Production system with automated warehouse function

Abstract

A production system having an automated warehouse function that is installed across multiple floors and can improve the production efficiency of production facilities is provided. [Solution] A production system 1A with an automated warehouse function comprises a production section 102 arranged across multiple floors and equipped with production equipment 30, and a warehouse section 4 in which production-related items are stored, including supplies used in production and products produced by the production equipment. At least a part of the production section is arranged on a different floor from the warehouse section, and further comprises a horizontal conveying section 5 arranged at least above the warehouse section to enable storage and retrieval of production-related items to any location in the warehouse section, and horizontal conveying of the items, a vertical lifter section 6 for vertical conveying across floors between the production section and the warehouse section, and a delivery conveyor 7 extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section toward the horizontal conveying section for delivering production-related items to and from the horizontal conveying section.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a production system having an automated warehouse function. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, e-commerce has become widespread and the mail-order market has expanded. Accordingly, automated warehouse technology is being widely used in logistics operations to ensure efficient and stable warehouse operations. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of an automated warehouse system including a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. In this configuration, the three-dimensional grid includes a plurality of storage columns in which containers can be stored in vertical stacks. Each container handling vehicle retrieves a container from a storage column and stores the container in the storage column. The container handling vehicles operate on rails at the top of the three-dimensional grid and transport the containers horizontally across the grid. Patent document 2 also discloses the configuration of an automated warehouse system that includes a track system in which a plurality of grid openings are formed adjacent to each other in a first direction in a horizontal plane and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged vertically below the grid openings, a storage container lifting device that lifts the storage containers stacked in the stacks, and a vehicle that moves along the track system.

[0003] In a production system for producing products, it is necessary to store the raw materials used for production and the produced products. In addition, when a production system has multiple production facilities corresponding to multiple processes, the final product is produced by sequentially supplying the products of the production facilities of the upstream process to the production facilities of the downstream process. In such a production system having multiple production facilities, there is often a difference in processing capacity between the production facilities of the multiple processes. In this case, it is necessary to temporarily store the products produced in the upstream process as work in progress between the production facilities of the upstream process and the production facilities of the downstream process until the production in the downstream process starts. In such cases, it may be possible to install an automated warehouse system such as those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above next to the production area where the production equipment is installed to store items related to production, such as raw materials, work in progress, and finished products.

[0004] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 3 describes a production system comprising a first warehouse section provided near a production area in which a plurality of production equipment are provided and in which production-related items are stored, a second warehouse section provided above the production area and in which production-related items are stored, a running path provided to connect the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section with positions above each piece of production equipment, a conveying device capable of storing and retrieving production-related items from the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section and running on the running path, and a lifting section for conveying production-related items up and down between a position above the production equipment and the production equipment. Patent Document 3 describes that the above configuration makes it possible to reduce the amount of land area required for warehouses and production areas while increasing the production efficiency of production facilities. In order to further reduce the required land area when constructing such a production system with an automated warehouse function, it is possible to build a building with multiple floors and install the production system therein across multiple floors. In such a case, it is possible to increase the production efficiency of the entire production facility by increasing the efficiency of transporting production-related items across floors between the warehouse and the production area. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-500283 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2021-504265 [Patent Document 3] JP 2023-180297 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a production system having an automated warehouse function that is provided across multiple floors and that can increase the production efficiency of production facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a multi-story production system in which a vertical lifter unit equipped with a transfer conveyor for production-related items is installed between a warehouse unit and a production section in which production equipment is installed, at least a part of which is installed on a different floor from the warehouse unit. This configuration enhances the transport efficiency of production-related items, and the present invention was developed from the viewpoint of improving the production efficiency of the entire production facility. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means. In other words, the production system with an automated warehouse function of the present invention is a production system with an automated warehouse function that is provided across multiple floors, and comprises a production area in which production equipment is provided, and a warehouse section in which production-related items are stored, including supplies that are supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment using the supplies, and at least a portion of the production area is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section, and further comprises a horizontal transport section that is provided at least above the warehouse section and is provided to enable the storage and retrieval of the production-related items to any location in the warehouse section and the horizontal transport of the production-related items, a vertical lifter section that transports the production-related items vertically across the floors between the production area and the warehouse section, and a delivery conveyor that extends horizontally from the vertical lifter section toward the horizontal transport section and is for delivering the production-related items between the vertical lifter section and the horizontal transport section. According to the above-mentioned configuration, a production system including a production section in which production equipment is provided and a warehouse section in which production-related items are stored is provided across multiple floors. In at least the warehouse section, a horizontal conveying section provided above the warehouse section stores and retrieves the production-related items at any location in the warehouse section and conveys the production-related items horizontally. Since at least a portion of the production section is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section, the production-related items are conveyed vertically across floors between the production section and the warehouse section by a vertical lifter section. In such a configuration, in order to convey the production-related items between the production section and the warehouse section provided on different floors, it is necessary to transfer the production-related items between the horizontal conveying section and the vertical lifter section. Here, in the case where the production-related items are directly transferred from the horizontal conveying section to the vertical lifter section, the horizontal conveying section cannot transfer the next production-related item to the vertical lifter section while the vertical lifter section is lifting and lowering the production-related item by the vertical conveying mechanism such as a lifting platform provided on the vertical lifter section. Therefore, the horizontal conveying section needs to wait for the vertical conveying mechanism of the vertical lifter section to finish lifting and lowering the production-related item. On the other hand, in the case where the production-related items are directly transferred from the vertical lifter section to the horizontal conveying section, the vertical lifter section needs to stop the vertical conveying mechanism and wait for the horizontal conveying section to receive the production-related item, so it cannot transport the next production-related item using the vertical conveying mechanism of the vertical lifter section. In this way, the transfer of the production-related items between the horizontal conveying section and the vertical lifter section is likely to become a bottleneck in the efficiency of transporting the production-related items across floors between the warehouse section and the production section. In contrast, in the above-mentioned configuration, a transfer conveyor is provided to transfer production-related objects between the vertical lifter section and the horizontal transport section, extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section toward the horizontal transport section. As a result, for example, when transferring a production-related object from the horizontal transport section to the vertical lifter section, the horizontal transport section places the production-related object on the transfer conveyor, and the production-related object is transferred from the transfer conveyor to the vertical lifter section at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the horizontal transport section does not need to wait for the completion of the lifting and lowering operation by the vertical transport mechanism of the vertical lifter section. Also, even when transferring a production-related object from the vertical lifter section to the horizontal transport section, the horizontal transport section can receive the production-related object from the transfer conveyor at an appropriate timing if the vertical lifter section places the production-related object on the transfer conveyor. Therefore, the vertical lifter section can immediately move to the lifting and lowering operation of the next production-related object using the vertical transport mechanism, without waiting for the horizontal transport section to receive it. In this way, because the delivery conveyor functions as a buffer between the horizontal transport section and the vertical lifter section, the horizontal transport section and the vertical lifter section are less affected by the operating status of the other when transporting production-related items. Therefore, the possibility that the delivery of production-related items between the horizontal transport section and the vertical lifter section will become a bottleneck in the efficiency of transporting production-related items across floors between the warehouse section and the production section is reduced. As a result, the efficiency of transporting production-related items across floors between the warehouse section and the production section is improved, and the production efficiency of the entire production facility can be improved. In this way, it is possible to provide a production system having an automated warehouse function that is provided across multiple floors and that can increase the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, an inbound / outbound section is provided for receiving the production-related items from the outside and shipping them to the outside, and between the inbound / outbound section and the warehouse section there is further provided a inbound / outbound vertical lifter section for transporting the production-related items vertically, and an inbound / outbound delivery conveyor extending horizontally from the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section for transporting the production-related items between the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section and the horizontal transport section. According to this configuration, a loading / unloading section is provided, and a loading / unloading vertical lifter section is provided between the loading / unloading section and the warehouse section, thereby transporting production-related items between the loading / unloading section and the warehouse section. Here, an inbound / outbound delivery conveyor is provided to extend horizontally from the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section toward the horizontal conveying section, for delivering production-related items between the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section and the horizontal conveying section. As a result, for example, when delivering production-related items from the horizontal conveying section to the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section, if the horizontal conveying section places the production-related items on the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor, the production-related items are delivered from the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor to the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the horizontal conveying section does not need to wait for the completion of the lifting operation of the vertical conveying mechanism such as the lifting platform of the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section. Also, even when delivering production-related items from the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section to the horizontal conveying section, if the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section places the production-related items on the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor, the horizontal conveying section can receive the production-related items from the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section can immediately move to the next lifting / lowering operation of the production-related items using the vertical conveying mechanism without waiting for the horizontal conveying section to receive the items. In this way, the incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor functions as a buffer between the horizontal conveying section and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section, so that the horizontal conveying section and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section are less affected by the operating status of the other when transporting the production-related items. Therefore, the possibility that the transfer of the production-related items between the horizontal conveying section and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section becomes a bottleneck in the transport efficiency of the production-related items between the warehouse section and the incoming / outgoing section is reduced. As a result, the transport efficiency of the production-related items between the warehouse section and the incoming / outgoing section is improved, and the production efficiency of the entire production facility can be improved.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the horizontal conveying section comprises at least a running path provided above the warehouse section, and a conveying device for conveying the production-related items, which is provided so as to enable the production-related items to be stored and removed from any location in the warehouse section and to travel on the running path, the production-related items are contained in a conveying container and conveyed, the conveying device comprises a lifting mechanism for supporting the conveying container from above so that it can be raised and lowered, and the production-related items are transferred between the conveying device and the delivery conveyor by the conveying device raising and lowering the lifting mechanism above the delivery conveyor. According to this configuration, the production-related items are transported by the transport device. This transport device travels on a running path provided at least above the warehouse section, and stores and retrieves the production-related items at any location in the warehouse section. The transport containers containing the production-related items are transferred between the transport device and the delivery conveyor by raising and lowering the lifting mechanism. This allows the production-related items to be handled efficiently. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a production system having an automated warehouse function that is provided across multiple floors and that can increase the production efficiency of production facilities. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view showing a warehouse section, a vertical lifter section, and a delivery conveyor which constitute the production system having the automated warehouse function of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of a horizontal conveying section, a delivery conveyor, and a delivery conveyor for the receiving and shipping sections in the production system. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]11 is a plan view showing a warehouse section, a vertical lifter section, and a delivery conveyor that constitute a production system having an automated warehouse function in accordance with a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a plan view showing a warehouse section, a vertical lifter section, and a delivery conveyor that constitute a production system having an automated warehouse function in accordance with a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a plan view showing a warehouse section, a vertical lifter section, and a delivery conveyor that constitute a production system having an automated warehouse function in accordance with a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The production system with automated warehouse function of the present invention is set up in a building having multiple floors and comprises a warehouse section and a production section in which production equipment is located, at least a part of which is set up on a different floor from the warehouse section, and between the production section and the warehouse section there are a horizontal conveying section, a vertical lifter section, and a delivery conveyor for transporting production-related items. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment for carrying out a production system having an automated warehouse function according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, a production system 1A having an automated warehouse function is installed in a building 2. The building 2 has multiple floors in the vertical direction. The building 2 has, for example, four floors, from the first floor F1 to the fourth floor F4. Here, the number of floors, specific structure, and configuration of the building 2 are not limited in any way. The production system 1A with an automated warehouse function includes an incoming / outgoing section 101, a production section 102, a warehouse section 4, a horizontal conveying section 5, a vertical lifter section 6, a delivery conveyor 7, a vertical lifter section 8 for incoming / outgoing, a delivery conveyor 9 for incoming / outgoing, and a lifter 80 for the conveying device.

[0013] In the production system 1A with an automated warehouse function, products are produced by passing through a plurality of production facilities 30. Each of the plurality of production facilities 30 is supplied with supplies that serve as the basis for producing the product and are used in production. Each of the plurality of production facilities 30 performs predetermined processing, assembly, etc. based on the supplied supplies, and produces the product at that production facility 30. As a whole, the plurality of production facilities 30 manufactures products based on the raw materials of the product by sequentially passing through predetermined processing, assembly, etc. steps at each of the plurality of production facilities 30. Here, items that are input into and output from each production facility 30 during the production process at the production facility 30, including supplies supplied to the production facility 30 and products produced by the production facility 30, such as raw materials for the products, intermediate products, and finished products, are collectively referred to as production-related items.

[0014] In this embodiment, the receiving / shipping section 101 is provided on a floor lower than the warehouse section 4, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the receiving / shipping section 101 is provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2. In the incoming / outgoing section 101, production-related items are received from outside and shipped to outside. The incoming / outgoing section 101 is provided adjacent to a connection port with a transport means outside the building 2, such as a truck berth provided outside the building 2, or is provided so as to share a space with a truck berth or the like. In the incoming / outgoing section 101, production-related items transported from outside, such as raw materials for products, are unloaded from trucks or the like and transported to the warehouse section 4, which will be described later. Also, in the incoming / outgoing section 101, production-related items produced in the production section 102, such as finished products, are sorted and loaded onto trucks or the like and shipped to outside.

[0015] The production area 102 is provided in a building 2. The production area 102 is provided on multiple floors in the building 2. At least a part of the production area 102 is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section 4 described below. In this embodiment, the production area 102 is provided on the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4 of the multiple floors. A plurality of production facilities 30 are provided in the production area 102 . The production area 102 includes, for example, a machining area 102a, a preparation area 102b, and an assembly area 102c. In this embodiment, the machining area 102a is located on the second floor F2, and the preparation area 102b and the assembly area 102c are located on the fourth floor F4. In the machining area 102a, production-related items, i.e., raw materials, received from the receiving / shipping area 101 are primarily processed to produce intermediate products. In the preparation area 102b, necessary preparation work is carried out prior to the assembly of products in the assembly area 102c. In the preparation area 102b, for example, work such as sorting the raw materials of the products into the raw materials required for each process in the assembly area 102c and assembling them into kits is carried out. In the assembly area 102c, finished products are produced by assembling the intermediate products produced in the machining area 102a or prepared in the preparation area 102b.

[0016] The third floor F3 of the building 2 is provided with a machine section 103. The machine section 103 is provided with equipment for supplying electricity, water, compressed air, special gases, etc., necessary for the operation of each production facility 30 provided in the production section 102, and air conditioning equipment. As described above, in this embodiment, the production sections 102 are provided on the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4. In this configuration, by providing the machine section 103 collectively on the third floor F3 between them, the space of the production section 102 can be used more effectively than when a machine section is provided in each production section 102. In addition, it is also possible to shorten the overall length of electrical wiring and utility wiring. In addition, in the building 2 of this embodiment, an opening 21a is formed in the center of the floor 21 of the third floor F3. As a result, the second floor F2 and the third floor F3 are connected via the opening 21a, and a so-called open-ceiling space is formed between the second floor F2 and the third floor F3.

[0017] In this embodiment, the warehouse section 4 is provided across multiple floors. In this embodiment, the warehouse section 4 is provided across the second floor F2 and the third floor F3. When viewed from above, the warehouse section 4 is provided inside the opening 21a. Production-related items are stored in the warehouse section 4. The production-related items are accommodated in a box-shaped transport container 100 and stored in the warehouse section 4. The transport container 100 is generally a hollow box shaped like a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped, and has an opening at the top, for example, for inserting and removing the production-related items. The inside of the transport container 100 is used as a storage area where the production-related items are stored and kept.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the warehouse section, the vertical lifter section, and the delivery conveyor that constitute the production system having the automated warehouse function of FIG. In this embodiment, the warehouse section 4 includes a rack 40. The rack 40 is provided on the floor 21 of the second floor F2. As shown in Fig. 2, the rack 40 includes a plurality of first frames 41 extending in a first direction D1 in a horizontal plane, a plurality of second frames 42 extending in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 in the horizontal plane, and a plurality of support columns 43 (see Fig. 1) extending in a vertical direction Dv.

[0019] The first frames 41 and the second frames 42 are provided on the top of the rack 40. The first frames 41 are arranged parallel to one another at equal intervals in the second direction D2. The second frames 42 are arranged parallel to one another at equal intervals in the first direction D1. The first frames 41 and the second frames 42 are formed in a lattice shape when viewed from above. Each of the pillars 43 is arranged at a position overlapping an intersection between the first frame 41 and the second frame 42, as viewed from above, so as to extend downward from the intersection. Adjacent pillars 43 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 may be connected to each other by a plurality of internal frames arranged at a position below the plurality of first frames 41 and the plurality of second frames 42, extending in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and spaced apart in the vertical direction Dv.

[0020] Between the first frames 41 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 and between the second frames 42 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, rectangular openings 45 opening upward are formed. A plurality of openings 45 are formed along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Below each opening 45, a rectangular columnar storage space 46 extending in the vertical direction Dv is formed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in each storage space 46, a plurality of transport containers 100 are stored stacked in the vertical direction Dv. In this way, the warehouse section 4 is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored, in a three-dimensional grid shape.

[0021] The horizontal conveying section 5 is provided above the warehouse section 4. The horizontal conveying section 5 is provided to enable storage and removal of production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4, and to transport the production-related items in the horizontal direction. The horizontal conveying section 5 includes a running path 50 and a transport device 55. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the horizontal transport section, a delivery conveyor (to be described later), and a delivery conveyor for the receiving / shipping section in the production system. The running path 50 is provided above the warehouse section 4. The running path 50 extends along a horizontal plane including the upper surface of the rack 40 of the warehouse section 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the running path 50 includes, for example, rails 51 on which a conveying device 55 described later can run. The rails 51 are provided in pairs. Each rail 51 is provided, for example, on the first frame 41 and the second frame 42 located at the top of the rack 40. In this embodiment, one rail is provided on all the first frames 41 and the second frames 42 so as to run along the first frames 41 and the second frames 42. As a result, the conveying device 55 described next runs on the rails 51 while being positioned so as to straddle the adjacent first frames 41 or the adjacent second frames 42.

[0022] The conveying device 55 is provided so as to be able to run on the running path 50. The conveying device 55 is configured to be able to run on the running path 50 based on a preset program. The conveying device 55 has a pair of wheels provided so as to be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, and runs on the running path 50 by positioning the wheels on a pair of rails 51. The conveying device 55 runs on the running path 50 by itself to transport the production-related items stored in the transport container 100 within the production system 1A having an automatic warehouse function based on a command from a controller (not shown). A plurality of conveying devices 55 are provided on the running path 50. The plurality of conveying devices 55 are controlled so as not to cross each other on the running path 50 by selecting a route to run from the rails 51 constituting the running path 50 based on a command from the controller.

[0023] Each transport device 55 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 57 that supports from above the transport container 100 in which production-related items are stored so that the container can be raised and lowered. The lifting mechanism 57 has a rod, cylinder, cable 57s, etc. that extends and retracts downward, and is configured to be able to hold the transport container 100 at its lower end. The lifting mechanism 57 lifts and lowers the transport container 100 in the vertical direction Dv by extending and retracting the rod, cylinder, cable 57s, etc. while holding the transport container 100. As already described, the transport device 55 is positioned so as to straddle the adjacent first frames 41 or the adjacent second frames 42, and travels on the rails 51. Therefore, the transport device 55 travels above the openings 45 formed between the adjacent first frames 41 and between the adjacent second frames 42. Therefore, for any opening 45, the transport device 55 can be brought close to the opening 45 and the lifting mechanism 57 can be positioned directly above the opening 45. In this state, the transport device 55 can operate the lifting mechanism 57 to access an appropriate height in the storage space 46 corresponding to the opening 45 (actually, the uppermost transport container 100 accumulated in the storage space 46).

[0024] In this way, each conveying device 55 is configured to enable storage and retrieval of production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4 (the opening 45 and the height of the storage space 46 within the opening 45). In addition, each transport device 55 operates the lifting mechanism 57 while positioning the lifting mechanism 57 above the delivery conveyor 7 and the delivery conveyor 9 for loading and unloading, described below, to deliver and receive production-related items (transport containers 100) to and from the delivery conveyor 7 and the delivery conveyor 9 for loading and unloading. In this embodiment, since the storage unit 4 is provided across the second floor F2 and the third floor F3, the horizontal conveyance unit 5 provided above it is provided, for example, at an upper position on the third floor F3.

[0025] 1, the vertical lifter unit 6 transports production-related items vertically (up-down direction Dv) across levels between the production section 102 (particularly the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c) and the warehouse section 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the vertical lifter unit 6 is disposed at a position spaced apart in the horizontal direction (second direction D2) from the rack 40 of the warehouse section 4 by the length of the delivery conveyor 7 described below. As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical lifter unit 6 is provided on the floor 21 of the second floor F2 and is supported by the floor 21. The vertical lifter unit 6 is provided to extend upward from the floor 21. The vertical lifter unit 6 penetrates the floor 21 of the fourth floor F4, straddling the floors and extending into the fourth floor F4.

[0026] The vertical lifter unit 6 has a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction Dv. The vertical lifter unit 6 includes a lifting platform (not shown) as a vertical transport mechanism inside the cylindrical body, which is capable of moving up and down in the vertical direction Dv. With the transport container 100 placed on the lifting platform, the vertical lifter unit 6 transports the transport container 100 in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the lifting platform in the vertical direction Dv. In this embodiment, the horizontal conveying section 5, which stores and retrieves production-related items from the warehouse section 4, is located at an upper height of the third floor F3. In contrast, the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c are provided on the fourth floor F4. Therefore, in order to transport the production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c, the production-related items need to be transported in the vertical direction Dv. The vertical lifter section 6 is used when transporting such production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c. For this reason, the vertical lifter section 6 is provided at a position facing the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c when viewed in a plan view. In addition, the cylindrical body of the vertical lifter unit 6 has openings (not shown) in each of the parts facing the horizontal conveying unit 5 on the third floor F3 and the parts facing the preparation section 102b and assembly section 102c on the fourth floor F4, so that the transport containers 100 containing production-related items can be moved in and out of the cylindrical body.

[0027] The transfer device lifter 80 includes a first transfer device lifter 81 and a second transfer device lifter 82 . The first conveyor lifter 81 is provided on the floor 21 of the second floor F2 and is supported by the floor 21. The first conveyor lifter 81 is provided to extend upward from the floor 21. The upper end of the first conveyor lifter 81 extends to the position of the running path 50 within the third floor F3. The first conveyor lifter 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction Dv. The first conveyor lifter 81 does not have a lifting platform (not shown) that can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction Dv, such as the vertical lifter unit 6. The conveyor 55 positions the lifting mechanism 57 above the cylindrical upper opening of the first conveyor lifter 81, and while holding the conveyor container 100, extends and retracts rods, cylinders, cables 57s, etc. inside the cylindrical interior, thereby lifting and lowering the conveyor container 100 in the vertical direction Dv. In other words, the first conveyor lifter 81 forms a space for lifting and lowering production-related objects by the lifting mechanism 57 of the conveyor 55. The first conveying device lifter 81 is used when conveying production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the machining section 102a. For this reason, the first conveying device lifter 81 is provided at a position facing the machining section 102a when viewed from above. The first conveying device lifter 81 is provided with an opening (not shown) at a portion of the second floor F2 facing the machining section 102a so that the conveying container 100 containing the production-related items can be inserted and removed between the inside and outside of the cylindrical main body.

[0028] The second conveyor lifter 82 is provided on the floor 21 of the second floor F2 and is supported by the floor 21. The second conveyor lifter 82 is provided to extend upward from the floor 21. The upper end of the second conveyor lifter 82 extends to the position of the running path 50 within the third floor F3. The second conveyor lifter 82 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction Dv. The second conveyor lifter 82 does not have a lifting platform (not shown) that can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction Dv, such as the vertical lifter unit 6. The conveyor 55 positions the lifting mechanism 57 above the cylindrical upper opening of the second conveyor lifter 82, and while holding the conveyor container 100, extends and retracts rods, cylinders, cables 57s, etc. inside the cylindrical interior, thereby lifting and lowering the conveyor container 100 in the vertical direction Dv. In other words, the second conveyor lifter 82 forms a space for lifting and lowering production-related objects by the lifting mechanism 57 of the conveyor 55. The second conveying device lifter 82 is used when transporting production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 described below. For this reason, the second conveying device lifter 82 is provided in a position facing the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 when viewed in plan. The second conveying device lifter 82 is provided with an opening (not shown) on the part facing the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 on the second floor F2 so that the transport container 100 containing production-related items can be inserted and removed between the inside and outside of the cylindrical main body.

[0029] The incoming / outgoing vertical lifter unit 8 transports production-related items in the vertical direction (up-down direction Dv) between the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4. In particular, in this embodiment, the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4 are provided on different floors, so the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter unit 8 transports production-related items in the vertical direction across floors between the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter unit 8 is disposed at a position spaced horizontally from the rack 40 of the warehouse section 4, more specifically, from the lifter 82 for the second transport device, by the length of the incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 described below. 1, in this embodiment, the loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 is provided on and supported by the floor 21 of the first floor F1. The loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 is provided so as to extend upward from the floor 21. The loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 is provided so that the upper end of the loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 is located above the floor 21 of the second floor F2.

[0030] The loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 has a cylindrical body extending in the vertical direction Dv. The loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 includes a lifting platform (not shown) as a vertical transport mechanism inside the cylindrical body, which is capable of moving up and down in the vertical direction Dv. The loading / unloading vertical lifter unit 8 transports the transport container 100 in the vertical direction by raising and lowering the lifting platform in the vertical direction Dv with the transport container 100 placed on the lifting platform. The incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 is used when transporting production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the incoming / outgoing section 101 via the second conveyor lifter 82. For this reason, the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 is provided in a position facing the incoming / outgoing section 101 when viewed from above. In addition, the cylindrical main body of the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 is provided with openings (not shown) in the part facing the second conveyor lifter 82 on the second floor F2 and in the part facing the incoming / outgoing section 101 on the first floor F1, so that the transport container 100 containing the production-related items can be inserted and removed between the inside and outside of the cylindrical main body.

[0031] 1 and 2, the delivery conveyor 7 is provided to extend horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 toward the horizontal conveyor section 5. The delivery conveyor 7 delivers production-related items between the vertical lifter section 6 and the horizontal conveyor section 5. The delivery conveyor 7 is provided to pass between the horizontal conveyor section 5 and an opening provided in the part of the vertical lifter section 6 facing the horizontal conveyor section 5. Specifically, the conveying device 55 provided in the horizontal conveying section 5 positions the lifting mechanism 57 above the delivery conveyor 7 and raises and lowers the lifting mechanism 57, thereby delivering the production-related items between the conveying device 55 and the delivery conveyor 7. To enable such delivery using the lifting mechanism 57 at a position below the conveying device 55, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, the delivery conveyor 7 is provided at a position lower than the rail 51 on which the conveying device 55 runs.

[0032] In addition, a production section delivery conveyor 71 is provided on the floor 21 of the second floor F2 where the machining section 102a is provided, and on the floor 21 of the fourth floor F4 where the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c are provided. The production section delivery conveyor 71 is provided to extend horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 and the first conveyor lifter 81 toward the production section 102 (machining section 102a, preparation section 102b, and assembly section 102c). The production section delivery conveyor 71 delivers production-related items between the vertical lifter section 6 and the first conveyor lifter 81 and the production section 102. The production section delivery conveyor 71 is provided to pass between the production section 102 and openings provided in the parts of the vertical lifter section 6 and the first conveyor lifter 81 facing the production section 102.

[0033] The incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 is provided at a position on the floor 21 of the second floor F2, extending horizontally from the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 toward the second conveyor lifter 82. The incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 delivers production-related items between the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 and the second conveyor lifter 82. The incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 is provided to bridge between an opening provided in a portion of the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 facing the second conveyor lifter 82 and an opening provided in a portion of the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 82 facing the second conveyor lifter 8. The incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 is provided on the second conveyor lifter 82 side, so as to enter the cylindrical interior of the second conveyor lifter 82 through an opening formed in the second conveyor lifter 82. Specifically, the conveying device 55 provided in the horizontal conveying section 5 positions the lifting mechanism 57 above the incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 which is provided to enter the inside of the lifter 82 for the second conveying device, and raises and lowers the lifting mechanism 57 inside the lifter 82 for the second conveying device, thereby transferring production-related items between the conveying device 55 and the incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9.

[0034] Furthermore, a delivery conveyor 91 for the loading / unloading section is provided on floor 21 of the first floor F1 where the loading / unloading section 101 is provided. The delivery conveyor 91 for the loading / unloading section is provided extending horizontally from the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 towards the loading / unloading section 101. The delivery conveyor 91 for the loading / unloading section delivers production-related items between the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 and the loading / unloading section 101. The delivery conveyor 91 for the loading / unloading section is provided to connect between the loading / unloading section 101 and an opening provided in a portion of the loading / unloading vertical lifter section 8 facing the loading / unloading section 101.

[0035] In a production system 1A having such an automated warehouse function, production-related items brought into the receiving / shipping section 101 on the first floor F1 from a connection port with a transport means outside the building 2, such as an externally installed truck berth, are stored in a transport container 100. The production-related items stored in the transport container 100 are placed on the receiving / shipping section delivery conveyor 91 by hand, AGV, or the like, and transported to the receiving / shipping vertical lifter section 8. The production-related items contained in the transport container 100 are transferred from the receiving / shipping section delivery conveyor 91 to the lifting platform of the receiving / shipping vertical lifter section 8 through the opening of the receiving / shipping vertical lifter section 8, and are raised by the lifting platform to the height of the upper receiving / shipping delivery conveyor 9. Next, the production-related items contained in the transport container 100 are placed on the receiving / shipping delivery conveyor 9 from the lifting platform through the opening of the receiving / shipping vertical lifter section 8, and are sent out toward the second transport device lifter 82. The transport device 55 of the horizontal transport section 5 receives the production-related items contained in the transport container 100 from the receiving / shipping delivery conveyor 9 through the second transport device lifter 82 by the lifting mechanism 57. Thereafter, the transport device 55 travels on the rails 51 to the opening 45 above the storage space 46 where the received production-related items are to be stored, and stores the transport container 100 in the target storage space 46 through the opening 45.

[0036] When production-related items are required to be supplied to the production facility 30 in the machining area 102a, the transport container 100 containing the production-related items is taken out from the rack 40 by the transport device 55. The transport device 55 travels on the rails 51 toward the lifter 81 for the first transport device, and then the transport container 100 is lowered to the second floor F2 via the lifter 81 for the first transport device by the lifting mechanism 57. The production-related items contained in the transport container 100 are placed on the delivery conveyor 71 for the production area and sent out to the machining area 102a through the opening of the lifter 81 for the first transport device. The transport container 100 sent out to the machining area 102a is transported to an appropriate location by manual or automatic transport equipment such as an AGV, and is provided to the production facility 30 in the machining area 102a. The automatic transport equipment includes a bucket automatic warehouse and a shuttle automatic warehouse, and in this case, temporary storage is performed in the automatic warehouse.

[0037] The production-related items that have been subjected to the prescribed machining in the production equipment 30 in the machining section 102a are contained in a transport container 100 and placed on the production section delivery conveyor 71 provided near the first transport device lifter 81 in the machining section 102a. The transport container 100 is moved from the production section delivery conveyor 71 through the opening of the first transport device lifter 81 into the inside of the first transport device lifter 81 and is raised by the lifting mechanism 57 of the transport device 55. The transport device 55 of the horizontal transport section 5 stores the transport container 100 in an appropriate position in the warehouse section 4 by the procedure already described.

[0038] When production-related items are required in the preparation section 102b and the assembly section 102c to be supplied to the production facility 30, the transport container 100 containing the production-related items is taken out from the rack 40 by the transport device 55. The transport device 55 travels on the rails 51 toward the vertical lifter section 6, and then the transport container 100 is placed on the delivery conveyor 7 provided for the vertical lifter section 6 by the lifting mechanism 57. The transport container 100 is transferred from the delivery conveyor 7 to the lifting platform of the vertical lifter section 6 through the opening of the vertical lifter section 6, and is raised to the fourth floor F4 by the lifting platform. The production-related items contained in the transport container 100 are placed on the production section delivery conveyor 71 from the lifting platform through the opening of the vertical lifter section 6, and are sent out to the preparation section 102b or the assembly section 102c. The transport container 100 sent to the preparation area 102b or the assembly area 102c is transported to an appropriate location by manual or automatic transport equipment such as an AGV, and is provided to the production facility 30. The automatic transport equipment includes a bucket automatic warehouse and a shuttle automatic warehouse, and in this case, the container is temporarily stored in the automatic warehouse.

[0039] Then, the finished product assembled in the assembly section 102c is stored in the transport container 100 as a production-related item and placed on the delivery conveyor 71 for the production section provided on the fourth floor F4. The transport container 100 is transferred from the delivery conveyor 71 for the production section to the lifting platform of the vertical lifter section 6 through the opening of the vertical lifter section 6, and is lowered by the lifting platform to the height of the lower delivery conveyor 7. Next, the production-related item stored in the transport container 100 is placed on the delivery conveyor 7 from the lifting platform through the opening of the vertical lifter section 6, and is sent out to the horizontal transport section 5. The transport device 55 of the horizontal transport section 5 receives the transport container 100 from the delivery conveyor 7 by the lifting mechanism 57, and stores the transport container 100 in an appropriate position in the warehouse section 4 according to the procedure already described.

[0040] Thereafter, when the finished product is to be shipped, the transport container 100 containing the finished product is removed from the rack 40 by the transport device 55. The transport device 55 travels on the rail 51 toward the second transport device lifter 82, and then the transport container 100 is placed on the shipping / receiving delivery conveyor 9 via the second transport device lifter 82 by the lifting mechanism 57. The transport container 100 is transferred from the shipping / receiving delivery conveyor 9 to the lifting platform of the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section 8 through the opening of the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section 8, and is lowered by the lifting platform to the shipping / receiving section 101 on the first floor F1. The production-related items contained in the transport container 100 are placed on the shipping / receiving section delivery conveyor 91 from the lifting platform through the opening of the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section 8, and are sent out to the shipping / receiving section 101. Thereafter, the production-related items are removed from the transport container 100 and shipped to the outside through the receiving / shipping section 101.

[0041] In the above, the transport device 55 has been described as storing the transport container 100 in the warehouse section 4 after receiving the transport container 100 from the delivery conveyor 7 and the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9, but this is not limited to the above. After receiving the transport container 100 from the delivery conveyor 7 and the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9, the transport device 55 may transport the transport container 100 directly to the delivery conveyor 7 and the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9 corresponding to the next process, as necessary, without storing the transport container 100 in the warehouse section 4.

[0042] The production system 1A with an automated warehouse function as described above is a production system 1A with an automated warehouse function that is provided across multiple floors, and is equipped with a production section 102 in which a production facility 30 is provided, a warehouse section 4 in which production-related items are stored, including supplies that are supplied to the production facility 30 and used in production, and products that are produced by the production facility 30 using the supplies, and at least a portion of the production section 102 is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section 4, and further equipped with a horizontal conveying section 5 that is provided at least above the warehouse section 4 and is provided to enable the storage and retrieval of production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4 and the horizontal conveying of the production-related items, a vertical lifter section 6 that conveys the production-related items vertically across floors between the production section 102 and the warehouse section 4, and a delivery conveyor 7 that extends horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 toward the horizontal conveying section 5 and is used to deliver the production-related items between the vertical lifter section 6 and the horizontal conveying section 5. According to the above-mentioned configuration, a production system including a production section 102 in which the production equipment 30 is installed and a warehouse section 4 in which production-related items are stored is provided across multiple floors. In at least the warehouse section 4, the horizontal conveying section 5 provided above the warehouse section 4 stores and retrieves production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4, and conveys the production-related items horizontally. Since at least a part of the production section 102 is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section 4, the vertical lifter section 6 conveys the production-related items vertically across floors between the production section 102 and the warehouse section 4. In this configuration, in order to convey the production-related items between the production section 102 and the warehouse section 4 provided on different floors, it is necessary to transfer the production-related items between the horizontal conveying section 5 and the vertical lifter section 6. Here, when the production-related objects are directly transferred from the horizontal conveying section 5 to the vertical lifter section 6, the horizontal conveying section 5 cannot transfer the next production-related object to the vertical lifter section 6 while the vertical lifter section 6 is lifting and lowering the production-related object by the vertical conveying mechanism such as a lifting platform provided on the vertical lifter section 6 after the production-related object has been transferred from the horizontal conveying section 5 to the vertical lifter section 6. Therefore, the horizontal conveying section 5 must wait for the vertical conveying mechanism of the vertical lifter section 6 to finish lifting and lowering the production-related object. On the other hand, when the production-related objects are directly transferred from the vertical lifter section 6 to the horizontal conveying section 5, the vertical lifter section 6 must stop the vertical conveying mechanism and wait for the horizontal conveying section 5 to receive the production-related object, so that the vertical lifter section 6 cannot transport the next production-related object using the vertical conveying mechanism of the vertical lifter section 6. In this way, the transfer of production-related items between the horizontal conveying section 5 and the vertical lifter section 6 is likely to become a bottleneck in the efficiency of transporting production-related items across floors between the warehouse section 4 and the production section 102. In contrast, in the above-mentioned configuration, a delivery conveyor 7 is provided to deliver production-related items between the vertical lifter section 6 and the horizontal conveyor section 5, extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 toward the horizontal conveyor section 5. As a result, for example, when a production-related item is delivered from the horizontal conveyor section 5 to the vertical lifter section 6, if the horizontal conveyor section 5 places the production-related item on the delivery conveyor 7, the production-related item is delivered from the delivery conveyor 7 to the vertical lifter section 6 at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the horizontal conveyor section 5 does not need to wait for the completion of the lifting and lowering operation by the vertical conveyor mechanism of the vertical lifter section 6. Also, even when a production-related item is delivered from the vertical lifter section 6 to the horizontal conveyor section 5, if the vertical lifter section 6 places the production-related item on the delivery conveyor 7, the horizontal conveyor section 5 can receive the production-related item from the delivery conveyor 7 at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the vertical lifter unit 6 can immediately move to the lifting and lowering operation of the next production-related item using the vertical conveying mechanism without waiting for the horizontal conveying unit 5 to receive it. In this way, the delivery conveyor 7 functions as a buffer between the horizontal conveying unit 5 and the vertical lifter unit 6, so that the horizontal conveying unit 5 and the vertical lifter unit 6 are less affected by the operating state of the other when transporting the production-related items. Therefore, the possibility that the delivery of the production-related items between the horizontal conveying unit 5 and the vertical lifter unit 6 becomes a bottleneck in the transport efficiency of the production-related items across floors between the warehouse unit 4 and the production section 102 is reduced. As a result, the transport efficiency of the production-related items across floors between the warehouse unit 4 and the production section 102 is improved, and the production efficiency of the entire production facility 30 can be improved. In this manner, it is possible to provide a production system 1A having an automated warehouse function, which is provided across multiple floors and can increase the production efficiency of the production facility 30.

[0043] In addition, an import / export section 101 is provided for receiving and shipping production-related items from outside, and between the import / export section 101 and the warehouse section 4, there is further provided a vertical import / export lifter section 8 for transporting production-related items vertically, and an import / export delivery conveyor 9 extending horizontally from the import / export vertical lifter section 8 for delivering production-related items between the import / export vertical lifter section 8 and the horizontal transport section 5. According to this configuration, an incoming / outgoing section 101 is provided, and a vertical incoming / outgoing lifter section 8 is provided between the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4, thereby enabling the transportation of production-related items between the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4. Here, an inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9 is provided to extend horizontally from the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 toward the horizontal conveyor section 5, for delivering production-related items between the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 and the horizontal conveyor section 5. As a result, for example, when delivering production-related items from the horizontal conveyor section 5 to the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8, if the horizontal conveyor section 5 places the production-related items on the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9, the production-related items are delivered from the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9 to the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the horizontal conveyor section 5 does not need to wait for the completion of the lifting operation of the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 by the vertical conveyor mechanism such as a lifting platform. Also, even when delivering production-related items from the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 to the horizontal conveyor section 5, if the inbound / outbound vertical lifter section 8 places the production-related items on the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9, the horizontal conveyor section 5 can receive the production-related items from the inbound / outbound delivery conveyor 9 at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 can immediately move to the lifting / lowering operation of the next production-related item using the vertical conveying mechanism without waiting for the horizontal conveying section 5 to receive it. In this way, the incoming / outgoing delivery conveyor 9 functions as a buffer between the horizontal conveying section 5 and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8, so that the horizontal conveying section 5 and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 are less affected by the operating state of the other when transporting the production-related items. Therefore, the possibility that the transfer of the production-related items between the horizontal conveying section 5 and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 becomes a bottleneck in the transport efficiency of the production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the incoming / outgoing section 101 is reduced. As a result, the transport efficiency of the production-related items between the warehouse section 4 and the incoming / outgoing section 101 is improved, and the production efficiency of the entire production facility 30 can be improved.

[0044] In particular, in this embodiment, the warehouse section 4 is provided on the second floor or higher, the incoming / outgoing section 101 is provided on a floor lower than the warehouse section 4, and the incoming / outgoing vertical lifter section 8 is provided between the incoming / outgoing section 101 and the warehouse section 4 so as to transport production-related items vertically across the floors. According to this configuration, a production system 1A having an automated warehouse function and equipped with the receiving / shipping section 101 can be appropriately realized.

[0045] The horizontal conveying section 5 also comprises a running path 50 provided at least above the warehouse section 4, and a conveying device 55 for conveying production-related items, which is provided so as to enable storage and retrieval of production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4 and for driving on the running path 50. The production-related items are stored in and conveyed in conveying containers 100, and the conveying device 55 comprises a lifting mechanism 57 which supports the conveying container 100 from above so that it can be raised and lowered. The conveying device 55 raises and lowers the lifting mechanism 57 above the delivery conveyor 7, thereby transferring the production-related items between the conveying device 55 and the delivery conveyor 7. According to this configuration, the production-related items are transported by the transport device 55. This transport device 55 travels on a running path 50 provided at least above the warehouse section 4, and stores and retrieves the production-related items at any location in the warehouse section 4. The transport container 100 containing the production-related items is transferred between the transport device 55 and the delivery conveyor 7 by raising and lowering the lifting mechanism 57. This allows the production-related items to be handled efficiently.

[0046] The production area 102 is provided on multiple floors, and production-related items are stored in transport containers 100 and transported. According to this configuration, the production system 1A having an automated warehouse function can be efficiently constructed.

[0047] (Modification of the embodiment) The production system having an automated warehouse function of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment explained with reference to the drawings, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the horizontal conveyor 5 is provided above the warehouse 4, but this is not limited to the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in a production system 1B having an automated warehouse function of this modified example, the warehouses 4B, 4C and the horizontal conveyors 5B, 5C may be provided above the production section 102. The storage section 4B is provided in the machining area 102a on the second floor F2. The storage section 4C is provided in the assembly area 102c on the fourth floor F4. The storage sections 4B and 4C are equipped with racks 40B and 40C. The racks 40B and 40C are suspended from the ceilings of the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4. A plurality of bundles 48 are provided so as to extend downward from the ceilings of the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4. Shelf materials 49 are suspended and supported by the plurality of bundles 48 and are provided along a horizontal plane. The storage sections 4B and 4C are constructed on the shelf materials 49. Like the warehouse 4, each of the warehouses 4B and 4C is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored and kept in a three-dimensional grid shape.

[0048] The horizontal conveying unit 5B is provided in the machining area 102a on the second floor F2. The horizontal conveying unit 5C is provided in the assembly area 102c on the fourth floor F4. Each of the horizontal conveying units 5B and 5C includes a running path (not shown) provided on the racks 40B and 40C, and a conveying device 55 movable on the running path. Similarly to the horizontal conveying section 5, each of the horizontal conveying sections 5B, 5C is configured to enable storage and removal of production-related items at any desired location in the warehouse sections 4B, 4C.

[0049] In addition, in the production system 1B having an automated warehouse function, delivery between the first conveyor lifter 81 and the horizontal conveyor section 5B provided in the machining section 102a on the second floor F2 is performed via the production section delivery conveyor 71B that extends from the cylindrical interior of the first conveyor lifter 81 toward the horizontal conveyor section 5B. The conveyor 55 raises and lowers the lifting mechanism 57 above the production section delivery conveyor 71B, thereby delivering production-related items between the conveyor 55 and the production section delivery conveyor 71B. Furthermore, delivery between the vertical lifter section 6 and the horizontal conveyor section 5C provided in the assembly area 102c on the fourth floor F4 is performed via a delivery conveyor 7C that is provided extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 toward the horizontal conveyor section 5C. The delivery device 55 raises and lowers the lifting mechanism 57 above the delivery conveyor 7C, whereby the delivery of production-related items is performed between the delivery device 55 and the delivery conveyor 7C.

[0050] Furthermore, the production system 1B having an automated warehouse function may be provided with vertical lifters 66B, 66C for vertically transporting production-related objects between the warehouse sections 4B, 4C and the machining section 102a and assembly section 102c below. Here, the vertical lifters 66B, 66C may be provided with a lifting platform, similar to the vertical lifter section 6 in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the vertical lifters 66B, 66C may be configured to have only a cylindrical main body without a lifting platform, and the lifting mechanism 57 of the transport device 55 may directly pass through the inside of the cylindrical main body to lift and lower the transport container 100 containing the production-related objects between the upper portion where the rail 51 is provided and the floor 21.

[0051] Thus, in the production system 1B with the automated warehouse function of this modified example, the warehouse section 4C and the horizontal conveying section 5C are also provided above the production section 102, and the transfer of production-related items between the vertical lifter section 6 and the horizontal conveying section 4C provided in the production section 102 is also carried out via a transfer conveyor 7C extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section 6 toward the horizontal conveying section 5C. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the warehouse section 4C provided above the production section 102 can be used for the purpose of temporarily storing production-related items used by the production section 102 or manufactured by the production section 102. As a result, when multiple types of production equipment 30 are provided in the same production section 102 and production-related items manufactured by one production equipment 30 are used by another production equipment 30, for example, it becomes unnecessary to transport production-related items handed over between these production equipment 30 to the warehouse section 4 each time. Therefore, the efficiency of transporting the production-related items and the production efficiency of the production equipment 30 can be improved.

[0052] (Other Modifications of the Embodiment) In the above embodiment, the production area 102 is provided on the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4 of the building 2, but this is not limited to this. The production area 102 may be provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2, or may be provided on another floor. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the warehouse unit 4 is provided across multiple floors, but it may be configured to be provided on only a single floor. The warehouse section 4 may also be provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2. In this case, at least a part of the production section 102 will be provided on the second floor F2 or higher of the building 2. In addition, the production section 102 may also be provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2. In addition, in the above embodiment, the incoming / outgoing section 101 is provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2, but this is not limited to this. The incoming / outgoing section 101 may be provided on another floor, including the second floor F2. In this case, the warehouse section 4 may be provided on the first floor F1 of the building 2. In this case, the incoming / outgoing section 101 will be provided on a floor above the warehouse section 4. The receiving / shipping section 101 and the warehouse section 4 may be provided on the same floor. In addition, the lifter 81 for the first conveying device and the lifter 82 for the second conveying device are provided outside the warehouse section 4, but in order to make effective use of the warehouse section 4 (warehouse space), they may also be provided in a position that is enclosed within the warehouse section 4. In addition, in the above embodiment, the vertical lifter unit 6 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the rack 40 of the storage unit 4 in the horizontal direction (second direction D2), but this is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 5, the warehouse section 4 may be shaped so that the end edge extending in the first direction D1 is cut inward, a vertical lifter section 6B may be provided within the warehouse section 4, and a delivery conveyor 7 may be provided between the vertical lifter section 6B and the warehouse section 4, extending in the second direction D2. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, a space may be formed inside the warehouse section 4, a vertical lifter section 6C may be provided in this space, and a delivery conveyor 7 may be provided between the vertical lifter section 6C and the warehouse section 4, extending in the second direction D2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the vertical lifter unit 6D may be positioned at a distance from the rack 40 of the warehouse section 4 in a horizontal direction (first direction D1) different from the second direction D2, and a delivery conveyor 7 may be provided between the vertical lifter unit 6C and the warehouse section 4 extending in the first direction D1.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the production area 102 and the warehouse 4 are provided inside the same building 2, but this is not limited to the above. The production area 102 may be provided in a separate building adjacent to the building 2 in which the warehouse 4 is provided, and a horizontal conveyor may be provided between the building 2 and the separate building, so that a conveyor device can convey production-related items between the buildings.

[0054] In addition, in the above embodiment, the vertical lifter section 6, the lifter 81 for the first conveying device, the lifter 82 for the second conveying device, and the vertical lifter section 8 for incoming and outgoing transport may be provided, but each of these may also be provided in multiple sets. Furthermore, the arrangement and specific configuration of the vertical lifter section 6, the first transport device lifter 81, the second transport device lifter 82, and the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section 8 can be changed as appropriate. 4, the racks 40B and 40C are suspended from the ceilings of the second floor F2 and the fourth floor F4, but the present invention is not limited to this. The racks 40B and 40C may be supported by pillars erected so as to extend upward from the floor 21, or may be supported by a stand provided on the floor 21. In addition, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be selected or changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1A, 1B Production System 30 Production Equipment 4, 4C Warehouse 50 Travel route 5, 5C Horizontal conveying section 55 Conveying device 6, 6B, 6C, 6D Vertical lifter section 57 Lifting mechanism 7, 7C Delivery conveyor 100 Transport container 8 Vertical lifter section for receiving and shipping 101 Receiving and shipping section 9 Incoming and outgoing delivery conveyor 102 Production area

Claims

1. A production system having an automated warehouse function, which is provided across multiple levels, a production area in which production equipment is provided; a warehouse section for storing production-related items, including supplies supplied to the production facility and used in production, and products produced by the production facility based on the supplies; Equipped with At least a part of the production section is provided on a different floor from the warehouse section, Furthermore, a horizontal conveying unit including a running path provided at least above the warehouse unit, and a conveying device provided to enable the storage and retrieval of the production-related items at any location in the warehouse unit and the conveying device to travel on the running path and to convey the production-related items in a horizontal direction; A vertical lifter unit that vertically transports the production-related items between the production section and the warehouse section across the floors; a delivery conveyor extending horizontally from the vertical lifter section toward the horizontal conveyor section and disposed at a position lower than the travel path, for delivering the production-related items between the vertical lifter section and the horizontal conveyor section; A production system having an automated warehouse function, comprising:

2. A receiving / shipping section is provided for receiving the production-related items from outside and shipping them to the outside, Between the shipping / receiving section and the warehouse section, there is a vertical lifter section for shipping / receiving that transports the production-related items in a vertical direction; a shipping / receiving delivery conveyor extending horizontally from the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section for delivering the production-related items between the shipping / receiving vertical lifter section and the horizontal conveying section; The production system having an automated warehouse function according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The production-related items are transported in a transport container, the transport device includes a lifting mechanism that supports the transport container from above so that the transport container can be lifted and lowered; The transport device raises and lowers the lifting mechanism above the delivery conveyor, thereby delivering the production-related object between the transport device and the delivery conveyor; A production system with an automated warehouse function as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the warehouse section is viewed in a plane, a space is formed inside the warehouse section or in a portion of the warehouse section that is shaped so that the edge of the warehouse section is cut inward, and the vertical lifter section and at least a portion of the delivery conveyor are provided within the space.

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