Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a conveying device improved in the arrangement of a power receiving part to a mast.SOLUTION: An article transport device (2) includes a mast (20) including a first side portion (21) and a second side portion (22) that face each other, an electric power receiving unit (40) disposed between the first side portion (21) and the second side portion (22), and an electric power supply line (50) that supplies electric power to the electric power receiving unit (40). The first side portion (21) and the second side portion (22) include a wiring path (26) through which the power supply line (50) passes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a conveying device that conveys an article between floors and transfers the article between the transfer conveying devices on each floor is known. Regarding this type of conveying device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a carriage (lifting body) that moves up and down along a mast is provided with a power receiving unit that receives driving power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional configuration, the power receiving unit that moves up and down with the carriage is disposed outside the mast and is exposed, and there is room for improvement in the arrangement of the power receiving unit.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure aims to provide a conveying device with an improved arrangement of a power receiving unit with respect to a mast.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a conveying device according to one aspect of this disclosure includes a mast including a first side portion and a second side portion facing each other, a lifting portion provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the mast and convey an article, a power receiving unit disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion and moving up and down with the lifting portion, and a power supply line wired along the mast and supplying power to the power receiving unit, and at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion includes a wiring path through which the power supply line passes.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a conveying device can be provided that improves the arrangement of the power receiving unit relative to the mast. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the conveying equipment according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the cylindrical body. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the main components of the article conveying device. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the main components of the aforementioned article conveying device, and a plan view showing the wiring of the bypass wiring section. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing a configuration in which a cylindrical part is attached to the wiring path shown in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment of this disclosure will be described below. Note that the following description is an example of a transport device relating to this disclosure, and the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated example.

[0010] [Overall configuration of the conveying equipment]

[0011] First, the overall configuration of the conveying equipment 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the conveying equipment 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the inside of the cylindrical body 5 shown in Figure 1.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the transport equipment 100 is equipped with an item transport device 2 for transporting containers 1 as items between multiple floors (in this embodiment, it has a three-story configuration, referred to as upper floor U, middle floor M, and lower floor D, in order from the top floor). The item transport device 2 is an inter-floor transport device for transporting containers 1 between floors.

[0013] Furthermore, the transport equipment 100 includes an overhead transport vehicle 3 that travels along a rail 3A provided near the ceiling of each floor to transport the container 1, a floor transport vehicle 7 that travels along the floor surface F of each floor to transport the container 1, and an in / out transport device 4 that is positioned in a cylindrical body 5 housing the article transport device 2 and transports the container 1. The container 1 may be, for example, a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) that contains semiconductor substrates as articles.

[0014] Inside the cylindrical body 5, the item transport device 2 is arranged from the upper floor U to the lower floor D. The overhead transport vehicle 3 and the floor transport vehicle 7 are arranged outside the cylindrical body 5. The inlet / outlet transport device 4 is arranged from the inside to the outside of the cylindrical body 5 and transports the container 1 between the external section 41 located outside the cylindrical body 5 and the internal section 42 located inside the cylindrical body 5.

[0015] The cylindrical body 5 forms an internal lifting and lowering path for the lifting and lowering section 30 of the article transport device 2. In this embodiment, the cylindrical body 5 is divided into three parts: a section located on the upper floor U, a section located on the middle floor M, and a section located on the lower floor D. An opening (not shown) is formed in the floor surface F of the upper floor U and the middle floor M, through which the lifting and lowering section 30 of the article transport device 2 passes, thereby forming a lifting and lowering path that connects the upper floor U to the lower floor D.

[0016] Inside the cylindrical body 5 are an article transport device 2 and multiple storage compartments 6 for storing containers 1 (see Figure 2). The article transport device 2 includes a mast 20 that extends vertically and a lifting unit 30 that is vertically movable relative to the mast 20 and transports containers 1. The lifting unit 30 has a platform 31, on which a transfer unit 32 is mounted for transferring containers 1 to the storage compartments 6. The storage compartments 6 are arranged in a circumferential direction around the transfer unit 32 in a plan view, and multiple compartments are arranged vertically.

[0017] In the conveying equipment 100, a fire door 8 that can be opened and closed to shield the inside of the cylindrical body 5 across the lifting and lowering movement path of the lifting part 30 is provided between adjacent floors (see FIG. 1). The fire door 8 is made of, for example, iron, and in this embodiment, it is provided horizontally between the upper floor U and the middle floor M and between the middle floor M and the lower floor D. By closing the opening formed in the floor surface F with the fire door 8, the inside of the cylindrical body 5 is shielded.

[0018] In the conveying equipment 100 with the above-described configuration, when the container 1 is placed on the external portion 41 of the loading and unloading conveying device 4 by the ceiling conveying vehicle 3, the floor conveying vehicle 7, or an operator, the container 1 is conveyed from the external portion 41 to the internal portion 42 by the loading and unloading conveying device 4. Then, it is conveyed from the internal portion 42 to the storage portion 6 by the article conveying device 2, and the container 1 is stored in the storage portion 6.

[0019] On the other hand, the container 1 stored in the storage portion 6 is conveyed from the storage portion 6 to the internal portion 42 of the loading and unloading conveying device 4 by the article conveying device 2, and then is placed and conveyed from the internal portion 42 to the external portion 41 by the loading and unloading conveying device 4. Then, the container 1 at the external portion 41 is lowered from the external portion 41 by the ceiling conveying vehicle 3, the floor conveying vehicle 7, or an operator.

[0020] 〔Configuration of Article Conveying Device〕 Next, the configuration of the article conveying device 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main part configuration of the article conveying device 2 shown in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the vertical direction Z in which the mast 20 extends, the direction in which the mast 20 and the lifting part 30 are arranged side by side is referred to as the front-rear direction Y. In the front-rear direction Y, the direction in which the lifting part 30 is located with respect to the mast 20 may be referred to as the front direction Y1, and the direction opposite to the front direction Y1 may be referred to as the rear direction Y2. Also, when viewed from the front direction Y1, the direction in which the first side part 21 and the second side part 22 face each other is referred to as the left-right direction (width direction) X. The side of the first side part 21 in the left-right direction X may be referred to as the left direction X1, and the side of the second side part 22 in the left-right direction X may be referred to as the right direction X2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the article conveying device 2 includes a mast 20 extending in the vertical direction Z, and a lifting part 30 provided so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the mast 20 and conveying the container 1.

[0022] Further, the article conveying device 2 includes a power receiving part 40 disposed inside the mast 20, and a power supply line 50 wired in the vertical direction Z along the mast 20. The power receiving part 40 is connected to the lifting part 30 and moves up and down together with the lifting part 30. Also, the power supply line 50 is wired to the mast 20 in proximity to the power receiving part 40 and supplies power to the power receiving part 40 in a non-contact manner.

[0023] Furthermore, the article conveying device 2 includes a counterweight (balance weight) 60 disposed on the side opposite to the lifting part 30 with the power receiving part 40 interposed therebetween in a plan view. The counterweight 60 is connected to the lifting part 30 via a wire wound around a rotating body (not shown) provided above the lifting movement path.

[0024] The mast 20 is a guide rail that guides the lifting movement of the lifting part 30. The mast 20 has a first side part 21 and a second side part 22 facing each other in the left-right direction X, and a connecting part 23 connecting the first side part 21 and the second side part 22.

[0025] Each of the first side part 21 and the second side part 22 is made of, for example, aluminum, and includes an inner side surface S1 that is the opposing surface of each other, and an outer side surface S2 that is opposite to the inner side surface S1. The connecting part 23 is disposed between the first side part 21 and the second side part 22 and connects the inner side surfaces S1 of the first side part 21 and the second side part 22 in the vicinity of the central part in the front-rear direction Y.

[0026] On the first side part 21 and the second side part 22, a protruding part 24 in which the end on the front direction Y1 side of the outer side surface S2 protrudes outward in the left-right direction X (outer side surface S2 side) is continuously formed over the vertical direction Z. The protruding part 24 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the first guide roller R1, the second guide roller R2, and the third guide roller R3 that guide the lifting movement of the lifting part 30 abut against the protruding part 24 from three directions.

[0027] Specifically, the first guide roller R1 abuts against the outer surface S2 on the rearward Y2 side of the protrusion 24, the second guide roller R2 abuts against the outer surface S2 on the leftward X side of the protrusion 24, and the third guide roller R3 abuts against the outer surface S2 on the frontward Y1 side of the protrusion 24. In this way, the first guide roller R1, the second guide roller R2, and the third guide roller R3 are positioned on the outside of the mast 20. This improves the maintainability of these guide rollers R1, R2, and R3 during inspection and replacement.

[0028] Furthermore, a fourth guide roller R4, which guides the vertical movement of the lifting section 30, abuts against the inner surface S1 of the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 at a position opposite the protruding portion 24 in the left-right direction X.

[0029] Furthermore, recesses 25 are continuously formed in the vertical direction Z on the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22, with the inner surfaces S1 located on both sides of the counterweight 60 recessed outward in the left-right direction X (towards the outer surface S2). The fifth guide roller R5, the sixth guide roller R6, and the seventh guide roller R7, which guide the vertical movement of the counterweight 60, contact the inner surfaces S1 of these recesses 25 from three directions.

[0030] Specifically, the fifth guide roller R5 abuts against the inner surface S1 on the rearward Y2 side of the recess 25, the sixth guide roller R6 abuts against the inner surface S1 on the outer (bottom) side of the recess 25 in the left-right X direction, and the seventh guide roller R7 abuts against the inner surface S1 on the frontward Y1 side of the recess 25.

[0031] Thus, the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 function as guide rails that guide the vertical movement of the lifting section 30 and the counterweight 60.

[0032] The power receiving unit 40 moves up and down together with the lifting unit 30 and supplies power received non-contact from the power supply line 50 to the transfer unit 32, etc. The power receiving unit 40 is positioned between the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 in the left-right direction X, that is, inside the mast 20. This ensures that the power receiving unit 40 is not exposed on the outside of the mast 20.

[0033] Furthermore, the power receiving unit 40 is positioned between the lifting unit 30 and the counterweight 60 in the front-rear direction Y. More specifically, the power receiving unit 40 is positioned between the fourth guide roller R4 and the connecting unit 23.

[0034] The power supply line 50 is a pair of Litz wires routed along the vertical direction Z on the mast 20. The power supply line 50 includes a power supply wiring section 51 that is set between the lifting section 30 and the counterweight 60 in a plan view and is routed to a power supply position P that supplies power to the power receiving section 40. By routing the power supply wiring section 51 to the power supply position P set between the lifting section 30 and the counterweight 60 in a plan view, the power supply line 50 can be routed without interfering with the lifting section 30 and the counterweight 60. The power supply wiring section 51 is fixed to the power supply position P by fixing members 70 that protrude from the inner surfaces S1 of the first side section 21 and the second side section 22.

[0035] As mentioned above, fire doors 8 are provided between the upper floor U and the middle floor M, and between the middle floor M and the lower floor D. For fire prevention purposes, it is not possible to route the power supply lines 50 in a straight line through the fire doors 8, and it is necessary to route the power supply lines 50 so as to bypass the outside of the fire doors 8.

[0036] Therefore, in the article conveying device 2, a wiring path 26 for passing the power supply line 50 is formed in the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 of the mast 20. The wiring path 26 is formed to pass through the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 so as to pass between the first guide roller R1 and the counterweight 60 in a plan view. This wiring path 26 may be a through hole or notch (groove) formed in the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22.

[0037] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the wiring of the bypass wiring section 52 of the power supply line 50. As shown in Figure 4, for example, when the power supply line 50 is routed to bypass the fire door 8, the power supply line 50 is routed to include a bypass wiring section 52 that is routed from the power supply position P1 to the outside of the first side section 21 and the second side section 22. The bypass wiring section 52 is routed through a wiring path 26 located between the first guide roller R1 and the counterweight 60 in a plan view. This allows the bypass wiring section 52 to be routed without interfering with (contacting) the first guide roller R1 and the counterweight 60.

[0038] The bypass wiring section 52 may be routed diagonally with respect to the left-right direction X in a plan view. In other words, the wiring path 26 may be formed diagonally with respect to the left-right direction X in a plan view. Specifically, the wiring path 26 includes an inner opening A1 that opens on the inner surface S1 of the mast 20 and an outer opening A2 that opens on the outer surface S2 of the mast 20, and in the front-rear direction Y, the outer opening A2 is positioned relative to the inner opening A1 on the rearward Y2 side.

[0039] Thus, the cylindrical portion 80 is positioned diagonally with respect to the left-right direction X in a plan view, such that the outer opening A2 is further away from the first guide roller R1 than the inner opening A1. This allows the bypass wiring portion 52 to be routed away from the first guide roller R1. Therefore, sufficient clearance can be secured between the bypass wiring portion 52 and the first guide roller R1 when the bypass wiring portion 52 is brought outside the mast 20.

[0040] Furthermore, the inner opening A1 is positioned in the rear direction Y2 relative to the power supply position P in the front-rear direction Y. This makes the bending angle of the bypass wiring section 52 when routing it from the power supply position P1 to the inner opening A1 gentler. As a result, the bending radius of the bypass wiring section 52 can be increased (for example, to six times the diameter of the power supply line 50).

[0041] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a configuration in which a cylindrical portion 80 is attached to the wiring path 26 shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the article conveying device 2 may be equipped with an insulating cylindrical portion 80 that is inserted into the wiring path 26.

[0042] The cylindrical portion 80 is made of, for example, resin and is positioned diagonally with respect to the left-right direction X in a plan view along the wiring path 26. By routing the bypass wiring portion 52 through the cylindrical portion 80, it is possible to avoid the bypass wiring portion 52 directly contacting the mast 20 and the corners of the mast 20.

[0043] [Effects of the goods conveying device] As described above, the article transport device 2 according to this embodiment includes a mast 20 including a first side portion 21 and a second side portion 22 facing each other, a lifting unit 30 that is provided to be able to move up and down relative to the mast 20 and transports the container 1, a power receiving unit 40 that is positioned between the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 and moves up and down together with the lifting unit 30, and a power supply line 50 that is wired along the mast 20 and supplies power to the power receiving unit 40. At least one of the first side portion 21 and the second side portion 22 includes a wiring path 26 through which the power supply line 50 passes.

[0044] In the article transport device 2 according to this embodiment, the power receiving unit 40 is positioned between the first side 21 and the second side 22 of the mast 20, which is wired with the power supply line 50. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the power receiving unit 40 can be positioned inside the mast 20 so that it is not exposed on the outside of the mast 20 as in the conventional method. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the power supply line 50 is wired through the wiring path 26 of the mast 20, the wiring of the power supply line 50 becomes easier.

[0045] In the embodiments described above, an example was explained in which the conveying device according to this disclosure is applied to an inter-floor conveying device that conveys goods between floors. However, the conveying device according to this disclosure is broadly applicable to any conveying device that has a mast that guides the vertical movement of the lifting section. The conveying device according to this disclosure can also be applied to stacker cranes used in automated warehouses, for example.

[0046] 〔summary〕 A transport device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure comprises a mast including a first side and a second side facing each other; a lifting unit provided to be vertically movable relative to the mast and for transporting articles; a power receiving unit disposed between the first side and the second side and moving up and down together with the lifting unit; and a power supply line wired along the mast and supplying power to the power receiving unit, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side includes a wiring path through which the power supply line passes.

[0047] In the above configuration, the power receiving unit is located between the first and second sides of the mast, where the power supply line is routed, that is, inside the mast. Therefore, with this configuration, the power receiving unit can be positioned so that it is not exposed on the outside of the mast. Furthermore, with this configuration, since the power supply line is routed through the wiring path of the mast, the routing of the power supply line becomes easier.

[0048] The transport device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure further comprises a counterweight arranged in a plan view on the opposite side of the lifting unit from the power receiving unit, and the power supply line may include a power supply wiring section set between the lifting unit and the counterweight in a plan view and wired at a power supply position that supplies power to the power receiving unit.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the power supply lines can be routed so as not to interfere with the lifting mechanism and the counterweight.

[0050] In the conveying device according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, in embodiment 2, the lifting section further includes a guide roller (first guide roller R1) that abuts against the outer surface of the mast, and the power supply line further includes a bypass wiring section that is routed from the power supply position to the outside of the first side or the second side, and the bypass wiring section may be routed between the guide roller and the counterweight in a plan view.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the bypass wiring section can be routed so as not to interfere with the guide roller and counterweight.

[0052] In the transport device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in aspect 3, if the direction in which the first side portion and the second side portion correspond is the width direction (left-right direction X), the bypass wiring portion may be wired diagonally with respect to the width direction in a plan view.

[0053] According to the above configuration, the bypass wiring section can be routed away from the guide roller so as not to come into contact with it.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: Container (goods) 2: Goods conveying equipment (conveying equipment) 20: Must 21: First side 22: Second side 30: Elevator 40: Power receiving section 50:Power line 51: Power supply wiring section 52:Detour wiring section 60: Counterweight P: Power supply location R1: First guide roller S1:Inner surface S2: External surface X: Left and right direction (width direction)

Claims

1. A mast including a first side and a second side facing each other, A lifting section is provided to be able to move up and down relative to the mast and to transport articles, A power receiving unit is positioned between the first side and the second side and moves up and down together with the lifting unit, A power supply line is routed along the mast and supplies power to the power receiving section, Equipped with, A conveying device in which at least one of the first side and the second side includes a wiring path through which the power supply line passes.

2. The system further includes a counterweight positioned on the opposite side of the lifting section from the power receiving section in a plan view, The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply line includes a power supply wiring section set between the lifting section and the counterweight in a plan view and wired to a power supply position that supplies power to the power receiving section.

3. The lifting mechanism further includes a guide roller that contacts the outer surface of the mast, The power supply line further includes a bypass wiring section routed from the power supply location to the outside of the first side or the second side, The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the bypass wiring section is routed between the guide roller and the counterweight in a plan view.

4. The transport device according to claim 3, wherein, when the direction in which the first side portion and the second side portion correspond is defined as the width direction, the bypass wiring portion is wired diagonally with respect to the width direction in a plan view.

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