Transport conveyor and transport device equipped with said transport conveyor

Abstract

To secure the lower space of a transport conveyor vertically wide while keeping the height of the transport conveyor at a specified height.SOLUTION: An endless passage 4 includes: a first area 41 that linearly extends along a transport direction X so as to form a transport surface 4F where an article to be transported is mounted; a folded area 43 that is folded to the lower side from both ends in the transport direction X in the first area 41; and a second area 42 that continues to the folded area 43 and extends along the transport direction X on a lower side than the first area 41. The second area 42 has a specified section 42S between a pair of supporting legs 31 in the transport direction, where a clearance Ls in the vertical direction with the first area 41 is narrower than the minimum folding size Lmin that corresponds to the double size of a minimum bending radius Rmin of an endless member 5 and is provided in parallel to the first area 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, and a transport device including the transport conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-047744 (Patent Document 1) discloses equipment for loading and unloading transported items into and from an automated warehouse. In the following description of the background art, the reference numerals in parentheses refer to those in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The facility disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an automated warehouse (2), a transport conveyor (21) for transporting goods (9) in and out of the automated warehouse (2), and a transport vehicle (1) for transporting the goods (9) by traveling in a traveling area (Z1) provided on the floor of the facility.

[0004] When the transported article (9) is to be stored in the automated warehouse (2), the transported article (9) is transported by the transport vehicle (1) and handed over to the transport conveyor (21). The transported article (9) is then transported by the transport conveyor (21) to the automated warehouse (2). The automated warehouse (2) is equipped with transport means such as a stacker crane, and the transported article (9) is transferred to a shelf or the like in the automated warehouse (2) by this transport means. When the transported article (9) is to be removed from the automated warehouse (2), the reverse operation to the above is performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-047744 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, the transport conveyor (21) transfers the transported object (9) between the transport vehicle (1) and the transport means in the automated warehouse (2). In order to ensure that such transfer is performed appropriately, it is preferable that the height of the transport conveyor (21) is maintained at a height specified by the facility. Here, in such technical fields, there is a need to effectively utilize the space below the transport conveyor. For example, it is possible to use the space below the transport conveyor (21) as a passage for the transport vehicle (1). However, as described above, it is difficult to change the height of the transport conveyor (21) due to the need to balance with other devices. Therefore, it has been difficult to ensure a wide space below the transport conveyor (21) in the vertical direction.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, it is desirable to ensure a wide space below the transport conveyor in the vertical direction while maintaining the height of the transport conveyor at a specified height. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Located outside an automated warehouse equipped with an in-warehouse transport device, A transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, A pair of support legs arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction; a frame supported by the pair of support legs and extending in the conveying direction; a pair of guide bodies arranged apart from each other in the conveying direction and each supported by the frame; an endless member that is stretched across the pair of guide bodies and moves circulatingly along a specified endless path; the endless path includes a first region extending linearly along the conveying direction so as to form a conveying surface on which the object is placed, turn-back regions which are turned downward from both ends of the first region in the conveying direction, and a second region which is continuous with the turn-back regions and extends along the conveying direction below the first region, The conveying surface in the first area is set at a height equal to a transfer height for the in-warehouse conveying device to transfer the conveyed object between the outside of the automated warehouse, The second region has a specific section between a pair of support legs in the conveying direction, the vertical distance between the second region and the first region being narrower than a minimum fold dimension corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius of the endless member, and the second region is arranged parallel to the first region.

[0009] According to this configuration, the vertical dimension of the transport conveyor can be kept small in the specific section set between the pair of support legs. Therefore, it is easy to secure space below the endless path between the pair of support legs in the transport direction. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to secure a wide vertical space below the transport conveyor while maintaining the height of the transport conveyor at a specified height. The space below the transport conveyor can be used, for example, as a passage for a transport vehicle to pass below the endless path.

[0010] In addition, other transport conveyors include: A transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, A pair of support legs arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction; a frame supported by the pair of support legs and extending in the conveying direction; a pair of guide bodies arranged apart from each other in the conveying direction and each supported by the frame; an endless member that is stretched across the pair of guide bodies and moves circulatingly along a specified endless path; the endless path includes a first region extending linearly along the conveying direction so as to form a conveying surface on which the object is placed, turn-back regions which are turned downward from both ends of the first region in the conveying direction, and a second region which is continuous with the turn-back regions and extends along the conveying direction below the first region, the second region includes a specific section between the pair of support legs in the transport direction, the specific section being narrower than a minimum turn-back dimension corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius of the endless member in a vertical direction relative to the first region and being disposed parallel to the first region; the frame includes a specific area that is an area in the transport direction corresponding to the specific section, and outer areas that are areas on both outer sides of the specific area in the transport direction, a vertical dimension of the frame in the specific region is smaller than a vertical dimension of the frame in the outer region, A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, a width direction passage through which a transport vehicle transporting the transported object passes along the width direction is formed between the pair of support legs in the transport direction and below the endless path, The specific area is disposed above the transport vehicle, and the lower end of the outer area is disposed below the upper end of the carriage body of the transport vehicle.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] Plan view of the transport facility [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the transport device and the transport vehicle when viewed in the transport direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the transport device and the transport vehicle when viewed in the width direction. [Figure 4] Plan view showing the passage of the transport vehicle DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a transport conveyor and a transport device including the transport conveyor will be described, taking as an example a case in which these are provided in a transport facility.

[0014] 1, the conveying facility F is a facility for conveying and storing an object 9. In this embodiment, the conveying facility F includes an automated warehouse 1, a conveying vehicle 2 that travels on a floor surface to convey the object 9, and a conveying device 3 that conveys the object 9 between the automated warehouse 1 and the conveying vehicle 2.

[0015] In this embodiment, the automated warehouse 1 is equipped with a storage shelf 10 that stores the transported items 9, an incoming section 12 that serves as a waiting area for the transported items 9 being stored on the storage shelf 10, an outgoing section 13 that serves as a waiting area for the transported items 9 being removed from the storage shelf 10, and an in-warehouse transport device 11 that transports the transported items 9 between the storage shelf 10 and the incoming section 12 and between the storage shelf 10 and the outgoing section 13.

[0016] In this embodiment, a pair of storage shelves 10 are arranged to sandwich an in-warehouse transport device 11. The in-warehouse transport device 11 is configured as a stacker crane equipped with a transfer device that is movable vertically and horizontally. The entrance section 12 and the delivery section 13 are configured to support the transported object 9 from below. For example, the entrance section 12 and the delivery section 13 are configured as conveyors that transport the transported object 9 while supporting it from below.

[0017] The transported article 9 to be stored is transferred from the transport vehicle 2 to the transport device 3, and is transported by the transport device 3 to the storage section 12. The transported article 9 is then transferred to the in-warehouse transport device 11 at the storage section 12, and is transported by the in-warehouse transport device 11 to the storage shelf 10.

[0018] The article 9 to be delivered is transported from the storage shelf 10 to the delivery section 13 by the in-warehouse transport device 11 and handed over to the transport device 3. The article 9 is then transported by the transport device 3 and handed over to the transport vehicle 2.

[0019] 2, in this embodiment, the transported goods 9 includes an item 91 and a pallet 90 on which the item 91 is placed. The pallet 90 on which the item 91 is placed is transported as the transported goods 9. Also, only the pallet 90 on which the item 91 is not placed may be transported as the transported goods 9.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 3 includes a transport conveyor 30. The transport conveyor 30 is configured to transport the object 9 along the transport direction X. In this embodiment, the transport device 3 includes a pair of transport conveyors 30. The pair of transport conveyors 30 are arranged in parallel with a space in the width direction Y, with a direction perpendicular to the transport direction X in a vertical view being the width direction Y. Each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 includes a transport surface 4F on which the object 9 (more specifically, a pallet 90) is placed (see FIG. 2). The pair of transport surfaces 4F are arranged at the same height as each other at positions spaced apart in the width direction Y. The transport device 3 is configured to transport the object 9 by the pair of transport conveyors 30 with the center of the bottom surface of the object 9 (the center in the width direction Y) raised. Details of the transport conveyor 30 will be described later.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, the transport vehicle 2 includes a carriage body 20, a plurality of running wheels 21, and a transfer unit 22 for transferring the transported object 9 between the transport device 3. The transport vehicle 2 is configured to transport the transported object 9 by traveling along a path defined on the floor surface. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the path along which the transport vehicle 2 travels is defined, for example, by a position information storage unit such as a barcode that stores position information, or a magnetic tape. The transport vehicle 2 travels based on the information in the position information storage unit, or travels along the magnetic tape.

[0022] In this embodiment, the transfer unit 22 includes a platform 221 on which the transported object 9 is placed, and a drive unit 222 that drives the platform 221. The platform 221 is disposed above the carriage body 20, and is configured to be driven by the drive unit 222 to move in the vertical direction. In this example, the drive unit 222 includes an extension / contraction unit 222a that protrudes upward from the carriage body 20 and extends / contracts in the up-down direction, and a transfer drive source 222b that extends / contracts the extension / contraction unit 222a. The mounting table 221 is connected to the upper part of the expandable part 222a, and moves up and down by the expansion and contraction of the expandable part 222a. For example, the driving part 222 includes a moving mechanism (such as a ball screw mechanism) (not shown) that moves the expandable part 222a up and down, and the transfer driving source 222b is a motor that drives the moving mechanism. In addition, the driving part 222 may include a cylinder such as a hydraulic cylinder or an air cylinder, and the transfer driving source 222b may be a hydraulic pump or an air pump. The expandable part 222a may be configured using, for example, a pantograph.

[0023] The transport vehicle 2 is configured to transfer the transported object 9 between the pair of transport conveyors 30 (transport device 3) by moving the position of the upper surface of the placement table 221 between an upper position located above the transport surface 4F of the pair of transport conveyors 30 (transport device 3) and a lower position located below the transport surface 4F. Specifically, the transport vehicle 2 transfers the transported object 9 to the pair of transport conveyors 30 (transport device 3) by moving the upper surface of the placement table 221 from an upper position to a lower position in a state in which the transported object 9 is placed on the placement table 221 (the state shown in FIG. 2). In addition, the transport vehicle 2 receives the transported object 9 from the pair of transport conveyors 30 (transport device 3) by moving the upper surface of the placement table 221 from a lower position to an upper position in a state in which the transported object 9 is placed on the transport surface 4F of the pair of transport conveyors 30 (transport device 3).

[0024] Next, the pair of transport conveyors 30 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. The pair of transport conveyors 30 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the transport conveyor 30 will be described by focusing on one of the pair of transport conveyors 30.

[0025] 3 is a view taken along the width direction Y, and shows the positional relationship between the transport conveyor 30 and the transport vehicle 2, and the internal structure of the transport conveyor 30. In the following description, one side in the transport direction X is referred to as the "transport direction first side X1," and the other side in the transport direction X is referred to as the "transport direction second side X2."

[0026] 3, the transport conveyor 30 includes a pair of support legs 31 spaced apart in the transport direction X, a frame 32 supported by the pair of support legs 31 and extending in the transport direction X, a pair of guide bodies 33 spaced apart in the transport direction X and supported by the frame 32, and an endless member 5 suspended between the pair of guide bodies 33 and circulating along a specified endless path 4. In this embodiment, each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 includes a drive source M for driving the respective endless member 5. Therefore, each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 is configured to generate a propulsive force for transporting the transported object 9 independently.

[0027] The pair of support legs 31 support the frame 32 at a position spaced above the floor surface. The distance between the pair of support legs 31 in the transport direction X is at least longer than the horizontal dimension of the transport vehicle 2 (the dimension in the transport direction X and the dimension in the width direction Y). In this embodiment, the transport conveyor 30 includes a first support leg 311 and a second support leg 312 as the pair of support legs 31. The first support leg 311 is disposed on the first side X1 in the transport direction relative to the second support leg 312. The second support leg 312 is disposed on the second side X2 in the transport direction relative to the first support leg 311.

[0028] The frame 32 supports a pair of guide bodies 33 and the endless member 5. In this embodiment, the frame 32 supports a driving source M, a driven body 34 that is driven by the driving source M and transmits the driving force of the driving source M to the endless member 5, and a tensioner 35 that adjusts the slack of the endless member 5. In this example, the pair of guide bodies 33, the driven body 34, and the tensioner 35 are configured as rotating bodies that rotate around an axis along the width direction Y. As will be described later, in this example, the endless member 5 is configured as a chain. Therefore, in this example, the pair of guide bodies 33, the driven body 34, and the tensioner 35 are configured using sprockets.

[0029] As described above, the pair of guide bodies 33 are configured as rotating bodies (sprockets in this example) that rotate around an axis along the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the transport conveyor 30 includes a first guide body 331 and a second guide body 332 as the pair of guide bodies 33. The first guide body 331 is disposed on the first side X1 in the transport direction relative to the second guide body 332. The second guide body 332 is disposed on the second side X2 in the transport direction relative to the first guide body 331. In this example, the first guide body 331 and the second guide body 332 are disposed at the same height. In detail, the upper end of the first guide body 331 and the upper end of the second guide body 332 are disposed at the same height.

[0030] The separation distance between the first guide body 331 and the second guide body 332 in the conveying direction X is at least longer than the horizontal dimension (the dimension in the conveying direction X and the dimension in the width direction Y) of the conveying vehicle 2. In this embodiment, the separation distance between the first guide body 331 and the second guide body 332 in the conveying direction X is longer than the separation distance between the pair of support legs 31, that is, the first support leg 311 and the second support leg 312 in the conveying direction X. In this example, the first guide body 331 is disposed on the first conveying direction side X1 from the first support leg 311. The second guide body 332 is disposed on the second conveying direction side X2 from the second support leg 312. In this example, the driven body 34 and the tensioner 35 are disposed below the second guide body 332. In detail, the driven body 34 and the tensioner 35 are disposed on the second conveying direction side X2 from the second support leg 312 and below the second guide body 332. In the illustrated example, the driven body 34 and the tensioner 35 are disposed between the second support leg 312 and the second guiding body 332 in the conveying direction X.

[0031] The endless member 5 is disposed along the endless path 4. In other words, the path along the arrangement area of ​​the endless member 5 is the endless path 4. Therefore, it may be said that the endless member 5 constitutes the endless path 4. In this embodiment, the endless member 5 is stretched across a pair of guide bodies 33 (a first guide body 331 and a second guide body 332), a driven body 34, and a tensioner 35, thereby being disposed along the endless path 4 or constituting the endless path 4. As described above, in this example, the endless member 5 is configured as a chain.

[0032] The endless path 4 includes a first region 41 extending linearly along the conveying direction X to form a conveying surface 4F on which the conveyed object 9 (more specifically, a pallet 90) is placed, a return region 43 folded downward from both ends of the first region 41 in the conveying direction X, and a second region 42 continuous with the return region 43 and extending along the conveying direction X below the first region 41.

[0033] In this embodiment, a first guide body 331 is disposed at an end of the endless path 4 on the first side X1 in the conveying direction, and the endless path 4 is folded back downward by the first guide body 331 to form a turn-back region 43. A second guide body 332 is disposed at an end of the endless path 4 on the second side X2 in the conveying direction, and the endless path 4 is folded back downward by the second guide body 332 to form the turn-back region 43. Here, each turn-back region 43 is a region curved in an arc shape when viewed in the width direction Y.

[0034] As described above, the first guide body 331 and the second guide body 332, which respectively form the folded-back regions 43, are disposed at the same height. Therefore, in this example, the first region 41 formed between the pair of folded-back regions 43 extends along the horizontal direction.

[0035] The transport surface 4F is configured by the upper surface of the first region 41. The height of the transport surface 4F is constant. In this embodiment, the transport surface 4F is located above the upper surface of the mounting platform 221 when the mounting platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at a lower position. In addition, the transport surface 4F is located below the upper surface of the mounting platform 221 when the mounting platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at an upper position (see FIG. 2).

[0036] The second region 42 includes a specific section 42S between a pair of support legs 31 (first support leg 311 and second support leg 312) in the conveying direction X, the specific section 42S having a vertical distance (distance indicated by "Ls" in the drawing) from the first region 41 that is narrower than the minimum turn-back dimension Lmin corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius Rmin of the endless member 5, and arranged parallel to the first region 41. That is, in the specific section 42S, the vertical distance Ls between the first region 41 and the second region 42 is narrower than the minimum turn-back dimension Lmin, and the first region 41 and the second region 42 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0037] Here, the "minimum bending radius Rmin" is the radius of the smallest arc that the endless member 5 can form when the endless member 5 is bent or curved and folded back. The minimum bending radius Rmin varies depending on the characteristics of the material that constitutes the endless member 5. In this example, the "minimum folded dimension Lmin" is twice the minimum bending radius Rmin, and can be rephrased as, for example, the minimum bending diameter. In this embodiment, the guide body 33 that forms the folded back region 43 is a sprocket (rotating body), and the radius of the sprocket (specifically, the radius based on the sprocket's root circle) is set to be equivalent to the minimum bending radius Rmin. Therefore, in this embodiment, the diameter of the sprocket as the guide body 33 (specifically, the sprocket's root circle diameter) and the minimum folded dimension Lmin (minimum bending diameter) are equivalent.

[0038] Since the conveyor 30 is configured as described above, the vertical dimension of the conveyor 30 can be kept small in the specific section 42S set between the pair of support legs 31. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space below the endless path 4 between the pair of support legs 31 in the conveying direction X. Therefore, it is possible to secure a wide space below the conveyor 30 in the vertical direction while maintaining the height of the conveyor 30 at a specified height. In the conveying facility F equipped with the conveying vehicle 2 as in this embodiment, the above-mentioned space below the conveyor 30 can be used as a passage for the conveying vehicle 2 to pass below the endless path 4.

[0039] In this embodiment, the specific section 42S is located above the upper surface of the platform 221 when the platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at a lower position. This allows the space below the specific section 42S to be used as a passage for the transport vehicle 2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second region 42 has outer sections 42E on both sides in the conveying direction X with respect to the specific section 42S, the outer sections 42E each having a vertical distance from the first region 41 equal to or greater than the minimum turn-back dimension Lmin. That is, the outer sections 42E are provided on each of the first conveying direction side X1 and the second conveying direction side X2 with respect to the specific section 42S, and in the outer sections 42E, the vertical distance between the first region 41 and the second region 42 is equal to or greater than the minimum turn-back dimension Lmin. In the outer sections 42E, there are fewer restrictions on the vertical distance between the first region 41 and the second region 42, so that the degree of freedom in setting the endless path 4 increases, and the degree of freedom in arranging the driven body 34 and the tensioner 35 around which the endless member 5 is stretched also increases.

[0041] In this embodiment, a part or the whole of the outer section 42E is located below the upper surface of the platform 221 when the platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at the lower position. That is, at least the lower end of the outer section 42E is located below the platform 221 located at the lower position.

[0042] In this embodiment, the vertical distance between the first region 41 and the second region 42 is maximum in the portion of the outer section 42E where the driven body 34 is arranged. That is, in this example, the portion of the outer section 42E where the driven body 34 is arranged is the lower end of the outer section 42E. With the above configuration, the driving source M for driving the driven body 34 can be easily arranged in a relatively large space where it is unlikely to interfere with other members.

[0043] A path changing member 6 is disposed at a boundary portion B between the outer section 42E and the specific section 42S, which shifts the vertical position of the endless path 4 so that the specific section 42S is located above the outer section 42E. A pair of path changing members 6 are supported by the frame 32, and are disposed spaced apart from each other in the conveying direction X. In this embodiment, each of the pair of path changing members 6 is formed of a resin guide member.

[0044] In this embodiment, a first path change member 61 and a second path change member 62 are supported by the frame 32 as a pair of path change members 6. The first path change member 61 is disposed on the first side X1 in the conveying direction relative to the second path change member 62. The first path change member 61 has an inclined surface that slopes upward from the first side X1 in the conveying direction toward the second side X2 in the conveying direction, and the endless path 4 is guided upward by the inclined surface. The second path change member 62 is disposed on the second side X2 in the conveying direction relative to the first path change member 61. The second path change member 62 has an inclined surface that slopes upward from the second side X2 in the conveying direction toward the first side X1 in the conveying direction, and the endless path 4 is guided upward by the inclined surface.

[0045] A specific section 42S is formed by a portion of the second region 42 of the endless path 4 that is disposed between the first path change member 61 and the second path change member 62. An outer section 42E is formed by a portion of the second region 42 of the endless path 4 that is disposed on the first side X1 in the conveying direction relative to the first path change member 61 and a portion of the second region 42 of the endless path 4 that is disposed on the second side X2 in the conveying direction relative to the second path change member 62.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first path changing member 61 and the second path changing member 62 are disposed at the same height. Therefore, the specific section 42S disposed between the first path changing member 61 and the second path changing member 62 extends along the horizontal direction. That is, in this example, both the first region 41 and the specific section 42S in the second region 42 extend along the horizontal direction. Note that "extending along the horizontal direction" also includes cases where the section extends at an angle within an allowable range with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0047] In this embodiment, the frame 32 includes a specific region 32S, which is a region in the conveying direction X corresponding to the specific section 42S, and an outer region 32E, which is a region on both sides of the specific region 32S in the conveying direction X. The vertical dimension of the frame 32 in the specific region 32S is smaller than the vertical dimension of the frame 32 in the outer region 32E. This allows a wide vertical space to be secured below the specific region 32S below the transport conveyor 30. The strength of the frame 32 can be appropriately secured in the outer region 32E.

[0048] In this embodiment, the specific area 32S of the frame 32 is located above the upper surface of the mounting table 221 when the mounting table 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at a lower position. This allows the space below the specific area 32S to be used as a passage for the transport vehicle 2. The lower end of the specific area 32S of the frame 32 is located below the specific section 42S of the endless path 4. This allows the endless member 5 to be appropriately supported in the specific section 42S of the endless path 4.

[0049] In this embodiment, the lower surface of the frame 32 in the specific region 32S is formed in a plane parallel to the transport direction X. This allows a wide space to be secured below the transport conveyor 30 along the transport direction X. In this example, the lower surface of the frame 32 in the specific region 32S is formed in a plane parallel to the transport direction X over at least an area longer than the horizontal dimensions (dimension in the transport direction X and dimension in the width direction Y) of the platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2.

[0050] In this embodiment, a part of the outer region 32E of the frame 32 is located below the upper surface of the platform 221 when the platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at the lower position. In this example, the entire lower surface of the outer region 32E is located below the upper surface of the platform 221 when the platform 221 of the transport vehicle 2 is located at the lower position.

[0051] 2 and 4, in this embodiment, a conveying direction passage Px through which the conveying vehicle 2 travels in the conveying direction X is formed between the width direction Y of a pair of conveyors 30. The conveying vehicle 2 travels through the conveying direction passage Px, stops between the pair of conveyors 30, and transfers the article 9 to and from the pair of conveyors 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, the driving source M is provided in each of the pair of conveyors 30 so as to protrude outward in the width direction Y with respect to the frame 32. This prevents the driving source M from interfering with the conveyor 2 passing through the conveying direction passage Px formed on the inside of the pair of conveyors 30 in the width direction Y. The pair of conveyors 30 are provided so as not to overlap with the moving trajectory of the conveyor 2 passing along the conveying direction passage Px as viewed in the conveying direction X. That is, not only the driving source M but also other elements constituting the conveyor 30 are arranged at positions not to interfere with the conveyor 2 passing through the conveying direction passage Px. With the above configuration, the space below the pair of conveyors 30 can be used as a passage (conveying direction passage Px) through which the conveyor 2 can pass in the conveying direction X without interfering with the pair of conveyors 30. In this example, the conveyor 2 is configured to turn on the spot in order to change the traveling direction. Therefore, in this example, the pair of transport conveyors 30 are provided so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle 2 that performs a turning operation between the pair of transport conveyors 30.

[0053] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, a widthwise passage Py through which the transport vehicle 2 travels along the widthwise direction Y is formed between a pair of support legs 31 in the transport direction X and below the endless path 4. As a result, the transport vehicle 2 can stop between the pair of transport conveyors 30, and after transferring (handing over) the transported object 9 between the pair of transport conveyors 30, travel through the widthwise passage Py and retreat from the transfer location (transport device 3). Since the transport vehicle 2 can travel through the widthwise passage Py, the transport vehicle 2 does not need to return the way it came (the transport direction passage Px) (see Fig. 4). Therefore, when multiple transport vehicles 2 sequentially transfer the transported object 9 to the transport device 3, it is possible to realize smooth transfer of the transported object 9 by each transport vehicle 2.

[0054] In this embodiment, in each of the pair of transport conveyors 30, the driving source M is disposed outside the specific section 42S in the transport direction X (see FIG. 3). This prevents the transport vehicle 2 traveling through the width-direction passage Py formed below the specific section 42S from interfering with the driving source M. In this example, in each of the pair of transport conveyors 30, the driving source M is disposed outside the transport direction X with respect to one of the pair of support legs 31. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the driving source M is disposed on the second transport direction second side X2 with respect to the second support leg 312. Then, as viewed in the width direction Y, the pair of support legs 31, the frame 32, and the endless path 4 are arranged so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle 2 traveling along the width-direction passage Py. In other words, not only the driving source M but also other elements constituting the transport conveyor 30 are disposed at positions that do not interfere with the transport vehicle 2 traveling through the width-direction passage Py. With the above configuration, the space below the pair of transport conveyors 30 can be used as a passage (width-direction passage Py) through which the transport vehicle 2 can travel in the width direction Y without interfering with the pair of transport conveyors 30. In this example, the pair of support legs 31, the frame 32, and the endless path 4 are arranged so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle 2 that performs a turning operation between the pair of transport conveyors 30.

[0055] According to the above-described transport conveyor 30 and the transport device 3 equipped with the transport conveyor 30, it is possible to secure a wide space below the transport conveyor 30 in the vertical direction while maintaining the height of the transport conveyor 30 at a specified height. In particular, in the transport facility F equipped with the transport vehicle 2 as in the above embodiment, the space below the transport conveyor 30 can be used as a passageway for the transport vehicle 2 to travel.

[0056] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the transport conveyor and the transport device including the transport conveyor will be described.

[0057] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the guide body 33 forming the turn-back region 43 is a sprocket, and the radius of the sprocket is set to be equal to the minimum bending radius Rmin. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the radius of the sprocket serving as the guide body 33 may be set to be larger than the minimum bending radius Rmin.

[0058] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the endless member 5 is configured as a chain, and the pair of guide bodies 33, the driven body 34, and the tensioner 35 are configured using sprockets. However, without being limited to such an example, the endless member 5 may be configured as a belt (or a toothed belt), and the pair of guide bodies 33, the driven body 34, and the tensioner 35 may be configured as pulleys (or toothed pulleys).

[0059] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the pair of guide bodies 33 are configured as rotating bodies that rotate around an axis along the width direction Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the pair of guide bodies 33 may be any body that can guide the endless member 5 by folding it back. For example, at least one of the pair of guide bodies 33 may be configured as a guide member whose position and attitude are fixed with respect to the frame 32. Such a guide member may preferably be made mainly of, for example, a resin having a small coefficient of friction.

[0060] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the pair of path-changing members 6 is configured as a resin guide member having an inclined surface. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and at least one of the pair of path-changing members 6 may be a sprocket when the endless member 5 is a chain, or may be a pulley (toothed pulley) when the endless member 5 is a belt (toothed belt).

[0061] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the lower surface of the frame 32 in the specific region 32S is formed into a flat surface parallel to the transport direction X. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the lower surface of the frame 32 in the specific region 32S may be formed into a shape that has projections and recesses with respect to a virtual plane parallel to the transport direction X.

[0062] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the driving source M is provided in each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 so as to protrude outward in the width direction Y relative to the frame 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the driving source M provided in each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 may be disposed in any position as long as it does not overlap with the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle 2 traveling along the transport direction path Px and the width direction path Py.

[0063] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the pair of transport conveyors 30 is provided with a driving source M for driving the corresponding endless member 5. However, without being limited to such an example, one driving source M may be configured to drive the endless members 5 provided on each of the pair of transport conveyors 30. In this case, it is preferable to provide a driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting the driving force generated by the single driving source M to each of the pair of endless members 5.

[0064] (8) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the in-warehouse transport device 11 is configured as a stacker crane equipped with a transfer device that is movable vertically and horizontally. However, the in-warehouse transport device 11 is not limited to this example, and may be configured to include, for example, a conveyor, a lifter, and a transport cart arranged on each level of the storage shelf 10.

[0065] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the in-warehouse conveying device 11 transfers the goods 9 between the receiving section 12 and the shipping section 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the transfer may be performed by an operator.

[0066] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the transported goods 9 includes the goods 91 and the pallet 90 on which the goods 91 are placed. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the transported goods 9 does not have to include the pallet 90.

[0067] (11) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described transport conveyor and a transport device including the transport conveyor will be described below.

[0069] A transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, A pair of support legs arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction; a frame supported by the pair of support legs and extending in the conveying direction; a pair of guide bodies arranged apart from each other in the conveying direction and each supported by the frame; an endless member that is stretched across the pair of guide bodies and moves circulatingly along a specified endless path; the endless path includes a first region extending linearly along the conveying direction so as to form a conveying surface on which the object is placed, turn-back regions which are turned downward from both ends of the first region in the conveying direction, and a second region which is continuous with the turn-back regions and extends along the conveying direction below the first region, The second region has a specific section between a pair of support legs in the conveying direction, the vertical distance between the second region and the first region being narrower than a minimum fold dimension corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius of the endless member, and the second region is arranged parallel to the first region.

[0070] According to this configuration, the vertical dimension of the transport conveyor can be kept small in the specific section set between the pair of support legs. Therefore, it is easy to secure space below the endless path between the pair of support legs in the transport direction. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to secure a wide vertical space below the transport conveyor while maintaining the height of the transport conveyor at a specified height. The space below the transport conveyor can be used, for example, as a passage for a transport vehicle to pass below the endless path.

[0071] the second region includes outer sections on both outer sides of the specific section in the conveying direction, the outer sections being spaced apart from the first region in the up-down direction by a distance equal to or greater than the minimum folding dimension, It is preferable that a path changing member is arranged at the boundary between the outer section and the specific section, which shifts the vertical position of the endless path so that the specific section is upper than the outer section.

[0072] According to this configuration, the path changing member is used to shift the vertical position of the endless path, so that the specific section can be positioned above the outer sections, thereby ensuring a wide vertical space below the transport conveyor below the specific section.

[0073] the frame includes a specific area that is an area in the transport direction corresponding to the specific section, and outer areas that are areas on both outer sides of the specific area in the transport direction, It is preferable that the vertical dimension of the frame in the specific region is smaller than the vertical dimension of the frame in the outer region.

[0074] According to this configuration, it is easy to ensure a wide space below the transport conveyor in the vertical direction below the specific area while ensuring an appropriate level of frame strength in the outer area.

[0075] It is preferable that a lower surface of the frame in the specific region is formed into a flat surface parallel to the transport direction.

[0076] According to this configuration, it is easy to ensure a wide space below the transport conveyor in the transport direction.

[0077] A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, a width direction passage through which a transport vehicle transporting the transported object passes along the width direction is formed between the pair of support legs in the transport direction and below the endless path, It is preferable that, when viewed in the width direction along the width direction, the pair of support legs, the frame, and the endless path are arranged so as not to overlap with the movement trajectory of the transport vehicle passing along the width direction passage.

[0078] According to this configuration, the space below the transport conveyor can be used as a width-wise passage through which transport vehicles can pass without interfering with the transport conveyor.

[0079] A conveying device having a pair of conveying conveyors having the above configuration, A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, The pair of transport conveyors are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other in the width direction, A conveying direction passage is formed between the pair of conveyors in the width direction, through which a conveying vehicle that conveys the conveyed object passes in the conveying direction, Each of the pair of transport conveyors includes a drive source for driving the endless member, In each of the pair of transport conveyors, the drive source is disposed outside the specific section in the transport direction, When viewed in the conveying direction along the conveying direction, the pair of conveyors are arranged so as not to overlap with a moving trajectory of the conveying vehicle traveling along the conveying direction passage.

[0080] According to this configuration, the space below the pair of transport conveyors can be used as a passageway through which transport vehicles can pass in the transport direction and width direction without interfering with the pair of transport conveyors. [Industrial Applicability]

[0081] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, and in a transport device including the transport conveyor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 2: Transport vehicle 3: Transport device 30: Transport conveyor 31: Support leg 32: Frame 32E :Outer area 32S:Specific area 33: Guide 4: Endless route 4F: Transport surface 41:First area 42:Second area 42E:Outer section 42S: Specific section 43: Wrapping area 5: Endless member 6: Route change parts 9: Transported goods M: Drive source B: Boundary part Rmin: Minimum bending radius Lmin: Minimum fold dimension Px: Conveying direction passage Py: Width direction passage X: Transport direction Y: Width direction

Claims

1. A conveyor that is arranged outside an automated warehouse equipped with an in-warehouse conveying device and conveys an object along a conveying direction, A pair of support legs arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction; a frame supported by the pair of support legs and extending in the conveying direction; a pair of guide bodies arranged apart from each other in the conveying direction and each supported by the frame; an endless member that is stretched across the pair of guide bodies and moves circulatingly along a specified endless path; the endless path includes a first region extending linearly along the conveying direction so as to form a conveying surface on which the object is placed, turn-back regions which are turned back downward from both ends of the first region in the conveying direction, and a second region which is continuous with the turn-back regions and extends along the conveying direction below the first region, The conveying surface in the first area is set at a height equal to a transfer height for the in-warehouse conveying device to transfer the conveyed object between the outside of the automated warehouse, The second region has a specific section between a pair of support legs in the conveying direction, the vertical distance between the second region and the first region being narrower than a minimum turning dimension corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius of the endless member, and the second region is arranged parallel to the first region.

2. the second region includes outer sections on both outer sides of the specific section in the conveying direction, the outer sections being spaced apart from the first region in the up-down direction by a distance equal to or greater than the minimum folding dimension, 2. The transport conveyor according to claim 1, wherein a path changing member is disposed at a boundary between the outer section and the specific section, which shifts the vertical position of the endless path so that the specific section is located above the outer section.

3. the frame includes a specific area that is an area in the transport direction corresponding to the specific section, and outer areas that are areas on both outer sides of the specific area in the transport direction, 3. The transport conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the vertical dimension of the frame in the specific region is smaller than the vertical dimension of the frame in the outer region.

4. The transport conveyor according to claim 3 , wherein a lower surface of the frame in the specific region is formed into a flat surface parallel to the transport direction.

5. A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, a width direction passage through which a transport vehicle transporting the transported object passes along the width direction is formed between the pair of support legs in the transport direction and below the endless path, A conveyor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when viewed in the width direction along the width direction, the pair of support legs, the frame, and the endless path are arranged so as not to overlap with a movement trajectory of the transport vehicle passing along the width direction passage.

6. A transport conveyor that transports an object along a transport direction, A pair of support legs arranged at a distance from each other in the conveying direction; a frame supported by the pair of support legs and extending in the conveying direction; a pair of guide bodies arranged apart from each other in the conveying direction and each supported by the frame; an endless member that is stretched across the pair of guide bodies and moves circulatingly along a specified endless path; the endless path includes a first region extending linearly along the conveying direction so as to form a conveying surface on which the object is placed, turn-back regions which are turned back downward from both ends of the first region in the conveying direction, and a second region which is continuous with the turn-back regions and extends along the conveying direction below the first region, the second region includes a specific section between the pair of support legs in the transport direction, the specific section being narrower than a minimum turn-back dimension corresponding to twice the minimum bending radius of the endless member in the up-down direction from the first region and being disposed parallel to the first region; the frame includes a specific area that is an area in the transport direction corresponding to the specific section, and outer areas that are areas on both outer sides of the specific area in the transport direction, a vertical dimension of the frame in the specific region is smaller than a vertical dimension of the frame in the outer region, A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, a width direction passage through which a transport vehicle transporting the transported object passes along the width direction is formed between the pair of support legs in the transport direction and below the endless path, A transport conveyor, wherein the specific area is positioned above the transport vehicle, and the lower end of the outer area is positioned below the upper end of a carriage body of the transport vehicle.

7. the second region includes outer sections on both outer sides of the specific section in the conveying direction, the outer sections being spaced apart from the first region in the up-down direction by a distance equal to or greater than the minimum folding dimension, 7. The transport conveyor according to claim 6, wherein a path changing member is disposed at a boundary between the outer section and the specific section, which shifts the vertical position of the endless path so that the specific section is located above the outer section.

8. The transport conveyor according to claim 6 , wherein a lower surface of the frame in the specific region is formed into a flat surface parallel to the transport direction.

9. A pair of the transport conveyors according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided, A direction perpendicular to the conveying direction when viewed in the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, The pair of transport conveyors are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from each other in the width direction, A conveying direction passage is formed between the pair of conveyors in the width direction, through which a conveying vehicle that conveys the conveyed object passes in the conveying direction, Each of the pair of transport conveyors includes a drive source for driving the endless member, In each of the pair of transport conveyors, the drive source is disposed outside the specific section in the transport direction, A conveying device, wherein the pair of conveyors are arranged so as not to overlap with a moving trajectory of the conveying vehicle traveling along the conveying direction passage when viewed in the conveying direction along the conveying direction.

Images