Vehicle System

Abstract

A traveling vehicle system (1) comprises a track (11), a plurality of traveling vehicles (5), and a control unit (3) that controls each of the plurality of traveling vehicles (5), wherein a portion of a traveling area of the traveling vehicles (5) is blocked by a shutter (83) that operates when a detection device (81) has detected an abnormality. The control unit (3) allows a traveling vehicle (5) to enter an interference section (A1) without confirming the presence / absence of a traveling vehicle (5) in the interference section (A1) when it has been determined that the number of traveling vehicles (5) present in a lock section (A2) has not reached a stipulated number (N) which is greater than or equal to two, and prohibits a traveling vehicle (5) from entering the interference section (A1) when it as been determined that the stipulated number (N) has been reached.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a traveling vehicle system. [Background technology]

[0002] A mobile vehicle system is known in which a mobile vehicle transporting a container, such as a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) or a reticle pod, containing stored objects, such as semiconductor wafers or glass substrates, travels along a track. A building in which such a mobile vehicle system is installed may be provided with a shutter that operates to partition the space within the building in an emergency to prevent fire from entering and spreading. In this case, the track is positioned so as to cross the area shielded by the shutter.

[0003] In such a traveling vehicle system, if an activated shutter traps a traveling vehicle, the space inside the building cannot be divided, and the shutter cannot function normally. Therefore, for example, an area where a traveling vehicle may be trapped when the shutter is activated is set as a blocking area, and blocking control is performed to limit the number of traveling vehicles in the blocking area to one or less. This reduces the possibility of a traveling vehicle being trapped by an activated shutter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5071695 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, such blocking control requires time to determine whether or not there is a vehicle in the blocking area or to control permission to enter the blocking area, which can reduce the efficiency of transporting vehicles.

[0006] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a traveling vehicle system that can prevent a decrease in transport efficiency while allowing an activated shutter to function normally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a track, a plurality of vehicles traveling in one direction along the track, and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of vehicles, and in which a portion of the traveling area of ​​the vehicles is blocked by a shutter that operates when an abnormality is detected by a detection device. The control unit sets a section of the track that includes at least the area in which the vehicle is present that is in contact with the shutter that operates when the abnormality is detected as an interference section, and sets a section adjacent to the interference section in one direction on the downstream side thereof and having a section length that allows two or more vehicles to be present as a locked section. Furthermore, when the control unit determines that the number of vehicles present in the locked section does not reach a specified number of two or more, the control unit allows the vehicles to enter the interference section, and when the control unit determines that the specified number has been reached, the control unit prohibits the vehicles from entering the interference section.

[0008] In a traveling vehicle system with this configuration, traveling vehicles are continuously permitted to enter the interference section until the number of traveling vehicles in the locked section reaches a specified number. This makes it possible to increase the number of traveling vehicles that can enter the interference section per unit time. Furthermore, in a traveling vehicle system with this configuration, once the number of traveling vehicles in the locked section reaches a specified number, traveling vehicles are prohibited from entering the interference section. This prevents traveling vehicles that cannot enter the locked section from remaining in the interference section, thereby preventing traveling vehicles from being pinched by an activated shutter. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transport efficiency while allowing the activated shutter to function normally.

[0009] In a traveling vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit may permit a traveling vehicle to enter an interference section without checking whether or not there is a traveling vehicle in the interference section. In a traveling vehicle system configured in this manner, it is possible to increase the number of traveling vehicles that can enter an interference section per unit time, compared to conventional blocking control that checks whether or not there is a traveling vehicle in the interference section before allowing a traveling vehicle to enter the interference section.

[0010] In a traveling vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the shutter may have a time lag between detecting an abnormality and blocking the traveling area, and the interference section may be set so that the traveling vehicle can pass through during the time lag. In a traveling vehicle system configured in this manner, if an abnormality is detected while the traveling vehicle is passing through the interference section, the traveling vehicle can be more reliably allowed to escape from the interference section.

[0011] In a traveling vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the boundary between the interference section and the locked section is set at a position where the traveling vehicle can pass through the interference section during the time lag, and a deceleration point or a stop point for the traveling vehicle is set on the track downstream in one direction from the part of the traveling area blocked by the shutter, and the locked section may be set to be the section between the boundary and the deceleration point or the section between the boundary and the stop point. In a traveling vehicle system configured in this manner, even if a point where congestion of traveling vehicles is likely to occur is downstream of the part blocked by the shutter, it is possible to suppress a decrease in conveyance efficiency and allow the activated shutter to function normally.

[0012] In a traveling vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the deceleration point or the stopping point may be set at a branch point where the track branches into two or more branches. In a traveling vehicle system configured in this manner, even if a branch point where congestion of traveling vehicles is likely to occur is located downstream of a part blocked by a shutter, it is possible to suppress a decrease in conveyance efficiency and allow the activated shutter to function normally.

[0013] In a traveling vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection device may be a fire detection device that detects fires, and the shutter may be a fire door. In this traveling vehicle system, even if the fire door that activates when the fire detection device detects an abnormality blocks the traveling area, the activated shutter can function normally while suppressing a decrease in transport efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transport efficiency while allowing an activated shutter to function normally. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a traveling vehicle system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the traveling vehicle system of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of vehicle control when entering an interference section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the vehicle control when the fire door is activated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. Furthermore, when describing an embodiment, upstream and downstream refer to upstream and downstream in the travel direction (the direction of the arrow shown on the track 11 in FIG. 1: one direction) of a preset overhead traveling vehicle (traveling vehicle) 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as "traveling vehicle 5").

[0017] The travelling vehicle system 1 is a system for transporting goods using a travelling vehicle 5 that can move along a track 11. The travelling vehicle 5 is an unmanned travelling vehicle, such as an overhead travelling vehicle or a track-guided vehicle. Here, the travelling vehicle system 1 will be described as an example in which the travelling vehicle 5 travels along a one-way track 11 laid on the ceiling or the like of a building such as a factory. As shown in FIG. 1, the travelling vehicle system 1 mainly includes the track 11, a plurality of stations ST, a plurality of travelling vehicles 5, and a travelling vehicle controller (controller) 3.

[0018] The track 11 is a member on which the traveling vehicles 5 travel, and is suspended from the ceiling. Fig. 1 shows an example of the layout of the track 11 in this embodiment. The track 11 in this embodiment is set so that the traveling vehicles 5 travel one-way in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. The track 11 is provided with a branch point BP where the track 11 branches off and a junction point CP where the track 11 merges.

[0019] Station ST is provided facing track 11. Station ST is a portion where articles are handed over to and from traveling vehicles 5. For example, examples of stations ST in a semiconductor processing factory include load ports where FOUPs are handed over between semiconductor processing equipment and traveling vehicles 5, and buffers where traveling vehicles 5 can temporarily place FOUPs.

[0020] The building in which the traveling vehicle system 1 of this embodiment is installed is provided with a fire detection device (detection device) 81 and a fire door (shutter) 83. The fire detection device 81 detects a fire that breaks out inside the building. When the fire detection device 81 detects a fire, it transmits a detection signal to the traveling vehicle controller 3 and activates the fire door 83 to compartmentalize the space inside the building. The fire door 83 is provided to prevent the fire from entering and spreading. The fire door 83 is arranged in an evacuation position, for example, on the ceiling, side wall, or floor of the building, and is configured to advance from the evacuation position to an advance position in the event of an abnormality.

[0021] The fire door 83 extended from the retreat position (fire door 83 when activated) blocks off part of the travel area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5 along the track 11. The fire door 83 completes its extension to the extension position 30 seconds after receiving a detection signal transmitted from the fire detection device 81. In other words, there is a time lag of about 30 seconds between the time the fire detection device 81 detects a fire and the time the fire door 83 blocks off the travel area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5 (compartments the space). More specifically, the fire door 83 starts its operation a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) after receiving the detection signal, and completes its extension to the extension position a predetermined time (e.g., 20 seconds) after starting its operation. Note that the time lag disclosed above is an example and may be shorter or longer than 30 seconds. Furthermore, the time between receiving the detection signal and starting the operation of the fire door 83 does not need to be secured.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the traveling vehicle controller 3 includes an input unit 31, a display unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a traveling vehicle control unit 40. The input unit 31 is made up of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and is a unit through which the user inputs various operations and various setting values. In this embodiment, the setting of the specified number N of vehicles in the locked section A2, which will be described in detail later, is input and set from the input unit 31. The display unit 32 is made up of, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc., and is a unit that displays various setting screens and input screens for inputting data via the input unit 31, etc. The input unit 31 and the display unit 32 do not need to be provided integrally with the traveling vehicle controller 3, and can be replaced by terminal devices that are capable of communicating with each other.

[0023] The communication unit 33 is a part that communicates with other devices, and for example, transmits a transport command to the traveling vehicle 5 and receives information (position data) relating to the current position of the traveling vehicle 5 via a wireless communication network. The communication unit 33 also receives a transport instruction including information on the destination station ST from a higher-level controller, for example, via a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0024] The traveling vehicle control unit 40 is a part that executes various control processes in the traveling vehicle system 1, which will be described in detail later, and is configured with, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the traveling vehicle control unit 40 can be configured as software in which a program stored in a ROM is loaded onto the RAM and executed by the CPU. Note that the traveling vehicle control unit 40 may also be configured as hardware such as an electronic circuit.

[0025] The travelling vehicle control unit 40 controls the travelling of the travelling vehicles 5 based on transport commands transmitted from, for example, a higher-level controller (not shown). The travelling vehicle control unit 40 also grasps the positions of the travelling vehicles 5 based on position information (described in detail later) transmitted periodically or continuously from each travelling vehicle 5. The travelling vehicle control unit 40 also sets, on the track 11, a section that includes at least the presence area EA of the travelling vehicle 5 that comes into contact with the fire door 83 that has been activated when an abnormality is detected, as an interference section A1, and sets, in one direction, a section adjacent to the interference section A1 on the downstream side and in which two or more travelling vehicles 5 can be present, as a locked section A2.

[0026] The existence area EA here refers to an area whose upstream end is the rear end position of the traveling vehicle 5 when the fire door 83 is in contact with the front end of the traveling vehicle 5, and whose downstream end is the front end position of the traveling vehicle 5 when the fire door 83 is in contact with the rear end of the traveling vehicle 5. The interference section A1 in this embodiment is formed only by the existence area EA of the traveling vehicle 5 that is in contact with the fire door 83 that has opened when an abnormality is detected. Note that the interference section A1 may be any section that includes the existence area EA, and may be set longer upstream and / or downstream than the existence area EA.

[0027] To explain in more detail, the interference section A1 is set so that, assuming that the traveling vehicle 5 receives a detection signal from the fire detection device 81 at the same time as the traveling vehicle 5 enters the interference section A1, the traveling vehicle 5 can pass through the interference section A1 before the fire door 83, which is activated by the detection signal as a trigger, finishes moving to the advanced position. In other words, the boundary between the interference section A1, which is the downstream end position of the interference section A1, and the locked section A2 is set at a position where the traveling vehicle 5 can pass through the interference section A1 during the time lag described above.

[0028] Furthermore, the meaning of the section in the locked section A2 where two or more traveling vehicles 5 can exist here does not only mean that the section has a length that allows two or more traveling vehicles 5 to exist closely spaced forward and backward in the direction of travel, but also that the section has a length that allows two or more traveling vehicles 5 to exist with a predetermined distance forward and backward in the direction of travel. Furthermore, the predetermined distance forward and backward in the direction of travel is the minimum inter-vehicle distance that is preset for each traveling vehicle system 1, and the traveling vehicles 5, 5 lined up in front and behind are controlled so that the inter-vehicle distance does not fall below the minimum inter-vehicle distance.

[0029] In the traveling vehicle control unit 40 of this embodiment, a deceleration point or a stopping point for the traveling vehicle 5 is set on the track 11 downstream in one direction from the part of the traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5 that is blocked off by the fire door 83. In the traveling vehicle system 1, examples of configurations that serve as deceleration points or stopping points for the traveling vehicle 5 include, for example, a branch point BP where the track 11 branches into two or more, a junction point CP where two or more tracks 11 merge, an approach position to a curve section, an installation position of a station ST, an approach position to a blocking area BA, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, a branch point BP, where the track 11 branches into two or more branches, is set as a stopping point for the traveling vehicle 5. More specifically, the branch point BP is a position where the traveling vehicle 5 stops when permission to enter the blocking area BA is not granted by blocking control. The traveling vehicle 5 requests permission to enter the blocking area BA from the traveling vehicle controller 3 at a position just before the branch point BP. The traveling vehicle controller 3 checks whether the traveling vehicle 5 is present in the blocking area BA, and only when it is confirmed that the traveling vehicle 5 is not present in the blocking area BA does it permit the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the blocking area BA.

[0031] The lock section A2 is set to be located between the boundary, which is set from the viewpoint that the traveling vehicle 5 can pass through the interference section A1 during the time lag, and the deceleration point or the stop point. In this embodiment, the lock section A2 is located between the branch point BP and the interference section A1.

[0032] The ranges of the interference section A1, lock section A2, and blocking area BA described above are defined based on position information on the track 11, and are stored in a storage unit or the like (not shown). The traveling vehicle controller 3 stores map information that records the layout state of the track 11, and each position on the track 11 can be uniquely identified by the position information. In addition, barcodes or the like displaying information corresponding to the above position information are affixed to the track 11 so as to be readable by a scanner or the like provided on the traveling vehicle 5.

[0033] When the traveling vehicle control unit 40 determines that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 does not reach the specified number N of two or more, it permits the traveling vehicles 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are any traveling vehicles 5 in the interference section A1. When it determines that the specified number N has been reached, it prohibits the traveling vehicles 5 from entering the interference section A1. In the present embodiment, the specified number N is set to "3." Therefore, when the traveling vehicle control unit 40 determines that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 does not reach three, it permits the traveling vehicles 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are any traveling vehicles 5 in the interference section A1. When it determines that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 has reached three, it prohibits the traveling vehicles 5 from entering the interference section A1.

[0034] The traveling vehicle 5 is configured to be able to transfer articles. In addition to a known mechanism for transferring articles, the traveling vehicle 5 is equipped with a position acquisition unit 51 and a travel control unit 53, as shown in FIG.

[0035] The position acquisition unit 51 is a part that acquires position information of the vehicle on the track 11. The position acquisition unit 51 may be composed of, for example, a reading unit that reads a barcode or the like that is affixed to the track 11 and displays position information, an encoder, etc. The position acquisition unit 51 transmits, as position information, to the traveling vehicle controller 3, point information obtained by the reading unit and the distance traveled since passing the point, which is obtained from the encoder. The information acquired by the position acquisition unit 51 is transmitted to the traveling vehicle controller 3 in response to periodic or continuous inquiries from the traveling vehicle controller 3.

[0036] The traveling control unit 53 is a part that controls the traveling of the traveling vehicle 5, and is an electronic control unit that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The traveling control unit 53 controls the traveling of the traveling vehicle 5 based on a transport command sent from the traveling vehicle controller 3. The transport command sent from a higher-level controller (not shown) includes information about station ST, which is the destination.

[0037] The traveling control unit 53 requests entry permission from the traveling vehicle controller 3 at a specific position. In this embodiment, the upstream end SP and the junction point BP of the interference section A1 are set as the specific positions, and the traveling control unit 53 requests entry permission from the traveling vehicle controller 3 at the upstream end SP and the junction point BP. The traveling control unit 53 may stop at the upstream end SP to request entry permission, or may request entry permission immediately before arriving at the upstream end SP. If entry permission is not obtained from the traveling vehicle controller 3, the traveling control unit 53 stops at the upstream end SP. Similarly, the traveling control unit 53 may stop at the junction point BP to request entry permission, or may request entry permission immediately before arriving at the junction point BP. If entry permission is not obtained from the traveling vehicle controller 3, the traveling control unit 53 stops at the junction point BP.

[0038] In the traveling vehicle system 1 configured as above, the behavior of each traveling vehicle 5 when the traveling vehicle controller 3 causes the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 will be described mainly using Figure 3. Here, the behavior of the traveling vehicles 5 from when the number of traveling vehicles 5 in the locked section A2 is zero to when it becomes three will be described.

[0039] When a traveling vehicle 5 approaches the upstream end SP of the interference section A1 (for example, 1 m before the upstream end SP), it requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S1). The traveling vehicle controller 3 that has received the request for permission to enter checks the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2. When the traveling vehicle controller 3 confirms that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 is zero, it determines that the specified number (N=3) has not been reached (step S2). The traveling vehicle controller 3 permits the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are traveling vehicles 5 present in the interference section A1 (step S3). After entering the interference section A1, the traveling vehicle 5 leaves the interference section A1 and stops in the locked section A2 just before the branch point BP, and requests permission to enter the blocking area BA from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S4).

[0040] When a second traveling vehicle 5 following the first traveling vehicle 5 approaches the upstream end SP of the interference section A1 (for example, 1 m before the upstream end SP), it requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S5). The traveling vehicle controller 3 that has received the request for permission to enter checks the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2. When the traveling vehicle controller 3 confirms that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 is one, the first traveling vehicle 5, it determines that the specified number (N=3) has not been reached (step S6). The traveling vehicle controller 3 permits the second traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are any traveling vehicles 5 present in the interference section A1 (step S7). The second traveling vehicle 5 that has entered the interference section A1 leaves the interference section A1 and stops just before the first traveling vehicle 5. The area where the second traveling vehicle 5 stops is also the locked section A2 (step S8).

[0041] When a third traveling vehicle 5 following the second traveling vehicle 5 approaches the upstream end SP of the interference section A1 (for example, 1 m before the upstream end SP), it requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S9). The traveling vehicle controller 3 that has received the request for permission to enter checks the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2. When the traveling vehicle controller 3 confirms that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 is two, the first traveling vehicle 5 and the second traveling vehicle 5, it determines that the specified number (N=3) has not been reached (step S10). The traveling vehicle controller 3 permits the third traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are any traveling vehicles 5 present in the interference section A1 (step S11). After entering the interference section A1, the third traveling vehicle 5 leaves the interference section A1 and stops just before the second traveling vehicle 5. The area where the third traveling vehicle 5 stops is also the locked section A2 (step S12).

[0042] When a fourth traveling vehicle 5 following the third traveling vehicle 5 approaches the upstream end SP of the interference section A1 (for example, 1 m before the upstream end SP), it requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S13). The traveling vehicle controller 3 that has received the request for permission to enter checks the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2. When the traveling vehicle controller 3 confirms that the number of traveling vehicles 5 present in the locked section A2 is three, namely the first traveling vehicle 5, the second traveling vehicle 5, and the third traveling vehicle 5, it determines that the specified number (N=3) has been reached (step S14). The traveling vehicle controller 3 does not permit the fourth traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 (step S15). Thereafter, the fourth traveling vehicle 5 periodically requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 until the fourth traveling vehicle 5 is permitted to enter by the traveling vehicle controller 3.

[0043] Next, the operation of each traveling vehicle 5 in the traveling vehicle system 1 configured as described above when the fire detection device 81 detects a fire when the traveling vehicle controller 3 causes the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 will be described mainly with reference to Figure 4. Note that steps S1 to S8 are the same as those in Figure 3, so detailed explanations will be omitted. Here, we will explain the operation of the third traveling vehicle 5 when it is assumed that the fire detection device 81 detects a fire after the second traveling vehicle 5 has stopped in the lock section A2.

[0044] When the fire detection device 81 detects a fire, it transmits a detection signal to the fire door 83 (step S21) and also transmits the detection signal to the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S23). The fire door 83 completes its advance to the advance position 30 seconds after receiving the detection signal transmitted from the fire detection device 81 (step S22). The second traveling vehicle 5, which entered the interference section A1 before the fire detection device 81 detected the fire, exits the interference section A1 and stops in the lock section A2 before the fire door 83 advances (closes) to the advance position (step S8).

[0045] When a third traveling vehicle 5 following the second traveling vehicle 5 approaches the upstream end SP of the interference section A1 (for example, 1 m before the upstream end SP), it requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 (step S24). After receiving a detection signal from the fire detection device 81, the traveling vehicle controller 3 does not permit entry into the interference section A1 even if permission to enter is requested from the traveling vehicle 5. In other words, after step S24, the traveling vehicle controller 3 does not permit entry into the interference section A1 even if permission to enter is requested from the third traveling vehicle 5 (step S25). Thereafter, the third traveling vehicle 5 periodically requests permission to enter the interference section A1 from the traveling vehicle controller 3 until permission to enter is granted by the traveling vehicle controller 3.

[0046] The effects of the travelling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment will be described. In the travelling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, travelling vehicles 5 are continuously permitted to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are any travelling vehicles 5 in the interference section A1 until the number of travelling vehicles 5 in the locked section A2 reaches the specified number N. In the travelling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, once the number of travelling vehicles 5 in the locked section A2 reaches the specified number N, travelling vehicles 5 are prohibited from entering the interference section A1. This prevents travelling vehicles 5 that cannot enter the locked section A2 from the interference section A1 from remaining in the interference section A1, and prevents travelling vehicles 5 from getting caught in an activated fire door 83. As a result, the activated fire door 83 can function normally while suppressing a decrease in transport efficiency.

[0047] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the traveling vehicle controller 3 allows the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there is a traveling vehicle 5 in the interference section A1. This makes it possible to increase the number of traveling vehicles 5 that can enter the interference section A1 per unit time compared to conventional blocking control that checks whether or not there is a traveling vehicle 5 in the interference section A1 before allowing the traveling vehicle 5 to enter the interference section A1.

[0048] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, there is a time lag between when an abnormality is detected and when the fire door 83 blocks off the traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5, and the interference section A1 is set so that the traveling vehicle 5 can pass through the interference section A1 during the time lag (the distance, upstream end position, downstream end position, etc. of the interference section A1 are set). This makes it possible to more reliably allow the traveling vehicle 5 to escape from the interference section A1 if an abnormality is detected while the traveling vehicle 5 is passing through the interference section A1.

[0049] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, a deceleration point or a stopping point for the traveling vehicles 5 is set on the track 11 downstream in one direction from the part of the traveling area blocked off by the fire door 83, and the locked section A2 is set to be the section between the boundary (the boundary between the interference section A1, which is the downstream end position of the interference section A1, and the locked section A2) and the deceleration point, or the section between the boundary and the stopping point. As a result, even if a point where congestion of the traveling vehicles 5 is likely to occur is downstream of the part blocked off by the fire door 83, a decrease in transport efficiency can be suppressed and the activated fire door 83 can function normally.

[0050] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the deceleration points or stopping points are set at branch points BP where the track 11 branches into two or more branches. As a result, even if the branch point BP, where congestion of traveling vehicles 5 is likely to occur, is located downstream of the blocking portion caused by the fire door 83, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transport efficiency and allow the activated fire door 83 to function normally.

[0051] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0052] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, the vehicle controller 3 continuously allows vehicles 5 to enter the interference section A1 without checking whether or not there are vehicles 5 in the interference section A1 until the number of vehicles 5 in the locked section A2 reaches the specified number N of three. However, the specified number N may be two or more, and may be two or four or more.

[0053] In the traveling vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, an example has been described in which part of the traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5 in the interference section A1 is blocked off by the fire door 83. However, for example, the track portion forming the interference section A1 may be configured to be retractable. In detail, when the fire door 83 is activated, the retractable track portion retracts from the normal position to the retracted position to avoid contact with the fire door 83. Even in the traveling vehicle system 1 configured in this way, part of the traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicle 5 is blocked off by the fire door 83 that activates when the fire detection device 81 detects an abnormality.

[0054] In the above embodiment and modified example of the traveling vehicle system 1, the overhead traveling vehicle 5 has been described as an example of a traveling vehicle, but other examples of traveling vehicles include unmanned traveling vehicles that travel on tracks installed on the ground or on a platform.

[0055] The technical subject matter of one aspect of the present invention can be described as follows. [1] A traveling vehicle system comprising: a track; a plurality of traveling vehicles that travel in one direction along the track; and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of traveling vehicles, wherein a part of a traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicles is blocked off by a shutter that is activated when an abnormality is detected by a detection device, the control unit sets, on the track, a section that includes at least an area where the traveling vehicle is present and that comes into contact with the shutter that has operated when the abnormality is detected, as an interference section; and sets, as a locked section, a section that is adjacent to the interference section on the downstream side in the one direction and has a section length that allows two or more traveling vehicles to be present; and, when it determines that the number of traveling vehicles present in the locked section has not reached a specified number of two or more, the control unit permits the traveling vehicle to enter the interference section, and when it determines that the specified number has been reached, the control unit prohibits the traveling vehicle from entering the interference section. [2] The traveling vehicle system according to [1], wherein the control unit permits the traveling vehicle to enter the interference section without checking whether the traveling vehicle is present in the interference section. [3] the shutter has a time lag from when an abnormality is detected until when the shutter blocks the travel area, The traveling vehicle system according to [1] or [2], wherein the interference section is set so that the traveling vehicle can pass through during the time lag. [4] a boundary between the interference section and the lock section is set at a position where the traveling vehicle can pass through the interference section during the time lag; a deceleration point or a stop point for the traveling vehicle is set on the track downstream in the one direction from the blocking portion of the traveling area by the shutter, The traveling vehicle system according to [3], wherein the lock section is set to be the section between the boundary and the deceleration point, or the section between the boundary and the stopping point. [5] The traveling vehicle system according to [4], wherein the deceleration point or the stopping point is set at a branch point where the track branches into two or more branches. [6] The traveling vehicle system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the detection device is a fire detection device that detects a fire, and the shutter is a fire door. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...Traveling vehicle system, 3...Traveling vehicle controller (control unit), 5...Overhead traveling vehicle (Traveling vehicle), 11...Track, 40...Traveling vehicle control unit, 81...Fire detection device (detection device), 83...Fire door (shutter), A1...Interference section, A2...Lock section, BA...Blocking area, BP...Branch point, CP...Merge point, EA...Existence area.

Claims

1. A traveling vehicle system comprising: a track; a plurality of traveling vehicles that travel in one direction along the track; and a control unit that controls each of the plurality of traveling vehicles, wherein a part of a traveling area of ​​the traveling vehicles is blocked off by a shutter that is activated when an abnormality is detected by a detection device, the control unit sets, on the track, a section that includes at least an area where the traveling vehicle is present and that comes into contact with the shutter that has been activated when the abnormality is detected, as an interference section; and sets, as a locked section, a section adjacent to the interference section on the downstream side in the one direction and that has a section length that allows two or more traveling vehicles to be present; and further, when it determines that the number of traveling vehicles present in the locked section has not reached a specified number of two or more, it allows the traveling vehicle to enter the interference section, and when it determines that the specified number has been reached, it prohibits the traveling vehicle from entering the interference section.

2. The traveling vehicle system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit allows the traveling vehicle to enter the interference section without checking whether the traveling vehicle is present in the interference section.

3. the shutter has a time lag from when an abnormality is detected until when the shutter blocks the travel area, 3. The traveling vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the interference section is set so that the traveling vehicle can pass through during the time lag.

4. a boundary between the interference section and the lock section is set at a position where the traveling vehicle can pass through the interference section during the time lag; a deceleration point or a stop point for the traveling vehicle is set on the track downstream in the one direction from the blocking portion of the traveling area by the shutter, 4. The traveling vehicle system according to claim 3, wherein the lock section is set to be the section between the boundary and the deceleration point or the section between the boundary and the stop point.

5. 5. The traveling vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the deceleration point or the stopping point is set at a branch point where the track branches into two or more branches.

6. 3. The traveling vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is a fire detection device for detecting a fire, and the shutter is a fire door.

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