Pallet-type automated warehouse

Abstract

To provide a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse that solves the problem of restricted pallet placement and reduced logistics efficiency in conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouses, where pallets are moved in and out of storage shelves by a shuttle equipped with a pallet loader entering the space below the stored pallets and moving the pallets vertically. [Solution] A shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse is equipped with a conveyor mechanism capable of horizontally transferring large and heavy pallets for the loading and unloading of pallets into and out of the storage shelves, and the compartment shelves constituting the storage shelves are also equipped with a conveyor mechanism capable of horizontally transferring large and heavy pallets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a pallet-type automated storage and retrieval system, and more particularly to a pallet-type automated storage and retrieval system in which a system for automatically managing and controlling the storage, storage, and incoming and outgoing of pallets loaded with articles is operated.

Background Art

[0002] An automated storage and retrieval system is described as an AS / RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) in JIS B8941:2012 of the Japan Standards Association, although its corresponding English is for reference only and is not limited to the application. It can be said to be a warehouse in which a storage and retrieval system for articles is introduced. Among them, a distribution automated storage and retrieval system in the distribution industry to which the technology of the present invention is applied is defined as an "automated storage and retrieval system for storage or sorting and shipping in the distribution process for business purposes", and its corresponding English is, although for reference only, "AS / RS in warehouse", so it is recognized as an automated storage and retrieval system in which the storage and incoming and outgoing of articles are managed by automatic control of a computer. In fact, currently, in large-scale logistics centers and the like, it has become common to introduce an AS / RS managed by a warehouse management system (WMS, Warehouse Management System), a warehouse control system (WCS, Warehouse Control System), or a warehouse operation management system (WES, Warehouse Execution System) (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Such automated storage and retrieval warehouses are broadly classified into pallet type and case type based on the storage method used in the storage shelves that constitute the storage equipment for goods and packages (hereinafter referred to as "goods") in the distribution process (for example, Non-Patent Document 2). The former is a warehouse in which containers or cardboard boxes containing goods are further stacked on pallets and stored on storage shelves, while the latter is a warehouse in which goods are stored on storage shelves while still in cases such as containers or cardboard boxes. Conventionally, regardless of the storage method of goods on the storage shelves, loading and unloading machines (SRM, Storage and As a Retrieval Machine, the mainstream approach has been to use a stacker crane equipped with a traveling mechanism that has wheels that travel vertically and horizontally on guide rails, and a lifting mechanism that has an item placement and transfer function for transferring pallets or cases (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). This is because a stacker crane has the advantage of being able to arrange storage shelves on both sides of its travel space, and one unit can access all storage shelves (hereinafter referred to as "partitioned shelves") on both sides of a single aisle, with their locations identified and partitioned to a predetermined width, height, and depth, and the operation is simple. However, the great advantage of this stacker crane type automated warehouse, that one stacker crane can access all partitioned shelves at locations on both sides of the storage shelves, can also lead to an excessive number of partitioned shelves being accessed, resulting in a decrease in work efficiency, and also indicates that there are limits to the processing capacity of a stacker crane type automated warehouse.

[0004] Therefore, with the advent of the internet-based mail-order business, or e-commerce (EC), and the resulting demand for automated storage and warehousing systems with even higher loading and unloading capacities per unit of time, the advantages of stacker crane-type automated storage and warehousing systems have become apparent as disadvantages, and the limits of their processing capacity have come under scrutiny. Consequently, the efficiency and rationalization of automated storage and warehousing systems have become an urgent issue, and the development of shuttle-type automated storage and warehousing systems, which are calculated to have higher processing capacities, has progressed.

[0005] First, regarding case-type automated storage warehouses, a shuttle system has been developed that provides an item transport shuttle equipped with the function of loading and transporting items in each row and tier, as well as the function of transferring items to partitioned shelves, thereby enabling access to partitioned shelves at all locations on each tier of the storage shelves. Furthermore, for the transport of items in the vertical direction, elevators or lifters are provided to enable access to partitioned shelves at all locations on each row, row, and tier of the storage shelves (for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4). A typical case-type automated storage warehouse of this system has the following configuration: Storage shelves, each having a grid-like arrangement of partitioned shelves that can identify locations between the longitudinal (Y-axis, row) direction and the vertical (Z-axis, tier) direction, are installed facing each other with a predetermined space in the vertical (X-axis, column) direction of the YZ plane. The space side of the opposing storage shelves serves as the item entry / exit surface, and guide rails are attached at predetermined positions on this item entry / exit surface, allowing the item transport shuttle to travel in the Y-axis direction, thereby forming a storage block that constitutes one unit of the item storage zone. Furthermore, multiple of these storage blocks are arranged adjacently in the X-axis direction at the back of the storage shelves, and elevators equipped with item placement platforms for transporting items in the Z-axis direction are attached to predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at the ends of these storage blocks and / or inside them, thereby forming a storage zone, which is a unit for storing items. The item transport shuttle has an arm controlled by an actuator that can horizontally move items in the X-axis direction, and travels on guide rails arranged in the Y-axis direction of the storage shelves in the space formed by the opposing storage shelves, accessing all partitioned shelves at all locations in the YZ plane of each level, and loading and unloading of items by the movement of the arm. Items transported by the item transport shuttle are transported in the Z-axis direction via elevators equipped with item placement platforms, so that all partitioned shelves in each row, each row, and each level can be accessed at high speed. One example of such an automated storage warehouse is the "Multi-Shuttle (registered trademark)" system, which has extremely high processing capacity and storage density. Currently, this automated storage warehouse is widely used in various logistics facilities.

[0006] On the other hand, pallet-type automated storage warehouses have evolved through the following process, leading to the development seen in recent years. Traditionally, storage facilities using pallets typically involved stacking items of the same type or purpose, such as cardboard boxes, vertically and horizontally on standardized pallets, often standard 1,100 mm square slatted platforms, as a single unit. These pallets, loaded with goods, were often placed flat in the storage facility, one pallet at a time. However, this was inefficient, so vertical storage facilities using flat shelves and forklifts for transfers became common. Subsequently, to automate this facility and significantly improve storage efficiency and access to stored goods, pallet-type automated storage warehouses were developed. Unlike case-type automated storage warehouses, pallet-type automated storage warehouses have a larger pallet area, significantly increasing the quantity of goods that can be stored. The shelves installed are also correspondingly large and sturdy, so a stacker crane system, which moves horizontally along rails and wheels on the warehouse floor, was adopted as the transfer method. This was because it was highly compatible with the conventional forklift method. When this system was first adopted, goods were handled in pallet units and there was no need for detailed sorting, so there was no need for particularly high receiving and shipping capacity. However, with the recent increase in cases where a single logistics center handles a huge number of products and orders, such as in the e-commerce business, the number and quantity of goods that can be stocked have increased, and as a result, higher receiving and shipping capacity has become required. Furthermore, from an equipment perspective, reducing the installation area and increasing equipment efficiency is desirable because it reduces the overall area of ​​the logistics center, including the warehouse, which greatly contributes to reducing fixed costs. Therefore, in the case of automated pallet-type storage warehouses, similar to the automated warehouses mentioned above, the conventional method of using all the space between shelves as aisles for stacker cranes has been modified, and a system using shuttle cars and lifters has been considered.Furthermore, the reasons for considering this method include the fact that it allows for the efficient and rational handling of goods in the distribution process, including receiving, storing, and keeping goods in pallets loaded with goods in various forms such as heavy items, items of different shapes, and various cases containing goods. Therefore, it can be applied to automated warehouses in upstream manufacturing industries other than the aforementioned internet retail industry, such as the food and beverage industry, automotive industry, electronics industry, chemical industry, energy industry, and pharmaceutical industry, and there is high demand from various industries. Moreover, if a pallet-type automated storage warehouse is converted to a shuttle system, similar to a case-type automated storage warehouse, it is estimated that a more significant efficiency and rationalization effect than that of the case-type automated storage warehouse can be calculated. For these reasons, attempts have been made to switch the SRM system from the stacker crane system to the shuttle system.

[0007] However, in the case of pallet-type automated storage warehouses, the base area and volume of the pallets handled are large, and their weight can exceed 1 ton. This presents numerous obstacles that must be overcome compared to shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouses that handle lightweight and small cases. In particular, when using shuttles to transfer and transport pallets, it is difficult for arms like those in the above-mentioned shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouse to horizontally transfer pallets weighing over 1 ton loaded with goods between the partition shelves and the shuttle.

[0008] Therefore, based on the idea that the role of the shuttle arm in the above-mentioned shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouse should be taken over by a lifter capable of raising and lowering pallets loaded with items weighing 1 ton or more, and that a pallet transport shuttle with a base area equivalent to that of a pallet and a low height, which travels in two directions, and a pallet transport shuttle that moves the pallet transport shuttle in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the pallet transport shuttle should be used to access partitioned shelves with a specified location for the pallet storage zone, the following shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse has been devised and put into practical use (for example, Patent Documents 5 and 6).

[0009] Like case-type automated storage warehouses, pallet-type automated storage warehouses are constructed in the space formed by the X-axis (column), Y-axis (row), and Z-axis (tier), and the location of the partitioned shelves is specified by the row, row, and tier. Furthermore, the pallet-type automated storage warehouse has a pallet storage zone as a constituent unit, and the pallet storage zone is further structured around a pallet storage block as follows: This pallet storage block is constructed by stacking multiple rows of storage shelves in the Z-axis direction, with multiple partitioned shelves of approximately the same shape for storing pallets arranged in the Y-axis direction, and a predetermined space (secondary aisle) located directly below the storage shelves into which a pallet transport shuttle can enter. Each row of storage shelves and its corresponding space is considered one tier, and multiple rows of storage shelves are stacked in the Z-axis direction. In addition, each tier of these storage shelves has a pallet storage unit on the YZ plane, with a first guide rail for the pallet transport shuttle to travel positioned in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined location in the space. By arranging these pallet storage units in a series at predetermined intervals along the X-axis, a pallet storage block is formed, which forms the framework of the pallet storage zone. Along the X-axis at the end of this pallet storage block, a travel path (primary aisle) is provided for the pallet transport shuttle to travel, and a second guide rail is provided along the X-axis adjacent to the end of the first guide rail of each level. In addition, a travel path (tertiary aisle) is provided adjacent to one end of the second guide rail of each row and level, along the Z-axis, to which an elevator for transporting pallets, pallet transport shuttles, or pallet transport shuttle transport shuttles is attached. The pallet storage block, including the primary and tertiary aisles, constitutes a pallet storage zone, which is the constituent unit of a pallet-type automated storage warehouse.

[0010] In such a pallet storage zone, a pallet transport shuttle and a pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle work together as a pair to transport pallets thoroughly, constructing a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse. The pallet transport shuttle has a lifter capable of vertically transferring pallets weighing 1 ton or more, and travels back and forth on a secondary aisle equipped with a first guide rail at a predetermined level and row of the pallet storage block. It accesses partitioned shelves at a location specified by the row and is responsible for raising and lowering pallets on those shelves using the lifter. On the other hand, the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle carries the pallet transport shuttle and travels back and forth on a primary aisle equipped with a second guide rail at a predetermined level of the pallet storage zone. It has the function of transporting the pallet transport shuttle to a predetermined row and transferring it to the secondary aisle of that row. In that row, the pallet transport shuttle accesses partitioned shelves at a location specified by the row as described above and handles the loading and unloading of pallets. Furthermore, pallets, pallet transport shuttles, or pallet transport shuttle transport shuttles are transported to each level via a tertiary aisle equipped with an elevator adjacent to the second guide rail of the secondary aisle. This allows the pallet transport shuttles to access predetermined compartment shelves located in specific levels, rows, and columns. Therefore, such a shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse can be called a W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse employing two shuttles with different functions. When the elevator transports pallets, at least one pallet transport shuttle and one pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle are provided at each level of the pallet storage shelf.

[0011] While there are no major differences in the basic configuration of the pallet storage zone that forms the framework of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse compared to the W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse, a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse has emerged and is in practical use (for example, Patent Documents 7 and 8). This shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse integrates two shuttles with different functions into a single shuttle, is capable of transferring pallets weighing more than 1 ton, can travel in four directions (vertically and horizontally), and has a low height with a base area equivalent to that of a pallet, with a four-way shuttle handling the pallet transport.

[0012] In this case, the pallet storage zone, which is one component unit of the pallet-type automated storage warehouse, is structured like a W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse, with the following storage block as its framework: A row of storage shelves, each consisting of compartment shelves with approximately the same shape for storing pallets, is arranged in a series in the Y-axis direction, and a predetermined space (secondary aisle) directly below the storage shelves, into which a four-way shuttle can enter, is stacked in the Z-axis direction. This series of storage shelves and spaces constitutes one layer, and multiple layers of storage shelves are stacked in the Z-axis direction. At predetermined positions in the space of each layer of these storage shelves, a first guide rail for the four-way shuttle to travel is positioned in the Y-axis direction, forming a pallet storage unit in the YZ plane. These pallet storage units are then arranged in a series at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction to form a pallet storage block that forms the framework of the pallet storage zone. The configuration of this pallet storage block is approximately the same as that of the W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse. However, in this case, since a four-way shuttle is employed, the pallet storage blocks are arranged adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction, and a second guide rail for the four-way shuttle is provided in the X-axis direction at the end of the first guide rail in the Y-axis direction of each level of the pallet storage block, so as to create a planar intersection with the first guide rail, thereby forming the X-axis direction travel path (primary aisle) for the four-way shuttle. Furthermore, since the four-way shuttle can travel both vertically and horizontally, a third guide rail is provided adjacent to the outermost pallet storage unit of the pallet storage block in the Y-axis direction, so as to intersect with the second guide rail, thereby forming the Y-axis direction travel path (primary aisle) for the four-way shuttle, thereby increasing the speed and range of the four-way shuttle's operation. Then, adjacent to one end of any of the first, second, or third guide rails, a travel path (tertiary aisle) is provided with an elevator for transporting pallets or the four-way shuttle in the Z-axis direction. Thus, the pallet storage zone, which forms the framework of the pallet-type automated storage warehouse, is composed of the pallet storage blocks, the primary aisle and the tertiary aisle.

[0013] Both pallet-type automated storage warehouses that transport pallets using pallet transport shuttles and pallet transport shuttle-transport shuttles, and pallet-type automated storage warehouses that transport pallets using a four-way shuttle that integrates the functions of a pallet transport shuttle and a pallet transport shuttle-transport shuttle, have lifters capable of vertically transferring pallets loaded with goods weighing 1 ton or more, and there is no difference in the movement of pallets in and out. However, four-way shuttles are generally equipped with drive wheels on all four sides, with eight wheels in pairs of four for travel in the Y-axis direction and four or eight wheels in pairs of two or four for travel in the X-axis direction. The reason why this four-way shuttle can travel both vertically and horizontally is that the second and first guide rails in the X-axis and Y-axis directions form a plane intersection, and at this plane intersection, the wheels for travel in the X-axis direction move up and down, thereby controlling the contact and non-contact between the drive wheels for travel in the X-axis direction and the second guide rail in the X-axis direction, as well as the contact and non-contact between the drive wheels for travel in the Y-axis direction and the first guide rail in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, a single four-way shuttle travels back and forth on the first and second guide rails, accessing partitioned shelves with designated locations in specific rows and sequences at predetermined levels, and lifting and lowering pallets on those shelves using a lifter for loading and unloading. Furthermore, when pallets or the four-way shuttle are transported to each level via elevators installed adjacent to the first, second, or third guide rail, the four-way shuttle can access the partitioned shelves with designated locations in each level, row, and sequence. Thus, such a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse can be called a four-way traveling shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse. When elevators transport pallets, at least one four-way shuttle is provided at each level of the pallet storage zone.

[0014] Thus, both shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, by employing shuttles as SRMs, can improve the number of accesses per unit time to compartment shelves by the SRM compared to when the SRM is a stacker crane. Furthermore, the thin SRM, which can enter the narrow space between the upper and lower compartment shelves, does not require the large space between storage shelves that is required for large SRMs such as stacker cranes, thus significantly improving both processing capacity and storage density. However, when comparing the operation and movement of the shuttles in the shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouse with those of the shuttles in both shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, a fundamental challenge of the logistics system common to both shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses is recognized: there are limitations in processing capacity, similar to when a stacker crane is used as the SRM.

[0015] In a shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouse, the shuttle moves cases along the X-axis using an arm, allowing it to access and retrieve items from any section shelf in each row aligned along the Y-axis. In contrast, in both shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, a pallet transport shuttle or a four-way shuttle enters a space directly beneath a row of storage shelves arranged along the Y-axis, each containing pallets of roughly the same shape. The shuttle moves the lifter mounted on the shuttle up and down to retrieve pallets from the section shelves whose location is specified. Therefore, the shuttle must access the section shelves in the order they are arranged along the Y-axis, starting from the front in the direction the shuttle enters. In other words, using the direction the shuttle enters along the Y-axis as a reference, it is not possible to access pallets on section shelves further back, i.e., beyond the section shelves where pallets are stored, when viewed from the shuttle entry side. Consequently, it is clear that both shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses have limitations in their processing capacity. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0016] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-355404 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-123277 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 10 / 026633 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 8790061 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-235246 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-160040 [Patent Document 7] Special Publication No. 2023-502564 [Patent Document 8] Special Publication No. 2023-541238 [Non-patent literature]

[0017] [Non-Patent Document 1] Takashi Hatta, Toshiya Kaihara, Nobutada Fujii, Masashi Morikawa, "Research on a Social Negotiation-Based Optimization Method for the Operation of Automated Warehouse Systems," Proceedings of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, 2011A0, pp.49-50, 2011 Spring Meeting of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering, [online], [Retrieved June 16, 2024], Internet <https: / / www.jstage.jst.go.jp / article / pscjspe / 2011S / 0 / 2011S_0_561 / _pdf / -char / ja. [Non-Patent Document 2] Daifuku Co., Ltd., "Types and Features of Automated Warehouses", [online], HOME > Solutions > Logistics Solutions > Product / Solution List > Automated Warehouse Systems > Types and Features of Automated Warehouses, [Searched June 16, 2024], Internet<https: / / www.daifuku.com / jp / solution / intralogistics / products / automated-warehouse / types-features / > . [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0018] As described in the background art, since the shuttle of the shuttle-type case automated storage and retrieval system can transfer cases in the X-axis direction by an arm, it can access any of the sectional shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction and perform load-in and load-out of articles. In contrast, the shuttle of the shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system enters from one direction of the space directly below the sectional shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction of the pallet storage block, and transfers the pallet to the shuttle by raising and lowering the lifter of the shuttle to perform load-in and load-out of the pallet from the sectional shelves. Therefore, it cannot access any of the sectional shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction and perform load-in and load-out of articles. That is, in the shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system, since the pallets are loaded in and out in accordance with the order of the sectional shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction from the entry direction of the shuttle, there is naturally a limit to the processing capacity. This limit is due to the fact that the lifter of the shuttle is responsible for loading and unloading the pallets to and from the storage shelves. Therefore, it has become an issue that cannot be avoided in both the W-shuttle system that combines two types of shuttles that travel in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, which share the same pallet loading and unloading method, and the four-direction shuttle system that can travel vertically and horizontally.

[0019] And such problems of the shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system are extremely important in the practical use of the pallet automated storage and retrieval system and are the problems to be solved by the present invention. Therefore, it will be described more specifically using the schematic diagram of the outline of FIG. 1 created by referring to the W-shuttle type pallet automated storage and retrieval system disclosed in Patent Document 6. In order to easily understand the positions of the components, their positional relationships, and the operations and flow lines of the pallets and shuttles in the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated storage and retrieval system, a planar schematic diagram 1(a) viewed in a plane and a sectional schematic diagram 1(b) viewed in three dimensions are shown. FIG. 1(a) is a schematic plan view of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200 in which the pallet P is lifted and lowered by the lifter 1520 of the vertical transfer pallet conveyor shuttle 1500 and loaded into and unloaded from the predetermined first sectional shelf 1111 and second sectional shelf 1211. FIG. 1(b) is a schematic sectional view of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200 cut perpendicular to the paper along the vicinity of the cutting line connecting the arrow A in FIG. 1(a) and viewed in the direction of the arrow A.

[0020] In FIG. 1, the characteristics of the shuttle-type palletized automated storage and retrieval system are reflected in the name, and it is named the vertical transfer W shuttle-type palletized automated storage and retrieval system. The vertical transfer W shuttle-type palletized automated storage and retrieval system 100 is composed of storage facilities of various scales and forms that combine storage blocks consisting of aisles and pallet storage shelves and pallet storage zones consisting of aisles and pallet storage blocks in the space formed by the X-axis (column), Y-axis (row), and Z-axis (tier). Here, the vertical transfer W shuttle-type palletized automated storage and retrieval system 100-1 with the first storage zone (z11) 1100, which is the minimum constituent unit consisting of an aisle and a pallet storage block, as the skeleton, and the vertical transfer W shuttle-type palletized automated storage and retrieval system 100-2 with the second storage zone (z12) 1200 equipped with the second storage block (b11) 1110 as the skeleton are shown as representative examples.

[0021] The first storage zone (z11) 1100, which forms the framework of the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100-1, consists of a first storage block (b11) 1110, a primary aisle 1310 arranged in the X-axis direction adjacent to one end of the first storage block (b11), and a first tertiary aisle 1331 provided adjacent to the primary aisle 1310. The vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100-1, which has such a first storage zone (z11) 1100 as its framework, can be constructed as the smallest automated storage warehouse among the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouses 100. The first storage block (b11) 1110, which constitutes the first storage zone (z11) 1100, is configured such that a row of storage units in the YZ plane is stacked in the Z axis direction, with a row of storage shelves consisting of a row of first compartment shelves 1111, each having a substantially identical shape for storing pallets P, arranged in the Y axis direction, and a first secondary aisle 1321, which is a predetermined space located directly below the storage shelves through which a vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 can enter, and through which a first guide rail 1541 is laid. These YZ plane storage units are then stacked in the Z axis direction, with a predetermined interval in the X axis direction. On the other hand, the primary aisle 1310 is a passage in the X axis direction at one end of the first storage block (b11) 1110 for the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, which carries and transports the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, to travel, and a second guide rail 1440 is laid adjacent to the first guide rail 1541. Furthermore, the third aisle 1330 is adjacent to one end of the second guide rail 1440 of each row and level, and is a passage for transporting the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 in the Z-axis direction, and is equipped with a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1333 and an elevator 1334. In addition, a mechanism for transporting pallets P or vertical transfer pallet transport shuttles 1500 can also be used in the Z-axis direction.

[0022] On the other hand, the second storage zone (z12) 1200, which forms the framework of the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100-2, is constructed by arranging the second storage block 1210, which has the same configuration as the first storage block 1110, in the first storage zone (z11) 1100, with the primary aisle 1310 as the center of symmetry.

[0023] The specific components of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200, as well as the first storage block (b11) 1110 and the second storage block (b12) 1210 that form their framework, can be defined using a row (r) indicating the position in the Y-axis direction, a column (c) indicating the position in the X-axis direction, and a tier (t) indicating the position in the Z-axis direction, which identify the location of the partitioned shelves. This definition clarifies the configuration and movement of the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100. For example, partitioned shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3) indicates that it is the first partitioned shelf 1111 located in the first row, first row, and third tier of the first storage block (b11) 1110 that constitutes the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200. The primary aisle (z11-1a-t3) indicates that it is the third primary aisle 1310 adjacent to the compartment shelves in the first to sixth rows of the third row, first series, located in the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200. The secondary aisle (b11-2a1-c1-t3) indicates that it is the first secondary aisle 1321 directly below the compartment shelves (b11-c1-r1-t3~b11-c1-r3-t3) of the third row, first column, of the first storage block (b11) 1110 in the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200. The third aisle (z11-3a1-t13) indicates that it is the first third aisle 1331, which is located adjacent to the first row of the primary aisles (E11-1a-t1~E11-1a-t3) in the first to third stages of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200, on the partition shelf side.Furthermore, the tertiary aisle (z12-3a2-t13) is a second tertiary aisle 1332 of the newly established second storage zone (z12) 1200 when the second storage zone (z12) 1200, which is formed by adding a second storage block (b12) 1210 to the first storage zone (z11) 1100, is used as the framework for the vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 100-2. It is a tertiary aisle that is located adjacent to the partition shelf side of the 6th column of the primary aisles (E11-1a-t1~E11-1a-t3) from the first to third stages of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200, but it is not necessarily required to add the second tertiary aisle 1332.

[0024] However, Figure 1 shows a case where, in such a vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100, the first receiving section 1610 and the second receiving section 1620, and the first shipping section 1710 and the second shipping section 1720 for pallets P are attached adjacent to the first level of the first tertiary aisle 1331 and the second tertiary aisle 1332. The first level of the first tertiary aisle 1331 and the second tertiary aisle 1332, which are the loading and unloading sections for pallets P, receives pallets P via the first receiving section 1610 and the second receiving section 1620, and also serves as a starting point for sending pallets P to the first section shelves 1111 and the second section shelves 1211, whose locations are specified, and as a starting point for sending pallets P from the section shelves, whose locations are specified, via the first shipping section 1710 and the second shipping section 1720.

[0025] Furthermore, in such a vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 100 in which the first receiving section 1610 and the second receiving section 1620 and the first output section 1710 and the second output section 1720 are attached adjacent to each other, that is, in the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200 that constitute it, a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 carrying a vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 travels along the primary aisle 1310, and after being loaded onto the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 and moving along the primary aisle 1310, the first secondary storage block (b11) 1110 A vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 travels along aisle 1321 or the second secondary aisle 1322 of the second storage block (b12) to move pallets P in and out of the first compartment shelf 1111 of the first storage block (b11) 1110 or the second compartment shelf 1211 of the second storage block (b12) 1210. The pallets P, which are moved in and out of the first compartment shelf 1111 of the first storage block (b11) 1110 or the second compartment shelf 1211 of the second storage block (b12) 1120 by the pallet loading lifter 1520 of the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, are operated in the following manner and movement path.

[0026] The first tertiary aisle 1331 of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second tertiary aisle 1332 of the second storage zone (z12) 1200 are equipped with a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1333 and an elevator 1334, and the transport of pallets P in the Z-axis direction is carried out with the pallets P loaded on a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 which is equipped with a vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 loaded with pallets P. Conventionally, in the first receiving section 1610, pallets P to be stored are often transferred by forklift to a vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 loaded on a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400. In this state, an elevator 1334 in the first tertiary aisle (z11-3a1-t13) 1331 of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 in the Z-axis direction, or the second tertiary aisle (z12-3a2-t13) 1332 of the second storage zone (z12) 1200, transports the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, loaded on the vertical transfer tracked shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1333, to the level where the pallets P should be stored. For example, consider the case where pallets P are stored in a specific first section shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3) in the third row, first section of the first storage zone (z11) 1100. A vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, carrying a vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 loaded with pallets P, is guided by a guide rail 1440 to the first row of the primary aisle (z11-1a-t3) 1310 of the first storage block (b11) 1100. There, the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, having departed from the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, is guided by a first guide rail 1541 to enter the first compartment shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3) in the first secondary aisle 1321 located directly below the first compartment shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3~b11-c1-r3-t3) of the first storage block (b11) 1100, and the pallets P can be stored by the pallet loading lifter 1520 of the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500.Conversely, for example, when retrieving pallet P from the first section shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3) 1111 whose location has been identified, a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 carrying a vertical transfer pallet transport tracked shuttle 1500 that does not have pallet P loaded on it is guided by the guide rail 1440 of the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 in the third stage primary aisle (z11-1a-t3) 1310 and transported to the first row of the primary aisle (z11-1a-t3) 1310 of the first storage zone (z11) 1100. Therefore, the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, which departed from the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, enters the first secondary aisle 1321 located directly below the first section shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3~b11-c1-r3-t3) of the first storage block (b11), guided by the guide rail 1541, and the pallet P stored in the first section shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3) is retrieved by the pallet loading lifter 1520 of the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500. Then, the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, which is not carrying the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, is guided by the first guide rail 1541 of the first secondary aisle 1321, which is directly below the first compartment shelf (b11-c1-r1-t3~b11-c1-r3-t3), to return to the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 loaded with pallets P, and is guided by the guide rail 1440 of the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 in the third stage primary aisle (z11-1a-t3) 1310, to move, for example, to the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1333 in the first tertiary aisle (z-11-3a1-t13) 1331. Subsequently, the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1333 is lowered to the first stage by the elevator 1334, and at the first retrieval section 1710, the lifter retrieves and releases the pallet P.

[0027] The problem here is that, as is clear from Figure 1, the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 can only move pallets P in and out of the compartment shelves (r1) closest to the first compartment shelf 1111 and the second compartment shelf 1211, and the second secondary aisle 1322, and cannot directly move pallets P in and out of the compartment shelves (r3) further back. The reason for this is that the row of storage shelves (c) consisting of the first section shelf 1111 and the second section shelf 1211 for storing pallets P, and the first secondary aisle 1321 and the second secondary aisle 1322 into which the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 enters, are stacked in the Z-axis (stage) direction, and the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 travels through the first secondary aisle 1321 and the second secondary aisle 1322 located directly below the first section shelf 1111 and the second section shelf 1211, that is, the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500, which has departed from the vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400, loads and unloads pallets by raising and lowering the pallet loading lifter 1520.

[0028] Based on the mechanism of this vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 1000, the processing capacity limitations resulting from the restriction of the first section shelves 1111 and the second section shelves 1211 that the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 can access are the same drawbacks that occur regardless of the operation of other shuttles, as long as the storage method involves raising and lowering the pallets P stored in the first section shelves 1111 and the second section shelves 1211 and transferring them vertically. Therefore, shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses employing the four-way shuttle described in the background technology also suffer from exactly the same problem.

[0029] Thus, in a pallet-type automated storage warehouse where a shuttle equipped with a pallet lifter enters the space below the stored pallets and raises and lowers the pallets for entry and exit, the placement of pallets is restricted due to the fact that the entry and exit of pallets to and from the storage shelves is performed by the raising and lowering of the pallets. This presents a fundamental problem that logistics systems should avoid: it is difficult to increase logistics efficiency beyond a certain point. Therefore, the present invention aims to overcome this problem and provide a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse with excellent logistics efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0030] In light of the fact that the root cause of the challenges in shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses lies in the vertical pallet transfer mechanism that forms the core of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse, we conducted a detailed investigation and examination of pallet transport and transfer mechanisms. As a result of confirming that this technology can be applied to enable the horizontal transfer of large, heavy pallets handled in shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, similar to the horizontal transfer of small, lightweight cases handled in shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouses, between the shuttle and storage shelves, we have completed the present invention.

[0031] In other words, the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to the first aspect of the present invention is a pallet storage zone in which a pallet whose location can be identified between the longitudinal (Y-axis) direction and the vertical (Z-axis) direction is stored, and a plurality of storage shelves having substantially equal width, height, and depth arranged in a grid pattern are installed facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the YZ plane (X-axis) with a predetermined space between them, and the side of the opposing storage shelves is the pallet entry / exit surface, and a guide rail on which a pallet transport shuttle runs is laid in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined position that can access all of the storage shelves on this pallet entry / exit surface, and a YZ plane pallet storage unit is adjacent to the YZ plane pallet storage unit on the opposite side of the pallet entry / exit surface, in the X-axis direction The pallet storage zone includes, as its basic components, a pallet storage block configured to be connected in a directional manner, a transport mechanism at a predetermined position adjacent to a guide rail on which a pallet transport shuttle travels at one end of the pallet storage block, on which a pallet transport shuttle travels, and a lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting pallets and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction, and a pallet transport shuttle equipped with a drive mechanism that can travel back and forth along the guide rail to move freely within the pallet storage zone and to allow pallets to enter and exit in the X-axis direction between the storage rack and the pallet transport shuttle, and a conveyor mechanism that can transfer pallets in the X-axis direction.According to this shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse, the pallet storage zone, the drive mechanism, and the pallet transport shuttle are operated efficiently and rationally.

[0032] In a second aspect of the present invention, the conveyor mechanism provided in the pallet transport shuttle, which is capable of transferring the pallet in the X-axis direction, may be a chain conveyor.

[0033] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the pallet transport shuttle may further include a roller conveyor capable of transporting the pallets in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor mechanism capable of transporting the pallets in the X-axis direction.

[0034] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the chain conveyor and / or the roller conveyor may be vertically movable.

[0035] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first embodiment, the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf may be a roller conveyor and / or a chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

[0036] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second embodiment, the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf may be a roller conveyor and / or chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

[0037] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf may be a roller conveyor and / or chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

[0038] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf may be a roller conveyor and / or chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

[0039] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the conveyor function of the partition shelves located at adjacent predetermined positions may be a right-angle branching function.

[0040] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a sixth aspect, the conveyor function of the partition shelves located at adjacent predetermined positions may be a right-angle branching function.

[0041] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the conveyor function of the partition shelves located at adjacent predetermined positions may be a right-angle branching function.

[0042] In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the conveyor function of the partition shelves located at adjacent predetermined positions may be provided with a right-angle branching function.

[0043] As a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the transport mechanism is a RGV (Rail) that moves with the pallet transport shuttle mounted on it. It may also be a pallet transport shuttle for a Guided Vehicle (a tracked automated guided vehicle).

[0044] In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the transport mechanism is a pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle of an RGV that moves with the pallet transport shuttle on it, and a lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction may lift and lower the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle, thereby lifting and lowering the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle.

[0045] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the pallet transport shuttle and the transport mechanism may be a four-way shuttle of an RGV having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, drive wheels on all four sides, and capable of moving vertically and horizontally.

[0046] In a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the transport mechanism may be a conveyor on which the pallet can move in the X-axis direction, and which is equipped with a mechanism at a predetermined position that can branch the pallet in the Y-axis direction.

[0047] As a 17th aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to 12 aspects, the transport mechanism may be provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallet can be inserted into and removed from both ends of the pallet storage block.

[0048] In an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, the transport mechanism may be provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallet can be inserted into and removed from both ends of the pallet storage block.

[0049] In a 19th aspect of the present invention, in a 14th aspect, the transport mechanism may be provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallet can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

[0050] In a 20th aspect of the present invention, in the 15th aspect, the transport mechanism may be provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallet can be inserted into and removed from both ends of the pallet storage block.

[0051] In a 21st aspect of the present invention, in a 16th aspect, the transport mechanism may be provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallet can be inserted into and removed from both ends of the pallet storage block.

[0052] In this shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse of the present invention, the system for transporting pallets is controlled by an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS / RS), and the pallets can move throughout the entire shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse.

[0053] In particular, a key feature of the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse of the present invention is its ability to move pallets in and out of the storage racks and the pallet transport shuttle in the X-axis direction. A chain conveyor is the most suitable conveyor mechanism for transporting pallets weighing 1 ton or more in the X-axis direction, which are mounted on the pallet transport shuttle.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferable that a roller conveyor capable of transferring pallets is provided alongside the chain conveyor at a right angle to it. In this case, it is even more preferable that the chain conveyor be positioned so as to be able to move up and down between the rollers, or that the roller conveyor be positioned so as to be able to move up and down between the chain conveyors. And it is even more preferable that the chain conveyor and / or roller conveyor be able to move up and down together as a single unit. This is because the roller conveyor and chain conveyor provided on the pallet loading surface of the pallet transport shuttle allow for flexible right-angle branching of pallets, as well as control of the vertical position of the pallets, making it easy to transfer them in accordance with the height of the partition shelves. In addition, being able to control the height and transfer direction of pallets loaded on such a pallet transport shuttle has the effect of automating pallet transfers at various locations within the pallet storage facility, such as the loading and unloading sections.

[0055] Thus, by equipping the pallet transport shuttle with a mechanism that allows pallets to move in and out in the X-axis direction between the partition shelves equipped with a conveyor mechanism and the pallet transport shuttle, pallets can be moved in and out at any position on the partition shelves, dramatically improving the pallet processing capacity. However, in order to further improve the pallet processing capacity by allowing smoother movement of pallets in the X-axis direction between the storage shelves and the pallet transport shuttle, it is preferable that a conveyor mechanism for moving pallets in the X-axis direction be provided on the bottom surface of each partition shelf, consisting of a roller conveyor and / or a chain conveyor.

[0056] In conventional pallet transfer systems, the stored pallets become an obstacle, preventing the shuttle from accessing designated compartments in all storage shelves to transport pallets. Furthermore, it is impossible to perform inter-shelf movement to efficiently rearrange pallets within the storage shelves by moving between compartments. As a result, the processing capacity of the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse itself is limited, and it is difficult to control the processing capacity according to the logistics situation.

[0057] In the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse of the present invention, a conveyor mechanism is provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelves that constitute the storage shelves. Furthermore, by providing a conveyor function with a right-angle branching function that allows pallets to be transferred not only in the X-axis direction but also in the Y-axis direction to partition shelves at adjacent predetermined positions, movement between adjacent partition shelves becomes possible, and the position of pallets within the pallet storage block can be changed according to the order of incoming and outgoing shipments. This not only increases processing capacity but also enables the function of controlling processing capacity.

[0058] As described above, the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse of the present invention is characterized by a configuration in which a pallet transport vehicle travels between opposing pallet storage shelves, and by the fact that both the pallet transport shuttle and the pallet storage shelves are equipped with technology that allows for the horizontal transfer of large and heavy pallets between the pallet transport shuttle and the pallet storage shelves. Furthermore, the development of partition shelves that enable the smooth movement of pallets between partition shelves that make up the storage shelves is also of significant importance.

[0059] On the other hand, there is a wide range of choices for the transport mechanism that moves the pallet in the X-axis direction at a predetermined position adjacent to the guide rail at one end of the pallet storage block. Firstly, a pallet transport shuttle of an RGV (Rail Guided Vehicle) that moves while carrying a pallet transport shuttle can be used. Secondly, if a four-way shuttle of an RGV, which has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, has drive wheels on all four sides and can move vertically and horizontally, is used as the pallet transport shuttle, this four-way shuttle can also be used as the transport mechanism. Thirdly, a conveyor in which the pallet can move in the X-axis direction may also be used, and which has a mechanism that can branch the pallet in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined position. In this case, it is preferable to mainly use a roller conveyor suitable for transporting large and heavy pallets in the X-axis direction, and the branching mechanism for the pallet in the Y-axis direction is preferably a chain conveyor that moves up and down between the rollers, taking into account the shape of the pallet. Conversely, the branching mechanism may also move the rollers up and down.

[0060] Furthermore, in any of the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouses described above, such a transport mechanism is provided at a predetermined position adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block. The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse is configured such that the pallet storage block held by such a transport mechanism is always included, and pallets can be entered and exited from both ends of the pallet storage block. This dramatically increases the degree of freedom of access to predetermined compartment shelves, shortens the travel distance of the pallet transport shuttle, and further enhances processing capacity. In conventional shuttle-type pallet automated warehouses, from the perspective of pallet storage density, it is considered that the entry of the pallet transport shuttle into the pallet storage block is limited to one direction. However, in order to accommodate the wide range of applications to which shuttle-type pallet automated warehouses are applied, it is necessary to further broaden the range of processing capacity.

[0061] A lifting mechanism deployed adjacent to such a transport mechanism can transport pallets, pallet transport shuttles, and pallet transport shuttle transport shuttles. However, considering the transfer mechanisms of the transport mechanism and the lifting mechanism, the transfer mechanisms are simplified in this order, making it more preferable to lift the pallet transport shuttle, and even more preferable to lift the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0062] This invention enables various shuttles that transport pallets, which are responsible for moving pallet storage zones and handling the inflow and outflow of pallets in a shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse, to access all partitioned shelves with specific locations that make up the pallet storage shelves in the pallet storage zone. It also enables the transfer of pallets between partitioned shelves, significantly improving the pallet processing capacity and allowing for control of that capacity. Furthermore, the horizontal transfer of pallets drastically reduces the frequency of items tipping over or falling on pallets, thus preventing damage to the items. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0063] [Figure 1(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse, intended to illustrate the challenges of conventional shuttle-type pallet type automated storage warehouses. [Figure 1(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse, illustrating the challenges of conventional shuttle-type pallet type automated storage warehouses. [Figure 2(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3(b)]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an automated storage and storage warehouse with a horizontal transfer four-way shuttle system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse equipped with a shelf-to-shelf movement function, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse equipped with a shelf-to-shelf movement function, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a primary aisle-clamped horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, forming a pallet storage zone that serves as the framework. [Figure 6(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primary aisle-clamped horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, forming a pallet storage zone that serves as the framework. [Figure 7(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a primary aisle-clamped horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet storage block being held between primary aisles as an essential basic component unit. [Figure 7(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primary aisle-clamped horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet storage block being held between primary aisles as an essential basic component unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0064] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings, showing representative embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments specifically described with reference to the drawings are merely examples of the present invention and are not limited thereto. Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the invention is limited only to the technical concept described in the claims. Furthermore, the names of all shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses according to the embodiments of the present invention are names that reflect the characteristics of the pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention. The configuration of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to the embodiments of the present invention can be understood by comparing the schematic plan view shown in Figure (a) and the schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure (b). Although goods are loaded on the pallets, they have been omitted for the sake of simplification of the drawings. Note that the schematic cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting perpendicularly to the plane of the paper along the cutting line connecting arrows A in the plan view and viewing in the direction of arrow A.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view (a) and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention is referred to as a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 because, following the example of the conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100, in which the inflow and outflow of pallets to and from the compartment shelves constituting the storage shelves, i.e., the transfer, is performed by vertical lifting and lowering using a shuttle lifter, the inflow and outflow of pallets to and from the compartment shelves constituting the storage shelves, i.e., the transfer, is performed by horizontal movement using a conveyor mechanism of the shuttle and compartment shelves.

[0066] Next, before describing the detailed embodiments, we define the reference numerals and markings in the drawings shown in embodiments of this invention, which are necessary to understand the components and configuration of the pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention. This definition will be explained using the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 shown in Figure 2, but since there is consistency, coherence, and commonality in all drawings, a detailed explanation of the definitions of reference numerals and markings will be omitted in Figures 3 to 7.

[0067] The first partition shelf 2111 is a partition shelf that constitutes the first storage block (b21), and partition shelf (b21-c4-r3-t3) refers to the first partition shelf 2111 located in the first storage block (b21) 2110, specifically the fourth column aligned in the X-axis direction, the third row aligned in the Y-axis direction, and the third tier aligned in the Z-axis direction. The descriptions of other partition shelves also follow this rule. Furthermore, the three types of aisles 2300 are passages through which pallets P are transported, and are defined as follows: The primary aisle 2310 is a passage on each tier that transports pallets to a specific row on the same plane where they should be stored, and the primary aisle (z21-1a-t3) indicates the primary aisle on the third tier of the first storage zone (z21) 2100. The secondary aisle 2320 is a passage on each level that transports pallets P to a specific row on the same plane where they should be stored. The first secondary aisle 2321 is a secondary aisle that constitutes the first storage block (b21) 2110, the first secondary aisle (b21-2a11-t2) indicates the second row of the secondary aisle from the bottom of the drawing in the second level of the first storage block (b21) 2111, and the second secondary aisle (b22-2a22-t3) indicates the second row of the secondary aisle from the bottom of the drawing in the third level of the second storage block (b22) 2210. The tertiary aisle 2330 is a passage connecting each stage in the Z-axis direction for transporting pallets to specific stages that are not on the same plane, and the first tertiary aisle (z21-3a1-t13) 2331 is a tertiary aisle that constitutes the first storage zone (z21) 2100 and indicates a tertiary aisle connected to the first to third stages of the first storage zone (z21) 2100, and the second tertiary aisle (z22-3a2-t13) 2332 is a tertiary aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z22) 2200 and indicates a tertiary aisle connected to the first to third stages of the second storage zone (z22) 2200.

[0068] The horizontal transfer shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 shown in Figure 2 is selectively composed of storage blocks and storage zones, which consist of partition shelves (the smallest units for storing pallets), storage shelves (assemblies of partition shelves), aisles (passages through which storage shelves and pallets are transported), storage zones (combinations of aisles, storage blocks, and storage zones), and a pallet transport mechanism, all defined on the space formed by the X-axis (columns), Y-axis (rows), and Z-axis (tiers). The various shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses shown in Figures 3 to 7 have a similar configuration. Note that while an inbound / outbound section may be included in various automated storage warehouses, it is not necessarily an essential component of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention.

[0069] A storage rack in a YZ plane, formed in a grid pattern by arranging three first compartment racks 2111 in the Y-axis direction and three in the Z-axis direction, is in contact with the pallet entry / exit surface of the storage rack and faces it via a first secondary aisle 2321, which serves as the travel path for the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500. Furthermore, a first guide rail 2541, on which the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 travels, is provided in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined position on this storage rack or the first secondary aisle 2321. Two YZ plane storage units, each including one first guide rail 2541, are arranged adjacently in the X-axis direction on the opposite side of the pallet entry / exit surface, thus forming a first storage block (b21) 2110 as one of the basic units for storing pallets P. In this case, the first guide rail 2541 is installed on the first secondary aisle 2321.

[0070] At a predetermined position adjacent to the first guide rail 2541 at one end of each YZ plane storage unit of the first storage block (b21) 2110, a primary aisle 2310 is provided, which serves as the travel path for a horizontal transfer shuttle 2400 capable of transporting the pallet transport shuttle 2500 in the Y-axis direction, and is equipped with a pallet transport shuttle 2500, a mechanism for transporting pallet P in the Y-axis direction. Guide rails 2440 are provided there to guide the horizontal transfer shuttle 2400, and furthermore, a first tertiary aisle 2331 for transporting pallet P in the Z-axis direction is provided adjacent to the primary aisle 2310 of each stage. The first storage block (b21) 2110, primary aisle 2310, and first tertiary aisle 2331 are arranged at predetermined positions as shown in Figure 2, and constitute the first storage zone (z21) 2100, which stores pallet P including the first storage block (b21). Furthermore, by combining various storage blocks, such as the first storage block (b21), the first storage zone (z21), the primary aisle (2310), and the tertiary aisle (2331), it is possible to design a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 200 with various pallet storage facilities as its framework.

[0071] However, to avoid making the drawings too complex, Figure 2 illustrates and explains two embodiments of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200 of the present invention: Figure 2 shows a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-1, which has a first storage zone (z21) 2100 consisting of a first storage block (b21) 2110, a first aisle 2310, and a first tertiary aisle 2331 as its framework, and Figure 2 shows a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-2, which has a second storage zone (z22) 2200 with a second storage block (b22) placed in the first storage zone (z21) as its framework.

[0072] However, as already explained, the horizontal transfer shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in Figure 2, and can be composed of numerous forms of storage zones by combining various storage blocks, such as the first storage block (b21), the primary aisle, such as the primary aisle 2310, the tertiary aisle, such as the first tertiary aisle 2331, and the storage zone, such as the first storage zone (z21) 2100. Moreover, the first storage block (b21) can have various configurations of the number of rows and levels of the first compartment shelves 2111, which are its basic structural units, and the number of rows of YZ-plane storage units, that is, the number of sets of the first secondary aisle 2321 and the YZ-plane storage units facing it, can also be various configurations. Thus, the design of a wide variety of shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses is the same for each pallet-type automated storage warehouse shown in Figures 3 to 7.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pallet transfer lifting platform equipped with a chain conveyor 2333-1 capable of transporting pallets in the X-axis direction is provided as a lifting platform attached to the elevator 2334 deployed in the third aisle 2330, and pallets are transported in the Z-axis direction in the third aisle 2330, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0074] Next, a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-2, which is an embodiment of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200 of the present invention and has a second storage zone (z22) 2200 as its framework, will be described. The first storage zone (z21) 2100 constitutes the smallest horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-1 of the present invention, but the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-2 is a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200 that has a second storage zone (z22) 2200 as its framework, in which a second storage block (b22) 2210, which has the same configuration as the first storage block (b21) 2110, is arranged in the first storage zone (z21) 2100 at a symmetrical position to the first storage block (b21) 2110, with the primary aisle 2310 as the axis of symmetry. Here, the second storage zone (z22) in Figure 2 shares the primary aisle 2310 of the first storage zone (z21) 2100. On the other hand, a second tertiary aisle (z22-3a2-t13) 2332 is newly provided to increase the transport capacity of pallets P in the Z-axis direction and improve the overall processing capacity of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 200-2, but it is preferable to consider the installation depending on the purpose and application. Also, the items transported in the Z-axis direction in the tertiary aisle 2330 are pallets P, just as in the first storage zone (z21) 2100. Therefore, by combining the first storage rack (b21) 2100, the first storage zone (z21) 2100, and the second storage zone (z22) 2200 as basic units, horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 200 of various scales and forms can be constructed, and Figure 2 shows an example of a smaller scale.

[0075] In the pallet storage zone of such a horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 200, a horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 and a horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 work together as a pair to move pallets P in and out of predetermined compartment shelves. The horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 loads the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 onto the horizontal transfer shuttle mounting section 2420, travels along the primary aisle (z21-1a-t3) 2310, and transports the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 to the positions of the first secondary aisle 2321 and the second secondary aisle 2322, which face predetermined first compartment shelves 2111 and second compartment shelves 2211 to be accessed. Therefore, the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 departs from the horizontal transfer shuttle loading section 2420 of the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400, travels along the first secondary aisle 2321 or the second secondary aisle 2322, accesses a predetermined first compartment shelf 2111 or second compartment shelf 2211, loads and unloads pallets P, and then returns to the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400. The operation of the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 and the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 can employ a mechanism such as that described in Patent Document 5 or 6. Furthermore, the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 and the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 are tracked shuttles, generally called RGVs, that travel along their respective guide rails 2440 and 2540 (first guide rail 2541, second guide rail 2542) using their respective drive wheels 2430 and 2530.

[0076] A distinctive feature of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 200 of the present invention is the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 that loads and transfers pallets P of the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500, and the first roller conveyor 2112 and second roller conveyor 2212 of the first section shelf 2111 and second section shelf 2211. The pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 is provided with a chain conveyor 2522 that can move up and down in the X-axis direction between the rollers of the roller conveyor 2521, and at predetermined positions of the first section shelf 2111 and second section shelf 2211, the chain conveyor 2522 rises, allowing pallets P to be horizontally transported to and from the predetermined first section shelf 2111 and second section shelf 2211. Furthermore, the first roller conveyor 2112 and the second roller conveyor 2212, provided on the first and second compartment shelves 2111 and 2211, are also installed to facilitate the smooth loading and unloading of pallets P. Note that the roller conveyor 2521 of the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 is not necessarily required. Moreover, it is preferable that the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 be equipped with a lifting mechanism to optimize the height during transfer.

[0077] The roller conveyor 2521 of the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 is not necessarily required in the case of Figure 2 because, as shown, the third aisle 2330 is configured to transport pallets P using a lift 2334 equipped with a pallet transfer lifting platform 2333 that has a chain conveyor 2333-1 on which the pallets P are transported. In this case, the transfer of pallets P between the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 of the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 and the pallet transfer lifting platform 2333 of the lift 2334 can be smoothly performed by the chain conveyor 2522 and the chain conveyor 2333-1, so the roller conveyor 2521 is not required. The roller conveyor 2521 of the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 is useful when the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 or the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 moves up and down the third aisle 2330 to transport pallets P. In particular, if the first stage of the third aisle 2330 is equipped with an inbound and outbound section with a conveyor mechanism, the roller conveyor 2521 provided on the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 enables the automatic transfer of pallets P between the third aisle 2331 and the inbound and outbound sections.

[0078] Figure 3 shows a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300, which has exactly the same features as the horizontal transfer shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 described in Figure 2. That is, unlike the vertical transfer W-shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100 shown in Figure 1, which transfers pallets from the shuttle to the compartment shelves by moving them vertically, this shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300 employs a four-way shuttle that integrates the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 and the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 described in Figure 2.

[0079] Aside from the equipment related to the 4-way horizontal transfer shuttle 3400, the storage rack blocks, storage zones, and the partition shelves and aisles that constitute them are the same as those of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse described in Figure 2, so a detailed explanation of these will be omitted.

[0080] The horizontal transfer four-way shuttle 3400 is equipped with X-axis running wheels 3431 and Y-axis running wheels 3432 at the bottom near all sides forming the body 3410. Correspondingly, an X-axis guide rail 3441 is provided at a predetermined position near the primary aisle 3310 or the first and second compartment shelves 3111 and 3211, and a Y-axis guide rail 3442 is provided at a predetermined position near the first and second secondary aisles 3321 and 3322, or the first and second compartment shelves 3111 and 3211. These intersect at a planar intersection 3443. At this planar intersection 3443, the X-axis running wheels 3431 are raised and lowered, switching between contact / non-contact between the X-axis guide rail 3441 and the X-axis running wheels 3431, and between contact / non-contact between the Y-axis guide rail 3442 and the Y-axis running wheels 3432, thereby changing direction. The operating mechanism for this transport can employ the technology described in Patent Document 7 or 8, but a lifter mechanism is not required. However, instead of a lifter mechanism that moves and transfers pallets vertically, a conveyor mechanism is needed that moves and transfers large, heavy pallets horizontally, as described below.

[0081] In the case of the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a key feature is that the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 3420 of the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle 3400 is equipped with a pallet transport function equivalent to that of the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 shown in Figure 2. In this pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 3420 as well, a chain conveyor 3422 is provided in the X-axis direction so as to be able to move up and down between the rollers of the roller conveyor 3421, and at the positions of predetermined first section shelves 3111 and second section shelves 3211, the chain conveyor 3422 rises, allowing pallets P to be horizontally transported to and from the predetermined first section shelves 3111 and second section shelves 3211. In this case as well, the roller conveyor 3421 does not necessarily need to be installed. In one embodiment shown in Figure 3, the elevators 3334 of the first tertiary aisle 3331 and the second tertiary aisle 3332 are equipped with four-way shuttle lifting platforms 3333, and the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle 3400 is transported in the Z-axis direction. This allows for the automatic transfer of pallets P to the adjacent first receiving section 3610 and second receiving section 3620 and the first outbound section 3710 and second outbound section 3720 at the first stage of the first tertiary aisle 3331 and the second tertiary aisle 3332. In the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 3000, it is also possible to transport pallets P in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the roller conveyor 3421 is not required, but a chain conveyor as shown in Figure 2 is required on the pallet lifting platform attached to the elevator 3334 of the tertiary aisle 3330.

[0082] Furthermore, the first section shelf 3111 and the second section shelf 3211 of the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention are also characterized by being equipped with a first roller conveyor 3112 and a second roller conveyor 3212, as explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0083] Figure 4 shows a horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse 400, according to one embodiment of the present invention, characterized in that it employs a roller conveyor instead of a shuttle as a means of transporting pallets P to a secondary aisle in contact with the pallet entry / exit surfaces of predetermined partition shelves. This horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse 400 has the same configuration as the storage shelf blocks, storage zones, and partition shelves and aisles that constitute them of the horizontal transfer shuttle type pallet automated warehouse described in Figure 2. The horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 4500 is also characterized in that it is equipped with a pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 4520, similar to the pallet horizontal transfer conveyor 2520 of the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 shown in Figure 2, and has the same function as the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 in terms of pallet transport. However, the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 4500 does not need to be equipped with the mechanism mounted on the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400, as the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 does.

[0084] A roller conveyor, a feature of the horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse 400, is shown in Figure 4 as an example of a pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4311. This pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4311 is characterized by having the function of transporting pallets P in the X-axis direction and the function of transferring pallets P to the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttles 4500 of the first secondary aisle 4321 and the second secondary aisle 4322. In Figure 4, this function is performed by a pallet transport roller conveyor 4311-1 and a pallet transfer chain conveyor 4311-2 that is installed at a predetermined position and moves up and down between the rollers of the pallet transport roller conveyor 4311-1, but it is not limited to this.

[0085] In this way, by using a pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4311 for transporting pallets from the primary aisle 4310, it is preferable that the pallet mounting platform attached to the lifting machine 4334 of the first tertiary aisle 4331 and the second tertiary aisle 4332, which are provided adjacent to the primary aisle 4310, be a pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4333, which consists of a pallet transport roller conveyor 4333-1 and a pallet transfer chain conveyor 4333-2 that is provided to be able to move up and down between its rollers. The pallet transfer chain conveyor 4333-2 is responsible for the smooth transfer of pallets P from the primary aisle 4310, and the pallet transport roller conveyor 4333-1 is responsible for the smooth transfer of pallets P between the first receiving section 4610 and the second receiving section 4620 and the first outbound section 4710 and the second outbound section 4720. For this purpose, the pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4333 only needs to be provided with an X-axis conveyor function for smoothly transferring pallets P from the primary aisle 4310. However, as already explained, for the automation of pallet transfer between the pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4333 and the receiving and shipping sections equipped with conveyor functions, it is preferable that the pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4333 has a right-angle branching function and is equipped with a pallet transport roller conveyor 4333-1 and a pallet transfer chain conveyor 4333-2.

[0086] Figure 5 shows a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 500 equipped with a shelf-to-shelf movement function, according to one embodiment of the present invention. This has exactly the same configuration as the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 described in Figure 2, but the first vertical branching conveyors 5113 and 5213 are provided between adjacent section shelves among the first section shelves 5111 and the second section shelves 5211, enabling shelf-to-shelf movement between section shelves that constitute the storage shelves, and further increasing the processing capacity of the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200. The first vertical branching conveyor 5113 and the second vertical branching conveyor 5213 consist of a first roller conveyor 5113-1 and a second roller conveyor 5213-1, and a first chain conveyor 5113-2 and a second chain conveyor 5213-2 that are vertically movable between these rollers, but it is not limited to this as long as it is a conveyor that can move in the XY axis direction.

[0087] Furthermore, the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 500 with shelf-to-shelf movement function shown in Figure 5 differs from the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 2000 shown in Figure 2 in that it has a function to transport pallets P in the Z-axis direction by attaching pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platforms 5333 to the elevators 5334 of the first tertiary aisle 5331 and the second tertiary aisle 5332. However, it is also possible to use a mechanism to transport horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttles 5400 or horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttles 5500 in the Z direction.

[0088] Furthermore, as explained using Figure 2, Figure 6 is a horizontal transfer W-shaft type pallet automated warehouse 600-1 in which the primary aisle 2310 and the first tertiary aisle 2331, which are arranged in the first storage zone (z21) 2100, one form of the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 200 shown in Figure 2, are installed to the right of the first storage zone (z21) 2100 with the first storage block (b21) as the center of point symmetry, and the first storage zone (z21) 2100 is sandwiched by the primary aisle 2310. In other words, Figure 6 is a primary aisle-clamping horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 600-1, which is a form of the primary aisle-clamping horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 600 according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the first storage zone (z61) 6100 as the framework. The first storage zone (z61) 6100, which constitutes the primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 600-1, consists of a first storage block (b61) 6110, which is clamped between the first primary aisle (z61-1a1-t1~t3) 6311-1 and the second primary aisle (z61-1a2-t1~3) 6311-2 adjacent to both ends of each level of the first storage block (b61) 6110. The first tertiary aisle (z61-3a1-t13) 6331-1 and the second tertiary aisle (z61-3a2-t13) 6331-2 are located at one end of these first primary aisles 6311-1 and the second primary aisles 6311-2. In this case, the first storage block (b61) 6110, the first storage zone (z61) 6100, the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 6400 and its guide rail 6440, the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 6500 and its first guide rail 6541, the first compartment shelf 6111 and its first roller conveyor 6112 are configured differently from the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200 in Figure 2. Although the reference numerals are different, the first storage block (b21) 2110, the first storage zone (z21) 2100, the horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2400 and its guide rail 2440, the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 2500 and its first guide rail 2541, the first compartment shelf 2111 and its first roller conveyor 2112 are the same mechanism as the components in Figure 2.However, the example of conveying in the Z-axis direction in the first tertiary aisle 6331-1 and the second tertiary aisle 6331-2 is that of conveying pallets P, and as in Figure 4, the pallet conveying / transfer conveyor lifting platform 6333 is attached to the elevator 6334, but it is not limited to this.

[0089] In this way, by making the storage block 6110 sandwiched in the primary aisle 6311, the frequency with which the horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 6400 can access the predetermined partition shelves 6111 within the storage block 6110 increases, thereby significantly improving processing capacity.

[0090] Furthermore, the primary aisle-clamping horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 600 of the present invention can be configured by arranging multiple first storage zones (z61) 6100 with the configuration shown in Figure 6, thereby changing its size and form in various ways. As an example, Figure 7 shows a primary aisle-clamping horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 600-3, which consists of a third storage zone (z60) 6000 in which a second storage zone (z62) with the exact same configuration as the first storage zone (z61) 6100 of Figure 6 is arranged in parallel. [Industrial applicability]

[0091] Shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses (SLAs) can efficiently and rationally load and unload pallets containing various types of goods, such as heavy items, items of different shapes, and cases containing goods. As a result, (1) improved processing speed, (2) effective utilization of logistics facilities, (3) reduced damage to goods, and (4) reduced labor costs are analyzed to surpass stacker-crane-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses. Their introduction is being considered in various industries such as the food and beverage industry, automotive industry, electronics industry, chemical industry, energy industry, and pharmaceutical industry, and the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse market is predicted to expand rapidly. Therefore, the industrial applicability of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention, which enhances the pallet processing capacity of conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, is extremely high. Furthermore, the elemental technologies of the present invention are not only effective for shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, but are also considered to have high industrial applicability from the perspective of future applications in the intelligentization of various logistics facilities. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 100 Vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 100-1 Vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse with the first storage zone as its framework (1) 100-2 Vertical transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse with the second storage zone as its framework (2) 1100 The first storage zone (z11) constituting the vertical transfer W shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 1110 First storage block (b11) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z11) 1111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b11) 1200 Second storage zone (z12) constituting the vertical transfer W shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (2) 1210 Second storage block (b12) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z12) 1211 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b12) 1300 Aisle (Passageway for transporting pallets) 1310 Primary aisle (a passage that transports pallets to a specific row on the same plane where they should be stored) 1320 Secondary aisle (a passage that transports pallets to a specific row on the same plane where they should be stored) 1321 The first secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b11) 1322 Second secondary aisle constituting the second storage block (b12) 1330 Third aisle (a passage that transports pallets to a specific level that is not on the same plane as where they should be stored) 1331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z11) 1332 Second storage zone (z12) consists of the second tertiary aisle 1333 Vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle lifting platform 1334 Elevator 1400 Vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1410 Body 1420 Vertical transfer shuttle loading section 1430 Drive wheels 1440 Guide rails for vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttles 1500 Vertical Transfer Pallet Transport Shuttle 1510 Body 1520 Pallet Loading Lifter 1530 Drive wheels 1540 Guide rails for vertical transfer pallet transport shuttles 1541 First guide rail of vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b11) 1542 Second guide rail of vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b12) 1600 Stocking Department 1610 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z11) 1620 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z12) 1700 Outbound Section 1710 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z11) 1720 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z12) 200 Horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 200-1 Horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z21) as its framework. 200-2 Horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (2) with the second storage zone (z22) as its framework 2100 The first storage zone (z21) constituting the horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 2110 First storage block (b21) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z21) 2111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b21) 2112 First roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b21) 2200 Second storage zone (z22) constituting the horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (2) 2210 Second storage block (b22) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z22) 2211 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b22) 2212 Second roller conveyor constituting the second compartment shelf of the second storage block (b22) 2300 Isle 2310 1st Isle 2320 Second Isle 2321 First secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b21) 2322 Second storage block (b22) consists of the second secondary aisle 2330 3rd Isle 2331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z21) 2332 Second storage zone (z22) consists of the second tertiary aisle 2333 Pallet transfer lifting platform 2333-1 Chain conveyor 2334 Elevator 2400 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 2410 Body 2420 Horizontal transfer shuttle loading section 2430 Drive wheels 2440 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle guide rail 2500 Horizontal Transfer Pallet Transport Shuttle 2510 Body 2520 Pallet Horizontal Transfer Conveyor 2521 Roller conveyor 2522 Roller-to-roller chain conveyor 2530 Drive wheels 2540 Guide rails for horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttles 2541 First guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b21) 2542 Second guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b22) 2600 Stocking Department 2610 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2620 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2700 Outbound Section 2710 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2720 ​​Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 300 Horizontal transfer 4-way shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 300-1 A horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z31) as its framework. 300-2 Horizontal transfer 4-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (2) with the second storage zone (z32) as its framework 3100 The first storage zone (z31) constituting the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (1) 3110 First storage block (b31) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z31) 3111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b31) 3112 Second roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b31) 3200 Second storage zone (z32) constituting the horizontal transfer four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (2) 3210 Second storage block (b32) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z32) 3211 First compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b32) 3212 First roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the second storage block (b32) 3300 Isle 3310 1st Isle 3320 Second Isle 3321 Secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b31) 3322 Second storage block (b32) consists of secondary aisles 3330 3rd Isle 3331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z31) 3332 Second storage zone (z32) consists of the second tertiary aisle 3333 4-way shuttle lift platform 3334 Elevator 3400 Horizontal Transfer 4-Way Shuttle 3410 Body 3420 Pallet Horizontal Transfer Conveyor 3421 Roller conveyor 3422 Roller-to-roller chain conveyor 3430 Drive wheels 3431 X-axis running wheel 3432 Y-axis running wheels 3440 Guide rail for horizontal transfer 4-way shuttle 3441 X-axis guide rail 3442 Y-axis guide rail 3443 Guide rail level intersection 3600 Stocking Department 3610 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3620 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3700 Outbound Section 3710 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3720 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 400 Horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse 400-1 Horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z41) as its framework. 400-2 Second storage zone (z42) with a horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse (2) 4100 First storage zone (z41) constituting a horizontal transfer shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse (1) 4110 First storage block (b41) including partition shelves and secondary aisles (2) that constitute the first storage zone (z41) 4111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b41) 4112 First roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b41) 4200 Second storage zone (z42) constituting the horizontal transfer W shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse (2) 4210 Second storage block (b42) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z42) 4211 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b42) 4212 Second roller conveyor constituting the second compartment shelf of the second storage block (b42) 4300 Isle 4310 1st Isle 4311 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4311-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 4311-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 4320 Second Isle 4321 Secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b41) 4322 Second storage block (b42) consists of secondary aisles 4330 3rd Isle 4331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z21) 4332 Second storage zone (z22) consists of the second tertiary aisle 4333 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4333-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 4333-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 4334 Elevator 4500 Horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 4510 Body 4520 Pallet Horizontal Transfer Conveyor 4521 Roller conveyor 4522 Roller chain conveyor 4530 Drive wheels 4540 Guide rail for horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 4541 First guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b41) 4542 Second guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b42) 4600 Stocking Department 4610 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4620 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4700 Outbound Section 4710 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4720 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 500 Horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse with shelf-to-shelf movement function 500-1 A horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (1) with shelf-to-shelf movement function based on the first storage zone (z51) 500-2 Horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (2) with shelf-to-shelf movement function based on the second storage zone (z52) 5100 The first storage zone (z51) of the horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) equipped with shelf-to-shelf movement function. 5110 First storage block (b51) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z51) 5111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b51) 5112 First roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b51) 5113 First vertical branching conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b51) 5113-1 First Roller Conveyor 5113-2 First Chain Conveyor 5200 Second storage zone (z52) constituting a horizontal transfer W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse (2) equipped with shelf-to-shelf movement function. 5210 Second storage block (b52) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z52) 5211 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b52) 5212 Second roller conveyor constituting the second compartment shelf of the second storage block (b52) 5213 Second vertical branching conveyor constituting the second compartment shelf of the second storage block (b52) 5213-1 Second Roller Conveyor 5213-2 Second chain conveyor 5300 Isle 5310 1st Isle 5320 Second Isle 5321 Secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b51) 5322 Second storage block (b52) consists of secondary aisles 5330 3rd Isle 5331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z51) 5332 Second storage zone (z52) consists of the second tertiary aisle 5333 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 5333-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 5333-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 5334 Elevator 5400 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 5410 Body 5420 Horizontal transfer shuttle loading section 5430 Drive wheels 5440 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle guide rail 5500 Horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 5510 Body 5520 Pallet Transfer Conveyor 5521 Roller conveyor 5522 Roller-to-roller chain conveyor 5530 Drive wheels 5540 Guide rail for horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 5541 First guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b51) 5542 Second guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b52) 5600 Stocking Department 5610 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z51) 5620 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z52) 5700 Outbound Section 5710 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z51) 5720 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z52) 600 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 600-1 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z61) as its framework 600-2 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (2) with second storage zone (z62) as its framework 600-3 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (3) with third storage zone (z60=z61+z62) as its framework 6000 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse (3) Third storage zone (z60=z61+z62) 6100 Primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse (1) First storage zone (z61) 6200 Second storage zone (z62) constituting the primary aisle clamping horizontal transfer W shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse (2) 6110 First storage block (b61) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z61) 6210 Second storage block (b62) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the second storage zone (z62) 6111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b61) 6112 First roller conveyor constituting the first compartment shelf of the first storage block (b61) 6211 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b62) 6212 Second roller conveyor constituting the second compartment shelf of the second storage block (b62) 6300 Isle 6310 1st Isle 6311 Primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6311-1 The first primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6311-2 Second primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6312 Primary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z62) 6312-1 The first primary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z62) 6312-2 Second primary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z62) 6320 Second Isle 6321 The first secondary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6322 Second Secondary Aisle Constituting the Second Storage Zone (z62) 6330 3rd Isle 6331 Third aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6331-1 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z61) 6331-2 Second 3rd Aisle Constituting the First Storage Zone (z61) 6332 Third aisle constituting the second storage zone (z62) 6332-1 The first tertiary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z62) 6332-2 Second storage zone (z62) consists of the second tertiary aisle 6333 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 6333-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 6333-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 6334 Elevator 6400 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle 6410 Body 6420 Horizontal transfer shuttle loading section 6430 Drive wheels 6440 Horizontal transfer shuttle transport shuttle guide rail 6500 Horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 6510 Body 6520 Pallet Transfer Conveyor 6521 Roller conveyor 6522 Roller-to-roller chain conveyor 6530 Drive wheels 6540 Guide rail for horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle 6541 First guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b61) 6542 Second guide rail of horizontal transfer pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b62) 6600 Stocking Department 6610 Storage compartment attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6611 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6612 Second storage section attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6620 Storage compartment attached to the second storage zone (z62) 6621 First storage section attached to the second storage zone (z62) 6622 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z62) 6700 Outbound Section 6710 Retrieval section attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6711 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6712 Second loading section attached to the first storage zone (z61) 6720 Retrieval section attached to the second storage zone (z62) 6721 First loading section attached to the second storage zone (z62) 6722 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z62) P Palette AA is an identification character indicating the cutting position when the cutting line connecting arrows A in the plan view is cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper and viewed in the direction of arrow A.

Claims

1. This is a pallet storage zone, A pallet storage block is constructed by connecting a YZ plane pallet storage unit, which has a conveyor mechanism for storing pallets whose location can be identified between the longitudinal (Y-axis) direction and the vertical (Z-axis) direction, and which has a plurality of partition shelves arranged in a grid pattern with substantially equal width, height, and depth, facing each other in the direction perpendicular to the YZ plane (X-axis) with a predetermined space between them, with the side of the storage shelf with the space being the pallet entry / exit surface, and a guide rail on which a pallet transport shuttle runs laid in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined position that allows access to all of the partition shelves on the pallet entry / exit surface, and is adjacent to the YZ plane pallet storage unit on the opposite side of the pallet entry / exit surface, in the X-axis direction, and is configured as such, A transport mechanism is provided at a predetermined position adjacent to the guide rail at one end of the pallet storage block, which allows the pallet to move in the X-axis direction. A lifting mechanism is attached adjacent to the transport mechanism in order to transport the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction, A pallet storage zone that includes the following as its basic components, A drive mechanism capable of reciprocating along the guide rail is provided to allow the pallet storage zone to move freely and to allow the pallet to move in and out of the storage rack and the pallet transport shuttle in the X-axis direction. The pallet transport shuttle has a conveyor mechanism capable of moving the pallet in the X-axis direction. A shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse characterized by having the following features.

2. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor mechanism provided in the pallet transport shuttle, which is capable of transferring the pallets in the X-axis direction, is a chain conveyor.

3. The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to claim 2, further comprising a roller conveyor capable of transferring the pallets in a direction perpendicular to the conveyor mechanism provided in the pallet transport shuttle, which is capable of transferring the pallets in the direction perpendicular to the conveyor mechanism provided in the pallet transport shuttle.

4. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 3, characterized in that the chain conveyor and / or the roller conveyor are capable of being raised and lowered.

5. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelves is a roller conveyor and / or a chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelves.

6. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf is a roller conveyor and / or chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

7. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 3, characterized in that the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelf is a roller conveyor and / or chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelf.

8. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 4, characterized in that the conveyor mechanism of the partition shelves is a roller conveyor and / or a chain conveyor provided on the bottom surface of the partition shelves.

9. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveyor function of the partition shelves located in adjacent predetermined positions is a right-angle branching function.

10. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 6, characterized in that the conveyor function of the partition shelves located in adjacent predetermined positions is a right-angle branching function.

11. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 7, characterized in that the conveyor function of the partition shelves located in adjacent predetermined positions is a right-angle branching function.

12. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveyor function of the partition shelves located in adjacent predetermined positions is equipped with a right-angle branching function.

13. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the transport mechanism is a pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle of an RGV (Rail Guided Vehicle) that moves while carrying the pallet transport shuttle.

14. The transport mechanism is an RGV pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle that moves with the pallet transport shuttle on it, and a lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction is characterized in that the lifting mechanism lifts and / or the pallet transport shuttle by lifting and lowering the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle, as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the pallet transport shuttle and the transport mechanism have a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, have drive wheels on all four sides, and are a four-way shuttle of an RGV that can move vertically and horizontally.

16. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the transport mechanism is a conveyor on which the pallets can move in the X-axis direction, and is equipped with a mechanism that can branch the pallets in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined position.

17. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallets can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

18. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 13, characterized in that the transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallets can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

19. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 14, characterized in that the transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallets can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

20. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 15, characterized in that the transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallets can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

21. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 16, characterized in that the transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, the pallet storage block held by the transport mechanism is an essential component, and the pallets can be moved in and out from both ends of the pallet storage block.

Images