Overhead transport vehicle

Abstract

[Problem] To ensure a greater amount of lateral extension of a slide portion and also prevent a disproportionately large load from being applied to a lateral extension mechanism even when the slide portion is not extended laterally. [Solution] An overhead transport vehicle 1 comprises: a base portion 10 that is installed in a body 4; a slide portion 20 that is provided with a transfer device 8 and disposed on the underside of the base portion 10; a first linear guide 40 that is installed between the base portion 10 and the slide portion 20, is movable in a lateral extension direction D with respect to the base portion 10 and the slide portion 20, and supports the slide portion 20 in a laterally extensible manner with respect to the base portion 10; and a first transmission mechanism 50 that, if the slide portion 20 is not moving in the lateral extension direction with respect to the base portion 10, restricts the position of the first linear guide 40, and that, if the slide portion 20 is moving in the lateral extension direction with respect to the base portion 10, moves the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an overhead transfer vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an overhead transfer vehicle including a main body portion that travels along an overhead track, and a lateral extension mechanism that laterally extends a transfer device for articles in a lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the main body portion (see Patent Document 1). This lateral extension mechanism includes a base portion provided on the main body portion, a slide portion provided with the transfer device and disposed on the lower surface side of the base portion, and a linear guide provided between the base portion and the slide portion. The linear guide is movable in the lateral extension direction with respect to the base portion and the slide portion, and supports the slide portion so as to be laterally extendable with respect to the base portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The linear guide described in Patent Document 1 is movable in the lateral extension direction with respect to the base portion and the slide portion. Therefore, when the slide portion is not laterally extended, the linear guide may move to a position largely deviated in the lateral extension direction from the center of the base portion. In this case, an uneven load is applied to the lateral extension mechanism, and particularly when the transfer device holds an article, the load of the article is added, so that the traveling of the overhead traveling vehicle may be hindered. On the other hand, if the position of the linear guide is fixed at the center of the base portion, the movable range of the slide portion becomes narrow and the lateral extension amount becomes short, which is not preferable.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an overhead transport vehicle that can ensure a long lateral extension of the sliding part while suppressing the application of an uneven load to the lateral extension mechanism even when the sliding part is not extended laterally. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An overhead transport vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a main body that travels along an overhead track, and a side-extension mechanism that extends an article transfer device laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body. The side-extension mechanism comprises a base provided on the main body, a slide provided on the lower surface of the base and equipped with a transfer device, a first linear guide provided between the base and the slide, movable in the side-extension direction relative to the base and the slide, and supporting the slide so that it can be extended laterally relative to the base, and a first transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the first linear guide when the slide is not moving in the side-extension direction relative to the base, and moves the first linear guide in the side-extension direction when the slide is moving in the side-extension direction relative to the base. An overhead transport vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a main body that travels along an overhead track, and a side-extension mechanism that extends an article transfer device laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body, wherein the side-extension mechanism comprises a base provided on the main body, a slide portion provided on the lower surface side of the base portion and on which the transfer device is provided, a first linear guide provided between the base portion and the slide portion and movable in the side-extension direction relative to the base portion and the slide portion, and supporting the slide portion so that it can be extended laterally relative to the base portion, and restricts the position of the first linear guide when the slide portion is not moving laterally relative to the base portion, and when the slide portion is moving laterally relative to the base portion The device includes a first transmission mechanism for moving the first linear guide in the lateral direction, the first transmission mechanism comprising: a right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base in the lateral direction, wrapped around a left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the slide in the lateral direction; and a left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first left-side fixing part located on the left side of the base in the lateral direction, wrapped around a right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second left-side fixing part located on the left side of the slide in the lateral direction. An overhead transport vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a main body that travels along an overhead track, and a side-extension mechanism that extends an article transfer device laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body, wherein the side-extension mechanism comprises a base provided on the main body, a slide portion provided on the lower surface side of the base portion and equipped with a transfer device, a first linear guide provided between the base portion and the slide portion and movable in the side-extension direction relative to the base portion and the slide portion, and supporting the slide portion so as to be able to extend laterally relative to the base portion, and a first transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the first linear guide when the slide portion is not moving in the side-extension direction relative to the base portion, and moves the first linear guide in the side-extension direction when the slide portion is moving in the side-extension direction relative to the base portion, wherein the slide portion comprises a first slide portion provided on the lower surface side of the base portion, a second slide portion provided on the lower surface side of the first slide portion and equipped with a transfer device, and a second transmission mechanism provided between the first slide portion and the second slide portion and movable in the side-extension direction relative to the first slide portion and supporting the second slide portion so as to be able to extend laterally relative to the first slide portion The system comprises a linear guide and a second transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the second linear guide when the second slide portion is not moving laterally relative to the first slide portion, and moves the second linear guide in the laterally direction when the second slide portion is moving laterally relative to the first slide portion. The first transmission mechanism has one end fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base portion in the laterally direction, is wrapped around a first left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the laterally direction, and the other end is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the laterally direction. The second transmission mechanism comprises a first right-side winding transmission member fixed to a fixed part, and a first left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first left-side fixing part located on the left side of the base in the lateral extension direction, and which is wound around a first right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second left-side fixing part located on the left side of the first slide in the lateral extension direction, and the second transmission mechanism comprises a first right-side fixing part, one end of which is fixed to a third right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide in the lateral extension direction, and which is wound around a second left-side guide member located on the left side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction,The system comprises a second right-side winding transmission member, the other end of which is fixed to a fourth right-side fixing part located on the right side in the lateral extension direction of the second slide portion; and a second left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a third left-side fixing part located on the left side in the lateral extension direction of the first slide portion, and which is wound around a second right-side guide member located on the right side in the lateral extension direction of the second linear guide, with the other end of which is fixed to a fourth left-side fixing part located on the left side in the lateral extension direction of the second slide portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the overhead transport vehicle described above, when the slide section is extended laterally relative to the base section by the first transmission mechanism, the position of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction relative to the base section is restricted, and the first linear guide is moved in the same direction as the slide section with a smaller amount of movement than the amount of lateral extension of the slide section, thereby ensuring a long lateral extension amount of the slide section relative to the base section, and preventing the first linear guide from being unevenly positioned even when the slide section is not extended laterally relative to the base section, thereby suppressing uneven load application in the lateral extension mechanism. As a result, the overhead transport vehicle can be driven stably.

[0008] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism may restrict the first linear guide to the center or approximately the center of the base portion in the lateral extension direction when the sliding portion is not extended laterally. With this configuration, the first linear guide can be positioned at the center or approximately the center of the base portion, so that the load can be applied to the lateral extension mechanism in a balanced manner.

[0009] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism may move the first linear guide in the same direction as the lateral extension of the slide portion, by an amount of movement equal to half the lateral extension amount of the slide portion, when the slide portion is extended laterally from its initial state. This configuration allows for the position of the first linear guide to be controlled while ensuring a long lateral extension amount of the slide portion.

[0010] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism may include a right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the slide in the lateral extension direction; and a left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first left-side fixing part located on the left side of the base in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second left-side fixing part located on the left side of the slide in the lateral extension direction. With this configuration, it is easy to move the first linear guide in the same direction as the slide with a movement amount less than the lateral extension amount of the slide, in accordance with the amount of lateral extension of the slide.

[0011] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first right-side winding transmission member and the first left-side winding transmission member may be set to the same or substantially the same length. With this configuration, the first linear guide can be positioned in the center or substantially in the center of the base in the initial state.

[0012] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the slide portion may include a first slide portion located on the lower side of the base portion, a second slide portion located on the lower side of the first slide portion and equipped with a transfer device, a second linear guide provided between the first slide portion and the second slide portion, movable in a lateral direction relative to the first and second slide portions, and supporting the second slide portion so that it can be moved laterally relative to the first slide portion, and a second transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the second linear guide when the second slide portion is not moving in a lateral direction relative to the first slide portion, and moves the second linear guide in a lateral direction when the second slide portion is moving in a lateral direction relative to the first slide portion. This configuration ensures that the lateral extension mechanism has a three-stage structure consisting of a base, a first slide, and a second slide. It also prevents the first and second linear guides from being unevenly positioned even when the first and second slides are not extended laterally relative to the base, thereby suppressing uneven load application in the lateral extension mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism may restrict the first linear guide to the center or approximately center of the base in the lateral extension direction when the first and second slide sections are not extended laterally, and the second transmission mechanism may restrict the second linear guide to the center or approximately center of the first slide section in the lateral extension direction when it is in the initial state. With this configuration, when the lateral extension mechanism has a three-stage configuration, the first and second linear guides can be positioned in the center or approximately center, so that the load can be applied to the lateral extension mechanism in a balanced manner.

[0014] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism may move the first linear guide in the same direction as the lateral extension of the first slide by an amount of movement equal to half the lateral extension amount of the first slide when the first slide is extended laterally from its initial state, and the second transmission mechanism may move the second linear guide in the same direction as the lateral extension of the second slide by an amount of movement equal to half the lateral extension amount of the second slide when the second slide is extended laterally from its initial state. With this configuration, it is possible to restrict the position of the first linear guide while ensuring a long lateral extension amount of the first slide, and to restrict the position of the second linear guide while ensuring a long lateral extension amount of the second slide.

[0015] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first transmission mechanism includes a first right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a first left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide in the lateral extension direction, and a first left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first left-side fixing part located on the left side of the base in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a first right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second left-side fixing part located on the left side of the first slide in the lateral extension direction. The second transmission mechanism may also include: a second right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a third right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a second left-side guide member located on the left side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a fourth right-side fixing part located on the right side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction; and a second left-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a third left-side fixing part located on the left side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a second right-side guide member located on the right side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a fourth left-side fixing part located on the left side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction. This configuration makes it easy to move the first linear guide in the same direction as the first slide with a smaller amount of movement than the lateral extension of the first slide, in accordance with the amount of lateral extension of the first slide, and to move the second linear guide in the same direction as the second slide with a smaller amount of movement than the lateral extension of the second slide, in accordance with the amount of lateral extension of the second slide.

[0016] Furthermore, in the overhead transport vehicle according to the above embodiment, the first right-side winding transmission member and the first left-side winding transmission member may be set to the same or substantially the same length, and the second right-side winding transmission member and the second left-side winding transmission member may be set to the same or substantially the same length. With this configuration, both the first linear guide and the second linear guide can be positioned in the center or substantially in the center of the base in the initial state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a diagram conceptually showing the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram of the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment viewed from the X direction. [Figure 3] It is a diagram of the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment viewed from the Z direction. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the +Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the +Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a diagram of the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment viewed from the X direction. [Figure 9] It is a diagram of the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment viewed from the Z direction [Figure 10] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the +Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the +Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of lateral extension in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism of the ceiling transporter according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a diagram of the first transmission mechanism according to the modification viewed from the X direction. [Figure 15] It is a diagram of the first transmission mechanism according to the modification viewed from the Z direction. [Figure 16]This diagram shows the sliding part extended to the side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but the following embodiments are not limited to the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. In the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified. Also, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation, and may differ in shape and dimensions from the actual product. In the drawings, directions in the figures may be explained using the XYZ coordinate system. In the XYZ coordinate system, the plane parallel to the horizontal plane is defined as the XY plane. In this XY plane, the direction of travel of the overhead transport vehicle 1 is denoted as the X direction, and the left and right directions perpendicular to the X direction are denoted as the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the XY plane is denoted as the Z direction. In the X, Y, and Z directions, the direction pointed to by the arrow in the figure is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction pointed to by the arrow is the - direction.

[0019] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overhead transport vehicle according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 conceptually shows the overhead transport vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the +X side. The overhead transport vehicle 1 is used to transport articles F, for example, between an processing device and a container storage device, or between two processing devices. The processing device is, for example, a film deposition device, a coater / developer, an exposure device, an etching device, etc., and performs various processes in the process of manufacturing devices (e.g., semiconductor devices). The container storage device is, for example, placed in a transport path that transports articles F and temporarily stores articles F. The container storage device is, for example, placed near the ceiling C. Article F contains, for example, wafers or reticles used in the manufacture of semiconductor elements. Article F is, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod), SMIF Pod, or reticle Pod whose interior can be purged.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the overhead transport vehicle 1 comprises a running section 2, a connecting section 3, and a main body section 4. The running section 2 has a running drive unit 2A and wheels 2B. The running section 2 travels along the overhead track R by the driving force of the running drive unit 2A. The overhead track R is a predetermined running path (rail) for the overhead transport vehicle 1 to travel on, and is located, for example, near the ceiling C of a clean room. In the example shown in Figure 1, the overhead track R is suspended and supported by support columns P fixed to the ceiling C.

[0021] The drive unit 2A generates the driving force to move the overhead transport vehicle 1. The drive unit 2A includes, for example, a linear motor or rotary motor, a rotary encoder or linear encoder, etc. The wheels 2B are positioned so as to be in contact with the overhead track R. The wheels 2B are rotationally driven by the driving force of the drive unit 2A. The drive unit 2A controls the linear motor or rotary motor based on the detection results of the rotation speed of the wheels 2B detected by the rotary encoder or linear encoder, thereby controlling the speed or stopping position of the overhead transport vehicle 1.

[0022] The connecting section 3 connects the traveling section 2 and the main body section 4. For example, one end of the connecting section 3 is connected to the traveling drive section 2A, and the other end is connected to the main body section 4. That is, the overhead transport vehicle 1 travels along the overhead track R with the main body section 4 suspended by the traveling section 2. The main body section 4 is connected to the traveling section 2 via the connecting section 3 and travels along the overhead track R. The main body section 4 comprises a main body frame 5 and a transfer section 6. The main body frame 5 supports the transfer section 6. In addition to the main body frame 5 and the transfer section 6, the main body section 4 may also include a control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the transfer section 6.

[0023] The transfer unit 6 comprises a transfer device 7 and a side-loading mechanism 8. The transfer device 7 comprises a holding unit 7A and a lifting drive unit 7B. The holding unit 7A holds the article F. For example, the holding unit 7A suspends and holds the article F by grasping the flange portion on the top of the article F from above. The holding unit 7A is, for example, a chuck having a plurality of horizontally movable claw portions 71a. The holding unit 7A suspends and holds the article F by inserting the claw portions 71a below the flange portion of the article F and rising. The holding unit 7A is connected to a suspension member 71b such as a wire or belt. The holding unit 7A is suspended from the lifting drive unit 7B via the suspension member 71b and moves up and down by the lifting drive unit 7B.

[0024] The lifting drive unit 7B is controlled, for example, by a control unit (not shown) provided in the main body 4, and lowers or raises the holding unit 7A at a predetermined speed, and also holds the holding unit 7A at a target height. The lifting drive unit 7B is, for example, a hoist. The lifting drive unit 7B lowers the holding unit 7A by, for example, extending the suspension member 71b, and raises the holding unit 7A by winding up the suspension member 71b.

[0025] The lateral extension mechanism 8 extends the transfer device 7 laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body 4. The travel direction of the main body 4 is the direction in which the overhead transport vehicle 1 travels along the overhead track R by the travel unit 2, i.e., the X direction. The left-right direction is the direction perpendicular to the travel direction, i.e., the Y direction. This left-right direction is the direction in which the lateral extension mechanism 8 extends the transfer device 7 laterally, and will be hereinafter referred to as the lateral extension direction D.

[0026] Figure 2 is a view of the side-extension mechanism 8 of the overhead transport vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment, as seen from the X direction. Figure 3 is a view of the side-extension mechanism 8 of the overhead transport vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment, as seen from the Z direction. The side-extension mechanism 8 comprises a base portion 10, a slide portion 20, guide rails 30, 31, a first linear guide 40, and a first transmission mechanism 50. The side-extension mechanism 8 (8A) illustrated in Figure 1 has slide portions 20 (20A) and 20B. In the first embodiment, a configuration in which the side-extension mechanism 8 has a base portion 10 and one slide portion 20 will be described. Reference numerals 8A, 20A, 20B, and 60 in Figure 1 will be explained in the second embodiment described later.

[0027] The base portion 10 is provided on the main body portion 4. For example, the base portion 10 is attached to the lower part of the connecting portion 3. The base portion 10 is, for example, a plate-shaped member. The base portion 10 is positioned so that its plane is parallel to the horizontal direction. The slide portion 20 is positioned on the lower side of the base portion 10. The slide portion 20 is, for example, a plate-shaped member, and is positioned so that its plane is parallel to the plane of the base portion 10 in the Z direction. The slide portion 20 has the same shape as the base portion 10. A transfer device 7 is provided on the lower side of the slide portion 20. In Figure 1, the transfer device 7 is provided on the slide portion 20 via the second slide portion 20B described in the second embodiment, but the transfer device 7 may also be provided on the lower surface of the slide portion 20.

[0028] The guide rails 30 are provided on the underside of the base portion 10. For example, the guide rails 30 are provided on both sides of the underside of the base portion 10 in the direction of travel, which is the X direction. The guide rail 30 provided on the +X side of the underside of the base portion 10 and the guide rail 30 provided on the -X side of the underside of the base portion 10 are parallel to each other. In addition, each guide rail 30 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the lateral extension direction D.

[0029] The guide rails 31 are provided on the upper surface of the sliding section 20. For example, the guide rails 31 are provided on both sides of the upper surface of the sliding section 20 in the direction of travel, which is the X direction. The guide rail 31 provided on the +X side of the upper surface of the sliding section 20 and the guide rail 31 provided on the -X side of the upper surface of the sliding section 20 are parallel to each other. In addition, each guide rail 31 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the lateral extension direction D. Furthermore, the guide rail 30 on the +X side and the guide rail 31 on the +X side face each other in the Z direction. Also, the guide rail 30 on the -X side and the guide rail 31 on the -X side face each other in the Z direction.

[0030] The first linear guide 40 is provided between the base portion 10 and the slide portion 20. The first linear guide 40 is movable in the lateral direction D relative to the base portion 10 and the slide portion 20. The first linear guide 40 supports the slide portion 20 so that it can be moved laterally relative to the base portion 10. In other words, the first linear guide 40 allows the slide portion 20 to be moved in the lateral direction D relative to the base portion 10. The first linear guide 40 comprises two blocks 41 and a connecting portion 42.

[0031] The two blocks 41 are positioned between the guide rail 30 and the guide rail 31, respectively. That is, the blocks 41 are positioned between the +X side guide rail 30 and the +X side guide rail 31, and between the -X side guide rail 30 and the -X side guide rail 31, respectively. The blocks 41 are movable in the lateral direction D along the guide rails 30 and 31, but are designed not to come off in the Z direction. Therefore, the blocks 41 are suspended from the base portion 10 by the guide rail 30, and the sliding portion 20 is suspended from the blocks 41.

[0032] The connecting portion 42 connects the two blocks 41. The connecting portion 42 extends in the X direction, with one end fixed to the block 41 on the +X side and the other end fixed to the block 41 on the -X side. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the two blocks 41 are connected to each other using two connecting portions 42. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the two blocks 41 may be connected by a single connecting portion 42. Furthermore, the shape of the connecting portion 42 is not particularly limited and may be plate-shaped.

[0033] The first transmission mechanism 50 restricts the position of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10. Specifically, the first transmission mechanism 50 restricts the position of the first linear guide 40 when the slide portion 20 has not moved in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10, and moves the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D when the slide portion 20 has moved in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10. For example, the first transmission mechanism 50 moves the first linear guide 40 in the same direction as the slide portion 20 with an amount of movement less than the amount of lateral extension of the slide portion 20. That is, the first linear guide 40 is movable in the lateral extension direction D, but the amount of movement is restricted to an amount corresponding to the amount of lateral extension of the slide portion 20.

[0034] The first transmission mechanism 50 restricts the first linear guide 40 to the center or approximate center of the base portion 10 in the lateral extension direction D when the slide portion 20 is not extended laterally (lateral extension amount is zero or approximately zero). When the slide portion 20 is extended laterally from the initial state, the first transmission mechanism 50 moves the first linear guide 40 by an amount less than the amount the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the direction in which the slide portion 20 was extended laterally. When the slide portion 20 returns from the extended state to the initial state, the first transmission mechanism 50 returns the first linear guide 40 by an amount less than the amount the slide portion 20 is returned to.

[0035] The first transmission mechanism 50 comprises a first right-side fixing part 51A, a second right-side fixing part 51B, a first left-side fixing part 52A, a second left-side fixing part 52B, a left-side guide member 53, a right-side guide member 54, a right-side winding transmission member 55, and a left-side winding transmission member 56. The first right-side fixing part 51A is provided on the right side of the base part 10 in the lateral extension direction D. Here, the right side is the -Y side in the lateral extension direction D (Y direction), and the left side is the +Y side in the lateral extension direction D (Y direction). The first right-side fixing part 51A is fixed to the area to the right of the center of the base part 10 in the lateral extension direction D. As an example, the first right-side fixing part 51A is -X side of the center of the base part 10 and is fixed to the right end or near the end of the base part 10.

[0036] The second right-side fixing portion 51B is provided on the right side of the sliding portion 20 in the lateral extension direction D. The second right-side fixing portion 51B is fixed to the area to the right of the center of the sliding portion 20 in the lateral extension direction D. For example, the second right-side fixing portion 51B is -X side of the center of the sliding portion 20 and is fixed to the right end of the sliding portion 20 or near the end. Alternatively, the second right-side fixing portion 51B may be fixed in a position opposite to the first right-side fixing portion 51A in the Z direction. In other words, when viewed from the Z direction, the first right-side fixing portion 51A and the second right-side fixing portion 51B may be fixed so that they substantially overlap. Note that in Figure 3, for illustrative purposes, the first right-side fixing portion 51A and the second right-side fixing portion 51B are shown shifted in the X direction.

[0037] The first left-side fixing portion 52A is provided on the left side of the base portion 10 in the lateral extension direction D. The first left-side fixing portion 52A is fixed to the area to the left of the center of the base portion 10 in the lateral extension direction D. For example, the first left-side fixing portion 52A is located +X side of the center of the base portion 10 and is fixed to the left end of the base portion 10 or near the end.

[0038] The second left-side fixing part 52B is provided on the left side of the sliding part 20 in the lateral extension direction D. The second left-side fixing part 52B is fixed to the area to the left of the center of the sliding part 20 in the lateral extension direction D. For example, the second left-side fixing part 52B is fixed to the left end or near the end of the sliding part 20, +X side from the center of the sliding part 20. Alternatively, the second left-side fixing part 52B may be fixed in a position opposite to the first left-side fixing part 52A in the Z direction. In other words, the first left-side fixing part 52A and the second left-side fixing part 52B may be fixed so that they substantially overlap when viewed from the Z direction. Note that in Figure 3, for illustrative purposes, the first left-side fixing part 52A and the second left-side fixing part 52B are shown shifted in the X direction.

[0039] The left-side guide member 53 is provided on the connecting portion 42. The left-side guide member 53 is provided on the left side of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D. In the example shown in Figure 3, the left-side guide member 53 is provided on the left of the two connecting portions 42. The left-side guide member 53 is also provided on the -X side of the connecting portion 42. When viewed from the Z direction, the left-side guide member 53 is positioned on the straight line through which the first right-side fixing portion 51A and the second right-side fixing portion 51B pass in the Y direction. The left-side guide member 53 has a curved surface on which it contacts, for example, the right-side winding transmission member 55. The left-side guide member 53 is, for example, a pulley or a roller.

[0040] The right-side guide member 54 is provided on the connecting portion 42. The right-side guide member 54 is provided on the right side of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D. In the example shown in Figure 3, the right-side guide member 54 is provided on the right-side connecting portion 42 of the two connecting portions 42. The right-side guide member 54 is also provided on the +X side of the connecting portion 42. When viewed from the Z direction, the right-side guide member 54 is positioned on the straight line through which the first left-side fixing portion 52A and the second left-side fixing portion 52B pass in the Y direction. The right-side guide member 54 has a curved surface on which it contacts the left-side winding transmission member 56, for example. The right-side guide member 54 is, for example, a pulley or a roller.

[0041] The right-side winding transmission member 55 is fixed at one end to the first right-side fixing portion 51A of the base portion 10. The right-side winding transmission member 55 is also wound around the left-side guide member 53, and its other end is fixed to the second right-side fixing portion 51B of the slide portion 20. The right-side winding transmission member 55 applies a force to the first linear guide 40 supporting the left-side guide member 53 in the right-side direction D, i.e., the -Y direction. The right-side winding transmission member 55 is, for example, a belt or a wire. Alternatively, the right-side winding transmission member 55 may be a strip-shaped or string-shaped elastic member.

[0042] The left-side winding transmission member 56 is fixed at one end to the first left-side fixing part 52A of the base part 10. The left-side winding transmission member 56 is also wound around the right-side guide member 54, and the other end is fixed to the second left-side fixing part 52B of the slide part 20. The left-side winding transmission member 56 applies a force to the first linear guide 40 supporting the right-side guide member 54 in the left-side direction D, i.e., the +Y direction. The left-side winding transmission member 56 is, for example, a belt or wire. Alternatively, the left-side winding transmission member 56 may be a strip-shaped or string-shaped elastic member. For example, the right-side winding transmission member 55 and the left-side winding transmission member 56 are set to the same or approximately the same length.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the movement of the first linear guide 40 in the -Y direction is restricted by the left-side winding transmission member 56 being wound around the right-side guide member 54, and further, the movement in the +Y direction is restricted by the right-side winding transmission member 55 being wound around the left-side guide member 53. Therefore, in its initial state, the first linear guide 40 is restricted to being in the center or near the center in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) of the base portion 10 (slide portion 20), and cannot move freely in the Y direction. Thus, the first linear guide 40 is prevented from being positioned off-center in the Y direction. As a result, even when the holding portion 7A is holding an item F, the load is applied from the slide portion 20 to the central part of the base portion 10 via the first linear guide 40. Therefore, the main body portion 4 suspended from the running portion 2 is prevented from tilting, and the overhead transport vehicle 1 can be run stably.

[0044] Next, the operation of the lateral extension mechanism 8 will be described. The case in which the lateral extension mechanism 8 extends the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the lateral extension mechanism 8 in the +Y direction, respectively.

[0045] The lateral extension mechanism 8 drives a drive unit (not shown) to laterally extend the slide section 20 in the +Y direction from the initial state shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, when the slide section 20 is laterally extended in the +Y direction, the end of the left-side winding transmission member 56 that is fixed to the second left-side fixing part 52B is pulled out in the +Y direction. This left-side winding transmission member 56 pushes the right-side guide member 54 in the +Y direction while it rotates, causing it to move together with the connecting part 42. As the connecting part 42 moves in the +Y direction, the two blocks 41 (first linear guide 40) that are integrated with the connecting part 42 move in the +Y direction. At this time, with respect to the amount of lateral extension SL of the slide section 20 in the +Y direction, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is MV, which is half the amount of lateral extension SL.

[0046] Furthermore, when the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the +Y direction, the end of the right-side winding transmission member 55 fixed to the second right-side fixing portion 51B of the slide portion 20 moves in the +Y direction, but the end fixed to the first right-side fixing portion 51A of the base portion 10 maintains its position. Consequently, the left-side guide member 53 rotates and moves in the +Y direction together with the first linear guide 40. The movement of the first linear guide 40 in the -Y direction is restricted because the left-side winding transmission member 56 is wound around the right-side guide member 54, and furthermore, the movement of the right-side winding transmission member 55 is restricted because it is wound around the left-side guide member 53.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, even when the amount of lateral extension SL of the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction is at its maximum, the first transmission mechanism 50 ensures that the first linear guide 40 moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV which is half the amount of lateral extension SL. Thus, when the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the +Y direction, the first linear guide 40 moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV which is less than (half of) the amount of lateral extension SL, due to the first transmission mechanism 50. Furthermore, the movement in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) is restricted because the left-side winding transmission member 56 is wound around the right-side guide member 54, and the right-side winding transmission member 55 is wound around the left-side guide member 53. In other words, the first transmission mechanism 50 restricts the first linear guide 40 to a predetermined position in the +Y direction according to the amount of lateral extension SL of the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction.

[0048] In this way, the side-extension mechanism 8 can extend the holding portion 7A, which is located on the lower side of the slide portion 20, from the main body portion 4 in the +Y direction by a movement amount MV.

[0049] When returning the slide section 20 from a state where it is extended laterally in the +Y direction to the initial state shown in Figure 2, the first transmission mechanism 50 regulates the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 (the amount of movement at that time MV) according to the amount of return of the slide section 20 (the amount of lateral extension SL at that time). At this time, the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 is half the amount of return of the slide section 20. As a result, when the slide section 20 returns to the initial state shown in Figure 2, the first linear guide 40 will be located in the center or approximately the center of the base section 10.

[0050] Next, the case in which the lateral extension mechanism 8 extends the sliding portion 20 in the -Y direction will be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the lateral extension operation in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism 8, respectively.

[0051] The lateral extension mechanism 8 drives a drive unit (not shown) to laterally extend the slide portion 20 in the -Y direction from the initial state shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 6, when the slide portion 20 is laterally extended in the -Y direction, the end of the right-side winding transmission member 55 fixed to the second right-side fixing portion 51B is pulled out in the -Y direction. This right-side winding transmission member 55 pushes the left-side guide member 53 in the -Y direction while it rotates, and it moves together with the connecting portion 42. As the connecting portion 42 moves in the -Y direction, the connecting portion 42 including The first linear guide 40 moves in the -Y direction. At this time, with respect to the amount of lateral extension SL of the slide portion 20 in the -Y direction, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is MV, which is half of the amount of lateral extension SL.

[0052] Furthermore, when the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the -Y direction, the end of the left winding transmission member 56 fixed to the second left fixing portion 52B of the slide portion 20 moves in the -Y direction, but the end fixed to the first left fixing portion 52A of the base portion 10 maintains its position. Consequently, the right guide member 54 rotates and moves in the -Y direction together with the first linear guide 40. The movement of the first linear guide 40 in the +Y direction is restricted because the right winding transmission member 55 is wound around the left guide member 53, and furthermore, the movement in the -Y direction is restricted because the left winding transmission member 56 is wound around the right guide member 54.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, even when the lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20 in the -Y direction is at its maximum, the first linear guide 40 continues to move in the -Y direction by an amount MV, which is half the lateral extension amount SL, due to the first transmission mechanism 50. Thus, when the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the -Y direction, the first linear guide 40 moves in the -Y direction by an amount MV that is less than (half of) the lateral extension amount SL, due to the first transmission mechanism 50. Furthermore, the movement in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) is restricted because the right-side winding transmission member 55 is wound around the left-side guide member 53, and the left-side winding transmission member 56 is wound around the right-side guide member 54. In other words, the first transmission mechanism 50 restricts the first linear guide 40 to a predetermined position in the -Y direction according to the lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20 in the -Y direction.

[0054] When returning the slide section 20 from a state where it is extended laterally in the -Y direction to the initial state shown in Figure 2, the first transmission mechanism 50 regulates the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 (the amount of movement at that time MV) according to the amount of return of the slide section 20 (the amount of extension SL at that time). At this time, the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 is half the amount of return of the slide section 20. As a result, when the slide section 20 returns to the initial state shown in Figure 2, the first linear guide 40 will be located in the center or approximately the center of the base section 10.

[0055] Thus, according to the first embodiment, the position of the first linear guide 40 is restricted when the slide portion 20 is not moving in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10, and the first linear guide 40 is moved in the lateral extension direction D when the slide portion 20 is moving in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10. With this configuration, a long lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20 can be secured, while restricting the amount of movement MV of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D according to the lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20. In addition, when the slide portion 20 is not extended laterally, the first linear guide 40 is positioned in the center or near the center of the base portion 10, so that uneven loads are not applied to the lateral extension mechanism 8.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] A side-loading mechanism 8A according to the second embodiment will now be described. Figure 8 is a side view of the side-loading mechanism 8A according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 is a top view of a part of the side-loading mechanism 8A according to the second embodiment. Figure 9 shows a top view of the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B. In Figure 9, components similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. As shown in Figure 1, the side-loading mechanism 8A according to the second embodiment is provided on the main body portion 4 of the overhead transport vehicle 1.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the lateral extension mechanism 8A comprises a base portion 10, a first slide portion 20A, a second slide portion 20B, guide rails 30, 31, 32, 33, a first linear guide 40, a second linear guide 45, a first transmission mechanism 50, and a second transmission mechanism 60. By driving a drive unit (not shown), the lateral extension mechanism 8A extends the first slide portion 20A laterally in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10, and, in conjunction with the lateral extension of the first slide portion 20A, extends the second slide portion 20B laterally in the same lateral extension direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A.

[0058] Note that the first slide portion 20A is the same as the slide portion 20 of the first embodiment described above, so its description is omitted. In the second embodiment, the description of the first embodiment is applicable, except that the slide portion 20 is replaced with the first slide portion 20A. The second slide portion 20B is located on the lower side of the first slide portion 20A. The second slide portion 20B is, for example, a plate-shaped member, and is arranged so that its plane in the Z direction is parallel to the plane of the base portion 10 and the plane of the first slide portion 20A. The second slide portion 20B has, for example, the same shape as the first slide portion 20A. A transfer device 7 is provided on the lower surface of the second slide portion 20B.

[0059] The guide rail 31 is provided on the upper surface of the first slide portion 20A, as in the first embodiment. The guide rail 32 is provided on the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A. The guide rails 32 are provided on both sides in the X direction on the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A. The guide rail 32 provided on the +X side of the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A and the guide rail 32 provided on the -X side of the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A are parallel to each other. In addition, the guide rails 32 are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of travel.

[0060] The guide rails 33 are provided on the upper surface of the second slide section 20B. The guide rails 33 are provided on both sides in the X direction on the upper surface of the second slide section 20B. The guide rail 33 provided on the +X side of the upper surface of the second slide section 20B and the guide rail 33 provided on the -X side of the upper surface of the second slide section 20B are parallel to each other. The guide rails 33 are also arranged so that their longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of travel. Furthermore, the guide rail 32 on the +X side and the guide rail 33 on the +X side face each other in the Z direction. Furthermore, the guide rail 32 on the -X side and the guide rail 33 on the -X side face each other in the Z direction.

[0061] The first linear guide 40 is provided between the base portion 10 and the first slide portion 20A, as in the first embodiment. The second linear guide 45 is provided between the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B. The first linear guide 40 is movable in the lateral direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B. 2 Linear Guide 4 5 The second linear guide 45 supports the second slide portion 20B so that it can be extended laterally relative to the first slide portion 20A. That is, the second linear guide 45 can move the second slide portion 20B in the lateral direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A. The second linear guide 45 comprises two blocks 46 and a connecting portion 47.

[0062] The two blocks 46 are positioned between the guide rail 32 and the guide rail 33, respectively. That is, the blocks 46 are positioned between the +X-side guide rail 32 and the +X-side guide rail 33, and between the -X-side guide rail 32 and the -X-side guide rail 33, respectively. The blocks 46 are movable in the lateral direction D along the guide rails 32 and 33, but are designed not to come off in the Z direction. Therefore, the block 46 is suspended from the first slide section 20A by the guide rail 32, and the second slide section 20B is suspended from the block 46.

[0063] The connecting portion 47 connects the two blocks 46. The connecting portion 47 extends in the X-axis direction, with one end fixed to the block 46 on the +X side and the other end fixed to the block 46 on the -X side. In the example shown in Figure 9, the two blocks 46 are connected to each other using two connecting portions 47. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the two blocks 46 may be connected by a single connecting portion 47. Furthermore, the shape of the connecting portion 47 is not particularly limited and may be plate-shaped.

[0064] The second transmission mechanism 60 restricts the position of the second linear guide 45 in the lateral extension direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A. Specifically, the second transmission mechanism 60 restricts the position of the second linear guide 45 when the second slide portion 20B has not moved in the lateral extension direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A, and moves the second linear guide 45 in the lateral extension direction D when the second slide portion 20B has moved in the lateral extension direction D relative to the first slide portion 20A. For example, the second transmission mechanism 60 moves the second linear guide 45 in the same direction as the first slide portion 20A with a movement amount less than the lateral extension amount of the first slide portion 20A, according to the amount of lateral extension D of the first slide portion 20A. In other words, the second linear guide 45 is movable in the lateral extension direction D, but is not freely movable, and is restricted by the second transmission mechanism 60 to a movement amount corresponding to the amount of lateral extension.

[0065] The second transmission mechanism 60 restricts the second linear guide 45 to the center or approximately center of the first slide portion 20A in the lateral extension direction D when the second slide portion 20B is not extended laterally. When the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally from the initial state, the second transmission mechanism 60 moves the second linear guide 45 by an amount less than the amount the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the direction in which the second slide portion 20B was extended laterally. When the second slide portion 20B returns from the extended state to the initial state, the second transmission mechanism 60 returns the second linear guide 45 by an amount less than the amount the second slide portion 20B is returned to its original position.

[0066] The second transmission mechanism 60 comprises a third right-side fixing part 61A, a fourth right-side fixing part 61B, a third left-side fixing part 62A, a fourth left-side fixing part 62B, a second left-side guide member 63, a second right-side guide member 64, a second right-side winding transmission member 65, and a second left-side winding transmission member 66. In the second embodiment, the right-side winding transmission member 55 of the first embodiment is referred to as the first right-side winding transmission member 55, and the left-side winding transmission member 56 of the first embodiment is referred to as the first left-side winding transmission member 56. Also in the second embodiment, the left-side guide member 53 of the first embodiment is referred to as the first left-side guide member 53, and the right-side guide member 54 of the first embodiment is referred to as the first right-side guide member 54.

[0067] The third right-side fixing portion 61A is provided on the right side of the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A in the lateral extension direction D. The third right-side fixing portion 61A is fixed to the area to the right of the center of the first slide portion 20A in the lateral extension direction D. As an example, the third right-side fixing portion 61A is -X side of the center of the first slide portion 20A and is fixed to the right end or near the end of the first slide portion 20A.

[0068] The fourth right-side fixing portion 61B is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the second slide portion 20B in the lateral extension direction D. The fourth right-side fixing portion 61B is fixed to the area to the right of the center of the second slide portion 20B in the lateral extension direction D. As an example, the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B is -X side of the center of the second slide portion 20B and is fixed to the right end of the second slide portion 20B or near the end. Alternatively, the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B may be fixed in a position opposite to the third right-side fixing portion 61A in the Z direction. In other words, when viewed from the Z direction, the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B and the third right-side fixing portion 61A may be fixed so that they substantially overlap. Note that in Figure 9, for illustrative purposes, the third right-side fixing portion 61A and the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B are shown shifted in the X direction.

[0069] The third left-side fixing portion 62A is provided on the left side of the lower surface of the first slide portion 20A in the lateral extension direction D. The third left-side fixing portion 62A is fixed to the area to the left of the center of the first slide portion 20A in the lateral extension direction D. As an example, the third left-side fixing portion 62A is located +X side of the center of the first slide portion 20A and is fixed to the left end or near the end of the first slide portion 20A.

[0070] The fourth left-side fixing portion 62B is provided on the left side of the upper surface of the second sliding portion 20B in the lateral extension direction D. The fourth left-side fixing portion 62B is fixed to the area to the left of the center of the second sliding portion 20B in the lateral extension direction D. As an example, the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B is located +X side of the center of the second sliding portion 20B and is fixed to the left end of the second sliding portion 20B or near the end. Alternatively, the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B may be fixed in a position opposite to the third left-side fixing portion 62A in the Z direction. In other words, when viewed from the Z direction, the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B and the third left-side fixing portion 62A may be fixed so that they substantially overlap. Note that in Figure 9, for illustrative purposes, the third left-side fixing portion 62A and the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B are shown shifted in the X direction.

[0071] The second left-side guide member 63 is provided on the connecting portion 47. The second left-side guide member 63 is provided on the left side of the second linear guide 45 in the lateral extension direction D. In the example shown in Figure 9, the second left-side guide member 63 is provided on the left connecting portion 42 of the two connecting portions 47. The second left-side guide member 63 is also provided on the -X side of the connecting portion 47. When viewed from the Z direction, the second left-side guide member 63 is positioned on the straight line through which the third right-side fixing portion 61A and the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B pass in the Y direction. The second left-side guide member 63 has a curved surface on which it contacts the second right-side winding transmission member 65, for example. The second left-side guide member 63 is, for example, a pulley or a roller.

[0072] The second right-side guide member 64 is provided on the connecting portion 47. The second right-side guide member 64 is provided on the right side of the second linear guide 45 in the lateral extension direction D. In the example shown in Figure 9, the second right-side guide member 64 is provided on the right-hand connecting portion 47 of the two connecting portions 47. Also, the second right-side guide member 64 is provided on the +X side of the connecting portion 47. When viewed from the Z direction, the second right-side guide member 64 is positioned on the straight line through which the third left-side fixing portion 62A and the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B pass in the Y direction. The second right-side guide member 64 has a curved surface on which it contacts the second left-side winding transmission member 66, for example. The second right-side guide member 64 is, for example, a pulley or a roller.

[0073] The second right-side winding transmission member 65 is fixed at one end to the third right-side fixing portion 61A of the first slide portion 20A. The second right-side winding transmission member 65 is also wound around the second left-side guide member 63, and its other end is fixed to the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B of the second slide portion 20B. The second right-side winding transmission member 65 applies a force to the second linear guide 45 supporting the second left-side guide member 63 in the right-side direction D, i.e., the -Y direction. The second right-side winding transmission member 65 is, for example, a belt or a wire. Alternatively, the second right-side winding transmission member 65 may be a strip-shaped or string-shaped elastic member.

[0074] The second left-side winding transmission member 66 is fixed at one end to the third left-side fixing portion 62A of the first slide portion 20A. The second left-side winding transmission member 66 is also wound around the second right-side guide member 64, and its other end is fixed to the fourth left-side fixing portion 62B of the second slide portion 20B. The second left-side winding transmission member 66 applies a force to the second linear guide 45, to which the second right-side guide member 64 is fixed, in the left side of the lateral extension direction D, i.e., in the +Y direction. The second left-side winding transmission member 66 is, for example, a belt or a wire. Alternatively, the second left-side winding transmission member 66 may be a strip-shaped or string-shaped elastic member. For example, the second right-side winding transmission member 65 and the second left-side winding transmission member 66 are set to the same or approximately the same length.

[0075] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the movement of the second linear guide 45 in the -Y direction is restricted because the second left-side winding transmission member 66 is wound around the second right-side guide member 64, and further, the movement in the +Y direction is restricted because the second right-side winding transmission member 65 is wound around the second left-side guide member 63. Therefore, in the initial state, the position of the second linear guide 45 is restricted to the center or approximately center in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) of the base portion 10 (first slide portion 20A and second slide portion 20B), and it cannot move freely in the Y direction. Thus, the second linear guide 45 is prevented from being positioned off-center in the Y direction. Also, as described above, in the initial state, the position of the first linear guide 40 is restricted to the center or approximately center in the Y direction of the base portion 10.

[0076] As a result, even when the holding section 7A is holding the item F, a load is applied from the second sliding section 20B to the central part of the first sliding section 20A via the second linear guide 45, and a load is applied from the first sliding section 20A to the central part of the base section 10 via the first linear guide 40. Therefore, the main body section 4 suspended from the traveling section 2 is prevented from tilting, and the overhead transport vehicle 1 can be driven stably.

[0077] Next, the operation of the lateral extension mechanism 8A will be explained. The case in which the lateral extension mechanism 8A extends the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B laterally in the +Y direction will be explained using Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the lateral extension operation in the +Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism 8A.

[0078] The lateral extension mechanism 8A drives a drive unit (not shown) to laterally extend the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B in the +Y direction from the initial state shown in Figure 8. When the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B are laterally extended in the +Y direction, the first slide portion 20A moves in the +Y direction relative to the base portion 10, and the second slide portion 20B moves in the +Y direction relative to the first slide portion 20A in conjunction with the lateral extension of the first slide portion 20A. As shown in Figure 10, when the first slide portion 20A is laterally extended in the +Y direction, similar to the first embodiment described above, the end of the first left winding transmission member 56 fixed to the second left fixing portion 52B is pulled out in the +Y direction, and the first linear guide 40 moves in the +Y direction together with the first right guide member 54. In this case, with respect to the amount of lateral extension SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the +Y direction, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is MV1, which is half the amount of lateral extension SL1. Similar to the first embodiment, the position of the first linear guide 40 is generally restricted by the amount of lateral extension SL1 of the first slide portion 20A.

[0079] When the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the +Y direction, the end of the second left winding transmission member 66 that is fixed to the fourth left fixing portion 62B is pulled out in the +Y direction. This second left winding transmission member 66 pushes the second right guide member 64 in the +Y direction while it rotates, causing it to move together with the connecting portion 47. As the connecting portion 47 moves in the +Y direction, the two blocks 46 (second linear guide 45) that are integrated with the connecting portion 47 move in the +Y direction. At this time, the amount of movement of the second linear guide 45 is MV2, which is half the amount of lateral extension SL2 of the second slide portion 20B in the +Y direction.

[0080] Furthermore, when the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the +Y direction, the end of the second right-side winding transmission member 65 fixed to the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B of the second slide portion 20B moves in the +Y direction, but the end of the first slide portion 20A fixed to the third right-side fixing portion 61A maintains its position. Consequently, the second left-side guide member 63 rotates and moves in the +Y direction together with the second linear guide 45. The movement of the second linear guide 45 in the -Y direction is restricted because the second left-side winding transmission member 66 is wound around the second right-side guide member 64, and furthermore, the movement in the +Y direction is restricted because the second right-side winding transmission member 65 is wound around the second left-side guide member 63.

[0081] As shown in Figure 11, even when the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the +Y direction is at its maximum, the first linear guide 40 still moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV which is half of the lateral extension amount SL, due to the first transmission mechanism 50. Similar to the first embodiment, it moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV1 which is less than (half of) the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A. The position of the first linear guide 40 is regulated according to the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the +Y direction, as in the first embodiment.

[0082] Furthermore, even when the lateral extension amount SL2 of the second slide portion 20B in the +Y direction is at its maximum, the second transmission mechanism 60 ensures that the second linear guide 45 moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV2, which is half of the lateral extension amount SL2. Thus, when the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the +Y direction, the second linear guide 45 moves in the +Y direction by an amount MV2, which is less than (half of) the lateral extension amount SL2, due to the second transmission mechanism 60. In addition, the movement in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) is restricted because the second left winding transmission member 66 is wrapped around the second right guide member 64, and the second right winding transmission member 65 is wrapped around the second left guide member 63. In other words, the second transmission mechanism 60 restricts the second linear guide 45 to a predetermined position in the +Y direction according to the lateral extension amount SL of the second slide portion 20B in the +Y direction.

[0083] In this way, the lateral extension mechanism 8A extends the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B laterally, thereby extending the retaining portion 7A provided on the lower surface of the second slide portion 20B laterally in the +Y direction relative to the main body portion 4 by the sum of the lateral extension amount SL1 and the lateral extension amount SL2.

[0084] When returning the first slide section 20A and the second slide section 20B from their extended position in the +Y direction to the initial state shown in Figure 8, the first transmission mechanism 50 regulates the return amount of the first linear guide 40 (the amount of movement at that time MV1) according to the return amount of the first slide section 20A (the amount of extension SL1 at that time). Simultaneously, the second transmission mechanism 60 regulates the return amount of the second linear guide 45 (the amount of movement at that time MV2) according to the return amount of the second slide section 20B (the amount of extension SL2 at that time). At this time, the return amount of the first linear guide 40 becomes half the return amount of the first slide section 20A, and the return amount of the second linear guide 45 becomes half the return amount of the second slide section 20B. As a result, when the first slide section 20A and the second slide section 20B return to the initial state shown in Figure 8, both the first linear guide 40 and the second linear guide 45 will be located in the center or approximately in the center of the base section 10.

[0085] Next, the case in which the lateral extension mechanism 8A extends the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B laterally in the -Y direction will be explained with reference to Figures 12 and 13. Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the lateral extension operation in the -Y direction by the lateral extension mechanism 8A.

[0086] The lateral extension mechanism 8A drives a drive unit (not shown) to laterally extend the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B in the -Y direction from the initial state shown in Figure 8. When the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B are laterally extended in the -Y direction, the first slide portion 20A moves in the -Y direction relative to the base portion 10, and the second slide portion 20B moves in the -Y direction relative to the first slide portion 20A in conjunction with the lateral extension of the first slide portion 20A. As shown in Figure 12, when the first slide portion 20A is laterally extended in the -Y direction, similar to the first embodiment described above, the end of the first right-side winding transmission member 55 fixed to the second right-side fixing portion 51B is pulled out in the -Y direction, and the first linear guide 40 moves in the -Y direction together with the first left-side guide member 53. In this case, with respect to the amount of lateral extension SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the -Y direction, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is MV1, which is half the amount of lateral extension SL1. Similar to the first embodiment, the position of the first linear guide 40 is generally restricted by the amount of lateral extension SL1 of the first slide portion 20A.

[0087] When the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the -Y direction, the end of the second right-side winding transmission member 65 that is fixed to the fourth right-side fixing portion 61B is pulled out in the -Y direction. This second right-side winding transmission member 65 pushes the second left-side guide member 63 in the -Y direction while it rotates, causing it to move together with the connecting portion 47. As the connecting portion 47 moves in the -Y direction, the two blocks 46 (second linear guide 45) that are integrated with the connecting portion 47 move in the -Y direction. At this time, the amount of movement of the second linear guide 45 is MV2, which is half the amount of lateral extension SL2 of the second slide portion 20B in the -Y direction.

[0088] Furthermore, when the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the -Y direction, the end of the second left winding transmission member 66 fixed to the fourth left fixing portion 62B of the second slide portion 20B moves in the -Y direction, but the end fixed to the third left fixing portion 62A of the first slide portion 20A maintains its position. Consequently, the second right guide member 64 rotates and moves in the -Y direction together with the second linear guide 45. The movement of the second linear guide 45 in the +Y direction is restricted because the second right winding transmission member 65 is wound around the second left guide member 63, and furthermore, the movement of the second left winding transmission member 66 in the -Y direction is restricted because the second left winding transmission member 66 is wound around the second right guide member 64.

[0089] As shown in Figure 13, even when the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the +Y direction is at its maximum, the first linear guide 40 still moves in the -Y direction by an amount MV which is half of the lateral extension amount SL1 due to the first transmission mechanism 50. Similar to the first embodiment, it moves in the -Y direction by an amount MV1 which is less than (half of) the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A. The position of the first linear guide 40 is regulated according to the lateral extension amount SL1 of the first slide portion 20A in the -Y direction, as in the first embodiment.

[0090] Furthermore, even when the lateral extension amount SL2 of the second slide portion 20B in the -Y direction is at its maximum, the second transmission mechanism 60 ensures that the second linear guide 45 moves in the -Y direction by an amount MV2, which is half of the lateral extension amount SL2. Thus, when the second slide portion 20B is extended laterally in the -Y direction, the second linear guide 45 moves in the -Y direction by an amount MV2 that is less than (half of) the lateral extension amount SL2, due to the second transmission mechanism 60. In addition, the movement in the Y direction (lateral extension direction D) is restricted because the second right-side winding transmission member 65 is wound around the second left-side guide member 63, and the second left-side winding transmission member 66 is wound around the second right-side guide member 64. In other words, the second transmission mechanism 60 restricts the second linear guide 45 to a predetermined position in the -Y direction according to the lateral extension amount SL of the second slide portion 20B in the -Y direction.

[0091] In this way, the lateral extension mechanism 8A extends the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B laterally, thereby extending the retaining portion 7A provided on the lower surface of the second slide portion 20B laterally in the -Y direction relative to the main body portion 4 by the sum of the lateral extension amount SL1 and the lateral extension amount SL2.

[0092] When returning the first slide section 20A and the second slide section 20B from their extended position in the -Y direction to the initial state shown in Figure 8, the extension mechanism 8A, as described above, regulates the return amounts (movement amounts MV1 and MV2) of the first linear guide 40 and the second linear guide 45 according to the return amounts (extension amounts SL1 and SL2) of the first slide section 20A and the second slide section 20B respectively. At this time, the return amount of the first linear guide 40 becomes half the return amount of the first slide section 20A, and the return amount of the second linear guide 45 becomes half the return amount of the second slide section 20B. As a result, when the first slide section 20A and the second slide section 20B return to the initial state shown in Figure 8, both the first linear guide 40 and the second linear guide 45 will be located in the center or approximately in the center of the base section 10.

[0093] Thus, according to the second embodiment, even if the lateral extension mechanism 8A has a three-stage configuration having a base portion 10, a first slide portion 20A, and a second slide portion 20B, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to ensure long lateral extension amounts SL1 and SL2 for the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B, while regulating the amount of movement MV1 and MV2 of the first linear guide 40 and the second linear guide 45 in the lateral extension direction D according to the lateral extension amounts SL1 and SL2 of the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B. Furthermore, when the first slide portion 20A and the second slide portion 20B are not extended laterally, the first linear guide 40 and the second linear guide 45 are positioned in the center or near the center of the base portion 10, thereby suppressing uneven load application to the lateral extension mechanism 8A.

[0094] [Differentiation] Next, a modified first transmission mechanism 70 will be described. Figure 14 is a view of the modified first transmission mechanism 70 from the X direction. Figure 15 is a view of the modified first transmission mechanism 70 from the Z direction. The first transmission mechanism 70 can be used in place of the first transmission mechanism 50 of the first and second embodiments. The first transmission mechanism 70 may also be used in place of the second transmission mechanism 60 of the second embodiment. When describing this modified example, components similar to those in the first embodiment described above will be given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0095] The first transmission mechanism 70 restricts the position of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10. Furthermore, the first transmission mechanism 70 moves the first linear guide 40 in the same direction as the slide portion 20, but by an amount of movement less than the amount of lateral extension of the slide portion 20, according to the amount of lateral extension D of the slide portion 20. In other words, the first linear guide 40 is movable in the lateral extension direction D but cannot move freely, and its movement is restricted to an amount corresponding to the amount of lateral extension of the slide portion 20. In the initial state where the slide portion 20 is not extended laterally (the amount of lateral extension is zero or approximately zero), the first transmission mechanism 70 restricts the first linear guide 40 to the center or approximately the center of the base portion 10 in the lateral extension direction D.

[0096] When the slide portion 20 is extended laterally from its initial position, the first transmission mechanism 70 moves the first linear guide 40 by an amount less than the amount the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the direction in which the slide portion 20 was extended laterally. When the slide portion 20 returns to its initial position from the extended laterally position, the first transmission mechanism 70 returns the first linear guide 40 by an amount less than the amount the slide portion 20 is returned to its original position.

[0097] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the first transmission mechanism 70 comprises a pair of rack gears 71A and 71B, and a pinion gear 72. Rack gear 71A is provided on the lower surface of the base portion 10 and is arranged along the Y direction (lateral extension direction D). Rack gear 71B is provided on the upper surface of the slide portion 20 and is arranged along the Y direction (lateral extension direction D). Rack gears 71A and 71B face each other in the Z direction. In Figure 15, for illustrative purposes, rack gears 71A and 71B are shown offset in the X direction. The pinion gear 72 is rotatably mounted relative to the connecting portion 42. The pinion gear 72 is positioned between rack gears 71A and 71B. The pinion gear 72 meshes with each of the rack gears 71A and 71B.

[0098] Next, the operation of the lateral extension mechanism 8B to which the first transmission mechanism 70 is applied will be described. The case in which the lateral extension mechanism 8B extends the slide portion 20 laterally in the +Y direction will be described. Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the lateral extension mechanism 8B to which the first transmission mechanism 70 is applied in the Y direction. The lateral extension mechanism 8B moves the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction relative to the base portion 10 by driving a drive unit (not shown). The movement of the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction causes the rack gear 71B to move in the +Y direction. The movement of the rack gear 71B in the Y direction causes the pinion gear 72 that meshes with the rack gear 71B to rotate.

[0099] When the pinion gear 72 rotates, the pinion gear 72 moves in the +Y direction together with the connecting portion 42 because it is meshed with the rack gear 71A. Consequently, the two blocks 41 (first linear guide 40) integrated with the connecting portion 42 move in the +Y direction. At this time, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is less than the amount of movement of the slide portion 20. For example, the amount of movement of the first linear guide 40 is half the amount of movement of the slide portion 20. Also, because the pinion gear 72 is meshed with both the rack gears 71A and 71B, the first linear guide 40 cannot move freely in the lateral extension direction D, and its position is restricted. In other words, the first transmission mechanism 70 restricts the first linear guide 40 to a predetermined position in the +Y direction according to the amount of lateral extension SL of the slide portion 20 in the +Y direction.

[0100] When returning the slide portion 20 from a state where it is extended laterally in the +Y direction to the initial state shown in Figure 14, the first transmission mechanism 70 regulates the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 according to the amount of return of the slide portion 20. At this time, the amount of return of the first linear guide 40 is half the amount of return of the slide portion 20. As a result, when the slide portion 20 returns to the initial state shown in Figure 14, the first linear guide 40 will be located in the center or approximately the center of the base portion 10. The same explanation applies when the slide portion 20 is extended laterally in the -Y direction.

[0101] Thus, even in this modified example, the position of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D relative to the base portion 10 is restricted, and the first linear guide 40 is moved in the same direction as the slide portion 20 with a movement amount less than the lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20, according to the amount of lateral extension D of the slide portion 20. Therefore, while ensuring a long lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20, the amount of movement MV of the first linear guide 40 in the lateral extension direction D can be restricted according to the lateral extension amount SL of the slide portion 20. Also, when the slide portion 20 is not extended laterally, the first linear guide 40 is positioned in the center or near the center of the base portion 10, so that the load is not unevenly distributed. B This can suppress the effects of the treatment.

[0102] Furthermore, the pinion gear 72 may be rotationally driven by an electric motor or the like. In this case, the pinion gear 72 and the rack gears 71A and 71B function as drive units for moving the slide portion 20 laterally in the lateral movement mechanism 8B. In other words, the first transmission mechanism 70 is used as a drive unit for moving the slide portion 20 laterally, and is also used in a configuration that restricts the movement of the first linear guide 40.

[0103] Although embodiments and modifications have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments and modifications described above. It is clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, one or more of the requirements described in the embodiments and modifications described above may be omitted. Furthermore, the requirements described in the embodiments and modifications described above can be combined as appropriate. In addition, the execution order of each operation shown in the embodiments can be implemented in any order, as long as the result of the previous operation is not used in the subsequent operation. Furthermore, even if "first," "next," etc. are used for convenience when describing the operations in the embodiments described above, it is not necessary to perform them in this order. Furthermore, to the extent permitted by law, disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-089789 and all documents cited in the embodiments described above are incorporated into the text. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0104] 1. Overhead transport vehicle 2. Running section 3...Connection part 4. Main body 6. Transfer section 7...Transfer equipment 8, 8A, 8B... Side-dispensing mechanism 10. Base section 20...Slide section 30, 31, 32, 33... Guide rails 40. First linear guide 45...Second linear guide 50, 70...First transmission mechanism 51A...1st right side fixed part 51B...Second right side fixed part 52A...1st left side fixed part 52B...Second left side fixed part 53...Left side guide member (first left side guide member) 54...Right side guide member (first right side guide member) 55. Right-side winding drive member (first right-side winding drive member) 56. Left-side winding drive member (first left-side winding drive member) 60...Second transmission mechanism 61A...Third right side fixed part 61B...4th right side fixed part 62A, 62B...Left side fixed part 63...2nd left guide member 64...2nd right guide member 65...Second right-side winding drive member 66...Second left-side winding transmission member D...Side exit direction

Claims

1. An overhead transport vehicle comprising a main body that travels along an overhead track, and a side-extension mechanism that extends a transfer device for goods laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body, The aforementioned side-extension mechanism is The base portion provided on the main body, A slide portion is provided on the lower side of the base portion and is equipped with the transfer device, A first linear guide is provided between the base portion and the slide portion, is movable in a lateral direction relative to the base portion and the slide portion, and supports the slide portion so that it can be moved laterally relative to the base portion. The system includes a first transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the first linear guide when the slide portion is not moving in the lateral direction relative to the base portion, and moves the first linear guide in the lateral direction when the slide portion is moving in the lateral direction relative to the base portion, The first transmission mechanism is, A right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the slide portion in the lateral extension direction, A left-side winding transmission member is provided, one end of which is fixed to a first left-side fixing part located on the left side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second left-side fixing part located on the left side of the slide portion in the lateral extension direction. Overhead transport vehicle.

2. The first transmission mechanism restricts the first linear guide to the center or approximately center of the base portion in the lateral extension direction when the slide portion is not extended laterally. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The first transmission mechanism moves the first linear guide in the same direction as the sliding portion's lateral extension, by an amount equal to half the amount of lateral extension of the sliding portion, when the sliding portion is extended laterally from its initial position. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The right-side winding transmission member and the left-side winding transmission member are set to be the same or substantially the same length. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned sliding portion is The first slide portion is positioned on the lower side of the base portion, The transfer device is provided, and a second slide portion is located on the lower side of the first slide portion, A second linear guide is provided between the first slide portion and the second slide portion, is movable in a lateral direction relative to the first slide portion and the second slide portion, and supports the second slide portion so that it can be moved laterally relative to the first slide portion, The device includes a second transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the second linear guide when the second slide portion is not moving in the lateral direction relative to the first slide portion, and moves the second linear guide in the lateral direction when the second slide portion is moving in the lateral direction relative to the first slide portion. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 1.

6. The first transmission mechanism, in the initial state in which the first slide portion and the second slide portion are not extended laterally, restricts the first linear guide to the center or approximately the center of the base portion in the lateral extension direction. The second transmission mechanism, in the initial state, restricts the second linear guide to the center or approximately the center of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 5.

7. When the first transmission mechanism extends the first slide portion from its initial position, it moves the first linear guide in the same direction as the extension of the first slide portion, by an amount of movement equal to half the extension of the first slide portion. The second transmission mechanism moves the second linear guide in the same direction as the lateral extension of the second slide portion, by an amount of movement equal to half the amount of lateral extension of the second slide portion, when the second slide portion is extended laterally from the initial state. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 6.

8. The first transmission mechanism is, A first right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a first left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, A first left-side winding transmission member is provided, with one end fixed to a first left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a first right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end fixed to a second left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction. The second transmission mechanism is, A second right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a third right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, wraps around a second left-side guide member located on the left side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a fourth right-side fixing part located on the right side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction, A second left-side winding transmission member is provided, one end of which is fixed to a third left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a second right-side guide member located on the right side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, with the other end of the second winding transmission member being fixed to a fourth left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 5.

9. The first right-side winding transmission member and the first left-side winding transmission member are set to be the same or substantially the same length. The second right-side winding transmission member and the second left-side winding transmission member are set to be the same or substantially the same length. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 8.

10. An overhead transport vehicle comprising a main body that travels along an overhead track, and a side-extension mechanism that extends an article transfer device laterally in the left-right direction relative to the travel direction of the main body, The aforementioned side-extension mechanism is The base portion provided on the main body, A slide portion is provided on the lower side of the base portion and is equipped with the transfer device, A first linear guide is provided between the base portion and the slide portion, is movable in a lateral direction relative to the base portion and the slide portion, and supports the slide portion so that it can be moved laterally relative to the base portion. The system includes a first transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the first linear guide when the slide portion is not moving in the lateral direction relative to the base portion, and moves the first linear guide in the lateral direction when the slide portion is moving in the lateral direction relative to the base portion, The aforementioned sliding portion is The first slide portion is positioned on the lower side of the base portion, The transfer device is provided, and a second slide portion is located on the lower side of the first slide portion, A second linear guide is provided between the first slide portion and the second slide portion, is movable in a lateral direction relative to the first slide portion and the second slide portion, and supports the second slide portion so that it can be moved laterally relative to the first slide portion, The device includes a second transmission mechanism that restricts the position of the second linear guide when the second slide portion is not moving in the lateral direction relative to the first slide portion, and moves the second linear guide in the lateral direction when the second slide portion is moving in the lateral direction relative to the first slide portion, The first transmission mechanism is, A first right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a first right-side fixing part located on the right side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a first left-side guide member located on the left side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a second right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, A first left-side winding transmission member is provided, with one end fixed to a first left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the base portion in the lateral extension direction, wrapped around a first right-side guide member located on the right side of the first linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end fixed to a second left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction. The second transmission mechanism is, A second right-side winding transmission member, one end of which is fixed to a third right-side fixing part located on the right side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, wraps around a second left-side guide member located on the left side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, and the other end of which is fixed to a fourth right-side fixing part located on the right side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction, A second left-side winding transmission member is provided, one end of which is fixed to a third left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction, and which is wrapped around a second right-side guide member located on the right side of the second linear guide in the lateral extension direction, with the other end of the second winding transmission member being fixed to a fourth left-side fixing portion located on the left side of the second slide portion in the lateral extension direction. Overhead transport vehicle.

11. The first transmission mechanism restricts the first linear guide to the center or approximately the center of the base portion in the lateral extension direction when the first slide portion and the second slide portion are not extended laterally. The second transmission mechanism, in the initial state, restricts the second linear guide to the center or approximately the center of the first slide portion in the lateral extension direction. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 10.

12. When the first transmission mechanism extends the first slide portion from the initial state, it moves the first linear guide in the same direction as the extension of the first slide portion, by an amount of movement equal to half the extension of the first slide portion. The second transmission mechanism moves the second linear guide in the same direction as the lateral extension of the second slide portion, by an amount of movement equal to half the amount of lateral extension of the second slide portion, when the second slide portion is extended laterally from the initial state. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 11.

13. The first right-side winding transmission member and the first left-side winding transmission member are set to be the same or substantially the same length. The second right-side winding transmission member and the second left-side winding transmission member are set to be the same or substantially the same length. The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 10.

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