage is formed between the movable shelves provided. Control device in the electric movable shelf apparatus. The control device in the electric movable shelf apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the left and right sensitive area of each sensor is limited to a value smaller than twice the lateral width of the front surface of each movable shelf. Provided with safety means for preventing the movement of each moving shelf in the direction of closing the work passage formed by the input of the start input signal until the release signal from the release means is input after the start input signal is input The control apparatus in the electrically-driven movable shelf apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3. The control device in the electric movable shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a display means that can visually recognize that the sensor is operating is provided in the vicinity of the sensor on the front surface of each movable shelf. The control device in the electric movable shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means for adjusting a set time of the timer.

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