Carts and transport systems
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUTABA IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
Smart Images
Figure 0007900339000001 
Figure 0007900339000002 
Figure 0007900339000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cart for carrying a conveyed object and a conveying system having a plurality of carts.
Background Art
[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is known a technique in which a connecting portion protruding upward and a towing hook are provided at the front end and the rear end of a cart body used in a factory or the like, respectively. The towing hook can be displaced between a vertical position and a horizontal position by rotating about a rotation axis extending in the lateral direction. A connecting hole is formed at the tip of the towing hook, and the connecting portion provided on another cart body is hooked from below into the connecting hole at the tip of the horizontally positioned towing hook, thereby connecting two cart bodies.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, the towing hook of Patent Document 1 has an outer edge formed by a rod-shaped member bent in a V shape, and a connecting hole for the connecting portion to be hooked is formed by the bent portion at the tip of the member and a rod-shaped member extending in the lateral direction. That is, there is also a gap around the connecting hole located at the tip of the towing hook into which the connecting portion can enter. Therefore, when connecting the towing hook to the connecting portion of another cart body, the connecting portion may be inserted into the gap around the connecting hole of the towing hook.
[0005] Therefore, in order to smoothly connect the towing hook to the coupling part of another bogie body, it is necessary to align the coupling hole of the towing hook with the coupling part. However, if the weight of the bogie body is heavy, or if the load on the bogie body is heavy, such alignment becomes difficult, and the burden of connecting the bogie bodies together may increase.
[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, it is desirable to facilitate the coupling of the trolleys. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a trolley comprising a mounting section, a connecting section, a connecting pin, a support section, a connecting hole, and a flat section. The mounting section is for mounting objects. The connecting section is provided so as to protrude from a first end in the front-rear direction of the mounting section. The connecting pin is provided at a second end in the front-rear direction of the mounting section and protrudes upward. The support section supports the connecting section so that the tip of the connecting section can be displaced in the vertical direction. The connecting hole is provided at the tip of the connecting section, allowing a connecting pin provided on another trolley to be inserted when the connecting section is in the connecting position. The flat section forms the lower surface of the connecting section when it is in the connecting position. The flat section also extends in a substantially planar manner from a position adjacent to the connecting hole in the connecting section toward the first end of the mounting section, and extends from the right end to the left end in the width direction of the connecting section.
[0008] According to the above configuration, when the connecting part is displaced toward the connecting position in order to insert the connecting pin into the connecting hole, even if the position of the connecting pin and the position of the connecting hole are misaligned, the connecting pin can come into contact with the flat surface that spreads out in a substantially planar manner. At this time, by shifting the position of the bogie, the position of the connecting pin can be easily adjusted and the connecting pin can be inserted into the connecting hole. Therefore, connecting the bogies becomes easier.
[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a stopper portion configured to be displaceable between a support position and an open position. The connecting portion may be configured to be displaceable downward toward the connecting position. The stopper portion in the support position may support the connecting portion in a stationary position, which is above the connecting position, from below. The stopper portion in the open position does not need to hinder the displacement of the connecting portion.
[0010] According to the above configuration, when the stopper part in the support position supports the connecting part in the stationary position, displacing the stopper part in the open position causes the connecting part to displace downward from the stationary position toward the connecting position. This allows the connecting pin to be inserted into the connecting hole of the connecting part, or the connecting pin to be brought into contact with a flat surface, the position of the connecting pin adjusted, and then inserted into the connecting hole of the connecting part. Therefore, connecting the bogies becomes easier compared to directly manipulating the connecting part.
[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure may further include a handle portion that extends upward from near the second end of the mounting portion and is used by an operator to move the trolley. The above configuration makes it easier to connect the bogies.
[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure is a transport system comprising a plurality of trolleys and a guide unit. The guide unit is configured to guide the trolleys so that they are lined up in a row. With the above configuration, multiple trolleys can be easily aligned. Therefore, connecting the trolleys becomes easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0013] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the transport system. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the transport system. [Figure 3] Side view of the bogie. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a connecting pin. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the connecting section in a stationary position. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view of the connecting part in the lowered position. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the connecting part in the connected position. [Figure 8] It is a rear view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper part is in the supported position. [Figure 9] It is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper part is in the supported position. [Figure 10] It is a side view of the stopper mechanism when the stopper part is in the released position. [Figure 11] It is an explanatory view of the connection of the carriage. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory view of the connection of the carriage. [Figure 13] It is an explanatory view of the connection of the carriage.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Configuration of the Conveying System] The conveying system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of carriages 2 and a changer 5, and is used, for example, to convey products in a factory (see FIGS. 1 to 3). Of course, it is not limited to this, and the conveying system 1 can be used to convey various conveyed objects in various situations.
[0015] The carriage 2 does not have a power source and can be towed, for example, by a self-propelled vehicle such as an electric car or can be run manually. Also, although details will be described later, each carriage 2 can be connected to another carriage 2 by a connecting pin 25 or a connecting part 34 described later. That is, one carriage 2 or two or more carriages 2 connected in a row can be towed by a towing vehicle.
[0016] The changer 5 is configured to arrange multiple trolleys 2 in a line in order to connect them to each other or to a towing vehicle such as an electric vehicle. For example, the changer 5 is installed at the location where goods are loaded onto the trolleys 2, and the worker loads the goods onto the trolleys 2 arranged by the changer 5. Then, the trolleys 2 loaded with goods are connected to a towing vehicle or another trolley 2 directly or indirectly connected to a towing vehicle, and are transported to a predetermined location by the towing vehicle.
[0017] [2. Dolly] The trolley 2 comprises a mounting section 20, wheels 21, a handle section 22, a base section 24, a connecting pin 25, and a connecting mechanism 3 (see Figures 3-7).
[0018] The loading section 20 is, for example, a roughly rectangular, flat area that extends in a planar manner, on which the transported object is placed. For example, a box-shaped pallet 23 is placed on the loading section 20, and the transported object is placed inside the pallet 23. However, it is not limited to this, and the transported object may be placed directly on the loading section 20. In addition, a number of wheels 21 (for example, six) are provided on the underside of the loading section 20.
[0019] The base portion 24 is a plate-like part provided so as to protrude rearward from approximately the center in the left-right direction at the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20 (in other words, the second end in the front-rear direction). The base portion 24 spreads out in a planar manner in approximately the horizontal direction (see Figures 3 and 4).
[0020] The connecting pin 25 is a rod-shaped portion located near the rear end of the base 24 and protruding upward. The tip of the connecting pin 25 is tapered, becoming thinner towards the tip. The connecting pin 25 is used to connect to the connecting portion 34 (details will be described later) of the coupling mechanism 3 of another bogie 2 (see Figure 7).
[0021] The handle portion 22 is a part that extends upward from near the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20 and is used when an operator moves the trolley 2 manually. For example, the handle portion 22 has two columnar parts that protrude upward from near the left and right ends (in other words, the width direction) of the mounting portion 20 (hereinafter referred to as the right end and the left end), and a rod-shaped gripping part that connects the tops of these columnar parts. The left and right direction is the direction perpendicular to the front and back direction and the up and down direction.
[0022] [3.Connection mechanism] The coupling mechanism 3 is the part for connecting to the coupling pin 25 of another bogie 2, and is provided at the front end 20A of the mounting section 20 (in other words, the first end in the front-rear direction) (see Figures 3, 5-7). The coupling mechanism 3 comprises a connecting section 30, two block sections 31, a support section 32, a regulating section 33, and a connecting section 34.
[0023] The connecting portion 30 is a roughly rectangular, plate-shaped part that is connected to the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20. The two block sections 31 are parts that protrude forward from the connecting section 30 and are arranged side by side with a gap between them.
[0024] The support portion 32 is provided near the end of each block portion 31 on the mounting portion 20 side, and supports the connecting portion 34 so that the tip of the connecting portion 34 can be displaced in the vertical direction. Specifically, the support portion 32 has a cavity that penetrates the block portion 31, and supports the shaft portion 34C (details will be described later) of the connecting portion 34, which is located in the cavity, in a rotatable state.
[0025] The restricting portion 33 is an elongated part that extends in the left-right direction and is provided between the two block portions 31. Both ends of the restricting portion 33 are connected to each block portion 31, and it has a restricting surface that extends in the left-right direction. The restricting surface supports the connecting portion 34, which is in the lowered position P2 described later, from below, thereby restricting the downward rotation of the connecting portion 34.
[0026] [4.Connection part] The connecting portion 34 is a long, slender, flat section located between the two block portions 31 and protruding from the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20 (see Figures 5-7). The connecting portion 34 is located approximately in the center of the mounting portion 20 in the left-right direction and is provided to spread out in the left-right direction, with its width narrowing towards the tip. Of course, the shape of the connecting portion 34 is not limited to this; for example, its width may be approximately constant, or its width may widen towards the tip. The connecting portion 34 comprises an outer frame portion 34A, a plurality of horizontal frame portions 34B, a shaft portion 34C, a flat portion 34D, a connecting hole 34E, and a stopper mechanism 4.
[0027] The shaft portion 34C is located at the base of the connecting portion 34 and is a rod-shaped part that extends in a roughly left-right direction. As described above, both ends of the shaft portion 34C are positioned on the support portions 32 of each block portion 31, and are rotatably supported by these support portions 32.
[0028] The outer frame portion 34A is a U-shaped, curved rod-like section, with both ends connected to the shaft portion 34C. The outer frame portion 34A has two straight sections extending straight from the shaft portion 34C and a curved section connecting the ends of these straight sections, and this curved section is located at the end of the connecting portion 34.
[0029] The multiple horizontal frame sections 34B are rod-shaped parts that extend roughly in the left-right direction, and both ends of these sections connect to the respective straight sections of the outer frame section 34A. Furthermore, the multiple horizontal frame sections 34B are aligned along the extension direction of the connecting section 34.
[0030] The connecting hole 34E is located at the tip of the connecting portion 34 and is a hole that penetrates the connecting portion 34. The connecting hole 34E also allows for the insertion of the connecting pin 25 of another bogie. Specifically, the connecting hole 34E is surrounded by the curved portion of the outer frame 34A and the horizontal frame 34B located at the very front.
[0031] The flat portion 34D is a portion that extends in a substantially planar shape and forms the lower surface, which is the surface located below the connecting portion 34 at the connecting position P1 described later and the lowering position P2 described above. The flat portion 34D includes a plate-like member joined to the outer frame portion 34A and a plurality of horizontal frame portions 34B, and the outer frame portion 34A adjacent to the plate-like member. It extends from a position adjacent to the connecting hole 34E in the connecting portion 34 toward the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20, and also extends from the right end 34R in the width direction of the connecting portion 34 to the left end 34L.
[0032] Specifically, the flat portion 34D does not reach the shaft portion 34C, and when the connecting portion 34 is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, the end of the flat portion 34D on the shaft portion 34C side is located near the regulating portion 33. However, the position of the end of the flat portion 34D on the shaft portion 34C side can be determined as appropriate, and the end may be located closer to the tip of the connecting portion 34, or it may be located near the shaft portion 34C.
[0033] The connecting portion 34 is rotatable in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft portion 34C, and can reach a stationary position P0, a connecting position P1, and a lowered position P2. Furthermore, if the connecting portion 34 is tilted forward more than vertically, it will rotate, for example, due to its own weight, so that its tip is displaced forward, or in other words, downward (see Figure 3). The connecting portion 34, rotating in this manner, can sequentially reach the stationary position P0, the connecting position P1, and the lowered position P2.
[0034] The stationary position P0 is the position in which the unit is supported by the stopper section 42, which will be described later, as shown in Figure 5, and is located above the connecting position P1 and the lowered position P2. The lowered position P2 is the position in which the connecting portion 34 is supported from below by the restricting surface of the restricting portion 33, as described above, as shown in Figure 6. When the connecting portion 34 rotates forward and reaches the lowered position P2, it comes into contact with the restricting surface of the restricting portion 33 and is supported by the restricting surface, thereby restricting its downward rotation and causing it to come to a stationary state.
[0035] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, the coupling position P1 is the position where the coupling pin 25 of the other bogie 2 is inserted into the coupling hole 34E of the coupling section 34, and the coupling section 34 and the coupling pin 25 are connected. The coupling position P1 may change depending on the position of the coupling pin 25 of the other bogie 2, and the lowered position P2, or a position above the lowered position P2, may become the coupling position P1.
[0036] [5. Stopper mechanism] The stopper mechanism 4 is provided on the upper surface of one of the two block sections 31 (for example, the right block section 31) and comprises a support section 40, a shaft section 41, a stopper section 42, a holding section 43, and a hook section 44 (see Figures 5-10).
[0037] The shaft portion 41 is a roughly cylindrical part that extends roughly in the front-rear direction, and the support portion 40 rotatably supports the portion including each end of the shaft portion 41 (see Figures 8-10). Hereafter, the straight line passing through the approximate center of the cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction of the shaft portion 41 will be referred to as axis A.
[0038] The stopper portion 42 is a substantially cylindrical portion that protrudes from approximately the center of the extension direction on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extension direction. The retaining portion 43 is a cylindrical part located approximately in the center of the extension direction on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 41, and extends in approximately the same direction as the shaft portion 41. The retaining portion 43 is provided at a predetermined angle from the stopper portion 42 in the circumferential direction centered on axis A.
[0039] The hook portion 44 is an L-shaped bent section and is provided to protrude from the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the stopper portion 42 located at the support position P3, which will be described later. The hook portion 44 is a section for hooking onto the tip of the rod-shaped member, the dereki (details will be described later), and the shape of the hook portion 44 is not limited to an L shape but can be determined as appropriate.
[0040] The stopper portion 42 is rotatable around axis A within the range from the support position P3 (see Figures 8 and 9) to the open position P4 (see Figure 10) as the shaft portion 41 rotates. Thereafter, the direction of rotation from the open position P4 toward the support position P3 is referred to as the first direction D1, and the direction of rotation from the support position P3 toward the open position P4 is referred to as the second direction D2.
[0041] When the stopper portion 42 is in the open position P4, the holding portion 43 comes into contact with the upper surface of the block portion 31, thereby restricting the rotation of the stopper portion 42 in the second direction D2. Also, when the stopper portion 42 is in the open position P4 (or in or near the open position P4), the stopper portion 42 is prompted to rotate in the second direction D2 by the weight of the holding portion 43, for example, and as a result, the stopper portion 42 is held in the open position P4.
[0042] On the other hand, if the stopper portion 42 is in a position other than the open position P4 (or other than the open position P4 and its vicinity), the stopper portion 42 will rotate in the first direction D1 due to its own weight, for example, and move toward the support position P3. When the stopper portion 42 reaches the support position P3, it will come into contact with the upper surface of the block portion 31, and this contact will restrict the rotation of the stopper portion 42 toward the first direction D1. In other words, once the stopper portion 42 reaches the support position P3, it will be held in place at the support position P3.
[0043] Furthermore, the stopper portion 42 in the support position P3 can support the connecting portion 34 in the stationary position P1 from below. On the other hand, the stopper portion 42 in the open position P4 does not come into contact with the connecting portion 34 which rotates around the shaft portion 34C. In other words, the stopper portion 42 does not hinder the rotation of the connecting portion 34.
[0044] [6. Operation of the coupling mechanism and stopper mechanism when coupling] As described above, the connecting portion 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 is displaceable between a stationary position P0 (see Figure 5) and connecting positions P1 (see Figure 7) and a lowered position P2 (see Figure 6), which are located below the stationary position P0.
[0045] When the stopper portion 42 of the stopper mechanism 4 is in the support position P3 (see Figure 9), suppose the operator rotates the connecting portion 34, which is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, toward the stationary position P0 (in other words, upward). At this time, the connecting portion 34 collides with the stopper portion 42 in the support position P3, causing the stopper portion 42 to rotate in the second direction D2. As a result, the connecting portion 34 passes the stopper portion 42 (in other words, the stationary position P0), and after the connecting portion 34 has passed, the stopper portion 42 rotates in the first direction D1, for example, due to its own weight, and is displaced to the support position P3. Therefore, when the connecting portion 34 returns to the stationary position P0, the connecting portion 34 is supported at the stationary position P0 by the stopper portion 42 in the support position P3.
[0046] On the other hand, when the stopper portion 42 of the stopper mechanism 4 is in the open position P4 (see Figure 10), the stopper portion 42 does not obstruct the rotation of the connecting portion 34. In this case, the operator can rotate the connecting portion 34, which is in the connecting position P1 or the lowered position P2, toward the stationary position P0, and after the connecting portion 34 has passed the stationary position P0, displace the stopper portion 42 to the support position P3. After that, when the connecting portion 34 returns to the stationary position P0, the connecting portion 34 is supported by the stopper portion 42 at the stationary position P0.
[0047] Furthermore, when connecting the coupling portion 34 of the coupling mechanism 3 to the coupling pin 25 of the front trolley 2, the coupling portion 34 is held in place by the stopper portion 42 and positioned at a stationary position P0. Then, the operator, for example, hooks the hook at the tip of a rake onto the hook portion 44 of the stopper mechanism 4, and then operates the rake to displace the stopper portion 42, which is in the support position P3, to the open position P4. Hereafter, this operation will be referred to as unlocking.
[0048] Upon unlocking, the stopper portion 42 is held in the open position P4, and the connecting portion 34 rotates, for example, from the stationary position P0 towards the connected position P1 due to its own weight. This displaces the connecting portion 34 toward the connecting pin 25 of the front bogie 2, allowing the connecting pin 25 to be inserted into the connecting portion 34, thereby connecting the connecting portion 34 and the connecting pin 25.
[0049] [7. Changer] The changer 5 comprises a guide section 50 and a drive mechanism 53 (see Figures 1 and 2). The guide section 50 is configured to guide each of the multiple trolleys 2 so that they are lined up in a row, and comprises two guide sections 51 and multiple base sections 52.
[0050] Each guide section 51 is a long, narrow, rail-shaped portion that extends substantially horizontally along the floor. The multiple base sections 52 are parts that support each guide section 51 from below and are provided so as to protrude from the floor.
[0051] Each guide unit 51 extends in a substantially straight line and is arranged substantially parallel to the others, and an alignment space S is formed between these guide units 51 for arranging multiple trolleys 2 in a line along a predetermined alignment direction L. The height of each guide unit 51 is adjusted so as to abut against the right or left end of the mounting section 20 of the trolley 2 located in the alignment space S. The spacing between each guide unit 51 is approximately the same as the width of the mounting section 20 of the trolley 2. Therefore, by moving the alignment space S, multiple trolleys 2 are guided to line up in a line along the alignment direction L.
[0052] Furthermore, the drive mechanism 53 is configured to move the trolley 2, which is positioned in the alignment space S, along the alignment direction L. Specifically, the drive mechanism 53 is located in the center in the width direction of the alignment space S and extends from around the starting point of the alignment space S to just before the ending point. The drive mechanism 53 is also configured to engage with an engaging portion provided on the bottom surface of the mounting portion 20 of the trolley 2, and is configured to move the engaged trolley 2 along the alignment direction L.
[0053] Therefore, when a trolley 2 enters the alignment space S with its front-to-back direction aligned with the alignment direction L, the trolley 2 moves along the alignment direction L by the drive mechanism 53, thereby aligning each trolley 2 in a line along the alignment direction L.
[0054] [8. Connecting the bogies] When connecting the rear trolley 2 to the front trolley 2, the connecting portion 34 of the connecting mechanism 3 of the rear trolley 2 is supported by the stopper portion 42 located at support position P3 and is in a stationary position P0 (see Figure 5). Then, the worker moves the trolley 2 closer to the front trolley 2 until the block portion 31 of the rear trolley 2 comes into contact with or is close to the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20 of the front trolley 2 (see Figure 11).
[0055] Subsequently, the operator performs, for example, the aforementioned unlocking procedure, displacing the stopper portion 42 from the support position P3 to the open position P4. As a result, the connecting portion 34 tilts forward from the stationary position P0 and comes into contact with the front trolley 2 or the transported object placed on the trolley 2, and is supported by the trolley 2 or the transported object (see Figure 12).
[0056] At this time, when the worker moves the front trolley 2 forward, the coupling portion 34 of the rear trolley 2 rotates toward the coupling position P1, and the tip of the coupling pin 25 of the front trolley 2 comes into contact with the flat portion 34D of the coupling portion 34 of the rear trolley 2. As a result, as the front trolley 2 moves forward, the coupling pin 25 approaches the coupling hole 34E of the coupling portion 34, and finally the coupling pin 25 is inserted into the coupling hole 34E, and these trolleys 2 are coupled (see Figure 13).
[0057] Similarly, multiple trolleys 2 are connected in the alignment space S formed by the changer 5. That is, when a trolley 2 enters the alignment space S, the connecting portion 34 of the trolley 2 is in a stationary position P0 supported by the stopper portion 42. The trolley 2 is then moved forward along the alignment direction L by the drive mechanism 53 until the block portion 31 of the trolley 2 comes into contact with or is close to the rear end 20B of the last trolley 2 located in the alignment space S.
[0058] After the loading of the transported items onto the trolleys 2 positioned in the alignment space S is complete, the operator releases the lock on the stopper portion 42 of the trolley 2 to be moved from the alignment space S. The operator then connects the leading trolley 2 to the towing vehicle via the coupling portion 34.
[0059] Then, when the operator moves the leading bogie 2 forward with the towing vehicle, the coupling portion 34 of the unlocked second bogie 2 rotates toward the coupling position P1 as it moves, and the coupling portion 34 of the following bogie 2 connects with the coupling pin 25 of the leading bogie 2. Then, when the coupled second bogie 2 moves forward, the coupling portion 34 of the second bogie 2 connects with the coupling pin 25 of the leading bogie 2 in the same manner. The third and subsequent bogies 2 are also coupled with the unlocked following bogies 2 in the same manner.
[0060] In other words, by moving the leading bogie 2 forward with the towing vehicle, one or more bogies 2 lined up behind the leading bogie 2 are coupled in the alignment space S. These coupled bogies 2 are then towed by the towing vehicle and moved to a designated location.
[0061] [9. Effects] (1) The connecting portion 34 of the above embodiment is provided with a flat portion 34D that extends in a substantially planar shape. Therefore, when connecting the rear trolley 2 to the front trolley 2, the connecting portion 34 is rotated toward the connecting position P1 in order to insert the connecting pin 25 of the front trolley 2 into the connecting hole 34E of the connecting portion 34 of the rear trolley 2. At this time, even if the position of the connecting pin 25 and the position of the connecting hole 34E are misaligned, the connecting pin 25 can come into contact with the flat portion 34D of the connecting portion 34 that extends in a substantially planar shape. At this time, by shifting the position of the rear trolley 2 (or the front trolley 2), the position of the connecting pin 25 can be easily adjusted and the connecting pin 25 can be inserted into the connecting hole 34E. Therefore, connecting the trolleys 2 becomes easier.
[0062] (2) Furthermore, when the stopper portion 42 at support position P3 is supporting the connecting portion 34 at stationary position P0, releasing the lock and displacing the stopper portion 42 to the open position P4 causes the connecting portion 34 to rotate downward toward the connecting position P1. This allows the connecting pin 25 to be inserted into the connecting hole 34E of the connecting portion 34, or the connecting pin 25 to be brought into contact with the flat portion 34D, the position of the connecting pin 25 to be adjusted, and then the connecting pin 25 to be inserted into the connecting hole 34E. For this reason, the coupling of the trolley 2 becomes easier compared to directly manipulating the connecting portion 34.
[0063] (3) Furthermore, a handle portion 22 is provided at the rear end 20B of the mounting portion 20. This makes it easier to connect the trolley 2. (4) In addition, the transport system 1 includes a changer 5 having a guide section 50, as well as multiple trolleys 2. This makes it easy to align multiple trolleys 2 and to connect the trolleys 2.
[0064] [10. Other Embodiments] (1) In the above embodiment, two block portions 31 and a connecting portion 34 are provided at the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20 of the trolley 2, and a base portion 24 and a connecting pin 25 are provided at the rear end 20B. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the base portion 24 and connecting pin 25 may be provided at the front end 20A of the mounting portion 20, and two block portions 31 and a connecting portion 34 may be provided at the rear end 20B.
[0065] (2) The guide section 50 in the changer 5 of the above embodiment has two rail-shaped guide sections 51, and guides a plurality of trolleys 2 by these guide sections 51. However, it is not limited to this, and each guide section 51 may be configured as a wall-shaped part that abuts against the right end or left end of the mounting section 20, for example. Alternatively, each guide section 51 may be configured as a groove-shaped part provided on the floor and configured to accommodate the right or left wheel 21 of the trolley 2. Even with such a configuration, the guide section 50 can guide a plurality of trolleys 2 to line up in a row by the two guide sections 51.
[0066] (3) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0067] 1...Conveyor system, 2...Cart, 20...Placement section, 20A...Front end, 20B...Rear end, 22...Handle section, 24...Base section, 25...Connecting pin, 3...Connecting mechanism, 31...Block section, 32...Support section, 34...Connecting section, 34C...Shaft section, 34D...Flat section, 34E...Connecting hole, 34L...Left end, 34R...Right end, P0...Stationary position, P1...Connecting position, P2...Lowered position, 4...Stopper mechanism, 41...Shaft section, 42...Stopper section, 43...Holding section, 44...Hook section, A...Axis, P3...Support position, P4...Open position, D1...First direction, D2...Second direction, 5...Changer, 50...Guide section, 51...Guiding section, 53...Drive mechanism, L...Alignment direction, S...Alignment space.
Claims
1. It is a trolley, A mounting section for placing the transported object, A connecting portion is provided so as to protrude from the first end in the front-rear direction of the mounting portion, A connecting pin is provided at the second end in the front-rear direction of the mounting portion and protrudes upward, A support portion is provided to support the connecting portion so that the tip of the connecting portion can be displaced in the vertical direction, A connecting hole is provided at the tip of the connecting portion, and when the connecting portion is in the connecting position, the connecting pin provided on the other trolley can be inserted into it. A flat portion that forms the lower surface of the connecting portion at the aforementioned connecting position, A shaft portion that is rotatable in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, A stopper portion is a rod-shaped portion that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion, and is configured to be displaced to a support position by rotating together with the shaft portion in the first direction, and to be displaced to an open position by rotating together with the shaft portion in the second direction, The shaft portion comprises a retaining portion provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion, The planar portion extends in a substantially planar manner from a position adjacent to the connecting hole in the connecting portion toward the first end of the aforementioned mounting portion, and extends from the right end to the left end in the width direction of the connecting portion. The connecting portion is configured to be displaced downward toward the connecting position. The stopper portion in the support position supports the connecting portion in a stationary position which is above the connecting position from below. The stopper portion in the open position does not obstruct the displacement of the connecting portion. When the stopper portion is in the open position, the retaining portion restricts the rotation of the stopper portion in the second direction while applying a load to the stopper portion to cause it to rotate in the second direction. Dolly.
2. The trolley according to Claim 1, The stopper portion is further provided with a hook portion on its outer circumferential surface, The aforementioned hook portion is located above the stopper portion in the support position and is a part that can be hooked by other members. Dolly.
3. A trolley according to claim 1 or claim 2, The trolley is further provided with a handle portion that extends upward from near the second end of the mounting portion and is used by the worker when moving the trolley. Dolly.
4. A transport system, A plurality of trolleys as described in claim 1 or claim 2, A guide unit configured to guide the trolleys so that multiple trolleys are lined up in a row, A transport system equipped with the following features.