Pallet-type automated warehouse

Abstract

To provide a highly efficient shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse that solves the problem of reduced logistics efficiency caused by the limited number of accessible shelves for the shuttle, which is a consequence of the conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse's method of loading and unloading pallets from storage shelves, where a shuttle equipped with a pallet loader enters the space below the stored pallets and moves the pallets vertically. [Solution] One aspect of the present invention is a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse characterized by the construction of a movement path that allows shuttles to access partition shelves with specific locations, which constitute the storage shelves in the storage zone where pallets are stored, from both ends of the storage shelves, thereby realizing a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse with high processing capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a pallet-type three-dimensional automatic warehouse, and particularly to a pallet-type three-dimensional automatic warehouse 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] The three-dimensional automatic warehouse system is described as AS / RS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) in JIS B8941:2012 of the Japan Standards Association, and its corresponding English is, although for reference only and not limited to the application, described as AS / RS. It can be said that it is a warehouse in which a storage and retrieval system for articles is introduced. Among them, the distribution three-dimensional automatic warehouse in the distribution industry to which the technology of the present invention is applied is defined as a "three-dimensional automatic warehouse 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 a three-dimensional automatic warehouse in which the storage and incoming and outgoing of articles are managed by automatic control of a computer. In fact, at present, in large-scale logistics centers and the like, 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) has generally been introduced (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 consisted of standardized pallets, mostly standard 1,100mm square slatted platforms. Items of the same type or purpose, such as cardboard boxes, were stacked vertically and horizontally on these pallets, and these were generally stored 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 more 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 number 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

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Patent Document 8

Non-Patent Document

[0017]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0018] As explained in the background technology section, the shuttle in a shuttle-type case-type automated storage warehouse can move cases in the X-axis direction using an arm, allowing it to access and retrieve items from any compartment shelf aligned in the Y-axis direction. In contrast, the shuttle in a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse enters from one direction in the space directly below the compartment shelves aligned in the Y-axis direction of the pallet storage block, and transfers pallets to the shuttle by raising and lowering the shuttle's lifter, thus preventing it from accessing and retrieving items from any compartment shelf aligned in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse retrieves and retrieves pallets in the order of the compartment shelves aligned in the Y-axis direction from the direction of the shuttle's entry, thus inherently limiting its processing capacity. This limitation stems from the fact that the shuttle's lifter is responsible for the retrieval and retrieval of pallets from the storage shelves, and therefore cannot be avoided by either the W-shuttle system, which uses two types of shuttles traveling in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, or the 4-way shuttle system, which can travel vertically and horizontally, as they share a common method of pallet retrieval.

[0019] Furthermore, the problems of such shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses are extremely important for the practical application of pallet-type automated storage warehouses, and are problems that the present invention aims to solve. Therefore, we will explain them in more detail using the schematic diagram of Figure 1, which was created with reference to the W-shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse disclosed in Patent Document 6. In order to make it easier to understand the positions and positional relationships of the components, as well as the operation and movement of the pallets and shuttles in the vertical transfer W-shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse, we have shown a schematic plan view 1(a) and a schematic cross-sectional view 1(b) in three dimensions. Figure 1(a) is a schematic plan view of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200, which are used to move pallets P up and down by the lifter 1520 of the vertical transfer pallet transport shuttle 1500 to move them in and out of predetermined first compartment shelves 1111 and second compartment shelves 1211. Figure 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first storage zone (z11) 1100 and the second storage zone (z12) 1200, taken by cutting perpendicularly to the plane of the paper along the cutting line connecting arrows A in Figure 1(a) and viewing in the direction of arrow A.

[0020] In FIG. 1, the features of the shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system are reflected in the name, and it is named the vertical transfer W shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system. The vertical transfer W shuttle-type pallet 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 pallet automated storage and retrieval system 100-1 with the first storage zone (z11) 1100, which is the minimum structural unit consisting of an aisle and a pallet storage block, as the framework, and the vertical transfer W shuttle-type pallet automated storage and retrieval system 100-2 with the second storage zone (z12) 1200 equipped with the second storage block (b11) 1110 as the framework 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 by raising and lowering a vertical transfer shuttle transport shuttle 1400 that carries 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] To solve this problem, the present invention investigated two types of shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses described in the background technology. As a result, it was found that the cause of the above problem lies in the shuttle's movement path, which allows access to the compartment shelves constituting the storage shelves of the storage equipment where pallets are stored from only one direction. Based on this, the present invention has devised a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse with an optimized movement path for transporting pallets.

[0031] In other words, the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a pallet storage zone comprising a row of storage shelves arranged longitudinally (Y-axis) with multiple partition shelves for storing pallets having approximately equal width, height, and depth, allowing for location identification, and a predetermined space directly below the storage shelves into which a pallet transport shuttle can enter, with guide rails attached at predetermined positions for the pallet transport shuttle to travel in the Y-axis direction, forming a single layer. Multiple YZ plane pallet storage shelves are stacked vertically (Z-axis) in a row of multiple layers, and adjacent pallet storage blocks are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis (X-axis), and this pallet... The system is characterized by having one or more pallet storage zones as essential basic components, each including a pallet storage zone at a predetermined position adjacent to guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, a transport mechanism that allows pallets to move in the X-axis direction, and a lifting mechanism attached adjacent to this transport mechanism for transporting pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles in the Z-axis direction. The system is characterized by having a pallet transport shuttle equipped with a drive mechanism that can reciprocate along guide rails to move freely within the pallet storage zone and to allow pallets to enter and exit the storage shelves in the Z-axis direction, and a lifter mechanism that can move up and down in the Z-axis direction to transfer pallets. In this shuttle-type automated storage warehouse with a pallet storage block, the shuttle can enter and exit from both ends of the pallet storage block, and the pallet storage zone, the drive mechanism, and the pallet transport shuttle are operated efficiently and rationally for the entry and exit of pallets.

[0032] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transport mechanism may be a pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle of an RGV (Rail Guided Vehicle) that moves while carrying the pallet transport shuttle.

[0033] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the second embodiment, 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 transport the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle by lifting and lowering the pallet transport shuttle.

[0034] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the pallet transport shuttle or the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle may be equipped with a chain conveyor mechanism capable of transferring the pallet in the Y-axis direction.

[0035] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the pallet loading section of the pallet transport shuttle may be provided with a chain conveyor mechanism that can be moved in the X-axis direction.

[0036] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transport mechanism may be a four-way shuttle of an RGV that has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, has drive wheels on all four sides, is equipped with the lifter mechanism, and is movable vertically and horizontally, and also serves as the pallet transport shuttle.

[0037] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the lifter mechanism of the four-way shuttle may be provided with a chain conveyor mechanism capable of moving the pallet in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

[0038] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the lifter mechanism of the four-way shuttle may be provided with a roller conveyor mechanism and a chain conveyor mechanism capable of moving the pallet in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

[0039] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first embodiment, the transport mechanism may be a conveyor mechanism movable in the X-axis direction and equipped with a right-angle branching mechanism capable of transferring the pallet in the Y-axis direction to a predetermined position.

[0040] In the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention, the system for transporting pallets is an automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS). Controlled by the system, the pallets can move throughout the entire conveyor-type pallet-type automated warehouse.

[0041] As can be seen from the basic configuration of the present invention, the present invention aims to solve the limitations in logistics efficiency of conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses, which are caused by a shuttle equipped with a lifter mechanism for loading pallets entering the space below the stored pallets and pallets being moved in and out of storage shelves by the lifting and lowering of the pallets, by increasing the frequency of the shuttle's access to predetermined compartment shelves where the pallets to be moved in and out are stored. To achieve this objective, the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse of the present invention is characterized by having a transport mechanism that can move pallets in the X-axis direction, which is disposed at a predetermined position adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, that is, a transport mechanism that can move pallets and grips the pallet storage block, as a specific solution to dramatically increase the frequency of the pallet transport shuttle's access to predetermined compartment shelves.

[0042] Furthermore, the transport mechanism for moving pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles in the X-axis direction according to the present invention is not particularly limited, but the following three types of means are particularly preferred. First, a pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle of an RGV (Rail Guided Vehicle) that moves carrying a pallet transport shuttle equipped with a lifter mechanism capable of loading and transferring pallets. Second, a four-way shuttle of an RGV that can move vertically and horizontally and is equipped with a lifter mechanism capable of loading and transferring pallets, and which can also be used as a pallet transport shuttle. Third, a conveyor mechanism that is movable in the X-axis direction and is equipped with a right-angle branching mechanism capable of transferring pallets in the Y-axis direction to a predetermined position.

[0043] Firstly, in the case of an RGV pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle, where the transport mechanism moves with a pallet transport shuttle equipped with a lifter mechanism capable of loading and transferring pallets, the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse of the present invention can be designed by selecting the transport of pallets in the Z-axis direction from pallets, pallet transport shuttles, and pallet transport shuttle transport shuttles. In particular, the lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles in the Z-axis direction can also transport pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles that have been transferred to the lifting mechanism by lifting and lowering them, but it is preferable to lift and lower the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle. This is because, in the case of transporting pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles in the Z-axis direction by a lifting machine, the transport mechanism using guide rails of the RGV and the lifting mechanism equipped with a pallet mounting platform are different mechanisms, and the transfer of pallets involves a large gap between the pallet transport shuttle or pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle and the pallet mounting platform. Therefore, the impact on the articles on the pallets during this transfer is large, and this is to prevent damage to the articles due to tipping over, etc.

[0044] Furthermore, in the case of an RGV pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle that travels carrying a pallet transport shuttle loaded with pallets in the X-axis direction, and the pallet transport shuttle or pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle is transported in the Z-axis direction by an elevator equipped with a lifting platform on which they are placed, it is preferable that the pallet transport shuttle or pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle is equipped with a chain conveyor mechanism capable of transferring pallets in the Y-axis direction. This allows the handling of pallets in the pallet loading and unloading section attached to the shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse to be changed from the conventional method of transferring pallets by human intervention using forklifts, etc., to transfer to an unmanned conveyor linked to the chain conveyor of the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle. In particular, the present invention, which has a configuration in which the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle is transported in the Z-axis direction by a lifting mechanism, can be made into a shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse with a more preferable and rational mechanism.

[0045] Furthermore, in the case of an RGV pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle that travels with a pallet transport shuttle loaded with pallets in the X-axis direction, where the pallets are transported in the Z-axis direction by a lifting machine equipped with a lifting platform on which they are placed, it is preferable that the pallet transport shuttle, or the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle on which the pallet transport shuttle is mounted, is equipped with a chain conveyor capable of transferring the pallets in the X-axis direction. As a result, the transfer of pallets to a lifting mechanism adjacent to the transport mechanism significantly reduces the impact on the items on the pallets, resulting in a safe and easy transfer of pallets.

[0046] Secondly, the transport mechanism for moving the pallet and / or pallet transport shuttle in the X-axis direction can also be a four-way RGV shuttle with a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, drive wheels on all four sides, a lifter mechanism capable of loading and lifting pallets, and the ability to move vertically and horizontally, which also serves as the pallet transport shuttle. This four-way shuttle can employ the technology described in Patent Document 7 or 8.

[0047] Such a four-way shuttle integrates a pallet transport shuttle and a pallet transport shuttle, reducing the number of components in a shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse. In this case, it is preferable that the pallet loading section of the four-way shuttle, which has a pallet lifting function, is equipped with a chain conveyor for transferring large and heavy pallets in the X-axis or Y-axis direction. This allows for smooth transfer of pallets from the four-way shuttle to the pallet loading section when the elevator attached to the pallet loading platform transports pallets in the Z-axis direction. In this case, it is preferable to provide a conveyor mechanism that can move in the Y-axis direction on the pallet loading platform attached to the elevator. This enables smooth transfer of pallets between the pallet loading platform and the receiving and shipping sections equipped with the conveyor mechanism. The conveyor mechanism is preferably a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor that can handle large and heavy pallets. When transporting a pallet-loaded 4-way shuttle in the Z-axis direction using a lifting machine equipped with a lifting platform for the 4-way shuttle, it is preferable to equip the pallet loading section with a chain conveyor that can move in the Y-axis direction. This is because it enables smooth transfer of pallets between the pallet loading section and the receiving and shipping sections equipped with a conveyor mechanism.

[0048] Furthermore, it is even more preferable for the four-way shuttle to have a pallet loading section equipped with a right-angle branching function using a roller conveyor mechanism and a chain conveyor mechanism. In this case, a right-angle branching mechanism with a chain conveyor that moves up and down between rollers, or the reverse mechanism, is preferably used, but the direction of the conveyor is not particularly limited and may be in either the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. This right-angle branching mechanism allows for smooth transfer of pallets between the pallet loading platform and pallet loading section and the receiving and shipping sections equipped with the conveyor mechanism, and prevents damage to goods caused by tipping over due to impacts on the pallets.

[0049] Thirdly, the transport mechanism for moving pallets and / or pallet transport shuttles in the X-axis direction can also be a conveyor mechanism movable in the X-axis direction equipped with a right-angle branching mechanism capable of transferring pallets in the Y-axis direction to predetermined positions. By using a conveyor mechanism for the transport mechanism, the pallet transport shuttle and its guide rails become unnecessary, making it possible to construct a shuttle-type pallet automated storage warehouse with a simple structure. Furthermore, in order to transport large and heavy pallets, a combination of a roller conveyor and a chain conveyor is preferred for the conveyor mechanisms in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The right-angle branching at predetermined positions can be operated by providing a mechanism that allows the chain conveyor to be raised and lowered between the rollers of the roller conveyor, or conversely, by providing a mechanism that allows the roller conveyor to be raised and lowered between the chains of the chain conveyor. The choice of mechanism is preferably made according to the intended use and scale of the shuttle-type pallet automated storage warehouse of the present invention, as well as from the viewpoint of the stability and safety of the conveyor transport mechanism. [Effects of the Invention]

[0050] With this invention, the pallet transport shuttle, which moves through the pallet storage zones constituting a shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse and is responsible for loading and unloading pallets, can enter and unload pallets from both sides of the pallet storage shelves in the pallet storage zones. This dramatically increases the frequency of access to partitioned shelves at predetermined locations, overcoming the limitations in processing capacity of conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouses. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0051] [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 primary aisle-clamped W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a pallet storage zone in which a W-shuttle type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles forms the framework. [Figure 2(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a W-shuttle type pallet automated storage warehouse with a primary aisle clamping structure, in which a W-shuttle type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse with primary aisle clamping, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a W-shuttle type pallet storage block being sandwiched between primary aisles, as an essential basic component unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a W-shuttle type pallet automated warehouse with primary aisle clamping, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a W-shuttle type pallet storage block being sandwiched between primary aisles, as an essential basic component unit, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a four-way shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse with primary aisle clamping, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a pallet storage zone in which a four-way shuttle-type pallet storage block is clamped by a primary aisle forms the framework. [Figure 4(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a four-way shuttle-type pallet automated storage warehouse with a primary aisle clamping structure, in which a four-way shuttle-type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a four-way shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse with primary aisle clamping, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a four-way shuttle-type pallet storage block being sandwiched between primary aisles, as an essential basic component unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5(b)]This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a four-way shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse with primary aisle clamping, in which two pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel, with a four-way shuttle-type pallet storage block being sandwiched between primary aisles, as an essential basic component unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6(a)] This is a schematic plan view of a primary aisle-clamped shuttle / conveyor type pallet-type automated storage warehouse, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a shuttle / conveyor-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 shuttle / conveyor type pallet-type automated storage warehouse, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a shuttle / conveyor-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 shuttle / conveyor type pallet-type automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a shuttle / conveyor-type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, and two of these pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel. [Figure 7(b)] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a primary aisle-clamped shuttle / conveyor type pallet-type automated warehouse according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a shuttle / conveyor-type pallet storage block is sandwiched between primary aisles, and two of these pallet storage zones are arranged in parallel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] 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 just examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and is limited only to the technical concept described in the claims. The name of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to the embodiment of the present invention is a name that reflects the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the configuration of the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to the embodiment 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, this is omitted in the diagrams for simplification. The schematic cross-sectional view is a cross-section 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.

[0053] The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse of the present invention is selectively composed of partition shelves, which are the smallest units for storing pallets, storage shelves, which are collections of partition shelves, aisles, which are passages through which pallets are transported, storage blocks, which are composed of storage shelves and aisles, storage zones, which are composed of aisles and storage blocks, and pallet transport mechanisms, but is characterized in that storage blocks sandwiched by aisles are essential basic structural units. In other words, the present invention constitutes a YZ-plane storage unit in which a row of storage shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction and a travel passage for a pallet transport shuttle that moves pallets up and down, formed directly below them, are stacked in the Z-axis direction, and one or more of these storage units are arranged adjacent to storage blocks in the X-axis direction, with pallet transport mechanisms provided in the X-axis direction at both ends of the storage shelves in the Y-axis direction of each tier, and the essential basic structural unit is one or more of these.

[0054] Next, before describing embodiments of the present invention in detail, in order to clarify the components and configuration of the present invention, we will use the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-1 shown in Figure 2, which is a representative example of the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200 of the present invention and is its essential basic component unit, and define the reference numerals and markings of the components attached to it. The same definition will be given for the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-3, which has a primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-3 as its framework, in which a first storage zone (z21) and a second storage zone (z22) 2200, which has exactly the same configuration as the primary aisle clamping shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse 200-1, are arranged in parallel to form a third storage zone (z20) 2000. This definition format is applied not only to the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200, but also to the primary aisle clamping 4-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300, according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, and to the primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400, according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 6 and 7. Therefore, there is consistency, coherence, and commonality in all the drawings. For this reason, a detailed explanation of the definitions of the reference numerals is omitted in Figures 4 to 7.

[0055] The first partition shelf 2111 is a partition shelf whose location within the first storage block (b21) can be identified using rows, sequences, and tiers. For example, the partition shelf (b21-c4-r3-t3) in Figure 1 indicates that it is the first partition shelf 2111 located in the first storage block (b21) 2110, which constitutes the first storage zone (z21) 2100, at the location of the fourth column (row) in the X-axis direction, the third sequence (row) in the Y-axis direction, and the third tier (tier) in the Z-axis direction. Other partition shelves are also indicated according to this format. For example, the partition shelf (b22-c3-r1-t2) in Figure 3 means that it is the second partition shelf 2211 located in the second storage block (b22) 2210 which constitutes the second storage zone (z22) 2200, in the third column aligned in the X-axis direction, the first row aligned in the Y-axis direction, and the second tier aligned in the Z-axis direction.

[0056] The three aisles 2300 are passages through which pallets P are transported, and consist of a primary aisle 2310, a secondary aisle 2320, and a tertiary aisle 2330, which are defined as follows: A primary aisle 2310 is a passage on each level for pallets P to enter and exit a specific row on the same plane. For example, the primary aisle (z21-1a1-t3) in Figure 1 refers to the first primary aisle 2311 adjacent to the first compartment shelves 2111 in the first row of the third level of the first storage zone (z21) 2100, from the first row to the sixth row. Each primary aisle 2310 is defined according to this format. For example, the primary aisle (z22-1a2-t2) in Figure 3 refers to the fourth primary aisle 2314 adjacent to the second compartment shelves 2211 in the third row of the second level of the second storage zone (z22) 2200, from the first row to the sixth row. A secondary aisle 2320 is a passage provided on each level for moving pallets P in and out of a specific row on the same plane. For example, the secondary aisle (b21-2a1-c2-t2) in Figure 2 indicates that it is the first secondary aisle 2321 directly below the second row of the first compartment shelf 2111 in the second level of the first storage block (b21) 2111 of the first storage zone (z21) 2100. A secondary aisle is defined according to this style. For example, the secondary aisle (b22-2a21-c2-t3) in Figure 3 indicates that it is the second secondary aisle 2322 directly below the second row of the second compartment shelf 2211 in the third level of the second storage block (b22) 2210 of the second storage zone (z22). A tertiary aisle 2330 is a passage connecting each stage in the Z-axis direction to allow pallets P to enter and exit specific stages that are not on the same plane. For example, a tertiary aisle (z21-3a1-t13) is defined as the first tertiary aisle 2331 on the first column side, connected to the first primary aisle (z21-1a1-t1~t3) 2311 of the first to third stages of the first storage zone (z21) 2100. The tertiary aisles are defined according to this format. For example, in Figure 3, a tertiary aisle (z22-3a2-t13) indicates the fourth tertiary aisle 2334 on the sixth column side, connected to the fourth primary aisle (z22-1a2-t1~t3) 2314 of the first to third stages of the second storage zone (z22) 2200.

[0057] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view (a) and schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, which consists of a first pallet storage zone (z21) 2100 in which a pallet storage block is clamped by a primary aisle. Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view (a) and schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (3) 200-3 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the first pallet storage zone (z21) 2100 shown in Figure 2 and a second pallet storage zone (z22) 2200 having the same configuration are arranged in parallel. 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.

[0058] The primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1 in Figure 2 is characterized by having aisles adjacent to both sides of the storage block, compared to the shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 100 in Figure 1. The first storage block (b21) 2110 is composed of three storage units in the YZ plane, stacked in the Z direction, with a row of pallet storage shelves arranged in the Y-axis direction and a first secondary aisle 2321 on which a pallet transport shuttle 2500 travels, forming a pair in the Z direction. The first storage block (b21) 2110 is sandwiched between primary aisles 2310, which are located at both ends in the Y-axis direction and on which pallet transport shuttles 2400 travel in the X-axis direction. Adjacent to the primary aisles 2310 is a tertiary aisle 2330 that transports pallet transport shuttles 2400 in the Z-axis direction, thus forming the first storage zone (z21) 2100. Using this first storage zone (z21) 2100 as a framework, a primary aisle-sandwiched W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1 is constructed, including pallet transport shuttles 2400 and 2500 that transport pallets P. This configuration allows the pallet transport shuttles 2500 to create a movement path that dramatically increases the frequency of access to the first section shelves 2111 of the storage shelves constituting the first storage block (b21) 2110.

[0059] Similar to Figure 1, the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1 also allows for the construction of storage blocks with various numbers of columns, rows, and tiers in the space created by the X-axis (columns), Y-axis (rows), and Z-axis (tiers), thus enabling the construction of primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouses 200 of various scales. Furthermore, by deploying multiple primary storage zones (z21) 2100 as essential basic configuration units, primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouses 200 of various scales and forms can also be constructed. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the drawings and their descriptions, the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1 and primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (3) 200-3 are given as representative examples, with the first storage zone (z21) 2100, which is an essential basic structural unit, and the third storage zone (z20) 2000, which is a second storage zone (z22) 2200 with the same configuration, arranged in parallel. Note that the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (2) 200-2, which has the second storage zone (z22) 2200 as its framework, is depicted as a different automated storage warehouse in the drawings and therefore has a different reference numeral, but it has exactly the same configuration as the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) 200-1. Furthermore, in this example, the elevator 2336 equipped with the lifting platforms 2335 of the first tertiary aisle 2331 and the second tertiary aisle 2332 is used to lift and lower the pallet transport shuttle 2400, but it can also lift and lower pallets P or pallet transport shuttles 2500 loaded with pallets.

[0060] Furthermore, in order to clarify the features of the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 of the present invention, the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200-1 shown in Figure 2, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in more detail as a representative example.

[0061] The first storage zone (z21) 2100 consists of the first storage block (b21) 2110, the first primary aisle 2311 and the second primary aisle 2312 which are located adjacent to both ends of the first primary aisle in the Y-axis direction, and the first tertiary aisle 2331 and the second tertiary aisle 2332 which are located adjacent to these primary aisles in the Z-axis direction.

[0062] The first storage block (b21) 2110 is constructed by stacking three YZ-plane storage units in the Z-axis direction at predetermined intervals in the X-axis direction. These units consist of a row of storage shelves, each containing a compartment shelf 2111 with a substantially identical shape for storing pallets P, arranged in a series in the Y-axis direction, and a first secondary aisle 2321, a predetermined space located directly below the storage shelves through which a pallet transport shuttle 2500 can enter, and through which a first guide rail 2541 is laid. The first primary aisle 2311 and the second primary aisle 2312, located adjacent to both ends of the YZ-plane storage unit, are passages in the X-axis direction for the pallet transport shuttle 2400, which carries and transports the pallet transport shuttle 2500. The second guide rail 2451 is laid adjacent to the first guide rail 2541 of the first primary aisle 2311 and the second primary aisle 2312. Furthermore, the first tertiary aisle 2331 and the second tertiary aisle 2332 are passages for transporting the pallet transport shuttle 2400 in the Z-axis direction. The first tertiary aisle 2331 is positioned adjacent to one end of the second guide rail 2451 in each row and stage of the first primary aisle 2311, and the second tertiary aisle 2332 is positioned adjacent to one end of the second guide rail 2451 in each row and stage of the second primary aisle 2312. Additionally, the tertiary aisle 2330 is provided with an elevator 2336 to which a pallet transport shuttle lifting platform 2335 is attached.

[0063] Here, a first storage block (b21) 2110 is constructed by stacking six rows of three-tiered YZ-plane storage units in the Z-axis direction, with each row consisting of a pair of three-tiered first compartment shelves 2111 arranged in the Y-axis direction and a first secondary aisle 2321 in the Y-axis direction, where a first guide rail 2541 for the pallet transport shuttle 2500 to travel is positioned in the Y-axis direction in a space directly below the first compartment shelf 2111 arranged in the Y-axis direction and into which the pallet transport shuttle 2500 can enter. The first storage block (b21) 2110 is provided with a first primary aisle 2311 and a second primary aisle 2312, where a first guide rail 2451 for the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 carrying the pallet transport shuttle 2500 to travel in the X-axis direction is positioned in a predetermined location adjacent to both ends of the first guide rail 2541 of the first secondary aisle 2321. Furthermore, adjacent to each level of the first primary aisle 2311 and the second primary aisle 2312, the first tertiary aisle 2331 and the second tertiary aisle 2332 are provided, which are passages for transporting the pallet transport shuttle 2400 to each level, and each has an elevator 2336 to which a pallet transport shuttle lifting platform 2335 is attached.

[0064] On the other hand, the shuttle that travels through such pallet storage blocks and pallet storage zones to transport pallets is not particularly limited as long as it has the following basic components so that it can access partitioned shelves at predetermined locations by using in combination with the pallet transport shuttle 2500 and the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 that can carry and transport it.

[0065] The pallet transport shuttle 2400 can use a rail-mounted automated guided vehicle (AGV) commonly known as an RGV, consisting of a body 2410, a pallet transport shuttle mounting section 2420, and drive wheels 2430 that run on guide rails 2451. Similarly, the pallet transport shuttle 2500 can also use a rail-mounted automated guided vehicle (AGV) commonly known as an RGV, consisting of a body 2510, a pallet loading lifter 2520, and drive wheels 2530 that run on guide rails 2541.

[0066] However, if a receiving section 2610 equipped with a chain conveyor 2630 and an outbound section 2710 equipped with a chain conveyor 2730 are installed adjacent to the first pallet loading / unloading section of the third aisle 2330, it is preferable to provide a mechanism that automatically transfers pallets P between the third aisle 2330 and the receiving and outbound sections 2610 and 2710. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, if the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 is transported in the Z-axis direction, it is preferable to provide a chain conveyor 2440 that transports pallets P in the Y-axis direction on the upper outer edge of the pallet transport shuttle loading section 2420 of the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400. Although not shown, if the pallet transport shuttle 2500 is transported in the Z-axis direction, it is preferable to provide a chain conveyor that transports pallets P in the Y-axis direction on the pallet loading lifter 2520. Furthermore, when pallets P are transported in the Z-axis direction, it is preferable that the pallet loading lifter 2520 of the pallet transport shuttle 2500 is equipped with a chain conveyor that transports pallets P in the X-axis direction, and that the elevator 2336 is equipped with a pallet loading lifting platform that has a conveyor mechanism with a right-angle branching function that allows pallets P to be transferred to the X-axis and Y-axis. In this case, it is preferable that the right-angle branching function is achieved by a conveyor mechanism in which a chain conveyor is provided between the rollers of a roller conveyor, and one of them moves up or down.

[0067] However, the pallet transport shuttle mounting section 2420 of the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 needs to be equipped with a mechanism to ensure the smooth entry and exit of the pallet transport shuttle 2500, such as a guide rail that guides the drive wheels 2530 of the pallet transport shuttle 2500. In this invention, the pallet transport method using two such RGVs in combination is called the W-shuttle system, and the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 5 and 6 can be applied.

[0068] In the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse 200-1 shown in Figure 2, when the pallet transport shuttle 2400 and the pallet transport shuttle 2500 are used in combination, pallets P can be efficiently transported along the following path. For example, pallets P received from the receiving section 2611 are automatically transferred from the first chain conveyor 2631 of the receiving section 2611 to the chain conveyor 2440 of the pallet transport shuttle 2400, and then loaded onto the pallet loading lifter 2520 of the pallet transport shuttle 2500 mounted on the pallet transport shuttle 2400. These loaded pallets P are then transported to the third level via the first tertiary aisle 2331 by a lifter 2336 equipped with a pallet transport shuttle transfer lifting platform 2335. Therefore, the pallet transport shuttle 2400 travels along the first primary aisle 2311 to the position of a row containing a predetermined first compartment shelf (b21-c2-r1-t3) 2111 where the pallets P should be stored. Then, the pallet transport shuttle 2500, which is loaded with pallets P, travels along the third stage first secondary aisle (b21-2a1-c2-t3) 2321 in the Y-axis direction, stops directly below the predetermined first compartment shelf (b21-c2-r1-t3) 2111 of the first row, and then stores the pallets P using the pallet loading lifter 2520. Conversely, a similar flow path can be formed to transport the pallets P from the predetermined first compartment shelf to the outbound section 2731. Since such flow paths are simultaneously formed in the second primary aisles 2312 located at both ends of the storage block (b21) 2110, the processing speed of the pallets P is, simply put, doubled, resulting in a dramatic improvement.

[0069] Figure 3 shows the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (3) 200-3, which is based on a primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (3) 200-3, with the framework consisting of a first storage zone (z21) 2100 composed of a first storage block (b21) 2110, a primary aisle 2310, and a tertiary aisle 2320, as already explained in Figure 2, and a third storage zone (z20) 2000 which is arranged in parallel with a second storage zone (z22) 2200 that has the exact same configuration as the first storage zone (z21) 2100. This is an example of a primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200, which is an extension of the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200-1, which is based on the first storage zone (z21) 2100, as an essential basic component unit. There are no special differences other than the increased scale, so a detailed explanation of the drawings will be omitted.

[0070] The configuration, components, positional relationships of components, and their linked operations of the primary aisle-clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200 have been explained, primarily using Figures 2 and 3. However, since there is consistency, coherence, and commonality in the definitions of symbols and notations, such explanations are not limited to Figures 2 and 3. The embodiments of the present invention can also be understood by comparing the detailed explanations of Figures 2 and 3 with Figures 2-7, as well as with Figures 4 and 5, which show a primary aisle-clamping 4-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and with Figures 6 and 7, which show a primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined type pallet-type automated storage warehouse. In other words, the embodiments of the present invention share a common feature: in a storage block similar to that in Figures 2 and 3, a row of storage shelves in which partition shelves for storing pallets P are arranged in the Y-axis direction, that is, a storage unit on the YZ plane of the storage block, allows shuttles that transport pallets P to enter and exit in the Y-axis direction from both sides. Furthermore, in Figures 3 and 4, the shuttle that transports the pallets is a four-way shuttle, and there are differences in the transport mechanism associated with it. In Figures 5 and 6, the transport mechanism at both ends of the storage block is a conveyor mechanism, which is another difference. However, each embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7 is a modification of a shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse that embodies the essence of the present invention, by having the pallet transport shuttle access predetermined partition shelves from both ends of the storage block, thereby significantly improving the processing speed of a conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse. Below, Figures 4 to 7 will be explained using schematic plan views (a) and schematic cross-sectional views (b) of each.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a representative example of a primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 300, which uses the essential basic structural units as its framework. This is achieved by replacing the W-shuttle system, which uses a combination of the pallet transport shuttle 2500 and the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 applied in Figures 2 and 3, with a four-way shuttle system that uses a four-way shuttle equipped with drive wheels capable of traveling vertically and horizontally. Specifically, it shows primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 300-1. Thus, this is an example of implementing the main concept of the present invention, which is to increase the processing capacity of conventional shuttle-type pallet automated warehouses by clamping the pallet storage shelves in the primary aisle, as a primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse 300 in which pallets are transported by a four-way shuttle.

[0072] The four-way shuttle 3400 is equipped with a body 3410, a pallet loading lifter 3420, X-axis traveling wheels 3431, and Y-axis traveling wheels 3432, and is an RGV guided to the guide rail plane intersection 3443 where the X-axis guide rails 3441 and Y-axis guide rails 3442 are positioned at predetermined locations on the first primary aisle 3311, second primary aisle 3312, third primary aisle 3313, fourth primary aisle 3314, and first secondary aisle 3321. Direction changes between the X-axis and Y-axis are performed by controlling contact with the guide rails as the X-axis traveling wheels 3431 or Y-axis traveling wheels 3432 are raised or lowered at the guide rail plane intersection 3443. Furthermore, the transfer of pallets P is performed by the pallet loading lifter 3420, which can also be linked with the traveling wheels. This four-way shuttle incorporates the technologies already disclosed in Patent Documents 7 and 8. can.

[0073] In this case, since the four-way shuttle 3400 can travel both vertically and horizontally, the processing capacity of the pallets can be further increased by arranging the third primary aisle 3313 and the fourth primary aisle 3314 at predetermined positions in the first storage block (b31) 3110 so as to connect the first primary aisle 3311 and the second primary aisle 3312 in the Y-axis direction, and by making the movement of the four-way shuttle 3400 between the first primary aisle 3311 and the second primary aisle 3312.

[0074] Furthermore, in such a four-way shuttle 3400, similar to the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2500 in Figures 2 and 3, it is preferable to provide a conveyor mechanism to the four-way shuttle lifting platform 3335 attached to the pallet loading lifter 3420 or elevator 3336 of the four-way shuttle 3400 so that pallets can be smoothly transferred to and from the loading / unloading section.

[0075] For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the four-way shuttle 3400 is transported in the Z-axis direction, although not shown in Figures 4 and 5, if an inbound section 3600 and an outbound section 3700 equipped with chain conveyors are installed adjacent to each other on the tertiary aisle 3330, it is preferable to provide the pallet loading lifter 3420 with a chain conveyor that transports pallets P in the Y-axis direction so that the transfer of pallets P between the inbound / outbound section 36000 and the outbound section 37000 can be performed automatically. Furthermore, when the pallets P are transported in the Z-axis direction, it is preferable to provide the pallet loading lifter 3420 of the four-way shuttle 3400 with a chain conveyor that transports pallets P in the X-axis direction, and to attach a lifting platform to the elevator 3336 that holds pallets equipped with a conveyor mechanism having a right-angle branching function that allows pallets P to be transferred in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In this case, the right-angle branching function is preferably achieved by a conveyor mechanism that involves installing a chain conveyor between the rollers of a roller conveyor, with either of the conveyors moving up or down.

[0076] In the primary aisle clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-1, the movement path for transporting pallets P is similar to the movement path using the pallet transport shuttle 2400 and pallet transport shuttle 2500, as explained using the primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200-1 in Figure 2, allowing for efficient transport of pallets P.

[0077] Figure 5 shows a primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-3, which is based on a primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-3, with the primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping four-way shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 300-1, as the basic essential component unit. However, this embodiment is characterized by the fact that the first primary aisle 3311 of the first storage zone (z31) 3100 and the sixth primary aisle of the second storage zone (z32) 3200 share a single primary aisle. This expands the scale while reducing the amount of equipment. By adopting a four-way shuttle 3400, a primary aisle can be provided within the storage block, thus avoiding a decrease in processing capacity due to such sharing. However, this sharing can also be adopted in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 7. There are no other special differences, so a detailed explanation of the drawings will be omitted.

[0078] Figure 6 shows a primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, which uses the essential basic structural units of the primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400 as its framework. This is a representative example of a primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400, which uses the W-shuttle system, a combination of the pallet transport shuttle 2500 and the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 applied in Figures 2 and 3, as a pallet transport method, by combining a dedicated pallet transport shuttle equivalent to the pallet transport shuttle 2500 and a conveyor mechanism 4315 equivalent to the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400. Thus, combining a conveyor with the pallet transport method not only enhances the processing capacity of conventional shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouses by clamping the pallet storage shelves with the primary aisle, but also reduces damage to items on the pallets caused by the pallet transport by the conveyor mechanism 4315.

[0079] As is clear from Figure 6, the conveyor is responsible for transporting pallets in the X-axis direction in the primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse 400-1, and is deployed in the first primary aisles (z41-1a1-t1~t3) 4311 and the second primary aisles (z41-1a2-t1~t3) 4312 of each level that constitute the first storage zone (z41) 4100. To perform the transport and transfer of large and heavy pallets, including branching, it is preferable to employ a roller conveyor mechanism and / or a chain conveyor mechanism. In Figure 6, as an example, a pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4315 is employed, which has a chain conveyor 4315-2 that can move up and down between the rollers of the roller conveyor 4315-1. However, the roller conveyor and chain conveyor can also be reversed. Furthermore, since this right-angle branching function is necessary for transferring pallets from the pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4315 to the pallet transport shuttle 4500 that moves pallets P into and out of a predetermined first section shelf 4111, it is not necessary to provide it throughout the entire primary aisle of the conveyor. It may be specified to be installed only in localized areas of the first primary aisle 4311 and the second primary aisle 4312, which are adjacent to the first and third rows of the first section shelf 4111. In this way, the pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4315 functionally fulfills the role of the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2400 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0080] Functionally, the pallet transport-dedicated conveyor 4500 performs the same role as the transport shuttle 2500 shown in Figures 2 and 3. This RGV is equipped with a pallet loading lifter 4520 and drive wheels 4530 on a body 4510. It is guided by a first guide rail 4541 positioned in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined location on the first secondary aisle 4321 directly below the first compartment shelf 4111, allowing it to access the predetermined first compartment shelf 4111, and is solely responsible for transporting pallets between the pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4315 and the predetermined first compartment shelf 4111.

[0081] In this primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated warehouse 400-1, pallets P are transported throughout the entire area. Therefore, in the first tertiary aisle 4331 and the first tertiary aisle 4332, transport in the Z-axis direction is performed by an elevator 4336 equipped with a pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4335. Considering the transfer of pallet P to the first primary aisle 4311 and the second primary aisle 4312, and the transfer of pallet P to the receiving section 4611 and the shipping section 4711, it is preferable that the pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4335 has a conveyor with a right-angle branching function, in which a pallet transport roller conveyor 4335-1 and a pallet transfer chain conveyor 4335-2 that can move up and down between its rollers are arranged with the Y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction. However, the roles and orientations of the roller conveyor 4335-1 and the chain conveyor 4335-2 are not limited to these.

[0082] The movement of pallets P in this primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1 is basically the same as the movement using the pallet transport shuttle 2400 and pallet transport shuttle 2500 described using the primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse 200-1 in Figure 2, although the equipment is different. Since pallets P can be transported efficiently, a detailed explanation will be omitted. Furthermore, with this method, in a considerable area of ​​the pallet-type automated storage vehicle, the transport of pallets by shuttles is replaced by transport by conveyors. This reduces the impact that the violent shaking and vibration of the shuttles had on the items on the pallets P, resulting in stable transport without damage from tipping or falling of items.

[0083] Figure 7 shows a primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-3, which is based on a primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-3, with a primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, which is based on the primary aisle-clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet-type automated storage warehouse 400-1, as the basic essential component unit. There are no special differences other than the increased scale, so a detailed explanation of the drawings is omitted. [Industrial applicability]

[0084] 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]

[0085] 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 Primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 200-1 Primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z21) as its framework. 200-2 Primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (2) with the second storage zone (z22) as its framework 200-3 Primary aisle clamping W-shuttle type pallet-type automated warehouse with a third storage zone (z20=z21+z22) as its framework (3) 2000 The third storage zone (z20=z21+z22) that constitutes the 2000 primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet automated warehouse. 2100 Primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet type automated storage warehouse (1) First storage zone (z21) 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) 2200 Second storage zone (z22) which, together with the first storage zone (z21), constitutes a primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet-type automated 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) 2300 Isle 2310 1st Isle 2311 The first primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z21) 2312 Second primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z21) 2313 Third primary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z22) 2314 The fourth primary aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z22) 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 3rd Isle, which constitutes the first storage zone (z21) 2333 Third tertiary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z22) 2334 The fourth third aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z22) 2335 Pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle transfer lifting platform 2336 Elevator 2400 Pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle 2410 Body 2420 Pallet transport shuttle mounting section 2430 Drive wheels 2440 Chain conveyor 2450 Pallet transport shuttle guide rail 2451 First guide rail of pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b21) 2452 Second guide rail of the pallet transport shuttle transport shuttle in the second storage block (b22) 2500 pallet transport shuttle 2510 Body 2520 Pallet Loading Lifter 2530 Drive wheels 2540 Guide rails for pallet transport shuttles 2541 First guide rail of pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b21) 2542 Second guide rail of pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b22) 2600 Stocking Department 2610 Storage compartment attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2611 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2612 Second storage section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2620 Storage compartment attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2621 First storage section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2622 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2630 Chain conveyor attached to the receiving section 2631 First chain conveyor of the first storage section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2632 Second chain conveyor of the second storage section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2633 Third chain conveyor of the first storage section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2634 The fourth chain conveyor of the second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2700 Outbound Section 2710 Retrieval section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2711 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2712 Second loading section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2720 ​​Retrieval section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2721 First loading section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2722 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2730 Chain conveyor attached to the outbound section 2731 First chain conveyor of the first dispensing section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2732 Second chain conveyor of the second dispensing section attached to the first storage zone (z21) 2733 Third chain conveyor of the first output section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 2734 The fourth chain conveyor of the second output section attached to the second storage zone (z22) 300 Primary aisle clamping 4-way shuttle type pallet type automated warehouse 300-1 Primary aisle clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z31) as its framework 300-2 Primary aisle clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (2) with second storage zone (z32) as its framework 300-3 Primary aisle clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (3) with third storage zone (z30=z31+z32) as its framework 3000 The third storage zone (z30=z31+z32) that constitutes the primary aisle clamping W shuttle type pallet-type automated storage warehouse (3) 3100 Primary aisle clamping four-way shuttle type pallet automated warehouse (1) First storage zone (z31) 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) 3200 A second storage zone (z32) that, together with the first storage zone (z31), constitutes a primary aisle-clamping 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 Second compartment shelf constituting the second storage block (b32) 3300 Isle 3310 1st Isle 3311 The first primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z31) 3312 Second primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z31) 3313 Third primary aisle constituting the first storage block (b31) 3314 The fourth primary aisle constituting the first storage block (b31) 3315 The fifth primary aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z32) 3316 The sixth primary aisle, which constitutes the second storage zone (z32), is shared with the first primary aisle, which constitutes the first storage zone (z31). 3317 The seventh primary aisle constituting the second storage block (b32) 3318 The eighth primary aisle constituting the second storage block (b32) 3320 Second Isle 3321 First secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b31) 3322 Second storage block (b32) consists of the second secondary aisle 3330 3rd Isle 3331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z31) 3332 Second 3rd Isle, which constitutes the first storage zone (z31) 3333 Third tertiary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z32) 3334 The fourth third aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z32) 3335 4-way shuttle lift platform 3336 Elevator 3400 4-way shuttle 3410 Body 3420 Pallet Loading Lifter 3430 Drive wheels 3431 X-axis running wheel 3432 Y-axis running wheels 3440 Guide rail for 4-way shuttle 3441 X-axis guide rail 3442 Y-axis guide rail 3443 Guide rail level intersection 3600 Stocking Department 3610 Entry section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3611 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3612 Second storage section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3620 Storage compartment attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3621 First storage section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3622 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3700 Outbound Section 3710 Retrieval section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3711 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3712 Second loading section attached to the first storage zone (z31) 3720 Retrieval section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3721 First loading section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 3721 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z32) 400 Primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse 400-1 Primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor composite pallet-type automated warehouse (1) with the first storage zone (z41) as its framework. 400-2 Primary aisle clamping cattle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse (2) with second storage zone (z42) as its framework 400-3 Primary aisle clamping chute / conveyor composite pallet type automated warehouse with a third storage zone (z40=z41+z42) as its framework (3) 4000 Primary aisle clamping chute / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse (3) Third storage zone (z40=z41+z42) 4100 Primary aisle clamping shuttle / conveyor combined pallet type automated warehouse (1) First storage zone (z41) 4110 First storage block (b41) including partition shelves and secondary aisles that constitute the first storage zone (z41) 4111 First compartment shelf constituting the first storage block (b41) 4200 Second storage zone (z42) which, together with the first storage zone (z41), constitutes a primary aisle clamping 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) 4300 Isle 4310 1st Isle 4311 The first primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z41) 4312 Second primary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z41) 4313 Third primary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z42) 4314 The fourth primary aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z42) 4315 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor 4315-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 4315-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 4320 Second Isle 4321 First secondary aisle constituting the first storage block (b41) 4322 Second storage block (b42) consists of the second secondary aisle 4330 3rd Isle 4331 The first tertiary aisle constituting the first storage zone (z21) 4332 Second 3rd Isle, which constitutes the first storage zone (z21) 4333 Third tertiary aisle constituting the second storage zone (z22) 4334 The fourth third aisle that constitutes the second storage zone (z22) 4335 Pallet transport / transfer conveyor lifting platform 4335-1 Pallet transport roller conveyor 4335-2 Pallet transfer chain conveyor 4336 Elevator 4500 Pallet transport shuttle 4510 Body 4520 Pallet Loading Lifter 4530 Drive wheels 4540 Guide rails for pallet transport shuttles 4541 First guide rail of pallet transport shuttle in first storage block (b41) 4542 Second guide rail of pallet transport shuttle in second storage block (b42) 4600 Stocking Department 4610 Entry section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4611 First storage section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4612 Second storage section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4620 Storage compartment attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4621 First storage section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4622 Second storage section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4700 Outbound Section 4710 Retrieval section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4711 First loading section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4712 Second loading section attached to the first storage zone (z41) 4720 Retrieval section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4721 First loading section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 4722 Second loading section attached to the second storage zone (z42) 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 row of storage shelves, each consisting of multiple compartment shelves arranged longitudinally (Y-axis) and with approximately equal width, height, and depth, allowing for location identification of the location of the pallets, and a predetermined space directly below the storage shelves into which a pallet transport shuttle can enter, with guide rails attached at predetermined positions for the pallet transport shuttle to travel in the Y-axis direction, constitutes one layer. Multiple rows of these YZ plane pallet storage shelves are stacked vertically (Z-axis) and arranged adjacently in the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis (X-axis), along with pallet storage blocks. A transport mechanism is provided at predetermined positions adjacent to the guide rails at both ends of the pallet storage block, allowing the pallet to move in the X-axis direction. A lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction, A pallet storage zone that includes as an essential component unit, 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 pallets to enter and exit the storage shelves. A pallet transport shuttle equipped with a lifter mechanism that can move up and down in the Z-axis direction to transfer the pallet, A shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse characterized by having the following features.

2. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated warehouse according to claim 1, 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.

3. The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to claim 2, characterized in that a lifting mechanism attached adjacent to the transport mechanism for transporting the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle in the Z-axis direction transports the pallet and / or the pallet transport shuttle by lifting and lowering the pallet transport shuttle.

4. The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pallet transport shuttle or the pallet transport shuttle is equipped with a chain conveyor mechanism capable of transferring the pallets in the Y-axis direction.

5. The shuttle-type pallet automated warehouse according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pallet loading section of the pallet transport shuttle is provided with a chain conveyor mechanism that can be transferred in the X-axis direction.

6. The transport mechanism is a four-way shuttle of an RGV (Regional Ground Vehicle) that is movable vertically and horizontally, has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, has drive wheels on all four sides, is equipped with the lifter mechanism, and is also used as the pallet transport shuttle, as described in claim 1.

7. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 6, characterized in that the lifter mechanism of the four-way shuttle is equipped with a chain conveyor mechanism capable of transferring the pallet in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction.

8. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 6, characterized in that the lifter mechanism of the four-way shuttle is equipped with a roller conveyor mechanism and a chain conveyor mechanism capable of transferring the pallets in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

9. The shuttle-type pallet-type automated storage warehouse according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport mechanism is a conveyor mechanism that is movable in the X-axis direction and includes a right-angle branching mechanism capable of transferring the pallet in the Y-axis direction to a predetermined position.

Images