JPH05178419A - Safety device for movable shelf - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a safety device for movable shelves by which still better safety measures can be taken in the case where worker enters an working passage without interlocking the shelves with each other or in the case where the worker enters the working passage about to be closed. CONSTITUTION:A safety device for movable shelves is constituted in such a way that detectors IP0-IP3 to detect that a worker passes through the exit/ entrance parts are arranged in the exit/entrance parts of respective working passages corresponding respectively to plural number of shelves 11, 12a-12c, and the shelves are interlocked with each other after movements of the shelves 12a-12c are stopped automatically according to outputs of the detector IP0-IP3 in a condition that the worker enters the working passage while the shelves 12a-12c are moving.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moving rack device for controlling the movement of a plurality of shelves so that a working passage is optionally formed between the respective shelves, and in particular, the safety thereof is improved. And a safety device for the movable rack.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in a shelving apparatus for storing a large number of articles, files, etc., a moving shelving apparatus such as the one described above is often used in order to improve space efficiency. In addition, such a moving rack device is generally one in which a work passage corresponding to a target work surface of the shelf is formed by manually driving each of the racks. It becomes difficult to move it manually if it becomes large or the number of shelves is large.

Therefore, conventionally, a self-propelled mechanism is provided on each shelf, and a desired work passage is automatically formed by operating a passage selection switch corresponding to the work passage to be formed. Various moving shelving devices have been developed. That is, in this type of moving shelf device, a motor and a passage selecting switch are installed on each of a plurality of shelves set to be movable along a specified rail, and a passage selecting switch provided on an arbitrary shelf A. By operating, each of the shelves is moved by the motor so that the work passage a corresponding to the shelf A is formed. After the work passage a corresponding to the shelf A is formed, the work passage a is automatically interlocked so as to be held. This interlock state is maintained until the operator operates the reset switch installed on the shelf A, for example, when the worker leaves the work passage a.

By the way, in the actual work of taking out stored items from the movable shelf device, if the work passage b corresponding to the desired shelf B is formed by chance, the passage selection switch of the shelf B is operated. Without this, that is, without interlocking for holding the work passage b, an operator often goes into the work passage b to perform work. In this case, if another worker operates a passage selection switch on a shelf other than the shelf B, the problem arises that the shelf B is moved.

Therefore, conventionally, a safety measure is provided to install a safety stop bar on each shelf and forcibly stop the movement of each shelf when an operator pushes the safety stop bar. ing.

However, in such a safety measure,
Until the safety stop bar touches the worker, the shelves are actually moved, which is still not sufficient in terms of safety. For example, depending on the worker, when the work for taking out the work passage c corresponding to the desired shelf C is completed and another work passage is opened, the worker goes into the work passage c that is about to be closed and forgets to take it out. You may be in the aisle while the shelves are moving, such as when you are picking up something, or if you are an inexperienced worker, you should not enter the work aisle without interlocking. While working on the floor, when someone else suddenly moves the shelf and tries to close the aisle, he / she hurts and forgets to press the safety stop bar, resulting in a more dangerous situation. Is actually happening, and it cannot be said that the safety stop bar alone is sufficient to ensure the safety.

[0007]

As described above, the conventional safety measures using the safety stop bar are still insufficient in terms of safety, and the worker does not apply the interlock to the work passage. When entering inside or entering the work passage that is about to be closed, the shelves will move even if there are workers in the work passage, so
There is a problem that it cannot be said that it is a sufficient safety measure.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and when an operator enters the working passage without interlocking or enters the working passage which is about to be closed. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely good safety device for a moving shelf, which is provided with further safety measures.

[0009]

A safety device for a movable shelf according to the present invention comprises a plurality of shelves which are set so as to be movable along specified rails, and a motor which is set on each of the plurality of shelves. It is intended for a moving shelf device in which the shelves are movement-controlled to selectively form a working passage between arbitrary shelves. Then, at the entrance / exit of each work passage corresponding to each of the plurality of shelves, a detector is installed to detect that the worker has passed through the entrance / exit, and the worker works while the shelves are moving. It is configured to automatically stop the movement of the shelves based on the output of the detector in the state where the shelves have entered the passage, and apply the interlock.

[0010]

According to the above-mentioned structure, at the entrance / exit of the work passage formed on the work surface of each of the plurality of shelves,
A detector is installed to detect that a worker has passed through the entrance / exit, and while the worker is in the work passage while the shelf is moving, it is automatically detected based on the output of the detector. Since the movement of the shelves is stopped and the interlock is applied, the shelves are not moved when the worker is in the working passage, and sufficient safety can be ensured. In addition, even if the worker enters the work corridor without interlocking, the shelf is automatically interlocked based on the output of the detector. can do.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the entire state of the movable shelf device. In this case, for the sake of convenience, the first to third movable shelves 12a, 12 are provided with respect to the fixed shelf 11 set at the left end.
An example in which b and 12c are set is shown. These movable shelves 12a to 12c are set so as to be moved by wheels on a common rail 13, and the movable shelves 12a to 12c are respectively equipped with motors M1 to M3 for rotationally driving the wheels. These motors M1 to M
According to the rotation direction of 3, the movable shelves 12a to 12c are moved to the right or left.

Further, the fixed shelf 11 and the movable shelf 12a ...
Each of the 12c is provided with limit switches LS0 to LS3 which are set adjacent to each other and are operated in a state of being brought into contact with the stop mechanism 14. Further, the fixed shelves 11 and the movable shelves 12a to 12c are provided with safety bar switches SB0 to SB3 operated by safety stop bars (not shown) set on their respective work surfaces. In addition, the fixed shelf 11 and the movable shelf 12
a to 12c are provided with passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 for instructing the formation of work passages for the respective work surfaces, and work passages formed by moving the movable shelves 12a to 12c, respectively. Therefore, illumination lamps FL0 to FL3 such as fluorescent lamps are provided. The passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 also have the function of the above-mentioned reset switch for releasing the interlock state.

Further, the fixed shelf 11 and the movable shelf 12a.
.. to 12c are provided with detectors IP0 to IP3 for detecting that the worker has passed through the entrances and exits of the respective work passages formed on the respective work surfaces. These detectors IP0 to IP3 are respectively combined with the light emitters OP0 to OP3, and the detectors IP0 to IP3 are configured to receive the optical signals generated from the light emitters OP0 to OP3. It is detected that the worker has passed through the entrance / exit by being blocked. In FIG. 1, CS indicates a main power switch, and LP indicates an indicator lamp for confirming that the main power is turned on.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an electric circuit system provided on the movable shelf 12a. In addition, other movable shelves 12
Since the configuration of the electric circuit system provided in b and 12c is similar to that of the movable shelf 12a shown in FIG. 2, the movable shelf 12a will be described here and the other movable shelves 12b and 12c.
The description thereof will be omitted. That is, the path selection switch PB1, the limit switches LS0 and LS1 and the safety bar switch SB1 are turned on and off and the detector IP.
The detection outputs of 1 are input to the input circuit 15, respectively.

The on / off state of each switch and the detection output of the detector IP1 input to the input circuit 15 are supplied to a control circuit 16 having a microcomputer or the like therein to determine the situation. The output circuit 17 is controlled according to the determination result. This output circuit 17
Is based on a command from the control circuit 16
The motor M1 is rotationally driven, stopped rotating, and controlled in an interlock state via the
Lighting and extinguishing of 1 are controlled.

Here, the operation when the worker enters the work passage while the movable shelves 12a to 12c are moving will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. First, when the passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 are operated in step S2 after the start (step S1), a work passage corresponding to the operated passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 is formed in step S3. As described above, the movable shelves 12a to 12c start moving, and the illumination lamps FL0 to FL3 of the formed work passage are turned on. Then, in step S4, when the worker enters the working passage in the middle of opening, in step S5,
The detectors IP0 to IP3 detect that the worker has passed through the entrance / exit of the work passage.

After that, in step S6, it is judged whether or not the unconditional stop is set. The unconditional stop setting unconditionally stops the movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c regardless of whether the working passage in which the worker has entered is being opened or is being closed. Mode. If it is an unconditional stop setting (YES), step S7
Then, after the movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c is immediately stopped,
In step S8, the movable shelves 12a to 1 on both sides of the work passage
2c is interlocked.

If the unconditional stop is not set (N
O), in step S9, it is determined whether or not the work path that the worker entered is in the middle of closing, and if it is in the middle of closing (YES), in step S7, the movable shelves 12a to 12a. After the movement of 12c is immediately stopped, step S
At 8, the movable shelves 12a-12c on both sides of the work passage are interlocked. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the worker's work passage is not a closed passage (NO), step S10
Then, the movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c is continued, and the movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c is stopped after the working passage having the regular width is formed in step S11, and then the step S8 is performed.
Thus, the movable shelves 12a to 12c on both sides of the work passage are interlocked.

Thereafter, in step S12, the work by the worker is started in the work passage, the work is finished in step S13, and the worker exits from the work passage in step S14. Then, in step S15, when the worker again operates the path selection switches PB0 to PB3 for the working path that the worker has left, in step S16, the movable shelves 1 on both sides of the working path.
2a-12c interlock is released,
The illumination lamps FL0 to FL3 are turned off, and the process ends (step S1).
7) Is done.

Next, in the work passage already opened by the worker, the passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 corresponding to the passage are provided.
The operation in the case of operating without operating, that is, without interlocking the shelves on both sides of the working passage will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when it is started (step S18) and the worker enters the work passage already opened in step S19, in step S20, the detectors IP0 to IP3 pass the entrance / exit portion of the work passage by the worker. Detect that you have done.

Then, in step S21, the illumination lamps FL0 to FL3 of the work passage the worker enters are turned on, and the movable shelves 12a to 1 on both sides of the work passage are turned on.
2c is interlocked. Then, in step S22, the work by the worker is started in the work passage, and in step S23, the work is finished,
At 24, the worker exits the work corridor. Then, in step S25, when the worker operates the passage selection switches PB0 to PB3 of the work passage that the worker has exited, in step S26, the interlocks of the movable shelves 12a to 12c on both sides of the work passage are released and the illumination is performed. The lights FL0 to FL3 are turned off, and the process ends (step S27).

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the operator can install the entrance / exit portion at the entrance / exit portion of the work passage formed on the work surface of each of the fixed shelf 11 and the movable shelves 12a to 12c. Detector IP that detects passing
0 ~ IP3 installed, if there is an unconditional stop setting, movable shelf 1
The interlock by automatically stopping the movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c based on the outputs of the detectors IP0 to IP3 while the worker enters the working passage while the 2a to 12c are moving. The interlock is released when the worker exits the work passage and operates the passage selection switches PB0 to PB3. Therefore, the worker can move when the worker is in the work passage. Shelves 12
Since a to 12c are not moved, the safety can be sufficiently ensured.

If the unconditional stop is not set, even if the worker enters the work passage that is being opened, the movable shelf 1
The movement of the movable shelves 12a to 12c is continued until the working passage having the regular width is formed without stopping the movement of the movements 2a to 12c. This is because if it is a work passage that is open, there is virtually no danger even if a worker enters, but rather, the work passage does not have to wait until a work passage with a regular width is formed. This is because it is possible to improve work efficiency by working inside. In short, whether or not the unconditional stop setting is performed may be appropriately selected as needed.

Further, even when the worker enters the working passage without interlocking, the detectors IP0 to IP1
Since the movable shelves 12a to 12c are automatically interlocked based on the output of P3, sufficient safety can be ensured. When the detectors IP0 to IP3 detect that the worker has entered the work passage, the worker exits the work passage and selects the passage selection switch P.
It continues until B0 to PB3 are operated.

With respect to this point, the conventional movable shelf prevents damage to the stored items by moving the shelves when the stored items on the shelf fall into the aisle, and an operator interlocks the already opened aisle. In order to prevent the danger when other aisles are opened by the operation of other workers during the work without going out, the height of the underframe and waist should be corresponding to each aisle. Safety stop bars are provided on the upper and lower two steps of the shelf plate portion at the upper position.

However, if a safety stop bar is provided on the shelf board, it becomes difficult to set the shelf board up and down freely depending on the size of the stored items, and the original advantages of the moving shelf cannot be utilized. Become. Also, only this shelf board has a different specification from other shelf boards.

Therefore, non-contact detectors IP0 to IP3 are provided at the entrance and exit of the passage, and even if the worker does not notice the interlock in the already opened passage, the shelves on both sides of the passage are automatically attached. By applying the interlock, the safety stop bar of the shelf board can be omitted, and the vertical movement of the shelf board is also eliminated, so that a safe and extremely easy-to-use moving shelf can be realized. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0028]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Very good safety of moving racks, which takes further safety measures when a worker enters the work passage without interlock or enters the work passage that is about to be closed. A device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a safety device for a movable shelf according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an electric circuit system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart shown to explain the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart shown to explain another operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Fixed shelf, 12a-12c ... Movable shelf, 13 ... Rail, 14 ... Stop mechanism, 15 ... Input circuit, 16 ... Control circuit, 17 ... Output circuit, 18 ... Drive circuit, M1-M3 ... Motor, LS0-LS3 ... Limit switches, SB0-S
B3 ... Safety bar switch, PB0-PB3 ... Path selection switch, FL0-FL3 ... Illumination lamp, IP0-IP3 ... Detector, OP0-OP3 ... Light emitter, CS ... Main power switch, LP ... Indicator lamp.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 27, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0009]

A safety device for a movable shelf according to the present invention comprises a plurality of shelves which are set so as to be movable along specified rails, and a motor which is set on each of the plurality of shelves. It is intended for a moving shelf device in which the shelves are movement-controlled to selectively form a working passage between arbitrary shelves. Then, at the entrance / exit of each work passage corresponding to each of the plurality of shelves, a detector is installed to detect that the worker has passed through the entrance / exit, and the worker works while the shelves are moving. When entering the service passage, the movement of the shelf is automatically stopped based on the output of the detector to interlock.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0010]

According to the above structure, the entrance and exit of the work passage formed on the work surface of each of the plurality of shelves,
A detector is installed to detect that a worker has passed through the entrance / exit, and when the worker enters the working passage while the shelf is moving, the detector automatically detects the output based on the output of the detector. Since the movement of the shelves is stopped and the interlock is applied, the shelves are not moved when the worker is in the working passage, and sufficient safety can be ensured. In addition, even if the worker enters the work corridor without interlocking, the shelf is automatically interlocked based on the output of the detector. can do.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the operator can install the entrance / exit portion at the entrance / exit portion of the work passage formed on the work surface of each of the fixed shelf 11 and the movable shelves 12a to 12c. Detector IP that detects passing
0 ~ IP3 installed, if there is an unconditional stop setting, movable shelf 1
When 2a~12c worker while the is moving entered the work passage, an interlock automatically stops the movement of the movable shelves 12a~12c based on the output of the detector IP0~IP3 The interlock is released when the operator exits the work passage and operates the passage selection switches PB0 to PB3. Therefore, when the worker is in the work passage, the movable shelves are moved. 12a
Since ~ 12c is not moved, the safety can be sufficiently ensured.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of shelves that are set so as to be movable along specified rails, and the movement of the shelves is controlled by motors that are respectively set on the plurality of shelves so that the shelves can be moved between arbitrary shelves. In a moving shelf device that selectively forms a work passage, at a doorway portion of each work passage corresponding to each of the plurality of shelves, a detector that detects that a worker has passed through the doorway portion is installed, While the shelves are moving, while the worker is in the working passage, the shelves are automatically stopped based on the output of the detector to interlock. Safety device for mobile shelves characterized by 2. While the worker is entering the work passage that is being closed, the movement of the shelves is automatically stopped based on the output of the detector to interlock, and the shelves are opened. When the worker is in the work passage of,
2. The safety device for a mobile shelf according to claim 1, wherein the safety device is configured not to stop the movement of the shelf.