Container conveyance facility

Abstract

To realize a container conveyance facility which enables improvement of conveyance efficiency.SOLUTION: A container conveyance facility F includes: a transport vehicle 100 which transports containers each configured to enable stacking in a vertical direction; storage shelves 8 for storing the containers; and a work area 9A at which object work is conducted. A holding area 7A is provided in a place other than the work area 9A and the storage shelves 8. The holding area 7A includes holding parts 70 each of which holds stacking container groups 6G. The holding part 70 is configured to enable transfer of the stacking container groups 6G between itself and a support part with a second transfer device of the transport vehicle 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container transport facility comprising a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction, a storage shelf for storing the containers, and a work area in which a target operation, which is at least one of the operation of removing items from the container and the operation of putting items into the container, is performed. [Background technology]

[0002] Such facilities constitute a part of the logistics system. In recent years, the demand for logistics systems has been increasing, and various innovations are being made to ensure smooth logistics.

[0003] As one such measure, for example, in JP 2001-297140 A (Patent Document 1), among the items handled in the facility, items that are frequently stored and retrieved are stored in a position where they can be more easily retrieved than items that are less frequently stored and retrieved. This is expected to improve the efficiency of transportation within the facility. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific configuration for improving the efficiency of transportation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-297140 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, it is desirable to realize a container transport facility capable of improving the transport efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A container transport facility including a transport vehicle that transports containers configured to be vertically stackable, a storage shelf that stores the containers, and a work area in which a target operation is performed, the target operation being at least one of an operation of removing an item from the container and an operation of putting an item into the container, The storage shelf is configured to include a plurality of shelves in a vertical direction, each of which supports the container, and to store the plurality of containers in a state separated from one another; The transport vehicle is A traveling vehicle; A support unit that is mounted on the traveling body and supports the plurality of containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state; A first transfer device is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the container between the storage shelf and the stacked container group supported by the support portion; A second transfer device that is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; Equipped with a transfer section for transferring the stacked container group between the work area and the support section, A holding area is provided in a location separate from the work area and the storage shelf, The holding area includes a holding portion that holds the stacked container group, The holding section is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding section and the support section by the second transfer device.

[0007] According to this configuration, a stacked container group can be held in the holding area. Therefore, by holding specific containers in the holding area, such as containers scheduled to be transported to the work area or containers that are frequently transported to the work area, the work of the transport vehicle to return the container to the storage shelf or remove the container from the storage shelf can be reduced, and the efficiency of transporting the containers by the transport vehicle can be easily improved. According to this configuration, multiple containers in a stacked state can be transferred at once between the transport vehicle and the holding area. Furthermore, the stacked container group is also transferred at the transfer section of the work area. Therefore, the efficiency of transporting the containers by the transport vehicle can be easily improved in these respects as well. According to this configuration, since multiple containers are held in a stacked state in the holding area, the floor area occupied by the holding area can be easily reduced. According to this configuration, the storage shelf is configured to store multiple containers in a state separated from each other by multiple shelf sections. Therefore, the storage shelf can appropriately store a large number of containers in a state where individual containers can be easily transferred to and from the transport vehicle.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Plan view of container transport equipment [Diagram 2] Front view of storage shelf [Diagram 3] Control Block Diagram [Figure 4] View of the width of the transport vehicle [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first position and a second position of the transfer device; [Figure 6] A diagram showing a transfer operation for a stacking area. [Figure 7] A diagram showing a transfer operation for a stacking area. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a transfer operation for a stacking area. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the holding portion in the holding area. [Figure 10]A plan view showing the transfer of stacked containers between the transport vehicle and the holding unit. [Figure 11] A side view showing the transfer of stacked containers between the transport vehicle and the holder. [Figure 12] A diagram showing how a transport vehicle creates a stacked container group. [Figure 13] Illustration of the maximum number of supports DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the container transport system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the container transport equipment F includes a transport vehicle 100 that transports a container 60 (see FIG. 2), a storage shelf 8 that stores the container 60, and a work area 9A in which a target operation is performed, which is at least one of an operation of removing an item (not shown) from the container 60 and an operation of putting an item into the container 60. In this embodiment, the container transport equipment F includes a storage area 8A. A plurality of storage shelves 8 are provided in the storage area 8A. The container transport equipment F also includes a control device C that controls the transport vehicle 100. In this specification, the control device C corresponds to a "control system." However, it is sufficient that the control device C constitutes at least a part of the control system. The control device C is configured to communicate with a transport vehicle control unit (not shown) mounted on each of the plurality of transport vehicles 100 (see also FIG. 3).

[0012] The container 60 is configured to be able to contain items. The container 60 has a shape with an opening on the upper side. Items are put into the container 60 or taken out from the container 60 through the opening on the upper side of the container 60. The items include, for example, various products such as food and daily necessities, or parts and work in progress used in a factory production line or the like. One container 60 is configured to contain the same type of items.

[0013] The containers 60 are configured to be vertically stackable with articles stored therein (see Figs. 4 and 9). A plurality of containers 60 are stacked vertically to form a stacked container group 6G. In this example, the bottom of a container 60 fits into the opening of another container 60 from above, so that two containers 60 are stacked vertically.

[0014] The work area 9A is provided with a transfer section 90 where the stacked container group 6G is transferred to and from the support section 2 (see FIG. 4) of the transport vehicle 100. The transfer section 90 carries in and out the containers 60. The transport vehicle 100 transports the containers 60 carried in to the transfer section 90 to the storage shelf 8, or transports the containers 60 stored on the storage shelf 8 to the transfer section 90 for removal.

[0015] In this embodiment, the work area 9A is provided with a separation device 91 that separates each container 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G. The stacked container group 6G delivered to the transfer section 90 is separated into a plurality of containers 60 by the separation device 91. In the work area 9A, for each of the separated plurality of containers 60, an operation of removing an article from the container 60 and an operation of putting an article into the container 60 are performed. However, the separation device 91 is not a required component. Each container 60 may be separated from the stacked container group 6G manually.

[0016] In this embodiment, a plurality of storage shelves 8 are arranged parallel to each other with a specified interval therebetween. Each of the plurality of storage shelves 8 is open at least at the front, and containers 60 are inserted and removed from the front. In this example, a pair of storage shelves 8 are arranged close to each other with their back faces facing each other. A plurality of pairs of storage shelves 8 with their back faces facing each other are arranged in the storage area 8A.

[0017] A portion of the travel path of the transport vehicle 100 is set so as to extend along each of the multiple storage shelves 8. In this embodiment, the path of the transport vehicle 100 that extends along the storage shelves 8 is set as an intra-shelf area path R8. The transport vehicle 100 is capable of traveling along the intra-shelf area path R8, thereby enabling it to move within the storage area 8A and transfer containers 60 to and from the storage shelves 8. In this example, the intra-shelf area path R8 is provided along the front surface (the surface through which the containers 60 are inserted and removed) of each of the multiple storage shelves 8. A single intra-shelf area path R8 is shared between a pair of storage shelves 8 that are arranged with their front surfaces facing each other.

[0018] 2, the storage shelf 8 is configured to have multiple vertical stages of shelf sections 80 each supporting a container 60, and to store multiple containers 60 in a separated state. Each stage is provided with multiple shelf sections 80. Each of the multiple shelf sections 80 is capable of storing one container 60.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device C is configured to be able to communicate with the transport vehicle 100. The control device C is configured to issue a transport command to the transport vehicle 100 specifying the container 60 to be transported and the origin and destination of the container 60. The control device C includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, and peripheral circuits such as a memory. Each function is realized by cooperation between this hardware and a program executed on a processor such as a computer.

[0020] The control device C is configured to manage the multiple containers 60 handled by the container transport equipment F by categorizing them into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. This categorization is performed based on the demand for each container 60, in other words, the degree of necessity for performing the target work (item removal work or item insertion work) in the work area 9A. A container 60 containing an item for which the above-mentioned removal work is performed frequently can be classified as a high-frequency container 62. Even an empty container 60 that does not contain any items can be classified as a high-frequency container 62 because there is a high necessity for the above-mentioned insertion work to be performed.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to manage the multiple containers 60 by classifying them into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62 that are transported to the work area 9A more frequently than the general containers 61 based on the type of item stored in each container 60. The above-mentioned frequency of transport can also be rephrased as the planned number of transports. In this example, a container 60 that contains an item with a relatively low demand in the work area 9A is classified as a general container 61, and a container 60 that contains an item with a relatively high demand in the work area 9A is classified as a high-frequency container 62. For example, the demand for an item is quantified and a reference value is set, and the control device C may determine a container 60 that contains an item below the reference value as a general container 61, and a container 60 that contains an item above the reference value as a high-frequency container 62.

[0022] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to periodically review the classification between general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. As a result, a container 60 that has been determined to be a general container 61 may be changed to a high-frequency container 62. Conversely, a container 60 that has been determined to be a high-frequency container 62 may be changed to a general container 61. The period for reviewing the classification may be appropriately determined depending on the purpose, capacity, scale, etc. of the container transport equipment F.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to determine, among the high frequency containers 62, a container 60 whose frequency of being transported to the work area 9A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value as an ultra-high frequency container 63. In other words, the control device C is configured to determine that a container 60 whose planned number of transports is equal to or greater than a threshold value is an ultra-high frequency container 63.

[0024] Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the transfer vehicle 100. In the following, the direction in which the travelling body 10 travels is referred to as the "vehicle body longitudinal direction L", and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle body longitudinal direction L when viewed from the up-down direction is referred to as the "vehicle body width direction W".

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transport containers 60 that are configured to be vertically stackable.

[0026] The transport vehicle 100 includes a traveling vehicle 10, a support unit 2 mounted on the traveling vehicle 10 and supporting a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G, which is a container group in a stacked state, a first transfer device 4 mounted on the traveling vehicle 10 and transferring the containers 60 between the storage shelf 8 and the stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2, and a second transfer device 22 mounted on the traveling vehicle 10 and transferring the stacked container group 6G. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 further includes a lifting device 3 capable of lifting some or all of the containers 60 of the stacked container group 6G mounted on the traveling vehicle 10 and supported by the support unit 2.

[0027] The running body 10 is configured to run on a floor surface. The running body 10 is equipped with a plurality of running wheels 11. The plurality of running wheels 11 includes a pair of drive wheels 11a and a plurality of driven wheels 11b that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction W.

[0028] Each of the pair of drive wheels 11a is independently driven by a wheel drive source (not shown) such as a motor. For example, each of the pair of drive wheels 11a is driven to rotate in opposite directions, so that the running body 10 can turn on the spot around a vertical axis.

[0029] Each of the multiple driven wheels 11b is supported by the running body 10 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the vertical direction. That is, the direction along which the rotation axis of each driven wheel 11b runs can be changed within a horizontal plane. In this example, each driven wheel 11b is configured as a caster.

[0030] The support section 2 is configured to be capable of supporting a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G in a stacked state. The support section 2 is also capable of supporting a single container 60. In this embodiment, a stacked area 2A in which the stacked container group 6G is arranged is defined above the support section 2. The stacked area 2A is a three-dimensional virtual area extending upward from the support section 2.

[0031] The second transfer device 22 is configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2 along the vehicle body width direction W. The second transfer device 22 is configured using a conveyor. Such a conveyor may be a well-known conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a belt conveyor. In this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 and the support unit 2 are configured integrally.

[0032] The lifting device 3 includes a lifting mast 30 erected upward from the traveling body 10, a lifting lifting body 30B connected to the lifting mast 30, a frame member 31 connected to the lifting lifting body 30B, and a lifting lifting body drive unit (not shown) that raises and lowers the lifting lifting body 30B and the frame member 31 along the lifting mast 30. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the lifting lifting body drive unit is configured as a motor for rotating a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound, for example.

[0033] 6 and other figures, in this embodiment, the lifting device 3 includes a first lifting and holding part 311 that lifts a container 60 of any height among the stacked container group 6G stacked in the stacking area 2A, relative to an adjacent container 60 below the container 60, and a second lifting and holding part 312 that lifts a container 60 lower than the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding part 311, relative to an adjacent container 60 below the container 60. The first lifting and holding part 311 and the second lifting and holding part 312 are supported by a frame member 31.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first lifting and holding part 311 and the second lifting and holding part 312 are disposed to be spaced apart in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to form a space in the vertical direction between the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding part 311 and the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding part 312. In addition, it is possible to form a space in the vertical direction below the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding part 312.

[0035] 4, the first transfer device 4 includes a transfer mast 40 fixed to the traveling body 10 and arranged along the up-down direction, a transfer lifting body 40B that rises and falls along the transfer mast 40, and a transfer lifting body drive unit (not shown) that raises and lowers the transfer lifting body 40B along the transfer mast 40. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the transfer lifting body drive unit is configured as, for example, a motor for rotationally driving a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 includes an upper transfer part 41, a lower transfer part 42 arranged below the upper transfer part 41, and a turning device 5. The upper transfer part 41, the lower transfer part 42, and the turning device 5 are connected to a transfer lifting body 40B. The upper transfer part 41 and the lower transfer part 42 are raised and lowered together by the raising and lowering of the transfer lifting body 40B, are turned together around a vertical axis by the turning device 5, and are configured to transfer and load containers 60 independently.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to transfer the container 60 in the horizontal direction by the upper transfer device 41 and the lower transfer device 42. If the direction in which the container 60 is transferred by the first transfer device 4 is defined as the "transfer direction X", in the example shown in Fig. 4, the transfer direction X is equal to the vehicle body front-rear direction L.

[0038] 5, the first transfer device 4 is configured to change the position of the transfer direction X between a first position P1 facing the stacking area 2A and a second position P2 facing the storage shelf 8 by rotating the upper transfer section 41 and the lower transfer section 42 about a vertical axis using the turning device 5. In this manner, in this embodiment, the transfer direction X can be changed within a horizontal plane by the turning device 5.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 changes its posture depending on the position of the transfer target location. Specifically, the first transfer device 4 takes a first posture P1 when the transfer target location is the stacking area 2A, and takes a second posture P2 when the transfer target location is the storage shelf 8 (shelf section 80). As shown in Fig. 4, in this example, the swivel device 5 includes a swivel table 50 that supports the upper transfer section 41 and the lower transfer section 42, a swivel shaft 51 that rotatably supports the swivel table 50 with respect to the transfer lift body 40B, and a swivel drive section (not shown) that drives the swivel shaft 51.

[0040] 6 to 8, a transfer operation when the first transfer device 4 transfers the container 60 between the stacking area 2A will be described. The transfer operation includes a delivery operation for handing over the container 60 and a receiving operation for receiving the container 60. In the following, one side in the transfer direction X is referred to as the "transfer direction first side X1" and the other side is referred to as the "transfer direction second side X2."

[0041] In this embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 includes an upper pressing unit 41a that presses the container 60 toward the first side X1 in the transfer direction when performing a delivery operation of the container 60, and an upper locking unit 41b that is locked to the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second side X2 in the transfer direction when performing a receiving operation of the container 60. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 is configured as a so-called push-pull type. However, the upper transfer unit 41 is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured as a fork type.

[0042] Similarly, the lower transfer unit 42 includes a lower pressing unit 42a that presses the container 60 toward the first side X1 in the transfer direction when performing a delivery operation of the container 60, and a lower locking unit 42b that is locked to the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second side X2 in the transfer direction when performing a receiving operation of the container 60. Thus, in this embodiment, the lower transfer unit 42 is configured as a so-called push-pull type. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the lower transfer unit 42 may be configured as a fork type.

[0043] In this embodiment, each of the upper locking portion 41b and the lower locking portion 42b is configured to be driven by a drive unit not shown in the figure so as to be able to change its position between an locking position in which it is locked to the container 60 and an unlocking position in which it is not locked to the container 60.

[0044] 6 to 8 show the operation of transferring a container 60 to the stacking area 2A. As described above, in this embodiment, the lifting device 3 can form spaces between the multiple containers 60 stacked in the stacking area 2A in the vertical direction. The first transfer device 4 then utilizes these spaces to transfer the container 60 to the stacking area 2A. In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to perform a delivery operation and a receiving operation of the container 60 to the stacking area 2A. The first transfer device 4 is capable of performing a parallel operation of delivering and receiving the container 60 to the stacking area 2A in parallel.

[0045] 6 to 8 show an example in which five containers 60 are stacked in the stacking area 2A as a stacked container group 6G. In the figures, the numbers "1 to 5" are attached to the stacked containers 60 in order from bottom to top. Also, the letter "α" is attached to the container 60 to be delivered held by the upper transfer unit 41. In the example shown below, the container 60 to be delivered (container "α") is delivered on the fourth container 60 (container "4") by utilizing the space formed by the lifting device 3 between the fifth container 60 (container "5") and the fourth container 60 (container "4") in the vertical direction. In parallel with this, the third container 60 (container "3") is received by utilizing the space formed by the lifting device 3 below the fourth container 60 (container "4").

[0046] As shown in Fig. 7, the first transfer device 4 moves the lower locking portion 42b in the locking position in the transfer direction second side X2 while being locked to the container 60 (container "3"). In parallel with this, the first transfer device 4 moves the upper pressing portion 41a in the transfer direction first side X1 while pressing the container 60 (container "α") held by the upper transfer device 41 with the upper pressing portion 41a. As a result, the lower locking portion 42b pulls the container 60 (container "3") to be received toward the transfer direction second side X2, and the upper pressing portion 41a presses the container 60 (container "α") to be delivered toward the transfer direction first side X1.

[0047] Then, the lower transfer unit 42 receives the container 60 (container "3") to be received that is pulled in by the lower locking unit 42b, and the upper transfer unit 41 places the container 60 (container "α") to be delivered that is pressed by the upper pressing unit 41a above the container 60 (container "4") lifted by the second lifting and holding unit 312, and fits it into the container 60 (container "4"). As a result, the stacked container group 6G in the stacking area 2A becomes in the state shown in FIG. 8. That is, some of the containers 60 (containers "3") among the multiple containers 60 arranged in the stacking area 2A are replaced with new containers 60 (containers "α").

[0048] 1, in the container transport equipment F according to the present disclosure, a holding area 7A is provided in a location separate from the work area 9A and the storage shelf 8. Unlike the storage shelf 8 which stores multiple containers 60 in a separated state, the holding area 7A is an area capable of holding multiple containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G.

[0049] The holding area 7A is provided with a holding section 70 that holds the stacked container group 6G. This makes it possible for the stacked container group 6G to be held in the holding area 7A. In this embodiment, the holding section 70 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of stacked container groups 6G (see also FIG. 9). The holding area 7A is provided with a plurality of such holding sections 70.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the holding section 70 is configured to enable the stacked container group 6G to be transferred between the support section 2 by the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the holding section 70 is provided with one or more third transfer devices 73. In the illustrated example, three third transfer devices 73 are provided in the holding section 70. In this example, the third transfer device 73 is configured using a conveyor. Such a conveyor may be a well-known conveyor such as a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, or a belt conveyor.

[0051] The third transfer device 73 of the holding unit 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 are configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G to each other. That is, in this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2 to the holding unit 70, and to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G held by the holding unit 70 to the support unit 2.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10, when the transport vehicle 100 stops at a position adjacent to the holding unit 70 in the vehicle width direction W, the stacked container group 6G to be transferred is transferred along the vehicle width direction W. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 and the holding unit 70 are configured to be able to communicate with each other and are configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G in cooperation with each other. For example, when the transport vehicle 100 stops at a position adjacent to the holding unit 70 in the vehicle width direction W, the transport vehicle 100 transmits a transfer signal to the holding unit 70 to transfer the stacked container group 6G, and operates the second transfer device 22. The holding unit 70, which has received the transfer signal, operates the third transfer device 73. As a result, the third transfer device 73 of the holding unit 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 transfer the stacked container group 6G to each other.

[0053] 1, the holding area 7A is disposed in a region between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A. In this embodiment, the holding area 7A is disposed in a region between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A in the direction in which the storage shelf 8 extends, i.e., in the direction in which the intra-shelf area path R8 extends.

[0054] In this embodiment, the holding section 70 in the holding area 7A is disposed at a position along the connection path R7 that connects the intra-shelf area path R8 and the delivery section 90 in the work area 9A. The intra-shelf area path R8 and the connection path R7 have a linear shape. In this example, a plurality of intra-shelf area paths R8 are provided according to the number of storage shelves 8, and the same number of connection paths R7 as the plurality of intra-shelf area paths R8 are provided. Each of the plurality of holding sections 70 provided in the holding area 7A is disposed at a position along one of the plurality of connection paths R7.

[0055] In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 transports the stacked container group 6G, which includes at least a part of the high-frequency container 62 (see FIG. 9), to the holding area 7A based on a command from the control device C. This allows the high-frequency container 62 to be placed in the holding area 7A, which is located at a different location from the storage shelf 8, making it easier to physically distinguish the general container 61 from the high-frequency container 62. As described above, in this embodiment, the holding area 7A is located in an area between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A. Therefore, by placing the high-frequency container 62, which is frequently transported to the work area 9A, in the holding area 7A, it can be placed in a position close to the work area 9A. It is preferable that all of the stacked container groups 6G in the holding area 7A are composed of the high-frequency containers 62. Also, the empty containers 60 that are no longer needed can be stored in the holding area 7A as the high-frequency containers 62. In this case, it is easier to move a plurality of empty containers 60 that are no longer needed together to the outside of the holding area 7A.

[0056] Although detailed illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 travels a route that returns to the transfer section 90 from the transfer section 90 in the work area 9A, passing through both the storage shelf 8 and the holding area 7A, based on a command from the control device C. The order in which the transport vehicle passes through the storage shelf 8 and the holding area 7A does not matter. This makes it possible to transport both the container 60 stored on the storage shelf 8 and the container 60 held in the holding area 7A to the work area 9A, and also makes it possible to return the container 60 for which the target work in the work area 9A has been completed to either the storage shelf 8 or the holding area 7A.

[0057] Here, as described above, the control device C is configured to periodically review the classification between the general container 61 and the high-frequency container 62. By reviewing the classification, the high-frequency container 62 may be changed to the general container 61, and the general container 61 may be changed to the high-frequency container 62. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 transports the container 60 that has been changed from the high-frequency container 62 to the general container 61 from the holding area 7A to the storage shelf 8, or transports the container 60 that has been changed from the general container 61 to the high-frequency container 62 from the storage shelf 8 to the holding area 7A based on a command from the control device C. Such transportation of the changed container 60 may be performed when the equipment is in operation, or may be performed when the equipment is not in operation, such as at night. When the changed container 60 is transported when the equipment is in operation, some of the multiple transport vehicles 100 may be dedicated to transporting the changed container 60.

[0058] As described above, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 to the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer a part of the multiple containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 to the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A. The transport vehicle 100 is configured to be able to transfer a part of the stacked container group 6G to the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A by separating the part of the stacked container group 6G using the lifting device 3 (see FIG. 6, etc.). The following description will be made with reference to FIG. 11. Note that the lifting device 3 and other elements not necessary for description are omitted in FIG. 11.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 11, at least one container 60 that has not been lifted by the lifting device 3 among the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 of the transport vehicle 100 is defined as the remaining container group 6Ga. In this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer the remaining container group 6Ga to the holding section 70. In the illustrated example, the transport vehicle 100 separates multiple or one general container 61 and multiple or one high frequency container 62 from the multiple containers 60 that constitute the stacked container group 6G by the lifting device 3. Then, the transport vehicle 100 transfers multiple or one high frequency container 62 (remaining container group 6Ga) to the holding section 70 by the second transfer device 22. As a result, even if the stacked container group 6G includes a general container 61 and a high frequency container 62, the transport vehicle 100 can transfer only the high frequency container 62 to the holding section 70. In addition, the transport vehicle 100 can select a portion of the multiple containers 60 that make up the stacked container group 6G, not limited to the high-frequency containers 62, and transfer the selected portion of the containers 60 (multiple or single containers 60) to the holding section 70.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 12, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to create a stacked container group 6G composed only of high-frequency containers 62 based on a command from the control device C, and transport the stacked container group 6G to the holding area 7A. In this example, the transport vehicle 100 lifts any part of the containers 60 among the stacked container group 6G supported by the support portion 2 with a lifting device 3 (not shown in Fig. 12), and removes the container 60 adjacent to and below the lifted container 60 from the stacked container group 6G with a first transfer device 4, thereby creating a new stacked container group 6G using the multiple containers 60 other than the removed container 60.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 12, seven containers 60 constitute a stacked container group 6G on the support unit 2 of the transport vehicle 100. Of the seven containers 60, only the container 60 on the third tier from the top is a general container 61, and the other containers 60 are high-frequency containers 62. The transport vehicle 100 lifts the high-frequency container 62 on the second tier or higher from the top using the lifting device 3. As a result, the general container 61, which was originally placed on the third tier from the top, is placed on the topmost tier among the multiple containers 60 supported by the support unit 2. Then, the transport vehicle 100 removes this general container 61 from the stacked container group 6G using the first transfer device 4. Finally, the transport vehicle 100 places the high-frequency container 62 on the second tier or higher from the top that was lifted by the lifting device 3 on top of the multiple high-frequency containers 62 supported by the support unit 2. As a result, a new stacked container group 6G composed only of high-frequency containers 62 is created.

[0062] Although an example of creating a stacked container group 6G composed only of high frequency containers 62 has been described above, it is also possible to create a stacked container group 6G composed only of ultra-high frequency containers 63 (see FIG. 3). In other words, the transport vehicle 100 may be configured to create a stacked container group 6G composed only of ultra-high frequency containers 63 based on a command from the control device C, and transport the stacked container group 6G to the holding area 7A.

[0063] 13, the maximum number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 can support on the support unit 2 is defined as the support upper limit number M. In this embodiment, when the transport vehicle 100 receives containers 60 from both the storage shelf 8 and the holding area 7A, the number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 receives from the storage shelf 8 and supports on the support unit 2 is set to be equal to or less than the difference between the support upper limit number M and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G that is received from the holding unit 70 in the holding area 7A.

[0064] 13, the upper support limit number M is set to "10," and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G that the transport vehicle 100 has received from the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A is "7." Therefore, the number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 can receive from the storage shelf 8 and support on the support section 2 is "3" or less. As a result, even when the transport vehicle 100 receives containers 60 from both the storage shelf 8 and the holding area 7A, the stacked container group 6G held by the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A can be received as is and supported by the support section 2 without being separated.

[0065] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0066] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the second transfer device 22 is configured using a conveyor. However, without being limited to such an example, the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a fork. Alternatively, the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a robot arm.

[0067] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the third transfer device 73 is configured using a conveyor. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the third transfer device 73 may be configured using, for example, a robot arm.

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the holding area 7A is arranged in the region between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A. However, without being limited to such an example, the holding area 7A may be expanded to include a part of the work area 9A. In this case, the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A may be arranged adjacent to the delivery section 90 of the work area 9A. This is expected to improve the efficiency of the target work in the work area 9A. Such a form in which the holding area 7A is provided so as to overlap partially with the work area 9A is also included in "the holding area 7A is provided in a location separate from the work area 9A and the storage shelf 8."

[0069] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the shelf area intra-path R8 and the connection path R7 have a linear shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and at least one of the shelf area intra-path R8 and the connection path R7 may have a curved or bent shape.

[0070] (5) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0072] A container transport facility including a transport vehicle that transports containers configured to be vertically stackable, a storage shelf that stores the containers, and a work area in which a target operation is performed, the target operation being at least one of an operation of removing an item from the container and an operation of putting an item into the container, The storage shelf is configured to include a plurality of shelves in a vertical direction, each of which supports the container, and to store the plurality of containers in a state separated from one another; The transport vehicle is A traveling vehicle; A support unit that is mounted on the traveling body and supports the plurality of containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state; A first transfer device is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the container between the storage shelf and the stacked container group supported by the support portion; A second transfer device that is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; Equipped with a transfer section for transferring the stacked container group between the work area and the support section, A holding area is provided in a location separate from the work area and the storage shelf, The holding area includes a holding portion that holds the stacked container group, The holding section is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding section and the support section by the second transfer device.

[0073] According to this configuration, a stacked container group can be held in the holding area. Therefore, by holding specific containers in the holding area, such as containers scheduled to be transported to the work area or containers that are frequently transported to the work area, the work of the transport vehicle to return the container to the storage shelf or remove the container from the storage shelf can be reduced, and the efficiency of transporting the containers by the transport vehicle can be easily improved. According to this configuration, multiple containers in a stacked state can be transferred at once between the transport vehicle and the holding area. Furthermore, the stacked container group is also transferred at the transfer section of the work area. Therefore, the efficiency of transporting the containers by the transport vehicle can be easily improved in these respects as well. According to this configuration, since multiple containers are held in a stacked state in the holding area, the floor area occupied by the holding area can be easily reduced. According to this configuration, the storage shelf is configured to store multiple containers in a state separated from each other by multiple shelf sections. Therefore, the storage shelf can appropriately store a large number of containers in a state where individual containers can be easily transferred to and from the transport vehicle.

[0074] A path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage shelf is defined as a shelf area path, It is preferable that the holding section of the holding area is disposed at a position along a connection path that connects the shelf area internal path and the transfer section.

[0075] According to this configuration, the transport vehicle can be easily and efficiently driven between the storage shelves, the holding area, and the work area, which makes it easier to improve the efficiency of transporting containers by the transport vehicle.

[0076] A control system for controlling the transport vehicle is further provided. the holding area is disposed in an area between the storage shelf and the work area; The control system is configured to manage the plurality of containers by classifying them into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers based on the type of item contained in each of the containers, It is preferable that the transport vehicle transports the group of stacked containers, at least a portion of which is the high-frequency container, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

[0077] According to this configuration, containers that are frequently transported to the work area can be held in the holding section of the holding area arranged in the area between the storage shelf and the work area. Therefore, it is easy to keep the travel distance of the transport vehicle short when the transport vehicle transports the high-frequency containers. Therefore, it is easy to keep the travel distance of the transport vehicle short overall, and in turn, it is easy to improve the efficiency of transporting containers by the transport vehicle.

[0078] The control system periodically reviews the classification of the general container and the high frequency container, It is preferable that the transport vehicle transports the container that has been changed from the high-frequency container to the general container from the holding area to the storage shelf, or transports the container that has been changed from the general container to the high-frequency container from the storage shelf to the holding area based on instructions from the control system.

[0079] According to this configuration, containers that are frequently transported to the work area can be maintained in a state in which they are held in the holding portion of the holding area for a long period of time.

[0080] The control system classifies, among the high frequency containers, a container whose frequency of being transported to the work area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as an ultra-high frequency container, It is preferable that the transport vehicle creates the stacked container group composed only of the ultra-high frequency containers based on a command from the control system, and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

[0081] According to this configuration, very high frequency containers that are transported to the work area very frequently can be grouped together into a single stacked container group and held in the holding area, which makes it easier to keep the travel distance of the transport vehicle short and, in turn, makes it easier to increase the efficiency of transporting containers by the transport vehicle.

[0082] A control system for controlling the transport vehicle is further provided. It is preferable that the transport vehicle travels along a route that runs from the transfer section of the work area, via both the storage shelf and the holding area, and returns to the transfer section, based on a command from the control system.

[0083] With this configuration, both containers stored on the storage shelf and containers held in the holding area can be transported to the work area, and containers for which the target work in the work area has been completed can be returned to either the storage shelf or the holding area.

[0084] The upper limit number of the containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is defined as an upper limit number of the containers, When the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage shelf and the holding area, it is preferable that the number of containers received from the storage shelf and supported by the support section be less than or equal to the difference between the maximum support number and the number of containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding section in the holding area.

[0085] According to this configuration, even when the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage shelf and the holding area, the stacked containers held in the holding section of the holding area can be received as is and supported by the support section without being separated, thereby reducing the need to provide devices for separating the stacked containers in both the holding area and the transport vehicle.

[0086] The transport vehicle further includes a lifting device that is mounted on the traveling body and is capable of lifting some or all of the containers of the stacked container group supported by the support portion, Among the stacked container group supported by the support section, at least one container that has not been lifted by the lifting device is defined as a remaining container group, It is preferable that the second transfer device is configured to be capable of transferring the stacked container group supported by the support section to the holding section, transferring the remaining container group to the holding section, and transferring the stacked container group held by the holding section to the support section.

[0087] According to this configuration, the stacked container group can be appropriately transferred between the holding section of the holding area and the support section of the transport vehicle. In particular, according to this configuration, it is possible to easily transfer a part of the stacked container group or a part of the stacked container group supported by the support section to the holding section of the holding area. [Industrial Applicability]

[0088] The technology disclosed herein can be utilized in a container transport facility that includes a transport vehicle that transports containers that are configured to be stacked vertically, a storage shelf for storing the containers, and a work area in which a target task, which is at least one of the task of removing items from the containers and the task of putting items into the containers, is performed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] F: Container transport equipment 100: Transport vehicle 10: Running body 2: Support part 22:Second transfer device 3: Lifting device 4:First transfer device 6G: Stacked containers 6Ga:Residual container group 7A: Holding area 70: Holding part 8: Storage shelf 80:Shelf 9A:Work area 90: Delivery department 60: Container 61:General containers 62: High frequency container 63:Ultra high frequency container M: Upper limit number of supports R7: Connection route R8: Route within shelf area

Claims

1. A container transport facility including a transport vehicle that transports containers configured to be vertically stackable, a storage shelf that stores the containers, and a work area in which a target operation is performed, the target operation being at least one of an operation of removing an item from the container and an operation of putting an item into the container, The storage shelf is configured to include a plurality of shelves in a vertical direction, each of which supports the container, and to store the plurality of containers in a state separated from one another; The transport vehicle is A traveling vehicle; A support unit that is mounted on the traveling body and supports the plurality of containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state; a first transfer device mounted on the traveling body and configured to transfer the container between the storage shelf and the stacked container group supported by the support portion; A second transfer device that is mounted on the traveling body and transfers the stacked container group; Equipped with a transfer section for transferring the stacked container group between the work area and the support section, A holding area is provided in a location separate from the work area and the storage shelf, The holding area includes a holding portion that holds the stacked container group, The container transport facility is configured so that the stacked container group can be transferred between the holding unit and the support unit by the second transfer device.

2. A path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage shelf is defined as a shelf area path, The container transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the holding section of the holding area is disposed at a position along a connection path that connects the intra-shelf area path and the transfer section.

3. A control system for controlling the transport vehicle is further provided. the holding area is disposed in an area between the storage shelf and the work area; The control system is configured to manage the plurality of containers by classifying them into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers based on the type of item contained in each of the containers, The container transport facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, at least a part of which includes the high frequency container, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

4. The control system periodically reviews the classification of the general container and the high frequency container, The container transport equipment described in claim 3, wherein the transport vehicle transports the container that has been changed from the high-frequency container to the general container from the holding area to the storage shelf, or transports the container that has been changed from the general container to the high-frequency container from the storage shelf to the holding area based on instructions from the control system.

5. The control system classifies, among the high frequency containers, a container whose frequency of being transported to the work area is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as an ultra-high frequency container, The container transport equipment according to claim 3 , wherein the transport vehicle creates the stacked container group composed only of the ultra-high frequency containers based on instructions from the control system, and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

6. A control system for controlling the transport vehicle is further provided. The container transport equipment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport vehicle travels along a route from the transfer section of the work area through both the storage shelf and the holding area and back to the transfer section based on instructions from the control system.

7. The upper limit number of the containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is set as the upper limit number of the containers, The container transport equipment of claim 6, wherein when the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage shelf and the holding area, the number of containers received from the storage shelf and supported by the support section is less than or equal to the difference between the maximum support number and the number of containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding section in the holding area.

8. The transport vehicle further includes a lifting device that is mounted on the traveling body and is capable of lifting some or all of the containers of the stacked container group supported by the support portion, Among the stacked container group supported by the support portion, at least one container that has not been lifted by the lifting device is defined as a remaining container group, 3. The container transport equipment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second transfer device is configured to transfer the stacked container group supported by the support portion to the holding portion, transfer the remaining container group to the holding portion, and transfer the stacked container group held by the holding portion to the support portion.

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