Container conveying device

Abstract

A container transport facility (F) is provided with: a transport vehicle (100) that transports containers configured so as to be capable of being stacked in the vertical direction; a storage rack (8) that stores the containers; and an operation area (9A) in which an object work is performed. A holding area (7A) is provided in a place different from the operation area (9A) and the storage rack (8). The holding area (7A) is provided with a holding part (70) for holding the stacked container group (6G). The holding unit (70) is configured so that the stacked container group (6G) can be transferred between the holding unit (70) and the support unit by means of a second transfer device of the transport vehicle (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container conveying device comprising a conveying vehicle for conveying containers configured to be stacked in an up-and-down direction, a storage rack for storing the containers, and a work area for performing at least one of an operation of taking out an article from the container and an operation of putting an article into the container. Background Art

[0002] Such equipment constitutes a part of the logistics system. In recent years, the demand for logistics systems has been increasing, and various studies are being conducted to achieve smooth logistics.

[0003] As one of the studies, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-297140 (Patent Document 1), among the items handled by the equipment, the items with a high frequency of entering and leaving the warehouse are stored in a position where they are easier to leave the warehouse than the items with a low frequency of entering and leaving the warehouse. In this way, it is expected that the transportation efficiency in the equipment will be improved. However, in Patent Document 1, no specific structure for improving the transportation efficiency is disclosed. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned actual situation, it is desired to realize a container conveying device that can improve the conveying efficiency.

[0005] The technology for solving the above-mentioned problems is as follows. A container conveying device comprising a conveying vehicle for conveying containers configured to be stacked in an up-and-down direction, a storage rack for storing the containers, and a work area for performing at least one of an operation of taking out an article from the container and an operation of putting an article into the container. The storage rack includes multiple layers of racks for supporting the containers in the vertical direction, so as to store the plurality of containers in a state of being separated from each other. The above-mentioned transport vehicle has: A moving body; A support unit mounted on the traveling body and supporting the plurality of containers as a stacked container group in a stacked state; a first transfer device mounted on the traveling body and transferring the container between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the supporting portion; and a second transfer device, which is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; The working area is provided with a transfer section for transferring the stacked container group between the support section and the stacked container group. A holding area is provided in a location different from the aforementioned work area and the aforementioned storage rack. The holding area includes a holding portion for holding the stacked container group. The holding portion is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding portion and the supporting portion by the second transfer device.

[0006] According to this structure, stacked container groups can be kept in the holding area. Therefore, for example, by keeping specific containers such as predetermined containers to be transported to the working area or containers that are frequently transported to the working area in the holding area, the operation of the transport vehicle for returning the container to the storage rack or taking the container out of the storage rack is suppressed to a small extent, and the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle to the container is easily improved. In addition, according to this structure, multiple containers in a stacked state can be transferred at one time between the transport vehicle and the holding area. Furthermore, the stacked container group is also transferred at the junction of the working area. Therefore, in these aspects, it is also easy to improve the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle to the container. In addition, according to this structure, multiple containers are kept in the holding area in a stacked state, so that the floor area occupied by the holding area is easily suppressed. In addition, according to this structure, the storage rack is constructed in a manner that multiple containers are stored in a state separated from each other by a multi-layer shelf part. Therefore, many containers can be properly stored in the storage rack in a state where the transfer of individual containers and the transport vehicle is easy.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the technology according to the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a top view of the container conveying equipment. Figure 2 This is the front view of the storage rack. Figure 3 It is a control block diagram. Figure 4 This is a view of the conveyor vehicle in the width direction. Figure 5 It is a plan view showing a first posture and a second posture of the transfer device. Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the transfer operation with respect to the stacking area. Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the transfer operation with respect to the stacking area. Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the transfer operation with respect to the stacking area. Fig. 9 2 is a diagram showing a holding portion of a holding area. Fig.10 It is a plan view showing a state of transfer of a stacked container group between a transport vehicle and a holding unit. Fig.11It is a side view showing the state of transferring the stacked container group between the transport vehicle and the holding unit. Fig.12 This is a diagram showing a state where a transport vehicle forms a stacked container group. Fig.13 This is a diagram to illustrate the upper limit of support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the container conveying equipment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] like Figure 1 As shown, the container conveying equipment F comprises: a conveying vehicle 100, which conveys a container 60 (see Figure 2 ); a storage rack 8 that stores the container 60; and an operation area 9A that performs at least one of an operation of taking out an object (not shown) from the container 60 and an operation of putting an object into the container 60. In the present embodiment, the container conveying equipment F includes a storage area 8A. A plurality of storage racks 8 are provided in the storage area 8A. In addition, the container conveying equipment F further includes a control device C that controls the conveying vehicle 100. In this specification, the control device C is equivalent to a "control system." However, the control device C only needs to constitute at least a part of the control system. The control device C is configured in a manner that communicates with each of the conveying vehicle control units (not shown) mounted on the plurality of conveying vehicles 100 (see also). Figure 3 ).

[0011] The container 60 is configured to be able to contain articles. The container 60 is in a shape with an upper opening. Articles are put into or taken out of the container 60 through the upper opening of the container 60. The articles include, for example, various commodities such as food and daily necessities, or parts or semi-finished products used in a production line of a factory. One container 60 is configured to contain articles of the same type.

[0012] The container 60 is configured to be stackable in the vertical direction with articles contained therein (see Figure 4 , Fig. 9 ). A stacked container group 6G is formed by stacking a plurality of containers 60 in the vertical direction. In this example, the bottom of a container 60 is fitted from above into the opening of another container 60, so that two containers 60 are stacked in the vertical direction.

[0013] In the work area 9A, a support portion 2 (see Figure 4 ) are used to transfer the stacked container group 6G. The container 60 is carried in and out at the transfer section 90. The transport vehicle 100 transports the container 60 carried in to the transfer section 90 to the storage rack 8, or transports the container 60 stored in the storage rack 8 to the transfer section 90 for carrying out.

[0014] In this embodiment, a separation device 91 is provided in the work area 9A to separate the containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G. The stacked container group 6G delivered to the delivery section 90 is separated into a plurality of containers 60 by the separation device 91. In the work area 9A, the operation of taking out articles from the container 60 or the operation of putting articles into the container 60 is performed for each of the separated plurality of containers 60. However, the separation device 91 is not an essential configuration. The separation of each container 60 from the stacked container group 6G may also be performed manually.

[0015] In this embodiment, a plurality of storage racks 8 are arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals. Each of the plurality of storage racks 8 has at least a front opening, and the containers 60 are stored and accessed at the front. In this example, a pair of storage racks 8 are arranged in a state where the back surfaces of the storage racks 8 face each other and are close to each other. In addition, a plurality of pairs of storage racks 8 with the back surfaces facing each other are arranged in the storage area 8A.

[0016] A portion of the travel path of the transport vehicle 100 is set in a manner extending along each of the plurality of storage racks 8. In the present embodiment, the path of the transport vehicle 100 extending along the storage rack 8 is the rack region path R8. The transport vehicle 100 can travel on the rack region path R8, thereby being able to move in the storage area 8A and transfer the container 60 relative to the storage rack 8. In the present example, the rack region path R8 is provided along the front face (the face for accessing the container 60) of each of the plurality of storage racks 8. A pair of storage racks 8 arranged with their front faces facing each other share one rack region path R8.

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the storage rack 8 has multiple layers of racks 80 in the vertical direction, each of which supports the container 60, so as to store the multiple containers 60 in a mutually separated state. Multiple racks 80 are provided on each layer. Each of the multiple racks 80 can store one container 60.

[0018] like Figure 3 As shown, the control device C is configured to be able to communicate with the transport vehicle 100. The control device C is configured to issue a transport instruction to the transport vehicle 100 that specifies the container 60 to be transported and the transport start point and the transport destination of the container 60. The control device C includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, a peripheral circuit such as a memory, and the like. Each function is realized by the cooperation of these hardware and a program executed on a processor such as a computer.

[0019] The control device C is configured to manage the plurality of containers 60 handled by the container conveying device F by dividing them into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. This division is performed based on the demand for each container 60, in other words, the degree of necessity of performing the target operation (article removal operation or article input operation) in the operation area 9A. Containers 60 containing articles that are frequently subjected to the above-mentioned removal operation can be divided into high-frequency containers 62. In addition, even empty containers 60 that do not contain any articles can be divided into high-frequency containers 62 because the above-mentioned input operation is highly necessary.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the control device C is configured as follows: based on the types of articles contained in each container 60, a plurality of containers 60 are divided into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62 that are transported to the work area 9A more frequently than the general containers 61 and managed. The above-mentioned frequency of being transported can also be referred to as the predetermined number of times of transport. In this example, the container 60 containing articles with a relatively low demand in the work area 9A is divided into the general container 61, and the container 60 containing articles with a relatively high demand in the work area 9A is divided into the high-frequency container 62. For example, by quantifying the demand for articles and setting a reference value, the control device C can determine that the container 60 containing articles below the reference value is a general container 61, and the container 60 containing articles exceeding the reference value is a high-frequency container 62.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to periodically re-evaluate the division between the general container 61 and the high-frequency container 62. As a result, the container 60 determined to be the general container 61 may be changed to the high-frequency container 62. On the contrary, the container 60 determined to be the high-frequency container 62 may be changed to the general container 61. In addition, the cycle of re-evaluation of the division can be appropriately determined according to the purpose, capacity, scale, etc. of the container conveying equipment F.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the control device C is configured to determine that among the high-frequency containers 62, a container 60 whose frequency of transport to the work area 9A is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value is an ultra-high frequency container 63. In other words, the control device C is configured to determine that a container 60 whose predetermined number of transports is greater than or equal to the threshold value is an ultra-high frequency container 63.

[0023] Next, the structure of the transport vehicle 100 will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the direction in which the traveling body 10 travels is referred to as the "vehicle longitudinal direction L", and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction L when viewed in the vertical direction is referred to as the "vehicle width direction W".

[0024] like Figure 4 As shown, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transport containers 60 that are stacked in the vertical direction.

[0025] The transport vehicle 100 includes: a traveling body 10 for traveling; a support portion 2 mounted on the traveling body 10 and supporting a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G in a stacked state; a first transfer device 4 mounted on the traveling body 10 and transferring the containers 60 between the storage rack 8 and the stacked container group 6G supported on the support portion 2; and a second transfer device 22 mounted on the traveling body 10 and transferring the stacked container group 6G. In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 further includes a lifting device 3 mounted on the traveling body 10 and capable of lifting a part or all of the containers 60 of the stacked container group 6G supported on the support portion 2.

[0026] The traveling body 10 is configured to travel on a floor surface. The traveling body 10 includes a plurality of traveling wheels 11. The plurality of traveling wheels 11 include a pair of driving wheels 11a and a plurality of driven wheels 11b that are disposed apart in the width direction W of the vehicle body.

[0027] Each of the pair of driving wheels 11a is independently driven by a wheel driving source (not shown) such as a motor. For example, each of the pair of driving wheels 11a is rotationally driven in opposite directions, so that the traveling body 10 can turn in place around the vertical axis.

[0028] Each of the plurality of driven wheels 11b is rotatably supported on the traveling body 10 about an axis extending in the vertical direction. That is, the direction along which the rotation axis of each driven wheel 11b extends can be changed in a horizontal plane. In this example, each driven wheel 11b is configured as a caster.

[0029] The support portion 2 is configured to support a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G. The support portion 2 can also support a single container 60. In the present embodiment, a stacking region 2A in which the stacked container group 6G is arranged is defined above the support portion 2. The stacking region 2A is a three-dimensional imaginary region extending upward from the support portion 2.

[0030] The second transfer device 22 is configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 along the vehicle body width direction W. The second transfer device 22 is configured using a conveyor. Such a conveyor may be a well-known conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a belt conveyor. In the present embodiment, the second transfer device 22 and the support portion 2 are integrally configured.

[0031] The lifting device 3 includes a lifting mast 30 erected upward from the traveling body 10, a lifting elevating body 30B connected to the lifting mast 30, a frame member 31 connected to the lifting elevating body 30B, and a lifting elevating body driving unit (not shown) that elevates the lifting elevating body 30B and the frame member 31 along the lifting mast 30. Although not shown in detail, the lifting elevating body driving unit is configured as a motor for rotating a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound, for example.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , in the present embodiment, the lifting device 3 includes: a first lifting and holding portion 311 that lifts a container 60 of any height in the stacked container group 6G stacked in the stacking area 2A relative to a container 60 adjacent below the container 60; and a second lifting and holding portion 312 that lifts a container 60 below the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding portion 311 relative to a container 60 adjacent below the container 60. The first lifting and holding portion 311 and the second lifting and holding portion 312 are supported by the frame member 31.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first lifting and holding portion 311 and the second lifting and holding portion 312 are arranged to be separated in the vertical direction. Thus, a space can be formed in the vertical direction between the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding portion 311 and the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding portion 312. In addition, a space in the vertical direction can also be formed below the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding portion 312.

[0034] like Figure 4 As shown, the first transfer device 4 includes: a transfer mast 40 that is fixed to the traveling body 10 and arranged in the up-down direction; a transfer elevating body 40B that is raised and lowered along the transfer mast 40; and a transfer elevating body driving unit (not shown) that elevates the transfer elevating body 40B along the transfer mast 40. Although not shown in detail, the transfer elevating body driving unit is configured as, for example, a motor for rotationally driving a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 includes an upper transfer unit 41, a lower transfer unit 42 disposed below the upper transfer unit 41, and a rotating device 5. The upper transfer unit 41, the lower transfer unit 42, and the rotating device 5 are connected to the transfer lifting body 40B. The upper transfer unit 41 and the lower transfer unit 42 are configured in such a manner that they are lifted and lowered as a whole by the lifting and lowering of the transfer lifting body 40B, rotated as a whole around the upper and lower axes by the rotating device 5, and transfer the container 60 separately.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to transfer the container 60 in the horizontal direction by the upper transfer unit 41 and the lower transfer unit 42. If the direction in which the container 60 is transferred by the first transfer device 4 is referred to as the "transfer direction X", then Figure 4 In the example shown, the transfer direction X is identical to the front-rear direction L of the vehicle body.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, the first transfer device 4 is configured as follows: the upper transfer unit 41 and the lower transfer unit 42 are rotated around the vertical axis by the rotating device 5, and the postures are changed to a first posture P1 in which the transfer direction X is directed toward the stacking area 2A and a second posture P2 in which the transfer direction X is directed toward the storage rack 8. In this way, in this embodiment, the transfer direction X can be changed in the horizontal plane by the rotating device 5.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 changes its posture according to the position of the transfer target part. Specifically, the first transfer device 4 is in the first posture P1 when the transfer target part is the stacking area 2A, and is in the second posture P2 when the transfer target part is the storage rack 8 (rack portion 80). Figure 4 As shown, in this example, the rotating device 5 includes: a rotating table 50, which supports the upper side transfer part 41 and the lower side transfer part 42; a rotating shaft 51, which supports the rotating table 50 to rotate freely relative to the transfer lifting body 40B; and a rotating driving part (not shown) which drives the rotating shaft 51.

[0039] Next, refer to Figures 6 to 8 , the transfer operation of the first transfer device 4 when transferring the container 60 between the stacking area 2A is described. The transfer operation includes a delivery operation of the delivery container 60 and a reception operation of the reception container 60. In the following, one side in the transfer direction X is referred to as "the first side X1 in the transfer direction", and the other side is referred to as "the second side X2 in the transfer direction".

[0040] In the present embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 includes: an upper pressing unit 41a, which pushes the container 60 toward the first side X1 in the transfer direction when the container 60 is delivered; and an upper locking unit 41b, which is locked to the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second side X2 in the transfer direction when the container 60 is received. Thus, in the present embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 is configured in a so-called push-pull type. However, the upper transfer unit 41 is not limited to such a configuration, and may also be configured in a fork type.

[0041] Similarly, the lower transfer unit 42 includes: a lower pressing portion 42a that pushes the container 60 toward the first side X1 in the transfer direction when the container 60 is delivered; and a lower locking portion 42b that locks the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second side X2 in the transfer direction when the container 60 is received. Thus, in this embodiment, the lower transfer unit 42 is configured in a so-called push-pull type. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and the lower transfer unit 42 may also be configured in a fork type.

[0042] In the present embodiment, each of the upper locking portion 41 b and the lower locking portion 42 b is driven by a driving unit (not shown) and is configured to be able to change its position between a locked position in which it is locked to the container 60 and a non-locked position in which it is not locked to the container 60 .

[0043] Figures 6 to 8 The transfer operation of the container 60 relative to the stacking area 2A is shown. As described above, in the present embodiment, the lifting device 3 can form a space between the plurality of containers 60 stacked in the stacking area 2A in the vertical direction. Moreover, the first transfer device 4 uses these spaces to transfer the container 60 relative to the stacking area 2A. In the present embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to perform a delivery operation and a reception operation of the container 60 relative to the stacking area 2A. The first transfer device 4 can perform a parallel operation of delivering and receiving the container 60 relative to the stacking area 2A in parallel.

[0044] exist Figures 6 to 8 In the figure, an example of a stacked container group 6G in which five layers of containers 60 are stacked in the stacking area 2A is shown. In the figure, the stacked containers 60 are labeled with numbers "1 to 5" in order from bottom to top. In addition, the container 60 of the delivery object held in the upper side transfer unit 41 is labeled with the letter "α". In the example shown below, the delivery object container 60 (container "α") is delivered to the container 60 (container "4") of the 4th layer by using the space formed in the upper and lower directions between the container 60 (container "5") of the 5th layer and the container 60 (container "4") of the 4th layer by the lifting device 3. In addition, in parallel with this, the container 60 (container "3") of the 3rd layer is received by using the space below the container 60 (container "4") of the 4th layer formed by the lifting device 3.

[0045] like Figure 7As shown, the first transfer device 4 moves the lower locking portion 42b in the locking posture to the second side X2 in the transfer direction while being locked to the container 60 (container "3"). In parallel with this, the first transfer device 4 moves the upper pressing portion 41a to the first side X1 in the transfer direction while the upper pressing portion 41a is pressing the container 60 (container "α") held by the upper transfer portion 41. As a result, the lower locking portion 42b pulls the container 60 (container "3") to be received to the second side X2 in the transfer direction, and the upper pressing portion 41a pushes the container 60 (container "α") to be delivered to the first side X1 in the transfer direction.

[0046] Then, the lower transfer unit 42 receives the container 60 (container "3") of the receiving object pulled in by the lower locking portion 42b, and the upper transfer unit 41 arranges the container 60 (container "α") of the delivery object pushed by the upper pressing portion 41a above the container 60 (container "4") lifted by the second lifting and holding portion 312 so that it fits into the container 60 (container "4"). As a result, the stacked container group 6G of the stacking area 2A becomes as follows: Figure 8 That is, a part of the containers 60 (container "3") among the plurality of containers 60 arranged in the stacking area 2A is replaced with a new container 60 (container "α").

[0047] Here, if Figure 1 As shown, the container conveying equipment F according to the present disclosure is provided with a holding area 7A at a location different from the work area 9A and the storage rack 8. The holding area 7A is different from the storage rack 8 storing a plurality of containers 60 in a separated state, and is an area capable of holding a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G.

[0048] The holding area 7A includes a holding portion 70 for holding the stacked container group 6G. Thus, the stacked container group 6G can be held in the holding area 7A. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 70 is configured to hold a plurality of stacked container groups 6G (see also FIG. 1 ). Fig. 9 The holding area 7A includes a plurality of such holding portions 70.

[0049] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the holding portion 70 is configured so that the stacked container group 6G can be transferred between the holding portion 70 and the supporting portion 2 by the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the holding portion 70 is provided with a single or a plurality of third transfer devices 73. In the example shown in the figure, the holding portion 70 is provided with three third transfer devices 73. In this example, the third transfer device 73 is configured using a conveyor. As such a conveyor, a well-known conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a belt conveyor can be used.

[0050] The third transfer device 73 of the holding portion 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 are configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G to each other. That is, in the present embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 to the holding portion 70 and to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G held by the holding portion 70 to the support portion 2.

[0051] like Fig.10 As shown, when the transport vehicle 100 stops at a position adjacent to the holding portion 70 along the vehicle width direction W, the stacked container group 6G of the transfer object is transferred along the vehicle width direction W. In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 and the holding portion 70 are configured in a manner that can communicate with each other, and are configured in a manner that the stacked container group 6G is transferred in a collaborative manner. For example, when the transport vehicle 100 stops at a position adjacent to the holding portion 70 along the vehicle width direction W, a transfer signal indicating the transfer of the stacked container group 6G is sent to the holding portion 70, so that the second transfer device 22 is actuated. The holding portion 70 that receives the transfer signal causes the third transfer device 73 to actuate. Thus, the third transfer device 73 of the holding portion 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 mutually transfer the stacked container group 6G.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, holding area 7A is arranged between storage rack 8 and work area 9A. In the present embodiment, holding area 7A is arranged between storage rack 8 and work area 9A in the direction in which storage rack 8 extends (i.e., the direction in which path R8 in the rack area extends).

[0053] In this embodiment, the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A is arranged at a position along the connection path R7 connecting the rack area path R8 and the intersection 90 of the work area 9A. The rack area path R8 and the connection path R7 are in a straight line shape. In this example, a plurality of rack area paths R8 are provided in accordance with the number of storage racks 8, and the same number of connection paths R7 as the plurality of rack area paths R8 are provided. Each of the plurality of holding sections 70 provided in the holding area 7A is arranged at a position along any one of the plurality of connection paths R7.

[0054] In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 includes at least a portion of the high-frequency container 62 (see Fig. 9) is transported to the holding area 7A. As a result, the high-frequency container 62 can be arranged in the holding area 7A located in a different place from the storage rack 8, and it is easy to physically divide the general container 61 and the high-frequency container 62. In addition, as mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the holding area 7A is arranged in the area between the storage rack 8 and the working area 9A. Therefore, by arranging the high-frequency container 62 with a high frequency of being transported to the working area 9A in the holding area 7A, it can be arranged at a position close to the working area 9A. In addition, it is appropriate that all the stacked container groups 6G in the holding area 7A are composed of high-frequency containers 62. In addition, it is also possible to accumulate unnecessary empty containers 60 as high-frequency containers 62 in the holding area 7A. In this case, it is easy to gather a plurality of unnecessary empty containers 60 and move them to the outside of the holding area 7A.

[0055] Although detailed illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 travels on a path from the delivery portion 90 of the work area 9A via both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A to return to the delivery portion 90 based on the command from the control device C. Either the order of passing through the storage rack 8 or the holding area 7A may come first. Thus, both the container 60 stored in the storage rack 8 and the container 60 held in the holding area 7A can be transported to the work area 9A, and the container 60 that has completed the target operation in the work area 9A can be returned to either the storage rack 8 or the holding area 7A.

[0056] Here, as described above, the control device C is configured to periodically re-evaluate the division of the general container 61 and the high-frequency container 62. Through the re-evaluation of the division, the high-frequency container 62 is sometimes changed to the general container 61, and the general container 61 is sometimes changed to the high-frequency container 62. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 transports the container 60 changed from the high-frequency container 62 to the general container 61 from the holding area 7A to the storage rack 8, or transports the container 60 changed from the general container 61 to the high-frequency container 62 from the storage rack 8 to the holding area 7A based on the instruction from the control device C. Such transportation of the changed container 60 can also be carried out when the equipment is in operation, and can also be carried out when the equipment is not in operation, such as at night. When the equipment is in operation, in the case of transporting the changed container 60, it is also possible to use a part of the multiple transport vehicles 100 as a dedicated transportation for the changed container 60.

[0057] As described above, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 to the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A. In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer a portion of the plurality of containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 to the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A. The transport vehicle 100 is configured as follows: By using the lifting device 3 (refer to Figure 6 The stacked container group 6G can be partially separated and transferred to the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A. Fig.11 In addition, Fig.11 In the figure, the lifting device 3 or elements not required in the description are omitted.

[0058] like Fig.11 As shown, at least one container 60 that is not lifted by the lifting device 3 in the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 of the transport vehicle 100 is the remaining container group 6Ga. In the present embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured in a manner that enables the remaining container group 6Ga to be transferred to the holding portion 70. In the illustrated example, the transport vehicle 100 separates a plurality of or a single general container 61 and a plurality of or a single high-frequency container 62 from the plurality of containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G by the lifting device 3. Then, the transport vehicle 100 delivers the plurality of or a single high-frequency container 62 (remaining container group 6Ga) to the holding portion 70 by the second transfer device 22. Thus, even when the stacked container group 6G includes a general container 61 and a high-frequency container 62, the transport vehicle 100 can deliver only the high-frequency container 62 to the holding portion 70. Furthermore, the transport vehicle 100 is not limited to the high-frequency container 62 , and can select a portion of the plurality of containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G and deliver the selected portion of the containers 60 (a plurality of containers or a single container 60 ) to the holding unit 70 .

[0059] like Fig.12 As shown, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured as follows: based on the instruction from the control device C, a stacked container group 6G consisting of only high-frequency containers 62 is formed, and the stacked container group 6G is transported to the holding area 7A. In this example, the transport vehicle 100 is lifted by the lifting device 3 (in Fig.12 (omitted) lifts any part of the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2, removes the container 60 adjacent to the lifted container 60 from the stacked container group 6G by the first transfer device 4, and thereby makes a new stacked container group 6G using multiple containers 60 other than the removed container 60.

[0060] exist Fig.12In the example shown, in the support portion 2 of the transport vehicle 100, seven containers 60 constitute a stacked container group 6G. Among the seven containers 60, only the container 60 at the third layer from the top is a general container 61, and the other containers 60 are high-frequency containers 62. The transport vehicle 100 lifts the high-frequency containers 62 above the second layer from the top by the lifting device 3. Thus, the general container 61 originally arranged at the third layer from the top is arranged at the topmost layer among the multiple containers 60 supported on the support portion 2. Then, the transport vehicle 100 removes the general container 61 from the stacked container group 6G by the first transfer device 4. Finally, the transport vehicle 100 places the high-frequency containers 62 above the second layer from the top lifted by the lifting device 3 on the multiple high-frequency containers 62 supported on the support portion 2. Thus, a stacked container group 6G consisting only of high-frequency containers 62 is newly formed.

[0061] In the above description, an example of forming a stacked container group 6G consisting of only the high-frequency container 62 is described, but it is also possible to form a stacked container group 6G consisting of only the ultrahigh-frequency container 63 (see Figure 3 That is, the transport vehicle 100 may also be configured as follows: based on an instruction from the control device C, a stacked container group 6G consisting only of the ultrahigh frequency containers 63 is produced, and the stacked container group 6G is transported to the holding area 7A.

[0062] like Fig.13 As shown, the number of containers 60 that can be supported by the transport vehicle 100 on the support portion 2 is the upper limit of the support upper limit number M. In the present embodiment, when the transport vehicle 100 receives the containers 60 from both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A, the number of containers 60 received from the storage rack 8 and supported on the support portion 2 is set to be less than the difference between the upper limit of the support upper limit number M and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G received from the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A.

[0063] exist Fig.13 In the example shown, the upper limit number M of support is "10", and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G received by the transport vehicle 100 from the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A is "7". Therefore, the number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 can receive from the storage rack 8 and support on the support portion 2 is "3" or less. Thus, even if the transport vehicle 100 receives containers 60 in both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A, the stacked container group 6G held in the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A can be received and supported on the support portion 2 as it is without being separated.

[0064] [Other implementation methods] Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0065] (1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the second transfer device 22 is configured using a conveyor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a fork. Alternatively, the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a robot arm.

[0066] (2) In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the third transfer device 73 is configured using a conveyor has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the third transfer device 73 may be configured using, for example, a robot arm.

[0067] (3) In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the holding area 7A is arranged in the area between the storage rack 8 and the working area 9A is described. However, the holding area 7A is not limited to such an example, and the holding area 7A may be extended so as to include a part of the working area 9A. In this case, the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A may be arranged adjacent to the intersection portion 90 of the working area 9A. Thus, it is expected that the efficiency of the object work in the working area 9A will be improved. In this way, the form in which the holding area 7A is provided so as to overlap with a part of the working area 9A also includes "the holding area 7A is provided in a place different from the working area 9A and the storage rack 8".

[0068] (4) In the above embodiment, the rack region path R8 and the connection path R7 are linear. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and at least one of the rack region path R8 and the connection path R7 may be curved or bent.

[0069] (5) In addition, the configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment can also be combined with the configuration disclosed in other embodiments and applied as long as no contradiction occurs. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all points. Therefore, various changes can be appropriately made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] [Summary of this embodiment] Hereinafter, a summary of this embodiment will be described.

[0071] A container conveying device comprising a conveying vehicle for conveying containers configured to be stacked in an up-and-down direction, a storage rack for storing the containers, and a work area for performing at least one of an operation of taking out an article from the container and an operation of putting an article into the container. The storage rack includes multiple layers of racks for supporting the containers in the vertical direction, so as to store the plurality of containers in a state of being separated from each other. The above-mentioned transport vehicle has: A moving body; A support unit mounted on the traveling body and supporting the plurality of containers as a stacked container group in a stacked state; a first transfer device mounted on the traveling body and transferring the container between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the supporting portion; and a second transfer device, which is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; The working area is provided with a transfer section for transferring the stacked container group between the support section and the stacked container group. A holding area is provided in a location different from the aforementioned work area and the aforementioned storage rack. The holding area includes a holding portion for holding the stacked container group. The holding portion is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding portion and the supporting portion by the second transfer device.

[0072] According to this structure, stacked container groups can be kept in the holding area. Therefore, for example, by keeping specific containers such as predetermined containers to be transported to the working area or containers that are frequently transported to the working area in the holding area, the operation of the transport vehicle for returning the container to the storage rack or taking the container out of the storage rack is suppressed to a small extent, and the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle to the container is easily improved. In addition, according to this structure, multiple containers in a stacked state can be transferred at one time between the transport vehicle and the holding area. Furthermore, the stacked container group is also transferred at the junction of the working area. Therefore, in these aspects, it is also easy to improve the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle to the container. In addition, according to this structure, multiple containers are kept in the holding area in a stacked state, so that the floor area occupied by the holding area is easily suppressed. In addition, according to this structure, the storage rack is constructed in a manner that multiple containers are stored in a state separated from each other by a multi-layer shelf part. Therefore, many containers can be properly stored in the storage rack in a state where the transfer of individual containers and the transport vehicle is easy.

[0073] It is appropriate that The path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage rack is defined as the path within the rack area. The holding portion of the holding area is arranged at a position along a connecting path connecting the path within the rack area and the connecting portion.

[0074] According to this configuration, it is easy to make the transport vehicle efficiently travel throughout the storage rack, the holding area, and the work area. Therefore, it is easy to improve the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle for the container.

[0075] It is appropriate that It also includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle. The holding area is arranged in the area between the storage rack and the working area. The control system is configured as follows: based on the types of articles contained in each of the containers, the plurality of containers are divided into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers for management; The transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, at least a portion of which includes the high-frequency container, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

[0076] According to this configuration, containers that are frequently transported to the work area can be held in the holding section of the holding area disposed between the storage rack and the work area. Therefore, it is easy to shorten the travel distance of the transport vehicle when the transport vehicle transports high-frequency containers. Therefore, it is easy to shorten the travel distance of the transport vehicle as a whole, and further, it is easy to improve the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle for the container.

[0077] It is appropriate that The control system periodically re-evaluates the division of the general containers and the high-frequency containers. The transport vehicle transports the container changed from the high-frequency container to the general container from the holding area to the storage rack, or transports the container changed from the general container to the high-frequency container from the storage rack to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

[0078] According to this configuration, it is possible to maintain for a long period of time the state in which the container frequently transported to the work area is held by the holding portion of the holding area.

[0079] It is appropriate that The control system defines, as an ultra-high frequency container, a container whose frequency of transport to the work area is greater than a predetermined threshold value among the high frequency containers, The transport vehicle forms the stacked container group consisting of only the ultrahigh frequency containers based on a command from the control system, and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

[0080] According to this configuration, ultra-high frequency containers that are transported to the work area very frequently can be collected in one stacked container group and held in the holding area. Therefore, it is easy to suppress the travel distance of the transport vehicle to be short, and further, it is easy to improve the transport efficiency of the transport vehicle to the container.

[0081] It is appropriate that It also includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle. The transport vehicle travels on a path from the delivery portion of the work area to return to the delivery portion via both the storage rack and the holding area based on a command from the control system.

[0082] According to this configuration, both containers stored in the storage rack and containers held in the holding area can be transported to the work area, and containers whose target work in the work area has been completed can be returned to either the storage rack or the holding area.

[0083] It is appropriate that The upper limit number of the number of containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is defined as the upper limit number of support. When the transport vehicle receives the containers from both the storage rack and the holding area, the number of the containers received from the storage rack and supported by the supporting portion is less than the difference between the upper limit of support and the number of the containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding portion of the holding area.

[0084] According to this configuration, even when the transport vehicle receives containers in both the storage rack and the holding area, the stacked container group held in the holding portion of the holding area can be received and supported by the supporting portion as it is without being separated. Therefore, the necessity of providing a device for separating the stacked container group in both the holding area and the transport vehicle can be reduced.

[0085] It is appropriate that The transport vehicle further comprises a lifting device mounted on the travel body and capable of lifting a part or all of the containers of the stacked container group supported by the support portion. At least one of the stacked container groups supported by the supporting portion and not lifted by the lifting device is used as a remaining container group. The second transfer device is configured to be capable of transferring the stacked container group supported by the support portion to the holding portion, transferring the remaining container group to the holding portion, and transferring the stacked container group held by the holding portion to the support portion.

[0086] According to this configuration, the stacked container group can be properly transferred between the holding portion of the holding area and the support portion of the transport vehicle. In particular, according to this configuration, a portion of the containers selected from the stacked container group supported by the support portion or a portion of the stacked container group can be easily transferred to the holding portion of the holding area. Industrial Applicability

[0087] The technology involved in the present disclosure can be used in a container conveying equipment comprising: a conveying vehicle that conveys containers configured to be stacked in an up-and-down direction; a storage rack that stores the aforementioned containers; and a work area that performs at least one target operation of removing items from the aforementioned containers and putting items into the aforementioned containers. Description of Reference Numerals

[0088] F: Container conveying equipment 100: Transport vehicle 10: Driving body 2: Support part 22: Second transfer device 3: Lift the device 4: First transfer device 6G: Cascading container groups 6Ga: Remaining container group 7A: Holding Area 70: Maintaining Department 8: Storage rack 80: Shelf 9A: Operation Area 90: Handover 60: Container 61: General container 62: High frequency container 63: Ultra-high frequency container M: The upper limit of support R7: Connecting Paths R8: Path within the frame area.

Claims

1. A container conveying equipment comprising a conveying vehicle for conveying containers configured to be stacked in an up-and-down direction, a storage rack for storing the containers, and a work area for performing at least one of an operation of taking out an article from the container and an operation of putting an article into the container, The container conveying device has the following characteristics: The storage rack includes multiple layers of rack parts for supporting the containers in the vertical direction, so as to store the plurality of containers in a state of being separated from each other. The transport vehicle has: A moving body; a support portion mounted on the traveling body and supporting a stacked container group in which the plurality of containers are stacked as a container group; a first transfer device mounted on the traveling body and transferring the container between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support portion; and a second transfer device, which is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; The working area is provided with a transfer portion for transferring the stacked container group with the support portion. A holding area is provided at a location different from the working area and the storage rack. The holding area includes a holding portion that holds the stacked container group. The holding portion is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding portion and the supporting portion by the second transfer device.

2. The container conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage rack is defined as the rack area path. The holding portion of the holding area is arranged at a position along a connection path connecting the path within the rack area and the intersection.

3. The container conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: It also includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle. The holding area is arranged in a region between the storage rack and the working area. The control system is configured as follows: based on the types of articles contained in each of the containers, the plurality of containers are divided into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers for management; The transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, at least a portion of which includes the high-frequency container, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

4. The container conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The control system periodically re-evaluates the division of the general container and the high-frequency container. The transport vehicle transports the container changed from the high-frequency container to the general container from the holding area to the storage rack, or transports the container changed from the general container to the high-frequency container from the storage rack to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

5. The container conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The control system defines, as an ultra-high frequency container, a container whose frequency of transport to the work area is greater than a predetermined threshold value among the high frequency containers, The transport vehicle forms the stacked container group consisting of only the ultrahigh frequency containers based on a command from the control system, and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

6. The container conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: It also includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle. The transport vehicle travels on a path returning from the delivery portion of the work area via both the storage rack and the holding area to the delivery portion based on a command from the control system.

7. The container conveying device according to claim 6, wherein: The upper limit number of the number of containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is defined as the upper limit number of support. When the transport vehicle receives the containers from both the storage rack and the holding area, the number of the containers received from the storage rack and supported by the supporting portion is less than or equal to the difference between the support upper limit and the number of the containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding portion of the holding area.

8. The container conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The transport vehicle further includes a lifting device mounted on the traveling body and capable of lifting a part or all of the containers of the stacked container group supported by the supporting portion. At least one of the stacked container groups supported by the supporting portion and not lifted by the lifting device is used as a remaining container group, The second transfer device is configured to be capable of transferring the stacked container group supported by the support portion to the holding portion, transferring the remaining container group to the holding portion, and transferring the stacked container group held by the holding portion to the support portion.

Images