Vehicle system

Abstract

To provide a travelling vehicle system capable of carrying out inspection of an outer periphery surface of a wheel of a travelling unit in a simple composition without taking the travelling unit of a travelling vehicle out of a track.SOLUTION: A travelling vehicle system 1 includes: a travelling vehicle 6; a track 4 which includes a body unit 40A accommodating a travelling unit 50 of the travelling vehicle 6 and extending along a travelling path of the travelling vehicle 6, and a supply unit 45b provided along an extending direction of the body unit 40A and configured to supply electric power to the travelling unit 50; and inspection units 71A, 71B arranged facing the body unit 40A and configured to inspect the travelling unit 50. The travelling vehicle 6 has wheels 55 each in contact with an inner surface of the body unit 40A of a track 4, the body unit 40A is formed with inspection openings 47A, 47B which cause at least one portion in a width direction W of the wheel 55 being an inspection object in contact the body unit 40A as well as cause a remaining portion to expose outside the track 4, and the inspection units 71A, 71B inspect an outer periphery surface of the wheel 55 in the exposed state from the inspection openings 47A, 47B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a traveling vehicle system.

Background Art

[0002] An overhead traveling vehicle that travels on a track and transports articles is known. The overhead traveling vehicle needs to be periodically maintained, such as cleaned or inspected. However, since the traveling part of the overhead traveling vehicle travels in the internal space of the track surrounded by the periphery, an operator cannot visually inspect or perform any inspection on, for example, the wheels. Therefore, the operator moves the traveling vehicle to a predetermined extraction location on the track, and lowers the traveling vehicle to the floor side by, for example, a lifting device provided at the extraction location, and performs maintenance. However, for the operator, the operation of lowering the traveling vehicle to the floor side is laborious and burdensome.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An invention for solving such problems is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. According to the traveling vehicle system described in Patent Document 1, a work track with the side surface and upper surface of the track open to the outside is provided. This enables maintenance of components such as wheels. Also, in such a traveling vehicle system, since the power supply unit and the like are removed by the above opening, when the traveling vehicle cannot travel on the track, a moving device for moving the work vehicle that has become unable to self-propel is provided. However, there is a desire to perform maintenance of the wheels with a simpler configuration.

[0005] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle system that allows inspection of the outer surface of the wheels of the vehicle's running section with a simple configuration, without removing the vehicle's running section from the track. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle transport system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises one or more vehicles for transporting articles, a track having a main body that houses the running section of the vehicle and extends along the vehicle's travel path, a supply section provided along the extending direction of the main body and supplying power to the running section, and one or more inspection sections for inspecting a part of the running section from outside the main body, wherein the vehicle has one or more wheels that contact the inner surface of the main body of the track, and the main body has one or more inspection openings formed therein so that at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of one wheel to be inspected in the width direction is in contact with the main body, with the remaining part exposed to the outside of the main body, and the inspection section inspects the outer circumferential surface of the wheel that is exposed through the inspection opening.

[0007] In this vehicle system configuration, even on tracks with inspection hatches, the vehicle can move under its own power because it has a power supply unit that provides electricity to the running gear. Furthermore, the inspection hatches are formed such that at least a portion of the width direction of one wheel being inspected is in contact with the main body, while the remaining portion is exposed to the outside of the track. Therefore, even if a portion of the wheel is exposed through the inspection hatch, the wheel will not fall into the hatch and will be able to maintain its movement on the inner surface of the track. In addition, since the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed through the inspection hatch can be inspected, the outer surface of the wheels of the running gear can be inspected with a simple configuration without removing the running gear of the vehicle from the track.

[0008] A vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention further comprises a processing unit for processing inspection results from an inspection unit, wherein N inspection openings are formed along the extending direction of the track, and each inspection opening is formed such that at least one divided area obtained by virtually dividing the outer surface of the wheel into one or fewer sections in the width direction is exposed, and the divided areas to be exposed are different from each other, and the processing unit may combine the inspection data corresponding to the N inspection openings inspected by the inspection unit to generate an inspection result for the entire width of the outer surface of the target wheel. With this configuration, inspection data for the entire width of the outer surface of the wheel to be inspected can be obtained. This makes it easy to perform an inspection of the entire width of the outer surface of the wheel to be inspected.

[0009] In a vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the inspection unit is an imaging device, and the imaging device may image the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed through an inspection opening. In this configuration, an image of the entire width of the outer surface of the wheel to be inspected can be acquired. This makes it easier for workers to confirm the inspection results of the outer surface of the wheel to be inspected.

[0010] In a vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the processing unit may synthesize imaging data corresponding to N inspection openings captured by the imaging device to generate a single image of the target wheel. In this configuration, the inspection result of the entire width of the outer surface of the wheel to be inspected can be obtained.

[0011] In a vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the multiple inspection ports may be arranged along the extending direction of the track at distances equal to the circumference of the wheel multiplied by a natural number. In this configuration, the outer surface of the wheel at the same position in the circumferential direction can be inspected. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image similar to that obtained when the vehicle is removed from the track and the outer surface of the wheel is inspected.

[0012] In a vehicle transport system according to one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle is an overhead vehicle that travels on a track suspended directly or indirectly from the ceiling, and the track may form an inspection area where a work track with an inspection hatch is located, and a normal area where a travel track without an inspection hatch is located. With this configuration, there is no need to lower the overhead transport vehicle, which travels in a position out of reach of the worker, to the floor for inspection, so the workload of the worker is greatly reduced. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the outer surface of the wheels of the running section of a vehicle can be inspected with a simple configuration without removing the running section from the track. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, as seen from the direction of travel. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the track used for operation shown in Figure 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the work track shown in Figure 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view of the running section of a vehicle passing through an inspection hatch. [Figure 7] Figure 7(A) is a top view when the wheels of the vehicle are passing through the first inspection opening. Figure 7(B) is a top view when the wheels of the vehicle are passing through the second inspection opening, and Figure 7(C) is an image of an example of the inspection results processed by the processing unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, a vehicle system 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle system 1 is a system for transporting articles 10 between mounting sections 9 using overhead vehicles 6 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicles 6") that can move along the track 4. The articles 10 include, for example, containers such as FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) that store multiple semiconductor wafers and reticle pods that store glass substrates, as well as general components. The vehicle system 1 comprises multiple vehicles 6, a transport controller 90, a track 4, an inspection device 70, and multiple mounting sections 9.

[0017] Each of the multiple vehicles 6 travels along the track 4 and transports the goods 10. The vehicles 6 are configured to be able to transfer the goods 10. The vehicles 6 are overhead-traveling unmanned vehicles. The number of vehicles 6 in the vehicle system 1 is not particularly limited and can be multiple. Each vehicle 6 has a main body 7, a travel unit 50, and a main body controller 35. The main body 7 has a main body frame 22, a lateral feed unit 24, a θ drive 26, a lifting drive unit 28, a lifting platform 30, and a cover 33.

[0018] The main body frame 22 is connected to the traveling unit 50 and supports the cross-feed unit 24, the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, the lifting table 30, and the cover 33. The cross-feed unit 24 collectively feeds the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting table 30 in a direction (width direction W) perpendicular to the traveling direction D of the traveling track 40. The θ drive 26 rotates at least one of the lifting drive unit 28 and the lifting table 30 within a predetermined angle range in the horizontal plane. The lifting drive unit 28 raises and lowers the lifting table 30 by winding or unwinding a suspension member such as a wire, a rope, or a belt. A chuck is provided on the lifting table 30, and the article 10 can be freely gripped or released. A pair of covers 33 are provided, for example, before and after the traveling direction D of the traveling vehicle 6. The cover 33 prevents the article 10 from falling during conveyance by protruding and retracting a claw or the like (not shown).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the traveling unit 50 causes the traveling vehicle 6 to travel along the track 4. The traveling unit 50 mainly includes a main body unit 51, a driven roller 53, a driving roller (wheel) 55, a side roller 57, a branching roller 59, a power receiving core 61, and a communication unit 63.

[0020] The main body unit 51 supports the driven roller 53, the driving roller 55, the side roller 57, the branching roller 59, the power receiving core 61, and the communication unit 63. The driven roller 53 is disposed at both the left and right ends in the front and rear of the traveling unit 50. The driven roller 53 rolls on a pair of lower surface portions 41, 41 of the traveling track 40 or a pair of lower surface portions 41, 41 of a working track 140 described later. The driving roller 55 is a roller that causes the traveling unit 50, that is, the traveling vehicle 6, to travel along the extending direction D1 of the track 4. The driving roller 55 is driven by a driving unit 55A such as an electric motor. The driving roller 55 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the contact pressure against the track 4 can be adjusted.

[0021] The side rollers 57 are positioned on the upper surface of the main body 51 so as to sandwich the branch rollers 59, which will be described in detail later, in the left-right direction. The side rollers 57 are provided so as to be able to contact the side surfaces 42, 42 (see Figures 4 and 5) of the travel track 40 and the work track 140. The branch rollers 59 are provided on the upper surface of the main body 51. The branch rollers 59 are roller units consisting of four rollers as a set. In this embodiment, two sets of roller units are provided along the front-rear direction. The branch rollers 59 are configured to be movable in the left-right direction (width direction W) in the travel direction D. Branch guides (not shown) are provided on one side in the width direction W at branch sections of the travel track 40, etc. The branch rollers 59 selectively contact the branch guides provided on one side in the width direction W, thereby enabling the travel vehicle 6 to travel in a branching manner at the branch section.

[0022] The power receiving core 61 is supported by the main body 51. The power receiving core 61 provides contactless power to the power supply lines (supply units) 45b located on the running track 40 and the work track 140. The power received by the power receiving core 61 is supplied to the main controller 35, the drive unit 55A, etc. The communication unit 63 transmits and receives various signals contactlessly to and from communication lines (not shown) located on the running track 40 and the work track 140. The communication unit 63 exchanges signals with the main controller 35.

[0023] The main controller 35 is an electronic control unit consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The main controller 35 controls various operations of the vehicle 6. Specifically, the main controller 35 controls the travel unit 50, the lateral feed unit 24, the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting platform 30. The main controller 35 can be configured as software, for example, in which a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU. The main controller 35 may also be configured as hardware, such as an electronic circuit. The main controller 35 communicates with the transport controller 90 (see Figure 1) using the power supply line 45b (feeder line) of the travel track 40 and the power supply line 45b (feeder line) of the work track 140, etc.

[0024] The travel unit 50 is controlled by the transport controller 90, which will be described in detail later, via the main unit controller 35. Specifically, commands from the transport controller 90 are transmitted to the main unit controller 35, and the main unit controller 35, upon receiving these commands, controls the travel unit 50. The travel unit 50 can be controlled from the transport controller 90, which is located outside the travel vehicle 6, as long as power is supplied to it.

[0025] The transport controller 90 is an electronic control unit consisting of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The transport controller 90 can be configured as software, for example, in which a program stored in ROM is loaded onto RAM and executed by the CPU. The transport controller 90 may also be configured as hardware, such as an electronic circuit. The transport controller 90 transmits a transport command to the transport vehicle 6 to transport the goods 10. The transport controller 90 is communicated with the main unit controllers 35 of each of the multiple transport vehicles 6 and the inspection controller 73 of the inspection device 70. In this embodiment, the transport controller 90 moves the transport vehicle 6 that meets predetermined conditions (for example, the number of days elapsed since the last inspection, the distance traveled since the last inspection, etc.) to the inspection area A1.

[0026] Track 4 is laid near the ceiling, which is the overhead space for workers. Track 4 is suspended from the ceiling, for example. Track 4 is a predetermined path for the vehicle 6 to travel on. Track 4 is supported by pillars 4A, 4A. As shown in Figure 4, track 4 consists of a running track 40 in which the first inspection opening 47A (see Figure 5) and the second inspection opening 47B (see Figure 5) are not formed, and a work track 140 in which the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B are formed, as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 1, track 4 of the vehicle system 1 forms an inspection area A1 where the work track 140 is located, and a normal area A2 where the running track 40 is located. The vehicle 6 travels in one direction D on the work track 140 in the inspection area A1, and travels in one direction D on the running track 40 in the normal area A2.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the running track 40 has a cylindrical section 40A consisting of a pair of lower sections 41, 41, a pair of side sections 42, 42, and a top section 43, and a power supply section 45. The cylindrical section 40A has an internal space that accommodates the running section 50 of the running vehicle 6. The pair of lower sections 41, 41 extend in the running direction D of the running vehicle 6 and constitute the lower surface of the cylindrical section 40A. The pair of lower sections 41, 41 are plate-like members that cause the driven rollers 53, 53 of the running vehicle 6 to roll and move. The pair of side sections 42, 42 extend in the running direction D of the running vehicle 6 and constitute the side surface of the cylindrical section 40A. The top section 43 extends in the running direction D of the running vehicle 6 and constitutes the upper surface of the cylindrical section 40A.

[0028] The power supply unit 45 is the part that supplies power to the power receiving core 61 of the vehicle 6 and also transmits and receives signals with the power receiving core 61. The power supply unit 45 has power supply lines 45b, 45b fixed to each of the pair of side portions 45a, 45a and extending along the direction of travel D. The power supply lines 45b, 45b supply power to the power receiving core 61 in a non-contact manner.

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the work track 140 has the same configuration as the running track 40 shown in Figure 4, plus a first inspection opening 47A and a second inspection opening 47B formed on the top surface 43. The first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B are positioned along the extending direction D1 of the work track 140. The first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B allow at least a portion of the width direction W of one of the drive rollers 55 to be inspected to be in contact with the top surface 43, while exposing the remaining portion to the outside of the work track 140 (track 4).

[0030] As shown in Figures 5, 7(A), 7(B), and 7(C), the length L1 of the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B in the extending direction D1 is at least the length L55 of the drive roller 55 in the extending direction D1 (see Figure 7(B)). In this embodiment, the length L1 of the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B in the extending direction D1 is 1.5 times the length L55 of the drive roller 55 in the extending direction D1. The first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B are arranged along the extending direction D1 of the work track 140 with a distance L2 between them, which is the length of the circumference of the drive roller 55 multiplied by a natural number n (for example, n=2). The distance L2 between the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B here refers to the distance between the center position of the first inspection opening 47A and the center position of the second inspection opening 47B in the extending direction D1 of the work track 140.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the inspection device 70 inspects the outer surface of the drive roller 55 that is exposed from the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B. The inspection device 70 of this embodiment images the drive roller 55 that is exposed from the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B. The inspection device 70 has cameras (inspection units) 71A and 71B and an inspection controller (processing unit) 73. Camera 71A is positioned on the upstream side of the work track 140 and images a portion (divided area) S1 (see Figure 7(B)) of the drive roller 55 exposed from the first inspection opening 47A so as to be included in the imaging range. Camera 71B is positioned on the downstream side of the work track 140 and images a portion (divided area) S2 (see Figure 7(B)) of the drive roller 55 exposed from the second inspection opening 47B so as to be included in the imaging range.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7(C), the inspection controller 73 combines images (image data and inspection data) P1 and P2 corresponding to the two first inspection openings 47A and second inspection openings 47B captured by cameras 71A and 71B to generate an inspection result for the target drive roller 55. More specifically, the inspection controller 73 synthesizes the images P1 and P2 corresponding to the two first inspection openings 47A and second inspection openings 47B captured by cameras 71A and 71B to generate a single image P3 of the target drive roller 55. In the inspection device 70, the presence or absence of defects may be determined by an operator observing the image P3 generated by the inspection controller 73, or the presence or absence of defects may be automatically determined by image analysis or other technologies. In addition, the inspection device 70 may store the image P3 generated by the inspection controller 73 in a storage unit or transmit it to another server or the like.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the loading section 9 is arranged along the travel track 40 and is positioned so that the vehicle 6 can transfer the article 10. The loading section 9 includes a buffer and a transfer port. The buffer is a loading section where the article 10 is temporarily placed. The buffer is a loading section where the article 10 is temporarily placed when the vehicle 6 cannot transfer the article 10 being transported to the transfer port for reasons such as another article 10 being placed in the intended transfer port. The transfer port is a loading section for transferring the article 10 to semiconductor processing equipment (not shown), such as a cleaning device, film deposition device, lithography device, etching device, heat treatment device, or planarization device. The processing equipment is not particularly limited and may be various types of equipment.

[0034] For example, the loading section 9 is located to the side of the track 4. In this case, the vehicle 6 moves the lifting drive unit 28 etc. laterally using the lateral movement unit 24, and by slightly raising and lowering the lifting platform 30, it transfers the goods 10 between the loading section 9 and the loading section 9. Although not shown in the figures, the loading section 9 may also be located directly below the track 4. In this case, the vehicle 6 transfers the goods 10 between the loading section 9 and the loading section 9 by raising and lowering the lifting platform 30.

[0035] The effects and advantages of the vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment will now be explained. In the vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, even on a track 4 (work track 140) provided with a first inspection opening 47A and a second inspection opening 47B, the vehicle 6 can move under its own power because it has a power supply line 45b that supplies power to the vehicle 50. Furthermore, the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B are formed such that at least a part (divided area) of the width direction W of the drive roller 55 to be inspected is in contact with the top surface 43, while the remaining part (divided area) is exposed to the outside of the track 4. Therefore, even if a part of the drive roller 55 is exposed from the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B, the drive roller 55 will not fall into the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B, and it will be able to maintain its movement on the inner surface of the track 4. Furthermore, since the outer surface of the drive roller 55, which is exposed through the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B, can be inspected, the outer surface of the drive roller 55 of the running section 50 of the running vehicle 6 can be inspected with a simple configuration without removing the running section 50 from the track 4.

[0036] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B, each of the two openings formed along the extending direction D1 of the track 4, are formed such that at least one divided area S1, S2 (see Figure 7(C)) obtained by virtually dividing the drive roller 55 into two in the width direction W is exposed, and the divided areas S1, S2 to be exposed are different from each other. With this configuration, inspection data for the entire width of the drive roller 55 to be inspected can be acquired. The inspection controller 73 may also generate the inspection result for the target drive roller 55 by combining the inspection data corresponding to the two first inspection openings 47A and the second inspection openings 47B inspected by the inspection device 70. With this configuration, inspection of the entire width of the outer surface of the drive roller 55 to be inspected can be easily performed.

[0037] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, cameras 71A and 71B capture images of the drive roller 55 that is exposed through the first inspection opening 47A and the second inspection opening 47B. With this configuration, it is possible to acquire an image of the entire width of the drive roller 55 to be inspected. This makes it easy to inspect the entire width of the outer surface of the drive roller 55 to be inspected.

[0038] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, the inspection controller 73 synthesizes images corresponding to the two first inspection openings 47A and second inspection openings 47B captured by the imaging device to generate a single image of the drive roller 55 to be inspected. This makes it easier for workers to confirm the inspection results for the entire width of the outer surface of the drive roller 55 to be inspected.

[0039] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, the two first inspection openings 47A and second inspection openings 47B are positioned along the extending direction D1 of the track 4 at a distance equal to the circumference of the drive roller 55 multiplied by a natural number. With this configuration, the outer surface of the drive roller 55 at the same position in the circumferential direction can be inspected. This makes it possible to obtain an image similar to that obtained when the vehicle 6 is removed from the track 4 and the drive roller 55 is inspected.

[0040] In the above embodiment of the vehicle system 1, the vehicle 6 is an overhead vehicle that travels on a track 4 suspended directly or indirectly from the ceiling. With this configuration, there is no need to lower the vehicle 6, which travels in a position out of reach of the worker, to the floor for inspection, thus significantly reducing the workload for the worker.

[0041] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of one aspect of the invention.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the drive roller 55 that rolls on the top surface 43 of the work track 140 was used as an example of the wheel to be inspected by the inspection device 70, but it is not limited to this. For example, the inspection device 70 may inspect the outer surfaces of side rollers 57 that roll on the side surfaces 42,42 of the work track 140, and driven rollers 53 that roll on the bottom surfaces 41,41 of the work track 140.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, two first inspection openings 47A and a second inspection opening 47B are formed along the extending direction D1 of the track 4, and at least one divided area S1, S2 (see Figure 7(C)) obtained by virtually dividing the drive roller 55 into two in the width direction W is exposed, and the divided areas S1, S2 to be exposed are formed so that they do not overlap with each other. However, the invention is not limited to this.

[0044] For example, the work track 140 may have three or more inspection openings in a similar configuration, such that at least one of the divided areas S1, S2, ..., Sn obtained by virtually dividing the drive roller 55 into three or more sections in the width direction W is exposed, and the divided areas S1, S2, ..., Sn to be exposed are different from each other (do not overlap). Furthermore, although the above embodiment and modifications have described examples in which multiple inspection openings are formed in the work track 140, the work track 140 may also have a configuration in which only one inspection opening is formed. In this case, it is not possible to inspect the entire width of the outer surface of the drive roller 55, but it is possible to inspect, for example, a part of the entire width of the outer surface of the drive roller 55.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple inspection openings are formed such that the divided areas exposed from the inspection openings are different from each other (do not overlap) in the width direction. However, inspection openings may also be formed so that the divided areas overlap in the width direction. For example, if multiple inspection openings are provided at the same position in the width direction, and each exposes a different outer surface in the circumferential direction, inspection results for the entire outer surface can be obtained. Furthermore, by combining inspection openings with exposed divided areas shifted in the width direction, inspection results for the entire outer surface can be obtained.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiments and modifications, an example was given in which the drive roller 55 to be inspected is imaged by cameras 71A and 71B as the inspection device 70. However, the presence or absence of defects in the drive roller 55 may also be inspected using sensors or the like.

[0047] Furthermore, although the above embodiments and modifications were described using examples where only one object to be inspected (the drive roller 55), for example, at least one other object such as a side roller 57 or a driven roller 53 may also be included in the inspection targets.

[0048] One aspect of the present invention can be described as follows: [1] One or more vehicles transporting goods, A track comprising: a main body that houses the running section of the vehicle and extends along the vehicle's travel path; and a supply unit provided along the extending direction of the main body and supplying power to the running section, A vehicle system comprising one or more inspection units for inspecting a part of the running section from outside the main body, The aforementioned vehicle has one or more wheels that contact the inner surface of the main body of the track, The main body is provided with one or more inspection openings that allow at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of one of the wheels to be inspected in the width direction to contact the main body, while the remaining portion is exposed to the outside of the main body. The inspection unit is a vehicle system that inspects the outer surface of the wheel, which is exposed through the inspection opening. [2] The system further comprises a processing unit for processing the inspection results from the aforementioned inspection unit, The inspection openings are formed in N numbers along the extending direction of the track, Each of the inspection openings is formed such that at least one divided area is exposed, obtained by virtually dividing the outer surface of the wheel into N or fewer sections in the width direction, and the divided areas to be exposed are different from each other. The vehicle system according to [1], wherein the processing unit combines inspection data corresponding to the N inspection ports inspected by the inspection unit to generate an inspection result for the total width of the outer surface of the target wheel. [3] The inspection unit is an imaging device, The vehicle system according to [2], wherein the imaging device images the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed from the inspection opening. [4] The vehicle system according to [3], wherein the processing unit synthesizes the imaging data corresponding to the N inspection openings captured by the imaging device to generate the target wheel as a single image. [5] The vehicle system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the plurality of inspection openings are arranged along the extending direction of the track at a distance equal to the circumference of the wheel multiplied by a natural number. [6] The aforementioned vehicle is an overhead vehicle that travels on the aforementioned track, which is suspended directly or indirectly from the ceiling. The vehicle system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the track forms an inspection area where a work track provided with the inspection hatch is located, and a normal area where a running track without the inspection hatch is located on the track. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 1...Travel vehicle system, 4...Track, 6...Overhead vehicle (travel vehicle), 40...Travel track, 41...Bottom section, 42...Side section, 43...Top section, 45...Power supply section, 45b...Power supply line (supply section), 47A...First inspection opening (inspection opening), 47B...Second inspection opening (inspection opening), 50...Travel section, 53...Driven roller, 55...Driven roller (wheel), 57...Side roller, 59...Branching roller, 61...Power receiving core, 63...Communication section, 70...Inspection device, 71A, 71B...Camera (inspection section), 73...Inspection controller (processing section), 140...Work track, A1...Inspection area, A2...Normal area, D...Travel direction (one direction), D1...Extension direction, P1, P2, P3...Image, S1, S2...Divided area, W...Width direction.

Claims

1. One or more vehicles transporting goods, A track comprising: a main body that houses the running section of the vehicle and extends along the vehicle's travel path; and a supply unit provided along the extending direction of the main body and supplying power to the running section, A vehicle system comprising one or more inspection units for inspecting a part of the running section from outside the main body, The aforementioned vehicle has one or more wheels that contact the inner surface of the main body of the track, The main body is provided with a plurality of inspection openings that allow at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of one of the wheels to be inspected in the width direction to contact the main body, while the remaining portion is exposed to the outside of the main body. The inspection unit inspects the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed through the inspection opening, A vehicle system wherein N inspection hatches are formed along the extending direction of the track and are positioned offset from each other in the width direction.

2. The vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein each of the inspection openings is formed such that at least one divided area obtained by virtually dividing the outer surface of the wheel into N or fewer sections in the width direction is exposed, and the divided areas to be exposed are different from each other.

3. One or more vehicles transporting goods, A track comprising: a main body that houses the running section of the vehicle and extends along the vehicle's travel path; and a supply unit provided along the extending direction of the main body and supplying power to the running section, One or more inspection units for inspecting a part of the traveling section from outside the main body, The system comprises a processing unit for processing the inspection results from the inspection unit, The aforementioned vehicle has one or more wheels that contact the inner surface of the main body of the track, The main body is provided with a plurality of inspection openings that allow at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of one of the wheels to be inspected in the width direction to contact the main body, while the remaining portion is exposed to the outside of the main body. The inspection unit inspects the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed through the inspection opening, The inspection openings are formed in N increments along the extending direction of the track, Each of the inspection openings is formed such that at least one divided area is exposed, obtained by virtually dividing the outer surface of the wheel into N or fewer sections in the width direction, and such that the divided areas to be exposed are different from each other. The aforementioned processing unit combines inspection data corresponding to the N inspection ports inspected by the inspection unit to generate an inspection result for the total width of the outer surface of the target wheel, in a vehicle driving system.

4. The inspection unit is an imaging device, The vehicle system according to claim 3, wherein the imaging device images the outer surface of the wheel that is exposed from the inspection opening.

5. The vehicle system according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit synthesizes the imaging data corresponding to the N inspection openings captured by the imaging device to generate a single image of the target wheel.

6. The vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of inspection openings are arranged along the extending direction of the track at a distance equal to the circumference of the wheel multiplied by a natural number.

7. The aforementioned vehicle is an overhead vehicle that travels on the aforementioned track, which is suspended directly or indirectly from the ceiling. The vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the track forms an inspection area where a work track provided with the inspection hatch is located, and a normal area where a running track without the inspection hatch is located on the track.

Images