Conveying Equipment

Abstract

To realize a transport facility that allows multiple types of transport vehicles to properly transport objects using a common support base. [Solution] The conveying equipment 10 comprises a first conveying vehicle 20 having a first lifting section that raises and lowers the first support surface 20a between a first position and a second position, a second conveying vehicle 30 having a pair of second carriage legs 36, and a support base 50 having a conveyed object support surface 50a that supports the conveyed object W at a position Z1 below the first support surface 20a at the first position and above the first support surface 20a at the second position, and of the four pillars 53, adjacent pairs of pillars 53 form a first pillar set, and the first outer spacing C1 is a spacing that prevents the pair of pillars 53 that make up the first pillar set from relatively entering inside the pair of second carriage legs 36, the first inner spacing C2 is larger than the first outer dimension A1, the second outer spacing D1 is smaller than the second inner dimension B2, and the second inner spacing D2 is a spacing that the first conveying vehicle 20 cannot pass through.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying facility equipped with a support table that supports an object to be conveyed. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 03-207630 (Patent Document 1) describes a conveying facility including a support table 10 and a conveying vehicle 45. In this conveying facility, abutment stoppers 51, 52 are erected near the support table 10, against which an object 46 conveyed by the conveying vehicle 45 abuts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 03-207630 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conveying equipment of Patent Document 1, the arrangement and shape of the support bases and stoppers are set according to the shape and dimensions of the conveying vehicle. However, depending on the conveying equipment, multiple types of conveying vehicles may convey the objects. In such cases, if a different support base is provided for each type of conveying vehicle, problems such as an increase in the ground contact area of ​​the conveying equipment and a decrease in conveying efficiency due to the use of multiple types of support bases may occur.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a transport facility that allows multiple types of transport vehicles to use a common support base to properly transport objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A conveying facility according to the present disclosure includes a first conveying vehicle that travels on a travel surface to convey an object to be conveyed, a second conveying vehicle that travels on the travel surface to convey the object to be conveyed, and a support platform that supports the object to be conveyed, wherein a direction perpendicular to a first travel direction that is the travel direction of the first conveying vehicle when viewed in a vertical direction is defined as a first width direction, a direction perpendicular to a second travel direction that is the travel direction of the second conveying vehicle when viewed in a vertical direction is defined as a second width direction, one side of the second travel direction is defined as a first side of a second travel direction, and the other side of the second travel direction is defined as a second side of a second travel direction, and the first conveying vehicle supports the object to be conveyed from below. a first support surface that supports the transported object, a first lifting unit that raises and lowers the first support surface between a first position and a second position that is lower than the first position, and a first carriage unit on which the first lifting unit is mounted and that is disposed below the first support surface and at a position that overlaps with the first support surface when viewed in the up-down direction, and the second transport vehicle comprises a second support unit that supports the transported object, a second carriage body unit that is disposed on a second side in the second traveling direction with respect to the second support unit, and a second carriage body unit that is disposed at a distance outside the second support unit in the second width direction and that is disposed on a first side in the second traveling direction with respect to the second support unit the support platform comprises four support columns extending in the vertical direction so as to intersect with the travel surface and arranged separately at positions corresponding to the four corners of a quadrangle when viewed in the vertical direction, and a transported object support surface supported by the four support columns, the transported object being supported from below on a side below the first support surface at the first position and above the first support surface at the second position, and a first outer dimension is defined as the larger of an outer dimension of the first vehicle section in the first width direction and an outer dimension of the first support surface in the first width direction, and The inner dimension of the second width direction of the vehicle leg portion is the second inner dimension, and among the four pillars, an adjacent pair of the pillars is a first pillar set, and an adjacent pair of the pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set is a second pillar set, and the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the first pillar set is a first inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the first pillar set is a first outer spacing, and the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the second pillar set is a second inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the second pillar set is a second outer spacing, and the first outer spacing is:The pair of support columns constituting the first support column set are spaced apart so that they cannot relatively enter the inside of the pair of second carriage legs, the first inner space being larger than the first outer dimension, the second outer space being smaller than the second inner dimension, and the second inner space being a space through which the first transport vehicle cannot pass.

[0007] According to this configuration, the first support surface and first carriage unit of the first transport vehicle can pass between the first support column set and reach the area inside the four columns. Therefore, by raising and lowering the first support surface, it is possible to appropriately transfer the transported object between the first transport vehicle and the support platform, and also to appropriately load and unload the transported object onto and from the support platform. Furthermore, because the pair of second carriage legs of the second transport vehicle can pass outside the second support column set, it is possible to appropriately load and unload the transported object onto and from the support platform. Furthermore, by arranging the first support column set appropriately for the first transport vehicle and the second support column set appropriately for the second transport vehicle, and by differentiating the directions in which the first transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle approach and move away from the support platform, the first transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle, which have different structures, can simultaneously transport the transported object using a common support platform. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a conveying facility according to a first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first transport vehicle according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first transport vehicle according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second transport vehicle according to the first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the second transport vehicle according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] Top view of the conveying equipment according to the first embodiment [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second transport vehicle of the first embodiment supports the transported object. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the support base of the first embodiment supports a transported object. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first transport vehicle of the first embodiment supports a transported object. [Figure 10] Top view of the conveying equipment according to the second embodiment [Figure 11] Top view of the conveying equipment according to the third embodiment [Figure 12] Top view of the conveying equipment according to the fourth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] A conveying facility 10 according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the conveying facility 10. The conveying facility 10 is installed in a facility such as a warehouse, a factory, or a ship. The conveying facility 10 includes a support platform 50 that supports an object W to be conveyed. Examples of the object W include a pallet, a skid, a container, a machine part, or a product. The object W includes a mounting platform W1, which is a pallet or a skid. In this embodiment, the mounting platform W1 is a pallet and is provided with an insertion opening W1a through which the forks of a forklift are inserted. In this embodiment, the object W to be conveyed includes a container W2 to be conveyed.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view showing an example of the first transport vehicle 20. The transport facility 10 is equipped with the first transport vehicle 20 that travels on a travel surface 11 to transport the transported object W. The first transport vehicle 20 may travel on the travel surface 11 provided on a platform, or may travel on rails provided on the travel surface 11. In this embodiment, the travel surface 11 on which the first transport vehicle 20 travels is a floor surface. Examples of the first transport vehicle 20 include a manned transport vehicle, an unmanned transport vehicle, an autonomously traveling transport vehicle, and a remotely controlled transport vehicle. In this embodiment, the first transport vehicle 20 is an autonomously traveling unmanned transport vehicle.

[0011] Here, the direction perpendicular to the first traveling direction Xa, which is the traveling direction of the first transport vehicle 20 when viewed from the top-bottom direction, is defined as the first width direction Ya. One side of the first traveling direction Xa is defined as the first traveling direction first side Xa1, and the other side of the first traveling direction Xa is defined as the first traveling direction second side Xa2. In this embodiment, the first transport vehicle 20 can travel in both the first traveling direction first side Xa1 and the first traveling direction second side Xa2.

[0012] The first transport vehicle 20 includes a first support surface 20a that supports the transported object W from the lower side Z2, and a first lifting unit 23 that raises and lowers the first support surface 20a between a first position and a second position Z2 that is lower than the first position. The first position is higher than the transported object support surface 50a, which will be described later. The second position is lower than the transported object support surface 50a, which will be described later.

[0013] The first support surface 20a is provided on the upper surface of a first support portion 22 provided on the first transport vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the first support portion 22 functions as a turntable that rotates the transported object W around a rotation axis along the vertical direction Z.

[0014] The first transport vehicle 20 has a placement section 20b on which the transported article W is placed. In this embodiment, the first lifting section 23 raises and lowers the first support surface 20a to a position higher or lower than the upper surface of the placement section 20b. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the placement section 20b is positioned at a position lower than the second position described above.

[0015] The first transport vehicle 20 includes a first carriage unit 25 disposed below the first support surface 20a on the Z2 side so as to overlap with the first support surface 20a when viewed in the up-down direction. A first support unit 22 is mounted on the first carriage unit 25. A first lifting unit 23 is mounted on the first carriage unit 25.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the arrangement of the drive wheels 26 and the like of the first transport vehicle 20. The first carriage unit 25 has the drive wheels 26. The first carriage unit 25 is equipped with a drive motor 27 that drives the drive wheels 26. The first carriage unit 25 is equipped with a power storage unit 28 that stores power to be supplied to the drive motor 27. Examples of the power storage unit 28 include a battery, a capacitor, or a combination of a battery and a capacitor. The first carriage unit 25 has driven wheels. The driven wheels include a first driven wheel 29a and a second driven wheel 29b. In this embodiment, the drive wheels 26 and the driven wheels are arranged side by side in the fore-and-aft direction of the first transport vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the fore-and-aft direction of the first transport vehicle 20 is the first traveling direction Xa.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first carriage unit 25 has a pair of drive wheels 26 that can rotate in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the pair of drive wheels 26 rotate in opposite directions, allowing the entire first carriage unit 25 to rotate around a first rotation axis M1. In this embodiment, the first rotation axis M1 and the rotation axis of the turntable of the first support unit 22 are coaxial.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the second transport vehicle 30. The transport facility 10 is equipped with the second transport vehicle 30 that travels on a travel surface 11 to transport the transported object W. The second transport vehicle 30 may travel on the travel surface 11 provided on a frame, or may travel on rails provided on the travel surface 11. In this embodiment, the travel surface 11 on which the second transport vehicle 30 travels is the floor. In this embodiment, the travel surface 11 on which the first transport vehicle 20 travels and the travel surface 11 on which the second transport vehicle 30 travels are at the same height. Examples of the second transport vehicle 30 include a manned transport vehicle, an unmanned transport vehicle, an autonomously traveling transport vehicle, and a remotely controlled transport vehicle. In this embodiment, the first transport vehicle 20 is an autonomously traveling unmanned transport vehicle.

[0019] Here, the direction perpendicular to the second traveling direction Xb, which is the traveling direction of the second transport vehicle 30 when viewed from the up-down direction, is defined as the second width direction Yb. One side of the second traveling direction Xb is defined as the second traveling direction first side Xb1, and the other side of the second traveling direction Xb is defined as the second traveling direction second side Xb2.

[0020] The second transport vehicle 30 is equipped with a second support portion 31 that supports the transported object W. In this embodiment, the second support portion 31 of the second transport vehicle 30 is a fork. In the example shown in the figure, the second support portion 31 branches into two. However, the second support portion 31 may also branch into three or more. Furthermore, the second support portion 31 may also be a single flat plate-shaped member.

[0021] Returning to FIG. 1, the transported object W includes a mounting table W1, which is a pallet or skid. The transported object W is supported by forks inserted into insertion openings W1a provided in the mounting table W1. In this embodiment, the mounting table W1 is a pallet, and both the upper side Z1 and the lower side Z2 of the insertion opening W1a are plate-shaped. Note that the mounting table W1 may be a skid, and the insertion opening W1a may not be hole-shaped, but may be recessed with no plate on the lower side Z2.

[0022] In the example shown in Fig. 4, the second transport vehicle 30 includes a second lifting / lowering unit 33 that raises and lowers the second support unit 31. The second lifting / lowering unit 33 is mounted on a second carriage main body unit 35, which will be described later. The second lifting / lowering unit 33 includes a winding member 33a connected to the second support unit 31. The second lifting / lowering unit 33 includes a guide member 33b that guides the second support unit 31 in a direction along the vertical direction Z. The second lifting / lowering unit 33 includes a guided member 33c that is connected to the second support unit 31 and is guided in the vertical direction Z by the guide member 33b.

[0023] The second transporting vehicle 30 includes a second carriage main body 35 disposed on the second side Xb2 in the second traveling direction relative to the second support portion 31. The second transporting vehicle 30 includes a pair of second carriage legs 36 disposed spaced apart on the outer sides of the second support portion 31 in the second width direction Yb. The pair of second carriage legs 36 are formed to protrude from the second carriage main body 35 toward the first side Xb1 in the second traveling direction. In this manner, the balance of the second transporting vehicle 30 is stabilized without providing the pair of second carriage legs 36 on the second transporting vehicle 30, and therefore the dimension of the second carriage main body 35 in the second traveling direction Xb can be shortened compared to, for example, when the second carriage main body 35 is made larger.

[0024] 5 is a bottom view showing an example of the second transport vehicle 30. The second transport vehicle 30 has at least a pair of first wheels 38 and at least a pair of second wheels 39. The pair of first wheels 38 are supported by a second carriage main body 35. The pair of second wheels 39 are supported by a pair of second carriage legs 36. In this embodiment, two second wheels 39 are supported on each of the pair of second carriage legs 36.

[0025] The second transport vehicle 30 is equipped with a wheel drive source 43. The wheel drive source 43 drives at least one of the pair of first wheels 38 and the pair of second wheels 39. In this embodiment, the pair of first wheels 38 are drive wheels of the second transport vehicle 30. In this embodiment, the pair of second wheels 39 are driven wheels of the second transport vehicle 30. The second transport vehicle 30 is equipped with a pair of wheel drive sources 43 so that each of the pair of first wheels 38 can be driven independently.

[0026] The second bogie main body 35 includes a swivel support part 47. The swivel support part 47 supports the first wheels 38 so that they can swivel about a second swivel axis M2 that is aligned in the vertical direction Z. The pair of wheel drive sources 43 drive the pair of first wheels 38 so that they rotate at the same rotational speed but in opposite directions, thereby causing the pair of first wheels 38 to swivel about the second swivel axis M2. The swivel trajectory Q2 shown in FIG. 5 is the swivel trajectory of the first wheels 38 about the second swivel axis M2.

[0027] Fig. 6 is a top view showing an example of the conveying equipment 10 of this embodiment. In Fig. 6, the conveyed object support portion 51 and the guide portion 58 provided on the support base 50 are indicated by thin two-dot chain lines. Also, the conveyed object support surface 50a is indicated as a single imaginary surface by thick two-dot chain lines.

[0028] The support base 50 has an article support surface 50a that supports the article W below Z2 the first support surface 20a in the first position and above Z1 the first support surface 20a in the second position. The article support surface 50a is formed by the upper surface of an article support portion 51 that the support base 50 has. The support base 50 has four support columns 53. The article support surface 50a is supported by the four support columns 53.

[0029] In this embodiment, the upper end of the first transport vehicle 20 is lower than the article support surface 50a when the first support surface 20a is in the second position. In this embodiment, four support columns 53 are arranged so that the entire first transport vehicle 20 can fit inside the article support surface 50a when viewed from the top and bottom. In this embodiment, the article support surface 50a is configured to support only one article W, but the article support surface 50a may be configured to support multiple articles W.

[0030] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the swing trajectory Q1 of the first bogie unit 25 around the first swing axis M1 is indicated by a dashed dotted line. In this embodiment, the four support columns 53 are arranged outside the swing trajectory Q1. Each of the four support columns 53 is made of, for example, a material that is resistant to deformation in the horizontal direction. Examples of materials for the four support columns 53 include metal, wood, and highly rigid resin.

[0031] 1 and 6, the support base 50 includes a plurality of transported object support sections 51, each supported by one or more support columns 53. In this embodiment, the plurality of transported object support sections 51 are supported by different support columns 53. The transported object support surface 50a is formed by a plurality of transported object support sections 51 (four in the illustrated example). The transported object support surface 50a is located on the upper side Z1 of the four support columns 53.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 , the support table 50 is provided with a plurality of guide portions 58 that limit the horizontal movement of the mounting table W1. In this embodiment, the support table 50 is provided with four guide portions 58 that limit the horizontal movement of the mounting table W1. In this embodiment, the plurality of guide portions 58 are each provided on the upper surface of the transported object support portion 51. In this embodiment, the plurality of guide portions 58 are supported by a plurality of support columns 53. In the illustrated example, the plurality of guide portions 58 are each supported by a plurality of different support columns 53.

[0033] The four guide portions 58 are arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the mounting table W1, regardless of the positions of the four support columns 53. The four guide portions 58 each restrict movement of the mounting table W1 outward in two orthogonal horizontal directions. In this embodiment, the four guide portions 58 are arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the transported object support surface 50a.

[0034] The support base 50 has four support columns 53 arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of a quadrangle when viewed in the vertical direction. The four support columns 53 extend in the vertical direction Z so as to intersect with the running surface 11. The four support columns 53 may be provided on a platform arranged above Z1 or below Z2 the running surface 11, or may also serve as support columns for another structure. In this embodiment, the four support columns 53 are erected on the running surface 11.

[0035] Of the four support pillars 53, a pair of adjacent support pillars 53 is referred to as a first support pillar set, and a pair of adjacent support pillars 53 that is a combination different from the first support pillar set is referred to as a second support pillar set. In this embodiment, the pair of support pillars 53 that make up the second support pillar set are each different from the pair of support pillars 53 that make up the first support pillar set.

[0036] The larger of the outer dimension in the first width direction Ya of the first bogie section 25 and the outer dimension in the first width direction Ya of the first support surface 20a is defined as the first outer dimension A1. The outer dimension in the second width direction Yb of the pair of second bogie legs 36 is defined as the second outer dimension B1. The inner dimension in the second width direction Yb of the pair of second bogie legs 36 is defined as the second inner dimension B2. The outer dimension in the second width direction Yb of the second support section 31 is defined as the fourth outer dimension B4.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first outer dimension A1 is the outer dimension of the first carriage section 25 in the first width direction Ya. In this embodiment, a third outer dimension A3, which is the outer dimension of the first carriage section 25 in the first running direction Xa, is larger than the first outer dimension A1. In this embodiment, the first outer dimension A1 of the first transporting vehicle 20 is smaller than the second inner dimension B2 of the second transporting vehicle 30. In this embodiment, the first outer dimension A1 of the first transporting vehicle 20 is larger than the fourth outer dimension B4 of the second transporting vehicle 30.

[0038] The outer dimension of the distance between the pair of supports 53 that make up the first support set is defined as a first outer distance C1. The first outer distance C1 is a distance at which the pair of supports 53 that make up the first support set cannot relatively enter inside the pair of second bogie legs 36. The distance at which the pair of supports 53 cannot relatively enter inside the pair of second bogie legs 36 is a distance greater than the second inner dimension B2, or a distance smaller than the second inner dimension B2 but at which it is difficult for the pair of supports 53 to relatively enter inside the pair of second bogie legs 36 in a stable manner without coming into contact with the second bogie legs 36. In this embodiment, the first outer distance C1 is greater than the second inner dimension B2.

[0039] Here, the pair of struts 53 "relatively" entering the inside of the pair of second bogie legs 36 means that the pair of struts 53 enter the inside of the pair of second bogie legs 36 due to a change in the positions of the pair of struts 53 relative to the pair of second bogie legs 36. Also, the pair of struts 53 "relatively" retracting from the inside of the pair of second bogie legs 36 means that the pair of struts 53 retract from the inside of the pair of second bogie legs 36 due to a change in the positions of the pair of struts 53 relative to the pair of second bogie legs 36. In this embodiment, the change in the positions of the pair of struts 53 relative to the pair of second bogie legs 36 occurs due to movement of the second bogie legs 36.

[0040] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the first pillar set is defined as a first inner gap C2. The first inner gap C2 is larger than the first outer dimension A1. In this embodiment, the first inner gap C2 is a gap that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the first inner gap C2 is smaller than the third outer dimension A3. In this embodiment, the first inner gap C2 is smaller than the second outer dimension B1.

[0041] The outer dimension of the gap between the pair of support columns 53 that make up the second support column set is defined as a second outer distance D1, which is smaller than the second inner dimension B2.

[0042] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of supports 53 that make up the second support set is referred to as the second inner distance D2. The second inner distance D2 is a distance that the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass through. A distance that the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass through is a distance that is smaller than the outer dimension of the first transport vehicle 20 in the first width direction Ya, or a distance that is larger than the outer dimension of the first transport vehicle 20 in the first width direction Ya but that makes it difficult for the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through stably without coming into contact with the supports 53. In this embodiment, the second inner distance D2 is larger than the fourth outer dimension B4.

[0043] The outer dimension is the dimension between the outward-facing surfaces of a single component. If the component is a pair of components, the outer dimension is the dimension between the outward-facing surfaces of the components facing away from each other. The inner dimension is the dimension between the inward-facing surfaces of the components facing away from each other.

[0044] Of the four supports 53, a pair of adjacent supports 53 in a combination different from the first support set and the second support set is referred to as a third support set, and a pair of adjacent supports 53 in a combination different from the first support set, the second support set, and the third support set is referred to as a fourth support set. In this embodiment, the pair of supports 53 in the third support set are different from the pair of supports 53 in the fourth support set.

[0045] The outer dimension of the gap between the pair of columns 53 that make up the third column set is defined as a third outer gap E1. The third outer gap E1 is a gap that prevents the pair of columns 53 that make up the third column set from entering relatively inside the pair of second carriage legs 36. In this embodiment, the third outer gap E1 is larger than the second inner dimension B2.

[0046] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the third pillar set is defined as a third inner gap E2. The third inner gap E2 is larger than the first outer gap A1. In this embodiment, the third inner gap E2 is a gap that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the third inner gap E2 is smaller than the third outer gap A3. In this embodiment, the third inner gap E2 is smaller than the second outer gap B1.

[0047] The outer dimension of the gap between the pair of columns 53 that make up the fourth column set is defined as a fourth outer distance F1. The fourth outer distance F1 is a distance that prevents the pair of columns 53 that make up the fourth column set from entering inside the pair of second carriage legs 36. In this embodiment, the fourth outer distance F1 is larger than the second inner dimension B2.

[0048] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the fourth pillar set is defined as a fourth inner gap F2. The fourth inner gap F2 is larger than the first outer gap A1. In this embodiment, the fourth inner gap F2 is a gap that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the fourth inner gap F2 is smaller than the third outer gap A3. In this embodiment, the fourth inner gap F2 is smaller than the second outer gap B1.

[0049] The first outer spacing C1, the first inner spacing C2, the second outer spacing D1, the second inner spacing D2, the third outer spacing E1, the third inner spacing E2, the fourth outer spacing F1, and the fourth inner spacing F2 are each spacings in the horizontal direction. Here, one of the horizontal directions is referred to as the first direction Ua, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction Ua is referred to as the second direction Ub. In this embodiment, the direction in which a pair of supports 53 constituting the second support group are aligned is the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the pair of supports 53 constituting the first support group are aligned in the first direction Ua.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first outer distance C1 and the first inner distance C2 are distances in the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the second outer distance D1 and the second inner distance D2 are distances in the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the third outer distance E1 and the third inner distance E2 are distances in the second direction Ub. In this embodiment, the fourth outer distance F1 and the fourth inner distance F2 are distances in the second direction Ub.

[0051] In this embodiment, the difference between the inner dimensions of a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the first pillar set in the first direction Ua and the first outer spacing C1 is different from the difference between the inner dimensions of a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the second pillar set in the first direction Ua and the second outer spacing D1.

[0052] The support base 50 has a first opening 55a through which the first support section 22 and the first carriage section 25 can pass. In this embodiment, the first opening 55a is disposed between a pair of supports 53 that constitute the first support set. In this embodiment, the first opening 55a is disposed between a pair of supports 53 that constitute the third support set. In this embodiment, the first opening 55a is disposed between a pair of supports 53 that constitute the fourth support set.

[0053] In this embodiment, the first opening 55a is an opening through which the first support section 22 and the first carriage section 25 can pass when the first support surface 20a is in a first position where it is higher than the transported article support surface 50a. In this embodiment, the first opening 55a is an opening through which the first transport vehicle 20 supporting the transported article W can pass.

[0054] The support base 50 has a second opening 56 through which the second support part 31 can pass from an upper side Z1 to a lower side Z2 of the transported object support surface 50a. In this embodiment, the second opening 56 is disposed between a pair of supports 53 constituting the second support column set. In this manner, even if the transported object W does not have an insertion opening W1a, the transported object W on the transported object support surface 50a can be transferred.

[0055] In this embodiment, a pair of transported object support sections 51 supported by a pair of columns 53 constituting the first column set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of transported object support sections 51 supported by a pair of columns 53 constituting the second column set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of transported object support sections 51 supported by a pair of columns 53 constituting the third column set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of transported object support sections 51 supported by a pair of columns 53 constituting the fourth column set are arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0056] In this embodiment, a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the first pillar set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the second pillar set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the third pillar set are arranged spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, a pair of guide portions 58 supported by a pair of pillars 53 constituting the fourth pillar set are arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0057] The first transport vehicle 20 transfers the transported object W supported by the object support surface 50a onto the first support surface 20a by raising the first support surface 20a from the second position to the first position while the first support surface 20a overlaps with the object support surface 50a in a vertical view. The first transport vehicle 20 transfers the transported object W supported by the first support surface 20a onto the object support surface 50a by lowering the first support surface 20a from the first position to the second position while the first support surface 20a overlaps with the object support surface 50a in a vertical view. Note that the first transport vehicle 20 of this embodiment is configured so that the object W placed directly on the running surface 11, which is the floor surface, cannot be transferred to the first support portion 22.

[0058] The second transport vehicle 30 is configured to be able to transfer the transported object W between the second support portion 31 and the transported object support surface 50a in a state where the second support portion 31 overlaps with the transported object support surface 50a when viewed in the vertical direction. The second transport vehicle 30 of this embodiment is configured to be able to transfer the transported object W placed directly on the running surface 11, which is the floor surface, to the second support portion 31.

[0059] Returning to FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the support pillars 53a and 53b form a first support pillar pair. In this embodiment, the support pillars 53c and 53d form a second support pillar pair. In this embodiment, the support pillars 53b and 53c form a third support pillar pair. In this embodiment, the support pillars 53d and 53a form a fourth support pillar pair.

[0060] The method of carrying the article W onto the support base 50 by the second transport vehicle 30 and the method of carrying the article W out of the support base 50 by the first transport vehicle 20 will be described below.

[0061] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the second support portion 31 of the second transport vehicle 30 is supporting the transported article W. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the transported article support surface 50a of the support base 50 is supporting the transported article W. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the first support surface 20a of the first transport vehicle 20 is supporting the transported article W. In Figs. 7 to 9, the support columns 53c and 53d of the support base 50, the placement portion 20b of the first transport vehicle 20, the second carriage main body portion 35 of the second transport vehicle 30, etc. are omitted.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, the second transport vehicle 30 supports the transported object W with the second support part 31 so that the underside of the transported object W (the underside of the mounting table W1 in the illustrated example) is at a fourth position Z1, which is above the transported object support surface 50a of the support table 50. Here, the height of the fourth position from the running surface 11 of the first transport vehicle 20 is defined as a fourth height T4. In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is higher than the upper surface of the guide part 58. In this embodiment, the second transport vehicle 30 travels with the second support part 31 inserted into the insertion opening W1a. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the support columns 53c and 53d are relatively inserted inside the pair of second carriage legs 36.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, the second transport vehicle 30 lowers the second support part 31 so that the underside of the transported object W is from the fourth position to the third position. The third position is a position at the same height as the transported object support surface 50a of the support base 50. Here, the height of the third position from the running surface 11 of the first transport vehicle 20 is defined as a third height T3. The third height T3 is the height from the running surface 11 of the first transport vehicle 20 to the transported object support surface 50a of the support base 50. The second transport vehicle 30 further lowers the second support part 31, and then pulls out the second support part 31 from the insertion opening W1a.

[0064] When the first transport vehicle 20 is not supporting the transported object W, the first support surface 20a is at a second position Z2 below the transported object support surface 50a, and at least the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 are advanced inside the transported object support surface 50a when viewed in the vertical direction. Here, the height of the second position of the first transport vehicle 20 from the running surface 11 is defined as a second height T2. The second height T2 is lower than the third height T3. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the first transport vehicle 20 has advanced inside the transported object support surface 50a when viewed in the vertical direction from between the support columns 53a and 53b.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 9, the first transport vehicle 20 moves the first support surface 20a from the second position to a first position Z1 above the object support surface 50a, and supports the object W with the first support surface 20a. Fig. 9 shows a state in which the first carriage unit 25 is located inside the object support surface 50a when viewed in the vertical direction, and supports the object W with the first support surface 20a. Here, the height of the first position from the running surface 11 of the first transport vehicle 20 is defined as a first height T1. In this embodiment, the first height T1 is higher than the upper surface of the guide unit 58.

[0066] The first transport vehicle 20 moves the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 out from between the support columns 53a and 53b with the first support surface 20a at the first position and supporting the transported article W. In this embodiment, the first transport vehicle 20 moves out by passing between the support columns 53a and 53b with the first support surface 20a at the first position and supporting the transported article W.

[0067] The method of carrying the article W onto the support base 50 by the first transport vehicle 20 and the method of carrying the article W out of the support base 50 by the second transport vehicle 30 will be described below.

[0068] 9, with the first support surface 20a at the first position and supporting the article W, the first transport vehicle 20 moves at least the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 between the support columns 53a and 53b to the inside of the article support surface 50a as viewed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, with the first support surface 20a at the first position and supporting the article W, the first transport vehicle 20 passes between the support columns 53a and 53b and moves to the inside of the article support surface 50a as viewed in the vertical direction.

[0069] 8, the first transport vehicle 20 moves the first support surface 20a from the first position to a second position Z2 below the article support surface 50a, and transfers the article W from the first support surface 20a to the article support surface 50a. Next, the first transport vehicle 20 moves the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 out from between the support columns 53a and 53b. In this embodiment, with the first support surface 20a in the second position and not supporting the article W, the first transport vehicle 20 passes between the support columns 53a and 53b and exits from inside the article support surface 50a when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0070] The second transport vehicle 30 travels such that the support columns 53c and 53d are relatively inserted inside the pair of second carriage legs 36. In this embodiment, the second transport vehicle 30 travels such that the second support portion 31 is inserted into the insertion opening W1a of the transported object W with the underside of the transported object W supported by the transported object support surface 50a in the third position.

[0071] 7, the second transporting vehicle 30 raises the second support portion 31 so that the underside of the transported article W is moved from the third position to the fourth position. Next, the second transporting vehicle 30 travels such that the support columns 53c and 53d relatively retract from the inner sides of the pair of second carriage legs 36.

[0072] As shown in Figure 8, in the conveying equipment 10 of this embodiment, the second conveying vehicle 30 can transport the transported object W to and from the support table 50 even when the first support surface 20a of the first conveying vehicle 20 is inside the transported object support surface 50a when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, the support columns 53 are fixed to the running surface 11. Note that the support base 50 may be a carriage in which the support columns 53 are installed on the running surface 11 via wheels. Examples of such carriages include a four-wheeled vehicle that can run on the running surface 11, a powered carriage or an unpowered carriage that runs on a track installed on the running surface 11, etc.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first external dimension A1, first internal dimension A2, second external dimension B1, second internal dimension B2, third external dimension A3, fourth external dimension B4, turning trajectory Q1, first external spacing C1, first internal spacing C2, second external spacing D1, second internal spacing D2, third external spacing E1, third internal spacing E2, fourth external spacing F1, and fourth internal spacing F2 do not include the dimensions of components whose dimensions change, such as cushioning materials attached to the first transport vehicle 20, second transport vehicle 30, support pillars 53, etc.

[0075] As described above, in the conveying equipment 10 of this embodiment, the first support column set is arranged to suit the first transport vehicle 20, and the second support column set is arranged to suit the second transport vehicle 30. Therefore, compared to when both the first support column set and the second support column set are arranged to accommodate both the first transport vehicle 20 and the second transport vehicle 30, restrictions on the spacing and dimensions of these supports 53 can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in the dimensions of each of the four supports 53 can be increased. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the strength of each support column 53.

[0076] Second Embodiment The following describes a conveying facility 10 according to a second embodiment with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the support columns 53 is different from that of the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment. Figure 10 is a top view showing an example of the conveying facility 10 of this embodiment.

[0077] In this embodiment, the fourth outer distance F1 is smaller than the second inner dimension B2. In this embodiment, the fourth inner distance F2 is a distance that the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass through. In this embodiment, the fourth inner distance F2 is larger than the fourth outer dimension B4.

[0078] In this embodiment, the direction in which the pair of pillars 53 that make up the second pillar set are aligned is the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the direction in which the pair of pillars 53 that make up the first pillar set are aligned is different from the first direction Ua.

[0079] In this embodiment, the first outer distance C1 and the first inner distance C2 are distances in the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the second outer distance D1 and the second inner distance D2 are distances in the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the third outer distance E1 and the third inner distance E2 are distances in the second direction Ub. In this embodiment, the fourth outer distance F1 and the fourth inner distance F2 are distances in the second direction Ub.

[0080] In this embodiment, a first opening 55a is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the first support set. In this embodiment, a first opening 55a is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the third support set. In this embodiment, a second opening 56 is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the second support set. In this embodiment, a second opening 56 is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the fourth support set.

[0081] Third Embodiment The following describes a conveying facility 10 according to a third embodiment with reference to the drawings. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the object support surface 50a is formed by two object support portions 51. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that points that are not specifically described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0082] FIG. 11 is a top view showing an example of the conveying equipment 10 of this embodiment. In FIG. 11, the object support surface 50a provided on the support base 50 is indicated by a thin two-dot chain line, and the object support unit 51 is indicated by a thick two-dot chain line. In this embodiment, the object support unit 51 has the function of conveying the object W in at least one horizontal direction. In the example shown, the object support unit 51 conveys the object W in the second direction Ub. The object support surface 50a is configured to be able to support, for example, multiple objects W, but the object support surface 50a may also be configured to support only one object W.

[0083] In this embodiment, the support base 50 further includes two additional support columns 53 different from the four support columns 53. Of the six support columns 53 included in the support base 50, a pair of adjacent support columns 53 in a combination different from the first support column set, the second support column set, the third support column set, and the fourth support column set is referred to as a fifth support column set. Of the six support columns 53 included in the support base 50, a pair of adjacent support columns 53 in a combination different from the first support column set, the second support column set, the third support column set, the fourth support column set, and the fifth support column set is referred to as a sixth support column set. Of the six support columns 53, a pair of adjacent support columns 53 in a combination different from the first support column set, the second support column set, the third support column set, the fourth support column set, the fifth support column set, and the sixth support column set is referred to as a seventh support column set.

[0084] In this embodiment, the pair of supports 53 that make up the fifth support set are different from the pair of supports 53 that make up the first support set and the pair of supports 53 that make up the second support set. In this embodiment, the pair of supports 53 that make up the sixth support set are different from the pair of supports 53 that make up the seventh support set.

[0085] The outer dimension of the space between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the fifth pillar set is referred to as the fifth outer space G1. The fifth outer space G1 is larger than the second inner space B2. The inner dimension of the space between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the fifth pillar set is referred to as the fifth inner space G2. The fifth inner space G2 is larger than the first outer space A1. In this embodiment, the fifth inner space G2 is a space that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the fifth inner space G2 is smaller than the third outer space A3. In this embodiment, the fifth inner space G2 is smaller than the second outer space B1.

[0086] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the sixth pillar set is defined as a sixth inner distance H2. The sixth inner distance H2 is larger than the first outer distance A1. In this embodiment, the sixth inner distance H2 is a distance that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the sixth inner distance H2 is smaller than the third outer distance A3. In this embodiment, the sixth inner distance H2 is smaller than the second outer distance B1.

[0087] The inner dimension of the gap between a pair of pillars 53 that make up the seventh pillar set is referred to as the seventh inner gap I2. The seventh inner gap I2 is larger than the first outer dimension A1. In this embodiment, the seventh inner gap I2 is a gap that allows the first transport vehicle 20 to pass through. In this embodiment, the seventh inner gap I2 is smaller than the third outer dimension A3. In this embodiment, the seventh inner gap I2 is smaller than the second outer dimension B1.

[0088] In this embodiment, the direction in which the pair of pillars 53 that make up the second pillar set are aligned is the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the pair of pillars 53 that make up the fifth pillar set are aligned in the first direction Ua.

[0089] In this embodiment, the fifth outer interval G1 and the fifth inner interval G2 are intervals in the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the sixth inner interval H2 is an interval in the second direction Ub. In this embodiment, the seventh inner interval I2 is an interval in the second direction Ub.

[0090] In this embodiment, a first opening 55a is arranged between a pair of pillars 53 constituting the first pillar set, through which the first transport vehicle 20 supporting the transported article W can pass. In this embodiment, a first opening 55a is arranged between a pair of pillars 53 constituting the fifth pillar set, through which the first transport vehicle 20 supporting the transported article W can pass.

[0091] The support base 50 has a third opening 55b through which the first transport vehicle 20 that is not supporting the transported article W can pass. In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is an opening through which the first transport vehicle 20 that is in the second position where the first support surface 20a is lower than the transported article support surface 50a and that is not supporting the transported article W can pass. In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is an opening through which the first transport vehicle 20 that is supporting the transported article W cannot pass.

[0092] In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the third support set. In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the fourth support set. In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the sixth support set. In this embodiment, the third opening 55b is arranged between a pair of supports 53 that make up the seventh support set.

[0093] In this embodiment, the fifth outer spacing G1, the fifth inner spacing G2, the sixth inner spacing H2, and the seventh inner spacing I2 do not include the dimensions of components whose dimensions change, such as cushioning materials attached to the support posts 53.

[0094] [Fourth embodiment] The following describes a conveying facility 10 according to a fourth embodiment with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the support columns 53 is different from that of the third embodiment. The following description will focus on the differences from the third embodiment. Note that points that are not particularly described are the same as those in the third embodiment. Figure 12 is a top view showing an example of the conveying facility 10 of this embodiment.

[0095] In this embodiment, the fourth outer distance F1 is smaller than the second inner distance B2. In this embodiment, the fourth inner distance F2 is a distance that the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass through.

[0096] In this embodiment, the direction in which the pair of pillars 53 that make up the second pillar set are aligned is the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, the direction in which the pair of pillars 53 that make up the first pillar set are aligned is different from the first direction Ua. In this embodiment, a second opening 56 is disposed between the pair of pillars 53 that make up the fourth pillar set.

[0097] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the conveying equipment 10 will be described.

[0098] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the pair of supports 53 that make up the second support pair are different from the pair of supports 53 that make up the first support pair (see FIGS. 6 to 12). However, the embodiment of the conveyance equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the supports 53c and 53d shown in FIG. 1 may be the second support pair, and the supports 53b and 53c may be the first support pair.

[0099] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the pair of columns 53 of the fifth column set are different columns 53 from the pair of columns 53 of the first column set (see FIGS. 11 and 12). However, the embodiment of the conveyance equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, one of the pair of columns 53 of the fifth column set may be the same column 53 as one of the pair of columns 53 of the first column set, and the pair of columns 53 of the sixth column set or the seventh column set may be different columns 53 from the pair of columns 53 of the first column set.

[0100] (3) In the above embodiment, the direction in which the pair of columns 53 constituting the second column set are aligned is the first direction Ua, the first outer interval C1, the first inner interval C2, the second outer interval D1, the second inner interval D2, the fifth outer interval G1, and the fifth inner interval G2 are each intervals in the first direction Ua, and the third outer interval E1, the third inner interval E2, the fourth outer interval F1, the fourth inner interval F2, the sixth inner interval H2, and the seventh inner interval I2 are each intervals in the second direction Ub (see FIGS. 6 to 12 ). However, the embodiment of the conveying equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the first outer interval C1, the second outer interval D1, the third outer interval E1, the fourth outer interval F1, and the fifth outer interval G1 may each be the shortest dimension among the outer dimensions of the pair of columns 53. For example, the first inner interval C2, the second inner interval D2, the third inner interval E2, the fourth inner interval F2, the fifth inner interval G2, the sixth inner interval H2, and the seventh inner interval I2 may each be the shortest dimension among the internal dimensions of a pair of pillars 53. Furthermore, for example, the direction in which a pair of pillars 53 constituting a pillar set different from the second pillar set, such as the fourth pillar set or the seventh pillar set, are aligned may be the first direction Ua.

[0101] (4) In the above embodiment, the third outer distance E1 is larger than the second inner dimension B2, and the third inner distance E2 is larger than the first outer dimension A1 (see FIGS. 6 to 12). However, the embodiment of the conveying equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the third outer distance E1 may be equal to or smaller than the second inner dimension B2. Furthermore, for example, the third inner distance E2 may be equal to or smaller than the first outer dimension A1.

[0102] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the fourth outer spacing F1 is smaller than the second inner dimension B2, and the fourth inner spacing F2 is a spacing that the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass through (see FIGS. 10 and 12). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the fourth outer spacing F1 may be a spacing that is equal to or larger than the second inner dimension B2. Also, for example, the fourth inner spacing F2 may be a spacing that the first transport vehicle 20 can pass through.

[0103] (6) In the above embodiment, the support base 50 includes four guide units 58 that are separated from one another, and the four guide units 58 are arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the mounting base W1 (see FIGS. 6 and 10). However, the embodiment of the conveyance equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, two guide units 58 supported by the second support set may be connected. For example, two guide units 58 supported by the third support set may be connected. For example, two guide units 58 supported by the fourth support set may be connected. For example, the four guide units 58 may be arranged at positions that do not correspond to the four corners of the mounting base W1. For example, the support base 50 may include five or more guide units 58. For example, the support base 50 may not include any guide units 58.

[0104] (7) In the above embodiment, the first traveling direction Xa is the front-to-rear direction, which is the direction in which the drive wheels 26 and driven wheels (first driven wheels 29a and second driven wheels 29b) of the first transport vehicle 20 are aligned (see FIG. 3). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the first transport vehicle 20 may be configured so that the drive wheels 26, etc. of the first transport vehicle 20 can be rotated to change the front-to-rear direction of the first transport vehicle 20 to the first width direction Ya and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction to the first traveling direction Xa.

[0105] (8) In the above embodiment, the first carriage unit 25, which is disposed at a position overlapping the first support surface 20a in a vertical view, is provided with the drive wheels 26, the drive motor 27, the power storage unit 28, and driven wheels (first driven wheels 29a and second driven wheels 29b) (see FIG. 3). However, the embodiment of the conveyance facility 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a portion of the first transport vehicle 20 that is different from the first carriage unit 25 and that is disposed at a position that does not overlap the first support surface 20a in a vertical view may be provided with any one or more of the drive wheels 26, the drive motor 27, the power storage unit 28, and the driven wheels.

[0106] (9) In the above embodiment, the second transport vehicle 30 is a forklift equipped with the second lifting unit 33, and the second support unit 31 is a fork (see FIGS. 6 to 12). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the second transport vehicle 30 may be a crane, and the second support unit 31 may be a hook. Also, for example, the second transport vehicle 30 may be a conveyor that does not have the second lifting unit 33, and the second support unit 31 may be the conveying surface of the conveyor. Also, the transported object W does not have to include a platform W1.

[0107] (10) In the above embodiment, the transported object support surface 50a is formed by four transported object support portions 51, and the four transported object support portions 51 are each supported by a different support column 53 (see FIGS. 6 and 10). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the transported object support surface 50a may be formed by three transported object support portions 51, with support columns 53c and 53d, which are a second support column pair, supporting one transported object support portion 51. Furthermore, for example, support columns 53b and 53c, which are a third support column pair, may support one transported object support portion 51. Furthermore, for example, support columns 53d and 53a, which are a fourth support column pair, may support one transported object support portion 51. Furthermore, for example, one U-shaped transported object support portion 51 may be supported by four support columns 53. Furthermore, for example, a fifth support pillar for supporting the transported object support portion 51 may be provided on the outside of the first support pillar set or on the inside of the second support pillar set.

[0108] (11) In the above embodiment, the first inner spacing C2, the third inner spacing E2, and the fifth inner spacing G2 are spacings through which the first transport vehicle 20 supporting the transported article W can pass (see FIGS. 6 to 12). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the first inner spacing C2 may be a spacing through which the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass, but through which the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 supporting the transported article W can pass. Furthermore, for example, the third inner spacing E2 may be a spacing through which the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass, but through which the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 supporting the transported article W can pass. Furthermore, for example, the fifth inner spacing G2 may be a spacing through which the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass, but through which the first support surface 20a and the first carriage unit 25 supporting the transported article W can pass.

[0109] (12) In the above embodiment, the third inner interval E2, the sixth inner interval H2, and the seventh inner interval I2 are intervals through which the first transport vehicle 20 can pass when not supporting an article W to be transported, but cannot pass when supporting an article W to be transported (see FIGS. 8 and 12). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, any one of the third inner interval E2, the sixth inner interval H2, and the seventh inner interval I2 may be an interval through which the first transport vehicle 20 can pass when supporting an article W to be transported. Furthermore, for example, any one of the third inner interval E2, the sixth inner interval H2, and the seventh inner interval I2 may be an interval through which the first transport vehicle 20 cannot pass when not supporting an article W to be transported.

[0110] (13) In the above embodiment, the transported object support portion 51 has a function of transporting the transported object W in the second direction Ub (see FIGS. 11 and 12). However, the embodiment of the conveying equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the transported object support surface 50a may be configured to be able to support multiple transported objects W, and the transported object support portion 51 may not have a function of transporting the transported object W.

[0111] (14) In the above embodiment, the travel surface 11 on which the first transport vehicle 20 travels and the travel surface 11 on which the second transport vehicle 30 travels are floor surfaces at the same height (see FIGS. 1 to 12). However, the embodiment of the transport equipment 10 is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the second transport vehicle 30 may travel on rails provided on the travel surface 11 on which the first transport vehicle 20 travels. Also, for example, the first transport vehicle 20 may travel on rails provided on the travel surface 11 on which the second transport vehicle 30 travels. Also, for example, the height of the floor surface that is the travel surface 11 on which the second transport vehicle 30 travels and the height of the floor surface that is the travel surface 11 on which the first transport vehicle 20 travels may be different.

[0112] (15) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications may be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0113] Summary of the above embodiment The conveying equipment according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0114] In one aspect, the transport facility includes a first transport vehicle that travels on a travel surface to transport an object, a second transport vehicle that travels on the travel surface to transport the object, and a support platform that supports the object, wherein a direction perpendicular to a first travel direction that is the travel direction of the first transport vehicle when viewed in a vertical direction is defined as a first width direction, a direction perpendicular to a second travel direction that is the travel direction of the second transport vehicle when viewed in a vertical direction is defined as a second width direction, one side of the second travel direction is defined as a first side of a second travel direction, and the other side of the second travel direction is defined as a second side of a second travel direction, and the first transport vehicle supports the object from below. a first support surface for supporting the transported object, a first lifting unit for lifting and lowering the first support surface between a first position and a second position lower than the first position, and a first carriage unit on which the first lifting unit is mounted and which is disposed below the first support surface and at a position overlapping with the first support surface as viewed in the up-down direction, and the second transport vehicle comprises a second support unit for supporting the transported object, a second carriage body unit disposed on a second side in the second traveling direction with respect to the second support unit, and a second carriage body unit disposed outside the second support unit in the second width direction and spaced apart from the second support unit and a pair of second carriage legs formed to protrude to a first side in a traveling direction, the support platform including four columns extending in a direction intersecting the traveling surface and arranged separately at positions corresponding to four corners of a quadrangle when viewed in a vertical direction, and a transported object support surface that is below the first support surface at the first position and above the first support surface at the second position and supports the transported object from below, the first outer dimension being the larger of an outer dimension in the first width direction of the first carriage section and an outer dimension in the first width direction of the first support surface, The inner dimension in the second width direction is the second inner dimension, and among the four pillars, an adjacent pair of pillars is a first pillar set, and an adjacent pair of pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set is a second pillar set, and the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the first pillar set is a first inner spacing, the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the first pillar set is a first outer spacing, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the second pillar set is a second inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the second pillar set is a second outer spacing, and the first outer spacing is:The pair of support columns constituting the first support column set are spaced apart so that they cannot relatively enter the inside of the pair of second carriage legs, the first inner space being larger than the first outer dimension, the second outer space being smaller than the second inner dimension, and the second inner space being a space through which the first transport vehicle cannot pass.

[0115] According to this configuration, the first support surface and first carriage unit of the first transport vehicle can pass between the first support column set and reach the area inside the four columns. Therefore, by raising and lowering the first support surface, it is possible to properly transfer the transported object between the first transport vehicle and the support platform, and to properly load and unload the transported object onto and from the support platform. Furthermore, because the pair of second carriage legs of the second transport vehicle can pass outside the second support column set, it is possible to properly load and unload the transported object onto and from the support platform. Furthermore, by arranging the first support column set appropriately for the first transport vehicle and the second support column set appropriately for the second transport vehicle, and by differentiating the directions in which the first transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle approach and move away from the support platform, the first transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle, which have different structures, can simultaneously transport the transported object using a common support platform.

[0116] In one embodiment, the second support part of the second transport vehicle is a fork, and the transported object includes a loading platform which is a pallet or skid, and is supported by the fork when the fork is inserted into the insertion opening provided in the loading platform.

[0117] According to this configuration, even if the first support surface of the first transport vehicle is located inside the object support surface in a vertical view, the second transport vehicle can insert its fork into the insertion opening provided in the mounting table to load and unload the object onto and from the support table, thereby improving the efficiency of loading and unloading the object.

[0118] In one embodiment, of the four pillars, a pair of adjacent pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set and the second pillar set is referred to as a third pillar set, a pair of adjacent pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set, the second pillar set, and the third pillar set is referred to as a fourth pillar set, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the third pillar set is referred to as a third inner spacing, the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the third pillar set is referred to as a third outer spacing, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the fourth pillar set is referred to as a fourth inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the fourth pillar set is referred to as a fourth outer spacing, the third outer spacing is a spacing that prevents the pair of pillars that make up the third pillar set from relatively entering inside the pair of second carriage legs, the third inner spacing is larger than the first outer dimension, the fourth outer spacing is smaller than the second inner dimension, and the fourth inner spacing is a spacing that the first transport vehicle cannot pass through.

[0119] According to this configuration, the first support surface and first carriage portion of the first transport vehicle can pass between the third support column set and reach the area inside the four support columns, and the pair of second carriage legs of the second transport vehicle can pass outside the fourth support column set. In other words, the first support column set and the third support column set are arranged in a manner suitable for the first transport vehicle, and the second support column set and the fourth support column set are arranged in a manner suitable for the second transport vehicle. This increases the degree of freedom in the direction in which the first transport vehicle and the second transport vehicle move toward and away from the support base.

[0120] In one embodiment, the transported object includes a mounting platform which is a pallet or skid, and the support platform has four guide members which limit the horizontal movement of the mounting platform, and the positions of the four guide members are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the four corners of the mounting platform regardless of the positions of the four support pillars.

[0121] According to this configuration, the positions of the four guide sections are arranged to correspond to the positions of the four corners of the loading platform regardless of the positions of the four pillars, so that the loading platform as the transported object can be properly supported by the transported object support surface while the positions of each pillar of the first pillar set and the second pillar set are properly arranged.

[0122] The conveying equipment according to the present disclosure may achieve at least one of the above-described effects. The technical features of the conveying equipment according to the present disclosure may also be applied to a conveying method and a conveying program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 10:Transportation equipment 11: Running surface 20: First transport vehicle 20a: 1st support surface 23: First lift section 25: First bogie section 30: Second transport vehicle 31:Second support part 35: Second bogie body 36: Second bogie leg 50: Support stand 50a: Support surface for conveyed object 53: Strut 58: Information department A1: First outer dimension B2: Second internal dimension C1: 1st outer interval C2: First inner interval D1: Second outer distance D2: Second inner distance E1: 3rd outer interval E2: Third inner interval F1: Fourth outer interval F2: 4th inner interval W: Transported item W1: Mounting table Xa: First running direction Xb:Second running direction Xb1: Second running direction, first side Xb2: Second side of second running direction Ya: First width direction Yb: 2nd width direction Z: Vertical direction Z1: Upper side Z2: Lower side

Claims

1. a first transport vehicle that travels on a travel surface to transport the transported object; a second transport vehicle that travels on the travel surface to transport the transported object; a support table for supporting the object to be conveyed; A conveying facility comprising: a first width direction is a direction perpendicular to a first travel direction, which is a travel direction of the first transport vehicle, when viewed in the up-down direction; A direction perpendicular to a second travel direction, which is a travel direction of the second transport vehicle when viewed in the up-down direction, is defined as a second width direction, one side of the second travel direction is defined as a first side of the second travel direction, and the other side of the second travel direction is defined as a second side of the second travel direction, the first transport vehicle includes a first support surface that supports the transported object from below, a first lifting unit that raises and lowers the first support surface between a first position and a second position that is lower than the first position, and a first carriage unit on which the first lifting unit is mounted and that is disposed below the first support surface and at a position that overlaps with the first support surface in a vertical view, the second transport vehicle includes a second support portion that supports the transported object, a second carriage body portion that is arranged on a second side in the second traveling direction with respect to the second support portion, and a pair of second carriage legs that are arranged spaced apart on the outer sides in the second width direction with respect to the second support portion and that are formed to protrude from the second carriage body portion toward a first side in the second traveling direction, the support platform includes four support columns extending in the vertical direction so as to intersect with the travel surface and arranged separately at positions corresponding to the four corners of a quadrangle when viewed in the vertical direction; and a transported object support surface supported by the four support columns, which is below the first support surface at the first position and above the first support surface at the second position and supports the transported object from below, a first outer dimension is defined as a larger one of an outer dimension of the first bogie section in the first width direction and an outer dimension of the first support surface in the first width direction, and an inner dimension of the pair of second bogie leg sections in the second width direction is defined as a second inner dimension; Among the four pillars, an adjacent pair of the pillars is referred to as a first pillar set, and an adjacent pair of the pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set is referred to as a second pillar set, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the first pillar set is referred to as a first inner spacing, the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the first pillar set is referred to as a first outer spacing, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the second pillar set is referred to as a second inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of the pillars that make up the second pillar set is referred to as a second outer spacing, the first outer interval is an interval at which the pair of support columns constituting the first support column set cannot relatively enter inside the pair of second bogie legs, the first inner spacing is greater than the first outer dimension; the second outer spacing is smaller than the second inner dimension; The second inner gap is a gap through which the first transport vehicle cannot pass.

2. the second support portion of the second transporting vehicle is a fork, 2. The conveying facility according to claim 1, wherein the object to be conveyed includes a platform that is a pallet or a skid, and the object to be conveyed is supported by the forks in a state where the forks are inserted into insertion openings provided in the platform.

3. Among the four pillars, an adjacent pair of pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set and the second pillar set is referred to as a third pillar set, an adjacent pair of pillars in a combination different from the first pillar set, the second pillar set, and the third pillar set is referred to as a fourth pillar set, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the third pillar set is referred to as a third inner spacing, the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the third pillar set is referred to as a third outer spacing, the inner dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the fourth pillar set is referred to as a fourth inner spacing, and the outer dimension of the spacing between the pair of pillars that make up the fourth pillar set is referred to as a fourth outer spacing, the third outer interval is an interval at which the pair of support columns constituting the third support column set cannot relatively enter inside the pair of second bogie legs, the third inner dimension is greater than the first outer dimension; the fourth outer dimension is smaller than the second inner dimension; The conveying facility according to claim 1 , wherein the fourth inner interval is a interval through which the first conveying vehicle cannot pass.

4. The object to be transported includes a platform that is a pallet or a skid, the support table has four guide portions that limit horizontal movement of the table; The conveying facility according to claim 1 , wherein the four guide sections are arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the mounting table, regardless of the positions of the four support columns.

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