JPH08188221A - Carriage system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a carriage system capable of carrying a small article using the same traveling track without impeding the sanitary environment in a hospital. CONSTITUTION: Carriers 1a-1d classified into four kinds according to the use are traveled along traveling hacks 2, 3a-3c divided into the assumed traveling blocks A-C. Stations 4a-4c instruct the traveling of the carriers 1a-1d, and the kind of the advancible carriers 1a-1d is specified. A local controller controls the traveling of the carriers 1a-1d in the corresponding traveling blocks A-C based on the kind of the carriers 1a-1d and the kind of the advancible carrier of the stations 4a-4c, and transmits the traveling information of the carriers 1a-1d to other local controllers.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for transporting small articles by applying a linear induction motor (hereinafter referred to as a linear motor).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In hospitals, small items such as prescriptions, drugs, and samples (blood, urine, etc.) are carried by nurses,
Most of the work of nurses is occupied by these transport tasks. Under such circumstances, a transport system for transporting small items on behalf of the nurse has been introduced to the hospital so that the nurse can concentrate on the original bedside nursing work. As one of such transport systems, there is a linear motor transport system that uses a linear motor for the traveling drive unit of the carrier to transport small articles at high speed and quietly.

In such a transportation system, stations for transmitting and receiving carriers are provided in each examination room and medical office. These stations are connected by a branch track to a main running track provided on the ceiling or the like, and can stop one or a plurality of carriers, respectively. In addition, each station is provided with an operation panel for instructing the call-in of an empty carrier (a carrier on which a transported object is not loaded) or the destination of an actual carrier (a carrier on which a transported object is loaded). The empty carrier for calling is waiting in a storage buffer provided in a bypass shape with respect to the main traveling track. When an operator gives a call for an empty carrier from a station, the control device that controls the carrier system
The empty carrier waiting in the buffer is run to the station. Then, when the operator mounts a small object on an empty carrier and inputs the station number of the travel destination, the carrier travels from the branch track to the target station via the main travel track.

By the way, the above-mentioned small articles are conveyed by being housed in a container provided in the carrier. However, it is not preferable to store the above-mentioned various conveyed items in the same container due to hygiene problems. Conventionally, as a transportation system that meets such requirements, transportation items are classified into several groups, and a traveling track is provided for each group so that only a specific group of transportation items is transported for each carrier. was there. In addition, as another transport system, there is a system in which a container is replaced according to a transport item.

[0005]

However, in the above-described transport system in which a traveling track is provided for each group, the cost required for the traveling track is high and a wide space is required to attach the traveling track. there were. Further, in the transfer system in which the container is replaced, there is a problem that the container replacement is troublesome and the transfer work in an emergency cannot be performed promptly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a transport system capable of transporting the above-mentioned small articles by using the same traveling track without invading the sanitary environment in the hospital. The purpose is to

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a transport system according to claim 1 has a plurality of carriers which are classified into several types in advance according to the use, and a traveling operation of the carriers. And a plurality of stations in which the types of carriers that can enter are defined respectively,
While connecting the stations, the traveling track on which the carrier travels and the traveling instruction from the station,
It is characterized by comprising control means for controlling the traveling of the carrier based on the type of the carrier and the information defining the type of the carrier which the station can enter.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of carriers which are classified into a plurality of types in advance according to the purpose of use, and a traveling operation of the carrier including a traveling destination. Corresponds to a plurality of stations specified for each, a running track that connects the stations and a number of position sensors that detect the position of the carrier, and a running block that virtually divides each of these devices. The travel destination of the carrier is controlled based on the travel destination of the carrier and the detection signal of the position sensor, and the travel destination of the carrier outside the travel block under its control is instructed. In this case, the traveling information including the identification number of the carrier and the traveling destination stored in itself is mutually transmitted and received, and the operating state of each device under its control is A plurality of travel control means for transmitting device status information, a type of the carrier, and a type of a carrier into which the station can enter are stored, and the travel control means is based on these information and the device status information. And the travel management means for managing the travel control of the carrier according to the above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport system according to the first aspect.
Or in the invention described in 2, the carrier is a, a prescription carrier b for carrying a prescription, a sample carrier c for carrying a sample such as blood or urine, a drug carrier d for carrying a drug, and a general carrier other than the above. It is characterized by being classified as a general-purpose carrier that conveys the transported object.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport system according to the first aspect.
The invention described in any one of (1) to (3) is characterized in that the carrier is driven to travel by a linear induction motor.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport system according to the fourth aspect.
In the invention described above, the carrier is provided with a secondary conductor, and a large number of primary coils are arranged on the traveling track along the traveling track.

[0012]

According to the transport system of the present invention, the type of carrier is predetermined according to the type of the transported object. The control means stores these types determined for each carrier and the types of intrudable carriers determined for each station, and controls the traveling of the carriers based on these information. Therefore, from the viewpoint of hygiene, it is possible to prevent a carrier (a carrier of a type that carries such an object to be transported) determined not to enter from entering a specific station, thereby damaging the sanitary environment of the station. can do.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the transport system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conveyance path in this embodiment. In the figure, reference numerals 1a to 1d are carriers, 2 is a main traveling track, and 3a.
~ 3c is a branch track, 4a ~ 4c is a station, 5a ~
5g is a branching device, 6a to 6g are standby buffers, and 7
a and 7b are storage. It is a buffer. Carrier 1a
1 to 1d each include a container for accommodating an object to be conveyed and a secondary side conductor (not shown) of a linear motor, and the main traveling track 2
Also, the object to be conveyed is conveyed by traveling along the branch track 3a to 3c. In addition, these plural carriers 1a
.About.1d are classified into four types, that is, a prescription carrier, a sample (blood, urine, etc.) carrier, a drug carrier, and a general carrier according to the type of the transported object that can be stored in the container.

The main running track 2 has stations 4a-4
It is a running track that connects between c and is attached to the space above the ceiling. The branch track 3a-3c is a track that connects the main track 2 and the stations 4a-4c, respectively. A position sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the primary coil (not shown) of the linear motor and the carrier is provided on these running tracks.
And are arranged at regular intervals. Further, the primary side coil and the secondary conductors fixed to the carriers 1a to 1d are
A linear motor is formed, and the carriers 1a to 1d are 1
The traveling is driven by the electric current passed through the secondary coil.

The stations 4a to 4c are provided in each examination room and the medical office, and one stop berth (carrier stop position) is set. Also, each station 4a-
The types of carriers that can enter 4c are each station 4a
~ 4c predetermined for hygiene reasons. A dead end type station 4 as shown in FIG.
In addition to a to 4c, there is also a passage type station provided in the middle of a branch track having an entrance and an exit. A plurality of stop berths are provided in such a passing station. Further, each of the stations 4a to 4c is provided with an operation panel for instructing a transfer operation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operation panel. As shown in this figure, the operation panel 4-1 is provided with the following operation buttons. Sample call-in button 4-1a instructing to call in an empty carrier for sample Prescription call-in button 4-1b instructing to call in an empty carrier for prescription Drugs instructing to call in an empty carrier for drug Call-in button 4-1c Call-in button for general use for instructing to call in an empty carrier for general use 4-1d Numerical button 4-1e for inputting the device number of the destination of the carrier, etc. Start button for instructing the start of the carrier 4-1f Return button for instructing return of carrier 4-1g Closing button for instructing closing of station 4-1h Further, the operation panel 4-1 has a liquid crystal display 4-2 for displaying various messages relating to the carrying operation. It is provided. Further, each station 4a-4c has an intercom (not shown) connecting the stations 4a-4c.
Are installed respectively.

The branching devices 5a to 5g move the traveling direction of the carriers 1a to 1d from the main traveling track 2 to the branch track 3a to 3c or from the branch tracks 3a to 3c by moving a part of the track. It is a device that switches to 2.
The branching devices 5a to 5g change the traveling direction of the carriers 1a to 1d by moving a part of the track horizontally (horizontal shifter) and the part of the track moves vertically. There is one (vertical shifter) that vertically changes the traveling direction of the carriers 1a to 1d. The standby buffers 6a to 6g are temporary stop points of the carriers 1a to 1d, and are provided before and after the branching devices 5a to 5g. The storage buffers 7a, 7b are waiting places for carriers (empty carriers for calling, etc.) to which the transfer work is not assigned, and are connected to the main running track 2 via the branching devices 5d, 5e or the branching devices 5f, 5g. It is provided as a bypass. Although not shown, a large number of standby buffers are provided in the storage buffers 7a and 7b, and a large number of empty carriers before being called into the stations 4a to 4c stand by.

Here, the main traveling track 2 is divided into branching devices 5a-5.
It is virtually divided into a plurality of traveling zones with the front and rear of g and the like as boundaries. The branch track 3a together with the connected station 4a form one running zone, the branch track 3b together with the station 4b, and the branch track 3c together with the station 4c form one running zone. Then, the three traveling blocks A to C as shown in the figure are constituted by some adjacent traveling zones. The traveling blocks A to C are provided corresponding to the control units A'to C'described below.

Next, FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the transfer system according to this embodiment. In the figure, reference characters A'to C '
Is a control unit. This control unit A'-C '
Are provided respectively corresponding to the traveling blocks A to C. The control units A ′ to C ′ are control units that control the traveling of the carriers staying in the corresponding traveling blocks A to C. The control unit A ′ is composed of each device in the traveling block A described above, the local controller 10a, and the driver 11a. The local controller 10a controls the traveling of the carrier staying in the traveling block A by controlling the driver 11a and the branching device 5a based on various conveyance instructions input from the station 4a and the detection signal of the position sensor. . The local controller 10a also monitors the operating state of each device in the control unit A '. The driver 11a controls the currents flowing through the respective primary coils in the traveling block A, so that the carriers 1a ...
Directly control 1d running. The control unit B ',
The configuration of C ′ is the same as the configuration of the control unit A described above.

Each local controller 10a-10c
Are connected to each other by the optical communication line 12, and when the carriers 1a to 1d travel toward other travel blocks, the carrier identification number and the device number indicating the travel destination (predetermined for each of the above-described devices). Local controllers 10a to 10c that control the traveling blocks A to C in which the carriers 1a to 1d will travel next.
Send to 10c. In addition, each local controller 10
a to 10c are connected to the central controller 1 by the communication line 13.
4 and sends the operating state of each device under its control to the central controller 14 as device state data on a regular basis. This central controller 14 uses the above-mentioned carriers 1a to 1d and each station 4
The types of carriers that can enter each of a to 4c are stored in the internal memory. And the central controller 14
Manages the travel of the carriers 1a to 1d over the entire transport system based on the information, the travel destinations of the carriers 1a to 1d, and the device state data obtained from the local controllers 10a to 10c.

Here, each local controller 10
The a to 10c store the device status data described above in the internal memory and also store the following data for controlling the traveling of the carriers 1a to 1d. (1) Map data This is data indicating the device number of each device included in the control units A ′ to C ′ under its control and the distance between the devices indicated by this device number. For example, for the traveling block A, data such as the device numbers of the station 4a, the branching device 5a, and the standby buffers 6a and 6b, the distance from the station 4a to the branching device 5a, and the distance from the branching device 5a to the standby buffer 6a are used. is there. (2) Travel pattern data This data is stored for each travel zone and indicates the travel speed pattern of the carrier traveling in each travel zone. For example, when traveling the carrier 1a toward the standby buffer 6b in the traveling zone from the branching device 5a to the standby buffer 6b, traveling pattern data when passing the standby buffer 6b at a constant speed, and the carrier 1a in the standby buffer 6b. There are driving pattern data and the like for stopping.

Next, the operation of the transfer system will be described in detail. The carriers 1a and 1d are sample carriers, and the central controller 14 stores the types of carriers that can enter the station 4a as only sample carriers, prescription carriers, and drug carriers. Be present. A case will now be described in which the sample carrier 1a is about to travel from the station 4a to the station 4c.

At the station 4a, the operator calls the sample call button 4-on the operation panel 4-1 shown in FIG.
When 1a is pressed, the local controller 10a transmits this call request signal to the central controller 14. The central controller 14 is waiting for the call request of the empty carrier for the sample, the carrier 1a in the storage buffer 7a and the carrier 1d in the storage buffer 7b as the carrier for the sample from the device state data. Confirm that there is. Then, it is determined that the carrier 1a waiting in the storage buffer (storage buffer 7a) closest to the station 4a is allowed to travel to the station 4a, and the following points are confirmed. (1) Is the station 4a a station into which the sample carrier can enter? (2) Is there an empty berth at station 4a? (3) Is each device (traveling track, branching device, etc.) between the storage buffer 7a and the station 4a operating normally? (4) Is there a carrier already traveling to the station 4a? (5) Is the station 4a closed? As a result, when the central controller 14 determines that the carrier 1a may travel to the station 4a, it outputs a travel instruction signal to the local controller 10c.

Here, since the central controller 14 stores in the internal memory the types of carriers that can enter the station 4a, when the station 4a requests the invocation of the general carrier, this invocation request is not permitted. . In this case, the liquid crystal display 4-2 displays that the calling request is not permitted. This also applies to the other stations 4b and 4c.

Upon receiving the travel instruction signal, the local controller 10c outputs an approach request signal including the identification number of the carrier 1a and the equipment number of the travel destination (equipment number of the station 4c) to the local controller 10a.
Then, the local controller 10c determines the traveling direction of the carrier 1a based on the above-mentioned map data (the traveling direction is determined according to the traveling destination), and the traveling pattern data is obtained according to the content of the reply signal to the approach request signal. select. That is, the local controller 10c selects the traveling pattern data for stopping the carrier 1a in the standby buffer 6a when the entry into the traveling block A is not permitted, and selects the carrier 1a when the entry into the traveling block A is permitted. The travel pattern data for entering the travel block A at a constant speed without stopping in the standby buffer 6a is selected. In addition, when the entry into the traveling block A is not permitted, another carrier is stopped at the stop berth of the station 4a, or the branching device 5a is the carrier 1a.
This is the case when it is not ready to accept

If the entry permission signal is received, the local controller 10c causes the carrier 1a to travel from the storage buffer 7a toward the branching device 5f and outputs a running instruction to stop at the branching device 5f. . Upon receiving this instruction, the driver 11c switches the switching order of the AC voltage applied to the primary coil arranged in the storage buffer 7a so that the carrier 1a runs toward the branching device 5f. At the same time, the driver 11c stops the carrier 1a in the branching device 5f by changing the level of the current applied to each primary coil. Further, when the local controller 10c detects that the carrier 1a has arrived at the branching device 5f by the position sensor, the local controller 10c operates the branching device 5f to activate the carrier 1a.
a is moved from the storage buffer 7a side to the main running track 2 side. Then, the carrier 1a is set to the standby buffer 6a.
The driver 11c is instructed to drive the vehicle to the standby buffer 6a at a constant speed. In accordance with this instruction, the driver 11c controls the current flowing through the primary coil in the same manner as described above to drive the carrier 1a toward the standby buffer 6a.

On the other hand, when the position sensor detects that the carrier 1a has entered the traveling block A, the local controller 10a selects the traveling data of the pattern for stopping the carrier 1a to the branching device 5a, and the branch track 3
For the travel zone of a, travel pattern data for stopping the carrier 1a at the station 4a is selected. Then, based on this traveling pattern data, the driver 11a
Is controlled to stop the carrier 1a by the branching device 5a.
In addition, the local controller 10a operates the branching device 5a to move from the main traveling track 2 side of the carrier 1a to the branch track 3
Move to side a. Then, the driver 11a is controlled again to stop the carrier 1a at the station 4a. During this time, the liquid crystal display 4-2 of the station 4a displays that the carrier is approaching, and when the carrier 1a arrives, an arrival display is made.

Next, when the operator mounts the sample on the container of the carrier 1a and inputs the device number of the station 4c which is the traveling destination, the local controller 10a
Based on the map data, the traveling direction of the carrier 1a on the main traveling track 2 is determined to be the direction of the standby buffer 6b. And
The device number of the carrier 1a and the station 4 which is the traveling destination
The device number of c is transmitted to the central controller 14. The central controller 14 confirms the following from the use of each of the carriers 1a to 1d and the type of station stored in the internal memory and the device state data transmitted from each of the local controllers 10a to 10c. (1) Can a carrier for a sample enter the station 4c? (2) Is each device (traveling track, branching device, etc.) between the stations 4a and 4c operating normally? (3) Is there an empty berth at station 4c? (4) Is there any carrier already traveling to the station 4c? (5) Is the station 4c closed? As a result, when the central controller 14 determines that the carrier 1a may travel toward the station 4c, the central controller 14 transmits a travel permission signal to the local controller 10a.

Upon receipt of the travel permission signal, the local controller 10a causes the liquid crystal display 4-2 to display that transportation is permitted. When the operator confirms this display and presses the start button 4-1f, the carrier 1a starts traveling toward the station 4c. When the central controller 14 determines that the traveling cannot be permitted, the central controller 14 transmits a traveling non-permission signal to the local controller 10a. In this case, the local controller 10a
The fact that the carrier 1a cannot be run is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4-2. Here, if the reason why the traveling is not permitted is that the carrier is stopped at the station 4c, the operator returns the carrier to the storage buffer 7a or 7b to make it ready to accept the carrier 1a. Thus, the operator of the station 4c can be instructed using the intercom.

Next, the local controller 10a requests the local controller 10b, which controls the traveling block B into which the carrier 1a enters next, to enter the carrier 1a including the equipment number of the station 4c, which is the traveling destination of the carrier 1a, and the identification number of the carrier 1a. Output a signal. Then, the traveling pattern is selected according to the content of the response signal to the entry request signal. That is, when the entry permission signal is received, the local controller 10a selects the traveling pattern data for stopping the carrier 1a at the branching device 5a for the traveling zone of the branch track 3a. For the traveling zone from the branching device 5a to the standby buffer 6b, traveling pattern data that allows the standby buffer 6b to pass through at a constant traveling speed is selected. When the inaccessible signal is received, the local controller 10a determines that the standby buffer 6
In b, the traveling pattern data for stopping the carrier 1a is selected.

If the local controller 10a receives the entry permission signal, the local controller 10a
Attaches the carrier 1a to the driver 11a to the station 4a
From the branch device 5a to the branch device 5a.
The running instruction to stop at a is output. The driver 11a is
When this instruction is received, the switching order of the AC voltage applied to the primary coil arranged on the branch track 3a is switched so that the carrier 1a travels toward the branching device 5a. At the same time, the driver 11a controls the traveling speed of the carrier 1a by changing the level of the current applied to each primary coil. Next, the local controller 10a
When the position sensor detects that the carrier 1a arrives at the branching device 5a, the branching device 5a is operated to move the carrier 1a from the branch track 3a side to the main traveling track 2 side. Then, an instruction to drive the carrier 1a toward the standby buffer 6b and to travel to the standby buffer 6b at a constant speed is output to the driver 11a. According to this instruction, the driver 11a controls the current flowing through the primary coil to drive the carrier 1a, as described above.

Next, when the local controller 10a confirms that the carrier 1a has left the traveling block A by the position sensor, it sends an advance notice signal of the carrier 1a to the local controller 10b. Here, the local controller 10b is the local controller 1 first.
At the time of transmitting the entry permission signal to 0a, the identification number of the carrier 1a and the equipment number of the traveling destination (equipment number of the station 4c) are stored in the internal memory, and the waiting state is waited for the entry warning signal. Has become. When the local controller 10b receives this approach warning signal and confirms that the traveling destination of the carrier 1a is not a device in the traveling block B, the local controller 10b informs the local controller 10c that administers the traveling block C of the identification number of the carrier 1a. And an entry permission signal is output together with the device number of the station 4c.

Upon confirming that the carrier 1a has entered the traveling block B by the position sensor, the local controller 10b transmits an entry report signal to the local controller 10a. Local controller 10
Upon receiving this approach report signal, a completes the traveling control operation for the carrier 1a, and the carrier 1a
The traveling control of is taken over by the local controller 10b. Then, the local controller 10a waits for the next conveyance request and enters the standby state.

Further, the local controller 10b selects the traveling pattern data of the carrier 1a in the traveling block B based on the reply signal to the entry permission signal transmitted to the local controller 10c. Then, the driver 11b is controlled based on the selected traveling pattern data to drive the carrier 1a toward the traveling block C. After that, the operations of the local controllers 10b and 10c are similar to the operations of the local controllers 10a and 10b described above. The local controller 10c
After confirming that the traveling destination (station 4c) of the carrier 1a is a device within the traveling block C under its control, the driving pattern data for stopping the carrier 1a at the station 4c is selected. Then, the driver 11c is controlled based on this traveling data to stop the carrier 1a at the stop berth of the station 4c.

According to the transport system of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When a transfer request is issued from a station, each local controller requests the central controller for permission for this transfer request. Further, when receiving the permission signal from the central controller, the carrier outputs an approach request signal to the local controller which controls the traveling block where the carrier travels next. That is, at the start of traveling, the state of the equipment related to traveling of the carrier is double-checked. Therefore, due to reasons such as being unable to enter the intended station,
The carrier is less likely to be temporarily stopped in the standby buffer on the main running track for a long time, and the carrier can be efficiently run.

(2) Since each station is provided with an intercom, the operators of the stations can communicate with each other. Therefore, when an urgent transfer work occurs, when there is a carrier that has completed the transfer work in the stop berth of the destination station of the carrier, the transfer source operator uses the intercom to notify the transfer destination operator of the transfer work. It is possible to give instructions to expel the carrier that has finished to storage buffer etc. As a result, it is possible to reliably transport the transported object in an emergency.

In the above embodiment, the transport system constituted by three traveling blocks has been described, but there may be more traveling blocks. By providing the control unit corresponding to the increased traveling blocks, it is possible to perform traveling control of the carrier described above.

Further, in each medical examination department in a hospital, a request for carrying a prescription frequently occurs. It is very troublesome for the operator to repeat the calling and sending of the carrier each time the prescription transportation request is generated. Therefore, for stations where prescriptions are frequently conveyed in this way, the prescription carrier is kept waiting in the nearest storage buffer, and the storage buffer and the designated station are reciprocated at regular intervals. Control. Then, when the vehicle reciprocates a predetermined number of times or when a predetermined time elapses, it is controlled so as to automatically travel to a station where a prescription is collected (a station provided in a pharmacy or the like). By controlling the prescription carrier in this way, it does not take much time to carry the prescription,
It is possible to operate the transfer system efficiently.

[0039]

As described above, the transport system of the present invention has the following effects. (1) According to the transport system of claim 1, the control means controls the traveling of the carrier based on the type of each carrier and the type of the carrier that can enter each station in response to the traveling request from the station. . Therefore, this transfer system can transfer the object to be transferred without invading the sanitary environment in the hospital. Further, since carriers classified into several types can be run using the same running track, it is possible to reduce the cost for attaching the running track. Further, since there is no need to bother replacing the container, it is possible to carry out the transfer work promptly in an emergency.

(2) According to the transport system of the second aspect, each traveling control means controls traveling of only the carrier in the traveling block under its control, and causes the traveling to travel to another traveling block. Transmits the traveling information including the identification number of the carrier and the traveling destination to the traveling control means that controls the traveling block in which the carrier travels next, and takes over the traveling control of the carrier. Therefore,
The load on the travel control of each travel control means is reduced, and a large-scale transport system can be easily constructed. Further, the traveling management means manages the traveling control of the carrier by the traveling control means on the basis of the device state information received from each traveling control means, so that traveling between traveling blocks is efficiently performed.

(3) According to the transport system of claim 3, the carrier comprises a prescription carrier, a sample carrier,
Since it is classified into a drug carrier and a general-purpose carrier, it can carry almost all small articles in a hospital. (4) According to the transport system of the fourth aspect, since the carrier is driven to travel by the linear motor, vibration and noise generated during traveling are small. (5) According to the transport system of the fifth aspect, since the secondary conductor forming the linear motor is attached to the carrier side, the structure of the carrier can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a transport path in a transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operation panel in the transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a control block in the transport system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a to 1d Carrier 2 Main running track 3a to 3c Branch line track 4a to 4c Station 5a to 5g Branching device 6a to 6g Standby buffer 7a, 7b Storage buffer 10a to 10c Local controller 11a to 11c Driver 12 Central controller A to C Control zone A'to C'Run control unit 4-1 Operation panel 4-1a Specimen call button 4-1b Prescription call button 4-1c Drug call button 4-1d General call button 4-1e Numeric button 4-1f Start button 4-1g Return button 4-1h Close button 4-2 Liquid crystal display

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Office reference number FI Technical display location B61B 13/06 N C3-4 G05D 1/02 P // B65G 54/02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of carriers that are classified into some types in advance according to the use, and a plurality of stations that instruct the traveling operation of the carriers and that define the types of carriers into which they can enter, respectively. While connecting the stations, the carrier travels on the basis of a travel path along which the carrier travels and information specifying the type of carrier and the type of carrier into which the station can enter in response to a travel instruction from the station. A transport system comprising: 2. A plurality of carriers, which are classified into several types in advance according to the purpose of use, and a plurality of carriers which instruct the traveling operation of the carrier including a traveling destination, and which are defined as the types of carriers that can enter. A station is provided corresponding to a traveling track connecting the stations and a plurality of position sensors for detecting the position of the carrier, and a traveling block obtained by virtually dividing each of these devices. It controls the traveling of the carrier within the traveling block under its control based on the traveling destination and the detection signal of the position sensor, and when the traveling destination outside the traveling block under its control is instructed, it is stored by itself. The device transmits and receives traveling information including the identification number of the carrier concerned and the traveling destination, and transmits device state information indicating the operating state of each device under its control. A number of traveling control means, the type of the carrier and the type of the carrier which the station can enter, and manages the traveling control of the carrier by the traveling control means based on these information and the equipment state information. A transport system, comprising: 3. The carrier includes: a, a prescription carrier b for carrying a prescription, a sample carrier c for carrying a sample such as blood and urine, a drug carrier d for carrying a drug, and a general carrier to be carried other than the above. 3. A general-purpose carrier that conveys an object.
The transport system described. 4. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is driven and driven by a linear induction motor. 5. The carrier according to claim 4, wherein the carrier includes a secondary conductor, and a plurality of primary coils are arranged on the traveling track along the traveling track. system.