Production system with automated warehouse function

Abstract

To provide a production system having an automatic warehouse function, which can improve production efficiency of a production facility while reducing a site area required for a warehouse and a production zone, and can flexibly cope with a layout change.SOLUTION: A production system 1 having an automatic warehouse function comprises: a production zone 3 where a plurality of production facilities 30 are disposed; a first warehouse 4 disposed in the vicinity of the production zone 3 and for storing production-related objects including both supply materials supplied to the production facilities 30 and used for production, and products produced from the supply materials by the production facilities 30; a second warehouse 5 which is separated from the first warehouse 4, is disposed above the production zone 3, and has the production-related objects stored therein; a traveling passage 6 for connecting positions P1 above the production facilities 30 to the first warehouse 4 and the second warehouse 5; a carrier device 7 which is used for storing / taking out the production related object in / from any place in the first warehouse 4 and the second warehouse 5 and travels on the traveling passage 6; and a lifting part 8 for vertically carrying the production related objects between the production facilities 30 and the positions P1 above the production facilities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] In a production system that produces products, it is necessary to store the raw materials used for production and the produced products. In addition, when a production system has multiple production facilities corresponding to multiple processes, the final product is produced by sequentially supplying the products of the production facilities of the upstream process to the production facilities of the downstream process. In such a production system having multiple production facilities, there is often a difference in processing capacity between the production facilities of the multiple processes. In this case, it is necessary to temporarily store the products produced in the upstream process as work in progress between the production facilities of the upstream process and the production facilities of the downstream process until the production in the downstream process starts. In such cases, it may be possible to install an automated warehouse system such as those described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described below, next to the production area where the production equipment is installed, to store items related to production, such as raw materials, work in progress, and finished products.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse system configuration that includes a three-dimensional grid and a plurality of container handling vehicles. In this configuration, the three-dimensional grid includes a plurality of storage columns in which containers can be stored on top of each other in a vertical stack. Each container handling vehicle retrieves a container from a storage column and stores the container therein. The container handling vehicles operate on rails at the top of the three-dimensional grid and transport the containers horizontally across the grid. Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration of an automated warehouse system including a stacker crane, a rack, and a shuttle that is placed on the rack by the stacker crane and transports and transfers cargo within the rack. In this configuration, the rack has multiple storage shelves arranged vertically. Each storage shelf can accommodate multiple cargoes arranged in a depth direction that intersects with the extension direction of the aisle of the stacker crane. Patent document 3 also discloses the configuration of an automated warehouse system that includes a track system in which a plurality of grid openings are formed adjacent to each other in a first direction in a horizontal plane and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged vertically below the grid openings, a storage container lifting device that lifts the storage containers stacked in the stacks, and a vehicle that moves along the track system.

[0004] In this way, when an automated warehouse system is installed next to a production area, or an automated warehouse system is combined with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or an overhead guided vehicle (OHT), the space efficiency of the warehouse or production area decreases due to restrictions on ensuring the movement of people and goods and on the equipment configuration, so extra space is required, which requires an equivalent amount of land area. Changing the layout requires major changes to the fixed facilities. In addition, when transporting production-related items between the production area and the warehouse, if the transport is done automatically using an automated guided transport system, in addition to the transport time of the automated guided transport system, there is the transfer time to the automated warehouse system, and if the transport is done by hand, there is extra lead time such as walking time for handing over and loading and unloading in addition to the transport time. In addition, the distance between the production equipment located on the warehouse side of the production area and the warehouse is not constant between the production equipment and the production equipment located on the opposite side of the warehouse. For this reason, some production equipment may require particularly long transport times, and may have lower production efficiency than other production equipment due to factors such as delays in the supply of raw materials. Then, for example, in a situation where other production equipment uses the products produced by the production equipment, the production efficiency of the other production equipment will also decrease. In this way, the production efficiency of the entire production system may decrease due to a decrease in the production efficiency of some production equipment in particular. Furthermore, in the vicinity of the warehouse in the production area, the transport routes of items related to all the production equipment included in the production area are concentrated, which may cause congestion and back-up of transport of items in the vicinity of the warehouse, reducing the production efficiency of the production system. It is desirable to increase the production efficiency of production facilities by reducing the amount of land required for warehouses and production areas to increase the space efficiency of the production system while minimizing the lead time between processes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-500283 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-35540 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2021-504265 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a production system with an automated warehouse function that can flexibly respond to layout changes, thereby increasing the production efficiency of production equipment while reducing the land area required for warehouses and production areas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The inventors have come up with the present invention based on the idea that a production system with an automated warehouse function can be constructed by providing a production area in which production equipment is installed, and a first warehouse section on the same floor in which production-related items including supplies used in production and products to be produced are stored, with some of the production-related items stored in a second warehouse section above the production area, and the production-related items in each warehouse section being transported by a transport device and transported up and down to the production area by a lifting section, thereby increasing the storage efficiency and transporting efficiency of the production-related items and reducing the land area required for the warehouse and production area. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means. In other words, the production system with an automated warehouse function of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a production area in which a plurality of production equipment are provided; a first warehouse section provided near the production area in which production-related items are stored, including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment using the supplies; a second warehouse section provided above the production area, spaced apart from the first warehouse section, in which the production-related items are stored; a position above each of the production equipment and a running path provided to connect the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section; a conveying device for transporting the production-related items, which is provided so as to enable the production-related items to be stored and removed from any location in the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section and to travel on the running path; and a lifting section for transporting the production-related items up and down between the upper position and each of the production equipment. According to this configuration, production-related objects, including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment based on the supplies, are transported by the transport device. This transport device travels on a travel path that connects a first warehouse section provided near the production area, a second warehouse section provided above the production area and spaced apart from the first warehouse section, and a position above each piece of production equipment. Here, a lifting section that transports the production-related objects up and down is provided between the position above the production equipment and each piece of production equipment. Therefore, the transport device transports the production-related objects between the first warehouse section, the second warehouse section, and the position above each piece of production equipment, so that the production-related objects are transported between the first warehouse section, the second warehouse section, and each piece of production equipment. In this way, some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse, making the first warehouse smaller by that amount. Since the second warehouse is located above the production area, no additional land area is required for the second warehouse. This reduces the land area required for the entire warehouse. In addition, since the second warehouse is located above the production area, the distance between each production facility is generally shorter and the variation in distance is smaller than that between the first warehouse. Therefore, the transport time of production-related items between each production facility and the second warehouse is generally shorter and the variation is smaller. Therefore, by operating in such a way that, for example, supplies that are used urgently are transported from the first warehouse to the second warehouse in advance, it is possible to improve the overall transport efficiency while preventing a situation in which the supply of supplies to some production facilities is delayed, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency and a decrease in the production efficiency of the entire production system. In addition, since some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse, the storage efficiency is improved and the concentration of transportation traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse is suppressed. Therefore, congestion and congestion of the transportation device can be suppressed. The above-mentioned effects can be particularly pronounced if the product of the production equipment corresponding to the upstream process is temporarily stored in the second warehouse when the product of the production equipment corresponding to the upstream process is supplied to another production equipment corresponding to the downstream process. In other words, when operating in this manner, it is not necessary to transport the product to the first warehouse and then transport it again from the first warehouse to the production area, so that the overall transport distance is shortened and the concentration of transport traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse can be efficiently avoided. In this way, the transportation efficiency of production-related items can be improved, and the production efficiency of production facilities can be increased. Furthermore, for example, when changing the layout of the production equipment in the production area, the production system needs to accommodate this by adding a second warehouse section and a running path and changing the location of the lifting section in accordance with the change in the production equipment. Here, the second warehouse section and the running path are provided above the production equipment, so construction can be carried out without being affected by the production equipment, which makes construction easy and also makes it easy to change the location of the lifting section. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly accommodate layout changes in the production equipment. Furthermore, the transport capacity can be adjusted according to the level of busyness by increasing or decreasing the number of transport devices. As a result, it is possible to provide a production system that can flexibly accommodate layout changes, while reducing the amount of land required for warehouses and production areas and increasing the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the second warehouse section is located on the same floor of the building as the production section. With this configuration, the distance between the production area and the second warehouse can be shortened compared to when the production area and the second warehouse are located on different floors, thereby shortening the transport time between the production equipment and the second warehouse and improving transport efficiency.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the second storage units are provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and equipment is installed between adjacent second storage units. According to this configuration, the second warehouse units are provided at multiple locations spaced apart in the horizontal direction, thereby shortening the distance between each of the multiple production facilities and the second warehouse units. Also, by installing equipment between adjacent second warehouse units, the space in the building in which the production system is installed can be effectively utilized.

[0010] The production system with an automated warehouse function of the present invention is characterized in comprising: a production section in which a plurality of production equipment are provided; a first warehouse section provided near the production section and in which production-related items are stored, including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment using the supplies; a second warehouse section provided on an upper floor of the production section, spaced from the first warehouse section, in which the production-related items are stored; a position above each of the production equipment on the upper floor, a running path provided to connect the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section; a conveying device for transporting the production-related items, which is provided so as to enable the production-related items to be stored and retrieved at any location in the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section and to travel on the running path; and a lifting section for transporting the production-related items up and down across floors between the upper position and each of the production equipment. According to this configuration, production-related objects, including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment based on the supplies, are transported by the transport device. This transport device travels on a travel path that connects a first warehouse section provided near the production area, a second warehouse section provided on an upper floor of the production area away from the first warehouse section, and a position above each piece of production equipment on the upper floor where the second warehouse section is provided. Here, between the position above the production equipment and each piece of production equipment, a lift section is provided that transports the production-related objects up and down across the floors. Therefore, the transport device transports the production-related objects between the first warehouse section, the second warehouse section, and the position above each piece of production equipment, so that the production-related objects are transported between the first warehouse section, the second warehouse section, and each piece of production equipment. In this way, some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse, making the first warehouse smaller by that amount. Since the second warehouse is located on the upper floor of the production area, no additional land area is required for the second warehouse. This reduces the land area required for the entire warehouse. In addition, since the second warehouse is located on the upper floor of the production area, the distance between each production facility is generally shorter and the variation in distance is smaller than that of the first warehouse. Therefore, the transport time of production-related items between each production facility and the second warehouse is generally shorter and the variation is smaller. Therefore, by operating in such a way that, for example, supplies that are used urgently are transported from the first warehouse to the second warehouse in advance, it is possible to improve the overall transport efficiency while preventing a situation in which the supply of supplies to some production facilities is delayed, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency and a decrease in the production efficiency of the entire production system. In addition, since some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse, the storage efficiency is improved and the concentration of transportation traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse is suppressed. Therefore, congestion and congestion of the transportation device can be suppressed. The above-mentioned effects can be particularly pronounced if the product of the production equipment corresponding to the upstream process is temporarily stored in the second warehouse when the product of the production equipment corresponding to the upstream process is supplied to another production equipment corresponding to the downstream process. In other words, when operating in this manner, it is not necessary to transport the product to the first warehouse and then transport it again from the first warehouse to the production area, so that the overall transport distance is shortened and the concentration of transport traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse can be efficiently avoided. In this way, the transportation efficiency of production-related items can be improved, and the production efficiency of production facilities can be increased. Furthermore, for example, when changing the layout of the production equipment in the production area, the production system needs to accommodate this by adding a second warehouse section and a running path and changing the location of the lift section in accordance with the change in the production equipment. Here, the second warehouse section and the running path are provided on the upper floor of the production equipment, so construction can be carried out without being affected by the production equipment, which makes construction easy and also makes it easy to change the location of the lift section. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly accommodate layout changes in the production equipment. Furthermore, the transport capacity can be adjusted according to the level of busyness by increasing or decreasing the number of transport devices. As a result, it is possible to provide a production system that can flexibly accommodate layout changes, while reducing the amount of land required for warehouses and production areas and increasing the production efficiency of the production equipment. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a production system that can flexibly accommodate layout changes, while reducing the amount of land required for warehouses and production areas and increasing the production efficiency of production equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the production system having the automated warehouse function of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention provides a production system having an automated warehouse function, which comprises a first warehouse section in the vicinity of a production section in which production equipment is installed, in which production-related items including supplies used in production and products to be produced are stored, and a second warehouse section above the production section, away from the first warehouse section. The production-related items stored in the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section are transported by a conveying device that travels on a travel path, and are transported up and down to the production section by a lifting section. In the first embodiment, the second warehouse section is provided on the same floor as the production section (Figs. 1 and 2). In the second embodiment, the second warehouse section is provided on the floor above the production section (Figs. 3 and 4). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment for carrying out a production system having an automated warehouse function according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. (First embodiment) A schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the production system having an automated warehouse function of Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a production system 1 having an automated warehouse function is provided in a building 2. The building 2 is, for example, a single-story building, and includes a floor 21, a roof 22 disposed above the floor 21, and an exterior wall 25 (see Fig. 2) provided on the outer periphery of the floor 21. A ceiling 23 is provided above the floor 21 and below the roof 22. Here, the specific structure and configuration of the building 2 are not limited in any way. The building 2 need not be a single-story building, but may be configured to have multiple floors of two or more stories. In this case, an upper floor 24 (floor slab) may be provided instead of the roof 22. The production system 1 having an automated warehouse function mainly comprises a production section 3, a first warehouse section 4, a second warehouse section 5, a travel path 6, a conveying device 7, and a lifting section 8.

[0014] The production area 3 is disposed on the floor 21. The production area 3 is equipped with a plurality of pieces of production equipment 30. The production area 3 is a production room in which the plurality of pieces of production equipment 30 are disposed. The production area 3 is formed between the floor 21 and the ceiling 23. In the plurality of production facilities 30, products are manufactured. In this embodiment, for example, a first process production facility 30A, a second process production facility 30B, and a third process production facility 30C are provided as the plurality of production facilities 30. In this embodiment, the first process production facility 30A, the second process production facility 30B, and the third process production facility 30C are sequentially arranged along the first direction D1. For example, a product is produced by passing through the first process production facility 30A, the second process production facility 30B, and the third process production facility 30C in this order. In FIG. 1, the first process production facility 30A, the second process production facility 30B, and the third process production facility 30C are sequentially arranged along the first direction D1, but the arrangement (disposition) of the plurality of production facilities 30 is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. The number of production equipment 30 (number of processes) through which a product is manufactured is not limited to three as shown here, and may be two, four or more. Furthermore, a series of production equipment 30 for manufacturing a product (production equipment 30A for a first process, production equipment 30B for a second process, and production equipment 30C for a third process) may be provided in the production section 3. In this embodiment, the multiple production equipment 30 are arranged in multiple rows spaced apart from each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 in a horizontal plane.

[0015] Each of the multiple production facilities 30 (production facility 30A for the first process, production facility 30B for the second process, and production facility 30C for the third process) is supplied with supplies that serve as the basis for producing the product and are used in production. Each of the multiple production facilities 30 performs predetermined processing, assembly, etc. based on the supplied supplies, and produces the product at that production facility 30. In the multiple production facilities 30, the product is manufactured based on the raw materials of the product by sequentially undergoing predetermined processing, assembly, etc. at each of the multiple production facilities 30. The supplies at each of the multiple production facilities 30 include raw materials for the products, intermediate products produced at the upstream production facilities 30, etc. The products at each of the multiple production facilities 30 include intermediate products, finished products, etc. Such items that are input into and output from production facility 30 during the production process at each production facility 30, including supplies supplied to production facility 30 and products produced by production facility 30, such as raw materials for products, intermediate products, and finished products, are collectively referred to as production-related items.

[0016] The first warehouse section 4 is provided near the production section 3 when viewed from above. In particular, in this embodiment, the first warehouse section 4 is provided adjacent to the production section 3. The first warehouse section 4 is provided adjacent to one side of the production section 3 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the first warehouse section 4 is provided over the entire second direction D2 of the building 2. The first warehouse section 4 is arranged inside the building 2. Production-related items are stored in the first warehouse section 4. In this embodiment, the production-related items are stored in a box-shaped transport container 100. The transport container 100 is, as a whole, a hollow box-like cubic or rectangular box-like box, and has an opening at the top for inserting and removing the production-related items. The inside of the transport container 100 is a storage area in which the production-related items are stored and kept. In this embodiment, the first warehouse section 4 includes a first rack 40. The first rack 40 is disposed on the floor 21 at a position adjacent to one side of the production section 3 in the first direction D1.

[0017] The first rack 40 comprises a plurality of first upper frames 41 which are arranged to form the uppermost part of the first rack 40 and extend in a first direction D1 in a horizontal plane, a plurality of second upper frames 42 which are arranged to form the uppermost part of the first rack 40 and extend in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 in the horizontal plane, a plurality of pillars 43 which extend in the vertical direction Dv, and an internal frame 44. As shown in FIG. 2, the first upper frames 41 are arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals in the second direction D2 on the top of the first rack 40. The second upper frames 42 are arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals in the first direction D1 on the top of the first rack 40. The first upper frames 41 and the second upper frames 42 are formed in a lattice shape when viewed from above. Each of the pillars 43 is arranged at a position overlapping with an intersection between the first upper frame 41 and the second upper frame 42 when viewed from above, so as to extend downward from the intersection. The pillars 43 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are connected to each other by a plurality of internal frames 44 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. As shown in Fig. 2, between the first upper frames 41 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 and between the second upper frames 42 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, rectangular openings 45 opening upward are formed. A plurality of openings 45 are formed along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Below each opening 45, a rectangular columnar storage space 46 extending in the vertical direction Dv is formed. In each storage space 46, a plurality of transport containers 100 are stored stacked in the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the first warehouse section 4 is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored in a three-dimensional grid shape. In this embodiment, the first rack 40 of the first warehouse section 4 is provided so as to protrude upward from the floor 21 of the building 2 through the ceiling 23.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the second warehouse section 5 is provided within the building 2, spaced apart from the first warehouse section 4 in the horizontal direction (for example, in the first direction D1). The second warehouse section 5 is provided above the production section 3. The second warehouse section 5 is disposed in what is called the attic space above the ceiling 23. On the transport route using the transport device 7 described later, the second warehouse section 5 is provided at a position closer to the production equipment 30 than the first warehouse section 4. The second storage section 5 is formed smaller than the first storage section 4. The second storage section 5 is provided by being tightly fastened to the framework of the building 2. In this embodiment, the second storage section 5 is provided on a hanging shelf 28 supported by a part of the framework of the building 2. The hanging shelf 28 is suspended from a roof beam 26 that supports the roof 22 from below. The hanging shelf 28 includes a plurality of beams 28a extending downward from the roof beam 26, and a shelf material 28b supported by the plurality of beams 28a and provided along a horizontal plane. The second warehouse 5, like the first warehouse 4, stores production-related items including supplies to the production facility 30 and products produced by the production facility 30. In this embodiment, the production-related items are accommodated and stored in a box-shaped transport container 100. The second warehouse section 5 is equipped with a second rack 50 .

[0019] The second rack 50 comprises a plurality of first upper frames 51 which are arranged to form the uppermost part of the second rack 50 and extend in a first direction D1 in a horizontal plane, a plurality of second upper frames 52 which are arranged to form the uppermost part of the second rack 50 and extend in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1 in the horizontal plane, a plurality of pillars 53 which extend in the vertical direction Dv, and an internal frame 54. As shown in FIG. 2, the first upper frames 51 are arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals in the second direction D2 on the top of the second rack 50. The second upper frames 52 are arranged in parallel to each other at equal intervals in the first direction D1 on the top of the second rack 50. The first upper frames 51 and the second upper frames 52 are formed in a lattice shape when viewed from above. Each of the pillars 53 is arranged at a position overlapping with an intersection between the first upper frame 51 and the second upper frame 52 when viewed from above, so as to extend downward from the intersection. The pillars 53 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are connected to each other by a plurality of internal frames 54 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. As shown in Fig. 2, between the first upper frames 51 adjacent to each other in the second direction D2 and between the second upper frames 52 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, rectangular openings 55 opening upward are formed. A plurality of openings 55 are formed along the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. Below each opening 55, a rectangular columnar storage space 56 extending in the vertical direction Dv is formed. In each storage space 56, a plurality of transport containers 100 are stored stacked in the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the second warehouse section 5 is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored in a three-dimensional grid shape.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second warehouse section 5 is placed on the shelf material 28b of the hanging shelf 28. The upper surface of the second rack 50 is disposed at the same height in the vertical direction Dv as the upper surface of the first rack 40 of the first warehouse section 4. The second warehouse section 5 is provided on the same floor as the production facility 30. The second storage section 5 is provided in a plurality of locations. In this embodiment, the second storage section 5 is arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction (first direction D1). The second storage section 5 may be provided in only one location, for example, in the center above the production section 3. In the vertical direction Dv, equipment 9 is installed between the second storage sections 5 arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction on the shelf material 28b of the hanging shelf 28. Examples of the equipment 9 include pipes, ducts, and air conditioning equipment. The equipment 9 may be installed not only between the second storage sections 5 but also in any free space on the hanging shelf 28 where the travel path 6 and the second storage sections 5 are not provided.

[0021] The lifting section 8 transports production-related items up and down between a position P1 above the production equipment 30 and each piece of the production equipment 30. The lifting section 8 is disposed, for example, adjacent to each of a supply section for supplies to the production facility 30 and an unloading section for products from the production facility 30. When the production facility 30 has a plurality of supply sections, a lifting section 8 may be provided corresponding to each of the supply sections. Also, when the production facility 30 has a plurality of unloading sections, a lifting section 8 may be provided corresponding to each of the unloading sections. When the supply section of the supply material and the discharge section of the product for the production facility 30 are common or close to each other, the lifting section 8 is disposed adjacent to the common supply section and discharge section. In this case, one lifting section 8 may be provided corresponding to the common supply section and discharge section, or different lifting sections 8 may be provided for supplying the supply material to the supply section and for discharging the product from the discharge section. The lifting section 8 extends in the vertical direction Dv. The lifting section 8 includes, for example, a lifting platform (not shown) that can rise and fall in the vertical direction Dv. The upper end of the lifting section 8 has an upper opening 81 that opens upward at a position facing the travel path 6 described later. The lower end of the lifting section 8 is provided with an inlet / outlet port 82 for supplying supplies to the production facility 30 and carrying out products. The inlet / outlet port 82 may include a conveyor or an unmanned transport vehicle that transports production-related items between the supply section and the carrying out section of the production facility 30. In addition, the removal of supplies and the input of products at the inlet / outlet port 82 may be performed manually by an operator or automatically using a robot or the like. In this way, the lifting section 8 is disposed adjacent to the supply section and the unloading section of the production facility 30. Therefore, strictly speaking, the lifting section 8 transports production-related objects up and down between the position P1 above each of the supply section and the unloading section of the production facility 30, in particular, and each of the supply sections and the unloading sections of the production facility 30.

[0022] The running path 6 is provided to connect the upper end of the lifting section 8 arranged at position P1 above each of the production equipment 30 to the first storage section 4 and the second storage section 5. The running path 6 extends, for example, along a horizontal plane including the upper surface of the first rack 40 of the first storage section 4 and the upper surface of the second rack 50 of the second storage section 5. 2, the travel path 6 includes rails 61 on which the transport device 7 described below can travel. The rails 61 are provided in pairs. The rails 61 extend along a first direction D1. In this embodiment, the rails 61 are arranged in a plurality of sets spaced apart in the second direction D2, and are disposed above each of the plurality of rows of production equipment 30 arranged in the second direction D2. The track 6 also includes a cross rail 62 that crosses the rail 61 and extends in the second direction D2. The cross rails 62 are also provided in pairs. In this embodiment, the cross rails 62 are disposed, for example, at the middle portion of the rail 61 in the extension direction and at the end portion of the rail 61 that is farthest from the first warehouse section 4 in the first direction D1.

[0023] The running path 6 is also provided on the first storage section 4 and the second storage section 5. More specifically, storage section rails 63 are provided on the first upper frame 41 and the second upper frame 42 of the first storage section 4 and the first upper frame 51 and the second upper frame 52 of the second storage section 5, respectively, along the first upper frames 41, 51 and the second upper frames 42, 52. In this embodiment, the widths of the first upper frames 41, 51 and the second upper frames 42, 52 are spaced apart at intervals equal to those of the rail 61 and the cross rail 62 already described. Further, rails 61 are provided so that the storage section rails 63 on the first upper frame 41 of the first storage section 4 extend continuously outward from the first storage section 4. Similarly, rails 61 are provided so that the storage section rails 63 on the first upper frame 51 of the second storage section 5 extend continuously outward from the second storage section 5. In addition to the rails 61, cross rails 62 may also be provided so that the storage section rails 63 extend continuously outward from the first storage section 4. With this structure, the running path 6 is provided so that the conveying device 7, which will be described next, can freely travel at any position on the running path 6, including above the first warehouse section 4 and above the second warehouse section 5. The warehouse section rail 63 may not be provided on the first upper frame 41 and the second upper frame 42 of the first warehouse section 4, and the first upper frame 51 and the second upper frame 52 of the second warehouse section 5, but rather these first upper frames 41, 51 and second upper frames 42, 52 themselves may be provided to serve as the warehouse section rail 63.

[0024] The conveying device 7 is provided so as to be able to run on the running path 6. The conveying device 7 is configured to be able to run on the running path 6 based on a preset program. The conveying device 7 has a pair of wheels that are provided so as to be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, and runs on the running path 6 by positioning the wheels on a pair of rails 61, a cross rail 62, and a warehouse section rail 63. The conveying device 7 runs on the running path 6 by itself to transport production-related items in the production system 1 having an automatic warehouse function based on a command from a controller (not shown). A plurality of conveying devices 7 are provided on the running path 6. The plurality of conveying devices 7 are controlled not to cross each other on the running path 6 by selecting a route to run from the rails 61, the cross rails 62, and the warehouse section rails 63 that constitute the running path 6 based on a command from the controller.

[0025] Each transport device 7 is equipped with a lifter 71 that suspends a transport container 100 in which production-related items are stored. The lifter 71 has a cable, belt, etc. (not shown) that expands and contracts downward, and is configured to be able to hold the transport container 100 at its lower end. While holding the transport container 100 at the lower end of the cable, belt, etc., the lifter 71 expands and contracts the cable, belt, etc., thereby raising and lowering the transport container 100 in the vertical direction Dv. Each conveying device 7 is configured to be able to store and retrieve production-related items in any location in the first warehouse section 4 or the second warehouse section 5. Each conveying device 7 travels along any location on the warehouse section rail 63 in the first warehouse section 4 or the second warehouse section 5, stops at any location, and stores and retrieves production-related items in and from the storage spaces 46, 56 below the openings 45, 55 by operating the lifter 71 with the lifter 71 positioned above the openings 45, 55 provided at that location. Each conveying device 7 is configured to enable storage and removal of production-related items in and from the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8. Each conveying device 7 is configured to enable storage and removal of production-related items from the storage space 56 of the second warehouse section 5 via the lifting section 8. Each conveying device 7 stores and removes production-related items in and from a lifting platform (not shown) below the upper opening 81 by operating the lifter 71 with the lifter 71 positioned above the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8. The travel path 6 is provided so that congestion can be avoided even when such conveying devices 7 are concentrated above the production section 3. More specifically, the travel path 6 is provided so that congestion can be avoided by overtaking, detouring, or going around in places on the conveying route where the conveying devices 7 are likely to be particularly concentrated and congested, by using double tracks or two-way traffic, etc. In particular, by configuring the route so that congestion can be easily avoided in this way, the freedom of route selection when the conveying devices 7 travel is improved, and conveying efficiency is improved.

[0026] In the production system 1 having such an automated warehouse function, a product is manufactured by passing through a plurality of production facilities 30 in sequence. More specifically, first, a supply (raw material) is supplied to the production facility 30A of the first process, and the supply is processed, assembled, etc. in the production facility 30A to produce a product, and the product is transported from the production facility 30A. Next, the product in the production facility 30A of the first process is supplied as a supply to the production facility 30B of the second process, and the product is produced in the production facility 30B by performing the specified processing, assembly, etc., and the product is transported from the production facility 30B. Furthermore, the product in the production facility 30B of the second process is supplied as a supply to the production facility 30C of the third process, and the product is produced in the production facility 30C by performing the specified processing, assembly, etc., and the product is transported from the production facility 30C.

[0027] When supplying production-related items (supplies, in this case raw materials) to the production equipment 30A for the first process, first, prior to production in the production equipment 30A, the conveying device 7 moves to above the storage space 46 in which the production-related items are stored, on the storage rails 63 of the first warehouse section 4, and removes the production-related items. The conveying device 7 moves from the storage rails 63 of the first warehouse section 4 to the rails 61 connecting the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5, and conveys the production-related items. The conveying device 7 moves from the rail 61 to the warehouse section rail 63 of the second warehouse section 5 and stores the production-related items conveyed to the second warehouse section 5. Thereafter, when it is time to supply the production-related items to the production equipment 30A, the conveying device 7 moves to above the position on the warehouse section rail 63 of the second warehouse section 5 where the production-related items are stored, and removes the production-related items. The conveying device 7 moves on the rail 61 from the warehouse section rail 63 of the second warehouse section 5 to the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8 that supplies the production-related items to the production equipment 30A. The conveying device 7 places the production-related items on the lifting platform of the lifting section 8. The lifting section 8 lowers the lifting platform and conveys the production-related items to the supply section of the production equipment 30A. In addition, the conveying device 7 may convey the production-related items directly from the first warehouse section 4 to the lifting section 8 corresponding to the supply section of the production equipment 30A at the timing of supplying the production-related items to the production equipment 30A, without storing the production-related items in the second warehouse section 5.

[0028] When a product (intermediate product) is produced in the production facility 30A, it is transported to the second warehouse section 5 as a production-related item. Specifically, when a production-related object produced in the production facility 30A is placed on the lifting platform of the lifting unit 8, the lifting unit 8 raises the lifting platform. The transport device 7 holds the raised production-related object, moves it from the rail 61 to the warehouse rail 63 of the second warehouse 5, and stores the production-related object transported to the second warehouse 5. Thereafter, when it is time to supply the production-related items to the production equipment 30B, the conveying device 7 moves to above the position on the warehouse section rails 63 of the second warehouse section 5 where the production-related items are stored, and removes the production-related items. The conveying device 7 moves on the rails 61 from the warehouse section rails 63 of the second warehouse section 5 to the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8 that supplies the production-related items to the production equipment 30B. The conveying device 7 places the production-related items on the lifting platform of the lifting section 8. The lifting section 8 lowers the lifting platform, and conveys the production-related items to the supply section of the production equipment 30B. When a product (intermediate product) is produced in the production facility 30B, it is transported as a production-related item to the second warehouse section 5 in the same procedure as above. Then, when it is time to supply the production-related item to the production facility 30C, it is transported to the supply section of the production facility 30C in the same procedure as above. The products (intermediate products) produced in the production facilities 30A and 30B may be transported to the first warehouse unit 4, taking into consideration the availability of space in the second warehouse unit 5.

[0029] When a product (final product) is produced in the production facility 30C, it is transported to the first warehouse section 4 as a production-related item. Specifically, when a production-related object produced in the production equipment 30C is placed on the lifting platform of the lifting section 8, the lifting section 8 raises the lifting platform. The transport device 7 holds the raised production-related object and moves it from the rail 61 to the warehouse rail 63 of the first warehouse 4. The transport device 7 moves to above the storage space 46 where the production-related object is to be stored, and stores the production-related object. The production-related items (finished products) stored in the first warehouse section 4 are delivered at appropriate times from the production system 1 having an automated warehouse function. The product (final product) produced in the production facility 30C may be temporarily stored in the second warehouse 5 and transported to the first warehouse 4 at an appropriate time.

[0030] The production system 1 having the automated warehouse function as described above comprises a production section 3 in which a plurality of production equipment 30 are provided, a first warehouse section 4 provided near the production section 3 and in which production-related items are stored, including supplies supplied to the production equipment 30 to be used in products and products produced by the production equipment 30 from the supplies, a second warehouse section 5 provided above the production section 3 and spaced apart from the first warehouse section 4 and in which the production-related items are stored, a position P1 above each of the production equipment 30, a running path 6 provided to connect the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5, a conveying device 7 for transporting the production-related items, which is provided to enable storage and retrieval of the production-related items at any location in the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5 and travel on the running path 6, and a lifting section 8 for transporting the production-related items up and down between the upper position P1 and each of the production equipment 30. According to this configuration, production-related objects, including supplies supplied to the production facility 30 and used in production, and products produced by the production facility 30 based on the supplies, are transported by the transport device 7. The transport device 7 travels on a travel path 6 provided to connect the first warehouse section 4 provided adjacent to the production section 3, the second warehouse section 5 provided in the vicinity of the production section 3 at a distance from the first warehouse section 4, and a position P1 above each of the production facilities 30. Here, between the position P1 above the production facilities 30 and each of the production facilities 30, a lifting section 8 is provided for transporting the production-related objects up and down. Therefore, the transport device 7 transports the production-related objects between the first warehouse section 4, the second warehouse section 5, and the position P1 above each of the production facilities 30, so that the production-related objects are transported between each of the first warehouse section 4, the second warehouse section 5, and the production facilities 30. In this way, some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse section 5, making the first warehouse section 4 smaller by that amount. Since the second warehouse section 5 is provided above the production section 3, no land area is required for providing the second warehouse section 5. This makes it possible to reduce the land area required for the entire warehouse. In addition, since the second warehouse section 5 is provided above the production section 3, the distance between each production facility 30 is generally shorter and the variation in distance is smaller than that between the first warehouse section 4. As a result, the transport time of production-related items between each production facility 30 and the second warehouse section 5 is generally shorter and the variation is smaller. Therefore, by operating in such a way that, for example, supplies that are to be used urgently are transported in advance from the first warehouse section 4 to the second warehouse section 5, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the supply of supplies to some production facilities 30 is delayed, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency, and thus a decrease in the production efficiency of the entire production system 1, while improving the overall transport efficiency. In addition, since a part of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse section 5, the storage efficiency is improved and the concentration of the transportation traffic line near the first warehouse section 4 is suppressed. Therefore, congestion and congestion of the transportation device 7 can be suppressed. The above-mentioned effects can be particularly pronounced when, for example, a product of a production facility 30 corresponding to a preceding process is supplied as a supply to another production facility 30 corresponding to a following process, by temporarily storing the product of the production facility 30 corresponding to the preceding process in the second warehouse section 5. That is, when operated in this manner, it is not necessary to transport the product to the first warehouse section 4 and then transport it again from the first warehouse section 4 to the production section 3, so that the overall transport distance is shortened and the concentration of transport traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse section 4 can be efficiently avoided. In this way, the transportation time of production-related items can be shortened, and the production efficiency of the production facility 30 can be increased. Furthermore, for example, when changing the layout of the production equipment 30 in the production section 3, the production system 1 needs to accommodate this by adding the second warehouse section 5 and the travel path 6 and changing the arrangement of the lifting section 8 in accordance with the change in the production equipment 30. Here, the second warehouse section 5 and the travel path 6 are provided above the production equipment 30, and therefore can be constructed without being affected by the production equipment 30, which makes construction easy and also makes it easy to change the arrangement of the lifting section 8. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly accommodate layout changes in the production equipment 30. Furthermore, the transport capacity can be adjusted according to the level of busyness by increasing or decreasing the number of transport devices 7. As a result, it is possible to provide a production system 1 that can flexibly accommodate layout changes and can increase the production efficiency of the production facility 30 while reducing the site area required for the warehouse.

[0031] In particular, in this embodiment, as described above, the second warehouse section 5 stores production-related items that are products of one of the multiple production facilities 30 and are to be supplied to other production facilities 30. With this configuration, as described above, there is no need to transport the products to the first warehouse section 4 and then transport them again from the first warehouse section 4 to the production section 3, thereby shortening the overall transport distance and efficiently avoiding the concentration of transport traffic lines in the vicinity of the first warehouse section 4. In this way, the transportation time of production-related items can be shortened, and the production efficiency of the production facility 30 can be increased.

[0032] In addition, the second warehouse section 5 is provided on the same floor of the building 2 as the production section 3. With this configuration, the distance between the production section 3 and the second warehouse section 5 can be shortened compared to when the production section 3 and the second warehouse section 5 are located on different floors. This reduces the transport time of production-related items between the production equipment 30 and the second warehouse section 5, improving transport efficiency.

[0033] Further, the second storage sections 5 are provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and facility equipment 9 is installed between adjacent second storage sections 5. According to this configuration, the second warehouse units 5 are provided at multiple locations spaced apart in the horizontal direction, thereby shortening the distance between each of the multiple production facilities 30 and the second warehouse units 5. Furthermore, the facility equipment 9 is installed between adjacent second warehouse units 5, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize the space within the building 2 in which the production system 1 is installed.

[0034] In addition, the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5 are formed by accumulating storage areas in which production-related items are stored and kept in a three-dimensional grid pattern, and a running path 6 is also provided above the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5, and the conveying device 7 is configured to run and stop at any position above the first warehouse section 4 and the second warehouse section 5, enabling production-related items to be stored in and removed from the storage area below that position. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the first storage unit 4 and the second storage unit 5 can be realized appropriately.

[0035] (Modification of the first embodiment) In the above embodiment, the production system 1 having an automated warehouse function is configured to be installed in a single-story building 2, but if the building 2 has multiple floors, the production system 1 having the automated warehouse function as described above may be installed on a floor other than the first floor. In the above embodiment, the second warehouse and the runway 6 are arranged on a hanging shelf 28 supported by part of the framework of the building 2 in the attic space above the ceiling 23, but they may also be arranged on a steel frame installed in the production area. Also, in a similar manner to the second embodiment described next, an equipment and machinery space (ISS: Interstitial Space System) may be provided above the production area, and the installation height of the first warehouse 4 installed on the same floor as the production area may be extended to the upper surface of the second warehouse 5 installed on the ISS, and the second warehouse 5 and the runway 6 may be installed within the ISS.

[0036] Second embodiment A schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a production system having an automated warehouse function according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the production system having an automated warehouse function of this embodiment. 3, a production system 1B having an automated warehouse function in this embodiment is installed in a building 2B. The building 2B is, for example, a two-story building, and includes floors 21A and 21B on each floor, a roof 22 arranged above the floor 21B on the second floor UF, and an exterior wall (not shown). The production system 1B having an automated warehouse function mainly includes a production section 3, a first warehouse section 4B, a second warehouse section 5B, a travel path 6B, a conveying device 7, and a lifting section 8B. In the second embodiment, the description of the parts having the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0037] The production section 3 is arranged on the floor 21A of the first floor DF. The first warehouse section 4B is provided on one side in the first direction D1, and is also provided on one side in the second direction D2. The production section 3 is equipped with a plurality of production equipment 30. The production section 3 is a production room in which a plurality of production equipment 30 is arranged. The production section 3 is formed between the floor 21A of the first floor DF and the floor 21B of the second floor UF. In the plurality of production equipment 30, products are manufactured. In this embodiment, for example, a first process production equipment 30A, a second process production equipment 30B, and a third process production equipment 30C are provided as the plurality of production equipment 30. The first storage section 4B is provided near the production section 3 in plan view. In particular, in this embodiment, the first storage section 4B is provided adjacent to the production section 3. The first storage section 4B is provided on the floor 21A of the first floor DF. The first storage section 4B is provided so as to penetrate upward through the floor 21B of the second floor UF. In this way, the first storage section 4B is provided between the floor 21A and the roof 22 of the first floor DF. The first warehouse section 4B includes a first rack 40 having a similar configuration to the first warehouse section 4 in the first embodiment. The first rack 40 has a rectangular columnar storage space 46 extending in the vertical direction Dv. In each storage space 46, a plurality of transport containers 100 are stored stacked in the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the first warehouse section 4B is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored in a three-dimensional grid shape.

[0038] The second warehouse section 5B is also provided above the production section 3 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the second warehouse section 5B is particularly provided on the upper floor UF of the production section 3, i.e., the second floor UF. As a result, on the conveying route using the conveying device 7, the second warehouse section 5B is provided at a position closer to the production equipment 30 than the first warehouse section 4B. 4, in this embodiment, the second warehouse section 5B is provided on the second floor UF, directly above each production facility 30 located on the first floor DF, and is provided in a lattice shape above each production facility 30, in order to connect each production facility 30, particularly the position P1 above the production facility 30, in each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In this way, the second warehouse section 5B is provided in a manner that is entirely connected. The second storage section 5B is connected to the first storage section 4B at one end in each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In this manner, the first storage section 4B and the second storage section 5B are provided to be integrated with each other. In the second warehouse unit 5B, like the first warehouse unit 4B, production-related items including supplies to be supplied to the production facility 30 and products produced by the production facility 30 are stored. The second warehouse section 5B includes a second rack 50, as in the first embodiment. In each storage space 56 of the second rack 50, a plurality of transport containers 100 are stacked in the vertical direction Dv and stored. As a result, the second warehouse section 5B is formed by accumulating storage areas (transport containers 100) in which production-related items are stored and kept in a three-dimensional grid shape. The upper surface of the second rack 50 is disposed at the same height in the vertical direction Dv as the upper surface of the first rack 40 of the first warehouse section 4B. The floor 21B of the second floor UF on which the second storage section 5B is installed is shown in Fig. 3 as being made of reinforced concrete, but it goes without saying that this is not limited to this. For example, the part on which the second storage section 5B is installed may be made of a mesh-like metal plate.

[0039] The lifting section 8B transports production-related items up and down between a position P1 above the production equipment 30 on the upper floor UF, i.e., the second floor UF, and each piece of production equipment 30, more precisely, between a position P1 above each of the production equipment 30, particularly the supply section and the unloading section, and the supply section and the unloading section of each piece of production equipment 30. In particular, in this embodiment, the lifting section 8B transports production-related items up and down across floors between a position P1 above the production equipment 30 located on the second floor UF and each of the production equipment 30 located on the first floor DF. For this reason, the lifting section 8B is provided so as to penetrate the floor 21B of the second floor UF in the vertical direction Dv.

[0040] The travel path 6B is provided to connect the upper end of the lifting section 8B arranged at a position P1 above each of the production equipment 30 to the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B. The travel path 6B extends, for example, along a horizontal plane including the upper surface of the first rack 40 of the first warehouse section 4 and the upper surface of the second rack 50 of the second warehouse section 5. The travel path 6B includes, for example, rails 61B on which the conveying device 7 can run. As described above, in this embodiment, the second warehouse section 5B is provided so as to connect the position P1 above the production equipment 30, and the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B are provided so as to be integrated. For this reason, the rails 61B are provided over the entire upper surfaces of the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B so that the conveying device 7 can move freely in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2.

[0041] The conveying device 7 is provided so as to be capable of traveling on the travel path 6B. The conveying device 7 is configured so as to be capable of storing and retrieving production-related items at any location in the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B. Each conveying device 7 travels at any location on the rails 61B provided on the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B, stops at any location, and stores and retrieves production-related items in the storage spaces 46, 56 below the openings 45, 55 by operating the lifter 71 while positioning the lifter 71 above the openings 45, 55 provided at that location. The conveying device 7 is configured to enable storage and removal of production-related items in and from the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8B. The conveying device 7 is also configured to enable storage and removal of production-related items from the storage space 56 of the second warehouse section 5B via the lifting section 8B. Each conveying device 7 stores and removes production-related items in and from a lifting platform (not shown) below the upper opening 81 by operating the lifter 71 with the lifter 71 positioned above the upper opening 81 of the lifting section 8B. As in the first embodiment, the travel path 6 is provided so that congestion can be avoided even when such conveying devices 7 are concentrated above the production section 3. More specifically, the travel path 6 is provided so that congestion can be avoided by overtaking, detouring, or going around in places on the conveying route where the conveying devices 7 are particularly likely to concentrate and become congested, by using double tracks or two-way traffic, etc. In particular, by configuring the conveying devices 7 in such a way that congestion can be easily avoided, the freedom of route selection when the conveying devices 7 travel is improved, and conveying efficiency is improved.

[0042] In the production system 1B having such an automated warehouse function, production-related items are stored and transported in the same manner as in the production system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0043] The production system 1B having the automated warehouse function as described above comprises a production section 3 in which a plurality of production equipment 30 is provided, a first warehouse section 4B provided near the production section 3 and in which production-related items are stored, including supplies supplied to the production equipment 30 for use in production and products produced by the production equipment 30 from the supplies, a second warehouse section 5B provided on the upper floor UF of the production section 3 away from the first warehouse section 4B and in which the production-related items are stored, a position P1 above each of the production equipment 30 on the upper floor UF and a running path 6B provided to connect the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B, a conveying device 7 for conveying the production-related items, which is provided so as to enable storage and retrieval of the production-related items at any location in the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B and to enable travel on the running path 6B, and a lifting section 8B for conveying the production-related items up and down across floors between the upper position P1 and each of the production equipment 30. According to this configuration, production-related objects, including supplies supplied to the production equipment 30 for use in production and products produced by the production equipment 30 based on the supplies, are transported by the transport device 7. The transport device 7 travels on a travel path 6B provided to connect a first warehouse section 4B provided near the production section 3, a second warehouse section 5B provided on the upper floor UF of the production section 3 away from the first warehouse section 4B, and a position P1 above each of the production equipment 30 on the upper floor UF where the second warehouse section 5B is provided. Here, between the position P1 above the production equipment 30 and each of the production equipment 30, a lifting section 8B is provided to transport the production-related objects up and down across the floors. Therefore, by the conveying device 7 transporting production-related items between positions P1 above the first warehouse section 4B, the second warehouse section 5B, and the production equipment 30, production-related items are transported between the first warehouse section 4B, the second warehouse section 5B, and the production equipment 30. In this way, some of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse section 5B, and the first warehouse section 4B can be made smaller accordingly. Since the second warehouse section 5B is provided on the upper floor UF of the production section 3, no additional site area is required for providing the second warehouse section 5B. This allows the site area required for the entire warehouse to be reduced. In addition, since the second warehouse 5B is provided on the upper floor UF of the production section 3, the distance between each production facility 30 is generally shorter and the variation in distance is smaller than that of the first warehouse 4B. Therefore, the transport time of production-related items between each production facility 30 and the second warehouse 5B is generally shorter and the variation is smaller. Therefore, by operating in such a way that, for example, urgently used supplies are transported in advance from the first warehouse 4B to the second warehouse 5B, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the supply of supplies to some production facilities 30 is delayed, resulting in a decrease in production efficiency, and the production efficiency of the entire production system is decreased as a result. In addition, since a part of the production-related items can be stored in the second warehouse 5B, the storage efficiency is improved and the concentration of the transportation traffic line near the first warehouse 4B is suppressed. Therefore, congestion and congestion of the transportation device 7 can be suppressed. The above-mentioned effects can be particularly pronounced if the product of the production equipment 30 corresponding to the upstream process is temporarily stored in the second warehouse section 5B when, for example, the product of the production equipment 30 corresponding to the upstream process is supplied as a supply to another production equipment 30 corresponding to the downstream process. That is, when operating in this manner, it is not necessary to transport the product to the first warehouse section 4B and then transport it again from the first warehouse section 4B to the production section 3, so that the overall transport distance is shortened and the concentration of transport traffic in the vicinity of the first warehouse section 4B can be efficiently avoided. In this way, the transportation efficiency of production-related items can be improved, and the production efficiency of the production facility 30 can be increased. Furthermore, for example, when changing the layout of the production equipment 30 in the production section 3, in the production system 1B, it is necessary to respond to this by adding the second warehouse section 5B and the travel path 6B and changing the arrangement of the lifting section 8B in accordance with the change in the production equipment 30. Here, since the second warehouse section 5B and the travel path 6B are provided above the production equipment 30, construction can be performed without being affected by the production equipment 30, which makes construction easy and also makes it easy to change the arrangement of the lifting section 8B. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly respond to layout changes in the production equipment 30. Furthermore, the transport capacity can be adjusted according to the level of busyness by increasing or decreasing the number of transport devices 7. As a result, it is possible to provide a production system that can flexibly accommodate layout changes and can increase the production efficiency of the production facility 30 while reducing the site area required for the warehouse and production area 3.

[0044] In particular, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the second warehouse section 5B stores production-related items that are products of one of the multiple production facilities 30 and are to be supplied to the other production facilities 30. With this configuration, as described above, there is no need to transport the products to the first warehouse section 4B and then transport them again from the first warehouse section 4B to the production section 3, thereby shortening the overall transport distance and efficiently avoiding the concentration of transport traffic lines in the vicinity of the first warehouse section 4B. In this way, the transportation time of production-related items can be shortened, and the production efficiency of the production facility 30 can be increased.

[0045] In addition, the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B are formed by accumulating storage areas in which production-related items are stored and kept in a three-dimensional grid pattern, and a running path 6B is also provided above the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B, and the conveying device 7 is configured to run and stop at any position above the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B, enabling the storage and removal of production-related items from the storage area below that position. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the first storage unit 4B and the second storage unit 5B can be appropriately realized.

[0046] (Modification of the second embodiment) In the above-mentioned second embodiment, the second warehouse section 5B is provided on the second floor UF directly above each production equipment 30 located on the first floor DF, and is provided in a lattice shape above each production equipment 30 in each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 so as to connect each production equipment 30, particularly the position P1 above the production equipment 30, but this is not limited to this. For example, even if the second warehouse section 5B is provided at a position different from each production equipment 30 when viewed from above on the second floor UF, it goes without saying that the same effect as the second embodiment can be achieved as long as the travel path 6B is provided to connect the position P1 above each production equipment 30 to the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first warehouse section 4B is arranged to penetrate upward through the floor 21B of the second floor UF, but this is not limited to this, and as long as an appropriate runway 6B can be provided between the first warehouse section 4B and the second warehouse section 5B, the first warehouse section 4B may be arranged only on the first floor DF.

[0047] (Other Modifications of the First and Second Embodiments) In addition, in the above first embodiment, the second storage section 5 is arranged in a part of the attic space above the ceiling 23, but the second storage section 5 may be arranged throughout the entire attic space as in the second embodiment. In addition, in the above first embodiment, the equipment 9 is arranged between the second storage sections 5 arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, but the configuration may also be such that the equipment 9 is not arranged. In addition, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be selected or changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1, 1B Production system 7 Transport device 2, 2B Building 8, 8B Lift 3 Production area 9 Equipment 4, 4B 1st warehouse 30, 30A~30C Production equipment 5, 5B 2nd Warehouse P1 Upper position 6, 6B Runway UF Upper Floor

Claims

1. A production system having an automated warehouse function, A production area with multiple production facilities; a first warehouse section provided near the production area, in which production-related items including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment based on the supplies are stored; a second warehouse section provided above the production section and spaced apart from the first warehouse section, in which the production-related items are stored; A travel path provided to connect a position above each of the production facilities, the first storage unit, and the second storage unit; a conveying device for conveying the production-related items, the conveying device being provided so as to enable the production-related items to be stored and retrieved from any location in the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section, and to be capable of traveling on the travel path; a lifting unit for transporting the production-related objects up and down between the upper position and each of the production facilities; Equipped with the lifting unit is provided adjacent to the production equipment, an upper end of the lifting unit is disposed at a position above the production equipment, and the lifting unit includes a lifting platform that can be raised and lowered in a vertical direction; The travel path is provided to connect the upper end portion, the first storage portion, and the second storage portion, The transport device stores and retrieves the production-related items on the lift platform. A production system having an automated warehouse function.

2. 2. The production system with an automated warehouse function according to claim 1, wherein the second warehouse section is provided on the same floor of a building as the production section.

3. The first warehouse section and the second warehouse section are formed by accumulating storage areas in which the production-related items are stored and kept in a three-dimensional grid shape, The upper surface of the first storage section and the upper surface of the second storage section are disposed at the same height, The travel path is provided to extend along a horizontal plane including the upper surface of the first storage section and the upper surface of the second storage section, The conveying device is provided so as to travel and stop at any position above the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section, and to enable the production-related items to be stored in and removed from the storage area below the position.

3. A production system having an automated warehouse function according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A production system having an automated warehouse function, A production area with multiple production facilities; a first warehouse section provided near the production area, in which production-related items including supplies supplied to the production equipment and used in production, and products produced by the production equipment based on the supplies are stored; a second warehouse section provided on an upper floor of the production section, spaced apart from the first warehouse section, in which the production-related items are stored; A position above each of the production facilities on the upper floor, a travel path provided to connect the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section, a conveying device for conveying the production-related items, the conveying device being provided so as to enable the production-related items to be stored and retrieved from any location in the first warehouse section and the second warehouse section, and to be capable of traveling on the travel path; an elevator for transporting the production-related items up and down between the upper position and each of the production facilities across floors; A production system having an automated warehouse function, comprising:

Images