Storage racks and automated warehouses

Abstract

This system prevents items from falling to the front of the storage shelves used in automated warehouses. [Solution] The upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a includes a sliding region R1 on which the storage box 100 is slid, and a front region R2 located in front of the sliding region R1 when viewed from the transfer device 20 side, on which the storage box 100 is moved upward with a gap, and the protruding portion 3 has at least a front movement restricting portion 3a located in the front region R2 that can restrict the forward movement of the storage box 100 placed on the upper surface 11a1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article storage shelf and an automated warehouse.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an article storage shelf for an automated warehouse provided with a shelf board provided with a movement restricting portion. The movement restricting portion of the article storage shelf for an automated warehouse disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed by a width direction restricting portion that restricts movement in the width direction of the article and a depth side restricting portion that restricts movement of the article toward the depth side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the article storage shelf for an automated warehouse disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot restrict movement of an article to the front side (front) of the article. In an automated warehouse, a movement space for a transporter that conveys articles is provided in front of the article storage shelf. When an article falls to the front of the article storage shelf due to vibration such as an earthquake, it is necessary to stop the transporter. Therefore, an article storage shelf capable of suppressing the fall of an article to the front side is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to be able to suppress the fall of an article to the front side of an article storage shelf used in an automated warehouse.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] As means for solving the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is an article storage rack in which articles can be moved in and out in the front-rear direction by a conveyor in an automated warehouse, comprising an article placement section on which articles can be placed on its upper surface, and a projection section provided protruding from the upper surface of the article placement section for restricting the horizontal movement of the articles, wherein the upper surface of the article placement section includes a sliding region on which the articles to be moved in and out slide, and a front region located in front of the sliding region when viewed from the conveyor side, on which the articles move upward with a gap, and the projection section has at least a front movement restricting section located in the front region that can restrict the forward movement of the articles placed on the upper surface.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a front area is provided on the upper surface of the article placement section where articles to be placed in or taken out slide, in front of the sliding area where articles do not slide. This front area is the area in which articles to be placed in or taken out move with a gap above them. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a front movement restricting portion is provided in this front area, projecting upward from the upper surface of the article placement section. This prevents articles to be placed in or taken out from interfering with the front movement restricting portion. Furthermore, since the front movement restricting portion is located in front of the articles placed on the article placement section, the placed articles are restricted from sliding forward on the upper surface of the article placement section. Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent articles from falling to the front of the article storage shelves used in automated warehouses.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration in which, in the first aspect, the protruding portion has a pair of guide walls that sandwich the sliding region in the left-right direction, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an article placed on the article placement section is restricted from moving in the left-right direction by sliding along the upper surface of the article placement section. Therefore, according to a second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an article placed on the article placement section from moving in the left-right direction due to an earthquake or the like.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention is a configuration in which, in the second aspect, at least one of the guide wall portions is provided with an inclined guide surface that is tilted in the front-rear direction when viewed from a plan view, and the inclined guide surface approaches a guide wall portion different from the guide wall portion on which it is provided as it moves from the front to the rear when viewed from the conveyor side.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an article sliding from front to rear in a sliding region can be guided in the left-right direction by following an inclined guide surface. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the left-right positioning of an article placed in an article placement section can be performed.

[0013] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a configuration in which, in the third aspect described above, each of the guide walls is provided with a rearward opposing surface located behind the inclined guide surface and facing each other parallel to each other, and the distance between the rearward opposing surface of one guide wall and the rearward opposing surface of the other guide wall in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between one guide wall and the other guide wall at the front end of the sliding region.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, since the distance between the guide walls at the front end of the sliding region is greater than the distance between the rear opposing surfaces, it is easier to insert an article between the guide walls when placing an article in the article placement section. Furthermore, because the distance between the rear opposing surfaces is small, the guide walls can be positioned closer to the article placed in the article placement section. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the movement of the article placed in the article placement section in the left-right direction.

[0015] A fifth aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration in which, in any of the first to fourth aspects described above, the protruding portion has a rearward movement restricting portion located on the rear side of the sliding region and capable of restricting the rearward movement of the article placed on the upper surface.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rear movement restricting part prevents the article placement part from sliding backward on the upper surface. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the article placed on the article placement part from moving backward due to an earthquake or the like.

[0017] A sixth aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration in which, in any of the first to fifth embodiments, a rear wall portion is provided that is located behind the sliding region and is separate from the protruding portion.

[0018] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the rear wall prevents the article placement section from sliding backward on its upper surface. Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the article placed on the article placement section from moving backward due to an earthquake or the like.

[0019] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an automated warehouse comprising an article storage rack according to any of the first to sixth aspects described above, a conveyor, and an article, which is a storage unit capable of storing other articles.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the article storage shelf is provided as any of the first to sixth aspects described above. Therefore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent articles from falling to the front of the article storage shelf.

[0021] An eighth aspect of the present invention adopts a configuration in which, in the seventh aspect described above, the housing has a bottom portion at least at the rear end that slides in the sliding region, and the bottom portion has a pair of parallel wall portions that each extend along the front-rear direction and are parallel to each other.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the orientation of the stored items in the storage shelf can be easily defined based on the orientation of the parallel wall section. For example, by setting the orientation of the parallel wall section to be aligned with the front-to-back direction, it becomes possible to place the stored items on the storage shelf so that they are aligned with the front-to-back direction.

[0023] The ninth aspect of the present invention adopts the configuration that, in the eighth aspect, the parallel wall portion is a rib protruding downward from the lower surface provided on the bottom portion.

[0024] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the rib abuts on the article storage shelf. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance when the storage body slides on the article storage shelf as compared with the case where the lower surface of the bottom portion abuts on the article storage shelf.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent articles from falling forward on the article storage shelf used in an automated warehouse.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan sectional view of an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional perspective view including a shelf board and a movement restriction plate included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a schematic side view showing the positional relationship between a shelf board and a storage box included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a bottom surface side perspective view of a storage box included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of a storage box included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of a transfer device included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a front view of a transfer device included in an office storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention with an end plate removed. [Figure 10]This is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the hook device provided in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of placing a storage box into a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of placing a storage box into a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of placing a storage box into a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of placing a storage box into a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of removing a storage box from a storage shelf in an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of an office storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the article storage rack and automated warehouse according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments and modifications described below, corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions may be omitted. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements, such as "parallel" or "orthogonal," will not only strictly represent such arrangements but also represent states of relative displacement with tolerances or angles and distances that allow the same function to be achieved.

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an office storage device 1 (automated warehouse) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the office storage device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of area A shown in Figure 1. The office storage device 1 is installed, for example, on the floor of an office space such as a workspace. The office storage device 1 is a so-called automated transport type storage system that stores storage boxes 100 (see Figure 2) containing items used by users of the indoor space and transports them to a predetermined location (loading / unloading platform 15, described later) as needed.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the office storage device 1 comprises a storage cabinet 10 having storage shelves 11 (item storage shelves) for storing storage boxes 100, and a transfer device 20 for moving the storage boxes 100 in and out of the storage cabinet 10. The storage cabinet 10 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box in plan view. The ceiling of the storage cabinet 10 is open as shown in Figure 1, but it may be covered with a roof or the like.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a transfer path 17 for the transfer device 20 (conveyor) is provided in the center of the storage unit 10, along the longitudinal direction of the storage unit 10. Storage shelves 11 are arranged on both sides of the transfer path 17. In other words, storage shelves 11 are arranged on both the +X side and the -X side of the transfer path 17.

[0031] Each storage shelf 11 has multiple shelves 11a (item placement sections) arranged in the vertical direction. In other words, each storage shelf 11 is provided in multiple tiers in the vertical direction. Multiple storage boxes 100 (storage units) can be placed on the storage shelf 11. The storage boxes 100 store items used by the user (for example, documents, stationery, laptops, tablet devices, etc.).

[0032] In the following explanation, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system will be established, and the positional relationships of each component will be described with reference to this XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. As shown in Figure 2, the X-axis direction is set in the front-to-back direction, where the transfer device 20 and the storage shelf 11 face each other. The Y-axis direction is set in the left-to-right direction, perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The Z-axis direction is set in the up-and-down direction, perpendicular to both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions.

[0033] In describing each storage shelf 11, the side facing the movement path 17 (transfer device 20) from the perspective of the storage shelf 11 will be referred to as the front side, and the side opposite the movement path 17 (transfer device 20) from the perspective of the storage shelf 11 will be referred to as the rear side. In other words, for a storage shelf 11 located on the +X side of the movement path 17, the -X side is the front side and the +X side is the rear side. Similarly, for a storage shelf 11 located on the -X side of the movement path 17, the +X side is the front side and the -X side is the rear side.

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view including the shelf board 11a. As shown in this figure, a movement restriction plate 11b is fixed to the shelf board 11a, for example, as shown in Figure 1. In other words, the storage shelf 11 is equipped with a movement restriction plate 11b. Note that the storage shelf 11 shown in Figure 3 is the shelf board 11a and movement restriction plate 11b included in the storage shelf 11 located on the -X side of the movement path 17. The storage shelf 11 located on the +X side is also equipped with a shelf board 11a and a movement restriction plate 11b. However, the shelf board 11a and movement restriction plate 11b of the storage shelf 11 located on the +X side are only in a different orientation from the shelf board 11a and movement restriction plate 11b of the storage shelf 11 located on the -X side, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0035] The shelf board 11a is a component on which a storage box 100 can be placed on its upper surface 11a1, and is a board material with its front and back surfaces oriented vertically. The shelf board 11a is supported by, for example, a plurality of support columns 11c as shown in Figure 1, and wall portions 11d arranged between the support columns 11c. The upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a is the area on which the storage box 100 is placed. A storage box placement area R is provided. Multiple storage box placement areas R are arranged in the Y direction on a single shelf board 11a. These storage box placement areas R are exposed upwards by openings 2a provided in the movement restriction plate 11b, which will be described later.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the storage box mounting area R and the storage box 100 when it is inserted into or removed from the storage box mounting area R. In this embodiment, the storage box 100 is inserted into or removed from the storage box mounting area R with the transfer device 20 positioned above the shelf board 11a. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, when the storage box 100 is inserted into or removed from the storage box mounting area R, it is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane such that its rear end is positioned lower than its front end. Consequently, when the storage box 100 is inserted into or removed from the storage box mounting area R, its rear end slides against the storage box mounting area R. Note that in Figure 4, the inclination angle of the storage box 100 is shown as larger than the actual inclination angle for ease of understanding.

[0037] Furthermore, since the storage box 100 is moved in and out of the storage box mounting area R with the transfer device 20 positioned above the shelf board 11a, the storage box 100 does not slide within a certain distance from the front end of the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a includes a sliding area R1 on which the storage box 100 slides when it is moved in and out, and a front area R2 located in front of the sliding area R1. In the front area R2, when the storage box 100 is moved in and out of the storage box mounting area R, the storage box 100 moves upward with a gap between it and the storage box.

[0038] The movement restriction plate 11b is a plate member comprising a plate-shaped base portion 2 that is placed on the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a from above. The base portion 2 forms a projection portion 3, which will be described later. The base portion 2 has an opening 2a that exposes the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a so as to include at least the storage box placement area R. The opening 2a is provided so as to penetrate the base portion 2 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the rear end of the opening 2a is open and connected to the wall portion 11d (rear wall portion). By positioning the wall portion 11d behind the opening 2a in this way, the movement of the storage box 100 placed in the storage box placement area R to the rear is restricted. The movement restriction plate 11b also includes a fixing piece 4 that hangs down from the front edge of the base portion 2. The fixing piece 4 is fastened to the front end surface of the shelf board 11a with screws.

[0039] Furthermore, the base portion 2 is positioned to protrude upward from the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a by the thickness of the base portion 2. In other words, a protruding portion 3 is provided on the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a by the base portion 2. This protruding portion 3 includes a front movement restricting portion 3a and a pair of guide wall portions 3b, and restricts the horizontal movement of the storage box 100. In this embodiment, one front movement restricting portion 3a and two guide wall portions 3b are provided for each of the multiple storage box placement areas R provided on one shelf board 11a. In other words, the base portion 2 has multiple front movement restricting portions 3a and multiple guide wall portions 3b. Since these multiple front movement restricting portions 3a and multiple guide wall portions 3b are integrally included in one base portion 2, there are no visible boundaries between them.

[0040] The front movement restricting portion 3a is located in the front region R2 and can restrict the forward movement of the storage box 100 placed on the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. Since this front movement restricting portion 3a protrudes upward from the upper surface 11a1, it can restrict the storage box 100 placed in the storage box placement region R from sliding forward on the upper surface 11a1.

[0041] The pair of guide walls 3b are arranged so as to sandwich the sliding region R1 between them in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), which is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-back direction. Such a pair of guide walls 3b can restrict the left-right movement of the storage box 100 placed on the storage box placement region R.

[0042] The inner wall surface of each guide wall section 3b (the surface facing the sliding area R1) can guide the storage box 100 into the storage box mounting area R when the storage box 100 is placed into the storage box mounting area R. In other words, the inner wall surface of the guide wall section 3b guides the storage box 100 so that its left-right position aligns with the storage box mounting area R, even if the storage box 100 being placed into the storage box mounting area R from the transfer device 20 is misaligned in the Y-axis direction relative to the storage box mounting area R.

[0043] Each guide wall portion 3b has an inner wall surface that includes a front opposing surface 3b1, a rear opposing surface 3b2, and an inclined guide surface 3b3. The front opposing surface 3b1 is located in front of the inclined guide surface 3b3 in the front-rear direction and is positioned opposite to the front opposing surface 3b1 of a pair of guide wall portions 3b that is different from the guide wall portion 3b on which it is provided. In other words, the front opposing surface 3b1 of a guide wall portion 3b located on the +Y side of the storage box mounting area R is positioned opposite to the front opposing surface 3b1 of a guide wall portion 3b located on the -Y side of the storage box mounting area R.

[0044] The rear opposing surface 3b2 is located behind the inclined guide surface 3b3 in the front-rear direction, and is positioned opposite to the rear opposing surface 3b2 of a pair of guide wall sections 3b that is different from the guide wall section 3b on which it is provided. In other words, the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the guide wall section 3b located on the +Y side of the storage box mounting area R is positioned opposite to the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the guide wall section 3b located on the -Y side of the storage box mounting area R.

[0045] Thus, each guide wall portion 3b is provided with a rear opposing surface 3b2 that is located behind the inclined guide surface 3b3 and faces each other parallel to each other. The lateral separation dimension D1 between the rear opposing surface 3b2 of one guide wall portion 3b and the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the other guide wall portion 3b is smaller than the lateral separation dimension D2 between the front opposing surface 3b1 of one guide wall portion 3b and the front opposing surface 3b1 of the other guide wall portion 3b. The separation dimension D2 is equal to the separation dimension between one guide wall portion 3b and the other guide wall portion 3b at the front end of the sliding region R1. In other words, the separation dimension D1 between the rear opposing surface 3b2 of one guide wall portion 3b and the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the other guide wall portion 3b is smaller than the separation dimension between one guide wall portion 3b and the other guide wall portion 3b at the front end of the sliding region R1.

[0046] Furthermore, the lateral separation dimension D1 between the rear opposing surface 3b2 of one guide wall 3b and the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the other guide wall 3b is set so that the pair of rail sections 103, described later, of the storage box 100 can be accommodated, and the rear opposing surface 3b2 is close to the pair of rail sections 103. For example, the separation dimension D1 is set so that the distance dimension from the rail section 103 located between the guide wall sections 3b to the guide wall 3b is smaller than the protruding dimension of the rail section 103. This ensures that when the storage box 100 tilts in the lateral direction, the rail section 103 will reliably come into contact with the rear opposing surface 3b2, preventing the storage box 100 from tipping over.

[0047] The inclined guide surfaces 3b3 are tilted with respect to the front-rear direction in a plan view. Each inclined guide surface 3b3 is tilted so that, as viewed from the transfer device 20 side, it approaches a different guide wall 3b from the guide wall 3b on which it is provided, as it moves from the front to the rear. In other words, the inclined guide surface 3b3 of the guide wall 3b located on the +Y side of the storage box mounting area R is tilted toward the -Y side as it moves toward the rear. Also, the inclined guide surface 3b3 of the guide wall 3b located on the -Y side of the storage box mounting area R is tilted toward the +Y side as it moves toward the rear.

[0048] These inclined guide surfaces 3b3 guide the storage box 100 so that its left-right position aligns with the storage box mounting area R when the storage box 100 is placed in the storage box mounting area R from the transfer device 20 and is misaligned in the Y-axis direction relative to the storage box mounting area R.

[0049] Returning to Figure 1, the storage unit 10 is provided with a projection 12 that protrudes to the -Y side. A maintenance door 13 is provided on the -Y side of the projection 12, allowing the administrator of the office storage device 1 to enter the storage unit 10. In addition, a pair of loading / unloading ports 14 for the storage boxes 100 are provided on both sides of the projection 12 in the X-axis direction. The loading / unloading ports 14 can be opened and closed by automatic shutters.

[0050] Outside the loading / unloading port 14, a loading / unloading platform 15 is installed for loading and unloading the storage boxes 100. The loading / unloading platform 15 has a recess 16 on which the storage boxes 100 are placed. The recess 16 positions the storage boxes 100 and facilitates the transfer of the storage boxes 100 between the loading / unloading port 14 and the transfer device 20.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the recess 16 has a bottom wall surface 16a and an inner wall surface 16b erected around the bottom wall surface 16a. The bottom wall surface 16a is formed in a planar shape along the XY plane. The inner wall surface 16b is provided on three sides excluding the loading / unloading port side 14 (+X side) and is formed in a tapered shape that slopes downward toward the bottom wall surface 16a.

[0052] The inner wall surface 16b, with its tapered surface, positions the storage box 100 in place when it is placed in the recess 16 of the loading / unloading platform 15. Furthermore, the inclined surface on the -X side of the inner wall surface 16b also functions as a stopper to prevent the storage box 100 from falling. Additionally, the inclined surfaces on both sides of the inner wall surface 16b in the Y-axis direction also function as guides to support the sliding motion of the storage box 100 as it is loaded and unloaded through the loading / unloading exit 14.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a drawer storage section 18 is provided at the bottom of the storage unit 10. The drawer storage section 18 is formed to accommodate drawers 19 and is provided on the +X side and the -X side of the storage unit 10. The drawer storage section 18 located on the +X side of the storage unit 10 is formed to be recessed towards the -X side and can accommodate two drawers 19 arranged in the Y-axis direction. Similarly, the drawer storage section 18 located on the -X side of the storage unit 10 is formed to be recessed towards the +X side and can accommodate two drawers 19 arranged in the Y-axis direction. In other words, in this embodiment, four drawers 19 can be accommodated in the bottom of the storage unit 10. However, the number of drawers 19 that can be accommodated in the storage unit 10 is changeable.

[0054] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bottom side of a storage box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the storage box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the storage box 100 is formed in the shape of a bottomed box and includes a bottom wall 101 and side walls 102 erected on all four sides of the bottom wall 101.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6, the bottom wall 101 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, extending in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). Both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y-axis direction) of the bottom wall 101 curve upward and are smoothly connected to the lower ends of the side walls 102. The bottom wall 101 is provided with a pair of rail sections 103 (parallel wall sections) that extend in the front-to-back direction. The pair of rail sections 103 are ribs that protrude downward (-X side) from the lower surface of the bottom wall 101 and extend parallel to the front-to-back direction. The pair of rail sections 103 reduce friction of the storage box 100 and make it easier to move when pushing or pulling the storage box 100.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the side wall 102 has a pair of first opposing walls 110 facing each other in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) and a pair of second opposing walls 120 facing each other in the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction). A first opening 111 that opens in the front-to-back direction is formed at the lower part of the first opposing walls 110. The first opening 111 serves as both the part that the transfer device 20 engages with and the part that the user holds by hand.

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the inside of the storage box 100 is provided with a first inner wall 130 that faces the first opening 111 with a gap in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The first inner wall 130 is erected from the upper surface of the bottom wall 101 and extends to a height near the upper end of the first opening 111. Both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y-axis direction) of the first inner wall 130 are connected to the inner wall surface of the second opposing wall 120. The first inner wall 130 serves as a partition between the space into which the hook member 41 (described later) of the transfer device 20 and the user's fingers can enter, and the space into which items are placed.

[0058] Furthermore, a second inner wall 131 is provided inside the storage box 100. The second inner wall 131 extends in the X-axis direction from above the first opening 111 on the inner wall surface of the first opposing wall 110 toward the inside of the storage box 100. Both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y-axis direction) of the second inner wall 131 are connected to the inner wall surface of the second opposing wall 120.

[0059] The lower surface of the second inner wall 131 faces the gap between the first opposing wall 110 and the first inner wall 130 (the space into which the hook member 41 of the transfer device 20 (described later) and the user's fingers can enter) in the vertical direction. The second inner wall 131 is formed in a roof-like or awning-like shape on the inside of the storage box 100. For example, the second inner wall 131 serves as a receiving part that receives the fingertips of a user who has entered the storage box 100 through the first opening 111 from below.

[0060] A reinforcing wall 132 is provided on the upper surface of the second inner wall 131. Multiple reinforcing walls 132 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction and connect the inner wall surface of the first opposing wall 110 to the upper surface of the second inner wall 131. The reinforcing wall 132 is formed in the shape of a right triangle when viewed from the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The reinforcing wall 132 is provided with an inclined surface 132a to prevent items from resting on the second inner wall 131. The inclined surface 132a slopes downward as it moves inward from the first opposing wall 110.

[0061] Returning to Figure 6, a label mounting section 114 is provided on the outer surface of the first opposing wall 110, above the first opening 111. The label mounting section 114 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The label mounting section 114 is recessed inward toward the inside of the storage box 100, and slits 114a are formed on two sides extending in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). A card or business card that identifies the user can be inserted into the slits 114a.

[0062] An identification code 115 is provided on the +Y side of the label mounting section 114 on the outer wall surface of the first opposing wall 110. The identification code 115 is provided so that the transfer device 20 can read it to identify the storage box 100 and to position the transfer device 20 relative to the storage box 100. A two-dimensional code is preferred as the identification code 115.

[0063] A second opening 112 is formed at the top of the first opposing wall 110, opening in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The second opening 112 is the part that the user holds. The user can choose which part to hold, for example, by using the first opening 111 when the items in the storage box 100 are heavy, and the second opening 112 when they are light.

[0064] A third opening 121 is formed at the top of the second opposing wall 120, opening in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The third opening 121 is also a part that the user holds by hand. In other words, the storage box 100 has a first opening 111, a second opening 112, and a third opening 121 that the user holds by hand. As a result, the storage box 100 offers a high degree of freedom in how the user holds it by hand.

[0065] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the transfer device 20. As shown in Figure 8, the transfer device 20 includes a conveyor device 30 that supports the storage box 100 and can be endlessly moved in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) facing the storage shelf 11, and a hook device 40 that performs a pushing operation to push the storage box 100 from the conveyor device 30 to the storage shelf 11, and a pulling operation to pull the storage box 100 out from the storage shelf 11 to the conveyor device 30.

[0066] The transfer device 20 also includes a camera device 50 that reads the identification code 115 of the storage box 100, and a control device 60 that identifies the storage box 100 and positions the transfer device 20 relative to the storage box 100 based on the reading result of the camera device 50. An illumination device 51 is provided near the camera device 50. The illumination device 51 has, for example, an LED light source and illuminates the identification code 115. The control device 60 controls the overall operation of the transfer device 20 according to a pre-stored operation program.

[0067] The transfer device 20 is mounted on a transport device (not shown) and moves within the storage unit 10 shown in Figure 2 in at least the Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The transfer device 20 includes a base unit 21 fixed to the transport device. The base unit 21 includes a bottom plate 22, a pair of end plates 23 provided in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), and a pair of side plates 24 provided in the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction).

[0068] Figure 9 is a front view of the transfer device 20 with the end plate 23 removed. Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the hook device 40 provided on the transfer device 20. As shown in Figure 9, the conveyor device 30 is provided in pairs on both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y-axis direction) of the hook device 40.

[0069] The conveyor device 30 is installed on the side plate 24. The conveyor device 30 comprises a motor 31, a drive pulley connected to the motor 31, a plurality of driven pulleys supported by the side plate 24, and a conveyor belt stretched over the drive pulley and the plurality of driven pulleys. The conveyor belt forms a support surface that supports the bottom wall 101 of the storage box 100. The conveyor device 30 installed on the -Y side of the hook device 40 is connected to the conveyor device 30 installed on the +Y side of the hook device 40 via a connecting shaft (not shown), so that they can be driven synchronously by a single motor 31.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, the hook device 40 includes a hook member 41 that contacts the storage box 100, a first moving device 70 that moves the hook member 41 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction), and a second moving device 80 that moves the hook member 41 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0071] As shown in Figure 10, the hook member 41 extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) and includes a bent portion 42 at one end that extends in the front-rear direction and is bent upward, a pair of extensions 43 extending from the upper end of the bent portion 42 to both the left and right sides (both sides in the Y-axis direction), and contact portions 44 provided on both the front and rear sides (both sides in the X-axis direction) of each of the pair of extensions 43 that make point contact with the storage box 100.

[0072] The bent portion 42 is bent in an L-shape when viewed from the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). A pair of elongated holes 42a extending in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) are formed in the horizontal portion of the bent portion 42. The bent portion 42 is fixed to the fixing member 89 via a pair of screw members 45 through which the pair of elongated holes 42a are inserted. The position of the bent portion 42 in the front-rear direction can be adjusted by the pair of elongated holes 42a. The vertical portion of the bent portion 42 is preferably perpendicular to the horizontal portion when considering the pushing and pulling of the storage box 100, but it may be oblique to the horizontal portion depending on the shape of the contact portion 44.

[0073] The pair of extensions 43 extend in a T-shape from the bent portion 42 when viewed from the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction) dimension of the pair of extensions 43 is set to be less than or equal to the left-to-right direction (Y-axis direction) dimension of the storage box 100 shown in Figure 6. Specifically, the pair of extensions 43 have dimensions that allow them to face each other in the front-to-back direction at both ends of the outer wall surface (flat portion) of the first opposing wall 110 between the first opening 111 and the label mounting portion 114.

[0074] The contact surface of the contact portion 44 is formed in a hemispherical shape. The term "hemispherical" includes flattened hemispherical shapes, dome shapes, and other curved, raised shapes. Since the hook member 41 pushes and pulls the storage box 100, the contact portions 44 are provided on both the front and rear sides (both sides in the X-axis direction) of each of the pair of extension portions 43.

[0075] The contact portion 44 makes point contact with the storage box 100, thereby suppressing the lateral tilting of the storage box 100 when it is pushed or pulled. Note that point contact is not limited to precise point contact, but includes surface contact of a small area within a range that provides the effect of suppressing the lateral tilting of the storage box 100. The contact portion 44 should have a certain degree of hardness so that it can make suitable point contact with the storage box 100. Therefore, the contact portion 44 is better formed from a rigid material than from an elastic material such as rubber. However, the contact portion 44 may be formed from an elastic material as long as it is harder than the storage box 100.

[0076] The hook members 41 in the above configuration are provided in pairs on both sides in the X-axis direction. As a result, the hook members 41 can access the storage boxes 100 placed on the storage shelves 11 on both sides in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figure 2. The camera device 50 and lighting device 51 described above are also provided in pairs on both sides in the X-axis direction.

[0077] As shown in Figure 9, the first moving device 70 includes a slide unit 71 that moves in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The slide unit 71 is guided in the front-rear direction by a ball spline shaft 72A and a guide shaft 72B. Both ends of the ball spline shaft 72A are rotatably supported by a pair of end plates 23. A spline groove extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the circumferential surface of the ball spline shaft 72A.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, a ball bush 75A provided on the slide unit 71 is slidably engaged with the ball spline shaft 72A in the front-rear direction. The guide shaft 72B extends parallel to the ball spline shaft 72A in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). Both ends of the guide shaft 72B are fixed non-rotatably to a pair of end plates 23. A bush 75B provided on the slide unit 71 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 72B in the front-rear direction.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9, the first moving device 70 is connected to the slide unit 71 and includes a belt mechanism 73 that moves endlessly in the forward and backward directions. The belt mechanism 73 includes a drive pulley, a plurality of driven pulleys, and a timing belt stretched over the drive pulley and the plurality of driven pulleys. The drive pulley is connected to the motor 74 shown in Figure 9. The slide unit 71 includes a gripping member (not shown) that grips the timing belt and moves in the forward and backward direction (X-axis direction) as the timing belt is moved.

[0080] As shown in Figure 9, the second moving device 80 includes a lifting unit 81 that moves vertically (in the Z-axis direction) relative to the slide unit 71. The lifting unit 81 is formed in an inverted U-shape that straddles the slide unit 71 in the front-to-back direction (in the X-axis direction). The portion of the lifting unit 81 that covers the slide unit 71 in the front-to-back direction has an elongated hole 81a that extends in the left-to-right direction (in the Y-axis direction). The tip portion 82a of the swing arm 82 engages with the elongated hole 81a.

[0081] The swing arm 82 is rotatable around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. The tip portion 82a of the swing arm 82 has a roller shape and is rotatable around an axis extending in the X-axis direction. A pair of swing arms 82 are provided on both sides of the slide unit 71 in the X-axis direction. The pivot axes (not shown) of the pair of swing arms 82 are connected to each other.

[0082] The second moving device 80 includes a motor 84, a reduction gear (not shown), a first gear (not shown), and a second gear (not shown) for rotating the pivot axes of a pair of swing arms 82. The motor 84 is connected to the ball spline shaft 72A via the reduction gear. The first gear is fixed to the outer surface of a ball bush 75A that engages with the ball spline shaft 72A. The second gear meshes with the first gear and is fixed to the pivot axes of a pair of slide units 71.

[0083] In this configuration, when the motor 84 rotates the ball spline shaft 72A via the reduction gear, the ball bush 75A that engages with the ball spline shaft 72A also rotates. When the ball bush 75A rotates, its torque is transmitted via the first gear and the second gear to the pivot shafts of the pair of swing arms 82, causing those pivot shafts to rotate.

[0084] As the pivot axis rotates, the swing arm 82 rotates between a horizontal position along the Y-axis and a vertical position along the Z-axis, as shown in Figure 9. The tip portion 82a moves within the elongated hole 81a, causing the lifting unit 81 to move vertically (in the Z-axis direction) relative to the slide unit 71. A hook member 41 is fixed to the lifting unit 81 via a fixing member 89, and the hook member 41 moves vertically together with the lifting unit 81.

[0085] The slide unit 71 is provided with a pair of guide shafts (not shown) that guide the lifting unit 81 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The pair of guide shafts are positioned at the center of the slide unit 71 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction), spaced apart in the front-back direction (X-axis direction). A pair of bushings (not shown) provided on the lifting unit 81 are slidably engaged with the pair of guide shafts in the vertical direction.

[0086] Furthermore, the slide unit 71 is provided with a pair of support columns 90 that penetrate the lifting unit 81 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The pair of support columns 90 are spaced apart in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the slide unit 71. As shown in Figure 9, stoppers 91 are provided at the upper ends of the pair of support columns 90 to restrict the upward movement of the lifting unit 81. The stoppers 91 have flanges that are radially larger than the support columns 90 and face the upper surface of the lifting unit 81.

[0087] The second moving device 80 moves the hook member 41 vertically between a first position H1 (described later) that positions it below the support surface of the conveyor device 30, a second position H2 (described later) that is above the first position H1 and can face the first opening 111 of the storage box 100 in the front-rear direction, and a third position H3 (described later) that is above the second position H2 and can face the side wall 102 of the storage box 100 in the front-rear direction. As will be described later, the hook device 40 pushes and pulls the storage box 100 by combining the front-rear movement of the hook member 41 by the first moving device 70 and the three-stage vertical movement by the second moving device 80.

[0088] When transporting the storage box 100 into the storage unit 10, the transfer device 20 reads the identification code 115 of the storage box 100 placed on the loading / unloading platform 15 and moves to the storage position on the storage shelf 11 associated with the identification information of the identification code 115. Then, it performs the pushing operation of the storage box 100 shown in Figures 11 to 14.

[0089] Furthermore, when removing the storage box 100 from the storage cabinet 10, the transfer device 20 moves to the storage position on the storage shelf 11 where the storage box 100 linked to the identification information is stored, based on the identification information input from an operation panel (not shown) or the like. The transfer device 20 then reads and verifies the identification code 115 of the storage box 100 placed at the storage position and positions the storage box 100 accordingly. Finally, it performs the drawer pull operation of the storage box 100 shown in Figures 15 to 20.

[0090] Figures 11 to 14 illustrate the pushing operation of a storage box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11, when the storage box 100 is pushed out, the transfer device 20 faces the storage shelf 11 on which the storage box 100 is placed in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The conveyor device 30 supports the bottom wall 101 of the storage box 100 at a position slightly higher than the storage shelf 11. The hook device 40 has its hook member 41 positioned at a first position H1 below the support surface of the conveyor device 30 so as not to interfere with the storage box 100.

[0091] In the pushing operation of the storage box 100, first, as shown in Figure 12, the conveyor device 30 is driven. The conveyor device 30 moves endlessly toward the storage shelf 11, placing the rear side (+X side) of the storage box 100 onto the storage shelf 11. At this time, the storage box 100 is tilted backward, and the rear end of the storage box 100 slides against the storage shelf 11. Next, as shown in Figure 13, the hook device 40 is driven. The hook device 40 raises the hook member 41 on the rear side (-X side) of the storage box 100 from the first position H1 to the third position H3.

[0092] At the third position H3, the hook member 41 faces the outer wall surface (flat portion) of the first opposing wall 110 between the first opening 111 and the label mounting portion 114, as shown in Figure 6. Next, as shown in Figure 14, the hook device 40 moves the hook member 41 toward the rear (+X side) toward the storage shelf 11. The movement of the hook member 41 pushes the storage box 100 onto the storage shelf 11. This completes the pushing operation of the storage box 100.

[0093] Figures 15 to 20 are explanatory diagrams of the drawer operation of a storage box 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 15, when the storage box 100 is drawn out, the transfer device 20 is facing the storage shelf 11 on which the storage box 100 is placed in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The conveyor device 30 is waiting at a position slightly higher than the storage shelf 11. The hook device 40 has the hook member 41 positioned at a first position H1 below the support surface of the conveyor device 30.

[0094] In the drawer operation of the storage box 100, first, as shown in Figure 16, the hook device 40 is driven. The hook device 40 raises the hook member 41 from the first position H1 to the second position H2. At the second position H2, the hook member 41 faces the first opening 111 provided at the bottom of the storage box 100. Next, the hook device 40 moves the hook member 41 toward the rear (+X side) of the storage box 100. As a result, the hook member 41 is inserted into the first opening 111.

[0095] Next, as shown in Figure 17, the hook device 40 raises the hook member 41 from the second position H2 to the third position H3. At the third position H3, the hook member 41 faces the inner wall surface of the first opposing wall 110 of the storage box 100. Next, the hook device 40 moves the hook member 41 forward (-X side) toward the first opposing wall 110. As a result, the hook member 41 contacts (engages) with the inner wall surface of the first opposing wall 110.

[0096] Next, as shown in Figure 18, the hook device 40 moves the hook member 41, which is engaged with the storage box 100, to the front (-X side). At this time, the storage box 100 is tilted backward, and the rear end of the storage box 100 slides against the storage shelf 11. Due to the movement of the hook member 41, the storage box 100 is pulled out from the storage shelf 11 onto the conveyor device 30. Next, as shown in Figure 19, the hook device 40 releases the engagement of the hook member 41 with the storage box 100. Specifically, the hook device 40 moves the hook member 41 from the third position H3 to the second position H2, then moves it to the rear, and pulls the hook member 41 out of the first opening 111.

[0097] Then, the hook device 40 positions the hook member 41 at a first position H1 below the support surface of the conveyor device 30 so as not to interfere with the storage box 100. Next, as shown in Figure 20, the conveyor device 30 is driven. The conveyor device 30 moves endlessly in a direction away from the storage shelf 11, completely pulling the storage box 100 out from the storage shelf 11. With this, the pulling-out operation of the storage box 100 is completed.

[0098] The storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, as described above, allows the storage box 100 to be moved in and out in the front-to-back direction by the transfer device 20 of the office storage device 1. The storage shelf 11 of this embodiment comprises a shelf board 11a and a protrusion 3. The storage box 100 can be placed on the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. The protrusion 3 is provided protruding from the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a and restricts the horizontal movement of the storage box 100. The upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a also includes a sliding region R1 and a front region R2. The sliding region R1 is the region in which the storage box 100 slides when being moved in and out. The front region R2 is located in front of the sliding region R1 when viewed from the transfer device 20 side, and is the region in which the storage box 100 moves upward with a gap. The protrusion 3 also has at least a front movement restricting portion 3a. The front movement restricting section 3a is located in the front region R2 and can restrict the forward movement of the storage box 100, which is placed on the upper surface 11a1.

[0099] In this embodiment of the storage shelf 11, a front area R2 is provided in front of the sliding area R1 of the storage box 100 to be inserted into or removed from the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a, where the storage box 100 does not slide. This front area R2 is the area in which the storage box 100 to be inserted into or removed moves with a gap above it. In this embodiment of the storage shelf 11, a front movement restricting portion 3a is provided in this front area R2, protruding upward from the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. This prevents the storage box 100 to be inserted into or removed from interfering with the front movement restricting portion 3a. Furthermore, since the front movement restricting portion 3a is located in front of the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a, the placed storage box 100 is restricted from moving forward by sliding along the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. Therefore, according to the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the storage box 100 from falling to the front of the storage shelf 11 used in the office storage device 1.

[0100] Furthermore, the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment has a protruding portion 3 which has a pair of guide wall portions 3b. These guide wall portions 3b sandwich a sliding region R1 between them in the left-right direction, which is the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction.

[0101] According to the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a is restricted from moving left to right by sliding along the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a. Therefore, according to the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a from moving left to right due to earthquakes or the like.

[0102] Furthermore, in the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, at least one of the guide wall portions 3b is provided with an inclined guide surface 3b3 that is tilted in the front-rear direction when viewed from above. Also, as viewed from the transfer device 20 side, the inclined guide surface 3b3 approaches a different guide wall portion 3b from the guide wall portion 3b on which it is provided as it moves from the front to the rear.

[0103] According to the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, the storage box 100, which slides from front to rear in the sliding region R1, can be guided in the left-right direction by following the inclined guide surface 3b3. Therefore, according to the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, the left-right positioning of the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a can be performed.

[0104] In the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment, each guide wall portion 3b is provided with a rear opposing surface 3b2. The rear opposing surfaces 3b2 are located behind the inclined guide surface 3b3 and face each other parallel to each other. Furthermore, the lateral separation dimension D1 between the rear opposing surface 3b2 of one guide wall portion 3b and the rear opposing surface 3b2 of the other guide wall portion 3b is smaller than the separation dimension D2 between the one guide wall portion 3b and the other guide wall portion 3b at the front end of the sliding region R1.

[0105] In this embodiment of the storage shelf 11, the spacing D2 between the guide wall portions 3b at the front end of the sliding region R1 is larger than the spacing D1 between the rear opposing surfaces 3b2. Therefore, when placing the storage box 100 on the shelf 11a, insertion of the storage box 100 between the guide wall portions 3b is easier. Furthermore, because the spacing between the rear opposing surfaces 3b2 is small, the guide wall portions 3b can be positioned closer to the storage box 100 placed on the shelf 11a. As a result, the movement of the storage box 100 placed on the shelf 11a in the left-right direction can be more reliably suppressed.

[0106] Furthermore, the storage shelf 11 of this embodiment includes a wall portion 11d that is located on the rear side of the sliding region R1 and is provided separately from the protruding portion 3.

[0107] According to this embodiment of the storage shelf 11, the wall portion 11d prevents the upper surface 11a1 of the shelf board 11a from sliding backward. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the storage shelf 11, it is possible to prevent the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a from moving backward due to an earthquake or the like.

[0108] The office storage device 1 of this embodiment comprises a storage shelf 11, a transfer device 20, and a storage box 100. The storage box 100 is capable of storing other items.

[0109] According to this embodiment of the office storage device 1, a storage shelf 11 is provided. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the office storage device 1, it is possible to prevent the storage box 100 from falling to the front of the storage shelf 11.

[0110] Furthermore, in the office storage device 1 of this embodiment, the storage box 100 has a bottom wall 101 whose rear end slides in a sliding region R1. The bottom wall 101 also has a pair of rail portions 103 that extend along the front-rear direction and are parallel to each other.

[0111] According to this embodiment of the office storage device 1, the orientation of the storage items in the storage shelf 11 can be easily determined based on the orientation of the rail section 103. For example, by setting the orientation of the rail section 103 to be aligned with the front-to-back direction, it becomes possible to place the storage items on the storage shelf 11 so as to be aligned with the front-to-back direction.

[0112] Furthermore, in the office storage device 1 of this embodiment, the rail portion 103 is a rib provided on the bottom wall 101 that protrudes downward from the lower surface.

[0113] According to this embodiment of the office storage device 1, the rail portion 103, which is made of ribs, comes into contact with the storage shelf 11. Therefore, compared to the case where the lower surface of the bottom wall 101 comes into contact with the storage shelf 11, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance when the storage items slide against the storage shelf 11.

[0114] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above embodiments are examples, and can be modified in various ways based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0115] For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the opening 2a provided in the base 2 is open to the rear. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 21, the protruding portion 3 may have a rearward movement restricting portion 3c. The rearward movement restricting portion 3c is located on the rear side of the sliding region R1 and can restrict the rearward movement of the storage box 100 placed on the upper surface 11a1. With such a storage shelf 11, the rearward movement restricting portion 3c prevents the shelf board 11a from sliding to the rearward side on the upper surface 11a1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the storage box 100 placed on the shelf board 11a from moving to the rearward side due to an earthquake or the like, and it is also possible to have a storage shelf 11 without a wall portion 11d.

[0116] Furthermore, the above embodiment describes a configuration in which both of the pair of guide wall portions 3b have inclined guide surfaces 3b3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the pair of guide wall portions 3b may have an inclined guide surface 3b3.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the protruding portion 3 includes a guide wall portion 3b was described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The protruding portion 3 only needs to have at least a front movement restricting portion 3a.

[0118] Furthermore, the above embodiment described a configuration in which the article storage shelf of the present invention is installed in an office storage device 1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be applied to article storage shelves installed in automated warehouses. Also, the articles to be stored are not limited to the storage boxes 100. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 1...Office storage device (automated warehouse), 2...Base, 2a...Opening, 3...Protruding part, 3a...Front movement restricting part, 3b...Guide wall part, 3b1...Front opposing surface, 3b2...Rear opposing surface, 3b3...Inclined guide surface, 3c...Rear movement restricting part, 4...Fixing piece, 10...Storage cabinet, 11...Storage shelf (item storage shelf), 11a...Shelf board (item placement part), 11a1...Top surface, 11b...Movement restricting plate, 11c...Support column, 11d...Wall part, 20...Transfer device (conveyor), 100...Storage box (storage body, item), 101...Bottom wall (bottom part), 103...Rail part (parallel wall part, rib), R...Storage box placement area, R1...Sliding area, R2...Front area

Claims

1. A storage rack for goods that can be moved in and out in the forward and backward directions by a conveyor in an automated warehouse, The upper surface includes an article placement section on which the aforementioned article can be placed, A protruding portion is provided that extends from the upper surface of the article placement portion and restricts the horizontal movement of the article, Equipped with, The upper surface of the article placement section includes a sliding region on which the article being moved in and out slides, and a front region located in front of the sliding region when viewed from the conveyor side, on which the article moves upward with a gap between it and the sliding region. The protruding portion has at least a front movement restricting portion located in the front region and capable of restricting the forward movement of the article placed on the upper surface. A storage rack for items characterized by its features.

2. The aforementioned protruding portion has a pair of guide walls that sandwich the sliding region in the left-right direction, which is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The article storage rack according to claim 1.

3. At least one of the guide wall sections is provided with an inclined guide surface that is tilted in the front-rear direction when viewed from above. The inclined guide surface approaches a guide wall portion different from the guide wall portion on which it is provided, as viewed from the front side towards the rear side when viewed from the conveyor side. The article storage rack according to claim 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned guide wall portions is provided with a rearward opposing surface located behind the inclined guide surface and facing each other parallel to each other. The distance between the rear opposing surface of one guide wall and the rear opposing surface of the other guide wall in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between one guide wall and the other guide wall at the front end of the sliding region. The article storage rack according to feature 3.

5. The protruding portion has a rearward movement restricting portion located on the rear side of the sliding region, which is capable of restricting the rearward movement of the article placed on the upper surface. The article storage rack according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. It is located on the rear side of the sliding region and has a rear wall portion that is provided separately from the protruding portion, A storage rack for articles according to any one of the features 1 to 4.

7. A storage rack for articles according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The aforementioned conveying machine, The aforementioned article, and a storage body capable of storing other articles, Equipped with, An automated warehouse characterized by the following features.

8. The storage body has a bottom portion, at least at its rear end, that slides in the sliding area. The bottom portion has a pair of parallel wall portions that extend along the front-rear direction and are parallel to each other. The automated warehouse according to claim 7.

9. The aforementioned parallel wall portion is a rib that protrudes downward from the lower surface provided at the bottom. The automated warehouse according to claim 8.

Images