Article transport system

Abstract

To provide an article transport system capable of efficiently transporting articles.SOLUTION: An article transport system comprises one or more storage units for storing articles, an article transport device for transporting the storage units, an article holding unit for holding the storage units, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the article transport device and the article holding unit. At least one of the article transport device and the article holding unit is provided with a transfer mechanism for transferring the storage unit between the article transport device and the article holding unit. The control unit operates the transfer mechanism to transfer the storage unit between the article transport device and the article holding unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article transport system. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a store that has shelves for displaying products, it is important to efficiently arrange the products on the shelves. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a system that automatically arranges products on the shelves. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a system that transports items such as products and arranges them in predetermined positions on the shelves. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Proposal of Automated Display Shelf System for Dynamic Product Layout Changes”, 2023 IEEE / SICE International Symposium on System Integration. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned system, the task of transporting goods or other items can be time-consuming, and there has been a demand for improving the efficiency of transporting items.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an article transport system capable of transporting articles efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An item transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises one or more storage units for storing items, an item transfer device for transferring the storage units, an item holding unit for holding the storage units, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the item transfer device and the item holding unit, wherein at least one of the item transfer device and the item holding unit is provided with a transfer mechanism for transferring the storage units between the item transfer device and the item holding unit, and the control unit operates the transfer mechanism to transfer the storage units between the item transfer device and the item holding unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an article transport system capable of transporting articles efficiently. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an article transfer system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of an article transfer device and a storage section. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a loading section and a transfer unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the article transfer device. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the article transfer device. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the article holding portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second delivery mechanism and a lifting mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second delivery mechanism and a lifting mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an article holding section and a storage section. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are side views showing the operation of the item holding portion. [Figure 14] 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the article holding portion. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a plan view showing the operation of the item holding section. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is a side view showing the operation of the lifting mechanism. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 18] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Figure 22] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 23] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 24] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Diagram 25] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 26] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Figure 29] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Diagram 30] 1 is a perspective view showing the operation of an article transport system; [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the operation of the article transfer system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Overall structure> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an article transfer system 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an article transfer device 20 and a storage unit 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the article transfer system 100 includes a storage unit 10, an article transfer device 20, an article holding unit 30, and a control unit 40.

[0010] In the following description, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system may be used. The X direction is the front-to-rear direction of the item holding section 30. The Y direction is the width direction of the item holding section 30. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. The Z direction is the up-down direction. The Z direction is perpendicular to the X and Y directions. +X is one of the X directions. -X is the opposite direction to +X. +Y is one of the Y directions. -Y is the opposite direction to +Y. +Z is one of the Z directions. +Z is upward. -Z is the opposite direction to +Z. -Z is downward. A planar view is a view from the Z direction.

[0011] <Storage section> As shown in FIG. 2, the storage section 10 includes a frame 11, a bottom 12, and one or more shelves 13. The frame 11 includes a plurality of pillars 14 and a plurality of beams 15. In this embodiment, the four pillars 14 are erected at positions close to the four corners of the bottom 12. The beams 15 are bridged between adjacent pillars 14. The pillars 14 and the beams 15 are made of, for example, metal, plastic, wood, etc. Examples of metals that make up the pillars 14 and the beams 15 include aluminum and stainless steel.

[0012] The bottom 12 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the bottom 12 is rectangular. An item can be placed on the bottom 12. The bottom 12 is provided, for example, at the lower end of the frame 11. The shelf board 13 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the shelf board 13 is rectangular. An item can be placed on the shelf board 13. The shelf board 13 is provided, for example, inside the frame 11. The multiple shelf boards 13 are at different height positions. An item 16 placed on the shelf board 13 in FIG. 1 is an example of an item. The bottom 12 and the shelf boards 13 are formed of metal, plastic, wood, etc.

[0013] The storage unit 10 stores items by placing the items on the bottom 12 and the shelf boards 13. The storage unit 10 can store multiple items. Since the storage unit 10 does not have a structure that covers the outer surface, the stored items can be seen from outside the storage unit 10. Therefore, the storage unit 10 can display items so that they can be seen from outside.

[0014] <Article transfer device> Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the article transfer device 20. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting section 22 and the delivery unit 23. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the article transfer device 20.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the article transfer device 20 includes a rotation support section 21, a mounting section 22, a transfer unit 23, an opening / closing door 24, an opening / closing mechanism 25, a cover section 26, a base section 27, and a plurality of wheels 28.

[0016] The platform 27 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The platform 27 is equipped with the rotation support part 21, the mounting part 22, the delivery unit 23, the opening / closing door 24, the opening / closing mechanism 25, and the cover part 26. A plurality of wheels 28 are provided on each of the front and rear sides of the platform 27. The article transfer device 20 can run on the wheels 28. The article transfer device 20 transfers articles by running.

[0017] The cover portion 26 includes a bottom plate 31 and two side plates 32. The bottom plate 31 is installed on the upper surface of the base portion 27. The two side plates 32 are erected at one end and the other end of the bottom plate 31, respectively. The side plates 32 are, for example, perpendicular to the bottom plate 31. The two side plates 32 are arranged facing each other with a gap between them. The side plates 32 have a curved shape with concave sides facing each other. The side plates 32 are, for example, arc-shaped in a plan view. The space partitioned by the two side plates 32 is a storage space S. The storage space S is capable of housing the storage unit 10.

[0018] The front surface of the cover portion 26 is the surface that faces the item holding portion 30 when the storage portion 10 is handed over to and from the item holding portion 30. The rear surface is the surface opposite to the front surface. Between the front ends of the two side plates 32 is a front opening 33. The front opening 33 opens the storage space S. The front opening 33 allows the storage portion 10 to be inserted and removed from the storage space S. Between the rear ends of the two side plates 32 is a rear opening. The rear opening opens the storage space S. The rear opening allows the storage portion 10 to be inserted and removed from the storage space S.

[0019] The rotation support part 21 is provided on a bottom plate 31. The rotation support part 21 includes a base part (not shown) and a rotating plate 34. The rotating plate 34 is provided on the base part. The rotating plate 34 is, for example, in the shape of a disk having a central axis along the up-down direction. The rotating plate 34 is rotatable in a direction around the axis relative to the base part.

[0020] The rotation support part 21 rotatably supports the mounting part 22. The rotation support part 21 can adjust the orientations of the mounting part 22 and the delivery unit 23 by determining the circumferential position of the rotating plate 34. The rotation support part 21 can adjust the position of the storage part 10 mounted on the delivery unit 23 by adjusting the orientations of the mounting part 22 and the delivery unit 23.

[0021] The mounting section 22 is formed by combining a plurality of rods 35. The mounting section 22 is placed on a rotating plate 34. The mounting section 22 is rotatable together with the rotating plate 34 in the axial direction. The mounting section 22 mounts a transfer unit 23. Therefore, the mounting section 22 can mount two storage sections 10 side by side via the transfer unit 23 (see FIG. 26).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4, the delivery unit 23 includes two first delivery mechanisms 36. One of the two first delivery mechanisms 36 is a first delivery mechanism 36A. The other of the two first delivery mechanisms 36 is a first delivery mechanism 36B. The delivery unit 23 is mounted on the mounting portion 22. The delivery unit 23 is rotatable around the axis of the rotating plate 34 (see Fig. 3). The first delivery mechanism 36 is an example of a "delivery mechanism."

[0023] The first delivery mechanism 36 includes two supports 37, two driving pulleys 38, two driven pulleys 39, two conveyor belts 41, and a stopper 42. The support 37 extends linearly. The two supports 37 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween. The driving pulley 38 is provided at one end of the support 37. The driven pulley 39 is provided at the other end of the support 37. The conveyor belt 41 is stretched between the driving pulley 38 and the driven pulley 39. The conveyor belt 41 conveys the storage section 10 in the length direction of the support 37. Although some of the conveyor belts 41 are omitted in FIG. 4, the conveyor belt 41 is stretched between all of the driving pulleys 38 and the driven pulleys 39. The conveyor belt 41 may also be omitted in other drawings.

[0024] The first delivery mechanism 36A and the first delivery mechanism 36B are arranged in parallel. The first delivery mechanism 36A and the first delivery mechanism 36B carry out the storage unit 10 in opposite directions. The first delivery mechanism 36A and the first delivery mechanism 36B are located at positions that are rotationally symmetric (dyad symmetric) with respect to the central axis of the rotating plate 34. The stopper 42 can restrict the movement of the storage unit 10 and position the storage unit 10 .

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the opening / closing door 24 closes the front opening 33 (see Figure 2) of the storage space S in an openable and closable manner. The opening / closing door 24 includes two doors 44. The two doors 44 are movable in directions approaching and moving away from each other. The two doors 44 close the front opening 33 when they are closest to each other. The two doors 44 open the front opening 33 when they are farthest apart. The opening / closing door 24 is switchable between an open state (see Figure 2) in which the front opening 33 is open, and a closed state (see Figure 5) in which the front opening 33 is closed.

[0026] The opening / closing door 24 is also provided on the rear side of the cover section 26. The rear opening / closing door 24 closes the rear opening of the cover section 26 in an openable / closable manner. The opening / closing mechanism 25 can open and close the opening / closing door 24 based on a signal from the control section 40. The opening / closing mechanism 25 operates the two doors 44 of the opening / closing door 24 in directions toward and away from each other.

[0027] 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the operation of the article transfer device 20. As shown in Fig. 6(A) to Fig. 6(C), when the rotating plate 34 is rotated 180° with the storage unit 10 mounted on one of the two first transfer mechanisms 36, the storage unit 10 moves to a position that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the original position.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B), the first delivery mechanism 36 can transport the storage section 10 in the length direction of the support 37 by driving the transport belt 41.

[0029] <Article holding section> Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the article holding section 30. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the article holding section 30. Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the second delivery mechanism 52 and the lifting mechanism 53. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the article holding section 30 and the storage section 10.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the article holding section 30 includes a main body section 51, a second delivery mechanism 52, a lifting mechanism 53, and a guide member 54. The main body section 51 includes a main frame 56 and a support frame 57. The main frame 56 includes a plurality of pillars 61 and a plurality of beams 62. The pillars 61 are parallel to the Z direction. The beams 62 are bridged between adjacent pillars 61. The beams 62 are perpendicular to the pillars 61. In this embodiment, the four pillars 61 and the plurality of beams 62 form a rectangular columnar frame.

[0031] The support frame 57 is formed at the bottom of the main frame 56, protruding laterally (to the -Y side). The support frame 57 includes a plurality of pillars 64 and a plurality of beams 65. The pillars 64 are parallel to the Z direction. The beams 65 are perpendicular to the pillars 64. The plurality of pillars 64 and the plurality of beams 65 form a rectangular parallelepiped frame. The support frame 57 supports the storage section 10 via the second delivery mechanism 52 and the lifting mechanism 53 (see FIG. 12).

[0032] The main frame 56 and the support frame 57 are formed from, for example, metal, plastic, wood, etc. Examples of metals constituting the main frame 56 and the support frame 57 include aluminum and stainless steel.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the second delivery mechanism 52 includes a support 67, a plurality of driving rollers 68, a plurality of driven rollers 69, and a conveyor belt (not shown). The support 67 includes a base 71 and two extending portions 72. The base 71 is parallel to the Y direction. The two extending portions 72 extend from both ends of the base 71 to the +X side. The driving roller 68 is provided on a support shaft 73 that is hung between the two extending portions 72. The driven roller 69 is provided on a support shaft 74 that is hung between the two extending portions 72. The second delivery mechanism 52 is movable in the X direction relative to the support frame 57 (see Fig. 9). The second delivery mechanism 52 is an example of a "delivery mechanism".

[0034] As shown in FIG. 9, the lifting mechanism 53 includes a lifting body 75, two receiving members 76, and two guides 77. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lifting body 75 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. The lifting body 75 supports the second delivery mechanism 52. As shown in FIG. 11, the lifting body 75 has a frame body 81 and a gear 82. The frame body 81 is formed in a rectangular shape. The gear 82 meshes with a receiving tooth portion 83 provided on the support body 67 of the second delivery mechanism 52. The gear 82 can move the support body 67 in the X direction by being rotated by a driving source such as a motor.

[0035] The two receiving members 76 are attached to both outer surfaces of the lifting body 75. The receiving members 76 have an insertion hole 76a through which the guide 77 is inserted. For example, a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 76a.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, the guide 77 is provided on the support frame 57. The guide 77 extends along the Z direction. The guide 77 is, for example, a ball screw. The guide 77 rotates around an axis by a driving source such as a motor. The guide 77 is inserted into an insertion hole 76a of a receiving member 76. As the guide 77 rotates, the receiving member 76 and the lifting body 75 move up and down along the guide 77. As the lifting body 75 moves up and down, the storage section 10 mounted on the second delivery mechanism 52 also moves up and down.

[0037] 10 and 11, the guide member 54 includes a base 78 and two extending portions 79. The base 78 is parallel to the Y direction. The two extending portions 79 extend from both ends of the base 78 toward the +X side. The inner surfaces of the portions including the +X side ends of the two extending portions 79 are inclined with respect to the X direction. This inclined portion is inclined such that the inner surfaces of the two extending portions 79 gradually move apart toward the +X side.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the article holding section 30 and the storage section 10. Fig. 13 is a side view showing the operation of the article holding section 30. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the operation of the article holding section 30. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the operation of the article holding section 30. Fig. 16 is a side view showing the operation of the lifting mechanism 53.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, the storage unit 10 is mounted on a second delivery mechanism 52. 13(A) to 13(C), the second delivery mechanism 52, with the storage unit 10 mounted thereon, is movable in the X direction relative to the support frame 57. Therefore, the storage unit 10 is movable in the X direction together with the second delivery mechanism 52.

[0040] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the second transfer mechanism 52 can move the storage unit 10 in the X direction by the drive roller 68 (see Figure 10) and the conveyor belt. For example, the second transfer mechanism 52 can move the storage unit 10 to the +X side toward the article transfer device 20. The second transfer mechanism 52 can also move the storage unit 10 to the -X side. As shown in Figure 15, the extension portion 79 of the guide member 54 has an inclined inner side surface, so that the position of the storage unit 10 in the Y direction can be adjusted when the storage unit 10 is placed on the second transfer mechanism 52.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 16(A) to 16(C), the lifting mechanism 53 can lift and lower the storage section 10 by moving the lifting body 75 up and down using a drive source such as a motor.

[0042] <Control Unit> The control unit 40 (see FIG. 1) controls the operation of the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30. The control unit 40 includes a processor, a memory, an auxiliary storage device (corresponding to a storage unit), and the like, which are connected by a bus. The control unit 40 functions as a control device that controls the components of the system by executing a program. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), and a microprocessor. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include storage devices such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, and a semiconductor memory. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunication line.

[0043] <How to use the goods transport system> An example of a method of using the article transfer system 100 will now be described. Figures 17 and 18 are perspective views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100. Figures 19 to 21 are side views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100. Figures 22 to 26 are perspective views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100. Figures 27 and 28 are side views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100. Figures 29 and 30 are perspective views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100. Figures 31 to 33 are side views showing the operation of the article transfer system 100.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 17, the article holding section 30 is equipped with a storage section 10. This storage section 10 is referred to as a "first storage section 10A." The article transfer device 20 is also equipped with a storage section 10 (see FIG. 18). The storage section 10 is mounted on one of the two first transfer mechanisms 36 (for example, the first transfer mechanism 36A shown in FIG. 3). This storage section 10 is referred to as a "second storage section 10B" (see FIG. 18). The second storage section 10B stores articles such as merchandise (not shown). The second storage section 10B can store, for example, multiple articles (not shown).

[0045] In this method of use, the first storage unit 10A mounted on the article holding unit 30 is replaced with a second storage unit 10B (see FIG. 18) mounted on the article transfer device 20. The operations of the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30 are controlled by the control unit 40 (see FIG. 1).

[0046] The article is transferred by traveling the article transfer device 20. When transferring the article, it is desirable to keep the opening and closing door 24 of the article transfer device 20 in a closed state. The article transfer device 20 is disposed at a position facing the article holding section 30.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 18, the opening / closing door 24 is opened to open the front opening 33. As shown in Fig. 19, in the article holding section 30, the lifting mechanism 53 lifts the lifting body 75 (see Fig. 9), thereby lifting the first storage section 10A. As shown in Fig. 20, the first storage section 10A is disposed at a position higher than the first delivery mechanism 36 of the article transfer device 20. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the second delivery mechanism 52 carrying the first storage section 10A is moved to the +X side.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 23 and Fig. 24, the first storage unit 10A is moved to the +X side using the second transfer mechanism 52. As a result, the first storage unit 10A is mounted on the other of the two first transfer mechanisms 36 of the article transfer device 20 (for example, the first transfer mechanism 36B shown in Fig. 3). At this time, the first storage unit 10A may be moved to the +X side using the first transfer mechanism 36. The first storage unit 10A may be moved to the +X side using both the second transfer mechanism 52 and the first transfer mechanism 36. In this manner, the first storage unit 10A is transferred from the article holding unit 30 to the article transfer device 20.

[0049] 25 and 26, the rotating plate 34 of the rotation support 21 is rotated around the axis (see FIG. 3). This causes the positions of the first delivery mechanism 36A and the first delivery mechanism 36B to be interchanged (see FIG. 3). As a result, the positions of the first storage section 10A and the second storage section 10B are interchanged.

[0050] 27 and 28, the lifting mechanism 53 lowers the lifting body 75, thereby disposing the second transfer mechanism 52 at a position lower than the uppermost part of the first transfer mechanism 36. As a result, the second storage section 10B is disposed at a position higher than the second transfer mechanism 52.

[0051] 29 and 30, the second storage unit 10B is moved to the -X side using the first transfer mechanism 36. At this time, the second storage unit 10B may be moved to the -X side using the second transfer mechanism 52. The second storage unit 10B may be moved to the -X side using both the first transfer mechanism 36 and the second transfer mechanism 52. The second storage unit 10B is mounted on the second transfer mechanism 52 of the item holding unit 30.

[0052] 31 and 32, the second delivery mechanism 52 carrying the second storage unit 10B is moved to the -X side. As a result, the second storage unit 10B is loaded onto the article holding unit 30. In this manner, the second storage unit 10B is delivered from the article transfer device 20 to the article holding unit 30. As shown in FIG. 33, the lifting mechanism 53 lowers the lifting body 75 to adjust the height position of the second storage unit 10B. By the above operation, the first storage unit 10A mounted on the article holding unit 30 can be replaced with the second storage unit 10B mounted on the article transfer device 20.

[0053] The article transfer system 100 can be used, for example, as follows. The control unit 40 is caused to store the products (articles) to be stored in the storage unit 10 of the article holding unit 30 in advance.

[0054] The control unit 40 operates the article transfer device 20 to make up for any shortage of goods, depending on the sales record of the goods (items), etc. Specifically, the article transfer device 20 is moved toward the article holding unit 30 where the goods are insufficient, the storage units 10 of the article holding unit 30 are collected, and new storage units 10 are transferred to the article holding unit 30. This makes it possible to replenish goods in the article holding unit 30. In this way, in the article transfer system 100, the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30 can be operated to replenish goods.

[0055] <Action and effect> In the article transfer system 100 of this embodiment, a first transfer mechanism 36 is provided in the article transfer device 20. A second transfer mechanism 52 is provided in the article holding section 30. In the article transfer system 100, the first transfer mechanism 36 and the second transfer mechanism 52 are operated to transfer the storage section 10 between the article transfer device 20 and the article holding section 30. Since the article transfer system 100 transfers articles such as merchandise while they are stored in the storage section 10, it is possible to transfer articles more efficiently than a system in which the articles are transferred one by one. Therefore, for example, the efficiency of the work when replenishing articles such as merchandise in the article holding section 30 can be improved. Therefore, the work time required for transferring articles can be shortened.

[0056] The article transfer device 20 includes a mounting section 22 on which two storage sections 10 are mounted, and a rotation support section 21. The rotation support section 21 can adjust the positions of the storage sections 10 by rotating the mounting section 22. Therefore, the positions of the two storage sections 10 can be swapped (see Figs. 24 to 26). This configuration makes it easy to replace the storage sections 10 mounted on the article holding section 30.

[0057] The article holding section 30 has a lifting mechanism 53. Therefore, when moving the storage section 10 between the article holding section 30 and the article transfer device 20, the height of the storage section 10 can be adjusted to make the destination lower than the source. This reduces the resistance when the storage section 10 moves. This allows the storage section 10 to be moved smoothly between the article holding section 30 and the article transfer device 20.

[0058] The article transfer device 20 has an opening / closing door 24 that opens and closes the opening of the cover portion 26 (see Figs. 2 and 5). Therefore, when the storage unit 10 is transferred by the article transfer device 20, the opening can be closed by the opening / closing door 24. This allows the storage unit 10 to be transferred while surrounded by the cover portion 26. Therefore, when transferring the articles, the influence of the external environment (the influence of wind, rain, light, etc.) on the articles stored in the storage space S can be reduced. Temperature control of the articles is also facilitated.

[0059] In the article transfer system 100, a first transfer mechanism 36 is provided in the article transfer device 20. A second transfer mechanism 52 is provided in the article holding unit 30. Therefore, when transferring the storage unit 10 between the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30, the storage unit 10 can be transported using both the first transfer mechanism 36 and the second transfer mechanism 52 in sequence. This makes it easier to transfer the storage unit 10 compared to when a transfer mechanism is provided only in one of the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30.

[0060] The storage unit 10 can store items so that they can be seen from the outside. Therefore, the storage unit 10 can display items so that they can be seen from the outside. Since the storage unit 10 functions as a display shelf for items, the task of displaying items in the item holding unit 30 becomes easy.

[0061] In the article transfer system 100, a delivery mechanism is provided in both the article transfer device 20 and the article holding unit 30, but a delivery mechanism may be provided in only one of the article transfer device and the article holding unit. In other words, it is sufficient that a delivery mechanism is provided in at least one of the article transfer device and the article holding unit.

[0062] In the article transfer device 20, since the transfer unit 23 has two first transfer mechanisms 36, the mounting section 22 can mount two storage sections 10, but the number of storage sections that the mounting section can mount is not particularly limited. The number of storage sections that the mounting section can mount may be one or more (any number greater than or equal to two). For example, if the transfer unit has three or more first transfer mechanisms, the mounting section can mount three or more storage sections.

[0063] The lifting mechanism is not limited to a mechanism using a ball screw, and other mechanisms may be used. For example, a mechanism that uses a wire to move the lifting body up and down may be used. The delivery mechanism is not limited to a mechanism using a conveyor belt, and other mechanisms may be used. For example, a mechanism that conveys the storage unit by rollers may be used.

[0064] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention. However, each configuration and combination thereof in the embodiment is merely an example, and addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0065] (Appendix 1) One or more storage compartments for storing items; An article transfer device that transfers the storage unit; An article holding section that holds the storage section; A control unit that controls the operation of the article transfer device and the article holding unit, At least one of the article transfer device and the article holding unit is provided with a transfer mechanism for transferring the storage unit between the article transfer device and the article holding unit, The control unit operates the transfer mechanism to transfer the storage unit between the item transfer device and the item holding unit. Goods transfer system.

[0066] (Appendix 2) The article transfer device includes: A mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of the storage sections in an array; A rotation support portion that rotatably supports the mounting portion, The rotation support portion adjusts the position of the storage portion by rotating the mounting portion. 2. An article transfer system as described in claim 1.

[0067] (Appendix 3) The article holding section has a lifting mechanism for lifting the storage section. 3. An article transfer system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0068] (Appendix 4) The article transfer device has a cover portion that forms a storage space that houses the storage portion, and an opening / closing door, The cover portion has an opening that exposes the accommodation space, The opening and closing door closes the opening in an openable and closable manner. An article transfer system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 3.

[0069] (Appendix 5) The delivery mechanism is provided in both the article transfer device and the article holding unit. An article transfer system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 4.

[0070] (Appendix 6) The storage section can display the items so that they can be seen from the outside. An article transfer system according to any one of appendixes 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] Reference Signs List 10: storage section, 20: article transfer device, 21: rotation support section, 22: mounting section, 24: opening / closing door, 26: cover section, 30: article holding section, 33: front opening (opening), 36: first transfer mechanism (transfer mechanism), 40: control section, 52: second transfer mechanism (transfer mechanism), 53: lift mechanism, S: storage space

Claims

1. One or more storage units for storing items; An article transfer device that transfers the storage unit; An article holding section that holds the storage section; A control unit that controls the operation of the article transfer device and the article holding unit, At least one of the article transfer device and the article holding unit is provided with a transfer mechanism for transferring the storage unit between the article transfer device and the article holding unit, The control unit operates the transfer mechanism to transfer the storage unit between the item transfer device and the item holding unit. Goods transfer system.

2. The article transfer device includes: A mounting section capable of mounting a plurality of the storage sections in an array; A rotation support portion that rotatably supports the mounting portion, The rotation support portion adjusts the position of the storage portion by rotating the mounting portion. The article transport system of claim 1 .

3. The article holding section has a lifting mechanism for lifting the storage section. The article transport system of claim 1 .

4. The article transfer device has a cover portion that forms a storage space that houses the storage portion, and an opening / closing door, The cover portion has an opening that exposes the accommodation space, The opening and closing door closes the opening in an openable and closable manner. The article transport system of claim 1 .

5. The delivery mechanism is provided in both the article transfer device and the article holding unit. The article transport system of claim 1 .

6. The storage section can display the items so that they can be seen from the outside. The article transport system of claim 1 .

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