KR102310390B1 - Overhead transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

A commerce logistics system in accordance with the present invention comprises: a rail installed in a facility (100); a tray storage (200) installed on a lower left side and/or a lower right side of the rail; a charging station (300) installed on the lower left side or the lower right side of the rail; a transport cart (400) moving along the rail; and a control server (500) which is wirelessly connected to the transfer cart and the charging station, and transmits and receives data and signals. The rail (100) is installed on the ceiling of the facility, and a location identification tag (PNS) in which location data is recorded is attached to a lower surface or a side surface of the rail. The transport cart (400) includes a body (410) having a space portion (V), a driving unit (420) installed on an upper portion of the body and rotating along the rail, a conveyor (430) installed on a lower portion of the space portion, a detection unit (440) for detecting the location identification tag (PNS) attached to the rail, a battery unit (450) for supplying driving power, and a controller (460) for controlling the driving unit, the conveyor, the detection unit, and the battery unit. The detection unit of the transport cart acquires the location data recorded in the location identification tag in real time and transmits the data to the control server. Therefore, the present invention can ensure driving stability.

Description

Commerce Logistics System {OVERHEAD TRANSFER SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an airspace logistics system, and more particularly, to an airspace logistics system capable of storing parts necessary for assembly in a tray using a transfer cart and receiving parts from the tray when necessary.

In general, parts necessary for manufacturing semiconductors, communication devices, electronic devices, mechanical devices, etc. are temporarily stored in trays, taken out according to the process sequence, and supplied to the manufacturing line. Remaining parts after assembly are reloaded into trays and stored.

With the recent development of automation devices, it is replacing the manpower of workers by bringing in and taking out trays on the conveyor driven by the control of the central management server. If the automation device is used, a large number of trays can be stored in a limited space, and parts necessary for the process can be brought in or taken out easily and quickly.

Such an automated device, for example, there is Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0071229.

The prior art document relates to a mask supply system, which includes a traveling module that is drivably coupled to the rail by having a curved rail portion and a straight rail portion. The driving module includes a wheel unit including an inner wheel and an outer wheel, a differential gear unit for relatively controlling the rotational speeds of the inner wheel and the outer wheel, and a wheel unit driving unit for driving the wheel unit.

The wheel unit is driven using the rotational force of the driving motor, and the power required for driving is configured to be supplied by a power supply including a regulator receiving electromotive force from the pickup unit, and a power supply having a distribution circuit.

Laid-open Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0071229, mask supply device Laid-open Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0071228, mask supply device Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0018484, Cassette transport device and cassette transport system having the same Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0087523, Carrier Movement Loading Promotion Device

An object of the present invention is to provide an overhead logistics system capable of storing parts necessary for assembly in a tray using a transfer cart, and receiving parts from the tray when necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an airspace logistics system capable of detecting the amount of charge of a battery mounted on a transfer cart in real time and performing charging by moving to a charging station when the detected remaining amount of charge of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount of charge. There is this.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned problems. Other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description.

The airspace logistics system according to the present invention includes a rail 100 installed in a facility, a tray storage unit 200 installed on the lower left and/or right side of the rail, and a charging station 300 installed on the lower left or right side of the rail. And, a transfer bogie 400 moving along the rail, and a control server 500 connected to the transfer bogie and charging station by wireless communication, and transmitting and receiving data and signals,

The rail 100 is installed on the ceiling of the facility, and a location identification tag (PNS) in which location data is recorded is attached to the lower surface or side of the rail,

The transfer cart 400 includes a body 410 having a space portion V, a drive unit 420 installed on the upper portion of the body and rotationally driven along a rail, and a conveyor 430 installed under the space portion. ), a detection unit 440 for detecting a location identification tag (PNS) attached to the rail, a battery unit 450 for supplying driving power, and a controller 460 for controlling the driving unit, the conveyor, the detection unit, and the battery unit. is done by

The detection unit of the transfer cart is configured to acquire the location data recorded in the location identification table in real time and transmit it to the control server.

The control server 500 according to the present invention controls the driving of the transport cart based on the placement information unit 510 in which the position data of the tray storage stand, the charging station, and the transport cart is recorded, and the position data transmitted from the detection unit of the transport cart. It is configured to include a driving control unit 520 and a charging control unit 530 for controlling charging of the battery mounted on the transfer cart.

The charging control unit 530 according to the present invention acquires the amount of charge of the battery transmitted from the transfer cart, and when the amount of charge of the transmitted battery is less than or equal to a preset charge amount, determines whether the transfer cart is in operation, and when the transfer cart is on standby , is configured to set the destination as the charging station, and set the destination as the charging station at the time when the operation is completed when the transfer cart is in operation.

According to the present invention, the real-time location of the transfer cart can be confirmed by the manager by acquiring the location data recorded on the location identification table attached to the rail in real time and transmitting it to the control server.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to secure the driving stability by detecting the amount of charge of the battery mounted on the transfer cart in real time and performing charging when the amount of charge of the battery is less than or equal to a preset amount of charge.

1 is a block diagram of an airspace logistics system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows moving the tray from the transfer cart to the tray storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows that the transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention is stopped at the charging station.
6 is a block diagram of a control server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 shows a method of transporting a tray using a transport cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view showing a method of charging the battery of the transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, terms such as “unit”, “module”, “server” or “system” may refer to a combination of hardware and software driven by the hardware. For example, the hardware may be a data processing device including a CPU or other processor, and software driven by the hardware refers to a running process, an executable file, a program, and the like. can do.

The present invention proposes an airspace logistics system capable of detecting the amount of charge of a battery mounted on a transfer cart in real time, and moving to a charging station to charge the battery when the amount of charge is less than a predetermined charge.

1 is a block diagram of an airspace logistics system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The airspace logistics system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rail 100 installed in a facility, a tray storage 200 installed on the lower left and/or right side of the rail, and a charging station installed on the lower left or right side of the rail. (300), and a transfer cart 400 moving along the rail, and a control server 500 that is wirelessly connected to the transfer cart and charging station, and transmits and receives data and signals.

The rail 100 is installed on the ceiling of the facility. The rail according to the present invention provides a movement path of the transfer bogie to be described later. The rail may consist of a double track, and may be composed of a straight rail or a combination of a straight rail and a curved rail. The combined straight rail and curved rail may be installed in the form of a closed curve. In addition, branch rails that branch at right angles from a straight rail or a curved rail may be further installed. The branch rail may have an English letter “T” shape.

In the present invention, the rail is installed on the ceiling of the facility as an embodiment, but the rail may be installed on the floor or wall of the facility.

Figure 2 shows a rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A position identification tag (PNS) is attached to the lower surface or side of the rail according to the present invention. Position data is recorded in the position table. The location identification tag (PNS) may be a sticker on which a barcode or QR code is printed. Position identification tags are attached along the rail at predetermined intervals. Although the drawing shows that the location identification tag is attached to the lower surface of the rail, as another embodiment, the location identification tag may be attached to the side of the rail.

A tray holder 200 is installed on the lower left and/or right side of the rail 100 . A tray containing parts necessary for work may be stored in the tray holder 200 . Of course, an empty tray without parts may be stored in the tray holder. A conveyor may be installed in the tray storage stand, and the conveyor may be driven by receiving mechanical or electrical power from the transfer cart. The tray may be placed on top of the conveyor and stored.

The tray storage unit 200 and the charging station 300 will be described in detail after the conveyance cart 400 is described.

Figure 3 shows a transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The transport bogie 400 according to the present invention includes a body 410 having a space V, a driving unit 420 installed on the upper portion of the body and rotating along a rail, and a lower portion of the space. Containing a conveyor 430, a detection unit 440 for detecting a position identification tag attached to the rail, a battery unit 450 for supplying driving power, and a controller 460 for controlling the driving unit, the conveyor, the detection unit, and the battery unit do.

Referring to the drawings, the body 410 of the transfer cart is provided with a space (V) capable of loading the tray. A conveyor is installed below the space (V). The tray is carried on top of the conveyor.

The driving unit 420 is installed on the upper portion of the body. The driving unit may include a motor and a roller, and the motor may be driven or stopped according to a control signal from a controller. The motor may be a step motor.

The conveyor 430 inputs or discharges a tray according to the control of the controller 460 . The conveyor puts the tray into the tray holder or ejects the tray from the tray holder.

The detection unit 440 is installed on the upper portion of the body. The detection unit may be installed in a direction toward the rail. The detection unit detects the position data recorded on the position identification tag attached to the rail. The detection unit detects the position data recorded in the position identification table, and outputs the position data to the controller. Thereafter, the position data output to the controller is transmitted to the control server, which can detect the current moving position and the stop position of the corresponding transport cart from the transmitted position data.

The battery unit 450 supplies electric energy required for driving the transfer cart. The battery unit includes a battery and a charging module. The charging module detects a state of charge in the battery and outputs the detected amount of charge to the controller. In addition, the charging module charges the battery according to the control signal.

The controller 460 controls the driving unit, the conveyor, the detection unit, and the battery unit according to data and signals from the control server. The controller is wirelessly connected to the control server.

The transfer bogie 200 according to the present invention moves along the rail. Specifically, the transport cart may move between the work space and the tray storage table. As an embodiment, the transfer cart may transfer a tray containing parts required for work from the tray storage stand to the work space, or transfer the tray containing the remaining parts in the work space to the tray storage unit. In addition, the transfer cart can store empty trays in the tray storage stand.

On the other hand, the transport cart according to the present invention may further include a push pole portion on the side to accurately stop at the tray storage stand or charging station. The push stimulation unit will be described later in the description of the charging station 300 .

Figure 4 shows moving the tray from the transfer cart to the tray storage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The tray holder 200 according to the present invention may be installed on the lower left and/or right side of the rail 100 . The tray holder 200 may include a conveyor 210 . The conveyor of the tray storage unit may be driven by receiving mechanical power from the transfer cart or may be driven by receiving electrical power.

Referring to the drawings, when moving the tray from the transport cart to the tray holder 200 . After the transport cart loaded with the tray stops at the front side of the tray storage table, the conveyor 430 of the transport cart is driven to move the tray to the conveyor of the tray storage table. At this time, the conveyor of the transfer cart and the conveyor of the tray storage table are driven simultaneously.

In the drawings, for convenience of description, only the tray (TRY) of the transfer cart is shown in order to explain the movement of the tray.

Charging station 300 according to the present invention may be installed on the lower left or lower right side of the rail. The charging station 300 charges the battery of the transport cart consumed by driving. The charging station 300 may perform charging of the battery mounted on the transfer cart according to a signal from the control server 500 .

The charging station 300 may include a charging unit and a stop magnetic pole unit. As an embodiment, the charging station is connected to the charging module of the battery unit of the transfer cart according to the signal of the control server. The connection between the charging part of the charging station and the charging module of the transfer cart may be a contact type using a connector or a non-contact type using an induction method.

Figure 5 shows that the transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention is stopped at the charging station.

Referring to Figure 5 (a), the stop magnetic pole portion of the charging station 300 consists of two edge poles and one central pole. The central pole of the stop pole part is selected as the opposite pole from the edge pole. For example, it may be an N pole as a marginal pole and an S pole as a central pole.

On the other hand, a push magnetic pole part is installed on the transfer cart. The push magnetic pole portion of the transfer cart may be made of a magnetic pole S. As for the polarity of the push stimulation unit, a stimulus opposite to the central stimulation of the stop stimulation unit is selected. As another embodiment, the stop magnetic pole portion of the charging station may be composed of a magnetic pole and an N pole between the S pole and the S pole. In this case, a magnetic pole N pole may be installed in the push magnetic pole portion of the transfer cart.

According to the control signal of the control server, the transport cart 400 enters the charging station 300, and then, when the transport cart arrives at a stop position, as shown in FIG. moves towards the charging station. Accordingly, the S pole of the push magnetic pole is close to the S pole of the central magnetic pole of the stop magnetic pole of the charging station, and mutual attraction acts.

The stopping method of the transfer bogie using a magnet can effectively prevent the transfer bogie from being deviated from the stop position due to inertia during operation. Thereafter, the charging station charges the battery of the transfer cart in a contact type by a connector or a non-contact type by an induced current.

In the present invention, although it is an embodiment to install the stop magnetic pole part in the charging station, as another embodiment, the stop magnetic pole part is installed in the tray storage stand, and it is possible to implement an accurate stop of the transfer cart.

The control server 500 according to the present invention controls the movement of the transfer cart based on pre-stored arrangement information, and controls the input and discharge of the tray. In addition, the control server detects the state of charge of the battery mounted on the transfer cart, and performs charge control.

6 is a block diagram of a control server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The control server 500 according to the present invention includes a layout information unit 510 , a driving control unit 520 , a charging control unit 530 , a server control unit 540 , and a communication unit 550 .

The arrangement information unit 510 includes position data of the tray storage table, position data of the charging station, position data of the transfer cart, and tray position data. The position data of the tray storage stand, the position data of the charger, and the position data of the transfer cart may be position data recorded in the position identification table.

According to the present invention, the position data of the tray storage stand and the charging station may be fixed position data, and the position information of the transfer cart and the tray may be position data recorded in the position identification table.

The driving control unit 520 controls the driving of the transport cart based on the position data of the transport cart.

The detection unit installed on the transfer cart reads the position data recorded on the position identification tag attached to the rail, and transmits the read position data to the driving control unit of the control server. The driving control unit may acquire the current position of the transfer cart on the rail from the transmitted position data.

In addition, the driving control unit may transfer the tray from one tray storage stand to another tray storage unit or to a work place according to an input of an administrator, for example, manipulation of a keyboard or mouse.

The charging control unit 530 controls charging of the transfer cart based on the battery charge amount transmitted in real time from the battery unit. For example, when the battery mounted on the transfer cart is less than a preset charge amount, a control signal is output to the driving controller to move the transfer cart to a location where the charging station is installed. Then, the output control signal is transmitted to the transfer cart. The transfer cart can charge the battery by moving from the current location to the location where the charging station is installed for charging the battery. As an embodiment, the charging of the battery may be controlled to move to the charging station only when there is no tray in the space of the transfer cart.

The server control unit 540 controls the signal and data flow of the arrangement information unit 510 , the driving control unit 520 , and the charging control unit 530 .

Hereinafter, a method of transporting a tray using a transport cart according to the present invention will be described.

7 shows a method of transporting a tray using a transport cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In explaining the transfer method of the transfer cart, in the present invention, it is assumed that the waiting transfer cart is moved to the tray storage stand 11, which is the starting point, the tray is put into the transfer cart 02, and then the inserted tray is discharged to the tray storage stand 33, which is the destination. Explain. Such movement of the transfer cart or movement of the tray may be performed by an input command of an administrator or an automation processor.

The method of transporting a tray using a transport cart according to the present invention includes the steps of selecting a waiting transport cart (S100), acquiring location data of the selected transport cart, and location data of a departure and destination (S200), and driving Steps of outputting the transfer cart and the location data of the departure point to the control unit (S300), moving the waiting transfer cart to the departure location (S400), and driving the conveyor of the transfer cart arriving at the departure location to insert the tray (S500) ), moving the transfer cart to the destination (S600), and driving the conveyor of the transfer cart arriving at the destination to discharge the tray (S700).

1. Selecting a waiting transfer cart (S100);

First, the control server selects any one of the waiting transfer bogies according to the input command of the manager. The selection of such a transfer cart may be performed according to priority. For example, the priority may be set in the order of the highest remaining battery capacity.

2. acquiring the location data of the selected transfer cart and location data of the departure and destination (S200);

When the transport cart 02 is selected from among the waiting transport carts, the server control unit acquires the position data of the transport cart 02 and the position data of the tray storage table 11 and the tray storage table 33 from the arrangement information unit 510 . In this case, the position data of the transport cart 02 may be position data of a point at which the transport cart 02 is stopped. In addition, the position data of the tray holders 11 and 33 may be position data recorded in a location identification tag (PNS) located at a point where the tray holders 11 and 33 are installed.

3. Outputting the location data of the transfer cart and the departure point to the driving control unit (S300);

Subsequently, the server control unit 540 outputs a driving signal to the driving control unit 520 to move the conveyance cart 02 to the tray storage table 11 based on the detected position data of the transport cart 02 and the tray storage table 11 . Thereafter, the communication unit 550 transmits a driving signal to the transfer cart 02 . Thereafter, the transport cart moves to the tray storage table 11 according to the driving signal.

4. moving the waiting transfer cart to the departure location (S400);

According to the driving signal, the transport cart 02 moves to the tray storage table 11, which is the starting point. At this time, the transfer cart detects the position data recorded in the position identification tag (PNS) attached to the rail in real time while moving, and transmits the detected position data to the control server. Accordingly, the administrator can check the moving status of the transfer cart 02 in real time through the monitor connected to the control server.

5. Driving the conveyor of the transfer cart that has arrived at the departure location to put the tray in (S500);

When the transport cart 02 arrives at the tray holder 11, the controller of the transport cart 02 drives the conveyor to move the tray stored in the tray storage table 11 to the conveyor of the transport cart 02.

6. moving the transfer cart to the destination (S600);

According to the driving signal of the control server, the transport cart 02 moves to the destination tray storage table 33. At this time, the transfer cart detects the position data recorded in the position identification tag (PNS) attached to the rail in real time while moving, and transmits the detected position data to the control server. Accordingly, the administrator can check the moving status of the transfer cart 02 in real time through the monitor connected to the control server.

7. Discharging the tray by driving the conveyor of the transfer cart arriving at the destination (S700);

When the transport cart 02 arrives at the destination tray storage stand 33, the controller of the transport cart 02 drives the conveyor to move the tray loaded on the conveyor of the transport cart 02 to the destination, the tray holder 33 conveyor.

On the other hand, the battery of the transfer cart may be consumed due to excessive operation. In the present invention, when the battery mounted on the transfer cart is consumed, charging is performed according to a signal from the control server.

Hereinafter, a method of charging the battery of the transfer cart will be described.

8 is a view showing a method of charging the battery of the transfer cart according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method for charging the battery of the transfer cart according to the present invention comprises the steps of: the charging control unit of the control server receiving the battery charge amount from the transfer cart in real time (N100); Steps of determining whether the transfer cart is running (N200) and, if the transfer cart is on standby, setting a destination as a charging station, and if the transfer cart is in operation, setting a destination as a charging station at the time the operation is completed ( N300), the step (N400) of the driving control unit of the control server outputting a driving signal to the transport cart, the step of stopping the transport cart that has arrived at the destination (N500), and the steps of charging the battery of the stopped transport cart (N400) N600).

1. Step (N100) of the charging control unit of the control server receiving the battery charge amount from the transfer cart in real time;

The battery unit 450 of the transfer cart transmits the amount of charge of the battery to the control server in real time. On the other hand, the manager can also check the battery charge amount of the transfer carts through the monitor connected to the control server.

2. If the amount of battery charge received from the transfer cart is less than or equal to a preset charge amount, determining whether the corresponding transfer cart is in operation (N200);

When the charge amount of the battery transmitted from the transfer cart is less than or equal to a preset predetermined charge amount, the charging control unit of the control server checks whether the transfer cart is in a standby state or in a state in which the tray is being transported.

3. If the transfer cart is on standby, setting a destination as a charging station, and when the transfer cart is in operation, setting a destination as a charging station at the time the operation is completed (N300);

The charging control unit of the control server sets the charging station as the destination when the transfer cart is waiting. On the other hand, when the transport cart is transporting the tray, the charging station is set as the next destination when the operation is completed, that is, when the tray is discharged.

4. Step (N400) of the driving control unit of the control server outputting the driving signal to the transport cart:

The charging control unit of the control server outputs the set destination, that is, the location data of the charging station to the driving control unit. Thereafter, the driving control unit outputs a driving signal to the transfer cart. Accordingly, the transfer cart may move from the current location to the charging station location.

5. Stopping the transfer cart arriving at the destination (N500);

The transfer cart reduces the driving speed from a location spaced a predetermined distance from the charging station. After that, when the transfer cart arrives at the charging station and stops, the push magnetic pole part of the transfer cart advances to the center magnetic pole of the stop magnetic pole part of the charging station. At this time, the central magnetic poles of the push magnetic pole part and the stop magnetic pole part have different polarities. Accordingly, the transfer cart can be accurately stopped at the charging position of the charging station.

6. Charging the battery of the stopped transfer cart (N600);

When the transfer cart stops at the charging station, the charging station charges the battery of the transfer cart. In this case, the battery charging of the transfer cart may be a contact-type charging by a connector or a non-contact charging by an induced current.

As mentioned above, although the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

100: rail
200: tray storage stand
210: (tray storage stand) conveyor
300: charging station
400: transfer cart
410: body
420: driving unit
430: (of the transport cart) conveyor
440: detection unit
450: battery unit
460: controller
500: control server
510: deployment information unit
520: drive control unit
530: charging control unit
540: server control unit
PNS: location tag
TRY: tray

Claims (3)

A rail 100 installed in the facility, and
a transfer cart 400 moving along the rail;
A charging station 300 for charging the battery of the transfer cart;
A tray holder 200 for storing the tray, and
It includes a control server 500 that is wirelessly connected to the transfer cart and charging station, and transmits and receives data and signals,
The rail 100 is installed on the ceiling of the facility, and a location identification tag (PNS) in which location data is recorded is attached to the lower surface or side of the rail,
The transfer cart 400 includes a body 410 having a space portion V, a drive unit 420 installed on the upper portion of the body and rotationally driven along a rail, and a conveyor 430 installed under the space portion. ), a detection unit 440 for detecting a location identification tag (PNS) attached to the rail, a battery unit 450 for supplying driving power, and a controller 460 for controlling the driving unit, the conveyor, the detection unit, and the battery unit. is done by
The detection unit of the transfer cart acquires the location data recorded in the location identification table in real time and transmits it to the control server,
A stop magnetic pole part is installed in the charging station 300, and a push magnetic pole part is installed in the transfer cart 400,
The stop magnetic pole part consists of two edge poles and one central pole, wherein the central pole opposite to the edge pole is selected, and the push pole part selects a stimulus opposite to the central pole of the stop pole part, and when charging , The magnetic pole of the push magnetic pole of the transfer cart is configured to advance to the central magnetic pole of the stop magnetic pole of the charging station,
The control server 500 includes a layout information unit 510 in which position data of a tray storage stand, a charging station, and a transfer cart are recorded, and a driving control unit that controls the driving of the transfer cart based on the position data transmitted from the detection unit of the transfer cart ( 520) and a charging control unit 530 for controlling charging of the battery mounted on the transfer cart,
The charging control unit 530 of the control server acquires the amount of charge of the battery transmitted from the transfer cart, and when the amount of charge of the transmitted battery is less than or equal to a preset charge amount, determines whether the transfer cart is in operation, and when the transfer cart is on standby , set the destination as the charging station, and when the transfer cart is in operation, the commerce and logistics system, characterized in that the destination is set as the charging station at the time when the operation is completed.




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