Rail unit

Abstract

To provide a rail unit capable of easily adjusting a height position of a tip of a rail member projecting from a pair of side wall members.SOLUTION: A rail unit 40 includes a pair of side wall members 40C, 40C facing a width direction B perpendicular to a traveling direction D of a traveling vehicle 6, a set of rail members 40B, 40B on which a traveling roller 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 rolls: the set of rail members 40B, 40B in which a base end part 40Ba is connected to each of the set of the side wall members 40C, 40C, and a tip 40Bb projects toward the facing side wall member 40C in the width direction B, a top late member 40D connecting the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, and an adjustment post 43 for adjusting a height position of the tip 40Bb of the rail members 40B with one end 43A attached to the rail member 40B and with the other end 43B attached to the top plate member 40D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a rail unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In clean rooms such as those in semiconductor manufacturing plants, an automated guided vehicle system is known in which an automated guided vehicle that transports an article travels along a rail. The rail has a running surface on which the wheels of the vehicle roll, side surfaces perpendicular to the running surface, and a ceiling surface connecting the side surfaces. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rail unit (rail member) in which a rail member that forms the running surface, a pair of side wall members that form the side surfaces, and a top plate member that forms the ceiling surface are fastened together with bolts to form an integrated unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-3405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional rail units described above, because the rail members are attached with bolts so that they protrude from each of the pair of sidewall members, the position of the protruding tip of the rail member may move up and down. However, if this movement of the tip position causes a step on the running surface of the rail member between adjacent rail units, for example, this could damage the wheels of the running vehicle or cause problems for the transported object due to vibrations during travel.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a rail unit that allows easy adjustment of the height position of the tip end of the rail member that protrudes from a pair of side wall members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A rail unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a rail unit on which a traveling vehicle travels in one direction, and includes a pair of side wall members facing each other in a width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, a pair of rail members on which the wheels of the traveling vehicle roll, the pair of rail members having base ends connected to each of the pair of side wall members and tip ends protruding in the width direction toward the opposing side wall member, a top plate member connecting the pair of side wall members, and an adjustment post having one end attached to the rail member and the other end attached to the top plate member or the side wall member, for adjusting the height position of the tip end of the rail member.

[0007] In this rail unit, the rail member can be pushed down or pulled up by one end of the adjustment post provided between the rail member and the top plate member or the side wall member. This makes it easy to adjust the height of the tip of the rail member protruding from the pair of side wall members by changing (adjusting) the length of the adjustment post.

[0008] (2) In the rail unit described above in (1), a detachable height-adjusting shim member may be disposed between one end of the adjustment post and the rail member. This configuration facilitates fine adjustment of the height position of the tip of the rail member.

[0009] (3) In the rail unit of (1) or (2) above, a rail unit constituting a branching section that allows a traveling vehicle entering in one direction to exit in a first branching direction and a second branching direction, the rail member may have a first dual-purpose section on which wheels of both the traveling vehicle entering in the first branching direction and the traveling vehicle entering in the second branching direction roll at the branching section, and the adjustment post may be provided on the first dual-purpose section. With this configuration, the height position of the tip of the first dual-purpose section can be easily adjusted.

[0010] (4) In the rail unit of (3) above, the rail member may have an entrance section along which the wheels of a traveling vehicle entering in one direction at the branching section roll, and a gap may be provided between the entrance section and the first dual-purpose section along the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, and the height position of the tip of the rail member at the first dual-purpose section may be adjusted by an adjustment post so that it is the same as or lower than the height position of the tip of the rail member at the entrance section. With this configuration, even when the wheels transfer from the entrance section to the first dual-purpose section through the gap, they can transfer smoothly.

[0011] (5) In the rail unit of (1) or (2) above, a rail unit constituting a junction section through which traveling vehicles entering from different first and second junction directions advance in one direction, wherein the rail member has a second dual-purpose section on which wheels of both traveling vehicles entering from the first junction direction and traveling vehicles entering from the second junction direction roll at the junction section, and the adjustment post may be provided on the second dual-purpose section. With this configuration, the height position of the tip of the second dual-purpose section can be easily adjusted.

[0012] (6) In the rail unit of (5) above, the rail member may have an advancing portion along which the wheels of a traveling vehicle advancing in one direction at the merging portion roll, and a gap may be provided between the second dual-purpose portion and the advancing portion along the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, and the height position of the tip of the rail member in the second dual-purpose portion may be adjusted by an adjustment post so that it is the same as the height position of the tip of the advancing portion or higher than the height position of the tip of the advancing portion. With this configuration, even when the wheels transfer from the second dual-purpose portion to the advancing portion through the gap, they can transfer smoothly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the height position of the tip end of the rail member protruding from the pair of side wall members can be easily adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a traveling vehicle system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the overhead traveling vehicle of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rail unit constituting a branching section or a merging section, as viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view of the rail unit of FIG. 3 with the top plate member removed, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rail unit of FIG. 3 taken along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. [Figure 6] Fig. 6(A) is a perspective view showing an adjustment post. Fig. 6(B) is a cross-sectional view of a connection portion between the adjustment post and the first dual-purpose portion. Fig. 6(C) is a perspective view showing a shim member. Fig. 6(D) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the adjustment post and the shim member when the shim member is disposed between one end of the adjustment post and the first dual-purpose portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of an adjustment post connected to a rail member that constitutes the first dual-purpose portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rail unit that constitutes the branching and merging portion, seen obliquely from above. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the rail unit of FIG. 8 taken along a plane perpendicular to the width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A rail unit 40 according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. First, a traveling vehicle system 1 in which the rail unit 40 is used will be described.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the traveling vehicle system 1 is a system for transporting articles 10 between mounting units 9, 9 using an overhead traveling vehicle (traveling vehicle) 6 that can move along a track 4. The articles 10 include, for example, FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) that store multiple semiconductor wafers, containers that store glass substrates, containers such as reticle pods, and general parts. The traveling vehicle system 1 includes the track 4, multiple traveling vehicles 6, and multiple mounting units 9.

[0017] Each of the multiple traveling vehicles 6 travels on a track 4 and transports an article 10. The traveling vehicles 6 are configured to be able to transfer the article 10. The traveling vehicles 6 are overhead traveling unmanned vehicles. The number of traveling vehicles 6 included in the traveling vehicle system 1 is not particularly limited. The traveling vehicle 6 has a traveling unit 50, a main body unit 7 suspended from the traveling unit 50, and a bogie controller 35.

[0018] The traveling unit 50 causes the traveling vehicle 6 to travel along the track 4. As shown in FIG. 2 , the traveling unit 50 mainly includes traveling rollers 51, side rollers 52, a power supply core 57, and an LDM 59. The traveling rollers 51 are arranged at the front, rear, left, and right ends of the traveling unit 50. The traveling rollers 51 roll on the upper surfaces of a pair of rail members 40B, 40B of the track 4. The side rollers 52 are arranged so as to be able to contact the inner surfaces of a pair of side wall members 40C, 40C of the track 4. The power supply cores 57 are arranged at the front and rear of the traveling unit 50, sandwiching the LDM 59 in the left-right direction. The power supply cores 57 contactlessly supply power to and receive various signals from a power supply unit 40E arranged on the track 4. The power supply cores 57 exchange signals with the bogie controller 35. The LDM 59 is arranged at the front and rear of the traveling unit 50. The LDM 59 generates magnetic force for traveling or stopping by using electromagnets between the LDM 59 and a magnetic plate 40F arranged on the upper surface of the track 4.

[0019] The main body 7 includes a main body frame 22, a lateral feed unit 24, a θ drive 26, a lifting drive unit 28, a lifting platform 30, and a cover 33. The main body frame 22 is connected to the travel unit 50 and supports the lateral feed unit 24, the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, the lifting platform 30, and the cover 33. The lateral feed unit 24 collectively transports the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting platform 30 laterally in a width direction B that is perpendicular to the extension direction of the track 4 (the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6). The θ drive 26 rotates at least one of the lifting drive unit 28 and the lifting platform 30 within a predetermined angle range in a horizontal plane. The lifting drive unit 28 raises and lowers the lifting platform 30 by winding or unwinding a suspending member such as a wire, rope, or belt. The lifting platform 30 is provided with a chuck that can freely grip or release the article 10. A pair of covers 33 are provided, for example, at the front and rear of the traveling vehicle 6 in the direction of travel. The covers 33 have protruding claws or the like (not shown) to prevent the article 10 from falling during transportation.

[0020] The carriage controller 35 is an electronic control unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The carriage controller 35 controls various operations of the traveling vehicle 6.

[0021] The track 4 is installed, for example, near the ceiling, which is the overhead space of the worker. The track 4 is suspended from the ceiling, for example. The track 4 is a predetermined running path for the traveling vehicle 6 to run on. The track 4 is supported by supports 40A, 40A via a support plate (not shown). The track 4 has a cylindrical rail unit 40 including a pair of rail members 40B, 40B, a pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, and a top plate member 40D, a power supply unit 40E, and a magnetic plate 40F. The rail unit 40 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The rail unit 40 houses (encloses) the running unit 50 of the traveling vehicle 6. In other words, the rail unit 40 has an internal space in which the running unit 50 runs.

[0022] Each of the pair of rail members 40B, 40B extends in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6 and constitutes the underside of the rail unit 40. Each of the pair of rail members 40B, 40B is a plate-shaped member on which the traveling rollers (wheels) 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 roll. The base end 40Ba of each of the pair of rail members 40B, 40B is connected to each of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, and the tip end 40Bb of each rail member 40B protrudes in the width direction B toward the opposing side wall member 40C. The base end 40Ba of the rail member 40B is connected to the side wall member 40C by a bolt 45A (see FIG. 3). The pair of rail members 40B, 40B are arranged with a gap G between them in the width direction B. The gap G is a region where a connecting member connecting the traveling section 50 and the main body 7 of the traveling vehicle 6 moves when the traveling vehicle 6 travels.

[0023] Each of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C extends in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6 and constitutes a side surface of the rail unit 40. The pair of side wall members 40C, 40C are arranged to face each other in the width direction B that is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6. Each of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C is a plate-shaped member that allows the side rollers 52 of the traveling vehicle 6 to roll. The top plate member 40D extends in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6 and constitutes the upper surface of the rail unit 40. The top plate member 40D connects the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C to each other.

[0024] The power supply unit 40E supplies power to the power supply core 57 of the traveling vehicle 6 and transmits and receives signals to and from the power supply core 57. The power supply unit 40E is fixed to each of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C and extends along the traveling direction. The power supply unit 40E supplies power to the power supply core 57 in a non-contact state. The magnetic plate 40F generates a magnetic force for the LDM (Linear DC Motor) 59 of the traveling vehicle 6 to make it run or stop. The magnetic plate 40F is fixed to the top plate member 40D and extends along the traveling direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1 , the placement section 9 is arranged along the track 4 and is provided at a position where the article 10 can be transferred to and from the traveling vehicle 6. The placement section 9 includes a buffer and a delivery port. The buffer is a placement section where the article 10 is temporarily placed. The buffer is a placement section where the article 10 is temporarily placed when the article 10 being transported by the traveling vehicle 6 cannot be transferred to the intended delivery port, for example, because another article 10 is placed at the intended delivery port. The delivery port is a placement section for transferring the article 10 to and from semiconductor processing equipment (not shown), such as a cleaning equipment, film formation equipment, lithography equipment, etching equipment, heat treatment equipment, and planarization equipment. The processing equipment is not particularly limited and may be various types of equipment.

[0026] The track 4 of this embodiment includes a branch section 4A that allows traveling vehicles 6 entering in one direction D to exit in a first branch direction D1 and a second branch direction D2, which are different from each other, and a merging section 4B that allows traveling vehicles 6 entering from a first merging direction D3 and a second merging direction D4, which are different from each other, to exit in one direction. The branch section 4A is formed to include an entrance section 4Aa that enters along the one direction D, a first exit section 4Ab that exits along the first branch direction D1, and a second exit section 4Ac that exits in a second merging direction D2 that is different from the first branch direction D1. The merging section 4B is formed to include a first entrance section 4Ba that enters along the first merging direction D3, a second entrance section 4Bb that enters from a second merging direction D4 that is different from the first merging direction D3, and an exit section 4Bc that exits in the one direction D.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the rail unit 40 that forms the branching portion 4A will be described mainly with reference to Figures 3 to 7. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rail unit 40 includes a pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, a pair of rail members 40B, 40B, a top plate member 40D, and an adjustment post 43.

[0028] The pair of side wall members 40C, 40C are portions on which side rollers 52 of the traveling vehicle 6 roll. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C are arranged to face each other in a width direction B perpendicular to the traveling directions D, D1, and D2 of the traveling vehicle 6. The side wall member 40C may be formed of a single plate-like member in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6, or may be formed of multiple members. The side wall member 40C is formed in a curved shape in the portion where the traveling vehicle 6 advances in the second branch direction D2. A pair of rail members 40B, 40B are connected to the lower ends of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, respectively, by bolts (not shown). A top plate member 40D is connected to the upper ends of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, respectively, by bolts 45A. A power supply unit 40E that supplies power to the power supply core 57 in a non-contact manner is attached to the inner surfaces of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C.

[0029] The pair of rail members 40B, 40B are portions on which the travel rollers 51 of the travel vehicle 6 roll. The pair of rail members 40B, 40B have base ends 40Ba connected to the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C, respectively, and have tip ends 40Bb protruding in the width direction B toward the opposing side wall members 40C, 40C. Each of the pair of rail members 40B, 40B is composed of a single plate-like member in the travel direction of the travel vehicle 6. The side wall member 40C is connected to the base end 40Ba of the rail member 40B by a bolt (not shown). The pair of rail members 40B, 40B are arranged with a gap G between them in the width direction B. In other words, the tip end 40Bb of one rail member 40B of the pair of rail members 40B, 40B and the tip end 40Bb of the other rail member 40B are arranged with a gap G between them in the width direction B.

[0030] The rail member 40B of the rail unit 40 constituting the branching section 4A has a first dual-purpose section 41 on which both the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 advancing in the first branching direction D1 and the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 advancing in the second branching direction D2 roll. More specifically, the first dual-purpose section 41 has both a rolling surface on which the traveling roller 51 on the right side of the traveling vehicle 6 advancing in the first branching direction D1 rolls, and a rolling surface on which the traveling roller 51 on the left side of the traveling vehicle 6 advancing in the second branching direction D2 rolls.

[0031] The top plate member 40D connects the upper ends of the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C. The top plate member 40D, which forms the rail unit 40 that forms the branching section 4A, is composed of a single plate-like member. Although not shown in Figures 3 to 7, a magnetic plate 40F is attached to the inner surface of the top plate member 40D. The magnetic plate 40F generates a magnetic force for the LDM 59 of the traveling vehicle 6 to cause it to travel or stop.

[0032] The adjustment post 43 is a member that adjusts the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B. The adjustment post 43 is formed, for example, from an aluminum alloy. One end 43A of the adjustment post 43 is attached to the rail member 40B via a bolt 45B (see FIG. 6(B)), and the other end 43B is attached to the top plate member 40D via a bolt 45B. Two bolt holes 43Aa, 43Aa are formed in the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43. Two bolt holes 43Ba, 43Ba are formed in the other end 43B of the adjustment post 43. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the adjustment post 43 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape. Corners of the adjustment post 43 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction are chamfered.

[0033] A detachable height-adjusting shim member 47, as shown in FIG. 6(C), is disposed between one end 43A of the adjustment post 43 and the rail member 40B. The shim member 47 is a plate-shaped member made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. An appropriate number of shim members 47 are used to adjust the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B. Shim members 47 with thicknesses of, for example, 0.5 mm, 0.1 mm, and 0.05 mm are prepared, and shim members 47 of one or more different thicknesses can be used alone or in combination.

[0034] To insert the shim member 47 into the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43, an adjustment bolt 45C as shown in FIG. 6(B) is used. First, the bolt 45A connecting the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43 to the rail member 40B is loosened. The bolt 45A is inserted into a through-hole 40Bc having a bolt groove formed in the rail member 40B and screwed into the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43. Next, the adjustment bolt 45C is inserted (screwed) into a through-hole 40Bd having a bolt groove formed in the rail member 40B. This causes the tip of the adjustment bolt 45C to push up the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43, creating a gap between the one end 43A of the adjustment post 43 and the rail member 40B. Next, one or more shim members 47 are inserted into the resulting gap. As shown in FIG. 6(D), the shim member 47 has an arc portion 47A formed in it to avoid interference with the bolt 45A. Next, the adjustment bolt 45C is removed and the bolt 45A is tightened, thereby completing the insertion of the shim member 47.

[0035] 7, the adjustment post 43 is provided on the first dual-purpose portion 41 of the rail member 40B. The adjustment post 43 is positioned so as not to interfere with either the rolling surface on which the right running roller 51 of the running vehicle 6 advancing in the first branching direction D1 rolls or the rolling surface on which the left running roller 51 of the running vehicle 6 advancing in the second branching direction D2 rolls.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, when the traveling vehicle 6 enters the entrance section 4Aa of the diverging section 4A and exits through the first exit section 4Ab, the traveling roller 51 on the right side of the traveling vehicle 6 rolls from a first point P1 of the rail member 40B (entrance section 4Aa) shown in FIG. 5 to a second point P2 of the rail member 40B, which is the first dual-purpose section 41 (first exit section 4Ab), through a gap G. The first point P1 and the second point P2 are located on the leading end 40Bb side of the rail member 40B. At this time, the adjustment post 43 and the shim member 47 are used as adjustment members that make the height position of the first point P1 higher (for example, 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm) than the height position of the second point P2. In other words, when the rail member 40B is positioned with the gap G interposed therebetween, the leading end 40Bb of the rail member 40B on the upstream side in the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6 is positioned higher than the leading end 40Bb of the rail member 40B on the downstream side.

[0037] Here, we have explained an example in which the height position of the first point P1 is higher than the height position of the second point P2, but the height position of the first point P1 and the height position of the second point P2 may also be the same.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the rail unit 40 that forms the merging section 4B will be described. The configuration of the rail unit 40 that forms the merging section 4B is almost the same as that of the rail unit 40 that forms the branching section 4A, so here, differences from the configuration of the rail unit 40 that forms the branching section 4A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the rail unit 40 that forms the branching section 4A has an entrance section 4Aa that enters along one direction D, a first exit section 4Ab that enters along a first branching direction D1, and a second exit section 4Ac that enters in a second branching direction D2, while in the rail unit 40 that forms the merging section 4B, it forms an exit section 4Bc that enters in one direction D, a first entrance section 4Ba that enters along a first merging direction D3, and a second entrance section 4Bb that enters from a second merging direction D4, and the traveling directions of the traveling vehicles 6 are opposite to each other.

[0039] The rail member 40B of the rail unit 40 constituting the merging section 4B has a second dual-purpose portion on which both the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering along the first merging direction D3 and the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering from the second merging direction D4 roll. As shown in Fig. 7, an adjustment post 43 is provided in the second dual-purpose portion of the rail member 40B. The adjustment post 43 is positioned so as not to interfere with either the rolling surface on which the left traveling roller 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering along the first merging direction D3 rolls or the rolling surface on which the right traveling roller 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering from the second merging direction D4 rolls.

[0040] 1, when the traveling vehicle 6 enters the merging section 4B in the first merging direction D3 and exits from the exiting section 4Bc, the traveling roller 51 on the left side of the traveling vehicle 6 rolls from a second point P2 of the rail member 40B of the second dual-purpose section shown in FIG. 5 through a gap G to a first point P1 of the rail member 40B constituting the exiting section 4Bc. The second point P2 and the first point P1 are located on the leading end 40Bb side of the rail member 40B. At this time, the adjustment post 43 and the shim member 47 are used as adjustment members to make the height position of the second point P2 higher than the height position of the first point P1.

[0041] The track 4 of this embodiment further includes a branching and merging unit 140, as shown in FIG. 1, in which a branching section 4A and a merging section 4B are integrally formed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the branching and merging unit 140, like the rail unit 40 that forms the branching section 4A and the merging section 4B, includes a pair of sidewall members 40C, 40C, a pair of rail members 40B, 40B, a top plate member 40D, and an adjustment post 43. The branching and merging unit 140 also includes a power supply unit 40E and a magnetic plate 40F. The pair of sidewall members 40C, 40C, the pair of rail members 40B, 40B, the top plate member 40D, and the adjustment post 43 are the same as the respective members that form the rail unit 40, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0042] A channel member 141, which functions as a hanging member for suspending the branching and merging unit 140 from the ceiling, is attached to the top plate member 40D. The ends of the channel member 141 are formed so as to slope downward from the inside to the outside. The lower sides of both ends of the channel member 141 protrude outward from the top plate member 40D. A support 40A (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) extending from the ceiling is connected to the protruding portion of the channel member 141.

[0043] Three channel members 141 are provided in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle 6: a first channel member 141A, a second channel member 141B, and a third channel member 141C. The first channel member 141A connects the top plate member 40D portion constituting the first exit portion 4Ab, which is part of the branching portion 4A, with the top plate member 40D portion constituting the exit portion 4Bc, which is part of the merging portion 4B. The second channel member 141B connects the top plate member 40D portion constituting the second exit portion 4Ac, which is part of the branching portion 4A, with the top plate member 40D portion constituting the second entry portion 4Bb, which is part of the merging portion 4B. The third channel member 141C connects the top plate member 40D portion constituting the entry portion 4Aa, which is part of the branching portion 4A, with the top plate member 40D portion constituting the first entry portion 4Ba, which is part of the merging portion 4B.

[0044] The following describes the effects of the rail unit 40 of the above embodiment. The rail unit 40 of the above embodiment can push down or pull up the rail member 40B using one end 43A of the adjustment post 43 provided between the rail member 40B and the top plate member 40D or the side wall member 40C. This makes it possible to easily adjust the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B protruding from the pair of side wall members 40C, 40C.

[0045] In the rail unit 40 of the above embodiment, a detachable height-adjusting shim member 47 is disposed between one end 43A of the adjustment post 43 and the rail member 40B. This allows fine adjustment of the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B.

[0046] Among the rail units 40 of the above embodiment, in the rail unit 40 constituting the branching section 4A that causes the traveling vehicle 6 entering in one direction D to exit in a first branching direction D1 and a second branching direction D2, which are different from each other, the rail member 40B has a first dual-purpose section 41 on which both the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering in the first branching direction D1 and the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicle 6 entering in the second branching direction D2 at the branching section 4A roll, and the adjustment post 43 is provided on the first dual-purpose section 41. This makes it possible to easily adjust the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B of the first dual-purpose section 41.

[0047] In the rail unit 40 constituting the branching section 4A of the above embodiment, the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B of the first dual-purpose section 41 is adjusted by the adjustment post 43 so as to be lower than the height position of the tip end 40Bb of the rail member 40B constituting the entrance section 4Aa. This allows the traveling roller 51 to transfer smoothly even when transferring from the entrance section 4Aa to the first dual-purpose section 41 via the gap G.

[0048] In the rail unit 40 of the above embodiment, in the rail unit 40 constituting the junction section 4B where the traveling vehicles 6 entering from the mutually different first junction direction D3 and second junction direction D4 advance in one direction D, the rail member 40B has a second dual-purpose section (not shown) on which both the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicles 6 entering from the first junction direction D3 and the traveling rollers 51 of the traveling vehicles 6 entering from the second junction direction D4 roll at the junction section 4B, and the adjustment post 43 is provided in the second dual-purpose section. This makes it possible to easily adjust the height position of the tip of the rail member 40B in the second dual-purpose section.

[0049] In the rail unit 40 constituting the merging section 4B of the above embodiment, the height position of the tip of the rail member 40B of the second dual-purpose section is adjusted by the adjustment post 43 so that it is higher than the height position of the tip 40Bb of the rail member 40B constituting the advancing section 4Bc. This allows the traveling roller 51 to transfer smoothly even when transferring from the second dual-purpose section to the advancing section 4Bc through the gap G.

[0050] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0051] In the above embodiment of the rail unit 40, an example was given in which the other end 43B of the adjustment post 43 is attached to the top plate member 40D, but the other end 43B of the adjustment post 43 may also be attached to the side wall member 40C, for example, by forming the shape of the adjustment post 43 into an L-shape in the extension direction.

[0052] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the adjustment posts 43 are provided on the rail units 40 that form the branching section 4A and the merging section 4B, but they may also be provided on the rail units 40 that form straight sections and curved sections other than the branching section 4A and the merging section 4B. In this case, the step between the tip ends 40Bb of the rail members 40B at the connection sections (joints) between the rail units 40 can be easily adjusted to fall within a predetermined range by adjustment with the adjustment posts 43. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 4...track, 4A...branching section, 4Aa...entrance section, 4Ab...first exit section, 4Ac...second exit section, 4B...merging section, 4Ba...first entry section, 4Bb...second entry section, 4Bc...exit section, 6...overhead running vehicle (running vehicle), 40...rail unit, 40A...support, 40B...rail member, 40Ba...base end, 40Bb...tip end, 40C...side wall member, 40D...top plate member, 41...first dual-purpose portion, 43...adjusting post, 43A...one end, 47...shim member, 47A...arc portion, 50...running section, 51...running roller (wheel), 52...side roller, 140...branching and merging unit, 141...channel member.

Claims

1. A rail unit in which a traveling vehicle travels in one direction, a pair of side wall members facing each other in a width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle; a pair of rail members on which wheels of the traveling vehicle roll, the pair of rail members having base ends connected to the pair of side wall members, respectively, and having tip ends protruding in the width direction toward the opposing side wall member; a top plate member connecting the pair of side wall members; an adjustment post, one end of which is attached to the rail member and the other end of which is attached to the top plate member or the side wall member, for adjusting the height position of the tip of the rail member.

2. 2. The rail unit according to claim 1, wherein a detachable height-adjusting shim member is disposed between one end of said adjustment post and said rail member.

3. The rail unit constitutes a branching section that causes the traveling vehicle entering in one direction to exit in a first branching direction and a second branching direction that are different from each other, the rail member has a first dual-purpose portion on which both the wheels of the traveling vehicle advancing in the first branching direction and the wheels of the traveling vehicle advancing in the second branching direction roll at the branching portion, The rail unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment post is provided on the first dual-purpose portion.

4. The rail member has an entrance portion on which the wheels of the traveling vehicle that enters in one direction at the branching portion roll, and a gap is provided between the entrance portion and the first dual-purpose portion along the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, and The rail unit of claim 3, wherein the height position of the tip of the rail member of the first dual-purpose section is adjusted by the adjustment post so that it is the same as the height position of the tip of the rail member in the entry section or lower than the height position of the tip of the rail member in the entry section.

5. The rail unit constituting a merging section that allows the traveling vehicles entering from a first merging direction and a second merging direction different from each other to advance in one direction, the rail member has a second dual-purpose portion on which both the wheels of the traveling vehicle entering from the first merging direction and the wheels of the traveling vehicle entering from the second merging direction roll at the merging portion, The rail unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment post is provided in the second dual-purpose portion.

6. The rail member has an advancing portion on which the wheels of the traveling vehicle advancing in one direction at the junction portion roll, and a gap is provided between the second dual-purpose portion and the advancing portion along the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle, and The rail unit of claim 5, wherein the height position of the tip of the rail member of the second dual-purpose section is adjusted by the adjustment post so that it is the same as the height position of the tip of the rail member in the extension section or higher than the height position of the tip of the rail member in the extension section.

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