Stocker and storage conveyance system

Abstract

This stocker (40) comprises: an endless strip body (43B) that is configured so as to be able to circulate and move; a plurality of shelf bodies (45) that are attached to the endless strip body (43B) and hold articles (10); a main body part (41) that accommodates the plurality of shelf bodies (45); N number of delivery parts (51) that can deliver the articles (10) between a conveyance device (6) and one of the plurality of shelf bodies (45) in an upper part of the main body part (41); and a controller (49) that controls the driving of the endless strip body (43B). The endless strip body (43B) is disposed so that each of the plurality of shelf bodies (45) passes through each of the N number of delivery parts (51), and the controller (49) controls the driving of the endless strip body (43B) so that N number of shelf bodies (45) consecutively adjacent to each other in the movement direction of the endless strip body (43B) are selectively stopped at each of the N number of delivery parts (51).

Description

Stocker and storage and transport system

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a stocker and a storage and transport system.

[0002] A storage and transport system including a stocker for storing items and a transport vehicle that travels along a track is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a storage and transport system (transport system) that includes a stocker having a plurality of shelves (shelves), a transport device (intra-storage transport device) that transports items between the plurality of shelves, and a stocker body that houses the shelves and the transport device, and a ceiling transport vehicle that travels on a track provided on the ceiling.

[0003] JP 2009-62154 A

[0004] In such a storage and transport system, efficient exchange of goods between the overhead transport vehicle and the stocker is required. However, in the conventional stocker described above, there is only one transfer section for transferring goods between the overhead transport vehicle and the stocker, making efficient exchange of goods difficult. In addition, the in-storage transport device, which is equipped with a movement mechanism that can move on two axes, vertically and horizontally, has a complex configuration, and it takes time to transfer goods from the storage shelf to the transfer section.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a stocker and storage and transport system that can store multiple items with a simple configuration and enables efficient exchange of items between the stocker and the transport device.

[0006] (1) A stocker according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an endless beam suspended on a plurality of ring bodies and configured to be movable in a circular manner, a plurality of shelves attached to the endless beam and holding items, a main body accommodating the plurality of shelves, two or more N transfer sections at the top of the main body that can transfer items between a conveying device external to the main body and one of the plurality of shelves, and a controller that controls the drive of the endless beam, wherein the endless beam is arranged so that each of the plurality of shelves passes through each of the N transfer sections, and the controller controls the drive of the endless beam so as to selectively stop N shelves that are adjacent to each other in the direction of movement of the endless beam at each of the N transfer sections.

[0007] In a stocker of this configuration, an endless beam having a plurality of shelves attached thereto is configured to be circulatable, and each of the plurality of shelves is arranged to pass through a transfer section, so that articles can be moved to the transfer section with a simple configuration. Furthermore, in a stocker of this configuration, two or more transfer sections (N) are provided, and the drive of the endless beam is controlled to selectively stop N shelves consecutively adjacent in the direction of movement of the endless beam at each of the N transfer sections, so that articles stored in the stocker can be efficiently moved to the transfer sections. As a result, a plurality of articles can be stored with a simple configuration, and articles can be efficiently exchanged between the stocker and a conveying device.

[0008] (2) A storage system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the stocker described in (1) above, a track provided directly or indirectly on the ceiling of a building in which the stocker is located, and a ceiling transport vehicle that is a transport device that travels on the track, wherein the track is arranged so that a section extending in a first direction has N parallel sections aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the stocker may be arranged so that N delivery sections are aligned in the second direction and each of the N delivery sections is located below a corresponding one of the N tracks in the parallel sections. With this configuration, not only can items be stored in the stocker, but items can also be exchanged between transport vehicles traveling on the N tracks aligned in the second direction via the delivery sections of the stocker.

[0009] (3) The storage and transport system of (2) above is a storage and transport system including the above-mentioned stocker, a track provided directly or indirectly on the ceiling of a building in which the stocker is located, and a ceiling transport vehicle that is a transport device that travels on the track, and the ceiling transport vehicle is equipped with a lateral transfer mechanism, and the two stockers may be arranged so that they sandwich the track and N delivery sections are arranged along the extension direction of the track in a plan view seen from above vertically. This configuration makes it possible to store items at a high density.

[0010] (4) In the storage and transport system of (2) or (3) above, the controller may move a shelf that holds an item to be delivered from a target overhead transport vehicle, or a shelf that holds an item to be delivered to the target overhead transport vehicle, to the delivery section before or when the target overhead transport vehicle arrives at a position where it can be delivered to the delivery section. In this configuration, the exchange of items becomes possible as soon as the target overhead transport vehicle arrives above the stocker, enabling even more efficient exchange of items between the stocker and the transport device.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to store a plurality of articles with a simple configuration, and to efficiently transfer articles between a stocker and a transport device.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a storage and transport system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the transport vehicle of FIG. 1 as viewed from the X direction in a parallel running section. FIG. 3 is a view of the transport vehicle and stocker of FIG. 1 as viewed from the X direction in a parallel running section. FIG. 4 is a view of the transport vehicle and stocker of FIG. 1 as viewed from the Y direction in a parallel running section. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a storage and transport system according to a first modification. FIG. 6 is a view of the transport vehicle and stocker of FIG. 5 as viewed from the X direction. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a storage and transport system according to a second modification. FIG. 8 is a view of the transport vehicle and stocker of FIG. 7 as viewed from the Y direction. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stocker according to a third modification.

[0013] A storage and transport system 1 according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the X direction (first direction), the Y direction (second direction) perpendicular to the X direction, and the Z direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction are defined in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the storage and transport system 1 of this embodiment is a system for transporting items 10 between one placement unit 9 and another placement unit 9, between the placement unit 9 and a stocker 40, and between one stocker 40 and another stocker 40, using, for example, an overhead transport vehicle (transport device) 6 movable along a track 4. The items 10 include, for example, containers such as FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) for storing multiple semiconductor wafers and reticle pods for storing glass substrates, as well as general parts. Here, the storage and transport system 1 will be described as an example in a factory or the like, in which an overhead transport vehicle 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "transport vehicle 6") travels along a one-way track 4 installed on the ceiling C or the like of the factory. As shown in FIG. 1 , the storage and transport system 1 includes a track 4, multiple transport vehicles 6, placement units 9, stockers 40, and a system controller 90.

[0015] The track 4 is installed, for example, near the ceiling C, which is the overhead space of the worker. The track 4 may be installed directly on the ceiling C, or may be installed indirectly on the ceiling C via another member. In this embodiment, the track 4 is suspended via supports 4A fixed to the ceiling C. The track 4 is a predetermined travel path along which the transport vehicle 6 travels.

[0016] In the storage and transport system 1 of this embodiment, the track 4 is laid so that the transport vehicles 6 can travel in one direction. Furthermore, in the storage and transport system 1, two tracks 4, 4 are arranged along the Y direction so that two transport vehicles 6 can travel side by side in a predetermined direction (the X direction in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the section where these two tracks 4, 4 are arranged is referred to as the parallel running section R.

[0017] The transport vehicle 6 travels in one direction D1 along the track 4 to transport the item 10. The transport vehicle 6 is configured to be able to transfer the item 10. The transport vehicle 6 is an overhead traveling unmanned transport vehicle. The number of transport vehicles 6 provided in the storage transport system 1 is not particularly limited and may be more than one. The transport vehicle 6 has a main body unit 7, a travel unit 18, and a transport vehicle controller 35.

[0018] The main body 7 has a main body frame 22, a lateral feed unit (lateral transfer mechanism) 24, a θ drive 26, an elevation drive unit 28, an elevation platform 30, and a fall prevention cover 33. The travel unit 18 is configured to include a motor and the like, and causes the transport vehicle 6 to travel along the track 4. The travel unit 18 has, for example, a power receiving and communication unit 20 that receives power from the track 4 side via a contactless power supply.

[0019] The lateral feed unit 24 collectively transports the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting platform 30 laterally in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the track 4. The θ drive 26 rotates at least one of the lifting drive unit 28 and the lifting platform 30 within a predetermined angular range in a horizontal plane. The lifting drive unit 28 raises and lowers the lifting platform 30 by winding or unwinding a suspending material such as a wire, rope, or belt. The lifting platform 30 is provided with a chuck that can freely grip or release the article 10. A pair of fall prevention covers 33 are provided, for example, at the front and rear of the transport vehicle 6 in the traveling direction. The fall prevention cover 33 has claws (not shown) that protrude or retract below the article 10 to be transported, thereby preventing the article 10 from falling during transport.

[0020] The guided vehicle controller 35 is an electronic control unit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The guided vehicle controller 35 controls various operations of the guided vehicle 6. Specifically, the guided vehicle controller 35 controls the traveling unit 18, the lateral feed unit 24, the θ drive 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting platform 30. The guided vehicle controller 35 can be configured as software in which a program stored in the ROM is loaded onto the RAM and executed by the CPU, for example. The guided vehicle controller 35 may also be configured as hardware including electronic circuits, etc.

[0021] The placement unit 9 is arranged along the track 4 and is provided at a position where the article 10 can be delivered to and received from the transport vehicle 6. The placement unit 9 includes a buffer and a delivery port. The buffer is where the article 10 is temporarily placed. The buffer is where the article 10 is temporarily placed when the article 10 being transported by the transport vehicle 6 cannot be transferred to the intended delivery port, for example, because another article 10 is placed at the intended delivery port. The delivery port is a placement unit for delivering the article 10 to and from semiconductor processing equipment (not shown), such as a cleaning equipment, film formation equipment, lithography equipment, etching equipment, heat treatment equipment, and planarization equipment. The processing equipment is not particularly limited and may be various types of equipment.

[0022] The stocker 40 is configured to be able to store a plurality of items 10 (12 items in this embodiment). A plurality of stockers 40 (four items in this embodiment) are arranged in the parallel running section R. The stocker 40 is installed on the floor of a building. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the stocker 40 includes a main body 41, a drive mechanism 43, a shelf 45, an inventory sensor 47, a first delivery section (delivery section) 51, a second delivery section 53, and a stocker controller (controller) 49.

[0023] The main body 41 has an equipment storage section 41A and a panel section 41B. The equipment storage section 41A supports a pulley (wheel) 43A that constitutes part of the drive mechanism 43, and stores a belt (endless member) 43B and a motor 43D that also constitute part of the drive mechanism 43. The panel section 41B is made of a plate-like member and forms a storage space 41Ba in which the equipment storage section 41A that stores multiple items 10 is disposed.

[0024] The drive mechanism 43 includes a pulley 43A, a belt 43B, a shelf body connecting portion 43C, and a motor 43D. The belt 43B is stretched around the pulley 43A. The pulleys 43A are provided at least at positions (four positions in this embodiment) that change the direction of movement of the belt 43B. The belt 43B is a band-like endless member stretched around the pulleys 43A and configured to be circulatable. As shown in FIG. 3 , the belt 43B in this embodiment is configured to circulate clockwise inside the equipment housing portion 41A when viewed from the X direction. At least one of the pulleys 43A is driven to rotate by the motor 43D and a power transmission mechanism (not shown). The pulley 43A is a toothed pulley. The belt 43B is also a toothed belt, like the pulley 43A. The pulley 43A and the belt 43B are configured to be able to mesh with each other.

[0025] The shelf connecting portions 43C are provided at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the belt 43B. The shelf connecting portions 43C are portions where the shelves 45 are attached to the endless belt 43B. The shelves 45 move circulatingly as the endless belt 43B to which the shelves 45 are attached moves circulatingly. The motor 43D drives and rotates at least one pulley 43A. As the at least one pulley 43A rotates, the endless belt 43B moves circulatingly. The drive of the motor 43D is controlled by the stocker controller 49.

[0026] The shelf 45 is a member that supports the article 10 from below. The shelf 45 is attached to the belt 43B via the shelf connector 43C. As described above, the shelf 45 is configured to be circulatable. The support surface (placing surface) of the shelf 45 that supports the article 10 from below may be provided with a positioning pin or the like for positioning the article 10.

[0027] The first transfer section 51 and the second transfer section 53 are sections for transferring articles 10 between the storage space 41Ba inside the stocker 40 and the outside of the stocker 40. The first transfer section 51 is provided above the stocker 40. The first transfer section 51 is a section for transferring articles 10 between the transport vehicle 6 outside the main body 41 and one of the multiple shelves 45. Two first transfer sections 51 are provided and arranged side by side in one direction. The belt 43B is arranged so that each of the multiple shelves 45 passes through the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B. One of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B may be dedicated to loading into the stocker 40, and the other may be dedicated to unloading.

[0028] The second transfer section 53 is provided below the stocker 40. The second transfer section 53 is formed by opening a portion of the side surface of the main body section 41. The first transfer section 51 is provided for transferring the items 10 between the transport vehicle 6 and the stocker 40, while the second transfer section 53 is provided for transferring the items 10 between the worker and the stocker 40. The number of second transfer sections 53 may be one, or two or more. When multiple second transfer sections 53 are provided, a second transfer section 53 dedicated to carrying items into the stocker 40 and a second transfer section 53 dedicated to carrying items out may be provided.

[0029] The presence sensor 47 detects the presence or absence of the item 10 in the first transfer section 51. In this embodiment, the presence sensors 47, 47 detect the presence or absence of the item 10 in each of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B. The presence sensor 47 is, for example, an optical sensor. The detection result by the presence sensor 47 is acquired by the stocker controller 49.

[0030] The above-described stocker 40 is arranged so that the arrangement direction of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B and the extension direction of the track 4 are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the stocker 40 is arranged so that the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B are arranged in the Y direction and so that each of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B is located below each of the two tracks 4, 4 in the parallel running section R. In other words, the first transfer section 51A is located directly below one of the tracks 4 in the parallel running section R, and the first transfer section 51B is located directly below the other track 4 in the parallel running section R. In other words, a transport vehicle 6 that has arrived directly above the first transfer section 51A can transfer an article 10 to the first transfer section 51A simply by moving the lifting platform 30 up and down, and a transport vehicle 6 that has arrived directly above the first transfer section 51B can transfer an article 10 to the first transfer section 51B simply by moving the lifting platform 30 up and down. The exchange of items 10 between the first transfer section 51 in the stocker 40 and the transport vehicle 6 is carried out based on detection information (interlock information) from an E84 sensor (not shown) installed on the track 4 or the stocker 40.

[0031] Stocker controller 49 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Stocker controller 49 reads and executes stored programs to control various operations in stocker 40. Stocker controller 49 is disposed, for example, in a part of storage space 41Ba.

[0032] The stocker controller 49 controls the driving of the belt 43B so as to selectively stop two adjacent shelves 45 in succession in the moving direction of the belt 43B at each of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B. Based on a transport command for the transport vehicle 6 transmitted from a system controller 90 corresponding to a higher-level controller of the stocker controller 49, for example, the stocker controller 49 moves an empty shelf 45 on which no articles 10 are placed to one of the first transfer sections 51A, 51B, or moves a shelf 45 holding articles 10 to one of the first transfer sections 51A, 51B.

[0033] The system controller 90 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The system controller 90 controls the multiple transport vehicles 6 by reading and executing stored programs. The system controller 90 assigns transport commands to the transport vehicles 6. More specifically, the system controller 90 moves the transport vehicles 6 above the first transfer section 51 of a specific stocker 40 in order to deliver an article 10 to a specific shelf 45 of a specific stocker 40 or to receive an article 10 from a specific shelf 45.

[0034] Furthermore, the system controller 90 transmits information similar to the transport command to the stocker controller 49 of the stocker 40. The stocker controller 49, which has received such information, moves the shelf 45 holding the item 10 to be delivered from the target transport vehicle 6 (the transport vehicle 6 that arrives above the first delivery section 51 based on the transport command) or the shelf 45 holding the item 10 to be delivered to the target transport vehicle 6 to the first delivery section 51 before or in conjunction with the arrival of the target transport vehicle 6 above the stocker 40 (a position where the item can be delivered to the first delivery section 51).

[0035] The effects of the stocker 40 and storage and transport system 1 of the above embodiment will now be described. In the stocker 40 of the above embodiment, the belt 43B, to which multiple shelves 45 are attached, is configured to be circulatingly movable, and each of the multiple shelves 45 is arranged to pass through the first transfer section 51. This allows items 10 to be moved to the first transfer section 51 with a simple configuration in which the endless belt 43B is simply moved in a circulating manner. Furthermore, in the stocker 40 of this configuration, two first transfer sections 51 are provided, and the drive of the belt 43B is controlled to selectively stop two shelves 45, 45 that are adjacent to each other in the movement direction of the belt 43B at each of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B. This allows items 10 stored in the stocker 40 to be efficiently moved to the first transfer section 51. As a result, multiple items 10 can be stored with a simple configuration without deploying a transfer device such as a stacker crane to transport items 10 inside the stocker 40, and items 10 can be efficiently exchanged between the stocker 40 and the transport vehicle 6.

[0036] In the storage and transport system 1 of the above embodiment, the track 4 is arranged so as to have two parallel sections R extending in the X direction lined up in the Y direction, and the stocker 40 is arranged so that the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B are aligned in the Y direction and so that each of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B is positioned below each of the two tracks 4 in the parallel section R. In this configuration, not only can the stocker 40 store the items 10, but the first transfer sections 51A, 51B of the stocker 40 can also be used to exchange items 10 between transport vehicles 6, 6 traveling on the two tracks 4 lined up in the Y direction.

[0037] In the storage and transport system 1 of the above embodiment, the stocker controller 49 moves the shelf 45 holding the item 10 to be handed over from the target transport vehicle 6, or the shelf 45 holding the item 10 to be handed over to the target transport vehicle 6, to the first transfer section 51 before or when the target transport vehicle 6 arrives at a position where it can be handed over to the first transfer section 51. This makes it possible to exchange the item 10 as soon as the target transport vehicle 6 arrives above the stocker 40, thereby enabling even more efficient exchange of the item 10 between the stocker 40 and the transport vehicle 6.

[0038] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0039] (Variation 1) In the storage and transport system 1 of the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the arrangement direction of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B in one stocker 40 and the extension direction of the track 4 are arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the arrangement direction of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B in one stocker 40 and the extension direction of the track 4 may be arranged so as to coincide with each other.

[0040] Furthermore, in a plan view seen from vertically above, the stockers 40 may be arranged so that they sandwich the track 4 and the first transfer section 51 is aligned along the X direction. The stockers 40 are arranged facing each other in the Y direction with a predetermined space S between them. Above this space S, a travel area for the transport vehicle 6 traveling on the track 4 is formed. In a storage and transport system 1 with such an arrangement of stockers 40, the transport vehicle 6 moves the θ drive 26, the lift drive section 28, and the lift platform 30 in the Y direction using the lateral feed section 24, and transfers the item 10 to the first transfer section 51 by moving the lift platform 30 up and down. The storage and transport system 1 according to the first modification enables high-density storage of items 10.

[0041] (Variation 2) The storage and transport system 1 of Variation 2 is the same as Variation 1 above in that the arrangement direction of the two first transfer sections 51A, 51B is aligned with the extension direction of the track 4, but differs from Variation 1 above in that the stockers 40 are arranged in the space directly below the track 4 along the extension direction of the track 4, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. In this configuration, unlike Variation 1, the transport vehicle 6 transfers the items 10 to the first transfer section 51 by moving the lifting platform 30 in the vertical direction without driving the lateral feed section 24. The storage and transport system 1 according to Variation 2 also makes it possible to store the items 10 at a high density.

[0042] (Variation 3) While the stocker 40 of the above embodiment and variation has been described with an example in which multiple shelves 45 are attached to one belt 43B, this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, in the stocker 40 of variation 3, each shelf 45 may be attached to three belts 43Ba, 43Bb, and 43Bc, and multiple shelves 45 (12 in the example shown in Fig. 9) may be attached to the three belts 43Ba, 43Bb, and 43Bc. Note that the number of belts is not limited to three as in variation 3, and may be two, or five or more.

[0043] More specifically, the stocker 40 of Modification 3 includes four first pulleys (wheels) 43Aa, four second pulleys (wheels) 43Ab, and four third pulleys (wheels) 43Ac. Two of the four first pulleys 43Aa are disposed above the main body 7, and the remaining two are disposed below the main body 7. Similarly, the four second pulleys 43Ab and the four third pulleys 43Ac are disposed two above and two below the main body 7. A first belt 43Ba is wound around the four first pulleys 43Aa. A second belt 43Bb is wound around the four second pulleys 43Ab. A third belt 43Bc is wound around the four third pulleys 43Ac.

[0044] The shelf 45 is fixed to a first mounting portion 45a and a second mounting portion 45b. The first mounting portion 45a is attached so as to straddle the first belt 43Ba and the second belt 43Bb. The second mounting portion 45b is attached so as to straddle the second belt 43Bb and the third belt 43Bc. The shelf 45 fixed to the first mounting portion 45a and the second mounting portion 45b circulates along with the movement of the three belts, the first belt 43Ba, the second belt 43Bb, and the third belt 43Bc, which circulate synchronously by the drive of a single motor 43D, for example. The shelf 45 supported at three points in this manner can stably circulate while holding the items 10.

[0045] (Other Modifications) In the above embodiment and the first to third modifications, the stocker 40 has been described with an example in which two first transfer sections 51 are formed, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, three or more first transfer sections 51 may be formed. Furthermore, in the above embodiment and the first to third modifications, the stocker 40 has been described with an example in which twelve shelves 45 are provided, but this is not limited thereto, and a plurality of shelves 45 other than twelve may be provided. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, four stockers 40 are provided in the storage and transport system 1, and in the second modification, three stockers 40 are provided in the storage and transport system 1, but the number of stockers 40 is not limited thereto, and any appropriate number may be provided.

[0046] In the above embodiment and the first to third modifications, the stocker 40 has been described using an example in which a belt-like belt 43B is used as the endless member for moving the shelf 45. However, for example, a chain may be used. In this case, a sprocket may be used as the wheel around which the chain is stretched.

[0047] In the storage and transport system 1 of the stocker 40 in the above embodiment and the above variants 1 to 3, an example has been described in which the transport vehicles 6 run in the same direction on two tracks 4, 4 arranged in the parallel running section R, but they may also run in opposite directions.

[0048] In the above embodiment and the above variants 1 to 3, a ceiling transport vehicle 6 has been used as an example of a transport device, but any configuration of transport device that can transfer items 10 between the transport vehicle 6 and a transfer section provided above the stocker 40 may be used.

[0049] 1...storage and transport system, 4...track, 6...ceiling transport vehicle (transport device), 7...main body, 9...placing section, 10...item, 35...transport vehicle controller, 40...stocker, 41...main body, 43...drive mechanism, 43A...pulley (wheel), 43B...belt (endless strip), 43C...shelf body connection section, 43D...motor, 45...shelf body, 47...stock sensor, 49...stocker controller (controller), 51 (51A, 51B)...first transfer section (transfer section), 90...system controller, R...parallel running section.

Claims

1. A stocker comprising: an endless beam body suspended on a number of wheels and configured to be able to move in a circular manner; a number of shelves attached to the endless beam body and holding items; a main body portion accommodating the number of shelves; two or more N transfer sections at an upper portion of the main body portion capable of transferring the items between a conveying device external to the main body and one of the number of shelves; and a controller for controlling the driving of the endless beam body, wherein the endless beam body is positioned so that each of the number of shelves passes through each of the N transfer sections, and the controller controls the driving of the endless beam body so as to selectively stop each of the N transfer sections of the N shelves that are adjacent to each other in the direction of movement of the endless beam body.

2. A storage and transport system comprising: a stocker as described in claim 1; a track provided directly or indirectly on the ceiling of a building in which the stocker is located; and a ceiling transport vehicle which is the transport device and runs on the track, wherein the track is arranged so that a section extending in a first direction has N parallel sections lined up in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the stocker is arranged so that the N transfer sections are aligned in the second direction and each of the N transfer sections is located below each of the N tracks in the parallel sections.

3. A storage and transportation system comprising: a stocker as described in claim 1; a track provided directly or indirectly on the ceiling of a building in which the stocker is located; and a ceiling transport vehicle which is the transport device that runs on the track, wherein the ceiling transport vehicle is equipped with a lateral transfer mechanism, and wherein, in a plan view seen from vertically above, the two stockers are arranged so that they sandwich the track and the N transfer sections are arranged along the extension direction of the track.

4. A storage and transport system as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the controller moves the shelf body holding the item to be handed over from the target ceiling transport vehicle, or the shelf body holding the item to be handed over to the target ceiling transport vehicle, to the transfer section before or in conjunction with the arrival of the target ceiling transport vehicle at a position where it can be handed over to the transfer section.

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