Conveyance system and construction method for the conveyance system

Abstract

To easily construct an upper rail.SOLUTION: A conveyance system (1) comprises: a lower rail on which a conveyance device runs; an upper rail (20) for guiding the conveyance device; a beam part (50) bridged between a pair of storage shelves installed on both sides of the lower rail; and an attachment part (60). The beam part is provided with a groove part (51), extending in a longitudinal direction, with which fastening members (3A, 4A) can be engaged. By fastening and fixing the attachment part to the beam part by the fastening members, the upper rail is supported by the beam part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport system and a construction method for the transport system. [Background technology]

[0002] A transport system using a stacker crane that travels between side-by-side storage shelves is known. The track along which the stacker crane travels is composed of a lower rail laid on the floor for the wheels attached to the carriage of the stacker crane to roll on, and an upper rail that guides guide rollers attached to the upper end of the stacker crane. The upper rail is attached to a beam-like member that spans the track between the storage shelves. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-25425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a conveyance system, the upper rail must be accurately aligned with the lower rail when it is installed. In view of this, it is desirable to realize a conveyance system that allows for easier installation of the upper rail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a conveying system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a lower rail along which a conveying device for conveying items travels, an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail for guiding the conveying device, a pair of storage shelves for storing the items installed on both sides of the lower rail, a beam section spanning between the pair of storage shelves, and an attachment section for connecting the upper rail and the beam section, wherein the beam section has a longitudinally extending groove section into which a fastening member can engage, and the attachment section is fastened and fixed to the beam section by the fastening member, thereby supporting the upper rail on the beam section.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a construction method of a conveyance system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lower rail along which a conveyance device that conveys articles travels, an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail and for guiding the conveyance device, a pair of storage shelves installed on both sides of the lower rail for storing the articles, a beam section spanning between the pair of storage shelves, and an attachment section for connecting the upper rail and the beam section, wherein the beam section is provided with a groove section extending in the longitudinal direction into which a fastening member can be engaged, and the attachment section is configured to fasten the beam section by the fastening member. a first step in which the lower rail is laid, and a second step in which the upper rail is installed; and the second step is configured to include a sub-step in which the position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail laid in the first step is adjusted by moving the mounting portion fixed to the upper rail in the longitudinal direction of the beam while the mounting portion is loosely fastened to the beam by the fastening member engaged in the groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a conveying system can be realized that can more easily install an upper rail that is accurately aligned with a lower rail. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a transport system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a transport system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a conveying device in a conveying system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view showing the vicinity of an upper rail in a conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a cross section of the upper rail is shown. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view showing the vicinity of an upper rail in a conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a cross section of a beam portion is shown. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the underside of an upper rail in a conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the underside of an upper rail in a conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the function of a laser marking device used in the construction method of the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of an alignment jig used in a construction method for a conveyance system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the alignment jig is installed on a lower rail and a laser mark is placed on the alignment jig. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an alignment jig used in the construction method of the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a front view of an alignment jig used in the construction method of the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram for explaining a second step of the method for constructing the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the position of the upper rail is being adjusted. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram for explaining a second step of the method for constructing the conveyance system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a state in which the position adjustment of the upper rail has been properly performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment] <Transport system overview> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view (right side view) showing a conveying system 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the conveying system 1, showing only the main parts near the upper part of the conveying system 1. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a stacker crane 30, which is a conveying device for an item C in the conveying system 1.

[0010] The transport system 1 includes a stacker crane 30 that transports an item C, a lower rail 10 (travel rail) along which the stacker crane 30 travels, and an upper rail 20 (guide rail) that guides the stacker crane 30 at a position higher than the lower rail 10. The transport system 1 includes a storage shelf 40A and a storage shelf 40B on both sides along the extension direction of the lower rail 10, for storing the item C transported by the stacker crane 30.

[0011] As shown in each drawing in this application, the XYZ coordinate system is defined so that the Z axis is the vertical direction, the XY plane is the horizontal plane, and the Y axis is parallel to the extension direction of the lower rail 10, which is also the travel direction of the stacker crane 30. Therefore, the X axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the stacker crane 30 and the extension direction of the lower rail 10. In this application, in relation to the travel direction of the stacker crane 30, the positive direction of the Y axis is the front and the negative direction is the rear, and the side of the positive direction of the X axis is also referred to as the right side and the negative side as the left side. The upward direction of the Z axis is the vertical upward direction.

[0012] In the drawings of this application, a drawing in which the object is viewed in the positive direction of the X-axis is called a front view, and a drawing in which the object is viewed in the positive direction of the Y-axis is called a right side view. A right side view is an example of a side view. Furthermore, a drawing in which the object is viewed in the negative direction of the Z-axis (vertically downward) is called a top view, and a drawing in which the object is viewed in the positive direction of the Z-axis (vertically upward) is called a bottom view.

[0013] <Storage shelf> Of the storage shelves installed on both sides along the extension direction of the lower rail 10, storage shelf 40A is a storage shelf installed on the left side of the lower rail 10, and storage shelf 40B is a storage shelf installed on the right side of the lower rail 10.

[0014] Each of storage shelves 40A and storage shelves 40B is composed of a frame 41 and a plurality of shelves 42 arranged in the height direction. Items C are stored in storage shelves 40A, etc. by being placed on shelves 42 fixed to frame 41. Items C can be placed in and taken out of each shelf 42 of storage shelf 40A installed on the left side of lower rail 10 and each shelf 42 of storage shelf 40B installed on the right side of lower rail 10 by stacker crane 30.

[0015] <Stacker crane track> The track along which the stacker crane 30 moves is made up of a lower rail 10 and an upper rail 20. In this embodiment, the lower rail 10 is made up of a left lower rail 11 and a right lower rail 12 that are installed parallel to each other. The left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12 are each laid in a straight line on the floor F of a factory, warehouse, or the like where the conveying system 1 is installed.

[0016] The upper rail 20 is parallel to the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12, and is installed at a higher position than the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12. In this embodiment, the upper rail 20 is located in the center between the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12 in a plan view, i.e., when viewed vertically. However, the position of the upper rail 20 relative to the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12 does not necessarily have to be limited to the center.

[0017] A plurality of beams 50 (horizontal members) are bridged between storage shelves 40A and 40B, which are installed on both sides along the extension direction of lower rail 10. Beams 50 are columnar members and are arranged to extend in the X-axis direction. In other words, the extension direction of beams 50 is perpendicular to the travel direction of stacker crane 30 and the extension direction of lower rail 10. Beams 50 are fixed to storage shelves 40A and 40B at the tops of storage shelves 40A and 40B by appropriate connecting members. Upper rail 20 is positioned as described above by being supported by a plurality of beams 50.

[0018] <Stacker crane> The stacker crane 30 is a conveying device that travels along the above-mentioned track and conveys an object C as a conveyance target. The stacker crane 30 includes, as its main parts, a traveling carriage 31, a pair of masts 32, and a lifting unit 33.

[0019] A carriage frame 311 of the traveling carriage 31 supports wheels that roll on the lower rail 10. The wheels of the traveling carriage 31 are composed of a pair of left wheels 312 provided at the front and rear of the traveling carriage 31, and a pair of right wheels 313 provided at the front and rear of the traveling carriage 31. The left wheels 312 roll on the left lower rail 11, and the right wheels 313 roll on the right lower rail 12, and these four wheels mainly support the weight of the stacker crane 30.

[0020] A motor mounted on the traveling carriage 31 drives at least one wheel, causing the stacker crane 30 to self-propel on the lower rail 10. The carriage frame 311 is also provided with a pair of lower guide rollers 314 that sandwich the left lower rail 11 from the left and right. The lower guide rollers 314 are components that stabilize the traveling direction of the stacker crane 30. As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that two pairs of lower guide rollers 314 that sandwich the left lower rail 11 from the left and right are provided at the front and rear of the traveling carriage 31.

[0021] The mast 32 is a columnar member that extends vertically and is erected on the carriage frame 311. The stacker crane 30 has a pair of masts 32 provided in front of and behind the traveling carriage 31. An upper frame 34 is provided to connect the tops of the pair of masts 32. The upper frame 34 is a member that extends in the Y-axis direction.

[0022] Furthermore, a pair of upper guide rollers 35 (guide rollers) that can roll on the left and right sides of the upper rail 20 are provided at the top of the mast 32. The upper guide rollers 35 are components that stabilize the posture of the traveling stacker crane 30. The pair of upper guide rollers 35 restrict movement of the upper part of the stacker crane 30 to the right and left due to tilting of the stacker crane 30. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, two pairs of upper guide rollers 35 are preferably provided at the front and rear of the stacker crane 30.

[0023] A lifting unit 33 is disposed between the pair of masts 32. The lifting unit 33 is capable of moving up and down along the masts 32. Lifting guide rails for guiding the lifting unit 33 along the masts are appropriately provided on each of the opposing side surfaces of the pair of masts 32. The lifting unit 33 has a base 331, a lifting frame 332, and a transfer unit 333.

[0024] The transfer unit 333 of the lifting unit 33 can pick up and place the item C to be transported from the shelf 42 of the storage shelf 40A or the storage shelf 40B, or from a transport port appropriately provided in the transport system 1. The transfer unit 333 can also hold the item C during transport.

[0025] The base 331 of the lifting unit 33 supports the transfer unit 333 and accommodates a drive source such as a motor for performing the transfer operation in the transfer unit 333. A pair of lifting frames 332 are fixed to the base 331 and are provided so as to face the pair of masts 32, respectively. Each of the lifting frames 332 is provided with an engaging portion (not shown) that engages with the lifting guide rail so as to be able to move up and down.

[0026] A lifting drive unit (not shown) is provided below the mast 32 for raising and lowering the lifting section 33 relative to the mast 32. A wire or belt driven by the lifting drive unit is connected to the lifting frame 332, and the lifting section 33 is configured to be able to rise and fall along the mast 32.

[0027] In the conveying system 1, the number of stacker cranes 30 moving on a set of tracks may be one or more. That is, in the conveying system 1, a plurality of stacker cranes 30 may be configured to move on a common track in order to increase the conveying capacity.

[0028] <Summary of fixing the upper rail> Next, the location where upper rail 20 is fixed to beam portion 50 in conveyance system 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figures 4 and 5 are a right side view and a front view, respectively, of an enlarged view of the location where upper rail 20 is fixed to beam portion 50. Figures 6 and 7 are bottom views showing examples of the structure of the underside of upper rail 20.

[0029] Upper rail 20 is located below beam 50 and is supported by beam 50 so as to be perpendicular to beam 50. Upper rail 20 and beam 50 are connected via mounting portion 60. In this embodiment, mounting portion 60 is a member that is fixed to upper rail 20 with a fastening member.

[0030] <Upper rail structure> Figure 4 shows a cross section of upper rail 20, which is shown as a hatched member in the figure. Upper rail 20 is a columnar member that has the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 4 continuously in the longitudinal direction. Upper rail 20 having such a constant cross-sectional structure may be made of an extruded material whose main raw material is, for example, aluminum (Al).

[0031] The cross section of the upper rail 20 is generally rectangular. A longitudinally extending groove 22 is formed on the top surface of the upper rail 20 for engagement with an engaging member. Here, the engaging member may be, for example, a bolt and nut combination. The groove 22 for engagement with the engaging member is thus formed on the top surface of the upper rail 20. As is well known, when fastening with a bolt and nut, a washer is of course used as appropriate.

[0032] 4, groove 22 on the top surface for engaging the engaging member has a groove width at the opening near the top surface that allows nut 4B to be inserted at an angle. Groove 22 also has a wider groove width at the back than the opening, so that nut 4B, which threads onto the shaft of bolt 3B inserted from the outside of groove 22, engages with the upper surface portions of upper rail 20 on both sides of the opening when fastened.

[0033] Upper rail 20 is configured so that both side surfaces of upper rail 20 are perpendicular to the X-axis, and a pair of upper guide rollers 35 of stacker crane 30 can roll on each of both side surfaces of upper rail 20. In Figure 4, upper guide rollers 35 are schematically represented by dotted lines, and their positional relationship with upper rail 20 is shown. Because upper guide rollers 35 roll on both side surfaces of upper rail 20, grooves 22 used to secure upper rail 20 are preferably provided on the top surface of upper rail 20, as described above.

[0034] A mark 21 is formed on the underside of upper rail 20. Mark 21 is a mark for clearly indicating the position of upper rail 20 in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the extension direction of upper rail 20 in a horizontal plane. FIG. 4 schematically shows mark 21 formed as a depression on the underside. Such mark 21 may be formed as a depression or protrusion on the underside of upper rail 20. Alternatively, mark 21 may be drawn on the underside of upper rail 20.

[0035] 6 and 7 show examples of the shape of the mark 21 on the underside of the upper rail 20. Mark 21A shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a mark 21 provided on the underside of the upper rail 20 and extending in the longitudinal direction. Mark 21A has a linear shape provided in the center of the underside of the upper rail 20. Mark 21B shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a mark 21 provided on the underside of the upper rail 20 and connected in the longitudinal direction. Mark 21B is configured as a dashed line provided in the center of the underside of the upper rail 20.

[0036] <Beam structure> Figure 5 shows a cross section of a beam 50, and in the figure, the beam 50 is shown as a hatched member. The beam 50 is a columnar member that has the cross-sectional structure shown in Figure 5 continuously in the longitudinal direction. The beam 50 having such a constant cross-sectional structure may be configured as an extruded material made primarily of aluminum.

[0037] The cross section of the beam portion 50 is generally rectangular overall. A groove portion 51 opens on the side surface of the beam portion 50, extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 50, with which the engaging member can engage. A groove portion 52 opens on the top surface of the beam portion 50, extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 50, with which the engaging member can engage. As shown in FIG. 5, there may be two groove portions 52 on the top surface. A groove portion 53 opens on the bottom surface of the beam portion 50, extending in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 50, with which the engaging member can engage. As shown in FIG. 5, there may be two groove portions 53 on the bottom surface.

[0038] The grooves 51 on the side surface, the grooves 52 on the top surface, and the grooves 53 on the bottom surface provided on the beam 50 each have the same configuration as the grooves 22 on the upper rail 20. That is, for example, the grooves 51 on the side surface have a groove width that allows the nut 4A to be inserted at an angle into the opening near the side surface of the beam 50.

[0039] Furthermore, groove 51 has a wider groove width at the back than the opening, so that nut 4A that screws onto the shaft of bolt 3A inserted from the outside of groove 51 engages with the side surfaces of beam 50 on both sides of the opening when fastened. Groove 51 on the side, groove 52 on the top surface, and groove 53 on the bottom surface provided on beam 50 may be used to connect beam 50 to storage shelf 40A or storage shelf 40B.

[0040] <Details on fixing the upper rail using the mounting part> In this embodiment, the mounting portion 60 attached to the beam portion 50 has a T-shape in a plan view, i.e., when viewed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The first fixing portion 61 of the mounting portion 60 corresponds to the horizontal bar of the T, and the second fixing portion 62 corresponds to the vertical bar of the T. The first fixing portion 61 has a plate-like shape that abuts against the side surface of the beam portion 50. In other words, when the mounting portion 60 is attached to the beam portion 50, the main surface of the first fixing portion 61 is parallel to the ZX plane.

[0041] The second fixing portion 62 has a plate-like shape that abuts against the upper surface of the upper rail 20. In other words, when the mounting portion 60 is attached to the beam portion 50, the main surface of the second fixing portion 62 is parallel to the XY plane. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, when the mounting portion 60 is attached to the beam portion 50, the mounting portion 60 has an L-shape when viewed from the front, i.e., when viewed in the X-axis direction.

[0042] 4 and 5, the second fixing portion 62 has two through holes for passing the shafts of the bolts 3B. The mounting portion 60 and the upper rail 20 are fixed to each other by fastening the bolts 3B, the shafts of which pass through the through holes in the second fixing portion 62, to nuts 4B located inside the grooves 22 on the top surface of the upper rail 20. In other words, the mounting portion 60 is fixed to the upper rail 20 by fastening members (bolts 3B, nuts 4B), and is fastened to the beam portion 50 by fastening members (bolts 3A, nuts 4A), so that the upper rail 20 is supported by the beam portion 50.

[0043] Groove 22 on the top surface of upper rail 20 is formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of upper rail 20, so when bolt 3B and nut 4B are slightly loosened, mounting part 60 can move in the longitudinal direction of upper rail 20. In other words, when the fastening members (bolt 3B, nut 4B) that fasten mounting part 60 to upper rail 20 are loosened, mounting part 60 can move along the longitudinal direction of upper rail 20 with the fastening members engaged in groove 22.

[0044] Similarly, the first fixing portion 61 has two through holes for passing the shanks of the bolts 3A through. The mounting portion 60 and the beam portion 50 are fixed to each other by screwing and fastening the bolts 3A, whose shanks have passed through the through holes of the first fixing portion 61, into nuts 4A located inside grooves 51 on the side surfaces of the beam portions 50.

[0045] Since the grooves 51 on the side surfaces of the beam portion 50 are formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 50, when the fastening between the bolt 3A and the nut 4A is slightly loosened, the mounting portion 60 can move in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the beam portion 50 relative to the beam portion 50. In other words, when the fastening members (bolt 3A, nut 4A) of the mounting portion 60 to the beam portion 50 are loosened, the mounting portion 60 can move along the longitudinal direction of the beam portion 50 with the fastening members engaged in the grooves 51.

[0046] Therefore, when installing upper rail 20, it is possible to adjust the position of upper rail 20, which is fixed to beam 50 via mounting portion 60, along the longitudinal direction of beam 50. This allows adjustment of upper rail 20 in the X-axis direction based on lower rail 10, making it easy to accurately position upper rail 20 relative to lower rail 10.

[0047] <Outline of construction method for conveying system> The following describes a method for constructing the transport system 1. The outline of the method for constructing the transport system 1 is as follows. First, storage shelves 40A and 40B are installed on floor F. Furthermore, multiple beams 50 are installed between storage shelves 40A and 40B.

[0048] The lower rails 10 are laid on the floor F (first step). In order to ensure smooth travel of the stacker crane 30, in the first step, the left and right lower rails 11, 12 are installed so that their upper surfaces are horizontal and at the same height. The left and right lower rails 11, 12 are also installed so that they are straight and parallel to each other. To ensure accurate installation, appropriate known fixing brackets 13 that allow the position of the lower rails 10 to be adjusted can be used to secure the lower rails 10 to the floor F (see Figure 9).

[0049] Thereafter, the upper rail 20 is installed so as to be supported by the beam 50 as described above (second step). In the second step, the mounting part 60 fixed to the upper rail 20 is moved in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the beam 50 while the mounting part 60 is loosely fastened to the beam 50 by fastening members engaged in the grooves 51 of the beam 50. In this way, the position of the upper rail 20 relative to the lower rail 10 laid in the first step is adjusted.

[0050] Here, the installation position of the upper rail 20 is determined by adjusting the position of the mark 21 on the upper rail 20 in the direction (X-axis direction) that is horizontal and perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower rail 10, using the lower rail 10 laid in the first step as a reference. For this adjustment, the second step uses a laser marking device 70 that can form a linear irradiation line on the ceiling surface by emitting a laser beam in a vertical plane, and a positioning jig 80 that is installed on the lower rail.

[0051] <Laser marking device> A laser marking device is a device that can draw horizontal or vertical lines on the wall of a building, or draw a line on the ceiling that intersects with a vertical plane by irradiating a laser beam in a predetermined direction based on the direction of gravity. Such laser marks are generally available commercially and are widely used at building construction sites, etc.

[0052] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the function of the laser marker 70 used in the second step of this embodiment. Figure 8 shows the state when the laser marker 70 applied to the second step of this embodiment is placed on the floor surface of a normal room R in a building and is in operation. The laser marker 70 is a device that can form a linear irradiation line 71 on the ceiling surface by emitting a laser beam in an upward direction with a certain angular width within a vertical plane V.

[0053] The laser level 70 also emits a laser beam downward within the vertical plane V so as to draw a straight basic reference line 72 on the floor of room R to serve as a reference for the position of the vertical plane V. Therefore, the irradiation line 71 drawn on the ceiling surface of room R and the basic reference line 72 drawn on the floor surface are both included in the same vertical plane V. In other words, the irradiation line 71 drawn on the ceiling surface is located directly above the basic reference line 72 drawn on the floor surface. The irradiation line 71 on the ceiling surface corresponds to the intersection line between the vertical plane V and the ceiling surface of room R. The basic reference line 72 corresponds to the intersection line between the vertical plane V and the floor surface of room R.

[0054] The above is the minimum function of the laser marking device 70 as a laser marking device applied to the second step of the construction method of the conveyance system 1 in this embodiment. However, the laser marking device 70 may also have the function of drawing, in addition to the basic reference line 72, a line perpendicular to the basic reference line 72 on the floor surface of the room R as the orthogonal reference line 73. In this case, the intersection of the basic reference line 72 and the orthogonal reference line 73 can also serve as a reference for the position of the laser marking device 70 in the direction along the basic reference line 72.

[0055] The laser marking device 70 may be configured to emit a laser beam over a wide angle in an upward direction within the vertical plane V, thereby drawing a vertical line 71A as an irradiation line onto the wall surface of the room R, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 8. The vertical line 71A corresponds to the intersection line between the vertical plane V and the wall surface of the room R.

[0056] <Alignment jig> Fig. 9 is a side view showing the alignment jig 80 used in the second step of this embodiment. Fig. 9 also shows the alignment jig 80 installed on the lower rail 10 and the laser marking device 70 placed on the alignment jig 80.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing alignment jig 80. FIG. 11 is a front view showing alignment jig 80. Alignment jig 80 consists of a flat plate portion 81 and a crosspiece 82. Flat plate portion 81 consists of a plate material with a flat upper surface that is bridged between left lower rail 11 and right lower rail 12. When bridged between left lower rail 11 and right lower rail 12, the planar shape of flat plate portion 81 is a rectangle that is long in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of lower rail 10 (X-axis direction), as shown in FIG. 10.

[0058] Notches 81A that engage with the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12 are formed on the underside of both ends of the flat plate portion 81. The notches 81A are configured so that when the alignment jig 80 is placed on the lower rail 10, the flat plate portion 81 fits into the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12 without any play in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower rail 10 (the X-axis direction).

[0059] Crosspiece 82 is a member attached to the bottom surface of flat plate portion 81 to reinforce flat plate portion 81. By providing crosspiece 82 on the bottom surface of flat plate portion 81, deflection of flat plate portion 81 is suppressed when alignment jig 80 is placed between left lower rail 11 and right lower rail 12. Crosspiece 82 extends in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of lower rail 10 (X-axis direction), and is attached so as to be preferably located in the center of flat plate portion 81.

[0060] 10, a first reference line 83 is formed on the top surface of flat plate portion 81. First reference line 83 of alignment jig 80 installed on lower rail 10 is a straight line parallel to the extension direction of lower rail 10, and is a reference line that serves as a reference for the position of upper rail 20. Therefore, first reference line 83 is drawn at a predetermined position on the top surface of flat plate portion 81 in accordance with the relative positions of left lower rail 11, right lower rail 12, and upper rail 20, which are determined by the track design.

[0061] For example, in this embodiment, in which upper rail 20 is located in the center between left lower rail 11 and right lower rail 12 in a plan view, first reference line 83 is located in the center of alignment jig 80 in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the extension direction of lower rail 10. It is sufficient that alignment jig 80 has at least first reference line 83 formed thereon, but as shown in Figure 10, second reference line 84 perpendicular to first reference line 83 may also be formed, but is not required.

[0062] The second reference line 84 of the alignment jig 80 installed on the lower rail 10 is a line perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower rail 10, i.e., in the X-axis direction. The first reference line 83 and the second reference line 84 may be formed as grooves on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 81 by a method such as scribing, or may be drawn on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 81.

[0063] <Details of positioning in the second process> Next, the details of the method for positioning and installing the upper rail 20 relative to the lower rail 10 in the second step of the construction method for the conveying system 1 will be described. First, an alignment jig 80 is placed on the lower rail 10. As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the alignment jig 80 is set so that the flat plate portion 81 spans between the left lower rail 11 and the right lower rail 12.

[0064] Thereafter, the laser marking device 70 is placed on the alignment jig 80. A laser beam is emitted from the laser marking device 70 to draw at least a basic reference line 72 on the alignment jig 80. The laser marking device 70 is adjusted, or the position or angle of the laser marking device 70 is adjusted, so that the basic reference line 72 drawn by the laser marking device 70 coincides with a first reference line 83 on the top surface of the alignment jig 80.

[0065] When the basic reference line 72 drawn by the laser marking device 70 and the first reference line 83 on the top surface of the alignment jig 80 coincide with each other, adjustment of the position of the laser marking device 70 on the alignment jig 80 is complete. At this time, the vertical plane V (see FIG. 8) from which the laser marking device 70 emits the laser beam passes through the first reference line 83. As a result, the laser marking device 70 can draw the irradiation line 71 directly above the first reference line 83 and an extension of the first reference line 83.

[0066] If the laser marking device 70 draws an orthogonal reference line 73, the orthogonal reference line 73 may also be used to adjust the placement position and angle of the laser marking device 70. The second reference line 84 is formed longer than the first reference line on the upper surface of the flat plate portion 81 of the positioning jig 80. Therefore, by adjusting the orthogonal reference line 73 and the second reference line 84 so that they coincide with each other, it is possible to more precisely adjust the angle of the rotation direction within the horizontal plane of the vertical plane V from which the laser marking device 70 emits the laser beam.

[0067] The laser marking device 70 is caused to draw an irradiation line 71, and the installation position of the upper rail 20 in the X-axis direction is adjusted so that the mark 21 on the underside of the upper rail 20 coincides with the irradiation line 71 at the installation location of the upper rail 20. At this time, as described above, the fastening of the mounting part 60 to the beam part 50 by the fastening members (bolt 3A, nut 4A) is loosened, and the position is adjusted so that the mounting part 60 fixed to the upper rail 20 can move along the longitudinal direction of the beam part 50.

[0068] 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the position adjustment of upper rail 20 according to this procedure. Fig. 12 shows a state in which upper rail 20 is temporarily fixed to beam portion 50 via mounting portion 60, with the fastening of mounting portion 60 to beam portion 50 by fastening members (bolt 3A, nut 4A) loosened. In Fig. 12, vertical plane V passing through basic reference line 72 of alignment jig 80 is positioned offset in the positive direction of the X-axis from mark 21 on upper rail 20.

[0069] 12, the laser beam emitted upward within the vertical plane V by the laser marking device 70 forms an irradiation line 71 at the position indicated by the arrow Lp on the underside of the beam 50. Therefore, the worker can easily recognize that the mark 21 and the position (arrow Lp) of the irradiation line 71 are misaligned, and moves the upper rail 20 together with the mounting part 60 along the longitudinal direction of the beam 50 in the direction indicated by the arrow Dx in FIG.

[0070] 13, the worker adjusts the position of the upper rail 20 so that the position of the irradiation line 71 indicated by the arrow Lp coincides with the mark 21 on the upper rail 20. The worker then fastens and secures the mounting portion 60 to the beam portion 50 using fastening members (bolts 3A, nuts 4A), i.e., performs so-called final tightening, and installs the upper rail 20 in the required position. By performing this type of work sequentially from one end of the upper rail 20, it is possible to install the upper rail 20 in an accurate position relative to the lower rail 10.

[0071] According to this embodiment, the upper rail 20 is installed relative to the lower rail 10 so that its position in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower rail 10 in the horizontal plane (X-axis direction) is accurate as designed. Therefore, the stacker crane 30 guided by the upper rail 20 can travel stably.

[0072] Installing the upper rail 20 requires high-altitude work, which is a heavy workload, and it has traditionally been difficult to install it in the correct position. However, according to this embodiment, the position of the upper rail 20 in the X-axis direction can be adjusted while the upper rail 20 is suspended and temporarily fixed on the beam 50. Furthermore, the marks 21 and the illumination line 71 allow workers to easily check the position at high altitudes. Therefore, this embodiment realizes a construction method for a conveyance system that makes it easier than ever to install the upper rail accurately.

[0073] [Modification] Regarding the track of the stacker crane, the lower rail 10 may not have a configuration in which multiple rails are arranged side by side, but may be composed of a single row of rails. In this case, the alignment jig does not straddle multiple rails as in the above embodiment, but is modified to have a structure in which it is set on a single row of rails.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 60 is shown as being fastened to the side surface of the beam portion 50, but the configuration of the mounting portion is not limited to this. The mounting portion may be configured to be fastened to the groove 52 on the upper surface of the beam portion 50 by a fastening member. In this case, instead of the configuration shown in Fig. 5 in which a pair of mounting portions separated in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) are attached to the beam portion 50, a configuration in which an integrated mounting portion that is not separated in the front-to-rear direction may be attached to the beam portion 50.

[0075] Alternatively, the mounting portion 60 may be configured to be fastened to the groove 53 on the underside of the beam portion 50 by a fastening member. In this case, instead of the configuration shown in Fig. 5 in which a pair of mounting portions separated in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) are attached to the beam portion 50, a configuration in which an integrated mounting portion that is not separated in the front-to-rear direction may be attached to the beam portion 50.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 60 is a separate member from the upper rail 20 that is fixed to the upper rail 20 with fastening members (bolts 3B and nuts 4B), but the mounting portion is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mounting portion may be fixed to the upper rail by welding or the like. Alternatively, the mounting portion may be configured as a member integrated with the upper rail.

[0077] 〔summary〕 The conveying system according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure comprises a lower rail along which a conveying device for conveying items travels, an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail for guiding the conveying device, a pair of storage shelves for storing the items installed on both sides of the lower rail, a beam section spanning between the pair of storage shelves, and an attachment section for connecting the upper rail and the beam section, the beam section having a longitudinally extending groove section into which a fastening member can engage, and the attachment section being fastened and fixed to the beam section by the fastening member, thereby supporting the upper rail on the beam section.

[0078] The conveying system according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure is configured in the above-mentioned aspect 1 such that when the fastening of the mounting portion to the beam portion by the fastening member is loosened, the mounting portion can move along the longitudinal direction of the beam portion with the fastening member engaged with the groove portion.

[0079] A conveying system according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is the conveying system of the first or second aspect, wherein the conveying device has at least a pair of guide rollers that can roll on both side surfaces of the upper rail.

[0080] A conveying system according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, in which a mark extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail or a mark continuing in the longitudinal direction is formed on the lower surface of the upper rail.

[0081] A construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure comprises a lower rail along which a conveying device that conveys goods travels, an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail and for guiding the conveying device, a pair of storage shelves installed on both sides of the lower rail for storing the goods, a beam section spanning between the pair of storage shelves, and an attachment section for connecting the upper rail and the beam section, the beam section having a longitudinally extending groove section into which a fastening member can be engaged, and the attachment section is fastened and fixed to the beam section by the fastening member, thereby supporting the upper rail on the beam section, the construction method comprising: a first step in which the lower rail is laid; and a second step in which the upper rail is installed, the second step including a sub-step in which the attachment section fixed to the upper rail is moved in the longitudinal direction of the beam section while the attachment section is loosely fastened to the beam section by the fastening member engaged in the groove section, thereby adjusting the position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail laid in the first step.

[0082] A construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is the same as aspect 5 above, wherein the upper rail has marks formed thereon that extend longitudinally of the upper rail or are connected longitudinally, and the second step uses a laser level that can form a linear irradiation line on the ceiling surface by emitting a laser beam in a vertical plane, and an alignment jig that is installed on the lower rail, and the second step further includes a sub-step of installing the alignment jig on the lower rail, and a sub-step of installing the laser level on the alignment jig installed on the lower rail, and in the sub-step of adjusting the position of the upper rail, the laser level placed on the alignment jig emits the laser beam at least upward in a vertical plane along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail, and the position of the upper rail is adjusted so that the mark is irradiated by the laser beam.

[0083] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure relates to a conveyance system in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the attachment portion is fastened and fixed to the side surface of the beam portion by the fastening member.

[0084] A conveyance system according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the conveyance system of any one of the first to fourth aspects or the seventh aspect, wherein the attachment portion is fixed to the upper rail on an upper surface of the upper rail.

[0085] A construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure is a construction method for a conveying system having a lower rail along which a conveying device travels and an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail for guiding the conveying device, the construction method including a first step in which the lower rail is laid and a second step in which the upper rail is installed, wherein the upper rail has marks formed thereon that extend in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail or are connected in the longitudinal direction, and in the second step, the installation position of the upper rail is determined by adjusting the position of the marks in a direction horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower rail, based on the lower rail laid in the first step.

[0086] A construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure is the same as in aspect 9 above, except that in the second step, a laser level capable of forming a linear irradiation line on the ceiling surface by emitting a laser beam in a direction within a vertical plane, and an alignment jig installed on the lower rail are used, and the second step includes a sub-step of installing the alignment jig on the lower rail, and a sub-step of emitting the laser beam from the laser level placed on the alignment jig installed on the lower rail at least upward in a vertical plane along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail, and adjusting the installation position of the upper rail so that the mark is irradiated by the laser beam.

[0087] The construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 11 of the present disclosure is, in aspect 9 or 10 above, such that a reference line is drawn on the upper surface of the alignment jig as a reference for the position of the laser beam emitted from the laser level, and the second step further includes a sub-step in which, using the reference line, a vertical plane containing the direction in which the laser beam is emitted is adjusted so that it is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the lower rail.

[0088] A construction method for a conveying system according to aspect 12 of the present disclosure is, in any of aspects 9 to 11 above, such that in the first step, a pair of lower rails are laid parallel to each other, and in the second step, the alignment jig is installed across the pair of lower rails.

[0089] A conveying system according to aspect 13 of the present disclosure comprises a lower rail along which a conveying device for conveying items travels, an upper rail at a position higher than the lower rail for guiding the conveying device, a pair of storage shelves for storing the items installed on both sides of the lower rail, and a beam section spanning between the pair of storage shelves, wherein the upper rail is supported by the beam section, and the underside of the upper rail is configured to have marks formed on it that extend longitudinally of the upper rail or are connected longitudinally.

[0090] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, aspects, etc., and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments, aspects, etc. are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Transport system 10 Bottom Rail 11 Left bottom rail 12 Right bottom rail 20 upper rail 21, 21A, 21B marks 22 Groove 30 Stacker crane (transport device) 31 Traveling cart 32 Mast 33 Lifting section 35 Upper guide roller (guide roller) 40A, 40B storage shelves 50 Beam section 51, 52, 53 Groove 60 Mounting part 61 1st fixed part 62 Second fixed part 3A, 3B Bolts (fastening components) 4A, 4B Nuts (fastening parts) 70 Laser level 71 Radiation 72 Basic reference line 73 Orthogonal Reference Lines 80 Jig 81 Flat plate part 81A Notch 82 crossing 83 First Reference Line 84 Second Reference Line C Goods V vertical plane

Claims

1. a lower rail along which a conveying device for conveying an article travels; an upper rail for guiding the transport device at a position higher than the lower rail; a pair of storage shelves installed on both sides of the lower rail for storing the items; a beam portion spanning between the pair of storage shelves; a mounting portion for connecting the upper rail and the beam portion, The beam portion is provided with a longitudinally extending groove portion into which a fastening member can be engaged, A conveying system in which the upper rail is supported by the beam portion by the mounting portion being fastened and fixed to the beam portion by the fastening member.

2. The conveying system of claim 1, wherein when the fastening member is loosened from the mounting portion to the beam portion, the mounting portion is movable along the longitudinal direction of the beam portion with the fastening member engaged with the groove portion.

3. The transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the transport device has at least a pair of guide rollers that can roll on both side surfaces of the upper rail.

4. 4. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein a mark extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail or a mark continuing in the longitudinal direction of the upper rail is formed on the lower surface of the upper rail.

5. a lower rail along which a conveying device for conveying an article travels; an upper rail for guiding the transport device at a position higher than the lower rail; a pair of storage shelves installed on both sides of the lower rail for storing the items; a beam portion spanning between the pair of storage shelves; a mounting portion for connecting the upper rail and the beam portion, The beam portion is provided with a longitudinally extending groove portion into which a fastening member can be engaged, A construction method for a conveyance system in which the mounting portion is fastened and fixed to the beam portion by the fastening member, thereby supporting the upper rail on the beam portion, a first step in which the lower rail is laid; a second step in which the upper rail is installed; The second step comprises: A construction method for a conveying system, comprising a sub-step of adjusting the position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail laid in the first step by moving the mounting portion fixed to the upper rail in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion while the mounting portion is loosely fastened to the beam portion by the fastening member engaged in the groove portion.

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