Storage rack

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage rack. A storage rack is provided with: a placement part on which articles are placed from above; and a restricting member that restricts upward movement of the article by rotating in one direction as the article is placed on the placement portion from above and entering directly above the article placed on the placement portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage rack. Background Art

[0002] As a storage rack, as described in Patent Document 1, there is publicly known a storage device including a shelf board (a placement part) for placing an object to be conveyed (an article), and a fall prevention mechanism for restricting upward movement of the object to be conveyed placed on the shelf board. In the storage device described in Patent Document 1, the fall prevention mechanism moves between a position above the article and a retracted position above by being pressed horizontally by a lifting mechanism moving horizontally.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011 - 29549

[0004] In the above storage rack, for example, when placing an article on the placement part from above without accompanying horizontal movement of the lifting mechanism, there is a concern that upward movement of the article cannot be restricted. Further, in the above storage rack, when the lifting mechanism moves horizontally at a high position and then an article is placed on the placement part from above, there is a concern that upward movement of the article cannot be restricted. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage rack capable of restricting upward movement of an article placed on a placement part from above.

[0006] (1) A storage rack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a placement part for placing an article from above; and a restricting member that rotates in one direction by placing an article on the placement part from above and enters directly above the article placed on the placement part to restrict upward movement of the article.

[0007] In this storage rack, it is possible to use the downward movement of the article during placement and restrict upward movement of the article placed on the placement part by the restricting member. That is, it is possible to restrict upward movement of an article placed on the placement part from above.

[0008] (2) In the storage rack according to (1) above, the restricting member may also have: a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction; and a main body part provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. The main body part may include: a spiral contact surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane and extends in a spiral shape centered on the rotation axis and can contact an article placed on the placement part from above. In this case, it is possible to use the downward movement of the article to easily and reliably move the restricting member to an entry position directly above the article placed on the placement part.

[0009] (3)In the storage rack described in (1) or (2) above, the restricting member can also be rotated in the other direction opposite to one direction by lifting the article upward from the placement portion, and retracted from directly above the placed article, thereby releasing the restriction on the upward movement of the article. In this case, the upward movement of the article can be used to release the movement restriction of the restricting member on the article (the restriction on the upward movement of the article).

[0010] (4)In the storage rack described in (3) above, the restricting member can also have an elastic body that biases the restricting member to rotate in the other direction. In this case, the elastic force of the elastic body can be used to release the movement restriction imposed by the restricting member.

[0011] (5)In the storage rack described in (4) above, the restricting member can also have a rotary damper that delays the rotational speed of the restricting member in the other direction. In this case, for example, with respect to the normal upward movement of the article during transfer or the like, the restricting member is rotated in the other direction in a following manner, and the movement restriction of the restricting member can be released. On the other hand, for example, with respect to the rapid upward movement (lifting) of the article during an earthquake or the like, the rotational speed of the restricting member in the other direction can be delayed by the rotary damper to suppress the situation where the movement restriction of the restricting member is immediately released.

[0012] (6)In the storage rack described in any one of (1) to (5) above, a positioning pin can also be provided. The positioning pin is provided on the placement portion, protrudes upward, and is inserted into a recess at the bottom of the article placed on the placement portion. In the state where the article is placed on the placement portion, the length of the positioning pin inserted into the recess can also be longer than the distance between the portion of the restricting member entering directly above the article and the article. In this case, when the movement is restricted by the restricting member, the situation where the positioning pin comes out of the recess of the article can be prevented.

[0013] (7)In the storage rack described in (2) above, when the main body portion is in the first rotation position and the article is in the first height position, the article can also be in contact with the spiral contact surface. When the article descends from the first height position to a height position lower than the first height position and is placed on the placement portion, that is, the second height position, the article can also slide on the spiral contact surface and press the spiral contact surface, and the main body portion rotates from the first rotation position in one direction to the second rotation position. In this case, when the article is placed on the placement portion, the downward movement of the article can be specifically used to rotate the main body portion from the first rotation position in one direction to the second rotation position.

[0014] (8) In the storage rack described in (7) above, the main body portion may also have: a base portion provided with a spiral contact surface; and a protruding portion integrally provided with the base portion and protruding in the horizontal direction. When the main body portion is in the first rotation position, the protruding portion may also retract from directly above the placement area of the items placed on the placement portion. When the main body portion is in the second rotation position, the protruding portion may also enter directly above the item. In this case, when placing an item on the placement portion, the protruding portion can be moved to the entry position to restrict the upward movement of the item.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage rack capable of restricting the upward movement of an item placed on a placement portion from above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a side view showing a storage rack and an overhead transporter according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 is showing Figure 1 a perspective view of an item.

[0018] Figure 3 is showing Figure 1 a top view of the storage rack.

[0019] Figure 4 is showing Figure 3 a perspective view of a restricting member.

[0020] Figure 5 is showing Figure 3 another perspective view of the restricting member.

[0021] Figure 6 is showing Figure 4 a perspective view of a cross-sectioned restricting member.

[0022] Figure 7 is showing Figure 4 a perspective view of the peripheral structure of a torsion spring in the restricting member.

[0023] Figure 8 (a) is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the restricting member when an item is placed on the placement portion of the storage rack from above. Figure 8 (b) is showing Figure 8 a side view of the restricting member and the item in (a).

[0024] Figure 9 (a) is illustrating Figure 8 the subsequent operation of (a). Figure 9 (b) is showing Figure 9 a side view of the restricting member and the item in (a).

[0025] Figure 10 (a) is an explanatory Figure 9 subsequent perspective view of the operation of (a). Figure 10 (b) represents Figure 10 side view of the restricting member and the article of (a).

[0026] Figure 11 is a side view showing an enlarged part of the restricting member in a state where the article is placed on the placing portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The terms "upper" and "lower" correspond to the vertical up and down directions.

[0028] As Figure 1 shown, the storage rack 1 is arranged, for example, along the track 4 of the overhead carrier 6 constituting the overhead carrier system S of a semiconductor manufacturing factory. The storage rack 1 temporarily stores articles 10 such as a FOUP. The storage rack 1 is an Overhead Hoist Buffer (OHB). The storage rack 1 includes a placing portion 8 that is suspended and supported from the ceiling through a plurality of rack columns 9. The storage rack 1 receives, supports, and stores the articles 10 transferred from the overhead carrier 6. In the illustrated example, the storage rack 1 is an Under the Track Buffer (UTB) in which the placing portion 8 is arranged directly below the track 4.

[0029] As Figure 2 shown, the article 10 is, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) that stores a plurality of semiconductor wafers. The article 10 has a box-shaped container body 11 with an opening on the front side, a lid 12 detachably provided on the front side of the container body 11, a flange 13 provided on the upper part of the container body 11, and a bottom plate 14 provided on the lower part of the container body 11. The flange 13 is a portion held by the overhead carrier 6. The flange 13 is formed in a plate shape along the upper surface of the container body 11. The flange 13 is located at the central portion of the upper surface when viewed from above. The bottom plate 14 is formed in a plate shape along the lower surface of the container body 11. The bottom plate 14 is provided to protrude outward from both sides of the container body 11. Three positioning recesses (grooves or holes) 15 (see Figure 11 ) are provided on the lower surface (bottom) of the container body 11. The positioning pin P described later is inserted into the recess 15.

[0030] Return Figure 1, the overhead transporter 6 travels along the track 4 laid near the ceiling to transport the article 10. The overhead transporter 6 includes a traveling unit 18, a main body frame 22, a lateral transfer unit 24, a θ driver 26, a lifting drive unit 28, and a lifting table 30. The traveling unit 18 causes the overhead transporter 6 to travel along the track 4. The lateral transfer unit 24 causes the θ driver 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting table 30 to slide together. The θ driver 26 rotates the lifting drive unit 28 and the lifting table 30 within a specified angle range in the horizontal plane. The lifting drive unit 28 raises and lowers the lifting table 30 by winding or unwinding a suspension member. The lifting table 30 holds and raises and lowers the article 10 by means of a gripping portion 31.

[0031] As Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the placement unit 8 is a portion for transferring the article 10 to and from the overhead transporter 6. The article 10 is placed on the placement unit 8 from above. The placement unit 8 is composed of a plate-like member with the vertical direction as the thickness direction. The placement unit 8 has a placement surface 8x along the horizontal plane. The article 10 transported by the overhead transporter 6 is temporarily placed on the placement unit 8.

[0032] For example, when transferring the article 10 from the placement unit 8 to the overhead transporter 6, the overhead transporter 6 that does not hold the article 10 stops at a predetermined position above the placement unit 8. When the position of the lowering lifting table 30 at the stop position deviates from the specified position relative to the placement unit 8 (article 10), the horizontal position and horizontal angle of the lifting table 30 are adjusted by driving the lateral transfer unit 24 and the θ driver 26. Then, the lifting table 30 is lowered by the lifting drive unit 28, and the flange 13 of the article 10 placed on the placement unit 8 is held by the gripping portion 31 of the lifting table 30. Then, the lifting table 30 is raised by the lifting drive unit 28 to lift the article 10 upward. Then, the overhead transporter 6 that holds the article 10 starts to travel.

[0033] On the other hand, for example, when transferring the article 10 from the overhead transporter 6 to the placement unit 8, the overhead transporter 6 that holds the article 10 stops at a predetermined position above the placement unit 8. When the position of the lowering lifting table 30 (article 10) at the stop position deviates from the specified position relative to the placement unit 8, the horizontal position and horizontal angle of the lifting table 30 are adjusted by driving the lateral transfer unit 24 and the θ driver 26. Then, the lifting table 30 is lowered by the lifting drive unit 28, and after the article 10 is placed on the placement unit 8 from above, the gripping portion 31 of the lifting table 30 releases the holding of the flange 13 of the article 10. Then, the lifting table 30 is raised to the upper end by the lifting drive unit 28. Then, the overhead transporter 6 that does not hold the article 10 starts to travel.

[0034] Three positioning pins P are provided on the placement part 8. The positioning pins P project upward from the placement surface 8x. The positioning pins P are inserted into the concave parts 15 on the lower surface of the article 10 placed on the placement part 8 until the front ends of the positioning pins P abut against the article 10. Thereby, the article 10 is positioned and placed on the placement part 8. The positioning pins P are, for example, kinematic pins. In the illustrated example, when viewed from above, the positioning pins P are dispersedly arranged at three points on the placement surface 8x that are not on a straight line.

[0035] The storage rack 1 of the present embodiment includes a restricting member 50. As the article 10 is placed on the placement part 8 from above, the restricting member 50 rotates in one direction and enters directly above the article 10 placed on the placement part 8, thereby restricting the upward movement of the article 10. As the article 10 is lifted upward from the placement part 8, the restricting member 50 rotates in the other direction and retreats from directly above the placed article 10, thereby releasing the restriction on the upward movement of the article 10. Directly above the article 10 is the exact upper surface of the article 10. Directly above the article 10 is the position that overlaps the article 10 in a top view.

[0036] As Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the restricting member 50 is provided on the placement part 8. A pair of restricting members 50 are arranged for each article 10 placed on the placement part 8. When viewed from above, the pair of restricting members 50 are arranged on the placement surface 8x so as to face each other in the horizontal direction with the placement area Z for placing the article 10 in the placement part 8 therebetween. The restricting member 50 has a rotation shaft 51, a main body part 52, a rotation limiter 53, a torsion spring (elastic body) 54, and a rotation damper 55.

[0037] In addition, one direction is the direction on one side of the rotation direction. Here, one direction is one direction (clockwise direction) in the rotation direction around the rotation shaft 51. The other direction is the direction opposite to one direction and is the direction on the other side of the rotation direction. Here, the other direction is the other direction (counterclockwise direction) in the rotation direction around the rotation shaft 51. In addition, Figure 1 and Figures 3 - 8 show the state in which the restricting member 50 does not rotate further in the other direction, that is, the initial state.

[0038] The rotation shaft 51 is a shaft member extending along the vertical direction. The rotation shaft 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape, for example. The lower part of the rotation shaft 51 is fixedly supported on the rectangular plate-shaped plate 61. The plate 61 has the vertical direction as the thickness direction and is arranged on the placement surface 8x of the placement part 8. The plate 61 is fixed to the placement part 8 by bolts B0.

[0039] The main body portion 52 is configured to be rotatable about the rotation axis 51. The main body portion 52 is formed of, for example, resin or the like. The main body portion 52 includes a base portion 56 and a protruding portion 57. A through hole 56h is formed in the base portion 56. The rotation axis 51 is inserted into the through hole 56h via a flanged cylindrical sliding bearing 62. Thereby, the base portion 56 can rotate about the rotation axis 51 in one direction and the other direction.

[0040] A spiral contact surface 58 is provided on the base portion 56. That is, the main body portion 52 has a spiral contact surface 58. The spiral contact surface 58 is inclined with respect to the vertical plane and extends in a spiral shape centered on the rotation axis 51. The spiral contact surface 58 extends from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the base portion 56. In a top view, the spiral contact surface 58 extends in an angular range of 180° along the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis 51. The spiral contact surface 58 is a slope that descends while surrounding the rotation axis 51. The spiral contact surface 58 is a raised curved surface and extends smoothly and continuously. The spiral contact surface 58 is a surface that can contact the article 10 placed on the placement portion 8 from above. The spiral contact surface 58 overlaps the placement area Z in a top view. The spiral contact surface 58 is a sliding surface on which the article 10 slides. The inclination angle of the spiral contact surface 58 with respect to the vertical plane is constant from the upper end to the lower end of the spiral contact surface 58.

[0041] The spiral contact surface 58 converts the downward force applied by the contact of the article 10 from above into a force in one direction of the rotation direction. Specifically, the article 10 collides with the spiral contact surface 58 from above, and the spiral contact surface 58 is pressed, thereby generating a force that causes the base portion 56 to rotate in one direction. As a result, the base portion 56 rotates in one direction due to this force, and the article 10 moves (slides) toward the placement surface 8x in a manner of sliding on the spiral contact surface 58.

[0042] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in (b), a pressed surface 56x that is pressed by the torsion spring 54 in the other direction of the rotation direction is formed in the lower portion of the base portion 56. A engaged surface 56y that engages with the rotation limiter 53 in the rotation direction is formed in the lower portion of the base portion 56 so that the base portion 56 does not rotate further in the other direction in the initial state.

[0043] As Figures 3 - 6 As shown, the protruding portion 57 is provided integrally with the base portion 56. The protruding portion 57 is fixed to the upper portion of the base portion 56 by bolts (not shown) or the like. The protruding portion 57 rotates in one direction and the other direction about the rotation axis 51 synchronously with the base portion 56. The protruding portion 57 is configured to protrude in the horizontal direction. The protruding portion 57 includes a clamping portion 64 as a convex portion, and the convex portion is provided to protrude from the base portion 56 in the horizontal direction.

[0044] The clamping part 64 has a structure that bends so as to extend downward and protrude toward the side opposite to the spiral contact surface 58. The lower surface of the clamping part 64 is a plane along the horizontal plane. The lower surface of the clamping part 64 is located above the lower end of the spiral contact surface 58. In the initial state, when viewed from above, the clamping part 64 is arranged so as to protrude outward toward the side opposite to the placement area Z. On the other hand, as Figure 11 shown, in the state where the article 10 is placed on the placement part 8, the protruding part 57 rotates in one direction synchronously with the base part 56. As a result, the clamping part 64 enters directly above the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 placed on the placement part 8 (details will be described later). The clamping part 64 constitutes the part that enters directly above the article 10.

[0045] The rotation limiter 53 is a component that engages with the engaged surface 56y of the base part 56 in the rotation direction in the initial state and prevents the base part 56 from rotating further in the other direction. The rotation limiter 53 is a cylindrical component with the vertical direction as the axis. The rotation limiter 53 is provided on the plate 61. According to the rotation limiter 53, in the initial state, the rotation of the main body part 52 in the other direction is prevented, and the rotation position of the main body part 52 is located at the first rotation position.

[0046] The torsion spring 54 applies a force to limit the rotation of the component 50 in the other direction. The torsion spring 54 is wound around the lower part of the rotation shaft 51 on the plate 61. One end 54a of the torsion spring 54 that constitutes the fixed point of one arm engages with the rotation limiter 53. The other end 54b of the torsion spring 54 that constitutes the acting point engages with the pressed surface 56x of the base part 56. Thus, the torsion spring 54 presses the pressed surface 56x in the other direction of the rotation direction and applies a force to the base part 56 to rotate in that other direction.

[0047] The rotation damper 55 delays the rotation speed of the limiting component 50 in the other direction. The rotation damper 55 is fixed to the upper surface of the protruding part 57 via the bolt B1. In addition, the rotation damper 55 is connected to the upper end of the rotation shaft 51 via the coupling 65. The rotation damper 55 is not particularly limited, and various known rotation dampers can be used.

[0048] Next, an operation example of the limiting component 50 will be described.

[0049] For example, an example of placing the article 10 on the placement part 8 from directly above in order to temporarily store the article 10 in the storage rack 1 will be described. First, in the initial state where the article 10 is not placed on the placement part 8, as Figure 3As shown, the main body portion 52 is in the first rotational position, and the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 is in a position retracted from directly above the placement area Z. In this initial state, the lifting table 30 holding the article 10 is lowered, and the article 10 is lowered from above onto the placement portion 8. Thus, as Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) show, when the article 10 is at the first height position T1, the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 contacts the upper portion of the spiral contact surface 58.

[0050] As Figure 9 (a) and Figure 9 (b) show, if the article 10 is further lowered onto the placement portion 8, the spiral contact surface 58 is pushed by the bottom plate 14, and a force is generated that causes the main body portion 52 to rotate in one direction. This force is greater than the elastic force of the torsion spring 54 (the force in the other direction of the rotational direction). As a result, the main body portion 52 rotates in one direction, and the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 moves downward in a manner that slides on the spiral contact surface 58. At this time, the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 moves in a manner that horizontally rotates in one direction of the rotational direction.

[0051] If the article 10 is further lowered onto the placement portion 8, then as Figure 10 (a) and Figure 10 (b) show, the spiral contact surface 58 is continuously pushed by the bottom plate 14, the main body portion 52 rotates in one direction, and the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 moves downward in a manner that slides on the spiral contact surface 58. At the same time, the positioning pin P is inserted into the recess 15 on the lower surface of the article 10. Above, the placement of the article 10 on the placement surface 8x is completed.

[0052] In the state where the article 10 is placed on the placement surface 8x, the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 contacts the lower portion of the spiral contact surface 58, the main body portion 52 rotates in one direction to the second rotational position, and the article 10 is at a second height position T2 lower than the first height position T1. Additionally, in the state where the article 10 is placed on the placement surface 8x, the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 moves in a manner that further horizontally rotates in one direction of the rotational direction and enters directly above the bottom plate 14 of the article 10. As Figure 11 shown, in the state where the article 10 is placed on the placement surface 8x, the length of the positioning pin P inserted into the recess 15 of the article 10 (i.e., the depth of the recess 15) H0 is longer than the distance L0 between the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 and the clamping portion 64 that enters directly above this bottom plate 14.

[0053] On the other hand, when transferring the article 10 placed on the placement surface 8x of the placement unit 8 to the elevated transporter 6, the lifting table 30 holding the article 10 is raised, and the article 10 is lifted directly upward. As a result, the pressing of the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 against the spiral contact surface 58 is released, and by the elastic force of the torsion spring 54, the main body portion 52 rotates in the other direction to return to the initial state.

[0054] At this time, since the rotation speed of the main body portion 52 in the other direction is delayed by the rotation damper 55, even if the article 10 rises rapidly, the main body portion 52 does not follow it, and the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 separates from the spiral contact surface 58. In this case, the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 remains directly above the bottom plate 14 of the article 10, and the upward movement of the article 10 is restricted. In addition, if the article 10 is lifted by a normal upward movement, the main body portion 52 follows and rotates, and the bottom plate 14 of the article 10 moves upward in a manner of sliding on the spiral contact surface 58. As a result, the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 moves in a manner of horizontally rotating in the other direction of the rotation direction and retracts from directly above the bottom plate 14 of the article 10. As a result, the restriction on the upward movement of the article 10 is released.

[0055] As described above, in the storage rack 1, the downward movement of the article 10 during placement can be utilized, and the upward movement of the article 10 placed on the placement unit 8 can be restricted by the restricting member 50. That is, the upward movement of the article 10 placed on the placement unit 8 from above can be restricted.

[0056] In the storage rack 1, the restricting member 50 has a rotation shaft 51 extending in the vertical direction and a main body portion 52 provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 51. The main body portion 52 includes a spiral contact surface 58. In this case, by utilizing the downward movement of the article 10, the restricting member 50 can be easily and reliably moved to the entry position directly above the article 10 placed on the placement unit 8.

[0057] In the storage rack 1, when the article 10 is lifted upward from the placement unit 8, the restricting member 50 rotates in the other direction opposite to one direction and retracts from directly above the placed article 10, thereby releasing the restriction on the upward movement of the article 10. In this case, the upward movement restriction (the restriction on the upward movement of the article 10) of the restricting member 50 on the article 10 can be released by utilizing the upward movement of the article 10.

[0058] In the storage rack 1, the restricting member 50 has a torsion spring 54 that biases the restricting member 50 to rotate in the other direction. In this case, the movement restriction of the restricting member 50 can be released by utilizing the elastic force of the torsion spring 54.

[0059] In the storage rack 1, the restricting member 50 has a rotary damper 55 that delays the rotational speed of the restricting member 50 in the other direction. In this case, for example, with respect to the normal ascending movement of the article 10 during transfer or the like, the restricting member 50 can be rotated in the other direction in a manner that follows by the elastic force of the torsion spring 54 to release the movement restriction of the restricting member 50. In other words, the rotary damper 55 delays the rotational speed of the restricting member 50 within the range where the restricting member 50 follows the normal ascending movement. On the other hand, for example, with respect to the rapid ascending movement (lifting) of the article 10 during an earthquake or the like, since the rotary damper 55 delays the rotational speed of the restricting member 50 in the other direction, it is possible to suppress the situation where the movement restriction of the restricting member 50 is immediately released.

[0060] The storage rack 1 has a positioning pin P provided on the placement portion 8. In a state where the article 10 is placed on the placement portion 8, the length H0 of the positioning pin P inserted into the recess 15 of the article 10 is longer than the distance L0 between the lower surface of the clamping portion 64 of the restricting member 50 and the upper surface of the bottom plate 14 of the article 10. In this case, when the movement is restricted by the clamping portion 64 of the restricting member 50, it is possible to prevent the positioning pin P from coming out of the recess 15 of the article 10.

[0061] In the storage rack 1, when the main body portion 52 is in the first rotational position and the article 10 is in the first height position T1, and the article 10 contacts the spiral contact surface 58 and the article 10 descends from the first height position T1 to the second height position T2, the article 10 slides on the spiral contact surface 58 and presses the spiral contact surface 58, causing the main body portion 52 to rotate from the first rotational position in one direction to the second rotational position. In this case, when the article 10 is placed on the placement portion 8, the descending movement of the article 10 can be specifically utilized to rotate the main body portion 52 from the first rotational position in one direction to the second rotational position.

[0062] In the storage rack 1, the main body portion 52 has a base portion 56 provided with a spiral contact surface 58 and a protruding portion 57 integrally provided with the base portion 56 and extending horizontally. When the main body portion 52 is in the first rotational position, the clamping portion 64 retracts from directly above the placement area Z of the placement portion 8. When the main body portion 52 is in the second rotational position, the clamping portion 64 enters directly above the article 10. In this case, when the article 10 is placed on the placement portion 8, the clamping portion 64 of the protruding portion 57 can be moved to the entry position to restrict the upward movement of the article 10.

[0063] As described above, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the article 10 is not limited to a FOUP, and may also be a container such as a container for storing a glass substrate, a reticle container, or the like, as well as general components. In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of articles 10 may also be placed on the storage rack 1. In the above-described embodiment, a pair of restricting members 50 are arranged for each article 10, but one or three or more restricting members 50 may also be arranged for each article 10. In the above-described embodiment, the storage rack 1 may also be, for example, a side-rail temporary storage (STB) in which the placing portion 8 is arranged on the side of the rail 4. In this case, after the article 10 is slid and moved by the lateral transfer portion 24, the overhead transporter 6 may place the article 10 on the placing portion 8 from above.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, although the base portion 56 and the protruding portion 57 are configured to be separable, the base portion 56 and the protruding portion 57 may also be configured as an inseparable integral body. Further, in the case where the base portion 56 and the protruding portion 57 are separable, for example, a plurality of protruding portions 57 having different shapes may be prepared for the clamping portion 64, and the protruding portion 57 may be replaced according to the situation and use. In this case, various situations and uses can be coped with.

[0066] The structures of the above-described embodiment and the modification examples are not limited to the above materials and shapes, and various materials and shapes can be applied. The structures of the above-described embodiment or the modification examples can be arbitrarily applied to the structures of other embodiments or the modification examples. A part of the structures of the above-described embodiment or the modification examples can be appropriately omitted without departing from the spirit of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Description of reference numerals

[0068] 1... storage rack, 8... placing portion, 10... article, 15... recess, 50... restricting member, 51... rotating shaft, 52... main body portion, 54... torsion spring (elastic body), 55... rotary damper, 56... base portion, 57... protruding portion, 58... spiral contact surface, P... positioning pin, Z... placing area.

Claims

1. A storage rack, comprising: a placement part for placing an article from above; and a restricting member that rotates in one direction as the article is placed on the placement part from above and enters directly above the article placed on the placement part, thereby restricting upward movement of the article.

2. The storage rack according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member has: a rotating shaft extending along the vertical direction; and a main body part provided to be rotatable about the rotating shaft, the main body part includes: a spiral contact surface that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane and extends in a spiral shape centered on the rotating shaft, and is capable of contacting the article placed on the placement part from above.

3. The storage rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restricting member rotates in another direction opposite to the one direction as the article is lifted upward from the placement part and retreats from directly above the placed article, thereby releasing the restriction on upward movement of the article.

4. The storage rack according to claim 3, wherein the restricting member has an elastic body that biases the restricting member to rotate in the another direction.

5. The storage rack according to claim 4, wherein the restricting member has a rotational damper that delays the rotational speed of the restricting member in the another direction.

6. The storage rack according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a positioning pin provided on the placement part, protruding upward, and inserted into a recess at the bottom of the article placed on the placement part, in a state where the article is placed on the placement part, the length of the positioning pin inserted into the recess is longer than the distance between the part of the restricting member entering directly above the article and the article.

7. The storage rack according to claim 2, wherein when the main body part is in a first rotational position and the article is at a first height position, the article contacts the spiral contact surface, when the article descends from the first height position to a height position lower than the first height position and is placed on the placement part, i.e., a second height position, the article slides on the spiral contact surface and presses the spiral contact surface, and the main body part rotates from the first rotational position in the one direction to a second rotational position.

8. The storage rack according to claim 7, wherein the main body part has: a base part provided with the spiral contact surface; and a protruding part integrally provided with the base part and protruding horizontally, when the main body part is in the first rotational position, the protruding part retreats from directly above the placement area of the placement part for placing the article, when the main body part is in the second rotational position, the protruding part enters directly above the article.

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