Vertical automatic conveyor

Abstract

To provide a vertical automatic conveyor that is able to achieve the simplification of the configuration, a reduction in the installation space, and the facilitation of the conveying operation.SOLUTION: An automatic vertical conveyor according to the present invention comprises a cage which is moved in a conveying path extending in a vertical direction; and a pallet which is accommodated in the cage. The pallet is self-propelled to move into and out of the cage, whereby effects such as the simplification of the configuration, a reduction in the installation space, and the facilitation of the conveying operation can be obtained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical automatic transport machine that transports objects to multiple floors, and in particular to a machine that is designed to simplify the configuration, reduce the installation space, and facilitate the transport operation. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of a conventional vertical automatic conveyor. The vertical automatic conveying machine described in Patent Document 1 is roughly configured as follows: First, a conveying lift is installed in a conveying path that extends vertically inside a building so that it can rise and fall. Carriers loaded with cargo are carried in and out of the conveying lift. The transfer lift stops on the first or second floor of the building. The transport vehicles are carried in and out by a chain conveyor installed inside the transfer lift and auxiliary chain conveyors installed on the first and second floors of the building. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-92682 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above conventional configuration has the following problems. The transport lift is equipped with a chain conveyor for loading and unloading transport vehicles, and auxiliary chain conveyors are also installed on the first and second floors of the building to load and unload transport vehicles onto and from the transport lift, which creates a problem in that the overall configuration is large and complex. Furthermore, the operator must place the carrier on the auxiliary chain conveyor, which makes the transporting operation cumbersome. Furthermore, a long slope must be installed to eliminate the step, corresponding to the height of the auxiliary chain conveyor, which poses the problem of requiring a large area for the vertical automatic conveyor.

[0005] The present invention has been made based on the above points, and its object is to provide a vertical automatic conveyor that can simplify the configuration, reduce the installation space, and facilitate the conveying operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a basket that moves within a conveying path that extends in the vertical direction, and a pallet that is housed within the basket, and the pallet moves in and out of the basket by self-propelling. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 2 is the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the pallet is self-propelled by an endless track. Furthermore, a vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 3 is the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the endless track is a loop-shaped chain. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 4 is the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that the loop-shaped chains are installed on both sides of the width of the pallet, and both of the loop-shaped chains are driven by a single motor. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 5 is the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that the loop-shaped chains are installed on both sides of the width direction of the pallet, and are driven by motors corresponding to each of the loop-shaped chains. Furthermore, a vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 6 is the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the looped chain surrounds the outer shape of the pallet. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, the cage is stopped at each floor and a cage deceleration position detection sensor is provided to detect the position at which the cage starts to decelerate. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 8 is a vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the cage is stopped at each floor and a cage stop position detection sensor is provided to detect the stopping position of the cage. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 9 is the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the basket stops at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet deceleration position detection sensor is provided within the basket to detect the position at which the pallet begins to decelerate. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 10 is the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the basket is stopped at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet stop position detection sensor is provided inside the basket to detect the stop position of the pallet. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 11 is the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the basket is stopped at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet deceleration position detection sensor is provided on each floor to detect the position at which the pallet begins to decelerate. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 12 is a vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the basket is stopped at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet stop position detection sensor is provided on each floor to detect the stop position of the pallet. Furthermore, the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 13 is characterized in that in the vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, a protrusion detection sensor is provided for detecting protrusion of the pallet from the basket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a basket that moves within a conveying path that extends in the vertical direction, and a pallet that is housed within the basket, and the pallet is self-propelled and moves in and out of the basket, thereby simplifying the structure, reducing installation space, and facilitating conveying operations. According to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 2, the pallet in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1 is configured to be self-propelled by an endless track, so that the configuration can be further simplified. According to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 3, since the endless track in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 2 is a loop-shaped chain, the structure can be further simplified. According to claim 4, the vertical automatic conveyor of claim 3 is configured such that the loop chains are installed on both sides of the pallet in the width direction, and both loop chains are driven by a single motor, which further simplifies the configuration and allows both chains to be driven accurately at the same time. Furthermore, according to claim 5, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 3, the loop-shaped chains are installed on both sides of the pallet in the width direction, and are configured to be driven by motors corresponding to each of the loop-shaped chains, so that the chains on both sides can be driven reliably and the motors can be made smaller. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 6, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 4 or claim 5, the loop-shaped chain is configured to surround the outer shape of the pallet, so that a large opening can be secured, facilitating the loading and unloading of the transported objects. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 7, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the cage is stopped at each floor, and a cage deceleration position detection sensor is provided to detect the position at which the cage starts to decelerate, so that the cage can be decelerated appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 8, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the basket is stopped at each floor, and a basket stop position detection sensor is provided to detect the stopping position of the basket, so that the basket can be stopped appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 9, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the basket is stopped at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet deceleration position detection sensor is provided inside the basket to detect the position at which the pallet starts to decelerate, so that the pallet can be decelerated appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 10, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the basket is stopped at each floor, the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet stop position detection sensor is provided inside the basket to detect the stopping position of the pallet, so that the pallet can be stopped appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 11, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the basket is stopped at each floor, and the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet deceleration position detection sensor is provided on each floor to detect the position at which the pallet begins to decelerate, so that the pallet can be decelerated appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 12, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, the basket is stopped at each floor, and the pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped, and a pallet stop position detection sensor is provided on each floor to detect the stopping position of the pallet, so that the pallet can be stopped appropriately. Furthermore, according to the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 13, in the vertical automatic conveying machine of claim 1, an overhang detection sensor is provided that detects the pallet overhanging from the basket, so that the pallet can be prevented from overhanging from the basket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a front view of a vertical automatic conveyor. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a diagram of a pallet as seen from the traveling direction, and FIG. 3B is a view as seen in the direction of arrows IIIb-IIIb in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a pallet. [Figure 5] 5(a) shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5(a) shows a pallet being lowered onto the second floor of a building, FIG. 5(b) shows a pallet being carried into a basket that has been moved to the second floor, FIG. 5(c) shows the basket with the pallet being moved to the first floor, and FIG. 5(d) shows a pallet being lowered onto the first floor of a building. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of the second floor of a building with pallets lowered onto the second floor. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of the first floor of a building with pallets lowered onto the first floor. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a chain. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of part IXa in FIG. 3B, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of part IXb in FIG. 3A. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the pallet is viewed from the traveling direction side. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a pallet. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view of a pallet according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a pallet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vertical automatic conveyor 1 according to the first embodiment is installed in a two-story building 3. Within the building 3, there is a conveying path 5 that extends in the vertical direction in Figure 1. A frame 7 is installed within the building 3. The left side of the frame 7 in Figure 1 is located within the conveying path 5.

[0010] Pulleys 11 and 13 are installed on the upper left side of the frame 7 in Fig. 1. Also, a pulley 15 and an electric hoist 17 are installed on the upper right side of the frame 7 in Fig. 1. A cage 21 is installed within the conveying path 5. The tip of a lifting wire 23 is connected to the upper side of the cage 21 in FIG. 1. The lifting wire 23 is wound around the pulleys 11, 13, and 15, and is wound from the base end onto the drum 25 of the electric hoist 17. The cage 21 is raised by winding the lifting wire 23 with the electric hoist 17, and is lowered by unwinding the lifting wire 23 from the drum 25 of the electric hoist 17. A balancer 16 is attached to the pulley 15 to stabilize the raising and lowering movement of the cage 21.

[0011] The basket 21 is raised and lowered within the conveying path 5 and stops on the first and second floors of the building 3. A descending side basket deceleration position detection sensor 27 is installed near the center of the conveying path 5 in the vertical direction in Fig. 1, which detects the position where the basket 21 starts to decelerate as it descends toward the first floor of the building 3. In addition, a descending side basket stop position detection sensor 29 is installed below the descending side basket deceleration position detection sensor 27 in Fig. 1, which detects the stop position of the basket 21 on the first floor of the building 3. 1, an ascending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 31 is installed in the upper part of the conveying path 5, which detects the position where the cage 21 starts to decelerate as it is ascended toward the second floor of the building 3. In addition, above the ascending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 31 in FIG. 1, an ascending side cage stop position detection sensor 33 is installed, which detects the stop position of the cage 21 on the second floor of the building 3.

[0012] The vertical automatic conveyor 1 has a pallet 41 accommodated in the basket 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the pallet 41 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer frame 43 and a bottom plate 45 attached to the bottom of the outer frame 43 (lower side in FIG. 3). Sprockets 47, 49, 51, and 53 are attached to both sides of the outer frame 43 in the width direction. The sprockets 47, 49, 51, and 53 are arranged at the corners of the outer frame 43. A loop-shaped chain 55 serving as an endless track is wound around the sprockets 47, 49, 51, and 53. Because the sprockets 47, 49, 51, and 53 are arranged at the corners of the outer frame 43, the loop-shaped chain 55 is arranged to surround the outer periphery of the outer frame 43 on both sides in the width direction (toward the page surface in FIG. 3(b)).

[0013] The loop chain 51 has a configuration as shown in Figure 8. It has a plurality of roller units 52, and each roller unit 52 is configured by attaching a roller 58 via a bushing 56 between a pair of inner plates 54. The chain 51 is configured by connecting such roller units 52 via a pair of outer links 60 and pins 62.

[0014] 9, ground contact members 64 are attached to appropriate positions on the lower end of the outer frame 43, and these multiple ground contact members 64 abut against the rollers 58 of each roller unit 52 of the chain 51. Also, gaps are formed between the ground contact members 64 and the inner plate 54 and outer link 60. This configuration ensures smooth rotation of the chains 51, 51.

[0015] The pallet 41 has two hollow motors 57. The hollow motors 57 are installed on both sides of the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 3) of the bottom side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the pallet 41. The hollow motors 57 rotate the sprockets 47, 47 to drive the loop chains 55, 55, thereby allowing the pallet 41 to move freely.

[0016] 4, double doors 61, 61 and double doors 63, 63 are installed on both sides of the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) of the pallet 41. Furthermore, wire meshes 65, 67 are installed on both sides of the traveling direction of the pallet 41 (horizontal direction in FIG. 4).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 5, the basket 21 is stopped on the first or second floor of the building 3, and the pallet 41 moves in and out of the basket 21 by self-propelling on the first or second floor of the building 3.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, a first-floor safety fence 71 is installed on the first floor of the building 3, on the right side of the conveying path 5 in Figure 1. The first-floor safety fence 71 has an outer frame 73, and the side of the outer frame 73 opposite the conveying path 5 (the right side in Figure 1) is closed off by a wire mesh 75. Openings 77, 77 are provided on both sides of the outer frame 73 in the width direction (toward the paper surface in Figure 1), and accordion-shaped retractable doors 79, 79 are installed in each of the openings 77, 77. In addition, on the first floor floor 81 of the building 3, outside the openings 77, 77 of the first floor safety fence 71, there are installed ramps 83, 83 used when transporting cargo (not shown) to and from the pallet 41. In addition, near the openings 77, 77 of the first floor safety fence 71, there are installed control panels 85, 85 for raising and lowering the basket 21, loading and unloading the pallet 41, and opening and closing the retractable doors 79, 79.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, on the second floor of the building 3, a second-floor safety fence 91, slopes 93, 93, and operation panels 95, 95 are also installed on the left side of the conveying path 5 in Figure 1. The second-floor safety fence 91 has the same configuration as the first-floor safety fence 71, and the slopes 93, 93 and operation panels 95, 95 are arranged in the same manner as the slopes 83, 83 and operation panels 85, 85 on the first floor.

[0020] As shown in Figure 6, when the pallet 41 is lowered onto the second floor of the building 3 and the retractable doors 79, 79 of the second floor safety measure 91 are opened, the double doors 61, 61, 63, 63 of the pallet 41 can be opened. Also, as shown in Figure 7, when the pallet 41 is lowered on the first floor of the building 3 and the retractable doors 79, 79 of the first floor safety measure 71 are opened, the double doors 61, 61 and double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 can be opened, just as when the pallet 41 is lowered on the second floor of the building 3.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, a pallet deceleration position detection sensor 101 is provided within the basket 21 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, and a pallet stop position detection sensor 103 is provided to detect the stop position of the pallet 41. In addition, a protrusion detection sensor 105 is provided in the conveying path 5 to detect the protrusion of the pallet 41 from the basket 21.

[0022] Also, as shown in Figure 1, a pallet deceleration position detection sensor 111 is provided on the first floor side of the building 3 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, and a pallet stop position detection sensor 113 is provided to detect the stop position of the pallet 41. Also, as shown in Figure 1, a pallet deceleration position detection sensor 121 is provided on the second floor side of the building 3 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, and a pallet stop position detection sensor 123 is provided to detect the stop position of the pallet 41.

[0023] 5, a cable 131 is laid to supply power to the hollow motors 57, 57 of the pallet 41. The cable 131 is arranged so as not to be broken even when the pallet 41 is moved within the conveying path 5, the first floor safety fence 71, and the second floor safety plank 91.

[0024] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The basket 21 of the vertical automatic conveying machine 1 is raised within the conveying path 5 of the building 3 by winding up the lifting wire 23 with the electric hoist 17, and is lowered within the conveying path 5 of the building 3 by letting out the lifting wire 23 with the electric hoist 17.

[0025] The cage 21 is stopped on the first or second floor of the building 3. When the cage 21 is heading from the first floor to the second floor of the building 3, the cage 21 starts to decelerate when the ascending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 31 turns on, and the cage 21 is stopped on the second floor of the building 3 when the ascending side cage stop position detection sensor 33 turns on. When the cage 21 is heading from the second floor to the first floor of the building 3, the cage 21 starts to decelerate when the descending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 27 turns on, and the cage 21 is stopped on the first floor of the building 3 when the descending side cage stop position detection sensor 29 turns on.

[0026] The pallet 41 moves by itself by driving looped chains 55, 55 by hollow motors 57, 57, and moves in and out of the cage 21. When the pallet 41 is stored in the cage 21, it starts to decelerate when the pallet deceleration position detection sensor 101 turns on, and stops when the pallet stop position detection sensor 103 turns on. When the pallet 41 leaves the cage 21 and moves into the first floor safety fence 71, it starts to decelerate when the pallet deceleration position detection sensor 111 turns on, and stops when the pallet stop position detection sensor 113 turns on. Furthermore, when the pallet 41 leaves the cage 21 and moves into the second floor safety fence 91, it starts to decelerate when the pallet deceleration position detection sensor 121 turns on, and stops when the pallet stop position detection sensor 123 turns on.

[0027] Next, a case where the vertical automatic conveyor 1 is used to move a load (not shown) from the second floor to the first floor of the building 3 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 5(a), the pallet 41 is moved to the second-floor safety fence 91 side of the building 3. The retractable door 79 of the second-floor safety fence 91 is opened, and the double doors 61, 61 or the double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are opened, and cargo (not shown) is moved along the slope 93 and carried into the pallet 41. Next, the double doors 61, 61 or the double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are closed, and the retractable door 79 of the second floor safety fence 91 is closed, and the pallet 41 is moved under its own power and stored in the basket 21 as shown in Figure 5(b). Next, the electric hoist 17 is used to pay out the lifting wire 23, and the cage 21 is lowered to the first floor of the building 3 as shown in FIG. 5(c). Next, the pallet 41 is self-propelled and carried out of the cage 21, and as shown in Figure 5(d), it is moved into the first floor side safety fence 71. Next, the retractable door 79 of the first floor side safety fence 71 is opened, and the double doors 61, 61 or double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are opened, and the cargo (not shown) inside the pallet 41 is moved along the slope 83 and moved out of the pallet 41.

[0028] Next, a case where an unillustrated load is moved from the first floor to the second floor of the building 3 using the above-mentioned automatic vertical conveyor 1 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 5(d), the pallet 41 is moved to the first floor safety fence 71 side of the building 3. The retractable door 79 of the first floor safety fence 71 is opened, and the double doors 61, 61 or the double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are opened, and cargo (not shown) is moved along the slope 83 and carried into the pallet 41. Next, the double doors 61, 61 or the double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are closed, and the retractable door 79 of the first floor safety fence 71 is closed, and the pallet 41 is moved under its own power and stored in the basket 21 as shown in Figure 5(c). Next, the electric hoist 17 is used to send out the lifting wire 23, and the cage 21 is lowered to the first floor of the building 3 as shown in FIG. 5(b). Next, the pallet 41 is self-propelled and carried out of the cage 21, and as shown in Figure 5(a), it is moved into the second-floor safety fence 91. Next, the retractable door 79 of the second-floor safety fence 91 is opened, and the double doors 61, 61 or double doors 63, 63 of the pallet 41 are opened, and the cargo (not shown) inside the pallet 41 is moved along the slope 93 and moved out of the pallet 41.

[0029] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. The vertical automatic conveyor 1 has a pallet 41 that moves in and out of the basket 21 by itself, so there is no need for an operator to load or unload the pallet 41 onto or from the conveyor, which simplifies the configuration, reduces the installation space, and facilitates the conveying work. The pallet 41 is self-propelled by looped chains 55, 55 as an endless track, so that the pallet 41 can have a simpler structure. The looped chains 55, 55 are installed on both sides of the width of the pallet 41, and each looped chain 55 is driven by one hollow motor 57, so that the pallet 41 can be effectively self-propelled. Since the loop-shaped chain 55 is arranged to surround the outer shape of the pallet 41, a large opening for loading and unloading can be secured on the side of the pallet 41, making it easier to load and unload cargo (not shown). Furthermore, since a descending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 27 and an ascending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 31 are provided to detect the position at which the cage 21 starts to decelerate, the cage 21 can be decelerated appropriately. Furthermore, since a descending-side basket stop position detection sensor 29 and an ascending-side basket stop position detection sensor 33 are provided to detect the stop position of the basket 21, the basket 21 can be stopped appropriately. Furthermore, a pallet deceleration position detection sensor 101 is provided in the basket 21 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, so that the pallet 41 can be appropriately decelerated within the basket 21. Furthermore, a pallet stop position detection sensor 103 for detecting the stop position of the pallet 41 is provided within the basket 21, so that the pallet 41 can be stopped appropriately within the basket 21. A pallet deceleration position detection sensor 111 is also provided on the first floor side of the building 3 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, and a pallet deceleration position detection sensor 121 is also provided on the second floor side of the building 3 to detect the position at which the pallet 41 starts to decelerate, so that the pallet 41 can be appropriately decelerated even after being carried out of the basket 21. A pallet stop position detection sensor 113 for detecting the stopping position of the pallet 41 is also provided on the first floor side of the building 3, and a pallet stop position detection sensor 123 for detecting the stopping position of the pallet 41 is also provided on the second floor side of the building 3, so that the pallet 41 can be stopped appropriately even after being carried out of the basket 21. Further, a protrusion detection sensor 105 for detecting the protrusion of the pallet 41 from the basket 21 is provided in the transport path 5, so that the pallet 41 can be prevented from protruding from the basket 21.

[0030] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical automatic conveyor according to the second embodiment uses a pallet 201. This pallet 201 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the pallet 41 in the first embodiment, but hollow motors 57, 57 are installed on the ceiling side of the pallet 201 (upper side in FIG. 10). The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The second embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0032] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical automatic conveyor according to the third embodiment uses a pallet 301. This pallet 301 has substantially the same configuration as the pallet 41 in the first embodiment, but in addition to double doors 61, 61 and double doors 63, 63 on both sides in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 11) of the pallet 301, double doors 303, 303 are also provided on one side in the traveling direction (right side in FIG. 11).

[0033] In this third embodiment, in addition to achieving the same functions and effects as the first embodiment, double doors are provided on three sides of the pallet 301, allowing cargo to be loaded and unloaded from the pallet 301 more effectively.

[0034] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical automatic conveyor according to the fourth embodiment uses a pallet 401. This pallet 401 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the pallet 41 in the first embodiment, but has only one hollow motor 57 installed on the ceiling side (upper side in FIG. 12), and the loop-shaped chains 55, 55 are driven by only this hollow motor 57. In addition, in the pallet 401, compared to the pallet 41, three sprockets 403, 405, 407 are added on each side of the width direction (toward the paper surface in Figure 12) on the ceiling side, and the loop-shaped chains 55, 55 are driven by rotating the sprockets 405, 405 with the hollow motor 57.

[0035] In this fourth embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved, and since there is only one hollow motor 57, the structure of the pallet 401 can be made simpler.

[0036] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vertical automatic conveyor according to the fifth embodiment uses a pallet 501. This pallet 501 has a configuration substantially similar to that of the pallet 41 in the first embodiment, but has double doors 503, 503 on only one side of the width of the pallet 501 (the upper side in FIG. 13). A wire mesh 505 is provided on the other side of the pallet 501 in the width direction (the lower side in FIG. 13).

[0037] The fifth embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment, but since the double doors 503, 503 are provided in only one location, the locations where cargo can be carried in and out are limited, but the configuration of the pallet 501 is simpler.

[0038] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the first to fifth embodiments. For example, a battery may be installed on the pallet, allowing the pallet to move independently without receiving power from an external source. Moreover, various types of endless tracks for the pallets, such as belts, may be used in addition to chains. It is also conceivable that guide rails for guiding the baskets may be installed within the conveying path. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configuration, and various other configurations are possible. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The present invention relates to a vertical automatic conveyor that conveys objects to multiple floors, and in particular to a device that is designed to simplify the configuration, reduce installation space, and facilitate conveying operations, and is suitable, for example, for use as a vertical automatic conveyor in a warehouse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Vertical automatic conveyor 5 Transport path 21 Basket 27 Lowering side cage deceleration position detection sensor 29 Lowering side cage stop position detection sensor 31 Ascending side cage deceleration position detection sensor 33. Ascending side cage stop position detection sensor 41 palettes 55 Looped Chain (Crawler) 57 Hollow Motor 101 Pallet deceleration position detection sensor 103 Pallet stop position detection sensor 105 Protrusion detection sensor 111 Pallet deceleration position detection sensor 113 Pallet stop position detection sensor 121 Pallet deceleration position detection sensor 123 Pallet stop position detection sensor

Claims

1. a basket that is moved within a conveying path that extends in the vertical direction; a pallet housed in the basket; Equipped with The vertical automatic conveyor is characterized in that the pallet moves in and out of the basket by self-propelling.

2. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, A vertical automatic conveying machine characterized in that the pallet is self-propelled by an endless track.

3. 3. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 2, A vertical automatic conveyor characterized in that the endless track is a loop-shaped chain.

4. 4. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 3, The looped chains are installed on both sides of the pallet in the width direction, A vertical automatic conveyor characterized in that both of the loop chains are driven by a single motor.

5. 4. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 3, The looped chains are installed on both sides of the pallet in the width direction, A vertical automatic conveyor characterized in that it is driven by a motor corresponding to each of the loop-shaped chains.

6. 6. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 4 or 5, The vertical automatic conveyor is characterized in that the loop-shaped chain surrounds the outer shape of the pallet.

7. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, A vertical automatic conveyor is provided with a basket deceleration position detection sensor that detects the position at which the basket starts to decelerate.

8. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, A vertical automatic conveyor characterized by being provided with a basket stop position detection sensor for detecting the stop position of the basket.

9. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, The pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped; a pallet deceleration position detection sensor provided in the basket for detecting the position at which the pallet starts to decelerate;

10. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, The pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped; a pallet stop position detection sensor for detecting a stop position of the pallet provided within the basket;

11. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, The pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped; A vertical automatic conveyor characterized in that each floor is provided with a pallet deceleration position detection sensor that detects the position at which the pallet starts to decelerate.

12. 2. The vertical automatic conveying machine according to claim 1, The cart stops at each floor, The pallet can enter and exit the basket when the basket is stopped; A vertical automatic conveyor characterized in that a pallet stop position detection sensor for detecting a stop position of the pallet is provided on each floor.

13. 2. The vertical automatic conveyor according to claim 1, a vertical automatic conveyor provided with a protrusion detection sensor for detecting protrusion of the pallet from the basket;

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