rail

Abstract

To realize a rail that includes a plurality of units, and can facilitate an operation of coupling adjacent units to each other at appropriate relative positions at the time of installation.SOLUTION: A rail for guiding a carriage includes a first unit 11 and a second unit 21, and a connection mechanism 31, the connection mechanism 31 is configured to connect a first object member 6 being a connection object of either a first support body 13 or a first rack 14 to a second object member 7 being a connection object of either a second support body 23 or a second rack 24. The connection mechanism includes a connection member 32, a first fixing member 35 and a second fixing member 37. The first fixing member 35 is configured to position the first object member 6 and the connection member 32. The second fixing member 37 can freely adjust relative positions of the second object member 7 and the connection member 32, and is configured to fix the second object member 7 and the connection member 32 at the adjusted relative positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail for guiding a carriage traveling in a predetermined traveling direction. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-20342 (Patent Document 1) discloses a rail configuration that guides a carriage traveling in a traveling direction. In the following description of the background art, the reference numerals in parentheses refer to those in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The rail (A) in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of units. The plurality of units are connected in series and configured to guide a carriage in the traveling direction. Each of the plurality of units includes a rail member (10) and a rack member (20). The rack member (20) is attached to the side surface (mounting surface 12a) of the inner portion (12) of the rail member (10). A running surface (11a) on which the carriage's running rollers (4) roll is formed on the upper surface of the head portion (11) of the rail member (10), and a guide surface (11b) on which the carriage's guide rollers (5) roll is formed on the side surface of the head portion (11). The rack member (20) meshes with a pinion (6) included in the carriage (traveling carriage B). The pinion (6) is driven by the carriage's drive motor (7), and the carriage travels in the traveling direction while being guided by the rail member (10). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-20342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the rail (A) of Patent Document 1, each of the multiple units is supported from below by a support member (adjustment block 31). A plurality of adjustment bolts (33) for adjusting the position of each unit in a horizontal plane and anchor bolts (32) for securing each unit to the support member are inserted into the support member. Furthermore, a plurality of level adjustment bolts (34) for adjusting the vertical position of each unit are inserted into the rail member (10) of each unit. The rail (A) of Patent Document 1 requires the use of such a plurality of bolts for each unit to adjust the relative positions of adjacent units, which poses a problem of increasing the number of work steps and making the installation of the rail (A) more complicated. Furthermore, because each unit and support member is provided with a plurality of position adjustment bolts, the overall rail installation tends to become large.

[0006] Therefore, when installing a rail having a plurality of units, it is desirable to realize a rail that allows the work of connecting adjacent units in the correct relative positions to be easily performed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The rail according to the present disclosure is a rail that guides a carriage traveling in a predetermined traveling direction, a first unit and a second unit each formed to extend along the traveling direction and arranged to be aligned in series in the traveling direction; and a connecting mechanism connecting the first unit and the second unit, Each of the first unit and the second unit includes a support, a rack fixed to the support and engaging with a pinion included in the carriage, and a rail body fixed to the support in parallel to the rack and guiding the travel of the carriage, The direction perpendicular to the running direction when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the width direction, one side of the width direction is defined as the first width direction side, the other side of the width direction is defined as the second width direction side, the support of the first unit is defined as the first support, the support of the second unit is defined as the second support, the rack of the first unit is defined as the first rack, and the rack of the second unit is defined as the second rack, The connecting mechanism includes: The first support member and the first rack member are configured to connect a first target member that is a target for connection with either the first support member or the first rack, and a second target member that is a target for connection with either the second support member or the second rack, a connecting member having a reference abutment surface that abuts on both a first reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the first target member and a second reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the second target member; a first fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the first target member; and a second fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the second target member; the first fixing member is detachable from at least one of the connecting member and the first target member, and is configured to position the first target member and the connecting member by being attached; The second fixing member is configured to be able to adjust the relative position between the second target member and the connecting member, and to fix the second target member and the connecting member to the adjusted relative position.

[0008] According to this configuration, after adjusting the relative positions of the first target member and the second target member, the first target member and the connecting member are fixed with the first fixing member, and the second target member and the connecting member are fixed with the second fixing member, thereby connecting the first unit and the second unit in an appropriate relative positional relationship. Furthermore, even when separating the first unit and the second unit that are connected to each other, if the fixation between the second target member and the connecting member by the second fixing member is maintained while the fixation between the second target member and the connecting member by the first fixing member is released, when connecting the first unit and the second unit again, the first target member and the second target member can be connected in the relative positional relationship after the previous adjustment simply by attaching the first fixing member. In other words, once the relative position between the first target member and the second target member is adjusted and the second target member and the connecting member are fixed with the second fixing member, when installing the rail, there is no need to adjust the relative position between the first target member and the second target member again; simply by attaching the first fixing member, the first unit and the second unit can be connected in the appropriate relative positional relationship. Therefore, with this configuration, when installing a rail having a plurality of units, the adjacent units can be easily connected in the correct relative positions.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the rail will become apparent from the following description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, which are given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Front view of rails and bogies [Figure 2] Side view of rails and bogies [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit; [Figure 4] Enlarged view of the main part showing the connection between the first unit and the second unit [Figure 5] Enlarged view of the main part showing the connection state of the first unit and the second unit [Figure 6] Rail cross section [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rack support member and the connecting member (cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6). [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a connection state between the first unit and the second unit; [Figure 9] 10 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a connecting portion between a first unit and a second unit in another embodiment. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of a rail in another embodiment [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a rack support member and a connecting member according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An example of an embodiment of a rail applied to an automated warehouse will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automated warehouse includes a cart 9 that travels along a travel path, rails 1, and a storage shelf (not shown) that stores a plurality of items.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rail 1 guides a carriage 9 traveling in a predetermined traveling direction X. Here, traveling direction X is horizontal. In this embodiment, traveling direction X is set to be a direction along the traveling path of carriage 9. Rail 1 is installed along the traveling path of carriage 9. In this example, the traveling path of carriage 9 is set to be linear, so rail 1 is formed in a straight line. Rail 1 is also installed along the floor surface. A storage shelf is also installed adjacent to rail 1. The storage shelf is configured so that items can be put in and taken out from the side where rail 1 is arranged. The storage shelf also has multiple storage sections lined up in the up-down direction (vertical direction) and traveling direction X, and multiple items (not shown) are stored in the storage sections.

[0013] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a cart 9 runs on rails 1. The cart 9 is configured to transport articles between an entry / exit section of the automated warehouse and each storage section of the storage shelf. The configuration of the cart 9 will be described below.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage 9 includes a traveling main body 93, a pinion 91 that engages with a rack 4 of the rail 1 (described later), a guide unit 92 that is guided by a rail main body 5 of the rail 1 (described later), and a traveling motor M that drives the pinion 91. The traveling motor M drives the pinion 91 to provide a propulsive force for the carriage 9 to move in the traveling direction X while being guided by the rail main body 5. The pinion 91, the guide unit 92, and the traveling motor M are provided in the traveling main body 93. In this example, the carriage 9 further includes a mast 94 that is erected on the traveling main body 93, and a lifting body (not shown) that moves up and down along the mast 94. The carriage 9 transports an article placed on the lifting body. When transferring an article between each storage unit, the cart 9 travels on the rails 1, stops at a position corresponding to the storage unit to which the article is to be transferred, and raises or lowers the lifting platform to a height corresponding to the storage unit. The cart 9 transfers the article between the storage unit and the cart using a transfer device provided on the lifting platform. In this way, in this example, the cart 9 is a stacker crane. However, the cart 9 does not have to be a stacker crane, and may be configured not to transport articles.

[0015] The specific configuration of the rail 1 will be described below. For the purpose of the description, the direction perpendicular to the running direction X when viewed from the top and bottom is referred to as the width direction Y, one side of the width direction Y is referred to as the first width direction side Y1, and the other side of the width direction Y is referred to as the second width direction side Y2. Here, the width direction Y is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the running direction X. Furthermore, in this embodiment, one side of the running direction X is referred to as the first running direction side X1, and the other side of the running direction X is referred to as the second running direction side X2.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the rail 1 includes a first unit 11 and a second unit 21, each of which extends along the traveling direction X and is arranged in series in the traveling direction X, and a coupling mechanism 31 that couples the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. In this embodiment, adjacent ends of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21, which are arranged in series in the traveling direction X, are coupled together by the coupling mechanism 31. A worker or the like arranges the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 in series along the traveling direction X on the travel path of the carriage 9 and couples them with the coupling mechanism 31. In the example of FIG. 3 , the rail 1 includes multiple units, including the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. Specifically, in addition to the first unit 11 and the second unit 21, the rail 1 also includes a third unit 65. The third unit 65 is arranged in series with the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 in the traveling direction X. An end of the first unit 11 on the first side X1 in the traveling direction and an end of the second unit 21 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction are connected by a connecting mechanism 31, and an end of the first unit 11 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction and an end of the third unit 65 on the first side X1 in the traveling direction are connected by the connecting mechanism 31. As a result, a plurality of units (three in this example) are connected in series, and a single rail 1 is arranged along the traveling direction X. Note that the rail 1 may include more than three units. In that case, it is preferable that all of the adjacent units are connected by the connecting mechanism 31. The specific configurations of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 will be described below.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , each of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 includes a support 3, a rack 4 fixed to the support 3 and engaging with a pinion 91 provided on the bogie 9, and a rail main body 5 fixed to the support 3 parallel to the rack 4 and guiding the travel of the bogie 9. The rack 4 is fixed to the support 3 in an orientation along the running direction X. Similarly, the rail main body 5 is also fixed to the support 3 in an orientation along the running direction X. In this embodiment, the rail main body 5 is configured to engage with a guide portion 92 of the bogie 9 and guide the guide portion 92 in the running direction X. The rack 4 and the rail main body 5 are arranged separately in the width direction Y and are supported from below by the support 3. The rack 4 and the rail main body 5 are arranged so that their surfaces facing the width direction Y are parallel to each other. That is, the surface of the rack 4 facing the rail main body 5 in the width direction Y and the surface of the rail main body 5 facing the rack 4 in the width direction Y are both parallel to the up-down direction and the running direction X. In this example, the rack 4 is disposed so as to engage with the pinion 91 from below. The rail body 5 is disposed so as to engage with the guide portion 92 from above. In the illustrated example, the rack 4 is disposed on the first widthwise side Y1 of the rail body 5. Here, the rail body 5 and the guide portion 92 are linear guides, but various known linear guide mechanisms, such as ball splines and linear bushings, can be used. The third unit 65 also has a similar configuration. The rail body 5 may be configured so that wheels can roll on its upper or side surfaces. In this case, it is preferable that the bogie 9 has wheels as the guide portion 92. In the following description, the support 3 of the first unit 11 will be referred to as the first support 13, and the support 3 of the second unit 21 will be referred to as the second support 23. The rack 4 of the first unit 11 will be referred to as the first rack 14, and the rack 4 of the second unit 21 will be referred to as the second rack 24. In this embodiment, the rail body 5 of the first unit 11 will be described as a first rail body 16, and the rail body 5 of the second unit 21 will be described as a second rail body .

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , the support body 3 includes a base member 41 and a rack support member 45 fixed to the base member 41. In this example, the base member 41 is a member that supports the rail main body 5. The rack support member 45 is a member that supports the rack 4. The base member 41 and the rack support member 45 are each formed to extend in the running direction X. In this example, the rack support member 45 is a member that is formed with higher precision than the base member 41. The rack support member 45 is a member that is formed, for example, by cutting metal. The base member 41 is a member that is formed, for example, by extruding metal such as aluminum.

[0019] The base member 41 is installed on the floor surface along the travel path of the carriage 9. In the example of FIG. 1, the base member 41 is fixed to the floor surface via a support base 8. The base member 41 also supports the rail main body 5 from below and the rack support member 45 from below. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 6, the base member 41 includes a rack support member positioning portion 42 that abuts against the rack support member 45 from the second widthwise side Y2 to position the rack support member 45 in the width direction Y. The rack support member positioning portion 42 includes a first notch portion 43 (see FIGS. 1 and 6). Specifically, the first notch portion 43 is recessed downward and cut out so that the upper side and the first widthwise side Y1 are open, and is formed over the entire travel direction X on the upper surface of the end portion of the base member 41 on the first widthwise side Y1. In the example shown in the figure, the first notch portion 43 is formed in a stepped shape when viewed in the travel direction X. Then, the rack support member 45 is placed on the first notch portion 43 and abutted against the first wall surface 43a formed on the second widthwise side Y2 of the first notch portion 43. This restricts movement of the rack support member 45 toward the second widthwise side Y2, and positions the rack support member 45 in the width direction Y relative to the base member 41. In the illustrated example, the rack support member 45 is fixed to the base member 41 with fastening members. Incidentally, when attaching the rail main body 5 to the support member 3, the rail main body 5 is positioned in the width direction Y using a jig (not shown) with the rack support member 45 fixed to the first notch portion 43 of the rack support member positioning portion 42. The rail main body 5 is then fixed to the base member 41 with fastening members and supported by the base member 41 from below. In this way, by positioning using the jig (not shown), the rail main body 5 is positioned parallel to the rack support member 45. In other words, both the rack support member 45 and the rail main body 5 are positioned parallel to the traveling direction X. The base member 41 may be fixed directly to the floor surface. The rack support member 45 may be fixed to the floor surface directly or via a support stand 8 without being supported by the base member 41. The base member 41 and the rack support member 45 may be formed integrally.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , the rack support member 45 supports the rack 4 from below. The rack support member 45 also includes width-direction positioning portions 47 that abut against the rack 4 from either the first width-direction side Y1 or the second width-direction side Y2 to position the rack 4 in the width direction Y. The rack 4 is fixed to the rack support member 45 while abutting against the width-direction positioning portions 47 in the width direction Y. In this example, the width-direction positioning portions 47 of the rack support member 45 abut against the rack 4 from the second width-direction side Y2 to position the rack 4 in the width direction Y. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 , the width-direction positioning portions 47 include second cutout portions 44. Specifically, the second cutout portions 44 are recessed downward and cut out so that the upper side and the first width-direction side Y1 are open, and are formed over the entire traveling direction X on the upper surface of the end portion of the rack support member 45 on the first width-direction side Y1. In the illustrated example, the second notch 44 is formed in a stepped shape when viewed in the running direction X. The rack 4 is placed on the second notch 44 and abuts against the second wall surface 44a formed on the second widthwise side Y2 of the second notch 44. This restricts movement of the rack 4 toward the second widthwise side Y2, and positions the rack 4 in the width direction Y relative to the rack support member 45. In the illustrated example, the rack 4 is fixed to the rack support member 45 with fastening members. The rack 4 is attached to the rack support member 45 over the entire running direction X. The rack 4 is positioned by the widthwise positioning portion 47 so as to be parallel to the running direction X relative to the rack support member 45. Therefore, as described above, the rack 4 is also positioned parallel to the running direction X relative to the rail main body 5 positioned by the jig. Specifically, the surface of the rack support member 45 that forms the widthwise positioning portion 47 (here, the surface facing the first widthwise side Y1) and the surface of the rack support member 45 that the jig abuts (here, the surface facing the second widthwise side Y2) are formed parallel to each other, which makes it easy to arrange the rack 4 and the rail main body 5 parallel to each other (in other words, to arrange both the rack 4 and the rail main body 5 parallel to the running direction X).The third unit 65 has the same basic configuration as the first unit 11 and the second unit 21.

[0021] In this embodiment, the rack support member 45 of the first unit 11 and the rack support member 45 of the second unit 21 have partially different configurations. The different configurations of the respective rack support members 45 will be specifically described below. Here, the rack support member 45 of the first unit 11 will be referred to as a first rack support member 45a, and the rack support member 45 of the second unit 21 will be referred to as a second rack support member 45b. Furthermore, the base member 41 of the first unit 11 will be referred to as a first base member 41a, and the base member 41 of the second unit 21 will be referred to as a second base member 41b.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 , one of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 is the target unit 51 and the other is the non-target unit 52, the base member 41 of the target unit 51 is the target base member 71, the base member 41 of the non-target unit 52 is the non-target base member 73, the rack support member 45 of the target unit 51 is the target rack support member 75, and the rack support member 45 of the non-target unit 52 is the non-target rack support member 76. In this example, the first unit 11 is the target unit 51 and the second unit 21 is the non-target unit 52. In this case, the target base member 71 is the first base member 41a and the non-target base member 73 is the second base member 41b. Furthermore, the target rack support member 75 is the first rack support member 45a and the non-target rack support member 76 is the second rack support member 45b. Here, when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are not connected (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a separated state), the target rack support member 75 is supported from below by the target base member 71, and the non-target rack support member 76 is supported from below by the non-target base member 73. Note that a first rack 14 is provided across the entire area of ​​the first rack support member 45a in the running direction X, and a second rack 24 is provided across the entire area of ​​the second rack support member 45b in the running direction X.

[0023] The target unit 51 may be the second unit 21, and the non-target unit 52 may be the first unit 11. In this case, the target base member 71 is the second base member 41b, and the non-target base member 73 is the first base member 41a. Furthermore, the target rack support member 75 is the second rack support member 45b, and the non-target rack support member 76 is the first rack support member 45a.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, in this embodiment, the target rack support member 75 includes a target support main body portion 78, the placement area of ​​which in the running direction X overlaps with the target base member 71, and a target support extension portion 77, the placement area of ​​which in the running direction X overlaps with the non-target base member 73. In this example, the first rack support member 45a serving as the target rack support member 75 includes the target support main body portion 78 and the target support extension portion 77. The target support main body portion 78 overlaps with the first base member 41a serving as the target base member 71 in a vertical view. The target support extension portion 77 extends further toward the first side X1 in the running direction from the end of the target support main body portion 78 on the first side X1 in the running direction. The target support extension portion 77 is arranged so as not to overlap with the target base member 71 (here, the first base member 41a) in a vertical view. 5, in this example, when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the connected state), the target support extension 77 is disposed above the non-target base member 73 (here, the second base member 41b) and overlaps with the non-target base member 73 in a vertical view. When the target unit 51 is the second unit 21 and the non-target unit 52 is the first unit 11, the second rack support member 45b as the target rack support member 75 includes the target support main body 78 and the target support extension 77.

[0025] 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the non-target rack support member 76 is arranged so that its arrangement area in the running direction X does not overlap with the portion of the non-target base member 73 where its arrangement area in the running direction X overlaps with the target support extension portion 77. In this example, the non-target rack support member 76 (here, the second rack support member 45b) is not arranged in a portion that overlaps with the target support extension portion 77 of the non-target base member 73 (the second base member 41b) in the coupled state when viewed in the up-down direction. This prevents the non-target rack support member 76 and the target support extension portion 77 from interfering with each other when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are coupled. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the target support main body portion 78 is fixed to the target base member 71, and the target support extension portion 77 is fixed to the non-target base member 73. In this example, the target support main body 78 is fixed onto the first notch 43 (rack support member positioning portion 42) of the target base member 71 (here, the first base member 41a). Furthermore, in the coupled state, the target support extension 77 of the target rack support member 75 (here, the first rack support member 45a) is fixed to the first notch 43 (rack support member positioning portion 42) of the non-target base member 73 (here, the second base member 41b). This allows the target rack support member 75 to fix the vertical positional relationship between the target base member 71 and the non-target base member 73. Furthermore, in the coupled state, the target rack support member 75 is supported from below by both the target base member 71 and the non-target base member 73. Note that the target support extension 77 may be configured to be fixed, for example, to the side surface (surface facing the width direction Y) of the non-target base member 73.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 , the support 3 of the target unit 51 is the target support 53, the support 3 of the non-target unit 52 is the non-target support 54, the rail main body 5 of the target unit 51 is the target rail main body 55, and the rail main body 5 of the non-target unit 52 is the non-target rail main body 56. In this example, the target support 53 is the first support 13 of the first unit 11, and the non-target support 54 is the second support 23 of the second unit 21. Furthermore, the target rail main body 55 is the first rail main body 16 of the first unit 11, and the non-target rail main body 56 is the second rail main body 26 of the second unit 21. Here, in the separated state, the target rail main body 55 is supported by the target support 53, and the non-target rail main body 56 is supported by the non-target support 54. More specifically, in the separated state, the target rail main body 55 is supported from below by the target base member 71, and the non-target rail main body 56 is supported from below by the non-target base member 73.

[0027] If the target unit 51 is the second unit 21 and the non-target unit 52 is the first unit 11, the target support body 53 is the second support body 23 of the second unit 21, and the non-target support body 54 is the first support body 13 of the first unit 11. Furthermore, the target rail body 55 is the second rail body 26 of the second unit 21, and the non-target rail body 56 is the first rail body 16 of the first unit 11.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the target rail main body 55 comprises a target main body portion 61, which is a portion overlapping with the target support body 53 in a vertical view, and a target extension portion 63, which is a portion overlapping with the non-target support body 54 in a vertical view. In this example, the first rail main body 16 as the target rail main body 55 comprises the target main body portion 61 and the target extension portion 63. The target rail main body 55 overlaps with the target support body 53 (more specifically, the target base member 71) in a vertical view. The target extension portion 63 extends further toward the first side X1 in the traveling direction from the end of the target main body portion 61 on the first side X1 in the traveling direction. The target extension portion 63 is arranged so as not to overlap with the target support body 53 (more specifically, the target base member 71) in a vertical view. 5, in the connected state, the target extension portion 63 is disposed above the non-target base member 73 (here, the second base member 41b) of the non-target support body 54, and overlaps with the non-target base member 73 in the up-down view. When the target unit 51 is the second unit 21 and the non-target unit 52 is the first unit 11, the second rail main body 26 as the target rail main body 55 is configured to include the target main body portion 61 and the target extension portion 63.

[0029] 5 and 8, the asymmetric rail main body 56 is arranged so as not to overlap, in a vertical view, a portion of the asymmetric support body 54 that overlaps with the target extension portion 63. In this example, the asymmetric rail main body 56 (here, the second rail main body 26) is not arranged in a portion of the asymmetric support body 54 (here, the second support body 23) that overlaps with the target extension portion 63 in a vertical view in the connected state. This prevents the target rail main body 55 and the asymmetric rail main body 56 from interfering with each other when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected. In this embodiment, the target main body portion 61 is fixed to the upper surface 53a of the target support body 53, and the target extension portion 63 is fixed to the upper surface 54a of the asymmetric support body 54. In this example, in the connected state, the target main body portion 61 of the target rail main body 55 is fixed to the upper surface 53a of the first support 13, and the target extension portion 63 of the target rail main body 55 is fixed to the upper surface 54a of the second support 23. That is, in the connected state, the target rail main body 55 is supported from below by both the first support 13 and the second support 23. The upper surface 53a of the target support 53 is set on the upper surface of the first base member 41a (see FIG. 8), and the upper surface 54a of the non-target support 54 is set on the upper surface of the second base member 41b (see FIGS. 3 and 8). Then, in the connected state, the target main body portion 61 is fixed to the upper surface 53a of the first base member 41a by fastening members, and the target extension portion 63 is fixed to the upper surface 54a of the second base member 41b by fastening members. The target rail main body 55 (first rail main body 16) is supported from below by both the target base member 71 (first base member 41a) and the non-target base member 73 (second base member 41b) (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0030] In the example of FIG. 3, in the end region of the first unit 11 on the first side X1 in the traveling direction, the target extension portion 63 of the target rail main body 55 (first rail main body 16) and the target support extension portion 77 of the target rack support member 75 (first rack support member 45a) are arranged so as to protrude further toward the first side X1 in the traveling direction than the first base member 41a. On the other hand, in the end region of the first unit 11 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction, the first rail main body 16 and the first rack support member 45a are not arranged. That is, in the end region of the first unit 11 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction, only the first base member 41a is arranged. Furthermore, in the end region of the second unit 21 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction, the second rail main body 26 as the non-target rail main body 56 and the second rack support member 45b as the non-target rack support member 76 are not arranged.

[0031] 3, the third unit 65 includes a third rack 34 as the rack 4, a third rail main body 96 as the rail main body 5, and a third support body 33 as the support body 3. The third support body 33 includes a third rack support member 45c as the rack support member 45 and a third base member 41c as the base member 41. The third unit 65 has basically the same structure as the first unit 11, and the only difference between the third unit 65 and the first unit 11 is that their lengths in the running direction X are different. That is, the third rail main body 96 of the third unit 65 includes a target main body portion 61 and a target extension portion 63, similar to the first rail main body 16 of the first unit 11. The third rack support member 45c includes a target support main body portion 78 and a target support extension portion 77, similar to the first rack support member 45a. In this configuration, the third unit 65 and the second unit 21 can also be directly connected by the connecting mechanism 31 in the same way as the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8, the coupling mechanism 31 is configured to couple a first target member 6, which is either the first support 13 or the first rack 14 to be coupled, to a second target member 7, which is either the second support 23 or the second rack 24 to be coupled. In this embodiment, the coupling mechanism 31 is configured to couple the first support 13 and the second support 23. That is, the first target member 6 is the first support 13, and the second target member 7 is the second support 23. The specific configuration of the coupling mechanism 31 will be described below.

[0033] 4, 5, and 7, the connecting mechanism 31 includes a connecting member 32 having a reference abutment surface 32a that abuts on both a first reference surface 6a, which is a reference surface facing the first width direction side Y1 of the first target member 6, and a second reference surface 7a, which is a reference surface facing the first width direction side Y1 of the second target member 7; a first fixing member 35 that fixes the connecting member 32 to the first target member 6; and a second fixing member 37 that fixes the connecting member 32 to the second target member 7. In this embodiment, the first fixing member 35 fixes the first support body 13 and the connecting member 32. The second fixing member 37 fixes the second support body 23 and the connecting member 32.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 to 6, and 8, the connecting member 32 and the first and second rail bodies 16 and 26 are disposed at different positions in the width direction Y. In this example, in the connected state, the connecting member 32 is disposed on the first width direction side Y1 relative to the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26. In addition, in the separated state, the connecting member 32 is fixed to the end of the asymmetric rack support member 76 (second rack support member 45b) of the asymmetric unit 52 (here, the second unit 21) on the second running direction side X2, and is disposed at a position offset in the width direction Y from the second rail body 26. The second reference surface 7a is a surface of the asymmetric rack support member 76 facing the first width direction side Y1 and is set in an end region on the second running direction side X2. The connecting member 32 is fixed to the second reference surface 7a by the second fixing member 37 and disposed so as to protrude further toward the second running direction side X2 than the second reference surface 7a. The first reference surface 6a is a surface facing the first width direction side Y1 of the target rack support member 75 (first rack support member 45a) of the target unit 51 (here, the first unit 11), and is set in an end region on the first travel direction side X1. When the target unit 51 and the non-target unit 52 are connected, the first reference surface 6a is disposed adjacent to the second travel direction side X2 with respect to the second reference surface 7a. Therefore, in the connected state, a portion of the connecting member 32 that protrudes further toward the second travel direction side X2 than the second reference surface 7a is fixed to the first reference surface 6a. Here, the connecting member 32 is a plate-shaped member, and the surface facing the second width direction side Y2 is formed along the travel direction X and the up-down direction. The surface of the connecting member 32 facing the second width direction side Y2 is set as the reference abutment surface 32a. In this way, by attaching the connecting member 32, the reference abutment surface 32a abuts against both the first reference surface 6a and the second reference surface 7a. Therefore, the reference abutment surface 32a determines the positioning of the target rack support member 75 and the non-target rack support member 76 in the width direction Y.

[0035] 7 , the connecting mechanism 31 includes a first round hole 81 formed in one of the connecting member 32 and the first target member 6, a first female threaded hole 82 formed in the other of the connecting member 32 and the first target member 6, a second round hole 83 formed in one of the connecting member 32 and the second target member 7, and a second female threaded hole 84 formed in the other of the connecting member 32 and the second target member 7. In this example, the first round hole 81 is formed in the connecting member 32, and the first female threaded hole 82 is formed in the target rack support member 75. The first round hole 81 is formed to penetrate the connecting member 32 in the width direction Y. The first female threaded hole 82 is formed in the first reference surface 6a of the target rack support member 75. Furthermore, the first female threaded hole 82 is formed in a position corresponding to the first round hole 81 when the connecting member 32 is attached to the target rack support member 75. The second round hole 83 is formed in the connecting member 32, and the second female threaded hole 84 is formed in the asymmetric rack support member 76. The second round hole 83 is formed to penetrate the connecting member 32 in the width direction Y. The second female threaded hole 84 is formed in the second reference surface 7a of the asymmetric rack support member 76. Furthermore, the second female threaded hole 84 is formed at a position corresponding to the second round hole 83 when the connecting member 32 is attached to the asymmetric rack support member 76.

[0036] In the example of FIG. 7 , the first round hole 81 is formed in the connecting member 32 so as to be aligned with the second round hole 83 in the running direction X. The connecting member 32 also has a plurality of (two in this example) second round holes 83 formed therein. The plurality of second round holes 83 are also formed so as to be aligned with the running direction X. The second reference surface 7a has a plurality of (two in this example) second female threaded holes 84 formed therein so as to correspond to the plurality of second round holes 83. In the connected state, the first round hole 81 and the first female threaded hole 82 overlap when viewed in the width direction Y, and the plurality of second round holes 83 and the plurality of second female threaded holes 84 overlap when viewed in the width direction Y. A first fixing member 35 is inserted into the first round hole 81 and the first female threaded hole 82, and a second fixing member 37 is inserted into the plurality of second round holes 83 and the plurality of second female threaded holes 84. As a result, the connecting member 32 is fixed to the target rack support member 75 and the non-target rack support member 76.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first fixing member 35 is detachable from at least one of the connecting member 32 and the first target member 6, and is configured to position the first target member 6 and the connecting member 32 by attaching it. In this embodiment, the first fixing member 35 is detachable from both the connecting member 32 and the first support 13. The first fixing member 35 is configured to position the connecting member 32 and the first support 13 when connecting the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. In this example, the first fixing member 35 is configured to fix the connecting member 32 to the target rack support member 75 (the first rack support member 45a of the first support 13). In this embodiment, the first fixing member 35 is a shoulder bolt 36 including a first head 36a, a first cylindrical portion 36b having a diameter that fits into the first round hole 81, and a first male threaded portion 36c that screws into the first female threaded hole 82. In this example, the first cylindrical portion 36b is formed to fit around the entire circumference of the first round hole 81. Therefore, fitting the first cylindrical portion 36b into the first round hole 81 positions the connecting member 32 and the first support 13 in the traveling direction X and the up-down direction. Note that a positioning pin may be used instead of the shoulder bolt 36 as a member for positioning the connecting member 32 and the first support 13. In that case, it is preferable that the connecting mechanism 31 includes a separate fastening member for fixing the connecting member 32 and the first support 13. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the first fixing member 35 only positions the connecting member 32 and the first support 13 in the traveling direction X.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the second fixing member 37 is configured to adjust the relative position between the second target member 7 and the connecting member 32 and to fix the second target member 7 and the connecting member 32 to the adjusted relative position. In this embodiment, the second fixing member 37 is configured to adjust the relative position between the second support 23 and the connecting member 32 of the second unit 21. The second fixing member 37 also fixes the second support 23 and the connecting member 32 to the adjusted relative position. The second fixing member 37 is a bolt 40 that includes a second head 38 and a second body 39 with a male thread 39a and is threaded into the second female threaded hole 84. When the second body 39 is threaded into the second female threaded hole 84, a gap T for adjusting the relative position is formed between the second body 39 and the inner circumferential surface 83a of the second round hole 83. The second fixing member 37 can adjust the relative position between the second target member 7 and the connecting member 32 by utilizing the gap T. In this example, the diameter of the second body 39 is smaller than the inner circumferential surface 83a of the second round hole 83 along the entire circumference. Therefore, the gap T is formed along the entire circumference of the radially outer side of the second body 39 when viewed in the width direction Y. Therefore, the second fixing member 37 is capable of adjusting the relative position of the second support body 23 and the connecting member 32 in the traveling direction X and the up-down direction. Note that in this example, the bolt 40 is configured to be detachable from the second support body 23 and the connecting member 32. Note that, in the illustrated example, the second fixing member 37 has a male thread 39a formed along the entire second body 39, but the male thread 39a may be formed only in a region toward the tip of the second body 39. Also, the second fixing member 37 may be a shoulder bolt like the first fixing member 35. Also, the second round hole 83 may be formed wider than the diameter of the second body 39 only in the traveling direction X. In this case, the second fixing member 37 can adjust the relative position of the second support body 23 and the connecting member 32 in the traveling direction X. Furthermore, it is preferable that the second fixing member 37 be a bolt with an anti-loosening function, such as a spring bolt.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the second fixing member 37 is configured to be detachable from both the connecting member 32 and the asymmetric rack support member 76 (second rack support member 45b), but it does not necessarily have to be configured to be detachable from both as long as the positions of the connecting member 32 and the asymmetric rack support member 76 can be adjusted in a loosely fastened state.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connection mechanism 31, a gap S is formed between the first support 13 and the second support 23 in the running direction X. In this example, in the connected state, a first gap S1 is formed between the end of the first base member 41a on the first side X1 in the running direction and the end of the second base member 41b on the second side X2 in the running direction (i.e., between the adjacent first base member 41a and the second base member 41b). Also, a second gap S2 is formed between the end of the first rack support member 45a on the first side X1 in the running direction and the end of the second rack support member 45b on the second side X2 in the running direction (i.e., between the adjacent first rack support member 45a and the second rack support member 45b) (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8, the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26 are in contact with each other in the running direction X. In this example, no gap is formed between the end of the first rail main body 16 on the first side X1 in the running direction and the end of the second rail main body 26 on the second side X2 in the running direction, and the surface of the first rail main body 16 facing the first side X1 in the running direction abuts against the surface of the second rail main body 26 facing the second side X2 in the running direction. As described above, the connecting mechanism 31 is disposed at a position offset in the width direction Y with respect to the first rail main body 16 and the second rail main body 26. Therefore, in the connected state, the relative positions of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 in the running direction X can be regulated at two different locations in the width direction Y (i.e., the location where the connecting mechanism 31 is disposed and the abutting location between the first rail main body 16 and the second rail main body 26).

[0041] In this example, a worker or the like performs precision adjustment work at a location (e.g., a factory) different from the location where the rail 1 is installed, to ensure that the relative positions of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are in an appropriate positional relationship. Specifically, the worker or the like assembles the first rack support member 45a to the first base member 41a and the second rack support member 45b to the second base member 41b. Then, the worker or the like connects the first rack support member 45a and the second rack support member 45b with the connecting member 32 so that they can move relative to each other. That is, at this stage, at least the second fixing member 37 of the first fixing member 35 and the second fixing member 37 is in a loosely fastened state. Thereafter, the worker or the like adjusts the first rack support member 45a and the second rack support member 45b to ensure an appropriate positional relationship. Specifically, the worker or the like uses the gap T to fine-tune the positions of the first support 13 (first base member 41a, first rack support member 45a) and the second support 23 (second base member 41b, second rack support member 45b) in the traveling direction X, the width direction Y, and the up-down direction. Once the first support 13 and the second support 23 have been adjusted to an appropriate positional relationship, the worker or the like fixes the connecting member 32 to both the first support 13 and the second support 23 by, for example, fastening the loosely fastened second fixing member 37. The worker or the like also assembles the target support extension 77 of the first rack support member 45a to the second base member 41b. With the first support 13 and the second support 23 thus connected by the connecting mechanism 31, the worker or the like assembles the first rail main body 16 to the first base member 41a and the second rail main body 26 to the second base member 41b. Furthermore, the worker or the like assembles the target extension portion 63 of the first rail main body 16 to the second base member 41b. In this case, it is preferable that the worker or the like use a dedicated jig so that the rack support member 45 and the rail main body 5 are parallel. Then, the worker or the like assembles the first rack 14 to the first rack support member 45a and the second rack 24 to the second rack support member 45b. In this case, it is preferable that the worker or the like use a jig different from the above-mentioned jig to adjust the relative positions of the first rack 14 and the second rack 24 so that the pitch of the gear teeth in the adjacent portions of the racks is the same as the pitch of the gear teeth of the first rack 14 and the second rack 24, respectively.When the precision adjustment work for the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 is completed in this manner, the worker or the like removes the first fixing member 35 from the connecting member 32 and the first rack support member 45a, and separates the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. It is preferable that the order of the precision adjustment work for the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 can be changed as appropriate.

[0042] When installing the rail 1 at a location where the rail 1 will be installed (e.g., an automated warehouse), the worker transports the first unit 11 and the second unit 21, which have been separated after the precision adjustment work, to the installation location. Then, the worker connects the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 using the first fixing member 35 while adjusting the vertical positions of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. Specifically, the worker inserts the first fixing member 35 into the first round hole 81 and the first female threaded hole 82 and fastens them. The worker also assembles the target extension portion 63 of the first rail main body 16 to the second base member 41b and the target support extension portion 77 of the first rack support member 45a to the second base member 41b. In the example of FIG. 3 , the first unit 11 and the third unit 65 can also be subjected to the precision adjustment work and the work of installing them at the installation location of the rail 1 in the same manner as the first unit 11 and the second unit 21.

[0043] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the rail will be described.

[0044] (1) In the above embodiment, the first target member 6 is the first support member 13, the second target member 7 is the second support member 23, and the connecting mechanism 31 connects the first support member 13 and the second support member 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first target member 6 may be the first rack 14, the second target member 7 may be the second rack 24, and the connecting mechanism 31 may connect the first rack 14 and the second rack 24. One such example is shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, in the separated state, the connecting member 32 is fixed to the second rack 24 of the second unit 21. More specifically, the connecting member 32 is fixed by the second fixing member 37 to an end region of the second rack 24 on the second side X2 in the traveling direction. The first reference surface 6a is a surface of the first rack 14 of the first unit 11 facing the first side Y1 in the width direction and is set at the end of the first side X1 in the traveling direction. The second reference surface 7a is a surface of the second rack 24 facing the first side Y1 in the width direction and is set at the end of the second side X2 in the traveling direction. When the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected, in addition to the contact between the reference abutment surface 32a of the connecting member 32 and the second reference surface 7a, the reference abutment surface 32a and the first reference surface 6a also contact each other, and the connecting member 32 and the first rack 14 are connected by the first fixing member 35. This allows the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 to be connected at an appropriate relative position. In this way, the first rack 14 and the second rack 24 may be connected by the connecting mechanism 31.

[0045] (2) In the above embodiment, the coupling mechanism 31 connecting the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 is provided at the end of the support 3 on the first widthwise side Y1. However, this is not limiting. For example, the coupling mechanism 31 may be provided at the end of the support 3 on the second widthwise side Y2. One such example is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, coupling members 32 are attached to both the rack support member 45 disposed on the first widthwise side Y1 of the base member 41 and the end of the base member 41 on the second widthwise side Y2. This further strengthens the coupling between the first unit 11 and the second unit 21. In this way, the rail 1 may be configured to include multiple coupling mechanisms 31. When the coupling mechanisms 31 are provided at multiple locations in the width direction Y (two locations in the example of FIG. 10), the relative positions of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 in the traveling direction X can be restricted by the coupling mechanisms 31 at multiple locations in the width direction Y. In this case, it is not necessary to regulate the relative positions of the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 in the running direction X by the abutment between the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26. For example, as will be described later, when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31, the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26 can be configured not to abut in the running direction X.

[0046] (3) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which there is a gap S between the first support 13 and the second support 23 in the running direction X when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, there may be a configuration in which there is no gap between the first support 13 and the second support 23 in the running direction X when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31.

[0047] (4) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26 abut against each other in the running direction X when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when the first unit 11 and the second unit 21 are connected by the connecting mechanism 31, the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26 may not abut against each other in the running direction X, and a small gap that does not affect the running of the bogie 9 may be formed between the first rail body 16 and the second rail body 26 in the running direction X.

[0048] (5) In the above embodiment, the target main body portion 61 is fixed to the upper surface 53a of the target support body 53, and in the connected state, the target extension portion 63 is fixed to the upper surface 54a of the non-target support body 54. However, this is not limiting. For example, in the first unit 11 and the second unit 21, if the rail main body 5 is configured to be fixed to the side surface of the base member 41, it is preferable that the target main body portion 61 is fixed to the side surface of the base member 41 of the target support body 53, and in the connected state, the target extension portion 63 is fixed to the side surface of the base member 41 of the non-target support body 54. In this way, the position of the base member 41 to which the rail main body 5 is fixed can be changed as necessary.

[0049] (6) In the above embodiment, the support body 3 is described as having a configuration including a base member 41 and a rack support member 45 fixed to the base member 41. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the support body 3 does not need to have the rack support member 45. In this case, the rack 4 is fixed directly to the base member 41. Therefore, it is preferable that the base member 41 is provided with a width direction positioning portion 47 that positions the rack 4 in the width direction Y.

[0050] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the target support main body 78 is fixed to the target base member 71, and the target support extension 77 is fixed to the non-target base member 73. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the target support extension 77 does not have to be fixed to the non-target base member 73.

[0051] (8) In the above embodiment, the first round hole 81 and the second round hole 83 are formed in the connecting member 32, the first female threaded hole 82 is formed in the first support 13, and the second female threaded hole 84 is formed in the second support 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first round hole 81 may be formed in the first support 13, the second round hole 83 may be formed in the second support 23, and the first female threaded hole 82 and the second female threaded hole 84 may be formed in the connecting member 32. One such example is shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the first reference surface 6a is set on the surface facing the second width direction side Y2 of the target rack support member 75, and the second reference surface 7a is set on the surface facing the second width direction side Y2 of the non-target rack support member 76. The reference abutment surface 32a of the connecting member 32 abuts against the first reference surface 6a and the second reference surface 7a from the second widthwise side Y2 of the rack support member 45. The first fixing member 35 and the second fixing member 37 are inserted into the rack support member 45 from the first widthwise side Y1. Alternatively, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which the first round hole 81 is formed in the first support 13, the first female threaded hole 82 is formed in the connecting member 32, the second round hole 83 is formed in the connecting member 32, and the second female threaded hole 84 is formed in the second support 23. In this case, the second fixing member 37 is inserted into the rack support member 45 from the second widthwise side Y2.

[0052] [Summary of the above embodiment] The rails described above will now be outlined.

[0053] The rail according to the present disclosure is a rail that guides a carriage traveling in a predetermined traveling direction, a first unit and a second unit each formed to extend along the traveling direction and arranged to be aligned in series in the traveling direction; and a connecting mechanism connecting the first unit and the second unit, Each of the first unit and the second unit includes a support, a rack fixed to the support and engaging with a pinion included in the carriage, and a rail body fixed to the support in parallel to the rack and guiding the travel of the carriage, The direction perpendicular to the running direction when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the width direction, one side of the width direction is defined as the first width direction side, the other side of the width direction is defined as the second width direction side, the support of the first unit is defined as the first support, the support of the second unit is defined as the second support, the rack of the first unit is defined as the first rack, and the rack of the second unit is defined as the second rack, The connecting mechanism includes: The first support member and the first rack member are configured to connect a first target member that is a target for connection with either the first support member or the first rack, and a second target member that is a target for connection with either the second support member or the second rack, a connecting member having a reference abutment surface that abuts on both a first reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the first target member and a second reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the second target member; a first fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the first target member; and a second fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the second target member; the first fixing member is detachable from at least one of the connecting member and the first target member, and is configured to position the first target member and the connecting member by being attached; The second fixing member is configured to be able to adjust the relative position between the second target member and the connecting member, and to fix the second target member and the connecting member to the adjusted relative position.

[0054] According to this configuration, after adjusting the relative positions of the first target member and the second target member, the first target member and the connecting member are fixed with the first fixing member, and the second target member and the connecting member are fixed with the second fixing member, thereby connecting the first unit and the second unit in an appropriate relative positional relationship. Furthermore, even when separating the first unit and the second unit that are connected to each other, if the fixation between the second target member and the connecting member by the second fixing member is maintained while the fixation between the second target member and the connecting member by the first fixing member is released, when connecting the first unit and the second unit again, the first target member and the second target member can be connected in the relative positional relationship after the previous adjustment simply by attaching the first fixing member. In other words, once the relative position between the first target member and the second target member is adjusted and the second target member and the connecting member are fixed with the second fixing member, when installing the rail, there is no need to adjust the relative position between the first target member and the second target member again; simply by attaching the first fixing member, the first unit and the second unit can be connected in the appropriate relative positional relationship. Therefore, with this configuration, when installing a rail having a plurality of units, the adjacent units can be easily connected in the correct relative positions.

[0055] Here, it is preferable that, in a state in which the first unit and the second unit are connected by the connecting mechanism, there is a gap between the first support body and the second support body in the traveling direction.

[0056] According to this configuration, even if the dimensional accuracy of the first support body and the second support body is low, it is easy to connect the first unit and the second unit in a correct positional relationship.

[0057] Also, the rail body of the first unit is referred to as a first rail body, and the rail body of the second unit is referred to as a second rail body, the connecting member, the first rail main body, and the second rail main body are disposed at different positions in the width direction, It is preferable that the first rail body and the second rail body abut against each other in the running direction.

[0058] With this configuration, the relative positions of the first and second units in the running direction can be regulated not only by the connecting mechanism but also by the abutment between the first rail body and the second rail body. Furthermore, because the connecting member and the first and second rail bodies are located at different widthwise positions, the relative positions of the first and second units in the running direction can be regulated at two locations in the widthwise direction. This makes it easier to improve the linearity of the arrangement of the first and second units.

[0059] Further, one of the first unit and the second unit is a target unit and the other is a non-target unit, the support body of the target unit is a target support body, the support body of the non-target unit is a non-target support body, the rail main body of the target unit is a target rail main body, and the rail main body of the non-target unit is a non-target rail main body, The target rail main body includes a target main body portion that overlaps with the target support body when viewed in the vertical direction, and a target extension portion that overlaps with the non-target support body when viewed in the vertical direction, The asymmetric rail main body is arranged so as not to overlap with a portion of the asymmetric support body that overlaps with the symmetric extension portion when viewed in the vertical direction, Preferably, the target body portion is fixed to an upper surface of the target support, and the target extension portion is fixed to an upper surface of the non-target support.

[0060] According to this configuration, when the first unit and the second unit are connected, the target extension portion is fixed to the non-target support portion. Therefore, the first unit and the second unit can be connected not only by the connecting member but also by the target rail body. Therefore, the connection between the first unit and the second unit can be made stronger. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the target rail main body is fixed to the upper surfaces of both the target support body and the non-target support body, the relative positions of the target support body and the non-target support body in the vertical direction can be fixed by the target rail main body. Therefore, the work of connecting the first unit and the second unit in an appropriate relative positional relationship in the vertical direction can also be easily performed.

[0061] The support member includes a base member and a rack support member fixed to the base member, the rack support member includes a width direction positioning portion that abuts against the rack from either the first width direction side or the second width direction side to position the rack in the width direction, It is preferable that the rack is fixed to the rack support member in a state in which the rack abuts against the width direction positioning portion in the width direction.

[0062] When multiple racks are lined up in the running direction, the relative positions of the multiple racks in the running direction must be adjusted so that the gear tooth pitch of these racks is constant, and then the racks must be fixed to the rack support members. With this configuration, the racks can be fixed to the rack support members while being positioned in the width direction by the width direction positioning parts of the rack support members. Therefore, the work of adjusting the position of the rack in the running direction and the work of fixing it to the rack support members can be easily performed.

[0063] Furthermore, one of the first unit and the second unit is a target unit and the other is a non-target unit, the base member of the target unit is a target base member, the base member of the non-target unit is a non-target base member, the rack support member of the target unit is a target rack support member, and the rack support member of the non-target unit is a non-target rack support member, The target rack support member includes a target support main body portion whose arrangement area in the running direction overlaps with the target base member, and a target support extension portion whose arrangement area in the running direction overlaps with the non-target base member, the asymmetric rack support member is arranged so that the arrangement area in the running direction of the asymmetric base member does not overlap with a portion where the arrangement area in the running direction of the asymmetric base member overlaps with the target support extension portion, Preferably, the target support main body is fixed to the target base member, and the target support extension is fixed to the non-target base member.

[0064] According to this configuration, the target rack support member is fixed to both the target base member and the non-target base member. Therefore, the first unit and the second unit can be connected by the rack support member in addition to the connecting member. Therefore, the connection between the first unit and the second unit can be made stronger.

[0065] The connecting mechanism also includes a first round hole formed in one of the connecting member and the first target member, a first female screw hole formed in the other of the connecting member and the first target member, a second round hole formed in one of the connecting member and the second target member, and a second female screw hole formed in the other of the connecting member and the second target member, the first fixing member is a shoulder bolt including a first head portion, a first cylindrical portion having a diameter that fits into the first round hole, and a first male thread portion that screws into the first female threaded hole, The second fixing member is a bolt having a second head and a second body having a male thread, and is threaded into the second female threaded hole, and it is preferable that when the second body is threaded into the second female threaded hole, a gap for adjusting the relative position is formed between the second body and the inner surface of the second round hole.

[0066] According to this configuration, the first fixing member can be attached and detached freely to the connecting member and the first target member, and by screwing the first male threaded portion into the first female threaded hole, the first cylindrical portion can be fitted into the first round hole, and the first target member and the connecting member can be positioned in the running direction and up and down directions. Furthermore, with this configuration, the second fixing member can be detachably attached to the connecting member and the second target member, and the relative positions of the second target member and the connecting member in the travel direction and the up-down direction can be adjusted using a gap for adjusting the relative position that is generated between the second body and the inner circumferential surface of the second round hole with the male thread of the second body threaded into the second female threaded hole.Furthermore, by fastening the connecting member and the second target member with the second fixing member, the second target member and the connecting member can be fixed in their adjusted relative positions.

[0067] It is sufficient for the rail according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1: Rail 3:Support 4: Rack 5: Rail body 6: First target member 6a: 1st reference plane 7: Second target member 7a: 2nd reference plane 9: Cart 11: First Unit 13:First support 14: First rack 16: First rail body 21: Second Unit 23:Second support 24: Second rack 26: Second rail body 31:Connection mechanism 32: Connecting member 32a: Reference contact surface 35: First fixing member 36: Shoulder bolt 36a: 1st head 36b: First cylindrical portion 36c: First male thread 37: Second fixing member 38:Second head 39: Second body 39a: Male thread 40: Bolt 41: Base material 45: Rack support member 47: Width direction positioning part 51: Target unit 52: Non-target unit 53: Target support 53a: Upper surface of the target support 54: Non-symmetrical support 54a: Upper surface of asymmetric support 55:Target rail body 56: Non-symmetrical rail body 61: Target body part 63: Target extension 71: Target base material 73: Non-symmetrical base member 75: Target rack support member 76: Asymmetric rack support member 77: Target support extension 78: Target support body 81: First round hole 82: First female screw hole 83: Second round hole 83a: Inner peripheral surface 84: Second female screw hole 91: Pinion S: Gap T: Gap X: Traveling direction Y: Width direction Y1: First side in the width direction Y2: Second width direction side

Claims

1. A rail that guides a carriage traveling in a predetermined traveling direction, a first unit and a second unit each formed to extend along the traveling direction and arranged to be aligned in series in the traveling direction; and a connecting mechanism connecting the first unit and the second unit, Each of the first unit and the second unit includes a support, a rack fixed to the support and engaging with a pinion included in the carriage, and a rail main body fixed to the support in parallel to the rack and guiding the travel of the carriage, The direction perpendicular to the running direction when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as the width direction, one side of the width direction is defined as the first width direction side, the other side of the width direction is defined as the second width direction side, the support of the first unit is defined as the first support, the support of the second unit is defined as the second support, the rack of the first unit is defined as the first rack, and the rack of the second unit is defined as the second rack, The connecting mechanism includes: The device is configured to connect a first target member, which is a target to be connected between the first support body and the first rack, and a second target member, which is a target to be connected between the second support body and the second rack, a connecting member having a reference abutment surface that abuts on both a first reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the first target member and a second reference surface that is a reference surface facing the first width direction side of the second target member; a first fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the first target member; and a second fixing member that fixes the connecting member to the second target member, the first fixing member is detachable from at least one of the connecting member and the first target member, and is configured to position the first target member and the connecting member by being attached; A rail, wherein the second fixing member is configured to freely adjust the relative position between the second target member and the connecting member and to fix the second target member and the connecting member to the adjusted relative position.

2. The rail according to claim 1 , wherein a gap exists between the first support body and the second support body in the running direction when the first unit and the second unit are connected by the connecting mechanism.

3. The rail body of the first unit is a first rail body, and the rail body of the second unit is a second rail body, the connecting member, the first rail main body, and the second rail main body are disposed at different positions in the width direction; The rail according to claim 1 , wherein the first rail body and the second rail body abut in the running direction.

4. The rail body of the first unit is a first rail body, and the rail body of the second unit is a second rail body, the connecting member, the first rail main body, and the second rail main body are disposed at different positions in the width direction; The rail according to claim 2 , wherein the first rail body and the second rail body abut in the running direction.

5. One of the first unit and the second unit is a target unit and the other is a non-target unit, the support body of the target unit is a target support body, the support body of the non-target unit is a non-target support body, the rail main body of the target unit is a target rail main body, and the rail main body of the non-target unit is a non-target rail main body, The target rail main body includes a target main body portion that overlaps with the target support body when viewed in the vertical direction, and a target extension portion that overlaps with the non-target support body when viewed in the vertical direction, The asymmetric rail main body is arranged so as not to overlap with a portion of the asymmetric support body that overlaps with the symmetric extension portion when viewed in the vertical direction, The rail of claim 1 , wherein the target body portion is secured to an upper surface of the target support and the target extension portion is secured to an upper surface of the non-target support.

6. the support body includes a base member and a rack support member fixed to the base member; the rack support member includes a width direction positioning portion that abuts against the rack from either the first width direction side or the second width direction side to position the rack in the width direction, The rail according to claim 1 , wherein the rack is fixed to the rack support member in a state in which the rack abuts against the widthwise positioning portion in the width direction.

7. one of the first unit and the second unit is a target unit and the other is a non-target unit, the base member of the target unit is a target base member, the base member of the non-target unit is a non-target base member, the rack support member of the target unit is a target rack support member, and the rack support member of the non-target unit is a non-target rack support member, The target rack support member includes a target support main body portion whose arrangement area in the running direction overlaps with the target base member, and a target support extension portion whose arrangement area in the running direction overlaps with the non-target base member, the asymmetric rack support member is arranged so that the arrangement area in the running direction of the asymmetric base member does not overlap with a portion where the arrangement area in the running direction of the asymmetric base member overlaps with the target support extension portion, The rail of claim 6 , wherein the target support body portion is fixed to the target base member and the target support extension portion is fixed to the non-target base member.

8. the connecting mechanism includes a first round hole formed in one of the connecting member and the first target member, a first female screw hole formed in the other of the connecting member and the first target member, a second round hole formed in one of the connecting member and the second target member, and a second female screw hole formed in the other of the connecting member and the second target member, the first fixing member is a shoulder bolt including a first head, a first cylindrical portion having a diameter adapted to fit into the first round hole, and a first male threaded portion adapted to thread into the first female threaded hole, 8. The rail according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing member is a bolt that includes a second head and a second body portion having a male thread and that screws into the second female threaded hole, and wherein when the second body portion is screwed into the second female threaded hole, a gap for adjusting the relative position is formed between the second body portion and the inner surface of the second round hole.

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