Goods transport equipment

Abstract

To provide product transportation facilities capable of improving transportation efficiency of the product transportation facilities.SOLUTION: A product transportation facility (1) includes: a ceiling transportation vehicle (3) traveling on a traveling rail (2) for transporting a product (W); and a transfer machine (4) including a suspending part (41) liftably suspending the product (W) and arranged separately from the ceiling transportation vehicle (3).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article transport facility for transporting articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an article transport facility that transports articles along a traveling rail installed on the ceiling side. With regard to this type of article transport facility, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a transfer machine that moves articles up and down is mounted on an overhead transport vehicle, and the article is transferred between the overhead transport vehicle and an equipment port (processing equipment) installed on the floor side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 017221 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology described above, the overhead transport vehicle must be stopped at a predetermined stopping position while the transfer machine is transferring the goods, which means that the overhead transport vehicle cannot start moving while the goods are being transferred, which limits the efficiency of the transfer.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and aims to improve the transport efficiency of article transport equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an item transport equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an overhead transport vehicle that travels on a running rail and transports items, and a transfer machine that includes a lifting section that can suspend and raise and lower the items and is installed separately from the overhead transport vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the transport efficiency of an article transport facility can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing an article transport facility according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a control block diagram of the article conveying facility shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 2 is a side view showing an example of the operation of the article transport facility shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a front view showing a state in which the suspending part shown in FIG. 1 passes between a pair of rail members and descends. FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 6 is a side view showing another example of the operation of the article transport facility shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing an article transport facility according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a side view showing an example of the operation of the article transport facility shown in FIG. 8. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. However, the following description is merely an example of an article conveying facility according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0010] (Overview of Goods Transport Equipment 1) First, an overview of an article conveying facility 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a side view that schematically shows the article conveying facility 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the article conveying facility 1 includes a traveling rail 2, an overhead transport vehicle (carriage) 3, a transfer machine 4, and an equipment port 5. The overhead transport vehicle 3 carrying the article W travels along the traveling rail 2 installed on the ceiling C side to transport the article W. The transfer machine 4 is installed on the ceiling C. The transfer machine 4 includes a hoisting unit 41 that can suspend and raise and lower the article W, and transfers the article W between the overhead transport vehicle 3 and the equipment port (article delivery unit) 5 installed on the floor F side.

[0011] In the article conveying equipment 1, the transfer machine is not mounted on the overhead transport vehicle as in the conventional case, and the overhead transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4 are installed separately from each other. Therefore, the overhead transport vehicle 3 is responsible for transporting the article W, and the transfer machine 4 is responsible for transferring the article W, so that the transport of the article W and the transfer of the article W can be performed in parallel. Therefore, even while the transfer machine 4 is transferring the article W, the overhead transport vehicle 3 can start running for the next work, for example, and the efficiency of transporting the article W can be improved.

[0012] In the following description, the direction along which the traveling rail 2 runs will be referred to as the conveying direction X, the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X in a plan view will be referred to as the width direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X and the width direction Y, i.e., the direction in which the hanging part 41 rises and falls, will be referred to as the up-down direction Z.

[0013] (Configuration of item transport equipment 1) Next, the configuration of an article conveying facility 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the traveling rails 2 are installed in the travel path of the ceiling transport vehicle 3 and are suspended from, for example, the ceiling C side by supports 6. In this embodiment, multiple traveling rails 2 are installed in the vertical direction Z. In the example shown in the figure, two traveling rails 2 are installed in two tiers, one above the other. By installing the traveling rails 2 in multiple tiers in the vertical direction Z in this way, the efficiency of transporting articles W can be improved. Furthermore, in the article transport equipment 1, the ceiling transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4 are installed separately from each other, so the height (width in the vertical direction Z) of the ceiling transport vehicle 3 can be reduced compared to conventional ceiling transport vehicles equipped with transfer machines. This makes it possible to reduce the spacing between the traveling rails 2 installed in the vertical direction X, thereby reducing the installation space for the traveling rails 2.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the traveling rail 2 includes a pair of rail members 21 facing each other in the width direction Y. The pair of rail members 21 have an upper surface portion 21a, a side portion 21b, and a lower surface portion 21c. The upper surface portion 21a is disposed substantially parallel to the ceiling C, and the support 6 is connected to the upper surface portion 21a. The side portion 21b is a side wall that is provided so as to hang down from both ends of the upper surface portion 21a in the width direction Y. The lower surface portion 21c extends from the lower end of the side portion 21b toward the inner wall surface of the side portion 21b, and forms a track surface on which wheels 34 attached to the overhead transport vehicle 3 roll.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of rail members 21 installed below the transfer machine 4 are separated in the width direction Y. This allows the suspending unit 41 to move up and down between the pair of rail members 21 while suspending an article W, as will be described later. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of rail members 21 installed at a position other than below the transfer machine 4 may be partially connected. In the illustrated example, the lower surface portions 21c of the pair of rail members 21 are connected to each other by a connecting plate 22. In this way, by connecting the portions of the pair of rail members 21 between which the suspending unit 41 does not move up and down, the traveling rail 2 can be reinforced and its strength increased.

[0017] The overhead transport vehicle 3 includes a storage section 31, a power unit 32, a transmission shaft 33, and wheels 34. The storage section 31 is a housing that is open at the top and stores the article W. The power unit 32 is a power generating source that drives the wheels 34 and is composed of a motor or the like. The power unit 32 is attached to the bottom of the storage section 31. The power unit 32 transmits power to the two transmission shafts 33. The rotation direction of the power unit 32 can be switched between forward and reverse rotation. Therefore, by switching the rotation direction of the power unit 32, the overhead transport vehicle 3 can travel in both directions in the transport direction X. Four wheels 34 are attached to the overhead transport vehicle 3. The wheels 34 are fixed to both ends of each transmission shaft 33 and rotate when power is transmitted from the power unit 32, rolling on the underside 21c of the traveling rail 2.

[0018] The transfer machine 4 is installed on the ceiling C and transfers the article W between the ceiling transport vehicle 3 and the equipment port 5. Specifically, the transfer machine 4 is installed above the traveling rail 2 and delivers the article W to and from the article delivery section installed below the traveling rail 2.

[0019] The transfer machine 4 includes a hoisting unit 41 that suspends (holds) the article W, a drive unit 42 that raises and lowers the hoisting unit 41 in the vertical direction Z, and a base 43 to which the drive unit 42 is attached. In this embodiment, the transfer machine 4 has three hoisting units 41 lined up along the conveying direction X. These three hoisting units 41 are each connected to three drive units 42 attached to the base 43. The hoisting units 41 and the drive units 42 are connected by wires 44 (see FIG. 6), and by controlling each drive unit 42, each hoisting unit 41 can be moved (raised and lowered) individually along the vertical direction X. The base 43 is fixed to the ceiling C, thereby installing the transfer machine 4 on the ceiling C.

[0020] The transfer machine 4 may be installed above the traveling rails 2. Therefore, the transfer machine 4 may be installed on the ceiling C or a side wall near the ceiling C of the installation space in which the article conveying equipment 1 is installed.

[0021] The equipment port 5 is installed on the floor F and transfers the item W between the suspenders 41. The equipment port 5 is connected to a processing device (not shown) that processes the item W. The equipment port 5 includes a placement section 51 on which the item W is placed. In the example shown, three placement sections 51 corresponding to the three suspenders 41 are installed along the conveying direction X. The three suspenders 41 and the three placement sections 51 are positioned so as to face each other in the vertical direction Z.

[0022] (Control of item transport equipment 1) Next, an example of control of the article conveying equipment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a control block diagram of the article conveying equipment 1. As shown in Figure 4, the article conveying equipment 1 further includes a control device 7 that controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4. The control device 7 comprehensively controls the operations of the various components, and is configured, for example, by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory. The operations of the various components are controlled by causing the computer to execute a control program.

[0023] First, the transfer control for transferring an article W from the overhead transport vehicle 3 to the equipment port 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a side view showing an example of the operation for transferring an article W from the overhead transport vehicle 3 to the equipment port 5. The control device 7 controls the overhead transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4 based on control information from a higher-level controller (not shown), and performs the following operations. The overhead transport vehicle 3 is capable of communicating with the equipment port 5, and the overhead transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4 operate in coordination with the operation of the equipment port 5 during transfer.

[0024] As shown in 5001 in Fig. 5, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 storing the article W to stop it at a stop position P set below the transfer machine 4. The stop position P is set below the suspending unit 41 in the standby position (for example, the position where the suspending unit 41 is at its highest point), for each suspending unit 41. In the illustrated example, three stop positions P corresponding to the three suspending units 41 are set on each of the traveling rails 2 installed in two tiers, one above the other.

[0025] Next, as shown in 5002 of FIG. 5, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to lower the hoisting unit 41, which is located above the ceiling transport vehicle 3 that has stopped at stop position P, from the standby position. At this time, the control device 7 adjusts the amount of descent of the hoisting unit 41 depending on whether the ceiling transport vehicle 3 is stopped at stop position P of the upper traveling rail 2 or the lower traveling rail 2. In this way, the control device 7 stops the hoisting unit 41 directly above the article W. Then, the control device 7 controls the hoisting unit 41 to hold the upper part of the article W with the hoisting unit 41.

[0026] Next, as shown in 5003 of Fig. 5, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to raise the hoisting unit 41 holding the item W. As a result, the item W is suspended by the hoisting unit 41, and the item W is removed from the ceiling transport vehicle 3. Then, when the hoisting unit 41 has risen to a height position where the item W does not interfere with the travel of the ceiling transport vehicle 3, that is, when the bottom end of the item W is positioned above the top end of the ceiling transport vehicle 3, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to move it from the stop position P. At this time, the control device 7 may start the travel of the ceiling transport vehicle 3 for the next task.

[0027] In this way, the ceiling transport vehicle 3 stops at the stop position P below the hoisting unit 41, and starts traveling after the article W is suspended by the hoisting unit 41. This makes it possible for the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to start traveling even while the article W is being transferred by the hoisting unit 41, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting the article W.

[0028] Next, as shown in 5004 in Fig. 5, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to lower the suspending unit 41 holding the article W. At this time, the suspending unit 41 passes between the pair of rail members 21 and descends while suspending the article W.

[0029] 6 is a front view showing the state in which the suspending unit 41 passes between the pair of rail members 21 and descends. As shown in FIG. 6, the distance D1 between the pair of rail members 21 in the width direction Y is greater than the width D2 of the suspending unit 41 and the width D3 of the article W. Therefore, the suspending unit 41 can pass between the pair of rail members 21 and ascend and descend while suspending the article W. This allows the article W to be handed over between the transfer machine 4 and the equipment port 5 even if a traveling rail 2 is installed between the transfer machine 4 and the equipment port 5.

[0030] While the hoisting unit 41 is transferring the article W to and from the equipment port 5, the overhead transport vehicle 3 is restricted from entering the stop position P set below the hoisting unit 41. This prevents the overhead transport vehicle 3 from colliding with the hoisting unit 41 or the wire 44.

[0031] Then, the control device 7 stops the hoisting unit 41 directly above the placement unit 51 of the equipment port 5 and places the item W on the placement unit 51. After placing the item W on the placement unit 51, the control device 7 raises the hoisting unit 41 to the standby position and ends control of the transfer of the item W from the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to the equipment port 5.

[0032] Next, transfer control for transferring the article W from the equipment port 5 to the ceiling transport vehicle 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a side view showing an example of the operation for transferring the article W from the equipment port 5 to the ceiling transport vehicle 3.

[0033] As shown in 7001 of Figure 7, when an item W is placed on the loading section 51 of the device port 5, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to lower the hanging unit 41 located above the loading section 51 on which the item W is placed from the standby position.

[0034] 7, the control device 7 controls the hoisting unit 41 to hold the upper part of the article W with the hoisting unit 41, and then controls the drive unit 42 to raise the hoisting unit 41 holding the article W. Then, when the hoisting unit 41 has risen to a height position where the article W does not interfere with the travel of the ceiling transport vehicle 3, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to stop the ceiling transport vehicle 3 at a stop position P located below the hoisting unit 41 holding the article W.

[0035] In this way, the hoisting unit 41 rises after receiving the article W from the equipment port 5, and continues to suspend the article W until the ceiling transport vehicle 3 arrives below the hoisting unit 41. This makes it possible for the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to transport, for example, another article W while the hoisting unit 41 is receiving the article W from the equipment port 5, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting articles.

[0036] Next, as shown in 7003 in FIG. 7, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to lower the suspending unit 41 holding the article W, and stores the article W in the ceiling transport vehicle 3.

[0037] 7, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 42 to raise the hoisting unit 41. Then, when the hoisting unit 41 has risen to a height position that does not interfere with the travel of the ceiling transport vehicle 3, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to start traveling toward the next destination of the article W. Then, the control device 7 raises the hoisting unit 41 to the standby position, and ends control of the transfer of the article W from the equipment port 5 to the ceiling transport vehicle 3.

[0038] In this way, in the article conveying equipment 1, even when the hoisting unit 41 is operating, the ceiling transport vehicle 3 can start traveling toward the destination of the next article W. Therefore, since the transport of the article W and the transfer of the article W can be performed in parallel, the efficiency of transporting the article W can be improved.

[0039] (Effect of Goods Transport Equipment 1) As described above, the item conveying equipment 1 of this embodiment comprises an overhead transport vehicle 3 that travels on a running rail 2 and transports an item W, and a transfer machine 4 that includes a lifting section 41 that can lift and lower the item W and is installed separately from the overhead transport vehicle 3.

[0040] In the article conveying facility 1, the overhead transport vehicle 3 and the transfer machine 4 are separated, so it is possible to start running the overhead transport vehicle 3 even while the transfer machine 4 is transferring the article W. Therefore, it is possible to realize an article conveying facility 1 with improved efficiency in transporting the article W.

[0041] Furthermore, in the article conveying facility 1, the overhead conveying vehicle 3 can be made lighter than conventional overhead conveying vehicles equipped with transfer machines. Therefore, the travel speed of the overhead conveying vehicle 3 can be set high, or the energy consumption of the overhead conveying vehicle 3 can be reduced.

[0042] Furthermore, in the article conveying facility 1, the transfer machines 4 and the equipment ports 5 are paired and installed in a one-to-one relationship. Therefore, if the transfer machines 4 and the equipment ports 5 are installed in optimal positions at the time of installation, even if the number of overhead transport vehicles 3 is increased thereafter, there is no need to have the transfer machines 4 learn the positions and heights of the equipment ports 5. Furthermore, for example, if multiple pairs of transfer machines 4 and equipment ports 5 are installed, the transfer machine 4 can be positioned and installed in the optimal position for each equipment port 5, making it easier to improve transfer accuracy.

[0043] [Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For ease of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0044] (Configuration of the article transport facility 10) First, the configuration of article conveying equipment 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a side view that schematically shows article conveying equipment 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, article conveying equipment 10 includes a transfer machine 40 in which a suspender 41 is movable in conveying direction X. Except for the inclusion of a transfer machine 40, article conveying equipment 10 has the same configuration as the above-described article conveying equipment 1.

[0045] The transfer machine 40 includes a suspending unit 41 that suspends (holds) the article W, a driving unit 420 that moves the suspending unit 41 in the conveying direction X and the vertical direction Z, and a base 43 to which the driving unit 420 is attached. In this embodiment, the transfer machine 40 includes one suspending unit 41. The driving unit 420 to which the suspending unit 41 is connected is attached to the base 43 so as to be movable along the conveying direction X. Therefore, by controlling the driving unit 420, the suspending unit 41 can be moved along the conveying direction X and raised and lowered along the vertical direction Z. This allows the articles W at multiple stop positions P (or multiple placement units 51) lined up along the conveying direction X to be transferred by a single suspending unit 41, thereby reducing the number of suspending units 41 required.

[0046] The suspending unit 41 may be movable not only in the conveying direction X but also in the width direction Y. This allows, for example, even if a plurality of equipment ports 5 (placing units 51) are installed along the conveying direction X and the width direction Y, the article W can be transferred between the transfer machine 40 and the equipment port 5 by moving the suspending unit 41 above each equipment port 5.

[0047] (Control of the article transport facility 10) Next, an example of control of the article transport facility 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a side view showing an example of the operation of transferring an article W from the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to the equipment port 5.

[0048] As shown in 9001 of Figure 9, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 containing the item W to stop it at a stopping position P set below the transfer machine 40, and controls the drive unit 420 to move the lifting unit 41 above the stopping position P.

[0049] 9, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 420 to lower the suspending unit 41 from the standby position. Then, the control device 7 controls the suspending unit 41 to hold the upper part of the article W by the suspending unit 41.

[0050] Next, as shown in 9003 of Figure 9, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 420 to raise the hoisting unit 41 holding the item W. As a result, the item W is hoisted by the hoisting unit 41, and the item W is removed from the ceiling transport vehicle 3. Then, when the hoisting unit 41 has risen to a height position where the item W does not interfere with the travel of the ceiling transport vehicle 3, the control device 7 controls the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to move it from the stop position P. In this way, it is possible for the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to start traveling even while the item W is being transferred by the hoisting unit 41, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting the item W.

[0051] 9, the control device 7 controls the drive unit 420 to lower the suspending unit 41 holding the item W and place the item W on the placement unit 51. After placing the item W on the placement unit 51, the control device 7 raises the suspending unit 41 to the standby position, and ends control of the transfer of the item W from the ceiling transport vehicle 3 to the equipment port 5.

[0052] 〔summary〕 The item transport equipment according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises an overhead transport vehicle that travels on a running rail and transports items, and a transfer machine that includes a lifting section that can lift and lower the item and is installed separately from the overhead transport vehicle.

[0053] In the above configuration, unlike conventional systems, the transfer machine is not mounted on the overhead transport vehicle, and the overhead transport vehicle and the transfer machine are installed separately. Therefore, the overhead transport vehicle is responsible for transporting items, and the transfer machine is responsible for transferring the items, so that the transportation of items and the transfer of items can be performed separately. Therefore, with the above configuration, even while the transfer machine is transferring items, the overhead transport vehicle can start running for the next job, for example, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting items.

[0054] In the item transport equipment according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 1, if the direction in which the lifting part rises and falls is the up and down direction, the transfer machine may be installed above the running rail and transfer the item between it and an item delivery part (equipment port 5) installed below the running rail.

[0055] In the above configuration, the transfer machine, the traveling rail, and the article transfer unit are installed in this order from above. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the suspending unit can suspend an article from above the ceiling transport vehicle traveling on the traveling rail, and deliver the article to and from the article transfer unit.

[0056] In the item conveying equipment according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 1 or 2, the running rail may include a pair of rail members, and the suspending portion may move up and down between the pair of rail members while suspending the item.

[0057] According to the above configuration, even if a traveling rail is installed between the transfer machine and the article transfer section, articles can be delivered and received between the transfer machine and the article transfer section.

[0058] In the item conveying equipment according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 3, a stop position where the ceiling transport vehicle stops is set below the hoisting section, and the ceiling transport vehicle may be restricted from entering the stop position while the hoisting section is transferring the item between the item transfer section and the item delivery section.

[0059] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the ceiling transport vehicle from colliding with the suspending part or the wire suspending the suspending part.

[0060] In an article transport facility according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any of the second to fourth aspects, a plurality of the travel rails may be installed in the vertical direction.

[0061] According to the above configuration, the efficiency of transporting goods can be improved. Furthermore, in the above configuration, the overhead transport vehicle and the transfer machine are installed separately from each other, so the height (vertical width) of the overhead transport vehicle can be reduced compared to conventional overhead transport vehicles equipped with transfer machines. This makes it possible to reduce the spacing between multiple running rails installed in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the installation space for the running rails.

[0062] In the article transport facility according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any of the second to fifth aspects, the suspending section may be attached at a position facing the article transfer section in the vertical direction.

[0063] According to this configuration, by raising and lowering the suspending section, the article can be delivered between the transfer machine and the article delivery section.

[0064] In an article transport facility according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any of the second to fifth aspects, the suspending section may be configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0065] According to the above configuration, even if multiple item transfer sections are installed, items can be transferred between the transfer machine and the item transfer section by moving the lifting section above each item transfer section.

[0066] In the item conveying equipment according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in the above aspects 2 to 7, the ceiling transport vehicle stops below the transfer machine, and the item stored in the ceiling transport vehicle is suspended by the suspension section before starting to move.

[0067] According to the above configuration, the overhead transport vehicle can start traveling even while an article is being transferred by the hoisting section, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting articles.

[0068] In the item conveying equipment according to aspect 9 of the present invention, in the above aspects 2 to 8, the lifting section may rise after receiving the item from the item transfer section, and continue to suspend the item until the ceiling transport vehicle arrives below the lifting section.

[0069] In this configuration, while the hoisting unit is receiving an item from the item transfer unit, for example, another item can be transported by the ceiling transport vehicle. Therefore, with this configuration, the transportation of an item and the transfer of an item can be performed in parallel, thereby improving the efficiency of transporting items.

[0070] In the article transport facility according to Aspect 10 of the present invention, in any of Aspects 1 to 9 above, the transfer machine may be installed on a ceiling or a side wall of an installation space in which the article transport facility is installed.

[0071] The transfer machine may be installed separately from the ceiling transport vehicle, and may be installed, for example, on the ceiling of the installation space or on a side wall in the vicinity of the ceiling.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1,10 Goods transport equipment 2 Running rails 3. Ceiling transport vehicle 4,40 Transfer machine 5. Equipment port (item delivery area) 21 Rail components 41 Hanging part P Stop position Z vertical direction

Claims

1. an overhead transport vehicle that travels on a travel rail and transports articles; a transfer machine including a lifting unit capable of lifting and lowering the article and installed separately from the ceiling transport vehicle; When the direction in which the suspending unit moves up and down is the up and down direction, an article transfer unit is installed below the traveling rail; Equipped with The transfer machine is an article transport facility that transfers the article between the ceiling transport vehicle and the article delivery section.

2. An article transport equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the transfer machine is installed above the running rail.

3. The running rail includes a pair of rail members, The article transport facility according to claim 2 , wherein the suspending section moves up and down between the pair of rail members while suspending the article.

4. A stop position where the ceiling transport vehicle stops is set below the suspending part, The article transport facility according to claim 3 , wherein the ceiling transport vehicle is restricted from entering the stop position while the hoisting unit is transferring the article to and from the article transfer unit.

5. The article transport facility according to claim 2 , wherein the suspending unit is attached at a position facing the article transfer unit in the vertical direction.

6. The article transport facility according to claim 2 , wherein the suspending unit is configured to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction.

7. 5. An item transport equipment as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lifting section rises after receiving the item from the item transfer section and continues to suspend the item until the ceiling transport vehicle arrives below the lifting section.

8. The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer machine is installed on a ceiling or a side wall of an installation space in which the article transport facility is installed.

9. An overhead transport vehicle that travels on a rail and transports articles; a transfer machine including a lifting unit capable of lifting and lowering the article and installed separately from the ceiling transport vehicle; Equipped with When the direction in which the lifting unit moves up and down is the up-down direction, the transfer machine is installed above the traveling rail and delivers the article to and from an article delivery unit installed below the traveling rail, The article transport equipment includes a plurality of running rails installed in the vertical direction.

10. An overhead transport vehicle that travels on a rail and transports an article; a transfer machine including a lifting unit capable of lifting and lowering the article and installed separately from the ceiling transport vehicle; Equipped with When the direction in which the lifting unit moves up and down is the up-down direction, the transfer machine is installed above the traveling rail and delivers the article to and from an article delivery unit installed below the traveling rail, The overhead transport vehicle stops below the hoisting section, and starts traveling after the article stored in the overhead transport vehicle is suspended by the hoisting section.

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