Container Handler

Abstract

To provide a container handler that is able to reduce fatigue of an operator caused by movement of a line of sight and is able to assist in aligning a container and a spreader, with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A container handler 1 includes: a traveling vehicle 10 on which an operator rides; a spreader 30 that holds a container C1; and an emitting unit 40 that emits visible light to the container C1. The spreader 30 includes: a right twist-lock pin 34R to be inserted into a right twist-lock hole of the container C1; and a left twist-lock pin 34L to be inserted into a left twist-lock hole of the container C1. The emitting unit 40 emits the visible light toward a lower side of the right twist-lock pin 34R and a lower side of the left twist-lock pin 34L to display a visible light marker M, indicating a position of the right twist-lock pin 34R and a position of the left twist-lock pin 34L, on a front surface of the container C1 facing the traveling vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container handler for lifting containers. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a container handler is equipped with a spreader for holding a container. When holding a container with the spreader, it is necessary to align the container with the spreader so that a twist lock pin provided on the spreader can be inserted into a twist lock hole provided on the container.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a container spreader device that is provided with a configuration that assists in aligning a container with a spreader. Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a container spreader device that includes a boom that expands and contracts in the left-right direction, a twist lock pin provided at the end of the boom, a camera provided near the twist lock pin, and a monitor that displays the twist lock hole (the upper hole of the container) photographed by the camera. With this configuration, an operator can align the container and the spreader so that the twist lock pin can be inserted into the twist lock hole by expanding and contracting the boom while referring to the image displayed on the monitor.

[0004] However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 requires a monitor to display images captured by the camera, which causes problems such as the complexity of the container handler configuration, and the need for the operator operating the container handler to keep his or her eyes on the monitor, resulting in the accumulation of fatigue in the operator due to eye movement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-32397 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an objective of providing a container handler that can reduce operator fatigue caused by eye movement and assist in aligning a container with a spreader with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the container handler of the present invention comprises a traveling vehicle on which an operator rides, a spreader that holds a container, and an illumination unit that illuminates visible light onto the container, wherein the spreader comprises a right twist lock pin that is inserted into the right twist lock hole of the container, and a left twist lock pin that is inserted into the left twist lock hole of the container, and the illumination unit illuminates the visible light toward below the right twist lock pin and below the left twist lock pin, thereby displaying visible light markers indicating the positions of the right twist lock pin and the left twist lock pin on the front of the container facing the traveling vehicle.

[0008] It is also preferable that the spreader comprises a right arm on which the right twist lock pin is provided and a left arm on which the left twist lock pin is provided, and the illumination unit includes a right illumination unit provided at a lower end of the right arm and irradiating the visible light toward below the right twist lock pin, and a left illumination unit provided at the lower end of the left arm and irradiating the visible light toward below the left twist lock pin.

[0009] It is also preferable that the illumination unit displays the visible light marker having a shape extending in the vertical direction.

[0010] It is also preferable that the irradiation unit includes a light emitting device that emits the visible light, and a projection direction changing mechanism that changes an elevation / depression angle of the projection direction in which the visible light is projected.

[0011] In addition, it is preferable that the irradiation unit is configured to project the visible light in a predetermined standard projection direction when the spreader is not holding the container, and that the projection direction change mechanism changes the projection direction downward from the standard projection direction when the spreader is holding the container. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a container handler that can reduce the fatigue of an operator caused by eye movement and can assist in aligning a container with a spreader with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are external views of a container handler according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a side view and (B) is a front view. [Diagram 2] 3A and 3B are partial enlarged views of a container handler including an irradiation unit according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5D are cross-sectional views of an arm illustrating the configuration of a projection direction change mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light irradiation mode, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light marker display mode. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light irradiation mode, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a visible light marker display mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A container handler 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The forward / backward direction X, the left / right direction Y, and the up / down direction Z indicated by arrows in the drawings are linear directions that are perpendicular to one another.

[0015] 1(A) and (B), the container handler 1 is a container transport vehicle that is a derivative model of a forklift equipped with a traveling vehicle 10 and a lift device 20 and transports a container C1 (see FIG. 4) described below. The container handler 1 is a side-lift type container handler equipped with a spreader 30 that lifts up an empty container C1.

[0016] The traveling vehicle 10 travels on a road surface according to instructions from an operator (not shown). The traveling vehicle 10 is provided with a cabin 11 as a boarding section in which the operator boards. The cabin 11 is provided with an input device (not shown) that receives instructions from the operator. The input device is composed of, for example, a handle and pedals for operating the traveling vehicle 10, and levers for operating the lift device 20 and the spreader 30.

[0017] The lift device 20 is provided in front of the traveling vehicle 10, and moves (i.e., raises and lowers) the spreader 30 in the vertical direction Z in accordance with instructions from an operator. The lift device 20 includes a mast 21 extending in the vertical direction Z, and a lift bracket (not shown) movable along the mast 21. The lift device 20 raises and lowers the spreader 30 by moving the lift bracket in the vertical direction Z.

[0018] The spreader 30 is provided on a lift bracket of the lift device 20 and holds the container C1. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the spreader 30 includes a beam 31, arms 32R, 32L, twist lock devices 33R, 33L, and a side shift device (not shown).

[0019] The beam 31 extends in the left-right direction Y and supports the arms 32R, 32L. The beam 31 expands and contracts in the left-right direction Y in accordance with an instruction from an operator, thereby changing the distance between the pair of left and right arms 32L, 32R.

[0020] The right arm 32R is provided at the right end of the beam 31, and the left arm 32L is provided at the left end of the beam 31. In the following, when describing a common configuration related to the arms 32R and 32L, the "arms 32L, 32R" will be collectively referred to as the "arm 32." The arm 32 extends in the vertical direction Z, and is abutted against the container C1.

[0021] The right twist lock device 33R is provided on the upper part of the right arm 32R, and includes a right twist lock pin 34R to be inserted into a right twist lock hole (not shown) of the container C1. The left twist lock device 33L is provided on the upper part of the left arm 32L, and includes a left twist lock pin 34L to be inserted into a left twist lock hole (not shown) of the container C1. Hereinafter, when describing the common configuration related to the twist lock devices 33R, 33L, the "twist lock devices 33R, 33L" will be collectively referred to as the "twist lock device 33," and the "twist lock pins 34R, 34L" will be collectively referred to as the "twist lock pins 34."

[0022] The twist lock device 33 switches the twist lock pin 34 between an unlocked state and a locked state, which will be described later, by rotating the twist lock pin 34 in accordance with instructions from an operator.

[0023] The twist lock pin 34 protrudes downward from the twist lock device 33, and is inserted into a pair of left and right twist lock holes located on the container handler 1 side among the twist lock holes provided at the four corners of the top of the container C1. The twist lock pin 34 can be in an unlocked state where it can be inserted and removed from the twist lock holes, and in a locked state where it cannot be inserted and removed from the twist lock holes. When inserted into the twist lock holes, the twist lock pin 34 holds the container C1 in the locked state.

[0024] The side shift device moves the beam 31 in the left-right direction Y in accordance with instructions from an operator. By moving the beam 31, the side shift device moves the arms 32 in the left-right direction Y without changing the distance between the pair of left and right arms 32.

[0025] Furthermore, the container handler 1 is equipped with illumination units 40R, 40L (see FIG. 1(B)) that illuminate the container C1 with visible light (i.e., light having a wavelength in the visible range) to assist in aligning the container C1 with the spreader 30.

[0026] The right irradiation unit 40R is provided at the lower end of the right arm 32R, and irradiates visible light downward of the right twist lock pin 34R. The left irradiation unit 40L is provided at the lower end of the left arm 32L, and irradiates visible light downward of the left twist lock pin 34L. Hereinafter, the "irradiation units 40R, 40L" will be collectively referred to as "irradiation unit 40."

[0027] The irradiation unit 40 projects visible light downward from the twist lock pin 34, thereby displaying visible light markers M (see Figures 4(B) and 5(B)) indicating the position of the twist lock pin 34 at both left and right ends of the front of the containers C1, C2 facing the traveling vehicle 10. The irradiation unit 40 according to this embodiment is configured to project visible light in the horizontal direction, which is a predetermined standard projection direction, when the spreader 30 is not holding the container C1. Moreover, the irradiation unit 40 according to this embodiment projects visible light so as to spread in the vertical direction Z, thereby displaying the visible light marker M having a shape extending in the vertical direction Z.

[0028] The detailed configuration of the irradiation unit 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the left irradiation unit 40L, and omit the right irradiation unit 40R. The right irradiation unit 40R has the same configuration as the left irradiation unit 40L, and the components of the right irradiation unit 40R are arranged in a state where the components of the left irradiation unit 40L are inverted in the left-right direction Y.

[0029] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower end portion of the arm 32, and shows only the lower end portion of the arm 32 and the irradiation unit 40. Fig. 2(A) is a front view of the arm 32, and Fig. 2(B) is a side view of the arm 32.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the irradiation unit 40 is made up of a light emitting device 41 and a projection direction changing mechanism 50.

[0031] The light-emitting device 41 is disposed below the arm 32, and emits (i.e., projects) visible light. The light-emitting device 41 is configured, for example, by an LED lamp having a light-emitting diode as a light source, or a laser lamp having a radar diode as a light source. When the light-emitting device 41 emits visible light, the visible light is irradiated onto the front of the containers C1, C2 (see Figures 4 and 5). When the light-emitting device 41 is in the standard projection position shown by the solid line in Figure 2(B), it projects visible light forward in the horizontal direction, and when the light-emitting device 41 is in the downward projection position shown by the dashed line in Figure 2(B), it projects visible light downward rather than horizontally.

[0032] The projection direction change mechanism 50 supports the light-emitting device 41 and changes the elevation / depression angle of the projection direction in which the visible light is projected. Specifically, the projection direction change mechanism 50 switches the light-emitting device 41 from the above-mentioned standard projection position to the downward projection position by swinging the light-emitting device 41 in a first swing direction R1 indicated by an arrow R1 in FIG. 2B about an axis P parallel to the left-right direction Y, and switches the light-emitting device 41 from the above-mentioned downward projection position to the standard projection position by swinging the light-emitting device 41 in a second swing direction R2 indicated by an arrow R2 in FIG. 2B. The projection direction change mechanism 50 is configured to switch the light-emitting device 41 to the downward projection position when the spreader 30 holds the container C1. That is, the projection direction change mechanism 50 according to this embodiment changes the projection direction of the visible light downward from the horizontal direction, which is the standard projection direction, when the spreader 30 holds the container C1.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the projection direction changing mechanism 50, and illustrates a cross section of the arm 32. Fig. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2(B), Fig. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2(B), Fig. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 2(A), and Fig. 3(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Fig. 2(A).

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the projection direction change mechanism 50 includes a fixed member 51 (see particularly Figure 3(B)), a swinging member 52 (see particularly Figures 3(B) and (C)), a biasing member 53 (see particularly Figure 3(A)), a movable side swing regulating member 54 (see particularly Figure 3(C)), and a contact member 55 (see particularly Figures 2(A) and (B)).

[0035] The fixed member 51 is fixed to the arm 32 of the spreader 30. The fixed member 51 has a shaft portion 51A and a plate portion 51B. The shaft portion 51A extends parallel to the left-right direction Y so as to penetrate the arm 32, and is positioned on an axis P to support the swinging member 52 so as to be swingable. The plate portion 51B is abutted against a side surface of the arm 32 and fastened to the arm 32 by a bolt 61 (see FIG. 3(B)).

[0036] The swinging member 52 is configured to be swingable about an axis P relative to the fixed member 51. The swinging member 52 has a cylinder portion 52A, a first arm portion 52B, a second arm portion 52C, and a plate portion 52D. The cylinder portion 52A is fitted onto the shaft portion 51A of the fixed member 51. The arm portion 52B extends downward from the cylinder portion 52A, and a lower end portion of the arm portion 52B protrudes downward further than the arm 32. The light emitting device 41 is provided on the lower end portion (i.e., the tip portion) of the arm portion 52B. The arm portion 52C extends forward from the cylinder portion 52A, and protrudes forward further than the arm 32. The plate portion 52D protrudes downward from the cylinder portion 52A.

[0037] 2(B), the biasing member 53 biases the swinging member 52 in the second swing direction R2 shown in FIG. 2(B), the biasing member 53 according to this embodiment is composed of a torsion coil spring fitted into the cylindrical portion 52A of the swinging member 52, one end of the torsion coil spring is attached to the arm 32, and the other end is attached to the swinging member 52.

[0038] The movable side rocking restriction member 54 is provided on the plate portion 52D of the rocking member 52, and restricts the rocking of the rocking member 52 in the second rocking direction R2 by abutting against a fixed side rocking restriction portion (a rocking restriction wall 32A that is a part of the arm 32 and is provided inside the arm 32 in this embodiment). The standard projection posture of the light emitting device 41 is maintained by restricting the rocking of the rocking member 52 by the movable side rocking restriction member 54. The movable side rocking restriction member 54 according to this embodiment is a bolt that protrudes from the plate portion 52D in the second rocking direction R2, and is configured so that the standard projection direction of visible light can be adjusted by changing the amount of protrusion of the bolt from the plate portion 52D, and a nut 62 (see FIG. 3(C)) that fixes the amount of protrusion is fitted on the bolt.

[0039] The abutment member 55 is provided at the front end (i.e., the tip) of the arm portion 52C, and is configured to abut against the container C1 when the spreader 30 holds the container C1. The abutment member 55 according to this embodiment is a roller that can rotate about an axis parallel to the left-right direction Y. The abutment member 55 is configured not to fall off the arm portion 52C by a nut 63 (see FIG. 2(A)) provided at the tip of the arm portion 52C. The container C1 held by the spreader 30 pushes the abutment member 55 backward, so that the swinging member 52 swings in a first swinging direction R1 shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0040] Next, an example of the manner in which visible light is irradiated by the irradiation unit 40 and the visible light markers M displayed on the containers C1 and C2 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows a state in which the spreader 30 is not holding the container C1, and Figure 5 shows a state in which the spreader 30 is holding the container C1. The dotted hatching in Figures 4(A) and 5(A) indicates the projection range of the visible light.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4(A), when the spreader 30 is not holding the container C1, the operator operates the lift device 20 so that the twist lock pin 34 is higher than the container C1 in order to hold and lift the container C1. At this time, the irradiation unit 40 projects visible light in the horizontal direction, which is the standard projection direction, and irradiates the visible light onto the front of the container C1.

[0042] When the intermediate portions of the pair of left and right twist lock pins 34 are aligned with the left and right central axis of the container C1, a visible light marker M is displayed on each of the left and right ends of the container C1 as shown in FIG. 4(B). On the other hand, when the intermediate portions of the pair of left and right twist lock pins 34 are deviated from the left and right central axis of the container C1, a visible light marker M is displayed on one of the left and right ends of the container C1, and no visible light marker M is displayed on the other. Therefore, by visually checking the visible light marker M shown in FIG. 4(B), the operator can confirm whether the container C1 and the spreader 30 are appropriately aligned for inserting the twist lock pins 34 into the twist lock holes.

[0043] 5(A), when container C1 is held by the spreader 30, the operator operates the lift device 20 so that container C1 is higher than container C2 in order to stack container C1 on container C2. At this time, the irradiation unit 40 projects visible light downward from the standard projection direction, and irradiates the visible light onto the front and top surfaces of container C2.

[0044] When the intermediate portions of the pair of left and right twist lock pins 34 coincide with the left and right central axis of the container C2, as shown in FIG. 5(B), a visible light marker M is displayed not only on the container C1 but also on both the left and right ends of the container C2. On the other hand, when the intermediate portions of the pair of left and right twist lock pins 34 are deviated from the left and right central axis of the container C2, a visible light marker M is displayed on one of the left and right ends of the container C2, and no visible light marker M is displayed on the other. Therefore, by visually checking the visible light marker M shown in FIG. 5(B), the operator can confirm whether the container C2 and the spreader 30 are appropriately aligned for loading the container C1 on the container C2.

[0045] The present embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The illumination unit 40 illuminates visible light downward of the right twist lock pin 34R and downward of the left twist lock pin 34L, thereby displaying visible light markers M indicating the positions of the right twist lock pin 34R and the left twist lock pin 34L in front of the containers C1, C2 facing the traveling vehicle 10. With this configuration, the operator operating the container handler 1 can check whether the containers C1, C2 and the spreader 30 are properly aligned by directly viewing the visible light markers M displayed on the containers C1, C2. Therefore, the container handler 1 can reduce operator fatigue caused by line-of-sight movement and can support alignment of the containers C1, C2 and the spreader 30 with a simple configuration.

[0046] (2) The illumination unit 40 includes a right illumination unit 40R provided at the lower end of the right arm 32R and emitting visible light downward of the right twist lock pin 34R, and a left illumination unit 40L provided at the lower end of the left arm 32L and emitting visible light downward of the left twist lock pin 34L. According to this configuration, the illumination unit 40 can display a visible light marker M below the twist lock pin 34 by emitting visible light from a direction perpendicular to the front of the containers C1, C2.

[0047] (3) The irradiation unit 40 displays a visible light marker M having a shape extending in the up-down direction Z on the front side of the containers C1, C2. With this configuration, the position directly below the twist lock pin 34 can be intuitively confirmed.

[0048] (4) The projection direction change mechanism 50 changes the elevation / depression angle of the projection direction in which visible light is projected relative to the horizontal direction while maintaining the height of the spreader 30. With this configuration, the height at which the visible light marker M is displayed can be changed.

[0049] (5) The irradiation unit 40 is configured to project visible light in a predetermined standard projection direction when the spreader 30 is not holding a container C1, and the projection direction change mechanism 50 changes the projection direction of the visible light downward from the standard projection direction when the spreader 30 is holding a container C1. With this configuration, when the spreader 30 is not holding a container C1, the spreader 30 can irradiate visible light onto the container C1 to be held, and when the spreader 30 is holding a container C1, the spreader 30 can irradiate visible light onto another container C2 located below the container C1 that it is holding.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the above configurations can be modified. For example, the following modifications can be made, or the following modifications can be combined to make the present invention.

[0051] The configuration of the irradiation unit 40 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the shape of the visible light marker M displayed by the irradiation unit 40 may be changed. In addition, for example, the standard projection direction of the irradiation unit 40 does not have to be the horizontal direction, and the arrangement of the irradiation unit 40 may be changed.

[0052] The configuration of the projection direction change mechanism 50 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the projection direction change mechanism 50 may be configured to change the projection direction of visible light by an electric device that operates in response to the output of a sensor that detects whether the spreader 30 is holding a container C1.

[0053] A container handler other than a side-lift type container handler may have the configuration of the present invention. For example, the container handler may be a reach stacker, which is a type of telescopic handler. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Container Handler 10. Vehicles in operation 20 Lifting device 30 Spreader 32, 32R, 32L Arm 33, 33R, 33L Twist lock device 34, 34R, 34L Twist lock pin 40, 40R, 40L irradiation unit 41 Light emitting device 50 Projection direction change mechanism C1, C2 container M Visible Light Marker X Anteroposterior direction Y left / right direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A traveling vehicle on which an operator rides; A spreader for holding the container; an irradiation unit that irradiates the container with visible light; The spreader includes a right twist lock pin that is inserted into a right twist lock hole of the container, and a left twist lock pin that is inserted into a left twist lock hole of the container, The right twist lock hole and the left twist lock hole are provided on the top surface of the container at intervals in the left-right direction, the right twist lock pin and the left twist lock pin are provided at an interval in the left-right direction, and the irradiation unit includes a light emitting device provided rearward of the right twist lock pin and the left twist lock pin in a front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction, In a state in which the container is located forward of the irradiation unit and the right twist lock pin and the left twist lock pin are located above and behind the right twist lock hole and the left twist lock hole, the light emitting device, when in a predetermined standard projection position, irradiates the visible light forward in the horizontal direction, thereby displaying visible light markers indicating the left and right positions of the right twist lock pin and the left twist lock pin within the front area of ​​the container, on the front of the container facing the traveling vehicle. A container handler comprising:

2. The spreader includes a right arm provided with the right twist lock pin and a left arm provided with the left twist lock pin, The illumination unit includes a right illumination unit having the light emitting device provided at a lower end of the right arm, and a left illumination unit having the light emitting device provided at a lower end of the left arm.

2. The container handler of claim 1.

3. The illumination unit displays the visible light marker having a shape extending in the vertical direction.

2. The container handler of claim 1.

4. The irradiation unit includes a projection direction changing mechanism that changes an elevation / depression angle of a projection direction in which the visible light is projected.

2. The container handler of claim 1.

5. The irradiation unit is configured to project the visible light in a predetermined standard projection direction when the spreader is not holding the container, The projection direction changing mechanism changes the projection direction downward from the standard projection direction when the spreader holds the container.

5. The container handler of claim 4.

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