Article conveyance device

Abstract

An article transport device (1) is provided with a travel unit (10) for traveling along a travel path, a main body unit (20) suspended from the travel unit (10), and a power storage unit (30) for storing power. The main body part (20) is provided with a first structure body (40a) extending downwards from the side where the traveling part (10) is located. The first structure (40a) houses the electricity storage unit (30) and has an impact absorbing member (42) provided in the front of the electricity storage unit (30), which is further from the center of the main body (20) in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article handling device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, automatic handling of articles using an article handling device has been put into practical use in factories, warehouses, etc. As such an article handling device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an overhead carrier that travels along a track laid on a ceiling. In the overhead carrier of Patent Document 1, a handling device for handling an article is provided with a cover that covers the handling device in its front-rear direction.

[0003] (Prior Art Documents)

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-088394 Summary of the Invention

[0005] (Problems to be Solved by the Invention)

[0006] Here, some article handling devices are provided with a power storage unit that stores electric power. In the case of the overhead carrier of Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the power storage unit may be damaged when it collides with an obstacle or the like.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an article handling device that can prevent damage to the power storage unit.

[0008] (Technical Means for Solving the Problems)

[0009] To solve the above problems, the article handling device of the present invention includes a traveling unit configured to travel along a traveling path, a main body unit suspended from the traveling unit, and a power storage unit that stores electric power. The main body unit has a structure body that is disposed on at least one of the front portion and the rear portion of the main body unit and extends downward from the side where the traveling unit is located, where the front portion and the rear portion are the front portion and the rear portion when the traveling direction of the traveling unit is regarded as the front-rear direction. The structure body houses the power storage unit and has a shock absorbing member, where the shock absorbing member is provided on a side of the power storage unit that is away from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body unit, that is, the front side or the rear side.

[0010] (Advantages of the Invention)

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent damage to the power storage unit when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the overall structure of the article handling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2Exploded perspective view of the structure of the main body of the article handling device according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 Perspective view of the structure of the power storage unit and the frame of the article handling device according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 Perspective view of the peripheral structure of the shock absorption member of the article handling device according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 Top view of the arrangement structure of the first deformation part and the second deformation part of the first structure body of the article handling device according to the embodiment.

[0017] <Explanation of reference numerals>

[0018] 1 Article handling device

[0019] 10 Traveling part

[0020] 12 Bumper

[0021] 20 Main body part

[0022] 30 Power storage part

[0023] 40a First structure body

[0024] 40b Second structure body

[0025] 41a First outer cover

[0026] 41b Second outer cover

[0027] 42 Shock absorption member

[0028] 60 Frame

[0029] 421 First component

[0030] 422 Second component

[0031] 422a First reinforcement component

[0032] 422b Second reinforcement component

[0033] 422c Third reinforcement component

[0034] 422d Fourth reinforcement component

[0035] A1 First deformation part

[0036] A2 Second deformation part Detailed implementation manners

[0037] 〔Embodiment〕

[0038] Hereinafter, in combination with Figures 1 to 5An embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the overall structure of the article handling device 1. Figure 2 It is an exploded perspective view of the structure of the main body 20 of the article handling device 1. In addition, Figure 2 the traveling unit 10 is omitted in the following description. In the following description, the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the article handling device 1 are defined according to the arrows shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the up-down direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction of the article handling device 1 are defined according to the arrows shown in

[0039] [Structure of Article Handling Device]

[0040] As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the article handling device 1 is, for example, an overhead carrier that transports articles such as a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) for housing a semiconductor substrate along a traveling path (not shown) laid on or near the ceiling. Here, the article handling device 1 is not limited to an overhead carrier, and may be, for example, a carrier that transports articles along a traveling path laid on the ground.

[0041] The article handling device 1 includes a traveling unit 10, a main body 20, and a power storage unit 30. The traveling unit 10 has a pair of left and right traveling wheels 11. The traveling unit 10 travels forward and backward along the traveling path by the traveling wheels 11. The traveling direction of the traveling unit 10 corresponds to the front-rear direction.

[0042] The traveling unit 10 is disposed on a base frame 22. The base frame 22 is a plate-shaped metal member that constitutes the top surface of the main body 20. The front and rear portions of the base frame 22 each have a bumper 12 integrally formed therewith. Here, the bumper 12 includes the foremost end portion and the rearmost end portion of the article handling device 1 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] The main body 20 is suspended from the traveling unit 10. The main body 20 has a holding unit 21 that holds an object and a lifting unit (not shown) that raises and lowers the holding unit 21. The holding unit 21 holds an object by holding claws or the like. The lifting unit is constituted by, for example, a winding and unwinding belt, and raises and lowers the holding unit 21 in the up-down direction by winding and unwinding the belt. The article handling device 1 travels while the holding unit 21 is in the raised state to transport an article.

[0044] The first structure 40a is disposed at the front portion of the main body 20. In addition, the second structure 40b is disposed at the rear portion of the main body 20. The first structure 40a and the second structure 40b extend downward from the side where the traveling unit 1 is located. The first structure 40a and the second structure 40b are an example of structures. In addition, the main body 20 may have a structure only on one of the front portion and the rear portion of the main body 20.

[0045] [Outer cover]

[0046] The first structure 40a has a first outer cover 41a. The second structure 40b has a second outer cover 41b. The first outer cover 41a and the second outer cover 41b are an example of outer covers.

[0047] The first outer cover 41a is made of, for example, synthetic resin and covers the front surface of the main body 20. The first outer cover 41a extends in the vertical direction, and both left and right end portions thereof have a shape that bends toward the center in the front-rear direction of the main body 20. The first outer cover 41a is fixed to a frame 60 (described later) of the first structure 40a by screws or the like.

[0048] The second outer cover 41b is made of, for example, synthetic resin and covers the rear surface of the main body 20. The second outer cover 41b extends in the vertical direction, and both left and right end portions thereof have a shape that bends toward the center in the front-rear direction of the main body 20. The second outer cover 41b is fixed to the frame 60 of the second structure 40b by screws or the like.

[0049] [Shock absorption member]

[0050] The shock absorption member 42 is a member that absorbs the shock received by the power storage unit 30 when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle or the like during traveling. In the first structure 40a, the shock absorption member 42 is disposed between the first outer cover 41a and the power storage unit 30. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the first structure 40a is disposed on the side away from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body 20 with respect to the power storage unit 30, that is, in front of the power storage unit 30.

[0051] The shock absorption member 42 of the first structure 40a has a shape along the outer shape of the first outer cover 41a. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the first structure 40a extends in the vertical direction, and both left and right end portions thereof have a shape that bends toward the rear side.

[0052] The shock absorption member 42 of the first structure 40a is fixed to the frame 60 (described later) by screws or the like. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the first structure 40a is disposed between the first outer cover 41a and the frame 60.

[0053] Although not shown, the same applies to the second structure 40b, that is, the shock absorption member 42 is disposed between the second outer cover 41b and the power storage unit 30. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the second structure 40b is disposed on the side away from the center in the front-rear direction of the power storage unit 30 with respect to the main body 20, that is, the rear of the power storage unit 30.

[0054] Although not shown, the shock absorption member 42 of the second structure 40b also has a shape along the outer shape of the second outer cover 41b. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the second structure 40b extends in the vertical direction, and both left and right end portions thereof have a shape bent toward the front side.

[0055] The shock absorption member 42 of the second structure 40b is fixed to the frame 60 by screws or the like. That is, the shock absorption member 42 of the second structure 40b is disposed between the second outer cover 41b and the frame 60.

[0056] Here, the first structure 40a is provided with electronic devices such as a camera 51, a collision detection sensor 52, and a collision detection sensor 53. The camera 51 is a device for photographing other article handling devices or obstacles in front. The collision detection sensor 52 is a sensor for detecting obstacles or the like. The collision detection sensor 53 is a sensor for detecting other article handling devices in front. In addition, the camera 51 may be absent.

[0057] [Power storage unit]

[0058] As Figure 2 shown, the power storage unit 30 is housed in the first structure 40a. Although not shown, the second structure 40b also has the power storage unit 30. The power storage unit 30 is constituted by, for example, a storage battery, and is a component for storing surplus power of the article handling device 1.

[0059] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the power storage unit 30 and the frame 60. As Figure 3 shown, the power storage unit 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A frame 60 is provided around the power storage unit 30. The frame 60 is constituted by, for example, metal components. The frame 60 has plate-like members covering the front and rear surfaces of the power storage unit 30, plate-like members covering the left and right side surfaces of the power storage unit 30, and columns extending in the vertical direction.

[0060] Thus, the first structure 40a has a frame 60 configured to surround the power storage unit 30 (see Figure 2 ). Although not shown, the second structure 40b also has a frame 60 configured to surround the power storage unit 30. These frames 60 have a function of reducing the impact received by each power storage unit 30 when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle or the like.

[0061] Here, a fire extinguishing sheet may also be installed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the power storage unit 30. The fire extinguishing sheet is configured to generate an aerosol containing a fire extinguishing component, for example, when the temperature of the power storage unit 30 reaches a specified temperature or higher. Thus, when the power storage unit 30 becomes hot and catches fire, the power storage unit 30 can be quickly extinguished by the effect of the fire extinguishing sheet.

[0062] [Reinforcing member]

[0063] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the peripheral structure of the shock absorption member 42. As Figure 4 shown, the shock absorption member 42 includes a first member 421 and a second member 422 having a thickness greater than that of the first member 421. The second member 422 has a first reinforcing member 422a, a second reinforcing member 422b, a third reinforcing member 422c, and a fourth reinforcing member 422d. Here, in Figure 4 the example shown, the shock absorption member 42 provided on the first structure 40a is shown.

[0064] The shock absorption member 42 is mainly composed of the first member 421. The first member 421 extends in the vertical direction, and its left and right end portions have a shape that bends toward the center side in the front and rear directions. The material of the first member 421 is a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The first member 421 has a rectangular opening 420 and the like.

[0065] The second member 422 is an elongated plate-like member for strengthening the first member 421 and is composed of, for example, brackets and ribs. The material of the second member 422 is a metal such as stainless steel. In addition, the material of the second member 422 may also be a synthetic resin or the like.

[0066] The first reinforcing member 422a, the second reinforcing member 422b, and the third reinforcing member 422c are mounted on the surface of the first member 421 on the side closer to the power storage unit 30 around the opening 420 by screws or the like. The fourth reinforcing member 422d is mounted on the surface of the lower end portion of the first member 421 on the side closer to the power storage unit 30 by screws or the like.

[0067] Specifically, the first reinforcing member 422a extends in the left-right direction and is provided above the opening 420. The first reinforcing member 422a abuts against the first member 421 and has a plurality of bent portions that bend along the outer shape of the first member 421.

[0068] The second reinforcing member 422b extends in the left-right direction and is provided below the opening 420 so as to be arranged vertically with the first reinforcing member 422a. The second reinforcing member 422b abuts against the first member 421 and has a plurality of bent portions that bend along the outer shape of the first member 421.

[0069] The third strengthening member 422c extends in the vertical direction on the left side of the opening 420 and abuts against the first member 421. The third strengthening member 422c is shorter in the vertical direction than the first strengthening member 422a and the second strengthening member 422b in the horizontal direction. Here, the first strengthening member 422a, the second strengthening member 422b, and the third strengthening member 422c are part of the first deformation portion A1 described later.

[0070] The fourth strengthening member 422d extends in the horizontal direction at the lower end of the first member 421. The fourth strengthening member 422d is longer in the horizontal direction than the first strengthening member 422a and the second strengthening member 422b in the horizontal direction. The fourth strengthening member 422d has a plurality of bending portions that bend along the outer shape of the first member 421. In addition, the fourth strengthening member 422d is part of the second deformation portion A2 described later.

[0071] [First deformation portion and second deformation portion]

[0072] Figure 5 is a top view of the arrangement structure of the first deformation portion A1 and the second deformation portion A2 in the first structure 40a. In Figure 5 , the bumper 12 and the shock absorption member 42 arranged below the bumper 12 are depicted as overlapping in the vertical direction, and the cross-sectional shape of the first member 421 as viewed from above the shock absorption member 42 is also shown.

[0073] As Figure 5 shown, the shock absorption member 42 has a first deformation portion A1 and a second deformation portion A2. The first deformation portion A1 is arranged to include a position that is farther from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body portion 20 than the second deformation portion A2.

[0074] That is, in the first structure 40a, the first deformation portion A1 includes the front portion of the first member 421 of the shock absorption member 42, the first strengthening member 422a, the second strengthening member 422b, and the third strengthening member 422c. The second deformation portion A2 includes the rear portion of the first member 421 and the fourth strengthening member 422d.

[0075] Here, since the first strengthening member 422a, the second strengthening member 422b, and the third strengthening member 422c are provided around the opening 420 of the first member 421, the periphery of the opening 420 is not easily deformed by impact.

[0076] Although not shown in the figure, in the second structure 40b, the first deformation part A1 includes the rear part of the first component 421 of the shock absorption component 42, the first reinforcement component 422a, the second reinforcement component 422b, and the third reinforcement component 422c. The second deformation part A2 includes the front part of the first component 421 and the fourth reinforcement component 422d.

[0077] The first deformation part A1 of the shock absorption component 42 has a trapezoidal shape. The second deformation part A2 has a trapezoidal shape larger than that of the first deformation part A1. The first deformation part A1 and the second deformation part A2 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Here, bumpers 12 are arranged at the foremost end and the rearmost end of the article handling device 1 in the front-rear direction.

[0078] In the article handling device 1 having such a structure, when colliding with an obstacle or another article handling device in the front-rear direction of the article handling device 1, first, the bumper 12 deforms. If the impact is not absorbed by the bumper 12, then as the first outer cover 41a deforms, the first deformation part A1 of the shock absorption component 42 also deforms. If the first deformation part A1 deforms, then components such as the camera 51, the collision detection sensor 52, and the collision detection sensor 53 may be damaged, but the power storage unit 30 will not be damaged.

[0079] Following the deformation of the first deformation part A1, the second deformation part A2 also deforms. Since the second reinforcement component 422b is provided on the second deformation part A2, it is easy to absorb the impact from the outside.

[0080] If the second deformation part A2 deforms, then components such as the power supply and the drive unit (not shown) may be damaged, but the power storage unit 30 will not be damaged. In this way, the impact from the outside is absorbed step by step by the first deformation part A1 and the second deformation part A2, thereby effectively reducing the impact received by the power storage unit 30 and preventing damage to the power storage unit 30.

[0081] 〔Effects of the Embodiment〕

[0082] According to the article handling device 1 of the present embodiment described above, since the shock absorption component 42 is provided in front of the power storage unit 30 in the first structure 40a, when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle in front or the like, the impact received by the power storage unit 30 can be reduced. In addition, since the shock absorption component 42 is also provided behind the power storage unit 30 in the second structure 40b, when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle in the rear or the like, the impact received by the power storage unit 30 can be reduced. In this way, damage to the power storage unit 30 and the article can be prevented.

[0083] In particular, since shock-absorbing members 42 are disposed both between the first outer cover 41a and the power storage unit 30 and between the second outer cover 41b and the power storage unit 30, when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle or the like, even if the first outer cover 41a and the second outer cover 41b are deformed, the shock applied from the first outer cover 41a and the second outer cover 41b to the power storage unit 30 can be reliably absorbed by the respective shock-absorbing members 42.

[0084] In addition, as Figure 3 shown, since the periphery of the power storage unit 30 is surrounded by a metal frame 60, the shock applied from the outside to the power storage unit 30 can be reliably reduced, and thus damage to the power storage unit 30 can be more reliably prevented.

[0085] Further, as Figure 4 shown, the shock-absorbing member 42 is configured to have a structure in which a second member 422 having a thickness greater than that of the first member 421 is mounted on the first member 421. Therefore, the strength of the shock-absorbing member 42 can be increased by the second member 422. Thereby, when the article handling device 1 collides with an obstacle or the like, the shock received by the power storage unit 30 can be reliably reduced.

[0086] 〔Other Embodiments〕

[0087] In the article handling device 1 of the above-described embodiment, although it is described that the first structure body 40a is disposed at the front portion of the main body portion 20 and the second structure body 40b is disposed at the rear portion of the main body portion 20, it is not limited thereto. For example, a structure body may be disposed only on one of the front portion or the rear portion of the main body portion 20.

[0088] Further, in the article handling device 1 of the above-described embodiment, although it is described that the power storage unit 30 is housed in both the first structure body 40a and the second structure body 40b, it is not limited thereto. The power storage unit 30 may be housed only in one of the first structure body 40a or the second structure body 40b. In this case, the shock-absorbing member 42 may be provided only for the structure body in which the power storage unit 30 is housed.

[0089] Further, in the article handling device 1 of the above-described embodiment, although it is described that the first outer cover 41a is provided for the first structure body 40a and the second outer cover 41b is provided for the second structure body 40b, it is not limited thereto. For example, an outer cover may be provided only for one of the first structure body 40a or the second structure body 40b, or there may be no outer cover.

[0090] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, although the second component 422 is described as being disposed on the surface of the first component 421 on the side closer to the power storage unit 30, this is not limiting. The second component 422 may also be disposed on the surface of the first component 421 on the side opposite to the power storage unit 30. In addition, as long as the second component 422 is disposed at a vulnerable part of the first component 421, the number and the disposed position of the second component 422 may be appropriately changed.

[0091] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, although the second component 422 is described as being mounted on the first component 421 by screws or the like, this is not limiting. The second component 422 may also be mounted on the first component 421 by double-sided tape or the like. In addition, the second component 422 may also be integrally formed with the first component 421.

[0092] In addition, in the first structure 40a and the second structure 40b, for example, radiators for dissipating heat generated by the power storage unit 30 may be respectively disposed on the top surface and the left and right side surfaces of the power storage unit 30 inside the frame 60. According to this structure, the heat generated by the power storage unit 30 can be dissipated well via the radiators, and thus it is possible to prevent the power storage unit 30 from becoming high temperature.

[0093] In addition, in the first structure 40a and the second structure 40b, for example, fans for blowing air to the power storage unit 30 may be respectively provided in the upper space of the power storage unit 30. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the power storage unit 30 from becoming high temperature by blowing air to the power storage unit 30 with the fans.

[0094] 〔Summary〕

[0095] The article handling device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a traveling unit configured to travel along a traveling path, a main body unit suspended from the traveling unit, and a power storage unit configured to store electric power. The main body unit has a structure body that is disposed at at least one of the front part and the rear part of the main body unit and extends downward from the position where the traveling unit is located, where the front part and the rear part are the front part and the rear part when the traveling direction of the traveling unit is regarded as the front-rear direction. The structure body houses the power storage unit and has a shock absorbing member, where the shock absorbing member is disposed on a side of the power storage unit that is away from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body unit, that is, the front or the rear.

[0096] According to the article handling device of the above first aspect, a shock absorbing member is disposed in front of or behind the power storage unit, and thus when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like, the impact received by the power storage unit can be reduced. Thereby, damage to the power storage unit and the like can be prevented.

[0097] In the article handling device according to the second aspect based on the first aspect of the present invention, the structure further has a cover that covers the front or the rear of the main body portion, and the shock absorption member is disposed between the cover and the power storage portion.

[0098] According to the article handling device of the above second aspect, since the shock absorption member is disposed between the cover and the power storage portion, even if the cover is deformed when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like, the shock received by the power storage portion can be absorbed by the shock absorption member. Thereby, damage to the power storage portion and the like can be effectively prevented.

[0099] In the article handling device according to the third aspect based on the second aspect of the present invention, the structure further has a frame that surrounds the power storage portion, and the shock absorption member is disposed between the cover and the frame.

[0100] According to the article handling device of the above third aspect, since the power storage portion is surrounded by the frame, the shock received by the power storage portion can be more reliably reduced when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like.

[0101] In the handling device according to the fourth aspect based on any one of the first aspect to the third aspect of the present invention, the shock absorption member includes a first member and a second member having a thickness different from that of the first member.

[0102] According to the handling device of the above fourth aspect, since the shock absorption member includes the first member and the second member having a thickness different from that of the first member, the strength of the shock absorption member can be improved by the second member, so that the shock received by the power storage portion can be more reliably reduced when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like.

[0103] In the handling device according to the fifth aspect based on any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the shock absorption member has a first deformation portion and a second deformation portion, and the first deformation portion is configured to include a position that is away from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body portion starting from the second deformation portion.

[0104] According to the handling device of the above fifth aspect, through the first deformation portion and the second deformation portion, when the article handling device collides with an obstacle or the like, the shock applied to the power storage portion can be absorbed step by step, and the shock applied to the power storage portion can be effectively reduced.

[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea described in the specification. The solutions obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An article transport device comprising a travel unit for traveling along a travel path, a main body suspended from the travel unit, and a power storage unit for storing electric power, The article transporting device is characterized in that: The main body has a structure, which is arranged at least on one of the front and rear of the main body and extends downward from the side where the traveling part is located, wherein: The front part and the rear part are the front part and the rear part when the traveling direction of the traveling part is regarded as the front-rear direction. The structure accommodates the power storage unit and has a shock absorbing member provided at a side of the power storage unit that is away from the center in the front-rear direction of the main body, that is, at the front or rear.

2. The article transporting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure further includes an outer cover covering the front or rear side of the main body. The impact absorbing member is disposed between the outer cover and the power storage unit.

3. The article transporting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The structure further includes a frame surrounding the power storage unit. The shock absorbing member is disposed between the outer cover and the frame.

4. The article transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The shock absorbing member includes a first member and a second member having a thickness different from that of the first member.

5. The article transporting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The shock absorbing member has a first deformation portion and a second deformation portion, The first deformable portion is arranged so as to include a position farther from the center of the main body in the front-rear direction than the second deformable portion.

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