Article conveying equipment

Abstract

To provide an article conveyance facility for avoiding interference of a column with a conveyance vehicle, while closely setting a traveling route on a traveling floor.SOLUTION: An article conveyance facility has a conveyance vehicle traveling on a traveling face Ff formed each of multiple traveling floors F. The conveyance vehicle is composed to travel straight and to change the direction by turning around a vertical axis at the position. A column 1 is disposed to penetrate vertically the traveling floor F and to protrude higher than the traveling face Ff. A through-hole 5 for the column provided to the traveling floor F for allowing penetration of the column 1 is disposed not to overlap a first straight track T1, a second straight track T2 and a turning track Tr, and to overlap at least one of a first tangential line TL1 and a second tangential line TL2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an article conveying facility including a plurality of vertically arranged running floors, a support frame supporting the plurality of running floors, and a carrier running on a running surface formed on each of the plurality of running floors.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, automation of article conveyance has been progressing in article conveying facilities such as logistics warehouses. In such article conveying facilities, for example, carriers (10) as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-050240 (Patent Document 1) are widely used. The carrier (10) is configured to run on the running floor unmanned and convey articles.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, by providing running floors for the carrier to run over multiple floors, the range of utilization of the facility is expanded, and an improvement in the capacity of the entire facility can be expected. To provide multiple floors of running floors, columns for supporting them are essential. However, since interference between the columns and the carrier must be avoided, there are restrictions on the arrangement positions of the columns in relation to the running path of the carrier. For example, it is conceivable to expand the running floor planar to provide a clearance between the column and the running path. However, if the running floor is simply expanded, useless space is generated and the space efficiency tends to decrease.

[0005] In view of the above situation, it is desired to realize an article conveying facility capable of avoiding interference between the columns and the carrier while closely setting the running path on the running floor.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] An article conveying facility including a plurality of running floors arranged vertically, a support frame supporting the plurality of running floors, and a carrier running on a running surface formed on each of the plurality of running floors, The support frame is configured by combining a plurality of columns and a plurality of beams, The running surface of each of the plurality of running floors is formed by the upper surfaces of a plurality of floor boards arranged in a planar manner, The carrier is configured to perform a straight running and a turning operation of turning around a vertical axis on the spot to change the direction, Among the directions along the running surface, a specific direction is defined as the first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction among the directions along the running surface is defined as the second direction, On the running surface, a first running path which is the running path of the carrier along the first direction, a second running path which is the running path of the carrier along the second direction, and a turning position which is arranged at a location where the first running path and the second running path intersect and where the turning operation is permitted are set, The column is arranged so as to penetrate at least one layer of the running floors in the vertical direction and protrude above the running surface, The locus of the carrier running straight on the first running path is defined as the first straight running locus, the locus of the carrier running straight on the second running path is defined as the second straight running locus, the locus of the carrier performing the turning operation at the turning position is defined as the turning locus, the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning locus parallel to the first direction is defined as the first tangent line, and the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning locus parallel to the second direction is defined as the second tangent line, The column through holes provided in the running floors for passing through the columns are arranged so as not to overlap with the first straight running locus, the second straight running locus, and the turning locus in a vertical view, and to overlap with at least one of the first tangent line and the second tangent line.

[0007] According to this configuration, while densely setting the travel routes on each travel floor, it is possible to avoid interference between the carrier traveling on the travel route and the columns. In addition, since the configuration allows the columns to penetrate the travel floor and protrude above the travel surface, the columns can be arranged not only at the outer edge of the travel floor but also on the central side of the travel floor. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the rigidity of the multi-layer travel floors.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the technology according to the present disclosure will become clearer from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the article conveying facility will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 〔Outline of the Article Conveying Facility〕 First, with reference to FIG. 1, the outline of the article conveying facility will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the article conveying facility 100 includes a plurality of multi-layer travel floors F arranged in the vertical direction, a support frame SF that supports the plurality of travel floors F, and carriers V that travel on the travel surfaces Ff formed on each of the plurality of travel floors F. On each floor's travel floor F, a plurality of carriers V are traveling on the travel surface Ff.

[0012] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the article conveying facility 100 includes a two-story traveling floor F. FIG. 1 shows the first-floor traveling floor F and the second-floor traveling floor F. However, the article conveying facility 100 is not limited to such a configuration, and may include a traveling floor F with three or more floors.

[0013] The carrier vehicle V is configured to convey the article G. The carrier vehicle V is configured to travel straight and perform a turning operation of turning around the vertical axis on the spot to change the direction. By performing the straight running and the turning operation, the carrier vehicle V can freely travel on the running surface Ff on each of the first-floor traveling floor F and the second-floor traveling floor F.

[0014] The article conveying facility 100 includes a pair of lifters L for raising and lowering the carrier vehicle V across a plurality of floors (two floors in this example) of the traveling floor F, an article supply unit Pg to which the article G is supplied, a work area WA where the work of delivering the article G supplied from the article supply unit Pg to the carrier vehicle V is performed, a sorting area SA where the sorting work of the article G is performed, and an empty container recovery device B for recovering the empty container C generated by the sorting work in the sorting area SA.

[0015] In the present embodiment, both the work area WA and the sorting area SA are provided at the same level as the first-floor traveling floor F. And neither the work area WA nor the sorting area SA is provided on the second-floor traveling floor F.

[0016] The work area WA is arranged adjacent to both the travel route R of the carrier V on the first floor travel floor F and the article supply unit Pg. In the present embodiment, the article supply unit Pg supplies the article G to the work area WA in a state where the article G is accommodated in the supply container Cp. In the work area WA, an operation is performed to take out the article G accommodated in the supply container Cp and deliver the article G to the carrier V waiting on the travel route R. The delivery of the article G to the carrier V may be performed in a state where the article G is accommodated in a container C different from the supply container Cp, or may be performed in a manner of directly delivering the article G without accommodating it in the container C. In the present embodiment, the above operation in the work area WA is performed by the worker W. However, the above operation may be performed by a robot instead of the worker W, or may be performed by both the worker W and the robot.

[0017] The sorting area SA is arranged adjacent to the travel route R at a location separated from the work area WA. The carrier V transports the article G received in the work area WA to the sorting area SA. In the sorting area SA, a sorting operation of the article G transported by the carrier V is performed. In the present embodiment, the sorting area SA is provided with a plurality of sorting conveyors Sc. The carrier V delivers the article G to any one of the plurality of sorting conveyors Sc. In the sorting area SA, a sorting operation of the article G delivered from the carrier V to the sorting conveyor Sc is performed. The sorting operation is performed based on predetermined order information. For example, the order information includes various information such as customer information, shipping destination information, and article type information.

[0018] When the transporter V transports the article G contained in the container C to the sorting area SA, it delivers the article G together with the container C to the sorting conveyor Sc. In this case, in the sorting area SA, a take-out operation of taking out the article G from the container C transported by the transporter V is performed. The empty container C generated by this take-out operation is collected by the empty container collection device B. The empty container C collected by the empty container collection device B is transported along the collection path Rb to the work area WA and used for the work in the work area WA. In the present embodiment, the sorting work (including the above take-out operation) in the sorting area SA is performed by the worker W. However, the sorting work may be performed by a robot instead of the worker W, or the sorting work may be performed by both the worker W and the robot.

[0019] After delivering the article G to the sorting area SA, the transporter V gets on the elevator L and heads for the running floor F on the other floor (the running floor F on the second floor in this example). Then, the transporter V travels on the running floor F on the second floor, gets on another elevator L, and returns to the running floor F on the floor where the above-described work area WA and sorting area SA are provided (the running floor F on the first floor in this example). The returned transporter V receives the article G in the work area WA in the same manner as above and transports the article G to the sorting area SA.

[0020] 〔Configuration of the running floor〕 Next, the configuration of the running floor F will be described in detail. As described above, the plurality of running floors F are supported by the support frame SF.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the support frame SF is configured by combining a plurality of columns 1 (see FIG. 5) and a plurality of beams 2. The columns 1 extend along the vertical direction. The beams 2 are connected to the columns 1 and extend along the horizontal direction.

[0022] In this embodiment, the column 1 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape having four side surfaces 10. The column 1 is formed hollow. Connecting members 3 for connecting the beam 2 to the column 1 are attached to each of the four side surfaces 10. Therefore, it is possible to connect up to four beams 2 to one column 1. According to this, when the column 1 is arranged in a region other than the outer edge of the running surface Ff, since up to four beams 2 can be connected to the column 1, it is easy to appropriately support the running floor F using the beams 2. Note that the number of beams 2 connected to the column 1 can be arbitrarily determined.

[0023] The connecting member 3 is configured to connect the end portion of the beam 2 in the extending direction to the side surface 10 of the column 1. In this example, the connecting member 3 attached to the column 1 supports the beam 2, whereby the beam 2 is connected to the column 1.

[0024] In this embodiment, the connecting member 3 includes a support portion 30 that supports the beam 2 from below, a pair of side wall portions 31 that extend downward from both end portions of the support portion 30 in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the extending direction of the beam 2), an upper fixing portion 32 that is bent upward from the support portion 30 and extends along the side surface 10 of the column 1, and side fixing portions 33 that are bent inward in the width direction from each of the pair of side wall portions 31 and extend along the side surface 10 of the column 1.

[0025] The upper fixing portion 32 and the side fixing portion 33 of the connecting member 3 are fixed to the side surface 10 of the column 1. In this example, through holes 10h are formed in the side surface 10 of the column 1. Then, the upper fixing portion 32 and the side fixing portion 33 are fixed to the side surface 10 of the column 1 by rivets passing through the through holes 10h.

[0026] The beam 2 includes a supported portion 20 supported by a support portion 30 of the connecting member 3, and a pair of hanging portions 21 hanging downward from both ends in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the extending direction of the beam 2) of the supported portion 20. The supported portion 20 is disposed above the support portion 30. Each of the pair of hanging portions 21 is disposed outside the width direction with respect to the side wall portion 31 disposed on the same side in the width direction among the pair of side wall portions 31. Thereby, in the longitudinal direction view along the extending direction of the beam 2, the beam 2 is disposed so as to cover the connecting member 3. In this state, the beam 2 is fixed to the connecting member 3 by a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, a floor board 4 is placed on the upper surface of the beam 2. The floor board 4 is fixed to the beam 2 by a fastening member such as a bolt. In the present embodiment, a plurality of floor boards 4 (four floor boards 4 in this example) are arranged so as to surround the column 1. One floor board 4 is connected to one column 1 and fixed to the pair of adjacent beams 2 while being placed on the upper surfaces of the pair of adjacent beams 2.

[0028] The running surface Ff of each of the plurality of running floors F is formed by the upper surfaces of the plurality of floor boards 4 arranged in a plane (see also FIG. 5). Each of the plurality of floor boards 4 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. The running surface Ff may be formed using a plurality of floor boards 4 of the same type and the same size, or may be formed using a plurality of types of floor boards 4 having different sizes. Further, the running surface Ff may be formed using a plurality of types of floor boards 4 having a square shape or a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the running floor F is provided with a column through hole 5 through which the column 1 is disposed. The column 1 penetrates the running floor F in the vertical direction by being disposed so as to penetrate the column through hole 5.

[0030] The column 1 is arranged so as to penetrate at least the running floor F of any layer in the vertical direction and protrude above the running surface Ff. In the present embodiment, the column 1 is arranged so as to penetrate at least the running floor F of the lowermost layer in the vertical direction and protrude above the running surface Ff. Thus, since the configuration allows the column 1 to penetrate the running floor F and protrude above the running surface Ff, the column 1 can be arranged not only at the outer edge of the running floor F but also on the central side of the running floor F. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the rigidity of the multi-layer running floor F.

[0031] In the present embodiment, some of the plurality of columns 1 penetrate only the running floor F of the lowermost layer. That is, in this example, some of the plurality of columns 1 penetrate only the running floor F of the first floor. Also, although detailed illustration is omitted, some of the other plurality of columns 1 penetrate the running floors F of the lowermost layer and its upper layer. That is, in this example, some of the other plurality of columns 1 penetrate both the running floor F of the first floor and the running floor F of the second floor.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the connecting member 3 attached to the column 1 is arranged so as to penetrate the column through-hole 5. Thus, in the present embodiment, the column through-hole 5 is also used as the arrangement region of the connecting member 3. Therefore, while realizing an appropriate connection between the column 1 and the beam 2 by the connecting member 3, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the running floor F due to the arrangement of the connecting member 3.

[0033] In this embodiment, a part of the connecting member 3 is arranged to penetrate through the column through-hole 5. Specifically, the upper fixing portion 32 of the connecting member 3 penetrates through the column through-hole 5 and is arranged above the running surface Ff. The connecting member 3 supports the beam 2 from below. When the vertical range of the portion of the connecting member 3 fixed to the column 1 is widely ensured, the support strength when supporting the horizontally extending beam 2 can be improved, which is preferable. According to the above configuration, since the upper fixing portion 32 of the connecting member 3 penetrates through the column through-hole 5 and is arranged above the running surface Ff, the vertical range of the portion of the connecting member 3 fixed to the column 1 can be widely ensured. Therefore, the support strength when supporting the beam 2 can be improved.

[0034] On the other hand, the support portion 30 of the connecting member 3 supports the beam 2 from below. Further, this beam 2 supports the floor plate 4 forming the running surface Ff from below. Therefore, the support portion 30 of the connecting member 3 and the portion below the support portion 30 are arranged below the running surface Ff. With such a configuration, since the portion other than the upper fixing portion 32 of the connecting member 3 is below the running surface Ff, the size of the column through-hole 5 only needs to be large enough for the upper fixing portion 32 to penetrate, and it is not necessary to penetrate the portion other than the upper fixing portion 32 of the connecting member 3. Therefore, it is easy to keep the size of the column through-hole 5 in the vertical view small while arranging the upper fixing portion 32 above the running surface Ff, and thus it is possible to suppress the expansion of the running floor F.

[0035] The transport vehicle V is configured to run on the running surface Ff of the running floor F configured as described above.

[0036] FIG. 4 schematically shows a part of the running surface Ff. A specific direction along the running surface Ff is defined as the first direction X, and a direction perpendicular to the first direction X along the running surface Ff is defined as the second direction Y.

[0037] On the traveling surface Ff, a first traveling path R1 which is the traveling path R of the carrier vehicle V along the first direction X, a second traveling path R2 which is the traveling path R of the carrier vehicle V along the second direction Y, and a turning position Pr which is arranged at a position where the first traveling path R1 and the second traveling path R2 intersect and where the turning operation of the carrier vehicle V is permitted, are set.

[0038] In the present embodiment, a plurality of first traveling paths R1 and a plurality of second traveling paths R2 are set so as to form a lattice pattern in a top-down view. As described above, the carrier vehicle V is configured to perform a straight traveling and a turning operation of turning around a vertical axis on the spot to change its direction. The carrier vehicle V can travel on any traveling path R set on the traveling surface Ff by combining the straight traveling and the turning operation.

[0039] In the present embodiment, position information holding portions In for holding the position information of the relevant location are provided at a plurality of locations on the traveling surface Ff. In this example, the traveling path R is set so as to connect the plurality of position information holding portions In. More specifically, the first traveling path R1 is set so as to connect the plurality of position information holding portions In arranged side by side in the first direction X. The second traveling path R2 is set so as to connect the plurality of position information holding portions In arranged side by side in the second direction Y.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the turning position Pr is set based on the positions of the position information holding portions In. In other words, the carrier vehicle V is configured to perform a turning operation at the positions where the position information holding portions In are arranged.

[0041] In this embodiment, unique identification information is set in the position information holding unit In. In this example, the identification information includes address information indicating the position where the position information holding unit In is provided. The transport vehicle V is provided with a detection unit (not shown) for detecting the position information holding unit In. Then, the transport vehicle V can grasp the position where the position information holding unit In is provided, that is, the current position of its own vehicle at the time of detection, by detecting the position information holding unit In with this detection unit. For example, as the position information holding unit In, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code having identification information can be used. Alternatively, as the position information holding unit In, an RFID tag (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) having identification information can be used.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the trajectory of the transport vehicle V traveling straight on the first travel route R1 is defined as the first straight trajectory T1, the trajectory of the transport vehicle V traveling straight on the second travel route R2 is defined as the second straight trajectory T2, and the trajectory of the transport vehicle V performing a turning operation at the turning position Pr is defined as the turning trajectory Tr. These first straight trajectory T1, second straight trajectory T2, and turning trajectory Tr are actually invisible, but in FIG. 5, these trajectories are shown in a visualized manner.

[0043] The pillar 1 protruding above the running surface Ff is arranged so as not to overlap with each of the first straight trajectory T1, second straight trajectory T2, and turning trajectory Tr in the vertical direction view. As described above, the pillar 1 is arranged in the pillar through hole 5 formed in the running floor F. The pillar through hole 5 is arranged so as not to overlap with each of the first straight trajectory T1, second straight trajectory T2, and turning trajectory Tr in the vertical direction view. In this example, in the vertical direction view, a part of the pillar 1 and each connecting member 3 attached to the side surface 10 of the pillar 1 are arranged inside the pillar through hole 5.

[0044] As described above, the floor board 4 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, notches 40 are provided at at least a part of the four corners of the floor board 4. The notches 40 are formed so as to notch toward the center of the floor board 4 when viewed in the vertical direction. And a column through-hole 5 is formed by the set of notches 40 formed in each of the plurality of floor boards 4 arranged adjacent to the periphery of the column 1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, one column through-hole 5 is formed by the set of notches 40 formed in each of the four adjacent floor boards 4. However, the column through-hole 5 is not necessarily formed using four floor boards 4. For example, at the outer edge of the running surface Ff, one column through-hole 5 is formed by the set of notches 40 formed in each of two or three floor boards 4, and the column 1 is disposed in the column through-hole 5.

[0045] As described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the column through-hole 5 is arranged so as not to overlap with the first straight trajectory T1, the second straight trajectory T2, and the turning trajectory Tr when viewed in the vertical direction. Also, taking the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning trajectory Tr parallel to the first direction X as the first tangent line TL1 and the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning trajectory Tr parallel to the second direction Y as the second tangent line TL2, the column through-hole 5 is arranged so as to overlap at least one of the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2 when viewed in the vertical direction. The column through-hole 5 is arranged at a position that satisfies all these conditions. That is, the column through-hole 5 provided in the running floor F to penetrate the column 1 does not overlap with the first straight trajectory T1, the second straight trajectory T2, and the turning trajectory Tr when viewed in the vertical direction, and overlaps at least one of the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2. Thereby, while setting the running route R densely on each running floor F, it is possible to avoid interference between the carrier V running on the running route R and the column 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, the column through-hole 5 is arranged so as to overlap both the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2. Thereby, the traveling route R can be set more densely on each traveling floor F. In this example, for all the turning trajectories Tr (four in the illustrated example) arranged adjacent to the periphery of the column through-hole 5, all of the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2 at the outer edge of each turning trajectory Tr overlap the column through-hole 5. Thereby, a plurality of position information holding portions In (turning positions Pr) around the column through-hole 5 can be arranged close to each other. Since the size of the traveling floor F also depends on the intervals between the plurality of position information holding portions In arranged on the traveling surface Ff, arranging the plurality of position information holding portions In around the column through-hole 5 close to each other as in the above configuration can also contribute to suppressing the expansion of the traveling floor F.

[0047] 〔Other Embodiments〕 Next, other embodiments of the article conveying facility will be described.

[0048] (1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the column through-hole 5 is arranged so as to overlap both the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2 in a vertical view has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the column through-hole 5 may overlap only one of the first tangent line TL1 and the second tangent line TL2 in a vertical view and may not overlap the other in a vertical view.

[0049] (2) In the above embodiment, an example in which the connecting member 3 is arranged so as to penetrate the column through-hole 5 has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the entire connecting member 3 may be arranged below the floor plate 4 and may not penetrate the column through-hole 5. In this case, only the column 1 can penetrate the column through-hole 5. And the dimension of the column through-hole 5 in a vertical view is set to a size corresponding to the outer edge of the column 1.

[0050] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the notch 40 is provided in at least a part of the four corners of the rectangular floorboard 4, and the column through-hole 5 is formed by the set of notches 40 formed in each of the plurality of floorboards 4 arranged adjacent to the periphery of the column 1. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the column through-hole 5 may be formed by one hole penetrating a portion other than the outer edge portion of one floorboard 4.

[0051] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the column 1 is formed in a quadrangular prism shape having four side surfaces 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the column 1 may be formed in a polygonal prism shape other than a quadrangular prism or a cylindrical shape.

[0052] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the position information holding unit In for holding the position information of the relevant location is provided at a plurality of locations on the running surface Ff, and the running route R is set so as to connect the plurality of position information holding units In. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the position information holding unit In may not be provided. In this case, for example, a magnetic tape may be provided on the running surface Ff, and the running route R may be set by the magnetic tape. Further, the running route R may be set without using the detected object (such as the position information holding unit In or the magnetic tape) provided on the running surface Ff.

[0053] (6) Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with the configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. Regarding other configurations as well, all the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be appropriately made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0054] 〔Overview of the above embodiment〕 Hereinafter, the article conveying equipment described above will be described.

[0055] An article conveying facility comprising: a plurality of running floors arranged in the vertical direction; a support frame that supports the plurality of running floors; and a carrier that runs on a running surface formed on each of the plurality of running floors. The support frame is configured by combining a plurality of columns and a plurality of beams. The running surface of each of the plurality of running floors is formed by the upper surfaces of a plurality of floorboards arranged in a planar manner. The carrier is configured to travel straight and perform a turning operation of turning about a vertical axis on the spot to change direction. Among the directions along the running surface, a specific direction is defined as the first direction, and a direction orthogonal to the first direction among the directions along the running surface is defined as the second direction. On the running surface, a first running path that is the running path of the carrier along the first direction, a second running path that is the running path of the carrier along the second direction, and a turning position that is arranged at a location where the first running path and the second running path intersect and where the turning operation is permitted are set. The column is arranged so as to penetrate at least one layer of the running floor in the vertical direction and protrude above the running surface. Taking the trajectory of the carrier traveling straight on the first running path as the first straight trajectory, the trajectory of the carrier traveling straight on the second running path as the second straight trajectory, the trajectory of the carrier performing the turning operation at the turning position as the turning trajectory, the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning trajectory parallel to the first direction as the first tangent line, and the tangent line of the outer edge of the turning trajectory parallel to the second direction as the second tangent line. The column through-holes provided in the running floor for passing through the column do not overlap with the first straight trajectory, the second straight trajectory, and the turning trajectory in a vertical view, and are arranged so as to overlap at least one of the first tangent line and the second tangent line.

[0056] According to this configuration, while closely setting the traveling route on each traveling floor, it is possible to avoid interference between the carrier traveling on the traveling route and the columns. Further, since the configuration allows the column to penetrate the traveling floor and protrude above the traveling surface, the column can be arranged not only at the outer edge of the traveling floor but also on the central side of the traveling floor. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the rigidity of the traveling floors of multiple layers.

[0057] It is preferable that the column through-hole is arranged so as to overlap both the first tangent line and the second tangent line.

[0058] According to this configuration, the traveling route can be set even more closely on each traveling floor.

[0059] The column is formed in a quadrangular prism shape having four side surfaces, A connecting member for connecting the beam to the column is attached to each of the four side surfaces, It is preferable that the connecting member is arranged so as to penetrate the column through-hole.

[0060] According to this configuration, when arranging a column in a region other than the outer edge of the traveling surface, up to four beams can be connected to the column, so it is easy to appropriately support the traveling floor using the beams. And the connecting member for connecting the column and the beam is arranged so as to penetrate the column through-hole. That is, the column through-hole is also used as the arrangement region of the connecting member. Therefore, while realizing appropriate connection between the column and the beam by the connecting member, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the traveling floor due to the arrangement of the connecting member.

[0061] The floor board is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction, Notches are provided at least in part of the four corners of the floor board, It is preferable that one column through-hole is formed by the set of notches formed in each of four adjacent floor boards.

[0062] According to this configuration, by arranging four floorboards side by side, the through holes for columns can be easily formed. Therefore, the construction becomes easy.

[0063] At a plurality of locations on the traveling surface, position information holding portions for holding the position information of each location are provided. It is preferable that the turning position is set based on the positions of the position information holding portions.

[0064] According to this configuration, based on the arrangement positions of the position information holding portions on the traveling surface, the position of the column with respect to the turning locus of the carrier can be appropriately set.

Industrial Applicability

[0065] The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in an article conveying facility including a plurality of vertically arranged traveling floors, a support frame for supporting the plurality of traveling floors, and a carrier that travels on a traveling surface formed on each of the plurality of traveling floors.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 100: Article conveying facility 1: Column 10: Side surface 10h: Through hole 2: Beam 3: Connecting member 4: Floorboard 40: Notch 5: Through hole for column SF: Support frame F: Traveling floor Ff: Traveling surface In: Position information holding portion R: Traveling route R1: First traveling route R2: Second traveling route TL1: First tangent line TL2: Second tangent line Pr: Turning position T1: First straight traveling locus T2: Second straight traveling locus Tr: Turning locus V: Transfer Cart G: Goods X: First Direction Y: Second Direction

Claims

1. An article conveying facility comprising: a plurality of running floors arranged in the vertical direction; a support frame for supporting the plurality of running floors; and a carrier for running on a running surface formed on each of the plurality of running floors, wherein the support frame is configured by combining a plurality of columns and a plurality of beams, the running surface of each of the plurality of running floors is formed by the upper surfaces of a plurality of floor boards arranged in a planar manner, the carrier is configured to perform a straight running and to perform a turning operation of turning around a vertical axis on the spot to change direction, wherein a specific direction among the directions along the running surface is defined as a first direction, and a direction orthogonal to the first direction among the directions along the running surface is defined as a second direction, on the running surface, a first running path which is the running path of the carrier along the first direction, a second running path which is the running path of the carrier along the second direction, and a turning position which is arranged at a location where the first running path and the second running path intersect and where the turning operation is permitted are set, the column is arranged so as to penetrate at least one layer of the running floor in the vertical direction and protrude above the running surface, the locus of the carrier running straight along the first running path is defined as a first straight locus, the locus of the carrier running straight along the second running path is defined as a second straight locus, the locus of the carrier performing the turning operation at the turning position is defined as a turning locus, a tangent line of the outer edge of the turning locus parallel to the first direction is defined as a first tangent line, and a tangent line of the outer edge of the turning locus parallel to the second direction is defined as a second tangent line, an opening for the column provided in the running floor to penetrate the column is arranged so as not to overlap with the first straight locus, the second straight locus, and the turning locus in a vertical view, and to overlap with at least one of the first tangent line and the second tangent line. An article conveying facility.

2. The article conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the opening for the column is arranged so as to overlap with both the first tangent line and the second tangent line.

3. the column is formed in a quadrangular prism shape having four side surfaces, a connecting member for connecting the beam to the column is attached to each of the four side surfaces, The article conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is arranged so as to penetrate the opening for the column.

4. the floor board is formed in a rectangular shape in a vertical view, notches are provided at least in part at the four corners of the floor board. The article conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein one through-hole for the column is formed by a set of the notches formed in each of the four adjacent floorboards.

5. Position information holding parts for holding position information of respective locations are provided at a plurality of locations on the traveling surface. The turning position is set based on the positions of the position information holding parts. The article conveying facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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