Article transport equipment and its maintenance method

Abstract

To provide an article transport equipment that is easy to work on a second floor installed above a first floor.SOLUTION: On the first floor F1, a delivery passage 18 is set up, which is a passageway through which the transport vehicle 11 passes to deliver articles 12 to the multiple receiving areas 16, and the multiple receiving areas 16 are arranged in a line in the Y direction along the delivery passage 18.The work scaffolding 50 is a scaffolding for worker H2 who performs work on the second floor F2, and is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the multiple receiving areas 16 from the upper side Z1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article transport facility having a first floor and a second floor. [Background technology]

[0002] An article conveying facility having a first floor and a second floor is known. International Publication No. 2023 / 189045 (Patent Document 1) discloses an article conveying facility (5) having a first floor (51) where a work area (55) for sorting work is arranged, and a second floor (61) installed above the first floor (51). In this article conveying facility (5), a main conveying device (3) is arranged on the second floor (61) to ensure a large space around the work area (55) for sorting work and to ensure a storage capacity of conveyed objects (B1) to be sorted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 189045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the article conveying facility of Patent Document 1, for example, work on the second floor may be required for maintenance work on the main conveying device located on the second floor. One method for facilitating such work on the second floor is to provide aisles, stairs, etc. in multiple locations on the first floor for work on the second floor. However, in an article conveying facility such as that of Patent Document 1, as can be seen from the fact that the main conveying device is located on the second floor, there is a desire to secure a large space for work on the first floor, making it difficult to provide aisles, stairs, etc. in multiple locations on the first floor, and making work on the second floor less easy.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize an article transport facility and an article transport facility maintenance method that make it easy to work on the second floor, which is installed above the first floor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The item transport equipment disclosed herein comprises a first floor, a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor when viewed from the top down, a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport items, a plurality of receiving sections that receive the items from the transport vehicle, and a work scaffolding, wherein a delivery passageway is set on the first floor as a passageway through which the transport vehicle passes to deliver the items to the plurality of receiving sections, the extension direction of the delivery passageway being the Y direction, and the plurality of receiving sections are arranged in a line along the delivery passageway in the Y direction, and the work scaffolding is a scaffolding for workers performing work on the second floor and is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the plurality of receiving sections from above.

[0007] With this configuration, even if multiple receiving sections are arranged in a row along the delivery passageway on the first floor, workers can stand on the receiving sections and perform work on the second floor without being obstructed by the multiple receiving sections. This makes it easier to perform work on the second floor, which is located above the first floor.

[0008] A maintenance method for item transport equipment according to the present disclosure, wherein the item transport equipment comprises a first floor, a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor when viewed from the top, a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport items, and a plurality of receiving sections that receive the items from the transport vehicle, wherein a delivery passageway that is an aisle through which the transport vehicle passes to hand over the items to the plurality of receiving sections is set on the first floor, the extension direction of the delivery passageway being the Y direction, and the plurality of receiving sections are arranged so as to be lined up in the Y direction along the delivery passageway, and the method comprises: a scaffolding installation step in which, when performing maintenance work on the second floor, a work scaffolding that is a scaffolding for workers is installed so as to cover at least a portion of the plurality of receiving sections from above, and a work step in which a worker standing on the work scaffolding performs maintenance work on the second floor.

[0009] According to this configuration, in an item transport equipment in which multiple receiving areas are arranged in a row along the delivery corridor on the first floor, workers can stand on a receiving area to perform maintenance work on the second floor without being obstructed by the multiple receiving areas, thereby making it easier to perform maintenance work on the second floor, which is located above the first floor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view showing a first floor of an article transport facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the second floor of the article conveying facility of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view schematically illustrating the supply unit and the receiving unit of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing the first lifting device and the second lifting device of FIG. 1; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the receiving section of FIG. 1, showing the delivery passageway; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the receiving portion of FIG. 1 showing the working scaffold; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the receiving portion of FIG. 1 showing the working scaffold; [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a work scaffold according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a work scaffold according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [First embodiment] An article conveying facility 10 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a first floor F1 of the article conveying equipment 10. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a second floor F2 of the article conveying equipment 10. The article conveying equipment 10 includes a first floor F1 and a second floor F2 that is installed above the first floor F1 in a vertical direction so as to overlap with the first floor F1.

[0013] In this embodiment, the entire second floor F2 overlaps with the first floor F1, but it is sufficient that at least a portion of the first floor F1 and at least a portion of the second floor F2 overlap. For example, the entire first floor F1 may overlap with the second floor F2. Examples of the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 include running surfaces installed in facilities such as buildings and ships, floor surfaces of facilities, etc. In this embodiment, the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 are running surfaces installed on an indoor platform.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view showing an example of a transport vehicle 11, a supply unit 15, and a receiving unit 16. The item transport equipment 10 is equipped with a transport vehicle 11. The transport vehicle 11 moves at least on the first floor F1 to transport items 12. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 11 moves on the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. In this embodiment, the item transport equipment 10 is equipped with a plurality of transport vehicles 11. In this embodiment, the item transport equipment 10 is an item sorting equipment in which each of the plurality of transport vehicles 11 moves on the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 to transport the items 12, thereby sorting the items 12.

[0015] Examples of the goods 12 transported by the transport vehicle 11 include food, electrical equipment, parts, and the containers C2 described below. Here, a specific direction along the first floor F1 is referred to as the "U direction," and a direction perpendicular to the U direction when viewed from the top down is referred to as the "V direction." One side of the U direction is referred to as the "U direction first side U1," and the other side of the U direction is referred to as the "U direction second side U2." The up-down direction is referred to as the Z direction.

[0016] The article conveying equipment 10 includes a supply unit 15. The supply unit 15 is configured to supply articles 12 to the transport vehicle 11. Examples of the supply unit 15 include a belt-type or roller-type conveyor, a chute, a pusher, an arm-type robot, a loading table, etc. In this embodiment, the article conveying equipment 10 includes a plurality of supply units 15.

[0017] The article conveying equipment 10 includes a receiving section 16. The receiving section 16 is configured to receive the article 12 from the transport vehicle 11. Examples of the receiving section 16 include a belt-type or roller-type conveyor, a chute, a pusher, an arm-type robot, a loading platform, and a collection container C3 (described below). In this embodiment, the article conveying equipment 10 includes a plurality of receiving sections 16. In the illustrated example, the receiving section 16 is configured using a conveyor and a chute.

[0018] The supply unit 15 is configured to move the articles 12 along the U direction. The supply unit 15 is equipped with a supply-side conveying device 15c. In this embodiment, the supply-side conveying devices 15c are arranged on both sides of the first area A1, which will be described later, in the V direction. The supply-side conveying devices 15c extend along the U direction and convey the articles 12 along the U direction. The supply-side conveying device 15c conveys the articles 12, for example, taken out from the automated warehouse, towards the first area A1. Examples of the supply-side conveying device 15c include belt-type or roller-type conveyors, chutes, cranes, arm-type robots, automated guided vehicles, etc.

[0019] The receiving section 16 is configured to move the article 12 along the V direction. The receiving section 16 is equipped with a receiving-side conveying device 16c. In this embodiment, the receiving-side conveying devices 16c are arranged on both sides of the third area A3, which will be described later, in the V direction. Each receiving-side conveying device 16c extends from the third area A3 along the V direction, and conveys the article 12 received from the transport vehicle 11 along the V direction. Examples of the receiving-side conveying device 16c include belt-type or roller-type conveyors, chutes, cranes, arm-type robots, automatic transport vehicles, etc.

[0020] A first area A1 and a third area A3 are defined on the first floor F1. In this embodiment, a second area A2 connecting the first area A1 and the third area A3 is defined on the first floor F1. In this embodiment, the item 12 is transferred from the supply section 15 to the transport vehicle 11 on the first area A1. In this embodiment, the item 12 is transferred from the transport vehicle 11 on the third area A3 to the receiving section 16.

[0021] The first area A1 is disposed on the second side U2 in the U direction relative to the third area A3. The first area A1 is disposed adjacent to the supply unit 15. In this embodiment, a plurality of first areas A1 are disposed side by side in the V direction.

[0022] The third area A3 is disposed on the first side U1 in the U direction relative to the first area A1. The third area A3 is disposed adjacent to the receiving unit 16. In this embodiment, a plurality of third areas A3 are disposed side by side in the V direction.

[0023] The second area A2 is an area that extends in the U and V directions. The second area A2 is set to connect the first areas A1 and the third areas A3. The second area A2 connects the first areas A1 and the third areas A3 so that the transport vehicle 11 can travel therethrough.

[0024] The first area A1, second area A2, and third area A3 set on the first floor F1 may each be an area actually divided on the first floor F1, or may be a virtual area. In this embodiment, the boundary between the first area A1 and the second area A2 is a virtual boundary set on the first floor F1. In this embodiment, the third area A3 is located on both sides of the V-direction at the outer edge of the first floor F1.

[0025] The multiple first areas A1 are connected to each other via the second areas A2. Each of the multiple first areas A1 has a passage-like area extending along the U direction. In this embodiment, the first areas A1 are passage-like areas extending along the U direction. The multiple supply units 15 are arranged so as to be aligned in the U direction along each of the multiple first areas A1. The multiple supply units 15 are arranged on both sides of the first area A1 in the V direction.

[0026] The third areas A3 are connected to one another via the second areas A2. Each of the third areas A3 has a passage-like area extending along the U direction. In this embodiment, the third areas A3 are passage-like areas extending along the U direction.

[0027] On the first floor F1, a delivery passage 18 is set up, which is a passage through which the transport vehicle 11 passes to deliver the items 12 to the multiple receiving sections 16. The delivery passage 18 may be an actual passage defined on the first floor F1, or may be a virtual passage.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of delivery corridors 18 are set on the first floor F1. Here, the extension direction of the delivery corridors 18 is defined as the Y direction. Also, the direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from the top down is defined as the X direction. In the illustrated example, the Y direction and the U direction are parallel directions. In the illustrated example, the X direction and the V direction are parallel directions.

[0029] In this embodiment, the extension direction of each of the multiple delivery paths 18 is the Y direction. In the illustrated example, the Y directions of each of the multiple delivery paths 18 are the same, but they may be different directions. Although not illustrated, for example, if the delivery path 18 is bent midway, the Y direction and the X direction also change midway in accordance with the bending of the delivery path 18.

[0030] The multiple receiving sections 16 are arranged in a line in the Y direction along the delivery passage 18. The multiple receiving sections 16 are arranged on both sides of the delivery passage 18 in the X direction. The multiple receiving sections 16 are adjacent to the delivery passage 18. In this embodiment, the delivery passage 18 is set in the third area A3. In this embodiment, each of the multiple third areas A3 is a delivery passage 18.

[0031] The receiving section 16 is configured to move the article 12 along the X direction. In this embodiment, receiving-side conveying devices 16c are arranged on both sides of the delivery passage 18 in the X direction. Each receiving-side conveying device 16c extends from the delivery passage 18 along the X direction, and conveys the article 12 received from the transport vehicle 11 along the X direction.

[0032] In this embodiment, the entry section, where the transport vehicle 11 supplied with items 12 at the supply section 15 enters the connection area E2, and the exit section, where the transport vehicle 11 heading to the receiving section 16 exits the connection area E2, are arranged so as to overlap when viewed in the U direction along the U direction.

[0033] The item 12 is transferred from the supply unit 15 to the transport vehicle 11 in the first area A1 by the work entity H1. Here, the work entity H1 is, for example, one or both of a worker and a work device. The work entity H1 transfers the item 12, which has been transported by the supply unit 15, for example, from an automated warehouse, onto the transport vehicle 11. The supply unit 15 transports the item 12 while it is stored in a supply container C1.

[0034] The items 12 are transferred from the supply unit 15 to the transport vehicle 11 while being contained in a container C2. In this embodiment, the work entity H1 removes the items 12 from the supply container C1 and places them in the container C2. The container C2 containing the items 12 is then transferred to the transport vehicle 11 by the work entity H1.

[0035] The items 12 are transferred from the transport vehicle 11 to the receiving section 16 while being contained in a container C2. In this embodiment, the work entity H1 removes the items 12 from the container C2. The items 12 transferred to the receiving section 16 are placed in a collection container C3 for containing one or more items 12 collected according to order information.

[0036] The article conveying equipment 10 is equipped with a container recovery device 21 that recovers containers C2. In this embodiment, the container recovery device 21 transports the containers C2, from which the articles 12 have been removed and which are now empty, from a position adjacent to the receiving section 16 to a position adjacent to the supply section 15. Examples of the container recovery device 21 include belt-type or roller-type conveyors, chutes, transport vehicles and rails, transport vehicles and aisles, etc.

[0037] In this embodiment, the container recovery device 21 has a recovery path 21a along which the containers C2 are transported. The recovery path 21a extends from a position adjacent to the receiving unit 16 to a position adjacent to the supply unit 15.

[0038] 1, the article conveying equipment 10 is equipped with a carrying-out device 23 that carries out the articles 12 to a location where the next process is performed. In this embodiment, the carrying-out device 23 carries a collection container C3 that contains the articles 12. Examples of the carrying-out device 23 include a belt-type or roller-type conveyor, a chute, a stacker crane, an automatic guided vehicle, a cart, etc.

[0039] The transport vehicle 11 is capable of traveling freely at least in the second area A2. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 11 is configured to travel straight and also to change direction by turning on the spot around a vertical axis. The transport vehicle 11 travels freely in the second area A2 by traveling straight and turning. The article transport equipment 10 is configured so that the transport vehicle 11 can transport an article 12 from any one of the plurality of first areas A1 to any one of the plurality of third areas A3 by traveling freely in the second area A2.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a side view showing an example of a first lifting device L1 and a second lifting device L2. As shown in Fig. 4, the article transport facility 10 includes a first lifting device L1 that raises and lowers the transport vehicle 11 between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. The first lifting device L1 is disposed adjacent to the third area A3. The first lifting device L1 includes a plurality of lifting platforms La on which the transport vehicle 11 can be placed. In this embodiment, the first lifting device L1 raises the transport vehicle 11 from the first floor F1 to the second floor F2.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, the article transport facility 10 includes a second lifting device L2 that raises and lowers the transport vehicle 11 between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. The second lifting device L2 is disposed adjacent to the third area A3. The second lifting device L2 includes a plurality of lifting platforms La on which the transport vehicle 11 can be placed. In this embodiment, the first lifting device L1 lowers the transport vehicle 11 from the second floor F2 to the first floor F1.

[0042] Examples of the first lifting device L1 and the second lifting device L2 include a lifting device that circulates the transport vehicle 11 along a predetermined circular path, a lifting device that raises and lowers the transport vehicle 11 along the Z direction, a multicopter that can transport the transport vehicle 11, a crane, etc.

[0043] A second floor passage 28 is provided on the second floor F2. The second floor passage 28 is a passage extending in the U or Y direction. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 11, which has emptied after delivering the article 12, moves through the second floor passage 28. At least a portion of the second floor passage 28 overlaps with the delivery passage 18 when viewed in the vertical direction. The second floor passage 28 is provided adjacent to the first lifting device L1 and the second lifting device L2.

[0044] 2, in this embodiment, a plurality of second floor passages 28 are set on the second floor F2. The plurality of second floor passages 28 are connected to one another by second floor connecting passages 29 set on the second floor F2. The plurality of second floor passages 28 are connected by the second floor connecting passages 29 so that the transport vehicle 11 can move therethrough.

[0045] A transport vehicle 11 moves on each of the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. In this embodiment, a plurality of transport vehicles 11 travel on each of the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. Examples of the transport vehicles 11 include electric vehicles that run on power supplied by a storage battery, a fuel cell, a contact-type power supply, a contactless power supply, etc., vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine, and self-driving vehicles. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 11 is an electric unmanned transport vehicle. In this embodiment, a storage battery is mounted on a running unit 35 (see FIG. 5) equipped on the transport vehicle 11. A charging station 25 is provided in the article transport facility 10. When the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery of the transport vehicle 11 becomes low, the transport vehicle 11 can be charged at the charging station 25.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the item conveying equipment 10 is provided with a control device M that controls the conveyance of items 12 throughout the entire equipment. The control device M is configured to control a plurality of transport vehicles 11. The control device M issues conveyance commands, standby commands, etc. to each transport vehicle 11. The conveyance command specifies the origin (supply section 15 in the illustrated example) and destination (receiving section 16 in the illustrated example) of the item 12. Upon receiving the conveyance command, the transport vehicle 11 receives the item 12 at the specified origin and conveys the item 12 to the specified destination. The standby command specifies a standby location. Upon receiving the standby command, the transport vehicle 11 travels to the specified standby location and waits there until it receives the next command, etc.

[0047] Although detailed illustration is omitted, in this embodiment, position information storage units that store position information are provided at multiple locations on the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. The position information storage units contain address information that indicates the locations where the position information storage units are provided. The guided vehicle 11 is equipped with a detection unit (not shown) for detecting the position information storage units, and by detecting the position information storage units with this detection unit, the current position of the vehicle at the time of detection can be determined. The guided vehicle 11 travels toward the destination while sequentially reading the multiple position information storage units. For example, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code that stores identification information can be used as the position information storage unit. Alternatively, an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) that stores identification information can be used as the position information storage unit.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a front view showing an example of the delivery passage 18 and the receiving section 16. As shown in Fig. 5, the transport vehicle 11 is equipped with a transfer section 33 that transfers the article 12 from the transport vehicle 11 to the receiving section 16. The transfer section 33 is configured so that the position of the placement surface 33a on which the article 12 is placed can be freely changed between a "horizontal position" and an "inclined position." The article 12 is placed on the placement surface 33a in a horizontal position and transported, and is transferred to the receiving section 16 when the placement surface 33a is in an inclined position. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 11 is equipped with a running section 35 having a plurality of wheels.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a front view showing an example of the receiving section 16 and the work scaffolding 50. Fig. 7 is a side view showing an example of the receiving section 16 and the work scaffolding 50.

[0050] Each of the multiple receiving sections 16 has an article conveying surface 41 on which the article 12 moves along the X direction with the article 12 placed thereon. In this embodiment, the article conveying surface 41 is the conveying surface of the receiving-side conveying device 16c. In the illustrated example, the article conveying surface 41 is the conveying surface of a belt conveyor and the conveying surface of a chute.

[0051] The receiving section 16 is provided with a guide section 42 that guides the movement of the article 12 in the X direction. The guide section 42 is arranged to extend along the X direction. In this embodiment, the guide section 42 guides the movement of the container C2 containing the article 12 in the X direction. The guide section 42 may be provided with an inclined surface that is inclined toward the inside of the receiving-side conveying device 16c in the X direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, each of the multiple receiving sections 16 has a pair of guide sections 42 that guide the movement of the articles 12 in the X direction. The pair of guide sections 42 are arranged to extend along the X direction on both sides in the Y direction of the article conveying surface 41. The pair of guide sections 42 are arranged on both sides in the X direction of the receiving-side conveying device 16c.

[0053] The receiving section 16 includes a support frame 43 that supports the article conveying surface 41 and the pair of guide sections 42. In this embodiment, the support frame 43 supports the article conveying surface 41 and the pair of guide sections 42. The support frame 43 is disposed to extend along the X direction.

[0054] In this embodiment, each of the multiple receiving sections 16 has a support frame 43 that supports the item conveying surface 41 and a pair of guide sections 42. In this embodiment, the support frames 43 are arranged on both sides of the item conveying surface 41 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the item conveying surfaces 41 of two adjacent receiving sections 16 are supported by a common support frame 43, but a pair of support frames 43 may be arranged for each item conveying surface 41.

[0055] 6 and 7, the article transport facility 10 is provided with a work scaffold 50, which is a scaffold for a worker H2 who performs work on the second floor F2. Examples of work on the second floor F2 include maintenance of the running surface of the second floor F2, retrieval of a transport vehicle 11 that has stopped on the second floor F2, and repair of equipment installed on the second floor F2.

[0056] The work scaffolding 50 is attached to at least one of the guide parts 42 or the support frame 43. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is attached to a pair of guide parts 42. In this embodiment, one work scaffolding 50 is attached to at least two of the multiple guide parts 42 provided on the multiple receiving parts 16. It should be noted that one work scaffolding 50 may also be attached to the guide parts 42 and the support frame 43. In the example shown in FIG. 7, one work scaffolding 50 is attached to a pair of guide parts 42 that are arranged at both ends of the two receiving parts 16 in the Y direction.

[0057] The work scaffolding 50 is arranged so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with at least a portion of the receiving section 16 when viewed in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is arranged so that it covers a portion of the receiving section 16 in the X direction from one end to the other end of the receiving section 16 in the Y direction, but the work scaffolding 50 may also be arranged so that it covers a portion of the receiving section 16 in the Y direction from one end to the other end of the receiving section 16 in the X direction.

[0058] The work scaffolding 50 is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the multiple receiving sections 16 from the upper side Z1. In this embodiment, one work scaffolding 50 is arranged so as to cover the multiple receiving sections 16 from the upper side Z1, but multiple work scaffoldings 50 may be arranged so as to each cover one receiving section 16 from the upper side Z1.

[0059] The work scaffolding 50 is installed across two or more receiving sections 16 lined up in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is arranged so as to cover from one end of the two or more receiving sections 16 in the Y direction to the other end of the same in the Y direction. In the example shown in Fig. 7, one work scaffolding 50 is installed across two receiving sections 16 lined up in the Y direction.

[0060] The work scaffolding 50 is detachably attached to the receiving part 16. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is attached directly to the receiving part 16, but the work scaffolding 50 may also be attached indirectly to the receiving part 16 via the first floor F1, a frame on the first floor F1, a support bracket, etc. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is attached so as to be supported by the guide part 42 of the receiving part 16.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 6, the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 on which the worker H2 stands is located on the upper side Z1 of the receiving section 16. In this embodiment, the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 on which the worker H2 stands is located on the upper side Z1 of the running surface 18a on the first floor F1 on which the transport vehicle 11 runs. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the running surface of the delivery passage 18 is the running surface 18a of the first floor F1.

[0062] The tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 on which the worker H2 stands is located on the lower side Z2 of the second floor F2. In this embodiment, the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 on which the worker H2 stands is located on the lower side Z2 of the travel surface 28a of the second floor F2 on which the transport vehicle 11 runs. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the travel surface of the second floor passage 28 is the travel surface 28a of the second floor F2. It is to be noted that the work scaffolding 50 may be a stepped scaffolding, and the tread surface 50a may be the top step or a step other than the top step. It is to be noted that the tread surface 50a on which the worker H2 stands may also be a surface used as a seat on which the worker H2 sits.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 6, the article transport equipment 10 includes a conveyor 80 that is spaced apart in the X direction from the delivery passage 18 when viewed in the vertical direction and that is arranged to extend along the U direction. The work scaffolding 50 is arranged between the conveyor 80 and the delivery passage 18 in the X direction when viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is arranged so as not to overlap with the conveyor 80 and the delivery passage 18 when viewed in the vertical direction, but a portion of the work scaffolding 50 may overlap with the conveyor 80 or the delivery passage 18 when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0064] In this embodiment, the treads 50a of the work scaffolding 50 are arranged so as not to overlap with the conveyor 80 when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the conveyor 80 is a conveyor of the container recovery device 21, but it may also be a conveyor of the supply-side conveying device 15c, the receiving-side conveying device 16c, the unloading device 23, etc.

[0065] In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is arranged so as to overlap with a movement trajectory 12p (see FIG. 9) described below, but it may also be arranged so as not to overlap.

[0066] A maintenance method for item transport equipment 10 can include various steps having the above-described features of item transport equipment 10. In this embodiment, the maintenance method for item transport equipment 10 includes a scaffolding installation step S1 in which, when performing maintenance work on the second floor F2, a work scaffolding 50 for worker H2 is installed so as to cover at least a portion of the multiple receiving sections 16 from the upper side Z1. The maintenance method for item transport equipment 10 also includes a work step S2 in which worker H2 standing on the work scaffolding 50 performs maintenance work on the second floor F2.

[0067] Second Embodiment The article transport equipment 10 according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the work scaffolding 50 is not attached to the guide portion 42. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0068] Figure 8 is a side view showing the work scaffolding 50 of this embodiment, and is a view corresponding to Figure 7. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is attached to a support frame 43. In this embodiment, one work scaffolding 50 is attached to at least two or more of the multiple support frames 43 provided on the multiple receiving parts 16. In the example shown, one work scaffolding 50 is attached to a pair of support frames 43 located at both ends of the two receiving parts 16 in the Y direction.

[0069] Third Embodiment The article conveying equipment 10 according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment. Note that the points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the second embodiment.

[0070] 9 is a side view showing the work scaffolding 50 of this embodiment, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the work scaffolding 50 is positioned so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory 12p of the item 12 moved in the X direction by the receiving unit 16. When there are multiple sizes of item 12, for example, the movement trajectory 12p is determined so that the item 12 with the largest dimension in the Z direction and the item 12 with the largest dimension in the Y direction do not interfere with the work scaffolding 50.

[0071] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the article conveying facility 10 will be described.

[0072] (1) In the above embodiment, the article conveying equipment 10 has been described as an example of an article sorting equipment in which a plurality of transport vehicles 11 each travel between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 to transport the articles 12 and thereby sort the articles 12. However, without being limited to such an example, the article conveying equipment 10 may be, for example, a transport equipment that does not sort the articles 12. Also, for example, the article conveying equipment 10 may be configured such that the transport vehicles 11 are transported by a vehicle transport device on either the first floor F1 or the second floor F2. Also, for example, the article conveying equipment 10 may be configured to include transport vehicles 11 that travel only on the first floor F1 and transport vehicles 11 that travel only on the second floor F2.

[0073] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the work scaffolding 50 is detachably attached to the receiving section 16. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the work scaffolding 50 may be fixed so as not to be detachable to the third area A3, the floor of the facility, etc. Furthermore, for example, the work scaffolding 50 may be fixed so as not to be detachable to the receiving section 16.

[0074] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 is positioned above the receiving section 16 on the Z1 side. However, without being limited to such an example, the work scaffolding 50 may be configured, for example, so that the tread surface 50a is recessed below the receiving section 16 on the Z2 side. Furthermore, for example, the work scaffolding 50 may be configured so that the entire work scaffolding 50 is attached to the third area A3 so that it is positioned above the receiving section 16 on the Z1 side.

[0075] (4) In the above embodiment, the receiving unit 16 moves the item 12 along the X direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the receiving unit 16 may move the item 12 along the U direction. Alternatively, the receiving unit 16 may be a platform on which the item 12 is placed, and the worker H1 may move the item 12.

[0076] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the work scaffolding 50 is installed across two or more receiving sections 16 lined up in the U direction. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, a configuration may also be possible in which multiple work scaffolding 50 are respectively attached to pairs of guide sections 42 of multiple receiving sections 16. Also, for example, a configuration may be possible in which the work scaffolding 50 is installed in the center of the receiving section 16.

[0077] (6) In the above embodiment, the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 is disposed above the traveling surface 18a on the Z1 side and below the traveling surface 28a on the Z2 side. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the tread surface 50a of the work scaffolding 50 may be disposed below the traveling surface 18a on the Z2 side.

[0078] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the work scaffolding 50 is disposed between the conveyor 80 and the delivery passage 18 in the X direction when viewed from above. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the article transport equipment 10 may be configured without including the conveyor 80.

[0079] (8) In the above embodiment, the receiving section 16 is described as having an item conveying surface 41 and a guide section 42. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the receiving section 16 may be configured to have only one of the item conveying surface 41 and the guide section 42. Furthermore, the receiving section 16 may be configured to have neither the item conveying surface 41 nor the guide section 42.

[0080] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the article transport equipment 10 includes a first floor F1, a second floor F2, a first lifting device L1, and a second lifting device L2. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the article transport equipment 10 may not include either or both of the first lifting device L1 and the second lifting device L2. Furthermore, for example, the article transport equipment 10 may include a ramp connecting the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. Furthermore, for example, the third area A3 may be provided on the first floor F1, and the first area A1 and the second area A2 may be provided on the second floor F2.

[0081] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the article conveying equipment 10 includes a plurality of first areas A1, second areas A2, and a plurality of third areas A3. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the article conveying equipment 10 may not include the first area A1 and the second area A2, but may include only one third area A3, which is the delivery passage 18. Furthermore, for example, the first area A1 and the third area A3 may not be passage-like areas, and the delivery passage 18 may be a passage virtually set in the third area A3.

[0082] (11) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications may be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0083] Summary of the above embodiment The article transport equipment according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0084] In one embodiment, the item transport equipment comprises a first floor, a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor when viewed from the vertical direction, a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport items, a plurality of receiving sections that receive the items from the transport vehicle, and a work scaffolding, wherein a delivery passageway is set on the first floor as a passageway through which the transport vehicle passes to hand over the items to the plurality of receiving sections, the extension direction of the delivery passageway being the Y direction, and the plurality of receiving sections are arranged in a line along the delivery passageway in the Y direction, and the work scaffolding is a scaffolding for workers performing work on the second floor and is arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the plurality of receiving sections from above.

[0085] With this configuration, even if multiple receiving sections are arranged in a row along the delivery passageway on the first floor, workers can stand on the receiving sections and perform work on the second floor without being obstructed by the multiple receiving sections. This makes it easier to perform work on the second floor, which is located above the first floor.

[0086] In one aspect, the work scaffold is removably attached to the receiving portion.

[0087] According to this configuration, when the work scaffolding is not in use, it can be removed and stored in another location. This makes it possible to position the work scaffolding without considering interference with the movement trajectory of the item when it is received by the receiving section from the transport vehicle. Therefore, it is easy to increase the degree of freedom in positioning the work scaffolding.

[0088] In one embodiment, the direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from above is defined as the X direction, and each receiving unit is configured to move the item along the X direction, and the work scaffolding is positioned so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory of the item moved in the X direction by the receiving unit.

[0089] With this configuration, there is no interference between the work scaffolding and the items being moved in the X direction by the receiving unit, so that even while workers are working on the second floor, the transport of items on the first floor and the receiving unit can continue to receive the items.

[0090] In one embodiment, the work scaffolding is installed across two or more receiving sections aligned in the Y direction.

[0091] According to this configuration, the work scaffolding is installed across multiple receiving sections, so that by installing a single work scaffolding, workers can easily perform work while moving in the Y direction.

[0092] In one embodiment, the tread surface on which the worker stands on the work scaffolding is located above the running surface on which the transport vehicle runs on the first floor and below the running surface on which the transport vehicle runs on the second floor.

[0093] This configuration allows the worker to perform work on the second floor while standing at a position higher than the running surface of the first floor and lower than the running surface of the second floor, making it easier for the worker to perform work in a stable posture.

[0094] In one embodiment, the direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as the X direction, and the item transport equipment further includes a conveyor that is spaced apart from the delivery passage in the X direction when viewed in the vertical direction and is arranged to extend along the Y direction, and the work scaffolding is arranged between the conveyor and the delivery passage in the X direction when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0095] According to this configuration, even if a conveyor is arranged along the delivery passage, workers can perform work on the second floor in a location that avoids the conveyor.

[0096] In one embodiment, the direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from above is the X direction, and each of the receiving sections is configured to move the item along the X direction, and each of the multiple receiving sections includes an item transport surface on which the item moves along the X direction with the item placed thereon, and a pair of guide sections that are arranged to extend along the X direction on both sides of the Y direction relative to the item transport surface and guide the movement of the item in the X direction, and the work scaffolding is attached to at least one of the pair of guide sections and a support frame that supports the item transport surface and the pair of guide sections.

[0097] According to this configuration, the receiving portion can stably support the work scaffolding.

[0098] It is sufficient for the article transport facility according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects.

[0099] In one aspect, a maintenance method for item transport equipment comprises the item transport equipment comprising a first floor, a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor in a vertical view, a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport items, and a plurality of receiving sections that receive the items from the transport vehicle, wherein a delivery passageway is defined on the first floor as a passageway through which the transport vehicle passes to hand over the items to the plurality of receiving sections, the extension direction of the delivery passageway being the Y direction, and the plurality of receiving sections are arranged in a line along the delivery passageway in the Y direction, and the method comprises the steps of: installing a work scaffolding, which is a scaffolding for workers, so as to cover at least a portion of the plurality of receiving sections from above when performing maintenance work on the second floor; and performing a work step in which a worker standing on the work scaffolding performs maintenance work on the second floor.

[0100] According to this configuration, in an item transport equipment in which multiple receiving areas are arranged in a row along the delivery corridor on the first floor, workers can stand on a receiving area to perform maintenance work on the second floor without being obstructed by the multiple receiving areas, thereby making it easier to perform maintenance work on the second floor, which is located above the first floor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10: Goods transport equipment 11: Transport vehicle 12: Goods 12p: Movement trajectory 16: Receiving section 18:Delivery aisle 18a: Running surface 28a: Running surface 41: Item conveying surface 42: Guide section 43: Support frame 50: Work scaffolding 50a: Tread 80: Conveyor F1: 1st floor F2: Second floor H2: Worker

Claims

1. The first floor and a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor when viewed in the vertical direction; a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport an article; a plurality of receiving units that receive the items from the transport vehicle; a work scaffold; Equipped with a delivery passageway through which the transport vehicle passes to deliver the articles to the plurality of receiving sections is set on the first floor; The extension direction of the delivery passage is the Y direction, The plurality of receiving sections are arranged in the Y direction along the delivery passage, The work scaffolding is a scaffolding for workers performing work on the second floor, and is arranged to cover at least a portion of the multiple receiving sections from above, in an item transport facility.

2. The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the work scaffold is detachably attached to the receiving section.

3. The direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from above is defined as the X direction, Each of the receivers is configured to move the item along the X direction; The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the work scaffold is positioned so as not to overlap with a movement trajectory of the article moved in the X direction by the receiving section.

4. The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the work scaffolding is installed across two or more receiving sections that are aligned in the Y direction.

5. 4. An article transport facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tread surface on which the worker stands on the work scaffolding is located above the running surface on which the transport vehicle runs on the first floor and below the running surface on which the transport vehicle runs on the second floor.

6. The direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from above is defined as the X direction, Further, a conveyor is provided which is spaced apart from the delivery passage in the X direction and extends along the Y direction when viewed in the up-down direction, The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the work scaffolding is disposed between the conveyor and the delivery passage in the X direction when viewed from above.

7. The direction intersecting the Y direction when viewed from above is defined as the X direction, Each of the receivers is configured to move the item along the X direction; Each of the plurality of receiving sections includes an article conveying surface on which the article moves along the X direction with the article placed thereon, and a pair of guide sections that are arranged to extend along the X direction on both sides of the article conveying surface in the Y direction and that guide the movement of the article in the X direction, 4. The item transport facility according to claim 1, wherein the work scaffolding is attached to at least one of the pair of guide sections and a support frame that supports the item transport surface and the pair of guide sections.

8. A maintenance method for an article conveying facility, comprising: The article transport facility includes: The first floor and a second floor installed above the first floor so as to overlap with the first floor when viewed in the vertical direction; a transport vehicle that moves at least on the first floor to transport an article; a plurality of receiving units that receive the items from the transport vehicle; Equipped with a delivery passageway through which the transport vehicle passes to deliver the articles to the plurality of receiving sections is set on the first floor; The extension direction of the delivery passage is the Y direction, The plurality of receiving sections are arranged to be aligned in the Y direction along the delivery passage, a scaffolding installation step of installing a work scaffolding for workers so as to cover at least a portion of the plurality of receiving portions from above when performing maintenance work on the second floor; a work step in which a worker standing on the work scaffold performs maintenance work on the second floor; A maintenance method for an article transport facility, comprising:

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