Tool storage

Abstract

Even with metal tool storage units, a single reader can read the electronic tags of tools stored in multiple drawers. [Solution] A tool storage device comprising a housing, a plurality of drawers inserted into the housing in a multi-tiered arrangement and for storing tools to which electronic tags are attached, and a reader device that emits radio waves for reading the electronic tags, wherein the reader device emits the radio waves in the direction in which the drawers are arranged, and an opening is formed in the bottom surface of the drawers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool storage device.

Background Art

[0002] In maintenance workshops for aircraft, Shinkansen bullet trains and the like, misplacing a single tool may lead to a serious accident, so it is necessary to accurately manage the loading and unloading of tools with respect to the tool storage device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a tool storage device in which a drawer has a double bottom, and a reading device installed at the lower layer reads an electronic tag attached to a tool stored in the upper layer. With such a configuration, human errors such as counting mistakes can be reduced, and loading and unloading management can be performed more accurately.

[0004] However, the tool storage device described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, at sites such as maintenance workshops, tool storage devices are handled roughly, and thus are formed of metal that is not easily broken. Metal blocks radio waves emitted from the reading device for reading the electronic tags. For this reason, the reading device can only read the electronic tags of the tools in the drawer in which it is installed. As a result, it becomes necessary to install a reading device for each drawer, which increases the number of installed units, leading to problems of higher manufacturing costs and higher failure risks.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to enable even a metal tool storage device to read electronic tags of tools stored in a plurality of drawers with a single reading device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the tool storage device according to the present invention comprises a housing, a plurality of drawers inserted into the housing in a multi-tiered arrangement and for storing tools to which electronic tags are attached, and a reader device that emits radio waves for reading the electronic tags, wherein the reader device emits the radio waves in the direction in which the drawers are arranged, and an opening is formed in the bottom surface of the drawers.

[0008] According to the present invention, radio waves are emitted from the reading device in the direction of the drawer arrangement, and an opening is formed in the bottom surface of the drawer. As a result, even if the tool storage container is made of metal, the radio waves can reach drawers in other rows through the opening. This allows a single reading device to read the electronic tags of tools stored in multiple rows of drawers. Consequently, the number of reading devices to be installed can be reduced, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and the risk of failure. Furthermore, since metal drawers can be used as they are, it is easier to ensure the necessary strength.

[0009] Furthermore, when the drawers are inserted into the housing, at least a portion of the openings of the multiple drawers may be configured to overlap each other when viewed from the direction of arrangement.

[0010] With this configuration, the radio waves emitted from the reader are more easily transmitted through the output of another stage. As a result, the accuracy of reading the electronic tag is improved.

[0011] Furthermore, the drawer may further include a tool holding mechanism that holds the tool in a predetermined position within its storage space, and the tool holding mechanism may hold the tool so as to face the opening.

[0012] With this configuration, the tool can be housed facing the opening through which the radio waves pass, further improving the accuracy of reading the electronic tag.

[0013] A specific embodiment of the tool holding mechanism is one in which the tool holding mechanism has a holding groove on one side for holding the tool and is equipped with a non-metallic holding plate that is installed to close the opening.

[0014] Furthermore, the device may also include a reader holding mechanism that holds the reader so as to face the opening when the multiple drawers are inserted into the housing.

[0015] With this configuration, the reader can be held facing the opening, allowing radio waves to pass through the opening more easily, thus improving the accuracy of reading the electronic tag.

[0016] Furthermore, if the reading device is installed in a designated drawer, it becomes possible to access the reading device by pulling out the drawer, thereby improving maintainability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, even with a metal tool storage device, a single reader can read the electronic tags of tools stored in multiple drawers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing a tool holder according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a tool holder according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic exploded perspective view showing the top drawer of the tool storage unit according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic plan view showing the drawer of the tool storage device according to the same embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the tool storage device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that any of the drawings shown below may be schematically depicted with appropriate omissions or exaggerations for ease of understanding. The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate.

[0020] The tool storage device 100 according to the present invention includes a drawer for storing a tool to which an electronic tag is attached, and includes, for example, a tool box and a cabinet.

[0021] Here, the electronic tag stores various types of information readable by a reading device. Specifically, the electronic tag has at least an IC chip and an antenna provided with the IC chip, and upon receiving a radio wave emitted from the reading device, the information of the IC chip is transmitted from the antenna to the reading device.

[0022] <Embodiment> The tool storage device 100 according to the present embodiment is a cabinet. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this tool storage device 100 includes a housing 10, a plurality of drawers 20, and a reading device 30.

[0023] The housing 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and opens forward, and a plurality of drawers 20 are arranged in multiple stages and inserted into this opening so as to be able to be pulled in and out. In the present embodiment, five drawers 20 are inserted.

[0024] This housing 10 is made of metal. More specifically, it has an upper surface plate 11, a lower surface plate 12 facing the upper surface plate 11, a pair of opposing side surface plates 13, and a rear surface plate 14, and all of these plates are made of metal. Note that casters 16 are attached to the lower surface plate 12.

[0025] The drawer 20 is tray-shaped and has a storage space S that opens upwards. The drawer 20 is made of metal. More specifically, it has a front plate 21, an outer plate 22 (rear plate) opposite the front plate 21, a pair of opposing side plates 23, and a bottom plate 24, all of which are made of metal. The space enclosed by these plates is the storage space S. A handle 25 is attached to the front plate 21.

[0026] This drawer 20 has an opening X formed in at least a portion of its bottom surface. In this embodiment, the portion of the bottom plate 24 excluding the edge 24a is opened, forming a single rectangular opening X. However, the number of openings X is not limited to one, and multiple openings X may be formed. The shape of the openings X is not limited to a rectangle, but may also be a circle, an ellipse, or other shape.

[0027] The aforementioned opening X is formed in all drawers 20 except for the bottommost drawer 20. When each drawer 20 is inserted into the housing 10, the opening X of each drawer 20 is configured such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the others when viewed from the direction of the arrangement of the drawers 20 (up and down direction). In this embodiment, the entire opening X is configured to overlap with each other, but it is not limited to this, and a portion of each opening X may be configured to overlap with each other.

[0028] A sliding mechanism 40 is interposed between the housing 10 and the drawer 20, allowing the drawer 20 to be moved in and out of the housing 10 via this sliding mechanism 40. Specifically, the sliding mechanism 40 comprises a fixed rail 41 installed on the inner surface of the side panel 13 of the housing 10 and a sliding rail 42 installed on the outer surface of the side panel 23 of the drawer 20, with the sliding rail 42 slidably connected to the fixed rail 41.

[0029] The reader 30 emits radio waves in a predetermined direction and receives information signals transmitted from the electronic tag to which the radio waves are irradiated. In this embodiment, it is configured to be operated by a communication-enabled operating terminal C. This operating terminal C is connected wirelessly or via a wired connection and can be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, notebook PC, or desktop PC. In this embodiment, it is a smartphone.

[0030] The reading device 30 is installed inside the housing 10 when each drawer 20 is inserted into the housing 10. In this embodiment, it is installed inside the drawer 20. More specifically, it is installed inside the uppermost drawer 20.

[0031] Furthermore, the drawer 20 according to this embodiment is further equipped with a tool holding mechanism 26 that holds a tool T in a predetermined position in its storage space S, and this tool holding mechanism 26 holds the tool T so that it faces the opening X. More specifically, the tool T is held so that the part to which its electronic tab is attached faces the opening X.

[0032] The tool holding mechanism 26 of this embodiment includes a holding plate 26a that is supported by the bottom plate 24 of the drawer 20 and is installed to close the opening X, and the tool is held by this holding plate 26a. The holding plate 26a has substantially the same shape as the bottom surface of the drawer 20. Therefore, when the holding plate 26a is supported by the bottom plate 24, it has a region that faces the opening X. A holding groove G for fitting and holding the tool T is formed in this region. Therefore, the tool T is held facing the opening X by being fitted into this holding groove G.

[0033] The retaining plate 26a is made of a non-metallic material that allows radio waves to pass through, and is specifically made of a soft resin such as foamed resin. However, if it is made of a soft resin, when it holds the tool T, it may bend under its own weight and fit into the opening X, so a non-metallic reinforcing plate (not shown) made of a hard resin such as acrylic may be used.

[0034] Furthermore, the uppermost drawer 20 according to this embodiment is further equipped with a reading device holding mechanism 27 that holds the reading device 30 in a predetermined position within its storage space S, and this reading device holding mechanism 27 holds the reading device 30 so as to face the opening X.

[0035] The reader device holding mechanism 27 of this embodiment is supported by the bottom plate 24 of the drawer 20 and includes an intermediate holding plate 27a installed between the bottom plate 24 and the holding plate 26a so as to close the opening X. The intermediate holding plate 27a has substantially the same shape as the bottom surface of the drawer 20. Therefore, when supported by the bottom plate 24, the intermediate holding plate 27a has a facing region that faces the opening X. The reader device is held in this facing region. In this embodiment, four reader devices are held.

[0036] As configured as described above, in this embodiment, when each drawer 20 is inserted into the housing 10, the opening X of each drawer 20 and the tool T housed in each drawer 20 (more specifically, the part of the tool T to which the electronic tag is attached) are arranged to overlap each other when viewed from the direction of the arrangement of the drawers 20 (up and down direction). Furthermore, the opening X of each drawer 20 and the reader 30 are also arranged to overlap each other when viewed from the same direction of arrangement.

[0037] Furthermore, since the tool T is held both above and below the reading device 30 of this embodiment, the reading device 30 is configured to emit radio waves both upward and downward.

[0038] Next, the operation of the tool storage device 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0039] First, after completing the work on site, the worker places the tools T into the retaining grooves G of each drawer 20. The tools T to be stored in each retaining groove G are predetermined, and the worker places the tools T into the designated retaining groove G.

[0040] Once the worker determines that all the tools T have been stored, they insert all the drawers 20 into the housing 10. In this state, the openings X of each drawer 20 overlap each other when viewed from the direction in which the drawers 20 are arranged, and the tools T and the reading device 30 are positioned facing each other's openings X.

[0041] Then, when an operator activates the reader 30 by operating the control terminal C, radio waves are emitted from the reader 30 in the direction of the rows of drawers 20. In this embodiment, the reader 30 emits radio waves both upward and downward. The radio waves emitted upward irradiate the tools T stored in the uppermost drawer 20, and the radio waves emitted downward pass through the opening X of each drawer 20 and irradiate the tools T stored in the drawers 20 other than the uppermost drawer 20. As a result, information signals are emitted from the electronic tags of all the tools T stored in the tool storage unit 10, and the reader 30 reads these information signals. Finally, the reading results from the reader 30 are displayed on the display of the control terminal C.

[0042] According to the tool storage unit 100 of this embodiment, radio waves are emitted from the reading device 30 in the direction of the row of drawers, and an opening X is formed in the bottom surface of the drawer 20. As a result, even though the drawer is made of metal, the radio waves can reach the drawer 20 of another row through the opening X. This allows one reading device 30 to read the electronic tags of tools T stored in multiple rows of drawers 20. Consequently, the number of reading devices 30 can be reduced, thereby suppressing manufacturing costs and the risk of failure. Furthermore, since the metal drawers can be used as they are, it is easier to ensure the necessary strength. In addition, since the reading device 30 is installed in the drawer 20, maintainability is improved.

[0043] <Other Embodiments> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In the embodiments described above, the reading device was installed inside a drawer, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be installed on the inner surface of the top or bottom panel of the housing. In this case, the reading device holding mechanism will be a structure provided by the housing. If installed on the bottom panel, it will be necessary to form an opening in the bottommost drawer as well.

[0044] Furthermore, although the reading device was installed in the top drawer in the above embodiment, it is not limited to this and may be installed in any other drawer.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tool holding mechanism is a holding plate supported by the bottom plate of the drawer, but it is not limited to this, and for example, a pair of gripping claws may be formed directly on the bottom plate, and the tool may be held by gripping it with these claws.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when each drawer is inserted into the housing, at least a portion of the openings of each drawer are configured to overlap when viewed from the direction in which the drawers are arranged. However, it is not necessary for them to overlap. This is because radio waves can pass through as long as the opening X is formed.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electronic tags of the tools stored in each drawer are read by the reader device by operating the operating terminal while each drawer is inserted into the housing, but the system is not limited to this. For example, the system may be configured so that the reader device automatically reads the electronic tags of the tools stored in each drawer when all drawers are inserted into the housing. Specifically in this case, the system may further include a detection unit that detects when a drawer is inserted into the housing, and the reader device may be activated when the detection unit detects that all drawers have been inserted into the housing.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the opening is formed so as to leave the peripheral edge of the drawer bottom plate in order to support the retaining plate, but the invention is not limited to this. The drawer bottom plate only needs to be left in a manner that can support the retaining plate, and therefore, for example, the opening can be formed in a portion of the bottom plate that excludes at least the four corners.

[0049] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 100 Tool Storage Boxes T-tool 10 cabinets 20 drawers S storage space X opening 26 Tool holding mechanism 27. Reader holding mechanism 30 Reader

Claims

1. A tool storage device comprising a housing, a plurality of drawers arranged in multiple rows inside the housing and containing tools to which electronic tags are attached, and a reader device that emits radio waves for reading the electronic tags, The reading device emits the radio waves in the direction of the arrangement of the drawers, A tool storage device characterized by having an opening formed in the bottom surface of the drawer.

2. The tool storage device according to claim 1, wherein, when the plurality of drawers are inserted into the housing, the openings of the plurality of drawers are configured to overlap each other when viewed from the direction of arrangement.

3. The drawer further comprises a tool holding mechanism that holds the tool in a predetermined position within its storage space, The tool holder according to claim 1, wherein the tool holding mechanism holds the tool so as to face the opening.

4. The tool holder according to claim 3, wherein the tool holding mechanism has a holding groove on one side for holding the tool, and a non-metallic holding plate is installed so as to close the opening.

5. The tool storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a reading device holding mechanism for holding the reading device so as to face the opening when the plurality of drawers are inserted into the housing.

6. The tool storage device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is installed in a predetermined drawer.

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