JPH0661815U - Automatic warehouse safety equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To improve the safety of workers in the crane passage of an automated warehouse. [Arrangement] An optical sensor 22 having an optical axis is provided between the left and right ends of the front and rear of the stacker crane S and the front and rear ends of the crane passage C, and the optical sensor 22 serves as an emergency stop control circuit 31. The stacker crane S is configured to make an emergency stop when it is connected and the optical axis is blocked.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a technique for ensuring safety by emergency stopping a crane when an operator enters the crane passage in an automated warehouse.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, a three-dimensional type automatic warehouse in which a stacker crane and a rack are combined has been publicly known, and in this automatic warehouse, racks are provided on both sides in the traveling direction of the stacker crane, and the stored items are put in the stacker crane at predetermined positions on the rack. It is designed so that it can be placed, transported and stored. A worker may enter the stacker crane aisle to check the stored items on the rack or to maintain the stacker crane.However, at this time, when the stacker crane is operating automatically, the stacker crane suddenly moves, Since it could be extremely dangerous, stop switches were provided at the front and rear ends of the stacker crane, and sensors for detecting human bodies within a certain range were provided to make an emergency stop.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the configuration with the stop switch, it is necessary for the operator to directly press the stop switch or the crane to come into contact with the operator, which causes an impact or a feeling of pressure. Further, in the configuration using the sensor, the range detected by the sensor is limited, so that the crane does not stop unless the worker comes close to the worker, and there is a fear.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention is configured as follows to solve the above problems. That is, an optical sensor having an optical axis is provided between the left and right ends of the front and rear parts of the crane provided in the automated warehouse and the front and rear ends of the crane passage. It is designed to stop the crane when the shaft is blocked.

[0005]

[Action]

 With this configuration, when an operator enters the crane passage C, the optical axis between the light receiving element 22a and the light emitting element 22b forming the optical sensor 22 is blocked, and the light receiving element 22a is blocked. No light enters and an emergency signal is output. This emergency signal is input to the control circuit 31 or a distribution board installed on the ground, the control circuit 31 cuts off the power supply to the traveling motor M1, the lifting motor M2, and the slide motor M3, or the distribution board moves to the stacker crane S. The stacker crane S is stopped by cutting off the power supply to itself.

[0006]

【Example】

 The problems to be solved and the means for solving the problems of the present invention are as described above, and the structure of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an automated warehouse, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stacker crane, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the safety device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the safety device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the automated warehouse has a crane passage C arranged in the front-rear direction, and racks 15 and 15 are arranged on both sides thereof (one side is also possible). Partitioned in a grid pattern so that pallets 17 with stored items can be stored in a specified section among the sections, and the number of sections can be set according to the size of the warehouse and the type of stored items at the time of installation. it can. A loading / unloading station 16 is provided on the front end side of the rack 15 so that the stacker crane S and a forklift for loading / unloading can be delivered.

A traveling rail 14 is laid in the front-rear direction in the center of the crane passage C, and an upper guide rail 13 is provided in parallel with the traveling rail 14 on a ceiling portion between the racks 15 and 15, and the traveling rail is provided. The stacker crane S is allowed to travel forward and backward while being guided between the upper guide rail 14 and the upper guide rail 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the stacker crane S has a structure in which an upper frame 7, a traveling body 8, a front mast 11 and a rear mast 12 are framed and arranged between the upper guide rail 13 and the traveling rail 14. Then, the driving unit B is arranged by arranging the traveling motor M1 and the elevating motor M2 at the front part of the traveling body 8, and the operation panel A is provided at the rear portion of the traveling body 8 so that the operator can operate on step 24. It is arranged. The front mast 11 and the rear mast 12 are provided with an elevating table 1, and front and rear columns 5 and 6 are erected in front and rear of the elevating table 1, and guide rollers provided on the front column 5 and the rear column 6 are arranged in front. The mast 11 and the rear mast 12 are fitted to each other to guide the ascent / descent, and the chain is driven by the ascending / descending motor M2 so that the ascending / descending table 1 can be ascended / descended. A slide fork 2 is provided on the lift 1 and can be moved in and out in the left and right directions by a slide motor M3. 3 is a wire for detecting the collapse of the load.

In order to ensure safety in the crane passage C, the present invention is arranged on both sides of the front and rear of the stacker crane S, for example, both sides of the protective frame 20 provided on both sides of the step 24 and the front end of the drive section B. .. are provided on both sides of the cover 21, while sensor boxes 25, 25 ... Are erected on both sides of the front end and the rear end of the traveling rail 14, and the light receiving elements on the sensor box 25 are received. The light emitting elements 22b, 22b ... Are arranged at positions substantially the same height as the elements 22a, 22a .., so that the light receiving element 22a receives the optical axis emitted from the light emitting element 22b. There is. As shown in FIG. 4, of the optical sensor 22 including the light receiving element 22a and the light emitting element 22b arranged in this way, the light receiving element 22a is connected to the control circuit 31 via the amplifier 30, and the control circuit 31 is connected to the control circuit 31, as shown in FIG. It is connected to the traveling motor M1, the lifting motor M2, and the slide motor M3. However, the traveling motor M1, the lifting motor M2, and the slide motor M3 are motors with a brake, and when the supply of electric power is stopped, the rotation is stopped on the spot and maintained at that position. Further, the number of the light receiving elements 22a and the light emitting elements 22b can be further increased to increase the sensitivity, and the mounting positions of the light receiving elements 22a and the light emitting elements 22b can be reversed to set the output of the light receiving elements on the ground. It is also possible to stop the stacker crane by inputting it to the distribution board and stopping the power supply to the stacker crane itself.

With this configuration, when the worker enters the crane passage C, or when the worker on the stacker crane S descends from step 24 and enters the crane passage C, the light emitting element 22b The optical axis between the light receiving element 22a and the light receiving element 22a is blocked, and the signal is input from the light receiving element 22a that cannot receive the optical signal to the control circuit 31 via the amplifier 30, and the control circuit 31 runs. The power supply to the motor M1, the lifting motor M2, and the slide motor M3 is stopped to stop the stacker crane S, whether the stacker crane S is traveling or the lifting platform 1 is moving up or down. Even if they are moving forwards or backwards, they are stopped on the spot to prevent unexpected situations.

[0011]

[Effect of device]

 Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. That is, when a worker enters the crane passage, the crane can be stopped irrespective of the position and working condition of the crane, and the operator can operate the crane without having to switch the crane. It was possible to secure safety more reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated warehouse.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stacker crane.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the safety device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a safety device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 S Stacker crane B Drive unit C Crane passage 15 Rack 22a Light receiving element 22b Light emitting element

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An optical sensor having an optical axis between the left and right ends of the front and rear parts of the crane provided in the automated warehouse and the front and rear ends of the crane passage is connected to the emergency stop means. A safety device for an automated warehouse, characterized in that the crane is configured to make an emergency stop when the optical axis is blocked.