Warehouse entrance guard mechanism

Abstract

To provide a warehouse entrance guard mechanism having a function and a shape capable of preventing collision between an automatic door constituting an entrance of a warehouse and its surrounding wall and each part of a forklift in advance.SOLUTION: In cargo warehouses, in order to prevent collisions between automatic doors constituting warehouse entrances and the surrounding walls and the various parts of cargo handling and transport vehicles when cargo is carried in and out of the warehouse entrances by the cargo handling and transport vehicles, a warehouse entrance guard mechanism is equipped with a gate-type guard post that is tilted by collision with the cargo handling and transport vehicles, restored to a vertical position when the collision is released, and is vertically erected on each of the exit and entrance sides so as to enclose the warehouse entrance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a warehouse entrance guard mechanism that prevents damage to automatic doors that constitute a warehouse entrance and the surrounding wall surfaces due to collisions with loading and unloading vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in a warehouse for storing large items, a plurality of storage shelves are constructed in a multi-tiered manner in order to secure storage space for a plurality of items. A material handling vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as a forklift) is preferably used to carry items in and out of such storage shelves. When carrying large items into a warehouse, the items are carried in through the warehouse entrance / exit by a forklift and stored on the storage shelves, and when carrying items out of the warehouse, the items stored on the storage shelves are carried out of the warehouse through the warehouse entrance / exit by a forklift in the same manner.

[0003] In recent years, warehouses for storing goods have become larger, and therefore the multi-tiered storage shelves in the warehouses are also installed at higher levels. For this reason, forklifts used to transport goods are preferably high-mast forklifts that can carry goods in and out of storage shelves at higher levels.

[0004] Generally, warehouse entrances are equipped with automatic doors that detect the approach of a forklift and open and close automatically. In particular, in freezer and refrigerated warehouses, automatic doors large enough for a forklift to pass through are installed to maintain the temperature inside the warehouse.

[0005] However, because forklifts are operated by workers, there is a possibility that accidents may occur in which the automatic doors at the entrances and exits of the warehouse are damaged due to carelessness on the part of the worker. In particular, in the case of freezer and refrigerated warehouses, if the automatic doors at the entrances and exits of the warehouse are damaged and cannot be kept closed, hot outside air will enter the warehouse, making it impossible to maintain the temperature inside the warehouse at a level suitable for freezing and refrigeration.

[0006] In order to prevent such collision accidents with forklifts at warehouse entrances and exits, a guard post has been disclosed that is erected vertically at both the entrance and exit ends of the warehouse entrance and has a weight attached to the inside of the guard post. This guard post is configured to make a sound when the weight collides with the inner surface of the guard post when tilted, thereby alerting the operator of the forklift that there is a risk of contacting the warehouse entrance and exit if the forklift is allowed to proceed without changing direction, thereby making it possible to avoid a collision between the forklift and the warehouse entrance and exit (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-51190 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The conventional guard posts described above are installed vertically near both side ends of the warehouse entrance / exit, thereby preventing contact between forklifts and the wall or automatic door of the warehouse entrance / exit, and suppressing damage to the wall or automatic door of the warehouse entrance / exit.

[0009] However, when a high-mast forklift is used to transport cargo in and out of a large warehouse, if the worker operating the forklift moves the forklift with the mast raised, there is a risk that the forks of the forklift or the cargo on the forks will collide with the upper wall that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit.

[0010] Furthermore, the guard post of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is able to absorb the impact of a collision between a forklift and the guard post by tilting the guard post. However, if the forklift operator does not notice the collision with the guard post, or if he or she is late in noticing it, there is a limit to the tilting of the guard post, so there is a risk that the guard post will not be able to absorb all the impact and will be damaged, ultimately destroying the door and the surrounding walls.

[0011] In particular, in freezer / refrigerated warehouses, in order to maintain a low temperature inside the warehouse, it is common for special wall materials using multiple insulating materials to be used in the warehouse walls, and if this special wall material is damaged, the freezer / refrigerated warehouse will no longer be able to maintain its original function, so immediate repair is required.In addition, the cost of such repairs is also high, so there is a need for an effective method of preventing contact between various parts of a forklift or cargo being transported by the forklift and the walls that form the warehouse entrances and exits.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism that has the function and shape to prevent collisions between the automatic doors that make up the warehouse entrance / exit and the surrounding walls and various parts of a forklift, and further to minimize damage in the event that a collision cannot be avoided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism for preventing a loading / unloading vehicle from colliding with a wall constituting an entrance / exit of a storage warehouse when the loading / unloading vehicle is loading or unloading luggage, the mechanism comprising: a restoring mechanism having an elastic action and installed on the floor surface near the left and right ends of the entrance / exit; a guard post installed on the restoring mechanism and arranged along the opening of the entrance / exit; an object sensor for detecting that each part of the loading / unloading vehicle or luggage supported by the loading / unloading vehicle is located above the guard post and outputting a detection signal; and an alarm means for communicating, in conjunction with the detection signal from the object sensor, that there is a risk that the loading / unloading vehicle will come into contact with the entrance / exit.

[0014] In a second aspect of the present invention, the guard post includes left and right guard pole sections vertically erected on the upper surfaces of the left and right return mechanisms, and an upper pole section erected between the upper ends of the left and right guard pole sections, and the upper pole section has a support section connecting its base end to the left and right guard pole sections, and a horizontal section erected horizontally via a connecting section which breaks when a certain load is generated between the tip ends of the support sections.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, the guard post is supported by connecting means which joins the left and right guard pole sections and the vertical section of the upper pole section, and includes a weight suspended in the internal space of the guard pole section, and when tilted due to a collision with the loading and transporting vehicle, the inner circumferential surfaces of the left and right guard pole sections collide with the weight, generating a collision sound.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the left and right guard pole portions have at least one sound output hole on the outer circumferential surface. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism for preventing a loading / unloading vehicle from colliding with a wall constituting a loading / unloading opening of a storage warehouse when the loading / unloading vehicle is loading or unloading luggage in the storage warehouse comprises: a restoring mechanism having an elastic action and installed on the floor surface near the left and right ends of the loading / unloading opening; a guard post installed on the restoring mechanism and arranged along the opening of the loading / unloading opening; an object sensor for detecting that each part of the loading / unloading vehicle or luggage supported by the loading / unloading vehicle is located above the guard post and outputting a detection signal; and an alarm means for communicating, in conjunction with the detection signal from the object sensor, that there is a risk that the loading / unloading vehicle may come into contact with the loading / unloading opening. This configuration prevents direct collision between the automatic door constituting the warehouse entrance / exit or the surrounding wall and each part of the loading / unloading vehicle, and prevents damage to the automatic door constituting the warehouse entrance / exit and the surrounding wall.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the guard post includes left and right guard pole sections vertically erected on the upper surfaces of the left and right return mechanisms, and an upper pole section erected between the upper ends of the left and right guard pole sections, and the upper pole section has a support section connecting its base end to the left and right guard pole sections, and a horizontal section erected horizontally via a connecting section that breaks when a certain load is generated between the tip ends of the support sections, so that the impact generated when a forklift comes into contact with the horizontal section is dissipated by the connecting section breaking, thereby preventing damage to the automatic doors that constitute the warehouse entrance / exit and the surrounding walls.

[0019] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the guard post is supported by connecting means which joins the left and right guard pole sections and the vertical section of the upper pole section, and includes a weight suspended in the internal space of the guard pole section, so that when the guard post tilts due to a collision with the loading and transporting vehicle, the inner surfaces of the left and right guard pole sections collide with the weight, generating a collision sound. This configuration makes it possible to notify the worker driving the loading and transporting vehicle of the collision sound when the loading and transporting vehicle collides with the guard post, and therefore, a direct collision between the warehouse entrance and the loading and transporting vehicle can be prevented by the worker hearing this collision sound being stopped quickly by the worker.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guard pole portion is configured to have at least one sound output hole on its outer peripheral surface, so that the collision sound generated when the inner peripheral surface of the guard pole portion comes into contact with the weight is effectively transmitted to the worker operating the loading and transporting vehicle, enabling the worker to quickly recognize the contact between the loading and transporting vehicle and the guard post and quickly stop the loading and transporting vehicle, thereby preventing a collision between the warehouse entrance / exit and the loading and transporting vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] An oblique view showing the installation of a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] A front view showing a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] A plan view showing a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side view illustrating detection by an object sensor of a warehouse entrance guard mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] A schematic side view showing an aspect in which a warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention comes into contact with luggage being transported. [Figure 6] 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a connecting portion of an upper pole portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an adjustment mechanism with an adjustment ring of an upper pole portion and the adjustment ring according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The present invention relates to a warehouse entrance guard mechanism for preventing a loading / unloading vehicle from colliding with a wall constituting a loading / unloading opening of a storage warehouse when the loading / unloading vehicle is loading / unloading luggage in the storage warehouse, the warehouse entrance guard mechanism comprising: a restoring mechanism having an elastic action and installed on a floor surface near the left and right ends of the loading / unloading opening, a guard post installed on the restoring mechanism and arranged along the opening of the loading / unloading opening, an object sensor for detecting that each part of the loading / unloading vehicle or luggage supported by the loading / unloading vehicle is located above the guard post and outputting a detection signal, and a warning means for transmitting the risk of the loading / unloading vehicle coming into contact with the loading / unloading opening in response to the detection signal from the object sensor. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the warehouse entrance guard mechanism of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The overall configuration of the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an aspect in which the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 is installed. Fig. 2 is a front view showing the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 and an enlarged view of the restoration mechanism R, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism and an enlarged view of the restoration mechanism R. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the detection of the objective sensor 6 of the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1, and the wall surface W and the warehouse entrance SE are illustrated. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view for showing the state in which the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 and the baggage supported by the forklift 2 are in contact with each other, and the guard post 10, the wall surface W, and the warehouse entrance SE are illustrated in partial cross section. Fig. 6 is an end view for showing the positions of the sound output holes 52 of the left and right guard pole parts 10R and 10L. Fig. 7 is a front view showing the form of the connecting part 12 of the upper pole part 10U and the broken part 20, and the support part 11, the connecting part 12, and the horizontal part 13 are illustrated in cross section. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the connecting portion 12 of the upper pole portion 10U and the adjustment ring 22, and shows in cross section the support portion 11, the connecting portion 12, and the horizontal portion 13. In the description of this embodiment, a forklift 2 will be used as an example of the cargo handling vehicle.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism 1 is composed of a restoration mechanism R installed on the floor surface F near the left and right ends of the warehouse entrance / exit SE, which is provided on the wall surface W that separates the inside and outside of the warehouse, a gate-shaped guard post 10 placed on the top of the restoration mechanism R and arranged to surround the entrance and exit sides of the warehouse entrance / exit SE, an object sensor 6 installed in the upper center of the entrance and exit sides of the warehouse entrance / exit SE, and an alarm means 30 that, in response to a detection signal from the object sensor 6, notifies the operator of the forklift 2 about the possibility of contact between the forklift 2 and the wall surface W that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit SE.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2 (enlarged front view of the restoration mechanism R) and Fig. 3 (enlarged plan view of the restoration mechanism R), the restoration mechanism R installed on the floor surface F near the left and right ends of the warehouse entrance SE is composed of multiple (four in the figure) vibration isolation units R1, R2, R3, and R4 arranged on the upper surface of a rectangular plate-shaped base plate 43. The base plate 43 is fixed to the floor surface F by inserting anchor bolts B2 into its four corners. The vibration isolation units R1, R2, R3, and R4 are evenly arranged in two columns and two rows so that they fit within the base plate 43 in a plan view.

[0026] The vibration isolation units R1, R2, R3, and R4 are fixed to the upper surface of a base plate 43 by mounting bolts B1 near both ends in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of a diamond-shaped mounting plate 42 in a plan view. A cylindrical vibration isolation rubber 40 is fixed to the center of the mounting plate 42. A bolt 41 protrudes vertically from the upper center of the vibration isolation rubber 40 so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the vibration isolation rubber 40.

[0027] Then, by connecting the bolts 41 of each vibration-isolating unit R1, R2, R3, and R4 to the bottom plates 44 of the left and right guard pole portions 10R and 10L, the left and right guard pole portions 10R and 10L are vertically erected on the top of the vibration-isolating units R1, R2, R3, and R4, in other words, on the top of the restoration mechanism R.

[0028] In this way, by configuring the restoration mechanism R with multiple vibration isolation units R1, R2, R3, and R4 with the vibration isolation rubber 40 disposed in the center, the base part 45 of the gate-shaped guard post 10 erected vertically on the floor surface F of the warehouse entrance / exit SE is supported by the multiple vibration isolation rubbers 40. The vibration isolation rubber 40 in this embodiment is a type of vibration isolation material, and vulcanized rubber with a large elastic limit is preferably used.

[0029] By interposing a plurality of anti-vibration rubbers 40 between the base portion 45 of the guard post 10 and the upper surface of the base plate 43 mounted and fixed to the floor surface F, the impact force generated by the collision between the guard post 10 and the forklift 2 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the plurality of anti-vibration rubbers 40. This makes it possible to prevent the guard post 10 from being damaged.

[0030] In other words, even if the guard post 10 is tilted once due to a collision with the forklift 2 within the range of elastic deformation of the multiple anti-vibration rubbers 40, once the collision with the forklift 2 is released, it can be restored to an upright state perpendicular to the floor surface F. According to the restoration mechanism R of this embodiment, as long as the tilted state does not exceed the elastic limit of the anti-vibration rubbers 40, it can be restored to its original state any number of times.

[0031] The guard post 10 is erected vertically on the upper part of the restoring mechanism R, with the base parts 45 of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L placed on top of the restoring mechanism R. The left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L are connected at their upper ends by the upper pole part 10U. In other words, the guard post 10 is formed into a gate shape as a whole by the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L and the upper pole part 10U. Since the guard post 10 is erected in a gate shape on the upper part of the restoring mechanism R, it is provided on the entrance side and exit side of the warehouse entrance SE so as to surround the left and right ends and the upper end of the warehouse entrance SE.

[0032] The left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L are made of steel pipes for construction. The left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L are formed in a cylindrical shape with a sound output space S inside, and have one or more sound output holes 52 on the outer circumferential surface that communicate with the sound output space S. As shown in Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the sound output holes 52 are provided in the upper part 10RH and the lower part 10RL when the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L are divided into three equal parts along the vertical direction into an upper part 10RH, a middle part 10RM, and a lower part 10RL.

[0033] The sound output hole 52 is provided on an outer peripheral surface that is rotated and displaced while maintaining a horizontal state from the opposing surfaces of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L arranged opposite each other in a direction away from the warehouse entrance SE. As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the sound output hole 52 is provided at a position rotated 30° forward from a straight line L connecting the axis centers CR, CL of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L in a plan view. The angle of the sound output hole 52 from the straight line L is not limited to 30°.

[0034] As an example, the sound output hole 52 is preferably an elongated hole having a width of 20 mm and a length of 200 mm with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction, but the sound output hole 52 may be a circular hole having a diameter of 30 mm. In other words, the sound output hole 52 may be configured in any shape as long as it can output the collision sound between the inner circumferential surfaces of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L and the weight 50 to the outside and the operator of the forklift 2 can recognize the collision sound.

[0035] The upper pole portion 10U has a support portion 11 having one end connected to the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L, and a horizontal portion 13 connected to the other end of the support portion 11 via a connecting portion 12. The support portion 11, the horizontal portion 13, and the connecting portion 12 are all made of the same material, and in this embodiment, they are made of a relatively soft and lightweight resin such as polyvinyl chloride.

[0036] The support 11 is made of a support body 11a formed in an inverted "L" shape when viewed from the front. The support body 11a is a hollow member having a connection space 11s inside, and has a fitting protrusion 11b formed at one end with an outer diameter smaller than that of the support body 11a. The support 11 is connected to the guard pole parts 10R and 10L by inserting the fitting protrusion 11b into the sound output space S of the guard pole parts 10R and 10L. In addition, the support 11 has a mounting bolt 16 inserted at a connection part 12 with the guard pole part 10R (10L) so as to penetrate the fitting protrusion 11b from the outer circumferential surface of the guard pole part 10R (10L). In other words, the support 11 and the left and right guard pole parts 10R and 10L are configured so that the connection state is not released by the mounting bolt 16. The support 11 configured in this way has a connection part 12 connected to the guard pole part 10R (10L) at the other end (tip part).

[0037] The connecting part 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a straight rod shape and a hollow interior. The connecting part 12 is formed to have an outer diameter 12D that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the connecting space portion 11s of the support part 11. That is, the connecting part 12 and the support part 11 are fitted and fixed by inserting the connecting part 12 into the connecting space portion 11s of the support part 11 in a transition fit manner. In this way, the connecting part 12 is supported by the support part 11 in a cantilever support manner, and the other end portion is connected to the horizontal part 13.

[0038] The horizontal part 13 is a cylindrical body formed in a straight rod shape having a hollow part. The horizontal part 13 is installed between the left and right connecting parts 12, 12 which are fitted and fixed to the other ends of the support parts 11, 11 which are respectively connected to the upper ends of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L. That is, the horizontal part 13 is supported by the connecting parts 12, 12 by inserting the other ends of the connecting parts 12, 12 into the connecting space part 13s of the horizontal part 13, and is supported and fixed parallel to the floor surface F by the left and right connecting parts 12, 12. The outer diameter 12D of the connecting part 12 and the inner diameter 13d of the connecting space part 13s of the horizontal part 13 are formed to be approximately the same diameter, and are fixed in a transition fit manner similar to the fitting manner between the connecting space part 11s of the support part 11 and the connecting part 12 described above.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 12 has been described as a straight rod-like hollow cylinder having a substantially uniform outer diameter and thickness, but the shape of the connecting portion 12 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the connecting portion 12 may be formed to be thinner than the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13. The connecting portion 12 may be made of a material having a lower rigidity than vinyl chloride, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or polycarbonate.

[0040] Also, the connecting portion 12 may have a notch 21 formed in the breaking portion 20 exposed between the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13. As shown in the enlarged portion N of FIG. 7(b), the notch 21 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 12 as a substantially triangular notch with the apex on the axis center 12C side. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 12 has a portion where stress concentration occurs when the forklift 2 contacts the upper pole portion 10U. The notch 21 is made to be easily broken by forming the apex of the notch at an acute angle. The notch 21 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 12 or may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connecting portion 12. Also, the connecting portion 12 may have a configuration in which the material of only the center portion of the breaking portion 20 is changed to reduce the strength of the connecting portion 12.

[0041] In this way, the connecting portion 12 may be configured in any manner so long as it is configured so that the connecting portion 12 is more likely to deform or break than the support portion 11 or the horizontal portion 13 when the forklift 2 comes into contact with the upper pole portion 10U.

[0042] 5, weights 50 are stored in the sound output spaces S of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L that constitute the gate-shaped guard post 10. The weights 50 are suspended via suspension wires 51 from mounting bolts 16 that connect and fix the upper ends of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L to the support parts 11 of the upper pole part 10U.

[0043] The suspension wire 51 is engaged with the approximate center of the mounting bolt 16 in the axial direction, and its overall length is formed to be approximately half the overall length of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L. That is, the weight 50 connected to the lower end of the suspension wire 51 is provided by the suspension wire 51 at approximately the center of the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L. The suspension wire 51 is made of stainless steel wire. The weight 50 is made of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass.

[0044] The object sensors 6 are provided at the upper center (see Figs. 1 to 4) on the entrance and exit sides of the wall W that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit SE. The object sensors 6 are for detecting whether the forks 3 and mast 4 of the forklift 2 that has entered the detection area PL, or the baggage 5 placed on the forks 3, are located above the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the objective sensor 6 is illustrated as being disposed at the upper center of the wall surface W on the entrance and exit sides of the warehouse entrance SE (see Figures 1 to 5), but the location of the objective sensor 6 is not limited to this and, for example, the objective sensor 6 may be disposed at the center of the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10, or may be configured to be capable of detection at multiple locations.

[0046] In addition, the objective sensor 6 in this embodiment is preferably one with a sensitivity that can detect that the forks 3, mast 4, and luggage 5 placed on the forks 3 of the forklift 2 are located above the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10 between the detection area PL and the warehouse entrance / exit SE.

[0047] The notification means 30 is disposed on the wall surface W near the upper left and right edges of the warehouse entrance / exit SE. The notification means 30 is linked to the object sensor 6, and when the object sensor 6 detects the forks 3, mast 4, baggage 5 placed on the forks 3, etc. of the forklift 2 and outputs a detection signal, the notification means 30 notifies the operator of the forklift 2 by visual means and / or audio means that there is a risk of damage to the wall surface W constituting the warehouse entrance / exit SE. As the visual means in this embodiment, a red light 31 that repeatedly flashes red when an abnormality is detected is exemplified.

[0048] In addition, as the notification means 30 for stimulating the hearing of the workers to call their attention, speakers 32 can be provided on the wall surface W at the upper left and right edges of the warehouse entrance SE. In addition, the notification means 30 may be a combination of a red light 31 as a visual means and a speaker 32 as an auditory means to make it easier for the workers to recognize.

[0049] The gate-shaped guard post 10 according to this embodiment is constructed in the manner described above, and the operation of the gate-shaped guard post 10 constructed in this manner will be described below.

[0050] When a forklift 2, which is a loading and transporting vehicle, or a load 5 supported by a fork 3 collides with the left and right guard pole sections 10R, 10L, or the upper pole section 10U that make up the gate-shaped guard post 10, the impact causes the guard post 10 to tilt toward the wall W of the warehouse entrance / exit SE, as shown in Figure 5.

[0051] When the guard post 10 tilts, the weights 50 suspended inside the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L collide with the inner peripheral surfaces of the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L, generating collision sounds inside the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L.

[0052] The collision sound generated in the sound output space S of the guard pole portions 10R, 10L due to a collision between the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L and the weight 50 is output to the outside through sound output holes 52 drilled into the outer peripheral surfaces of the left and right guard pole portions 10R, 10L and is transmitted to the worker operating the forklift 2.

[0053] This collision sound is a metallic high-pitched sound, and the frequency band of the sound produced is different from the engine sound of the forklift 2 and the operating sounds for operating the forks 3, etc. Therefore, the operator operating the forklift 2 can hear the collision sound produced by the contact between the weight 50 and the guard pole parts 10R, 10L separately from other operating sounds produced in the warehouse, and can reliably recognize that the forklift 2 has collided with the gate-shaped guard post 10.

[0054] According to the warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism 1 configured as described above, a gate-shaped guard post 10 is erected vertically to surround the warehouse entrance / exit SE, and further, the mechanism is configured to have an object sensor 6 capable of detecting the forks 3 and mast 4 of the forklift 2 located above the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10, and luggage 5 placed on the forks 3, and is also configured to have an alarm means 30 that alerts the worker before approaching the warehouse entrance / exit SE, thereby preventing the forklift 2 from colliding with the wall W that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit SE or the automatic door AD that controls the opening and closing of the warehouse entrance / exit SE.

[0055] In addition, if the forklift 2 collides with the gate-shaped guard post 10 because the worker does not recognize the warning information from the alarm means 30 or recognizes it late, the weight 50 provided inside the guard post 10 will come into contact with the inner surfaces of the guard pole portions 10R, 10L and emit a collision sound, thereby making the worker aware that the forklift 2 has collided with the gate-shaped guard post 10 regardless of whether the worker is facing forward or backward in the direction of travel of the forklift 2, and preventing direct collisions between the automatic door AD that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit SE and the wall surface W surrounding the warehouse entrance / exit SE and various parts of the forklift 2.

[0056] In addition, in the configuration of the upper pole part 10U of the guard post 10, the outer diameter of the connecting part 12 is made smaller than the outer diameters of the support part 11 and the horizontal part 13, so that the connecting part 12 is easily broken when the forklift 2 collides with the upper pole part 10U. By configuring the connecting part 12 to be easily broken when the forklift 2 collides with the upper pole part 10U in this way, the reaction force from the upper pole part 10U to the forklift 2 can be reduced, and the load on the worker can be reduced. Therefore, by forming the breaking part 20 in the upper pole part 10U that is easily broken when colliding with the forklift 2, it is possible to prevent injury to the worker of the forklift 2 and damage to the automatic door AD that constitutes the warehouse entrance SE and the wall surface W around it.

[0057] An example of an embodiment of the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 in the warehouse of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 1, a forklift 2 that carries goods in and out of a warehouse stops reliably in a predetermined detection area PL before passing through a warehouse entrance / exit SE. An automatic door AD is provided at the warehouse entrance / exit SE as shown in Fig. 2. The automatic door AD opens if no detection signal is output from the object sensor 6 after it is confirmed that the forklift 2 has stopped in the detection area PL. For this reason, various sensors (not shown) are provided near the warehouse entrance / exit SE to confirm that the forklift 2 has stopped in the detection area PL. The automatic door AD is controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls the opening and closing of the automatic door AD based on information from the various sensors.

[0058] 4 and 5, when the object sensor 6 installed at the top center of the warehouse entrance / exit SE detects that the forks 3 and mast 4 of the forklift 2, or the baggage 5 placed on the forks 3, are located above the upper pole part 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10, it sends a detection signal to the control device that controls the opening and closing of the automatic door AD described above, and the control device prevents the automatic door AD from being opened. At this time, the red light 31 is illuminated and a warning sound (buzzer sound) is generated from the speaker 32 to alert the operator operating the forklift 2 that the upper pole part 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10 and the forks 3 and mast 4 of the forklift 2, or the baggage 5 placed on the forks 3, are in a position where they will collide.

[0059] When a worker becomes aware from the illumination of the red light 31 or the warning sound from the speaker 32, which are the notification means, that the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10 is in a position where it will collide with the forks 3 or mast 4 of the forklift 2, or the cargo 5 placed on the forks 3, the worker lowers the forks 3 or mast 4 of the forklift 2 so that the forks 3 or mast 4 of the forklift 2, or the cargo 5 placed on the forks 3 are positioned below the upper pole portion 10U of the gate-shaped guard post 10. When the transmission of the detection signal by the objective sensor 6 is stopped, the control device that controls the opening and closing of the automatic door AD opens the automatic door AD to allow the forklift 2 to pass through.

[0060] On the other hand, if the worker does not recognize the warning information from the notification means 30, or recognizes it late, the forklift 2 will collide with the gate-shaped guard post 10, preventing the movement of the forklift 2 and preventing a collision between the forklift 2 and the wall W that constitutes the warehouse entrance / exit SE.

[0061] 5, when the gate-shaped guard post 10 collides with the forklift 2, the impact of the collision causes the guard post 10 to tilt toward the wall W, and the weights 50 suspended inside the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L collide with the inner peripheral surfaces of the guard pole parts 10R, 10L, generating collision sounds inside the left and right guard pole parts 10R, 10L. This collision sound is output to the outside from a plurality of sound output holes 52 drilled in the outer peripheral surfaces of the guard pole parts 10R, 10L, and is heard by the operator operating the forklift 2.

[0062] The worker, aware of the collision between the guard post 10 and the forklift 2 due to this collision sound, quickly stops the forklift 2. This prevents the guard post 10 from tilting any further, and prevents the forklift 2 from colliding with the automatic door AD or the wall surface W around the warehouse entrance / exit SE.

[0063] In addition, by moving the forklift 2 in a direction that releases the engagement between the forklift 2 and the guard post 10, the operator can restore the guard post 10 to the vertical state it was in before the forklift 2 collided with it, thanks to the action of the vibration-damping rubber 40 that constitutes the restoration mechanism R.

[0064] In addition, in the event of a collision between the forklift 2 and the upper pole part 10U, the support part 11 and the horizontal part 13 constituting the upper pole part 10U are connected and supported via the connecting part 12, so that the impact of the collision between the forklift 2 and the upper pole part 10U is utilized to deform or break the connecting part 12, reducing the reaction force on the forklift 2 and allowing the forklift 2 to be stopped safely. In addition, the impact between the forklift 2 and the upper pole part 10U is utilized to deform or break the connecting part 12, reducing the load on the wall surface W side generated on the upper pole part 10U, allowing the upper pole part 10U to fall freely. The release of the support of the upper pole part 10U by the connecting part 12 prevents the upper pole part 10U from falling freely and coming into contact with the fork 3, mast 4, or the load 5 on the fork 3 of the forklift 2, thereby preventing the worker operating the forklift 2 from being injured.

[0065] In addition, if damage occurs to the connecting portion 12, the functionality can be easily restored by replacing the connecting portion 12.

[0066] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the description of the second embodiment, the same names or symbols are used for configurations common to the first embodiment, and descriptions of overlapping contents will be omitted as appropriate. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the connecting portion 12 between the upper pole portion 10U and the guard pole portion 10R of the guard post 10 according to the second embodiment, and an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the connecting portion 12, the horizontal portion 13, and the support portion 11.

[0067] The guard post 10 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is configured so that the insertion allowance 23b of the connecting part 12, which connects the other end of the support part 11 and the horizontal part 13 of the upper pole part 10U, with respect to the support part 11 and the insertion allowance 23a with respect to the horizontal part 13 can be adjusted by an adjustment ring 22.

[0068] The connecting portion 12 has a cylindrical portion 14 that is shaped like a straight rod and has a hollow interior, and a protruding portion 15 that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 14. The connecting portion 12 has the cylindrical portion 14 and the protruding portion 15 formed integrally.

[0069] The cylindrical portion 14 has an outer diameter 14D that is approximately the same as the inner diameters 11d, 13d of the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13. The connecting portion 12 is connected by inserting the cylindrical portion 14 into the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13. The connecting portion 12 is connected in a transition fit manner by forming the outer diameter 14D of the cylindrical portion 14 and the inner diameters 11d, 13d of the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13 to be approximately the same diameter.

[0070] The protruding portion 15 is provided so as to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the approximate center of the cylindrical portion 14. The protruding portion 15 has an outer diameter 15D that is approximately the same as the outer diameters 11D, 13D of the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13. In other words, when the support portion 11 and the horizontal portion 13 are connected to each other, the protruding portion 15 is connected to the support portion 11, the horizontal portion 13, and the protruding portion 15 so that they are approximately flush with each other.

[0071] An adjustment ring 22 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 14. The adjustment ring 22 is annular, and has an inner diameter 22d that is approximately the same as the outer diameter 14D of the cylindrical portion 14. The adjustment ring 22 has an outer diameter 22D that is approximately the same as the outer diameters 15D, 13D, and 11D of the convex portion 15, horizontal portion 13, and support portion 11 (see FIG. 8(d)). The adjustment ring 22 is made of an elastic material such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber.

[0072] The adjustment ring 22 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 14, and is an adjustment member for adjusting the insertion allowances 23a, 23b of the cylindrical portion 14 inserted into the support portion 11 or the horizontal portion 13. That is, as shown in Figs. 8(a) to 8(c), the insertion allowance 23 of the cylindrical portion 14 can be changed according to the number of adjustment rings 22 fitted onto the cylindrical portion 14. For example, when the number of adjustment rings 22 attached to the support portion 11 side of the cylindrical portion 14 is six (see Fig. 8(a)), the insertion allowance 23b of the cylindrical portion 14 inserted into the support portion 11 becomes short, and the connecting portion 12 and the support portion 11 become easily detached from each other. When the number of adjustment rings 22 attached to the support portion 11 side of the cylindrical portion 14 is zero, the insertion allowance 23b of the cylindrical portion 14 inserted into the support portion 11 becomes long, and the connecting portion 12 and the support portion 11 become less likely to become detached from each other (see Fig. 8(c)).

[0073] 8(b) illustrates an example in which the number of adjustment rings 22 attached to the side of the cylindrical portion 14 that is inserted into the horizontal portion 13 is two, and the number of adjustment rings 22 attached to the support portion 11 side is four. With this configuration, compared to the form in FIG. 8(a), the ratio of the length of the insertion allowance 23a into the horizontal portion 13 and the length of the insertion allowance 23b into the support portion 11 can be adjusted arbitrarily, and the fitting state of the connecting portion 12 and the support portion 11, or the connecting portion 12 and the horizontal portion 13 can be freely adjusted according to the mode of use.

[0074] In this way, by adjusting the number of adjustment rings 22 fitted onto cylindrical portion 14 divided into left and right portions by protrusion 15, connecting portion 12 can adjust insertion allowances 23b, 23a of cylindrical portion 14 into support portion 11 or horizontal portion 13, thereby adjusting the connection strength between horizontal portion 13 and connecting portion 12, or between support portion 11 and connecting portion 12. In other words, the ease with which connecting portion 12 can be detached from support portion 11 or horizontal portion 13 can be adjusted according to the number of adjustment rings 22 fitted onto cylindrical portion 14.

[0075] By configuring the connecting portion 12 in this manner, the strength of the connection between the connecting portion 12 and the support portion 11 or the horizontal portion 13 can be changed depending on the direction of the forklift 2 entering the warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism 1.

[0076] For example, if there is a high frequency of entry into the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1 from the front or right side, the connection strength of the connecting part 12 located on the right side with the support part 11 is set high, and the connection strength of the connecting part 12 located on the left side with the support part 11 is set low. In other words, the insertion allowance 23b of the connecting part 12 on the right side with the support part 11 is increased, and the insertion allowance 23b of the connecting part 12 on the left side with the support part 11 is decreased.

[0077] By adjusting the connection strength between the left and right support parts 11 and the connecting parts 12 in this manner using the adjustment ring 22, the collision energy generated in the forklift 2 when the forklift 2 collides with the horizontal part 13 can be efficiently absorbed by being used to release the connection between the left and right support parts 11 and the connecting parts 12.

[0078] In the above example, when the forklift 2 collides with the horizontal portion 13, a load that tends to displace the horizontal portion 13 to the left is generated. As the horizontal portion 13 is displaced to the left, the connection state with the right support portion 11 is released, and the convex portion 15 of the left connection portion 12 and the adjustment ring 22 fitted to the cylindrical portion 14 of the left connection portion 12 by the left support portion 11 are pressed and compressed. Thereafter, the compressed and deformed adjustment ring 22 displaces the horizontal portion 13 to the right by its elastic action. As a result, the horizontal portion 13 is released from the connection state with the left support portion 11. At this time, the collision energy generated in the horizontal portion 13 due to the collision of the forklift 2 is used to release the connection state of the right connection portion 12 with the right support portion 11 and to release the connection state of the left connection portion 12 with the left support portion 11, thereby preventing the horizontal portion 13 from being displaced toward the wall surface W.

[0079] In this way, in the second embodiment, the insertion allowances 23a, 23b of the connecting part 12 connecting the horizontal part 13 and the support part 11 can be freely adjusted by the adjustment ring 22 according to the usage mode of the warehouse entrance guard mechanism 1, so that when the forklift 2 collides with the horizontal part 13, the connection between the horizontal part 13 and the support part 11 is released, reducing the reaction force to the forklift 2 and the load on the worker. In addition, by using the collision energy between the forklift 2 and the horizontal part 13 to release the connection between the connecting part 12 and the support part 11, the horizontal part 13 can be dropped in a manner close to a natural fall, and it is possible to prevent the forklift 2 or the horizontal part 13 released from the connection with the support part 11 from coming into contact with the wall surface W and damaging the wall surface W.

[0080] Although the present invention has been described above through the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these. Furthermore, the above-mentioned effects are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1 Warehouse entrance guard mechanism 2. Forklift 3. Fork 4 Mast 5. Luggage 6 Object Sensor 10. Guard Post 10R, 10L guard pole section 10U upper pole section 11 Support part 11a Support body 11b Fitting protrusion 11s Connecting space 11D outer diameter 11d Inner diameter 12 Connecting part 12D outer diameter 13 Horizontal part 13s Connecting space part 13D outer diameter 13d Inner diameter 14 Cylindrical section 14D outer diameter 15 Convex 15D Convex outer diameter 16 Mounting bolt 20 Breaking Part 21 Notch 22 Adjustment Ring 22D outer diameter 22d Inner diameter 23a, 23b Insertion 30 Notification means 31 Red Light 32 speakers 45 Base 50 Minute Weight 51 Suspension Wire 52 Sound output hole S Sound Space AD Automatic Door R Restoration mechanism SE warehouse entrance PL detection area F Floor W wall

Claims

1. In the luggage storage warehouse, A warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism that prevents a cargo handling vehicle from colliding with a wall that constitutes a loading / unloading entrance of the storage warehouse when the cargo handling vehicle is loading or unloading cargo, a restoring mechanism having an elastic effect, the restoring mechanism being installed on a floor surface near the left and right ends of the loading / unloading opening; A guard post is installed on the restoring mechanism and provided along an opening of the loading / unloading port; an object sensor that detects that each part of the cargo handling vehicle or a load supported by the cargo handling vehicle is located above the guard post and outputs a detection signal; a notification means for notifying the user that there is a risk that the vehicle may come into contact with the loading / unloading opening in response to the detection signal from the object sensor; A warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism equipped with

2. The guard post is Left and right guard pole portions vertically erected on the upper surfaces of the left and right restoration mechanisms; An upper pole portion installed between upper ends of the left and right guard pole portions; Including, The upper pole portion is A support portion having a base end connected to the left and right guard pole portions; a horizontal section that is horizontally installed via a connecting section that breaks when a certain load is applied between the tip ends of the support sections; The warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The guard post is a weight supported by a connecting means that connects the left and right guard pole parts and the support part of the upper pole part, the weight being suspended in an internal space of the guard pole parts; The warehouse entrance / exit guard mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that when tilted due to a collision with the loading and unloading vehicle, the inner surfaces of the left and right guard pole portions collide with the weights, generating a collision sound.

4. The warehouse entrance guard mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the left and right guard pole portions have at least one sound output hole on their outer peripheral surface.

Images