JP7167390B2 - Three-dimensional automated warehouse - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides an article and/or article storage container (hereinafter referred to as "articles, etc. ”) can be moved freely and can easily sort articles.

A typical multi-level automated warehouse is equipped with storage shelves for goods, etc., arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal, longitudinal and vertical directions. A set of storage racks arranged in two rows so as to face each other with a distance therebetween is arranged, and a predetermined number of sets are arranged.

There are various multi-level automated warehouses depending on the means of transportation for these goods. For example, by using a stacker crane as a moving means to move items, etc., it is possible to freely move items in the horizontal longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and vertical direction (Y-axis direction) of the storage shelf. Automated warehouses (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3) are known. In addition, as moving means, a traveling trolley is arranged on each stage in the Y-axis direction, and goods, etc. can be moved in the X-axis direction of the storage shelves of each stage, and goods, etc. can be moved in the Y-axis direction by an elevator. There is a three-dimensional automatic warehouse (for example, Patent Document 4 and Non-Patent Document 1).

FIG. 10 shows a stacker crane type automated warehouse disclosed in Patent Document 2 as an example of the former automated warehouse using stacker cranes. In the three-dimensional automated warehouse 80, storage racks for storing articles arranged in a grid pattern in the XY-axis directions are arranged in L _n rows, L _n ′ rows, and L _n+1 rows. A stacker crane 81 is arranged in a space 88 between the storage racks in the L _n ' row and the L _n+1 row. The stacker crane 81 is composed of a crane mast 82, a crane carriage 83, a lower travel rail 84, an upper travel rail 85, a table 86 for placing articles and the like. The mounting table 86 of the stacker crane 81 is provided with, for example, an extendable arm 87 for transferring storage racks between the mounting table 86 and the rows L _n ′ and L _n+1 . In this example, the stacker crane 81 installed in the space 88 moves the articles in the XY axis direction of the storage shelf, that is, up, down, left and right, and moves the articles in the depth direction (Z-axis direction) of the storage shelf by the extendable arm 87. Allows movement. A carry-in/out device 89 is used to carry in/out articles and the like from/to the storage shelf.

In this example, the loading/unloading of articles, etc., seems to be performed directly between the stacker crane 81 and the loading/unloading device 89. , and an example of loading/unloading between stacker cranes is also shown in Patent Document 3.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a multi-level automated warehouse disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 as an example of the latter multi-level automated warehouse using traveling carts. This three-dimensional automated warehouse 90 includes storage shelves in rows _{Ln −1} , Ln, _Ln+1 , and _Ln+2 for storing articles arranged in a grid pattern in the XY axis directions, and storage shelves L A traveling carriage 95 is provided for each stage in each space 98 between the _{n −1} row and the Ln row and between the storage shelf Ln ₊₁ row and the Ln ₊₂ row. The storage shelves Ln ₋₁ and _Ln , and the storage shelves Ln ₊₁ and Ln ₊₂ are arranged with their storage surfaces facing each other so that articles can be put in and taken out. A traveling carriage 95 can reciprocate on the rail 94 provided. By means of this traveling carriage 95, goods and the like in each of the storage racks in rows _Ln−1 and _Ln , and in rows _Ln+1 and Ln ₊₂ are transferred.

For example, the traveling carriage 89 is provided with an extendable arm (not shown) to transfer to and from the storage shelf.

In addition, on both sides in the X-axis direction, a carry-in device 96 and a carry-out device 97 for carrying in and out of the storage shelf for articles and the like are arranged. Elevator 91 for delivery of is installed corresponding to each space 98 .

Articles, etc. are moved between each of the storage racks Ln _-1 row, _Ln row, _Ln+1 row, Ln ₊₂ row, and the carrying-in device 96 and the carrying-out device 97 by using And, it is carried out by a traveling carriage 95 via a temporary placement carrier 93 for delivering articles, etc., provided on each storage shelf. In addition, when it is necessary to move between storage racks in the vertical direction, it is also possible to carry out the movement via the elevator 91 .

Therefore, in the multi-level automated warehouse 90 equipped with the elevator 91 having the traveling carriage 95 and the carriage 92 for placing articles, etc., it is possible to move the articles, etc. in the XY-axis directions by such a moving means, and the space 98 can be moved. It is possible to move an article or the like in the Z-axis direction between opposing storage racks such as rows _Ln−1 and _Ln , or rows _Ln+1 and Ln ₊₂ that face each other with a distance therebetween.

In the multi-level automated warehouse 90 shown in FIG. 11, which is provided with traveling carts that reciprocate in the XY-axis directions in the space between the opposing storage racks, like the stacker crane type multi-level automated warehouse 80 shown in FIG. In some cases, the rear surfaces of the storage racks _Ln row and Ln ₊₁ row of FIG. 11 are connected to each other and integrated.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in this type of multi-story automated warehouse, _stacker cranes 81 and traveling carts 95 are arranged in spaces 88 and 98 as moving means for moving goods. It is possible to move articles, etc., in the XY-axis directions of the storage racks in rows such as row ₁ , row L _n-1 ', row L _n , row L _n ', row L _n+1 , and row L _n+1 '. However, it is difficult to move articles across the spaces 88, 98, etc. to storage shelves facing other spaces 88, 98.

For example, in the multi-level automated warehouse 80 shown in FIG. 10, it is difficult to move an article or the like at the position _Pn of the _Ln -row storage shelf to the position _Pn+1 of the Ln ₊₁ -row storage shelf. Further, in the multi-level automated warehouse 90 shown in FIG. 11, the goods at the position _{Pn -1} of the Ln _-1 row storage shelf or the _Pn position of the Ln-row storage shelf are transferred to the _Ln+1 row storage shelf. It is difficult to move to the P _n+1 position of the storage shelf or the P _n+2 position of the L _n+2 row storage shelf. That is, it is difficult to jump over a line or move an article across a space (aisle).

10 shows only one row of spaces 88, but like the multi-level automated warehouse 90 shown in FIG. It is necessary to install a plurality of elevators 91 that relay between the temporary placement carrier 93 and the traveling carriage 95 corresponding to each space 98, and the number of elevators increases as the number of storage rack rows increases in any multi-level automated warehouse. will also increase.

JP-A-8-108904 JP 2012-236683 A JP-A-9-278117 JP-A-63-165205

Itoki Co., Ltd. homepage, SAS PDF, http://www. Itoki. jp/catalog/pdf/senmon/sys_streamer. pdf

As described above, conventional multi-level automated warehouses require multiple elevators for relaying goods, etc., between the equipment for carrying in and out goods, etc., and the rows of storage shelves configured in multiple stages and rows. In addition, it will be necessary to increase the number of elevators according to the expansion scale of the warehouse.

In addition, in a conventional multi-story automated warehouse, goods in the horizontal longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) and vertical direction (Y-axis direction) on storage shelves facing the space where moving means (stacker cranes, traveling carts, etc.) are arranged and transverse (Z-axis) movement of items between opposing storage shelves in the same space. However, it is difficult to move an article or the like in the Z-axis direction between storage shelves facing different spaces across a plurality of spaces. In other words, the conventional multi-level automated warehouse has the problem of complexity and economics of equipment requiring multiple elevators, and the difficulty of moving goods in the XYZ axis direction between storage shelves facing different spaces. There is

In order to solve this problem, the present invention can reduce the number of elevators, can move goods between shelves across the space, and has a storage surface opposite to the storage surface where goods can be taken in and out. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional automated warehouse that enables movement of articles, etc. in the Z-axis direction between adjacent storage racks.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of storage shelf rows in which storage shelves for storing articles and the like are arranged in a horizontal longitudinal direction and a vertical direction in a grid pattern, and a plurality of storage shelf rows of the storage shelf rows. Provided is a three-dimensional automatic warehouse, characterized in that a mobile elevator is provided on one end side, and the elevator moves perpendicularly to the plurality of storage rack rows.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a car is provided under the elevator, and the car is movable with respect to the plurality of storage rack rows.

In addition, the present invention provides moving means for moving into a space between the rows of storage shelves arranged so that the storage surface sides of the rows of storage racks for taking in and out articles, etc. face each other; A temporary placement carrier for articles or the like is provided on one end side, and a placement carrier for transferring the articles or the like to the elevator is provided. It is characterized by moving articles and the like between the storage racks.

Further, the present invention is a multi-level automated warehouse in which the plurality of rows of storage racks are storage racks adjacent to each other on the opposite side of the storage surface of the storage racks for taking in and out the articles, etc., and It is characterized by comprising a transport mechanism.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a direction changing function is imparted to the transport mechanism between the specific storage racks, and a second transport mechanism is provided side by side with the transport mechanism.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the temporary placement transport mechanism is provided with a direction changing function.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a conveying mechanism for articles, etc. is provided between the temporary placement conveying mechanisms of the adjacent storage shelf rows on the opposite side of the storage surface for taking in and out the articles, etc. of the storage shelf. .

According to the present invention, by enabling the elevator to move in the Z-axis direction between the rows of storage racks, equipment and facilities can be reduced, and the economic effect is high. In addition, since the loading carrier of the elevator can be connected to any temporary placement carrier in each storage shelf row, movement between storage shelf rows, particularly across different spaces, is possible. can be made possible, and articles and the like can be freely moved in the XYZ axis directions of the storage shelf, and the function can be improved. In addition to the mobile elevator, by providing a transport mechanism between specific storage racks between rows of storage racks, it is possible to move items in the Z-axis direction without using an elevator. It can be moved independently and asynchronously with the movement between the shelf rows, and in parallel with the carrying in/out of the elevator or the carrying movement of the goods between the storage shelves in the other space 8, the articles between the storage shelf rows are moved via the transport mechanism. etc. can be moved, and the effective use and efficiency of the warehouse can be achieved. Furthermore, by installing a transport mechanism together, it is possible to perform temporary retraction processing when moving articles, etc., and it is possible to provide extensibility for rearrangement of articles, etc. FIG.

Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of rows of storage shelves formed by arranging storage shelves for storing articles and the like in a grid pattern in the horizontal longitudinal direction and the vertical direction are regarded as one unit, and two or more of the units are the plurality of storage shelves. One end side of the rows of storage racks provided with a temporary storage transport mechanism are arranged to face each other, and a mobile elevator is provided between the units.

According to the present invention, by forming a plurality of rows of storage racks into one unit and providing a movable elevator between the plurality of units, the storage facility can be doubled or more expanded, and the storage capacity of articles, etc. can be dramatically increased. can be increased to

According to the present invention, by enabling the elevator to move in the Z-axis direction between the rows of storage racks, equipment and facilities can be reduced, and the economic effect is high. In addition, since the loading carrier of the elevator can be connected to any temporary placement carrier in each storage shelf row, movement between storage shelf rows, particularly across different spaces, is possible. can be made possible, and articles and the like can be freely moved in the XYZ axis directions of the storage shelf, and the function can be improved.

In addition to the mobile elevator, by providing a transport mechanism between specific storage racks between rows of storage racks, it is possible to move items in the Z-axis direction without using an elevator. It can be moved independently and asynchronously with the movement between the shelf rows, and in parallel with the carrying in/out of the elevator or the carrying movement of the goods between the storage shelves in the other space 8, the articles between the storage shelf rows are moved via the transport mechanism. etc. can be moved, and the effective use and efficiency of the warehouse can be achieved. In addition, by providing a double transport mechanism, it is possible to perform temporary retraction processing when moving articles, etc., and to provide extensibility for rearrangement of articles, etc. FIG.

In addition, by setting a plurality of storage shelf rows as one unit and providing a movable elevator between the plurality of units, the storage facility can be doubled or more expanded, and the storage capacity of articles can be dramatically increased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic diagram which shows the three-dimensional automatic warehouse which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which moving means are arranged between storage shelves according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a multi-story automated warehouse in which moving means are arranged between storage racks consisting of storage racks adjacent on the back, according to an embodiment of the present invention; A multi-level automated warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention in which a transfer mechanism is provided in a specific storage rack adjacent in the back in a multi-level automated warehouse in which a moving means is arranged between storage facilities consisting of storage racks adjacent in the back is a plan view of the. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which the transport mechanism shown in FIG. 4 has a right-angle branching function, according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a plan view of a multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. 3 in which a temporary placement carrier provided at one end of a storage shelf is provided with a right-angle branching mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which the storage racks shown in FIG. 3 are replaced with storage racks that are deep in the Z-axis direction and that are adjacent to each other at the back, according to an embodiment of the present invention; According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage shelf shown in FIG. 1 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which conveying devices such as articles are bridged between stands; FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a multi-level automated warehouse in which storage rack portions indicated by II of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. . 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional multi-story automated warehouse in which stacker cranes are arranged as moving means for articles and the like; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional multi-story automated warehouse in which traveling carts are arranged as moving means for articles and the like; FIG.

As a basic configuration of the multi-level automated warehouse of the present invention, an elevator interposed between a device for carrying in/out goods and a plurality of rows of storage racks arranged in multiple stages is moved so as to be perpendicular to each row of storage racks. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the multi-level automated warehouse 1 includes storage racks such as L _n−1 ′, L _n , L _n ′, L _n+1 , L _n+1 ′, and L _n+2 rows, and one It is composed of an elevator (crane) 11, a conveying device 2 for carrying in/out goods and the like. The conveying device 2 for loading/unloading articles and the like includes loading/unloading units 21 and 22 for loading/unloading articles 23 and the like from/to storage racks via the elevator 11 . A car 111 is attached to the lower part of the elevator 11 and is movable in the Z-axis direction on one end side of each storage shelf. In addition, on both sides of the elevator 11, there are provided carriages 12 for placing articles, etc., and each carriage 12 can move up and down asynchronously.

In addition, FIG. 1 exemplifies a configuration consisting of rows of storage shelves adjacent on the back, such as L _n−1 ′ row and L _n row, L _n ′ row and L _n+1 row, L _n+1 ′ row and L _n+2 row, etc. A moving means (not shown) for transporting and moving articles and the like to each storage shelf is provided in the space 8 that serves as a transportation path for the articles and the like between them.

In addition, the L _n−1 ′ row, L _n row, L _n ′ row, L _n+1 row, L _n+1 ′ row, and L _n+2 row storage racks are basically a loading/transporting table for articles, etc. of the elevator 11. 12, it is composed of a temporary placement carrier 131 used for delivery of articles and the like and a storage shelf 132 for storing articles and the like.

The elevator 11 moves in a direction orthogonal to each row of storage shelves, that is, in the Z-axis direction in FIG. It can face any temporary placement carrier 131 on the YZ plane. In addition to the movement of items to be carried in/out, a further characteristic feature is that by making the elevator 11 movable, movement between storage shelves on the YZ plane of the storage shelves can be performed temporarily. The point is that it is possible through the base 131 . Between the temporary placement carrier 131 and each storage shelf, the storage shelf can be arbitrarily moved in the XY plane by a moving means arranged in each space 8 . Therefore, by making the elevator 11 movable in the Z-axis direction, it is possible not only to reduce the number of machines and equipment from an economic standpoint, but also to make it possible to freely move articles and the like in the XYZ-axis directions of the storage shelf, thereby improving functionality. .

It is sufficient for the moving means arranged in the space 8 between the rows of storage racks to have a function of holding and moving articles and the like and a function of transferring them to and from the placing table and shelves. For example, a stacker crane, a traveling cart, or the like can be used as the moving means. In the case of a stacker crane, in addition to the function of transferring articles between shelves, etc., the mounting table can be moved up and down, so that it can be freely moved in the XY plane. Further, in the case of a traveling truck, each stage in the vertical direction is arranged so as to be able to travel via a rail or the like. As an embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the like below, an example using a traveling truck will be described, but a moving means such as a stacker crane is not excluded.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the elevator 11 and the transport device 2 are provided on the front side in the X-axis direction in the automated multi-story warehouse 1, the present invention is not limited to this, and the front and back in the X-axis direction are shown. A movable lift 11 and a transfer device 2 may be provided at each end (front side and back side), and the loading and unloading may be separated front and rear. Alternatively, the movable elevator 11 may be arranged on the front side in the X-axis direction, and a conventional fixed elevator may be installed corresponding to each space 8 on the rear side (deep side). A movable elevator may be installed on the rear side (back side), and a fixed elevator may be installed on the front side so as to correspond to each space 8 .

Regarding the movement structure of the elevator 11 in FIG. 1, instead of the car 111, rails may be arranged on the floor and moved on the rails. Considering the occurrence of such as, movement by the car 111 is preferable.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which moving means are arranged between storage shelves according to one embodiment of the present invention. The basic configuration of the _{multi -} level _{automated warehouse} in FIG. ₂ is the same as that in FIG. Each row and Ln ₊₄ row constitute a set of storage facilities. Therefore, in this case, the number of shelves may be increased in units of one set.

In FIG. 2, a storage shelf is used as a means for moving goods between storage shelves such as rows _Ln−1 and _Ln , rows _Ln+1 and Ln ₊₂ , and rows _Ln+3 and Ln ₊₄ that face each other across a space 8. 1 illustrates a traveling carriage 10 that moves on rails 14 provided in the X-axis direction. In a multi-tiered storage rack, the traveling carriage 10 and the rail 14 are installed on each tier.

In FIG. 2 , articles and the like are carried in and out of the storage shelf via a carry-in/carry-out device (not shown) and a mobile elevator 11 . This mobile elevator 11 moves in the Z-axis direction indicated by the arrow on the lower side of the drawing of the storage shelf, thereby moving the loading carrier 12 of the elevator 11 and any temporary placement carrier 13 on the top, bottom, left, and right of the row of storage shelves. can butt connect.

Therefore, compared with the conventional case where the elevator is fixedly installed corresponding to the space of each storage rack row, installation of the movable elevator makes it possible to save equipment.

Furthermore, the elevator 11 can be moved to any of the storage shelf rows, the L _n−1 row, the L _n row, the L _n+1 row, the L _n+2 row, the L _n+3 row, and the L _n+4 row. Since the loading carriage 12 is connectable, movement between rows of storage shelves, in particular between storage shelves across another space 8, is possible. That is, in the self-supporting automated warehouse shown in FIG. 2, between storage shelf rows facing each other in each space 8, it is possible to move or replace articles in the X-axis direction by the traveling carriage 10, and the articles in the Y-axis direction. can be moved or exchanged by moving the loading/unloading table 12 of the elevator 11 up and down. It becomes possible by going through the table 12 and the temporary placement carrier 13 . Therefore, articles can be freely moved between arbitrary storage racks in XYZ.

It should be noted that the connection between the loading carriage 12 of the elevator 11 and any temporary placement carriage 13 in the row of storage racks does not mean a tight connection, and the articles and the like mounted between the carriages are moved (transferred). It is sufficient to align with a possible interval. This also applies to configurations of embodiments in other drawings described below.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a multi-level automated warehouse in which a moving means is arranged between storage racks consisting of storage racks adjacent on the back, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the carrying-in of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. / Corresponds to a plan view omitting the unloading device. While the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. 2 has multiple _rows of storage facilities each consisting of a pair of multi-stage storage _shelves , FIG. , L _n+1 row and L _n+1 ′ row adjacent to each other on the rear surface.

In FIG. 3 as well, between the L _n−1 ′ and L _n columns, the L _n ′ and L _n+1 columns, and the L _n+1 ′ and L _n+2 columns facing each other with the space 8 therebetween, items and the like are stored as moving means. It has a traveling carriage 10 that moves on rails 14 provided in the X-axis direction of the shelf. In a multi-tiered storage rack, the traveling carriage 10 and the rail 14 are installed on each tier.

Also, in FIG. 3 as well as in FIG. 2, articles and the like are carried in and out of the storage racks via a loading/unloading device (not shown) and a mobile elevator 11 . This mobile elevator 11 moves in the Z-axis direction on the lower side of the storage shelf in the drawing, so that the placement carrier 12 of the elevator 11 and any temporary placement carrier 13 on the top, bottom, left, and right of the row of storage shelves are butt-connected. can.

Therefore, compared with the conventional case where the elevator is fixedly installed corresponding to the space of each storage rack row, installation of the movable elevator makes it possible to save equipment.

Furthermore, for each storage rack row, L _n−1 ′ row, L _n row, L _n ′ row, L _n+1 row, L _n+1 ′ row, L _n+2 row, etc., Since the loading carriage 12 of the elevator 11 can be connected, it is possible to move between the rows of storage shelves, especially between the storage shelves across another space 8 . That is, even in the self-supporting automatic warehouse shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to move or replace articles in the X-axis direction between storage shelf rows facing each other in each space 8 by using the traveling carriage 10, and to move articles in the Y-axis direction. can be moved or exchanged by moving the loading/unloading table 12 of the elevator 11 up and down. It becomes possible by going through the table 12 and the temporary placement carrier 13 . Therefore, articles and the like can be freely moved between arbitrary storage racks of XYZ.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention in a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which moving means are arranged between storage shelves that are adjacent on the back, and transporting articles to specific storage shelves that are adjacent on the back. It is a top view of the three-dimensional automatic warehouse which provided the conveyance mechanism which carries out.

In FIG. 4, similarly to the multi-level automatic warehouse shown in FIG. 3, the _Ln row and _Ln ' row, and the _Ln+1 row and Ln ₊₁ ′ row of the storage shelf rows are arranged adjacent to each other on the back side. , between L _n−1 ′ and L _n columns, L _n ′ and L _n+1 columns, and L _n+1 ′ and L _n+2 columns facing each other with a space 8 therebetween, as moving means for goods, etc. A traveling carriage 10 that moves on rails 14 provided in the X-axis direction of the storage shelf is provided. In a multi-tiered storage rack, the traveling carriage 10 and the rail 14 are installed on each tier. Carrying in and out of the storage shelf for articles and the like is performed via a carry-in/carry-out device (not shown) and a mobile elevator 11 . This mobile elevator 11 moves in the Z-axis direction as indicated by the arrow on the lower side of the storage shelf in the drawing, thereby moving the loading platform 12 of the elevator 11 and any temporary placement platform above, below, to the left, and to the right of the row of storage shelves. 13 can be butt-connected.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4, a set of specific storage racks adjacent on the back side is provided with a transport mechanism A in the Z-axis direction. With this transport mechanism _A , it is possible to further facilitate movement of articles, etc. in the Z-axis direction between storage shelves that are adjacent on the back side of rows Ln and _Ln ', and rows _Ln+1 and Ln ₊₁ '. The conveying mechanism A is not particularly limited, but can be composed of various conveyors and the like.

In FIG. 4 as well, it is possible to move or replace articles, etc. in the X-axis direction between rows of storage shelves facing each other in each space 8 by using a traveling carriage 10, and to move or replace articles, etc. in the Y-axis direction, an elevator 11 is used. In addition, the movement of articles (in the Z-axis direction) between storage shelf rows can be achieved by moving the elevator 11 to move the placing carriage 12 and the temporary placement carriage 13. It is possible by going through

Furthermore, by using the transport mechanism A, it is possible to move articles, etc. in the Z-axis direction between adjacent storage shelves on the back side of the L _n row and the L _n ′ row, and the L _n+1 row and the L _n+1 ′ row without using the elevator 11. possible and possible. That is, since it can be moved asynchronously independently of the movement between the rows of storage shelves by the elevator 11, the transport mechanism can be moved in parallel with the transport of goods, etc. between storage shelves in the other space 8 by the elevator 11. Goods and the like can be moved between the rows of storage racks by the traveling truck 10 via A, and effective use and efficiency of the warehouse can be achieved.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which the transport mechanism shown in FIG. 4 has a right-angle branching function, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, a set of specific storage racks adjacent to each other on the back side is provided with a transport mechanism A' in the Z-axis direction and a transport mechanism B in the X-axis direction. It also has a right-angle branching function between directions.

By combining the conveying mechanism A' and the conveying mechanism B shown in FIG. 5, the conveying mechanism A' enables movement between the rows of storage racks when moving an article or the like between the space 8 and the adjacent space 8. At the same time, the right-angle branching function of the transport mechanism A' allows the articles, etc., to be temporarily evacuated to the transport mechanism B. FIG. As a result, it is possible to give priority to the movement of other articles between storage racks, and to return them to their original positions.

Therefore, it is possible to move articles between storage shelves by the transport mechanism A' independently of and in parallel with the process of transporting and moving between storage shelf rows via the elevator 11, and the transport mechanism A' and the transport mechanism B It is also possible to perform temporary saving processing by , and it is possible to provide extensibility in rearrangement of articles and the like.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the automated multi-level warehouse shown in FIG. 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the temporary placement carrier provided at one end of the storage shelf is equipped with a right-angle branching mechanism. .

In FIG. 6, a temporary placement carrier 16 with a right angle branching mechanism is used as a temporary placement carrier that mediates delivery of articles between the loading carrier 12 of the mobile elevator 11 and the traveling carriage 10 . Even when the elevator 11 is moving to the side of the opposite storage shelf rows in the other space 8, the right angle branching mechanism of the temporary placement carrier 16 allows the articles, etc., to be moved between the storage shelves adjacent on the back side. You can move directly.

In FIG. 6, for example, items are moved between storage racks adjacent on the back side along the following routes. The articles and the like placed on P ₁ are picked up by the traveling carriage 10 and transferred to the temporary placement carrier 16 . Since this temporary placement carrier 16 is capable of orthogonal branching, it is transferred to P2 by the traveling carriage ₁₀ via the adjacent temporary placement carrier 16 . _In addition, the goods and the like stored in P2 can be moved to _P3 by the traveling carriage 10 . _In addition, it is also possible to move _an article or the like placed in P1 to P3.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which the storage racks in FIG. 3 are replaced with storage racks that are deep in the Z-axis direction and that are adjacent at the back, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, the depth of each storage shelf, that is, the Z-axis direction is increased in order to increase the storage capacity of the storage shelf. There is a gap between Even if the temporary placement carrier 13 is replaced with a temporary placement carrier 16 having a right angle branching function as shown in FIG.

In this case, by using the placing carrier 12 of the movable elevator 11 of the present invention, it is possible to transfer articles and the like to and from each temporary placing carrier 13 in the ZY direction.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which the storage shelf in FIG. 1 is a plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which transport devices for articles, etc., are bridged between temporary placement transport tables; FIG.

In FIG. 8, a transport mechanism 18 is provided between temporary placement transport tables 16 having a right-angle branching mechanism to enable transportation and movement of articles and the like between adjacent spaces 8 . That is, since the elevator 11 can be moved in the Z-axis direction without using the loading platform 12, even if the elevator 11 moves to the side of the opposite storage shelf row in the other space 8, By the right angle branching mechanism of the temporary placement carrier 16 and the carrier mechanism 18, articles and the like can be directly moved between the storage racks adjacent to each other on the rear side. Therefore, efficiency can be improved without depending on the moving position of the elevator 11 .

FIG. 9 shows a three-dimensional automated warehouse in which two units are connected via an elevator, with the storage rack portion indicated by II of the three-dimensional automated warehouse shown in FIG. It is a top view of a warehouse.

In FIG. 9, a mobile elevator 11 can transport and move articles and the like between upper and lower units in the drawing, and can also transport and move articles and the like within the units. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 9, an elevator and a loading/unloading device are provided at the upper end and/or the lower end in the X-axis direction, which can be used for storage of articles and the like from the outside. Moreover, as an elevator, a movable type and a fixed type can be appropriately selected and used.

By adopting the configuration of FIG. 9, the storage facility can be doubled or more, and the storage capacity for articles and the like can be dramatically increased.

The unit of the storage facility shown in FIG. 9 is not limited to the unit II of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. 3, but the multi-level automated warehouse unit I shown in FIG. For the unit III, the three-dimensional automatic warehouse unit IV shown in FIG. 5, the three-dimensional automatic warehouse unit V shown in FIG. 6, the three-dimensional automatic warehouse unit VI shown in FIG. 7, the three-dimensional automatic warehouse unit VII shown in FIG. can be applied as well.

In each embodiment described in each figure, the movement of the elevator, the vertical drive of the loading conveyor of the elevator, the movement of the moving means such as articles, the driving of the transport mechanism and the orthogonal branch mechanism installed between the storage shelves, etc. , each device, each device, etc. are controlled by a control device (not shown). Therefore, when carrying in/out goods, etc., taking them out from shelves, etc., the movement and replacement of related goods, traffic management of goods, etc., adjustment of waiting time, etc. can be performed centrally. The space between the multi-tiered storage shelves described in each of the above embodiments means a space for moving articles between the shelves by moving means, and may be called a passage or a transport path. In addition, the moving means for moving the goods, etc. placed between the storage racks provided facing each other in the space is not limited to the traveling trolley. Anything that can move inside is acceptable.

In addition, the transporting parts used in the loading platform of the elevator, the temporary placement platform provided in each storage shelf row, the transporting mechanism of a specific storage shelf, the right angle branching mechanism, the loading / unloading device, etc. A rotating mechanism such as a roller conveyor can be used.

Further, as the orthogonal branching mechanism, a known mechanism called an orthogonal branching device, a orthogonal transfer device, an orthogonal transfer device, or the like can be used.

The embodiments described above are provided as examples for understanding the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but is defined by the claims. In addition, as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of the present invention, configurations equivalent to those described in the claims are also included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

According to the present invention, by enabling the elevator to move between the rows of storage racks, it is possible to reduce the number of equipment and facilities, and the economic effect is high. Since the loading platform of the elevator can be connected, it is possible to move between rows of storage shelves, especially between storage shelves across different spaces, and to freely move articles, etc. in the XYZ axis directions of the storage shelves. Since it is possible to improve the function, it can be applied to a warehouse where goods are stored and taken out, and the economic effect can be large.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Three-dimensional automated warehouse 2... Carrying-in/carrying-out device 8... Space 10... Traveling cart 11... Elevator 111... Car 12... Carrying table for placing articles 13, 131... Temporary placing carrier 132... Storage shelf 14... Running rail 16 Temporary placement carrier 18 with right angle branching mechanism Transport mechanisms P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ Articles L _n−1 , L _n−1 ', L _n , L _n ', L _n+1 , L _n+1 '
, L _n+2 , L _n+3 , L _n+4 … Rows of storage racks A, B … Transfer mechanism A′ … Transfer mechanism with a right-angle branching function

Claims (4)

a first storage shelf for storing articles, etc., wherein the storage surface of the storage shelf for storing the articles, etc. is arranged in a horizontal longitudinal direction and a vertical direction in a grid pattern; A storage shelf comprising a second storage shelf adjacent to the opposite side of the storage surface of one storage shelf as a center of symmetry has a plurality of rows of storage shelves arranged side by side facing the storage surface side. A three-dimensional automated warehouse,
a temporary placement carrier for articles and the like attached to one end side of the storage shelf in the horizontal longitudinal direction;
a moving means provided in a space between the storage shelves formed by arranging the storage surface sides of the plurality of storage shelf rows facing each other;
Placement carriages arranged at one end side of the plurality of rows of storage racks in the horizontal longitudinal direction and having a transfer function of transferring articles, etc. to the carriages for temporary placement are provided on both sides of the rows of storage shelves in the direction perpendicular to the rows of storage shelves. a horizontally movable elevator that moves orthogonally to the plurality of storage rack rows, and in which the loading platform can move up and down asynchronously;
Between the first storage shelf and the second storage shelf , a first transport mechanism capable of transporting the article on a surface opposite to the storage surface and having a direction changing function is provided. 2 transport mechanisms are provided side by side, capable of transporting in the horizontal longitudinal direction, and having inter-shelf transport and article evacuation means comprising a second transport mechanism adjacent to the first transport mechanism. A three-dimensional automated warehouse comprising: a row of shelves ; 2. The row of storage shelves according to claim 1 is set as one unit, and the first unit and the second unit, which are two or more of the units, are provided with the temporary placement carriages of the plurality of storage shelves. A three-dimensional automated warehouse , wherein one end sides are arranged side by side in the horizontal longitudinal direction, and the mobile elevator is provided between the first unit and the second unit . 3. The automated multi-story warehouse according to claim 1, wherein said temporary placement carrier has a direction changing function. Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that a transport mechanism is provided between the first temporary placement carrier associated with the first storage shelf and the second temporary placement carrier associated with the second storage shelf . The three-dimensional automated warehouse according to any one of 1 .

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