JP4496686B2 - Conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse having a mechanism for drawing articles on a shelf by contacting and rotating the conveyor surface to the bottom of the article.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Some conventional automatic warehouses include a transfer device that supports belt conveyors configured to be capable of moving forward and backward in parallel and horizontally. In the case of this type of automatic warehouse, the transfer device is normally movable up and down and left and right.
[0003]
  According to the automatic warehouse, when an article is drawn onto the transfer device by the belt conveyor, first, the belt conveyor is positioned at a lower level lower than the article, and the belt conveyor is advanced so that the tip is positioned below the article. Let When the tip of the belt conveyor reaches the lower position of the article, the article bottom is pushed up by the tip of the belt conveyor by raising the belt conveyor to an upper level. Thereafter, when the belt conveyor is rotated while being retreated, the article is drawn onto the belt conveyor under the thrust generated by the rotation.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, if the article is drawn by the belt conveyor, dust, dust, oil, etc. will adhere to the belt surface over time. In such a case, since the friction coefficient μ of the contact portion between the belt surface and the article bottom portion decreases, there is a problem that even if the belt surface is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the article and rotated, the belt idles. there were. As a result, there is a problem that the required pull-in time of the article is delayed, and further, there is a problem that the pull-in of the article itself cannot be performed.
[0005]
  Naturally, this problem can be solved by having the operator manage the state of the belt surface and, if necessary, removing dust or the like adhering to the belt surface. However, in order to keep the belt surface clean, there is a problem in that a complicated work such as the management work or the cleaning work is imposed on the operator. Normally, automated warehouses form production lines together with other devices and systems. However, it is necessary to constantly place personnel around the automated warehouses, reducing the number of workers on the entire line, and thus reducing manufacturing costs. There was a problem of becoming an obstacle.
[0006]
  Furthermore, when an operator performs the above-described dust removal work, it is necessary to temporarily stop the work for loading and unloading articles, resulting in a decrease in the operation rate of the automatic warehouse.
[0007]
  On the other hand, in order to keep the belt surface clean, it is also conceivable to install a cleaning tool such as a brush or a scraper on the device itself supporting the belt conveyor, and always bring the cleaning tool into contact with the belt conveyor.
[0008]
  However, if the cleaning tool is always brought into contact with the belt surface, the conveyor surface contact portion of the cleaning tool and the conveyor surface itself are quickly worn.
[0009]
  Similarly, even when an article is pulled in using a roller conveyor having a large coefficient of friction on the surface, there are problems similar to the problems listed above.
[0010]
  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to impose a cleaning operation on an operator in a conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse having a mechanism in which a conveyor is brought into contact with the bottom of an article and rotated and retracted. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor transfer-type automatic warehouse that can keep the conveyor surface clean without causing a reduction in the operation rate, and that can reliably pull in articles.
[0011]
[Means for solving the problem]
  In order to achieve the above object, a conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of storage shelves each capable of storing articles, and the articles are moved to the front of the storage shelves or the articles are moved from the front of the storage shelves. Loading and unloading means,A conveyor that is retractable by contacting and rotating to the bottom of the article on the storage shelf,The article is transferred onto the storage shelf from the loading / unloading means or onto the loading / unloading means from the storage shelf.Mounted on the entry / exit meansTransfer means;Provided within the operating range of the storage means,Cleaning the transfer means at an appropriate timeIs fixed so that it can be positionedCleaning means,The loading / unloading means moves the transfer means until the surface of the conveyor contacts the cleaning means, and the transfer means rotates the conveyor,Said cleaning meansButThe conveyor surface is cleaned.
[0012]
  According to the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 2,A plurality of storage shelves each capable of storing articles; entry / exit means for moving articles to the front of the storage shelves or moving articles from the front of the storage shelves; A transfer means for transferring articles from the shelf onto the loading / unloading means; and a cleaning means for cleaning the transfer means in accordance with an appropriate trigger. The transfer means is provided on the storage shelf. While the conveyor surface is in contact with the bottom of the article and rotated,The cleaning means is provided on at least one storage shelf.And cleaning the conveyor surface.
[0013]
  According to the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 3, in the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, the cleaning means is provided within the operation range of the loading / unloading means, and the transfer means. When the retraction operation is performed, the conveyor surface is contacted for cleaning.
[0014]
  According to the present invention, when an article is sent from the previous process side, the article sent from the previous process side is moved to the front of the storage shelf by the loading / unloading means, and the storage shelf is moved by the transfer means. The article is transferred from the loading / unloading means located in front to the storage shelf. On the other hand, the articles stored in the storage shelf and sent to the subsequent process side are transferred from the storage shelf to the loading / unloading means by the transfer means. Specifically, the article on the storage shelf is transferred onto the loading / unloading means by bringing the conveyor surface into contact with the bottom of the article on the storage shelf, rotating it, and pulling it in. After the article is transferred by the transfer means, the article on the entry / exit means is moved from the front of the storage shelf to the subsequent process side by the entry / exit means.
[0015]
  However, according to the method of bringing the conveyor surface into contact with the bottom of the article, rotating it, and pulling it in, the required transfer time of the article should be shortened, but if dust, dust, oil, etc. adhere to the conveyor surface. In some cases, the time required to transfer the article from the loading / unloading means to the storage shelf is delayed, or the transfer itself cannot be performed in the first place. Therefore, the cleaning means cleans the conveyor surface constituting the transfer means according to an appropriate trigger.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an example of a conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse (hereinafter simply referred to as “automatic warehouse” in the column of the embodiment of the invention for convenience) 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic warehouse 100 mainly includes a rack 10, a loading / unloading device 20, a transfer device 30, a cleaning mechanism 40, and a control box 50.
[0017]
  The racks 10 are arranged in two rows at a predetermined interval (with the loading / unloading device 20 in between), and both racks 10 and 10 are loaded via the loading station 60 and are loaded into a loading / unloading station (not shown). ) To store (stay) the article W that is delivered through the Here, the warehousing station 60 is for warehousing the article W sent from the previous process side into the automatic warehouse 100, and the warehousing station is for evacuating the article W received in the automatic warehouse 100. Is. In the present embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a case where the shape of the article W is a rectangular parallelepiped shape such as a cardboard box will be described.
[0018]
  Each rack 10 includes a plurality of shelves arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the plurality of shelves are constituted by a plurality of storage shelves 10a,..., 10a and a single cleaning shelf 10b. Each storage shelf 10a is a shelf having a space for storing two articles W, W, and the cleaning shelf 10b is a shelf in which a cleaning mechanism 40 is disposed. Therefore, one of the plurality of shelves can be effectively used as a shelf for supporting and fixing the cleaning mechanism 40, and a space for installing the cleaning mechanism 40 is not required, so that the floor area can be effectively used. You can also.
[0019]
  Needless to say, an article larger than the article W may be accommodated in each storage shelf 10a, or an article smaller than the article W may be accommodated. In other words, the storage shelf 10a can store articles of various sizes. Each storage shelf 10a is not limited to a space that can store two articles W, and may have a space that can store only one article W, or three or more articles W. It may have a space that can be stored. Furthermore, the cleaning shelf 10a may be used as a cleaning-only shelf or may be used for cleaning and storage.
[0020]
  By the way, the cleaning shelves 10b provided in each rack 10 are arranged in a row closest to the warehousing station 60 and the warehousing station, and are arranged at the lowermost stage of these rows. Here, as described above, the articles W received in the automatic warehouse 100 are received via the receiving station 60, and the articles W discharged from the automatic warehouse 100 are discharged via the exit station. And the installation location of the warehousing station naturally constitutes one of the operation reference positions of the warehousing device 20. Therefore, the time loss (loss) at the time of moving the transfer apparatus 30 to the installation location of the cleaning mechanism 40 can be minimized. Further, since the cleaning shelf 10b is provided within the operation range of the loading / unloading device 20, the cleaning mechanism 40 can be made non-driven as will be described in detail later. Further, since the cleaning shelf 10b is disposed at the lowermost stage, even if dust or dust generated by cleaning falls downward, the article W is prevented from being contaminated by the dropped dust or dust. Can do it. Of course, the arrangement location of the cleaning shelf 10b is not limited to the closest row of the warehousing station 60 and the warehousing station, and is not limited to the lowermost stage.
[0021]
  In addition, when there is another warehousing station other than the warehousing station 60, it is naturally preferable to provide it on the station side where there are many warehousing opportunities. This is the same when there are a plurality of delivery stations. Of course, the number of cleaning shelves 10b provided in each rack 10 is not limited to one, and may be plural.
[0022]
  The loading / unloading device 20 is for moving the transfer device 30 to the storage shelf 10a or the cleaning shelf 10b constituting the rack 10 or before the installation position of the loading station 60 or the loading station. 10 between the two. Specifically, the loading / unloading apparatus 20 includes an elevating mechanism (not shown) for elevating and lowering a support base 21 that supports the transfer apparatus 30, and the support base 21 in the horizontal direction (both racks 10 and 10. A horizontal movement mechanism (not shown) for movement in the arrangement direction). That is, the loading / unloading device 20 moves the articles W received in the automatic warehouse 100 from before the installation location of the storage station 60 to the front of the arbitrary storage shelf 10a, and at the same time stores the articles W output from the automatic warehouse 100. It can be moved from before the shelf 10a to the location before the delivery station. Furthermore, when the articles W received in the automatic warehouse 100 can be moved from the front of the one storage shelf 10a to the front of the other storage shelf 10b, when cleaning both the conveyors 31 and 32, which will be described later. The moving device 30 can be moved to the front of the cleaning shelf 10b.
[0023]
  Here, FIG. 2 is a side view of the transfer device 30, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the transfer device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the loading / unloading apparatus 20 includes two transfer apparatuses 30 and 30 that are opposed to each other so that the articles W can be drawn into and discharged from any rack 10. Yes. The two transfer apparatuses 30 and 30 have the same configuration.
[0024]
  The transfer device 30 is mounted on the loading / unloading device 20, and pulls the article W placed on an arbitrary storage shelf 10 a and transfers it onto the loading / unloading device 20, or on the loading / unloading device 20. This is for paying out the placed article W and transferring it onto an arbitrary storage shelf 10a.
[0025]
  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each transfer device 30 includes one central conveyor 31 and two side conveyors 32 and 32 disposed on both sides of the central conveyor 31. . Each of the central conveyor 31 and the both-side conveyors 32 has a known configuration in which a belt 33c is provided between a driving roller 33a and a driven roller 33b, and each driving roller 33a is attached to a slider 34. The table 35 is supported so as to be rotatable. The slider 34 is attached so as to be swingable with respect to the frame 36, and the frame 36 is attached above the transfer device 20. Then, when the slider 34 slides with respect to the frame 36, both the conveyors 31 and 32 are interlocked so as to advance and retreat with respect to the storage shelf 10a and the cleaning shelf 10b from above the transfer device 20.
[0026]
  The guide plate 37 is attached to the frame 36 and is used to guide the advancing and retreating track when the central conveyor 31 and the both side conveyors 32 advance and retreat. The guide plate 37 is formed with a guide groove 38 into which a guide roller 39 is inserted. The guide groove 38 includes an upper horizontal groove 38a parallel to the upper surface of the frame 36, an inclined groove 38b inclined downward from the end of the guide groove 38, and a lower horizontal groove 38c following the upper horizontal groove 38c and parallel to the upper surface of the frame 36. have.
[0027]
  Further, the guide plate 37 is provided on both the conveyors 31 and 32. The shape of the guide groove 38 of the guide plate 37 for the central conveyor 31 and the shape of the guide groove 38 of the guide plate 37 for the both-side conveyor 32 are provided. Are made to be slightly different. Specifically, the inclination angle of the inclined groove 38b of both the conveyors 31 and 32 and the height with respect to the slider 34 are all the same, but the height (H1) of the upper horizontal groove 38a of the conveyors 32 on both sides is the center. The height of the upper horizontal groove 38a for the conveyor 31 is higher than that of the lower horizontal groove 38c for the conveyor 32 and the height (H2) of the lower horizontal groove 38c for the central conveyor 31 is lower than that of the lower horizontal groove 38c of the central conveyor 31. ing.
[0028]
  Here, FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which the article W is supported by the central conveyor 31 and the two-side conveyors 32 and 32. When both the conveyors 31 and 32 are fully retracted, that is, when the guide roller 39 is positioned in the upper horizontal groove 38a, as shown in FIG. Get higher. Therefore, the bottom surface of the article W drawn onto the loading / unloading apparatus 20 can be supported by the two both-side conveyors 32 and 32, that is, the article W after being drawn in can be stably supported.
[0029]
  As the conveyors 31 and 32 advance, the guide roller 39 moves from the upper horizontal groove 38a to the inclined groove 38b. When the guide roller 39 is positioned in the inclined groove 38b, the inclined angles and heights of both the inclined grooves 38b for the central conveyor 31 and the both-side conveyor 32 are the same. The heights 33c are all the same as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the bottom surface of the article W can be evenly supported by all the conveyors 31, 32, 32.
[0030]
  By the way, the unloading of the article W from the loading / unloading apparatus 20 onto the storage shelf 10a is performed in the state shown in FIG. 4 (b). Thus, even when the article W is ejected, the article W can be supported in a stable state.
[0031]
  Further, as the conveyors 31 and 32 advance, the guide roller 39 moves from the inclined groove 38b to the lower horizontal groove 38c. When the guide roller 39 is positioned in the lower horizontal groove 38c, the height of the lower horizontal groove 38 of the central conveyor 31 is set higher than the height of the both-side conveyor 32. The height is higher than that of the both-side conveyor 32. Therefore, the article W on the storage shelf 10a can be drawn only by the central conveyor 31, and as a result, the article W can be drawn while maintaining the posture of the article W. If the article W is pulled in by all three belts (the central conveyor 31 and the two-side conveyors 32, 11b) or if the both-side conveyors 32, 11b are used, the article W may be pulled in due to the difference in the contact of the conveyor with the bottom surface of the article W. Although the article W may rotate to the left or right, the rotation of the article W can be prevented by using only the central conveyor 31.
[0032]
  FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the cleaning shelf 10b in which the cleaning mechanism 40 is installed. As shown in FIG. 5, the cleaning mechanism 40 includes a brush 41, a first attachment stay 42, and a second attachment stay 43.
[0033]
  The brush 41 contacts the surfaces of the central conveyor 31 and the two-side conveyors 32 and 32 to clean the surfaces of both the conveyors 31 and 32 (that is, removes dust and dirt attached to the surfaces of the conveyors 31 and 32). ). First attachment stays 42 are attached to both sides of the brush 41, and the first attachment stays 42 are located on the front side of the cleaning shelf 10b (the side on which the luggage W enters and exits) via the second attachment stays 43. Are positioned and fixed in a projecting state (specifically, a state of hanging from the top like so-called “goodwill”). The fixing position of the brush 41 by the first mounting stay 42 is a position at which the both conveyors 31 and 32 can be contacted when the transfer device 30 is retracted. Therefore, when cleaning the surfaces of both conveyors 31 and 32, it is only necessary to cause both conveyors 31 and 32 to execute the same operation as the pull-in operation, and the trouble of teaching (teaching) the operation for cleaning separately. Can be resolved. Further, if the cleaning operation is performed when the pulling operation is performed by both the conveyors 31 and 32, the brush 41 does not always need to be brought into contact with both the conveyors 31 and 32. It is possible to prevent the surface of 32 from being worn out rapidly.
[0034]
  Further, the first mounting stay 42 is provided with a front-rear direction adjusting hole 42 a in a mounting portion with the second mounting stay 43. Therefore, the position of the first mounting stay 42 in the front-rear direction (direction with respect to the conveyors 31 and 32) can be adjusted, and the contact condition between the brush 41 and the conveyors 31 and 32 can be improved so that a high cleaning effect can be obtained. (Degree of contact, angle, etc.) can be adjusted.
[0035]
  Of course, the tools (means) for cleaning the conveyors 31 and 32 are not limited to the brush 41, and may be cleaned by, for example, a so-called "scraper". Further, cleaning may be performed using water, detergent, or the like. Of course, the attachment position of the brush 41 is not limited to a position where the transfer device 30 can be brought into contact with both the conveyors 31 and 32 when the transfer device 30 performs the pull-in operation. When other operations are to be executed, they may be attached to other positions.
[0036]
  By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, the brush 41 has a shape in which the hair at the center is slightly recessed with respect to the hair on both sides. Therefore, even when the central conveyor 31 becomes higher than the both-side conveyors 32 by causing the transfer device 30 to be pulled in, the surfaces of all the conveyors 31 and 32 can be evenly cleaned.
[0037]
  In addition, it is possible to prevent only the central portion of the brush 41 from warping over time, resulting in no cleaning effect, or only the central portion of the brush 41 being consumed abnormally early compared to both side portions of the brush 41. it can.
[0038]
  The control box 50 is provided with a circuit (not shown) for storing and executing various programs necessary for the automatic warehouse 100 to perform a warehousing operation, a warehousing operation, and a cleaning operation. On the upper surface, a plurality of switches (not shown) are provided for enabling data input and control by an operator from the outside.
[0039]
  Further, the control box 50 is provided with an internal circuit for determining a cleaning opportunity and software is set, that is, a cleaning opportunity determining means 50a is provided. FIG. 6 is a time chart of cleaning opportunity determination by the cleaning opportunity determination means 50a. The cleaning opportunity determination unit 50 a includes a detection unit 51, a storage unit 52, a comparison unit (not shown), and a transmission unit 53. The detection unit 51 detects a pull-in operation by the transfer device 30, and when both the conveyors 31 and 32 in the advanced state are retracted, the both conveyors 31 are contacted by a contact type sensor such as a limit or a switch strain gauge. , 32, it is detected as one cycle when it is detected that the article is placed. Of course, an optical method such as a photoelectric switch or an electromagnetic detection method using an electromagnetic wave may be used instead of such a mechanical detection method, and further, a pull-in program is executed. In such a case, the detection may be performed as one cycle, that is, a software detection method.
[0040]
  The storage unit 52 stores the number of detections of the detection unit 51, that is, the number of cycles of the drawing operation performed by the transfer device 30, and the number of cycles stored in the storage unit 52 is as the cleaning operation ends. It is reset to 0 times.
[0041]
  The determination unit determines whether or not the number of drawing-in cycles stored in the storage unit 52 has reached the number of cleaning execution cycles set and registered in advance (in this embodiment, 100 cycles (times)). Is for.
[0042]
  As a result of the determination by the determination unit, the transmission unit 53 outputs a signal for executing the cleaning operation of both the conveyors 31 and 32 when the number of cycles of the transfer operation of the transfer device 30 reaches the number of required cleaning execution cycles. It is supposed to be sent out.
[0043]
  Needless to say, the number of cleaning execution cycles is not limited to 100 cycles, and may be, for example, 200 cycles or 300 cycles. This is because the value should be determined in accordance with the situation such as the usage environment of the automatic warehouse 100. Furthermore, the method for determining whether or not the number of cycles of the pull-in operation by the transfer device 30 has reached the required cleaning execution time is naturally not limited to the above method.
[0044]
  Next, the cleaning operation of the surfaces of the belts 33c of the conveyors 31 and 32 in the automatic warehouse 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0045]
  When the number of pull-in operation cycles of the article W by the transfer device 30 reaches the number of cleaning execution cycles required, that is, when an execution signal is output by the transmission unit 53, the transfer device 30 is moved from the cleaning shelf 10b by the loading / unloading device 20. Moved to the front. In this case, it is a precondition that the article dispensing operation has been completed.
[0046]
  When the transfer device 30 is moved to the front of the cleaning shelf 10b, the conveyors 31 and 32 constituting the transfer device 30 are moved to the position of the slide A shown in FIG. 7 (the state where the tips of the conveyors 31 and 32 are lowered downward). To the position).
[0047]
  When the front ends of the conveyors 31 and 32 are moved forward until they are located below the brush 41, the belt 33c is raised until the surface of the belt 33c comes into contact with the brush 41 as shown in FIG. When the surface of the belt 33c comes into contact with the brush 41, both the belts 31 and 32 are rotated. After the belts 31 and 32 are rotated for a set time (for example, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, etc.) and then the belts 31 and 32 are moved backward, the count of the storage unit 52 is reset to zero. .
[0048]
  As described above, when the number of operation cycles for drawing the article W by the transfer device 30 reaches the required number of cleaning execution cycles, the surfaces of the belts 33c of both belts 31 and 32, which are components of the transfer device 30, are cleaned. It has become.
[0049]
  Accordingly, the surface of the belt 33c can be regularly and automatically cleaned by an operator or the like without always managing the surface of the belt 33c, and as a result, the time required for the pull-in operation of the article W is kept substantially constant. In addition, the article W can be reliably pulled in.
[0050]
  The operation of the transfer device 30 at the time of cleaning is the same as the pull-in operation. Therefore, the trouble of teaching a special operation for cleaning can be eliminated.
[0051]
[Second Embodiment]
  Next, a modified example (second example) of the above-described example (first example) will be described with reference to FIG. In describing the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as the above-described embodiment (first embodiment), the description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described. explain.
[0052]
  The cleaning mechanism 240 includes a central conveyor brush 241a, both-side conveyor brushes 241b, a first attachment stay 242 and a second attachment stay (not shown).
[0053]
  The central conveyor brush 241a is a brush for cleaning the central conveyor 31, and the both-side conveyor brush 241b is a brush for cleaning each of the both-side conveyor brushes 241b. The central conveyor 31 and the two-side conveyor 32 are both supported by two-to-one set of first mounting stays 242 on both sides, and the first mounting stay 242 is supported by the second mounting stay in the first embodiment. It is attached so that the position can be adjusted in the front-rear direction as in the case of.
[0054]
  In the first embodiment, the length of the hair at the center of the brush 41 is made shorter than both sides, thereby increasing the position of the hair at the center. By setting the attachment position of the brush 241a to be higher than that of the both-side conveyor brush 241b, the position of the hair tip at the center is increased. Since the brushes for cleaning the central conveyor 31 and the brushes for cleaning the two-side conveyors 32 are separated from each other in this way, the brushes with a reduced degree (degree of wear) are replaced individually. As a result, the cleanliness of the central conveyor 31 and the two-side conveyor 32 can be kept clean at all times.
[0055]
  As a means for increasing the mounting position of the central conveyor brush 241a as compared with the both-side conveyor brush 242b, the shape of the first mounting stay 242 may be different, as shown in FIG. By making the mounting holes 441c of 441a and 441b long, the height of the brushes 441a and 441b can be adjusted (specifically, the mounting position of the brush 441a is made higher than the brush 441b). May be.
[0056]
[Third embodiment]
  Next, another modification (third embodiment) of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Even when explaining the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as the above-described embodiments (first and second embodiments), and the description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described. Will be explained.
[0057]
  The cleaning mechanism 340 includes a brush 341, a first attachment stay 42, and a second attachment stay 43. The brush 341 has the same bristle length at both sides and the central part as compared with the brush 41 having a concave part at the central part in the first embodiment, but the quality of the bristle at the central part compared to the both sides. It is soft.
[0058]
  Therefore, even when the central conveyor 31 protrudes above the both-side conveyors 32 at the time of cleaning, the cleaning effect between the central conveyor 31 and the both-side conveyors 32 can be made uniform, and the brush 341 is gradually changed over time. It is possible to prevent the hair in the center from being warped.
[0059]
  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It can be inferred.
[0060]
  For example, in the present embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 40 that cleans the surfaces of both the conveyors 31 and 32 a of the transfer device 30 is disposed on one of the plurality of shelves constituting the rack 10. However, the installation location of the cleaning mechanism 40 is not necessarily limited to the shelves constituting the rack 10 (that is, the cleaning shelves 10b). For example, unlike the case of the present embodiment, when the cleaning mechanism is a mobile mechanism, it may be installed outside the movable range of the loading / unloading device 20. However, when the cleaning mechanism 40 is movable, the configuration of the cleaning mechanism 40 becomes complicated. For this reason, it is preferable that the cleaning mechanism 40 is fixed and non-driven. In this case, if it is other than the rack 10, it is in the vicinity of the warehousing station 60 and the warehousing station 70, or in the vicinity of the standby position of the warehousing / unloading device 30. It is preferable to arrange.
[0061]
  Further, according to the present embodiment, the cleaning execution determination unit 50a provided in the control box 50 transmits a cleaning execution signal when the pull-in operation for the set number of registrations is completed. However, the transmission method of the cleaning execution signal by the cleaning opportunity determination unit 50a is not necessarily limited to the method that triggers the end of the pull-in operation for the set registration count, and for example, the end of the ejection operation for the set registration count It is good also as a system which transmits with the opportunity as an opportunity, and it is good also as a system which transmits with the passage of the time set and registered beforehand, and the cycle time of the pull-in operation is measured and the measurement time becomes longer than the predetermined time. It is good also as a system which transmits on the occasion. Of course, it goes without saying that these methods may be combined.
[0062]
  Here, the method of determining the execution timing of cleaning according to the cycle time of the pull-in operation is such that when the friction coefficient μ between the surfaces of the conveyors 31 and 32 and the bottom of the article W decreases, the conveyors 31 , 32 slips into an idle state, and the time for pulling in the article W is increased. In this case, the cleaning opportunity determination means 50a is provided with a timer unit 54 for measuring the transfer time in addition to the above-described configuration, and starts the pull-in operation of the transfer device 30 to measure the pull-in operation cycle time. You can do that. Therefore, cleaning can be performed according to the condition of the surface of the belt 33c of both the conveyors 31 and 32, and there is an advantage that more efficient cleaning of the conveyor can be performed.
[0063]
  The present invention includes the following inventions.
  A plurality of storage shelves each capable of storing articles, entry / exit means for moving articles to the front of the storage shelves or moving articles from the front of the storage shelves, and the storage shelves from the entry / exit means to the storage shelves or the storage Transfer means for transferring articles from the shelf onto the loading / unloading means, cleaning means for cleaning the transfer means in accordance with an appropriate trigger, and counting the number of times of transfer of articles based on the operation of the transfer means Counting means, and the transfer means pulls the conveyor surface in contact with the bottom of the article on the storage shelf and rotates, while the cleaning means cleans the conveyor surface, A conveyor transfer automatic warehouse (A), wherein the conveyor surface is cleaned based on a counting result of the counting means.
[0064]
  According to this conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse (A), the cleaning operation by the cleaning means is executed based on the number of times of transfer of the article based on the operation of the transfer means. Thus, the conveyor surface can be kept clean even if it is not necessary to manage the degree of adhesion).
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 1, the conveyor surface that is brought into contact with the bottom of the article on the storage shelf and rotated by the cleaning means to draw the article from the storage shelf onto the storage / exit means. Cleaning is performed according to an appropriate opportunity. Accordingly, there is an effect that the conveyor surface can be kept clean without imposing a cleaning operation on the conveyor surface on the operator. As a result, there is an effect that the article can be reliably transferred and the delay of the required transfer time of the article can be prevented.Further, since the cleaning means is provided within the operating range of the loading / unloading means, there is an effect that the cleaning means can be made non-driven. Further, since the cleaning means is brought into contact with the conveyor surface when the transfer means is operated, it is possible to prevent the conveyor surface contact portion of the cleaning means and the conveyor surface itself from being worn out rapidly. There is also an effect.
[0066]
  According to the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 2,The conveyor surface that is brought into contact with and rotated by the bottom of the article on the storage shelf in order to draw the article from the storage shelf onto the loading / unloading means is cleaned by an appropriate trigger. Therefore, there is an effect that the conveyor surface can be kept clean without imposing a cleaning operation on the conveyor surface on the operator. As a result, it is possible to reliably transfer the article and to prevent a delay in the required transfer time of the article.Further, since the cleaning means is provided in at least one storage shelf, it is possible to effectively utilize the storage shelf, and it is possible to eliminate the trouble of securing a separate installation area for the cleaning means. There is an effect.
[0067]
  According to the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 3, in addition to the effect exhibited by the conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, further, when the transfer means executes the pull-in operation, cleaning is performed. Since the means contacts the surface of the conveyor to perform the cleaning operation, the trouble of teaching (teaching) the operation of the transfer means separately for cleaning can be eliminated by using the pull-in operation by the transfer means. There is an effect that can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire belt transfer type automatic warehouse (automatic warehouse) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a transfer device constituting the automatic warehouse.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a transfer device constituting the automatic warehouse.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which articles are supported by a central conveyor and double-side conveyors constituting the transfer device.
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a cleaning shelf on which a cleaning mechanism constituting the automatic warehouse is installed.
FIG. 6 is a time chart of a cleaning opportunity determination unit.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cleaning operation of the belt surfaces of the central conveyor and the double conveyors.
FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning shelf on which a cleaning mechanism constituting the automatic warehouse of the second embodiment is installed.
FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning shelf on which a cleaning mechanism constituting the automatic warehouse of the third embodiment is installed.
FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of the cleaning mechanism of the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 racks
20 Entry / exit equipment
30 Transfer equipment
40 Cleaning mechanism
50 Control box
50a Cleaning opportunity determination means
51 Detector
52 Memory unit
53 Transmitter
54 Timer part
100 Conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse
W goods

Claims (3)

A plurality of storage shelves that can store articles,
Entry / exit means for moving an article to the front of the storage shelf or moving an article from the front of the storage shelf;
Wherein the bottom of the articles on the storage rack is in contact with rotating comprises a retractable conveyor, transfer causes the article the more the storage on the shelf or the storage on the shelf from the entry and leaving means Previous inlet-outlet means on, Transfer means mounted on the loading / unloading means ;
Cleaning means provided within the operating range of the loading / unloading means and positioned and fixed so that the transfer means can be cleaned according to an appropriate trigger,
To the surface of the conveyor abuts the cleaning means and pre-inlet-outlet means moves said transfer means, said transfer means by rotating said conveyor, said cleaning means cleaning the conveyor surface Conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse characterized by that. A plurality of storage shelves that can store articles,
Entry / exit means for moving an article to the front of the storage shelf or moving an article from the front of the storage shelf;
Transfer means for transferring articles from the storage means to the storage shelf or from the storage shelf to the storage means;
Cleaning means for cleaning the transfer means according to an appropriate trigger,
The transfer means is brought into contact with the bottom of the article on the storage shelf and rotated to pull in, while the cleaning means is provided in at least one of the storage shelves to clean the conveyor surface. Conveyor transfer type automatic warehouse.   3. The conveyor transfer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning means is provided within an operation range of the loading / unloading means, and when the transfer means performs a pulling-in operation, the cleaning means contacts and cleans the conveyor surface. Mounted automatic warehouse.

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