Guard Device for Gantry System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a guard device. A guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a gantry system for transporting an article, comprises a guard drive unit that generates a driving force and a guard member that is movably positioned to block the lower space or release the blockage of the lower space by the driving force. According to the present invention, by providing a guard member that blocks the lower space of an article being transported and thereby preventing the article being transported from falling, the safety of the article transport can be improved.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gantry system equipped with a guard device, and more specifically, to a gantry system that can improve the safety of transporting goods by preventing the goods being transported from falling by providing a guard member that blocks the lower space of the goods being transported. Background Technology

[0003] The term "logistics" is an abbreviation of "physical distribution" and refers to the collective function or activities of effectively moving products and goods from producers to consumers. Generally, it encompasses various activities such as packaging, loading and unloading, transportation, storage, and information.

[0004] Typically, the transportation of products and goods involves various processes such as packaging, storage, collection / loading, transport, unloading / delivery, and storage. Regardless of the means of transportation used, the movement of products and goods is impossible without going through these processes. Physical distribution (logistics) is the comprehensive view of this entire movement.

[0005] In recent years, mass production, mass sales, and mass consumption have become the trends of the times, and as the need to streamline the flow of goods connecting them has grown, the importance of logistics is gradually increasing.

[0006] A logistics warehouse generally refers to a storage facility designed to temporarily or for long-term store all everyday goods, such as various foodstuffs, beverages, clothing, home appliances, miscellaneous goods, and industrial supplies, that are mass-produced at factories or production sites. Due to the rapid development of the logistics industry in recent years, these warehouses are being designed and constructed to move beyond simple logistics management. They are now designed to facilitate the creation of new business opportunities, ranging from the placement of stored inventory to efficient inbound and outbound operations and inventory management.

[0007] Since the rapid receiving and shipping of goods is vital for these logistics warehouses, most are equipped with mechanized or automated loading and unloading systems. Typical automated equipment used includes stacker cranes, shuttles, and lifts. In addition, various other devices are utilized, such as transfer systems where transport carts move along rails installed on the warehouse floor or ceiling to transport goods.

[0008] In addition, gantry systems are also used to transport goods using gantry for the purpose of transporting relatively heavy or bulky items inside a logistics warehouse.

[0009] Generally, a gantry system may be configured to include a clamping device for clamping an article, a lifting device coupled to the clamping device and operated to move the clamping device up and down, a movable body coupled to the lifting device, a movable rail coupled to the movable body and guiding movement in a first axis direction horizontal to the ground of the movable body, a pair of main rails coupled to the movable rail and guiding movement in a second axis direction orthogonal to the first axis horizontal to the ground of the movable rail, and one or more support units that support the main rail from the ground so that the main rail is spaced apart from the ground by a predetermined height.

[0010] A clamping device can fix or release an item so that the item can be lifted and transported. For example, the clamping device can fix an item by applying pressure to both ends of the item or release the fixing of the item by releasing the pressure on both ends. The gantry system has the advantage that the clamping device, which has fixed the item, moves upward by a lifting device to lift the item, and the item can be transported relatively freely by moving the moving body in the first axis direction and the moving rail in the second axis direction while the item is lifted.

[0011] However, gantry systems that lift and transport goods from the ground like this pose a risk of safety accidents and damage to goods due to falling items. In particular, when transporting heavy loads, there is a high probability of goods falling, and there is a problem that the damage caused by a fall is also greater.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need to develop a guard device for a gantry system that can prevent items from falling. The problem to be solved

[0014] The present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art mentioned above, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a gantry system that can prevent an item being transported through a gantry system from falling by providing a guard member that blocks the lower space of the item being transported. means of solving the problem

[0016] A guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a gantry system for transporting articles, a guard device for blocking a lower space of an article being transported, comprises a guard driving unit that generates a driving force, and a guard member that is movably positioned to block the lower space or release the blocking of the lower space by the driving force.

[0017] At this time, during horizontal transport of the item, a guard control unit may be further included to control the guard drive unit so that the guard member is positioned to block the lower space.

[0018] In addition, the clamping device for securing items in the gantry system passes through the lower space during lifting or lowering movement to lift or lower the items, and

[0019] The control unit can control the guard drive unit so that the guard member is positioned to release the blockage to the lower space when the clamping device moves up and down.

[0020] In addition, a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of links connected and receiving driving force from a guard driving unit, and further includes a pair of roller chains spaced apart from each other, and a guard member has a shaft shape and both ends can be coupled to the links to connect the pair of roller chains.

[0021] In addition, the guard member can extend from the bush of the roller chain.

[0022] In addition, the roller chain forms two vertical sections and two horizontal sections to have a closed loop structure, and by providing driving force from the guard drive unit, any link can move from the vertical section to the horizontal section or from the horizontal section to the vertical section, and at least some of the links among the multiple links to which the guard member is attached are placed in the horizontal section to block the lower space, and at least some of the links among the multiple links not to which the guard member is attached are placed in the horizontal section to release the blockage of the lower space.

[0023] In addition, a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a sagging prevention frame that is arranged in a long straight line along the direction of travel of the roller chain below the horizontal section to prevent sagging of the horizontal section. Effects of the invention

[0025] According to the present invention, the safety of transporting goods can be improved by providing a guard member that blocks the lower space of the goods being transported, thereby preventing the goods from falling. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a gantry system to which a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example of cargo transport in a gantry system to which a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of the installation of a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of a roller chain being connected to a chain gear according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view illustrating the connection of a guard member connected to a link according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of how a guard member according to one embodiment of the present invention operates to block the lower space of a clamping device. FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an example of how a guard member according to an embodiment of the present invention operates to release the blockage of the lower space of a clamping device. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] It should be noted that the technical terms used in this invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, unless specifically defined otherwise in this invention, the technical terms used in this invention should be interpreted in the sense generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly broad or overly narrow sense. Additionally, if a technical term used in this invention is an incorrect technical term that fails to accurately express the concept of the invention, it should be understood as being replaced by a technical term that can be correctly understood by those skilled in the art.

[0029] Furthermore, singular expressions used in the present invention include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present invention, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the invention, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0030] In addition, it should be noted that the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate an understanding of the concept of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the concept of the present invention.

[0032] The guard device according to the present invention will be examined in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of a gantry system to which a guard device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example of a cargo transport view of a gantry system to which a guard device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0035] Below, prior to a full description of another guard device according to one embodiment of the present invention, we will examine an example of a gantry system to which the guard device according to this embodiment is applied.

[0036] A gantry system to which a guard device according to the present embodiment is applied is intended to transport an item in three axial directions: a vertical direction, a first direction horizontal to the ground, and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction horizontal to the ground. It may be configured to include a clamping device (100) for clamping an item (g), a lifting device (200) to which the clamping device (100) is coupled, a moving body (300) to which the lifting device (200) is coupled, a moving rail (400) to which the moving body (300) is coupled, a pair of main rails (500) to which the moving rails (400) are coupled, and a plurality of support units (600) that support the main rails (500) from the ground.

[0037] The clamping device (100) serves to fix or release an item. The clamping device (100) can be designed to fix an item through various configurations, such as a strong clamp or a clamping device. For example, the clamping device (100) can be configured to fix an item (g) by applying pressure to both ends of the item or to release the pressure.

[0038] The lifting device (200) is coupled with the clamping device (100), and moves the coupled clamping device (100) up and down in a vertical direction to lift or lower an item. Therefore, the gantry system can transport an item in a vertical direction.

[0039] The lifting device (200) can be configured to move the clamping device (100) up and down in various ways, and methods such as a hoist, chain, hydraulic cylinder, and telescopic can be applied as needed for moving the clamping device (100) up and down.

[0040] A lifting device (200) is coupled to the movable body (300). At this time, the lifting device (200) can be coupled to the upper side of the movable body (300). The movable body (300) is configured to be movable in a first axis direction parallel to the ground. Accordingly, the gantry system can transport an item in the first axis direction according to the movement of the movable body (300) in the first axis direction.

[0041] The moving rail (400) is movably coupled to the moving body (300) and is arranged lengthwise in the first axis direction to guide the movement of the moving body (300) in the first axis direction. Additionally, the moving rail (400) is configured to move in a second axis direction perpendicular to the first axis direction and horizontal to the ground, so that an item can be transported in the second axis direction. Accordingly, the gantry system can transport an item in the second axis direction according to the movement of the moving rail (400) in the second axis direction.

[0042] The main rail (500) is movably coupled to the movable rail (400) and is arranged lengthwise in the second axis direction to guide the movement of the movable rail (400) in the second axis direction. A pair of main rails (500) may be provided so that both ends of the movable rail (400) are coupled.

[0043] A plurality of support units (600) are provided and can be coupled to the main rail (500) to support the main rail (500) at a predetermined height from the ground.

[0045] Meanwhile, a clamping device (100) coupled to a lifting device (200) can be positioned on the upper side of a movable body (300) together with the lifting device (200). When transporting an item, this clamping device (100) is positioned on the upper side of the transport body (300) together with the fixed item, as shown in the example illustrated in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the clamping device (100) can move up and down by penetrating the movable body (300) in a vertical direction when the lifting device (200) moves up and down for loading and unloading items from the lower side of the transport body (300). This is intended to improve space efficiency and enhance the structural stability of the system by preventing collisions between the item being transported and the items and equipment on the floor space while installing the components of the system at a relatively low position.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of the installation of a guard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a schematic view of a guard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of a roller chain being connected to a chain gear according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged drawing illustrating the connection of a guard member connected to a link according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a guard device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an example of a guard member operating to block the lower space of a clamping device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an example of a guard member operating to release the blockage of the lower space of a clamping device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Hereinafter, a guard device (37) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9.

[0049] A guard device (370) according to one embodiment of the present invention blocks the lower space of an item being transported to prevent the item from falling.

[0050] The guard device (370) can be installed on the movable body (300) of the gantry system as shown in the example in FIG. 3.

[0051] First, the movable body (300) may include a frame portion (310) forming the body, a body drive roller (330) for movement in the first axis direction, a body drive motor (340) providing driving force to the body drive roller (330), and a first support roller (351) and a second support roller (353) that support the frame portion (310) from the movable rail (400).

[0052] The frame section (310) forms the skeleton of the movable body (300). The frame section (310) may include a pair of first axis main frames that are arranged lengthwise in the first axis direction and spaced apart from each other in the second axis direction, a pair of second axis main frames that are arranged lengthwise in the second axis direction and interconnect the pair of first axis main frames, four vertical auxiliary frames that extend downward from the four corners of a square frame formed by combining the pair of first axis main frames and the pair of second axis main frames, and a pair of first axis auxiliary frames that connect the lower ends of another vertical auxiliary frame spaced apart from one of the vertical auxiliary frames in the first axis direction. In this way, the movable body is configured with a cuboid frame shape, and as a result, the clamping device (100) can move up and down by penetrating the movable body (300) in the vertical direction.

[0053] The body drive roller (330) is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis and is positioned to make rolling contact in close contact with the moving rail (400), and the moving body (300) can move in the direction of the first axis by the rotation of the body drive roller (330). The body drive roller (330) is connected to the body drive motor (340) and receives driving force for rotational movement from the body drive motor (340). The body drive roller (330) and the body drive motor (340) can be positioned on the first axis main frame and may be provided in multiple numbers.

[0054] A plurality of first support rollers (351) may be provided and may be positioned on the first axis main frame (311) to make downward rolling contact with the moving rail (400). Additionally, a plurality of second support rollers (353) may be provided and may be positioned on the first axis auxiliary frame (317) to make upward rolling contact with the moving rail (400). In this way, since the moving body (300) is supported by making upward and downward contact with the moving rail (400) by a plurality of first support rollers (351) and second support rollers (353), it may not overturn even if a heavy load is positioned on the upper side of the moving body (300) and the center of gravity is formed on the upper side.

[0056] Meanwhile, a guard device (370) according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a frame part (310) of a movable body as shown in the example of FIG. 3, and can block the lower space of an item being transported by blocking the lower or upper surface of the frame part (310). Preferably, the lower space of an item can be blocked by blocking the lower surface of the frame part (310) to secure a placement space for the item being transported. In addition, the guard device (370) can release the blockage of the lower space when the clamping device (100) moves up or down to lift or lower the item.

[0057] To this end, the guard device (370) may be equipped with a pair of roller chains (371) as shown in FIG. 4, a chain gear (373) that meshes with the roller chains (373), a guard drive unit (375) that provides driving force to the chain gear (373), a plurality of guard members (377) that connect the pair of roller chains (371), and a chain link shaft (376) that transmits driving force between the chain gears (373).

[0058] A pair of roller chains (371) are spaced apart from each other in the second axis direction, and each roller chain (371) is configured with multiple links (3711) connected as shown in FIG. 6.

[0059] The roller chain (371) has a square closed-loop structure as illustrated in FIG. 5, and for this purpose, four chain gears (373) may be engaged and arranged in each roller chain (371). The chain gears (373) are configured to rotate about a rotation axis in the second axis direction and are engaged and arranged at each inner angle of the square formed by the roller chain (371) so that the roller chain (371) forms a square closed loop. Due to this square closed-loop structure, the roller chain (371) forms two vertical sections and two horizontal sections. A guard drive unit (375) is connected to any one of the four chain gears (373) arranged in a single roller chain (371) to provide a driving force for rotational movement. Accordingly, when driving force is provided by the guard drive unit (375), any link of the roller chain (371) can move from a vertical section to a horizontal section or from a horizontal section to a vertical section by the rotation of one chain gear (373). At this time, a pair of guard drive units (375) may be provided to provide driving force to each of the pair of roller chains (371), but preferably, the driving force generated by one guard drive unit (375) can be provided to the pair of roller chains (371) by connecting the chain gear (373) engaged with one roller chain and the chain gear (373) engaged with the other roller chain through a chain link shaft (376) to transmit the driving force.

[0060] A guard member (377) may be arranged to connect a pair of roller chains (371). Specifically, the guard member (377) may have a shaft shape and be arranged lengthwise in the second axis direction. Both ends of the guard member (377) may be connected to links (3711) that constitute the roller chain. At this time, the guard member (377) may extend from a bush (3713) of the roller chain as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, the guard member (377) is connected to some of the links (3711) that form the roller chain (371), and the links (3711) to which the guard member (377) is connected may be arranged in a continuous sequence. For convenience of explanation, the link (3711) to which the guard member (377) is connected will be referred to as the first link, and the link (3711) to which the guard member (377) is not connected will be referred to as the second link.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the guard drive unit (375) can be controlled by a separate guard control unit (379). The guard control unit (379) controls whether the guard drive unit (375) is driven or the driving direction so that the first link is positioned in a horizontal section as in the example of FIG. 8, thereby blocking the lower space of the article, or as in the example of FIG. 9, the second link is positioned in a horizontal direction and all or part of the first link is positioned in a vertical section so that the lower space of the article is unblocked.

[0062] Preferably, the guard control unit (379) can control the guard drive unit (375) based on an external signal received from the outside. For example, the lifting control unit controlling the lifting device (200) can generate a lifting preparation signal and transmit it to the guard control unit (379) before controlling the lifting device (200) to move the clamping device (100) located at the top initial position up and down. Upon receiving the lifting preparation signal, the guard control unit (379) can control the guard drive unit (375) to release the blockage of the lower space so that the second link is positioned in the horizontal section. Conversely, when the lifting control unit completes the control of the lifting device (200) and the clamping device (100) returns to the initial position, it can generate a lifting completion signal and transmit it to the guard control unit (379). The guard control unit (379), upon receiving the lifting completion signal, can block the lower space by controlling the guard drive unit (375) so that the first link is positioned in the horizontal section. Here, when transporting an item fixed to the clamping device (100) in the direction of the first axis or the second axis, the clamping device (100) may be positioned in the initial position.

[0063] At this time, the guard control unit (379) can control the guard drive unit (375) in various ways so that the first link is positioned in a horizontal section or the second link is positioned in a horizontal section. For example, a protruding member (not shown) protruding in one direction can be mounted on a specific link, and a dog sensor (not shown) can be installed to detect the protruding member and generate a detection signal when the protruding member is positioned at a specific location by driving the guard drive unit (375). The detection signal is provided to the guard control unit (379), and the guard control unit (379) can control the guard drive unit (375) so that the first link is positioned in a horizontal section or the second link is positioned in a horizontal section by determining the position of the specific link based on the detection signal. At this time, for precise control of the guard control unit (379), multiple protruding members and dog sensors may be provided as needed. As a specific example, a first protruding member and a second protruding member are mounted on different links, and a first dog sensor is provided to detect when the first protruding member is located at a specific position and to generate a first detection signal, and a second dog sensor is provided to detect when the second protruding member is located at a different specific position and to generate a second detection signal. The guard control unit (379) can drive the guard drive unit (375) in one direction until the first detection signal is received when a lifting preparation signal is received, and drive the guard drive unit (375) in the other direction until the second detection signal is received when a lifting completion signal is received. At this time, when the first dog sensor detects the first protruding member, the second link is positioned in a horizontal section and the blockage of the lower space is released, and when the second dog sensor detects the second protruding member, the first link is positioned in a horizontal section and the lower space is blocked.

[0064] Preferably, a stopper may be placed around the dog sensor to restrict the movement of the roller chain (371) by contacting the protruding member. Thus, when the protruding member is not detected due to causes such as a detection error by the dog sensor, the problem of the roller chain (371) continuing to move and the guard member (377) colliding with an item can be prevented.

[0065] Preferably, when an item being transported or another object is placed on a guard member (377) that blocks the lower space, a separate anti-sagging frame (379) may be provided to prevent sagging of the roller chain (371) due to the load of the item placed on the guard member (377).

[0066] The anti-sagging frame (379) can be arranged in a long straight line along the direction of travel of the roller chain (371) below the horizontal section to prevent sagging of the horizontal section, as shown in the example in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0068] As described above, the guard device (370) according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve the safety of transporting goods by preventing the falling of goods being transported through a gantry system.

[0070] Meanwhile, the above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0072] 100: Clamping device 110: Main body unit 130: Left pressurization unit 140: Right pressurization unit 200: Lifting device 300: Moving body 310: Frame section 311: 1st axis main frame 313: Second axis main frame 315: Vertical auxiliary frame 317: 1st axis auxiliary frame 330: Body drive roller 340: Body drive motor 351: First support roller 353: Second support roller 370: Guard device 371: Roller chain 3711: Link 3713: Bush 373: Chain Gear 375: Guard drive unit 376: Chain link shaft 377: Guard member 378: Anti-sagging plate 379: Guard control unit 400: Moving rail 500: Main rail 600: Support unit

Claims

Claim 1 A gantry system for transporting goods comprises: a clamping device for fixing the goods; a lifting device coupled to the clamping device to move the clamping device up and down; a movable body coupled to the upper side of the lifting device and configured to have a square frame shape so that the clamping device can penetrate in the vertical direction when moving up and down; and a guard device for blocking the lower space of the goods being transported, wherein the guard device is mounted on the frame portion of the movable body and arranged to block the lower surface of the frame portion and generates a driving force; a pair of roller chains configured by connecting a plurality of links and receiving the driving force from the guard driving unit, and spaced apart from each other to form a closed loop structure, each forming two vertical sections and two horizontal sections; and a guard member having a shaft shape, with both ends coupled to the links to connect the pair of roller chains, and moving together with the links between the vertical sections and the horizontal sections by the driving force to block the lower space or release the blockage of the lower space. A gantry system comprising a guard control unit that controls the guard drive unit by receiving a lifting preparation signal or a lifting completion signal from the lifting device, wherein, during horizontal transport of the above-mentioned article, a link to which the guard member is attached is positioned in the horizontal section to block the lower space, and when the clamping device moves up and down through the lower space by penetrating the moving body by the lifting device, a link not to which the guard member is attached is positioned in the horizontal section to release the blockage of the lower space. Claim 2 In claim 1, the guard member is a gantry system extending from a bush of the roller chain. Claim 3 A gantry system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sagging prevention frame arranged in a long straight line along the direction of travel of the roller chain below the horizontal section to prevent sagging of the horizontal section. Claim 4 A gantry system according to claim 1, wherein a protruding member protruding in one direction is mounted on a portion of the link, and the guard control unit includes a dog sensor that detects when the protruding member is positioned at a specific location by driving the guard drive unit and generates a detection signal, and controls the guard drive unit based on the detection signal. Claim 5 A gantry system according to claim 4, wherein a stopper is disposed around the dog sensor to restrict the movement of the roller chain by contacting the protruding member. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete

Images