Carrier installing device, automatic warehouse system and method of making automatic warehouse

Abstract

To make it possible to easily install a carrier on a horizontal rail of an automatic warehouse.SOLUTION: A carrier installing device 50, for use in an automatic warehouse 10 having a plurality of stages of shelves 22, a hoist device, a plurality of horizontal rails 28 arranged one above the other in association with stages and adjacently to the shelves in a manner extending along a horizontal direction, and a plurality of carriers 40 allowed to move on corresponding ones of the horizontal rails and carry articles between the hoist device and the shelves, comprises a carrier installing auxiliary tool 60 including a carrier support 62 to support the carrier and a to-be-guided body 78 provided on the carrier support, and an ascent / descent guide rail 52 for supporting the to-be-guided body to ascend / descend. The ascent / descent guide rail 52 extends in a manner stretching vertically across the plurality of horizontal rails.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport vehicle installation device, an automated warehouse system, and a method for manufacturing an automated warehouse. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse equipped with a support member arranged to straddle a pair of storage shelves. The support member includes a first support portion that supports a first suspension device that suspends the transporting cart, and a second support portion that supports a second suspension device that suspends the transporting cart.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses that a transport vehicle suspended by a first suspension device and a second suspension device can be easily removed downward through a gap between a pair of rail portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-142668 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable to make it possible to easily install a transport vehicle on the horizontal rails of an automated warehouse.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to easily install a transport vehicle on a horizontal rail in an automated warehouse. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The transport vehicle installation device is used in an automated warehouse having multiple shelves, an elevator device that performs at least one of an entry process in which an item to be stored is moved from a height position for entry to a height position of the tier corresponding to a storage location, and an unloading process in which an item to be unloaded is moved from a height position of the tier corresponding to a storage location to a height position for unloading, a plurality of horizontal rails that are associated with the tiers and arranged in a row above and below, and that extend horizontally adjacent to the shelves, and a plurality of transport vehicles that run on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport items between the elevator device and the shelves, and is equipped with a transport vehicle installation auxiliary device that includes a transport vehicle support that supports the transport vehicles and a guided object provided on the transport vehicle support, and an elevator guide rail that supports the guided object so that it can be raised and lowered, and the elevator guide rail extends so as to straddle the multiple horizontal rails vertically.

[0008] The automated warehouse system includes the above-mentioned transport vehicle installation device and the automated warehouse.

[0009] a plurality of horizontal rails that are stacked one on top of the other and disposed adjacent to the shelves so as to extend horizontally; and a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport items between the lifting device and the shelves. The method for manufacturing an automated warehouse includes manufacturing an automated warehouse at a construction site, the automated warehouse having a plurality of shelves; an elevator that performs at least one of an entry process in which an item to be entered is moved from an entry height position to a height position of the tier corresponding to a storage location, and an unloading process in which an item to be unloaded is moved from the height position of the tier corresponding to the storage location to a height position for unloading; a plurality of horizontal rails that are associated with the tiers and are stacked one on top of the other and are disposed adjacent to the shelves so as to extend along the horizontal direction; and a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport items between the elevator device and the shelves. The method for manufacturing an automated warehouse includes installing an elevator guide rail so as to straddle the plurality of horizontal rails vertically, supporting the transport vehicle with a transport vehicle installation aid, and moving one end of the transport vehicle installation aid upward while supported by the elevator guide rail, stopping the transport vehicle installation aid at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of horizontal rails, and transferring the transport vehicle on the transport vehicle installation aid to the horizontal rail while the transport vehicle installation aid is stopped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, the transport vehicle can be easily installed on the horizontal rails of the automated warehouse. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an automated warehouse according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an automated warehouse. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an automated warehouse system in which a guided vehicle installation device is combined with an automated warehouse. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the transport vehicle and the pallet. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the transport vehicle and the pallet. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the transport vehicle installation aid. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the transport vehicle installation aid. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial front view showing the transport vehicle installation aid. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the guided body is guided by the lift guide rail. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool has been raised to the desired shelf position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing the feeder wire guide, the feeder wire, and the intervening guide member within the horizontal rail. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view showing the feeder wire guide, feeder wire, and intervening guide member within the horizontal rail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a transport vehicle installation device, an automated warehouse system, and a method for manufacturing an automated warehouse according to the embodiments will be described.

[0013] <Automated warehouse> An automated warehouse in which a transport vehicle is to be installed will now be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing an automated warehouse 10, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the automated warehouse.

[0014] The automated warehouse 10 is a device that automatically stores received items 12 on storage shelves 20, automatically retrieves items 12 stored on storage shelves 20, or automatically performs both of these operations. In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that storage and retrieval are performed automatically.

[0015] The automated warehouse 10 includes a storage shelf 20, a lifting device 30, a plurality of horizontal rails 28, and a plurality of transport vehicles 40. The automated warehouse 10 may also include a transfer shelf 26 on which items 12 are temporarily placed when entering or leaving the warehouse.

[0016] The storage shelf 20 has multiple tiers of shelves 22. The multiple shelves 22 are supported at intervals in the vertical direction. Each of the shelves 22 lined up in the vertical direction can support an article 12. Furthermore, each tier of shelves 22 also supports multiple articles 12 in a line. Therefore, when the storage shelf 20 is viewed as a whole, multiple articles 12 are stored in a state of being arranged vertically and horizontally.

[0017] In this embodiment, the automated warehouse 10 has a pair of storage shelves 20 arranged with a gap between them. A transport vehicle 40 travels between the pair of storage shelves 20.

[0018] The horizontal rails 28 are arranged vertically in a row and associated with each of the rows of shelves 22. Each horizontal rail 28 extends horizontally adjacent to a shelf 22.

[0019] In this embodiment, each of the multiple horizontal rails 28 includes a pair of left and right rails 28a. One rail 28a is supported by one of the pair of storage shelves 20, and the other rail 28a is supported by the other of the pair of storage shelves 20. Each rail 28a may also serve as a horizontal frame for the storage shelf 20, or may be configured as a separate body from the storage shelf 20.

[0020] The horizontal rail 28 extends from the storage shelf 20 to the transfer shelf 26 .

[0021] The transport vehicle 40 is a device also called a picker or dolly, and is provided corresponding to each of the multiple horizontal rails 28. At each stage, the transport vehicle 40 travels on the corresponding horizontal rail 28. The transport vehicle 40 is provided with an insertion / removal mechanism 42 that inserts and removes items 12 into and from the storage shelf 20 and the transfer shelf 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The insertion / removal mechanism 42 has, for example, a pair of arms 43 that can move in and out of the storage shelf 20 and the transfer shelf 26. A pair of claws 43a is provided on each of the forward-moving tip ends of the pair of arms 43. By moving the pair of arms 43 forward with the claws 43a protruding, the item 12 on the transport vehicle 40 is pushed toward the storage shelf 20 or the transfer shelf 26. By protruding the pair of claws 43a at the tip end with the pair of arms 43 advanced, and then retracting the pair of arms 43, the item 12 on the storage shelf 20 or the transfer shelf 26 is pulled toward the transport vehicle 40. This allows the article 12 to be moved between the transport vehicle 40 and the storage shelf 20 or the transfer shelf 26. The pair of arms 43 are configured to be able to selectively move in and out of both of the pair of storage shelves 20, and claws 43a are provided on both ends of the arms 43, so that the article 12 can be taken in and out of both of the pair of storage shelves 20.

[0022] The transport vehicle 40 can travel on the horizontal rail 28 to move back and forth between a position corresponding to the transfer shelf 26 and a position corresponding to the shelf 22. This allows the transport vehicle 40 to transport the article 12 between the lifting device 30 and the shelf 22.

[0023] Note that the transport vehicle 40 transporting the article 12 between the lifting device 30 and the shelf 22 means that the transport vehicle 40 receives the article 12 directly or indirectly from the lifting device 30 and moves, loaded with the article 12, to a position on the shelf 22 where the article 12 can be transferred, or moves the article 12 by the reverse action. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the transport vehicle 40 receives the article 12 from the lifting device 30 via the transfer shelf 26 and also hands over the article to the lifting device 30 via the transfer shelf 26.

[0024] In the automated warehouse 10, the transfer shelves 26 may be omitted, and the transport vehicle 40 may directly load and unload the articles 12 onto and from the lifting device 30.

[0025] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which multiple horizontal rails 28 and multiple transport vehicles 40 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of multiple shelf levels, but this is not essential. For example, one horizontal rail may be associated with every two upper and lower shelf levels, and transport vehicles may run on the horizontal rail. In this case, the transport vehicle may be equipped with multiple loading and unloading mechanisms stacked one above the other, and the upper and lower loading and unloading mechanisms may be able to load and unload stored items onto and from the upper and lower shelves. Also, multiple transport vehicles may run on one horizontal rail.

[0026] An elevator device 30 and a transfer shelf 26 are provided at a portion of the storage shelf 20 in the extension direction. In this embodiment, the pair of storage shelves 20 are each provided with a transfer shelf 26 and an elevator device 30 at one end thereof.

[0027] The transfer shelf 26 is also called a temporary storage shelf. The transfer shelf 26 is a device that relays the item 12 between the lifting device 30 and the transport vehicle 40. The transfer shelf 26 is equipped with a plurality of transfer tables 27 corresponding to each of the plurality of shelf levels. When the lifting device 30 lifts or lowers the item 12 to a height position corresponding to one of the shelves 22, the item 12 is transferred from the lifting device 30 to the transfer table 27 at that height position. The item 12 is temporarily supported by the transfer table 27 at that height position until it is taken in by the transport vehicle 40.

[0028] Furthermore, when an item 12 is removed from the storage shelf 20 by the transport vehicle 40 at the height position of each stage, the item 12 is transferred to the transfer platform 27 at that height position. The item 12 is temporarily supported by the transfer platform 27 at that height position until it is sent to the lifting device 30.

[0029] In other words, the transfer shelf 26 functions as a buffer zone that temporarily holds the item 12 between the transport vehicle 40 and the lifting device 30.

[0030] The transfer platform 27 may be, for example, a roller conveyor that feeds and takes in objects onto the lift platform 32. The objects 12 on the transfer platform 27 may be moved by being pushed by a pusher driven by a separately provided actuator such as a cylinder.

[0031] The lifting device 30 is a device that performs at least one of a storage process and a retrieval process by raising and lowering the item 12. The storage process is a process of moving the item 12 to be stored from a storage height position to a height position of a shelf corresponding to the storage location. The retrieval process is a process of moving the item 12 to be removed from a shelf height position corresponding to the storage location to a retrieval height position.

[0032] The height position for storing is, for example, the height position of the conveyor 18 used for storing, and the height position for retrieving is, for example, the height position of the conveyor 18 used for retrieving.

[0033] In this embodiment, the lifting device 30 is a device that lifts and moves the article 12 and also directly or indirectly passes or receives the article 12 to or from the conveyor and the transport vehicle 40. In this embodiment, the lifting device 30 receives or passes the article 12 directly from the conveyor 18. The lifting device 30 also receives or passes the article 12 to or from the transport vehicle 40 indirectly via the transfer shelf 26.

[0034] More specifically, the lifting device 30 includes a lifting platform 32 on which the article 12 is placed. The lifting platform 32 is raised and lowered while supporting the article 12. The lifting platform 32 can move the article 12 along the conveying direction connecting the conveyor 18 and the transfer platform 27. For example, the lifting platform 32 may be a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor that transports the article 12. The lifting platform 32 may also include a pusher that pushes the article 12 to move it.

[0035] The lifting platform 32 is driven to move up and down by a lifting drive mechanism 33. The lifting drive mechanism 33 has a drive source such as a motor and a circulating rotor. The circulating rotor is a chain or a circulating belt that is wound around sprockets or pulleys rotatably supported above and below the column 31. By rotating the drive source, the circulating rotor is rotated in a circular motion, thereby lifting and lowering the lifting platform 32 connected to the circulating rotor.

[0036] By positioning the lifting platform 32 at a height corresponding to one of the transfer platforms 27, the article 12 can be transferred by moving horizontally between the lifting platform 32 and the transfer platform 27. Furthermore, by positioning the lifting platform 32 at the height of the conveyor 18, the article 12 can be transferred by moving horizontally between the lifting platform 32 and the conveyor 18. The lifting device 30 performs a storage process in which the article 12 to be stored is moved from the height position of the conveyor 18, which is the height position for storing, to the height position of the shelf corresponding to the storage location. Furthermore, this process moves the article 12 to be removed from the height position of the shelf corresponding to the storage location to the height position of the conveyor 18, which is the height position for removing.

[0037] In this embodiment, the transfer shelf 26 and the lifting device 30 located at one end of the pair of storage shelves 20 load and unload the items 12. In other words, the transfer shelf 26 and the lifting device 30 are used for both loading and unloading. The transfer shelf 26 and the lifting device 30 may be provided separately for loading and unloading. In this case, the transfer shelf 26 and the lifting device 30 of one of the pair of storage shelves 20 may be used for loading, and the transfer shelf 26 and the lifting device 30 of the other of the pair of storage shelves 20 may be used for unloading. Alternatively, a transfer shelf and a lifting device may be provided at each end of the pair of storage shelves 20 in the extension direction, and the ends may be used separately for loading and unloading.

[0038] Furthermore, a transfer shelf and an elevator device may be provided at the middle of the storage shelf 20 in the extension direction.

[0039] In this automated warehouse 10, under the control of a control unit configured by a computer or the like, an incoming item 12 is transferred from the conveyor 18 via the lifting device 30, the transfer shelf 26, and the transport vehicle 40 to the storage shelf 20, where it is stored. Also, under the control of the control unit, an outgoing item 12 is sent from the storage shelf 20 via the transport vehicle 40, the transfer shelf 26, and the lifting device 30 to the conveyor 18.

[0040] When the above-mentioned automated warehouse 10 is manufactured at a construction site such as a warehouse floor, it is assumed that the storage shelves 20 and horizontal rails 28 are assembled at the construction site, and then the transport vehicles 40 are set on the horizontal rails 28 of each shelf level.

[0041] In this case, it is required that the transport vehicle 40 be moved to the height position of each shelf, and then the transport vehicle 40 be positioned on the horizontal rail 28 in a position that allows it to travel on the horizontal rail 28. The present disclosure relates to a technique for easily installing the transport vehicle 40 on the horizontal rail 28 of each shelf in an automated warehouse such as the one described above.

[0042] <Automated warehouse system> FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an automated warehouse system 10S in which a transport vehicle installation device 50 is combined with the automated warehouse 10.

[0043] By using the transport vehicle installation device 50 in the automated warehouse 10, the transport vehicles 40 are installed on the horizontal rails 28 of each shelf. The automated warehouse system 10S is a system that is temporarily constructed for the automated warehouse 10 when the transport vehicles 40 are installed.

[0044] The transport vehicle installation device 50 includes a transport vehicle installation aid 60 and an elevation guide rail 52 .

[0045] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 includes a transport vehicle support body 62 and a guided body 78. The transport vehicle support body 62 is a part that supports the transport vehicle 40. The guided body 78 is a part that is provided on the transport vehicle support body 62 and is guided by the lift guide rail 52.

[0046] The lifting / lowering guide rail 52 is a long rail that supports the guided body 78 so that it can move up and down. The lifting / lowering guide rail 52 extends so as to straddle multiple horizontal rails 28 vertically. In other words, the lifting / lowering guide rail 52 extends in a direction that connects the horizontal rails 28 vertically, in this case, along the direction of gravity. The lower end of the lifting / lowering guide rail 52 extends below the lowest horizontal rail 28 and reaches, for example, the floor surface. The upper end of the lifting / lowering guide rail 52 reaches the highest horizontal rail 28.

[0047] The lifting guide rail 52 may be located outside one end of the horizontal rail 28 in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail 28. In this case, the lifting guide rail 52 can easily guide the transport vehicle installation aid 60 to the outside of one end of the horizontal rail 28. If the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is located outside one end of the horizontal rail 28, the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be easily transferred onto the horizontal rail 28 and set on the horizontal rail 28.

[0048] The transport vehicle 40 is supported on the transport vehicle support 62. For example, the transport vehicle 40 is brought to the construction site while being placed on a pallet 80 for transporting the transport vehicle 40 to the construction site. At the construction site, the transport vehicle 40 is transferred from the pallet 80 to the transport vehicle installation support tool 60.

[0049] An elevation guide rail 52 is installed on one end side of the storage shelf 20. The elevation guide rail 52 may be installed temporarily or permanently on the storage shelf 20. For example, the elevation guide rail 52 is installed on the end of the storage shelf 20 on the side where the transfer shelf 26 and the elevation platform 32 are not installed.

[0050] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 moves toward the lift guide rail 52, and the guided body 78 is brought into a state where it can be supported by the lift guide rail 52. Thereafter, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is lifted upward.

[0051] The automated warehouse system 10S may be equipped with a suspension device 90 that suspends the transport vehicle installation aid 60. The suspension device 90 is a device that can raise and lower the transport vehicle installation aid 60 while the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is suspended. The suspension device 90 may be a small crane that can be moved manually or self-propelled. The suspension device 90 may be a hoist installed above the storage shelf 20 or on the facility ceiling, etc. The lifting and lowering movement may be performed manually or electrically.

[0052] With the guided object 78 guided by the lifting guide rail 52, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 rises in a suspended state. When the transport vehicle installation aid 60 moves to a height position of the horizontal rail 28 where it is to be installed, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 stops. In this state, the transport vehicle 40 on the transport vehicle installation aid 60 moves toward the horizontal rail 28, whereby the transport vehicle 40 is installed on the horizontal rail 28.

[0053] The configuration of each part will be described in more detail.

[0054] <Pallets and transport vehicles> FIG. 4 is a side view showing the transport vehicle 40 and the pallet 80, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the transport vehicle 40 and the pallet 80. As shown in FIG.

[0055] The transport vehicle 40 includes a transport platform 41 having a support surface 41f for the article 12, and an insertion / removal mechanism .

[0056] A plurality of wheels 44, 45 are supported on each side of the transport vehicle 41. The wheels 44, 45 are supported spaced apart in the traveling direction. At least one of the wheels 44, 45, for example, the wheel 44, is rotated by a motor.

[0057] The support surface 41f is located at the middle of the transport vehicle 40 in the traveling direction, for example, between the wheels 44 and 45.

[0058] The support surface 41f is open on both sides in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the travel direction. Both sides of the support surface 41f are located between a pair of arms 43 of the loading / unloading mechanism .

[0059] A pair of arms 43 protrudes horizontally from the support surface 41f in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, so that an item 12 on the support surface 41f can be sent to the shelf 22 or the transfer shelf 26, or an item 12 on the shelf 22 or the transfer shelf 26 can be taken in to the support surface 41f.

[0060] The lowest ends of the wheels 44, 45 are positioned above the bottom surface of the transporting vehicle 41. Therefore, when the wheels 44, 45 roll on the pair of rails 28a of the horizontal rail 28, the lower part of the transporting vehicle 41 is positioned between the pair of rails 28a and below the upper surface of the rails 28a.

[0061] The wheels 44 are driven to rotate by an electric motor, and the arms 43 and claws 43a are also driven by an electric motor or a solenoid or the like.

[0062] A power receiving unit 48 is provided on one side of the transport vehicle 40. The power receiving unit 48 is a part that receives power supplied from an external source. For example, a power feeder 29w is provided below the upper running surface of the horizontal rail 28 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The power receiving unit 48 receives power by coming into contact with the power feeder 29w.

[0063] More specifically, the power receiving unit 48 includes a current collector 48a. When receiving three-phase AC power, the power receiving unit 48 may have three current collectors 48a. The current collectors 48a are, for example, elongated plate-shaped and supported so as to extend horizontally along the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 40. The three current collectors 48a are supported in a parallel position, aligned vertically. Multiple sets (for example, two sets) of the three current collectors 48a may be arranged in a front-to-back arrangement. Each current collector 48a may be displaceable inward and outward and biased outward, and may be configured to be biased toward the power supply line 29w.

[0064] When the transport vehicle 40 is set on the horizontal rails 28, the wheels 44, 45 are moved onto the pair of rails 28a, and the current collector 48a is positioned so as to be able to come into contact with the power supply line 29w.

[0065] The pallet 80 includes a support plate 82 , support posts 84 , and connectors 86 .

[0066] The support plate 82 is a plate that extends wider than the transport vehicle 40. With the lower surface of the transport vehicle 40 in contact with the upper surface of the support plate 82, the transport vehicle 40 is stably supported on the support plate 82.

[0067] A support pillar 84 is located at each of the four corners of the support plate 82. The support pillars 84 extend in the vertical direction. The lower ends of the support pillars 84 protrude beyond the lower surface of the support plate 82, and the four support pillars 84 support the support plate 82 at a position spaced apart from the floor.

[0068] The connector 86 is a part that keeps the pallet 80 and the transport vehicle installation aid 60 connected together. For example, the connector 86 includes a tubular portion 86a that fits onto the outside of the support column 84, and a connecting piece 86b that extends outward from the tubular portion 86a.

[0069] The connecting piece 86b is a plate extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wheels 44, 45, and extends from the cylindrical portion 86a to the outside of the pallet 80 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the wheels 44, 45. A groove 86bg that opens downward is formed in the connecting piece 86b.

[0070] A connector 86 is attached to each of a pair of support columns 84 aligned laterally, and a connection maintaining member 71 such as a screw or pin attached to the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is placed in the groove 86bg. This keeps the pallet 80 and the transport vehicle installation aid 60 connected to each other.

[0071] The connector 86 may be detachable from the support column 84 .

[0072] <Transport vehicle installation auxiliary device> Fig. 6 is a side view showing the transport vehicle installation aid 60, and Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the transport vehicle installation aid 60. In Figs. 6 and 7, the transport vehicle 40 and the connector 86 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. Fig. 8 is a partial front view showing the transport vehicle installation aid 60. The power receiving unit 48 is shown in Fig. 8.

[0073] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 includes a transport vehicle support 62 and a guided body 78 .

[0074] The transport vehicle support 62 supports the transport vehicle 40 in a rollable state on the wheels 44 and 45.

[0075] More specifically, the transport vehicle support 62 has a frame structure that is combined to form each side of a rectangular parallelepiped. The transport vehicle support 62 may have auxiliary frames added to portions other than each side of the rectangular parallelepiped. The transport vehicle support may also have a structure that includes plate-like portions, such as a box-like body.

[0076] The transport vehicle support 62 includes a pair of auxiliary rails 63. The pair of auxiliary rails 63 are supported in a parallel state at the same interval as the pair of rails 28a. The pair of auxiliary rails 63 may have a wheel support plate 63a having an upward surface and an outer plate 63b extending downward from the outer edge of the wheel support plate 63a.

[0077] The transport vehicle 40 is placed on a pair of auxiliary rails 63 with the wheels 44, 45 on both sides positioned on wheel support plates 63a. The pair of auxiliary rails 63 support the wheels 44, 45 so that they can roll along their longitudinal direction. The wheels 44, 45 roll on the auxiliary rails 63, allowing the transport vehicle 40 to be moved in and out of the transport vehicle installation aid 60.

[0078] The vehicle support may include a plate-like portion on which the vehicle 40 is supported.

[0079] A power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 may be provided on one of the pair of auxiliary rails 63. The power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 is a component that guides the power receiving unit 48 toward the power feeder 29w on an outer extension of the power feeder 29w.

[0080] For example, the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 has a groove 64g that runs along the moving direction of the transport vehicle 40. The groove 64g opens to the inside of the transport vehicle support body 62. A plurality of grooves 64g (three in this example) are formed so as to be aligned vertically in correspondence with the current collectors 48a.

[0081] By inserting each current collector 48a into the corresponding groove 64g, the current collector 48a can move within the groove 64g in a predetermined posture. Therefore, when the transport vehicle 40 is moved from the transport vehicle installation aid 60 toward the pair of rails 28a, the posture of the current collector 48a is stable, making it easy to position the current collector 48a so that it contacts the power supply line 29w on the rail 28a side.

[0082] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may include a restricting portion 65 that restricts the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle support body 62 from moving outward. For example, the restricting portion 65 may be a long member that is disposed so as to span the pair of auxiliary rails 63. The restricting portion 65 may be disposed at positions in front of and behind the transport vehicle 40 in the traveling direction when the transport vehicle 40 is disposed on the pair of auxiliary rails 63. This restricts the transport vehicle 40 on the pair of auxiliary rails 63 from moving outward in both directions in the traveling direction. In other words, the position of the transport vehicle 40 is restricted between the two restricting portions 65 on the pair of auxiliary rails 63.

[0083] The restricting portion 65 may be detachable from the transport vehicle support body 62. Here, detachable means that the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be detached so as to be able to return to its original state without being destroyed.

[0084] For example, with the restricting portion 65 positioned so as to span the pair of auxiliary rails 63, screws S are inserted into both ends of the restricting portion 65 and the screws S are screwed into nuts on the auxiliary rails 63, thereby attaching the restricting portion 65 to the pair of auxiliary rails 63. Conversely, by removing the screws S, the restricting portion 65 can be removed from the pair of auxiliary rails 63.

[0085] One of the two regulating units 65 may always remain attached to the pair of auxiliary rails 63. In this case, the regulating unit 65 may be fixed to the pair of auxiliary rails 63 by welding or the like. The other of the two regulating units 65 may be removed from the transport vehicle support body 62 when the transport vehicle 40 is moved toward the transport vehicle support body 62 or when the transport vehicle 40 is moved outward from the transport vehicle support body 62. The other of the two regulating units 65 may be attached to the pair of auxiliary rails 63 when the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is moved with the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle support body 62.

[0086] The guided body 78 is located on one end side of the transport vehicle support body 62. For example, the transport vehicle support body 62 has a pair of pillars 66 extending upward from one outer end of each of the pair of auxiliary rails 63. The guided body 78 is provided on the outward facing portions of the pair of pillars 66.

[0087] The guided body 78 includes a plurality of guide rollers 78a. The guide rollers 78a are positioned apart in the vertical direction. The guide rollers 78a protrude outward from the outward-facing surface of the pillar portion 66 and are rotatably supported. The rotation axis of the guide rollers 78a is parallel to the rotation axes of the wheels 44, 45.

[0088] A pair of lift guide rails 52 are provided at the end of the storage shelf 20 in positions that allow them to be positioned outside the pair of pillars 66. The lift guide rail 52 is, for example, a U-shaped guide having a bottom plate 52a and a pair of side plate portions 52b, with the side opposite the bottom plate portion 52a being open. By disposing the guide roller 78a between the pair of side plate portions 52b, the guide roller 78a can move along the lift guide rail 52 while rolling relative to the side plate portions 52b. Therefore, the guided object 78 is supported on the lift guide rail 52 so that it can move up and down. Furthermore, by supporting the upper and lower guide rollers 78a on the lift guide rail 52, the transport vehicle support body 62 is supported in a cantilevered manner relative to the lift guide rail 52.

[0089] It is not essential that the guided body 78 be a guide roller. The guided body 78 may be a low-friction body that has been fluorine-treated or the like. The configuration in which the lifting guide rail 52 supports the guided body 78 so that it can be raised and lowered is not limited to the above example. The guided body may be configured to include a pair of guide rollers that sandwich a plate-shaped lifting guide rail.

[0090] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may have a stopper 70 for maintaining the guided object 78 at a constant height after it has moved along the lift guide rail 52. For example, the stopper 70 is supported on the column portion 66. The stopper 70 may be a plunger having a pin that extends and retracts in response to knob operation or screw tightening / loosening operation. A stopper hole 52h into which the pin of the stopper 70 is fitted is formed in the longitudinal middle portion of the lift guide rail 52 (see FIG. 10). The stopper hole 52h is formed in a position facing the stopper 70 on each shelf level when the auxiliary rail 63 is positioned on the outer extension of the rail 28a.

[0091] Then, when the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is raised to the shelf level to be installed on the transport vehicle 40, the pin of the stopper 70 is fitted into the stopper hole 52h, and the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is supported in a cantilevered state at the height position of the specified shelf level.

[0092] The stopper may be a screw or a pin that can be inserted, removed, or retracted.

[0093] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may have a connection maintaining member 71 that maintains the connection with the pallet 80. The connection maintaining member 71 may be a screw, pin, or plunger. When the connection piece 86b of the pallet 80 is positioned on the outward-facing portion of the column portion 66, the connection maintaining member 71 is positioned in the groove 86bg of the connection piece 86b, thereby maintaining the connection between the pallet 80 and the transport vehicle installation aid 60. In addition, the connection between the pallet 80 and the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be released by, for example, removing the connection maintaining member 71 and positioning the connection maintaining member 71 outside the groove 86bg.

[0094] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may also have casters 72. The casters 72 have spheres or wheels that can roll on the floor. It is preferable to provide three or more casters 72 so that the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be stably supported. In this embodiment, a caster 72 is provided at each of the four corners of the bottom surface of the transport vehicle support body 62. It is preferable that the casters 72 are casters with brakes.

[0095] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may be symmetrical on both sides in the direction of movement of the transport vehicle 40. For example, a pair of pillars 66 may be provided with guided bodies 78, stoppers 70, etc. on each side of the transport vehicle support body 62 in the direction of movement of the transport vehicle 40.

[0096] The transport vehicle installation aid 60 may have a handle 74 to make it easier to move and operate the transport vehicle installation aid 60. The handle 74 may be configured to be detachably inserted into holes 74h in a frame portion that is hung between the upper and lower ends of the pair of pillars 66, for example.

[0097] The transport vehicle support body 62 may have a suspension support target 75 so that it can be suspended and supported by the suspension device 90. For example, the suspension support target 75, such as a round can bolt, may be attached to frame portions of the transport vehicle support body 62 that are located on both sides of the transport vehicle 40 in the direction of movement and extend in the width direction.

[0098] It is preferable to provide three or more suspension support targets 75 so as to stably suspend the transport vehicle installation aid 60. In this embodiment, a suspension support target 75 is provided at each of the four corners of the transport vehicle support body 62, so that the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be supported by being suspended at four locations.

[0099] <Manufacturing method> A method for manufacturing the automated warehouse 10 at the construction site using the above-mentioned transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool 60 will be described.

[0100] First, the pallet 80 carrying the transport vehicle 40 is brought to the construction site. Then, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is placed next to the pallet 80. Next, the connecting piece 86b of the connecting device 86 of the pallet 80 is placed on the outward-facing portion of the pillar portion 66 of the transport vehicle installation aid 60. After this, the connection maintaining member 71 is placed in the groove 86bg of the connecting piece 86b. This connects the pallet 80 and the transport vehicle installation aid 60 (see Figures 3, 4, and 6).

[0101] Next, the transport vehicle 40 on the pallet 80 is moved toward the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool 60. At this time, the wheels 44, 45 of the transport vehicle 40 are set so that they run on the auxiliary rails 63. In addition, the current collector 48a of the power receiving unit 48 is positioned within the groove 64g of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64.

[0102] The transport vehicle 40 moves toward the transport vehicle installation aid 60 until it is stopped by the regulating unit 65 on the rear side in the direction of movement (see Figure 3). The movement may be performed manually by an operator. Once the transport vehicle 40 has moved into the transport vehicle installation aid 60, the regulating unit 65 is attached to the pair of auxiliary rails 63 on the front side in the direction of movement. This places the transport vehicle 40 in a state where its outward movement is restricted by the regulating units 65 on both sides in the direction of travel. This allows the transport vehicle 40 to be supported by the transport vehicle installation aid 60.

[0103] Separate from the transport vehicle 40, an elevation guide rail 52 is installed so as to straddle the horizontal rails 28 vertically. For example, the elevation guide rail 52 is aligned with a support post at one end of the storage shelf 20 and fixed with screws or the like. Note that the support post of the storage shelf 20 may also function as the elevation guide rail 52.

[0104] Next, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 carrying the transport vehicle 40 travels on the floor and is moved to the side of the end of the storage shelf 20. Then, as shown in Figure 9, the guide roller 78a of the guided body 78 is placed inside the lifting guide rail 52, and the guided body 78 is guided up and down by the lifting guide rail 52.

[0105] For example, a setting opening 52bh is formed in the outward-facing side plate 52b of the pair of side plate portions 52b of the lifting guide rail 52, which is on the opposite side from the storage shelf 20. The setting opening 52bh is formed at a height position corresponding to the guide roller 78a when the transport vehicle 40 is placed on the transport vehicle installation aid 60 (see FIG. 9).

[0106] Therefore, when the guided body 78 is moved toward the lifting guide rail 52 while the transport vehicle 40 is still placed on the transport vehicle installation aid 60, the upper and lower guide rollers 78a pass through the setting opening 52bh and are positioned within the lifting guide rail 52.

[0107] Next, the guided body 78 at one end of the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is moved upward while being supported by the lift guide rail 52. This causes the transport vehicle installation aid 60 to stop at a height position corresponding to one of the horizontal rails 28.

[0108] For example, a cord-like body 76 such as a belt, wire, or chain is connected to a suspension support target portion 75 of the transport vehicle installation support tool 60. The multiple cord-like bodies 76 are gathered together at a position where they can support the transport vehicle installation support tool 60 and the transport vehicle 40 in a horizontal position, and are supported in a suspended state by a suspension device 90.

[0109] As shown in Figures 3 and 10, when the suspension device 90 pulls the cord-like body 76 upward, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 supporting the transport vehicle 40 moves upward while the guided body 78 is guided by the lifting guide rail 52.

[0110] The transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool 60 is raised by the suspending device 90 to a height position corresponding to one of the horizontal rails 28. The height position corresponding to one of the horizontal rails 28 is, for example, a position where the auxiliary rail 63 is positioned on an outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail 28 of the shelf to be installed.

[0111] In this state, the stopper 70 provided on the pillar portion 66 of the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is fitted into the stopper hole 52h of the lift guide rail 52. This allows the transport vehicle installation aid 60 to stably stop at a fixed height position.

[0112] With the transport vehicle installation aid 60 stopped, the restricting portion 65 on the lift guide rail 52 side is removed from the auxiliary rail 63. Then, the transport vehicle 40 on the transport vehicle installation aid 60, which remains stopped, is moved toward the horizontal rail 28. Because the auxiliary rail 63 is located on the outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail 28, the wheels 44, 45 on the auxiliary rail 63 can move smoothly onto the horizontal rail 28.

[0113] Here, a power supply line 29w is provided on one of the horizontal rails 28. A configuration for easily assembling the current collector 48a of the power receiving portion 48 so that it comes into contact with the power supply line 29w will be described below.

[0114] 11 and 12, a power feeder guide 29 is provided below the upper running surface 28f of one of the horizontal rails 28. The power feeder guide 29 is an insulator extending along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail 28. The power feeder guide 29 has a plurality of storage grooves 29g that store a plurality of (here, three) power feeders 29w in a separated state. The storage grooves 29g open toward the gap between the pair of horizontal rails 28, and the power feeders 29w are arranged at the far side thereof.

[0115] The power feeder 29w is accommodated in the power feeder guide 29 and is disposed together with the power feeder guide 29 within the horizontal rail 28. Each of the multiple (three in this case) current collectors 48a of the power receiving unit 48 is disposed within the accommodation groove 29g and contacts the power feeder 29w. The current collectors 48a can move in the longitudinal direction within the accommodation groove 29g as the transport vehicle 40 travels while being in contact with the power feeder 29w and receiving power.

[0116] It may be difficult to accommodate the current collector 48a in the accommodating groove 29g of the power feeder guide 29. For example, if the edge of the power feeder guide 29 is located in front of the edge of the horizontal rail 28, the current collector 48a will reach the entrance of the accommodating groove 29g at a position where it enters through an opening at the end of the horizontal rail 28, and the current collector 48a may not be able to properly enter the accommodating groove 29g. Also, the power feeder guide 29 may bend inside the horizontal rail 28. In this case, the entrance of the accommodating groove 29g may be misaligned with the extension of the movement path of the current collector 48a that accompanies the traveling direction of the transport vehicle 40, and the current collector 48a may not be able to properly enter the accommodating groove 29g.

[0117] Therefore, an intervening guide member 68 is used. The intervening guide member 68 is a member having an intervening guide groove 68g that corresponds to the receiving groove 29g.

[0118] For example, the intervening guide member 68 is a member formed by bending a metal plate into a corrugated shape. A plurality of intervening guide grooves 68g are formed on one surface of the intervening guide member 68 at the same pitch as the plurality of accommodating grooves 29g. A plurality of positioning protrusions 68p are formed on the other surface of the intervening guide member 68 at the same pitch as the plurality of accommodating grooves 29g.

[0119] The intervening guide member 68 is overlapped on the end of the power supply line guide 29. The positioning protrusions 68p of the intervening guide member 68 are disposed in the accommodating grooves 29g. The intervening guide member 68 extends from the end of the power supply line guide 29 toward the edge of the horizontal rail 28. Thus, the intervening guide grooves 68g can extend so as to extend the accommodating groove 29g outward along the horizontal rail 28.

[0120] With the pair of auxiliary rails 63 of the transport vehicle installation aid 60 positioned on the outer extension of the horizontal rail 28, the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 of the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is positioned on the outer extension of the horizontal rail 28. The interposed guide member 68 extends from one end of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 toward the power feeder 29w, and can guide the power receiving unit 48 toward the power feeder 29w.

[0121] That is, when the transport vehicle 40 is moved from the auxiliary rail 63 to the horizontal rail 28, each current collector 48a of the power receiving unit 48 comes out of the groove 64g of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 and is placed in the intervening guide groove 68g of the intervening guide member 68. As the transport vehicle 40 moves further, each current collector 48a moves in the intervening guide groove 68g. As the transport vehicle 40 moves further, each current collector 48a can move from the intervening guide groove 68g into the storage groove 29g of the power feeder guide 29.

[0122] The interposed guide member 68 serves to guide the current collector 48a toward the accommodating groove 29g of the power supply line guide 29, and also serves to stably support the power supply line guide 29 at a fixed position at the rear side within the horizontal rail 28.

[0123] After the transport vehicle 40 has been moved onto the pair of horizontal rails 28, the vertical positioning by the stopper 70 is released. With the guided body 78 being guided by the lifting guide rails 52, the transport vehicle 40 moves downward using the suspension device 90.

[0124] The above-described process is repeated, and a transport vehicle 40 is placed on each of the horizontal rails 28 of each shelf.

[0125] <Effects, etc.> According to the manufacturing method of the transport vehicle installation device 50, automated warehouse system 10S, and automated warehouse 10 configured as described above, when the transport vehicle installation aid 60 is suspended by the suspension device 90, the guided object 78 is supported by the lifting guide rails 52 so as to be able to move up and down. Therefore, the transport vehicle support body 62 can be positioned near the horizontal rail 28 of the desired level while being guided by the lifting guide rails 52. In this state, the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle support body 62 can be transferred onto the horizontal rail 28. Therefore, the transport vehicle 40 can be easily installed on the horizontal rail 28 of the automated warehouse 10.

[0126] Furthermore, the transport vehicle support 62 is guided by the lift guide rail 52, so that the transport vehicle support 62 is positioned outside the leading end of the horizontal rail 28. In this state, the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle support 62 can be easily transferred onto the horizontal rail 28.

[0127] Furthermore, since the transport vehicle support 62 is supported in a cantilevered manner on the lift guide rail 52, the transport vehicle support 62 can be easily positioned opposite the horizontal rail 28 along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail 28.

[0128] Furthermore, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 includes an auxiliary rail 63 that supports the wheels 44, 45 of the transport vehicle 40 so that they can roll, and the auxiliary rail 63 is disposed on an outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail 28 when the guided body 78 is guided by the lift guide rail 52. Therefore, the wheels 44, 45 of the transport vehicle 40 on the auxiliary rail 63 can be rolled to easily move the transport vehicle 40 onto the horizontal rail 28.

[0129] In addition, since the transport vehicle installation aid 60 includes a regulating section 65 that can be attached and detached to the transport vehicle support body 62, by removing the regulating section 65, it becomes easy to support the transport vehicle 40 on the transport vehicle support body 62 or to transfer the transport vehicle 40 supported by the transport vehicle support body 62 to the horizontal rail 28.

[0130] Furthermore, the transport vehicle installation auxiliary device 60 has a power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 that guides the power receiving unit 48 toward the power feeder 29w on the outer extension of the power feeder 29w, so when the transport vehicle 40 is moved toward the horizontal rail 28, the power receiving unit 48 can be guided by the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 and easily guided toward the power feeder 29w.

[0131] In addition, the intervening guide member 68 is arranged to extend from one end of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 toward the power supply line 29w, and by guiding the power receiving unit 48 toward the power supply line 29w, when the transport vehicle 40 is transferred onto the horizontal rail 28, the power receiving unit 48 is smoothly guided from the power receiving unit auxiliary guide 64 toward the power supply line 29w.

[0132] Furthermore, by using the suspension device 90, the transport vehicle installation aid 60 can be easily suspended and moved together with the transport vehicle 40.

[0133] {Variation} The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0134] The present disclosure discloses the following aspects.

[0135] The first aspect of the transport vehicle installation device is a transport vehicle installation device used in an automated warehouse having multiple shelves, an elevator device that performs at least one of an entry process in which an item to be stored is moved from a height position for entry to a height position of the tier corresponding to a storage location, and an unloading process in which an item to be unloaded is moved from a height position of the tier corresponding to a storage location to a height position for unloading, a plurality of horizontal rails that are associated with the tiers and arranged in a row above and below, and that extend horizontally adjacent to the shelves, and a plurality of transport vehicles that run on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport items between the elevator device and the shelves, and the transport vehicle installation device comprises a transport vehicle support that supports the transport vehicles, a guided object provided on the transport vehicle support, and an elevator guide rail that supports the guided object so that it can be raised and lowered, and the elevator guide rail extends so as to straddle the multiple horizontal rails vertically.

[0136] With this transport vehicle installation device, when the transport vehicle installation aid is suspended by the suspension device, the guided object is supported by the lifting guide rail so that it can be raised and lowered. Therefore, the transport vehicle support body can be positioned near the horizontal rail of the desired level while being guided by the lifting guide rail. In this state, the transport vehicle supported by the transport vehicle support body can be transferred to the horizontal rail. Therefore, the transport vehicle can be easily installed on the horizontal rail of the automated warehouse.

[0137] The configurations according to the second and subsequent aspects may be adopted as optional configurations that are not essential.

[0138] A transport vehicle installation device according to a second aspect is the transport vehicle installation device according to the first aspect, wherein the lift guide rail is located outside one end of the horizontal rail in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail.

[0139] In this case, the transport vehicle support is guided by the lift guide rail, so that the transport vehicle support is positioned outside the leading end of the horizontal rail. In this state, the transport vehicle supported by the transport vehicle support can be easily transferred onto the horizontal rail.

[0140] A third aspect is a transport vehicle installation device according to the first or second aspect, in which the guided body is located at one end side of the transport vehicle support body, and the transport vehicle support body is supported in a cantilevered manner while the guided body is supported on the lifting guide rail so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0141] In this case, since the transport vehicle support is supported in a cantilevered manner, the transport vehicle support can be easily disposed in a position facing the horizontal rail along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail.

[0142] A fourth aspect is a transport vehicle installation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the transport vehicle installation aid includes an auxiliary rail that supports the wheels of the transport vehicle so that they can roll, and when the guided object is guided by the lifting guide rail, the auxiliary rail is positioned on the outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail.

[0143] This allows the wheels of the transport vehicle on the auxiliary rail to roll and easily move onto the horizontal rail when the auxiliary rail is positioned on the outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail.

[0144] A fifth aspect is a transport vehicle installation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the transport vehicle installation aid further includes a regulating unit that prevents the transport vehicle supported on the transport vehicle support from moving out of the transport vehicle support, and the regulating unit is detachable from the transport vehicle support.

[0145] In this case, by removing the restricting unit, it becomes easy to support the transport vehicle on the transport vehicle support body, or to transfer the transport vehicle supported by the transport vehicle support body to the horizontal rail. By attaching the restricting unit to the transport vehicle support body, it is possible to move the transport vehicle support body supporting the transport vehicle while preventing the transport vehicle from going out of the transport vehicle support body.

[0146] A sixth aspect is a transport vehicle installation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the automated warehouse has a power supply line below the running surface of the horizontal rail that contacts the power receiving unit of the transport vehicle to supply power to the transport vehicle, and the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool includes a power receiving unit auxiliary guide on an outer extension of the power supply line that guides the power receiving unit toward the power supply line.

[0147] As a result, when the transport vehicle is transferred onto the horizontal rail, the power receiving unit of the transport vehicle can be easily guided toward the power supply line by the power receiving unit auxiliary guide.

[0148] A seventh aspect is a transport vehicle installation device according to the sixth aspect, further comprising an intervening guide member extending from one end of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide toward the power supply line to guide the power receiving unit toward the power supply line.

[0149] This allows the power receiving unit to be smoothly guided from the power receiving unit auxiliary guide toward the power supply line when the transport vehicle is transferred onto the horizontal rail.

[0150] An eighth aspect is an automated warehouse system including the transport vehicle installation device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and the automated warehouse.

[0151] A ninth aspect is the automated warehouse system according to the eighth aspect, further comprising a suspension device that suspends the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool.

[0152] This allows the transport vehicle installation aid to be easily suspended and moved together with the transport vehicle.

[0153] A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to a manufacturing method for an automated warehouse, comprising: a plurality of shelves; an elevator that performs at least one of an entry process for moving an item to be stored from a height position for entry to a height position of the shelf corresponding to a storage location, and an unloading process for moving an item to be unloaded from a height position of the shelf corresponding to a storage location to a height position for unloading; a plurality of horizontal rails that are associated with the shelves and stacked one above the other and arranged to extend horizontally adjacent to the shelves; and a plurality of horizontal rails that travel on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport items between the elevator and the shelves. and a transport vehicle, at a construction site, the method of manufacturing an automated warehouse includes installing a lifting guide rail so as to straddle a plurality of the horizontal rails vertically, supporting the transport vehicle with a transport vehicle installation aid, moving one end of the transport vehicle installation aid upward while being supported by the lifting guide rail, stopping the transport vehicle installation aid at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of horizontal rails, and transferring the transport vehicle on the transport vehicle installation aid to the horizontal rail while the transport vehicle installation aid is stopped.

[0154] As a result, one end of the transport vehicle installation aid is moved upward while supported by the lift guide rail, and the transport vehicle installation aid is stopped at a position corresponding to one of the plurality of horizontal rails, and with the transport vehicle installation aid stopped, the transport vehicle on the transport vehicle installation aid is transferred to the horizontal rail. This makes it easy to install the transport vehicle on the horizontal rail of the automated warehouse.

[0155] Although the present invention has been described in detail as above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects and does not limit the present invention. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 10 Automated Warehouse 10S automated warehouse system 12 Goods 20 Storage Shelf 22 Shelves 28 horizontal rail 28a rail 28f running surface 29w power line 30 Lifting device 40 Transport Vehicle 44, 45 wheels 48 Power receiving unit 48a Electron collector 50 Transport vehicle installation device 52 Lifting guide rail 60 Transport vehicle installation aids 62 Transport vehicle support 63 Auxiliary rail 64 Power receiving unit auxiliary guide 65 Regulatory Department 68 Intervening guide member 75 Hanging support target part 78 Guided object 78a Guide roller 90 Suspension equipment

Claims

1. Multiple shelves and an elevator device that performs at least one of a storage process in which an item to be stored is moved from a storage height position to the height position of the step corresponding to the storage location, and a shipping process in which an item to be shipped is moved from the height position of the step corresponding to the storage location to the height position for shipping; a plurality of horizontal rails associated with the steps, arranged side by side one above the other, and arranged to extend horizontally adjacent to the shelves; a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport articles between the lifting device and the shelf; A transport vehicle installation device used in an automated warehouse having a transport vehicle installation aid including a transport vehicle support that supports the transport vehicle and a guided body provided on the transport vehicle support; an elevation guide rail that supports the guided body so that the guided body can be elevated and lowered; Equipped with The lift guide rail extends so as to straddle the horizontal rails vertically.

2. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1, The lift guide rail is positioned outside one end of the horizontal rail in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail.

3. 3. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1 or 2, The guided body is located on one end side of the transport vehicle support body, The transport vehicle installation device is configured such that the transport vehicle support body is supported in a cantilevered manner while the guided body is supported on the lift guide rail so as to be able to move up and down.

4. 3. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1 or 2, the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool includes an auxiliary rail that supports the wheels of the transport vehicle so that they can roll; A transport vehicle installation device in which the auxiliary rail is positioned on an outer extension of one end of the horizontal rail while the guided object is guided by the lifting guide rail.

5. 3. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1 or 2, The transport vehicle installation aid further includes a regulating portion that prevents the transport vehicle supported by the transport vehicle support from moving out of the transport vehicle support, The transport vehicle installation device, wherein the regulating portion is detachable from the transport vehicle support body.

6. 3. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1 or 2, the automated warehouse has a power supply line that contacts a power receiving unit of the transport vehicle below a running surface of the horizontal rail to supply power to the transport vehicle, The transport vehicle installation aid includes a power receiving unit auxiliary guide that guides the power receiving unit toward the power supply line on an outer extension of the power supply line.

7. 7. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 6, The transport vehicle installation device further includes an intervening guide member that extends from one end of the power receiving unit auxiliary guide toward the power supply line and guides the power receiving unit toward the power supply line.

8. The transport vehicle installation device according to claim 1 or 2; The automated warehouse; An automated warehouse system equipped with:

9. The automated warehouse system according to claim 8, The automated warehouse system further comprises a suspension device that suspends the transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool.

10. Multiple shelves and an elevator device that performs at least one of a storage process in which an item to be stored is moved from a storage height position to the height position of the step corresponding to the storage location, and a shipping process in which an item to be shipped is moved from the height position of the step corresponding to the storage location to the height position for shipping; a plurality of horizontal rails associated with the steps, stacked one above the other, and arranged to extend horizontally adjacent to the shelves; a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on the corresponding horizontal rails and transport articles between the lifting device and the shelf; A manufacturing method for an automated warehouse in which an automated warehouse having the following is manufactured at a construction site, The lift guide rail is installed so as to straddle the horizontal rails vertically, The transport vehicle is supported by a transport vehicle installation auxiliary tool; one end of the transport vehicle installation aid is moved upward while being supported by the lift guide rail, and the transport vehicle installation aid is stopped at a position corresponding to any one of the plurality of horizontal rails; A method for manufacturing an automated warehouse, in which the transport vehicle on the transport vehicle installation aid is transferred to the horizontal rail while the transport vehicle installation aid is stopped.

Images