Mounting stand

Abstract

To realize smooth traveling of an article carrier in a joint part between a plurality of top plates constituting a trestle.SOLUTION: A top plate P2 comprises a body part P20 having a plane-shaped upper face, and a sheet-like auxiliary plate part P21 stuck to a body upper face P20f that is the upper face of the body part P20. In plan view, the auxiliary plate part P21 is formed so as to be smaller than the body upper face P20f, and the outer edge of the auxiliary plate part P21 is placed inside the outer edge of the body upper face P20f by a specified off-set width Ws. A connection member C2 includes a plate-like connection part C20 which is formed into a thin plate having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part P21. The plate-like connection part C20 is mounted on the body upper face P20f so as to cover both of upper face exposure regions A of a pair of units U2 adjacent to each other in the state of straddling the pair of units U2, and of being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 aligned in an alignment direction D of the pair of units U2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, automation of work in logistics warehouses has progressed. In particular, there is an increasing demand for article transport vehicles that automatically transport articles. There are various types of such article transport vehicles. For example, in the technology disclosed in JP 2020-011790 A (Patent Document 1), an article transport vehicle (4) that travels on a continuous, flat traveling surface is used to transport an article (W).

[0003] Also, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-326293 (Patent Document 2) discloses a stand configured by arranging a plurality of units each having a top plate (18). The top plates (18) of the plurality of units are arranged adjacent to each other. It is considered that the upper surfaces of these plurality of top plates (18) form the running surface of the above-mentioned article transport vehicle. This makes it possible to form running surfaces of various sizes and shapes according to various demands. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-011790 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-326293 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a running surface for an article transport vehicle is formed by arranging multiple tabletops adjacent to each other, the joints between adjacent tabletops are prone to bending due to the weight of the article transport vehicle. Furthermore, due to such bending, gaps and steps are likely to occur at the joints between adjacent tabletops, and when an article transport vehicle passes over such a joint, the vehicle body is likely to shake, which may hinder smooth running.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, it is desirable to realize a system that enables article transport vehicles to travel smoothly along the joints between multiple top plates that make up a platform. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs, A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view; a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other, The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate. The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion; In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body, The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion, An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction, The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the upper exposed areas of both of the pair of units, while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units.

[0008] According to this configuration, the plate-shaped connecting part is placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to straddle a pair of adjacent units and cover the upper surface exposed areas of both of the pair of units, so that the durability of the joints between the multiple top plates constituting the rack is easily ensured. In addition, this plate-shaped connecting part is formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part, and is placed on the upper surface of the main body while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of adjacent units. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts and the upper surface of the plate-shaped connecting part sandwiched between them are easily arranged at the same height. As a result, according to this configuration, it is easy to make the running surface at the joints between the multiple top plates constituting the rack close to smooth, and it is possible to realize smooth running of the article transport vehicle at the joints.

[0009] 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]

[0010] [Figure 1] Plan view of an article transport facility equipped with a rack [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a transport path of a container by a transport unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a view in the travel direction showing how an article is transferred to a receiving section by an article transport vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a view in the direction of travel showing how items are dropped from the receiving section onto the conveyor unit; [Diagram 5] Perspective view of the first unit [Figure 6] Plan view showing part of the stand [Figure 7] A plan view showing how the auxiliary plate portion is attached to the main body portion of the top plate. [Figure 8] An enlarged view of a portion of Figure 6. [Figure 9] Cross section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] Cross section along XX in Figure 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the rack will be described, taking as an example a case where the rack is provided in an article transport facility that sorts and transports articles.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the article transport facility F includes an article transport vehicle V that transports an article W, a running surface Ff along which the article transport vehicle V travels, an article supply section 9 that supplies the article W to be transported to the article transport vehicle V, and a receiving section I that receives the article W transported by the article transport vehicle V. The platform 100 forms the running surface Ff along which the article transport vehicle V travels. The running surface Ff is formed to extend in a flat plane. A passage R (see FIG. 3, etc.) along which the article transport vehicle V travels is defined on the running surface Ff. The receiving sections I are provided at multiple locations on the running surface Ff and are configured to receive the article W transported by the article transport vehicle V. In this embodiment, each of the receiving sections I provided at multiple locations includes a receiving port Ia that guides the article W below the running surface Ff.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the item conveying equipment F includes a conveying section T that conveys a container C for containing at least one item W, an empty container supplying section 8 that supplies an empty container C that does not contain an item W (hereinafter referred to as an "empty container Ce"), and a shipping section 7 that ships a container C that contains at least one item W (hereinafter referred to as a "full container Cf"). The conveying section T is disposed below the running surface Ff (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the conveying section T includes an empty container loading section 80 that loads empty containers Ce supplied from the empty container supplying section 8, a full container unloading section 70 that unloads full containers Cf that contain an item W received at the receiving section I, and a receiving conveying section Ti that is provided to connect the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70. In this embodiment, the conveying section T is provided with multiple receiving and conveying sections Ti, each of which is arranged to connect the empty container carry-in section 80 and the full container carry-out section 70. In this example, the multiple receiving and conveying sections Ti are arranged parallel to each other in a planar view. In this embodiment, the empty container carry-in section 80, the full container carry-out section 70, and the multiple receiving and conveying sections Ti are configured by conveyors.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the receiving section I is arranged so as to overlap with the receiving and conveying section Ti in a planar view. A container C is arranged at a position in the receiving and conveying section Ti corresponding to the receiving section I. As a result, an item W received from the item conveying vehicle V at the receiving section I is guided below the running surface Ff through the receiving opening Ia, and then stored in the container C arranged in the receiving and conveying section Ti (see also Figures 3 and 4). In this embodiment, a plurality of receiving sections I are arranged in a line corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving and conveying sections Ti. A container C is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of receiving sections I, more specifically, directly below each of the plurality of receiving sections I.

[0015] In this embodiment, the empty container carry-in section 80 is configured to transport multiple containers C synchronously in units of the container group, with the same number of containers C as the number of receiving sections I arranged corresponding to one receiving and transporting section Ti. Similarly, the receiving and transporting section Ti and the full container carrying-out section 70 are configured to transport multiple containers C synchronously in units of the container group. In the illustrated example, 21 receiving sections I are provided corresponding to one receiving and transporting section Ti, and the empty container carry-in section 80 and the full container carrying-out section 70 transport the 21 containers C synchronously in units of the container group, with the 21 containers C being treated as a container group. In this case, the receiving and transporting section Ti transports the 21 containers C after all of the 21 containers C constituting the container group have items W contained therein.

[0016] In this article conveying facility F, articles W are sorted by receiving the articles W at a specific receiving section I designated based on sorting information such as the type, quantity, and shipping destination of the articles W, among a plurality of receiving sections I. The sorted articles W are placed in containers C and conveyed by a conveying section T.

[0017] In this embodiment, the article transport equipment F is equipped with a shutter S that opens and closes the receiving port Ia (see Figures 3 and 4). The shutter S keeps the receiving port Ia in a closed state until at least one article W to be sorted based on the sorting information is received by the receiving section I. Then, the shutter S opens the receiving port Ia after at least one article W to be sorted based on the sorting information is received by the receiving section I. As a result, at least one article W sorted by the article transport vehicle V to each of the multiple receiving sections I is guided through the receiving port Ia below the running surface Ff and stored in a container C arranged in the receiving and conveying section Ti.

[0018] In the item supply section 9, for example, based on the above sorting information, an item W designated as a destination to a specific receiving section I is supplied to an item transport vehicle V by a supplying entity such as a worker or a robot. Then, the item transport vehicle V that has received the item W in the item supply section 9 travels along a path R (see FIG. 3, etc.) defined on the travel surface Ff, and transports the item W to the receiving section I designated based on the above sorting information.

[0019] Around each of the multiple receiving parts I, a position information storage unit (not shown) is provided that stores position information indicating the position corresponding to each receiving part I. The article transport vehicle V travels toward a specific receiving part I designated as a transport destination, and detects the position information stored in the position information storage unit corresponding to the receiving part I by a position information detection unit (not shown), and stops at that position (or travels at a low speed) to deliver the article W to the receiving part I. The position information storage unit is configured as, for example, a display such as a barcode (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode) that displays the position information, a memory element such as an RFID tag (radio frequency identifier tag) that stores the position information, a signal transmitter such as a beacon that transmits a signal indicating the position information, or the like. For example, when the position information storage unit is a barcode, the position information detection unit is configured as a barcode reader, when the position information storage unit is an RFID tag, the position information detection unit is configured as an RFID reader, and when the position information storage unit is a beacon, the position information detection unit is configured as a receiver.

[0020] Here, in this embodiment, the gantry 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. In this embodiment, the second units U2 correspond to the "unit".

[0021] The first unit U1 has a function of receiving an article W from an article transport vehicle V. The shape and size of each of the multiple first units U1 in a plan view may be the same or different. In this example, multiple first units U1 having the same shape and size in a plan view are used. The second unit U2 does not have a function of receiving an article W from an article transport vehicle V, and its main purpose is to form a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. The shape and size of each of the multiple second units U2 in a plan view may be the same or different. In this example, multiple types of second units U2 having different shapes and sizes in a plan view are used. Although details will be described later, the first unit U1 is provided with one passage R and a receiving section 11 (receiving section I) for receiving the article W. The second unit U2 is provided with multiple passages R, but is not provided with a receiving section 11 (receiving section I).

[0022] In this embodiment, a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2 are arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view, forming a running surface Ff that spreads continuously in a plane. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the running surface Ff is formed by arranging a plurality of first units U1 in a lattice pattern in a plan view. Then, a plurality of second units U2 are arranged in a line so as to surround the periphery of the first units U1, forming another portion of the running surface Ff. In FIG. 1, in order to easily understand the division of one first unit U1, one of the plurality of first units U1 that form a portion of the running surface Ff is given the reference symbol "U1".

[0023] Figures 3 and 4 show one first unit U1. In detail, Figures 3 and 4 are views of the first unit U1 as seen in the traveling direction. Hereinafter, the description will be continued with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0024] [Goods transport vehicle] 3 and 4, the article transport vehicle V is configured to travel along a path R defined in the travel surface Ff (see FIG. 1) to transport articles W from the article supply section 9 to the receiving section I. In the following, the direction in which the article transport vehicle V travels along the path R is referred to as the "travel direction X," and the direction perpendicular to the travel direction X of the article transport vehicle V in a plan view is referred to as the "width direction Y."

[0025] In this embodiment, the article transport vehicle V includes a cart body Va having wheels Vd, an article support unit Vb that supports an article W, and a transfer unit Vc that operates the article support unit Vb to transfer the article W. In this embodiment, a plurality of wheels Vd are arranged spaced apart from the cart body Va in the width direction Y. In the illustrated example, four wheels Vd are arranged spaced apart from the cart body Va in the width direction Y.

[0026] In this embodiment, the article support part Vb is configured to place an article W on it. In this example, the article support part Vb is formed in a plate shape, and the article W is placed on the upper surface thereof. Also, in this example, the article support part Vb is provided on the upper part of the cart body Va, and is configured to swing around an axis along the traveling direction X relative to the cart body Va.

[0027] The transfer unit Vc includes a driving source such as a motor. In this embodiment, the transfer unit Vc is configured to swing the article support unit Vb around an axis along the traveling direction X with respect to the cart body Va. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer unit Vc is configured to tilt the article support unit Vb in the width direction Y to slide the article W on the article support unit Vb in the width direction Y and transfer the article W to a transfer location arranged outside the width direction Y with respect to the article transport vehicle V. In this example, the transfer unit Vc is configured to deliver the article W to each of the receiving units I (transfer locations) arranged on both sides of the width direction Y with respect to the article transport vehicle V by swinging the article support unit Vb.

[0028] [Unit 1] Next, the first unit U1 constituting a part of the gantry 100 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the gantry 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. Figs. 3 to 5 show one first unit U1. As described above, the first unit U1 has the function of receiving an article W from an article transport vehicle V.

[0029] The first unit U1 comprises a receiving section 11 that receives articles W from the article transport vehicle V, a first top plate P1 that forms part of the running surface Ff (see FIG. 1), and a first support leg L1 that supports the first top plate P1. The receiving section 11 is formed on the first top plate P1. The first top plate P1 is connected to the upper part of the first support leg L1 and is disposed at a position spaced above the floor surface. The receiving section 11 is a section that receives articles W transported by the article transport vehicle V, and is included in the receiving section I described above.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first unit U1 includes a conveyor unit G. The conveyor unit G is disposed below the first top plate P1. In this embodiment, the receiving section 11 includes an opening 11a that penetrates in the vertical direction. The conveyor unit G is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening 11a and is supported by the first support leg L1.

[0031] In this embodiment, a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels is provided in a central region in the width direction Y of the first top panel P1 of the first unit U1. A pair of side regions arranged on both sides of the central region in the width direction Y are each provided with a receiving section 11. In this example, a plurality of receiving sections 11 are arranged side by side along the travel direction X in each of the pair of side regions. Here, three receiving sections 11 are arranged in each of the pair of side regions.

[0032] The receiving section 11 has an opening 11a that penetrates in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the opening 11a is formed so as to penetrate a side area of ​​the first top panel P1 in the vertical direction. The opening 11a is an opening that receives an article W from the article transport vehicle V, and is included in the above-mentioned receiving port Ia. In this example, the article W is inserted (transferred) into the opening 11a by the article transport vehicle V.

[0033] In this embodiment, the receiving section 11 includes a guide member 11b that guides the article W received from the article transport vehicle V to the opening 11a. This allows the article W to be properly received from the article transport vehicle V. The guide member 11b may be configured to properly guide the article W received from the article transport vehicle V to the opening 11a. In the illustrated example, the guide member 11b includes a peripheral wall portion 11b1 that surrounds the periphery of the opening 11a to prevent the article W received from the article transport vehicle V from protruding outside the opening 11a. In addition, the guide member 11b includes an inclined portion 11b2 that inclines downward from the central region side to the side region side in the width direction Y to facilitate the transfer of the article W from the article transport vehicle V.

[0034] As described above, the article transport equipment F includes a shutter S that opens and closes the receiving port Ia. In this embodiment, the shutter S is provided in the first unit U1 and is configured to open and close the opening 11a. In this example, the first unit U1 includes multiple shutters S. In detail, the first unit U1 includes the same number of shutters S as the number of openings 11a.

[0035] The shutter S includes a shutter body Sa that moves between an open position where the opening 11a is opened and a closed position where the opening 11a is closed, and a shutter drive unit Sb that drives the shutter body Sa between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the shutter body Sa is configured to slide along the width direction Y below the first top plate P1. The shutter drive unit Sb also includes a drive source such as a motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force generated by the drive source to the shutter body Sa. The transmission mechanism includes, for example, a shaft member, a sprocket, and a chain.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the closed position to keep the opening 11a closed until the article W is transported to the receiving section 11 by the article transport vehicle V. As a result, the article W received by the receiving section 11 is held in the receiving section 11 for a certain period of time. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the open position to open the opening 11a at a set timing that is arbitrarily determined. As a result, the article W held in the receiving section 11 falls downward through the opening 11a. The fallen article W is stored in a container C arranged in the conveyor unit G, as described later. The above-mentioned "set timing" is arbitrarily set according to the operation of the equipment, etc. In this example, at least one article W to be sorted based on sorting information such as type, quantity, and shipping destination is transported to the receiving section 11 by the article transport vehicle V. The "set timing" is preferably set to the timing when all of the items W to be sorted based on the sorting information have been received by the receiving section 11, or to a timing later than that.

[0037] As described above, the first support leg L1 is configured to support the first top board P1 from below. The first support leg L1 includes a plurality of first support column members La1 arranged along the vertical direction, and a plurality of first beam members Lb1 connecting the plurality of first support column members La1 to each other.

[0038] As described above, the conveyor unit G is disposed below the first top plate P1. The conveyor unit G is configured to transport the items W below the first top plate P1. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G is configured to transport the container C, thereby transporting the items W contained in the container C. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured as part of the transport section T (see also FIG. 2), and is provided between the transport path between the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70.

[0039] The conveyor unit G is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening 11a, and is supported by the first support leg L1. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G is supported by the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1. Specifically, the conveyor unit G is supported in a state in which it is placed on the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1. In this example, a transport support member Gb (to be described later) in the conveyor unit G is fixed to the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1 in a state in which it abuts against the first beam member Lb1 from above.

[0040] In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G constitutes a part of the receiving and transporting section Ti, and is capable of arranging a plurality of containers C in line along the traveling direction X (see also FIG. 2). In detail, the conveyor unit G is configured to be capable of arranging the containers C (empty containers Ce) carried in from the empty container carrying section 80 in positions corresponding to the openings 11a in the receiving section 11. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured to arrange the containers C (empty containers Ce) in positions overlapping with each of the plurality of openings 11a (receiving section 11) in a plan view. Then, when the article W received by the receiving section 11 is contained in the container C, the conveyor unit G transports the container C (full container Cf). In this example, the conveyor unit G transports all the containers C together after the articles W sorted based on the sorting information are contained in all the containers C arranged in line along the traveling direction X.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the conveyor unit G includes a conveying member Ga and a conveying support member Gb that supports the conveying member Ga. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured as a roller conveyor, and the conveying member Ga is configured as a roller. And the conveying support member Gb is configured as a frame to which the conveying member Ga is connected. In this example, the conveying support member Gb rotatably supports the roller as the conveying member Ga.

[0042] [Unit 2] Next, the second unit U2 constituting a part of the pedestal 100 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the pedestal 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. FIGS. 6 to 10 show the second unit U2 and its surrounding structure. As described above, the second unit U2 does not have the function of receiving the article W from the article transport vehicle V, and its main purpose is to form a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. Furthermore, the shape and size of each of the plurality of second units U2 in a plan view may be the same or different, but FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a plurality of second units U2 having the same shape and size in a plan view.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the pedestal 100 includes a plurality of second units U2 (corresponding to "units") arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view, and a connection member C2 connecting adjacent second units U2. The second unit U2 includes a second tabletop P2 (corresponding to "tabletop") formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a second support leg L2 (corresponding to "support leg") supporting the second tabletop P2 (see also FIGS. 7 and 9). The second tabletop P2 may be square or rectangular in a plan view. FIG. 6 illustrates a second tabletop P2 that is square in a plan view. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the second support leg L2 includes a second support member La2 arranged along the vertical direction, and a connecting member Lb2 connected to the second tabletop P2. In this example, the connecting member Lb2 also functions as a beam member connecting a pair of adjacent second support members La2 to each other.

[0044] In the following, the direction in which a pair of adjacent second units U2 are lined up is referred to as "line-up direction D" (see FIG. 9). Line-up direction D is not absolutely determined, but is a concept that is relatively determined between a pair of adjacent second units U2. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a plurality of second units U2 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a planar view. That is, in such a case, the direction in which two arbitrarily selected second units U2 are lined up is the "line-up direction D". Therefore, the line-up direction D can be established along two virtual vectors that are orthogonal in a planar view. Note that in this embodiment, in the boundary area between a pair of adjacent second units U2, the running direction X of the article transport vehicle V and the line-up direction D coincide with each other.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 7, the second top panel P2 includes a main body P20 having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate P21 attached to a main body upper surface P20f, which is the upper surface of the main body P20. The main body P20 and the auxiliary plate P21 are made of different materials. In this embodiment, the main body P20 is made of wooden plywood. The auxiliary plate P21 is made of a plate material mainly made of metal or fiber-reinforced resin.

[0046] In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion P21 is formed smaller than the main body upper surface P20f, and the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate portion P21 is disposed inward from the outer edge P20e of the main body upper surface P20f by a prescribed offset width Ws. Here, the region of the outer edge of the main body upper surface P20f that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion P21 is the upper surface exposed region A. In other words, in a plan view, the exposed portion of the main body upper surface P20f that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion P21 is the upper surface exposed region A (see the lower diagram of FIG. 7). The offset width Ws is arbitrarily determined based on the characteristics of the equipment, experiments, etc. The offset width Ws specifies the size of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view. Preferably, the offset width Ws specifies the size of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view so that the range of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction X in a plan view is larger than the width of the passage R of the article transport vehicle V. In this way, the article transport vehicle V does not continuously travel over the plate-shaped connection part C20 along the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20. The article transport vehicle V can travel over the plate-shaped connection part C20 along the lateral direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20 only when traveling over the connection part of a pair of adjacent second units U2. In this embodiment, each of the four outer edges P21e of the rectangular auxiliary plate part P21 is disposed inward by the same offset width Ws with respect to the corresponding outer edges P20e among the four outer edges P20e of the rectangular main body upper surface P20f.

[0047] In this embodiment, a pair of adjacent second units U2 are arranged so as to form a gap Pg between the respective main body portions P20 in the arrangement direction D (see also FIG. 9). In this example, the gap Pg is formed to be smaller than the offset width Ws.

[0048] 6 and 9, the connection member C2 includes a plate-shaped connection part C20 formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part P21. The plate-shaped connection part C20 straddles a pair of adjacent second units U2, and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover both upper surface exposed areas A of the pair of second units U2 in a state where it is sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 aligned in the alignment direction D of the pair of second units U2.

[0049] In this way, the plate-shaped connection part C20 straddles a pair of adjacent second units U2 and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed areas A of both of the pair of second units U2, so that the durability of the joint parts between the multiple second top plates P2 constituting the pedestal 100 is easily ensured. In addition, this plate-shaped connection part C20 is formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part P21, and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 arranged in the arrangement direction D related to the pair of adjacent second units U2. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the upper surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 and the upper surface of the plate-shaped connection part C20 sandwiched therebetween at the same height. This makes it easy to make the running surface Ff close to smooth at the joint parts between the multiple second top plates P2 constituting the pedestal 100, and makes it possible to realize smooth running of the article transport vehicle V at the joint parts.

[0050] The plate-shaped connection part C20 is formed in a long plate shape extending along the outer edge P21e of each of a pair of adjacent auxiliary plates P21, and is disposed along each of the outer edges P21e. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is the direction along the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate P21. The lateral direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is the direction in which the pair of adjacent auxiliary plates P21 are arranged, that is, the arrangement direction D.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the dimension Sc in the arrangement direction D of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is larger than the sum of the offset widths Ws of each of the pair of adjacent second units U2. In this example, the dimension Sc in the arrangement direction D of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is equal to the sum of the offset widths Ws of each of the pair of adjacent second units U2 and the gap Pg in the arrangement direction D formed between the pair of adjacent main bodies P20 (Sc≈2Ws+Pg). This allows the plate-shaped connection part C20 to be arranged so as to cover the gap Pg from above while arranging the pair of adjacent main bodies P20 with the gap Pg so that they do not contact each other. This reduces the possibility that the pair of adjacent main bodies P20 will come into contact with each other due to expansion caused by temperature change or vibration caused by the travel of the article transport vehicle V, causing wear or deformation, and allows the running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V travels to be more appropriately formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped connection part C20.

[0052] In this embodiment, the plate-shaped connection part C20 is in contact with both of a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 related to a pair of adjacent second units U2 in the arrangement direction D. That is, in this example, the dimension Sc in the arrangement direction D of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is the sum of the offset width Ws of each of the pair of adjacent second units U2 and the gap Pg in the arrangement direction D formed between the pair of adjacent main body parts P20. In order to achieve this, for example, when installing a pair of adjacent second units U2, it is preferable to arrange the pair of second units U2 based on the plate-shaped connection part C20 so that the plate-shaped connection part C20 is sandwiched without a gap between the pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 related to the pair of second units U2 arranged in the arrangement direction D. This allows the plate-shaped connection part C20 to be placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed areas A of both of the pair of second units U2 with almost no gap.

[0053] The position of the auxiliary plate part P21 in a plan view is determined relative to the second support leg L2. This ensures high positional accuracy of the auxiliary plate part P21 relative to the second support leg L2, even when the main body part P20 is made of plywood with relatively low dimensional accuracy as in this example, making it easy to arrange the multiple second units U2 with high accuracy.

[0054] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, in this embodiment, a through hole is formed that penetrates the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 in the vertical direction, and the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 are integrally connected by inserting a fastening member B into the through hole.

[0055] In this embodiment, an upper through hole P21h that penetrates the auxiliary plate P21 in the vertical direction, a lower through hole Lbh that penetrates the second support leg L2 in the vertical direction, and an intermediate through hole P20h that is disposed midway between the upper through hole P21h and the lower through hole Lbh in the vertical direction and penetrates the main body P20 in the vertical direction are formed. A plurality of upper through holes P21h are formed in the auxiliary plate P21. Intermediate through holes P20h are formed in the main body P20 at positions corresponding to the plurality of upper through holes P21h. A lower through hole Lbh is formed in the second support leg L2 at positions corresponding to the plurality of upper through holes P21h. Then, the fastening member B is arranged so as to integrally pass through the upper through hole P21h, the intermediate through hole P20h, and the lower through hole Lbh, which correspond to each other in a plan view, and the fastening member B integrally connects the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2. As a result, the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view is determined relative to the second support leg L2. The fastening member B can be a bolt or a rivet. In the illustrated example, the fastening member B is configured using a bolt. The auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 are clamped and fastened in the vertical direction by the head of the bolt and a nut screwed to the tip side of the bolt. In this embodiment, the lower through hole Lbh is formed in the connecting member Lb2 of the second support leg L2. However, the lower through hole Lbh may be formed in a portion of the second support leg L2 other than the connecting member Lb2.

[0056] In this embodiment, the connection member C2 includes a coupling portion C21 that couples the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A formed on each of the pair of adjacent second units U2. Here, the coupling portion C21 is disposed across the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A in the main body portion P20 along the vertical direction. The coupling portion C21 may be a bolt or a rivet. In the illustrated example, the coupling portion C21 is configured using a bolt, which penetrates the plate-shaped connection portion C20 in the vertical direction and is screwed into a female thread portion provided in the main body portion P20 to fasten the plate-shaped connection portion C20 by sandwiching it between the head of the bolt and the main body portion P20 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the coupling portions C21 are provided at multiple locations in the plate-shaped connection portion C20. The multiple coupling portions C21 are disposed at positions that do not overlap with a wheel passing area (not shown) through which the wheels Vd (see FIG. 3, etc.) of the article transport vehicle V pass. For example, when the joint C21 is formed of a bolt, nut, or rivet, the head of the bolt or rivet may protrude above the running surface Ff. However, even in such a case, since the joint C21 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the wheel passing area, the joint C21 is unlikely to interfere with the running of the article transport vehicle V.

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, the second units U2 are arranged in a lattice shape in plan view. Therefore, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7, the upper surface exposed areas A corresponding to the respective corners of the four second units U2 adjacent to each other in a lattice shape are gathered together to form one area. This area is called a collective exposed area Au. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the connection member C2 includes a cover part C22 that covers the collective exposed area Au (see FIG. 7) from above. This allows the entire pedestal 100, including the collective exposed area Au, to appropriately cover the upper surface exposed area A, making it easy to smooth the entire running surface Ff.

[0058] FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the covering portion C22. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the covering portion C22 is formed of a part of four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 that connect four second units U2 adjacent to each other in a lattice shape. Specifically, the covering portion C22 is formed by combining the longitudinal end portions C20e of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20. In this example, the longitudinal end portions C20e of the plate-shaped connecting portions C20 are formed in a triangular shape (more specifically, a trapezoidal shape) that becomes thinner toward the tip in a plan view. The longitudinal end portions C20e of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 are arranged so that the oblique sides of the triangles of the adjacent longitudinal end portions C20e abut against each other. This makes it possible to appropriately cover the collective exposed area Au.

[0059] 6 and 10, this embodiment includes a traffic control member M arranged along the outer edge of the travel surface Ff. The traffic control member M is arranged above the travel surface Ff. This makes it possible to prevent the article transport vehicle V from coming off the travel surface Ff and falling off the platform 100.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the traffic control member M includes a base portion Mb placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed area A located on the outer edge of the running surface Ff, and an erect portion Ma arranged to rise upward from the base portion Mb.

[0061] The standing portion Ma has a surface facing inward (toward the aisle R). This allows the cart body Va of the article transport vehicle V to be received by the standing portion Ma when the article transport vehicle V is traveling outside the aisle R along which the article transport vehicle V should travel. In this embodiment, the standing portion Ma is formed in the shape of a wall rising upward from the travel surface Ff, more specifically, from the upper surface of the auxiliary plate portion P21.

[0062] The base portion Mb is a portion for attaching the traffic regulation member M to the second top plate P2. In this embodiment, the base portion Mb is provided continuously with the lower end of the standing portion Ma, and is formed along the extending direction of the main body top surface P20f. In this example, the base portion Mb is arranged along the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate portion P21 so as to be placed on the top surface exposed area A. This allows the base portion Mb to be placed on the second top plate P2 in a stable state. In the illustrated example, the base portion Mb has a shape similar to that of the plate-shaped connection portion C20 divided in half in the short direction, and is placed on the main body top surface P20f so as to cover the top surface exposed area A.

[0063] In this embodiment, the coupling portion C21 is provided not only in the connection member C2 but also in the traffic regulation member M. The coupling portion C21 couples the traffic regulation member M to the upper surface exposed region A. In detail, the coupling portion C21 is disposed in the up-down direction across the base portion Mb of the traffic regulation member M and the upper surface exposed region A of the main body portion P20.

[0064] According to the above-described stand 100, it becomes easy to make the running surface Ff approximately smooth at the joints between the multiple second top plates P2 that make up the stand 100, thereby enabling the article transport vehicle V to travel smoothly at the joints.

[0065] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the mount will be described.

[0066] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the four outer edges P21e of the rectangular auxiliary plate P21 is disposed inward by the same offset width Ws from the corresponding outer edge P20e among the four outer edges P20e of the rectangular main body upper surface P20f. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and a different offset width Ws may be set for each outer edge. In addition, the offset width Ws may be different between a pair of adjacent second units U2.

[0067] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the plate-shaped connecting portion C20 is in contact with both of a pair of auxiliary plate portions P21 relating to a pair of adjacent second units U2 in the arrangement direction D. However, without being limited to such an example, the plate-shaped connecting portion C20 may be disposed with a gap in the arrangement direction D with respect to at least one of the pair of auxiliary plate portions P21 relating to a pair of adjacent second units U2.

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view is positioned relative to the second support leg L2. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view may be positioned relative to, for example, the main body portion P20.

[0069] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the covering portion C22 is constituted by a part (longitudinal end portion C20e) of each of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 that connect each of the four second units U2 adjacent to each other in a lattice shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the covering portion C22 may be constituted by a member separate from the plate-shaped connecting portions C20. For example, each of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 may be formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this case, a collective exposed area Au having a rectangular shape in a plan view is exposed between the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20. Therefore, the collective exposed area Au may be covered from above by the covering portion C22 that is a member separate from the plate-shaped connecting portions C20 and that is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0070] (5) In the above embodiment, the connection member C2 has a covering portion C22 that covers the collective exposed area Au from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the connection member C2 does not need to have the covering portion C22. In this case, the collective exposed area Au is exposed.

[0071] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a bolt, a rivet, or the like is used as the joining portion C21 that joins the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A on the main body upper surface P20f. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, an adhesive may be used as the joining portion C21. Various types of adhesives can be used as such an adhesive.

[0072] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the connection member C2 includes a joining portion C21 that joins the plate-shaped connection portion C20 to the upper surface exposed area A formed on each of a pair of adjacent second units U2. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the connection member C2 does not need to include the joining portion C21 as described above. In this case, the plate-shaped connection portion C20 may simply be placed on the upper surface exposed area A.

[0073] (8) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the erected portion Ma of the traffic regulation member M is formed in a wall shape rising upward from the travel surface Ff. However, without being limited to such an example, the erected portion Ma may be formed in, for example, a rod shape or a band shape and disposed at a position spaced above the travel surface Ff.

[0074] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the gantry 100 includes the traffic regulation members M arranged along the outer edge of the travel surface Ff. However, the invention is not limited to this example, and the gantry 100 does not necessarily need to include such traffic regulation members M.

[0075] (10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple second units U2 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the arrangement of the multiple second units U2 may be determined arbitrarily depending on the characteristics of the equipment, etc. For example, the multiple second units U2 may be arranged in a line.

[0076] (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.

[0077] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described pedestal will now be described.

[0078] A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs, A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view; a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other, The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate. The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion; In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body, The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion, An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction, The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the upper exposed areas of both of the pair of units, while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units.

[0079] According to this configuration, the plate-shaped connecting part is placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to straddle a pair of adjacent units and cover the upper surface exposed areas of both of the pair of units, so that the durability of the joints between the multiple top plates constituting the rack is easily ensured. In addition, this plate-shaped connecting part is formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part, and is placed on the upper surface of the main body while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of adjacent units. Therefore, the upper surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts and the upper surface of the plate-shaped connecting part sandwiched between them are easily arranged at the same height. As a result, according to this configuration, it is easy to make the running surface at the joints between the multiple top plates constituting the rack close to smooth, and it is possible to realize smooth running of the article transport vehicle at the joints.

[0080] It is preferable that the dimension of the plate-shaped connecting portion in the arrangement direction is greater than the sum of the offset widths of each of the adjacent pairs of the units.

[0081] According to this configuration, a pair of adjacent main bodies are arranged with a gap between them so that they do not come into contact with each other, and the plate-shaped connecting part is arranged to cover the gap from above. This makes it possible to appropriately form the running surface on which the article transport vehicle runs on the upper surface of the plate-shaped connecting part, and to reduce the possibility that the pair of adjacent main bodies will come into contact with each other and suffer wear or deformation due to expansion caused by temperature changes or vibration caused by the travel of the article transport vehicle.

[0082] It is preferable that the plate-shaped connecting portion be in contact with both of a pair of the auxiliary plate portions relating to an adjacent pair of the units in the arrangement direction.

[0083] According to this configuration, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of gaps in the arrangement direction at the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the rack, which allows the article transport vehicle to travel more smoothly at the joints. In addition, the contact between the plate-shaped connecting portion and the auxiliary plate portion allows the positioning of a pair of adjacent units so that they are spaced apart at an appropriate distance.

[0084] It is preferable that the position of the auxiliary plate portion in a plan view is determined relative to the support leg.

[0085] According to this configuration, even if the main body is made of a material with relatively low dimensional accuracy, such as wood, a high degree of positional accuracy of the auxiliary plate portion relative to the support leg can be ensured, making it easy to position multiple units with high accuracy.

[0086] It is preferable that the connection member includes a joining portion that joins the plate-shaped connection portion and the upper surface exposed region formed on each of the pair of adjacent units.

[0087] According to this configuration, the connecting portion connects the upper surface exposed regions of each of a pair of adjacent main bodies to the plate-like connecting portion, so that adjacent units can be connected to each other on the upper surfaces of the main bodies, facilitating the connection work between the units.

[0088] A plurality of the units are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view, a region where the upper surface exposed regions corresponding to the respective corners of the four units adjacent in a lattice pattern are gathered together is defined as a collective exposed region, The connection member preferably includes a covering portion that covers the collective exposed area from above.

[0089] According to this configuration, the entire base can adequately cover the exposed upper surface area, making it easier to make the running surface generally smooth.

[0090] A traffic control member is provided along an outer edge of the running surface, It is preferable that the traffic control member comprises a base portion placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to cover the upper surface exposed area located at the outer edge of the running surface, and an upright portion arranged to rise upward from the base portion.

[0091] According to this configuration, the traffic control member can be installed by utilizing the upper surface exposed area located on the outer edge of the running surface, and the traffic control member can prevent the article transport vehicle from coming off the running surface and falling off the rack. [Industrial Applicability]

[0092] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a frame that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 100: Stand U2: 2nd unit (unit) P2: Second top plate (top plate) P20: Main unit P20e: Outer edge P20f:Top surface of main body P21: Auxiliary plate part P21e: Outer edge A: Top exposed area Au: Collective exposure area C2: Connection material C20: Plate-shaped joint C21 :Joining part C22: Cover part M: Traffic control parts Ma: Standing part Mb: Base Ff: Running surface V: Goods transport vehicle W:Goods Ws: Offset width D: Line direction

Claims

1. A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs, A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view; a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other, The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate. The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion; In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body, The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion, An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction, The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units, and is sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units, and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the exposed top areas of both of the pair of units.

2. The rack according to claim 1 , wherein a dimension of the plate-like connecting portion in the arrangement direction is greater than a sum of the offset widths of each of a pair of adjacent units.

3. The rack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate-shaped connection portion is in contact with both of the pair of auxiliary plate portions associated with an adjacent pair of the units in the arrangement direction.

4. The rack according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a joining portion that joins the plate-shaped connection portion and the upper surface exposed area formed on each of the pair of adjacent units.

5. A plurality of the units are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view, a region where the upper surface exposed regions corresponding to the respective corners of the four units adjacent in a lattice pattern are gathered together is defined as a collective exposed region, The rack according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a cover portion that covers the collective exposed area from above.

6. A traffic control member is provided along an outer edge of the running surface, The traffic control member comprises a base portion placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to cover the upper surface exposed area located at the outer edge of the running surface, and an upright portion provided so as to rise upward from the base portion.

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