JP6857881B2 - Automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an automated warehouse that temporarily stocks, for example, eggs stored in a tray.

As an automated warehouse for temporarily storing eggs, there is known one in which multiple trays containing eggs are stacked and automatically stored in a predetermined position on a storage shelf in the automated warehouse using a stacker crane. There is.

In an automated warehouse used in fields other than eggs, a stacker crane is used to store a plurality of stored items together in a storage shelf in the automated warehouse while they are placed on a car (an example of a storage rack). (See, for example, Patent Document 1 below). By using a car, workability is improved as compared with the case where the stored items are individually stored in the storage shelves.

In recent years, the amount of eggs handled in automated warehouses has been increasing, and it is considered to apply the technique as described in Patent Document 1 to eggs. Specifically, the sorted eggs are packed into a tray from a distribution conveyor and then automatically or manually loaded into a car on the downstream side thereof. This car is manually carried to the warehousing station of the automated warehouse and warehousing. When removing from the automated warehouse, after the car is delivered to the delivery station, the car is manually carried from the automated warehouse to a place where eggs are packed.

Japanese Patent No. 4256718

In the series of operations described above, the labor required for moving the car and its labor cost, and the equipment and its cost required for moving the car have become problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automated warehouse capable of automatically performing the work required for storing the entire storage rack in a storage shelf without human intervention.

The present invention has taken the following measures in order to achieve the above-mentioned object. That is, the automated warehouse according to claim 1 is an automated warehouse including a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of the stacker crane, and each of the storage shelves can load a plurality of trays containing eggs. A storage rack is placed on the storage rack, and the tray is provided with a transfer device on the storage side for automatically loading the tray into the storage rack in a state where the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. To do.

The automated warehouse according to claim 2 is an automated warehouse including a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane, and each storage shelf can accommodate a plurality of trays containing eggs. A rack is placed on the storage rack, and the tray is loaded into the storage rack or the tray is unloaded from the storage rack while the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. A transfer device on the warehousing side for loading the tray carried into the warehousing station into the storage rack is provided, and the warehousing station and the transfer device on the warehousing side are provided on the storage shelf.

The automated warehouse according to claim 3 is an automated warehouse including a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane, and each storage shelf can accommodate a plurality of trays containing eggs. A rack is placed on the storage rack, and the tray is loaded into the storage rack or the tray is unloaded from the storage rack while the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. A transfer device on the delivery side for unloading the tray to be delivered from the delivery station from the storage rack is provided, and the delivery station and the transfer device on the delivery side are provided on the storage shelf.

The automated warehouse according to claim 4 is an automated warehouse including a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane, and each storage shelf can accommodate a plurality of trays containing eggs. A rack is placed on the storage rack, and the tray is loaded into the storage rack or the tray is unloaded from the storage rack while the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. The storage rack is surrounded by rack side walls except for the open surface for loading and unloading the tray from the side, and the stacker crane is on both sides in the direction of moving along the storage shelf. The accommodating rack is provided with a side wall, and the accommodating rack is arranged so that the side wall closes the open surface of the accommodating rack when the accommodating rack is moved.

The automated warehouse according to claim 5 is a stacker crane type automated warehouse provided with a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of the stacker crane, and the inside of the automated warehouse when storing articles in the storage shelves. An inspection in which the article is placed or stored in a multi-layered storage rack used only in space and stored in the storage shelf, and at least one of the storage shelves is inspected for an empty storage rack. It will be a station.

Here, the "article" may be anything as long as it can be stored in a multi-layered storage rack, and is not limited to eggs.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automated warehouse capable of automatically performing the work required for storing the entire storage rack in the storage shelf without human intervention.

The plan view which shows typically the automated warehouse which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The plan view which shows typically the main part of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the main part of the transfer device on the warehousing side of the same embodiment. The side view which shows typically the main part of the transfer device on the warehousing side of the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows typically the main part of the transfer device on the delivery side of the same embodiment. The front view which shows typically the main part of the transfer device on the delivery side of the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows the storage rack for the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The figure explaining the operation of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The figure explaining the operation of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The figure explaining the operation of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The plan view which shows typically the automated warehouse which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the operation of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The figure explaining the operation of the automated warehouse of the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows the accommodating rack of the modification of this invention. The plan view which shows typically the automated warehouse of the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The automated warehouse 1 according to the present embodiment is for temporarily storing the eggs E that have passed through the sorting and collecting device 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sorting and collecting device 4 has a supply conveyor (not shown) that conveys the egg E in the X direction and a distribution conveyor 41 that conveys the egg E in the Y direction orthogonal to the supply conveyor 41. And. The eggs E transported by the distribution conveyor 41 are sorted and collected at a predetermined sorting and gathering place 42 according to the same class and filled in the tray T. The distribution conveyor 41 is, for example, a single-row conveyor, in which eggs E are sorted and released by equal class toward a bucket (not shown) at a predetermined position on the transport path of the distribution conveyor 41. Here, it is housed in the tray T.

The tray T containing the egg E is stacked in a plurality of stages using a well-known stacking device 5. The stacked trays (hereinafter referred to as "stacked trays S" or "tray S" in the present specification; in the figure, x is indicated in a square) are the sorting sets. It is transported to the automated warehouse 1 by the warehousing conveyor 6 that is transported from the place 42 to the next process. The warehousing conveyor 6 is provided corresponding to each of the collecting sections, and the transport path of each warehousing conveyor 6 and the transport direction (Y direction) of the distribution conveyor 41 are orthogonal to each other.

The automated warehouse 1 receives the tray S containing the eggs E from the warehousing conveyor 6 and temporarily stores the tray S. The automated warehouse 1 has a structure partitioned by a wall 11, and includes a plurality of storage shelves 16 arranged along a path 14 of a stacker crane 13 in an internal space 12 thereof. In the automated warehouse 1, a pair of fixed racks 1A and 1B provided with a large number of storage shelves 16 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are arranged on both sides of the traveling path 14 of the stacker crane 13.

Each storage shelf 16 of the fixed racks 1A and 1B is on which a storage rack 9 capable of loading a plurality of trays S containing eggs E is placed.

On the storage shelf 16 of the fixed rack 1A, the warehousing station 17 that receives the tray S conveyed from each warehousing conveyor 6 and the warehousing side that loads the tray S carried into the warehousing station 17 into the storage rack 9 are transferred. The device 2 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the warehousing station 17 is formed over two adjacent storage shelves 16, and the storage rack 9 for loading the tray S and the warehousing side are moved in this one space. The mounting device 2 is arranged. With the storage rack 9 housed in the storage station 17, which is also the storage shelf 16 of the fixed rack 1A, the tray S is loaded into the storage rack 9. In FIG. 1, the warehousing station is shown in color.

The transfer device 2 on the warehousing side is a device (rack-in) that automatically packs the tray S into the storage rack 9. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer device 2 on the warehousing side of the present embodiment includes a loading table 22 to which the stacked trays S are fed from the warehousing conveyor 21 connected to the warehousing conveyor 6. A loading table 22 and an elevator 23 that moves up and down to a height corresponding to each stage of the storage rack 9 and a plurality of stacked trays S mounted on the loading table 22 are pushed out to the storage rack 9 side. It is mainly composed of an arm 24. In addition, in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 8 to 10, the location of the transfer device 2 on the warehousing side is indicated by diagonal lines.

On the storage shelf 16 of the fixed rack 1B, the delivery station 18 for waiting the tray S containing the eggs E to be sent to the next process and the delivery side for unloading the tray S to be delivered from the delivery station 18 from the storage rack 9. The transfer device 3 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the warehousing station 18 is formed over three adjacent storage shelves 16, and in this one space, a storage rack 9 for unloading the tray S and the storage rack 9 thereof. The transfer device 3 on the delivery side is arranged so as to sandwich the storage rack 9 in between. With the storage rack 9 housed in the delivery station 18, which is also the storage shelf 16 of the fixed rack 1B, the tray S is unloaded from the storage rack 9. In FIG. 1, the delivery station is shown in color.

The transfer device 3 on the delivery side is, for example, a device (rack out) that automatically pushes the tray S out of the storage rack 9 as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-104661. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the transfer device 3 on the delivery side of the present embodiment has a receiving table 31 that receives the trays S stacked from inside the storage rack 9, and a storage rack toward the receiving table 31. The extrusion arm 32 that feeds the tray S in the tray S, the extrusion side elevator 33 that moves up and down together with the extrusion arm 32 to a height corresponding to each stage of the accommodation rack 9, and the receiving table 31 correspond to each stage of the accommodation rack 9. A receiving side elevator 34 that moves up and down to a height, a payout arm 35 that delivers a plurality of trays S placed on the receiving table 31 to the carry-out conveyor 36 side, and a tray S received from the receiving table 31 and delivered to the next process. It is mainly composed of a carry-out conveyor 36. In addition, in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 8 to 10, the location of the transfer device 3 on the delivery side is indicated by diagonal lines.

The automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of warehousing stations 17 and a plurality of warehousing stations 18, and the equal classes of eggs E handled by the warehousing / shipping stations 17 and 18 can be individually set.

As shown in FIG. 7, the storage rack 9 has a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of stacked trays S can be placed. The storage rack 9 of the present embodiment is used only in the internal space 12 partitioned by the plurality of storage shelves 16. The storage rack 9 is surrounded by a rack side wall 92 except for an open surface 91 for loading and unloading the stacked trays S from the side, and a fork (not shown) of the stacker crane 13 is provided on the lower surface side. An insertion port 93 that can be inserted is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 to 10, the stacker crane 13 is for transferring the storage rack 9 from one storage shelf 16 of the fixed racks 1A and 1B to the other storage shelf 16. It is a thing. The stacker crane 13 can move along a traveling path 14 arranged so as to be parallel to the transport path of the distribution conveyor 41, and can also move up and down. The stacker crane 13 is provided with side walls 15 on both sides in a direction of moving along the storage shelf 16, so that when the storage rack 9 is moved, the side wall 15 closes the open surface 91 of the storage rack 9. The storage rack 9 is arranged.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automated warehouse 1 described above is connected to a delivery conveyor 7 (including a delivery conveyor 36 in part) for transporting the delivered tray S, and is predetermined when necessary. Eggs E of the same class can be taken out from the automated warehouse 1. In the present embodiment, a refill transfer device 8 for loading trays S stacked in a storage rack 9 for transportation is provided on the downstream side of the delivery conveyor 7. Since the refill transfer device 8 has the same configuration as the transfer device 2 on the warehousing side described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A packaging means for transferring the eggs E stored in the tray T to a predetermined packaging container may be provided on the downstream side of the delivery conveyor 7. As the packaging means, various well-known packaging means in this field, so-called repackers, can be applied.

The automated warehouse 1 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The control device is a microcomputer system having a processor, a memory, an input interface, an output interface, and the like.

Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the automated warehouse 1 controlled by the control device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

First, an empty storage rack stored in one storage shelf (not shown) is transferred to the storage station 17 using the stacker crane 13 as shown in FIG. When the accommodating rack 9 is moved by the stacker crane 13, the accommodating rack 9 is arranged so that the side wall 15 of the stacker crane 13 closes the open surface 91 of the accommodating rack 9. When the storage rack 9 enters the storage station 17, the open surface 91 of the storage rack 9 faces the loading table 22 of the transfer device 2 on the storage side, and the rack side wall 92 is located inside the automated warehouse 1 (frontage side). One faces.

After this work or in parallel with this work, for example, a tray T containing 30 M-sized eggs E is stacked in 6 stages by the stacking device 5, and is automatically stored from the warehousing conveyor 6. It is stored in 1. At that time, the stacked trays S are sequentially loaded one by one on the loading table 22 of the transfer device 2 on the warehousing side provided in the warehousing station 17. When the four stacked trays S are aligned, the elevator 23 moves the storage rack 9 to a height corresponding to the stack to be loaded this time. Then, the loading arm 24 pushes the tray S toward the storage rack 9, so that the loading of the tray S into the storage rack 9 is completed. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, this operation is repeated until each stage of the accommodation rack 9 is filled with the tray S.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the storage rack 9 loaded with the tray S in the warehousing station 17 is transferred to another storage shelf (not shown) using the stacker crane 13. When the accommodating rack 9 is moved by the stacker crane 13, the accommodating rack 9 is arranged so that the side wall 15 of the stacker crane 13 closes the open surface 91 of the accommodating rack 9. When the storage rack 9 enters another storage shelf, the open surface 91 of the storage rack 9 faces the side frame direction of the storage shelf 16, and one of the rack side walls 92 faces the inside (frontage side) of the automated warehouse 1.

The above is an example of the movement when warehousing. Next, an example of the movement when leaving the warehouse will be described.

First, the storage rack in which the trays stored in other storage shelves are loaded is transferred to the delivery station 18 by using the stacker crane 13, and the state is as shown in FIG. The method of arranging the accommodating rack 9 on the stacker crane 13 is the same as that described above. When the storage rack 9 enters the delivery station 18, the open surface 91 of the storage rack 9 faces the receiving table 31 of the transfer device 3 on the delivery side, and one of the rack side walls 92 is inside the automated warehouse 1 (frontage side). One faces.

After this work, the extrusion arm 32 and the receiving table 31 are moved by the extrusion side elevator 33 and the receiving side elevator 34 to the height corresponding to the stage to be unloaded this time of the accommodating rack 9. Then, the extrusion arm 32 pushes the tray S toward the receiving table 31 by four piles, so that the unloading of the tray S from the storage rack 9 is completed. Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, this operation is repeated until the tray S of each stage of the accommodation rack 9 is exhausted. The empty storage rack 9 may be moved from the delivery station 18 to another storage shelf by using the stacker crane 13.

The four trays S placed on the receiving table 31 are pushed out to the unloading conveyor 36 (delivery conveyor 7) side by the payout arm 35, and are discharged from the automated warehouse 1 in a state of being stacked in six stages.

As described above, the automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of storage shelves 16 arranged along the path 14 of the stacker crane 13, and each storage shelf 16 accommodates eggs E. The storage rack 9 on which the plurality of trays S can be loaded is placed, and the tray 9 is housed in at least one storage shelf 16 (warehousing station 17 / shipping station 18). The work of loading the S into the storage rack 9 and the work of unloading the tray S from the storage rack 9 are performed.

As a result, the empty storage rack 9 for loading work is supplied to the warehousing station 17 (storage shelf 16), and the storage rack 9 for unloading work is supplied to the warehousing station 18 (storage shelf 16). The work can be performed using the stacker crane 13 provided in the automated warehouse 1. Further, the stacker crane 13 is also used for the work of storing the storage rack 9 for which the loading work has been completed in the predetermined storage shelf 16 and the work of storing the empty storage rack 9 for which the unloading work has been completed in the predetermined storage shelf 16. Can be done using.

That is, by effectively utilizing the stacker crane 13 in the automated warehouse 1, all the work conventionally performed manually (for example, the transfer device (rack-in) on the warehousing side and the transfer device (rack-out) on the warehousing side). ) Can be labor-saving (such as supplying a predetermined crane (accommodation rack), carrying a crane loaded with trays and putting it in an automated warehouse, and taking it out of an automated warehouse and transporting it). Along with this, it is possible to reduce the labor required to move the car and its labor cost, and the equipment and its cost required to move the car.

The storage rack 9 is used only in the internal space 12 partitioned by the plurality of storage shelves 16. Therefore, the inside of the automated warehouse 1 can be kept hygienic, which is particularly preferable when handling a food product called egg E. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of replenishing the storage rack 9 to be put into the warehousing station 17 from the outside and collecting the storage rack 9 warehousing from the warehousing station 18.

The tray S carried into the warehousing station 17 is provided with a warehousing-side transfer device 2 for loading the tray S into the storage rack 9, and the warehousing station 17 and the warehousing-side transfer device 2 are provided on the storage shelf 16. .. Therefore, the tray S can be loaded into the storage rack 9 which is opened laterally with respect to the storage shelf 16. Further, by storing the main part of the transfer device 2 on the warehousing side inside the wall 11 of the automated warehouse 1, the equipment can be effectively arranged in the GP center, and the total occupied area is reduced. Useful for.

A warehousing-side transfer device 3 for unloading the tray S to be delivered from the warehousing station 18 from the storage rack 9 is provided, and the warehousing station 18 and the warehousing-side transfer device 3 are provided on the storage shelf 16. There is. Therefore, the tray S can be lowered from the storage rack 9 which is opened sideways with respect to the storage shelf 16 as in the case of the storage side. Further, by storing the main part of the transfer device 3 on the delivery side inside the wall 11 of the automated warehouse 1, the equipment can be effectively arranged in the GP center, and the total occupied area is reduced. Useful for.

The storage rack 9 is surrounded by a rack side wall 92 except for an open surface 91 for loading and unloading the tray S from the side, and the stacker crane 13 is oriented so as to move along the storage shelf 16. Side walls 15 are provided on both sides, and the storage rack 9 is arranged so that the side wall 15 closes the open surface 91 of the storage rack 9 when the storage rack 9 is moved.

The storage rack 9 stores a stack of trays S, which is not highly stable, and also handles a large amount of fragile eggs E, which are fragile items, on a plurality of shelves. Therefore, it is conceivable that the tray T may fall from the open surface 91 when an unusual movement occurs. However, according to the arrangement of the accommodation rack 9 as in the present embodiment, even if the moving speed of the stacker crane 13 is increased or the movement is suddenly stopped in an emergency such as a power failure, the tray can be moved from the open surface 91. It is possible to prevent T from falling.

Further, since the automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of warehousing stations 17 and a plurality of warehousing stations 18, the processing amount of eggs E warehousing and warehousing in the automated warehouse 1 can be dramatically increased. Needless to say, the stacker crane 13 can perform work on the other storage shelves 16 during the loading work on the storage rack 9 or the unloading work from the storage rack 9.

Further, due to the nature of the egg E, there is a limit to the number of trays T that can be stacked, but since the storage rack 9 has a multi-layer structure, more eggs E can be effectively utilized by effectively utilizing the space on the storage rack 9. Can be loaded.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. The automated warehouse 1 according to the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the automated warehouse 1 of the first embodiment described above, except that some of the storage shelves 16 are inspection stations 19a and 19b. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment is a stacker crane type having a plurality of storage shelves 16 arranged along a path 14 of the stacker crane 13, and is said to be used when storing eggs E in the storage shelves 16. The egg E is placed or stored in a multi-layered storage rack 9 used only in the internal space 12 of the automated warehouse 1 and stored in the storage shelf 16, and at least one storage shelf 16 is stored in the storage shelf 16. The inspection stations 19a and 19b are used to inspect the empty storage rack 9. Specifically, the two storage shelves 16 at the end of one fixed rack 1B are the first and second inspection stations 19a and 19b, respectively. That is, a plurality of inspection stations 19a and 19b are provided adjacent to each other on the left and right sides.

Each inspection station 19a, 19b visually checks for dirt, damage, deformation, etc. of the storage rack 9 in a state where a plurality of trays S containing eggs E are unloaded, that is, in an empty state. , A place for inspection using an inspection device (not shown).

As an example of the case of visual inspection, a function of notifying the worker that the storage rack 9 has been carried into the inspection stations 19a and 19b by a buzzer, a chime lamp, etc., and a function of the worker being housed in the inspection stations 19a and 19b. With the rack 9 mounted or with the storage rack 9 carried out from the inspection stations 19a and 19b, the storage rack 9 is inspected for dirt, damage, deformation, etc., and cleaned and disinfected. It is sufficient to add a function of notifying that the accommodating rack 9 whose inspection has been completed after the inspection is placed on the inspection stations 19a and 19b.

Next, an example of the operation of the automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In the present embodiment, the stacker crane 13 inserts the accommodating rack 9 into the inspection stations 19a and 19b, and conversely, the accommodating rack 9 is inserted from the inspection stations 19a and 19b while performing the same or the same movement as that of the first embodiment. The movement to take out is added.

It is determined whether or not the storage rack 9 which has finished unloading all the trays S from the warehousing station 18 is moved from the warehousing station 18 to the inspection stations 19a and 19b by using the stacker crane 13. Specifically, the control device of the automated warehouse 1 records the frequency of use of the storage rack 9, and the number of times the tray S is loaded and unloaded into the storage rack 9 is a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times or 10 times). Etc.), the storage rack 9 is controlled to move to the inspection stations 19a and 19b, while the storage rack 9 is moved to a normal storage shelf 16 (other than the inspection stations 19a and 19b) if the number of times is less than a predetermined number. Control to let. Of course, the frequency of use of the storage rack 9 may be recorded by attaching a barcode, RFID, or the like to the storage rack 9.

Then, the stacker crane 13 on which the accommodating rack 9 is placed on one inspection station 19b uses the inspected accommodating rack 9 stored in another inspection station 19a located in the vicinity of the one inspection station 19b. It is controlled to be taken out from the other inspection station 19a. Specifically, at first, the first inspection station 19a accommodates the accommodating rack 9 that can be used after the inspection and the like, and the second inspection station 19b located next to the accommodating rack 9 is empty. From that state, the stacker crane 13 carries the storage rack 9 that needs to be inspected (after loading and unloading the tray S a predetermined number of times) and places it on the second inspection station 19b as shown in FIG. After that, as shown in FIG. 13, the stacker crane 13 moves to take out the storage rack 9 in the first inspection station 19a, and then moves to another storage shelf 16.

The storage rack 9 placed on the second inspection station 19b stands by at the second inspection station 19b as it is after a predetermined inspection or the like is performed. Then, after the storage rack 9 requiring inspection is placed on the first inspection station 19a, it is taken out from the second inspection station 19b and moved to another storage shelf 16.

If, as a result of the predetermined inspections at the inspection stations 19a and 19b, it is determined that continuous use is difficult even after cleaning due to damage or severe contamination, the stacker crane 13 takes out the inspection stations 19a and 19b. , It is controlled to go out of the automated warehouse 1 once. In this case, if a spare storage rack is inserted in place of the storage rack 9 taken out of the automated warehouse 1, the total number of storage racks 9 used only in the internal space 12 of the automated warehouse 1 is not changed. , The cycle of normal use can be continued.

As described above, the automated warehouse 1 of the present embodiment has the same as that shown in the first embodiment, that the storage rack 9 is used as one unit for warehousing in the automated warehouse 1, warehousing from the automated warehouse 1, and warehousing. Since the storage is performed on the storage shelf 16 of the automated warehouse 1, the processing capacity of the stacked crane type automated warehouse 1 can be improved, and the following effects can be obtained.

Of the stacker crane type automated warehouse 1 having a plurality of storage shelves 16 arranged along the path 14 of the stacker crane 13, only the internal space 12 of the automated warehouse 1 is stored when the eggs E are stored in the storage shelf 16. The egg E is placed or stored in the multi-layered storage rack 9 used in the above storage rack 9 and stored in the storage shelf 16, and at least one of the storage shelves 16 and the empty storage rack 9 are stored. Since the inspection stations 19a and 19b to be inspected, the work of transporting the storage rack 9 to be inspected to the inspection stations 19a and 19b can be performed by using the stacker crane 13 provided in the automated warehouse 1. Along with this, it is possible to reduce the equipment and its cost required for managing the timing of taking out the dirt and the like of the storage rack 9 out of the automated warehouse 1 and inspecting them.

More specifically, the storage rack 9 used only in the internal space 12 of the automated warehouse 1 as in the present embodiment may be dirty, damaged, deformed, etc. unless an opportunity to take it out of the automated warehouse 1 is positively provided. Is hard to find. In particular, when the target to be stored in the storage rack 9 is the egg E as in the present embodiment, there is a possibility that the contents of the cracked egg E may leak and the storage rack 9 may be contaminated. If the inspection stations 19a and 19b for inspecting at predetermined timings as in the present embodiment are provided, the accommodation rack 9 used only in the internal space 12 can always be kept in an appropriate state, which is preferable.

Further, a plurality of the inspection stations 19a and 19b are provided, and the stacker crane 13 on which the accommodation rack 9 is placed on one inspection station 19b is another inspection station located in the vicinity of the one inspection station 19b. The inspected storage rack 9 stored in 19a is controlled to be taken out from the other inspection station 19a. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate waste in the movement of the stacker crane 13, and the operating rate is not lowered.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

As another example of the storage rack, the one shown in FIG. 14 can be considered. That is, casters may be attached to the lower part, and the number of trays that can be accommodated and the number of shelves can be changed in various ways. Further, the storage rack may not be provided with a fixed shelf board, or may have a multi-layer structure formed through a divider or the like that can be arranged at a desired position. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to the accommodation racks of the present embodiment. The rack side wall may be any shape as long as it partitions the inside and outside of the rack, and includes a frame-shaped one as shown in the figure. In addition, the storage rack is not limited to the one dedicated to the automated warehouse. Further, when the storage rack is stored in the storage shelf, the open surface may be directed to the wall side of the automated warehouse (the back side of the storage shelf when viewed from the stacker crane).

In the above-described embodiment, both the storage shelf on the warehousing side for loading the tray into the storage rack and the storage shelf on the warehousing side for unloading the tray from the storage rack are provided, but only one is provided. It may be the one that is. If only the storage shelves on the warehousing side are provided, the warehousing may be carried out from a warehousing station other than the storage shelves. ..

The storage shelf on the warehousing side and the storage shelf on the warehousing side may be provided at the end of the fixed rack.

The number and arrangement of fixed racks in the automated warehouse that form the storage shelves are not limited to those shown in the figure.

The transfer device on the warehousing side may be any device as long as the tray can be loaded into the storage rack, and is not limited to the one shown in the figure. Similarly, the transfer device on the delivery side may be any device as long as the tray can be unloaded from the rack, and is not limited to the one shown in the figure. A part or all of the transfer device on the warehousing / delivery side may be arranged outside the storage shelf or the automated warehouse.

Eggs stored in the automated warehouse are not only eggs sorted by a so-called grader sorting and collecting device, but also eggs filled by a filling device called a so-called farm packer (raw eggs before sorting). Good.

The warehousing station may include a conveyor for moving the containment rack in the depth direction of the storage shelves. With such a case, the position of the storage rack for receiving the tray from the transfer device on the warehousing side can be adjusted. Similarly, if the delivery station is provided with a conveyor for moving the storage rack in the depth direction of the storage shelf, the position of the storage rack for delivering the tray to the transfer device on the delivery side can be adjusted. ..

The inspection station may be one that performs only a part of the above-mentioned inspection and the like, and the arrangement method thereof can be variously changed. That is, it may be provided at a place other than the end of the rack of the automated warehouse, or only one may be provided. Even when a plurality of inspection stations are provided, it is not necessary that the inspection stations are provided adjacent to each other.

For example, it is conceivable to place inspection stations on storage shelves facing each other across the stacker crane. That is, if one inspection station is provided on the storage shelf of one rack and another inspection station is provided on the storage shelf of the other rack located near the storage shelf, the storage rack can be provided in one inspection station. It is not necessary to run the stacker crane between the work of loading and the work of taking out the inspected storage rack from another inspection station, and it becomes possible to achieve even more efficient movement.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 15, three inspection stations 19a, 19b, and 19c may be arranged side by side, and one of the three is a cleaning device for cleaning the storage rack ( It may be a specialized inspection station where (not shown) is placed. If this is the case, use the stacker crane 13 to use the stacker crane 13 only for those that require cleaning of the storage rack based on the inspection results at the first and second inspection stations 19a and 19b for inspection. It may be moved to the third inspection station 19c, and after cleaning, the stacker crane 13 may be used to move the third inspection station 19c to the first or second inspection stations 19a and 19b again. Just do it. That is, since the storage rack is washed at the inspection station 19c, which is also such a storage shelf 16, the storage rack can be taken in and out of the washing device by using the existing stacker crane 13.

The cleaning device includes, for example, a device that injects cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid nozzle to clean the accommodating rack in a cleaning chamber that surrounds the entire accommodating rack, and then injects air from an air nozzle to perform drying. Various things known in the field can be applied.

Further, the inspection station is provided regardless of the arrangement and number of the warehousing station and the warehousing station other than those shown in the drawing. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the warehousing station 17 and the warehousing station 18 are fixed racks 1A and 1B. Inspection stations 19a, 19b, 19c may be provided in the automated warehouse 1 provided at the end of the above.

The embodiments disclosed this time are examples and are not limited thereto. The present invention is shown by the scope of claims, not the scope described above, and is intended to include all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The present invention can be used in an automated warehouse for temporarily stocking eggs stored in a tray.

1 ... Automatic warehouse 12 ... Internal space 16 ... Storage shelf 17 ... Storage station 18 ... Delivery stations 19a, 19b ... Inspection station 13 ... Stacker crane 14 ... (Stacker crane) route 15 ... (Stacker crane) side wall 2 ... Storage side Transfer device 3 ... Transfer device on the delivery side 9 ... Storage rack 91 ... Open surface 92 ... Rack side wall E ... Egg T ... Tray

Claims (5)

An automated warehouse with multiple storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane.
Each storage shelf is on which a storage rack capable of loading a plurality of trays containing eggs is placed, and the tray is placed in the storage rack in a state where the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. An automated warehouse characterized by being equipped with a transfer device on the warehousing side that automatically loads into the warehouse. An automated warehouse with multiple storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane.
Each storage shelf is on which a storage rack capable of loading a plurality of trays containing eggs is placed, and the tray is placed in the storage rack in a state where the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. The work of loading the tray into the storage rack or the work of unloading the tray from the storage rack .
Comprising a transfer device for goods receipt side stow the tray carried in the goods receipt station to the receiving rack, the warehousing station and receipts side of the transfer device, automatic warehouses that provided on the storage shelf. An automated warehouse with multiple storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane.
Each storage shelf is on which a storage rack capable of loading a plurality of trays containing eggs is placed, and the tray is placed in the storage rack in a state where the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. The work of loading the tray into the storage rack or the work of unloading the tray from the storage rack .
Comprising a transfer device for unloading side unloading the tray to left from the unloading station from the receiving rack, the unloading station and transfer device of unloading side, automatic warehouses that provided on the storage shelf. An automated warehouse with multiple storage shelves arranged along the path of a stacker crane.
Each storage shelf is on which a storage rack capable of loading a plurality of trays containing eggs is placed, and the tray is placed in the storage rack in a state where the storage rack is stored in at least one storage shelf. The work of loading the tray into the storage rack or the work of unloading the tray from the storage rack .
The storage rack is surrounded by a rack side wall except for an open surface for loading and unloading the tray from the side.
The stacker crane is provided with side walls on both sides in a direction of moving along the storage shelf, and the storage rack is arranged so that the side wall closes the open surface of the storage rack when the storage rack is moved. automatic warehouse that. Of the stacker crane type automated warehouses equipped with a plurality of storage shelves arranged along the path of the stacker crane, the multi-layered storage used only in the internal space of the automated warehouse when storing goods in the storage shelves. The article is placed or stored in a rack and stored in the storage shelf.
An automated warehouse in which at least one storage shelf is used as an inspection station for inspecting the empty storage rack.

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