Aerial transport vehicle

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an overhead transport vehicle that transports a container with a simple structure in a state in which a lid of the container is pressed. [Solution] An overhead transport vehicle (1) that transports a container (100) in a state in which a lid (110) placed above the container (100) is pressed, the overhead transport vehicle (1) being provided with a holding unit (8) that holds the container (100) and a lifting drive unit (7) that lifts and lowers the holding unit (8), the holding unit (8) being provided with a lid pressing mechanism (33) that presses the lid (110) placed above the container (100), the lid pressing mechanism (33) pressing the lid (110) when the container (100) is held by the holding unit (8), and the lid pressing mechanism (33) pressing the lid (110) when the container (100) is held by the holding unit (8). The lid (110) is pressed from above by the weight of the container (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an air transfer vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] An air transfer vehicle that transfers a container along a rail arranged on a ceiling or the like is known (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In the container described in Patent Literature 1, a wafer or a reticle or the like used for manufacturing a semiconductor element is accommodated.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-125411 SUMMARY

[0006] However, the air transfer vehicle sometimes transfers a container that accommodates a liquid, rather than a wafer or a reticle. A lid is provided above such a container. In this case, the air transfer vehicle needs to press the lid when transferring the container, so that the liquid in the container does not splash out.

[0007] Therefore, it is considered to add a drive motor for pressing the lid to the air transfer vehicle, but the design needs to take into account the weight and the power, and sometimes the structure is complicated.

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide an air transfer vehicle that transfers a container in a state where a lid of the container is pressed with a simple structure.

[0009] The air transfer vehicle of the aspect of the present application transfers a container in a state where a lid placed above the container is pressed, and the air transfer vehicle includes a holding portion that holds the container, and a lifting drive portion that lifts the holding portion, the holding portion including a lid pressing mechanism that presses the lid placed above the container, the lid pressing mechanism pressing the lid from above by the weight of the container when the container is held by the holding portion.

[0010] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The air transfer vehicle according to the above aspect can transfer the container in a state where the lid of the container is pressed with a simple structure, because the lid of the container can be pressed without using a drive motor.

[0012] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap.

[0013] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap.

[0014] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap.

[0015] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap.

[0016] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap.

[0017] Further, in the aerial transport vehicle of the above-described aspect, the cap pressing mechanism can include a first abutting portion that presses the cap placed on the upper side of the container from the upper side, and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed on an end portion on the upper side of the container, and when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate around a horizontal axis by the weight of the container, and the first abutting portion rotates around the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion, thereby pressing the cap from the upper side. According to this structure, the first abutting portion is able to press the cap by rotating with the rotation of the second abutting portion. That is, the aerial transport vehicle is able to transport the container in a state where the cap is pressed even if the aerial transport vehicle does not include a drive motor for pressing the cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration view of the aerial transport vehicle of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holding portion of the embodiment as viewed from the back side.

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the holding portion of the present embodiment as viewed from the front side.

[0021] Figure 4 is a configuration example of the capping mechanism of the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the operation of the air-feed vehicle holding container of the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the operation of the air-feed vehicle holding container of the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the operation of the air-feed vehicle holding container of the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the grippable state of the present embodiment.

[0026] Figure 9 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the operation of the air-feed vehicle holding container of the present embodiment.

[0027] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the case where the first roller of the present embodiment presses the cap.

[0028] Figure 11 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the operation of the air-feed vehicle holding container of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, the present application will be described by embodiments, but the following embodiments do not limit the application covered by the claims. In addition, all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the application. Note that, in the drawings, the same reference numerals are sometimes assigned to the same or similar parts, and repeated description is omitted. In addition, in order to make the description more clear, the shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings are sometimes different from those of the actual products, for example, exaggerated, and the like.

[0030] In the drawings, the directions in the drawings are sometimes explained using an XYZ coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, a plane parallel to the horizontal plane is set as the XY plane. One direction in the XY plane is marked as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to the X direction is marked as the Y direction. In addition, the direction orthogonal to the XY plane is marked as the Z direction. As for the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, the direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow is the - direction.

[0031] Figure 1is a schematic configuration diagram of an air transfer cart 1 of the present embodiment. The air transfer cart 1 travels along a rail R provided at a position higher than the ground, such as a ceiling, and transfers a container 100 in a suspended state. The container 100 contains, for example, a liquid. The container 100 has an opening portion 101 on the upper side. The air transfer cart 1 places a lid 110 on the upper side of the container 100 to close the opening portion 101. The container 100 is provided with a flange 120.

[0032] The flange 120 is formed at the end portion on the upper side of the container 100. That is, the flange 120 is formed so as to surround the opening portion 101. The air transfer cart 1 transfers the container 100 with the lid 110 placed on the upper side of the container 100 pressed. Note that, Figure 1 The X direction in the above is the traveling direction of the air transfer cart 1. The +X direction is sometimes referred to as the right side, and the -X direction is sometimes referred to as the left side. In addition, Figure 1 The Z direction in the above is the vertical direction of the air transfer cart 1. Figure 1 The Y direction in the above is the width direction of the air transfer cart 1.

[0033] The air transfer cart 1 is provided with, for example, a traveling drive unit 2, a connecting unit 3a, a support unit 3b, and a main body unit 4.

[0034] The traveling drive unit 2 generates a drive force for traveling of the air transfer cart 1. The traveling drive unit 2 has, for example, a wheel, a linear motor or a rotary motor, a rotary encoder or a linear encoder, and the like. The wheel is disposed so as to be in contact with the rail R, and is rotationally driven by the drive force of the traveling drive unit 2. Note that the traveling drive unit 2 controls the linear motor or the rotary motor based on a detection result of the wheel rotation speed or the like detected by the rotary encoder or the linear encoder, and controls the speed or the stop position of the air transfer cart 1.

[0035] The connecting unit 3a connects the traveling drive unit 2 and the support unit 3b. For example, one end of the connecting unit 3a is connected to the traveling drive unit 2, and the other end is connected to the support unit 3b. The support unit 3b is disposed along a horizontal plane, and supports the main body unit 4.

[0036] The main body unit 4 is connected to the traveling drive unit 2 via the connecting unit 3a, and travels along the rail R. The main body unit 4 is provided with a horizontal drive unit 5, a rotary drive unit 6, a lifting drive unit 7, a holding unit 8, a cover 9a, and a cover 9b.

[0037] The horizontal drive section 5 is connected to the other end of the connecting section 3a. The horizontal drive section 5 moves the rotation drive section 6, the lifting drive section 7, and the holding section 8 in the width direction in the horizontal plane. The rotation drive section 6 has a motor or the like, and rotates the lifting drive section 7 and the holding section 8 in the horizontal plane. The lifting drive section 7 is controlled by a control section (not shown) provided in the air transfer vehicle 1, for example, and lowers or raises the holding section 8 at a predetermined speed, or holds the holding section 8 at a target height. The lifting drive section 7 is a hoist, for example. The lifting drive section 7 lowers the holding section 8 by unwinding a suspension member 71 such as a wire rope or a rope, and raises the holding section 8 by winding up the suspension member 71.

[0038] The horizontal drive section 5, the rotation drive section 6, and the lifting drive section 7 described above are supported by the air transfer vehicle 1, and move in the traveling direction in conjunction with the air transfer vehicle 1. A cover 9a is provided on the side of the -X side of the horizontal drive section 5, the rotation drive section 6, and the lifting drive section 7, and a cover 9b is provided on the side of the +X side. The covers 9a and 9b are fixed to the support section 3b, and are arranged so as to extend from the support section 3b toward the -Z direction.

[0039] The holding section 8 places the lid 110 above the container 100. Furthermore, the holding section 8 holds the container 100 while pressing the lid 110 placed above the container 100, so that the lid 110 does not fall off. The holding section 8 has a holding main body section 10, a lid holding section 11, and two gripping sections 12 (gripping sections 12a and 12b), for example. The holding section 8 grips the container 100 on which the lid 110 is placed using the two gripping sections 12a and 12b.

[0040] The holding main body section 10 is connected to the suspension member 71. The holding main body section 10 is suspended from the lifting drive section 7 via the suspension member 71, and is raised and lowered by the lifting drive section 7. The holding main body section 10 supports the two gripping sections 12a and 12b. Specifically, the gripping section 12a is supported on the -X side of the holding main body section 10, and the gripping section 12b is supported on the +X side of the holding main body section 10.

[0041] The holding main body section 10 can move the gripping sections 12a and 12b in the traveling direction. Specifically, the holding main body section 10 moves the gripping sections 12a and 12b to the inside of the holding section 8, that is, to the side of the container 100 when the container 100 is gripped. That is, the holding main body section 10 moves the gripping section 12a from the first position Pla (see, for example, FIG. 2) to the second position P2a (see, for example, FIG. 3) which is moved by a predetermined distance in the +X direction when the container 100 is gripped, and moves the gripping section 12b from the first position P1b to the second position P2b which is moved by a predetermined distance in the -X direction. Figure 6 Figure 7

[0042] ​​The holding main body 10 moves the holding portions 12a, 12b to the outside of the holding portion 8 (in the direction opposite to the side of the container 100) in the case where the holding of the container 100 is released. That is, the holding main body 10 moves the holding portion 12a by a predetermined distance in the -X direction and moves the holding portion 12b by a predetermined distance in the +X direction in the case where the holding of the container 100 is released. For example, the holding main body 10 has guide rails that enable the holding portions 12a, 12b to move in the direction of travel.

[0043] The lid holding portion 11 is arranged below the holding main body 10 and holds the lid 110 in the horizontal direction. The lid 110 is held in a detachable manner with respect to the lid holding portion 11. The lid holding portion 11 has, for example, four elastic members 20 and a support plate 21.

[0044] One end of each of the four elastic members 20 is fixed to the holding main body 10, and the other end is fixed to the support plate 21. The lengths of the four elastic members 20 are all the same. The support plate 21 is, for example, a plate-shaped member, and the lid 110 is mounted thereto. For example, the other end of the elastic member 20 is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 21 at substantially four corners. That is, the four elastic members 20 are arranged so as to extend in the +Z direction between the lower surface of the support plate 21 and the holding main body 10 at substantially four corners.

[0045] The lid 110 is held in a detachable manner to the lower surface of the support plate 21. For example, the lid 110 is mounted to the lower surface of the support plate 21 using a bolt or the like. In this way, the holding main body 10 holds the lid 110 below the holding main body 10 by suspending the lid 110 using the elastic members 20. The elastic members 20 are, for example, springs.

[0046] The holding portion 12a and the holding portion 12b have the same basic structure. In order to distinguish between the respective components of the holding portion 12a and the respective components of the holding portion 12b, sometimes a subscript "a" is added to the end of the reference numerals of the respective components of the holding portion 12a and a subscript "b" is added to the end of the reference numerals of the respective components of the holding portion 12b. Note that, in the case where the holding portion 12a and the holding portion 12b are not distinguished, sometimes it is referred to as "holding portion 12".

[0047] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holding portion 12 of the present embodiment as viewed from the back side. Figure 3is a perspective view of the holding portion 12 of the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. The holding portion 12 is provided with a sliding member 30, a link member 31, a base member 32, and a capping mechanism 33. The sliding member 30 is installed so as to be slidable in the ±X direction with respect to the holding main body portion 10. The sliding member 30 is, for example, a plate-shaped member whose length direction is arranged along the Y direction. A groove portion 301 is formed on the lower surface of the sliding member 30. In a state in which the groove portion 301 is fitted to the above-mentioned guide rail provided in the holding main body portion 10, the sliding member 30 is provided so as to be slidable in the ±X direction.

[0048] The link member 31 links the sliding member 30 and the upper portion 32U of the base member 32. The link member 31 is arranged along the vertical direction, and one end thereof is fixed to the sliding member 30, and the other end thereof is fixed to the base member 32.

[0049] The base member 32 has, for example, a substantially Japanese-katakana-character shape (substantially U-shaped or substantially C-shaped) formed so that an opening portion is on the side of the container 100 held by the held portion 8 when viewed from the Y direction plane. In the base member 32, a support portion 320 that supports the flange 120 from below is formed on the upper surface of the lower portion 32L among the upper portion 32U, the side portion 32S, and the lower portion 32L that form the substantially Japanese-katakana-character.

[0050] One or more capping mechanisms 33 are provided on the base member 32 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as an axis. As one example, one capping mechanism 33 is provided on the base member 32 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as an axis. Figure 2 In the example shown in the drawing, two capping mechanisms 33 are provided on the base member 32 so as to be rotatable about the Y direction as an axis. For example, the capping mechanisms 33 are provided on both ends in the Y direction of the base member 32. Note that one of the capping mechanisms 33 provided on both ends in the Y direction of the base member 32 is sometimes referred to as a capping mechanism 33a, and the other is sometimes referred to as a capping mechanism 33b. A rotation shaft AR extending in the Y direction is fixed to the side portion 32S of the capping mechanism 33. The capping mechanism 33 is supported on the rotation shaft AR so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft AR as a center of rotation.

[0051] Figure 4 is a structural example of the capping mechanism 33 of the present embodiment. The capping mechanism 33 presses the lid 110 placed above the container 100 in the downward direction (−Z direction). Specifically, the capping mechanism 33 presses the lid 110 in the downward direction from the upward direction by the weight of the container 100 when the container 100 is held by the held portion 8. Hereinafter, the structural example of the capping mechanism 33 will be described.

[0052] The capping mechanism 33 has a substantially Japanese-KO-shaped (substantially U-shaped or substantially C-shaped) shape in which the opening portion 331 is located on the inner side (the side on which the container 100 is accommodated) of the holding portion 8 when viewed from the -Y direction plane. The capping mechanism 33 has, for example, the 1st abutting portion 41, the 2nd abutting portion 42, and the urging member 43.

[0053] The 1st abutting portion 41 is a member for pressing the cap 110 placed on the upper side of the container 100 from above. The 1st abutting portion 41 is fixed to the 2nd abutting portion 42. The 1st abutting portion 41 has, for example, a roller 411 (1st roller) and a roller support member 412.

[0054] The roller 411 abuts against the upper side of the cap 110. The roller 411 presses downward when abutting against the upper side of the cap 110 while the container 100 is held by the holding portion 8. The roller support member 412 supports the roller 411. For example, the roller support member 412 has the roller 411 installed at the top end portion thereof.

[0055] The 2nd abutting portion 42 has, for example, a roller 421 (2nd roller) and a roller support member 422. The roller 421 abuts against the lower surface of the flange 120 while the container 100 is held by the holding portion 8. The roller support member 422 supports the roller 421. The roller support member 412 is fixed to the roller support member 422 by a screw or a bolt or the like. The roller support member 422 is supported to the rotation shaft AR in a manner that the roller support member 422 can rotate on the circumferential surface of the rotation shaft AR with the rotation shaft AR as the center of rotation.

[0056] The roller support member 422 has a top end portion, and the roller 421 is installed at the top end portion. In the present embodiment, the roller support member 422 has a substantially Japanese-KO-shaped (substantially U-shaped or substantially C-shaped) shape in which the opening portion 331 is located on the inner side of the holding portion 8 when viewed from the -Y direction plane. Further, the roller support member 412 is fixed along the upper portion 422U of the upper portion 422U, the side portion 422S, and the lower portion 422L of the Japanese-KO-shaped portion in the roller support member 422. In addition, the side portion 422S is supported to the rotation shaft AR. The lower portion 422L corresponds to the top end portion of the roller support member 422.

[0057] The urging member 43 urges the capping mechanism 33 toward a prescribed posture. The prescribed posture is, for example, a state in which the opening portion 331 of the capping mechanism 33 is directed toward the inner side (the side of the container 100 to be accommodated) and obliquely upward when viewed from the -Y direction plane. The urging member 43 has a fixed member 431 and an elastic member 432. The fixed member 431, for example, fixes one end of the elastic member 432 to the side portion 32S. The other end of the elastic member 432 is fixed to the side portion 422S. In a case where the capping mechanism 33 is rotated along the rotation axis AR in the first direction DR1, the urging member 43 exerts force by the action of the elastic member 432 to rotate the capping mechanism 33 along the rotation axis AR in the second direction DR2 opposite to the first direction DR1. Note that, in a case where the overhead transport vehicle 1 is viewed from the -Y direction as shown in FIG. 10, the first direction DR1 is the clockwise direction and the second direction DR2 is the counterclockwise direction for the capping mechanism 33a. Also, in a case where the overhead transport vehicle 1 is viewed from the -Y direction as shown in FIG. 11, the first direction DR1 is the counterclockwise direction and the second direction DR2 is the clockwise direction for the capping mechanism 33b. Figure 1 Figure 1

[0058] Next, the use of the overhead transport vehicle 1 will be described. First, the overhead transport vehicle 1 travels along the rail R and stops at a prescribed position of the rail R. At this time, the overhead transport vehicle 1 holds the lid 110 for placement on the container 100 by the lid holding portion 11, but does not hold the container 100. In a case where the overhead transport vehicle 1 does not hold the container 100, the capping mechanism 33a and the capping mechanism 33b are maintained in the prescribed posture by the urging member 43 as shown in FIG. 10. That is, the capping mechanism 33a is maintained in a state in which the opening portion 331 of the capping mechanism 33 is directed obliquely upward to the right when viewed from the -Y direction plane. On the other hand, the capping mechanism 33b is maintained in a state in which the opening portion 331 of the capping mechanism 33 is directed obliquely upward to the left when viewed from the -Y direction plane. Also, in a case where the overhead transport vehicle 1 does not hold the container 100, the gripping portion 12a is positioned at the first position P1a and the gripping portion 12b is positioned at the first position P1b. Figures 5 to 11 Figure 5

[0059] When the overhead transport vehicle 1 lowers the holding portion 8 by the elevation drive portion 7 at the prescribed position of the rail R as shown in FIG. 12, the lid 110 gradually approaches the container 100. Also, when the overhead transport vehicle 1 lowers the holding portion 8 to a prescribed position by the elevation drive portion 7, the lid 110 abuts against the container 100, and thus the lid 110 is placed on the container 100. Figure 5

[0060] When the lid 110 is placed on the container 100, the overhead transport vehicle 1 holds the container 100 by the capping mechanism 33a and the capping mechanism 33b as shown in FIG. 13. That is, the capping mechanism 33a is rotated along the rotation axis AR in the first direction DR1 by the urging member 43, and the capping mechanism 33b is rotated along the rotation axis AR in the second direction DR2 opposite to the first direction DR1. As a result, the capping mechanism 33a and the capping mechanism 33b are rotated to a state in which the opening portion 331 of the capping mechanism 33 is directed toward the -Y direction plane. Also, the gripping portion 12a is moved to the second position P2a and the gripping portion 12b is moved to the second position P2b. Figure 6 ​​​​​As shown, the air transfer cart 1 moves the holding portion 12a from the first position Pla to a second position P2a that has moved a prescribed distance in the +X direction, and moves the holding portion 12b from the first position Pib to a second position P2b that has moved a prescribed distance only in the -X direction. Thereby, the holding portion 12a and the holding portion 12b become a state in which the container 100 can be held (hereinafter referred to as a "holdable state"). Figure 7 is a view that shows the holdable state when viewed from the -Y direction plane. Figure 8 is a perspective view that shows the holding portion 12 in the holdable state. In the holdable state, the flange 120 is positioned in a region 332 inside the holding portion 12. That is, in the holdable state, the roller 411 is positioned directly above the rim portion of the lid 110, and the roller 421 is positioned directly below the flange 120.

[0061] The air transfer cart 1 gradually raises the holding portion 8 by the elevation drive portion 7 when the holding portion 8 becomes the holdable state. When this raising operation of the holding portion 8 is performed, first, the holding main body portion 10 is raised, and along with this raising operation of the holding main body portion 10, the holding portions 12a and 12b that are installed to the left and right of the holding main body portion 10 are also raised.

[0062] When the holding portions 12 are raised, as shown in Figure 9 As exemplified, along with the rotation of the second abutting portion 42 due to the self-weight of the container 100, the first abutting portion 41 rotates about the rotation axis AR, and the roller 411 presses the lid 110 from above. Thereby, the holding portion 12 holds the container 100 while pressing the lid 110. Figure 9 is a view that shows a state in which the holding portion 12 is holding the container 100. Figure 10 is a perspective view that shows a state in which the roller 411 is pressing the lid 110.

[0063] Specifically, when the holding portion 12a is raised, the roller 421a abuts against the lower surface of the flange 120, and is pressed down in the downward direction by the self-weight of the container 100. Thereby, the second abutting portion 42a rotates clockwise along the rotation axis AR. Also, when the second abutting portion 42a rotates clockwise along the rotation axis AR, the lower side of the flange 120 is supported by the support portion 320a. That is, after the second abutting portion 42a rotates clockwise along the rotation axis AR, the flange 120 is placed on the support portion 320a. For example, in a case in which the cap pressing mechanism 33a is in a prescribed posture, the upper surface of the roller 421a is positioned at a higher position than the placement surface of the support portion 320a. Therefore, after the roller 421a abuts against the lower side of the flange 120, the flange 120 is placed on the placement surface of the support portion 320a.

[0064] The first abutting portion 41a is fixed to the second abutting portion 42a. Therefore, the first abutting portion 41a rotates clockwise around the rotation axis AR in accordance with the rotation of the second abutting portion 42a, and presses the lid 110 from above by the roller 411a. Thus, the gripping portion 12a presses the lid 110 placed above the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41a, and grips the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41a and the support portion 320a at the same time.

[0065] Likewise, when the gripping portion 12b is raised, the roller 421b abuts against the lower surface of the flange 120, and is pressed down in the downward direction by the weight of the container 100. Thus, the second abutting portion 42b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis AR. In addition, when the second abutting portion 42b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis AR, the lower side of the flange 120 is supported by the support portion 320b. That is, after the second abutting portion 42b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis AR, the flange 120 is placed on the support portion 320b. For example, in the case where the lid pressing mechanism 33b is in the prescribed posture, the upper surface of the roller 421b is disposed at a position higher than the placement surface of the support portion 320b. Therefore, after the roller 421b abuts against the lower side of the flange 120, the flange 120 is placed on the placement surface of the support portion 320b.

[0066] The first abutting portion 41b is fixed to the second abutting portion 42b. Therefore, the first abutting portion 41b rotates counterclockwise around the rotation axis AR in accordance with the rotation of the second abutting portion 42b, and presses the lid 110 from above by the roller 411b. Thus, the gripping portion 12b presses the lid 110 placed above the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41b, and grips the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41b and the support portion 320b at the same time.

[0067] Here, even after the container 100 is gripped by the gripping portion 12a and the gripping portion 12b, the raising operation of the holding portion 8 by the raising drive portion 7 is continued. After the gripping of the container 100 by the gripping portion 12a and the gripping portion 12b is completed, the lid pressing mechanism 33b is moved to the prescribed posture by the posture changing drive portion 6, and the lid 110 is pressed by the lid pressing mechanism 33b. Figure 11 As exemplified, the container 100 is housed in the housing space between the cover 9a and the cover 9b in a state where the lid 110 is pressed. Also, the air transfer cart 1 transfers the container 100 in a state where the lid 110 placed above the container 100 is pressed to the destination.

[0068] As such, the air transfer cart 1 of the present embodiment can press the lid 110 without using a drive motor. Therefore, it is possible to transfer the container 100 in a state where the lid 110 of the container 100 is pressed with a simple structure.

[0069] In the overhead transport vehicle 1 described above, the case where a portion of the lid 110 is pressed into the container 100 by pressing the lid 110 placed above the container 100 with the lid pressing mechanism 33 is described as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, a mode in which a portion of the lid 110 is not pressed into the container 100 but is pressed against the flange 120 can also be employed. That is, in the present embodiment, as long as the lid 110 is not detached by pressing the lid 110 placed above the container 100 with the lid pressing mechanism 33, either a portion of the lid 110 can be pressed into the container 100 or a mode in which a portion or the entire lid 110 is not pressed into the container 100 but is pressed against the flange 120 can be employed.

[0070] The above-described embodiment discloses the following structure.

[0071] <Structure 1>

[0072] An overhead transport vehicle 1 that transports a container 100 with a lid 110 pressed thereon, the overhead transport vehicle 1 including:

[0073] a holding portion 8 that holds the container 100; and

[0074] a lifting drive portion 7 that lifts and lowers the holding portion 8,

[0075] the holding portion 8 includes a lid pressing mechanism 33 that presses the lid 110 placed above the container 100,

[0076] the lid pressing mechanism 33 presses the lid 110 from above by the weight of the container 100 when the container 100 is held by the holding portion 8.

[0077] <Structure 2>

[0078] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to <Structure 1>, wherein

[0079] the lid pressing mechanism 33 includes:

[0080] a first abutting portion 41 that abuts against the lid 110 placed above the container 100 from above; and

[0081] a second abutting portion 42 that abuts against a lower surface of a flange 120 formed on an end portion above the container 100,

[0082] the second abutting portion 42 abuts against the lower surface of the flange 120 and is able to rotate about a horizontal axis by the weight of the container 100 when the holding portion 8 is lifted by the lifting drive portion 7,

[0083] The first abutting portion 41 rotates around the shaft in conjunction with the rotation of the second abutting portion 42, and presses the lid 110 from above.

[0084] <Structure 3>

[0085] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to any one of the structures 1 to 3, wherein

[0086] The capping mechanism 33 has a support portion 320 that supports the flange 120 from below,

[0087] In a case where the holding portion 8 is lifted by the lifting drive portion 7, the flange 120 is supported by the support portion 320 after the second abutting portion 42 rotates toward the lower surface of the flange 120.

[0088] <Structure 4>

[0089] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to any one of the structures 1 to 3, wherein

[0090] The capping mechanism 33 presses the lid 110 placed above the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41, and holds the container 100 by the first abutting portion 41 and the support portion at the same time.

[0091] <Structure 5>

[0092] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to any one of the structures 1 to 4, wherein

[0093] The capping mechanism 33 is provided in a pair corresponding to both ends of the container 100.

[0094] <Structure 6>

[0095] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to the structure 2, wherein

[0096] The first abutting portion 41 has a first roller that presses the lid 110 from above,

[0097] The second abutting portion 42 has a second roller that abuts against the lower surface of the flange 120 in a case where the holding portion 8 is lifted by the lifting drive portion 7.

[0098] <Structure 7>

[0099] The overhead transport vehicle 1 according to any one of the structures 1 to 6, wherein

[0100] The holding portion 8 has:

[0101] a holding main portion 10 to which the capping mechanism 33 is attached; and

[0102] a lid holding portion 11 that is provided below the holding main portion 10 and holds the lid 110 by suspending the lid 110 by the elastic member 20,

[0103] The lid 110 is detachably held to the lid holding portion 11.

[0104] One or more of the components described in the above embodiments and the like are sometimes omitted. In addition, the components described in the above embodiments and the like can be appropriately combined. In addition, the order of execution of each step shown in the present embodiment can be implemented in any order as long as the result of the preceding step is not used in the later step. In addition, regarding the operation in the above embodiments, even if it is described using “first”, “second”, “next”, and the like for convenience, it is not necessarily implemented in that order. In addition, within the scope allowed by law, the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-072521 and all the documents cited in the above embodiments and the like are incorporated herein as a part of the description.

[0105] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0106] 1: Airborne vehicle

[0107] 7: Lifting drive portion

[0108] 8: Holding portion

[0109] 10: Holding main body portion

[0110] 20: Elastic member

[0111] 33: Pressing lid mechanism

[0112] 41: First abutting portion

[0113] 42: Second abutting portion

[0114] 320: Support portion

[0115] 411: First roller

[0116] 421: Second roller

[0117] 100: Container

[0118] 110: Lid

Claims

1. An air transfer vehicle that transfers a container in a state where a lid placed above the container is pressed, characterized by comprising: a holding portion that holds the container; and a lifting drive portion that lifts and lowers the holding portion, wherein the holding portion comprises a lid pressing mechanism that presses the lid placed above the container from above, and the lid pressing mechanism presses the lid from above by the weight of the container when the container is held by the holding portion.

2. The air transfer vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid pressing mechanism comprises: a first abutting portion that abuts against the lid placed above the container from above; and a second abutting portion that abuts against a lower surface of a flange formed at an end portion above the container, wherein the second abutting portion abuts against the lower surface of the flange and is able to rotate about an axis in a horizontal direction by the weight of the container when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion, and the first abutting portion rotates about the axis with the rotation of the second abutting portion to press the lid from above.

3. The air transfer vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the lid pressing mechanism comprises a support portion that supports the flange from below, wherein the flange is supported by the support portion after the second abutting portion rotates toward the lower surface of the flange when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion.

4. The air transfer vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the lid pressing mechanism presses the lid placed above the container by the first abutting portion and holds the container by the first abutting portion and the support portion at the same time.

5. The air transfer vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid pressing mechanism is provided with a pair corresponding to both ends of the container.

6. The air transfer vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the first abutting portion comprises a first roller that presses the lid from above, and the second abutting portion comprises a second roller that abuts against the lower surface of the flange when the holding portion is lifted by the lifting drive portion.

7. The air transfer vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holding portion comprises: a holding main portion to which the lid pressing mechanism is attached; and a lid holding portion that is provided below the holding main portion and holds the lid by suspending the lid with an elastic member, wherein the lid is held to the lid holding portion in a detachable manner. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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