Carriage and carrier system

Abstract

To further facilitate coupling of carriages.SOLUTION: A carriage includes a placement portion on which a carried object is placed, a coupling portion, a coupling pin, a coupling hole, and a plane portion. The coupling portion is provided so as to protrude from a first end of the placement portion in the back-and-forth direction, and has a tip supported so as to be deformable in the vertical direction. The coupling pin is provided at a second end of the placement portion in the back-and-forth direction, and protrudes upwardly. The coupling hole is provided at the tip of the coupling portion. The plane portion forms a lower surface of the coupling portion, spreads in a substantially planar shape toward the first end of the placement portion from an adjacent position to the coupling hole in the coupling portion, and spreads from the right end of the coupling portion to the left end thereof in the widthwise direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a carriage for transporting an object, and a transport system having a plurality of carriages. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique is known in which a coupling part protruding upward and a towing hook are provided at the front and rear ends of a cart body used in factories, etc. The towing hook can be displaced between a vertical position and a horizontal position by rotating about a rotation axis extending horizontally. A coupling hole is formed at the tip of the towing hook, and a coupling part provided on another cart body is hooked from below into the coupling hole at the tip of the horizontally oriented towing hook, thereby coupling two cart bodies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-77390 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the towing hook in Patent Document 1 has an outer edge formed by a rod-shaped member bent into a V shape, and a connecting hole into which the connecting part is hooked is formed by the bent part at the tip of the member and a rod-shaped member extending laterally. In other words, there is a gap around the connecting hole located at the tip of the towing hook into which the connecting part can enter. For this reason, when the towing hook is connected to the connecting part of another bogie body, there is a possibility that the connecting part will be inserted into the gap around the connecting hole of the towing hook.

[0005] For this reason, in order to smoothly connect the towing hook to the connecting portion of another bogie body, it is necessary to align the connecting hole of the towing hook with the connecting portion. However, for example, when the weight of the bogie body is heavy or when the load on the bogie body is heavy, such alignment becomes difficult, and the burden of the work of connecting the bogie bodies to each other may become large.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to make it easier to couple dollies together. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a dolly including a placement portion, a connecting portion, a connecting pin, a support portion, a connecting hole, and a flat portion. The placement portion places an object to be transported. The connecting portion is provided so as to protrude from a first end of the placement portion in the front-rear direction. The connecting pin is provided at a second end of the placement portion in the front-rear direction and protrudes upward. The support portion supports the connecting portion so that a tip of the connecting portion can be displaced in the up-down direction. The connecting hole is provided at the tip of the connecting portion, and when the connecting portion is in the connecting position, a connecting pin provided on another dolly can be inserted. The flat portion forms a lower surface of the connecting portion in the connecting position. In addition, the flat portion extends in a substantially flat shape from a position adjacent to the connecting hole in the connecting portion toward the first end of the placement portion, and also extends from the right end to the left end in the width direction of the connecting portion.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the connecting portion is displaced toward the connecting position to insert the connecting pin into the connecting hole, even if the position of the connecting pin and the position of the connecting hole are misaligned, the connecting pin can be in a state of abutment against the flat portion that spreads out in a substantially flat shape. At this time, by shifting the position of the dolly, the position of the connecting pin can be easily adjusted and the connecting pin can be inserted into the connecting hole. Therefore, it becomes easier to connect the dolly.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a stopper portion configured to be displaceable between a support position and an open position. The connecting portion may be configured to be displaced downward toward the connecting position. The stopper portion in the support position may support from below the connecting portion in a rest position that is a position above the connecting position. The stopper portion in the open position may not hinder the displacement of the connecting portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when the stopper part in the support position supports the connecting part in the rest position, the connecting part is displaced downward from the rest position to the connecting position when the stopper part is displaced to the release position. This allows the connecting pin to be inserted into the connecting hole of the connecting part, or the connecting pin can be inserted into the connecting hole of the connecting part after the connecting pin is abutted against the flat part and the position of the connecting pin is adjusted. This makes it easier to connect the carts compared to when the connecting part is directly operated.

[0011] An aspect of the present disclosure may further include a handle portion that is provided to extend upward from near the second end of the mounting portion and is used when an operator drives the cart. According to the above configuration, the carriages can be easily connected.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a transport system including a plurality of the above-described carriages and a guide unit. The guide unit is configured to guide the carriages so that the carriages are aligned in a line. According to the above configuration, a plurality of carriages can be easily aligned, which makes it easier to couple the carriages. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connection in a rest position. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the coupling in a lowered position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coupling part in the coupled position. [Figure 8] 13 is a rear view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper portion is in the supporting position. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper portion is in the supporting position. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper portion is in the open position. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the bogies. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the bogies. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the connection of the bogies. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Transport system configuration] The conveying system 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of carts 2 and a changer 5, and is used, for example, to convey products in a factory (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Of course, the conveying system 1 is not limited to this, and can be used to convey various conveyed objects in various situations.

[0015] The bogie 2 does not have a power source, and can be towed by a self-propelled vehicle such as an elevator car, or can be run by hand. In addition, although details will be described later, each bogie 2 can be connected to other bogies 2 by a connecting pin 25 or a connecting portion 34, which will be described later. In other words, one bogie 2, or two or more bogies 2 connected in a row, can be towed by a towing vehicle.

[0016] The changer 5 is configured to line up a plurality of carts 2 in order to couple the carts 2 to each other or to couple the carts 2 to a towing vehicle such as an elevator car. As an example, the changer 5 is provided at a location where the carts 2 are loaded with transported objects, and an operator loads the transported objects onto the carts 2 lined up by the changer 5. Then, the cart 2 with the transported objects loaded thereon is coupled to a towing vehicle or another cart 2 directly or indirectly coupled to the towing vehicle, and is transported to a predetermined location by the towing vehicle.

[0017] [2. Dolly] The cart 2 includes a mounting portion 20, wheels 21, a handle portion 22, a base portion 24, a connecting pin 25, and a connecting mechanism 3 (see FIGS. 3 to 7).

[0018] The placement unit 20 is, for example, a flat, substantially rectangular portion that spreads out in a plane, on which the transported object is placed. As an example, a box-shaped pallet 23 is placed on the placement unit 20, and the transported object is arranged inside the pallet 23. However, this is not limiting, and the transported object may be placed directly on the placement unit 20. In addition, a plurality of (for example, six) wheels 21 are provided on the lower surface of the placement unit 20.

[0019] The base 24 is a plate-like portion provided so as to protrude rearward from approximately the center in the left-right direction at the rear end 20B (in other words, the second end in the front-rear direction) of the mounting portion 20. The base 24 extends in a planar shape in the approximately horizontal direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0020] The connecting pin 25 is a rod-shaped part that is provided near the rear end of the base 24 and protrudes upward. The tip of the connecting pin 25 is tapered, becoming thinner toward the tip. The connecting pin 25 is used for connecting to a connecting part 34 (described in detail later) in the connecting mechanism 3 of another bogie 2 (see FIG. 7).

[0021] The handle portion 22 is a portion provided so as to extend upward from near the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20, and is used when an operator manually drives the cart 2. As an example, the handle portion 22 has two pillar portions protruding upward from near each end (hereinafter, right end and left end) in the left-right direction (in other words, the width direction) of the mounting portion 20, and a rod-shaped grip portion connecting the tops of these pillar portions. The left-right direction is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0022] [3.Connection mechanism] The coupling mechanism 3 is a portion for coupling to the coupling pin 25 of another carriage 2, and is provided at the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20 (in other words, the first end in the front-rear direction) (see FIGS. 3, and 5 to 7). The coupling mechanism 3 includes a connection portion 30, two block portions 31, a support portion 32, a restriction portion 33, and a coupling portion 34.

[0023] The connection portion 30 is a generally rectangular plate-like portion that is connected to the front end 20A of the placement portion 20. The two block portions 31 are provided so as to protrude forward from the connection portion 30, and are aligned in the left-right direction with a gap therebetween.

[0024] The support parts 32 are provided near the end of each block part 31 on the mounting part 20 side, and support the connecting parts 34 so that the tip of the connecting part 34 is displaceable in the up and down direction. Specifically, the support parts 32 have a cavity penetrating the block part 31, and support the shaft parts 34C (described in detail later) of the connecting parts 34 arranged in the cavity in a rotatable manner.

[0025] The restricting portion 33 is an elongated portion extending in the left-right direction and provided between the two block portions 31. The restricting portion 33 has restricting surfaces that are connected to the block portions 31 at both ends and extend in the left-right direction, and restricts the downward rotation of the connecting portion 34 by supporting the connecting portion 34 at a lowered position P2 (described later) from below with the restricting surfaces.

[0026] [4.Connection part] The connecting portion 34 is located between the two block portions 31 and is a long, thin, flat portion provided so as to protrude from the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20 (see Figs. 5 to 7). The connecting portion 34 is located approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the mounting portion 20 and is provided so as to expand in the left-right direction, with its width narrowing toward the tip. Of course, the shape of the connecting portion 34 is not limited to this, and for example, the width may be approximately constant, or the width may increase toward the tip. The connecting portion 34 includes an outer frame portion 34A, a plurality of horizontal frame portions 34B, an axis portion 34C, a flat portion 34D, a connecting hole 34E, and a stopper mechanism 4.

[0027] The shaft portion 34C is a rod-shaped portion that is located at the base of the connecting portion 34 and extends substantially in the left-right direction. As described above, both ends of the shaft portion 34C are disposed on the support portions 32 of the block portions 31 and are rotatably supported by these support portions 32.

[0028] Outer frame portion 34A is a rod-like portion curved into a U-shape, and both ends thereof are connected to shaft portion 34C. Outer frame portion 34A has two straight portions extending straight from shaft portion 34C and a curved portion connecting the tips of these straight portions, and this curved portion is located at the tip of connecting portion 34.

[0029] The horizontal frame portions 34B are rod-shaped portions that extend substantially in the left-right direction, and both ends of the rod-shaped portions are connected to the respective linear portions of the outer frame portion 34A. The horizontal frame portions 34B are aligned along the extension direction of the connecting portion 34.

[0030] The connecting hole 34E is a hole provided at the tip of the connecting portion 34 and penetrating the connecting portion 34. The connecting pin 25 of another cart can be inserted into the connecting hole 34E. Specifically, the connecting hole 34E is surrounded by the curved portion of the outer frame portion 34A and the horizontal frame portion 34B located at the most tip side.

[0031] The flat surface 34D is a portion that spreads in a substantially flat shape, and forms a lower surface that is a surface located on the lower side of the connecting portion 34 at the connecting position P1 described later and the lowered position P2 described above. The flat surface 34D includes a plate-like member joined to the outer frame portion 34A and the multiple horizontal frame portions 34B, and the outer frame portion 34A adjacent to the plate-like member, and spreads from a position adjacent to the connecting hole 34E in the connecting portion 34 toward the rear end 20B of the placement portion 20, and also spreads from the right end 34R to the left end 34L in the width direction of the connecting portion 34.

[0032] Specifically, the flat portion 34D does not reach the shaft portion 34C, and when the connecting portion 34 is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, the end portion of the flat portion 34D on the shaft portion 34C side is located near the restricting portion 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position of the end portion of the flat portion 34D on the shaft portion 34C side is appropriately determined, and the end portion may be located closer to the tip side of the connecting portion 34 or may be located near the shaft portion 34C.

[0033] The connecting portion 34 is rotatable with the rotation of the shaft portion 34C, and can reach a rest position P0, a connecting position P1, and a lowered position P2. When the connecting portion 34 is tilted forward rather than vertically, it rotates forward, in other words, so that the tip of the connecting portion 34 is displaced downward, for example, due to its own weight (see FIG. 3). The connecting portion 34 that rotates in this manner can reach the rest position P0, the connecting position P1, and the lowered position P2 in that order.

[0034] The rest position P0 is a position where the rod is supported by a stopper portion 42, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. 5, and is located above the connecting position P1 and the lowered position P2. 6, as described above, the lowered position P2 is a position where the connecting portion 34 is supported from below by the restricting surface of the restricting portion 33. When the connecting portion 34 rotates forward and reaches the lowered position P2, it comes into contact with the restricting surface of the restricting portion 33 and is supported by the restricting surface, whereby the downward rotation is restricted and the connecting portion 34 is stationary.

[0035] 7, the coupling position P1 is a position where the coupling pin 25 of the other cart 2 is inserted into the coupling hole 34E of the coupling part 34, and the coupling part 34 and the coupling pin 25 are coupled to each other. The coupling position P1 may change depending on the position of the coupling pin 25 of the other cart 2, and the lowered position P2 or a position above the lowered position P2 may be the coupling position P1.

[0036] [5. Stopper mechanism] The stopper mechanism 4 is provided on the upper surface of one of the two block portions 31 (as an example, the right-side block portion 31), and includes a support portion 40, an axis portion 41, a stopper portion 42, a holding portion 43, and a hook portion 44 (see Figures 5 to 10).

[0037] The shaft portion 41 is a generally cylindrical portion extending generally in the front-rear direction, and the support portion 40 rotatably supports a portion of the shaft portion 41 including each end (see FIGS. 8 to 10). Hereinafter, a straight line passing through approximately the center of a cross section of the shaft portion 41 perpendicular to the extension direction will be referred to as an axis A.

[0038] The stopper portion 42 is a generally cylindrical portion that protrudes from approximately the center of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41 in the extension direction in a direction generally perpendicular to the extension direction. The retaining portion 43 is a cylindrical portion provided at approximately the center in the extension direction of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41, and extends in approximately the same direction as the shaft portion 41. The retaining portion 43 is provided at a predetermined angle from the stopper portion 42 in the circumferential direction centered on the axis A.

[0039] The hook portion 44 is an L-shaped bent portion, and is provided so as to protrude from an upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the stopper portion 42 located at a support position P3 described later. The hook portion 44 is a portion for hooking onto the tip of a rod-shaped member, a deleki (described in detail later), and the shape of the hook portion 44 is not limited to an L-shape and may be determined as appropriate.

[0040] The stopper portion 42 is rotatable about the axis A in a range from a support position P3 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) to an open position P4 (see FIG. 10) in association with the rotation of the shaft portion 41. Hereinafter, the direction of rotation from the open position P4 toward the support position P3 is referred to as a first direction D1, and the direction of rotation from the support position P3 toward the open position P4 is referred to as a second direction D2.

[0041] When the stopper portion 42 is in the open position P4, the holding portion 43 comes into contact with the upper surface of the block portion 31, thereby restricting the rotation of the stopper portion 42 in the second direction D2. When the stopper portion 42 is in the open position P4 (or in or near the open position P4), the stopper portion 42 is urged to rotate in the second direction D2 by the weight of the holding portion 43, for example, and as a result, the stopper portion 42 is held in the open position P4.

[0042] On the other hand, when the stopper portion 42 is in a position other than the open position P4 (or other than the open position P4 or its vicinity), the stopper portion 42 rotates in the first direction D1 due to its own weight, for example, and moves toward the support position P3. Then, when the stopper portion 42 reaches the support position P3, the stopper portion 42 comes into contact with the upper surface of the block portion 31, and this contact restricts the rotation of the stopper portion 42 in the first direction D1. In other words, when the stopper portion 42 reaches the support position P3, it is held at the support position P3.

[0043] The stopper portion 42 in the support position P3 can support the connecting portion 34 in the stationary position P1 from below. On the other hand, the stopper portion 42 in the release position P4 does not abut on the connecting portion 34 rotating about the shaft portion 34C. In other words, the stopper portion 42 does not hinder the rotation of the connecting portion 34.

[0044] [6. Operation of the connection mechanism and stopper mechanism when connected] As described above, the connecting portion 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 is displaceable between the rest position P0 (see FIG. 5), the connecting position P1 (see FIG. 7) which is lower than the rest position P0, and the lowered position P2 (see FIG. 6).

[0045] When the stopper portion 42 of the stopper mechanism 4 is in the support position P3 (see FIG. 9), it is assumed that the operator rotates the connecting portion 34, which is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, toward the stationary position P0 (in other words, upward). At this time, the connecting portion 34 collides with the stopper portion 42, which is in the support position P3, and rotates the stopper portion 42 in the second direction D2. As a result, the connecting portion 34 passes through the stopper portion 42 (in other words, the stationary position P0), and after the connecting portion 34 passes through, the stopper portion 42 rotates in the first direction D1 due to its own weight, for example, and is displaced to the support position P3. Therefore, when the connecting portion 34 returns to the stationary position P0, the connecting portion 34 is supported by the stopper portion 42, which is in the support position P3, at the stationary position P0.

[0046] On the other hand, when the stopper portion 42 of the stopper mechanism 4 is in the open position P4 (see FIG. 10), the stopper portion 42 does not prevent the rotation of the connecting portion 34. Therefore, in this case, the operator can rotate the connecting portion 34, which is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, toward the rest position P0, and displace the stopper portion 42 to the support position P3 after the connecting portion 34 passes the rest position P0. Thereafter, when the connecting portion 34 returns to the rest position P0, the connecting portion 34 is supported by the stopper portion 42 at the rest position P0.

[0047] Furthermore, when connecting the connecting portion 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 to the connecting pin 25 of the front bogie 2, the connecting portion 34 is held by the stopper portion 42 and is positioned at the stationary position P0. Then, for example, an operator hooks the hook at the tip of the derailleur onto the hook portion 44 of the stopper mechanism 4, and then operates the derailleur to displace the stopper portion 42 from the support position P3 to the open position P4. Hereinafter, this operation will be referred to as unlocking.

[0048] By releasing the lock, the stopper portion 42 is held at the release position P4, and the connecting portion 34 rotates from the rest position P0 to the connecting position P1 due to, for example, its own weight. This displaces the connecting portion 34 toward the connecting pin 25 of the front cart 2, and the connecting pin 25 is inserted into the connecting portion 34, so that the connecting portion 34 and the connecting pin 25 can be connected to each other.

[0049] [7. Changer] The changer 5 includes a guide portion 50 and a drive mechanism 53 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The guide unit 50 is configured to guide each of the multiple carts 2 so that the multiple carts 2 are aligned in a line, and includes two guide units 51 and a plurality of base units 52.

[0050] Each of the guide portions 51 is a long and narrow rail-like portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction along the floor. The multiple base portions 52 are portions that support each guide portion 51 from below, and are provided so as to protrude from the floor.

[0051] For example, the guiding sections 51 extend in a substantially straight line and are arranged substantially parallel to each other, and an alignment space S for lining up the multiple trolleys 2 in a predetermined alignment direction L is formed between these guiding sections 51. The height of each guiding section 51 is adjusted so as to abut against the right end or the left end of the mounting section 20 of the trolley 2 positioned in the alignment space S. The distance between each guiding section 51 is approximately the same as the width of the mounting section 20 of the trolley 2. Therefore, by moving through the alignment space S, the multiple trolleys 2 are induced to line up in a line along the alignment direction L.

[0052] Moreover, the driving mechanism 53 is configured to move the trolley 2 arranged in the alignment space S along the alignment direction L. Specifically, the driving mechanism 53 is located at the center of the alignment space S in the width direction, and extends from around the start point of the alignment space S to just before the end point. The driving mechanism 53 is configured to engage with an engaged portion provided on the bottom surface of the placement portion 20 of the trolley 2, and is configured to move the engaged trolley 2 along the alignment direction L.

[0053] Therefore, when the trolley 2 enters the alignment space S with its fore-and-aft direction aligned with the alignment direction L, the trolley 2 is moved along the alignment direction L by the drive mechanism 53, thereby lining up each trolley 2 in a line along the alignment direction L.

[0054] [8. Connecting the dollies] When connecting the rear cart 2 to the front cart 2, the connecting portion 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 of the rear cart 2 is supported by the stopper portion 42 located at the support position P3 and is positioned at the rest position P0 (see FIG. 5). Then, the worker moves the rear cart 2 closer to the front cart 2 until the block portion 31 of the rear cart 2 abuts against or comes close to the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20 of the front cart 2 (see FIG. 11).

[0055] Thereafter, the worker, for example, performs the above-mentioned unlocking operation and displaces the stopper portion 42 from the support position P3 to the release position P4. As a result, the connecting portion 34 is inclined forward from the rest position P0 and comes into contact with the front cart 2 or the transported object placed on the cart 2, and is supported by the cart 2 or the transported object (see FIG. 12).

[0056] At this time, when the worker moves the front cart 2 forward, the coupling part 34 of the rear cart 2 rotates toward the coupling position P1, and the tip of the coupling pin 25 of the front cart 2 abuts against the flat part 34D of the coupling part 34 of the rear cart 2. Therefore, as the front cart 2 moves forward, the coupling pin 25 approaches the coupling hole 34E of the coupling part 34, and finally, the coupling pin 25 is inserted into the coupling hole 34E, and these carts 2 are coupled together (see FIG. 13).

[0057] In the alignment space S formed by the changer 5, a plurality of carts 2 are connected in the same manner. That is, when the cart 2 enters the alignment space S, the connection portion 34 of the cart 2 is in a stationary position P0 while being supported by the stopper portion 42. Then, the cart 2 is moved forward along the alignment direction L by the drive mechanism 53 until the block portion 31 of the cart 2 abuts against or is close to the rear end 20B of the rearmost cart 2 arranged in the alignment space S.

[0058] After that, when the loading of the transported articles onto the cart 2 arranged in the alignment space S is completed, the worker unlocks the stopper portion 42 of the cart 2 to be moved from the alignment space S. In addition, the worker couples the leading cart 2 to the towing vehicle via the coupling portion 34.

[0059] Then, when the worker uses the towing vehicle to move the leading cart 2 forward, the unlocked coupling part 34 of the second cart 2 rotates toward the coupling position P1 in accordance with the movement, and the coupling part 34 of the trailing cart 2 and the coupling pin 25 of the leading cart 2 are coupled together in the same manner as the second coupled cart 2 moves forward, and the coupling part 34 of the second cart 2 and the coupling pin 25 of the leading cart 2 are coupled together in the same manner as the third and subsequent carts 2 are coupled to the unlocked trailing carts 2.

[0060] That is, by moving the leading bogie 2 forward by the towing vehicle, one or more bogies 2 arranged behind the leading bogie 2 are coupled in the alignment space S. Then, these coupled bogies 2 are towed by the towing vehicle and moved to a predetermined location.

[0061] [9. Effects] (1) The connecting portion 34 in the above embodiment is provided with a flat portion 34D that spreads in a substantially flat shape. For this reason, when the rear bogie 2 is connected to the front bogie 2, the connecting portion 34 is rotated toward the connecting position P1 in order to insert the connecting pin 25 of the front bogie 2 into the connecting hole 34E of the connecting portion 34 of the rear bogie 2. At this time, even if the position of the connecting pin 25 and the position of the connecting hole 34E are misaligned, the connecting pin 25 can be in a state of abutting against the flat portion 34D of the connecting portion 34 that spreads in a substantially flat shape. At this time, by shifting the position of the rear bogie 2 (or the front bogie 2), the position of the connecting pin 25 can be easily adjusted and the connecting pin 25 can be inserted into the connecting hole 34E. Therefore, the bogies 2 are more easily connected.

[0062] (2) When the stopper portion 42 at the support position P3 supports the connecting portion 34 at the rest position P0, unlocking the stopper portion 42 and displacing it to the open position P4 causes the connecting portion 34 to rotate downward toward the connecting position P1. This allows the connecting pin 25 to be inserted into the connecting hole 34E of the connecting portion 34, or the connecting pin 25 can be inserted into the connecting hole 34E after the connecting pin 25 is abutted against the flat portion 34D and the position of the connecting pin 25 is adjusted. This makes it easier to connect the carts 2 compared to when the connecting portion 34 is directly operated.

[0063] (3) In addition, the handle portion 22 is provided at the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20. This makes it easy to connect the dolly 2. (4) Furthermore, the conveyance system 1 includes the changer 5 having the guide unit 50 in addition to the multiple carriages 2. This makes it easy to align the multiple carriages 2, and makes it easier to connect the carriages 2.

[0064] [10. Other embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the two block portions 31 and the connecting portion 34 are provided at the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20 of the dolly 2, and the base portion 24 and the connecting pin 25 are provided at the rear end 20B. However, this is not limiting, and the base portion 24 and the connecting pin 25 may be provided at the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20, and the two block portions 31 and the connecting portion 34 may be provided at the rear end 20B.

[0065] (2) The guide unit 50 in the changer 5 of the above embodiment has two rail-shaped induction units 51, and these induction units 51 guide the multiple carts 2. However, this is not limited thereto, and each induction unit 51 may be configured, for example, as a wall-shaped portion configured to abut against the right end or the left end of the placement unit 20. Also, each induction unit 51 may be configured, for example, as a groove-shaped portion provided on the floor and configured to be able to accommodate the wheels 21 on the right or left side of the cart 2. Even with such a configuration, the guide unit 50 can guide the multiple carts 2 to line up in a row using the two induction units 51.

[0066] (3) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...transport system, 2...cart, 20...placement portion, 20A...front end, 20B...rear end, 22...handle portion, 24...base, 25...connecting pin, 3...connecting mechanism, 31...block portion, 32...support portion, 34...connecting portion, 34C...shaft portion, 34D...flat portion, 34E...connecting hole, 34L...left end, 34R...right end, P0...stationary position, P1...connecting position, P2...lowered position, 4...stopper mechanism, 41...shaft portion, 42...stopper portion, 43...holding portion, 44...hook portion, A...axis, P3...support position, P4...release position, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, 5...changer, 50...guide portion, 51...guiding portion, 53...drive mechanism, L...alignment direction, S...alignment space.

Claims

1. A trolley, A placement section for placing an object to be transported; A connecting portion provided so as to protrude from a first end of the mounting portion in a front-rear direction; a connecting pin provided at a second end of the mounting portion in the front-rear direction and protruding upward; a support portion that supports the connecting portion so that a tip of the connecting portion can be displaced in an up-down direction; a connection hole provided at the tip of the connection portion, into which the connection pin provided on another carriage can be inserted when the connection portion is in a connection position; a flat surface portion forming a lower surface of the coupling portion in the coupling position, The planar portion extends in a substantially planar shape from a position adjacent to the connecting hole in the connecting portion toward the first end of the placement portion, and also extends from the right end to the left end in the width direction of the connecting portion. Trolley.

2. 2. The dolly according to claim 1, Further, a stopper portion configured to be displaceable between a support position and an open position is provided, The coupling portion is configured to be displaced downwardly toward the coupling position, The stopper portion in the support position supports, from below, the connecting portion in a rest position that is a position above the connecting position, The stopper portion in the open position does not prevent the displacement of the connecting portion. Trolley.

3. The cart according to claim 1 or 2, The carrier further includes a handle portion extending upward from the vicinity of the second end of the carrier and used by an operator to drive the carrier. Trolley.

4. 1. A conveying system comprising: A plurality of carriages according to claim 1 or 2; A guide unit configured to guide the carriages so that the carriages are aligned in a line; A transport system comprising:

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