Towing fixture

Abstract

To provide a traction jig capable of towing a carrier with a conveyance vehicle with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A traction jig for conveying a carriage having a loading space facing a floor surface at a position higher than an upper surface of a conveyance vehicle by the conveyance vehicle includes: a first jig having at least a pair of receiving parts attached to the upper surface of the conveyance vehicle and arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction of the conveyance vehicle, a pressing part provided at an upper part of the front of the conveyance vehicle in the traveling direction and abutting a front surface of the loading space, and a stopper that is provided on the conveyance vehicle and that is formed at a distance from the pressing part equal to or greater than the width of the loading space in the traveling direction and is capable of abutting a rear surface of the loading space; and a second jig having a pair of plate-shaped guides that are provided on a lower surface of the loading space spaced apart in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction and that abuts the receiving part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a towing jig for towing a cart with a transport vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A dolly is known as a device for loading and moving cargo in a factory production line or the like. A technique for towing a dolly by a transport vehicle is also known. As an example of a transport vehicle, a technique for transporting a dolly by an unmanned AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) that is guided by magnetism emitted by a magnetic tape or magnetic bar laid on the floor surface is known (for example, Patent Document 1). For example, a technique for transporting a dolly by a transport vehicle is known in which a dolly is coupled to the back of the transport vehicle and towed, and a technique is known in which a dolly is fixed to the transport vehicle by clamping a pin provided on the underside of the dolly's loading platform and transported. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-146322 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned technique for transporting a dolly by a transport vehicle, the length of the coupled transport vehicle and dolly becomes long. In particular, when the transport route traveled by the transport vehicle curves, the traveling line of the coupled dolly may become swollen.

[0005] For example, in a method in which the transport vehicle fixes the dolly to the transport vehicle by clamping a pin provided on the underside of the dolly, there is little risk of the travel line of the dolly expanding when the transport vehicle is being transported. However, such a transport vehicle requires a mechanism for clamping the pin, and if the weight of the luggage to be stacked on the dolly is heavy, the force required for the transport vehicle to clamp the pin is large, so the requirements for the mechanism of the transport vehicle are high, and the transport vehicle becomes expensive.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a towing jig that has a simple configuration and that can tow a cart with a transport vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a towing jig is a towing jig that transports a cart having a loading platform facing a floor surface by a transport vehicle to a position higher than the top surface of the transport vehicle, and comprises: a first jig that is attached to the top surface of the transport vehicle and arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transport vehicle, a pressing portion that is provided at the upper part of the transport vehicle at the front in the direction of travel and abuts the front surface of the loading platform, and a stopper that is provided on the transport vehicle and is distanced from the pressing portion by at least the width of the loading platform in the direction of travel, and can abut against the rear surface of the loading platform; and a second jig that is provided in pair on the underside of the loading platform, spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel, and has plate-shaped guides that abut against the receiving portions. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a towing jig that has a simple configuration and that can tow a cart with a transport vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using a towing jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using the towing jig. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using the towing jig. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using the towing jig. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using the towing jig. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the configuration of a transport vehicle and a dolly using the towing jig. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first jig and a transport vehicle of the towing jig. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second jig and a carriage of the towing jig. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing examples of forces exerted when the same towing jig and a towing jig of a comparative example are used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a towing jig 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0011] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing the configuration of a transport vehicle 100 and a dolly 200 using a towing jig 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are plan views showing the configuration of a transport vehicle 100 and a dolly 200 using a towing jig 1. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are side views showing the configuration of a transport vehicle 100 and a dolly 200 using a towing jig 1.

[0012] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the first jig 5 and the transport vehicle 100 of the towing jig 1, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the second jig 6 and the carriage 200 of the towing jig 1 from below. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of two pairs of receiving parts 12 of the towing jig 1 of the present embodiment and the configuration of the pin 120 of the comparative example, as well as showing examples of forces F1 and F2 generated between the receiving parts 12 and the pin 120.

[0013] 1 to 8, the towing jig 1 is provided on a transport vehicle 100 and a dolly 200. First, the transport vehicle 100 and the dolly 200 will be described.

[0014] The transport vehicle 100 is an unmanned transport vehicle such as an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) or a manned transport vehicle such as a turret truck. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 will be described below as an AGV 100. The AGV 100 travels unmanned on a transport route, guided by magnetism emitted by magnetic tapes or magnetic bars laid on the floor along the transport route, for example, to transport luggage within a factory.

[0015] 1 to 7, for example, a part of the towing jig 1 is provided on the upper surface of the AGV 100. For example, the upper surface of the AGV 100 is formed in a flat shape so that a part of the towing jig 1 can be fixed. As a specific example, the AGV 100 has a flat plate-like portion 100a provided on the upper surface and having a female screw into which a fastening member such as a bolt for fixing a part of the towing jig 1 is screwed.

[0016] 1 to 6 and 8, the dolly 200 includes one or more loading platforms 211 and a plurality of casters 212 attached to the loading platforms 211. The loading platform 211 is formed, for example, in a rectangular flat plate shape so that luggage can be placed thereon. For example, when the dolly 200 includes a plurality of loading platforms 211, the dolly 200 has four frames 213 extending in the vertical direction (gravity direction) across the plurality of loading platforms 211. The dolly 200 has a plurality of loading platforms 211 connected at the four corners by the four frames 213.

[0017] A part of the towing jig 1 is fixed to the lower surface of the loading platform 211 that faces the floor surface on which the dolly 200 is transported. Here, the loading platform 211 that faces the floor surface means the loading platform 211 in the dolly 200 provided with a single loading platform 211, and means the lowest loading platform 211 in the dolly 200 provided with a plurality of loading platforms 211. The lower surface of the loading platform 211 that faces the floor surface is disposed at a position higher than the upper surface of the AGV 100.

[0018] The casters 212 are capable of supporting the loading platform 211 and allowing it to move on a floor surface, and are provided, for example, one at each of the four corners of the loading platform 211. The four casters 212 are, for example, swivel wheels.

[0019] Next, we will explain the towing jig 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the towing jig 1 includes a first jig 5 provided on the AGV 100 and a second jig 6 provided on the underside of a platform 211 facing the floor surface of the dolly 200.

[0020] The first jig 5 includes a fixing portion 11, at least a pair of receiving portions 12, a pressing portion 13, a stopper 14, and an attachment portion 15. The first jig 5 is provided on the upper portion of the AGV 100. The receiving portions 12, the pressing portion 13, the stopper 14, and the attachment portion 15 of the first jig 5 are formed integrally or separately, and are attached to the AGV 100 by the fixing portion 11. As a specific example, the fixing portion 11 fixes the multiple receiving portions 12, the pressing portion 13, and the stopper 14 to the AGV 100 at a position where the multiple receiving portions 12 face the second jig 6 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100 and where the stopper 14 can abut against the back surface (rear surface) of the loading platform 211 when the front surface of the loading platform 211 of the dolly 200 abuts against the pressing portion 13.

[0021] The fixing portion 11 is fixed to the AGV. The fixing portion 11 includes, for example, a first fixing portion 21 that fixes the receiving portions 12 and the stopper 14, and a second fixing portion 22 that fixes the pressing portion 13 and the mounting portion 15.

[0022] The first fixing portion 21 comprises a first frame 21a that connects the multiple receiving portions 12 and the stoppers 14 together, and a first flange 21b that fixes the first frame 21a to the upper surface of the AGV 100, for example, to the plate-shaped portion 100a of the AGV 100, by a fastening member.

[0023] The first frame 21a is integrally provided with a plurality of receiving portions 12. The stopper 14 is movably fixed to the rear end of the first frame 21a in the traveling direction of the AGV 100. For example, the first frame 21a is a frame extending in the traveling direction of the AGV 100 and in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. The rear end of the first frame 21a is formed in a shape that allows the stopper 14 to be movably fixed. The first flange 21b is provided in one or more numbers depending on the number and arrangement of bolt holes provided in the plate-shaped portion 100a of the AGV 100, for example. In this embodiment, two first flanges 21b are provided. The number and shape of the first flanges 21b, and the number and arrangement of bolt holes in the plate-shaped portion 100a of the AGV 100 for fastening can be set appropriately.

[0024] The second fixing portion 22 includes, for example, a second frame 22a that connects the holding portion 13 and the mounting portion 15 together, and a second flange 22b that fixes the second frame 22a to the upper surface of the AGV 100, for example, to the plate-shaped portion 100a of the AGV 100, by a fastening member.

[0025] For example, in the direction of travel of the AGV 100, such a fixing portion 11 positions multiple receiving portions 12 between the center and the rear end of the plate-shaped portion 100a by a first fixing portion 21, and fixes the holding portion 13 and the mounting portion 15 to the front end of the plate-shaped portion 100a by a second fixing portion 22.

[0026] At least one pair of receiving parts 12 are provided, for example, side by side in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100. In other words, at least two receiving parts 12 are provided side by side in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100. The two receiving parts 12 are provided, for example, on the upper surface of the AGV 100, specifically, on both ends of the plate-shaped part 100a in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. As a suitable example, for example, two pairs of receiving parts 12 are provided. In other words, for example, four receiving parts 12 are provided. The four receiving parts 12 form pairs, and the two pairs of receiving parts 12 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the traveling direction of the AGV 100.

[0027] As a specific example, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, one pair of receiving parts 12 of the two pairs of receiving parts 12 is provided at the same position as the center of the AGV 100 in the direction of travel of the AGV 100 or forward of the center, and the other pair of receiving parts 12 of the two pairs of receiving parts 12 is provided behind the center of the AGV 100 in the direction of travel and at a predetermined distance from the one pair of receiving parts 12 in the direction of travel.

[0028] The holding unit 13 is provided on the upper part of the AGV 100, at the front in the traveling direction of the AGV 100, and abuts against the front surface of the loading platform 211 of the cart 200. That is, the holding unit 13 is provided at a height position where it abuts against the loading platform 211. The holding unit 13 restricts the forward movement of the cart 200 in the traveling direction of the AGV 100.

[0029] For example, the pressing portion 13 is formed to be capable of cushioning the impact of the dolly 200 that it abuts against. It is formed of one or more rubber plates 13a provided on the second fixing portion 22. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 13 is formed of three rectangular rubber plates 13a provided on the second frame 22a in a line perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100. Note that the pressing portion 13 is not limited to being formed of the rubber plates 13a, and for example, the pressing portion 13 may be formed such that a part of the second fixing portion 22 abuts against the front surface of the dolly 200.

[0030] The stopper 14 is provided on the AGV 100, and restricts the backward movement of the cart 200 in the traveling direction of the AGV 100 when the cart 200 is transported by the AGV 100. The stopper 14 abuts against the back surface (rear surface) of the platform 211 of the cart 200 arranged on the AGV 100 during the transport. The distance between the abutting portion of the pressing portion 13 with the front surface of the platform 211 of the cart 200 in the traveling direction of the AGV 100 (the rear surface of the pressing portion 13) and the abutting portion of the stopper 14 with the rear surface of the platform 211 (the front surface of the stopper 14 at a second position described later) is set to be equal to or greater than the width of the platform 211 of the cart 200 in the traveling direction of the AGV 100.

[0031] As a specific example, the stopper 14 moves between a first position shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, which is lower than the lower end of the platform 211 facing the ground of the dolly 200 and is separated from the platform 211, and a second position shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, which is higher than the lower end of the platform 211 facing the ground and abuts against the rear surface of the platform 211. That is, the stopper 14 can change its posture between the first position and the second position in a state where it is fixed to the first fixing part 21 of the AGV 100.

[0032] The position of the stopper 14 can be changed manually and / or automatically between the first position and the second position. As a specific example, the stopper 14 is rotatably fixed to the rear end of the first frame 21a of the first fixing portion 21. One end of the stopper 14 is rotatably fixed to the rear end of the first frame 21a by a rotation shaft 14a such as a bolt. Note that the rotation shaft 14a that rotatably holds one end of the stopper 14 may be a pin instead of a bolt.

[0033] The stopper 14 rotates between two positions: a horizontal position (first position) along the longitudinal direction of the first frame 21a as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5; and an upright position (second position) along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first frame 21a as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6. The stopper 14 is fixed in each of the horizontal and upright positions and can maintain the position. The fixing method of the stopper 14 in each position can be set appropriately. For example, the stopper 14 may be fixed by a fixing pin, or a locking mechanism may be provided. The stopper 14 may be fixed and released in each position by driving a fixing pin and a locking mechanism using a driving source such as a motor or a piston cylinder, or the stopper 14 may be fixed and released in each position by two methods: automatic driving by a driving source and manual operation.

[0034] As a specific example, the stopper 14 is formed so that the AGV 100 can manually operate the stopper 14 at the start position of the conveyance path. Also, the stopper 14 is formed so that when the AGV 100 moves to the end position of the conveyance path guided by a command such as a magnetism emitted by a magnetic tape or a magnetic rod laid on the floor surface along the conveyance path, the stopper 14 can automatically move from the second position to the first position based on the command such as a magnetism at the end position.

[0035] 6, the upper surface (tip) of the stopper 14 in the upright position is higher than the first frame 21a and higher than the lower surface of the platform 211 of the dolly 200. That is, as shown in Fig. 6, the stopper 14 in the upright position is formed so as to be able to abut against the side surface of the platform 211. The stopper 14 is provided with one or more rubber plates 14b at a position where the stopper 14 abuts against the side surface of the platform 211 in the upright position, capable of cushioning the impact of the dolly 200 abutting against the side surface.

[0036] Such a pressing portion 13 and stopper 14 enable the trolley 200 to be placed on the AGV 100 so that the loading platform 211 is positioned on the AGV 100 when the stopper 14 is in a horizontal position, and when the stopper 14 is in an upright position, it restricts movement in the forward and backward directions in the direction of travel of the trolley 200 placed on the AGV 100.

[0037] The mounting section 15 is, for example, a rectangular frame-shaped frame extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the traveling direction of the AGV 100. The mounting section 15 is formed so that an external terminal 300 such as a tablet terminal can be mounted thereon. The external terminal 300 may be mounted indirectly to the mounting section 15 via a mounting member 15a such as a mounting stand or arm, or may be mounted directly to the mounting section 15. For example, the height of the mounting section 15 is set to a height at which the mounted external terminal 300 can be visually recognized by a work vehicle in a standing position. As a specific example, the height of the mounting section 15 is set higher than the center of the dolly 200 in the height direction.

[0038] The mounting portion 15 may be configured to be higher than the top step of the loading platform 211 of the dolly 200, and to prevent articles such as products placed on each loading platform 211 from falling, in addition to the inclination of the dolly 200. The mounting portion 15 may further have a net or the like, and may be configured to prevent articles on the loading platform 211 from falling.

[0039] The second jig 6 comprises a pair of guides 31 spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the AGV 100 on the underside of the platform 211 facing the floor surface, and flanges 32 that fix each of the pair of guides 31 to the underside of the platform 211.

[0040] The pair of guides 31 are spaced apart by a predetermined width in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100. The width of the separation between the pair of guides 31 in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is greater on the front and rear sides in the traveling direction of the AGV 100 than on the center side. As a specific example, the width of the separation between the pair of guides 31 decreases from the front and rear ends toward the center in the traveling direction of the AGV 100, and is set constant on the center side. In addition, the width of the separation between the pair of guides 31 is set to be greater than the width of the separation between the two pairs of receiving parts 12 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

[0041] The guide 31 is formed in a plate shape. The guide 31 includes a straight portion 31a extending in one direction, and an inclined portion 31b inclined in one direction at both ends of the straight portion 31a. Due to the inclined portions 31b of the guide 31, the width of the pair of guides 31 separated in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the AGV 100 is wider on the front and rear sides than on the center side.

[0042] The straight portion 31a of the guide 31 extends along the traveling direction of the cart 200 (AGV 100). The length of the straight portion 31a is set to be longer than the distance between the two pairs of receiving portions 12 in the traveling direction. In addition, when the cart 200 is set on the AGV 100 for transportation, the straight portion 31a of the pair of guides 31 faces the two pairs of receiving portions 12.

[0043] The width by which the pair of guides 31 are separated in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction is set to be larger than the width of the pair of receiving portions 12 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction.

[0044] The flange 32 is provided integrally with the guide 31, and is fixed to the underside of the platform 211 by fastening members such as bolts. As a specific example, the flange 32 has a plurality of flange pieces 32a provided on each of the pair of guides 31. The flange pieces 32a are formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape, and are formed by bending 90 degrees at their midpoints. One end of each of the flange pieces 32a is fixed to the guide 31 by welding or the like. The end of the flange piece 32a provided on the guide 31 and the other end (other end) have bolt holes formed therein, and form bearing surfaces for fastening members.

[0045] For example, four flange pieces 32a are provided for one guide 31. For example, the four flange pieces 32a are provided one at each end of the front and rear inclined portions 31b of the guide 31, and two are provided on the linear straight portion 31a of the guide 31. The distance between the two flange pieces 32a provided on the straight portion 31a of the guide 31 is set to be larger than the distance between the flange pieces 32a provided on the front and rear inclined portions 31b and the flange pieces 32a provided on the straight portion 31a adjacent to the flange pieces 32a of the inclined portion 31b. That is, the two flange pieces 32a provided on the straight portion 31a of the guide 31 are provided adjacent to the front and rear inclined portions 31b, respectively, for example.

[0046] Also, for example, the four flange pieces 32a fixing one guide 31 are set to have different directions for fixing the guide 31. As a specific example, two of the four flange pieces 32a abut against the straight portion 31a of the guide 31 with a surface along the extension direction (traveling direction) of the straight portion 31a and are fixed. Also, the remaining two of the four flange pieces 32a abut against a portion formed at the end of the inclined portion 31b and extending in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction with a surface along the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction and are fixed. In this way, the four flange pieces 32a are configured to change the orientation of the two at the center of the guide 31 and the two at both ends by 90° so that the force applied to the guide 31 can be received in two different directions.

[0047] In the towing jig 1 configured as above, the first jig 5 is provided on the AGV 100, and the second jig 6 is provided on the cart 200. In addition, the towing jig 1 places the cart 200 on the AGV 100 at the start position of the transport path, and moves the stopper 14 from the first position to the second position, thereby restricting the front-rear movement of the cart 200 in the traveling direction by the holding part 13 and the stopper 14. Thus, the towing jig 1 restricts the front-rear movement of the cart 200 in the traveling direction by the holding part 13 and the stopper 14, and restricts the left-right movement of the cart 200 perpendicular to the traveling direction by the two pairs of receiving parts 12 and the pair of guides 31. This allows the cart 200 to follow the AGV 100 when the AGV 100 moves along the transport path guided by a command such as a magnetism generated by a magnetic tape or a magnetic rod laid on the floor surface along the transport path.

[0048] Furthermore, the towing jig 1 can release the restriction along the traveling direction of the AGV 100 and the cart 200 by automatically moving the stopper 14 from the second position to the first position at the end position of the transport route in response to a command such as magnetism emitted by a magnetic tape or magnetic rod laid at the end position. Therefore, by the AGV 100 traveling after the stopper 14 moves from the second position to the first position, the AGV 100 moves away from the cart 200 transported to the end position, and only the cart 200 can be placed at the end position of the transport route. In this way, the towing jig 1 can easily move the AGV 100 from the cart 200.

[0049] Also, for example, by making the towing jig 1 automatically and manually movable between the first position and the second position of the stopper 14, for example, at the start position of the conveyance path, an operator operates the cart 200 to convey it to the AGV 100 and moves the stopper 14 to the first position and the second position. In this way, by having a work vehicle set the cart 200 on the AGV 100, for example, at the start position, a separate jig such as a station for setting the cart 200 on the AGV 100 is not required. By using the towing jig 1 with such a configuration, the cost of the equipment for conveying the cart 200 by the AGV 100 can be reduced.

[0050] The towing jig 1 is configured to restrict the movement of the cart 200 relative to the AGV 100 in the forward and backward directions in the traveling direction of the cart 200 and in the left and right directions perpendicular to the traveling direction. For this reason, for example, a device configuration in which two pins provided on the cart are clamped and fixed by an electrically driven mechanism provided on the AGV, as in the conventional technology, is not required, so the cost required for the AGV 100 can be reduced. Furthermore, while the power consumption of the AGV 100 increases when the device configuration in which the pins are clamped and fixed by an electrically driven mechanism of the conventional technology is driven, the towing jig 1 of this embodiment does not require power to restrict the movement of the cart 200 during transportation, so the power consumption of the AGV 100 can be reduced. For this reason, the towing jig 1 can increase the operating time of the AGV 100.

[0051] Furthermore, in the towing jig 1, the distance in the traveling direction between the pressing portion 13 and the stopper 14 is made larger than the width in the traveling direction of the platform 211 of the dolly 200, and the distance between the two pairs of receiving portions 12 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is made smaller than the distance between the pair of guides 31. As a result, a predetermined gap is generated between the platform 211 of the dolly 200 including the pair of guides 31 and the first jig 5, so that the shape of the platform 211 including the pair of guides 31 does not require precision. Therefore, the manufacturing costs of the towing jig 1 and the dolly 200 can be reduced.

[0052] Moreover, the pair of guides 31 may be plate-shaped, and the configuration of the second jig can be simplified, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the towing jig 1. Moreover, the pair of guides 31 are configured to have inclined portions 31b at the front and rear ends in the traveling direction so that the width of the pair of guides 31 widens toward the ends. This makes it easy to arrange the receiving portion 12 between the pair of guides 31 by relatively moving the AGV 100 and the cart 200 in the direction along the traveling direction.

[0053] Furthermore, by providing two pairs of receiving parts 12 that come into contact with the pair of guides 31, the towing jig 1 comes into contact with the pair of guides 31 at at least two receiving parts 12 in the left-right direction perpendicular to the traveling direction when the dolly 200 is transported. Therefore, the stress applied to the receiving parts 12 and the guides 31 when the dolly 200 is transported can be dispersed, and therefore the towing jig 1 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0054] In addition, the flange 32 is configured such that the orientation of the four flange pieces 32a to which each guide 31 is attached is changed by 90° between two at the center of the guide 31 and two at both ends. This allows the flange 32 to receive the force applied to the guide 31 in two different directions, improving the strength of the guide 31 when attached to the loading platform 211. That is, when the towing jig 1 is used, a force along the traveling direction and a force in the width direction perpendicular to the traveling direction are applied to the pair of guides 31. However, by changing the orientation of the flange pieces 32a, the flange 32 is configured such that two of the four flange pieces 32a are easily oriented to withstand the force along the traveling direction and the remaining two are easily oriented to withstand the force perpendicular to the traveling direction, improving the strength against the force repeatedly applied during the transportation of the dolly 200.

[0055] In addition, since the first jig 5 has two pairs of receiving parts 12, even if the AGV 100 turns when passing through a curve in the conveying route, the force generated in the receiving parts 12 during the turn can be reduced. For example, in a configuration having two pins 120 provided on a carriage used in a conventional technology as a comparative example of this embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the pins 120 is reduced. In contrast, in this embodiment, one of the two pairs of receiving parts 12 is provided on the center side in the traveling direction of the AGV 100, and the other of the two pairs of receiving parts 12 is provided on the rear end side in the traveling direction of the AGV 100, so that the distance in the traveling direction of the two pairs of receiving parts 12 can be secured compared to the conventional one. Therefore, the force F1 generated in the two pairs of receiving parts 12 during the turn is smaller than the force F2 generated in the conventional pin 120 during the turn. Since the force acting on the towing jig 1 during transportation of the dolly 200 is reduced, the towing jig 1 can turn the dolly 200 with less force.

[0056] In addition, since the towing jig 1 has an attachment portion 15 for attaching the external terminal 300, the attachment portion 15 can restrict the movement of the cart 200 when the cart 200 tilts in a direction that would cause it to tip forward, such as when the AGV 100 suddenly stops, thereby making it possible to prevent the cart 200 from tipping over.

[0057] As described above, according to the towing jig 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cart 200 can be towed by the AGV 100 with a simple configuration.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, in the above-mentioned example, the towing jig 1 is fixed to the plate-shaped part 100a of the AGV 100 and the platform 211 of the cart 200 by fastening members such as bolts via the flanges 21b, 22b, and 32. Also, the first jig 5 is configured to have two first flanges 21b and one second flange 22b, and the second jig 6 is configured to have eight flange pieces 32a as the flange 32.

[0059] However, the method of attaching the first jig 5 and the second jig 6 to the AGV 100 and the cart 200 is not limited to these. For example, the first jig 5 may be configured such that the first frame 21a for fixing the multiple receiving parts 12, the pressing parts 13, and the stoppers 14, and the mounting parts 15 are integrally fixed to a single plate member, and this plate member is attached to the plate-shaped part 100a of the AGV 100, or the plate member may be directly attached to the AGV 100 that does not have the plate-shaped part 100a. Similarly, the pair of guides 31 may be replaced by flanges 32 and fixed to a single plate member, and this plate member may be fixed to the platform 211.

[0060] Also, for example, the first jig 5 and the second jig 6 are configured to be attached to the AGV 100 and the cart 200 by fastening members in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first jig 5 and the second jig 6 may be configured to be fixed to the AGV 100 and the cart 200 by magnetic force of a magnet or magnets, or may be configured to be fixed to the AGV 100 and the cart by a belt or the like. Also, for example, the first jig 5 and the second jig 6 may be configured to be attached to the AGV 100 and the cart 200 by sandwiching the AGV 100 and the cart 200 between them.

[0061] In the above example, the stopper 14 is fixed to the first frame 21a by the rotation shaft 14a so as to be rotatable between the first position and the second position, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stopper 14 may be configured to slide vertically between the first position and the second position.

[0062] Although the stopper 14 has been described as being moved manually and automatically between the first and second positions, the stopper 14 may be manually operated by, for example, a mechanism that moves the stopper 14 between the first and second positions when operated with the foot, or a mechanism that drives an electric drive source when a button is operated, to move the stopper 14 between the first and second positions. The stopper 14 may be detachable from the first frame 21a.

[0063] In addition, the stopper 14 may be configured to move only automatically, and to automatically move to the first position and the second position when the stopper 14 is located at the start position and the end position of the conveying path.

[0064] That is, the stopper 14 may have any of the above-mentioned configurations or may be a combination of several of the above-mentioned configurations as long as the stopper 14 is configured to be manually and / or automatically moved between the first position and the second position.

[0065] That is, in the above-mentioned example, the AGV 100 manually operates the stopper 14 at the start position of the conveyance path to set the cart 200 on the AGV 100, and the AGV 100 conveys the cart 200 guided by commands such as magnetism emitted by a magnetic tape or magnetic rod laid on the floor along the conveyance path. Also, an example was described in which the AGV 100 automatically operates the stopper 14 from the second position to the first position at the end position of the conveyance path by commands such as magnetism emitted by a magnetic tape or magnetic rod laid on the floor along the conveyance path, and then the AGV 100 travels to convey the cart 200 to the end position, and the cart 200 can be separated from the AGV 100. However, whether the cart 200 is set on the AGV 100 manually or automatically at the start position and end position of the conveyance path and then removed from the AGV 100 can be appropriately set according to the usage mode.

[0066] In the above example, the AGV 100 is disposed below the platform 211 of the cart 200. However, when the AGV 100 slips under the cart 200, depending on the configuration of the AGV 100, there is a risk that the operation buttons of the AGV 100, for example, an emergency stop button, may be hidden by the cart 200. For this reason, for example, the operation buttons of the AGV 100 may be provided on the mounting part 15, or an operation part for operating the AGV 100 may be provided on the mounting part 15. With such a configuration, the towing jig 1 and the AGV 100 can improve operability.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. The embodiments may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiment includes various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the multiple components disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and the effect can be obtained even if some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which the components are deleted can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...towing jig, 5...first jig, 6...second jig, 11...fixed portion, 12...receiving portion, 13...holding portion, 13a...rubber plate, 14...stopper, 14a...rotating shaft, 14b...rubber plate, 15...mounting portion, 15a...mounting member, 21...first fixed portion, 21a...first frame, 21b...first flange, 22...second fixed portion, 22a...second frame, 22b...second flange, 31...guide, 31a...straight portion, 31b...inclined portion, 32...flange, 32a...flange piece, 100...transport vehicle (AGV), 100a...plate-shaped portion, 120...pin, 200...cart, 211...loading platform, 212...caster, 213...frame, 300...external terminal.

Claims

1. A towing tool for transporting a dolly having a loading platform facing a floor surface at a position higher than an upper surface of the transporting vehicle by a transporting vehicle, a first jig having at least a pair of receiving portions attached to an upper surface of the transport vehicle and arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport vehicle, a pressing portion provided at the upper front portion of the transport vehicle in the traveling direction and contacting the front surface of the loading platform, and a stopper provided on the transport vehicle and formed such that the distance from the pressing portion is equal to or greater than the width of the loading platform in the traveling direction; A pair of second jigs are provided on the underside of the platform in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction and spaced apart from each other, the second jigs having plate-shaped guides that come into contact with the receiving portions; A towing fixture comprising:

2. The towing jig according to claim 1 , wherein a width by which the pair of guides are separated in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is larger on the front and rear sides than on the center side in the traveling direction.

3. 3. The towing tool according to claim 1, wherein the stopper moves between a first position that is lower than the loading platform and a second position that is higher than the loading platform and abuts against a rear surface of the loading platform.

4. The transport vehicle is configured to automatically move along a transport path, The towing jig according to claim 3 , wherein the stopper automatically moves from the second position to the first position at an end position of the transport path.

5. The towing jig according to claim 1 , wherein a width by which the pair of guides are separated in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction is larger than a width of the at least pair of receiving portions in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

6. The towing jig according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion is provided in two pairs in the traveling direction.

7. The towing jig described in claim 6, wherein one of the two pairs of receiving portions is provided forward of the center of the transport vehicle in the direction of travel, and the other of the two pairs of receiving portions is provided rearward of the center of the transport vehicle in the direction of travel.

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