Container handling equipment

Abstract

To realize a container conveyance facility which enables improvement of conveyance efficiency.SOLUTION: A container conveyance facility F includes: a transport vehicle 100 which transports containers each configured to enable stacking in a vertical direction; storage shelves 8 for storing the containers; and a work area 9A at which object work is conducted. A holding area 7A is provided in a place other than the work area 9A and the storage shelves 8. The holding area 7A includes holding parts 70 each of which holds stacking container groups 6G. The holding part 70 is configured to enable transfer of the stacking container groups 6G between itself and a support part with a second transfer device of the transport vehicle 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container conveying facility including a conveying vehicle configured to stack containers vertically, a storage shelf for storing the containers, and a work area where a target operation, which is at least one of an operation of taking out an article from the container and an operation of putting an article into the container, is performed.

Background Art

[0002] Such a facility constitutes a part of a logistics system. In recent years, in the logistics system with increasing demand, various devices have been devised to achieve smooth logistics.

[0003] As one of such devices, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-297140 (Patent Document 1), articles with high in-and-out frequencies among the articles handled by the facility are stored at positions where they can be taken out more easily than articles with low in-and-out frequencies. Thereby, an improvement in the conveyance efficiency within the facility can be expected. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a specific configuration for improving the conveyance efficiency.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above situation, it is desired to realize a container conveying facility capable of improving the conveyance efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A container transport system comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed, Each of the storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves in the vertical direction to support the containers, and is configured to store multiple containers separately from each other. The aforementioned transport vehicle is A moving vehicle and A support unit mounted on the aforementioned traveling body supports a plurality of the containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state, A first transfer device mounted on the traveling body, which transfers the containers between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support section, A second transfer device mounted on the aforementioned traveling body for transferring the stacked container group, Equipped with, The work area is provided with a transfer section where the stacked containers are transferred between the support section and the work area. A holding area is provided in a location separate from the aforementioned work area and storage shelves. The holding area includes a holding section for holding the stacked container group, The holding section is configured to allow the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the support section by the second transfer device.

[0007] This configuration allows for the storage of stacked containers in the holding area. Therefore, by storing specific containers in the holding area, such as containers scheduled for transport to the work area or containers frequently transported to the work area, the amount of work required for the transport vehicle to return containers to or from the storage shelves can be reduced, thereby increasing the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle. Furthermore, this configuration allows for the transfer of multiple stacked containers between the transport vehicle and the holding area at once. In addition, the transfer of stacked containers also takes place at the handover point in the work area. Therefore, these aspects also contribute to increasing the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle. Moreover, because multiple containers are stored in a stacked state in the holding area, this configuration makes it easier to keep the floor area occupied by the holding area small. Furthermore, with this configuration, the storage shelves are configured to store multiple containers separated from each other by multiple shelves. Therefore, the storage shelves can appropriately store a large number of containers while facilitating the transfer of individual containers between the transport vehicle and the storage area.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the technology relating to this disclosure will become clearer from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Plan view of container handling equipment [Figure 2] Front view of the storage shelf [Figure 3] Control block diagram [Figure 4] View of the transport vehicle in the direction of its body width [Figure 5] Plan view showing the first and second positions of the transfer device. [Figure 6] Diagram showing the transfer operation to the stacking area. [Figure 7] Diagram showing the transfer operation to the stacking area. [Figure 8] Diagram showing the transfer operation to the stacking area. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the holding part in the holding area. [Figure 10]Plan view showing the transfer of the stacked container group between the transport vehicle and the holding part [Figure 11] Side view showing the transfer of the stacked container group between the transport vehicle and the holding part [Figure 12] Diagram showing how the transport vehicle creates a stacked container group [Figure 13] Explanatory diagram of the support upper limit number

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the container transport facility will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the container transport facility F includes a transport vehicle 100 for transporting a container 60 (see FIG. 2), a storage shelf 8 for storing the container 60, and a work area 9A where a target operation, which is at least one of the operations of taking out an article (not shown) from the container 60 and putting an article into the container 60, is performed. In the present embodiment, the container transport facility F includes a storage area 8A. A plurality of storage shelves 8 are provided in the storage area 8A. Further, the container transport facility F further includes a control device C for controlling the transport vehicle 100. In this specification, the control device C corresponds to a “control system”. However, the control device C only needs to constitute at least a part of the control system. The control device C is configured to communicate with a transport vehicle control unit (not shown) mounted on each of the plurality of transport vehicles 100 (see also FIG. 3).

[0012] The container 60 is configured to be able to accommodate articles. The container 60 has an open upper shape. Articles are put into or taken out of the container 60 through the upper opening of the container 60. The articles include, for example, various commodities such as foodstuffs and daily necessities, or parts and work-in-progress used in a factory production line or the like. One container 60 is configured to accommodate the same type of articles.

[0013] The container 60 is configured to be stackable in the vertical direction with an article stored inside thereof (see FIGS. 4 and 9). By stacking a plurality of containers 60 in the vertical direction, a stacked container group 6G is formed. In this example, the bottom of the container 60 is fitted from above into the opening of another container 60, whereby two containers 60 are stacked in the vertical direction.

[0014] In the work area 9A, a delivery section 90 is provided for delivering the stacked container group 6G to and from the support section 2 of the transport cart 100 (see FIG. 4). In the delivery section 90, the containers 60 are carried in and out. The transport cart 100 transports the container 60 carried into the delivery section 90 to the storage shelf 8, or transports the container 60 stored in the storage shelf 8 to the delivery section 90 for removal.

[0015] In this embodiment, in the work area 9A, a separating device 91 for separating each container 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G is provided. The stacked container group 6G delivered to the delivery section 90 is separated into a plurality of containers 60 by the separating device 91. In the work area 9A, for each of the plurality of separated containers 60, an operation of taking out an article from the container 60 or an operation of putting an article into the container 60 is performed. However, the separating device 91 is not an essential component. Separating each container 60 from the stacked container group 6G may be performed manually.

[0016] In this embodiment, a plurality of storage shelves 8 are arranged in parallel with a prescribed interval therebetween. Each of the plurality of storage shelves 8 has at least a front face opened, and the containers 60 are taken in and out at the front face. In this example, a pair of storage shelves 8 are arranged in a state where their backs face each other and are close to each other. And a plurality of sets of pairs of storage shelves 8 with their backs facing each other are arranged in the storage area 8A.

[0017] A portion of the transport vehicle's travel path is set to extend along each of the multiple storage shelves 8. In this embodiment, the path of the transport vehicle 100 extending along the storage shelves 8 is defined as the shelf area path R8. By being able to travel along the shelf area path R8, the transport vehicle 100 can move within the storage area 8A and transfer containers 60 to the storage shelves 8. In this example, the shelf area path R8 is provided along the front of each of the multiple storage shelves 8 (the side where containers 60 are loaded and unloaded). Between a pair of storage shelves 8 that are arranged with their fronts facing each other, one shelf area path R8 is shared.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the storage rack 8 is configured to store multiple containers 60 in a separated manner, with multiple shelves 80 arranged vertically, each supporting a container 60. Multiple shelves 80 are provided on each level. Each of the multiple shelves 80 can store one container 60.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the control device C is configured to communicate with the transport vehicle 100. The control device C is configured to issue transport commands to the transport vehicle 100 specifying the container 60 to be transported, as well as the source and destination of the container 60. The control device C includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, peripheral circuits such as memory, etc. Each function is realized through the cooperation of this hardware and a program executed on the processor such as a computer.

[0020] The control device C is configured to manage multiple containers 60 handled by the container transport equipment F by classifying them into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. This classification is based on the demand for each container 60, in other words, the degree to which the target operation (item retrieval or item loading) needs to be performed in the work area 9A. Containers 60 containing items that are frequently retrieved may be classified as high-frequency containers 62. Furthermore, even empty containers 60 that do not contain items may be classified as high-frequency containers 62 if there is a high need for the item loading operation to be performed.

[0021] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to manage a plurality of containers 60 by classifying them into general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62, which are transported to the work area 9A more frequently than the general containers 61, based on the type of articles contained in each container 60. The above transport frequency can also be rephrased as the number of planned transports. In this example, containers 60 containing articles with relatively low demand in the work area 9A are classified as general containers 61, and containers 60 containing articles with relatively high demand in the work area 9A are classified as high-frequency containers 62. For example, the demand for articles may be quantified and a standard value set, and the control device C may determine that containers 60 containing articles below the standard value are general containers 61, and containers 60 containing articles above the standard value are high-frequency containers 62.

[0022] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to periodically review the classification between general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. This allows a container 60 that was previously classified as a general container 61 to be changed to a high-frequency container 62. Conversely, a container 60 that was previously classified as a high-frequency container 62 to be changed to a general container 61. The frequency of the classification review should be determined appropriately according to the use, capacity, and scale of the container transport equipment F.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control device C is configured to designate containers 60 among the high-frequency containers 62 that are transported to the work area 9A at a predetermined threshold or higher as ultra-high-frequency containers 63. In other words, the control device C is configured to determine that containers 60 whose number of planned transports is at or above a threshold are ultra-high-frequency containers 63.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the transport vehicle 100 will be described in detail. In the following, the direction in which the vehicle body 10 travels will be referred to as the "vehicle body longitudinal direction L," and the direction perpendicular to the vehicle body longitudinal direction L when viewed from above and below will be referred to as the "vehicle body width direction W."

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transport containers 60 that are stackable in the vertical direction.

[0026] The transport vehicle 100 comprises a mobile body 10 that travels, a support unit 2 mounted on the mobile body 10 that supports a plurality of containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G, a first transfer device 4 mounted on the mobile body 10 that transfers containers 60 between the storage rack 8 and the stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2, and a second transfer device 22 mounted on the mobile body 10 that transfers the stacked container group 6G. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 further comprises a lifting device 3 that is mounted on the mobile body 10 and capable of lifting some or all of the containers 60 of the stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2.

[0027] The running body 10 is configured to run on the floor. The running body 10 is equipped with a plurality of running wheels 11. The plurality of running wheels 11 include a pair of drive wheels 11a and a plurality of driven wheels 11b, which are spaced apart in the width direction W of the vehicle body.

[0028] Each of the pair of drive wheels 11a is driven independently by a wheel drive source (not shown), such as a motor. For example, by driving each of the pair of drive wheels 11a in opposite directions, the vehicle 10 can rotate in place around its vertical axis.

[0029] Each of the multiple driven wheels 11b is supported by the running body 10 so as to be rotatable around an axis that runs in the vertical direction. That is, the direction along which the axis of rotation of each driven wheel 11b aligns can be changed in the horizontal plane. In this example, each driven wheel 11b is configured as a caster.

[0030] The support section 2 is configured to support multiple containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G. The support section 2 can also support a single container 60. In this embodiment, a stacking region 2A is defined above the support section 2 where the stacked container group 6G is arranged. The stacking region 2A is a three-dimensional virtual region extending upward from the support section 2.

[0031] The second transfer device 22 is configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 along the vehicle width direction W. The second transfer device 22 is constructed using a conveyor. Such a conveyor may be a well-known conveyor such as a roller conveyor, chain conveyor, or belt conveyor. In this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 and the support section 2 are constructed integrally.

[0032] The lifting device 3 comprises a lifting mast 30 erected above the traveling body 10, a lifting body 30B connected to the lifting mast 30, a frame member 31 connected to the lifting body 30B, and a lifting body drive unit (not shown) that raises and lowers the lifting body 30B and the frame member 31 along the lifting mast 30. Detailed illustrations are omitted, but the lifting body drive unit is configured, for example, as a motor for rotationally driving a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6, etc., in this embodiment, the lifting device 3 includes a first lifting and holding unit 311 that lifts a container 60 of any height from the stacked container group 6G stacked in the stacking area 2A relative to a container 60 adjacent to it, and a second lifting and holding unit 312 that lifts a container 60 lower than the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding unit 311 relative to a container 60 adjacent to it. The first lifting and holding unit 311 and the second lifting and holding unit 312 are supported by a frame member 31.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first lifting and holding part 311 and the second lifting and holding part 312 are arranged to be spaced apart in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to create vertical space between the container 60 lifted by the first lifting and holding part 311 and the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding part 312. Furthermore, it is possible to create vertical space below the container 60 lifted by the second lifting and holding part 312.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the first transfer device 4 includes a transfer mast 40 fixed to the traveling body 10 and arranged to follow the vertical direction, a transfer lifting body 40B that moves up and down along the transfer mast 40, and a transfer lifting body drive unit (not shown) that moves the transfer lifting body 40B up and down along the transfer mast 40. Detailed illustrations are omitted, but the transfer lifting body drive unit is configured as a motor for rotationally driving a rotating body around which an endless body such as a belt is wound.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 comprises an upper transfer section 41, a lower transfer section 42 positioned below the upper transfer section 41, and a swivel device 5. The upper transfer section 41, the lower transfer section 42, and the swivel device 5 are connected to a transfer lifting body 40B. The upper transfer section 41 and the lower transfer section 42 move up and down together as the transfer lifting body 40B moves up and down, and rotate together around the vertical axis by the swivel device 5. They are also configured to transfer containers 60 independently.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to transfer the container 60 horizontally using an upper transfer section 41 and a lower transfer section 42. If the direction in which the container 60 is transferred by the first transfer device 4 is called the "transfer direction X", then in the example shown in Figure 4, the transfer direction X is equal to the vehicle's longitudinal direction L.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the first transfer device 4 is configured to change its orientation between a first orientation P1 facing the stacking area 2A and a second orientation P2 facing the storage rack 8 by rotating the upper transfer section 41 and the lower transfer section 42 around the vertical axis using a swivel device 5. Thus, in this embodiment, the transfer direction X can be changed in the horizontal plane by the swivel device 5.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 changes its orientation according to the location of the transfer target. Specifically, the first transfer device 4 assumes a first orientation P1 when the transfer target is a stacking area 2A, and a second orientation P2 when the transfer target is a storage shelf 8 (shelf section 80). As shown in Figure 4, in this example, the slewing device 5 includes a slewing platform 50 that supports the upper transfer section 41 and the lower transfer section 42, a slewing shaft 51 that rotatably supports the slewing platform 50 with respect to the transfer lifting body 40B, and a slewing drive unit (not shown) that drives the slewing shaft 51.

[0040] Next, with reference to Figures 6 to 8, the transfer operation when the first transfer device 4 transfers the container 60 between the stacking area 2A will be described. The transfer operation includes a handover operation in which the container 60 is handed over and a receiving operation in which the container 60 is received. In the following, one side in the transfer direction X will be referred to as the "first transfer direction side X1" and the other side as the "second transfer direction side X2".

[0041] In this embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 includes an upper pressing unit 41a that presses the container 60 toward the first transfer direction X1 when the container 60 is being handed over, and an upper locking unit 41b that locks onto the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second transfer direction X2 when the container 60 is being received. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper transfer unit 41 is configured in a so-called push-pull type. However, the upper transfer unit 41 is not limited to this configuration and may be configured in a fork type.

[0042] Similarly, the lower transfer unit 42 includes a lower pressing unit 42a that presses the container 60 toward the first transfer direction X1 when the container 60 is being handed over, and a lower locking unit 42b that locks onto the container 60 and pulls the container 60 toward the second transfer direction X2 when the container 60 is being received. Thus, in this embodiment, the lower transfer unit 42 is configured in a so-called push-pull type. However, it is not limited to this configuration, and the lower transfer unit 42 may be configured in a fork type.

[0043] In this embodiment, the upper locking portion 41b and the lower locking portion 42b are each driven by a drive unit (not shown) and are configured to change their position between a locked position in which they are locked to the container 60 and an unlocked position in which they are not locked to the container 60.

[0044] Figures 6 to 8 show the transfer operation of the containers 60 to the stacking area 2A. As described above, in this embodiment, the lifting device 3 makes it possible to create space between the multiple containers 60 stacked in the stacking area 2A in the vertical direction. The first transfer device 4 then uses these spaces to transfer the containers 60 to the stacking area 2A. In this embodiment, the first transfer device 4 is configured to perform a handover operation and a receiving operation of the containers 60 to the stacking area 2A. The first transfer device 4 is capable of performing parallel operations, such as handing over and receiving the containers 60 to the stacking area 2A in parallel.

[0045] Figures 6 to 8 show an example in which five containers 60 are stacked as a stacked container group 6G in the stacking area 2A. In the figures, the numbers "1 to 5" are assigned to each stacked container 60 in order from bottom to top. The letter "α" is assigned to the container 60 to be delivered, which is held by the upper transfer unit 41. In the example shown below, the space created vertically between the fifth container 60 (container "5") and the fourth container 60 (container "4") by the lifting device 3 is used to transfer the container 60 to be delivered (container "α") onto the fourth container 60 (container "4"). In parallel with this, the space created below the fourth container 60 (container "4") by the lifting device 3 is used to receive the third container 60 (container "3").

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the first transfer device 4 moves the lower locking portion 42b in the locking position to the container 60 (container "3") in the second transfer direction X2. In parallel with this, the first transfer device 4 moves the upper pressing portion 41a in the first transfer direction X1 while the upper pressing portion 41a is pressing the container 60 (container "α") held by the upper transfer portion 41. As a result, the lower locking portion 42b pulls the container 60 (container "3") to be received toward the second transfer direction X2, and the upper pressing portion 41a presses the container 60 (container "α") to be handed over toward the first transfer direction X1.

[0047] Then, the lower transfer unit 42 receives the container 60 (container "3") to be received, which is pulled in by the lower locking unit 42b, and the upper transfer unit 41 places the container 60 (container "α") to be delivered, which is pressed by the upper pressing unit 41a, above the container 60 (container "4") that has been lifted by the second lifting and holding unit 312, and fits it onto the container 60 (container "4"). As a result, the stacked container group 6G in the stacking area 2A is in the state shown in Figure 8. That is, some of the containers 60 (container "3") among the multiple containers 60 arranged in the stacking area 2A are replaced with new containers 60 (container "α").

[0048] Here, as shown in Figure 1, in the container transport equipment F according to this disclosure, a holding area 7A is provided in a location separate from the work area 9A and the storage rack 8. Unlike the storage rack 8, which stores multiple containers 60 in a separate state, the holding area 7A is an area capable of holding multiple containers 60 as a stacked container group 6G.

[0049] The holding area 7A is equipped with a holding section 70 for holding the stacked container group 6G. This makes it possible to hold the stacked container group 6G in the holding area 7A. In this embodiment, the holding section 70 is configured to hold multiple stacked container groups 6G (see also Figure 9). The holding area 7A is equipped with multiple such holding sections 70.

[0050] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the holding section 70 is configured to allow the transfer of the stacked container group 6G between it and the support section 2 by the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the holding section 70 is equipped with one or more third transfer devices 73. In the illustrated example, three third transfer devices 73 are provided in the holding section 70. In this example, the third transfer devices 73 are configured using conveyors. Such conveyors may be well-known conveyors such as roller conveyors, chain conveyors, or belt conveyors.

[0051] The third transfer device 73 of the holding unit 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 are configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G to each other. In other words, in this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G supported by the support unit 2 to the holding unit 70, and to transfer the entire stacked container group 6G held by the holding unit 70 to the support unit 2.

[0052] As shown in Figure 10, the stacked container group 6G to be transferred is transferred along the vehicle width direction W while the transport vehicle 100 is stopped at a position adjacent to the holding unit 70 in the vehicle width direction W. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 and the holding unit 70 are configured to communicate with each other and cooperate in transferring the stacked container group 6G. For example, while the transport vehicle 100 is stopped at a position adjacent to the holding unit 70 in the vehicle width direction W, it transmits a transfer signal to the holding unit 70 indicating that it will transfer the stacked container group 6G, and activates the second transfer device 22. Upon receiving the transfer signal, the holding unit 70 activates the third transfer device 73. As a result, the third transfer device 73 of the holding unit 70 and the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 exchange the stacked container group 6G with each other.

[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the holding area 7A is located in the region between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A. In this embodiment, the holding area 7A is located in the region between the storage shelf 8 and the work area 9A in the direction in which the storage shelf 8 extends, that is, in the direction in which the shelf area path R8 extends.

[0054] In this embodiment, the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A is positioned along the connecting path R7 that connects the shelf area path R8 and the transfer portion 90 of the work area 9A. The shelf area path R8 and the connecting path R7 have a linear shape. In this example, multiple shelf area paths R8 are provided according to the number of storage shelves 8, and the same number of connecting paths R7 are provided as the number of shelf area paths R8. Each of the multiple holding portions 70 provided in the holding area 7A is positioned along one of the multiple connecting paths R7.

[0055] In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 transports a stacked container group 6G, which includes at least a portion of high-frequency containers 62 (see Figure 9), to the holding area 7A based on a command from the control device C. This allows the high-frequency containers 62 to be placed in the holding area 7A, which is separate from the storage shelves 8, making it easier to physically separate the general containers 61 from the high-frequency containers 62. Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the holding area 7A is located in the area between the storage shelves 8 and the work area 9A. Therefore, by placing the high-frequency containers 62, which are frequently transported to the work area 9A, in the holding area 7A, they can be placed in a position close to the work area 9A. Preferably, all stacked container groups 6G in the holding area 7A are composed of high-frequency containers 62. Additionally, empty containers 60 that are no longer needed can be stored in the holding area 7A as high-frequency containers 62. In this case, it becomes easier to move multiple empty containers 60 that are no longer needed out of the holding area 7A.

[0056] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 travels a route from the transfer section 90 in the work area 9A, via both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A, back to the transfer section 90, based on a command from the control device C. The order in which the transport vehicle passes through the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A does not matter. This allows both the containers 60 stored in the storage rack 8 and the containers 60 held in the holding area 7A to be transported to the work area 9A, and also allows the containers 60 for which the target work in the work area 9A has been completed to be returned to either the storage rack 8 or the holding area 7A.

[0057] As described above, the control device C is configured to periodically review the classification between general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62. This review may result in high-frequency containers 62 being changed to general containers 61, and general containers 61 being changed to high-frequency containers 62. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100, based on a command from the control device C, transports containers 60 that have been changed from high-frequency containers 62 to general containers 61 from the holding area 7A to the storage rack 8, or transports containers 60 that have been changed from general containers 61 to high-frequency containers 62 from the storage rack 8 to the holding area 7A. Such transport of the modified containers 60 may be performed when the equipment is in operation, or when the equipment is not in operation, such as at night. When transporting the modified containers 60 during equipment operation, some of the multiple transport vehicles 100 may be dedicated to transporting the modified containers 60.

[0058] As described above, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer the stacked container group 6G supported by the support part 2 to the holding part 70 of the holding area 7A. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer a portion of the multiple containers 60 that make up the stacked container group 6G supported by the support part 2 to the holding part 70 of the holding area 7A. The transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer a portion of the stacked container group 6G to the holding part 70 of the holding area 7A by separating it using the lifting device 3 (see Figure 6, etc.). The following explanation will be given with reference to Figure 11. Note that in Figure 11, the lifting device 3 and elements that are not necessary for the explanation are omitted.

[0059] As shown in Figure 11, among the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 of the transport vehicle 100, at least one container 60 that has not been lifted by the lifting device 3 is designated as the remaining container group 6Ga. In this embodiment, the second transfer device 22 of the transport vehicle 100 is configured to transfer the remaining container group 6Ga to the holding section 70. In the illustrated example, the transport vehicle 100 separates a plurality or one general container 61 and a plurality or one high-frequency container 62 from the plurality of containers 60 constituting the stacked container group 6G using the lifting device 3. Then, the transport vehicle 100 transfers the plurality or one high-frequency container 62 (remaining container group 6Ga) to the holding section 70 using the second transfer device 22. As a result, even if the stacked container group 6G includes both general containers 61 and high-frequency containers 62, the transport vehicle 100 can transfer only the high-frequency containers 62 to the holding section 70. Furthermore, the transport vehicle 100 can select some of the multiple containers 60 that make up the stacked container group 6G, not just the high-frequency containers 62, and transfer the selected portion of containers 60 (multiple or single containers 60) to the holding unit 70.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, in this embodiment, the transport vehicle 100 is configured to create a stacked container group 6G consisting only of high-frequency containers 62 based on a command from the control device C and to transport the stacked container group 6G to the holding area 7A. In this example, the transport vehicle 100 lifts any portion of the containers 60 of the stacked container group 6G supported by the support section 2 using the lifting device 3 (omitted in Figure 12), and removes the containers 60 adjacent to the lower part of the lifted containers 60 from the stacked container group 6G using the first transfer device 4, thereby creating a new stacked container group 6G using the containers 60 other than the removed containers 60.

[0061] In the example shown in Figure 12, the support section 2 of the transport vehicle 100 contains seven containers 60 forming a stacked container group 6G. Of the seven containers 60, only the third container 60 from the top is a general container 61, while the other containers 60 are high-frequency containers 62. The transport vehicle 100 uses a lifting device 3 to lift the high-frequency containers 62 from the second layer onwards. As a result, the general container 61, which was originally located on the third layer from the top, is placed on top of the other containers 60 supported by the support section 2. The transport vehicle 100 then uses a first transfer device 4 to remove this general container 61 from the stacked container group 6G. Finally, the transport vehicle 100 places the high-frequency containers 62 from the second layer onwards, which were lifted by the lifting device 3, onto the other high-frequency containers 62 supported by the support section 2. This creates a new stacked container group 6G consisting only of high-frequency containers 62.

[0062] In addition, although the above describes an example of creating a stacked container group 6G consisting only of high-frequency containers 62, it is also possible to create a stacked container group 6G consisting only of ultra-high-frequency containers 63 (see Figure 3). That is, the transport vehicle 100 may be configured to create a stacked container group 6G consisting only of ultra-high-frequency containers 63 based on a command from the control device C and transport the said stacked container group 6G to the holding area 7A.

[0063] As shown in Figure 13, the maximum number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 can support in the support section 2 is defined as the maximum number of containers supported M. In this embodiment, when the transport vehicle 100 receives containers 60 from both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A, the number of containers 60 that it receives from the storage rack 8 and supports in the support section 2 is set to be less than or equal to the difference between the maximum number of containers supported M and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G that it receives from the holding section 70 in the holding area 7A.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 13, the maximum number of containers M to be supported is set to "10," and the number of containers 60 included in the stacked container group 6G received by the transport vehicle 100 from the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A is "7." Therefore, the number of containers 60 that the transport vehicle 100 can receive from the storage rack 8 and support in the support section 2 is "3" or less. As a result, even when the transport vehicle 100 receives containers 60 from both the storage rack 8 and the holding area 7A, the stacked container group 6G held in the holding section 70 of the holding area 7A can be received as is and supported in the support section 2 without being separated.

[0065] [Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0066] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the second transfer device 22 is configured using a conveyor. However, the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a fork, or the second transfer device 22 may be configured using a robotic arm.

[0067] (2) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the third transfer device 73 is configured using a conveyor. However, the third transfer device 73 is not limited to such an example, and may be configured using, for example, a robot arm.

[0068] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the holding area 7A is located in the area between the storage rack 8 and the work area 9A. However, the holding area 7A may extend to include a part of the work area 9A, without being limited to such an example. In this case, the holding portion 70 of the holding area 7A may be located adjacent to the transfer portion 90 of the work area 9A. This is expected to improve the efficiency of the target work in the work area 9A. This configuration in which the holding area 7A is provided so as to partially overlap with the work area 9A is also included in the description of "the holding area 7A being provided in a location separate from the work area 9A and the storage rack 8".

[0069] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the shelf area path R8 and the connecting path R7 have a linear shape. However, the example is not limited to this example, and at least one of the shelf area path R8 and the connecting path R7 may have a curved or bent shape.

[0070] (5) The configurations disclosed in the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0071] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0072] A container transport system comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed, Each of the storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves in the vertical direction to support the containers, and is configured to store multiple containers separately from each other. The aforementioned transport vehicle is A moving vehicle and A support unit mounted on the aforementioned traveling body supports a plurality of the containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state, A first transfer device mounted on the traveling body, which transfers the containers between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support section, A second transfer device mounted on the aforementioned traveling body for transferring the stacked container group, Equipped with, The work area is provided with a transfer section where the stacked containers are transferred between the support section and the work area. A holding area is provided in a location separate from the aforementioned work area and storage shelves. The holding area includes a holding section for holding the stacked container group, The holding section is configured to allow the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the support section by the second transfer device.

[0073] This configuration allows for the storage of stacked containers in the holding area. Therefore, by storing specific containers in the holding area, such as containers scheduled for transport to the work area or containers frequently transported to the work area, the amount of work required for the transport vehicle to return containers to or from the storage shelves can be reduced, thereby increasing the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle. Furthermore, this configuration allows for the transfer of multiple stacked containers between the transport vehicle and the holding area at once. In addition, the transfer of stacked containers also takes place at the handover point in the work area. Therefore, these aspects also contribute to increasing the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle. Moreover, because multiple containers are stored in a stacked state in the holding area, this configuration makes it easier to keep the floor area occupied by the holding area small. Furthermore, with this configuration, the storage shelves are configured to store multiple containers separated from each other by multiple shelves. Therefore, the storage shelves can appropriately store a large number of containers while facilitating the transfer of individual containers between the transport vehicle and the storage area.

[0074] The path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage shelf is defined as the path within the shelf area. Preferably, the holding portion of the holding area is positioned along a connecting path that connects the shelf area path and the transfer portion.

[0075] This configuration makes it easy to efficiently move the transport vehicle across the storage shelves, holding area, and work area. Therefore, it is easier to improve the efficiency of transporting containers by the transport vehicle.

[0076] The system further includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle, The holding area is located in the region between the storage shelf and the work area. The control system is configured to manage a plurality of containers by classifying them into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers, based on the type of articles contained in each container. Preferably, the transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, which includes at least some of the high-frequency containers, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

[0077] This configuration allows containers that are frequently transported to the work area to be held in a holding area located in the region between the storage shelves and the work area. Therefore, it is easier to keep the travel distance of the transport vehicle short when transporting frequently transported containers. Consequently, it is easier to keep the overall travel distance of the transport vehicle short, and thus easier to improve the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle.

[0078] The control system periodically reviews the distinction between the general container and the high-frequency container. Preferably, the transport vehicle transports the containers that have been changed from high-frequency containers to general containers from the holding area to the storage shelves, or transports the containers that have been changed from general containers to high-frequency containers from the storage shelves to the holding area, based on a command from the control system.

[0079] This configuration allows containers that are frequently transported to the work area to be held in the holding section of the holding area for an extended period of time.

[0080] The control system designates a container among the high-frequency containers that is transported to the work area at a predetermined threshold or higher as an ultra-high-frequency container. Preferably, the transport vehicle creates a stacked container group consisting only of the ultra-high-frequency containers based on a command from the control system and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

[0081] This configuration allows very high-frequency containers, which are transported to the work area very frequently, to be grouped together in a single stack of containers and stored in a designated storage area. Consequently, the travel distance of the transport vehicle can be easily reduced, and consequently, the efficiency of container transport by the transport vehicle can be easily increased.

[0082] The system further includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle, Preferably, the transport vehicle travels a route that returns to the transfer section from the transfer section in the work area, via both the storage shelves and the holding area, based on a command from the control system.

[0083] This configuration allows both containers stored on the storage shelves and containers held in the holding area to be transported to the work area, and containers for which the target work has been completed in the work area can be returned to either the storage shelves or the holding area.

[0084] The maximum number of containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is defined as the maximum number of containers that can be supported. When the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage rack and the holding area, it is preferable that the number of containers received from the storage rack and supported by the support portion is less than or equal to the difference between the maximum number of containers that can be supported and the number of containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding portion in the holding area.

[0085] With this configuration, even when the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage rack and the holding area, it can receive the stacked container group held in the holding section of the holding area without separating them and support them in the support section. Therefore, the need to provide devices for separating the stacked container group in both the holding area and the transport vehicle can be reduced.

[0086] The transport vehicle further comprises a lifting device capable of lifting some or all of the stacked containers mounted on the traveling body and supported by the support section, Of the stacked containers supported by the support portion, at least one container that has not been lifted by the lifting device is designated as the remaining container group. The second transfer device is preferably configured to transfer the stacked container group supported by the support portion to the holding portion, transfer the remaining container group to the holding portion, and transfer the stacked container group held by the holding portion to the support portion.

[0087] This configuration allows for the proper transfer of stacked containers between the holding section of the holding area and the support section of the transport vehicle. In particular, this configuration makes it easy to transfer selected containers or a portion of the stacked containers supported by the support section to the holding section of the holding area. [Industrial applicability]

[0088] The technology relating to this disclosure can be used in container transport equipment comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] F: Container handling equipment 100: Transport vehicle 10: Running body 2: Support part 22:Second transfer device 3: Lifting device 4:First transfer device 6G: Stacked container group 6Ga:Residual container group 7A: Holding area 70: Holding part 8: Storage shelves 80:Shelf 9A: Work area 90: Delivery department 60: Container 61:General containers 62: High-frequency containers 63:Ultra high frequency container M: Upper limit number of support R7: Connection path R8: Route within shelf area

Claims

1. A container transport system comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed, Each of the storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves in the vertical direction to support the containers, and is configured to store multiple containers separately from each other. The aforementioned transport vehicle is A moving vehicle and A support unit mounted on the aforementioned traveling body supports a plurality of the containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state, A first transfer device mounted on the traveling body, which transfers the containers between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support section, A second transfer device mounted on the aforementioned traveling body for transferring the stacked container group, Equipped with, The work area is provided with a transfer section where the stacked containers are transferred between the support section and the work area. A holding area is provided in a location separate from the aforementioned work area and storage shelves. The holding area includes a holding section for holding the stacked container group, The holding section is configured to allow the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the support section by the second transfer device. The path within the shelf area, which is the path of the transport vehicle extending along the storage shelf, is a straight-line path. The connecting path between the shelf area path and the transfer section is a straight-line path set on the extension of the shelf area path. A container transport facility wherein at least a portion of the holding area is positioned along the connection path and in a position that allows the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the transport vehicle on the connection path.

2. A container transport system comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed, Each of the storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves in the vertical direction to support the containers, and is configured to store multiple containers separately from each other. The aforementioned transport vehicle is A moving vehicle and A support unit mounted on the aforementioned traveling body supports a plurality of the containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state, A first transfer device mounted on the traveling body, which transfers the containers between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support section, A second transfer device mounted on the aforementioned traveling body for transferring the stacked container group, Equipped with, The work area is provided with a transfer section where the stacked containers are transferred between the support section and the work area. A holding area is provided in a location separate from the aforementioned work area and storage shelves. The holding area includes a holding section for holding the stacked container group, The holding section is configured to allow the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the support section by the second transfer device. The system further includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle, The holding area is located in the region between the storage shelf and the work area. The control system is configured to manage a plurality of containers by classifying them into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers, based on the type of articles contained in each container. Based on a command from the control system, the transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, which includes at least some of the high-frequency containers, to the holding area. The control system designates a container among the high-frequency containers that is transported to the work area at a predetermined threshold or higher as an ultra-high-frequency container. The transport vehicle is a container transport device that, based on a command from the control system, creates a stacked container group consisting only of the ultra-high frequency containers and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

3. A container transport system comprising: a transport vehicle for transporting containers configured to be stackable in the vertical direction; storage shelves for storing the containers; and a work area where at least one of the operations of removing articles from the containers and loading articles into the containers is performed, Each of the storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves in the vertical direction to support the containers, and is configured to store multiple containers separately from each other. The aforementioned transport vehicle is A moving vehicle and A support unit mounted on the aforementioned traveling body supports a plurality of the containers as a stacked container group, which is a group of containers in a stacked state, A first transfer device mounted on the traveling body, which transfers the containers between the storage rack and the stacked container group supported by the support section, A second transfer device mounted on the aforementioned traveling body for transferring the stacked container group, Equipped with, The work area is provided with a transfer section where the stacked containers are transferred between the support section and the work area. A holding area is provided in a location separate from the aforementioned work area and storage shelves. The holding area includes a holding section for holding the stacked container group, The holding section is configured to allow the stacked container group to be transferred between it and the support section by the second transfer device. The transport vehicle further comprises a lifting device capable of lifting some or all of the stacked containers mounted on the traveling body and supported by the support section, Of the stacked containers supported by the support portion, at least one container that has not been lifted by the lifting device is designated as the remaining container group. The container transport equipment is configured to perform the transfer of the stacked container group supported by the support portion to the holding portion, the transfer of the remaining container group to the holding portion, and the transfer of the stacked container group held by the holding portion to the support portion.

4. The system further includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle, The holding area is located in the region between the storage shelf and the work area. The control system is configured to manage a plurality of containers by classifying them into general containers and high-frequency containers that are transported to the work area more frequently than the general containers, based on the type of articles contained in each container. The container transport equipment according to claim 1, wherein the transport vehicle transports the stacked container group, which includes at least some of the high-frequency containers, to the holding area based on a command from the control system.

5. The control system periodically reviews the distinction between the general container and the high-frequency container. The container transport equipment according to claim 4, wherein the transport vehicle transports the containers that have been changed from high-frequency containers to general containers from the holding area to the storage rack, or transports the containers that have been changed from general containers to high-frequency containers from the storage rack to the holding area, based on a command from the control system.

6. The control system designates a container among the high-frequency containers that is transported to the work area at a predetermined threshold or higher as an ultra-high-frequency container. The container transport equipment according to claim 4, wherein the transport vehicle, based on a command from the control system, creates the stacked container group consisting only of the ultra-high frequency containers and transports the stacked container group to the holding area.

7. The system further includes a control system for controlling the transport vehicle, The container transport equipment according to claim 1, wherein the transport vehicle travels a route from the transfer section of the work area, via both the storage rack and the holding area, back to the transfer section, based on a command from the control system.

8. The maximum number of containers that the transport vehicle can support on the support portion is defined as the maximum number of containers that can be supported. The container transport equipment according to claim 7, wherein when the transport vehicle receives containers from both the storage rack and the holding area, the number of containers received from the storage rack and supported by the support portion is less than or equal to the difference between the maximum number of containers to be supported and the number of containers included in the stacked container group received from the holding portion in the holding area.

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