Conveying equipment

Abstract

A transport system is desired that simplifies the connection between the rails and the support columns while allowing the rails to be properly connected to the support columns. [Solution] A transport system comprising a rail for a transport vehicle, a support column, and a connecting member 1 for connecting the rail to the support column, wherein the support column 7 extends along the vertical direction and is positioned on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the rail, the connecting member 1 comprises a fixing part fixed to the support column, a contact positioning part 12 positioned in contact with the surface of the support column facing the second side Y2 in the Y direction, a support part formed to protrude from the contact positioning part 12 toward the second side Y2 in the Y direction and to support the rail from below, and a locking part 11 provided above the support part, the rail has a locked portion 21 to which the locking part 11 is locked while being supported by the support part, and the locking part 11 is configured to restrict the movement of the locked portion 21 in the Y direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to conveying equipment.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-119585 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology related to conveying equipment. Hereinafter, the reference numerals shown in parentheses in the description of the background art are those of Patent Document 1.

[0003] The conveying equipment of Patent Document 1 includes a conveying carriage (12), and this conveying carriage (12) includes a parent carriage (18) that travels along a first traveling rail (13) and a child carriage (19) that can be mounted on the parent carriage (18). Further, in this article conveying equipment, a storage shelf (11) for storing articles (W) is provided. The parent carriage (18) travels along the first traveling rail (13) with the child carriage (19) mounted thereon, and then, the child carriage (19) separated from the parent carriage (18) travels along a second traveling rail (14) to transfer the article W to the storage shelf (11).

[0004] Further, the conveying equipment of Patent Document 1 includes a support column (39) extending along the vertical direction. Although not explicitly stated in Patent Document 1, it is considered that the first traveling rail (13) and the second traveling rail (14) are indirectly supported by the support column (39) via a connecting member or the like connected to the support column (39) from the viewpoint of strength.

[0005] By the way, in the case of conveying equipment as described above, it is often the case that each component is manufactured and shipped, and then the components are assembled at the site to complete it. Therefore, it is desirable to simplify the connection between the rail and the support column.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, a transport system is desired that simplifies the connection between the rails and the support columns while allowing the rails to be properly connected to the support columns. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The conveying equipment relating to this disclosure is a conveying equipment comprising rails for a transport vehicle, support columns, and connecting members for connecting the rails to the support columns, Let the direction in which the rail extends be the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction when viewed from above be the Y direction, one side of the Y direction be the first Y direction side, and the opposite side be the second Y direction side. The support column extends vertically and is positioned on the first side in the Y direction relative to the rail. The connecting member comprises a fixing portion fixed to the support column, a contact portion positioned in contact with the surface of the support column facing the second side in the Y direction, a support portion formed to protrude from the contact portion toward the second side in the Y direction and to support the rail from below, and a locking portion provided above the support portion. The rail is provided with a locking portion into which the locking portion is locked while being supported by the support portion, The locking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the locked portion in the Y direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, when fixing the rail to the support column via a connecting member, the rail is supported from below by the support portion, while the movement of the locked portion of the rail in the Y direction is restricted by the locking portion located above the support portion. This prevents the rail from moving vertically and in the Y direction relative to the support column. Furthermore, by restricting the movement of the locked portion of the rail in the Y direction with the locking portion located above the support portion, it is possible to prevent the rail, which is supported from below by the support portion, from falling away from the support column. Therefore, the rail can be stably connected to the support column with a relatively simple configuration. Thus, this configuration allows for a simple connection between the rails and the support posts, while also enabling the rails to be properly connected to the support posts.

[0010] Further features and advantages of the conveying equipment will become clear from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which will be explained with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the conveying equipment [Figure 2] Side view of the connecting member with the rail fixed to the support column. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the support column, connecting member, and connection part between rails. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the engagement state of the engaging and engaged parts. [Figure 5] Side view of a connecting member in another embodiment [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] In the following section, an embodiment of the conveying equipment 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the transport equipment 100 comprises rails 2 for a transport vehicle 8, support columns 7, and connecting members 1 for connecting the rails 2 to the support columns 7. In this embodiment, the transport equipment 100 has a pair of rails 2 arranged to guide the movement of the transport vehicle 8. Each of the pair of rails 2 is supported by different support columns 7 via the connecting members 1. The support columns 7 are members that extend in the vertical direction. In this example, the transport equipment 100 has multiple rows of pairs of rails 2 arranged in the vertical direction. The transport vehicle 8 can then travel guided by the pair of rails 2 arranged on each row. The transport equipment 100 further comprises storage shelves 3. Each of the multiple rows of storage shelves 3 has a shelf section 31. The shelf section 31 is configured to be able to place articles W in an orderly fashion along at least the extending direction of the rails 2. In the example in Figure 1, the storage shelves 3 are arranged on both sides of the pair of rails 2. The multiple shelf sections 31 of each storage shelf 3 are arranged to correspond to the pair of rails 2 on each row.

[0014] In this embodiment, the conveying equipment 100 has a plurality of support columns 7. In this example, these support columns 7 are arranged in the direction in which the rails 2 and shelf sections 31 extend, and also in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which they extend when viewed from above. Each rail 2 and shelf section 31 is supported by a support column 7.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 1, the transport equipment 100 includes a lifting device 6 and an loading / unloading section 9 (in this case, a conveyor). The lifting device 6 is positioned adjacent to the storage shelves 3 and a pair of rails 2. The loading / unloading section 9 is positioned at the end of the shelf section 31 of each level (the end on which the lifting device 6 is located). In the illustrated example, the transport cart 8 is positioned on the top pair of rails 2, but here, the transport cart 8 is positioned on each of the multiple levels.

[0016] The transfer cart 8 delivers and receives the article W to and from the loading / unloading section 9 and the shelf section 31. The transfer carts 8 arranged on each stage, for example, receive the article W carried in from the outside of the conveying facility 100 by the lifting device 6 and the loading / unloading section 9, and move along the pair of rails 2. Then, the transfer cart 8 stops at a position corresponding to a predetermined location in the shelf section 31 and delivers the article W to the shelf section 31.

[0017] Hereinafter, the configuration for connecting the rail 2 and the support column 7 will be specifically described. Here, the direction in which the rail 2 extends is defined as the X direction, the direction orthogonal to the X direction in a top-down view is defined as the Y direction, one side in the Y direction is defined as the Y-direction first side Y1, and the opposite side thereof is defined as the Y-direction second side Y2 for description. Also, one side in the X direction is defined as the X-direction first side X1, and the opposite side thereof is defined as the X-direction second side X2 for description. In this example, the pair of rails 2 are arranged spaced apart in the Y direction. And the outside of the pair of rails 2 is the Y-direction first side Y1, and the inside of the pair of rails 2 is the Y-direction second side Y2.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support column 7 extends along the vertical direction and is arranged on the Y-direction first side Y1 with respect to the rail 2. Here, the support column 7 includes a surface facing the Y-direction second side Y2 (support column front surface 71) and a surface facing the X direction (support column side surface 72). In the present embodiment, a first insertion hole 71a is formed in the support column front surface 71. The first insertion hole 71a is a hole for inserting a fastening member or the like. The support column front surface 71 is formed along the X direction and the vertical direction. The support column side surface 72 is formed along the Y direction and the vertical direction. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the rail 2 is attached to each of the support columns 7 spaced apart in the Y direction via a connecting member 1. And each rail 2 is configured to support the wheels 8a of the transfer cart 8.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connecting member 1 includes a fixing portion 14 fixed to the support column 7, a contact arrangement portion 12 arranged in contact with the surface (front surface 71 of the support column) facing the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the support column 7, a support portion 10 formed to project from the contact arrangement portion 12 toward the second side Y2 in the Y direction and supporting the rail 2 from below, and a locking portion 11 provided above the support portion 10. The support portion 10 is configured to be able to support a partial region of the rail 2 in the X direction from below. In this example, the connecting member 1 is fixed to each of a plurality of support columns 7 (a plurality of support columns arranged in the X direction) that support one rail 2. Therefore, one rail 2 is supported from below by the support portions 10 of these plurality of connecting members 1.

[0020] The contact arrangement portion 12 is a flat plate-like member formed along the X direction and the vertical direction. In a state where the connecting member 1 is fixed to the support column 7, the back surface (the surface facing the first side Y1 in the Y direction) of the contact arrangement portion 12 abuts against the front surface 71 of the support column. The support portion 10 includes a support surface 13 parallel to the bottom surface 25 of the rail 2. The support surface 13 is a surface along the horizontal plane and facing the upper side in the support portion 10. The support portion 10 is a flat plate-like member formed along the X direction and the Y direction. In this example, the support portion 10 is formed to extend from the lower end of the contact arrangement portion 12 toward the second side Y2 in the Y direction. Here, the dimension of the support portion 10 (support surface 13) in the Y direction is set to a length corresponding to the dimension of the rail 2 in the Y direction (FIG. 2). Also, the dimension of the contact arrangement portion 12 in the vertical direction is set to a length corresponding to the dimension of the rail 2 in the vertical direction. The dimensions of the support portion 10 and the contact arrangement portion 12 in the X direction are set to lengths corresponding to the dimension of the support column 7 in the X direction.

[0021] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a third insertion hole 16 is formed in the support portion 10. The third insertion hole 16 is a hole penetrating the support portion 10 in the vertical direction. The third insertion hole 16 is a hole for fixing the rail 2 to the support portion 10 with a fastening member (the second fastening member 93 in FIG. 2).

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the fixing portion 14 is provided on the contact arrangement portion 12 above the support portion 10. In this example, the fixing portion 14 is provided with a second insertion hole 15. The second insertion hole 15 is formed to penetrate a part of the flat plate-shaped contact arrangement portion 12 in the Y direction. When fixing the connecting member 1 to the support column 7, the fastening member (first fastening member 92) is inserted through the holes with the first insertion hole 71a of the support column 7 and the second insertion hole 15 of the fixing portion 14 overlapping. In the example in Figure 3, the first fastening member 92 is a rivet. Therefore, a rivet is inserted through the first insertion hole 71a and the second insertion hole 15. This allows the connecting member 1 and the support column 7 to be connected relatively easily and firmly. The first fastening member 92 may be a fastening member other than a rivet (for example, a bolt and nut).

[0023] In this example, the support portion 10 is formed by bending from the contact arrangement portion 12. That is, the support portion 10 and the contact arrangement portion 12 are formed integrally.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the locking portion 11 is configured to restrict the movement of the locked portion 21 of the rail 2 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, with the rail 2 supported by the support portion 10, the locking portion 11 restricts the movement of the rail 2 in the Y direction. The locked portion 21 will be described later. The locking portion 11 protrudes from the contact arrangement portion 12 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction and is configured to form a groove-shaped gap S between it and the contact arrangement portion 12 that opens on both the upper side and the X direction. In this example, the locking portion 11 protrudes from the upper part of the contact arrangement portion 12 to the second side Y2 in the Y direction and is configured to form a groove-shaped gap S between it and the contact arrangement portion 12 which is located at a different position in the X direction from the locking portion 11. As shown in Figure 4, the locking portion 11 includes a lower locking portion 18 and a Y-direction locking portion 17. The lower locking portion 18 can support the locked portion 21 of the rail 2 from below. The lower locking portion 18 is formed to protrude from a part of the upper part of the contact arrangement portion 12 toward the second side Y2 in the Y direction. The Y-direction locking portion 17 is formed to rise upward from the tip of the lower locking portion 18. In the example of Figure 3, the lower locking portion 18 and the Y-direction locking portion 17 are formed to extend in the X direction. Furthermore, the X-direction dimensions of the lower locking portion 18 and the Y-direction locking portion 17 correspond to the X-direction dimensions of the through hole E of the rail 2. As a result, when the connecting member 1 is fixed to the support column 7, gaps opening on both the upper side and the X-direction are formed between the front surface 71 of the support column and the locking portion 11. In this example, the groove-shaped gap S is the space in which the locked portion 21 of the rail 2 is arranged, or in other words, the space formed between the contact arrangement portion 12 and the locking portion 11 (Y-direction locking portion 17) when viewed in the X direction. In this example, the locking portion 11 is formed by bending from a part of the upper part of the contact arrangement portion 12. Therefore, the groove-shaped gap S is a space sandwiched between the Y-direction locking portion 17 and the contact arrangement portion 12, which is positioned at a different position in the X direction relative to the Y-direction locking portion 17 (located on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the Y-direction locking portion 17) when viewed in the X direction. Therefore, the groove-shaped gap S overlaps with the Y-direction locking portion 17 when viewed in the Y direction, but does not overlap with the contact arrangement portion 12. Note that the contact arrangement portion 12 may be formed so as to face the Y-direction locking portion 17 in the Y direction, in which case the groove-shaped gap S overlaps with the contact arrangement portion 12 when viewed in the Y direction.In the example shown in Figure 4, the Y-direction locking portion 17 is provided with a guide surface 19. The guide surface 19 is a surface that slopes downward from the upper end of the Y-direction locking portion 17 toward the first side Y1 in the Y direction (the side of the groove-shaped gap S). Because such a sloped guide surface 19 is formed, the locked portion 21 (the clamped portion 24 described later) can be easily inserted into the groove-shaped gap S from above the Y-direction locking portion 17.

[0025] In this embodiment, the contact arrangement portion 12 further includes an upper contact portion 12a positioned above the fixed portion 14. In this example, the upper contact portion 12a is positioned above the fixed portion 14 and adjacent to the locking portion 11 in the X direction (here, the second X direction X2). In this example, the upper end of the upper contact portion 12a is positioned above the upper end of the locking portion 11. Also, in the example of Figure 3, the lower end of the upper contact portion 12a is at the same position as the lower end of the locking portion 11. Here, the contact arrangement portion 12, including the upper contact portion 12a, is a flat plate-shaped member formed to align with the X direction and the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rail 2 includes a plate-like portion 22 positioned along the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the contact arrangement portion 12. The bottom surface 25 of the rail 2 is formed as a flat surface facing downwards. In this example, the rail 2 includes a bottom surface portion 26 in addition to the plate-like portion 22. The plate-like portion 22 and the bottom surface portion 26 are formed to extend in the X direction. Here, the plate-like portion 22 is a flat plate-like member that is aligned in the vertical direction and the X direction. The bottom surface portion 26 is a flat plate-like member that is aligned in the Y direction and the X direction. The downward-facing surface of the bottom surface portion 26 is the bottom surface 25 of the rail 2. The upward-facing surface of the bottom surface portion 26 is the rolling surface 20 on which the wheels 8a of the transport vehicle 8 roll. In this example, the plate-like portion 22 and the bottom surface portion 26 are formed integrally. The bottom surface portion 26 is formed by bending from the lower end of the plate-like portion 22.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the rail 2 includes a rising portion 27. The rising portion 27 is formed to rise from the tip of the bottom portion 26 (the end on the second side Y2 in the Y direction). This reinforces the bottom portion 26 of the rail 2. The rail 2 also further includes an upper bent portion 28 and a lower plate portion 29. The upper bent portion 28 is formed by bending from the upper end of the plate-like portion 22. The lower plate portion 29 is formed to extend downward from the end on the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the upper bent portion 28. The rising portion 27, the upper bent portion 28, and the lower plate portion 29 each extend in the X direction. In the illustrated example, the entire rail 2 is formed integrally, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the bottom portion 26 and the plate-like portion 22 may be formed as separate parts.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the conveying equipment 100 includes a shelf section 31 on which articles W can be placed. The rail 2 includes a shelf support section 41 that supports the shelf section 31. In this example, the members constituting the shelf section 31 (shelf members 32 on which articles W are placed) are supported by the shelf support section 41 of the rail 2. Specifically, the end of the shelf member 32 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction is connected to the rail 2. The shelf support section 41 is located in a region of the rail 2 other than the end in the X direction. Furthermore, the shelf support section 41 is located in a position where the shelf member 32 does not interfere with the support column 7 or the connecting member 1. In the example of Figure 3, the shelf support section 41 includes a plurality of engagement grooves 42. The engagement grooves 42 are grooves for engaging the engagement section 32a provided on the shelf member 32. The engagement grooves 42 are formed extending from the upper end of the plate-shaped section 22 to the upper bent section 28. Furthermore, the plurality of engagement grooves 42 are formed separated from each other in the X direction. The shelf member 32 is a support member extending in the Y direction, and is provided with engaging portions 32a (in this case, engaging claws) at both ends in the Y direction and both ends in the X direction, which are inserted into the engaging groove 42. By engaging (inserting) the engaging portions 32a into the engaging groove 42, the shelf member 32 is supported by the shelf member 32. When the engaging portions 32a are engaged with the engaging groove 42, the Y-direction end of the shelf member 32 rests on the upper surface of the upper bent portion 28. Note that the configuration in which the shelf 31 is supported by the rail 2 is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate. Naturally, the configuration of the engaging portions 32a and the engaging groove 42 can also be changed as appropriate.

[0029] In this embodiment, a fourth through-hole 23 is formed in the bottom surface 26 of the rail 2. The fourth through-hole 23 is a hole that penetrates the bottom surface 26 in the vertical direction. Here, the fourth through-hole 23 is formed in at least one of the two ends (in this case, both ends) of the bottom surface 26 in the X direction. When the rail 2 is fixed to the connecting member 1, the third through-hole 16 formed in the support part 10 and the fourth through-hole 23 are superimposed. The second fastening member 93 is then inserted through these two holes. In this example, the second fastening member 93 is a bolt and a nut, but is not limited to this. For example, the second fastening member 93 may consist of a bolt and a female threaded portion formed in the third through-hole 16, or it may be a rivet or the like.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rail 2 is supported by the support portion 10 and includes a locked portion 21 into which the locking portion 11 is locked. In this embodiment, the locked portion 21 is formed on a plate-shaped portion 22. The locked portion 21 includes a through hole E that penetrates the plate-shaped portion 22 in the Y direction and a clamped portion 24 which is a part of the plate-shaped portion 22 above the through hole E. In this example, the through hole E is formed at least one of the ends of the plate-shaped portion 22 in the X direction (here, both ends) to correspond to the connecting member 1. When the rail 2 is fixed to the connecting member 1, the through hole E is formed in a position that overlaps with the second insertion hole 15 formed in the contact arrangement portion 12 when viewed in the Y direction. The clamped portion 24 is a part of the plate-shaped portion 22 adjacent to the through hole E on the upper side and includes the peripheral portion of the through hole E. In the illustrated example, the through hole E is formed in a rectangular shape. Furthermore, the clamped portion 24 is located above the through hole E in the plate-shaped portion 22, includes the upper edge forming a rectangle, and is positioned within the groove-shaped gap S.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the clamped portion 24 is positioned in the groove-shaped gap S and is clamped in the Y direction by the locking portion 11 and the contact portion 12. In this example, with the connecting member 1 fixed to the support column 7, the bottom surface 26 of the rail 2 is placed on the support surface 13 of the support portion 10 while inserting the clamped portion 24 into the groove-shaped gap S from above. This causes the locked portion 21 to lock with the locking portion 11. In this example, the groove-shaped gap S is formed as described above. Therefore, when the clamped portion 24 is positioned in the groove-shaped gap S, the clamped portion 24 is clamped in the Y direction by the locking portion 11 (Y-direction locking portion 17) and the contact portion 12 which is positioned offset in the X direction relative to the locking portion 11. Thus, it can also be said that the clamped portion 24 is clamped in the Y direction by the front surface 71 of the support column and the Y-direction locking portion 17. Furthermore, if the contact arrangement portion 12 is positioned opposite the Y-direction locking portion 17 in the Y-direction, the clamped portion 24 will be clamped in the Y-direction between the Y-direction locking portion 17 and the contact arrangement portion 12 at the same position in the X-direction.

[0032] As described above, the connecting member 1 is fixed to the support column 7 by the first fastening member 92 at the fixing portion 14. At this time, the contact arrangement portion 12, including the upper contact portion 12a of the connecting member 1, abuts against the front surface 71 of the support column. Then, at the rail 2 (in this case, one end of the rail 2), the locking portion 21 is locked to the locking portion 11 by utilizing the through hole E. In addition, the bottom portion 26 is fixed to the support portion 10 by the second fastening member 93. In this way, the rail 2 is fixed to the connecting member 1. That is, the movement of the rail 2 in the vertical, X direction, and Y direction relative to the support column 7 is restricted via the connecting member 1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rail 2 from falling over. Furthermore, the connecting member 1 is configured to support the load of the rail 2 and the shelf portion 31 while the shelf portion 31 is supported by the shelf support portion 41. As a result, the connecting member 1 (particularly the upper contact portion 12a of the contact arrangement portion 12) can appropriately support the force that causes the rail 2 to tilt in the first direction Y1 due to the load of the shelf portion 31, in a structure where the center of gravity of the shelf portion 31 is positioned in the first direction Y1 with respect to the rail 2. Herein, the connecting member 1 of this embodiment is configured not only to fix the rail 2 to the support column 7 as described above, but also to connect two rails 2 to each other. This point will be explained in detail below.

[0033] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the rail 2 is designated as the first rail 2a, the locking portion 11 as the first locking portion 11a, and the locked portion 21 as the first locked portion 21a. The connecting member 1 further includes a second locking portion 11b located above the support portion 10 and on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the first locking portion 11a. In addition to the first rail 2a, the second rail 2b, which is a second rail positioned adjacent to the first rail 2a on the second side X2 in the X direction, is connected to the support column 7. In this example, the second rail 2b has the same structure as the first rail 2a. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the specific configuration of the second rail 2b will be omitted below.

[0034] In this example, a second locking portion 11b is formed in addition to the first locking portion 11a at the upper part of the contact arrangement portion 12. Here, the second locking portion 11b is positioned on the second side X2 in the X direction relative to the first locking portion 11a. The second locking portion 11b corresponds to the second locked portion 21b of the second rail 2b. Furthermore, the upper contact portion 12a of the contact arrangement portion 12 is positioned between the first locking portion 11a and the second locking portion 11b. The second locking portion 11b is configured to restrict the movement of the second locked portion 21b in the Y direction. In this example, since the structure of the second locking portion 11b is the same as that of the first locking portion 11a, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0035] In this example, the fixing portion 14 is designated as the first fixing portion 14a, and the connecting member 1 further includes a second fixing portion 14b. The second fixing portion 14b is also provided on the contact arrangement portion 12, similar to the first fixing portion 14a. The second fixing portion 14b is also fixed to the front surface 71 of the support column. The first fixing portion 14a and the second fixing portion 14b are arranged to be spaced apart in the X direction. The second fixing portion 14b is positioned to correspond to the through hole E formed at the end of the second rail 2b on the side facing the first rail 2a (first side X1 in the X direction). Therefore, the first fastening member 92 is inserted through the second insertion hole 15 of the first fixing portion 14a and the second insertion hole 15 of the second fixing portion 14b, respectively. For this reason, a first insertion hole 71a is further formed on the front surface 71 of the support column to correspond to the second insertion hole 15 of the second fixing portion 14b (Figure 3).

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, at least one of the support portion 10 and the contact arrangement portion 12 is provided with a marker M that serves as a reference for the arrangement of the end of the second side X2 in the X direction of the first rail 2a and the end of the first side X1 in the X direction of the second rail 2b. In this example, the marker M is made up of multiple notches. Specifically, in the connecting member 1, the end of the second side Y2 in the Y direction is notched vertically at the center of the support portion 10 in the X direction. Also, the upper end portion is notched in the Y direction and upward at the center of the upper contact portion 12a in the X direction. The marker M may be formed in a concave or convex shape, or it may be a paint marker or the like.

[0037] The second rail 2b is provided with a second locking portion 21b into which the second locking portion 11b is locked while being supported by the support portion 10. The configuration of the second locking portion 21b is the same as that of the first locking portion 21a of the first rail 2a, so a description is omitted. At the end of the second rail 2b (in this case, the end of the first side X1 in the X direction of the second rail 2b), the second locking portion 21b is locked to the second locking portion 11b using the through hole E of the second rail 2b. In addition, the bottom surface portion 26 of the second rail 2b is fixed to the support portion 10 by the second fastening member 93. As a result, the second rail 2b is fixed to the connecting member 1 and its movement in the vertical, X, and Y directions relative to the support column 7 is restricted. Furthermore, with the second rail 2b fixed to the connecting member 1, the end of the second rail 2b on the first side X1 in the X direction comes into contact with the end of the first rail 2a on the second side X2 in the X direction. In this way, the first rail 2a and the second rail 2b are properly connected. Note that the end of the second rail 2b on the first side X1 in the X direction and the end of the first rail 2a on the second side X2 in the X direction do not necessarily need to come into contact; they may be positioned with a gap that does not affect the movement of the transport vehicle 8.

[0038] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, the locking portion 21 was described as having a through hole E that penetrates the plate-shaped portion 22 in the Y direction, but it is not limited to this. If the plate-shaped portion 22 of the rail 2 has thickness in the Y direction, the locking portion 21 may be configured to have a recess that is recessed in the Y direction and configured to be lockable to the locking portion 11, for example, instead of a through hole E.

[0039] (2) In the above embodiment, the fixing portion 14 was described as being provided on the contact arrangement portion 12 above the support portion 10, but the invention is not limited to this. The fixing portion 14 may be provided below the support portion 10. The fixing portion 14 may also be provided along the side surface 72 of the support column. An example of this is shown in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the fixing portion 14, in which the second insertion hole 15 is formed, is bent from the X-direction end of the contact arrangement portion 12 so as to be arranged along the side surface 72 of the support column. An insertion hole corresponding to the second insertion hole 15 is formed in the side surface 72 of the support column, and the fixing portion 14 is fixed to the side surface 72 of the support column by the first fastening member 92. In this way, the position in which the fixing portion 14 is arranged can be changed as appropriate.

[0040] (3) In the above embodiment, the locking portion 11 was described as having a configuration in which it protrudes from the contact arrangement portion 12 toward the second side Y2 in the Y direction and forms a groove-shaped gap S between it and the contact arrangement portion 12 that opens on both the upper side and the X direction, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the locking portion 11 may be configured not to form a groove-shaped gap S. In this case, the contact arrangement portion 12 is not positioned above the lower locking portion 18, and the clamped portion 24 may be configured to be clamped in the Y direction only by the front surface 71 of the support column and the Y-direction locking portion 17.

[0041] (4) In the above embodiment, the connecting member 1 was described as having a configuration in which the second rail 2b is connected to the support column 7 in addition to the first rail 2a, but it is not limited to this. The connecting member 1 may be configured to connect only either the first rail 2a or the second rail 2b to the support column 7. Furthermore, the configurations of the first locking part 11a corresponding to the first rail 2a and the second locking part 11b corresponding to the second rail 2b may be different.

[0042] (5) The configurations disclosed in each of the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments), as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0043] [Summary of the above embodiments] The following is a summary of the conveying equipment described above.

[0044] The conveying equipment relating to this disclosure is a conveying equipment comprising rails for a transport vehicle, support columns, and connecting members for connecting the rails to the support columns, Let the direction in which the rail extends be the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction when viewed from above be the Y direction, one side of the Y direction be the first Y direction side, and the opposite side be the second Y direction side. The support column extends vertically and is positioned on the first side in the Y direction relative to the rail. The connecting member comprises a fixing portion fixed to the support column, a contact portion positioned in contact with the surface of the support column facing the second side in the Y direction, a support portion formed to protrude from the contact portion toward the second side in the Y direction and to support the rail from below, and a locking portion provided above the support portion. The rail is provided with a locking portion into which the locking portion is locked while being supported by the support portion, The locking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the locked portion in the Y direction.

[0045] According to this configuration, when fixing the rail to the support column via a connecting member, the rail is supported from below by the support portion, while the movement of the locked portion of the rail in the Y direction is restricted by the locking portion located above the support portion. This prevents the rail from moving vertically and in the Y direction relative to the support column. Furthermore, by restricting the movement of the locked portion of the rail in the Y direction with the locking portion located above the support portion, it is possible to prevent the rail, which is supported from below by the support portion, from falling away from the support column. Therefore, the rail can be stably connected to the support column with a relatively simple configuration. Thus, this configuration allows for a simple connection between the rails and the support posts, while also enabling the rails to be properly connected to the support posts.

[0046] Here, the fixing portion is provided in the contact arrangement portion above the support portion, The locking portion is configured to protrude from the contact arrangement portion toward the second side in the Y direction and to form a groove-shaped gap between itself and the contact arrangement portion, opening on both the upper side and the X direction. The rail comprises a plate-shaped portion arranged along the surface of the contact arrangement portion facing the second side in the Y direction, The locking portion comprises a through hole that penetrates the plate-like portion in the Y direction, and a clamping portion which is a part of the plate-like portion above the through hole. The locking portion is arranged so as to penetrate the through hole in the Y direction, It is preferable that the clamped portion is positioned in the groove-shaped gap and is clamped in the Y direction by the locking portion and the contact portion.

[0047] According to this configuration, by utilizing the through-hole that penetrates the plate-shaped portion of the rail and positioning the clamped portion in the groove-shaped gap formed between the locking portion and the contact positioning portion, the clamped portion of the rail can be locked to the locking portion so that it does not move in the Y direction. Therefore, the configuration of the locking portion and the clamped portion can be simplified. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the locking portion is positioned to penetrate the through-hole in the Y direction, the movement of the rail in the X direction can be restricted by the locking portion and the through-hole.

[0048] Furthermore, the bottom surface of the rail is formed in a planar shape facing downwards. It is preferable that the support portion of the connecting member has a support surface parallel to the bottom surface of the rail.

[0049] This configuration allows the rail, which has a flat base, to be stably supported by the support structure. Furthermore, it facilitates the process of attaching the rail to the support column via the connecting member.

[0050] Furthermore, one side in the X direction shall be designated as the first X direction side, the opposite side as the second X direction side, the rail as the first rail, the locking portion as the first locking portion, and the locked portion as the first locked portion. The connecting member further comprises a second locking portion located above the support portion and on the second side in the X direction relative to the first locking portion, and is configured to connect the second rail, which is a second rail positioned adjacent to the first rail on the second side in the X direction relative to the first rail, to the support column. The second rail includes a second locking portion into which the second locking portion is locked while being supported by the support portion, The second locking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the second locked portion in the Y direction, It is preferable that at least one of the support portion and the contact arrangement portion is provided with a marker that serves as a reference for the arrangement of the end of the first rail on the second side in the X direction and the end of the second rail on the first side in the X direction.

[0051] This configuration allows two rails to be fixed to a support column and connected to each other via a connecting member. Furthermore, the two rails can be positioned appropriately relative to the connecting member using markers provided on at least one of the support portion and the contact placement portion. Therefore, the process of fixing the two rails to the support column via the connecting member is made easier.

[0052] Furthermore, it is equipped with shelves on which items can be placed. The rail is equipped with a shelf support that supports the shelf section, The contact arrangement portion includes an upper contact portion positioned above the fixed portion, The connecting member is configured to support the load of the rail and the shelf while the shelf is supported by the shelf support.

[0053] With this configuration, even when the rail supports the shelf on which items are placed, the connecting member can adequately support the load of the rail and the shelf. Furthermore, since the contact portion includes an upper contact portion positioned above the fixed portion, for example, in a structure where the center of gravity of the shelf is positioned on the first side in the Y direction relative to the rail, the force that would cause the rail to tilt on the first side in the Y direction due to the load of the shelf can be adequately supported.

[0054] The conveying equipment relating to this disclosure only needs to be able to achieve at least one of the effects described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1: Connecting member 2: Rails 2a: First rail 2b: Second rail 7: Strut 8: Transport vehicle 10: Support part 11: Locking part 11a: First locking part 11b: Second locking part 12: Contact arrangement part 13: Support surface 14: Fixed part 21:Locked part 21a: First locked part 21b: Second locked part 22: Plate-like part 24: Sandwiched part 25: Bottom 100: Conveying equipment E: Through hole M: Landmark S: Groove-like gap X1: 1st side in X direction X2: 2nd side in X direction Y1: First side in the Y direction Y2: Second side in the Y direction

Claims

1. A transport system comprising rails for transport vehicles, support columns, and connecting members for connecting the rails to the support columns, Let the direction in which the rail extends be the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction when viewed from above be the Y direction, one side of the Y direction be the first Y direction side, and the opposite side be the second Y direction side. The support column extends vertically and is positioned on the first side in the Y direction relative to the rail. The connecting member comprises a fixing portion fixed to the support column, a contact portion positioned in contact with the surface of the support column facing the second side in the Y direction, a support portion formed to protrude from the contact portion toward the second side in the Y direction and to support the rail from below, and a locking portion provided above the support portion. The rail is provided with a locking portion into which the locking portion is locked while being supported by the support portion, The locking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the locked portion in the Y direction, in a conveying device.

2. The fixing portion is provided in the contact arrangement portion above the support portion, The locking portion is configured to protrude from the contact arrangement portion toward the second side in the Y direction and to form a groove-shaped gap between itself and the contact arrangement portion, opening on both the upper side and the X direction. The rail comprises a plate-shaped portion arranged along the surface of the contact arrangement portion facing the second side in the Y direction, The locking portion comprises a through hole that penetrates the plate-like portion in the Y direction, and a clamping portion which is a part of the plate-like portion above the through hole. The locking portion is arranged so as to penetrate the through hole in the Y direction, The conveying equipment according to claim 1, wherein the clamped portion is arranged in the groove-shaped gap and is clamped in the Y direction by the locking portion and the contact portion.

3. The bottom surface of the rail is formed in a planar shape facing downwards. The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support portion of the connecting member has a support surface parallel to the bottom surface of the rail.

4. One side in the X direction shall be designated as the first side in the X direction, the opposite side as the second side in the X direction, the rail as the first rail, the locking portion as the first locking portion, and the locked portion as the first locked portion. The connecting member further comprises a second locking portion located above the support portion and on the second side in the X direction relative to the first locking portion, and is configured to connect the second rail, which is a second rail positioned adjacent to the first rail on the second side in the X direction relative to the first rail, to the support column. The second rail is provided with a second locking portion into which the second locking portion is locked while being supported by the support portion, The second locking portion is configured to restrict the movement of the second locked portion in the Y direction, The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the support portion and the contact arrangement portion is provided with a mark that serves as a reference for the arrangement of the end of the first rail on the second side in the X direction and the end of the second rail on the first side in the X direction.

5. It further includes shelves on which items can be placed, The rail is equipped with a shelf support that supports the shelf section, The contact arrangement portion includes an upper contact portion positioned above the fixed portion, The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member is configured to support the load between the rail and the shelf when the shelf is supported by the shelf support.

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