Cart transport system

Abstract

To provide an attachment for a cart that enables the cart to be held by a conveyance device with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An attachment (10) for a cart is attached to a center frame (21) of the cart (20). The attachment (10) comprises: a bar- or plate-shaped upper member (11) that is positioned on the upper side of the center frame (21) when attached to the frame (21); a plate-shaped lower member (12) that is positioned on a lower side of the frame (21) when attached to the frame (21); and a connecting member (13) that connects the upper member (11) and the lower member (12) and holds the lower member (12) in a position facing the upper member (11).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an attachment for a cart for assisting the automatic conveyance of the cart.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a conveyance system for a cart. In this system, an automatically traveling conveyance device holds and travels with the cart, thereby performing the automatic conveyance of the cart.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, the conveyance device is provided with a gripping member that grips the frame of the cart by sandwiching it from both sides. Therefore, a complicated mechanism is required for the conveyance device.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an attachment for a cart that enables a cart to be held by a conveyance device having a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The Cart transport system attachment for a cart according to the present disclosure A cart transport system including a transport device for transporting carts equipped with cart attachments. is Cart attachments are, a bar-shaped or plate-shaped upper member disposed on the upper side of the frame when attached to the frame, a plate-shaped lower member disposed on the lower side of the frame when attached to the frame, and a coupling member that couples the upper member and the lower member and holds the lower member at a position facing the upper member. The upper surface of the conveying device is provided with a frame groove shaped to match the frame of the cart, and an attachment groove shaped to match the lower part of the cart attachment mounted on the frame. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The cart attachment described herein allows the cart to be held by a simple transport device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the cart transport system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the cart attachment mounted on the cart. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the cart attachment mounted on the cart. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the transport device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] This diagram shows carts with cart attachments installed in a nested configuration. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the cart transport system according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the configuration of the cart attachment according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the transport device in Embodiment 4. [Figure 14]It is a diagram for explaining the operation of the transport device in Embodiment 4.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0009] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a cart transport system according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the cart transport system includes a cart 20 equipped with a cart attachment 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "attachment 10") and a transport device 30 for transporting the cart 20.

[0010] The cart 20 is composed of a center frame 21, a plurality of support frames 22, an upper connecting frame 23, a leg frame 24, and casters 25. The plurality of support frames 22 are erected on the center frame 21 at intervals, and the center frame 21 connects the plurality of support frames 22. The upper connecting frame 23 connects the upper parts of the plurality of support frames 22. The leg frame 24 is provided below both longitudinal ends of the center frame 21 so as to intersect the center frame 21. The casters 25 are attached to both longitudinal ends of the leg frame 24. The shapes of the center frame 21, the upper connecting frame 23, and the leg frame 24 are bar-shaped. The upper connecting frame 23 is provided to increase the strength of the cart 20, and may be omitted if the required strength can be obtained without the upper connecting frame 23.

[0011] The attachment 10 is attached to the center frame 21 of the cart 20. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the configuration of the attachment 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from an upper diagonal direction, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from a lower diagonal direction.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment 10 includes an upper member 11, a lower member 12, a coupling member 13, and an angle member 14. The upper member 11 is a bar-shaped member having a frame facing surface 11a (see FIG. 3), which is a surface facing the center frame 21 when mounted on the center frame 21. The lower member 12 is a plate-shaped member disposed opposite to the frame facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. The coupling member 13 is attached to both side surfaces of the upper member 11, connects the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, and holds the lower member 12 at a position facing the frame facing surface 11a. The angle member 14 is attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11 and has a surface with a different height or orientation from the frame facing surface 11a of the upper member 11.

[0013] The state where the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20 as viewed from an upper diagonal direction, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20 as viewed from a lower diagonal direction. When the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the upper member 11 is disposed above the center frame 21. Therefore, the lower surface of the upper member 11 becomes the frame facing surface 11a. Also, the lower member 12 is disposed below the center frame 21. That is, the center frame 21 is passed between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12.

[0014] The width of the lower member 12 is wider than the width of the upper member 11 and the width of the center frame 21, and when the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, both ends of the lower member 12 protrude from both sides of the center frame 21. That is, when the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the lower member 12 intersects the center frame 21, and a cross shape is formed by the lower member 12 and the center frame 21.

[0015] The length of the upper member 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly shorter than the distance between the support frames 22. Therefore, when the upper member 11 is placed on the support frames 22, it is sandwiched between the two support frames 22, thereby fixing the longitudinal position of the upper member 11. The width of the upper member 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly wider than the width of the center frame 21. Therefore, when the center frame 21 is inserted between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, it is sandwiched between the two connecting members 13 extending from both sides of the upper member 11, thereby fixing the widthwise position of the upper member 11. However, the preferred width of the upper member 11 varies depending on the shape of the angle member 14, so the width of the upper member 11 does not necessarily have to be the same as the width of the center frame 21.

[0016] The angle member 14 provided on the upper member 11 abuts against the lower surfaces of the two support frames 22 that sandwich the upper member 11. This fixes the vertical position of the upper member 11. The angle member 14 may abut against the center frame 21 or any of the support frames 22, as long as it can stabilize the position of the attachment 10. For example, if the distance between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12 is the same as the thickness of the center frame 21, the center frame 21 can be sandwiched between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, thereby fixing the vertical position of the upper member 11, and the angle member 14 may be omitted.

[0017] The upper member 11 is fixed to the center frame 21 in this way, which stabilizes the mounting position of the attachment 10. Furthermore, the part of the attachment 10 that comes into contact with the cart 20 when attached to the cart 20 may be provided with cushioning material to prevent damage to the cart 20.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the upper surface of the conveying device 30 is provided with a cross-shaped groove consisting of a center frame groove 31 shaped to correspond to the center frame 21 of the cart 20, and an attachment groove 32 shaped to correspond to the lower member 12 of the attachment 10. When the conveying device 30 conveys the cart 20, as shown in Figure 6, the conveying device 30 moves under the cart 20 from the side, rotates 90°, lifts the upper surface of the conveying device 30, fits the center frame 21 into the center frame groove 31, and fits the lower member 12 into the attachment groove 32. In this way, the cart 20 is held by the conveying device 30. The cart 20 is then conveyed as the conveying device 30 moves while holding the cart 20.

[0019] In this way, the cart 20 with the attachment 10 attached can be held by a simple transport device 30. Furthermore, since the attachment 10 itself has a simple structure, it can contribute to reducing the cost of the cart transport system. The upper member 11, which is the main body of the attachment 10, is bar-shaped, just like the center frame 21, so it also has the advantage of not getting in the way when nesting multiple carts 20 (arranging multiple carts 20 by stacking their respective support frames 22 on top of each other), as shown in Figure 7.

[0020] The upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 are fixed to each other, for example, using screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the cart 20 by loosening the screws. Thus, the attachment 10 can also be attached to existing carts 20. By using existing carts 20, a cart transport system can be constructed at low cost.

[0021] While existing carts 20 come in various sizes and shapes, the attachment 10 can be adapted to various carts 20 by customizing the size and shape of some of its components, such as the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14, to match the size and shape of the cart 20. The length of the upper member 11 is adjusted to match the spacing of the support frames 22, but if the center frame 21 to which the upper member 11 is attached is configured to be expandable and contractible in the longitudinal direction, then customization of the length of the upper member 11 becomes unnecessary.

[0022] <Embodiment 2> For example, situations may arise where it is difficult for the transport device 30 to get underneath the carts 20 and hold them, such as when a cart 20 is placed in the corner of a room or when multiple carts 20 are nested together.

[0023] In Embodiment 2, the conveying device 30 is provided with a hook that attaches to the attachment 10, serving as an auxiliary conveying means to move the cart 20 without having to go underneath it. As shown in Figure 8, a groove 15 or hole 16 is provided in the lower member 12 or connecting member 13 of the attachment 10 for the conveying device 30 to hook or pin onto. This makes it easier for the conveying device 30 to hook or pin onto the attachment 10. Furthermore, having an auxiliary conveying means in the conveying device 30 reduces the constraints on the placement of the cart 20.

[0024] <Embodiment 3> For the transport device 30 to automatically transport the cart 20, it is necessary to use a camera or the like to allow the transport device 30 to recognize the position of the attachment 10 mounted on the cart 20, and to guide the transport device 30 precisely under the attachment 10.

[0025] In Embodiment 3, as shown in Figure 9, a marker 17 for guiding the transport device 30 is provided on the side surface of the upper member 11 of the attachment 10. The marker 17 can be any type as long as it can allow the transport device 30 to recognize the position of the marker 17. For example, an "AR marker" used in marker positioning, a positioning method that applies AR (augmented reality) technology, may be used.

[0026] By allowing the transport device 30 to recognize the position of the marker 17, the position of the attachment 10 can be accurately recognized, enabling reliable transport of the cart 20 and improving the reliability of the cart transport system. Furthermore, because the transport device 30 can be accurately guided, complex transport operations of the cart 20 can be performed using the transport device 30.

[0027] <Embodiment 4> Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the cart transport system according to Embodiment 4. In the cart transport system according to Embodiment 4, the configuration of the cart 20 is the same as in Embodiment 1, but the configuration of the attachment 10 mounted on the center frame 21 of the cart 20 and the transport device 30 differs from that of Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figures 11 and 12 show the configuration of the attachment 10 of Embodiment 4. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from above, and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the attachment 10 seen from below.

[0029] The attachment 10 of Embodiment 4 also comprises an upper member 11, a lower member 12, a connecting member 13, and an angle member 14. The upper member 11 is a plate-shaped member having a frame-facing surface 11a (see Figure 12), which is the surface that faces the center frame 21 when it is mounted on the center frame 21. The lower member 12 is a plate-shaped member positioned opposite the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. The connecting member 13 is attached to both sides of the upper member 11, connecting the upper member 11 and the lower member 12, and holding the lower member 12 in a position facing the frame-facing surface 11a. The angle member 14 is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the attachment 10 and has a surface that is of a different height or orientation from the frame-facing surface 11a of the upper member 11. In this embodiment, the angle member 14 is formed by bending a part of the upper member 11.

[0030] When the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the upper member 11 is positioned above the center frame 21. Therefore, the lower surface of the upper member 11 becomes the frame-facing surface 11a. The lower member 12 is positioned below the center frame 21. In other words, the center frame 21 passes between the upper member 11 and the lower member 12.

[0031] The width of the lower member 12 is wider than the width of the upper member 11, and it has a portion that protrudes laterally from the upper member 11. Holes 16 are formed in each of the portions of the lower member 12 that protrude laterally from the upper member 11. Therefore, when the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the portions of the lower member 12 with holes 16 protrude laterally from the center frame 21.

[0032] Two lower members 12 are provided at the bottom of the attachment 10. As shown in Figure 12, if D1 is the distance between the holes 16 in each lower member 12, and D2 is the distance between the holes 16 in one lower member 12 and the other lower member 12, the two lower members 12 are fixed to the connecting member 13 in a positional relationship such that the distance D2 is equal to the distance D1. That is, the four holes 16 provided in the attachment 10 are arranged to form the vertices of a square or parallelogram (preferably a square) in plan view. Note that the distances D1 and D2 are designed to be the same as the distances between the pins 33 of the conveying device 30, which will be described later.

[0033] Two upper members 11 are provided on the top of the attachment 10, and when the attachment 10 is mounted on the cart 20, the angle members 14 provided on each of the two upper members 11 are positioned so as to abut against the support frame 22. As a result, the upper members 11 placed on the support frame 22 are sandwiched between the two support frames 22, thereby fixing the longitudinal position of the attachment 10. The width of the upper members 11 is designed to be the same as or slightly wider than the width of the center frame 21. As a result, the center frame 21 inserted between the upper members 11 and the lower members 12 is sandwiched between the two connecting members 13 extending from both sides of the upper members 11, thereby fixing the widthwise position of the attachment 10. However, the preferred width of the upper members 11 varies depending on the shape of the angle members 14, so the width of the upper members 11 does not necessarily have to be the same as the width of the center frame 21.

[0034] The upper surface of the lower member 12 abuts against the lower surface of the center frame 21. This fixes the vertical position of the attachment 10. If the vertical position of the attachment 10 is fixed by the angle member 14, as in Embodiment 1, the lower member 12 does not need to abut against the center frame 21.

[0035] Furthermore, the attachment 10 may be provided with a cushioning material in the part that comes into contact with the cart 20 when attached to the cart 20, in order to prevent damage to the cart 20.

[0036] As shown in Figure 10, the upper surface of the conveying device 30 is provided with two pins 33 corresponding to the holes 16 formed in the lower member 12 of the attachment 10. That is, the spacing between the pins 33 is the same as the spacing between the holes 16 in the attachment 10 (spacing D1 and D2 shown in Figure 12). When the conveying device 30 conveys the cart 20, as shown in Figure 13, the conveying device 30 moves under the cart 20 from the side, rotates 90°, lifts the pins 33 and passes them through the holes 16 in the attachment 10. At this time, the two pins 33 are passed through the same holes 16 in the lower member 12. As a result, the cart 20 is held by the conveying device 30. Then, the cart 20 is conveyed as the conveying device 30 moves while holding the cart 20.

[0037] For example, situations may arise where it is difficult for the transport device 30 to get under the cart 20, such as when the cart 20 is placed in the corner of a room or when multiple carts 20 are nested together. In such situations, the transport device 30 inserts the part of its pin 33 mounting section under the cart 20 and holds the cart 20 from the side by passing the two pins 33 through the holes 16 of different connecting members 13, as shown in Figure 14. Then, the transport device 30 retracts, pulling the cart 20 out to the side and creating a situation where the transport device 30 can get under the cart 20. After that, as explained using Figure 13, the transport device 30 gets under the cart 20, rotates 90°, and transports the cart 20 by passing the two pins 33 through the holes 16 of the same lower member 12.

[0038] The transport device 30 of Embodiment 4 has a simpler configuration compared to the configuration of Embodiment 1 in which the transport device 30 lifts its upper surface. Furthermore, since the attachment 10 itself has a simpler configuration, it can contribute to cost reduction of the cart transport system. In addition, since the width of the part of the attachment 10 other than the lower member 12 is about the same as the width of the center frame 21, it has the advantage of not getting in the way when nesting multiple carts 20.

[0039] Furthermore, in the attachment 10 of Embodiment 4, the spacing D1 between the holes 16 in each lower member 12 and the spacing D2 between the hole 16 of one lower member 12 and the hole 16 of the other lower member 12 are both the same as the spacing between the pins 33 of the conveying device 30. Therefore, the conveying device 30 can hold the cart 20 from the side by passing the two pins 33 through the holes 16 of different connecting members 13. Thus, the conveying device 30 can easily pull the cart 20 out to the side even when the cart 20 is placed in the corner of a room or when many carts 20 are nested. This reduces the constraints on the placement of the cart 20.

[0040] In Embodiment 4, the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14 of the attachment 10 are fixed to each other, for example, using screws. Therefore, the attachment 10 can be easily attached to and detached from the cart 20 by loosening the screws. Thus, the attachment 10 can also be attached to existing carts 20. By using existing carts 20, a cart transport system can be constructed at low cost.

[0041] Although existing carts 20 come in various sizes and shapes, the attachment 10 can be adapted to various carts 20 by customizing the size and shape of some of its components, such as the upper member 11, lower member 12, connecting member 13, and angle member 14, to match the size and shape of the cart 20. The attachment 10 in this embodiment may also be configured to be extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction of the center frame 21 to which it is mounted, but even if the length of the attachment 10 changes, the spacing of the holes 16 must be maintained at the same spacing as the pins 33 of the conveying device 30.

[0042] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a hole 16 is provided in the lower member 12, but a groove may be provided instead of a hole 16 as long as the pin 33 can hold the attachment 10.

[0043] Furthermore, the marker 17 shown in Embodiment 3 is also applicable to the attachment 10 of this embodiment. In Embodiment 3, the marker 17 was provided on the side surface of the upper member 11, but since the side surface of the attachment 10 of this embodiment is composed of a connecting member 13, the marker 17 is provided on the connecting member 13.

[0044] Furthermore, it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, or to modify or omit each embodiment as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 10 Attachment, 11 Upper member, 11a Frame opposing surface, 12 Lower member, 13 Connecting member, 14 Angle member, 15 Groove, 16 Hole, 17 Marker, 20 Cart, 21 Center frame, 22 Support frame, 23 Upper connecting frame, 24 Leg frame, 25 Caster, 30 Conveying device, 31 Groove for center frame, 32 Groove for attachment, 33 Pin.

Claims

1. Cart attachments that are mounted on the cart frame, A conveying device for transporting the cart to which the cart attachment is attached, A cart transport system including, The aforementioned cart attachment is, A bar-shaped or plate-shaped upper member that is positioned on the upper side of the frame when mounted on the frame, A plate-shaped lower member that is positioned on the lower side of the frame when attached to the frame, A connecting member that connects the upper member and the lower member and holds the lower member in a position opposite to the upper member, Equipped with, The upper surface of the conveying device is provided with a frame groove shaped to correspond to the frame of the cart, and an attachment groove shaped to correspond to the lower member of the cart attachment mounted on the frame. Cart transport system.

2. The upper member is provided with an angle member having a surface that is of a different height or orientation from the lower surface of the upper member. The cart transport system according to claim 1.

3. The width of the lower member is wider than that of the upper member. A cart transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The lower member or the connecting member has a groove or hole formed in it. The upper surface of the conveying device is provided with a pin corresponding to the groove or hole. A cart transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The lower member or the connecting member has a protrusion that extends laterally beyond the upper member, The groove or hole is formed in the protruding portion. The cart transport system according to claim 4.

6. The cart attachment comprises four grooves or holes arranged to form the vertices of a square or parallelogram in plan view. The cart transport system according to claim 4.

7. The cart attachment further comprises a marker for guiding the transport device. A cart transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The cart attachment is configured to be extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction of the frame on which it is mounted. A cart transport system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. The aforementioned cart is Center frame and Multiple support frames erected on the aforementioned center frame and connected by the aforementioned center frame, Equipped with, The aforementioned cart attachment is mounted on the center frame. The cart transport system according to claim 1.

10. The cart is Center frame and Multiple support frames erected on the aforementioned center frame and connected by the aforementioned center frame, Equipped with, The aforementioned cart attachment is mounted on the center frame, The angle member abuts against the center frame or one of the multiple support frames. The cart transport system according to claim 2.

Images