Automated warehouse

Abstract

The goal is to create an automated warehouse that increases the storage capacity of goods while also providing greater flexibility in the operation of goods storage and retrieval. [Solution] The automated warehouse 100 comprises a first warehouse unit 1A and a second warehouse unit 1B, and an inbound / outbound system 6. The inbound / outbound system 6 performs inbound and outbound of goods W to at least one of the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. Each of the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B comprises a specific floor 21 corresponding to a range in the vertical direction Z where the inbound / outbound area 7 is located, and a target floor 22 different from the specific floor 21. The target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B are connected to each other by a connecting passage 9 on which a transport vehicle can travel. The connecting passage 9 overlaps with the inbound / outbound area 7 in a view in the vertical direction Z.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated warehouse including a warehouse unit for storing articles and a loading / unloading device for performing at least one of loading and unloading of articles with respect to the warehouse unit.

Background Art

[0002] An example of the above-described automated warehouse is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-124933 (Patent Document 1). In the following description of the background art, the reference signs and names in Patent Document 1 are cited within parentheses.

[0003] The automated warehouse (three-dimensional automated warehouse 1) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a warehouse unit (storage warehouse section 2) for storing articles (5) and a loading / unloading device (loading / unloading section 4) disposed at a position adjacent to the warehouse unit (storage warehouse section 2). The loading / unloading device (loading / unloading section 4) performs loading and unloading of articles (5) with respect to the warehouse unit (storage warehouse section 2).

[0004] The warehouse unit (storage warehouse section 2) includes a storage shelf (individual storage rack 212) capable of storing a plurality of articles (5) and a hierarchical transfer device (transfer mechanism 3). The hierarchical transfer device (transfer mechanism 3) transfers articles (5) to be unloaded from the storage shelf (individual storage rack 212) and, after loading articles (5) from the loading / unloading device (loading / unloading section 4), transfers the articles (5) to be stored in the storage shelf (individual storage rack 212). In the automated warehouse (three-dimensional automated warehouse 1) disclosed in Patent Document 1, by disposing the storage shelves (individual storage racks 212) on both sides of the path along which the hierarchical transfer device (transfer mechanism 3) moves, the storage capacity of articles (5) in the entire warehouse unit (storage warehouse section 2) is ensured to a certain extent while enhancing the transfer efficiency of articles (5) within the warehouse unit (storage warehouse 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] However, in recent years, with the increasing quantity and variety of items (5) that need to be stored, even automated warehouses (automated storage warehouses 1) like the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not have sufficient storage capacity for the items (5). Furthermore, if measures are taken to ensure sufficient storage capacity for the items (5), such as increasing the size of the storage racks (individual storage racks 212) or increasing the proportion of storage racks (individual storage racks 212) in the entire automated warehouse (automated storage warehouse 1), it becomes difficult to secure space for transporting devices and transport routes for transporting the items (5) outside of the storage racks (individual storage racks 212), which tends to reduce the flexibility of operations related to the storage and retrieval of the items (5).

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for automated warehouses that can increase the storage capacity of goods while also providing greater flexibility in the operation of goods storage and the inbound and outbound movement of goods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The automated warehouse according to this disclosure comprises a first warehouse unit and a second warehouse unit, and an inbound / outbound area where at least one of the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit is designated as a target warehouse unit, and at least one of the inbound device for receiving goods into the target warehouse unit and the outbound device for retrieving the goods from the target warehouse unit is arranged, wherein each of the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit has a storage area in a plurality of vertically arranged levels and storage shelves capable of storing a plurality of the goods in each of the storage areas, transport vehicles that travel along transport passages in each of the levels to transport the goods, and transport the goods vertically across the plurality of levels The warehouse comprises a lifting and transporting device for transporting, wherein in each of the first and second warehouse units, the floor corresponding to the vertical range in which the loading and unloading area is located is designated as a specific floor, and at least a portion of the floors different from the specific floor is designated as a target floor, the specific floor of the first warehouse unit and the specific floor of the second warehouse unit are arranged to face each other with the loading and unloading area in between, and the transport passage of the target floor of the first warehouse unit and the transport passage of the target floor of the second warehouse unit are connected to each other by a connecting passage on which the transport vehicle can travel, and the connecting passage is located in a position that overlaps with the loading and unloading area when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0009] This configuration allows for an increase in the storage capacity of goods because, in addition to the first warehouse unit, a second warehouse unit is provided as a warehouse unit capable of storing goods. Furthermore, this configuration allows for the use of dead space resulting from the arrangement of the loading and unloading areas to create pathways for transport vehicles. This facilitates the transport of goods between the first and second warehouse units, thereby increasing the flexibility of operations related to the storage and loading / unloading of goods.

[0010] 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]

[0011] [Figure 1] A schematic plan view of the automated warehouse of this embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic side view of the automated warehouse of this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows the III-III view. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows the IV-IV view. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the diagram. [Figure 6] Figure 5 illustrates the movement of the transport vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The automated warehouse 100 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the automated warehouse 100 is used for storing multiple items W. Items W brought into the automated warehouse 100 are transported to a predetermined storage location inside the automated warehouse 100 and then stored without the need for human intervention. On the other hand, items W stored inside the automated warehouse 100 are automatically transported to a predetermined retrieval location outside the automated warehouse 100 without the need for human intervention. The type and appearance of the items W are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, items W are boxes containing cargo. Note that in each figure, cargo and boxes are represented without distinction as items W.

[0014] In this specification, as described above, the terms "receiving" and "removing" are used to describe the movement of goods W to and from the automated warehouse 100. Receiving includes bringing goods W into a predetermined storage location set up inside the automated warehouse 100, and removing goods W stored in the automated warehouse 100 includes removing them from the automated warehouse 100.

[0015] The automated warehouse 100 includes a warehouse unit 1 for storing goods W, and an inbound / outbound system 6 that performs at least one of the following: receiving goods W into the warehouse unit 1 and retrieving goods W from the warehouse unit 1.

[0016] The receiving and dispatching system 6 includes at least one of the following functions: receiving goods W into warehouse unit 1 from the work entity M and handing them over to warehouse unit 1, and handing over goods W dispatched from warehouse unit 1 to the work entity M. Examples of work entity M include workers or robots that handle the exchange of goods W between warehouse unit 1 and the work entity M. For example, a work entity M provided in equipment that ships goods W stored in automated warehouse 100 is a worker or robot that transports goods W dispatched from automated warehouse 100 to the shipping location.

[0017] The loading / unloading system 6 occupies a designated loading / unloading area 7 outside the warehouse unit 1. The loading / unloading area 7 is a three-dimensional area through which the movement of goods W brought into the loading / unloading system 6 and the movement of goods W being unloaded from the loading / unloading system 6 passes, and where the equipment constituting the loading / unloading system 6 (including the loading / unloading device 61 described later) is arranged. In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the loading / unloading system 6 is located adjacent to the outside of the warehouse unit 1. The inside and outside of the automated warehouse 100 are defined by appropriate boundaries. If the automated warehouse 100 is surrounded by walls or fences, the above boundaries will be those walls or fences. If there are no walls or fences, the boundary defining the area that workers cannot enter when loading and unloading are performed will be set as the boundary between the inside and outside of the automated warehouse 100.

[0018] The receiving / shipping area 7 is equipped with one or more receiving / shipping devices 61 that constitute the receiving / shipping system 6. The receiving / shipping devices 61 are at least one of a receiving device 62 that receives goods W into the warehouse unit 1, and a shipping device 63 that ships goods W out of the warehouse unit 1. The receiving / shipping devices 61 include, for example, belt conveyors, roller conveyors, other conveyor devices, and picking stations. The conveyor devices include receiving conveyors that transport goods W to a handover position with the warehouse unit 1, and shipping conveyors that transport goods W from the handover position with the warehouse unit 1 to a predetermined position. The picking station is a station where workers or robots perform the task of selecting the required goods W and delivering them to the warehouse unit 1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the warehouse unit 1 includes a plurality of layers 2 arranged in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of layers 2 are arranged along an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the vertical direction Z. The layer 2 includes, for example, a virtual plane defined for each specific position in the vertical direction Z, or a floor surface constituting each layer of a building composed of multiple layers. The automated warehouse 100 of the present embodiment has a structure in which a plurality of columns and structural materials are combined, and the layer 2 is defined along a virtual plane defined for each specific position in the vertical direction Z.

[0020] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, in this specification, the directions orthogonal to each other in the vertical direction Z view along the vertical direction Z are referred to as the X direction and the Y direction, and the positional relationship of each component will be described. The X direction and the Y direction are indicated by arrows marked with "X" and "Y" in their respective drawings.

[0021] Each of the plurality of layers 2 is stacked along the vertical direction Z from the reference plane 10. The reference plane 10 is a plane that supports the warehouse unit 1, and includes, for example, a floor surface or a ground surface arranged inside a building. In the present embodiment, the reference plane 10 also serves as a plane that supports the input / output system 6. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the layer 2 directly supported by the reference plane 10 is referred to as the reference layer 20, the layer 2 directly stacked on the reference layer 20 is referred to as the second layer, and the layer 2 stacked on the upper part of the second layer may be referred to as the third layer.

[0022] The plurality of layers 2 include a specific layer 21 and a target layer 22.

[0023] A specific level 21 is a part of multiple levels 2, corresponding to the loading / unloading area 7 in the vertical Z direction. That is, the loading / unloading area 7 is located at a height corresponding to the specific level 21, which is a part of multiple levels 2. More specifically, the specific level 21 is a level 2 that, in a Y-direction view along the Y direction, partially or entirely overlaps with the loading / unloading area 7. In the example shown in Figure 2, the loading / unloading area 7 overlaps with the base level 20 to the third level in a Y-direction view. In other words, in Figure 2, the base level 20 to the third level are represented as the specific level 21.

[0024] The target level 22 is at least a part of level 2 that is different from the specific level 21. In the example shown in Figure 2, all levels 2 above the specific level 21 are represented as the target level 22. More specifically, in the example shown in Figure 2, the fourth level stacked on top of the third level and the levels 2 located above the fourth level are represented as the target level 22. If the warehouse unit 1 has one or more levels 2 below the specific level 21, the levels 2 below the specific level 21 may also be considered the target level 22. Furthermore, the warehouse unit 1 may be configured to have target levels 22 on both the upper and lower sides of the specific level 21.

[0025] At least a portion of the target floor 22 of warehouse unit 1 overlaps with the loading / unloading area 7 in a vertical Z-view. In other words, a portion of warehouse unit 1 is located in the area directly above or directly below the loading / unloading area 7. In this embodiment, a portion of warehouse unit 1 is located in the area directly above the loading / unloading area 7.

[0026] In this embodiment, the system comprises at least two warehouse units 1. The automated warehouse 100 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises two warehouse units 1. For the sake of explanation, when distinguishing between the two warehouse units 1, one of the two warehouse units 1 will be referred to as the first warehouse unit 1A, and the other as the second warehouse unit 1B. The two warehouse units 1 are spaced apart along the Y direction.

[0027] The receiving and shipping system 6 performs at least one of the receiving and shipping of goods W to the target warehouse unit, which is at least one of the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. In this embodiment, the automated warehouse 100 comprises a plurality of receiving and shipping systems 6, each corresponding to a plurality of warehouse units 1. The automated warehouse 100 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a pair of receiving and shipping systems 6, each corresponding to the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. Hereafter, one of the pair of receiving and shipping systems 6 will be referred to as the first receiving and shipping system 6A, and the other of the pair of receiving and shipping systems 6 will be referred to as the second receiving and shipping system 6B. The first receiving and shipping system 6A corresponds to the first warehouse unit 1A, and the second receiving and shipping system 6B corresponds to the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0028] The first inbound / outbound system 6A performs at least one of the following: receiving goods W into the first warehouse unit 1A and retrieving goods W from the first warehouse unit 1A. In this embodiment, the first inbound / outbound system 6A performs both receiving and retrieving goods W to and from the first warehouse unit 1A.

[0029] The second receiving / shipping system 6B performs at least one of receiving goods W into the second warehouse unit 1B and shipping goods W out of the second warehouse unit 1B. In this embodiment, the second receiving / shipping system 6B performs both receiving and shipping goods W to and from the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0030] In this embodiment, each of the pair of inbound / outbound systems 6 is positioned adjacent to each of the two warehouse units 1 in the Y direction. Specifically, the first warehouse unit 1A is positioned adjacent to the first inbound / outbound system 6A in the Y direction. On the other hand, the second warehouse unit 1B is positioned adjacent to the second inbound / outbound system 6B in the Y direction.

[0031] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first inbound / outbound system 6A and the second inbound / outbound system 6B are arranged one unit each on either side in the Y direction. The first inbound / outbound system 6A is located on one side in the Y direction (to the left of the center of the paper), and the second inbound / outbound system 6B is located on the other side in the Y direction (to the right of the center of the paper). In the example shown in Figure 1, the inbound / outbound area 7 of the second inbound / outbound system 6B (second inbound / outbound area 7B) has a wider area on one side in the X direction (upwards towards the paper) than the inbound / outbound area 7 of the first inbound / outbound system 6A (first inbound / outbound area 7A).

[0032] In this embodiment, a non-location area 71 is provided between the first inbound / outbound area 7A and the second inbound / outbound area 7B in the Y direction. With this configuration, the work entity M can use the non-location area 71 to transport goods W or as a space to install maintenance equipment when performing maintenance on the automated warehouse 100. Therefore, the non-location area 71 makes it easier to operate the automated warehouse 100 efficiently.

[0033] Hereafter, for the sake of explanation, one side in the Y direction will be referred to as the first side Y1, and the other side in the Y direction will be referred to as the second side Y2. The first side Y1 is the side closer to the inbound / outbound system 6 in the Y direction, relative to warehouse unit 1. Conversely, the second side Y2 is the side further away from the inbound / outbound system 6 in the Y direction, relative to warehouse unit 1. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5, since there is a pair of warehouse units 1, the first side Y1 and the second side Y2 are based on each warehouse unit 1. For example, relative to the first warehouse unit 1A, the side closer to the first inbound / outbound system 6A is the first side Y1, and relative to the second warehouse unit 1B, the side closer to the second inbound / outbound system 6B is also the first side Y1.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B are positioned to sandwich a pair of inbound / outbound systems 6 from both sides. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, a specific floor 21 of the first warehouse unit 1A and a specific floor 21 of the second warehouse unit 1B are positioned opposite each other across the inbound / outbound area 7. A portion of the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A is partially opposite the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B. The target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A overlaps with the first inbound / outbound system 6A in a vertical Z-view. The target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B overlaps with the second inbound / outbound system 6B in a vertical Z-view. In this embodiment, the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A is connected to the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B at the same height.

[0035] In this embodiment, each of the pair of storage systems 6 comprises a pair of storage devices 61. In the example shown in Figure 1, the storage device 62 is located on the upper side of the plane of the paper, and the storage device 63 is located on the lower side of the plane of the paper. The storage device 62 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a storage conveyor. On the other hand, the storage device 63 illustrated in Figure 1 is a storage conveyor. The goods W transported to a predetermined location by the storage device 63 are loaded onto pallets by, for example, a robot (not shown) and transported by a pallet conveyor or automated guided vehicle.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the loading / unloading area 7 is located on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the warehouse unit 1. In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the loading / unloading area 7 is positioned so as to overlap with a portion of the X-direction area of ​​a specific floor 21 when viewed in the Y direction. The loading / unloading device 61 is connected to the warehouse unit 1 from the first side Y1 in the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 1, the first loading / unloading area 7A is positioned so as to overlap with the central X-direction area of ​​the specific floor 21 of the first warehouse unit 1A when viewed in the Y direction. Similarly, in the example shown in Figure 1, the second loading / unloading area 7B is also positioned so as to overlap with the central X-direction area of ​​the specific floor 21 of the second warehouse unit 1B when viewed in the Y direction.

[0037] Details of Warehouse Unit 1 are described below.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the warehouse unit 1 includes storage shelves 3 (see Figures 1 and 2) capable of accommodating multiple items W, a hierarchical transport device 4 (see Figures 3 and 4) for transporting the items W, and a lifting transport device 5 (see Figures 2 to 5).

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the storage rack 3 is a rack arranged across multiple levels 2. The lifting and transporting device 5 transports goods W in the vertical direction Z across multiple levels 2. When goods W are received into warehouse unit 1, the receiving and retrieving system 6 first hands over the goods W to the lifting and transporting device 5. The goods W handed over to the lifting and transporting device 5 are transported to the designated level 2, and then, as shown in Figure 4, are transported to the storage rack 3 by the level transporting device 4. Conversely, when goods W are retrieved from warehouse unit 1, the level transporting device 4 removes the goods W from the storage rack 3 and hands them over to the lifting and transporting device 5. The goods W removed from the storage rack 3 are then handed over from the lifting and transporting device 5 to the receiving and retrieving system 6.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the storage shelf 3 has storage areas 31 on each of its multiple levels 2. Each storage area 31 located on each level 2 is an area capable of accommodating multiple items W.

[0041] The storage area 31 includes a placement area 32, a target area 33 (see Figure 4), and a second target area 35, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The placement area 32, the target area 33, and the second target area 35 are areas that include a storage section in which multiple articles W are stored, a transport passage 44 (described later) for transporting the articles W, and other configurations necessary for transporting the articles W to the storage section. The placement area 32 is part of the storage area 31 of the specific floor 21 and part of the storage area 31 located on the target floor 22. The target area 33 is part of the storage area 31 located on the target floor 22. The second target area 35 is part of the storage area 31 located on at least the specific floor 21.

[0042] The storage area consists of a mounting surface on which articles W can be placed. The mounting surface is a flat surface supported by a column at a reference position in each of the floor levels 2. The mounting surfaces of the storage areas in the mounting area 32, target area 33, and second target area 35 shown in Figure 2 have an area on which multiple articles W can be placed along the X and Y directions. The size of the mounting surface is determined considering the weight of the articles W to be supported by the mounting surface and the configuration of the structural material supporting the mounting surface. For example, the mounting surface may be a surface that supports the entire underside of the article W. Such a mounting surface is made up of a flat plate-like member. Alternatively, the mounting surface may be multiple surfaces that support multiple locations on the underside of the article W. For example, such a mounting surface could be a pair of rails that support two locations on the underside of the article W that are spaced apart in the width direction.

[0043] The loading area 32, the target area 33, and the second target area 35 are distributed within the storage area 31 located on each of the floor levels 2. In the multiple loading areas 32 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 (top of the page), there are multiple groups of storage areas adjacent in the Y direction. The multiple loading areas 32 are spaced apart in the X direction. Each loading area 32 has at least two storage areas adjacent to it. In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4 (bottom of the page), the target area 33 and the second target area 35 also include groups of storage areas adjacent in the Y direction, similar to the loading area 32, and are distributed within their respective storage areas 31. In the example shown in Figure 4 (center of the page), the target area 33 is spaced apart in the X direction, and the second target area 35 is also spaced apart in the X direction. In the base floor level 20, as shown in Figure 3, the multiple loading areas 32 and the multiple second target areas 35 are located in the area excluding the area occupied by the loading / unloading device 61 and the floor-level transport device 4. Furthermore, in the target level 22, as shown in Figure 4, multiple placement areas 32, multiple target areas 33, and multiple second target areas 35 are arranged in the area excluding the area occupied by the level transport device 4.

[0044] The loading area 32 is located second to the Y-direction, Y2, from the loading / unloading system 6. The loading area 32 is located in all storage areas 31 of the base level 20, specific level 21, and target level 22, and accommodates many of the multiple items W stored in the warehouse unit 1. Some of the loading areas 32 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 are located in positions that overlap with the lifting and conveying device 5 when viewed in the Y-direction.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the target area 33 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the loading / unloading device 61 in a vertical Z-view. The target area 33 illustrated in Figure 2 is positioned in the upper space of the loading / unloading area 7. Here, the target area 33 may also be positioned in a location that does not overlap with the loading / unloading device 61 in a vertical Z-view, as long as it does not interfere with the loading / unloading device 61. The target area 33 shown in Figure 1 overlaps with most of the first loading / unloading area 7A in a vertical Z-view. The target area 33 also overlaps with a part of the second loading / unloading area 7B. In detail, the target area 33 overlaps with the central part of the second loading / unloading area 7B in a vertical Z-view. On the other hand, the target area 33 does not overlap with the upper part of the second loading / unloading area 7B in a vertical Z-view. The target area 33 illustrated in Figure 4 is positioned at a distance from the mounting area 32 to the first side Y1 in the Y direction. The lifting and transporting device 5, illustrated in Figure 4, is positioned between the mounting area 32 and the target area 33.

[0046] In this embodiment, the target area 33 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the target area 33 of the second warehouse unit 1B are connected to each other. More specifically, the target area 33 of the first warehouse unit 1A is located adjacent to the target area 33 of the second warehouse unit 1B in the same target tier 22. In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 4, the target area 33 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B that are connected to each other is not clearly distinguished. The target area 33 is treated as being shared by the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, the second target area 35 is positioned so as not to overlap with the loading / unloading area 7 in a Y-direction view, but to overlap with the loading / unloading area 7 in an X-direction view along the X-direction. The second target area 35 is part of the storage area 31 and is an extension toward the loading / unloading area 7 from the area where the loading area 32 is located, to the extent that it does not interfere with the loading / unloading area 7 on a specific floor 21. The second target area 35 provided by the first warehouse unit 1A is not connected to the second warehouse unit 1B and is positioned at a distance from the second warehouse unit 1B. With this configuration, for example, a passage for workers performing work can be secured in the area between the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B, and goods W can be efficiently loaded or unloaded. The second target area 35 may interfere with the loading / unloading area 7 to the extent that it does not interfere with the loading / unloading device 61 or the various components arranged in the loading / unloading area 7.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second target area 35 is configured to overlap with the tier 2, which is at the same height as the base tier 20, the specific tier 21, and the target tier 22, in a view in the Y direction. In the example shown in Figure 1, the first warehouse unit 1A has the second target area 35 on both sides of the first inbound / outbound area 7A in the X direction. Therefore, the first warehouse unit 1A can store more items W. Also in the example shown in Figure 1, the second warehouse unit 1B has the second target area 35 on one side of the second inbound / outbound area 7B in the X direction. In detail, the second warehouse unit 1B has the second target area 35 in a region lower to the plane of the paper than the second inbound / outbound area 7B. With this configuration, it is easy to enlarge the second inbound / outbound area 7B, and consequently, it is easy to secure the movement of the work subject M that performs inbound / outbound operations to the second inbound / outbound system 6B. The second target area 35, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, is positioned at a distance from the loading area 32, which is located in a position that does not overlap with the loading / unloading area 7 when viewed in the Y direction, and is located on the first side Y1 in the Y direction.

[0049] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the hierarchical transport device 4 transports the articles W within each of the storage areas 31. In this embodiment, the hierarchical transport device 4 is positioned in each of the storage areas 31 located on multiple floors 2. In this embodiment, the hierarchical transport device 4 moves the articles W only within the storage area 31 of each floor 2.

[0050] In this embodiment, the hierarchical transport device 4 comprises a plurality of transport vehicles 41 for transporting articles W, and transport passages 44 that form the movement paths of the transport vehicles 41. The transport passages 44 constitute a part of the loading area 32, the target area 33, and the second target area 35, respectively. The transport passages 44 connect at least the position where the transport vehicles 41 transfer articles W between the storage area and the transport vehicle 41 to the position where the transport vehicles 41 transfer articles W between the lifting transport device 5 and the storage area. The transport vehicles 41 transport articles W by traveling along the transport passages 44 on each hierarchical level 2. By traveling along the transport passages 44, the transport vehicles 41 move articles W at least between the storage area and the lifting transport device 5.

[0051] The transport passage 44 includes a plurality of first passages 4Y and a second passage 4X. The first passages 4Y pass through the positions where the transport vehicles 41 transfer items W between the storage area 31 and the lifting transport device 5 or other transport vehicles 41. The second passages 4X connect at least two or more first passages 4Y. Here, connecting two passages means that each of the two passages is positioned in a positional relationship that allows the transport vehicles 41 to move back and forth between them.

[0052] Each of the multiple first passages 4Y extends along the Y direction, passing through a position adjacent to the storage area of ​​the loading area 32 in the X direction. In this embodiment, the first passages 4Y are arranged side by side with spacing in the X direction. The storage area of ​​the loading area 32 is positioned between two adjacent first passages 4Y. The transport vehicle 41 transfers the articles W between the storage area of ​​the loading area 32 and the first passage 4Y at a position adjacent to the storage area in the X direction.

[0053] A portion of the multiple first passages 4Y extends at least from a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the loading area 32 to a position adjacent in the X direction to the lifting and conveying device 5. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4 (near the center of the page), the first passage 4Y included in the loading area 32 that overlaps with the lifting and conveying device 5 in a Y-direction view extends to a position adjacent in the X direction to the lifting and conveying device 5. As a result, the transport vehicle 41 can move to a position in the first passage 4Y adjacent in the X direction to the lifting and conveying device 5 and transfer the goods W between it and the lifting and conveying device 5.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a portion of the multiple first passages 4Y extends at least from a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the loading area 32 to a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the second target area 35. For the sake of explanation, such first passages 4Y will be referred to as extended passages 8 hereafter. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extended passages 8 are multiple first passages 4Y located near the right and left sides of the page. The transport vehicle 41 moves to a position in the extended passage 8 adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the second target area 35 and transfers the articles W between the two storage areas.

[0055] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, some of the multiple first passages 4Y arranged in the target level 22 extend at least from a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the loading area 32 to a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the target area 33. For the sake of explanation, such first passages 4Y will be referred to as connecting passages 9 hereafter. In the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the connecting passages 9 are multiple first passages 4Y arranged near the center of the page. The transport vehicle 41 transfers the articles W between the target area 33 and the storage area of ​​the target area 33 at a position in the connecting passages 9 adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the target area 33. The connecting passages 9 illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 extend from a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the loading area 32, through a position adjacent in the X direction to the lifting transport device 5, to a position adjacent in the X direction to the storage area of ​​the target area 33. With this configuration, the transport vehicle 41 can easily transport the goods W efficiently between the loading area 32 and the target area 33 and the lifting transport device 5.

[0056] The second passage 4X intersects the first passage 4Y in the vertical Z-direction. In this embodiment, the second passage 4X is located second to the Y-direction Y2 from the lifting conveying device 5 and extends in the X-direction. The second passage 4X connects at least two adjacent first passages 4Y in the X-direction. The second passage 4X illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is connected to all first passages 4Y located on the same floor 2. With this configuration, it is easy to set the movement path of the conveying vehicles 41 so that the goods W can be efficiently conveyed depending on the position of the conveying vehicles 41 located around them and the status of goods W being loaded and unloaded.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the connecting passage 9 connects the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B. That is, the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B are connected to each other by the connecting passage 9. In this embodiment, the connecting passage 9 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the connecting passage 9 of the second warehouse unit 1B are connected. Therefore, the transport vehicle 41 can move back and forth between the connecting passage 9 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the connecting passage 9 of the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0058] In this embodiment, the transport passage 44 connects the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B at the same height target floor 22. In the example shown in Figure 5, the connecting passage 9 of the first warehouse unit 1A is connected to the connecting passage 9 of the second warehouse unit 1B, which is located on floor 2 at the same height as the connecting passage 9. More specifically, the connecting passage 9 of the first warehouse unit 1A is integrally structured with the connecting passage 9 of the second warehouse unit 1B, which is located on floor 2 at the same height as the connecting passage 9. This configuration makes it easier to simplify the structure of the connecting passage 9 for moving the transport vehicle 41 between the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. Note that the connecting passage 9 may also connect target floors 22 at different heights in the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0059] The connecting passage 9 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the loading / unloading area 7 in a vertical Z-view. In this embodiment, in each of the target floors 22, the four connecting passages 9 located in each target floor 22 are positioned in the upper space of the loading / unloading system 6. At least a portion of each of the four connecting passages 9 is positioned in a location that overlaps with the first loading / unloading area 7A and the second loading / unloading area 7B in a vertical Z-view.

[0060] In the positional relationship with the first loading / unloading area 7A, the four connecting passages 9 exemplified in Figures 1 and 5 have, in a vertical Z-view, a portion of the two connecting passages 9 located at both ends in the X-direction overlap with the first loading / unloading area 7A in the X-direction. More specifically, the portions of these two connecting passages 9 that are away from the second target area 35 in the X-direction overlap with the first loading / unloading area 7A in a vertical Z-view. The remaining connecting passages 9 of the four connecting passages 9 have their entirety in the X-direction overlap with the first loading / unloading area 7A in a vertical Z-view.

[0061] Furthermore, in relation to the second loading / unloading area 7B, the four connecting passages 9 illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, when viewed vertically, have three connecting passages 9 located at a position away from the second target area 35 in the X direction (upwards from the plane of the paper), and their entirety in the X direction overlaps with the second loading / unloading area 7B. In the remaining connecting passage 9, a portion in the X direction overlaps with the second loading / unloading area 7B. The portion of this connecting passage 9 that is away from the second target area 35 in the X direction overlaps with the second loading / unloading area 7B in a vertical Z-direction view.

[0062] In this embodiment, of the four connecting passages 9, two connecting passages 9 located on both sides in the X direction are positioned so as not to overlap with the loading / unloading device 61 in the vertical Z direction view. The remaining two connecting passages 9 are positioned so as to overlap with the loading / unloading device 61 in the vertical Z direction view.

[0063] The connecting passage 9 includes rails that connect the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. In this embodiment, the rails are laid along the connecting passage 9. The rails in this embodiment have a structure that supports the transport vehicle 41 from below and guides the direction of travel of the transport vehicle 41. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport passages 44 other than the connecting passage 9 are also constructed of rails.

[0064] In this embodiment, multiple transport vehicles 41 transport goods W by moving along a transport path set between the source and destination. The transport path is set on a first passage 4Y and a second passage 4X. The transport path of each transport vehicle 41 is set to equalize the degree of overlap between the transport paths of each transport vehicle 41 and the load on each transport vehicle 41 so as not to obstruct each other's passage.

[0065] Each of the multiple transport vehicles 41 is equipped with a travel mechanism 42 and a transfer device 43, as shown in Figure 4 (bottom center as viewed from the page).

[0066] The running mechanism 42 comprises a chassis 421, a plurality of first wheels that roll on the first passage 4Y, and a plurality of second wheels that roll on rails laid along the second passage 4X. When the running mechanism 42 travels along the first passage 4Y, the plurality of second wheels roll while separated from the rails laid along the second passage 4X, and the plurality of first wheels roll while in contact with the rails laid along the first passage 4Y. When the running mechanism 42 travels along the second passage 4X, the plurality of first wheels roll while separated from the rails laid along the first passage 4Y, and the plurality of second wheels roll while in contact with the rails laid along the second passage 4X.

[0067] The transfer machine 43 comprises a loading section 431 on which the article W is placed, and a pair of arms 432 that extend and retract toward the storage area. The loading section 431 is a flat surface provided on the upper part of the chassis 421. The pair of arms 432 are installed on the upper part of the chassis 421 with the loading section 431 in between.

[0068] When moving an item W placed on top of the chassis 421 to the storage area, the pair of arms 432 extend toward the storage area with the item W hooked onto claws (not shown) protruding from each arm into the space on which the item W is placed. As a result, the item W moves from the placement section 431 to the storage area in conjunction with the movement of the claws protruding from each of the pair of arms 432. Conversely, let's describe the case where an item W stored in the storage area is moved onto the placement section 431. In this case, each of the pair of arms 432 is retracted from its extended state toward the storage area, with the item W hooked onto the claws protruding from each arm into the space on which the item W is placed. As a result, the item W moves from the storage area to the placement section 431 in conjunction with the movement of the pair of arms 432.

[0069] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lifting and conveying device 5 comprises a support column 51 extending in the vertical direction Z, a lifting platform 52 that moves up and down in the vertical direction Z along the support column 51, and a lifting and transferring machine that moves up and down together with the lifting platform 52. In this embodiment, multiple lifting and conveying devices 5 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction. As shown in Figure 3, on the base level 20, an inbound / outbound device 61 is arranged between each of the multiple lifting and conveying devices 5. Then, as shown in Figure 4, on levels 2 other than the base level 20, a first passage 4Y is arranged between each of the multiple lifting and conveying devices 5.

[0070] The lifting and transporting device 5 is positioned to allow the transfer of goods W between it and the loading / unloading device 61 and the tiered transporting device 4. The loading / unloading device 61 and the tiered transporting device 4 are positioned adjacent to the lifting and transporting device 5. In the example shown in Figure 3, the loading / unloading device 61 is positioned between two adjacent lifting and transporting devices 5 in the X direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tiered transporting device 4 has its first passage 4Y positioned adjacent to the lifting and transporting device 5 in the X direction. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second passage 4X is positioned adjacent to the second side of the lifting and transporting device 5 in the Y direction. With this configuration, it is easy to set a short travel path for the transport vehicle 41 to move from the storage area provided by the loading area 32, which is distributed in the X direction, to the lifting and transporting device 5.

[0071] The lifting platform 52 stops at a position in the vertical Z direction where it can transfer items W to each of the multiple transport vehicles 41 located on each of the multiple floor levels 2. The lifting transfer device moves the placed items W toward the transport vehicles 41. Examples of the lifting transfer device include conveyors and other transfer devices installed on the upper surface of the lifting platform 52. The lifting transfer device in this embodiment moves the items W to take over items W placed on the loading / unloading device 61 or to hand over items W to the loading / unloading device 61. For example, in the example shown in Figure 3, a lifting / unloading device 5, sandwiched on both sides in the X direction by other lifting / unloading devices 5, hands over items W that have been lifted and transported from floor levels 2 other than the base floor level 20 to the loading / unloading device 61. The items W that have been handed over to the loading / unloading device 61 are transported to the loading / unloading position.

[0072] In this embodiment, the floor transport device 4 for the target floor 22 in the first warehouse unit 1A and the floor transport device 4 for the target floor 22 in the second warehouse unit 1B are capable of transporting goods W across the storage area 31 of the first warehouse unit 1A and the storage area 31 of the second warehouse unit 1B. In this embodiment, as described above, the connecting passage 9 connects the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A to the target floor 22 of the second warehouse unit 1B, which is at the same height as the target floor 22 of the first warehouse unit 1A. Therefore, the transport vehicle 41 located on the target floor 22 can travel back and forth between the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B by traveling along the connecting passage 9. With this configuration, as shown in Figure 6, goods W stored in the second warehouse unit 1B can be retrieved from the first inbound / outbound system 6A via the first passage 4Y located on the target floor 22.

[0073] [Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of the automated warehouse 100 will be described.

[0074] (1) In the above embodiment, the receiving / discharging device 61, which is either the receiving device 62 or the discharging device 63, has been described. However, the receiving / discharging device 61 may also serve as both the receiving device 62 and the discharging device 63.

[0075] (2) In the above embodiment, the receiving device 62 was described as a conveyor for receiving goods. However, the receiving device 62 may also be a transfer device that receives goods W from an automated guided vehicle or other transport vehicle 41 that transports goods W.

[0076] (3) In the above embodiment, the retrieval device 63 was described as a conveyor for retrieval. However, the retrieval device 63 may also be a transfer device that hands over the goods W to an automated guided vehicle or other transport vehicle 41 that transports the goods W.

[0077] (4) In the above embodiment, the automated warehouse 100 was described as transferring goods W between the lifting and transporting device 5 and the loading and unloading system 6. The transport passage 44 was described as connecting at least the position where the transport vehicle 41 transfers goods W between the storage area and the position where the transport vehicle 41 transfers goods W between the lifting and transporting device 5. However, the automated warehouse 100 may also be configured to transfer goods W between the loading and unloading system 6 and the tiered transporting device 4. In this case, the transport passage 44 is arranged, for example, to pass through the position where the transport vehicle 41 transfers goods W between the loading and unloading system 6.

[0078] (5) In the above embodiment, the transport vehicle 41 was described as comprising a transfer device 43 composed of a pair of arms 432. However, the transfer device 43 may also be a lifting device that raises and lowers a pallet on which a load is placed. Alternatively, the transfer device 43 may be a smaller cart that enters an area where a loading surface is installed and transfers the item W between the loading surface and the cart. In this case, the transport vehicle 41 becomes a larger cart that transports the smaller cart.

[0079] (6) In the above embodiment, the hierarchical transport device 4 was described as being configured to move the items W only within each of the hierarchical levels 2. However, the hierarchical transport device 4 may be configured to move the items W across multiple hierarchical levels 2.

[0080] (7) In the above embodiment, the target level 22 was described as all levels 2 above and below the specific level 21. However, the target level 22 may consist of only a portion of the levels 2 above and below the specific level 21.

[0081] (8) In the above embodiment, it was explained that the transport vehicle 41 travels between the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B via a connecting passage 9. However, the transport vehicle 41 does not necessarily have to travel between the first warehouse unit 1A and the second warehouse unit 1B. Instead, a transfer section may be provided for transferring goods W between the transport vehicle 41 located in the first warehouse unit 1A and the transport vehicle 41 located in the second warehouse unit 1B. The transfer section may be located, for example, at an intermediate point in the connecting passage 9. The transfer section may consist of, for example, a platform on which goods W can be temporarily placed, and may be configured to allow the transfer of goods W between the transport vehicle 41 located in the first warehouse unit 1A and the transport vehicle 41 located in the second warehouse unit 1B.

[0082] (9) In the above embodiment, it was explained that the second target area 35 of one warehouse unit 1 is not connected to other warehouse units 1 and is arranged at a distance from other warehouse units 1. However, the second target area 35 of one warehouse unit 1 may be connected to other warehouse units 1.

[0083] (10) In the above embodiment, the transport passage 44 was described as having rails that support the transport vehicle 41 from below. However, the transport passage 44 may also have rails that suspend the transport vehicle 41 from above.

[0084] (11) The configurations disclosed in each of 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.

[0085] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of the embodiments of the automated warehouse described above.

[0086] The automated warehouse comprises a first warehouse unit and a second warehouse unit, and an inbound / outbound area where at least one of the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit is designated as the target warehouse unit, and at least one of the inbound device for receiving goods into the target warehouse unit and the outbound device for retrieving the goods from the target warehouse unit is located. Each of the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit has storage areas in multiple vertically aligned levels, and each storage area has storage shelves capable of accommodating multiple goods, and each of the levels has transport vehicles that travel along transport passages to transport the goods, and transports the goods vertically across the multiple levels. The system comprises a lifting and transporting device, wherein in each of the first and second warehouse units, the floor corresponding to the vertical range in which the loading and unloading areas are located is designated as a specific floor, and at least a portion of the floors different from the specific floor is designated as a target floor, the specific floor of the first warehouse unit and the specific floor of the second warehouse unit are arranged to face each other with the loading and unloading system in between, and the transport passage of the target floor of the first warehouse unit and the transport passage of the target floor of the second warehouse unit are connected to each other by a connecting passage on which the transport vehicle can travel, and the connecting passage is located in a position that overlaps with the loading and unloading areas when viewed in the vertical direction.

[0087] This configuration allows for an increase in the storage capacity of goods because, in addition to the first warehouse unit, a second warehouse unit is provided as a warehouse unit capable of storing goods. Furthermore, this configuration allows for the use of dead space resulting from the arrangement of the loading and unloading areas to create pathways for transport vehicles. This facilitates the transport of goods between the first and second warehouse units, thereby increasing the flexibility of operations related to the storage and loading / unloading of goods.

[0088] Preferably, the system includes a first inbound / outbound system that performs at least one of receiving the articles into the first warehouse unit and retrieving the articles from the first warehouse unit, and a second inbound / outbound system that performs at least one of receiving the articles into the second warehouse unit and retrieving the articles from the second warehouse unit.

[0089] With this configuration, at least one of receiving and shipping can be performed in each of the first and second warehouse units. This makes it possible to ship goods stored in one of the first and second warehouse units out of the receiving / shipping system connected to the other warehouse unit, or to ship goods stored in one of the first and second warehouse units in of the receiving / shipping system connected to the other warehouse unit. Therefore, it is easier to further increase the flexibility of operations related to the storage and receiving / shipping of goods.

[0090] In this case, the connecting passage preferably includes a rail that connects the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit.

[0091] In this configuration, since the connecting passage is equipped with rails that link the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit, transport vehicles that travel along the transport passage on each floor to transport goods can easily move between the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit. Therefore, it is easier to further increase the flexibility of operations related to the storage of goods and the loading and unloading of goods. [Industrial applicability]

[0092] The technology relating to this disclosure can be used in an automated warehouse comprising a warehouse unit for storing goods and a storage / dispatch device for receiving and dispatching goods to or from the warehouse unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1: Warehouse Unit 1A: Warehouse Unit 1 1B: Second Warehouse Unit 2 :Hierarchy 3: Storage shelves 4: Hierarchical transport device 5: Lifting and conveying device 6: Inbound / Outbound System 6A: First Inbound / Outbound System 6B: Second Inbound / Outbound System 7: Inbound / Outbound Area 21:Specific hierarchy 22: Target hierarchy 31: Confinement Area 33: Target area 41: Transport vehicle 44: Conveyor aisle 62: Warehousing device 63: Delivery device 100: Automated warehouse W:Goods Y1: First side in the Y direction Z: Vertical direction

Claims

1. The first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit, The first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit are designated as the target warehouse unit, and the system includes an inbound / outbound area where at least one of the inbound device for receiving goods into the target warehouse unit and the outbound device for retrieving goods from the target warehouse unit are located, Each of the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit comprises a storage area in a plurality of vertically arranged levels, with storage shelves capable of accommodating a plurality of the aforementioned articles in each storage area, a transport vehicle that travels along a transport passage on each level to transport the articles, and a lifting and transporting device that transports the articles vertically across the plurality of levels. In each of the first and second warehouse units, the tier corresponding to the vertical range in which the loading and unloading areas are located is designated as the specific tier, and at least a portion of the tiers different from the specific tier is designated as the target tier. The specific floor of the first warehouse unit and the specific floor of the second warehouse unit are arranged to face each other across the loading and unloading area. The transport passage of the target floor of the first warehouse unit and the transport passage of the target floor of the second warehouse unit are connected to each other by a connecting passage on which the transport vehicle can travel. The aforementioned connecting passage is located in an automated warehouse that overlaps with the aforementioned loading / unloading area when viewed from above.

2. The automated warehouse according to claim 1, comprising: a first inbound / outbound system that performs at least one of receiving the articles into the first warehouse unit and retrieving the articles from the first warehouse unit; and a second inbound / outbound system that performs at least one of receiving the articles into the second warehouse unit and retrieving the articles from the second warehouse unit.

3. The automated warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting passage includes a rail that connects the first warehouse unit and the second warehouse unit.

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