Article transport apparatus

Abstract

Provided is an article conveying apparatus. An article conveying apparatus (10) includes: a conveying cart (25) that conveys a box (90); a plurality of receiving tables (12, 13, 14, 15) that are provided on a conveying path (11) and temporarily place the box (9) conveyed by the conveying cart (25); and a floor-side controller (22) that controls travel of the conveying cart (25). The conveying cart (25) travels between the receiving tables (12, 15), thereby conveying the box (90). The floor-side controller (22) controls a conveying instruction and a travel speed for the conveying cart (25) traveling toward the second receiving table (13) in accordance with inventory statuses of the third receiving table (14) and the fourth receiving table (15) that are located downstream of the second receiving table (13) in a travel direction of the conveying cart (25).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article conveying device, which comprises: a conveying trolley for conveying articles, a plurality of article supporting parts arranged on a conveying path of the articles and temporarily placing the articles conveyed by the conveying trolley, and a trolley control part for controlling the travel of the conveying trolley, wherein the articles are conveyed by the conveying trolley traveling between specified article supporting parts. Background Art

[0002] In the past, as such article transport equipment, the article transport equipment shown in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-202806 is known. The article transport equipment of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-202806 is an L-shaped arrangement in which two parallel travel tracks are arranged on the inner and outer sides, respectively, so that two tracked trolleys (transporting trolleys) travel back and forth along the travel tracks. The two tracked trolleys transport articles between receiving platforms (article support parts) provided near the two ends of the L-shaped travel track and receiving platforms provided near the corners of the L-shaped travel track. The receiving platforms provided near the two ends of the L-shaped travel track are used as cargo stations between stacking cranes, other tracked trolleys, unmanned transport vehicles, etc.

[0003] In the article transporting equipment disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-202806, one tracked vehicle transports articles temporarily placed on a receiving platform provided near one end of an L-shaped travel track to a receiving platform provided near a corner of the L-shaped travel track for temporary placement. Furthermore, the other tracked vehicle transports articles temporarily placed on a receiving platform near the corner to a receiving platform provided near the other end of the L-shaped travel track for temporary placement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in conventional article transport equipment such as the article transport equipment disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-202806, the transport vehicle control unit that controls the movement of the transport vehicle causes the transport vehicle to move without regard to the inventory status of the downstream article support located further downstream than the article support when determining that the temporary placement of an article on the predetermined article support is not hindered (for example, when an article cannot be temporarily placed on the predetermined article support and the other transport vehicle has not stopped at the predetermined article support). Therefore, even if a subsequent article cannot be temporarily placed on the downstream article support due to the temporary placement of an article on the downstream article support (when it takes time to transfer the subsequent article to the downstream article support), the transport vehicle control unit controls the movement of the transport vehicle in the same manner as when an article cannot be temporarily placed on the downstream article support. Therefore, the transport cart travels in vain, causing a problem of excessive power consumption of the transport cart.

[0005] The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide article transport equipment capable of suppressing power consumption of a transport vehicle by limiting wasteful travel of the transport vehicle.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the article conveying equipment of the present invention comprises: a conveying trolley, which conveys articles; a plurality of article support parts, which are arranged on the conveying path of the articles and temporarily place the articles conveyed by the conveying trolley; and a trolley control part, which controls the travel of the conveying trolley, the conveying trolley travels between the specified article support parts, thereby conveying the articles, and the trolley control part controls the conveying instructions and travel speed of the conveying trolley traveling toward the specified article support part according to the inventory status of the downstream article support part that is located further downstream than the specified article support part in the travel direction of the conveying trolley.

[0007] In the above configuration, the transport instruction and the travel speed of the transport vehicle are controlled based on the inventory status of the downstream article support located downstream of the predetermined article support in the travel direction of the transport vehicle.

[0008] In the article conveying equipment of the present invention, when the conveying trolley is traveling toward a predetermined article support portion where the article is temporarily placed toward the downstream side of the article conveying path, when an article is temporarily placed on a downstream article support portion that is further downstream than the predetermined article support portion where the article is temporarily placed, the trolley control portion causes the conveying trolley to travel in a low-speed mode.

[0009] Here, the so-called low-speed mode refers to a mode in which the transport trolley travels at a speed slower than the normal travel speed when traveling toward a predetermined article support portion where articles are temporarily placed (the normal travel speed during transportation, hereinafter referred to as the normal speed) (the same applies to the following description).

[0010] In the above configuration, when the article is temporarily placed on the downstream article support portion located downstream of the predetermined article support portion for temporarily placing the article, the transport vehicle travels in the low speed mode.

[0011] The article conveying equipment of the present invention comprises: a first transfer device for transferring articles to and from the downstream article support portion in accordance with prescribed transfer instructions, and the trolley control portion controls the transfer instructions and driving speed of the transfer trolley based on the inventory status of the downstream article support portion and the presence or absence of the transfer instructions for the first transfer device.

[0012] In the above configuration, the transport instruction and the travel speed of the transport vehicle are controlled based on the inventory status of the downstream article support section and the presence or absence of a transport instruction to the first transfer device.

[0013] In the article conveying equipment of the present invention, when the article is temporarily placed on the downstream article support portion and the first transfer device does not execute the conveying instruction to transfer the article from the downstream article support portion, the trolley control portion causes the conveying trolley to travel in a low-speed mode.

[0014] In the above configuration, when an article is temporarily placed on the downstream article support and the first transfer device has not issued a transfer instruction to transfer an article from the downstream article support, the transfer vehicle travels in the low-speed mode.

[0015] In the article transport facility of the present invention, when the first transfer device cannot execute the transport instruction, the vehicle control unit switches the transport vehicle to a low-speed mode.

[0016] In the above configuration, when the first transfer device cannot execute the transfer instruction, the transfer vehicle travels in the low-speed mode.

[0017] In the article conveying equipment of the present invention, when the conveying trolley is moving toward the upstream side of the article conveying path toward the predetermined article support part that receives the article, if there is no article temporarily placed on the upstream article support part that is located further upstream than the predetermined article support part that receives the article, the trolley control part causes the conveying trolley to travel in a low-speed mode.

[0018] In the above configuration, when the transport vehicle travels toward a predetermined article support portion for receiving articles, the transport vehicle travels in a low speed mode if no articles are temporarily placed on the upstream article support portion located upstream of the predetermined article support portion.

[0019] The article transporting equipment of the present invention is provided with: a second transfer device for transferring the article between a predetermined article support portion on which the transport trolley receives the article in accordance with a prescribed transfer instruction; when the article is not temporarily placed on the article support portion and the second transfer device does not execute the transfer instruction to transfer the article to the article support portion, the trolley control unit causes the transport trolley to travel in a low-speed mode.

[0020] In the above configuration, when the article is not temporarily placed on the article support and the second transfer device has not executed a transfer instruction to transfer the article to the article support, the transfer vehicle travels in the low speed mode.

[0021] In the article transport facility of the present invention, when there is no transport instruction to the second transfer device, the vehicle control unit switches the transport vehicle to a low-speed mode.

[0022] In the above configuration, when there is no transport instruction to the second transfer device, the transport vehicle travels in the low-speed mode.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the article conveying equipment of the present invention, the conveying instructions and the travel speed of the conveying trolley traveling toward the specified article support portion are controlled based on the inventory status of the downstream article support portion that is located more downstream than the specified article support portion in the traveling direction of the conveying trolley, thereby suppressing the futile travel of the conveying trolley. As a result, the conveying trolley will not consume excessive power. Therefore, the energy saving and long life of the conveying trolley can be promoted. In addition, in equipment that requires cleanliness, by controlling the conveying instructions and the travel speed of the conveying trolley, the lifting of particles and the like caused by the conveying trolley can be reduced. As a result, airflow improvement (particle countermeasures) can be effectively performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a side view of the article transport facility according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top view of the transport vehicle in the article transport facility as it travels from the first receiving port toward the second receiving port.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a top view of the transport vehicle in the article transport facility as it travels from the second receiving port toward the first receiving port.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the control system of the article transport equipment.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing control of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle in the article transport facility travels from the first receiving port to the second receiving port.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing control of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle in the article transport facility travels from the second receiving port to the third receiving port.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing control of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle in the article transport facility travels from the third receiving port toward the second receiving port.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing control of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle in the article transport facility travels from the second receiving port toward the first receiving port.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 10…Article transport equipment; 11…Driving path (transportation path); 12…1st receiving platform (article support portion, upstream article support portion); 13…2nd receiving platform (article support portion, upstream article support portion); 14…3rd receiving platform (article support portion, downstream article support portion); 15…4th receiving platform (article support portion, downstream article support portion); 22…Ground-side controller (trolley control portion); 25…Transportation trolley; 90…Box (article). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] First, the article transport facility 10 according to the present invention will be described.

[0036] Article transport equipment 10 is installed between storage sheds 91 and 92 in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing plant, for example. These sheds store boxes 90 (an example of "articles") containing liquid crystal panels. In article transport equipment 10, boxes 90 are transported from first storage shed 91 (post-transport system) to second storage shed 92 (pre-transport system).

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, in the article transport facility 10, a linear travel path 11 (an example of a "transport path") along which a transport vehicle 25 for transporting boxes 90 is driven is provided between storage sheds 91 and 92. A first storage shed 91 is provided at one end 11a of the travel path 11 (the starting point for transporting boxes 90). A second storage shed 92 is provided at the other end 11b of the travel path 11 (the terminal point for transporting boxes 90). The storage sheds 91 and 92 where the article transport facility 10 is provided are provided with a plurality of storage sections 93 and 94 for storing boxes 90.

[0038] At one end 11a of the travel path 11, there are provided: a first receiving platform 12 (an example of an "article support portion" or "upstream article support portion") for transferring boxes 90 to and from the transport trolley 25, and a first stacker crane 23 (an example of a "second transferring device") for transferring boxes 90 between each first storage portion 93 of the first storage shed 91 and the first receiving platform 12.

[0039] At the other end 11b of the travel path 11, there are provided: a 4th receiving platform 15 (an example of an "article support section" or a "downstream article support section") for transferring the box 90 to and from the transport trolley 25, and a 2nd stacker crane 24 (an example of a "1st transferring device") for transferring the box 90 between each 2nd storage section 94 of the 2nd storage shed 92 and the 4th receiving platform 15.

[0040] The receiving platforms 12 and 15 are constructed by supporting four receiving portions 16 at the four corners of the bottom of the box 90. The receiving platforms 12 and 15 receive the box 90 from below via the four receiving portions 16. The receiving portions 16 are formed at a height so that the loaded box 90 does not come into contact with the transport trolley 25 passing below. In addition, the four receiving portions 16 are each arranged at a position so that they do not come into contact with the transport trolley 25 passing below the loaded box 90. The box 90 unloaded from the first storage unit 93 is loaded onto the first receiving platform 12 by the first stacker crane 23. The box 90 loaded into the second storage unit 94 is loaded onto the fourth receiving platform 15 by the second stacker crane 24.

[0041] The receiving platforms 12 and 15 are provided with inventory sensors 17 and 20 for detecting the inventory status of the boxes 90 on the receiving platforms 12 and 15. Figure 4 As shown, the inventory sensors 17 and 20 are connected to a master controller 21 and a ground-side controller 22 that control the entire article transport facility 10 . The inventory sensors 17 and 20 transmit detection signals to the master controller 21 and the ground-side controller 22 .

[0042] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, receiving platforms 13 and 14 (an example of an "article support portion", "upstream article support portion", and "downstream article support portion") for temporarily placing boxes 90 transported by the transport trolley 25 are provided at specified positions on the travel path 11. The receiving platforms 13 and 14 are constructed by four receiving portions 16, similar to the receiving platforms 12 and 15. The boxes 90 transported from the first storage shed 91 to the second storage shed 92 by the transport trolley 25 are temporarily placed on the receiving platforms 13 and 14. The receiving platforms 13 and 14 are provided with inventory sensors 18 and 19 for detecting the inventory status of the boxes 90 on the receiving platforms 13 and 14. As shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the inventory sensors 18 and 19 are connected to the main controller 21 and the ground-side controller 22. The inventory sensors 18 and 19 transmit detection signals to the main controller 21 and the ground-side controller 22.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first stacker crane 23 transfers the boxes 90 stored in the first storage sections 93 of the first storage shed 91 to the first receiving platform 12. Figure 4 As shown, the first stacker crane 23 is connected to the main controller 21. Following transfer instructions from the main controller 21, the first stacker crane 23 removes the box 90 from the designated first storage area 93 and transfers it to the first receiving platform 12. In other words, the first stacker crane 23 is a transfer device that requires transfer instructions from a higher-level controller (the main controller 21).

[0044] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the second stacker crane 24 transfers the box 90 placed on the fourth receiving platform 15 to each second storage section 94 of the second storage shed 92. Figure 4 As shown, the second stacker crane 24 is connected to the main controller 21. The second stacker crane 24 moves the boxes 90 placed on the fourth receiving platform 15 to a predetermined second storage area 94 in accordance with transfer instructions from the main controller 21. In other words, the second stacker crane 24 is a transfer device that requires transfer instructions from a higher-level controller (the main controller 21).

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the transport vehicle 25 for transporting the box 90 is composed of a vehicle body 25b having wheels 25a at the front and rear, and a lift 25c provided on the vehicle body 25b and supporting the box 90 so as to be able to be raised and lowered. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the transport vehicle 25 travels back and forth between the first receiving dock 12 and the fourth receiving dock 15 along a travel track 27 laid on the travel path 11. The transport vehicle 25 continuously transports boxes 90 from the first receiving dock 12 to the fourth receiving dock 15. Alternatively, the transport vehicle 25 temporarily places the boxes 90 at each receiving dock (receiving dock 13, 14) between the first receiving dock 12 and the fourth receiving dock 15 while transporting them. After temporarily placing the box 90 at any of the second to fourth receiving stations 13 to 15, the transport trolley 25 then travels continuously from the fourth receiving station 15 to the first receiving station 12, or travels through each receiving station (receiving stations 13 and 14) between the first and fourth receiving stations 12 and 15, to receive the box 90 temporarily placed at any of the first to third receiving stations 12 to 14. The transport trolley 25 raises and lowers the elevator 25c to unload (temporarily place) and load (receive) the box 90 at the receiving stations 12, 13, 14, and 15. The transport trolley 25 is configured to pass between the four receiving sections 16 of the receiving stations 12, 13, 14, and 15. That is, when the transport cart 25 is transporting the box 90, the lift 25 c is raised so that the box 90 does not contact the receiving portion 16, and the transport cart 25 is driven. On the other hand, when the transport cart 25 is not transporting the box 90 and is driven, the lift 25 c is lowered so that the vehicle body 25 b does not contact the receiving portion 16, and the transport cart 25 is driven.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the transport cart 25 is controlled in its travel and other operations by a ground-side controller 22 (an example of a “carriage control unit”) provided on the ground side and a vehicle-side controller 26 provided on the transport cart 25 .

[0047] The ground-side controller 22 is connected to the main controller 21. Following instructions from the main controller 21, the ground-side controller 22 controls the movement of the transport cart 25 and issues instructions for transporting the box 90. The ground-side controller 22 controls the movement of the transport cart 25 and issues instructions for transporting the box 90 by transmitting and receiving signals with the vehicle-side controller 26 using optical transmission.

[0048] The vehicle-side controller 26 is mounted on the transport vehicle 25 . The vehicle-side controller 26 drives the transport vehicle 25 in accordance with an instruction from the ground-side controller 22 to transport the box 90 .

[0049] Next, the travel control of the transport vehicle 25 will be described.

[0050] First, if Figure 21 and 2 , the travel control of the transport vehicle 25 will be described when the transport vehicle 25 receives the box 90 placed on the first receiving port 12 and transports the box 90 to the second receiving port 13 .

[0051] like Figure 5 As shown, the ground-side controller 22 determines whether a box 90 is placed on the third receiving dock 14 (S1). Specifically, the ground-side controller 22 detects the presence of a signal from the third inventory sensor 19. If the ground-side controller 22 determines that a box 90 is placed on the third receiving dock 14 (S1-Yes), it then determines whether a box 90 is placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 (S2). Specifically, the ground-side controller 22 detects the presence of a signal from the fourth inventory sensor 20. If the ground-side controller 22 determines that a box 90 is placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 (S2-Yes), it instructs the vehicle-side controller 26 to decelerate, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel in a low-speed mode (S3). That is, if boxes 90 are placed on the third and fourth receiving docks 14, 15, the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport vehicle 25 to a speed lower than normal.

[0052] On the other hand, when the ground side controller 22 determines that there is no box 90 loaded on the third receiving platform 14 (S1-No), or determines that there is no box 90 loaded on the fourth receiving platform 15 (S2-No), it sends a driving instruction to the vehicle side controller 26 to make the transport trolley 25 travel at normal speed (S4).

[0053] When the transport vehicle 25 arrives at the second receiving platform 13 , the ground-side controller 22 issues a transport instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26 to transport the box 90 to the second receiving platform 13 ( S5 ).

[0054] In this way, the ground side controller 22 controls the transport instructions and travel speed of the following transport trolley 25 based on the inventory status of the 3rd receiving dock 14 and the 4th receiving dock 15, which are located further downstream than the 2nd receiving dock 13 in the travel direction of the transport trolley 25, wherein the transport trolley 25 is a trolley that travels toward the downstream side of the transport path of the box 90 toward the predetermined 2nd receiving dock 13 where the box 90 is temporarily placed.

[0055] Next, the travel control of the transport vehicle 25 when the transport vehicle 25 receives the box 90 placed on the second receiving port 13 and transports it to the third receiving port 14 will be described.

[0056] like Figure 6As shown, the ground-side controller 22 determines whether a box 90 is placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 (S11). If the ground-side controller 22 determines that no box 90 is placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 (S11-No), it then determines whether the second storage section 94 (cargo port) of the second storage shed 92 is in a usable state (S12). Specifically, the ground-side controller 22 determines whether the second stacker crane 24 is unable to execute a transfer instruction to transfer the box 90 from the fourth receiving dock 15 to the second storage section 94 of the second storage shed 92 (Out of Service state) due to an error or maintenance of the second stacker crane 24 itself. If the ground-side controller 22 determines that the second storage section 94 (cargo port) of the second storage shed 92 is in a usable state (S12-Yes), it issues a travel instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel at normal speed (S13).

[0057] On the other hand, if the ground-side controller 22 determines that a box 90 is already placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 (S11-Yes), it then determines whether the second stacker crane 24 has executed a transfer instruction to transfer the box 90 from the fourth receiving dock 15 to the second storage section 94 of the second storage shed 92 (S14). If the ground-side controller 22 determines that the second stacker crane 24 has executed the transfer instruction (S14-Yes), it issues a travel instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed (S15). In other words, if the second stacker crane 24 intends to transfer the box 90 from the fourth receiving dock 15 to the second storage section 94 of the second storage shed 92, the ground-side controller 22 causes the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed.

[0058] On the other hand, if the ground-side controller 22 determines that the second storage section 94 (cargo port) of the second storage shed 92 is not in an available state (S12-No), or if the second stacker crane 24 has not executed the aforementioned transfer instruction (S14-No), it issues a deceleration instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel in a low-speed mode (S16). In other words, if the second stacker crane 24 does not transfer the box 90 from the fourth receiving platform 15 to the second storage section 94 of the second storage shed 92 and stops, or transfers the box 90 to another second storage section 94, the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport vehicle 25 to a speed lower than the normal speed.

[0059] When the transport vehicle 25 arrives at the third receiving port 14 , the ground-side controller 22 issues a transport instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26 to transport the box 90 to the third receiving port 14 ( S17 ).

[0060] Thus, the ground-side controller 22 controls the transport instructions and the travel speed of the transport cart 25 based on the inventory status of the fourth receiving dock 15 and the presence or absence of the aforementioned transport instruction to the second stacker crane 24. Specifically, when a box 90 is temporarily placed on the fourth receiving dock 15 and the second stacker crane 24 has not executed the transport instruction to transfer the box 90 from the fourth receiving dock 15, or when the second stacker crane 24 is unable to execute the aforementioned transport instruction (when the second storage section 94 (cargo port) of the second storage shed 92 is not in an available state), the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport cart 25 to a speed lower than the normal speed and travels it.

[0061] Next, the driving control of the transport vehicle 25 when the transport vehicle 25 unloads (loads) the box 90 on the third receiving station 14 and returns to the first receiving station 12 or the second receiving station 13 to receive the box 90 from the first receiving station 12 or the second receiving station 13 will be described.

[0062] like Figure 7 As shown, the ground-side controller 22 determines whether a box 90 is placed on the second receiving dock 13 (S21). Specifically, the ground-side controller 22 detects the presence of a signal from the second inventory sensor 18. If the ground-side controller 22 determines that no box 90 is placed on the second receiving dock 13 (S21-No), it then determines whether a box 90 is placed on the first receiving dock 12 (S22). Specifically, the ground-side controller 22 detects the presence of a signal from the first inventory sensor 17. If the ground-side controller 22 determines that no box 90 is placed on the first receiving dock 12 (S22-No), it instructs the vehicle-side controller 26 to decelerate, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel in a low-speed mode (S23). That is, if no box 90 is placed on the first receiving dock 12 or the second receiving dock 13, the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport vehicle 25 to a speed lower than normal. When the transport vehicle 25 arrives at the first receiving platform 12 , the ground-side controller 22 issues a receiving instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26 to receive (load) the box 90 at the first receiving platform 12 ( S24 ).

[0063] On the other hand, if the ground-side controller 22 determines that a box 90 is already placed on the second receiving dock 13 (S21-Yes), it issues a "travel" instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed (S25). Furthermore, when the transport vehicle 25 arrives at the second receiving dock 13, the ground-side controller 22 issues an "accept" instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, indicating that it has received the box 90 from the second receiving dock 13 (S26).

[0064] On the other hand, if the ground-side controller 22 determines that no box 90 is placed on the second receiving platform 13 (S21-No), and then determines that a box 90 is placed on the first receiving platform 12 (S22-Yes), it issues a travel instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed (S27). Furthermore, when the transport vehicle 25 arrives at the first receiving platform 12, the ground-side controller 22 issues an acceptance instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, indicating that the box 90 from the first receiving platform 12 has been received (S24).

[0065] Thus, when the transport vehicle 25 is traveling toward the second receiving platform 13 that is scheduled to receive the box 90 and in the upstream direction of the transport path of the box 90, the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport vehicle 25 to a speed lower than the normal speed when no box 90 is temporarily placed on the first receiving platform 12 that is located upstream of the second receiving platform 13 that is scheduled to receive the box 90.

[0066] Next, if Figure 3 1 and 2 , the driving control of the transport vehicle 25 will be described when the transport vehicle 25 unloads (carries in) the box 90 at the second receiving port 13 and returns to the first receiving port 12 to receive the box 90 from the first receiving port 12 .

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown, the ground-side controller 22 determines whether a box 90 is placed on the first receiving platform 12 (S31). If the ground-side controller 22 determines that no box 90 is placed on the first receiving platform 12 (S31-No), it then determines whether the first stacker crane 23 has executed a transfer instruction to transfer the box 90 from the first storage section 93 of the first storage shed 91 to the first receiving platform 12 (S32). If the ground-side controller 22 determines that the first stacker crane 23 has executed the transfer instruction (S32-Yes), it issues a travel instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26 to cause the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed (S33). That is, when the first stacker crane 23 intends to transfer the box 90 from the first storage section 93 of the first storage shed 91 to the first receiving platform 12, the ground-side controller 22 causes the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined that the second stacker crane 24 has not executed the aforementioned transfer instruction (S32-No), the ground-side controller 22 issues a deceleration instruction to the vehicle-side controller 26, causing the transport vehicle 25 to travel in a low-speed mode (S34). Specifically, regardless of whether the first stacker crane 23 has received the aforementioned transfer instruction, if it has not yet transferred the box 90 from the first storage section 93 of the first storage shed 91 to the first receiving platform 12 and has stopped, or if it has not received the aforementioned transfer instruction and has already stopped, the ground-side controller 22 causes the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a speed lower than normal.

[0069] On the other hand, when the ground controller 22 determines that a box 90 has been placed on the first receiving platform 12 (S31-Yes), it issues a driving instruction to the vehicle controller 26 to cause the transport vehicle 25 to travel at a normal speed (S33).

[0070] Thus, the ground-side controller 22 controls the transport instructions and the travel speed of the transport vehicle 25 based on the inventory status of the first receiving dock 12 and the presence or absence of the aforementioned transport instruction to the first stacker crane 23. Specifically, when no box 90 is temporarily placed on the first receiving dock 12 and the first stacker crane 23 has not executed a transport instruction to transfer a box 90 to the first receiving dock 12, or when there is no aforementioned transport instruction to the first stacker crane 23, the ground-side controller 22 decelerates the transport vehicle 25 to a speed lower than the normal speed and travels it.

[0071] As described above, according to the article conveying equipment 10, the conveying instructions and the travel speed of the conveying trolley 25 traveling toward the second receiving station 13 are controlled according to the inventory status of the third receiving station 14 and the fourth receiving station 15, which are located further downstream than the second receiving station 13 in the traveling direction of the conveying trolley 25. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the futile travel of the conveying trolley 25. As a result, the conveying trolley 25 does not consume excessive power. Therefore, it is possible to promote energy saving and extend the life of the conveying trolley 25. In addition, in equipment that requires cleanliness, by controlling the conveying instructions and the travel speed for the conveying trolley 25, it is possible to reduce the raising of particles and the like caused by the conveying trolley 25. As a result, airflow improvement (particle countermeasures) can be effectively performed.

[0072] In addition, in the present embodiment, although the article transported by the transport vehicle 25 is the box 90 , the present invention is not limited thereto, and any article may be transported by the transport vehicle 25 .

[0073] In this embodiment, although four receiving platforms 12, 13, 14, and 15 are set in the article conveying equipment 10, it is not limited to this. As long as the conveying trolley 25 is capable of conveying multiple receiving platforms for the boxes 90, three receiving platforms or more than five receiving platforms can also be set.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the travel path 11 of the transport vehicle 25 is formed in a straight line, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the travel path may be a curved travel path or a travel path having merged or branched paths.

[0075] In this embodiment, although the second stacker crane 24 is used as the first transfer device, this is not limited to the embodiment. As long as the transfer device can transfer the box 90 to and from the fourth receiving port 15 according to the prescribed transfer instructions, the first transfer device may be, for example, an unmanned transport robot or an unmanned transport vehicle. Similarly, although the second transfer device is the first stacker crane 23, as long as the transfer device can transfer the box 90 to and from the first receiving port 12 according to the prescribed transfer instructions, the second transfer device may be, for example, an unmanned transport robot or an unmanned transport vehicle.

[0076] In the present embodiment, one transport vehicle 25 travels on the travel path 11 , but this is not limiting and a configuration may be adopted in which two or more transport vehicles travel.

Claims

1. An article transporting device comprising: a transport trolley for transporting articles; a plurality of article supports provided on a transport path for the articles and for temporarily placing the articles transported by the transport trolley; and a trolley control unit for controlling the movement of the transport trolley. The transport trolley travels between the predetermined article support portions to transport the articles. It is characterized by: The carriage control unit controls a transport instruction and a travel speed of the transport carriage traveling toward the predetermined article support portion based on a stock status of a downstream article support portion located downstream of the predetermined article support portion in the travel direction of the transport carriage.

2. The article transporting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the transport trolley is traveling toward a predetermined article support portion where the article is temporarily placed toward the downstream side of the article transport path, if an article is temporarily placed on a downstream article support portion that is located further downstream than the predetermined article support portion where the article is temporarily placed, the trolley control unit causes the transport trolley to travel in a low-speed mode.

3. The article transporting equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The article transport facility includes: a first transfer device for transferring articles to and from the downstream article support portion in accordance with a predetermined transport instruction; The carriage control unit controls a transport instruction and a travel speed for the transport carriage based on a stock status of the downstream article support unit and the presence or absence of the transport instruction for the first transfer device.

4. The article transporting equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the article is temporarily placed on the downstream article support portion and the first transfer device has not executed the transfer instruction to transfer the article from the downstream article support portion, the carriage control portion switches the transport carriage to a low-speed mode.

5. The article transporting equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the first transfer device cannot execute the transfer instruction, the vehicle control unit switches the travel of the transport vehicle to a low-speed mode.

6. The article transporting equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the transport trolley is moving toward the upstream side of the transport path of the article toward a predetermined article support portion for receiving the article, if no article is temporarily placed on the upstream article support portion that is located further upstream than the predetermined article support portion for receiving the article, the trolley control portion causes the transport trolley to move in a low-speed mode.

7. The article transporting equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that: The article transport facility includes a second transfer device for transferring the article to and from a predetermined article support portion of the transport vehicle for receiving the article in accordance with a predetermined transport instruction. When the article is not temporarily placed on the article support and the second transfer device has not executed the transfer instruction to transfer the article to the article support, the carriage control unit switches the transport carriage to a low-speed mode.

8. The article transporting equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that: When there is no transport instruction to the second transfer device, the vehicle control unit switches the transport vehicle to a low-speed mode.

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