Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a carrier device capable of restricting a cover from being damaged due to vibration caused by carrying operations, etc.SOLUTION: A carrier device comprises a traveling portion, a body portion (100) suspended from the traveling portion, a rear cover (CR) that covers the body portion (100) and has a fixing hole (CRA2) to be fixed to the body portion (100), and a reinforcing member (H) provided with a connecting hole (HA2) that can communicate with the fixing hole (CRA2). The rear cover (CR) is fastened to the body portion (100) together with the reinforcing member (H) by using a screw (B2) that passes through the fixing hole (CRA2) and the connecting hole (HA2). An end (HT) of the reinforcing member (H) is spaced from the rear cover (CR).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0004]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in factories, warehouses, etc., the automatic conveyance of articles using unmanned conveyance devices (article conveyance vehicles) has been put into practical use. Further, as such a conveyance device, for example, an overhead conveyance vehicle that travels along a track laid on the ceiling is known. Also, in such an overhead conveyance vehicle, it is also disclosed to provide covers in the front-rear direction, which is the traveling direction thereof.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To solve the above problems, the conveying device of the present disclosure comprises a traveling section for traveling along a track, a main body suspended from the traveling section, and a cover that covers the main body and has fixing holes for fixing to the main body, further comprising a reinforcing member provided with a communication hole that can communicate with the fixing hole, the cover being fastened to the main body together with the reinforcing member by a fixing member inserted through the fixing hole and the communication hole, and the end of the reinforcing member being spaced apart from the cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide a conveying device that can suppress damage to the cover caused by vibrations and other factors associated with the conveying operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a transport device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of an example configuration of a transport system equipped with the above-described transport device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the above-mentioned transport device with the rear cover shown in Figure 1 removed. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the example configuration of the rear cover shown above. [Figure 5] Figure 3 illustrates an example of how the front cover is secured in the area enclosed by the dashed circle X. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [One Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 5. First, a transport device 1 and a transport system S equipped with the transport device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using Figures 1 and 2. In the following description, the vertical, horizontal, and left-right directions of the transport device 1 are defined as indicated by the double arrows in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, in the transport system S, the transport device 1 can travel in either the horizontal or front-back direction.

[0010] <Configuration of the conveying device 1 and conveying system S> Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transport device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example configuration of a transport system S equipped with the transport device 1. Note that in Figure 1, the running rails 50, which serve as the track, are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transport device 1 is, for example, an overhead transport vehicle that transports goods along a running rail 50 laid on or near the ceiling. However, the transport device 1 is not limited to an overhead transport vehicle, and may be, for example, a transport vehicle that transports goods along a rail laid on the floor. In other words, the transport system S comprises the transport device 1 and a running rail 50 on which the transport device 1 can travel.

[0012] The transport device 1 includes a running section 10 for traveling along a running rail 50. The transport device 1 also includes a main body 100 suspended from the running section 10, which includes, for example, a trolley section 20, a transfer machine section 30, and a fall prevention section 40. The fall prevention section 40 is provided at the front and rear of the transport device 1. The transport device 1 includes a front cover CF at the front of the main body 100 that covers the front fall prevention section 40, which constitutes part of the main body 100. The transport device 1 also includes a rear cover RF at the rear of the main body 100 that covers the rear fall prevention section 40, which constitutes part of the main body 100. The running section 10 has a front bogie section on which front running wheels are provided and a rear bogie section on which rear running wheels are provided, and travels on the running rail 50 by running motors mounted on both bogie sections.

[0013] The trolley section 20 comprises a slide drive unit, a swivel drive unit, and a lifting drive unit. Each part of the trolley section 20 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Specifically, the control unit controls the slide drive unit to slide the item gripped by the transfer unit 30 perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transport device 1. The control unit also controls the swivel drive unit to swivel the placed item around the pivot axis of the transport device 1. The control unit also controls the lifting drive unit to raise and lower the transfer unit 30 between the trolley section 20 and the transfer port.

[0014] <Example configuration of front cover CF and rear cover CR> Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the front cover CF and rear cover CR, which serve as covers for the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the conveying device 1 with the rear cover CR shown in Figure 1 removed. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an example of the configuration of the rear cover CR. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of fixing the front cover CF in the area enclosed by the dashed circle X in Figure 3.

[0015] Furthermore, in the conveying device 1, vibrations may occur throughout the entire conveying device 1, including, for example, the front cover CF and rear cover CR provided on the front and rear fall prevention sections 40, respectively, due to the movement of the traveling section 10. However, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, even if vibrations occur, the device is configured to minimize their effects and suppress any malfunctions in the conveying device 1 and, consequently, the conveying system S.

[0016] The front cover CF is fixed to the fall prevention section 40, which is located at the front of the trolley section 20, so as to cover the surface of the said fall prevention section 40. The rear cover CR is fixed to the fall prevention section 40, which is located at the rear of the trolley section 20, so as to cover the surface of the said fall prevention section 40. These front cover CF and rear cover CR are made of a hard and lightweight synthetic resin material, such as polyvinyl chloride resin, and are designed to protect the main body section 100 by covering the front and rear fall prevention sections 40 of the trolley section 20, respectively.

[0017] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear cover CR is configured to have a curved shape according to the shape of the outer surface of the fall prevention part 40 to be covered, and is fixed to the fall prevention part 40 by two reinforcing members H. <0000]]

[0018] Specifically, the side surface part of the rear cover CR has a shape that covers the outer shape of the fall prevention part 40 from the front of the fall prevention part 40 in the left - right direction, and the rear end part has a flat part parallel to the front - rear direction and the up - down direction.

[0019] Also, in the rear cover CR, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, two fixing holes CRA1 and CRA2 for fixing to the front fall prevention part 40 are respectively formed on the upper - end - side and the lower - end - side of the flat part of each of the above - mentioned end parts. In the rear cover CR, two screws B1 and B2 are respectively inserted through the fixing holes CRA1 and CRA2, and are attached to the fall prevention part 40 with the reinforcing member H interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] Also, in the rear cover CR, a curved part continuously provided with the flat part on the lower - end - side below the fixing hole CRA2 and a bottom surface part continuously covering the bottom of the rear fall prevention part 40 are provided. In the curved part, in the up - down direction, the foremost end part on the lower - end - side, that is, the end part opposite to the flat part, is formed to curve with a predetermined curvature toward the rear fall prevention part 40 side.

[0021] The attachment part of the rear cover CR and the attachment part of the front cover CF have the same shape. The front cover CF is fixed to the front fall prevention part 40 together with the reinforcing member H by two screws B1 and B2, similarly to the rear cover CR.

[0022] Thus, the front cover CF and the rear cover CR are provided to cover the front and rear surfaces of the corresponding fall prevention section 40, respectively. Therefore, the front cover CF and the rear cover CR, combined with the fact that they are lightweight due to the use of synthetic resin material as described above, are able to protect the fall prevention section 40 and, by extension, the main body section 100, while minimizing any obstruction to the travel operation (transport operation) of the transport device 1 by the travel section 10.

[0023] <Example of the configuration of reinforcing member H> As shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing member H is constructed using an elongated plate-like member. Specifically, the reinforcing member H is made of, for example, a metal plate such as stainless steel or a synthetic resin plate. Furthermore, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4, the reinforcing member H is provided on the fall prevention portion 40 side of the flat portion at each end of the front cover CF or rear cover CR that is to be reinforced. In this way, the reinforcing member H reinforces the corresponding front cover CF or rear cover CR.

[0024] In other words, the reinforcing member H improves the strength of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR by being attached to them respectively. It is preferable that the reinforcing member H has a greater strength than the front cover CF and the rear cover CR, as this makes it easier to improve the strength of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR. When stainless steel is used, it is preferable that the thickness of the reinforcing member H be in the range of, for example, 0.3 mm to 3.0 mm, as this makes it easy to achieve both improved strength and reduced weight.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing member H is provided with communication holes HA1 and HA2 that can communicate with the fixing holes CRA1 and CRA2, respectively. In the reinforcing member H, as shown in Figure 3, two screws B1 and B2 are inserted through the fixing holes CRA1 and CRA2 and the communication holes HA1 and HA2, respectively, thereby fixing the reinforcing member H between the front cover CF or the rear cover CR and the fall prevention part 40.

[0026] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing member H comprises a reinforcing main body H1 and a bent portion HT provided at the end of the reinforcing main body H1. The reinforcing main body H1 is a flat plate-like portion parallel to the planar portion CF1 of the front cover CF, as illustrated in Figure 5, and is fixed to the planar portion CF1 with double-sided tape T acting as an adhesive layer interposed between them.

[0027] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 5, the bent portion HT is configured to be spaced apart from the curved portion CFT of the front cover CF in the vertical direction. Specifically, in the front cover CF, similar to the rear cover CR, as shown in Figure 5, there is a curved portion CFT that is continuously provided with the flat portion CF1 at the lower end side below the fixing hole CFA2, and a bottom portion CF2 that is continuous with the curved portion CFT and covers the bottom of the front fall prevention portion 40. In addition, in the curved portion CFT, in the vertical direction, the furthest end on the lower end side, that is, the end opposite to the flat portion CF1, is formed to be curved toward the front fall prevention portion 40 with a predetermined curvature. On the other hand, in the reinforcing member H, the bent portion HT has a bent shape that moves away from the curved portion CFT of the front cover CF as it approaches its furthest end.

[0028] More specifically, in the reinforcing member H, as illustrated in Figure 5, in the vertical direction, the curvature of the bent portion HT is selected to be greater than the curvature of the curved portion CFT, so that the bent portion HT is spaced apart from the curved portion CFT and positioned closer to the fall prevention portion 40 than the curved portion CFT. However, as shown in Figure 5, a recess is provided at the lower end of the fall prevention portion 40 to avoid contact with the reinforcing member H, and the reinforcing member H is configured not to come into contact with this lower end. Furthermore, the front cover CF is formed continuously with the curved portion CFT and has a bottom surface portion CF2 that covers the lower end of the fall prevention portion 40.

[0029] Furthermore, in the reinforcing member H, the upper end also has a bent shape that moves away from the rear cover CR as it approaches the outermost end, as shown in Figure 4, similar to the lower end.

[0030] As described above, the reinforcing member H has a bent shape that separates it from the front cover CF and the rear cover CR at its upper and lower ends, thus preventing the upper and lower ends of the reinforcing member H from coming into contact with the respective ends of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of damage to the front cover CF and the rear cover CR caused by the reinforcing member H.

[0031] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 5, screw B2 is fixed to the fall prevention part 40 by sequentially inserting it through washer W2, fixing hole CFA2 of the front cover CF, through hole TA2 of the double-sided tape T, communication hole HA2 of the reinforcing member H, and female screw or pop rivet W1. Screw B1 is also fixed to the fall prevention part 40 in the same way as screw B2. These screws B1 and B2 are fixing members that fasten the front cover CF to the main body 100 together with the reinforcing member H by inserting them, for example, through fixing holes CFA1 and CFA2 and communication holes HA1 and HA2, respectively.

[0032] In the above description, we have explained the case in which screws B1 and B2 are used as fixing members, but the fixing members of this disclosure are not limited to these, and any member that can be inserted into the fixing holes CFA1 and CFA2, etc., is acceptable. Specifically, for example, pins or push rivets can be used as fixing members of this disclosure.

[0033] As described above, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment comprises a traveling section 10, a main body section 100 suspended from the traveling section 10, and a front cover CF and a rear cover CR that cover the front and rear sides of the main body section 100, respectively, and have fixing holes CFA1, etc. for fixing to the main body section 100. The conveying device 1 of this embodiment also comprises a reinforcing member H provided with communication holes HA1, etc. that can communicate with the fixing holes CFA1, etc. The front cover CF and the rear cover CR are fastened to the main body section 100 together with the reinforcing member H by screws B1 or B2 inserted through the fixing holes CFA1, etc. and communication holes HA1, etc. The end HT of the reinforcing member H is spaced apart from the front cover CF and the rear cover CR.

[0034] With the above configuration, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment can suppress damage to the front cover CF and rear cover CR caused by vibrations associated with the conveying operation. Specifically, for example, in the fixing hole CFA1 of the front cover CF, if aging occurs, repeated vibrations may occur in the screw B1 in conjunction with the conveying operation of the conveying device 1. When such repeated vibrations occur, in the comparative example without a reinforcing member H, the screw will intermittently contact the edge of the fixing hole of the cover, potentially causing cracks to form starting from the edge of the fixing hole and resulting in damage such as cracks in the cover. Furthermore, in the comparative example, damaged parts such as cracks in the cover may fall from the conveying device during the conveying operation, potentially contaminating the conveyed object or the surrounding environment of the conveying device.

[0035] In contrast, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a reinforcing member H. Therefore, even if repeated vibrations occur in the front cover CF and rear cover CR during conveying operations, it is possible to prevent the front cover CF and rear cover CR from coming into contact with the main body 100 and the reinforcing member H, respectively, due to vibrations. As a result, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment can prevent damage to the front cover CF and rear cover CR caused by vibrations during conveying operations.

[0036] Furthermore, according to verification tests conducted by the inventors of this disclosure, it was confirmed that, compared to the comparative example described above, the strength of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR was increased by more than four times when the reinforcing member H was provided. In addition, as part of the verification test, the transport device 1 was repeatedly subjected to vibrations equivalent to those that occur during travel. As a result, it was confirmed that even when vibrations were generated more than 900,000 times, no damage such as cracks occurred in the front cover CF and the rear cover CR in this embodiment.

[0037] On the other hand, in a comparative example where the cover was directly attached to the main body with screws without any reinforcing members, it was confirmed that cracks originating from the edges of the fixing holes in the cover through which the screws were inserted occurred after approximately 200,000 vibration cycles.

[0038] Furthermore, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, a reinforcing member H, which is an elongated plate-shaped member, is provided between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the main body 100. This ensures that, in this embodiment, damage to the covers due to vibrations and other factors associated with the conveying operation can be reliably suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, double-sided tape T is provided between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the reinforcing member H. As a result, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the double-sided tape T can cushion the impact that occurs between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the reinforcing member H. Consequently, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, damage to the front cover CF and the rear cover CR caused by vibrations and other factors associated with the conveying operation can be more reliably suppressed.

[0040] In the above description, the case in which double-sided tape T is used as the adhesive layer was explained, but the adhesive layer of this disclosure is not limited in any way as long as it is provided between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the reinforcing member H. Specifically, for example, an adhesive or tack applied to the surface of the reinforcing member H can be used as the adhesive layer.

[0041] Furthermore, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, reinforcing members H are provided between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the main body 100, respectively, to suppress damage to the front cover CF and the rear cover CR caused by vibrations during conveying. Since damage to the front cover CF and the rear cover CR can be suppressed using such a simple configuration, measures to prevent damage to the covers can be easily implemented even for off-the-shelf products (the comparative example above) that do not have reinforcing members installed.

[0042] In the above description, a case was described in which a reinforcing member H is provided between the front cover CF and the rear cover CR and the main body 100. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and a configuration in which the reinforcing member H is provided on the side of the front cover CF or rear cover CR away from the main body 100, that is, on the outside of the front cover CF or rear cover CR, is also possible.

[0043] However, as in the above embodiment, providing reinforcing members H on the inside of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR is preferable to providing reinforcing members H on the outside, as it improves the appearance of the conveying device 1. It is also preferable to providing reinforcing members H on the outside, as it improves the handling of the conveying device 1.

[0044] Specifically, when the reinforcing member H is provided on the outside, it is preferable, as in the above embodiment, to bend the end of the reinforcing member H outward so as to separate it from the front cover CF or rear cover CR in order to reliably prevent contact between the end of the reinforcing member H and the corresponding front cover CF or rear cover CR. For this reason, when the reinforcing member H is provided on the outside, unlike when the reinforcing member H is provided on the inside, an outward protrusion is formed on the conveying device, which may lead to a decrease in the handlingability of the conveying device.

[0045] In contrast, when the reinforcing member H is provided on the inside, as shown in Figure 5, the end portion HT of the reinforcing member H does not protrude to the outside of the conveying device 1. Therefore, when the reinforcing member H is provided on the inside, the handling of the conveying device 1 can be improved.

[0046] Furthermore, while the above description described the case where the upper and lower ends of the reinforcing member H are fixed using two screws B1 and B2, the number and location of screws are not limited to this. For example, the central part between the upper and lower ends of the reinforcing member H may also be fixed with screws.

[0047] In the above description, the transport device 1 was described as an overhead transport vehicle that transports goods along a running rail 50, which serves as a track laid on or near the ceiling. However, the transport device of this disclosure is not limited to this. This disclosure can be applied, for example, to a stacker crane having a mast, a lifting platform that moves up and down along the mast, and a cover that covers the lifting platform. In this case, damage to the cover due to vibrations etc. associated with the lifting (transporting) operation of the lifting platform can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, although the above description described a case in which a front cover CF and a rear cover CR are provided, the covers of this disclosure are not limited to these, and for example, a configuration in which only one of the front cover CF and the rear cover CR is provided, or a side cover is provided to cover the side of the main body, is also possible.

[0049] 〔summary〕 A conveying device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a traveling section for traveling along a track, a main body suspended from the traveling section, and a cover that covers the main body and has fixing holes for fixing to the main body, further comprising a reinforcing member provided with a communication hole that can communicate with the fixing hole, the cover being fastened to the main body together with the reinforcing member by a fixing member inserted through the fixing hole and the communication hole, and the end of the reinforcing member being spaced apart from the cover.

[0050] According to the conveying device of the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the cover caused by vibrations and other factors associated with the conveying operation.

[0051] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the conveying device is a conveying device according to the first aspect, wherein the reinforcing member is an elongated plate-shaped member and may be provided between the cover and the main body.

[0052] According to the transport device of the second embodiment, damage to the cover caused by vibrations and other factors associated with the transport operation can be reliably suppressed.

[0053] A conveying device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in a conveying device according to the first or second aspect, may have a bent shape at at least one end of the reinforcing member such that it moves away from the cover as it approaches the outermost end.

[0054] According to the third embodiment of the conveying device, it is possible to prevent the end of the reinforcing member from coming into contact with the end of the cover, thereby reliably suppressing damage to the cover caused by the reinforcing member.

[0055] A transport device according to a fourth aspect of this disclosure may further include an adhesive layer provided between the cover and the reinforcing member, as in a transport device according to any of the first to third aspects.

[0056] According to the fourth embodiment of the conveying device, since an adhesive layer is provided between the cover and the reinforcing member, the adhesive layer can cushion the impact that occurs between the cover and the reinforcing member. As a result, damage to the cover caused by vibrations and other factors associated with the conveying operation can be more reliably suppressed.

[0057] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Configurations obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Conveying device 10. Running section 100 Main body CF Front Cover (Cover) CFA1, CFA2 fixing hole CR Rear Cover (Cover) CRA2 fixing hole H Reinforcement Member HA1, HA2 communication hole HT end B1, B2 Screws (fixing components) T Double-sided tape (adhesive layer)

Claims

1. A running section for traveling along a track, The main body is suspended from the aforementioned running section, A conveying device comprising a cover that covers the main body and has fixing holes for fixing to the main body, The reinforcing member further comprises a communication hole that can communicate with the aforementioned fixing hole, The cover is fastened to the main body together with the reinforcing member by a fixing member inserted through the fixing hole and the communication hole. The end of the reinforcing member is spaced apart from the cover. The reinforcing member is an elongated plate-shaped member, It is provided between the cover and the main body, At least one end of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member has a bent shape that moves away from the cover as it approaches the outermost end. The cover includes a front cover that covers the front of the main body and a rear cover that covers the rear of the main body. A conveying device wherein the front cover and the rear cover have planar portions extending vertically along their left and right ends, and the reinforcing member is provided on the planar portion of the front cover or the rear cover to be reinforced.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer provided between the cover and the reinforcing member.

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