Suspension mechanism

Abstract

To easily install an object to be hung.SOLUTION: A hanging mechanism (1A) comprises a hung shaft (61) hung from a ceiling (100), a hung shaft (73) supported to be hung from the hung shaft (61), and a connection part (200) connecting the hung shaft (61) and the hung shaft (73) together. The connection part (200) has a convex spherical surface of a connection member (62) provided on the side of the hung shaft (61) and a concave surface part (71a) which is provided on the side of the hung shaft (73) to come into contact with the spherical surface of the connection member (62), and is a concave spherical surface of a connection member (71).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a storage shelf that is suspended from a support such as a ceiling to store items. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a storage shelf in which a shelf module is suspended from a ceiling by a suspension frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 017137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned hanging frame has a fixing part that is fixed directly to the ceiling, and the shelf module is suspended by a hanging part that extends downward from the fixing part. If the ceiling is tilted or the installation of the fixing to the ceiling is not proper, such a hanging frame may be fixed to the ceiling in a tilted state with respect to the horizontal plane. In such a case, there is a problem that the shelf module suspended via the hanging frame will not be arranged horizontally.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a suspension mechanism that makes it easy to position an object to be suspended horizontally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a suspension mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first suspension member suspended from a support portion, a second suspension member supported so as to be suspended from the first suspension member, and a connecting portion connecting the first suspension member and the second suspension member, wherein the connecting portion has a first connecting surface provided on the first suspension member side and a second connecting surface provided on the second suspension member side and in contact with the first connecting surface, one of the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface being a convex curved surface and the other being a concave curved surface.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the convex curved surface and the concave curved surface come into contact with each other at the connecting portion. As a result, even if the first hanging member is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane, the convex curved surface slides against the concave curved surface, or the concave curved surface slides against the convex curved surface. Therefore, the second hanging member can face vertically downward relative to the tilted first hanging member. Therefore, it becomes easier to maintain the hanging object suspended by the second hanging member in a horizontal position.

[0008] In the suspension mechanism, one of the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface is a convex spherical surface, and the other is a concave spherical surface.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the first and second connecting surfaces can come into contact with each other more smoothly, which facilitates sliding between the convex and concave spherical surfaces, making it easier to maintain the suspended object in a horizontal position.

[0010] In the suspension mechanism, the radius of curvature of the concave spherical surface is greater than the radius of curvature of the convex spherical surface.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the contact area between the convex spherical surface and the concave spherical surface is reduced, so that the convex spherical surface does not fit into the concave spherical surface as occurs when the radii of curvature of both spherical surfaces are the same, and the convex spherical surface can move more freely relative to the concave spherical surface.

[0012] In the suspension mechanism, the second suspension member is detachably provided to the first suspension member at a connection portion.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the suspension mechanism can be brought to an installation site in a disassembled state into the first suspension member and the second suspension member.

[0014] The suspension mechanism includes a first height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height of the first connecting surface relative to the support portion, and a second height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height of the second suspension member relative to the first connecting surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the work of adjusting the heights of the first and second hanging members can be performed in a state where the hanging mechanism is disassembled. As a result, when attaching a heavy load to the second hanging member, by connecting the second hanging member to the first hanging member in a state where the height adjustments of the first and second hanging members are completed, it is possible to be freed from having to adjust the heights with the heavy load attached. Therefore, the burden of the height adjustment work can be reduced.

[0016] In the suspension mechanism, the first connecting surface may be a convex curved surface and the second connecting surface may be a concave curved surface, or, in the suspension mechanism, the first connecting surface may be a concave curved surface and the second connecting surface may be a convex curved surface.

[0017] In the hanging mechanism, a storage body for storing articles is attached to the second hanging member.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the storage body can be easily maintained in a horizontal position, so that items can be stored stably.

[0019] In the suspension mechanism, the support portion is a ceiling, A rail for running the ceiling transport vehicle is attached to the second hanging member.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the overhead transport vehicle traveling on the rail can be easily maintained in a horizontal position, thereby allowing the overhead transport vehicle to travel stably. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, a suspension mechanism can be realized that makes it easy to install an object to be suspended horizontally. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a transfer system in which a suspension mechanism according to first and second embodiments of the present invention is used. [Diagram 2] 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a suspension mechanism according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a connecting member in the suspension mechanism as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connecting member as viewed from below. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of the connecting member. [Figure 6] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a suspension mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] [Configuration of transfer system] A transfer system 10 in which a suspension mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is used will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the transfer system 10.

[0024] 1, the transfer system 10 is suspended from a ceiling 100 (support). The transfer system 10 includes a suspension mechanism 1, a ceiling transport vehicle 2, a storage shelf 3 (storage body), and a rail 4.

[0025] The suspension mechanism 1 is a mechanism for suspending the storage shelf 3 and the rail 4 from the ceiling. The suspension mechanism 1 will be described in detail in the first and second embodiments described later.

[0026] The rail 4 is disposed on the travel path of the ceiling transport vehicle 2, and has an upper surface portion 4a, a pair of side portions 4b, and a pair of lower surface portions 4c. The upper surface portion 4a is the portion attached to the suspension mechanism 1, and is disposed so as to face the ceiling 100. The side portions 4b are side wall portions provided so as to hang down from both end edges of the upper surface portion 4a. The lower surface portion 4c is formed short so as to extend from the lower end edge of the side portion 4b toward the inner wall surface of the side portion 4b, and forms a track surface on which wheels 24 (described later) provided on the ceiling transport vehicle 2 roll.

[0027] The ceiling transport vehicle 2 transports a container 5 (item) to a destination by traveling along the rails 4 while being suspended from the rails 4. The container 5 has a main body 5a, and stores an item such as a wafer or a reticle used in semiconductor manufacturing in the main body 5a. The ceiling transport vehicle 2 has a box body 21, a transfer mechanism 22, a drive unit 23, wheels 24, and a support shaft 25.

[0028] The box 21 stores the container 5, and has a transfer mechanism 22 disposed on the upper portion. One side of the box 21 is open so that the container 5 can be put in and taken out.

[0029] The transfer mechanism 22 transfers the container 5 by moving the container 5 from the box 21 to the storage shelf 3 and from the storage shelf 3 to the box 21. The transfer mechanism 22 has a mechanism for gripping the flange portion 5b provided on the upper end surface of the main body 5a, and a mechanism for advancing in the X1 direction and retracting in the X2 direction in FIG.

[0030] The driving unit 23 is a power generating source for driving the wheels 24, and is composed of a motor or the like. The driving unit 23 has a driving shaft 23a. The driving shaft 23a is provided so as to protrude toward the wheels 24, and is directly connected to the axle of the wheels 24. The wheels 24 are disposed in positions where they roll on the upper end surfaces of the corresponding lower surface portions 4c.

[0031] The support shaft 25 is a shaft member that supports the box body 21 so as to suspend it from the drive unit 23. The support shaft 25 is provided so as to connect the lower end surface of the drive unit 23 and the upper end surface of the box body 21.

[0032] The storage shelves 3 are provided at required locations on the rails 4, and temporarily store the containers transferred from the overhead transport vehicle 2. The storage shelves 3 are provided as side track buffers (STB), under track storage (UTS), etc.

[0033] The storage shelf 3 has a top plate 31, a bottom plate 32, and a connecting member 33. The top plate 31 is a rectangular plate-like member attached to the hanging mechanism 1. The bottom plate 32 is a rectangular plate-like member disposed below the top plate 31 so as to face the top plate 31, and the container 5 is placed thereon. Four connecting members 33 are provided, and connect the four corners of the lower end surface of the top plate 31 to the four corners of the upper end surface of the bottom plate 32.

[0034] The suspension mechanism 1 may be supported on the ceiling 100 via a two-axis adjustment mechanism (not shown). The two-axis adjustment mechanism adjusts the position in the X1 direction and the X2 direction shown in FIG. 1 and the position in a direction perpendicular to the X1 direction and the X2 direction on a horizontal plane. The two-axis adjustment mechanism functions as a support part in place of the ceiling 100.

[0035] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a suspension mechanism 1A according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a connecting member 71 in the suspension mechanism 1 as viewed from above. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of connecting member 71 as viewed from below. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of connecting member 71. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 5.

[0037] The suspension mechanism 1A shown in Fig. 2 is used in the transfer system 10 as the above-mentioned suspension mechanism 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the suspension mechanism 1A includes an upper mechanism 6 and a lower mechanism 7. The upper mechanism 6 is a mechanism supported by a ceiling 100. The lower mechanism 7 is a mechanism suspended from the upper mechanism 6 so as to be connected to the upper mechanism 6.

[0038] The upper mechanism 6 has a hanging shaft 61 (first hanging member), a connecting member 62, and a nut 63. Although not shown, the hanging shaft 61 penetrates so that its upper end protrudes onto the upper surface side of the ceiling 100. Male threads are formed on the outer periphery of the upper and lower ends of the hanging shaft 61. The nut 63 is fitted onto the outside of the hanging shaft 61, and moves in the axial direction of the hanging shaft 61 when turned. In addition, a nut (upper nut) (not shown) is fitted onto the upper end of the hanging shaft 61.

[0039] The hanging shaft 61 is fixed to the ceiling 100 by clamping the ceiling 100 between the upper nut and the nut 63. Furthermore, by turning the upper nut and the nut 63, the hanging shaft 61 moves in the vertical direction relative to the upper nut and the nut 63. In this manner, the hanging shaft 61, the upper nut, and the nut 63 configure a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism).

[0040] The connecting member 62 is a member having a convex curved surface (first connecting surface), specifically, a convex spherical surface. The connecting member 62 is a sphere, but does not have to be a sphere, and may be, for example, a hemisphere, as long as the surface that comes into contact with the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 described later is a convex spherical surface.

[0041] The connecting member 62 is connected to the lower end of the hanging shaft 61. Specifically, a hole 62a having a female thread is formed in the connecting member 62 from the upper end toward the center, and the lower end of the hanging shaft 61 is connected to the hole 62a of the connecting member 62 by screw engagement. By turning the connecting member 62 with respect to the hanging shaft 61, the screw engagement position moves up and down, and the height at which the connecting member 62 is connected to the hanging shaft 61 can be changed. In this way, the screw engagement of the hanging shaft 61 and the connecting member 62 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism).

[0042] The lower mechanism 7 has a connecting member 71, a support plate 72, a suspending shaft 73 (second suspending member), a connecting shaft 74, and nuts 75, 76. Four pairs of the connecting shaft 74 and the nuts 75, 76 are provided.

[0043] 3 to 6, the connecting member 71 is substantially square in top view and has a predetermined thickness. A concave portion 71a (second connecting surface) that forms a concave curved surface, specifically a concave spherical surface, is formed in the center of the lower surface of the connecting member 71. The radius of curvature of the concave portion 71a is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting member 62.

[0044] At the center of the concave surface portion 71a, an axial hole 71b is formed which penetrates from the concave surface portion 71a to the upper end surface of the connecting member 71. The axial hole 71b is formed to have a size, i.e., a diameter, such that the inner wall surface of the connecting member 71 which forms the axial hole 71b does not come into contact with the hanging shaft 61 even if the center of the axial hole 71b is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the hanging shaft 61.

[0045] Furthermore, a notch 71c leading to the shaft hole 71b is formed linearly from one end of the shaft hole 71b to one side surface of the connecting member 71. The notch 71c is formed to have a width slightly wider than the diameter of the hanging shaft 61 and narrower than the diameter of the shaft hole 71b. Furthermore, a screw hole 71d is formed at each of the four corners of the connecting member 71.

[0046] Connecting shaft 74 has male threads formed on the outer periphery of each of its upper and lower ends. The male threads at the upper end fit into threaded hole 71d. Nut 75 is fitted onto the upper end of connecting shaft 74. The upper end of connecting shaft 74 moves up and down within threaded hole 71d by turning nut 75. As a result, connecting shaft 74 moves up and down relative to nut 75. In this way, connecting shaft 74 and nut 75 constitute a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism).

[0047] The support plate 72 is a plate-like member that is substantially square. A screw hole 72a is provided at each of the four corners of the support plate 72. The screw holes 72a are formed at positions facing the screw hole 71d. A male screw at the lower end of the connecting shaft 74 is fitted into the screw hole 72a. A nut 76 is fitted onto the lower end of the connecting shaft 74. The lower end of the connecting shaft 74 moves up and down within the screw hole 72a by turning the nut 76. As a result, the connecting shaft 74 moves up and down relative to the nut 76. In this way, the connecting shaft 74 and the nut 76 constitute a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism).

[0048] The suspending shaft 73 is joined to the lower surface of the support plate 72. The suspending shaft 73 is provided so as to extend downward, and is connected to the top plate 31 of the storage shelf 3 and the upper surface portion 4a of the rail 4.

[0049] In the suspension mechanism 1A, the connecting member 62 and the connecting member 71 configure a connecting portion 200. The connecting portion 200 connects the suspension shaft 61 and the suspension shaft 73 together.

[0050] In the suspension mechanism 1A configured as described above, the connecting member 62 and the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 come into contact with each other at the connecting portion 200. This allows the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 to slide against the spherical surface of the connecting member 62. Therefore, even if the ceiling 100 is not horizontal but tilted, or the suspension shaft 61 is not properly fixed to the ceiling 100, causing the suspension shaft 61 to tilt with respect to the horizontal plane, the suspension shaft 73 can be oriented vertically downward with respect to the tilted suspension shaft 61. Therefore, the storage shelf 3 as the object of suspension suspended by the suspension shaft 73 can be easily maintained in a horizontal position. Moreover, even if the lower mechanism 7 sways laterally together with the storage shelf 3 or the portion below the rail 4, the swaying can be attenuated. Therefore, the influence of the swaying on the upper mechanism 6 can be reduced.

[0051] In addition, the spherical surface of the connecting member 62 is a convex spherical surface, and the concave surface portion 71a of the connecting member 71 is a concave spherical surface. This allows the connecting member 62 and the concave surface portion 71a to come into contact smoothly. This facilitates sliding between the connecting member 62 and the concave surface portion 71a. This makes it easier to maintain the storage shelf 3 in a more horizontal position. Moreover, the damping effect of lateral shaking occurring in the portion below the lower mechanism 7 can be improved.

[0052] In addition, the radius of curvature of the concave surface portion 71a of the connecting member 71 is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting member 62. This reduces the contact area between the spherical surface of the connecting member 62 and the concave surface portion 71a of the connecting member 71. Therefore, the concave surface portion 71a can move more freely relative to the connecting member 62. In contrast, if the spherical surface of the connecting member 62 and the concave surface portion 71a of the connecting member 71 have the same radius of curvature, the respective spherical surfaces fit together, and the concave surface portion 71a cannot move freely relative to the connecting member 62.

[0053] Furthermore, because connecting member 71 has notch 71c, lower mechanism 7 including suspending shaft 73 can be detachably provided to upper mechanism 6 by moving connecting member 71 horizontally so that notch 71c is aligned with suspending shaft 61 of upper mechanism 6. This allows suspension mechanism 1A to be brought to the installation site in a state where it is disassembled into upper mechanism 6 including suspending shaft 61 and lower mechanism 7 including suspending shaft 73.

[0054] Furthermore, the fitting of the connecting member 62 and the nut 63 to the hanging shaft 61 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the height of the connecting member 62 relative to the ceiling 100. On the other hand, the fitting of the nuts 75, 76 to the connecting shaft 74 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the height of the hanging shaft 73 relative to the connecting member 62.

[0055] This allows the work of adjusting the height of each to be performed with the suspension mechanism 1A disassembled into the upper mechanism 6 and the lower mechanism 7. Therefore, when attaching a heavy load to the suspension shaft 73, by connecting the lower mechanism 7 to the upper mechanism 6 with the height adjustment of each completed, it is possible to be freed from having to adjust the height with the heavy load attached. This reduces the burden of the height adjustment work.

[0056] Furthermore, a connecting member 62 that forms a convex curved surface (convex spherical surface) is provided on the upper mechanism 6, and a connecting member 71 that forms a concave curved surface (concave spherical surface) is provided on the lower mechanism 7. As a result, the height of the upper mechanism 6 can be adjusted at only two locations, the connecting member 62 and the nut 63, simplifying the work of adjusting the height.

[0057] In addition, the storage shelf 3 that stores the containers 5 is attached to the hanging shaft 73. This makes it easier to maintain the storage shelf 3 in a horizontal position. Therefore, the containers 5 can be stored stably. Moreover, even if the storage shelf 3 sways sideways, the swaying can be damped. The damping of the swaying also allows the containers 5 to be stored stably.

[0058] In addition, the rails 4 along which the ceiling transport vehicle 2 travels are attached to the hanging shaft 73. This makes it easier to maintain the ceiling transport vehicle 2 traveling on the rails 4 in a horizontal position. This allows the ceiling transport vehicle 2 to travel stably. Moreover, even if the ceiling transport vehicle 2 sways sideways, the swaying can be damped. The damping of the swaying also allows the ceiling transport vehicle 2 to travel stably.

[0059] [Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment, and the explanations thereof will not be repeated. Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a suspension mechanism 1B according to a second embodiment.

[0060] The suspension mechanism 1B shown in Fig. 7 is used in the transfer system 10 as the above-mentioned suspension mechanism 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the suspension mechanism 1B includes an upper mechanism 8 and a lower mechanism 9. The upper mechanism 8 is a mechanism supported by a ceiling 100. The lower mechanism 9 is a mechanism suspended from the upper mechanism 8 so as to be connected to the upper mechanism 8.

[0061] The upper mechanism 8 has a connecting member 71, a hanging shaft 81 (first hanging member), and nuts 82, 83. Four sets of hanging shafts 81 and nuts 82, 83 are provided. Unlike the connecting member 71 in the hanging mechanism 1A of the first embodiment, the connecting member 71 is arranged so that the concave portion 71a faces upward. In the hanging mechanism 1B, the concave portion 71a forms the first connecting surface.

[0062] Although not shown, the hanging shaft 81 penetrates so that its upper portion protrudes onto the upper surface side of the ceiling 100. Male threads are formed on the outer periphery of each of the upper and lower ends of the hanging shaft 81. The nut 82 is fitted onto the upper end of the hanging shaft 81, and moves in the axial direction of the hanging shaft 81 when turned. In addition, a nut (upper nut) (not shown) arranged on the upper surface side of the ceiling 100 is fitted onto the upper end of the hanging shaft 81.

[0063] The upper nut and nut 82 sandwich the ceiling 100, thereby fixing the hanging shaft 81 to the ceiling 100. Furthermore, by turning the upper nut and nut 82, the hanging shaft 81 moves in the vertical direction relative to the upper nut and nut 82. In this manner, the hanging shaft 81, the upper nut, and the nut 82 constitute a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism).

[0064] The lower end of the hanging shaft 81 is inserted into the screw hole 71d so as to fit into the screw hole 71d of the connecting member 71. The nut 83 is fitted onto the lower end of the hanging shaft 81. The lower end of the hanging shaft 81 moves up and down within the screw hole 71d by turning the nut 83. As a result, the hanging shaft 81 moves up and down relative to the nut 83. In this way, the hanging shaft 81 and the nut 83 constitute a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism).

[0065] The lower mechanism 9 has a connecting member 91, a support plate 92, a suspending shaft 93 (a second suspending member), a connecting shaft 94, and a nut 95.

[0066] The connecting member 91 is a member having a convex curved surface (second connecting surface), specifically, a convex spherical surface. The connecting member 91 is a sphere, but does not have to be a sphere, and may be, for example, a hemisphere, so long as the surface that comes into contact with the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 is a convex spherical surface. The radius of curvature of the concave portion 71a is greater than the radius of curvature of the connecting member 91.

[0067] The connecting member 91 is connected to the upper end of the connecting shaft 94. Specifically, the connecting member 91 has a hole 91a with a female thread formed from the lower end toward the center, while a male thread is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the connecting shaft 94, and the upper end of the connecting shaft 94 is connected to the hole 91a of the connecting member 91 by threaded engagement. By turning the connecting member 91 relative to the connecting shaft 94, the position of the threaded engagement moves up and down, and the height at which the connecting member 91 is connected to the connecting shaft 94 can be changed. In this way, the threaded engagement of the connecting member 91 and the connecting shaft 94 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism).

[0068] The support plate 92 is a plate-like member having a substantially square shape. The hanging shaft 93 is joined to the lower surface of the support plate 92. The hanging shaft 93 is provided so as to extend downward, and is connected to the top plate 31 of the storage shelf 3 and the upper surface 4a of the rail 4. A hole 92a is provided in the center of the support plate 92, penetrating both sides of the support plate 92. Furthermore, a screw hole 93a connected to the hole 92a is provided in the center of the upper end portion of the hanging shaft 93.

[0069] A male screw is formed on the outer periphery of the lower part of the connecting shaft 94. The lower part of the connecting shaft 94 is inserted into a hole 92a of the support plate 92, and is further inserted so as to fit into a threaded hole 93a of the hanging shaft 93. In addition, a nut 95 is fitted onto the lower part of the connecting shaft 94. The lower part of the connecting shaft 94 moves up and down within the threaded hole 93a by turning the nut 95. As a result, the connecting shaft 94 moves up and down relative to the nut 95. In this way, the connecting shaft 94 and the nut 95 constitute a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism).

[0070] The connecting shaft 94 is inserted into the shaft hole 71b of the connecting member 71. The shaft hole 71b is formed to have a size, i.e., a diameter, such that the connecting shaft 94 does not come into contact with the inner wall surface of the connecting member 71 that defines the shaft hole 71b, even if the center of the connecting shaft 94 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the shaft hole 71b of the connecting member 71.

[0071] In the suspension mechanism 1B, the connecting member 71 and the connecting member 91 configure a connecting portion 300. The connecting portion 300 connects the suspension shaft 81 and the suspension shaft 73 to each other.

[0072] In the suspension mechanism 1B configured as described above, the connecting member 91 and the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 come into contact with each other at the connecting portion 300. This allows the spherical surface of the connecting member 91 to slide against the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71. Even if the ceiling 100 is not horizontal but tilted, or the suspension shaft 61 is not properly fixed to the ceiling 100, causing the suspension shaft 81 to tilt with respect to the horizontal plane, the suspension shaft 93 can be oriented vertically downward with respect to the tilted suspension shaft 81. Therefore, the storage shelf 3 as the object of suspension suspended by the suspension shaft 93 can be easily maintained in a horizontal position. Moreover, even if the lower mechanism 9 sways laterally together with the storage shelf 3 or the portion below the rail 4, the swaying can be attenuated. Therefore, the influence of the swaying on the upper mechanism 8 can be reduced.

[0073] In addition, the spherical surface of the connecting member 91 is a convex spherical surface, and the concave portion 71a of the connecting member 71 is a concave spherical surface. This allows the connecting member 91 and the concave portion 71a to come into contact with each other smoothly. This facilitates sliding between the connecting member 91 and the concave portion 71a. This makes it easier to maintain the storage shelf 3 in a more horizontal position. Moreover, the damping effect of lateral shaking occurring in the portion below the lower mechanism 9 can be improved.

[0074] In addition, the radius of curvature of the concave surface 71a of the connecting member 71 is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting member 91. This reduces the contact area between the spherical surface of the connecting member 91 and the concave surface 71a of the connecting member 71. This allows the connecting member 91 to move more freely relative to the concave surface 71a. In contrast, if the spherical surface of the connecting member 91 and the concave surface 71a of the connecting member 71 have the same radius of curvature, the respective spherical surfaces fit together, preventing the connecting member 91 from moving freely relative to the concave surface 71a.

[0075] Furthermore, because connecting member 71 has notch 71c, by moving connecting member 91 horizontally so that connecting shaft 94 of lower mechanism 9 is aligned with notch 71c, lower mechanism 9 including connecting shaft 94 can be detachably provided to upper mechanism 8. This allows suspension mechanism 1B to be brought to the installation site in a state where it is disassembled into upper mechanism 8 including suspension shaft 81 and lower mechanism 9 including connecting shaft 94.

[0076] Furthermore, the fitting of nuts 82, 83 to hanging shaft 81 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (first height adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the height of connecting member 71 relative to ceiling 100. Meanwhile, the fitting of connecting member 91 and nut 95 to connecting shaft 94 constitutes a height adjustment mechanism (second height adjustment mechanism) that adjusts the height of hanging shaft 93 relative to connecting member 91.

[0077] This allows the work of adjusting the height of each to be performed with the suspension mechanism 1B disassembled into the upper mechanism 8 and the lower mechanism 9. Therefore, when attaching a heavy load to the suspension shaft 93, by connecting the lower mechanism 9 to the upper mechanism 8 with the height adjustment of each completed, it is possible to be freed from having to adjust the height with the heavy load attached. This reduces the burden of the height adjustment work.

[0078] Furthermore, the upper mechanism 8 is provided with a connecting member 71 that forms a concave curved surface (concave spherical surface), and the lower mechanism 9 is provided with a connecting member 91 that forms a convex curved surface (convex spherical surface).

[0079] In addition, the storage shelf 3 that stores the containers 5 is attached to the hanging shaft 93. This makes it easier to maintain the storage shelf 3 in a horizontal position. Therefore, the containers 5 can be stored stably. Moreover, even if the storage shelf 3 sways sideways, the swaying can be damped. The damping of the swaying also allows the containers 5 to be stored stably.

[0080] In addition, the rails 4 along which the ceiling transport vehicle 2 travels are attached to the hanging shaft 93. This makes it easier to maintain the ceiling transport vehicle 2 traveling on the rails 4 in a horizontal position. This allows the ceiling transport vehicle 2 to travel stably. Moreover, even if the ceiling transport vehicle 2 sways sideways, the swaying can be damped. The damping of the swaying also allows the ceiling transport vehicle 2 to travel stably.

[0081] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1,1A,1B Hanging mechanism 3 Storage shelf (storage unit) 5 Container (article) 61 Suspension shaft (first suspension member, first height adjustment mechanism) 62 Connecting member (first connecting surface, convex curved surface, convex spherical surface, first height adjustment mechanism) 63 Nut (first height adjustment mechanism) 71a Concave surface part (first connection surface, second connection surface, concave spherical surface) 73 Suspension shaft (second suspension member) 74,94 Connecting shaft (second height adjustment mechanism) 75, 76, 95 Nut (Second height adjustment mechanism) 81 Suspension shaft (first suspension member, first height adjustment mechanism) 82,83 Nut (first height adjustment mechanism) 91 Connecting member (second connecting surface, convex curved surface, convex spherical surface, second height adjustment mechanism) 93 Suspension shaft (second suspension member) 100 Ceiling (support) 200,300 Connection part

Claims

1. A first hanging member hung from the support portion; a second hanging member supported so as to be hung from the first hanging member; a connecting portion that connects the first hanging member and the second hanging member, the connecting portion includes a first connecting member connected to the first hanging member and a second connecting member connected to the second hanging member, the first connecting member has a first connecting surface; the second connecting member has a second connecting surface in contact with the first connecting surface; One of the first connecting surface and the second connecting surface is a convex curved surface, and the other is a concave curved surface, A suspension mechanism, wherein one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member having the concave curved surface has a through hole through which an axis portion connected to the other connecting member is inserted, and a notch formed from the through hole to a side surface.

2. A suspension mechanism as described in Claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is the first suspension member connected to the first connecting member.

3. A suspension mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is a connecting shaft connected to the second connecting member and connecting the second connecting member and the second hanging member.

4. The suspension mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second suspension member is detachably attached to the first suspension member at a connecting portion.

5. a first height adjustment mechanism that adjusts a height of the first connection surface relative to the support portion; The suspension mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a second height adjustment mechanism that adjusts a height of the second suspension member relative to the second connecting member.

6. The suspension mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a storage body for storing an article is attached to the second suspension member.

7. the support is a ceiling, The suspension mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein a rail for running a ceiling transport vehicle is attached to the second suspension member.

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