JP7396675B2 - Sterilization equipment, sterilization methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act filed on September 24, 2020 at the address http://newnext. co. jp/blog/2020/09/24/%e3%81%be%e3%81%a8%e3%82%81%e3%81%a6%e3%81%8a%e6%89%8b%e8%bb %bd%ef%bc%81%e6%8c%81%e3%81%a1%e6%89%8b%e3%81%ae%e8%a3%8f%e3%81%be%e3%81%a7 Posted on the website of %e4%b8%81%e5%af%a7%e9%99%a4%e8%8f%8c%ef%bc%81-%e3%80%80%e3%80%80/ Address: https://www. instagram. Posted on the website com/p/CFiZuL2p3YE/ on September 25, 2020 at the address https://twitter.com/p/CFiZuL2p3YE/. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1309267538258178048 Press conference on September 29, 2020 at Aeon Style Kyoto Katsuragawa 1st floor (376-1 Kuzetakada-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture) September 2020 Sold on the 29th at Aeon Style Kyoto Katsuragawa (376-1 Kuzetakada-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture) Address: https://www. youtube. com/watch? Posted on the website of v=R4cC7o9EUHU on September 30, 2020 at the address https://twitter. com/NexNext_Inc/status/1311106276823195648, https://twitter. com/NexNext_Inc/status/1311094302383112193 and https://twitter. Published on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1311119989554819072

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act filed on October 1, 2020 at the address https://twitter. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1311441295873732608 on October 2, 2020 at the address https://twitter. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1311800018601304064 Broadcast on Mainichi Broadcasting's program NEXT JAPAN on October 3, 2020 Address https://twitter. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1313269808104841221 on October 14, 2020 at the address https://twitter. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1316168943426396160 on October 15, 2020 at the address https://twitter. Posted on the website com/NexNext_Inc/status/1316515309281374208

The present invention relates to a sterilization device, a sterilization method, and a program, and particularly to a sterilization device, a sterilization method, and a program for sterilizing a shopping cart.

2. Description of the Related Art Shopping carts are widely used in stores, which are temporarily lent to customers at the store to temporarily store the items they are purchasing while they shop around.

The shopping cart is used by unspecified customers and reused within the store. If a shopping cart is used by a customer who is carrying pathogenic bacteria or viruses, there is a concern that other customers may become infected through the shopping cart.

Conventionally, in order to automatically wash shopping carts, shopping carts are hung on a rotating chain conveyor, and the shopping carts are washed by going around an ultrasonic cleaning tank, an ozone water sterilization/disinfecting tank, a rinsing device, and a drying device. , a mobile automatic basket washer that is equipped with a device that automatically performs sterilization, disinfection, and drying sequentially in a car, travels to mass retail stores, etc. in various places, and automatically cleans shopping carts when supplied with electricity and tap water. has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, high-frequency cleaning machines, ultrasonic cleaning machines, or air blast cleaning machines, blow dryers, and antibacterial coating equipment are installed in cars to clean and antibacterialize shopping carts and shopping carts used in supermarkets, etc. A cleaning vehicle for shopping utensils has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, a vehicle-mounted washing and drying device has been proposed in which baskets are conveyed on a conveyor, sprayed with warm water, rinsed with water, and dried by blowing hot air (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-112135 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-54816 Publication number 2-27823

However, sterilizing shopping carts requires large and complicated equipment and a large space. In addition, it was necessary to manually load each shopping cart one by one into the machine.

The present invention was made in view of this situation, and it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to sterilize stacked shopping carts without occupying a large space.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention as set forth in claim 1 provides a cage portion having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a rectangular opening at the top surface, and a U-shaped cage portion, and two handles that are rotatably provided with respect to the frame of the opening, and are arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket portion so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other; A sterilization device that sterilizes stackable shopping carts, which includes a handle that can be placed, is formed in the shape of a frame with an open interior, and is raised by a drive unit by passing the stacked shopping carts inside. Alternatively, a lifting part to be lowered and a frame part of the lifting part are provided in the center portions of opposing parts thereof so as to be displaceable toward the inside or the frame side of the lifting part, and When displaced inward, two supports protrude inward from the frame of the lifting section and support the lower side of the opening frame of any one of the stacked shopping carts; two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light, each of which is suspended from each of the opposing parts of the frame of the lifting part; two second ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp, which are suspended from each of the parts where the ultraviolet light is emitted. shall be.

The invention according to claim 2 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, in which each support is located at a portion of the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart where the two handles are attached to the frame. It is characterized by supporting the lower side of the gap.

The invention according to claim 3 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, in which the first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are respectively attached to the bottom surface of the shopping cart supported by the support. It is characterized by being placed at a position where the emitted ultraviolet rays are irradiated.

The invention according to claim 4 provides the sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first ultraviolet lamps emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm. However, each of the second ultraviolet lamps is characterized in that it emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm.

The invention according to claim 5 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, in which the elevating section is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and the support is provided on two sets of opposing sides of the elevating section. Of the corresponding frame portions, the first Each of the ultraviolet lamps is provided to be suspended from a portion of the frame corresponding to one of the two sets of opposing sides of the lifting section, and The second ultraviolet lamps are each suspended from a portion of the frame corresponding to the other opposing side of the two pairs of opposing sides of the lifting section. It is characterized by being provided with

The invention according to claim 6 is the sterilization device according to claim 5, wherein the first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are straight tubes, and the first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are straight tubes. The second ultraviolet lamp is characterized in that the longitudinal direction of the second ultraviolet lamp is arranged along the length direction of the frame of the elevating section.

The invention according to claim 7 is the sterilization device according to claim 6, wherein the first ultraviolet lamp is movable toward the inside or the frame side of the elevating section, and the second ultraviolet lamp is the shopping cart that is displaceable toward the inside or frame side of the elevating section, is provided in the elevating section, and is not lifted by the elevating section; a height detection section that detects that the height to the lifting section is a predetermined height; and two said first tubes whose longitudinal direction is a straight pipe arranged along the length direction of the frame of said lifting section. further comprising scooping parts provided at both ends of each of the two ultraviolet lamps for scooping up two handles of the shopping cart, the scooping parts being lifted by the lifting part by the height detecting part. If it is detected that the height from the top of the uppermost shopping cart to the lifting section is a predetermined height, the first ultraviolet lamp is set to the inside of the lifting section. When the shopping cart is displaced toward the lifting section, the two handles of the uppermost shopping cart that has not been lifted by the lifting section are scooped up and lifted, and the second ultraviolet lamp is moved toward the lifting section. When the two handles of the shopping cart are scooped up and lifted by the handles, when the handles are displaced toward the inside of the lifting part, the lower sides of the two handles being lifted are illuminated.

The invention according to claim 8 is the sterilization device according to claim 7, wherein the scooping part is formed in a wedge shape, and the scooping part is arranged between the frame of the opening of the basket part and the handle. The handle is scooped out by being inserted into the container.

The invention according to claim 9 is the sterilization device according to claim 7, in which the two first ultraviolet lamps are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and the two first ultraviolet lamps are connected by one actuator. It is characterized in that the ultraviolet lamp is displaced toward the inside of the lifting section.

The invention according to claim 10 is the sterilization device according to claim 7, in which the two second ultraviolet lamps are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and one actuator is used to control the two second ultraviolet lamps. It is characterized in that the ultraviolet lamp is displaced toward the inside of the lifting section.

The invention according to claim 11 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of a predetermined shopping basket among the stacked shopping baskets; The pitch detection unit further includes a pitch detection unit that detects a rise or fall of the elevating part by a distance from a height position of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart of the shopping cart one level above or below a predetermined shopping cart. , the lifting section moves up or down by a distance detected by the pitch detection section, and the support moves one shopping cart above or below the shopping cart, respectively. It is characterized by supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening.

The invention according to claim 12 is the sterilization device according to claim 11, wherein the pitch detection section includes a photoelectric sensor that outputs different predetermined signals when the light is blocked and when the light is not blocked, and a stopper. When it is not in contact with the photoelectric sensor, it rotates together with the drive shaft of the drive unit that drives the elevating unit, and when it is in contact with the stopper or the photoelectric sensor, it slides with respect to the drive shaft, and the photoelectric When the drive shaft is in contact with the sensor, the light shielding part shields the photoelectric sensor from light, and when the drive shaft rotates at an angle from when the light shielding part comes into contact with the stopper until it comes into contact with the photoelectric sensor, the drive shaft is stacked. the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of a predetermined shopping cart among the shopping carts that are located above or below the predetermined shopping cart; It is characterized in that the elevating part moves up or down by the distance from the height position of the frame.

The invention according to claim 13 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, in which the support is provided under the frame of the opening of the second shopping cart from the bottom among the stacked shopping carts. It is characterized in that it further includes a lower end position sensor for detecting the position of the elevating section where the elevating section is disposed.

The invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the sterilization device according to claim 1 further includes a load sensor that detects whether the support supports one or more of the shopping carts.

The invention according to claim 15 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, in which the shopping cart has a lower side of the opening frame supported by the support, and the lower side of the shopping cart that is supported The shopping cart may further include a separation part for separating the shopping carts.

The invention according to claim 16 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide plate for guiding the position of the basket cart on which the shopping carts are stacked, and the position of the shopping cart is guided to the basket cart. The present invention is characterized in that the shopping carts stacked one on top of the other are sterilized.

The invention according to claim 17 is the sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein a third ultraviolet lamp is provided in a frame portion of the elevating portion and irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the elevating portion. It is characterized by further including.

The invention as set forth in claim 18 is characterized in that the outer shape is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the upper surface is formed in a U-shape with a rectangular opening. two handles that are movably provided and that can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, and the handles are stackable. A sterilizing device that sterilizes shopping carts that can be cleaned, the lifting portion being formed in the shape of a frame with an empty inside and being raised or lowered by a driving portion through the inside of the stacked shopping carts. and, among the frame portions of the elevating portion, each of the opposing portions is provided in the center portion thereof so as to be displaceable toward the inside of the elevating portion or toward the frame side, and when displaced inward of the elevating portion; two supports protruding inward from the frame of the lifting section and supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening of any one of the stacked shopping carts; and a frame portion of the lifting section. Among them, two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet rays are hung on each of the facing parts, and two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light are hung on each of the facing parts of the frame part of the lifting section. A sterilization method using a sterilization device including two second ultraviolet lamps that are lowered and emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp, The support supports the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts among the stacked shopping carts, and the elevating section raises the frame of the opening by the support. Lift up the shopping cart whose lower side is supported and the shopping cart which is stacked above the shopping cart whose frame is supported, In the case of lifting, the bottom side of the basket part of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support, and the topmost shopping of the shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting part. The second ultraviolet lamp irradiates the inside of the basket portion of the basket with ultraviolet rays, and when the lifting portion lifts the shopping cart, the lower side of the frame of the opening is supported by the support. The ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp is applied to the bottom side of the basket part of the shopping cart and the inside of the basket part of the uppermost shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting part. It is characterized by irradiating ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of.

The invention as set forth in claim 19 is characterized in that the outer shape is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the upper surface is formed in a U-shape with a rectangular opening. two handles that are movably provided and that can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, and the handles are stackable. A sterilizing device that sterilizes shopping carts that can be cleaned, the lifting portion being formed in the shape of a frame with an empty inside and being raised or lowered by a driving portion through the inside of the stacked shopping carts. and, among the frame portions of the elevating portion, each of the opposing portions is provided in the center portion thereof so as to be displaceable toward the inside of the elevating portion or toward the frame side, and when displaced inward of the elevating portion; two supports protruding inward from the frame of the lifting section and supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening of any one of the stacked shopping carts; and a frame portion of the lifting section. Among them, two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet rays are hung on each of the facing parts, and two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light are hung on each of the facing parts of the frame part of the lifting section. a computer that controls a sterilization device including two second ultraviolet lamps that are respectively provided below and emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp; a step of causing the support to support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts among the stacked shopping carts; a step of causing the first ultraviolet lamp to lift the shopping cart whose lower side is supported and the shopping cart stacked above the shopping cart whose frame is supported; is lifting the shopping cart, the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support, and the bottom side of the shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting section. irradiating the inside of the cart part of the uppermost shopping cart with ultraviolet rays, and applying ultraviolet rays to the second ultraviolet lamp; On the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart whose lower side is supported, and on the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting section, the first The sterilization process includes the step of irradiating ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamp.

As described above, according to the present invention, stacked shopping carts can be sterilized without occupying a large space.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of an elevating section 22. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of an elevating section 22. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing details of an example configuration of latches 64-1 and 64-2. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a control unit 24. FIG. It is a perspective view showing the state of the sterilization device 11 when setting a shopping cart. It is a flowchart explaining the process of sterilization by the sterilization device 11. It is a flowchart explaining the process of sterilization by the sterilization device 11. It is a flowchart explaining the process of sterilization by the sterilization device 11. It is a figure showing the sterilization device 11 when the elevating part 22 has reached the lower end. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating latches 64-1 and 64-2 inserted under the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-2. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the elevating section 22 undergoing ultraviolet irradiation treatment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a shopping basket 201-2 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on top of a shopping basket 201-1 loaded on a basket cart 202. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a stacked car pitch sensor 45. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a stacked car pitch sensor 45. FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the lifting section 22 stopped after reaching a predetermined height from the top of the shopping cart 201-2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the lifting section 22 scooping up the handle of the shopping cart 201-2 and lifting it up. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the elevating section 22 in which ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are arranged below the handle. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the elevating section 22 scooping up the handle of the shopping cart 201-3 and arranging the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 below the handle.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, and the correspondence relationship between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the detailed description of the invention is as follows. This description is provided to ensure that embodiments supporting the invention are described in the detailed description. Therefore, even if there are embodiments that are described in the detailed description of the invention but are not described herein as embodiments that correspond to the constituent elements of the present invention, this does not apply to such embodiments. This does not imply that the embodiments do not correspond to the constituent features. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to a constituent feature, this does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to constituent features other than that constituent feature. It's nothing to do.

The sterilization device according to the first aspect of the present invention has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a basket portion having a rectangular opening at the top, and a U-shape, and a frame of the opening of the basket portion. It consists of two handles that are rotatably provided relative to each other, and that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, A sterilization device that sterilizes stackable shopping carts, the lifting section being formed in the shape of a frame with an open interior and being raised or lowered by a driving section through the inside of the stacked shopping carts. (for example, the elevating part 22 in FIG. 2) and the frame of the elevating part, the elevating part , two supports project inward from the frame of the lifting section and support the lower side of the opening frame of one of the stacked shopping carts (for example, in Fig. 2). latches 64-1 and 64-2) and two first ultraviolet lamps (for example, Ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 in FIG. two second ultraviolet lamps (eg, ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 in FIG. 2) that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the radiation direction.

In the sterilization method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the outer shape is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and the upper surface is formed in a U-shape, and the upper surface is formed in a U-shape. It consists of two handles that are rotatably provided relative to each other, and that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, A sterilization device that sterilizes stackable shopping carts, the lifting section being formed in the shape of a frame with an open interior and being raised or lowered by a driving section through the inside of the stacked shopping carts. And, among the frame parts of the lifting part, each of the opposing parts is provided in the center part so that it can be displaced toward the inside of the lifting part or towards the frame side, and when it is displaced inside the lifting part, the lifting part Two supports that protrude inward from the frame and support the lower side of the frame at the opening of one of the stacked shopping carts, and the opposing portion of the frame of the lifting section. two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light, each of which is suspended from each of the two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light; A sterilization method using a sterilization device including two second ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp, the supports being stacked. By supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts (for example, the procedure of step S27 in FIG. 8), the elevating part rises and supports the lower side of the frame of the opening. Lift up the shopping cart whose sides are supported and the shopping cart stacked above the shopping cart whose frame is supported (for example, the procedure of step S28 in FIG. 8), and the first ultraviolet lamp is lifting a shopping cart, the bottom side of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support, and the topmost shopping cart among the shopping carts that are not being lifted by the lifting section. The second ultraviolet lamp irradiates the inside of the basket section with ultraviolet rays (for example, the procedure in step S37 in FIG. The radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp is applied to the bottom side of the cart part of the shopping cart that is being lifted up and to the inside of the cart part of the uppermost shopping cart that has not been lifted by the lifting section. (for example, the procedure of step S38 in FIG. 8).

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention is such that the outer shape is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the upper surface is formed in a U-shape, and the upper surface is formed in a rectangular shape. It consists of two rotatable handles that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, and can be stacked. A sterilization device for sterilizing shopping carts, which is formed into a frame shape with an open interior, and a lifting section that allows stacked shopping carts to pass through the inside and be raised or lowered by a driving section; Among the frame portions of the lifting section, each of the opposing parts is provided in the center so that it can be displaced toward the inside of the lifting section or towards the frame side, and when displaced toward the inside of the lifting section, the frame of the lifting section will move away from the frame. Two supports that protrude inward and support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the stacked shopping carts, and the opposing portions of the frame of the lifting section. two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light, each of which is suspended from the frame of the lifting section; of the shopping carts stacked on a support to a computer that controls a sterilization device that includes two second ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects with the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light lamp. , a step of supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts (for example, the procedure of step S27 in FIG. 8), and a step of causing the lifting section to rise so that the lower side of the frame of the opening is supported by the support. Lifting the shopping cart stacked above the shopping cart supported by the frame (for example, the procedure of step S28 in FIG. 8); When the lifting section is lifting a shopping cart, the bottom side of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support and the uppermost shopping cart among the shopping carts that are not being lifted by the lifting section. In the step of irradiating the inside of the shopping cart with ultraviolet rays (for example, the procedure of step S37 in FIG. 8), the second ultraviolet lamp is used to irradiate the inside of the opening frame with the support when the lifting section is lifting the shopping cart. The ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp is applied to the bottom side of the shopping cart whose lower side is supported and to the inside of the cart portion of the uppermost shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting section. A sterilization process is performed including a step of irradiating ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of (for example, the procedure of step S38 in FIG. 8).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 27.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a sterilization device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sterilization device 11 sterilizes the stacked shopping carts. The sterilization device 11 lifts up the stacked shopping carts in order and sterilizes the outside and inside of the shopping carts. Furthermore, the sterilization device 11 lifts the handle of the shopping cart and sterilizes the entire handle. Note that, hereinafter, the front-rear direction with respect to the sterilization device 11 is illustrated by the Y-axis, the up-down direction is illustrated by the Z-axis, and the left-right direction is illustrated by the X-axis. Further, in the following, the upper left side in FIG. 1 in the X-axis direction is simply referred to as the left side, and the lower right side in FIG. 1 in the X-axis direction is simply referred to as the right side. Furthermore, hereinafter, the lower left side in FIG. 1 in the Y-axis direction will simply be referred to as the front side, and the upper right side in FIG. 1 in the Y-axis direction will simply be referred to as the rear side. Furthermore, hereinafter, the upper side in FIG. 1 in the Z-axis direction is simply referred to as the upper side, and the lower side in FIG. 1 in the Z-axis direction is simply referred to as the lower side. Note that the upper left side is the positive direction of the X axis, the lower left side is the positive direction of the Y axis, and the upper side is the positive direction of the Z axis. Further, the Z-axis direction is also simply referred to as the up-down direction, and the direction along a plane parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis is also simply referred to as the horizontal direction or lateral direction. Note that the downward direction is the direction in which gravity is applied. The same applies to the following figures.

The sterilization device 11 includes a frame section 21, an elevating section 22, a driving section 23, and a control section 24. The frame portion 21 forms a skeleton of the sterilization device 11 and supports the elevating portion 22 and the driving portion 23. The frame portion 21 includes a frame 31, guide frames 32-1 and 32-2, drive chains 33-1 and 33-2, a lower end position sensor 34, an upper end position sensor 35 (shown in FIG. 10), and a door 36. , a basket cart guide 37, and a door closing detection switch 38. The frame 31 is made of a steel pipe or an aluminum alloy pipe material. The frame 31 is a pipe material that connects the upper and lower sides of the left front, right front, left rear, and right rear of the sterilization device 11 and extends in the vertical direction. These are a pipe material that is a structure that connects back and forth, and a pipe material that is a structure that connects the lower end side of a pipe that extends in the vertical direction from side to side and front and back. Note that the front side, rear side, left side, and right side of the frame portion 21 are covered with transparent resin plates such as polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate resin, or polycarbonate. In this case, the resin plate covering the frame portion 21 is preferably one that absorbs or reflects ultraviolet rays.

The guide frame 32-1 is sandwiched between the elevating section 22 and guides the vertical displacement of the elevating section 22. The guide frame 32-1 is on the left side of the sterilization device 11, and is a pipe material that extends in a straight line in the vertical direction at the front left of the frame 31, and a structure that extends in the vertical direction at the rear left of the frame 31. It is composed of a pipe material that is a structure that extends vertically between the pipe material and the pipe material. The guide frame 32-2 is sandwiched between the elevating section 22 and guides the vertical displacement of the elevating section 22. The guide frame 32-2 is on the right side of the sterilization device 11, and includes a pipe material that is a structure that extends in the vertical direction at the front right of the frame 31, and a pipe material that is a structure that extends in the vertical direction at the right rear of the frame 31. It consists of a pipe material that extends linearly in the vertical direction between the two. The elevating section 22 is guided by the guide frames 32-1 and 32-2 and can ascend or descend without being displaced in the front-back direction or the left-right direction.

The drive chains 33-1 and 33-2 pull the elevating section 22 upward or downward, displacing the elevating section 22 up and down. The end of the drive chain 33-1 is connected to the left side of the lifting section 22, and the end of the driving chain 33-2 is connected to the right side of the lifting section 22. The drive chains 33-1 and 33-2 are movably held by sprockets at the upper end and lower end of the sterilizing device 11, respectively. The drive chains 33-1 and 33-2 are each rotated and driven by a sprocket (described later) of the drive section 23 on the upper end side of the sterilization device 11.

The lower end position sensor 34 is, for example, a transmission type photoelectric sensor, and outputs a predetermined signal when it is shielded by a shielding plate of the elevator section 22, which will be described later. When the lower end position sensor 34 is shielded by a shielding plate of the elevating section 22 (described later) and outputs a predetermined signal, the elevating section 22 is located at the lower end of the range in which the elevating section 22 ascends or descends. Details regarding the lower end of the elevating section 22 will be described later.

The elevating section upper end position sensor 35 is, for example, a transmission type photoelectric sensor, and outputs a predetermined signal when it is shielded by a shielding plate of the elevating section 22, which will be described later. When the elevating portion upper end position sensor 35 is shielded by a shielding plate of the elevating portion 22 described later and outputs a predetermined signal, the elevating portion 22 is located at the upper end of the range in which the elevating portion 22 ascends or descends.

The door 36 is a hinged door placed in front of the sterilization device 11. The right side of the door 36 is fastened to the frame portion 21 by a hinge. That is, the door 36 is opened by rotating counterclockwise when viewed from above, and closed by rotating clockwise when viewed from above. When the door 36 is opened, shopping carts stacked on a basket cart are taken in and out of the sterilization device 11. Furthermore, when the door 36 is closed, the shopping carts stacked on top of each other in the basket cart are sterilized in the sterilization device 11.

The basket cart guide 37 is provided below the sterilizing device 11, and is formed into a trapezoidal shape that protrudes into the sterilizing device 11 as it advances from the door 36 side toward the inside of the sterilizing device 11. It is a board that guides the position of the basket cart, on which shopping carts are stacked, in the front and back or left and right directions.

The door closing detection switch 38 is, for example, a push-type switch, and outputs different signals depending on whether the door 36 is open or closed.

The lifting section 22 lifts up the stacked shopping carts one by one and sterilizes the outside and inside of the shopping carts. Further, the lifting section 22 lifts the handle of the shopping cart and sterilizes the entire handle. Details of the configuration of the elevating section 22 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

The drive section 23 drives the elevating section 22 to raise or lower it. The drive unit 23 includes a motor 41, a reducer 42, a drive shaft 43, sprockets 44-1 and 44-2, and a stacked car pitch sensor 45. The motor 41 is controlled by the control unit 24 to rotate the rotating shaft in both directions and supply driving force. The reducer 42 is a so-called worm reducer, which reduces the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor 41, converts the axial direction of the rotation to the left and right, and transmits the driving force to the drive shaft 43.

The drive shaft 43 is arranged with its longitudinal direction in the left-right direction of the sterilization device 11, and rotates the rotational driving force transmitted from the reducer 42 and transmits it to the sprockets 44-1 and 44-2. The sprocket 44-1 is arranged on the left side of the sterilization device 11 and transmits the rotational driving force from the drive shaft 43 to the drive chain 33-1. The sprocket 44-2 is arranged on the right side of the sterilization device 11 and transmits the rotational driving force from the drive shaft 43 to the drive chain 33-2.

The stacked cart pitch sensor 45 is, for example, a transmission-type photoelectric sensor, and by rotation of the drive shaft 43, the height of the stacked shopping carts is adjusted to the height of the frame around the opening of the shopping carts. Detect the corresponding height. The stacked car pitch sensor 45 constitutes the pitch detection section 301. Details of the configurations of the stacked car pitch sensor 45 and the pitch detection section 301 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 16 and 18.

The control unit 24 includes a general-purpose control device such as a PLC (programmable logic controller) or a personal computer, or a dedicated control device such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or a PLD (programmable logic device), and controls the sterilization device 11. Control. Details of the hardware of the control unit 24 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5.

Next, details of the configuration of the elevating section 22 will be explained. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the elevating section 22. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of the configuration of the elevating section 22. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3(A) is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the elevating section 22. FIG. FIG. 3(B) is a right side view showing an example of the configuration of the elevating section 22. As shown in FIG.

The elevating section 22 includes a frame 61, chain connection nuts 62-1 and 62-2, rollers 63-1-1, 63-2-1, 63-3-1 and 63-4-1 and 63-1-2, 63-2-2, 63-3-2 and 63-4-2, latches 64-1 and 64-2, X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2, ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, triangular plate 67-1-1, 67-1-2, 67-2-1 and 67-2-2, Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2, ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2, top end of handle sterilization basket It includes position sensors 70-1 and 70-2, support plates 71-1 and 71-2, a light shielding plate 72, ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2, and ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2.

The frame 61 is made of steel or resin such as engineering plastic, and is formed into a frame shape with an open interior. The frame 61 includes chain connection nuts 63-1 and 63-2, rollers 63-1-1, 63-2-1, 63-3-1 and 63-4-1, and 63-1-2, 63-2-. 2, 63-3-2 and 63-4-2, latches 64-1 and 64-2, X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2, ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, triangular plate 67-1- 1, 67-1-2, 67-2-1 and 67-2-2, Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2, ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2, handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70- 1 and 70-2, support plates 71-1 and 71-2, and light shielding plate 72. For example, the frame 61 is formed into a rectangular frame shape. That is, the frame 61 has a rectangular outer shape when viewed from above, a rectangular inner hole shape, and a rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The frame 61 has a shape that allows stacked shopping carts to pass vertically into the empty interior. For example, the frame 61 is composed of a flat plate on the top surface and a flat plate on the outer side surface. That is, for example, the frame 61 is constructed by arranging four angle members front and rear, left and right so that the open sides are located on the lower side and inside, and forming the left and right front ends and the left and right rear ends. It is said that the structure is connected.

Two ends of the drive chain 33-1 are respectively connected to the upper end side and the lower end side of the chain connection nut 62-1. Further, two ends of the drive chain 33-2 are respectively connected to the upper end side and the lower end side of the chain connection nut 62-2.

The rollers 63-1-1, 63-2-1, 63-3-1 and 63-4-1 sandwich the guide frame 32-1 and move the lifting section 22 in the vertical direction along the guide frame 32-1. I will guide you to. More specifically, the roller 63-1-1 and the roller 63-2-1 sandwich the upper side of the guide frame 32-1 with respect to the frame 61 from the front and rear sides, and the roller 63-3-1 and the roller 63-4-1, the lower side of the guide frame 32-1 is sandwiched between the frame 61 from the front and rear sides, and the elevating section 22 is guided in the vertical direction along the guide frame 32-1.

The rollers 63-1-2, 63-2-2, 63-3-2, and 63-4-2 sandwich the guide frame 32-2 and move the lifting section 22 in the vertical direction along the guide frame 32-2. I will guide you to. More specifically, the roller 63-1-2 and the roller 63-2-2 sandwich the upper side of the guide frame 32-2 with respect to the frame 61 from the front and rear sides, and the roller 63-3-2 and the roller 63-4-2, the lower side of the guide frame 32-2 is sandwiched between the frame 61 from the front and rear sides, and the elevating section 22 is guided in the vertical direction along the guide frame 32-2.

The latch 64-1 is an example of a support, and is provided at the front central portion of the frame 61 so as to be movable toward the rear or the front. When the latch 64-1 is displaced rearward, it projects rearward from the front portion of the frame 61. When the latch 64-1 is displaced forward, it becomes substantially flush with the rear edge of the front part of the frame 61, and does not protrude rearward from the front part of the frame 61. The latch 64-2 is an example of a support, and is provided at the center portion of the rear side of the frame 61, and is provided so as to be displaceable to the rear side or the front side. When the latch 64-2 is displaced forward, it projects forward from the rear portion of the frame 61. When the latch 64-2 is displaced rearward, it is substantially flush with the front edge of the rear portion of the frame 61, and does not protrude forward from the rear portion of the frame 61.

When latch 64-1 protrudes rearward from the front portion of frame 61 and latch 64-2 protrudes frontward from the rear portion of frame 61, latches 64-1 and 64-2 It can be supported by sandwiching the lower side of the frame of the opening from the front and back. If the latch 64-1 does not protrude rearwardly from the front portion of the frame 61 and the latch 64-2 does not protrude forwardly from the rear portion of the frame 61, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 Since it overlaps the frame 61, the shopping cart can be passed through the frame 61 in the vertical direction without contacting the shopping cart.

Here, details of an example of the configuration of latches 64-1 and 64-2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of latches 64-1 and 64-2. The latch 64-1 includes a plate 91-1, a motor 92-1, a lever 93-1, a latch load sensor 94-1, a shaft support 95-1, a separation part 96-1, and a motor 97-1. The latch 64-2 is connected to a plate 91-2, a motor 92-2 (not shown), a lever 93-2, a latch load sensor 94-2, a shaft support 95-2, a separation part 96-2, and a motor 97-2. Become.

The plate 91-1 is formed into a thin plate shape. For example, each of the left and right end portions on the rear side of the plate 91-1 is formed in a rectangular spatula shape, and the center side on the rear side of the plate 91-1 is formed in a concave shape toward the front side. The rear left and right end portions of the plate 91-1 are each thick enough to be inserted between the frames of stacked shopping carts. Plate 91-1 is displaced in the front-rear direction by motor 92-1. For example, an eccentric roller attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 92-1 is inserted into a horizontally long guide hole bored in the plate 91-1, and the plate 91-1 is rotated by the rotational force of the rotating shaft of the motor 92-1. -1 is displaced back and forth.

The plate 91-1 is arranged so that the rear end of the plate 91-1 does not protrude from the frame 61 when it is displaced to the front. When the plate 91-1 is displaced rearward, the rear end of the plate 91-1 is arranged so as to protrude from the frame 61 toward the inside of the frame 61.

The lever 93-1 is swingably supported on the plate 91-1 by a shaft support 95-1 so as to be displaced back and forth together with the plate 91-1. The rear end side of the lever 93-1 is formed into a needle shape. The vertical thickness of the rear end side of the lever 93-1 is approximately the same as the thickness of the plate 91-1. When no external force is applied to the lever 93-1, the upper side of the rear end of the lever 93-1 slightly protrudes from the upper surface of the plate 91-1, and the front end of the lever 93-1 is a latch that is a photoelectric switch. It is arranged so as to shield the load sensor 94-1 from light. As will be described later, when the latch 64-1 supports a shopping cart, when the weight of the shopping cart is applied to the rear end side of the lever 93-1, the lever 93-1 swings, causing the clock to turn when viewed from the right side. The front end of the lever 93-1 is displaced upward, and the latch load sensor 94-1 is no longer shielded from light. The latch load sensor 94-1 is shaded or unblocked depending on the displacement of the lever 93-1, that is, the presence or absence of a load on the lever 93-1. Output a signal.

The separating portion 96-1 includes a thin plate-shaped portion and a rod-shaped portion connected to the thin plate portion so as to intersect therewith. The thickness of the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 is approximately the same as the thickness of the rectangular spatula-shaped portion on the rear side of the plate 91-1. The thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 is arranged in the front-rear direction between the concave shape on the rear center side of the plate 91-1 and the rectangular spatula-shaped portion on the rear side of the plate 91-1. They are arranged so that their positions in the height direction are approximately the same. The separating portion 96-1 has a rod-shaped portion that is pivotally supported so as to be rotated by a motor 97-1. A rod-shaped portion of the separating section 96-1 is connected to the shaft of a motor 97-1. The motor 97-1 is arranged such that the axis of the motor 97-1 is along the Y-axis direction. That is, the separating section 96-1 is rotated parallel to a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis. When the separation section 96-1 is rotated counterclockwise by the motor 97-1 when viewed from the front side, the thin plate-shaped portion of the separation section 96-1 is displaced downward. As a result, when the shopping cart is lifted by lifting the elevator unit 22 while being supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, the bottom of the shopping cart supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 is lifted. The side shopping cart can be separated from the shopping cart supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2.

The latch 64-1 and the latch 64-2 are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the horizontal center point of the drive section 23.

The plate 91-2 is formed into a thin plate shape. For example, each of the left and right end portions on the front side of the plate 91-2 is formed in a rectangular spatula shape, and the center side on the front side of the plate 91-2 is formed in a concave shape toward the rear side. Each of the front left and right end sides of the plate 91-2 has a thickness that allows it to be inserted between the frames of stacked shopping carts. Plate 91-2 is displaced in the front-back direction by motor 92-2. For example, an eccentric roller attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 92-2 is inserted into a horizontally long guide hole bored in the plate 91-2, and the plate 91-2 is rotated by the rotational force of the rotating shaft of the motor 92-2. -2 is displaced back and forth.

The plate 91-2 is arranged so that the front end of the plate 91-2 does not protrude from the frame 61 when it is displaced rearward. The plate 91-2 is arranged so that the front end of the plate 91-2 protrudes from the frame 61 toward the inside of the frame 61 when the plate 91-2 is displaced to the front.

The lever 93-2 is swingably supported on the plate 91-2 by a shaft support 95-2 so as to be displaced back and forth together with the plate 91-2. The front end side of the lever 93-2 is formed into a needle shape. The vertical thickness of the front end of the lever 93-2 is approximately the same as the thickness of the plate 91-2. When no external force is applied to the lever 93-2, the upper side of the front end of the lever 93-2 protrudes slightly from the upper surface of the plate 91-2, and the rear end of the lever 93-2 is a latch that is a photoelectric switch. It is arranged so as to shield the load sensor 94-2 from light. As will be described later, when the latch 64-2 supports a shopping cart, when the weight of the shopping cart is applied to the front end side of the lever 93-2, the lever 93-2 swings and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. The rear end of the lever 93-2 is displaced upward, and the latch load sensor 94-2 is no longer blocked from light. The latch load sensor 94-2 is shaded or unblocked depending on the displacement of the lever 93-2, that is, the presence or absence of a load on the lever 93-2. Output a signal.

The separating portion 96-2 includes a thin plate-shaped portion and a rod-shaped portion connected to the thin plate portion so as to intersect therewith. The thickness of the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-2 is approximately the same as the thickness of the rectangular spatula-shaped portion on the front side of the plate 91-2. The thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-2 is arranged in the front-rear direction between the concave portion on the front center side of the plate 91-2 and the rectangular spatula-shaped portion on the front side of the plate 91-2. They are arranged so that their directional positions are approximately the same. The separating portion 96-2 has a rod-shaped portion that is pivotally supported so as to be rotated by a motor 97-2. A rod-shaped portion of the separation section 96-2 is connected to the shaft of a motor 97-2. The motor 97-2 is arranged such that the axis of the motor 97-2 is along the Y-axis direction. That is, the separating section 96-2 is rotated parallel to a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis. When the separation section 96-2 is rotated clockwise by the motor 97-2 when viewed from the front side, the thin plate-shaped portion of the separation section 96-2 is displaced downward. As a result, when the shopping cart is lifted by lifting the elevator unit 22 while being supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, the bottom of the shopping cart supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 is lifted. The side shopping cart can be separated from the shopping cart supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2.

In this way, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 can be displaced toward the inside of the lifting section 22 or toward the frame side at the respective central portions of the opposing portions of the frame 61 of the lifting section 22. When it is provided and is displaced inside the elevating part 22, it projects inward from the frame of the elevating part 22 and supports the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the stacked shopping carts.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the X-axis arm 65-1 is formed into a rod shape of steel or aluminum alloy, and supports the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 by suspending it from the front side of the frame 61. That is, the upper end of the X-axis arm 65-1 is supported near the front center portion of the frame 61. The lower end of the X-axis arm 65-1 supports an ultraviolet lamp 66-1. The X-axis arm 65-1 is rotatable. The X-axis arm 65-1 is rotatably supported on the frame 61 side, that is, on the upper side, about an axis in the axial direction along the X-axis, and when viewed from the right side and rotated counterclockwise, The lower side is displaced to the rear side, that is, to the inside of the frame 61.

The X-axis arm 65-2 is formed into a rod shape from steel or aluminum alloy, and supports the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 by suspending it from the rear side of the frame 61. That is, the upper end of the X-axis arm 65-2 is supported near the rear center portion of the frame 61. The lower end of the X-axis arm 65-2 supports an ultraviolet lamp 66-2. The X-axis arm 65-2 is rotatable. The X-axis arm 65-2 is rotatably supported on the frame 61 side, that is, on the upper side, about an axis in the axial direction along the X-axis, and when rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side, the lower side is displaced to the rear side, that is, to the inside of the frame 61.

The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is an example of a first ultraviolet lamp, and is held at the lower end of the X-axis arm 65-1. The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is arranged along the front length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C. The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is protected by a ring-shaped guard that surrounds the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 and is arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction.

The ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is movable toward the rear, in other words, toward the inside of the frame 61. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is displaced inside the frame 61 when the X-axis arm 65-1 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. When the X-axis arm 65-1 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side, the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is displaced to a position where it does not protrude inside the frame 61 when viewed from above.

A triangular plate 67-1-1 is provided at the left end of the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 at a position below the ultraviolet lamp 66-1. The triangular plate 67-1-1 is formed into a wedge shape with the tip side facing inside the frame 61. The triangular plate 67-1-1 scoops up the handle of the shopping cart and lifts it up. A triangular plate 67-2-1 is provided at the right end of the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 at a position below the ultraviolet lamp 66-1. The triangular plate 67-2-1 is formed into a wedge shape with the tip side facing inside the frame 61. The triangular plate 67-2-1 scoops up the handle of the shopping cart and lifts it up.

The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is an example of a first ultraviolet lamp, and is held at the lower end of the X-axis arm 65-2. The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is arranged along the rear length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C. The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is protected by ring-shaped guards surrounding the ultraviolet lamp 66-2, which are arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction.

The ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is movable toward the front, in other words, toward the inside of the frame 61. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is displaced inside the frame 61 when the X-axis arm 65-2 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side. When the X-axis arm 65-1 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is displaced to a position where it does not protrude inside the frame 61 when viewed from above.

A triangular plate 67-1-2 is provided at the left end of the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 at a position below the ultraviolet lamp 66-2. The triangular plate 67-1-2 is formed into a wedge shape with the tip side facing inside the frame 61. The triangular plate 67-1-2 scoops up the handle of the shopping cart and lifts it up. A triangular plate 67-2-2 is provided at the right end of the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 at a position below the ultraviolet lamp 66-2. The triangular plate 67-2-2 is formed into a wedge shape with the tip side facing inside the frame 61. The triangular plate 67-2-2 scoops up the handle of the shopping cart and lifts it up. The triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are each made of steel, aluminum alloy, resin, or the like. Triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are examples of scooping parts.

In this way, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are suspended from opposing portions of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22, respectively, and emit ultraviolet light.

The Y-axis arm 68-1 is formed into a rod shape from steel, aluminum alloy, or the like, and supports the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 by suspending it from the left side of the frame 61. That is, the upper end of the Y-axis arm 68-1 is supported near the left center portion of the frame 61. The lower end of the Y-axis arm 68-1 supports an ultraviolet lamp 69-1. The Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotatable. The Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotatably supported on the frame 61 side, that is, on the upper side, about an axis in the axial direction along the Y-axis, and when viewed from the front side and rotated counterclockwise, The lower side is displaced to the right, that is, to the inside of the frame 61.

The Y-axis arm 68-2 is formed into a rod shape of steel, aluminum alloy, or the like, and suspends and supports the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 from the right side of the frame 61. That is, the upper end of the Y-axis arm 68-2 is supported near the center portion on the right side of the frame 61. The lower end of the Y-axis arm 68-2 supports an ultraviolet lamp 69-2. The Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotatable. The Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotatably supported on the frame 61 side, that is, on the upper side, about an axis in the axial direction along the Y-axis, and when rotated clockwise when viewed from the front side, the lower side is displaced to the left, ie inside the frame 61.

The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is an example of a second ultraviolet lamp, and is held at the lower end of the Y-axis arm 68-1. The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is arranged along the left longitudinal direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C. The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is protected by a ring-shaped guard that surrounds the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 and is arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction.

The ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is movable to the right, in other words, to the inside of the frame 61. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is displaced inside the frame 61 when the Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front side. When the Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is displaced to a position where it does not protrude inside the frame 61 when viewed from above.

The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is an example of a second ultraviolet lamp, and is held at the lower end of the Y-axis arm 68-2. The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is arranged along the right length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C. The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is protected by a ring-shaped guard that surrounds the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 and is arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction.

The ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is movable to the left, in other words, toward the inside of the frame 61. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is displaced inside the frame 61 when the Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front. When the Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is displaced to a position where it does not protrude inside the frame 61 when viewed from above.

In this way, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are suspended from opposing portions of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22, respectively. The ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2.

Next, the driving mechanism of the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 will be explained.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are displaced by a motor 121, a rotating shaft 122, an eccentric plate 123, a connecting rod 124, an eccentric plate 125, a rotating shaft 126, and an X-axis arm angular position sensor 127. . The motor 121 is disposed below the front portion of the frame 61, and is supported so that its rotation axis is along the X-axis. The rotation shaft 122 is rotatably disposed below the front portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is along the X-axis. The left end of the rotation shaft 122 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 121, and the right end of the rotation shaft 122 is connected to the eccentric plate 123. Further, the upper end of the X-axis arm 65-1 is fixed to the rotation shaft 122 near the center of the front portion of the frame 61. The rotation shaft 122 is rotated by the motor 121. When the rotation shaft 122 is rotated, the X-axis arm 65-1 and the eccentric plate 123 are rotated. The eccentric plate 123 converts a rotational movement into an arcuate movement.

The right end of the rotation shaft 122 is connected to one end of the eccentric plate 123, and one end of a connecting rod 124 is connected to the other end of the eccentric plate 123. ing. The other end of the eccentric plate 123 is on the lower side with respect to one end of the eccentric plate 123. The connecting rod 124 is disposed under the right side portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is along the Y-axis so that it can be freely displaced back and forth. The other end of the connecting rod 124 is connected to an eccentric plate 125. The eccentric plate 125 converts an arcuate movement into a rotational movement. The other end of the connecting rod 124 is connected to one end of the eccentric plate 125, and the rotation shaft 126 is connected to the other end of the eccentric plate 125. The other end of the eccentric plate 125 is on the lower side with respect to one end of the eccentric plate 125. That is, the rotation shaft 126 and the rotation shaft 122 are connected to the eccentric plate 123 and the connecting rod 124 so that the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 126 is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 122. and are connected by an eccentric plate 125.

The rotation shaft 126 is rotatably supported under the rear portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is along the X-axis. The right end of the rotation shaft 126 is connected to the eccentric plate 125, and the left end of the rotation shaft 126 is rotatably supported. Further, the upper end of the X-axis arm 65-2 is fixed to the rotation shaft 126 near the center of the rear portion of the frame 61. The rotation shaft 126 is rotated by the eccentric plate 125. When the rotation shaft 126 is rotated, the X-axis arm 65-2 is rotated.

When the rotation shaft 122 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, the driving force for rotation of the rotation shaft 122 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 122 through the eccentric plate 123, the connecting rod 124, and the eccentric plate 125. , so the rotation shaft 126 is rotated clockwise. In this case, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 122 and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 126 are assumed to be the same.

As a result, when the X-axis arm 65-1 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side and the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is displaced inside the frame 61, the X-axis arm 65-2 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the right side. By being rotated clockwise, the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is displaced inside the frame 61. Similarly, when the X-axis arm 65-1 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side and the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 is displaced to the outside of the frame 61, the X-axis arm 65-2 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the right side. By being rotated clockwise, the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 is displaced to the outside of the frame 61. The displacement distance of the ultraviolet lamp 66-1 and the displacement distance of the ultraviolet lamp 66-2 are assumed to be the same.

The X-axis arm angular position sensor 127 is a disk that rotates together with the rotating shaft 122, and includes a disk provided with a notch and a photoelectric sensor. When the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 reach a predetermined angular position, the X-axis arm angular position sensor 127 outputs a signal corresponding to the angular position. That is, the X-axis arm angular position sensor 127 is located at a predetermined position of the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 displaced inside the frame 61 or at a predetermined position of the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 displaced outside the frame 61. A signal indicating the angular position of the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 corresponding to each position is output.

The ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are displaced by a motor 141, a rotating shaft 142, an eccentric plate 143, a connecting rod 144, an eccentric plate 145, a rotating shaft 146, and a Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147. . The motor 141 is arranged below the right side portion of the frame 61, and its rotation axis is arranged along the Y-axis. The rotation shaft 142 is rotatably supported under the right side portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is along the Y-axis. The front end of the rotation shaft 142 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 141, and the right end of the rotation shaft 142 is connected to the eccentric plate 143. Further, the upper end of the Y-axis arm 68-1 is fixed to the rotation shaft 142 near the center of the right side portion of the frame 61. The rotation shaft 142 is rotated by the motor 141. When the rotation shaft 142 is rotated, the X-axis arm 68-1 and the eccentric plate 143 are rotated. The eccentric plate 143 converts a rotational movement into an arcuate movement.

A rear end of the rotation shaft 142 is connected to one end of the eccentric plate 143, and one end of a connecting rod 144 is connected to the other end of the eccentric plate 143. has been done. The other end of the eccentric plate 143 is located above one end of the eccentric plate 143. The connecting rod 144 is disposed below the rear portion of the frame 61 so that the connecting rod 144 can be freely displaced left and right so that its longitudinal direction is along the X axis. The other end of the connecting rod 144 is connected to an eccentric plate 145. The eccentric plate 145 converts an arcuate movement into a rotational movement. The other end of the connecting rod 144 is connected to one end of the eccentric plate 145, and the rotation shaft 146 is connected to the other end of the eccentric plate 145. The other end of the eccentric plate 145 is located above one end of the eccentric plate 145. That is, the rotation shaft 146 and the rotation shaft 142 are connected to the eccentric plate 143 and the connecting rod 144 so that the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 146 is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotation shaft 142. and are connected by an eccentric plate 145.

The rotation shaft 146 is rotatably disposed below the left side portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is along the Y-axis. The rear end of the rotation shaft 146 is connected to the eccentric plate 145, and the front end of the rotation shaft 146 is rotatably supported. Further, the upper end of the Y-axis arm 68-2 is fixed to the rotation shaft 146 near the center of the left side portion of the frame 61. The rotation shaft 146 is rotated by the eccentric plate 145. When the rotation shaft 146 is rotated, the Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotated.

When the rotating shaft 142 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front side, the driving force for rotation of the rotating shaft 142 is applied to the rotating shaft 146 via the eccentric plate 143, the connecting rod 144, and the eccentric plate 145. As a result, the rotation shaft 146 is rotated counterclockwise. In this case, the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 142 and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 146 are assumed to be the same.

As a result, when the Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front and the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is displaced inside the frame 61, the Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front. By being rotated clockwise, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is displaced to the inside of the frame 61. Similarly, when the Y-axis arm 68-2 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front and the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is displaced to the outside of the frame 61, the Y-axis arm 68-1 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. By being rotated clockwise, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is displaced to the outside of the frame 61. The displacement distance of the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 and the displacement distance of the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 are assumed to be the same.

The Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 is a disk that rotates together with the rotating shaft 142, and includes a disk provided with a notch and a photoelectric sensor. Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 outputs a signal corresponding to the angular position when Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 reach a predetermined angular position. That is, the Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 is located at a predetermined position of the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 displaced inside the frame 61 or at a predetermined position of the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 displaced outside the frame 61. A signal indicating the angular position of the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 corresponding to each position is output.

The handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-1 is a photoelectric sensor that is paired with the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2. The handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2 is a light emitting part that emits light, and the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-1 is a light receiving part that receives light from the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2. be. The handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-1 is attached to the front side of the frame 61 by a support plate 71-1. The handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2 is attached to the rear side of the frame 61 by a support plate 71-2. The handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-1 has two cases: when it is receiving light from the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2, and when it is not receiving light from the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2. Different signals are output depending on the case. The handle sterilization cart top end position sensors 70-1 and 70-2 detect the top ends of the stacked shopping carts. That is, the handle sterilization cart top end position sensors 70-1 and 70-2 detect whether the shopping cart is not being lifted by the lifting section 22, depending on whether or not the light from the handle sterilization cart top position sensor 70-2 is blocked. , it is detected that the height from the upper end of the uppermost shopping cart to the lifting section 22 is a predetermined height.

The light shielding plate 72 shields the lifting part upper end position sensor 35 from light at the upper end of the range in which the lifting part 22 moves up and down, and blocks the lifting part lower end position sensor 35 at the lower end of the range in which the lifting part 22 moves up and down. 34 is shielded from light.

In this way, the elevating section 22 is formed in the shape of a frame with an open interior, and the driving section 23 allows the stacked shopping carts to pass through the inside and be raised or lowered.

Further, the elevating section 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are arranged on one side of the frame corresponding to two pairs of opposing sides of the elevating section 22. They are provided at the center portions of the frame portions corresponding to the sides of the frame so as to be movable toward the inside of the elevating portion 22 or toward the frame side. The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 each have a portion of the frame corresponding to one of the two pairs of opposing sides of the lifting section 22, respectively. The ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are each hung on the other opposing side of the frame portion corresponding to the two sets of opposing sides of the lifting section 22. They are hung from each of the corresponding parts of the frame.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are movable toward the inside of the lifting section 22 or toward the frame, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are movable toward the inside of the lifting section 22 or toward the frame. It is considered possible.

The handle sterilization cart upper end position sensor 70-1 is provided in the lifting section 22 and measures the height from the upper end of the uppermost shopping cart 201 to the lifting section 22 in the shopping cart 201 that is not lifted by the lifting section 22. detects that is at a predetermined height. The triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are straight pipes whose longitudinal direction is arranged along the length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. It is provided at both ends of certain ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, and scoops up the two handles of shopping cart 201.

The triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are used to detect the shopping cart that has not been lifted by the lifting section 22 by the handle sterilization cart upper end position sensor 70-1. When it is detected that the height from the top of the uppermost shopping cart 201 to the lifting section 22 is a predetermined height, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are placed inside the lifting section 22. When the shopping cart 201 is displaced toward the top, the two handles of the uppermost shopping cart 201 that has not been lifted by the elevating section 22 are scooped up and lifted. The two handles of the shopping cart 201 are scooped up and lifted by the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 to remove the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2. In this case, the lower side of each of the two lifted handles is illuminated when the handle is displaced toward the inside of the elevating part 22.

The triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are wedge-shaped, and the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1- 2 and 67-2-2 are inserted between the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 and the handle, and the handle is scooped up.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are displaced toward the inside of the lifting section 22 by a motor 121, which is one actuator. It will be done. The ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are displaced toward the inside of the lifting section 22 by a motor 141, which is one actuator. It will be done.

Latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2 detect whether latches 64-1 and 64-2 are supporting one or more shopping carts 201.

Separation parts 96-1 and 96-2 separate the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and the shopping cart 201 on the lower side of the supported shopping cart 201. and separate them.

The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 is an example of a third ultraviolet lamp, and is provided in the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 is provided in the front portion of the frame 61. The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 has the rear and lower sides of the front part of the frame 61 open, so it irradiates ultraviolet rays from the front side to the rear side of the elevating section 22. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 73-1 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the inside of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 73-1 is arranged so as to fit within the front portion of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 73-1 is arranged along the front length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 73-1 emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C.

The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 is an example of a third ultraviolet lamp, and is provided in the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 is provided on the rear side of the frame 61. The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 has the front and lower sides of the rear portion of the frame 61 open, so it irradiates ultraviolet rays from the rear side of the elevating section 22 toward the front side. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 73-2 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the inside of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 73-2 is arranged so as to fit within the rear part of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 73-2 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rear side of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 73-2 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C.

The ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is an example of a third ultraviolet lamp, and is provided in the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 74-1 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is provided on the left side of the frame 61. Since the ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is open on the right side and the lower side of the left side portion of the frame 61, it irradiates ultraviolet rays from the left side to the right side of the elevating section 22. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 74-1 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the inside of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is disposed within the left side of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 74-1 is arranged along the left longitudinal direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 74-1 emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, that is, UV-C.

The ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is an example of a third ultraviolet lamp, and is provided in the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 74-2 emits ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is provided on the right side of the frame 61. Since the ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is open on the left side and the lower side of the right side of the frame 61, it irradiates ultraviolet light from the right side to the left side of the elevating section 22. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 74-2 irradiates ultraviolet light toward the inside of the elevating section 22. The ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is a straight tube. The ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is disposed within the right side of the frame 61 so that its longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 74-2 is arranged along the right length direction of the frame 61 of the elevating section 22. More specifically, the ultraviolet lamp 74-2 emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, ie, UV-C.

Next, the configuration of the control section 24 will be explained. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit 24, which is a PLC.

In the control unit 24, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 162, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 163 are interconnected by a bus 164.

An input/output interface 165 is further connected to the bus 164. The input/output interface 165 includes an elevator lower end position sensor 34, an elevator upper end position sensor 35, a door closing detection switch 38, a stacked basket pitch sensor 45, a latch load sensor 94-1, a latch load sensor 94-2, and a handle sterilization sensor. A car top end position sensor 70-1, an X-axis arm angular position sensor 127, and a Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 are connected. The input/output interface 165 also includes a lifting motor drive unit 166 that electrically drives the motor 41, and a latch motor drive that electrically drives each of the motors 92-1, 92-2, 97-1, and 97-2. section 167, an X-axis arm motor drive section 168 that electrically drives the motor 121, a Y-axis arm motor drive section 169 that electrically drives the motor 141, and ultraviolet lamps 66-1, 66-2, 69-1, and 69. -2, an ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 is connected to the ultraviolet lamps 73-1, 73-2, 74-1, and 74-2 for supplying power for light emission. Furthermore, the input/output interface 165 includes an input section 171 consisting of a push-type switch for operating the sterilization device 11, an output section 172 consisting of a lamp etc. for displaying the status of the sterilization device 11, a hard disk and the like. A storage section 173 consisting of a nonvolatile memory or the like, a communication section 174 consisting of a network interface, etc., and a drive 175 that drives a removable medium 176 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory are connected.

In the control unit 24 (computer) configured as described above, the CPU 161 loads, for example, a program stored in the storage unit 173 into the RAM 163 via the input/output interface 165 and the bus 164 and executes the program. As a result, a series of processes described below are performed.

The programs executed by the control unit 24 (CPU 31) include, for example, magnetic disks (including flexible disks), optical disks (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), magneto-optical disks, Alternatively, the information may be recorded on a removable medium 176, which is a package medium such as a semiconductor memory, or may be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting.

The program can be installed in the computer by loading the removable medium 176 into the drive 175 and storing it in the storage unit 173 via the input/output interface 165. Further, the program can be installed in the computer by being received by the communication unit 174 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and stored in the storage unit 173. Other programs can be installed in the computer in advance by storing them in the ROM 162 or the storage unit 173 in advance.

Next, the operation of sterilizing the shopping cart by the sterilizing device 11 that executes the program will be explained. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state of the sterilization device 11 when a shopping cart is set. As shown in FIG. 6, the user opens the door 36, which is a hinged door on the front side of the sterilization device 11, and the shopping cart 201 stacked on the basket cart 202 is placed inside the sterilization device 11. -1 to 201-3 can be entered. The shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are stacked in order from the bottom and placed on the basket cart 202. In this case, the position of the basket cart 202 is regulated by the basket cart guide 37 that guides the position of the basket cart 202, and the positions of the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are regulated. That is, the basket cart guide 37 guides the position of the basket cart 202 on which the shopping carts 201 are stacked, and the sterilization device 11 guides the shopping carts 201 stacked on the basket cart 202 whose position has been guided. Disinfect.

Here, the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are each made of resin. Each of the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 consists of a basket portion and two handles. Each of the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 is a part for temporarily storing products to be purchased when shopping around, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a rectangular opening at the top. are doing. The two handles of each of the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are each formed in a U-shape and are provided so as to be rotatable relative to the frame of the opening of the cart. The two handles of each of the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the cart so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other. The entire aperture is opened. In this state, the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 can be stacked. Note that the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are also referred to as checkout carts, shopping baskets, or the like.

After the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are placed in the sterilization device 11, the user closes the door 36, which is a swing door on the front side of the sterilization device 11. When the door 36 is closed, the control unit 24 detects that the door 36 is closed based on a signal from the door closing detection switch 38. In this state, when the user presses a start button on an operation panel (not shown), etc., the sterilization operation is started.

Note that, hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 individually, they will simply be referred to as the shopping cart 201.

Further, among the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202, the shopping cart 201 located at the bottom is not used by a customer visiting the store, and the shopping cart 201 is not used by a customer visiting the store, but the shopping cart 201 is not used by a customer visiting the store. This is to induce return, so it is not subject to sterilization. For example, among the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 stacked in the basket cart 202, the shopping cart 201-1 located at the bottom is not a target for sterilization. Shopping carts 201-1 and 201-2 are to be sterilized.

7 to 9 are flowcharts illustrating the sterilization process performed by the sterilization device 11. Hereinafter, the sterilization process will be explained using an example in which the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 are stacked in the basket cart 202. When starting the sterilization process, the elevating section 22 is located at the upper end of the range in which it ascends or descends.

In step S11, the control unit 24 causes the lift motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, thereby operating the drive unit 23 and lowering the lift unit 22 from the upper end. In this case, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are moved to the frame 61 side of the elevating section 22, and do not protrude inside the frame 61, allowing the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 and 69-2 are displaced to a position where they do not protrude inside the frame 61, so the frame 61 of the elevating section 22 passes the stacked shopping carts 201 through the empty inside. The elevating section 22 can be lowered.

In step S12, the control unit 24 refers to the signal from the lower end position sensor 34 and determines whether the elevator unit 22 has reached the lower end. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the sterilization device 11 with the elevating section 22 reaching the lower end. FIG. 10(A) is a front view of the sterilization device 11 with the elevating section 22 reaching the lower end. FIG. 10(B) is an enlarged front view of the lower end position sensor 34. As shown in FIG.

When the elevating section 22 reaches the lower end, the light shielding plate 72 provided on the elevating section 22 shields the elevating lower end position sensor 34 from light. When the lower end position sensor 34 is shielded by the shielding plate 72, it outputs a different predetermined signal than when it is not shielded.

If it is determined in step S12 that the elevating section 22 has not reached the lower end, the procedure returns to step S12, and the determination process is repeated.

In step S12, if a predetermined signal is output from the elevation lower end position sensor 34 and it is determined that the elevation section 22 has reached the lower end, the procedure proceeds to step S13, and the control section 24 controls the elevation motor drive section 166. By stopping the motor 41 of the drive section 23, the elevating section 22 is stopped at the lower end. In this case, latches 64-1 and 64-2 are arranged below the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-2 and above the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-1. That is, when the lifting section 22 is located at the lower end, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 of the lifting section 22 hold the second shopping cart from the bottom among the shopping carts 201 stacked on the basket cart 202. 201 and above the opening frame of the lowest shopping cart 201.

In this way, the lower end position sensor 34 is arranged such that the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are arranged below the frame of the opening of the second shopping cart 201 from the bottom among the stacked shopping carts 201. The position of the elevating section 22 is detected.

In step S14, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 92-1 and 92-2, so that the motors 92-1 and 92-2 drive the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 and the latch 64-1. -2 plates 91-2 are each moved inside the frame 61 of the elevating section 22, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are inserted under the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. In other words, latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the latches 64-1 and 64-2 inserted under the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. FIG. 11(A) is a perspective view of the elevating section 22 in which the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are inserted into the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. FIG. 11(B) is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion of the elevating section 22 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 11(A), with the frame 61 of the lifting section 22 passing the stacked shopping carts 201 through the empty inside, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are attached to the frame 61. move inside. As shown in FIG. 11(B), the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 fits under the front part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. Similarly, the plate 91-2 of the latch 64-2 fits under the rear portion of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. That is, latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-2.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11(A), the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are located at the portions of the lower side of the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 where the two handles are attached to the frame. Support the lower side between.

The thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 is arranged at the same height as the rear end of the plate 91-1, and similarly, the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-2 is arranged at the same height as the front end of the plate 91-2. In this case, the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 and the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-2 are arranged at the same height as the opening frame of the shopping cart 201-2 and the shopping cart. It gets in between the opening frame of 201-1.

In step S15, the control unit 24 causes the lift motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, thereby operating the drive unit 23 to raise the lift unit 22 and latch the latches 64-1 and 64-. 2 to support the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, and lift the shopping carts 201-2 and 201-3.

FIG. 12 shows a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis when the elevating portion 22 is raised and the latch 64-1 supports the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, and shows the elevating portion 22 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion in the left-right direction of the latch 22. FIG. The plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1, which is inserted under the front part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, supports the front part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2 from below. . At this time, the weight of the shopping carts 201-2 and 201-3 is added to the rear side of the lever 93-1, so the lever 93-1 rotates clockwise in FIG. The front end side of the latch load sensor 94-1 is displaced upward, and the latch load sensor 94-1 is no longer shielded from light. Similarly, the latch 64-2 supports the rear part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2 from below. Similarly, since the lever 93-2 is rotated, the latch load sensor 94-2 is no longer shielded from light.

In step S16, the control section 24 causes the latch motor drive section 167 to drive the motors 97-1 and 97-2, so that the motors 97-1 and 97-2 move the separation sections 96-1 and 96-2 downward. Displace and operate.

FIG. 13 is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis when the separation unit 96-1 operates, and shows an enlarged cross-section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion in the left-right direction of the elevating unit 22. It is an enlarged sectional view. Before operation, the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 is placed at the same height as the rear end of the plate 91-1, and is in contact with the opening frame of the shopping cart 201-2. It is located between the opening frame of No.1. When the separation section 96-1 is operated, the thin plate-like portion of the separation section 96-1 is displaced downward, as shown in FIG. As a result, shopping cart 201-1 is separated from shopping cart 201-2. That is, the separating section 96-1 separates the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latch 64-1 and the shopping cart 201 below the supported shopping cart 201. Separator 96-2 operates in the same manner as separator 96-1, so detailed explanation will be omitted.

In step S17, the control section 24 causes the latch motor drive section 167 to drive the motors 97-1 and 97-2, so that the motors 97-1 and 97-2 move the separating sections 96-1 and 96-2 upward. Displace and return. The thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-1 is returned to be placed at the same height as the rear end of the plate 91-1, and the thin plate-shaped portion of the separating portion 96-2 is placed at the same height as the rear end of the plate 91-2. It is moved back so that it is flush with the front end.

In step S18, the control unit 24 refers to the signals supplied from the latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2 and determines whether the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are supporting the shopping cart 201. . In step S18, if it is determined that the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are supporting the shopping cart 201, the procedure proceeds to step S19, and the control unit 24 receives the signal from the handle sterilization cart upper end position sensor 70-1. With reference to the signal, it is determined whether the elevating section 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202. For example, the control unit 24 refers to the signal from the handle sterilization cart top position sensor 70-1 and determines whether the lifting unit 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the shopping cart 201-1. .

If it is determined in step S19 that the elevating section 22 has not reached the predetermined height from the top of the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202, the procedure returns to step S19 and the determination is repeated. In step S19, the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202, for example, the shopping cart 201-1, no longer block the light from the handle sterilizing cart top position sensor 70-2, and the handle sterilizing cart top position sensor 70-2 When the light from the handle sterilizing basket upper end position sensor 70-1 reaches the handle sterilizing basket upper end position sensor 70-1, the handle sterilizing basket upper end position sensor 70-1 detects the case where the light from the handle sterilizing basket upper end position sensor 70-2 is blocked. outputs different predetermined signals, it is determined that the elevating unit 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the shopping cart 201-1, and the procedure proceeds to step S20, where the control unit 24 controls the elevating motor. By causing the drive unit 166 to stop the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, the elevating unit 22 is stopped.

In step S21, the control section 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to emit light, and causes the front and rear ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to be lifted up by the lifting section 22. The bottom surface of the shopping cart 201-2 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. That is, in step S21, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 irradiate the bottom surface of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, in step S21, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 to emit light, and the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 are controlled by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a predetermined period of time to the lower side of the front and rear parts of the frame of the opening of the supported shopping cart 201.

In step S22, the control section 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to emit light, and causes the left and right ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to be lifted up and down by the lifting section 22. The bottom surface of the shopping cart 201-2 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. That is, in step S22, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate the bottom surface of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, in step S22, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 to emit light, and the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 are controlled by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a predetermined period of time to the lower sides of the left and right parts of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 that is being supported. Note that the ultraviolet ray irradiation process in step S21 and the ultraviolet ray irradiation process in step S22 can be performed at the same time.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the elevating section 22 undergoing ultraviolet irradiation processing in step S21 and step S22. FIG. 14(A) is a front view showing the elevating section 22 undergoing ultraviolet irradiation processing in step S21 and step S22. FIG. 14(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the elevating part 22 where the ultraviolet ray irradiation process is being performed in step S21 and step S22, taken along the line BB' in FIG. 14(A).

As shown in FIG. 14, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 irradiate the bottom surface of the shopping cart 201-2 with ultraviolet light from the front and rear sides outside the frame 61 for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate the bottom surface of the shopping cart 201-2 with ultraviolet rays from the left and right sides of the outside of the frame 61 for a predetermined period of time. The ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 irradiate ultraviolet rays from the front and rear sides of the frame 61 to the lower side of the front and rear parts of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2 for a predetermined period of time. let Further, the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 irradiate ultraviolet rays from the left and right sides of the frame 61 to the lower sides of the left and right sides of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2 for a predetermined period of time. let

By doing so, the entire frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 can be sterilized. In particular, holes are provided on the left and right sides of the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 for the customer to grasp the frame and lift the shopping cart 201. The part of the frame where customers grab and hold the frame can be disinfected.

In this way, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 emit ultraviolet light to the bottom of the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, respectively. It is placed in the position where it will be irradiated.

In step S23, the control unit 24 causes the lift motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, thereby operating the drive unit 23 and lowering the lift unit 22. In step S24, the control unit 24 refers to the signals supplied from the latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2, and determines whether the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 is placed in the basket cart 202. It is determined whether the shopping cart 201 overlaps with the loaded shopping cart 201 or not. If it is determined in step S24 that the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 does not overlap the shopping cart 201 loaded on the basket cart 202, the procedure returns to step S24 and The process is repeated.

In step S24, referring to the signals supplied from the latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2, if the loads from the shopping cart 201 are no longer applied to the latches 64-1 and 64-2, the latches 64-1 and It is determined that the shopping cart 201 supported by the basket 64-2 overlaps the shopping cart 201 loaded on the basket cart 202, and the procedure proceeds to step S25, where the control section 24 stops the motor 41 of the drive section 23. As a result, the elevating section 22 is stopped.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which shopping basket 201-2 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on shopping basket 201-1 loaded on basket cart 202. FIG. 15(A) is a perspective view of the elevating section 22 in which a shopping cart 201-2 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on a shopping cart 201-1 loaded on a basket cart 202. FIG. 15(B) is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and is an enlarged view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion of the elevating section 22 in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 15(A), shopping cart 201-2 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on shopping cart 201-1 loaded on basket cart 202. As shown in FIG. 15(B), the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 is in contact with the lower side of the front part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, and the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-2 2 is in contact with the lower side of the rear part of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2.

At this time, the weight of the shopping carts 201-2 and 201-3 is no longer applied to the rear side of the lever 93-1 of the latch 64-1, so the lever 93-1 is moved counterclockwise in FIG. 15(B). The front end of the lever 93-1 is displaced downward, and the latch load sensor 94-1 is shielded from light. Similarly, since the lever 93-2 of the latch 64-2 is rotated, the latch load sensor 94-2 is shielded from light. Since the signals from the light-shielded latch load sensors 94-1 and 64-2 change, the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 overlaps the shopping cart 201 loaded on the basket cart 202. It is determined that the motor 41 of the drive unit 23 is stopped.

FIG. 16 shows how the shopping cart 201-2 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on top of the shopping cart 201-1 loaded on the basket cart 202, along line AA' in FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a car pitch sensor 45. FIG.

The pitch detection section 301 includes a stacked basket pitch sensor 45, a light shielding section 321, and a stopper 322. The light shielding part 321 is provided coaxially with the drive shaft 43 and rotated by the drive shaft 43. The light shielding part 321 consists of a shaft part and a light shielding plate. The shaft portion of the light shielding portion 321 is provided coaxially with the drive shaft 43 and rotated by the drive shaft 43 . The light shielding plate of the light shielding unit 321 is provided on the shaft of the light shielding unit 321, rotates together with the shaft, and is displaced in angular position between the stopper 322 and the stacked car pitch sensor 45. The light shielding plate of the light shielding part 321 shields the stacked car pitch sensor 45 from light when it is in contact with the stacked car pitch sensor 45 . The stopper 322 comes into contact with the light shielding part 321 and suppresses rotation of the light shielding part 321.

The light shielding part 321 rotates together with the drive shaft 43 when it is not in contact with the stopper 322 and the stacked car pitch sensor 45. When the light shielding part 321 is in contact with the stopper 322 or the stacked car pitch sensor 45, it slides with respect to the drive shaft 43.

When lowering the elevating section 22, the drive shaft 43 is rotated clockwise in FIG. When placed on the shopping cart 201-1, the light shielding portion 321 comes into contact with the stopper 322, as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the stacked car pitch sensor 45 is not shielded from light.

In step S26, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 92-1 and 92-2, so that the motors 92-1 and 92-2 drive the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 and the latch 64. -2 plates 91-2 are each moved to the frame 61 side of the elevating section 22, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are returned to the frame 61 side.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view showing the latch 64-1 returned to the frame 61 side. The latch 64-1 is displaced forward and returned to a position where the rear end of the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 overlaps the end of the frame 61 and does not protrude inside the frame 61. . Similarly, the latch 64-2 is moved rearward to a position where the front end of the plate 91-2 of the latch 64-2 overlaps the end of the frame 61 and does not protrude inside the frame 61. will be returned to.

In step S27, the control unit 24 raises the lifting unit 22 by the height of one frame of the opening of the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202. The control unit 24 operates the drive unit 23 by causing the lift motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, and refers to the signal from the stacked basket pitch sensor 45, so that the light shielding unit 321 moves the stacked baskets. The lifting section 22 is moved to its upper end until it comes into contact with the pitch sensor 45.

FIG. 18 shows that the lifting unit 22 is raised from the state of the stacked cart pitch sensor 45 shown in FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the stacked car pitch sensor 45 taken along line AA' in FIG. FIG. 19 shows a case where the lifting unit 22 is raised from the state of the lifting unit 22 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing an enlarged cross section of the latch 64-1.

The angle between the stopper 322 and the stacked cart pitch sensor 45 is set to be an angle corresponding to the height of one frame of the opening of the stacked shopping carts 201. As shown in FIG. 16, from the state where the light shielding part 321 is in contact with the stopper 322, the drive shaft 43 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. , the elevating section 22 is moved to its upper end until the stacked car pitch sensor 45 is shielded from light. As shown in FIG. 19, the lifting section 22 has a latch 64-- which is located below the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3 and above the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2 that was lifted last time. It is raised so that 1 is placed. That is, the lifting section 22 is located below the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 that is one level above the shopping cart 201 that was lifted last time, and above the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 that was lifted last time. It is raised so that latches 64-1 and 64-2 are placed.

In addition, in the pitch detection section 301, when the elevating section 22 is raised, the light shielding section 321 comes into contact with the stopper 322, and when the elevating section 22 is lowered, the light blocking section 321 comes into contact with the stacked car pitch sensor 45. It may be configured as follows.

In this way, the pitch detection unit 301 determines the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of a predetermined shopping cart 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and the position above the predetermined shopping cart 201 or above the predetermined shopping cart 201. A rise or fall of the elevating part 22 corresponding to the distance from the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the lower shopping cart 201 is detected. The elevating section 22 moves up or down by a distance detected by the pitch detection section 301, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 move the shopping cart 201 or the shopping cart one above the shopping cart 201, respectively. It supports the lower side of the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 one level below.

The pitch detection unit 301 includes a stacked car pitch sensor 45 that outputs different predetermined signals when the light is shielded and when the light is not shielded, and a stacked car pitch sensor 45 that outputs different predetermined signals when the light is blocked and when the stacked car pitch sensor 45 is not in contact with the lift unit 22. When it is in contact with the stopper 322 or the stacked car pitch sensor 45, it slides on the drive shaft 43, and when it is in contact with the stacked car pitch sensor 45, it rotates together with the drive shaft 43 of the drive unit 23 that drives the It is composed of a light shielding section 321 that shields the car pitch sensor 45 from light. When the drive shaft 43 rotates at an angle from when the light shielding section 321 contacts the stopper 322 until it contacts the stacked cart pitch sensor 45, the opening of the basket section of a predetermined shopping cart 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201 is opened. The elevating part 22 is raised by the distance between the height position of the frame of the shopping cart 201 and the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket part of the shopping cart 201 one level above or below the predetermined shopping cart 201. or descend.

In step S28, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 92-1 and 92-2, so that the motors 92-1 and 92-2 drive the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 and the latch 64-1. -2 plates 91-2 are each moved inside the frame 61 of the elevating section 22, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are inserted under the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3. In other words, latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-3.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 inserted under the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3. FIG. 20 is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and is an enlarged view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion of the elevating section 22 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 20, the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 fits under the front portion of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3. Similarly, the plate 91-2 of the latch 64-2 fits under the rear portion of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3. That is, latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the frame of the opening of shopping cart 201-3.

In step S29, the control unit 24 causes the lift motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23 to operate the drive unit 23, raise the lift unit 22, and latch the latches 64-1 and 64-. 2 to support the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3 and lift the shopping cart 201-3.

In step S30, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 97-1 and 97-2, so that the motors 97-1 and 97-2 cause the separation unit 96-1 and the Displace 96-2 downward and operate it.

In step S31, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 97-1 and 97-2, so that the motors 97-1 and 97-2 cause the separation unit 96-1 and Displace 96-2 upward and return it.

In step S32, similarly to step S18, the control unit 24 refers to the signals supplied from the latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2, and determines whether the latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the shopping cart 201. Determine whether or not there is. If it is determined in step S32 that the latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the shopping cart 201, the procedure proceeds to step S33, and the control unit 24 determines the position of the handle at the upper end of the sterilizing cart, as in step S19. Referring to the signal from the sensor 70-1, it is determined whether the elevating section 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the loaded shopping cart 201. For example, the control unit 24 refers to the signal from the handle sterilization cart top position sensor 70-1 and determines whether the lifting unit 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the shopping cart 201-2. .

If it is determined in step S33 that the elevating section 22 has not reached the predetermined height from the top of the loaded shopping cart 201, the procedure returns to step S33 and the determination is repeated. In step S33, the top shopping cart 201 of the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202, for example, the shopping cart 201-2, no longer blocks the light from the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-2, and the handle sterilization is performed. When the light from the handle sterilization basket top position sensor 70-2 reaches the handle sterilization basket top position sensor 70-1, the handle sterilization basket top position sensor 70-1 detects the light from the handle sterilization basket top position sensor 70-2. Since the elevator unit 22 outputs a predetermined signal different from that in the case where the shopping cart 201-2 is obstructed, it is determined that the elevator unit 22 has reached a predetermined height from the top of the shopping cart 201-2, and the procedure proceeds to step S34. The control unit 24 causes the lift motor drive unit 166 to stop the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, thereby stopping the lift unit 22.

FIG. 21 shows a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, in which the elevating portion is stopped after reaching a predetermined height from the upper end of the shopping cart 201-2 in the center portion of the elevating portion 22 in the left-right direction. 22. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 21, the shopping cart 201-2 no longer blocks the light from the handle sterilizing cart upper end position sensor 70-2, and the light from the handle sterilizing cart upper end position sensor 70-2 is transmitted to the upper end of the handle sterilizing cart. When the lifting section 22 stops upon reaching the position sensor 70-1, the rear ends of the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 are placed on the lower front side of the handle of the shopping cart 201-2. Similarly, the tips of the triangular plates 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are arranged on the rear lower side of the handle of the shopping cart 201-2.

In step S35, the control unit 24 causes the X-axis arm motor drive unit 168 to drive the motor 121, and causes the motor 121 to move the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 inside the frame 61, so that the triangular plate The handles of the shopping carts 201 stacked on 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are scooped up and lifted. In this case, the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 scoop up and lift the handle of the shopping cart 201-2. The control unit 24 refers to the signal from the X-axis arm angular position sensor 127 and moves the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 inside the frame 61 to a predetermined angular position.

FIG. 22 shows that the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 move inside the frame 61, and the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the lifting section 22 scooping up the handle of the shopping cart 201-2 and lifting it up. FIG. 22(A) shows a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and the shopping cart 201- 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the elevating part 22 scooping up the handle of No. 2 and lifting it up. FIG. FIG. 22(B) is a front view showing the lifting section 22 scooping up the handle of the shopping cart 201 with the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 move inside the frame 61, the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2 -2 is inserted between the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 and the handle, scoops up the handle, and lifts it up. More specifically, for example, the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 each touch the center portion of the left handle 211-2-1 of the shopping cart 201-2 in the left-right direction to the shopping cart 201-2. Scoop it up from the frame of the opening in step 2 and lift it up. It can also be said that the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 each sandwich and lift the left-hand central portion of the left handle 211-2-1 of the shopping cart 201-2. Further, the triangular plates 67-2-1 and 67-2-2 each fit the center portion of the right handle 211-2-2 of the shopping cart 201-2 in the left-right direction into the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. Scoop it up and lift it up. It can also be said that the triangular plates 67-2-1 and 67-2-2 each sandwich and lift the center portion in the left-right direction of the right handle 211-2-2 of the shopping cart 201-2.

Triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1, 67-1-2 and 67-2-2, which are wedge-shaped with their tips facing inside the frame 61, are located on the left side of the shopping cart 201-2. The handle 211-2-1 and the handle 211-2-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-2 are sandwiched to the lower ends of the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 and lifted.

At this time, the handle 211-2-1 on the left side of the shopping cart 201-2 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front with respect to the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201-2. The grip portion of the shopping cart 211-2-1 is lifted to a predetermined height from the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2. The handle 211-2-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-2 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front with respect to the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201-2. The grip portion 2-2 is lifted to a predetermined height from the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2.

Note that the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 are provided below the ultraviolet lamp 66-1; At this time, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are placed above the handles 211-2-1 and 211-2-2.

In step S36, the control unit 24 causes the Y-axis arm motor drive unit 169 to drive the motor 141, and causes the motor 141 to move the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 inside the frame 61, so that the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 and 69-2 are placed under the lifted handle. The control unit 24 refers to the signal from the Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 and moves the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 inside the frame 61 to a predetermined angular position.

FIG. 23 shows the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 scooping up the handles of the shopping cart 201 and lifting the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69- 2 is a diagram showing an elevating part 22 in which a part 2 is disposed below a handle. FIG. 23(A) shows a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 in the center portion of the lifting section 22 in the left-right direction move the shopping cart 201. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the elevating part 22 in which the handle is scooped up and the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is placed below the handle. FIG. 22(B) shows the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 scoop up and lift the handle of the shopping cart 201, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are placed below the handle. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 move inside the frame 61, the triangular plates 67- Ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are arranged below the handles scooped and lifted by 1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2. For example, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the handle 211-2-1 on the left side of the shopping cart 201-2. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the grip portion of the handle 211-2-1 on the left side of the shopping cart 201-2. For example, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the handle 211-2-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-2. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the grip portion of the handle 211-2-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-2.

Since the gripping portion of the handle 211-2-1 and the gripping portion of the handle 211-2-2 are lifted to a predetermined height from the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, the front When viewed from above, the Y-axis arm 68-1 whose upper end is pivotally supported on the frame 61 side moves counterclockwise to the inside of the frame 61, and the Y-axis arm 68-1 whose upper end is pivotally supported on the frame 61 side. 2 moves clockwise inside the frame 61, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 provided on the lower end side of the Y-axis arm 68-1 and the ultraviolet lamp 69 provided on the lower end side of the Y-axis arm 68-2. -2, respectively, avoiding the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-2, the lower side of the grip part of the handle 211-2-1 and the lower side of the grip part of the handle 211-2-2. Can be close to the side.

The handle 211-2-1 and the handle 211-2-2 are parts that are held by unspecified customers when shopping around. In particular, in FIG. 23, the side where the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are arranged, that is, the lower side, is the part that comes into contact with the customer's palm and fingers when held in the hand, and is the part that is exposed to pathogens and viruses. This is the part where there is a high possibility that such things will adhere. By arranging the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 in this area, more effective sterilization can be achieved.

In step S37, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp stabilizer 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to emit light, and causes the front and rear ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to emit ultraviolet light to the shopping cart 201. is irradiated for a predetermined period of time. For example, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are applied to the bottom of the shopping cart 201-3, the upper sides of the handles 211-2-1 and 211-2-2 of the shopping cart 201-2, and the shopping cart. The inside of the basket portion 201-2 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. That is, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are placed on the bottom of the shopping cart 201 that is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and on the bottom of the shopping cart 201 that is not lifted by the lifting section 22. The inside of the cart part of the topmost shopping cart 201 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 irradiate the upper side of the handle of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 at the top of the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the lifting section 22 with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, in step S37, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp stabilizer 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 to emit light, and the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 are activated by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a predetermined period of time to the lower side of the front and rear parts of the frame of the opening of the supported shopping cart 201.

In step S38, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp stabilizer 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to emit light, and causes the left and right ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to emit ultraviolet light to the shopping cart 201. irradiate for a period of time. For example, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are attached to the bottom of the shopping cart 201-3, the bottom of the handle 211-2-1 and the handle 211-2-2 of the shopping cart 201-2, and the bottom of the shopping cart 201-3. The inside of the cage portion of the cage 201-2 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. That is, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are placed on the bottom of the shopping cart 201 that is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and on the bottom of the shopping cart 201 that is not lifted by the lifting section 22. The inside of the cart part of the topmost shopping cart 201 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate ultraviolet light for a predetermined period of time to the lower side of the handle of the cart section of the uppermost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the lifting section 22. . Furthermore, in step S38, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 to emit light, and the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 are activated by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Ultraviolet rays are irradiated for a predetermined period of time to the lower sides of the left and right parts of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 that is being supported.

Note that the ultraviolet ray irradiation process in step S37 and the ultraviolet ray irradiation process in step S38 can be performed at the same time.

In step S39, the control unit 24 causes the Y-axis arm motor drive unit 169 to drive the motor 141 to move the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 to the outside of the frame 61 and return them. The control unit 24 refers to the signal from the Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147, moves the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 to the outside of the frame 61 to a predetermined angular position, and returns them. In step S40, the control unit 24 causes the X-axis arm motor drive unit 168 to drive the motor 121, and the motor 121 moves the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 to the outside of the frame 61 and returns them. The control unit 24 refers to the signal from the X-axis arm angular position sensor 127, moves the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 to the outside of the frame 61 to a predetermined angular position, and returns them. Since the Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2 and the X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 move outward, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are moved outside the frame. 61, so that the frame 61 of the lifting section 22 can pass the stacked shopping carts 201 into the empty inside, and the lifting section 22 can be lowered. Become.

The procedures from step S41 to step S43 are the same as steps S23 to S25, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 24, in step S42, it is determined that the shopping cart 201 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 overlaps with the shopping cart 201 loaded on the basket cart 202, and in step S43, the elevating section 22 is stopped. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a cross section of the latch 64-1 at the center portion in the left-right direction of the elevating section 22 on a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis when the latch 64-1 is moved. In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, shopping basket 201-3 supported by latches 64-1 and 64-2 is stacked on shopping basket 201-2 loaded on basket cart 202.

In step S44, the control unit 24 causes the latch motor drive unit 167 to drive the motors 92-1 and 92-2, so that the motors 92-1 and 92-2 drive the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 and the latch 64-1. -2 plates 91-2 are each moved to the frame 61 side of the elevating section 22, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are returned to the frame 61 side.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing the latch 64-1 returned to the frame 61 side from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and is a cross-sectional view of the center portion of the elevating section 22 in the left-right direction. The latch 64-1 is displaced forward and returned to a position where the rear end of the plate 91-1 of the latch 64-1 overlaps the end of the frame 61 and does not protrude inside the frame 61. . Similarly, the latch 64-2 is moved rearward to a position where the front end of the plate 91-2 of the latch 64-2 overlaps the end of the frame 61 and does not protrude inside the frame 61. will be returned to.

After the procedure in step S44, the procedure returns to step S27, and the above-described processing is repeated. The procedures from step S27 to step S44 are repeated the number of times that 1 is subtracted from the number of shopping carts 201 to be sterilized.

To explain the second step S27 returned from the first step S44, in the second step S27, the control unit 24 raises and lowers the elevator unit 22 to a height corresponding to one frame of the opening of the stacked shopping carts 201. raise it by that amount.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing the elevating portion 22 when the elevating portion 22 is raised from the state shown in FIG. 25 by the height of one opening frame of the stacked shopping carts 201. . FIG. 26 is a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and is a cross-sectional view of the center portion of the elevating section 22 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 26, the lifting section 22 is raised so that the latch 64-1 is placed above the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3 that was previously lifted.

In step S32, if it is determined that the latches 64-1 and 64-2 do not support the shopping cart 201, the bottom surfaces of all shopping carts 201 to be sterilized have been sterilized, and the basket cart 201 Among the shopping carts 201 stacked on top of each other, the inside of the basket portion and the handle of the topmost shopping cart 201 are sterilized, so the procedure proceeds to step S45.

The procedures from step S45 to step S48 are similar to steps S33 to S36, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 27 shows that in step S47 and step S48, the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 scoop up the handle of the shopping cart 201 and lift it up to avoid ultraviolet light. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the elevating section 22 in which lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are arranged below the handle. FIG. 27(A) shows a plane defined by the Y-axis and the Z-axis, and the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 in the center portion of the lifting section 22 in the left-right direction move the shopping cart 201. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the elevating part 22 in which the handle is scooped up and the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is placed below the handle. FIG. 27(B) shows the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 scooping up the handle of the shopping cart 201 and placing the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 under the handle. FIG.

In this case, latches 64-1 and 64-2 are not lifting shopping cart 201.

As shown in FIG. 27, the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-1-2 each move the left-right center portion of the left handle 211-3-1 of the shopping cart 201-3 to the shopping cart 201-3. Scoop it up from the frame of the opening in step 3 and lift it up. Further, the triangular plates 67-2-1 and 67-2-2 each fit the center portion of the right handle 211-3-2 of the shopping cart 201-3 in the left-right direction into the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201-3. Scoop it up and lift it up. The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are arranged above the handles 211-3-1 and 211-3-2.

Further, as shown in FIG. 27, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is arranged at a position where it contacts the lower side of the left handle 211-3-1 of the shopping cart 201-3. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-1 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the grip portion of the handle 211-3-1 on the left side of the shopping cart 201-3. For example, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is placed at a position where it abuts the lower side of the handle 211-3-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-3. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 69-2 is arranged at a position where it abuts the lower side of the grip portion of the handle 211-3-2 on the right side of the shopping cart 201-3.

In step S49, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp ballast 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to emit light, and causes the front and rear ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 to emit ultraviolet light to the shopping cart 201. is irradiated for a predetermined period of time. For example, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 apply ultraviolet light to the upper sides of the handles 211-3-1 and 211-3-2 of the shopping cart 201-3 and to the inside of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201-3. is irradiated for a predetermined period of time. That is, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 irradiate the inside of the basket portion of the topmost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202 with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 irradiate ultraviolet light for a predetermined period of time onto the upper side of the handle of the topmost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202.

In step S50, the control unit 24 causes the ultraviolet lamp stabilizer 170 to cause the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to emit light, and causes the left and right ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 to emit ultraviolet light to the shopping cart 201. irradiate for a period of time. For example, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are placed under the handles 211-3-1 and 211-3-2 of the shopping cart 201-3, and on the inside of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201-3. UV rays are irradiated for a predetermined period of time. That is, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate the inside of the basket portion of the top shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202 with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time. Further, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate ultraviolet light for a predetermined period of time to the lower side of the handle of the topmost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 stacked in the basket cart 202. .

The procedures in step S51 and step S52 are similar to the procedures in step S39 and step S40, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The procedure in step S53 is the same as step S26 or step S44, so the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In step S54, the control unit 24 operates the drive unit 23 by causing the elevation motor drive unit 166 to drive the motor 41 of the drive unit 23, thereby raising the elevation unit 22. In step S55, the control unit 24 refers to the signal from the lifting unit upper end position sensor 35 and determines whether the lifting unit 22 has reached the upper end. When the elevating portion 22 reaches the upper end, the light shielding plate 72 provided on the elevating portion 22 shields the elevating portion upper end position sensor 35 from light. When the elevating portion upper end position sensor 35 is shielded by the shielding plate 72, it outputs a predetermined signal that is different from when it is not shielded. If it is determined in step S55 that the elevating section 22 has not reached the upper end, the procedure returns to step S55, and the determination process is repeated.

In step S55, if a predetermined signal is output from the lifting part upper end position sensor 35 and it is determined that the lifting part 22 has reached the upper end, the procedure proceeds to step S56, and the control part 24 controls the motor of the drive part 23. 41, the elevating section 22 is stopped at the upper end, and the sterilization process is completed.

If it is determined in step S18 that the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are not supporting the shopping cart 201, there is no shopping cart 201 to be sterilized, so the procedure proceeds to step S53, and the above-mentioned procedure is performed. Then, the sterilization process is completed.

When the sterilization process is completed, as shown in FIG. 6, the door 36 is opened and the shopping carts 201-1 to 201-3 stacked on the basket cart 202 are removed from the sterilization device 11. is taken out. In this way, each of the stacked shopping carts 201 is sterilized. In addition, each handle of the stacked shopping carts 201 is entirely sterilized. In particular, the lower sides of the handles of the stacked shopping carts 201 are sterilized.

Note that the number of shopping carts 201 to be sterilized by the sterilizing device 11 is not limited to two, and the sterilizing device 11 can sterilize a desired number of shopping carts 201 from 1 to 100. Can be sterilized.

Although it has been explained that the frame 61 of the elevating section 22 is formed in a rectangular frame shape, the frame 61 is not limited to this, and may have a shape that allows stacked shopping carts to pass vertically inside the empty space. Any other shape is acceptable, and other shapes such as an ellipse or an ellipse are also possible.

In addition, the lower end position sensor 34 of the lower end of the elevator, the upper end position sensor 35 of the lower end of the elevator, the door closing detection switch 38, the stacked basket pitch sensor 45, the latch load sensor 94-1, the latch load sensor 94-2, and the handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70. -1. Although it has been explained that the X-axis arm angular position sensor 127 and the Y-axis arm angular position sensor 147 are photoelectric sensors, they are not limited to this, and may be contact-type limit switches, microswitches, or ultrasonic non-contact types. Other types of sensors such as sensors can also be used.

Although it has been explained that the elevating section 22 is raised or lowered by the drive chains 33-1 and 33-2, it is not limited to this and may be moved by other drive methods such as a belt, a ball screw mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, or a link mechanism. It may be raised or lowered.

Furthermore, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and 69-1 and 69-2 are configured to be rotated by X-axis arms 65-1 and 65-2 and Y-axis arms 68-1 and 68-2. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the displacement is performed in the horizontal direction using an air cylinder, a ball screw, or the like may be used.

Although it has been explained that the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, 69-1 and 69-2, and the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 and 74-1 and 74-2 are straight tubes, It is not limited to discharge lamps such as spherical (bulb type), spiral shape, reflex type, etc., and is not limited to discharge lamps such as low-pressure mercury discharge lamps, high-pressure mercury discharge lamps, metal halide lamps, or excimer lamps, but also LEDs that generate ultraviolet rays ( It may be a solid-state element such as a light emitting diode (light emitting diode), or a combination of these may be used. Moreover, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, 69-1 and 69-2, and the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2, and 74-1 and 74-2 are provided in plurality, stacked in the vertical direction. You can also do this.

In addition, although it has been explained that the sterilization device 11 lifts up the shopping carts 201 stacked on the basket cart 202 in order from the bottom and sterilizes them, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to sterilize the basket 201 by lifting it up in order from the top. In this case, the pitch detection section 301 detects that when the elevating section 22 is raised, the light shielding section 321 comes into contact with the stopper 322, and when the elevating section 22 is lowered, the light blocking section 321 comes into contact with the stacked car pitch sensor 45. configured so that they touch each other.

Although the shopping cart 201 has been described as being made of resin, it is not limited to this, and may be made of other materials such as metal, wood, or bamboo.

In addition, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, 69-1 and 69-2, and the ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 and 74-1 and 74-2 continue to operate during the sterilization process. It may also be made to emit light.

In this way, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized without occupying a large space.

Further, each of the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized one by one. Furthermore, the lower sides of the handles of the stacked shopping carts 201 can be more reliably sterilized. In addition, each of the stacked shopping carts 201 is lifted up one by one, and each handle of the shopping cart 201 is also lifted up and sterilized. UV rays can be more reliably irradiated to areas that would be blocked if UV rays were irradiated to the stacked shopping carts 201, such as the lower and upper sides of the opening frame. can be sterilized. Furthermore, compared to the case where the shopping carts are irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the outside of the shopping carts that are still stacked, since the ultraviolet rays can be irradiated from a closer position, germs can be sterilized more reliably. In particular, the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 can be placed close to the underside of the handle of the shopping cart 201, which is the part that is held by unspecified customers when shopping around, so that ultraviolet rays can be irradiated. Sterilization can be performed more reliably.

Furthermore, the ultraviolet lamps 74-1 and 74-2 are inserted from the left and right sides of the frame 61 to the left and right sides of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Since the lower side of the shopping cart 201 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for a predetermined period of time, a hole is made in the opening frame of the shopping cart 201 for the customer to grasp the frame and lift the shopping cart 201. It is possible to sterilize the parts on the left and right sides of the frame of the opening of the basket part of the car 201, where the customer grips and holds the frame.

As described above, the sterilization device 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, a basket portion with a rectangular opening on the top surface, and a U-shape, respectively, so that It consists of two rotatable handles that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, and can be stacked. Sterilize the shopping cart 201 that can be used. The sterilization device 11 is formed into a frame shape with an open interior, and includes an elevating section 22 that is raised or lowered by a drive section 23 through which stacked shopping carts 201 are raised or lowered, and a frame 61 of the elevating section 22. Among the parts, the center portions of the opposing parts are provided so as to be displaceable toward the inside of the elevating section 22 or toward the frame 61, and when displaced toward the inside of the elevating section 22, the frame 61 of the elevating section 22 latches 64-1 and 64-2 that protrude inward from the stack and support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and a portion of the frame 61 of the lifting section 22. Among them, ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 that emit ultraviolet light are hung and provided respectively on opposing parts, and of the frame 61 of the lifting section 22, the opposing parts two ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, which are suspended from each other. including.

According to the sterilization device 11, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the lower side of the opening frame of one of the shopping carts 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and the elevating section 22 is moved. , the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and the shopping cart 201 stacked above the shopping cart 201 whose frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. When the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are used to lift the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. UV lamps 69-1 and 69-2 irradiate the bottom side of the basket section 201 and the inside of the basket section of the uppermost shopping cart 201 of the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the lifting section 22. However, when the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the bottom side of the basket section of the shopping cart 201, whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and the lifting section 22 The inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 that are not lifted up is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2. Therefore, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized. Further, since the lifting section 22 lifts the stacked shopping carts 201 and irradiates the shopping carts with ultraviolet rays, the shopping carts 201 do not occupy a large space compared to the size of the shopping carts 201. In this way, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized without occupying a large space.

The latches 64-1 and 64-2 can each support the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 between the portions where the two handles are attached to the frame. By doing so, the shopping cart 201 can be supported more stably.

The position where the UV lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the UV lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are irradiated with the emitted ultraviolet light onto the bottom surface of the shopping cart 201 supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, respectively. can be placed in By doing so, the shopping cart 201 can be sterilized more reliably.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 each emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 each emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm. I can do it. By doing so, the shopping cart 201 can be sterilized more reliably.

The elevating section 22 is formed into a rectangular frame shape, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are arranged on opposite sides of one of the frame parts corresponding to two pairs of opposing sides of the elevating section 22. Two sets of ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are provided in the central part of the frame portion corresponding to the side of the elevator unit 22 so as to be movable toward the inside of the elevator unit 22 or toward the frame side. Ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are hung from each of the parts of the frame corresponding to one of the opposite sides of the frame, and ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are provided, respectively. It can be provided so as to be suspended from each of the frame portions corresponding to the other opposing side of the frame portions corresponding to the two sets of opposing sides of the elevating portion 22 . By doing so, more parts of the shopping cart 201 can be sterilized more reliably.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are straight tubes, respectively, and the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 is straight. , can be arranged along the length direction of the frame of the elevating section 22. By doing so, the four sides of the shopping cart 201 can be more reliably irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and more parts of the shopping cart 201 can be sterilized more reliably.

The ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are movable toward the inside of the lifting section 22 or toward the frame, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are movable toward the inside of the lifting section 22 or toward the frame. and detects that the height from the top of the uppermost shopping cart 201 to the lifting section 22 is a predetermined height for the shopping cart 201 that is installed in the lifting section 22 and is not lifted by the lifting section 22. a handle sterilization basket upper end position sensor 70-1, and two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, each of which is a straight tube whose longitudinal direction is arranged along the length direction of the frame of the elevating section 22. Further, triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are provided to scoop up the two handles of the shopping cart 201 provided at both ends, and the triangular plate 67 -1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2, the handle sterilization cart upper end position sensor 70-1 indicates that the most of the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the lifting section 22 are When the height from the top of the upper shopping cart 201 to the lifting section 22 is detected to be a predetermined height, when the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are displaced toward the inside of the lifting section 22. , the shopping cart 201 that has not been lifted by the lifting section 22, the two handles of the uppermost shopping cart 201 are scooped up and lifted, and the triangular plate 67-1- is attached to the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2. 1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2, when the two handles of the shopping cart 201 are scooped up and lifted, when they are displaced toward the inside of the lifting section 22, the lifting The underside of each of the two handles can be illuminated. By doing so, the part of the handle of the shopping cart 201 that is touched by the user can be more reliably sterilized.

The triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1-2 and 67-2-2 are formed into wedge shapes, and the triangular plates 67-1-1 and 67-2-1 and 67-1- 2 and 67-2-2 are inserted between the frame of the opening of the basket portion and the handle, so that the handle can be scooped up. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably lift the handle and more reliably sterilize the area touched by the user.

The two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and the two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are moved inside the lifting section 22 by a motor 121, which is one actuator. It can be displaced towards. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate a desired part of the shopping cart 201 with ultraviolet rays with a simpler configuration.

The two ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are mechanically connected by a link mechanism, and the two ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are moved inside the lifting section 22 by a motor 141, which is one actuator. It can be displaced towards. By doing so, it is possible to irradiate a desired part of the shopping cart 201 with ultraviolet rays with a simpler configuration.

The height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of a predetermined shopping cart 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 one above or below the predetermined shopping cart 201. A pitch detection section 301 is further provided to detect the rise or fall of the elevating section 22 by the distance from the height position of the frame of the section, and the elevating section 22 is caused to rise or fall by the distance detected by the pitch detecting section 301. The support can be made to support the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 one above or one below the shopping cart 201, respectively. By doing so, each of the stacked shopping carts 201 can be more reliably sterilized without any manual effort.

The pitch detection section 301 is connected to a stacked car pitch sensor 45 that outputs different predetermined signals when the light is shielded and when the light is not shielded, and when the pitch detection section 301 is not in contact with the stopper 322 and the stacked basket pitch sensor 45, the lifting section 22 When it rotates with the drive shaft 43 that drives the car and is in contact with the stopper 322 or the stacked car pitch sensor 45, it slides on the drive shaft 43 and when it is in contact with the stacked car pitch sensor 45, the stacked car pitch sensor 45 When the drive shaft 43 rotates at an angle from when the light shielding part 321 contacts the stopper 322 to when it contacts the stacked cart pitch sensor 45, one of the stacked shopping carts 201 The height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the predetermined shopping cart 201, and the height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 one level above or below the predetermined shopping cart 201. The elevating section 22 can be raised or lowered by a distance of . By doing so, each of the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized more reliably.

A lifting unit that detects the position of the lifting unit 22 in which latches 64-1 and 64-2 are arranged below the opening frame of the second shopping cart 201 from the bottom among the stacked shopping carts 201. A bottom position sensor 34 may further be provided. By doing so, it is possible to more reliably sterilize the stacked shopping carts in a shorter time without sterilizing shopping carts that do not need to be sterilized.

Latch load sensors 94-1 and 94-2 may further be provided to detect whether latches 64-1 and 64-2 are supporting one or more shopping carts 201. By doing so, the sterilization operation can be completed more reliably.

Separation parts 96-1 and 96 that separate the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 from the shopping cart 201 below the supported shopping cart 201 -2 can be further provided. By doing so, the bottom surfaces of the stacked shopping carts 201 can be more reliably sterilized.

A basket cart guide 37 is further provided to guide the position of the basket cart 202 on which the shopping carts 201 are stacked, and the shopping carts 201 stacked on the basket cart 202 whose position has been guided are sterilized. I can do it. By doing so, the stacked shopping carts can be easily arranged, and the stacked shopping carts can be sterilized more reliably.

The ultraviolet lamps 73-1 and 73-2 and 74-1 and 74-2 are provided in the frame 61 of the lifting section 22 and irradiate the inside of the lifting section 22 with ultraviolet rays. By doing so, the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart 201 can be more reliably sterilized.

A basket portion having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a rectangular opening at the top, and two handles each having a U-shape and being rotatable relative to the frame of the opening of the basket portion. A sterilization device for sterilizing shopping carts 201 that can be stacked, and includes a handle that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket portion so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other. The device 11 includes an elevating section 22 which is formed into a frame shape with an open inner side and is raised or lowered by a driving section 23 through which stacked shopping carts 201 are raised or lowered, and a frame of the elevating section 22. Among the parts, each of the opposing parts is provided in the center part so that it can be displaced toward the inside of the lifting part 22 or toward the frame side, and when it is displaced inside the lifting part 22, it moves inward from the frame of the lifting part 22. The latches 64-1 and 64-2 that protrude and support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and the latches 64-1 and 64-2 that support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts 201 that are stacked on top of each other, and the Two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 that emit ultraviolet light are hung on each of the parts of the lift section 22, and two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are installed on the opposite parts of the frame of the lifting section 22. The lamp includes two ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2, which are provided in a suspended manner and emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2. In the sterilization method using the sterilization device 11, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the stacked shopping carts 201, and the elevating section 22 However, by rising, the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the frame of the opening is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 and the shopping cart 201 which is stacked above the shopping cart 201 whose frame is supported When the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are used to lift the shopping cart 201, and the lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. UV lamps 69-1 and 69- are used to irradiate the bottom side of the basket portion of the basket 201 and the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart 201 of the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the lifting section 22. 2, when the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the bottom side of the basket section of the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and the lifting section 22 irradiate the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted with ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2. do.

The latches 64-1 and 64-2 support the lower side of the opening frame of one of the shopping carts 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201, and the lifting section 22 rises, so that the latch 64 -1 and 64-2 lift up the shopping cart 201 whose lower side is supported by the opening frame and the shopping cart 201 which is stacked on top of the shopping cart 201 whose frame is supported, and the ultraviolet lamp 66- 1 and 66-2 are the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 when the lifting portion 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201. , ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the inside of the cart part of the uppermost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 that have not been lifted by the elevating section 22, and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are activated so that the elevating section 22 lifts the shopping cart. When the shopping cart 201 is lifted, the bottom side of the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2, and the shopping cart 201 that is not lifted by the lifting section 22 are The inside of the shopping cart 201 at the top of the shopping cart is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2. 201 can be sterilized. Furthermore, since the lifting section 22 lifts the stacked shopping carts 201 and irradiates them with ultraviolet rays, the sterilization device does not occupy a large space compared to the size of the shopping carts 201. In this way, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized without occupying a large space.

The program executed by the sterilization device 11 has a cage part whose outer shape is a rectangular parallelepiped, and a rectangular opening at the top, and a U-shape. It consists of two rotatable handles that can be placed along the frame of the opening of the basket so that the U-shaped open sides of the handles face each other, and can be stacked. A sterilizing device 11 that sterilizes shopping carts 201 that can be used to disinfect shopping carts 201, which is formed into a frame shape with an open interior, and is raised or lowered by a drive unit 23 through the inside of the stacked shopping carts 201. The lifting part 22 and the frame part of the lifting part 22 are provided in the center of each of the opposing parts so as to be displaceable toward the inside of the lifting part 22 or toward the frame side, and are displaceable toward the inside of the lifting part 22. In this case, latches 64-1 and 64-2 protrude inward from the frame of the elevating part 22 and support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts 201 among the stacked shopping carts 201; Two ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 that emit ultraviolet light are hung from opposing portions of the frame of the lifting section 22, respectively, and the frame portion of the lifting section 22 is provided. Two ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, which are suspended from opposing parts of the lamps. The latches 64-1 and 64-2 cause the computer that controls the sterilization device 11 including the sterilizers 69-1 and 69-2 to open the opening of one of the stacked shopping carts 201. The step for supporting the lower side of the frame and the raising/lowering part 22 support the frame and the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the frame at the opening is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. In the step of lifting the shopping cart 201 stacked on the upper side of the shopping cart 201, and the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2, when the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the latch 64-1 and The bottom side of the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by In the step of irradiating the inside with ultraviolet rays, when the lifting section 22 is lifting the shopping cart 201, the lower side of the frame of the opening is raised by the latches 64-1 and 64-2. Ultraviolet lamps 66 - 1 and 66 are provided on the bottom side of the cart section of the shopping cart 201 that is being supported and on the inside of the cart section of the uppermost shopping cart 201 of the shopping carts 201 that are not lifted by the lifting section 22 . A sterilization process is performed, which includes a step of irradiating ultraviolet rays in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet rays emitted by -2.

According to the program executed by the sterilization device 11, the latches 64-1 and 64-2 are made to support the lower side of the opening frame of one of the stacked shopping carts 201. The step and the lifting section 22 are used to stack the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 and the shopping cart 201 whose frame is supported by the upper side of the shopping cart 201. In the step of lifting the shopping cart 201 which is placed in the Ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart 201 whose lower side of the frame is supported and to the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart 201 among the shopping carts 201 that are not lifted by the lifting section 22. When the step and the ultraviolet lamps 69-1 and 69-2 are used to lift the shopping cart 201, the shopping cart 201 is supported by the latches 64-1 and 64-2 on the lower side of the opening frame. The ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet lamps 66-1 and 66-2 are applied to the bottom side of the shopping cart 201 and the inside of the cart 201 of the uppermost shopping cart 201 that has not been lifted by the lifting section 22. Since the computer performs the sterilization process including the step of irradiating ultraviolet rays in the radial direction intersecting the radial direction, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized. Furthermore, since the lifting section 22 lifts the stacked shopping carts 201 and irradiates them with ultraviolet rays, the sterilization device does not occupy a large space compared to the size of the shopping carts 201. In this way, the stacked shopping carts 201 can be sterilized without occupying a large space.

Further, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

11 Sterilization device, 21 Frame section, 22 Lifting section, 23 Drive section, 24 Control section, 31 Frame, 32-1 and 32-2 Guide frame, 33-1 and 33-2 Drive chain, 34 Lifting lower end position sensor , 35 Elevating part upper end position sensor, 36 Door, 37 Basket cart guide, 38 Door closing detection switch, 41 Motor, 42 Reducer, 43 Drive shaft, 44-1 and 44-2 Sprocket, 45 Stacked basket pitch sensor, 61 Frame , 62-1 and 62-2 Chain connection nuts, 63-1-1, 63-2-1, 63-3-1 and 63-4-1 and 63-1-2, 63-2-2, 63- 3-2 and 63-4-2 Roller, 64-1 and 64-2 Latch, 65-1 and 65-2 X-axis arm, 66-1 and 66-2 Ultraviolet lamp, 67-1-1, 67-1 -2, 67-2-1 and 67-2-2 Triangular plate, 68-1 and 68-2 Y-axis arm, 69-1 and 69-2 Ultraviolet lamp, 70-1 and 70-2 Top end of handle sterilization basket Position sensor, 71-1 and 71-2 Support plate, 72 Shade plate, 73-1, 73-2, 74-1 and 74-2 Ultraviolet lamp, 91-1 and 91-2 Plate, 92-1 and 92- 2 Motor, 93-1 and 93-2 Lever, 94-1 and 94-2 Latch load sensor, 95-1 and 95-2 Pivot support, 96-1 and 96-2 Separation part, 97-1 and 97-2 Motor, 121 Motor, 122 Rotating shaft, 123 Eccentric plate, 124 Connecting rod, 125 Eccentric plate, 126 Rotating shaft, 127 X-axis arm angular position sensor, 141 Motor, 142 Rotating shaft, 143 Eccentric plate, 144 connecting rod, 145 eccentric plate, 146 rotation axis, 147 Y-axis arm angle position sensor, 161 CPU, 162 ROM, 163 RAM, 164 bus, 165 input/output interface, 166 lifting motor drive unit, 167 latch motor drive unit , 168 X-axis arm motor drive section, 169 Y-axis arm motor drive section, 170 Ultraviolet lamp ballast, 171 Input section, 172 Output section, 173 Storage section, 174 Communication section, 175 Drive, 176 Removable media, 301 Pitch detection section , 321 light shielding part, 322 stopper

Claims (19)

A basket portion having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a rectangular opening at the top, and two cage portions each having a U-shape and being rotatable relative to the frame of the opening of the basket portion. A handle that can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handle face each other, and the shopping basket that can be stacked is sterilized. In the sterilization device,
an elevating part formed in the shape of a frame with an open interior, and through which the stacked shopping carts are raised or lowered by a driving part;
Among the frame portions of the elevating portion, each of the opposing portions is provided in the central portion thereof so as to be displaceable toward the inside of the elevating portion or toward the frame side, and when the elevating portion is displaced inside the elevating portion, the elevating portion two supports protruding inward from the frame of the section and supporting the lower side of the frame of the opening of any of the shopping carts among the stacked shopping carts;
two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light and are suspended from opposing portions of the frame of the lifting section, respectively;
The first ultraviolet lamps, which are suspended from opposing parts of the frame of the lifting section, emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects with the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamps. A sterilization device comprising two second ultraviolet lamps. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The supports each support the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart between the portions where the two handles are attached to the frame. The sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are each arranged at a position where the bottom surface of the shopping cart supported by the support is irradiated with the emitted ultraviolet rays. The sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The first ultraviolet lamps each emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm,
The second ultraviolet lamps each emit ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 200 to 280 nm. The sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The elevating part is formed in a rectangular frame shape,
The support is attached to the inner side of the elevating portion at the center portion of each frame portion corresponding to one of the two pairs of opposing sides of the elevating portion. Or each is provided so that it can be displaced toward the frame side,
The first ultraviolet lamps are each suspended from a portion of the frame corresponding to one of the two pairs of opposing sides of the lifting section. established,
The second ultraviolet lamps are each suspended from a portion of the frame corresponding to the other opposing side of the two pairs of opposing sides of the lifting section. A sterilization device is installed. The sterilization device according to claim 5,
The first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are each straight tubes,
The longitudinal direction of the first ultraviolet lamp and the second ultraviolet lamp are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the frame of the elevating section. The sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 6,
The first ultraviolet lamp is movable toward the inside or frame side of the elevating section,
The second ultraviolet lamp is movable toward the inside or frame side of the elevating section,
A height provided in the lifting section and detecting that the height from the top of the uppermost shopping cart to the lifting section is a predetermined height in the shopping cart that is not lifted by the lifting section. A detection part,
Scoop out the two handles of the shopping cart provided at both ends of each of the two first ultraviolet lamps, which are straight tubes whose longitudinal direction is arranged along the length direction of the frame of the lifting section. further comprising a scooping part for raising the
The scooping unit is configured such that the height from the upper end of the uppermost shopping cart that has not been lifted by the lifting unit to the lifting unit is a predetermined height according to the height detection unit. If detected, when the first ultraviolet light lamp is displaced toward the inside of the lifting section, the two handles of the shopping cart that are not lifted by the lifting section and that are the uppermost shopping cart scoop up and lift it,
When the two handles of the shopping cart are scooped up and lifted by the scooping section, when the second ultraviolet lamp is displaced toward the inside of the lifting section, each of the two handles being lifted A sterilization device that illuminates the underside of the The sterilization device according to claim 7,
The scooping part is formed in a wedge shape,
A sterilization device in which the scooping part is inserted between the frame of the opening of the basket part and the handle to scoop up the handle. The sterilization device according to claim 7,
the two first ultraviolet lamps are mechanically connected by a link mechanism;
A sterilization device in which the two first ultraviolet lamps are displaced toward the inside of the elevating section by one actuator. The sterilization device according to claim 7,
the two second ultraviolet lamps are mechanically connected by a link mechanism;
A sterilization device in which the two second ultraviolet lamps are displaced toward the inside of the elevating section by one actuator. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The height position of the frame of the opening of the basket portion of a predetermined shopping cart among the stacked shopping carts, and the opening of the basket portion of the shopping cart one level above or below the predetermined shopping cart. further comprising a pitch detection unit that detects a rise or fall of the elevating part by a distance from the height position of the frame of the part;
The elevating part moves up or down by a distance detected by the pitch detection part,
The said supports each support the lower side of the frame of the opening of the shopping cart one above or one below with respect to any of the said shopping carts. The sterilization device according to claim 11,
The pitch detection section is
a photoelectric sensor that outputs different predetermined signals when the light is blocked and when the light is not blocked;
When it is not in contact with the stopper and the photoelectric sensor, it rotates together with the drive shaft of the drive unit that drives the elevating unit, and when it is in contact with the stopper or the photoelectric sensor, it slides with respect to the drive shaft, and the a light shielding part that blocks light from the photoelectric sensor when it is in contact with the photoelectric sensor;
When the drive shaft rotates at an angle from when the light shielding part comes into contact with the stopper until it comes into contact with the photoelectric sensor, the opening of the basket part of a predetermined one of the stacked shopping carts is rotated. or Descending sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The shopping cart further includes a lower end position sensor for detecting the position of the lifting portion in which the support is disposed below the frame of the opening of the second shopping cart from the bottom among the stacked shopping carts. Sterilization device. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The sterilization device further includes a load sensor that detects whether the support supports one or more of the shopping carts. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The sterilization device further includes a separating section that separates the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support and the shopping cart below the supported shopping cart. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
further comprising a guide plate for guiding the position of a basket cart on which the shopping carts are stacked,
A sterilization device that sterilizes the shopping carts stacked on top of the basket cart whose position has been guided. The sterilization device according to claim 1,
The sterilization device further includes a third ultraviolet lamp provided in a frame portion of the elevating portion and irradiating ultraviolet light toward the inside of the elevating portion. A basket portion having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a rectangular opening at the top, and two cage portions each having a U-shape and being rotatable relative to the frame of the opening of the basket portion. A handle that can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handle face each other, and the shopping basket that can be stacked is sterilized. The sterilization device includes an elevating section formed in the shape of a frame with an open inner side, through which the stacked shopping carts are raised or lowered by a drive section, and a frame portion of the elevating section. Among them, the center part of each of the opposing parts is provided so as to be able to be displaced toward the inside of the elevating part or the frame side, and when the elevating part is displaced inside the elevating part, it protrudes inward from the frame of the elevating part. two supports that support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts among the stacked shopping carts, and opposing portions of the frame of the lifting section, respectively. two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light, each of which is suspended from a frame of the elevating section; A sterilization method using a sterilization device including two second ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp,
The support supports the lower side of the opening frame of one of the stacked shopping carts,
By raising the lifting section, the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support and the shopping cart which is stacked on the upper side of the shopping cart whose frame is supported are removed. lift,
When the first ultraviolet lamp is lifting the shopping cart, the first ultraviolet lamp is connected to the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart, where the lower side of the frame of the opening is supported by the support, and the lifting portion irradiating the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping basket of the shopping baskets that have not been lifted with ultraviolet rays;
When the second ultraviolet lamp is lifting the shopping cart, the second ultraviolet lamp is connected to the bottom side of the basket portion of the shopping cart, where the lower side of the frame of the opening is supported by the support, and the lifting portion irradiating ultraviolet light in a radiation direction intersecting with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp onto the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart that has not been lifted by the first ultraviolet lamp; Bacteria method. A basket portion having a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a rectangular opening at the top, and two cage portions each having a U-shape and being rotatable relative to the frame of the opening of the basket portion. A handle that can be arranged along the frame of the opening of the basket part so that the U-shaped open sides of the handle face each other, and the shopping basket that can be stacked is sterilized. The sterilization device includes an elevating section formed in the shape of a frame with an open inner side, through which the stacked shopping carts are raised or lowered by a drive section, and a frame portion of the elevating section. Among them, the center part of each of the opposing parts is provided so as to be able to be displaced toward the inside of the elevating part or the frame side, and when the elevating part is displaced inside the elevating part, it protrudes inward from the frame of the elevating part. two supports that support the lower side of the frame of the opening of one of the shopping carts among the stacked shopping carts, and opposing portions of the frame of the lifting section, respectively. two first ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light, each of which is suspended from a frame of the elevating section; a computer that controls a sterilization device including two second ultraviolet lamps that emit ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects the emission direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp;
causing the support to support the lower side of the opening frame of one of the stacked shopping carts;
The lifting section lifts up the shopping cart, the lower side of which is supported by the support, and the shopping cart, which is stacked on top of the shopping cart whose frame is supported. a lifting step;
In the first ultraviolet lamp, when the elevating section is lifting the shopping cart, the bottom side of the basket section of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support, and the elevating section irradiating the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping basket of the shopping baskets that have not been lifted with ultraviolet rays;
In the second ultraviolet lamp, when the elevating section is lifting the shopping cart, the bottom side of the basket section of the shopping cart whose lower side of the opening frame is supported by the support, and the elevating section irradiating the inside of the basket portion of the uppermost shopping cart that has not been lifted with ultraviolet light in a radiation direction that intersects with the radiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitted by the first ultraviolet lamp; A program that performs sterilization processes including and.

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