Item conveying equipment

Abstract

A goods conveying device is disclosed, comprising: a travel track disposed along a top plate of a manufacturing line in which processing devices are continuously disposed; and a conveying unit device that travels on the travel track and delivers goods to and receives goods from the installation location of the processing devices, the conveying unit comprising: a carrier that travels along the travel track; a carrier body connected to the carrier and providing a loading portion loaded with goods; a lifting module mounted in the carrier body and capable of exchanging the goods with the installation location and with each of the loading portions; and a horizontal moving member that moves the lifting module horizontally within the carrier body such that the lifting module is positioned on any of the loading portions, and the loading portions having a straight arrangement or a diamond arrangement, in which goods are loaded in a line along the travel direction of the carrier, and in which goods are loaded in all directions around a central opening for goods to enter and exit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an article conveying device. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, to manufacture semiconductor devices, various types of processes are performed, such as deposition, photolithography, and etching, and the apparatus for performing each of these processes is arranged in a semiconductor manufacturing line. Objects (such as wafers) used to perform the semiconductor device manufacturing process can be provided to each semiconductor processing unit in a container such as a FOUP. Additionally, processed objects can be recovered from each semiconductor processing unit into the container, and the container containing the recovered objects can be transported externally.

[0003] The containers are transported by an overhead crane (OHT) device. The OHT device delivers the containers containing the objects to the loading port of either of the semiconductor processing devices. Alternatively, the OHT device can pick up a container containing the processed objects from the loading port and deliver the container to another external or internal semiconductor processing device.

[0004] However, current OHT units can only move one load (container) per OHT. If loads (containers) with the same destination are to be transported, an equal number of OHT units are required, leading to inefficient and abnormal transport situations such as OHT bottlenecks. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention aims to provide an item conveying device that can prevent bottlenecks during load conveying.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is not limited thereto, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0007] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an article conveying device, comprising: a carrier that travels along a travel track mounted on a top plate; a carrier body connected to the carrier and providing a loading space for loading articles; and a lifting module including a clamping unit for clamping articles and loading articles into and unloading articles from the loading space.

[0008] In addition, the article conveying device may also include a horizontal moving component, which is installed in the carrier body and moves the lifting module in the horizontal direction, so that the clamping unit can be moved to any one of the loading spaces.

[0009] Furthermore, in the vehicle body, the loading space can be configured to be parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle, such that items are loaded in a row along the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the horizontal moving member can include a horizontal track portion that is installed in a straight line along the direction of travel in the vehicle body.

[0010] In addition, the vehicle body may include an item inlet at the center of the base plate for items to enter and exit, and the loading space may be arranged in all directions surrounding the item inlet.

[0011] In addition, the horizontal moving component may include a horizontal track portion configured to allow the lifting module to move in all directions from the center of the vehicle body.

[0012] In addition, the lifting module may also include a lifting unit for raising and lowering the clamping unit.

[0013] In addition, the vehicle body may also include an item securing portion for securing items located in the loading space.

[0014] In addition, the item fixing part may include: a fixing member for fixing the item so that the item is not separated from the loading space; and an actuating member for moving the fixing member between a fixed position where the item is fixed and a release position, so that the item loaded in the loading space is lifted by the lifting module.

[0015] Furthermore, the fixing member can reciprocate between the fixed position and the released position when rotated by the actuating member.

[0016] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an article conveying device, comprising: a travel track disposed along a top plate of a manufacturing line in which processing devices are continuously disposed; and a conveying unit device that travels on the travel track and delivers articles to and receives articles from the installation location of the processing devices, wherein the conveying unit includes: a carrier that travels along the travel track; a carrier body connected to the carrier and providing a loading portion loaded with articles; a lifting module mounted in the carrier body and capable of exchanging articles with the installation location and with each of the loading portions; and a horizontal movement member that moves the lifting module horizontally within the carrier body such that the lifting module is positioned on any of the loading portions.

[0017] In addition, the lifting module may include: a clamping unit that clamps the item; and a lifting unit that moves the clamping unit up and down.

[0018] Furthermore, the loading section may be configured such that items are loaded in a line along the direction of travel of the vehicle, and the horizontal moving member may include a horizontal track section that is installed in a straight line along the direction of travel in the vehicle body.

[0019] In addition, the vehicle body may include an item inlet at the center of the base plate for items to enter and exit, and the loading portion may be positioned in all directions surrounding the item inlet.

[0020] In addition, the horizontal moving component may include a horizontal track portion configured to allow the lifting module to move in all directions from the center of the vehicle body.

[0021] In addition, the loading section may include an article securing section for securing the article.

[0022] In addition, the item fixing part may include: a fixing member for fixing the item so that the item is not separated from the loading space; and an actuating member for moving the fixing member to a fixing position and a release position for fixing the item, wherein in the release position, the lifting module transfers the item from the installation location to the loading part or from the loading part to the installation location.

[0023] Furthermore, the fixing member can reciprocate between the fixed position and the released position when rotated by the actuating member.

[0024] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an article conveying device, comprising: a travel track disposed along a top plate of a manufacturing line in which processing devices are continuously disposed; and a conveying unit device that travels on the travel track and delivers articles to and receives articles from the installation location of the processing devices, wherein the conveying unit includes: a carrier that travels along the travel track; a carrier body connected to the carrier and providing a loading portion loaded with articles; a lifting module mounted in the carrier body and capable of exchanging articles with the installation location and with each of the loading portions; and a horizontal moving member that moves the lifting module horizontally within the carrier body such that the lifting module is positioned on any of the loading portions, and the loading portions have a linear arrangement or a diamond arrangement, wherein in the linear arrangement, articles are loaded along the travel direction of the carrier.

[0025] A line, in the diamond arrangement, in which items are loaded in all five directions around a central opening for items to enter and exit.

[0026] In addition, the loading section may include an article securing section for securing the article.

[0027] Furthermore, the lifting module may include: a clamping unit capable of clamping and loading / unloading an item selected from the items loaded in the loading section; and a lifting unit.

[0028] The lifting unit is used to move the clamping unit up and down, and the item fixing part may include: a fixing member, which is used to fix the item so that the item is not in contact with the loading space.

[0029] Separation; and an actuating member for moving the fixing member to a fixed position for fixing the article and a release position, wherein in the release position, the lifting module transfers the article from the installation location to the loading section or from the loading section to the installation location.

[0030] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it can be transported while the substrate is in a container.

[0031] Containers with substrates having the same destination or orientation are used to improve transport efficiency and prevent abnormalities such as bottlenecks.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand the effects not mentioned from this specification and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a top plan view of a conveyor system equipped with item conveying devices.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a side view of the item conveying equipment, showing the receiving and transfer of the target item to the installation location.

[0035] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a diagram showing an item transport device.

[0036] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The planar cross-sectional view shown is taken by line AA.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the fixed components.

[0038] Figures 7A to 7D This diagram illustrates the operation of gradually lowering the substrate receiving container, which is loaded in the loading section, to the installation location.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a modified example of an item transport device.

[0040] Figure 9 This is a layout view of the loading section of the vehicle body, showing another example of the loading section in an item transport device. Detailed Implementation

[0041] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary implementations of the invention are illustrated. However, the invention may be implemented differently and is not limited to the following exemplary embodiments. In the following description of the invention, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein are omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and effects.

[0042] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" shall be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements, but not the exclusion of any other elements. It should be understood that the terms "comprise" and "have" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, quantities, operations, constituent elements and components or combinations thereof described in this specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, operations, constituent elements and components or combinations thereof.

[0043] The singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless they have a clearly contradictory meaning in the context. Therefore, the shape, size, etc., of elements in the accompanying figures may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0044] Terms such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various component elements, but the component elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are merely used to distinguish one component element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first component element may be referred to as a second component element, and similarly, a second component element may be referred to as a first component element.

[0045] It should be understood that when a component is described as "connected" or "attached" to another component, the component may be directly connected or linked to the other component, but there may also be intermediate components. Conversely, when a component is "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another component, it should be understood that there are no intermediate components. Other expressions describing the relationship between components should be interpreted similarly, such as "located between" and "directly located between" or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to".

[0046] All terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless they are defined differently. Terms defined in a general dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning that matches their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless they are explicitly defined in this application.

[0047] The foregoing detailed description illustrates the present invention. Furthermore, while exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described above, the invention can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. That is, modifications or alterations can be made to the foregoing within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein, its equivalents, and / or within the scope of the art or knowledge. The foregoing exemplary embodiments describe the optimal state for realizing the technical spirit of the invention, and various variations are possible for specific fields of application and uses of the invention. Therefore, the above detailed description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Furthermore, the appended claims should be interpreted to include other exemplary embodiments as well.

[0048] Figure 1 It is a top plan view of a conveyor system equipped with item conveying devices, and Figure 2 This is a side view of the item conveying equipment, showing the receiving and transfer of the target item to the installation location.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the item transfer device 100 may include a transfer vehicle for transferring the target item 20 to the target location 10.

[0050] In the present exemplary embodiment, the article conveying device 100 conveys the target article 20 to each of the conveying locations 10 in a conveying facility having a plurality of target locations 10. The target article 20 is the object to be conveyed and may be, for example, a single article or a combination of multiple articles, such as a contained article and a container for containing the contained article. In the present exemplary embodiment, the target article 20 may be a substrate containing container, such as a front-opening wafer cassette (FOUP), containing a plurality of substrates.

[0051] In the present exemplary embodiment, the transport destination 10 includes a processing apparatus 12 for processing a semiconductor substrate and a mounting location 14 for mounting a substrate receiving container 20, which is the transport destination object 20. For example, the processing apparatus 12 removes the semiconductor substrate from the substrate receiving container 20 mounted on the mounting location 14 and processes the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, the processing apparatus 12 houses the processed semiconductor substrate in the substrate receiving container 20 mounted on the mounting location 14.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, multiple teleportation target locations 10 are provided in the teleportation facility. For example, a teleportation path 30 is provided in the teleportation facility to pass through multiple teleportation target locations 10.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, in the current exemplary embodiment, the conveying path 30 is defined by the travel track 32 connected to the top plate. Furthermore, the mounting location 14 can be installed below the travel track 32, while simultaneously in the top plan view (see...). Figure 1 ), which overlaps with the travel track 32.

[0054] In the current exemplary embodiment, the item conveying device 100 may be an overhead hoisting transport (OHT) device. The item conveying device can travel on a travel track 32 and convey multiple target items 20 to a target location 10. In the current exemplary embodiment, multiple item conveying devices 100 are provided in the conveying facility. Then, as... Figure 2 As shown, the item conveying device 100 can convey three target items and convey the target items 20 to the installation location 14. In other words, the item conveying device 100 moves the target items 20 downward from the height of the item conveying device 100 (the height of the travel track 32) toward the installation location 14 below that height and installs the target items 20 on the installation location 14.

[0055] In the following description, an example of an article conveying device 100 conveying a container containing a substrate (such as a wafer) to a semiconductor processing apparatus disposed in a semiconductor manufacturing line will be used as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the article conveying device of the present exemplary embodiment can be applied in the same or similar way to various manufacturing lines that require the conveying of articles and / or containers containing articles.

[0056] Figures 3 to 5 This is a diagram used to describe an item transport device.

[0057] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the item conveying device 100 conveys three target items 20 (hereinafter referred to as substrate receiving containers). In the present exemplary embodiment, the item conveying device is shown as being able to convey three target items in a loaded state, but is not limited thereto, and is capable of conveying four or more target items simultaneously, such as... Figure 8 As shown.

[0058] In the current exemplary embodiment, the article conveying device 100 may be a conveying vehicle including a carrier 200, a carrier body 800, and a lifting module 300.

[0059] The carrier 200 is a travel module that travels along a travel track 32 via a separate drive unit, the travel track being disposed along the top plate of a semiconductor manufacturing line. The carrier 200 may include a body 210 having drive wheels 212 on both sides thereon. Although not shown, actuators (e.g., drive motors) for rotating the drive wheels 212 may be disposed inside the body 210. The body 210 travels along the travel track 32. Specifically, the body 210 can travel when the travel wheels 212 are rotating in contact with the travel track 32. Simultaneously, although not shown, steering wheels may be disposed on the upper surface of the body 210. The steering wheels are configured to be movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the body 210. For example, the steering wheels may be movable in the left-right direction of the body 210. The steering wheels may selectively contact a straight steering track (not shown) for guiding straight travel and a branch steering track (not shown) for guiding branch travel.

[0060] The carrier body 800 is connected to the carrier 200 below the travel track 32. The upper side of the carrier body 800 can be connected to the lower side of the carrier 200 via at least one connecting portion. The carrier body 800 provides an internal space 802 with a loading portion 810 in which the substrate receiving container 20 can be loaded. The carrier body 800 can be configured with openings on both sides and the lower side, allowing the substrate receiving container 20 to move in the internal space 802 in the left-right and downward directions. Here, the sides can be perpendicular to the travel direction of the article conveying device 100.

[0061] A horizontal moving member 900 is installed in the carrier body 800. The horizontal moving member 900 moves the lifting module 300 in the horizontal direction. The lifting module 300 can be moved by the horizontal moving member 900 to any of the loading sections 810 of the carrier body 800.

[0062] The loading section 810 can be arranged in a line in a direction parallel to the travel direction X1 of the carrier 200. That is, the substrate receiving container 20 can be loaded in a row on the loading section 810 of the carrier body 800. The horizontal moving member 900 may include a first horizontal track section 910, which is installed in a straight line in the carrier body 800 along the travel direction to correspond to the arrangement of the loading section 810.

[0063] Each of the loading sections can store a substrate receiving container. The bottom surface of the loading section has an open shape, and the substrate receiving container held by the lifting module can be loaded and unloaded through the open bottom surface of the loading section.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a diagram used to describe the fixed parts of an item. (Reference) Figures 3 to 6 The carrier body 800 may include article securing portions 820. The article securing portions 820 secure the substrate receiving container 20 mounted on the loading portion 810. The substrate receiving container 20 may be secured by multiple article securing portions 820. In the present exemplary embodiment, a carrier body 800 with four article securing portions 820 is shown, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0065] Each article fixing portion 820 may include a fixing member 822 and an actuating member 824. The fixing member 822 fixes the substrate receiving container 20 so as not to separate it from the loading portion 810. The fixing member 822 may be configured to fix the bottom surface of the substrate receiving container 20. Although not shown, the fixing member 822 may also include clamping means for fixing the side surfaces of the substrate receiving container 20.

[0066] The fixed member 822 can be moved to a fixed position P1 and a released position P2 by the actuating member 824. The fixed member 822 can reciprocate between the fixed position P1 and the released position P2 when rotated by the actuating member 824.

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown, the fixed position P1 is the position where the substrate receiving container 20 located in the loading portion 810 can be fixed. The release position P2 can be a position that does not obstruct the substrate receiving container 20 when it moves into and out of the opening bottom surface 812 of the loading portion 810.

[0068] For example, when the lifting module 300 wishes to transfer the substrate receiving container 20 from the installation location to the loading section 810 or from the loading section 810 to the installation location, the substrate receiving container 20 is transferred through the open bottom surface 812 of the loading section 810. At this time, the fixing member 822 is ready in the release position P2.

[0069] The lifting module 300 is mounted on the carrier body 800. The lifting module 300 can load and unload the substrate receiving container between the installation location and the loading section. For example, the lifting module 300 may include a gripper unit 320 for picking up the substrate receiving container 20 and a lifting unit 330 for raising and lowering the gripper unit 320.

[0070] The clamping unit 320 clamps or releases the substrate receiving container 20. The clamping unit 320 can be connected to the lifting unit 330 via a plurality of lifting straps 336, and may include a clamp 322 for clamping the substrate receiving container 20. In addition, a flange configured to be clamped by the clamp 322 may be provided on the upper portion of the substrate receiving container 20.

[0071] The gripper unit 320 may include a gripper driver (not shown) for driving the gripper 322. For example, the gripper driver may use a cam plate and a cam follower to operate the gripper 322, and may also include a motor, ball screw, etc., to move the cam plate. However, since the configuration of the gripper unit 320 itself can be changed in various ways, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. The gripper unit 320 may be moved vertically by the lifting unit 330.

[0072] The lifting unit 330 moves the gripper unit 320 in the vertical direction. The lifting unit 330 may include a driver and a lifting belt 336. The lifting belt of the lifting unit 330 may be connected to the gripper unit 320. The lifting belt 336 can move the gripper unit 320 in the vertical direction by a driving force generated by the driver. For example, the driver may generate a driving force to roll up or unroll the lifting belt 336 to move the gripper unit 320 in the vertical direction. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the lifting unit can be modified with various known devices capable of raising and lowering the gripper unit 320.

[0073] Figures 7A to 7D This diagram illustrates the operation of gradually lowering the substrate receiving container, which is loaded in the loading section, to the installation location.

[0074] The mobile item conveying device 100 is configured such that the substrate receiving container 20, which is the conveying target, is located on the upper part of the mounting location 14 corresponding to the processing device.

[0075] refer to Figures 7A to 7DThe lifting module 300 is moved to the top of the loading portion 810 located on the left side of the carrier body 800 by the horizontal moving member 900. The gripper 322 of the moving gripper unit 320 is used to grip the substrate receiving container 20. When the gripper 322 grips the substrate receiving container 20, the fixing member 822 moves from the fixed position P1 to the release position P2 when rotated by the actuating member 824 (see...). Figure 6 The clamping unit 320 is lowered by the lifting unit 330, and the substrate receiving container 20 held by the clamping unit 320 moves through the opening bottom surface of the loading portion 810 and is installed at the mounting location of the processing device.

[0076] As described above, the article conveying device of the present invention can improve conveying efficiency and prevent abnormal situations, such as bottlenecks, in advance by conveying substrate accommodating containers with the same destination or direction in a loaded state.

[0077] Figure 9 This is a layout view of the loading section of the vehicle body, showing another example of the loading section in an item transport device.

[0078] refer to Figure 9 The carrier body 800a of the article conveying device 100a has an article inlet 808 at the center of the base plate, through which the substrate receiving container can enter and exit. Additionally, the loading section 810a is arranged in all directions surrounding the article inlet 808. The lifting module 300a can move horizontally, allowing the gripper unit 320 ( Figure 9 Not shown in the image, but see [link / reference]. Figure 3 The substrate receiving container 20 loaded on each of the loading sections 810a is clamped at the top of the article inlet 808 of the carrier body 800a. For example, the horizontal movement member 900a may include a horizontal track section 920 configured to move the lifting module 300 from the center of the carrier body 800a in all directions.

[0079] The article conveying device 100a with the above configuration can load the substrate container 20 into the selected loading section 810a by lifting the substrate container 20 loaded on the loading section 810a with the aid of the lifting module and taking the substrate container 20 out through the article inlet 808, or by clamping the substrate container 20 at the installation location with the aid of the lifting module 300 and bringing the substrate container 20 in through the article inlet 808.

[0080] The foregoing exemplary embodiments are provided to aid in understanding the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various modified exemplary embodiments derived from the foregoing exemplary embodiments are also included within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the claims, and it should be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the literal description of the claims themselves, but is substantially equivalent to the technical value.

Claims

1. An article conveying device, comprising: The vehicle travels along a track mounted on a top plate; A vehicle body, which is connected to the vehicle and provides multiple loading spaces in which items are loaded; A lifting module, which is installed in the main body of the vehicle and includes a clamping unit for clamping items and loading items into and unloading items from the loading space; as well as A horizontally moving component is installed in the vehicle body and causes the lifting module to move horizontally within the vehicle body, thereby moving the clamping unit to any of the plurality of loading spaces.

2. The article conveying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the carrier body, the loading space is configured to be parallel to the direction of travel of the carrier, such that articles are loaded in rows along the direction of travel of the carrier, and The horizontal moving component includes a horizontal track portion, which is installed in a straight line along the direction of travel in the main body of the vehicle.

3. The article conveying device of claim 1, wherein the carrier body includes an article inlet at the center of the base plate for articles to enter and exit, and the loading space is arranged in all directions surrounding the article inlet.

4. The article conveying device of claim 3, wherein the horizontal moving member includes a horizontal track portion, the horizontal track portion being configured to allow the lifting module to move in all directions from the center of the carrier body.

5. The article conveying device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting module further includes a lifting unit for raising and lowering the clamping unit.

6. The article conveying device of claim 1, wherein the carrier body further includes an article fixing part for fixing articles located in the loading space.

7. The article conveying device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the article fixing part comprises: A fixing member for securing the article so that the article is not separated from the loading space; as well as An actuating member is used to move the fixing member between a fixed position where the item is fixed and a release position, so that the item loaded in the loading space is lifted by the lifting module.

8. The article conveying device of claim 7, wherein the fixing member reciprocates between the fixed position and the released position when rotated by the actuating member.

9. An article conveying device, comprising: A travel track is provided along the top plate of a manufacturing line where processing devices are continuously installed; as well as A conveying unit device that travels on the track and delivers items to and receives items from the installation location of the processing device. The transmission unit device includes: The vehicle travels along the travel track; A vehicle body, which is connected to the vehicle and provides multiple loading sections for loading items; A lifting module, which is installed in the vehicle body and is capable of exchanging the article with the installation location and with each of the plurality of loading sections; and A horizontally moving member is installed in the vehicle body and causes the lifting module to move horizontally within the vehicle body, such that the lifting module is positioned on any of the plurality of loading sections.

10. The article conveying device of claim 9, wherein the lifting module comprises: A clamping unit that clamps the article; as well as A lifting unit is used to move the clamping unit up and down.

11. The article conveying device of claim 9, wherein the loading section is configured such that articles are loaded in a line along the travel direction of the vehicle, and The horizontal moving component includes a horizontal track portion, which is installed in a straight line along the direction of travel in the main body of the vehicle.

12. The article conveying device of claim 9, wherein the carrier body includes an article inlet at the center of the base plate for articles to enter and exit, and the loading portion is arranged in all directions surrounding the article inlet.

13. The article conveying device of claim 12, wherein the horizontal moving member includes a horizontal track portion configured such that the lifting module moves from the center of the carrier body in all directions.

14. The article conveying device of claim 9, wherein the loading portion includes an article fixing portion for fixing the article.

15. The article conveying device of claim 14, wherein the article fixing part comprises: A fixing member for securing the article so that the article does not separate from the loading portion; as well as An actuating component is provided for moving the fixing component to a fixed position for fixing an item and a release position, wherein in the release position, the lifting module transfers the item from the installation location to the loading section or from the loading section to the installation location.

16. The article conveying device of claim 15, wherein the fixing member reciprocates between the fixed position and the released position when rotated by the actuating member.

17. An article conveying device, comprising: A travel track is provided along the top plate of a manufacturing line where processing devices are continuously installed; as well as A conveying unit device that travels on the track and delivers items to and receives items from the installation location of the processing device. The transmission unit device includes: The vehicle travels along the travel track; A vehicle body, which is connected to the vehicle and provides multiple loading sections for loading items; A lifting module, which is installed in the vehicle body and is capable of exchanging the articles with the installation location and with each of the plurality of loading sections; and A horizontally moving member, installed in the vehicle body, causes the lifting module to move horizontally within the vehicle body, such that the lifting module is positioned on any of the plurality of loading sections, and The loading section has a linear or diamond arrangement, in which the articles are loaded in a line along the direction of travel of the vehicle, and in the diamond arrangement, the articles are loaded in all directions around a central opening for the articles to enter and exit.

18. The article conveying device of claim 17, wherein the loading portion includes an article fixing portion for fixing the article.

19. The article conveying device of claim 17, wherein the lifting module comprises: A clamping unit capable of clamping and loading / unloading an article selected from the articles loaded in the loading section; as well as A lifting unit, wherein the lifting unit is used to move the clamping unit up and down, and The article's fixing part includes: A fixing member for securing the article so that the article does not separate from the loading portion; as well as An actuating component is provided for moving the fixing component to a fixed position for fixing an item and a release position, wherein in the release position, the lifting module transfers the item from the installation location to the loading section or from the loading section to the installation location.

Images