TW201516604A - Transport vehicle system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a transport vehicle system such that the transport capability of the system as a whole can be increased while an increase in load applied to a power supply unit is suppressed. A transport vehicle system (1) is provided with: a power feeding unit (21) disposed in a section along a track (11); a power supply unit (23) that supplies electric power to the power feeding unit; a plurality of transport vehicles (40) that include an electricity storage unit (55) for storing the electric power supplied from the power feeding unit, and that transport a transported item (X) while moving around a track in one direction; and a management controller (3) that manages the transport vehicles. The management controller includes a stored electricity status acquisition unit (31) that acquires a stored electricity status of the transport vehicles present in a power feeding section (20) in which the power feeding unit is disposed, and an entry management unit (33) that limits the number of the transport vehicles that enter the power feeding section. The entry management unit, on the basis of the stored electricity status acquired by the stored electricity status acquisition unit, limits the number of the transport vehicles that enter the power feeding section to the number eliminating the transport vehicles of which the stored electricity amount is not less than a first stored electricity amount.

Description

Pallet system

The present invention relates to a transport vehicle system for transporting an object to be transported by a transport vehicle.

A transport vehicle system for transporting objects such as semiconductor wafers, glass substrates, and general parts by means of a carrier traveling along a track is known. The transport vehicle in the transport vehicle system as described above travels by electric power supplied from a power supply unit such as a power supply line disposed along a track.

In the transport vehicle system, for example, a transport vehicle system in which a transported object is transported by a transport vehicle including a rechargeable power storage unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1. When the transport vehicle in the transport vehicle system as described above travels in the power supply unit disposed in a partial section along the track, the power supplied from the power supply unit is stored in the power storage unit, and the stored power is used. The track in the section where the power supply unit is not disposed is traveling.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-038134

In the transport vehicle system as described above, it is necessary to make the load of the power supply unit that supplies the alternating current to the power supply unit equal to or less than the allowable amount. Therefore, the number of vehicles that can enter the power supply section has been limited since the past. On the other hand, it is also intended to improve the handling capacity of the transportation vehicle system.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a transport vehicle system capable of improving the transport capability of a transport vehicle system while suppressing an increase in the load of the power supply unit.

A transport vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a power supply unit that is provided in a partial section along a track, a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the power supply unit, and a plurality of transport vehicles that are provided by the power supply unit. The power storage unit that stores electric power is configured to transport the object to be transported while being orbited in one direction in a single direction, and a management controller that manages the transport vehicle. The management controller includes a storage state acquisition unit that acquires a storage state of the transportation vehicle that is present in the power supply section in which the power supply unit is disposed, and an entry management unit that limits the number of entering the transportation vehicle to the power supply section. The entry management unit limits the number of arrivals so that the number of the vehicles other than the number of the first storage batteries is equal to or less than the predetermined number of storage units, based on the power storage status acquired by the power storage status acquisition unit.

Among the vans that travel in the power supply section, there are examples of existence. If the vehicle has reached the predetermined amount of stored electricity, it is not necessary to supply the vehicle with additional power. In the transport vehicle system, the number of transport vehicles other than the transport vehicle in which the electric power is not supplied in the power supply section and the electric power storage amount is equal to or higher than the first electric storage amount is restricted, and the transport vehicle is restricted from entering the power supply section. Thereby, the new truck can be put into the power supply section without increasing the load of the power supply unit. Thereby, it is possible to improve the conveyance ability of the entire transportation vehicle system while suppressing an increase in the load applied to the power supply unit.

In one embodiment, the upstream side of the power supply section may be provided with an entry restriction area for restricting the entry of the transport vehicle by the entry management unit, and the management controller additionally has a comparison unit, the comparison unit being: Then, the first time until the transportation vehicle entering the restriction area reaches the power supply section and the second time until the first storage amount is equal to the first time when the amount of electric power stored in the transportation vehicle is increased. In this case, when the comparison unit determines that the second time is equal to or less than the first time, the entry management unit permits the vehicle to enter the entry restriction area to enter the entry restriction area.

In the transportation vehicle system having the configuration in which the restriction area is provided, the transportation vehicle system having the configuration in which the power supply is not supplied and the electric storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is also included. The number of units limits the access of the truck to the power supply range. Further, with the transportation vehicle system as described above, it is possible to make the new transportation vehicle enter the power supply section at a timing when the amount of electric power stored in the transportation vehicle section is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently improve the conveyance ability of the entire transportation vehicle system while suppressing the increase in the load applied to the power supply unit.

Here, the comparison between the first time and the second time referred to herein also includes comparing the distance and speed at which the first time and the second time can be calculated.

In one embodiment, the transport vehicle system may further include a power storage amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of electric power stored in the power storage unit, and further includes a controller that includes a travel speed control unit that controls the travel speed In the vehicle to be inserted into the power supply section, the traveling speed in the power supply section is set so that the power storage amount before the power supply section is started becomes the first power storage amount based on the power storage amount before the power supply to the transportation vehicle is started in the power supply section. In addition, the management controller has a busyness determination unit that acquires the conveyance amount of the transportation vehicle system when there is a transportation vehicle to enter the power supply section, and determines that the acquired transportation amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In the case where the amount of electric power stored in the power supply section is equal to or greater than the second electric storage amount smaller than the first electric storage amount, the transportation vehicle in the most downstream side in the electric power supply section is made faster than the traveling speed. Speed walking.

The second electric storage amount can be formed as a charge amount that can be returned to the power supply section at a predetermined speed after the transport vehicle leaves the power supply section. By the vehicle system, in the normal state, the electric storage amount after passing through the electric power supply section becomes the first electric storage amount, and the traveling speed is set in the electric power supply section at the set traveling speed, and the conveyance amount in the transportation vehicle system When the vehicle is to be moved to the power supply section, the speed of the transport vehicle in the power supply section is relatively faster than the above-described travel speed, and the transport capability as the transport vehicle system can be improved.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the transportability of the transport vehicle system while suppressing the increase in the load applied to the power supply unit.

1‧‧‧Car system

3‧‧‧Management controller

11‧‧‧ Track

15A, 15B, 15C‧‧‧ Station

20‧‧‧Power supply interval

21‧‧‧Power Supply Department

23‧‧‧Power Supply Department

31‧‧‧Power Storage Status Acquisition Department

33‧‧‧Into the Management Department

35‧‧‧Comparative Department

37‧‧‧ Busy Judgment Department

40‧‧‧Elevated walking vehicle

41‧‧‧ body controller

45‧‧‧Accumulating power acquisition department

47‧‧‧Travel Speed Control Department

53‧‧‧Power Management Department

55‧‧‧Power Storage Department

57‧‧‧Walking motor

101‧‧‧Car system

103‧‧‧Management controller

140‧‧‧Elevated walking vehicle

141‧‧ ‧ body controller (controller)

A1‧‧‧ Enter restricted area

P1‧‧‧ Enter the position in front of the restricted area A1

X‧‧‧ carried goods

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a transportation vehicle system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the truck system of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport vehicle system according to a second embodiment.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description is omitted. The illustrated size ratios are not necessarily consistent with the presenter.

(First embodiment)

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transport vehicle system 1 according to the first embodiment. The transport vehicle system 1 is a system for transporting the transported object X using the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that can move along the rail. Here, for example, a transport vehicle system in which an unmanned overhead traveling vehicle that is a general article that can be transported as a transported object is transported along a track in a factory or the like will be described as an example. Among them, in the object to be transported Examples include semiconductor wafers, glass substrates, general parts, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport vehicle system 1 mainly includes a management controller 3, a rail 11, a power supply unit 21, and an overhead traveling vehicle (transport vehicle) 40.

The rail 11 is a portion in which the overhead traveling vehicle 40 travels and is suspended by the ceiling. As shown in FIG. 1, the rail 11 in the transport vehicle system 1 is configured to include a straight portion, a curved portion, a branching portion, a merging portion, and the like, and at least the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that starts in the power supply section 20 to be described later can be returned again. To the circumferential portion of the power supply section 20. Further, stations 15A, 15B, and 15C for carrying in the conveyed object X are provided along the rail 11.

A power supply section 20 in which a power supply unit 21 that supplies electric power to the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is disposed is provided in a section along the rail 11 . The power supply unit 21 of the first embodiment is a contactless power supply system that supplies electric power to the overhead traveling vehicle 40 in a non-contact manner by electromagnetic induction. The power supply unit 21 is supplied with an alternating current by the power supply unit 23.

The power supply unit 21 is a portion that supplies electric power to the power receiving unit 53 (see FIG. 2 ) of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 . Specifically, power is generated by the power receiving unit 53 of the proximity power supply unit 21 by a change in the magnetic field generated when the alternating current is supplied from the power supply unit 23 to the power supply unit 21. In the transport vehicle system 1 of the first embodiment, when the overhead traveling vehicle 40 enters the power feeding section 20, charging of the power storage unit 55 (see FIG. 2) and supply of electric power to the traveling motor 57 (see FIG. 2) are performed. Start at the same time. In the vehicle system 1 of the first embodiment, when the amount of electric power stored in the electric storage unit 55 becomes the first electric storage amount (for example, full charge), charging is automatically stopped. The full charge in the power storage unit 55 may be predetermined in temperature, humidity, and the like. In the environment, it is possible to maximize the state of power storage (full capacity charging), or the maximum power storage state (full-scale charging in specifications) determined by product specifications.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the truck system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the management controller 3 controls the overhead traveling vehicle 40 detailed in the following paragraph, and is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random). An electronic control unit composed of an Access Memory, a random access memory, or the like. The management controller 3 mainly outputs a conveyance command to the overhead traveling vehicle 40. The transport command includes various information about the work content of the overhead traveling vehicle 40, and for example, information on a station for carrying in the transported object X, and the like.

The management controller 3 further includes at least the power storage status acquisition unit 31, the entry management unit 33, and the comparison unit 35 as processing units. Each function of the power storage status acquisition unit 31, the entry management unit 33, and the comparison unit 35 is configured such that, for example, a program stored in the ROM is loaded on the RAM and executed by the CPU. However, each processing unit may be configured as a hardware.

The power storage state acquisition unit 31 acquires a portion of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is present in the power supply section 20 in which the power supply unit 21 is disposed as shown in FIG. 1 . Specifically, the vehicle body controller 41 including the electric storage amount acquisition unit 45 that detects the electric storage amount of the electric storage unit 55 is transmitted, and the information on the electric storage amount in the electric storage unit 55 of each overhead traveling vehicle 40 is obtained. According to the amount of electricity stored in each overhead vehicle 40. If the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is present in the power supply section 20 based on the transmission from the management controller 3 The information of the number of units can extract, for example, the number of overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are present in the power supply section 20 and whose amount of stored electricity is equal to or greater than the first amount of stored electricity.

Further, the power storage state acquisition unit 31 monitors, for example, the inverter output current of the power supply unit 23 shown in FIG. 1 or the primary side input current of the power supply unit 23. Thereby, the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are receiving power, that is, the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are under the first electric storage amount and are being charged, can be extracted. According to the information on the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are transmitted in the power supply section 20 by the management controller 3, it is possible to extract the overhead traveling in the power supply section 20 and the amount of stored electricity is equal to or higher than the first storage amount. The number of cars 40.

The entry management unit 33 manages the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are traveling in the power supply section 20 in which the power supply unit 21 is arranged to be equal to or smaller than the predetermined number (predetermined number of units). In other words, the entry management unit 33 restricts the overhead traveling vehicle 40 from entering the power supply section 20 so that the number of overhead traveling vehicles 40 that travel in the power supply section 20 does not exceed the predetermined number (for example, four).

The entry management unit 33 of the first embodiment is an overhead traveling vehicle in which the amount of stored electricity is equal to or greater than the first amount of stored electricity in the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that travels in the power supply section 20, based on the state of charge stored by the power storage situation acquisition unit 31. The number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that have entered the power supply section 20 is limited such that the number of units other than 40 is equal to or less than the predetermined number. In other words, the entry management unit 33 of the first embodiment does not count the overhead traveling vehicle 40 whose electric storage amount is equal to or greater than the first storage amount as one that is entering the power supply section 20. For example, even if there are already a specified number of units, that is, 4 overhead vehicles 40 When the electric power stored in one of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 is equal to or greater than the first electric storage amount, a new one of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 is allowed to enter the power supply section 20.

Next, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 mainly includes a vehicle body controller 41, a power receiving unit 53, a power storage unit 55, and a traveling motor 57. The overhead traveling vehicle 40 is driven in one direction along the rail 11 by the traveling motor 57 that is driven by at least one of the electric power stored in the electric storage unit 55 and the electric power supplied from the electric power feeding unit 21 (shown in FIG. 1 ). Walking in the direction of the arrow).

The power receiving unit 53 is a portion that receives power supply from the power supply unit 21. As described above, the power reception unit 53 of the first embodiment generates electric power by using a change in the magnetic field generated when the alternating current flows to the power supply unit 21.

The power storage unit 55 is a portion that stores electric power supplied from the power supply unit 21, that is, power generated by the power receiving unit 53. An inverter or the like (not shown) is disposed between the power receiving unit 53 and the power storage unit 55. The power storage unit 55 includes a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydrogen battery, and the like.

The vehicle body controller 41 controls a portion of the overhead traveling vehicle 40, for example, an electronic control unit composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The vehicle body controller 41 mainly controls the general walking of the overhead traveling vehicle 40. Specifically, the vehicle body controller 41 controls the overhead traveling vehicle 40, mainly the traveling motor 57, so as to travel at a traveling speed set in advance for each section. The section referred to herein includes the inclusions shown in Figure 1. The power supply section 20, the straight section, the curved section, and the like of the electric unit 21. For example, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that has entered the power supply section 20 in a state where the amount of stored electricity is substantially zero may set the speed that becomes the first amount of stored electricity after passing through the power supply section 20 as the traveling speed of the power supply section 20 . The acceleration/deceleration up to the set speed is performed at a constant acceleration that is set.

The vehicle body controller 41 additionally has at least the power storage amount acquisition unit 45 as a processing unit. The function of the power storage amount acquisition unit 45 in the vehicle body controller 41 is configured to be, for example, a software stored in the ROM by a program stored in the ROM and executed by the CPU. However, the power storage amount acquisition unit 45 may be configured as a hardware.

The power storage amount acquisition unit 45 acquires the portion of the power storage unit 55 that has the amount of stored electricity. The electric storage amount acquisition unit 45 can obtain the electric storage amount of the electric storage unit 55 by measuring, for example, the electromotive force of the electric storage unit 55, the temperature, the internal resistance, and the like. Further, the stored electricity amount acquisition unit 45 can obtain the amount of stored electricity by calculating the amount of used electric power from the traveling state or the like.

Next, the operation of the transport vehicle system 1 will be described. In the transport vehicle system 1 in which the rails 11 are arranged as shown in FIG. 1, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is wound around in one direction (the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1), and is carried according to the conveyance command from the management controller 3. The object to be transported X. In the transport vehicle system 1 shown above, the management controller 3 transmits the transport request.

Among the plurality of overhead traveling vehicles 40 on the traveling rail 11, a transportation command is assigned to the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that initially responds to the transportation request. The conveyance command includes, for example, information on a station where the object X to be transported is to be transported, and a destination of the conveyance of the object X to be transported. Station information. When the overhead traveling vehicle 40 receives the above-described conveyance command, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 travels at a predetermined traveling speed for each of the power supply section 20, the straight section, and the curved section.

When the overhead traveling vehicle 40 approaches the power supply section 20, it is determined by the management unit 33 included in the management controller 3 whether or not the power supply section 20 can be entered. Specifically, when the overhead traveling vehicle 40 approaches the power supply section 20, the entry management unit 33 confirms whether or not the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 existing in the power supply section 20 is equal to or less than the predetermined number. When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are present in the power supply section 20 is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the entry management unit 33 permits access to the power supply section 20 for the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the power supply section 20.

When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are present in the power supply section 20 is more than the predetermined number, the power storage status acquisition unit 31 included in the management controller 3 acquires the power storage unit 55 for each overhead traveling vehicle 40. The amount of electricity stored. The entry management unit 33 confirms whether or not the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 having the first electric storage amount or more among the overhead traveling vehicles 40 in the electric power supply section 20 is smaller than the predetermined number. When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 having the first electric storage amount or more is less than the predetermined number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 in the electric power supply section 20, the management unit 33 is in the desire to enter the management unit 33. The overhead traveling vehicle 40 that has entered the power supply section 20 is allowed to enter the power supply section 20.

On the other hand, in the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is present in the power supply section 20, an overhead line having a first amount of electric storage or more is stored. When the number of the vehicles other than the vehicle 40 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the entry management unit 33 is not allowed to enter the power supply section 20, and is allowed to enter the power supply section 20 so as to be in the power supply section 20. Standby with the previous position.

In the transport vehicle system 1, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is restricted from entering the power supply section 20 based on the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 other than the first traveling power storage unit, except that the power supply is not supplied in the power supply section 20. Thereby, the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 in which the power supply is not supplied in the power supply section 20 can be newly entered into the power supply section 20 without increasing the load of the power supply unit 23. Thereby, the conveyance ability in the conveyance system 1 can be improved while suppressing the load applied to the power supply unit 23 to become high.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, an entry restriction area in which the overhead traveling vehicle 40 enters is restricted by the entry management unit 33 on the upstream side in one direction of the power supply section 20 (the arrow direction shown in FIG. 1). A1. The management controller 3 may further include a comparison unit 35 for the first time T1 until the overhead traveling vehicle 40 entering the restricted area A1 reaches the power supply section 20, and the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that travels in the power supply section 20. The middle electric storage amount is compared at the second time T2 until the first electric storage amount is equal to or higher. The first time T1 is calculated based on the traveling speed controlled by the vehicle body controller 41 to be described later. Then, when the comparison unit 35 determines that the second time T2 is equal to or less than the first time T1, the entry management unit 33 can permit the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the entry restriction area A1 to enter the entry restriction area A1.

The operation of the transport vehicle system 1 at this time will be described. When the overhead traveling vehicle 40 approaches the entry restriction area A1, it is determined by the management unit 33 included in the management controller 3 whether or not it is possible to enter the entry restriction area A1. Specifically, when the overhead traveling vehicle 40 approaches the entry restriction area A1, the entry management unit 33 confirms whether or not the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 existing in the power supply section 20 is equal to or less than the predetermined number. When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 existing in the power supply section 20 is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the entry management unit 33 permits access to the entrance restricted area A1 for the overhead traveling vehicle 40 to enter the power supply section 20.

When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are present in the power supply section 20 is more than the predetermined number, the power storage status acquisition unit 31 included in the management controller 3 acquires the power storage unit 55 for each overhead traveling vehicle 40. The amount of electricity stored. The entry management unit 33 confirms whether or not the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 having the first electric storage amount or more among the overhead traveling vehicles 40 in the electric power supply section 20 is smaller than the predetermined number. When the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 having the first electric storage amount or more is less than the predetermined number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 in the electric power supply section 20, the management unit 33 is in the desire to enter the management unit 33. The overhead traveling vehicle 40 that has entered the restricted area A1 is permitted to enter the entry restricted area A1.

On the other hand, when the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 having the first electric storage amount or more is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 in the electric power supply section 20, the management controller 3 The included comparison unit 35 calculates the height to enter the entry restriction area A1. The first time T1 until the vehicle traveling vehicle 40 reaches the power supply section 20 and the second time T2 until the first power storage amount is equal to or higher than the first power storage amount in the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that travels in the power supply section 20, and the calculated The first time T1 is compared with the second time T2.

When the comparison unit 35 determines that the second time T2 is equal to or less than the first time T1, the entry management unit 33 permits the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the entry restriction area A1 to enter the entry restriction area A1. That is, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is permitted to enter enters the power supply section 20. When the overhead traveling vehicle 40 approaches the restricted area A1, even if the predetermined number of overhead traveling vehicles 40 are traveling in the power supply section 20, the target overhead traveling vehicle 40 is to be entered. In the power supply section 20, the one overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is traveling in the power supply section 20 is in a state of reaching the first power storage amount, that is, the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are smaller than the predetermined number of units is in the power supply section 20 At the time of the walking state, the target overhead traveling vehicle 40 is entered.

On the other hand, when the comparison unit 35 determines that the second time T2 is longer than the first time T1, the entry management unit 33 does not permit the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the entry restriction area A1 to enter the entry restriction area. A1 stands by at the position P1 before entering the restricted area A1. That is, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is not permitted to enter is entered into the power supply section 20. In addition, for example, the entry management unit 33 may cause the target overhead traveling vehicle 40 to enter the restricted area A1 at a time T3 (T3=T2-T1) after the first time T1 is subtracted from the second time T2. The position P1 stands by, and then it is made to enter the restricted area A1.

In the transport vehicle system 1 , the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is restricted from entering the power supply section 20 based on the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 that are not supplied with electric power in the power supply section 20 and the amount of electric power stored is equal to or greater than the first electric storage amount. . Thereby, the number of the overhead traveling vehicles 40 of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 in which the power supply is not supplied in the power supply section 20 can be newly entered into the power supply section 20 without increasing the load of the power supply unit 23. Thereby, the conveyance ability in the conveyance system 1 can be improved while suppressing the load applied to the power supply unit 23 to become high.

In addition, in the transport vehicle system 1, the power storage amount of the overhead traveling vehicle 401 in the power supply section 20 may be equal to or higher than the first electric storage amount, and the new overhead traveling vehicle 40 may enter the power supply section 20. Thereby, the conveyance ability in the conveyance system 1 can be efficiently improved while suppressing the load applied to the power supply unit 23 to become high.

(Second embodiment)

Next, the second embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 3 . Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a transport vehicle system 101 according to the second embodiment. The transport vehicle system 101 differs from the transport vehicle system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that it has a management controller 103 including a busyness determination unit 37 and a travel speed control unit as shown in FIG. 47 body controller (controller) 141. The management controller 103 and the vehicle body controller 141 will be described in detail, and the description of the portions common to the transportation vehicle system 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

The management controller 103 additionally has a busyness determination unit 37. For the processing department. The busyness determination unit 37 acquires the amount of transportation in the transportation vehicle system 101 when there is an overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the power supply section 20. When it is determined that the acquired conveyance amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the busyness determination unit 37 sets the amount of electric power stored in the electric power supply section 20 to be equal to or greater than the second electric storage amount smaller than the first electric storage amount. In the most downstream side of the power supply section 20, in other words, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is traveling in the front of the power supply section 20 travels at a speed faster than the speed set as the traveling speed. Here, the conveyance amount of the conveyance system 101 can compare, for example, the number of conveyance orders managed by the management controller 103 as an index. It can be determined that the more the number of conveyance commands, the more the amount of conveyance.

Among them, the determination of the presence or absence of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is to enter the power supply section 20 in the management controller 103 can be performed by concentrating the object of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is being transported. Whether or not to carry the object to be transported X can be determined based on information such as a conveyance command.

The vehicle body controller 141 has at least a power storage amount acquisition unit 45 and a traveling speed control unit 47 as processing units. The traveling speed control unit 47 sets the traveling speed in the power feeding section 20 of the overhead traveling vehicle 140, and moves the overhead traveling vehicle 40 at the set traveling speed. Specifically, the travel speed control unit 47 calculates the amount of stored electricity in the power storage unit 55 that has passed through the power supply section 20 based on the amount of power stored in the power supply section 20 before powering on the overhead traveling vehicle 40, and becomes the first power storage amount (for example, full). The traveling speed of the amount of charge is controlled by the traveling motor 57 mainly in such a manner that the calculated traveling speed travels in the power supply section 20.

Next, the operation of the transport vehicle system 101 will be described. About The entry restriction of the entrance restricted area A1 and the power supply section 20 of the overhead traveling vehicle 140 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. In the transport vehicle system 101 of the second embodiment, the traveling speed when the power feeding section 20 travels is set based on the amount of electric power stored before entering the power feeding section 20, and the traveling speed is set to be the same as the traveling speed when passing through the power feeding section 20. The transport vehicle system 1 of the first embodiment differs.

When the overhead traveling vehicle 140 approaches the entry restriction area A1, the traveling speed control unit 47 included in the vehicle body controller 41 is based on the amount of electric power stored before the power supply to the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is started in the power supply section 20, after passing through the power supply section 20 The traveling speed V1 in the power supply section 20 is determined in such a manner that the amount of stored electricity becomes the first amount of stored electricity. However, the timing of determining the traveling speed V1 in the power supply section 20 is not limited to the above-described timing, and may be, for example, a timing before entering the power supply section 20.

The busyness determination unit 37 included in the management controller 3 monitors the presence or absence of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 to be entered in the power supply section 20 and the amount of transportation with the transportation vehicle system 101. The monitoring of the presence or absence of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 to enter the power supply section 20 is performed, for example, by monitoring the presence or absence of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 within a predetermined distance in the power supply section 20. The monitoring of the conveyance amount of the truck system 101 is performed, for example, by monitoring the number of conveyance commands managed by the management controller 3. The busyness determining unit 37 controls the traveling of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is controlled to enter the power feeding section 20 and controls the traveling of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 that is traveling in front of the power feeding section 20 when the number of the transportation commands is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The situation of speed. Specifically, the amount of electric power stored in the power supply section 20 becomes the second smaller than the first electric storage amount. The speed of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is such that the speed of the overhead traveling vehicle 40 traveling in front of the power supply section 20 is faster than the current traveling speed V1. The second electric storage amount is formed, for example, in a charge amount that can be returned to the power supply section 20 at a predetermined speed after the overhead traveling vehicle 40 leaves the power supply section 20 at a predetermined speed.

By the transport vehicle system 101, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 in the power supply section 20 is caused to travel in the normal state with the traveling speed V1 for which the amount of electric power stored in the power supply section 20 becomes the first electric storage amount. In addition, when the transport vehicle system 101 has a transport vehicle to enter the power supply section, the transport amount in the transport vehicle system 101 is acquired, and when the transport amount is larger than a predetermined value, the power supply section is made. The overhead traveling vehicle 40 of 20 is relatively faster than the above-described traveling speed V1, and the carrying capacity of the transport vehicle system 101 can be improved.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the transport vehicle system 101 of the above-described embodiment, the travel speed control unit 47 that sets the travel speed in the power supply section 20 is described as an example of the vehicle body controller 141. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured as a management controller 103.

In the transportation vehicle system 101 of the above-described embodiment, the storage speed is set in such a manner that the amount of electric power stored in the power supply section 20 before the power supply section 20 starts to be the first electric storage amount is set. The example is described, but the invention is not limited herein. For example, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 to the power supply section 20 may be entered in a state where the amount of stored electricity is substantially zero, and the speed at which the first storage amount is reached after passing through the power supply section 20 may be uniformly set as the traveling speed. The vehicle body controller 141 has a function of automatically stopping the supply of electric power to the power storage unit 55 when the amount of electric power stored in the electric storage unit 55 reaches the first electric storage amount (full charge). Therefore, even when the overhead traveling vehicle 40 in the state of remaining the amount of stored electricity has entered the power feeding section 20, the amount of stored electricity that has passed through the power feeding section 20 can be set as the first amount of stored electricity.

In the transport vehicle system 1 and 101 of the above-described embodiment, the overhead traveling vehicle 40 is described as an example of a transport vehicle. However, other examples of the transport vehicle include an unmanned vehicle that is placed on a track or a platform. Pallets and stackers.

In the transport vehicle systems 1 and 101 of the above-described embodiments, a series of non-contact power supply systems are used as the power supply unit 21, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and direct contact with a trolley wire may be employed. The method of supplying power to the power storage unit 55 is performed by the method.

In the transport vehicle system 1 and 101 of the above-described embodiment, the power supply section 20 in which the power supply unit 21 is disposed is provided in a single example. However, it may be provided in two or three locations. Part.

1‧‧‧Car system

3‧‧‧Management controller

21‧‧‧Power Supply Department

31‧‧‧Power Storage Status Acquisition Department

33‧‧‧Into the Management Department

35‧‧‧Comparative Department

40‧‧‧Elevated walking vehicle

41‧‧‧ body controller

45‧‧‧Accumulating power acquisition department

53‧‧‧Power Management Department

55‧‧‧Power Storage Department

57‧‧‧Walking motor

Claims (3)

A transport vehicle system including: a power supply unit that is provided in a partial section along a track; a power supply unit that supplies electric power to the power supply unit; and a plurality of transport vehicles that are supplied by the power supply unit The power storage unit that stores the electric power, and conveys the object to be transported around the rail in one direction; and the management controller that manages the transport vehicle, wherein the management controller includes a power storage status acquisition unit. The storage state of the transport vehicle in the power supply section in which the power supply unit is disposed; and the entry management unit that manages the number of entry of the transport vehicle into the power supply section, and the entry management unit is based on the power storage condition In the power storage state acquired by the acquisition unit, the number of the access units is limited to be equal to or less than the number of the vehicles other than the number of the first power storage units. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein an upstream side of the one of the ones of the power supply sections is provided with an entry restriction area for restricting entry of the transport vehicle by the entry management unit, and the management controller is Further, the comparison unit has a comparison portion for the first time until the transportation vehicle that has entered the entrance restriction area reaches the power supply section, and the storage battery that is traveling in the power supply section. The second time until the first electric storage amount or more is compared, When the comparison unit determines that the second time is equal to or shorter than the first time, the entry management unit permits the transport vehicle that is to enter the entry restriction area to enter the entry restriction area. The vehicle system according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the transportation vehicle system further includes a power storage amount acquisition unit that acquires a power storage amount in the power storage unit, and further includes a controller. The traveling speed control unit includes, for the transportation vehicle that is to enter the power supply section, the power storage amount before starting the power supply to the transportation vehicle in the power supply section, after passing through the power supply section. The storage power is set as the first electric storage amount, and the traveling speed in the power supply section is set, and the management controller further includes a busyness determination unit that is present when the vehicle is to enter the power supply section. When the amount of conveyance of the transportation vehicle system is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the amount of electric power stored in the electric power supply section is equal to or greater than the second electric storage amount smaller than the first electric storage amount. The traveling vehicle that is traveling on the most downstream side in the power supply section is caused to travel at a speed faster than the traveling speed.