JP7331601B2 - Stocker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to stockers.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a stocker capable of storing/retrieving articles has been known. Patent document 1 discloses an automatic storage which is a stocker of this type.

In the automatic storage of Patent Document 1, a plurality of storage shelves are stored inside a housing cabinet. Two of the plurality of storage shelves correspond to article entrances formed to open to the front side (front side) of the housing cabinet. A plurality of shelves are arranged in a plurality of rows vertically and a plurality of rows horizontally. The plurality of storage shelves can move vertically and horizontally in a front view along a frame-shaped (annular) moving path formed in the housing cabinet.

JP-A-63-92510

In the automatic storage of Patent Document 1, each storage shelf has a length in the depth direction (front-rear direction) of only one article. Therefore, there was a limit to the increase in storage capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a stocker which can store a plurality of articles in the depth direction and which can be first-in first-out.

Means and Effects for Solving Problems

The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, the means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

According to the aspect of the present invention, a stocker having the following configuration is provided. That is, this stocker includes a plurality of frame-shaped bodies, a stocker main body, a first transfer mechanism, and a second transfer mechanism. The frame-like body is formed in a longitudinal shape in a plan view, and can accommodate a plurality of articles arranged in the longitudinal direction inside each. In the stocker main body, unit storage spaces corresponding to one frame-shaped body are formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The stocker main body is provided with an inlet connected to one longitudinal side of one of the unit storage spaces, and an outlet connected to the other longitudinal side of the other unit storage space. When the unit storage space corresponding to the entrance portion is defined as an entrance-corresponding space, and the unit storage space corresponding to the exit portion is defined as an exit-corresponding space, the first transfer mechanism is positioned in the entrance-corresponding space. The plurality of frame-shaped bodies are cyclically moved along a loop-shaped movement path so that the frame-shaped body and the frame-shaped body located in the exit corresponding space are switched among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies. The second transfer mechanism transports the articles stored in at least one of the frame-shaped body in the entrance-corresponding space and the frame-shaped body in the exit-corresponding space from the side where the entrance part is located. Move to the side where the exit part is. The entrance-corresponding space and the exit-corresponding space are positioned at the lowest of the plurality of unit storage spaces. When each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies is in the entrance-corresponding space, an article can be carried into the frame-shaped body through the entrance section, and when it is in the exit-corresponding space, the exit section. Through this, the stored article can be carried out to the outside of the frame-shaped body. The first transfer mechanism has a longitudinal feed mechanism, an upper lateral feed mechanism, and a lower lateral feed mechanism. The vertical feeding mechanism is provided for a row of frame-shaped bodies arranged in the vertical direction among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies, and transports the row of the frame-shaped body group in the vertical direction. The upper lateral feed mechanism transfers the frame-shaped body located in the uppermost unit storage space among the group of frame-shaped bodies in one row to another row. The lower traversing mechanism transfers the frame-like body located in the lowest unit storage space among the group of frame-like bodies in one row to another row.

As a result, a first-in, first-out type stocker can be constructed in which articles put in through the entrance on one side are stored and taken out from the outlet on the opposite side. Not only are a plurality of frame-shaped bodies arranged in the stocker body so as to be circulatingly movable, but also a plurality of articles can be arranged and stored in each frame-shaped body. Therefore, by increasing the length of the frame in the longitudinal direction, a large-capacity stocker can be easily constructed.

The stocker described above preferably has the following configuration. That is, the second transport mechanism includes a transport section and an up-and-down movement section. The transport section has a placement section on which an article can be placed, and transports the article placed on the placement section. When the frame-like body is positioned in the lowest unit storage space among the plurality of unit storage spaces, the lifting/lowering movement part moves the conveying part to the bottom surface of the article stored in the frame-like body. It is vertically moved between a conveying position where the placing portion contacts and is lifted, and a retracted position where the placing portion is lower than the bottom surface of the frame-shaped body. Regarding the frame-shaped body located in the lowermost unit storage space, the up-and-down moving section moves the transport section to the transport position when transporting an article. When the frame-shaped body is transported by the lower lateral feeding mechanism, the lifting/lowering part moves the transport part to the retracted position.

This makes it possible to avoid interference with the second transfer mechanism when the frame-like body is transferred by the lower lateral feed mechanism. In addition, a compact configuration can be realized by arranging the up-and-down movement part of the second transfer mechanism in the lower part of the stocker body where it is easy to secure a space.

The stocker described above preferably has the following configuration. That is, the upper lateral feeding mechanism includes a suspending portion for suspending the frame-shaped body when transferring the frame-shaped body located in the uppermost unit storage space to another row. The vertical feeding mechanism lifts the group of frame-shaped bodies, and the frame-shaped body located in the uppermost unit storage space among the group of frame-shaped bodies is hung by the hanging part. height is possible.

As a result, the upper lateral feed mechanism can smoothly suspend and convey the uppermost frame-shaped body in the group of frame-shaped bodies.

In the stocker, the vertical feed mechanism lowers the group of frame-shaped bodies in one row, so that the frame-shaped bodies below the frame-shaped bodies suspended by the suspension part are moved downward. Body separation is preferred.

As a result, when the upper lateral feed mechanism transfers the frame-shaped body, it is possible to prevent the frame-shaped body from interfering with the lower frame-shaped body.

In the stocker, after the upper lateral feeding mechanism transfers the frame-shaped body to the other row, the frame-shaped body released from the suspension by the suspension part is transferred to the frame-shaped body in the other row. It is preferably mounted on the group.

As a result, it is possible to realize cooperation from horizontal feeding to vertical feeding.

The stocker described above preferably has the following configuration. In other words, the lower side traversing mechanism includes a traversing placement section that can move in the lateral direction. The frame-shaped body located in the lowest unit storage space is placed on the lateral feeding placement section.

As a result, the transfer of the frame-shaped body by the lower lateral feed mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

The stocker described above preferably has the following configuration. That is, this stocker has a support mechanism capable of supporting the frame-shaped body. The support mechanism is switchable between a support state in which the frame-shaped body is supported and a release state in which the support of the frame-shaped body is released. The support mechanism is arranged above a movement area in which the frame-like body located in the lowest unit storage space is moved by the lower lateral feed mechanism. After the frame-shaped object positioned in the uppermost unit storage space among the frame-shaped object group in one row is transferred to another row by the upper lateral feeding mechanism, the frame-shaped object group is transferred to the frame-shaped object The longitudinal feed mechanism corresponding to the carcass raises. The support mechanism supports the lowermost frame-shaped body in the row of raised frame-shaped bodies before the frame-shaped body is transported by the lower lateral feed mechanism. After the frame-shaped body is transferred by the feeding mechanism, the frame-shaped body is unsupported.

As a result, when the lower lateral feed mechanism transfers the frame-shaped bodies, the frame-shaped body group can be maintained at a predetermined height so as not to contact the frame-shaped body group in the destination row. Therefore, the frame-shaped body can be smoothly transferred by the lower lateral feed mechanism.

In the stocker, it is preferable that the longitudinal feed mechanism includes a cylinder for lifting and lowering the row of frame-shaped bodies.

This makes it possible to easily configure the vertical feed mechanism.

In the stocker, it is preferable that the transport section of the second transport mechanism is a chain conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a roller conveyor.

This makes it possible to easily configure the second transfer mechanism.

In the stocker, it is preferable that the transport section of the second transport mechanism transports the articles inside the frame-like body while placing them on the placing section.

Thereby, the article can be smoothly conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body.

In the stocker, the vertical feed mechanism lowers the row of frame-shaped bodies, thereby causing the frame-shaped bodies suspended by the suspension section and the frame-shaped bodies below the frame-shaped bodies to move downward. It is preferable that a space in the vertical direction is formed between the frame-shaped body.

Thereby, the frame-shaped body transferred by the upper lateral feeding mechanism can be prevented from coming into contact with other frame-shaped bodies.

The stocker described above preferably has the following configuration. That is, the support mechanism has a hook support portion that hooks and supports the frame-shaped body. By moving the hook support portion in a direction approaching the frame-like body, the support mechanism enters the support state. The support mechanism is brought into the released state by moving the hooking support portion in a direction away from the frame-shaped body.

Thereby, the support mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

1 is a front view showing the configuration of a stocker according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The side view of a stocker. The top view of a stocker. The perspective view which shows two frame-shaped bodies arranged in the up-down direction. The side view which shows the state by which the frame-shaped body was suspended by the upper lateral feed mechanism. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the stocker; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the cylinder of the vertical feed mechanism of the first row is extended from the state of FIG. 1 to raise the frame-shaped body group; FIG. 10 is a view showing how the suspending portion of the upper lateral feed mechanism moves to support the frame-shaped body positioned at the top of the first row; The figure which shows a mode that the vertical feed mechanism of the 1st line lowered the frame-shaped body group. The figure which shows a mode that the upper lateral feeding mechanism conveyed the frame-shaped body. The figure which shows a mode that the longitudinal feed mechanism of a 1st row|line and a 2nd row|line raised the frame-shaped body group. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the frame-shaped body groups of the first row and the second row are supported by the support mechanism, and the cylinders of the respective longitudinal feed mechanisms are contracted; The figure which shows a mode that the lower lateral feeding mechanism conveyed the frame-shaped body. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the cylinders of the first row and the second row are extended in order to release the support by the support mechanism;

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a stocker 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the stocker 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the stocker 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing two frame-shaped bodies 5 arranged vertically.

The stocker 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can store articles 10 brought in from one side and unload the articles 10 from the side opposite to the side where the articles 10 were put in. FIG. The direction of entry and exit of article 10 is indicated by hollow arrows in FIGS. Both the direction in which the article 10 is put in and the direction in which the article 10 is taken out are horizontal and parallel to each other. Hereinafter, directions parallel to these directions may be referred to as delivery directions.

In the following, the positional relationship of the stocker 1 will be described with the side where the articles are put into the stocker 1 is the front side (front side) of the stocker 1, and the side where the articles are taken out of the stocker 1 is the rear side (back side) of the stocker 1. The front-rear direction can also be called the depth direction of the stocker 1 . The left-right direction is a direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. These orientation designations are for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the orientation in which the stocker 1 is arranged. The above delivery direction coincides with the front-rear direction (depth direction).

A stocker 1 can store a plurality of articles 10 . The stocker 1 includes a stocker body 3 , a plurality of frames 5 , a first transfer mechanism 7 and a second transfer mechanism 9 .

The stocker main body 3 has an entrance portion 11 for putting the articles 10 into the stocker 1 and an exit portion 13 for letting the articles 10 out of the stocker 1 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the inlet portion 11 and the outlet portion 13 are arranged at different positions in the left-right direction of the stocker 1 .

The stocker body 3 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the stocker main body 3 is elongated in a plan view and arranged so that its longitudinal direction extends along the front-rear direction. Inside the stocker main body 3, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are accommodated. The stocker main body 3 circulates a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 inside the stocker body 3 by means of the first transfer mechanism 7 . This circular movement will be described later.

Each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 is elongated (longitudinally in a plan view) so as to extend along the front-rear direction of the stocker 1 . FIG. 4 illustrates two frame-like bodies 5 in a stacked state. A plurality of articles 10 can be stored in each frame-shaped body 5 by arranging them along the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body 5 . A pair of bottom plates 16 are fixed to the bottom of the frame-like body 5 . Each bottom plate 16 is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body 5 . The pair of bottom plates 16 can support the article 10 placed inside the frame-shaped body 5 from below. A lower opening 17 is formed between the pair of bottom plates 16 . The article 10 may be a rimmed storage tray with the rims supported by a pair of bottom plates 16 . In this case, the contents are stored in the storage tray.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the plurality of frames 5 are arranged inside the stocker body 3 so that their longitudinal directions are along the longitudinal direction of the stocker body 3 .

The outer shape of each frame-shaped body 5 is a rectangular parallelepiped. The length of each frame-shaped body 5 in the front-rear direction is slightly shorter than the length of the stocker main body 3 in the front-rear direction. The length of each frame-shaped body 5 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the stocker main body 3 in the left-right direction. The vertical length of each frame-shaped body 5 is shorter than the vertical length of the stocker body 3 .

When viewed along the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns inside the stocker body 3 . Specifically, in each of a plurality of rows, the frame-shaped bodies 5 are arranged vertically to form a row of frame-shaped body groups. In principle, in one row of frame-like bodies, as shown in FIG. A plurality of such one-row frame-shaped body groups are arranged in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, ten spaces in which the frame-like bodies 5 can be arranged are formed in the stocker main body 3 in five rows and two columns when viewed from the front. Nine frame-shaped bodies 5 are arranged side by side in a space other than one frame-shaped body 5 . Hereinafter, the space for 5 rows and 2 columns is called an array space, and the space for one frame-like body 5, which is a constituent unit of the array space, is sometimes called a unit storage space. A unit storage space in which the frame-shaped body 5 is not arranged is sometimes called a space portion 15 . The position of the space 15 changes as the plurality of frames 5 circulate inside the stocker body 3 by the first transfer mechanism 7 .

The number of rows and the number of columns of the unit storage space for the array space is arbitrary as long as there is a plurality of units. However, the number of columns is an even number for the convenience of forming a loop-shaped movement path 20, which will be described later, for circular movement. In the following description, in order to specify the position in the array space, the right column and the left column may be called the first and second columns, respectively. Column numbers are indicated by circled numbers in FIGS. 1 and 3 and so on. The number of frame-shaped bodies 5 can also be determined arbitrarily.

Each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 can stand still in the entrance corresponding space P1 corresponding to the entrance portion 11 of the stocker main body 3 during the process of circulation movement. The entrance corresponding space P1 is a unit storage space located in the bottom row of the first column in the arrangement space. When each frame-shaped body 5 stands still in the space P1 corresponding to the entrance, the articles 10 can be carried (stored) inside the frame-shaped body 5 through the entrance portion 11 . Hereinafter, this state may be referred to as a stored state. Articles 10 are carried into the entrance portion 11 of the stocker body 3 by an appropriate conveying device.

When the frame-shaped body 5 is positioned in the entrance-corresponding space P1, the second transfer mechanism 9 arranged below the entrance-corresponding space P1 is raised, and through the lower opening 17 of the frame-shaped body 5, The bottom surface of the article 10 inside the frame 5 can be contacted. The second transport mechanism 9 transports the article 10 along the longitudinal direction inside the frame-shaped body 5, and details thereof will be described later.

Each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 can rest in the outlet corresponding space P2 corresponding to the outlet portion 13 of the stocker main body 3 during the process of circulation movement. The exit corresponding space P2 is a unit storage space in the bottom row of the second column in the arrangement space. When each frame-shaped body 5 stands still in the exit-corresponding space P<b>2 , the stored article 10 can be carried out (taken out) to the outside of the frame-shaped body 5 through the exit portion 13 . Hereinafter, this state may be referred to as the unloading state. The articles 10 are unloaded from the exit portion 13 of the stocker body 3 by an appropriate conveying device.

When the frame-shaped body 5 is positioned in the exit-corresponding space P2, the second transfer mechanism 9 arranged below the exit-corresponding space P2 is raised, and through the lower opening 17 of the frame-shaped body 5, The bottom surface of the article 10 inside the frame 5 can be contacted.

The first transfer mechanism 7 can cyclically move the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 in one direction along a loop-shaped movement path 20 . As indicated by arrows A to D in FIG. 1, the movement path 20 is defined to circulate counterclockwise along the outer periphery of the arrangement space inside the stocker body 3 in a front view. Along with this circulating movement, each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 sequentially passes through the entrance corresponding space P1 and the exit corresponding space P2. From the standpoint of storage capacity, it is preferable that the entrance corresponding space P1 be adjacent to the immediately downstream side of the exit corresponding space P2 in the movement path 20 . The first transfer mechanism 7 is controlled by a control section 100 which will be described later.

The first transfer mechanism 7 circulates along the movement path 20 by moving the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and the horizontal direction (horizontal direction).

The first transfer mechanism 7 has a vertical feed mechanism 22 , an upper lateral feed mechanism 24 , a lower lateral feed mechanism 26 and a support mechanism 70 .

One longitudinal feed mechanism 22 is provided for one row of space that constitutes the arrangement space. The vertical feed mechanism 22 vertically feeds a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a frame-shaped body group) arranged in a vertically stacked state in a space corresponding to one row. can be transported.

Each vertical feed mechanism 22 has a cylinder 31 for raising and lowering the frame-like body group. A plurality of cylinders 31 are provided in the lower part of the stocker main body 3 in order to support the frame-like body 5 located at the lowest position in the frame-like body group at a plurality of positions. Each cylinder 31 is arranged so that the direction of expansion and contraction is the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). Cylinder 31 is controlled by control unit 100 .

The cylinder 31 can raise/lower the frame-shaped body 5 by extending/contracting it while supporting the frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the bottom of the frame-shaped body group. Along with this, the frame-like body 5 stacked thereon also moves upward/downward.

The upper lateral feed mechanism 24 laterally transports the uppermost frame-shaped body 5 in a row of frame-shaped body groups in which a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are vertically stacked. Thereby, the frame-shaped body 5 can be transferred from one row to another row. In this embodiment, the movement path 20 is defined to be counterclockwise when viewed from the front. Accordingly, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 moves the uppermost frame-shaped body 5 of the group of frame-shaped bodies in the first row to the second row as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. A detailed configuration of the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 will be described later.

The lower lateral feed mechanism 26 laterally transports the frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the bottom of a row of frame-shaped body groups in which a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are vertically stacked. Thereby, the frame-shaped body 5 can be transferred from one row to another row. In this embodiment, the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 moves the lowermost frame-like body 5 of the group of frame-like bodies in the second row to the first row as indicated by arrow D in FIG. A detailed configuration of the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 will be described later.

The support mechanisms 70 are provided on the stocker body 3 so as to correspond to the first row and the second row. Each support mechanism 70 can support the frame-shaped body 5 in the unit storage space on the second row from the bottom in the arrangement space. The support mechanism 70 is provided above a movement area 72 of the frame-shaped body 5 conveyed by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 .

Each support mechanism 70 includes a plurality of L-shaped hook members (hook support portions) 74 . The hooking member 74 is provided with a solenoid 76 shown in FIG. A solenoid 76 can switch the hooking member 74 between a protruded position and a retracted position. At the protruding position, the hooking member 74 protrudes horizontally with respect to the frame-shaped body 5, so that the frame-shaped body 5 can be supported so as not to descend. At the retracted position, the projection of the hooking member 74 is released.

Specifically, the upper frame of each frame-shaped body 5 is formed with a recess 78 as shown in FIG. . On the other hand, the lower frame of the frame-shaped body 5 is not formed with a concave portion. Of the lower frame of the frame-shaped body 5, the bottom surface of the portion corresponding to the concave portion 78 of the upper frame in the vertical direction can be placed on the hooking member 74 at the projecting position.

With this configuration, the hooking member 74 is positioned at the protruded position, and the hooking member 74 is placed in the concave portion 78 of the lower frame-shaped body 5 among the vertically stacked frame-shaped bodies 5. By lowering the frame-shaped body 5, the bottom surface of the upper frame-shaped body 5 can be supported from below. The lower frame-shaped body 5 separates from the upper frame-shaped body 5 by continuing to descend. As a result, the stacked state of the frames 5 is eliminated.

In a state in which the hooking member 74 at the protruding position supports the bottom surface of the frame-shaped body 5 from below, when another lower frame-shaped body 5 rises, the hooking member 74 is moved to the lower side. It enters into the concave portion 78 of the frame-shaped body 5 and can avoid interference between the lower frame-shaped body 5 and the hooking member 74 . As the lower frame-shaped body 5 continues to rise, the upper frame-shaped body 5 is directly placed on the upper surface of the lower frame-shaped body 5 . As a result, the upper and lower frames 5 are stacked.

Hereinafter, the state in which the support mechanism 70 supports the frame-like body 5 is sometimes referred to as the supported state, and the state in which the support of the frame-like body 5 is released is sometimes referred to as the released state. The hooking member 74 is not limited to a rotatable member as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, and may be a member that can be switched between the protruded position and the retracted position by sliding in the horizontal direction. Further, switching of the hooking member 74 is not limited to the solenoid 76, and can be performed by an appropriate actuator.

The second transfer mechanism 9 moves the article 10 stored in the lowermost frame-shaped body 5 among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 from the front side toward the rear side. The second transfer mechanism 9 is provided in each of the entrance corresponding space P1 and the exit corresponding space P2. The configurations of the two second transfer mechanisms 9 are substantially the same, and the details will be described later.

When the frame-shaped body 5 in an empty state is in the entrance-corresponding space P1, the second transfer mechanism 9 in the entrance-corresponding space P1 moves the plurality of articles 10 sequentially put into the stocker 1 from the entrance 11 into the frame-shaped body 5. can be transported to an appropriate position inside the frame-shaped body 5 along the longitudinal direction of the frame.

When the frame-shaped body 5 containing the articles 10 is in the exit-corresponding space P2, the second transfer mechanism 9 in the exit-corresponding space P2 transfers the plurality of articles 10 stored inside the frame-shaped body 5 to the frame. The shaped body 5 is conveyed along its longitudinal direction. As a result, a plurality of articles 10 can be sequentially carried out from the exit portion 13 of the stocker 1 .

Next, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the frame-shaped body 5 is suspended by the upper lateral feed mechanism 24. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper traversing mechanism 24 is arranged above the arrangement space described above, one at each end in the delivery direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , each upper transverse feed mechanism 24 has a plurality of pulleys 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 and a belt 38 .

One pulley 33 out of the plurality of pulleys 33 , 34 , 35 and 36 is attached to the output shaft of a motor (driving means) 41 provided on the top of the stocker body 3 . Motor 41 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 and is controlled by controller 100 of FIG.

The other pulleys 34 , 35 , 36 out of the plurality of pulleys 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 are attached to left and right rotation shafts supported on the top of the stocker body 3 , respectively. The belt 38 is wound around a plurality of pulleys 33, 34, 35, 36 so as to form a loop when viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the route along which the belt 38 travels extends horizontally across a plurality of rows of the arrangement spaces. Suspension parts 43 are fixed to two points of the belt 38 in the lower part of this path. The suspension part 43 can suspend the frame-shaped body 5 located in the uppermost row in the array space. The hanging portion 43 protrudes downward from the belt 38 at the lower portion of the running path of the belt 38 . When the motor 41 is driven, the belt 38 rotates as the pulley 33 rotates. Thereby, the suspension part 43 can be moved in the left-right direction.

Corresponding to the hanging portions 43 , a plurality of hanging portions 45 are provided on the upper portion of each frame-shaped body 5 as shown in FIG. 4 and the like. The suspended portion 45 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the frame-shaped body 5 . The suspending portion 43 can hook and support the suspended portion 45 .

The hanging portion 43 has a horizontally extending hanging hook portion 43a, as shown in FIG. The suspended portion 45 has a horizontally extending hook portion 45a. With the frame-like body 5 fully raised, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 moves the hanging portion 43 in the left-right direction, so that the hanging hook portion 43 a is positioned below the hook portion 45 a of the suspended portion 45 . can be inserted into In this state, the frame-shaped body 5 having the suspended portion 45 is lowered, and the hook portion 45a is placed on the suspension hook portion 43a, whereby the frame-shaped body 5 can be suspended.

Next, the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower lateral feed mechanisms 26 are arranged one at each end in the delivery direction. As shown in FIG. 1, each lower transverse feed mechanism 26 has a plurality of pulleys 53, 54, 55, 56 and a belt 58. As shown in FIG.

A plurality of pulleys 53, 54, 55, 56 are arranged below the arrangement space described above. One of these pulleys 53 is attached to the output shaft of a motor (driving means) 61 provided at the bottom of the stocker body 3 . Motor 61 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 and is controlled by controller 100 of FIG.

The other pulleys 54 , 55 , 56 out of the plurality of pulleys 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 are attached to left and right rotating shafts supported on the lower part of the stocker body 3 , respectively. The belt 58 is wound around a plurality of pulleys 53, 54, 55, 56 so as to form a loop when viewed from the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the route along which the belt 58 travels extends horizontally across a plurality of rows of the arrangement spaces. In the upper part of this path, on the upper surface of the belt 58, a horizontal feeding placing portion 63 on which the frame-like body 5 can be placed is formed. The transverse placement section 63 is configured as a substantially horizontal conveying surface.

When the motor 61 is driven, the belt 58 rotates as the pulley 53 rotates. As a result, the horizontal feeding placement section 63 can be moved in the left-right direction.

Next, the second transfer mechanism 9 will be described in detail.

The second transfer mechanism 9 is provided corresponding to each of the entrance corresponding space P1 and the exit corresponding space P2. The configuration of the two second transfer mechanisms 9 is the same. In the first and second rows, the second transfer mechanism 9 moves the article 10 stored in the lowermost frame-shaped body 5 among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 from the entrance side to the exit side.

Each second transport mechanism 9 has a transport section 81 and a vertical movement section 83 . In this embodiment, the up-and-down moving parts 83 are arranged one by one in the vicinity of both ends in the delivery direction.

The transport section 81 is configured as a chain conveyor. The upper part of the running path of the chain conveyor extends horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body 5 . The upper surface of the running path of the chain conveyor serves as a placement portion 85 on which the article 10 can be placed. The mounting section 85 is configured as a substantially horizontal conveying surface. The conveying section 81 includes a motor (driving means) 87 for driving the chain. However, the method of transporting the article 10 by the transport unit 81 is not particularly limited, and may be configured as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor, for example.

The conveying portion 81 is configured to have a dimension that can be accommodated inside a rectangular frame forming the lower portion of the frame-shaped body 5 in a plan view. The up-and-down movement unit 83 moves the transport unit 81 to a transport position in which the transport unit 81 is inserted into the frame-shaped body 5 from below (where the placement unit 85 is in contact with the bottom surface of the article 10 stored in the frame-shaped body 5). transport position to be lifted) and a retracted position retracted downward from the lower surface (bottom surface) of the frame-like body 5 (retracted position where the mounting portion 85 is lower than the bottom surface of the frame-like body 5). Let In FIG. 1, the transport section 81 at the transport position is indicated by a chain line, and the transport section 81 at the retracted position is indicated by a solid line. The up-and-down moving part 83 has a cylinder 89 . The cylinder 89 is arranged below the stocker body 3 . The cylinder 89 is arranged such that its expansion/contraction direction is the vertical direction (longitudinal direction), and is connected to the conveying section 81 from below.

When the transport portion 81 is at the transport position, the placement portion 85 is positioned above the bottom plate 16 of the frame-shaped body 5 . Therefore, the bottom surface of the article 10 can be lifted from the bottom plate 16 . By driving the transport unit 81 in this state, the article 10 can be transported along the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body 5 .

When the conveying portion 81 is at the retracted position, the conveying portion 81 forms an appropriate distance with respect to the lower surface of the frame-shaped body 5 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference with the conveying section 81 when the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 moves the frame-shaped body 5 .

Next, the electrical configuration of stocker 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the stocker 1. As shown in FIG.

The stocker 1 has a control section 100 . The control unit 100 controls the first transport mechanism 7 so that the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 circulate in the stocker body 3 . Further, the control unit 100 controls the second transfer mechanism 9 so that the articles 10 stored in the lowest frame-shaped body 5 among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are moved from the front side toward the rear side.

The control unit 100 is composed of, for example, a known computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Various programs and the like are stored in the ROM. The CPU can read various programs from the ROM and execute them.

The control unit 100 is connected to the cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22, the motor 41 of the upper lateral feed mechanism, and the motor 61 of the lower feed mechanism with respect to the first transfer mechanism 7. FIG. The control unit 100 is connected to the motor 87 of the transport unit 81 and the cylinder 89 of the vertical movement unit 83 in relation to the second transfer mechanism 9 .

The control unit 100 controls the cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 , the motor 41 of the upper lateral feed mechanism, and the motor 61 of the lower feed mechanism to circulate and move the plurality of frames 5 . The control unit 100 also controls the motor 87 of the transport unit 81 to transport the article 10 stored in the frame-shaped body 5 . The control unit 100 controls the cylinder 89 of the elevation moving unit 83 to move the conveying unit 81 vertically.

Also, the control unit 100 is connected to the solenoid 76 of the support mechanism 70 . The control unit 100 can control the solenoid 76 to bring the support mechanism 70 into a supported state or a released state.

Next, the transport of the frame-shaped body 5 by the first transport mechanism 7 will be described.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, five frame-shaped bodies 5 are stacked vertically in the first row, and four frame-shaped bodies 5 are stacked vertically in the second row. It is Further, the cylinders 31 of the vertical feed mechanisms 22 are contracted in both the first row and the second row.

In this state, the suspending portion 43 is separated upward by a sufficient distance from the suspended portion 45 of the frame-shaped body 5 positioned highest in the first row. The upper lateral feed mechanism 24 adjusts the position of the suspending portion 43 in advance so that the suspending portion 43 is positioned differently from the suspended portion 45 in a plan view (horizontal direction).

Next, the cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 of the first row extends. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the first row of frame-shaped bodies rises, and the highest frame-shaped body 5 also rises. In this state, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 moves the suspending portion 43, and as shown in FIG. After that, the cylinder 31 is contracted, so that the group of frame-like bodies in the first row is lowered. As a result, the suspended portion 45 of the frame-shaped body 5 located at the top is hooked to the suspension portion 43, so that the frame-shaped body 5 is suspended.

The contraction of the cylinder 31 continues for a short time even after the frame-like body 5 positioned at the top is suspended. As a result, in the group of frame-shaped bodies in the first row, an appropriate gap in the vertical direction is provided between the uppermost frame-shaped body 5 and the remaining lower frame-shaped bodies 5 as shown in FIG. A gap G1 is formed. In this way, one frame-like body 5 is cut off from the upper end of the group of frame-like bodies in the first row. By driving the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 in this state, the suspended frame-like body 5 can be moved in the horizontal direction.

By the upper lateral feed mechanism 24, the frame-shaped body 5 is moved above the uppermost frame-shaped body 5 of the second row of frame-shaped bodies, as shown in FIG. Thus, the frame-like body 5 is added to the upper end of the second row of frame-like bodies.

After that, the cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 of the second row extends. As a result, the group of frames in the second row is lifted, and the frames 5 fed by the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 are placed thereon. After that, the frame-shaped body 5 is further raised, so that the suspended portion 45 of the frame-shaped body 5 is in a floating state with respect to the suspended portion 43 of the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 . As a result, the suspension of the frame-shaped body 5 can be released. With the five frame-shaped bodies 5 connected in the vertical direction, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 moves the suspending portion 43 to a position where it no longer faces the suspended portion 45, as shown in FIG. After that, the cylinder 31 is contracted to lower the second row of frame-shaped bodies.

By moving the frame-shaped body 5 by the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 as described above, the space 15 is formed in the uppermost row of the first column as shown in FIG. The cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 in the first row is extended again to raise the frame-shaped body group consisting of the four frame-shaped bodies 5 by one frame-shaped body 5 . As a result, the position of the space 15 moves to the bottom row of the first column, as shown in FIG.

In the state of FIG. 11, the support mechanism 70 is switched from the released state to the supported state in each of the first row and the second row. As a result, the support mechanism 70 in the first row can support the lowermost frame-shaped body 5 in the frame-shaped body group consisting of the four frame-shaped bodies 5 . The second row of support mechanisms 70 can support the frame-shaped body 5 second from the bottom in the frame-shaped body group consisting of five frame-shaped bodies 5 .

In this state, the cylinders 31 of the vertical feed mechanisms 22 are contracted in both the first row and the second row, resulting in the state shown in FIG. In this state, in the frame-shaped body group of the second row, an appropriate space G2 in the vertical direction is formed between the frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the bottom and the remaining frame-shaped bodies 5 on the upper side. In this way, one frame-shaped body 5 is cut off from the lower end of the second row of frame-shaped bodies.

The frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the bottom of the group of frame-shaped bodies in the second row is placed on the transverse feeding placing portion 63 of the belt 58 of the lower side transverse feeding mechanism 26 . By driving the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 in this state, the frame-shaped body 5 moves below the first row of frame-shaped bodies as shown in FIG. Thus, the frame-like body 5 is added to the lower end of the frame-like body group in the first row. In the group of frame-shaped bodies in the first row after the frame-shaped body 5 is added, there is an appropriate space in the vertical direction between the frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the bottom and the remaining frame-shaped bodies 5 on the upper side. G3 is formed. After that, the article 10 is carried from the inlet 11 into the frame-shaped body 5 in the accommodated state.

Subsequently, the cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 of the first row is extended to raise the frame-like body 5 . As a result, four frame-shaped bodies 5 are placed on the lowest frame-shaped body 5 . The support mechanism 70 in the first row is switched from the support state to the release state while the five frame-shaped bodies 5 are connected in the vertical direction. The cylinder 31 of the vertical feed mechanism 22 of the first row continues the extension operation in order to raise the frame-shaped body 5 positioned at the top of the group of frame-shaped bodies to a height at which the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 can suspend it. .

By moving the frame-shaped body 5 by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26, a space 15 is formed in the bottom row of the second column, as shown in FIG. The cylinders 31 of the second row of vertical feed mechanisms 22 extend to slightly lift the frame-shaped bodies supported by the second row of support mechanisms 70 as shown in FIG. 14 . In this state, the second row support mechanism 70 is switched from the support state to the release state. After that, the cylinder 31 is contracted, and the frame-shaped body group consisting of the four frame-shaped bodies 5 is lowered by one frame-shaped body 5 . As a result, the position of the space 15 moves to the top row of the second column. Along with this, the lowermost frame-shaped body 5 of the second row of frame-shaped bodies is brought into the unloaded state, and the articles 10 are carried out from the inside thereof to the exit section 13 .

After that, since the state of FIG. 7 is restored, the first transfer mechanism 7 repeats the series of operations described above. By this repetition, the frame-shaped body 5 can be circularly moved along the movement path 20 of FIG. 1 by one unit storage space.

The stocker 1 of this embodiment can take out the articles 10 from the outlet section 13 in the order in which they were put in from the inlet section 11 . Such a first-in, first-out type stocker 1 can prevent large differences in the stock period between articles 10 compared to a last-in, first-out type stocker. Therefore, the stocker 1 is suitable for temporarily storing the article 10, for example, when the article 10 has a property that its value changes with the passage of time.

As described above, the stocker 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 , the stocker main body 3 , the first transfer mechanism 7 and the second transfer mechanism 9 . The frame-shaped body 5 is formed in a longitudinal shape in a plan view, and can store therein a plurality of articles 10 arranged in the longitudinal direction. The stocker main body 3 stores the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 in parallel. In the stocker main body 3, a unit storage space corresponding to one frame-shaped body 5 is formed in multiple rows and multiple columns. The stocker main body 3 is provided with an inlet portion 11 connected to one longitudinal side of one of the unit storage spaces, and an outlet portion 13 connected to the other longitudinal side of the other unit storage space. When the unit storage space corresponding to the entrance portion 11 is defined as an entrance-corresponding space P1 and the unit storage space corresponding to the exit portion 13 is defined as an exit-corresponding space P2, the first transfer mechanism 7 is positioned in the entrance-corresponding space P1. The plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 are circularly moved along a loop-shaped movement path 20 so that the frame-shaped body 5 and the frame-shaped body 5 positioned in the exit corresponding space P2 are switched among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5. . The second transfer mechanism 9 moves the frame-like body 5 in the entrance corresponding space P1 and the article 10 stored in the frame-like body 5 in the exit corresponding space P2 to the exit portion 13 from the entrance portion 11 side. move to the side. The entrance-corresponding space P1 and the exit-corresponding space P2 are positioned at the lowest of the plurality of unit storage spaces. When each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5 is in the entrance-corresponding space P1, it is in a state (stored state) in which the article 10 can be carried into the frame-shaped body 5 through the entrance part 11, and is in the exit-corresponding space P2. In this case, the stored article 10 can be carried out to the outside of the frame-shaped body 5 through the exit portion 13 (extracted state). The first transfer mechanism 7 has a vertical feed mechanism 22 , an upper lateral feed mechanism 24 and a lower lateral feed mechanism 26 . The vertical feed mechanism 22 is provided for a row of frame-shaped bodies arranged in the vertical direction among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies 5, and transports the row of the frame-shaped body group in the vertical direction. The upper lateral feed mechanism 24 transfers the frame-shaped body 5 located in the uppermost unit storage space among the frame-shaped body groups in one row to another row. The lower traversing mechanism 26 transfers the frame-like body 5 located in the lowest unit storage space among the frame-like body groups in one row to another row.

As a result, a first-in, first-out type stocker can be configured in which articles put in from the entrance 11 on one side are stored and taken out from the outlet 13 on the opposite side. Not only are a plurality of frame-like bodies 5 arranged in the stocker main body 3 so as to be circulatively movable, but also a plurality of articles 10 can be arranged in each frame-like body 5 and stored in the frame-like body 5 . Therefore, by increasing the length of the frame 5 in the longitudinal direction, a large-capacity stocker can be easily configured.

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the second transport mechanism 9 includes a transport section 81 and a vertical movement section 83 . The transport section 81 has a placement section 85 on which the article 10 can be placed, and transports the article 10 placed on the placement section 85 . When the frame-shaped body 5 is positioned in the lowest unit storage space among the plurality of unit storage spaces, the up-and-down movement section 83 places the transport section 81 on the bottom surface of the article 10 stored in the frame-shaped body 5. It is vertically moved between a transport position where the portion 85 contacts and is lifted, and a retracted position where the placement portion 85 is lower than the bottom surface of the frame-shaped body 5 . Regarding the frame-shaped body 5 located in the lowest unit storage space, when the articles 10 are to be transported, the up-and-down moving section 83 moves the transport section 81 to the transport position. When the frame-shaped body 5 is transferred by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26, the up-and-down moving section 83 moves the transfer section 81 to the retracted position.

As a result, interference with the second transport mechanism 9 can be avoided when the frame-shaped body 5 is transported by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 . In addition, a compact configuration can be realized by arranging the up-and-down movement section 83 of the second transfer mechanism 9 in the lower part of the stocker body 3 where it is easy to secure a space.

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 includes a suspension portion 43 for suspending the frame-shaped body 5 when transferring the frame-shaped body 5 located in the uppermost unit storage space to another row. Prepare. As the vertical feed mechanism 22 lifts the frame-shaped body group in the first row, the frame-shaped body 5 positioned in the uppermost unit storage space of the frame-shaped body group is suspended as shown in FIG. The height is such that it can be hung by the portion 43 .

As a result, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 can smoothly suspend and convey the frame-shaped body 5 located at the top of the group of frame-shaped bodies.

In the stocker 1 of this embodiment, the vertical feed mechanism 22 lowers the group of frame-shaped bodies in the first row as shown in FIG. The lower frame-shaped body 5 is separated.

As a result, when the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 transfers the frame-like body 5, it is possible to prevent interference with the lower frame-like body 5. As shown in FIG.

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, after the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 has transferred the frame-shaped bodies 5 from the first row to the second row, the frame-shaped bodies 5 suspended by the suspension part 43 are released from the second row. Overlaid on frames in rows.

As a result, it is possible to realize cooperation from horizontal feeding to vertical feeding.

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 includes a laterally movable placement section 63 for lateral feed. The frame-shaped body 5 positioned in the lowest unit storage space is placed on the lateral feeding placement portion 63 .

As a result, the movement of the frame-shaped body 5 by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 can be realized with a simple configuration.

The stocker 1 of this embodiment includes a support mechanism 70 capable of supporting the frame-shaped body 5 . The support mechanism 70 can be switched between a support state in which the frame-shaped body 5 is supported and a release state in which the support of the frame-shaped body 5 is released. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the support mechanism 70 is arranged above a moving area 72 where the frame-like body 5 located in the lowest unit storage space is moved by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 . After the frame-shaped bodies 5 positioned in the uppermost unit storage space among the frame-shaped body groups in the first row are transferred to the second row by the upper lateral feed mechanism 24, the frame-shaped body groups in the first row are The vertical feed mechanism 22 corresponding to the group of frame-like bodies raises. As shown in FIG. 12, before the frame-shaped bodies 5 are transferred by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26, the support mechanism 70 of the first row is positioned at the bottom of the raised frame-shaped body group of the first row. supports the body 5; The support mechanism 70 releases the support of the frame-shaped body 5 in the state shown in FIG.

As a result, when the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 transfers the frame-shaped bodies 5, the frame-shaped body group can be kept at a predetermined height so as not to come into contact with the frame-shaped body group in the first row. Therefore, the frame-shaped body 5 can be smoothly transferred by the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 .

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the vertical feed mechanism 22 includes a cylinder 31 for raising and lowering the row of frame-shaped bodies.

Thereby, the vertical feed mechanism 22 can be configured simply.

In the stocker 1 of this embodiment, the transport section 81 of the second transport mechanism 9 is a chain conveyor.

Thereby, the second transfer mechanism 9 can be configured easily.

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the transport section 81 of the second transport mechanism 9 places the article 10 inside the frame-shaped body 5 on the placing section 85 and transports it.

Thereby, the article 10 can be smoothly conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the frame-shaped body 5 .

In the stocker 1 of the present embodiment, the vertical feed mechanism 22 lowers the group of frame-shaped bodies in the first row, and as shown in FIG. A vertical gap G1 is formed between the frame-shaped body 5 below the shaped body 5 and the frame-shaped body 5 .

As a result, the frame-shaped body 5 transferred by the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 can be prevented from coming into contact with other frame-shaped bodies 5 .

In the stocker 1 of this embodiment, the support mechanism 70 has a hook member 74 that hooks and supports the frame-shaped body 5 . By moving the hook member 74 in a direction approaching the frame-shaped body 5, the support mechanism 70 is brought into a supported state, as shown in FIG. 12, for example. By moving the hook member 74 away from the frame-shaped body 5, the support mechanism 70 is released, for example, as shown in FIG.

Thereby, the support mechanism 70 can be realized with a simple configuration.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

The transport section 81 of the second transport mechanism can be replaced with a chain conveyor, for example, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, or the like.

The upper lateral feed mechanism 24 may be a clamp-shaped suspension portion that grips the upper portion of the frame-shaped body 5, for example, instead of the hook-shaped suspension portion 43. As shown in FIG.

The upper lateral feed mechanism 24 can also include a lifting mechanism for the hanging portion 43 to lift the frame-like body 5 in the uppermost unit storage space.

Instead of supporting the bottom surface of the frame-shaped body 5 , the support mechanism 70 can be configured to support the frame-shaped body 5 by hooking the hook member 74 on the upper frame of the frame-shaped body 5 , for example.

In the above-described embodiment, the upper lateral feed mechanism 24 is composed of a plurality of pulleys, belts, motors, etc., but the configuration is not limited. The same applies to the lower lateral feed mechanism 26 as well.

The article 10 may be a case or the like in which an article is stored.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described herein.

1 Stocker 3 Stocker Main Body 5 Frame-shaped Body 7 First Transfer Mechanism 9 Second Transfer Mechanism 10 Article 11 Entrance Portion 13 Exit Portion 20 Movement Path 22 Vertical Feed Mechanism 24 Upper Horizontal Feed Mechanism 26 Lower Horizontal Feed Mechanism 31 Cylinder 43 Suspension Part 63 Placement portion (placement portion for lateral feeding)
63 Placement section for transverse feeding 70 Support mechanism 72 Moving area 74 Hooking member (hooking support section)
81 Transporter 83 Up-and-down moving unit 85 Mounting unit 89 Cylinder P1 Space corresponding to entrance P2 Space corresponding to exit

Claims (12)

a plurality of frame-shaped bodies formed in a longitudinal shape in a plan view, each of which can accommodate a plurality of articles arranged in the longitudinal direction;
The plurality of frame-shaped bodies are arranged in parallel and stored, and a unit storage space corresponding to one of the frame-shaped bodies is formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. a stocker main body provided with an inlet portion to be connected and an outlet portion connected to the other longitudinal direction side of the other unit storage space;
When the unit storage space corresponding to the entrance portion is defined as an entrance-corresponding space, and the unit storage space corresponding to the exit portion is defined as an exit-corresponding space, the frame-shaped body positioned in the entrance-corresponding space and the exit correspondence a first transfer mechanism for cyclically moving the plurality of frame-shaped bodies along a loop-shaped movement path so that the frame-shaped bodies positioned in the space are switched between the plurality of frame-shaped bodies;
The article stored in at least one of the frame-shaped body in the entrance-corresponding space and the frame-shaped body in the exit-corresponding space is moved from the entrance side to the exit side. a second transfer mechanism that causes
with
The entrance-corresponding space and the exit-corresponding space are positioned at the lowest of the plurality of unit storage spaces,
When each of the plurality of frame-shaped bodies is in the entrance-corresponding space, an article can be carried into the frame-shaped body through the entrance section, and when it is in the exit-corresponding space, the exit section. through which the stored items can be carried out to the outside of the frame-shaped body,
The first transfer mechanism is
a longitudinal feed mechanism provided for a row of frame-shaped bodies arranged in the vertical direction among the plurality of frame-shaped bodies and vertically transporting the row of the frame-shaped body group;
an upper lateral feed mechanism for transferring the frame-shaped body positioned in the uppermost unit storage space among the group of frame-shaped bodies in one row to another row;
a lower lateral feed mechanism for transferring the frame-shaped bodies positioned in the lowest unit storage space among the group of frame-shaped bodies in one row to another row;
A stocker characterized by having The stocker according to claim 1,
The second transfer mechanism is
a conveying unit having a placing unit on which an article can be placed and transporting the article placed on the placing unit;
When the frame-shaped body is positioned in the lowest unit storage space among the plurality of unit storage spaces, the conveying section is moved so that the placing section contacts the bottom surface of the article stored in the frame-shaped body. an up-and-down moving unit for vertically moving between a transport position for lifting and a retracted position where the placement unit is lower than the bottom surface of the frame-shaped body;
with
With respect to the frame-shaped body positioned in the lowest unit storage space, when transporting an article, the lifting/lowering movement unit moves the transport unit to the transport position,
The stocker according to the present invention, wherein the vertical movement section moves the conveying section to the retracted position when the frame-shaped body is conveyed by the lower lateral feeding mechanism. The stocker according to claim 1 or 2,
The upper lateral feeding mechanism includes a suspension section for suspending the frame-shaped body when transferring the frame-shaped body located in the uppermost unit storage space to another row,
The vertical feeding mechanism lifts the group of frame-shaped bodies, and the frame-shaped body located in the uppermost unit storage space among the group of frame-shaped bodies is hung by the hanging part. A stocker characterized by a height that allows The stocker according to claim 3,
The vertical feed mechanism lowers the row of frame-shaped bodies, thereby separating the frame-shaped bodies below the frame-shaped bodies suspended by the suspension part from the frame-shaped bodies. stocker. The stocker according to claim 3 or 4,
After the upper lateral feeding mechanism transfers the frame-shaped bodies to another row, the frame-shaped bodies released from the suspension by the suspension part are placed on the group of frame-shaped bodies in the other row. A stocker characterized by: The stocker according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The lower lateral feed mechanism includes a laterally movable placement section for lateral feed,
A stocker characterized in that the frame-like body located in the lowest unit storage space is placed on the lateral feeding placement portion. The stocker according to claim 6,
A support mechanism capable of supporting the frame-shaped body,
The support mechanism is switchable between a support state of supporting the frame-shaped body and a release state of releasing the support of the frame-shaped body,
The support mechanism is arranged above a movement area in which the frame-shaped body located in the lowest unit storage space is moved by the lower lateral feed mechanism,
After the frame-shaped object positioned in the uppermost unit storage space among the frame-shaped object group in one row is transferred to another row by the upper lateral feeding mechanism, the frame-shaped object group is transferred to the frame-shaped object The longitudinal feed mechanism corresponding to the body group is raised,
The support mechanism supports the lowermost frame-shaped body in the row of raised frame-shaped bodies before the frame-shaped body is transported by the lower lateral feed mechanism. A stocker that releases the support of the frame-shaped body after the frame-shaped body is transported by a feeding mechanism. The stocker according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The stocker, wherein the vertical feed mechanism includes a cylinder for lifting and lowering the row of frame-shaped bodies. The stocker according to claim 2,
The stocker, wherein the transporting part of the second transporting mechanism is a chain conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a roller conveyor. The stocker according to claim 2,
The stocker, wherein the transporting section of the second transporting mechanism transports the articles inside the frame-shaped body while placing them on the placing section. The stocker according to claim 3 or 4,
The vertical feed mechanism lowers the row of frame-shaped bodies, thereby separating the frame-shaped bodies suspended by the suspension part and the frame-shaped bodies below the frame-shaped bodies. A stocker characterized in that a space is formed between them in the vertical direction. The stocker according to claim 7,
The support mechanism has a hook support portion that hooks and supports the frame-shaped body,
By moving the hooking support portion in a direction approaching the frame-shaped body, the support mechanism enters the support state,
The stocker is characterized in that the support mechanism is brought into the released state by moving the hook support portion in a direction away from the frame-shaped body.

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