Conveyance system

Abstract

A conveyance system 1 includes a first travel path 3, an origin-side station 5, a plurality of carry-in stations 7, a plurality of carry-out stations 9, and a plurality of temporary storage stations 11 each having a placement part 19. The conveyance system 1 includes a second travel path 17 below the placement parts 19 along which a transport vehicle 13 not holding an article A can travel, and a control unit 131. The control unit 131 controls so that, when a transport vehicle 13 transports an article A from one of the carry-out stations 9 to the origin-side station 5, the transport vehicle 13 reciprocates in the first travel path 3, and when a transport vehicle 13 transports an article A from the origin-side station 5 to one of the temporary storage stations 11 or one of the carry-in stations 7, the transport vehicle 13 leaving the origin-side station 5 and holding the article A travels in the first travel path 3 and the transport vehicle 13 returning to the origin-side station 5 after transporting the article A travels in the second travel path 17.

Description

Transport System

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transport system in which articles are transported by transport vehicles in an automated warehouse.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-116005

[0004] In automated warehouses, factories, and the like where conveyance systems are installed, space limitations often force the travel route of a transport vehicle that transports goods to be a single track. When a transport vehicle's travel route is a single track, while one transport vehicle is traveling on the travel route, other transport vehicles cannot travel on the travel route (enter the travel route). Therefore, while one transport vehicle is traveling back and forth on the travel route, other transport vehicles cannot transport goods.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a conveyance system that can improve conveyance capacity.

[0006] (1) A conveying system according to one aspect of the present invention is a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying vehicles each having a lifter for supporting an item below the item and raising or lowering the item, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the conveying vehicles, the system comprising: a single-track first running path along which the conveying vehicles can travel back and forth; a waiting section provided at one end of the travel path of the first running path; a plurality of carry-in sections arranged along the first running path; a plurality of carry-out sections arranged along the first running path; and a temporary storage section arranged along the first running path from one end of the first running path to the other end thereof and having a storage section on which an item can be placed. Below the storage section in the temporary storage section, a second running path is provided along which conveying vehicles not carrying an item can travel. The control unit causes the conveying vehicle to travel back and forth on the first running path when the conveying vehicle is to transport an item from the carry-out section to the waiting section, and when the conveying vehicle is to transport an item from the waiting section to the temporary storage section or the carry-in section, causes the conveying vehicle to travel on the first running path on the outbound route while holding the item, and causes the conveying vehicle to travel on the second running path on the return route after the conveying vehicle has transferred the item.

[0007] In a conveying system according to one aspect of the present invention, a second travel path is provided below the placement section in the temporary storage section. A conveying vehicle not carrying an item can travel on the second travel path. In this configuration, when a conveying vehicle transports an item from the waiting section to the temporary storage section or the receiving section, the conveying vehicle travels on the first travel path on the outbound route while carrying the item, and travels on the second travel path on the return route after transferring the item. As a result, in the conveying system, after a conveying vehicle transfers an item, the conveying vehicle can travel on the second travel path, and since the conveying vehicle travels to the waiting section using the second travel path, other conveying vehicles can travel on the first travel path. Therefore, in the conveying system, other conveying vehicles can start conveying items after a conveying vehicle transfers an item without waiting until the conveying vehicle returns to the waiting section. Therefore, the conveying system can shorten the waiting time of conveying vehicles. As a result, the conveying system can improve conveying efficiency.

[0008] (2) In the conveying system described in (1) above, when the control unit causes a conveying vehicle to convey an item from the temporary storage area to the loading area, the control unit may cause the conveying vehicle to travel along the first travel path on the outbound route to the temporary storage area, the conveying vehicle to carry the item along the first travel path on the outbound route from the temporary storage area to the loading area, and the conveying vehicle to travel along the second travel path on the return route after transferring the item. In this configuration, after one conveying vehicle conveys an item from the temporary storage area to the loading area, the one conveying vehicle can travel along the second travel path, and since the one conveying vehicle uses the second travel path to travel to the waiting area, other conveying vehicles can travel along the first travel path. Therefore, in the conveying system, other conveying vehicles can start conveying items without having to wait for the one conveying vehicle to return to the waiting area after transferring the item, thereby shortening the waiting time of the conveying vehicle. Therefore, the conveying system improves conveying efficiency.

[0009] (3) In the conveying system of (1) or (2) above, the control unit may enable another conveying vehicle different from the first conveying vehicle to travel on the first travel path when the conveying vehicle located on the first travel path places an item on the placement unit or when the conveying vehicle moves to the second travel path after transferring the item. In this configuration, when the conveying vehicle located on the first travel path places an item on the placement unit or when the conveying vehicle moves to the second travel path after transferring the item, the control unit triggers the enablement of the other conveying vehicle different from the conveying vehicle to travel on the first travel path. This allows the conveying system to easily determine whether the other conveying vehicle can travel on the first travel path and eliminates the need to provide unnecessary leeway time for allowing the other conveying vehicle to travel on the first travel path.

[0010] (4) In the conveying system of (1) or (2) above, when a conveying vehicle is conveying an item from the waiting area to the temporary storage area or the carry-in area, the control unit may allow another conveying vehicle to travel on the first travel path while the conveying vehicle carrying the item is traveling on the first travel path. In this configuration, one conveying vehicle and the other conveying vehicle can be positioned on the first travel path simultaneously, thereby shortening the waiting time of the other conveying vehicle. Therefore, the conveying system can improve conveying efficiency.

[0011] (5) In any one of the conveying systems (1) to (4) above, the control unit may cause the conveying vehicle to transport items from the unloading unit to the waiting unit, from the waiting unit to the temporary storage unit, and from the temporary storage unit to the loading unit, and may cause the conveying vehicle to travel along the second travel path to the waiting unit after transporting the items from the waiting unit to the temporary storage unit or after transporting the items from the temporary storage unit to the loading unit. In this configuration, other conveying vehicles can begin transporting items without having to wait for one conveying vehicle to return to the waiting unit after transferring an item, thereby shortening the waiting time of the conveying vehicles. Therefore, the conveying system can improve conveying efficiency.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, the conveying capacity can be improved.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conveying system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the conveying system. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing a temporary placement station. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing movement of a conveying vehicle between a first travel path and a second travel path. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing movement of a conveying vehicle between the first travel path and a second travel path. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conveying vehicle. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a controller. FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams for explaining a first operation in the conveying system. FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams for explaining the first operation in the conveying system. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams for explaining a second operation in the conveying system. FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are diagrams for explaining the second operation in the conveying system. FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b) are diagrams for explaining a third operation in the conveying system. FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams for explaining the third operation in the conveying system.

[0014] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. For convenience of explanation, the present embodiment defines an X direction, a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction.

[0015] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a conveying system. As shown in Fig. 1, the conveying system 1 includes a first travel path 3, an origin station (standby section) 5, a carry-in station (carry-in section) 7, an unloading station (unloading section) 9, a temporary placement station (temporary placement section) 11, a conveying vehicle 13, and a controller 15. In the conveying system 1, an item A is conveyed by the conveying vehicle 13. The item A may include, for example, a container containing materials for a secondary battery, a container containing automobile parts, a container containing food, etc.

[0016] The first running path 3 is a path on which the transport vehicles 13 can travel. The first running path 3 extends in the X direction (see FIG. 1 ). The transport vehicles 13 can travel back and forth on the first running path 3. The first running path 3 is a single-track running path. That is, on the first running path 3, the transport vehicles 13 cannot overtake or pass each other. The first running path 3 is provided between the carry-in station 7 and the carry-out station 9 and the temporary storage station 11.

[0017] The origin station 5 is provided at one end (the right end in FIG. 1 ) of the travel path of the first travel path 3. The origin station 5 is an area where the transport vehicle 13 waits, receives the item A, and delivers the item A. The origin station 5 is provided with, for example, a first transport device 50, a second transport device 51, a remaining weighing device 52, a buffer 53, and a direction changer 54.

[0018] The first conveyor 50 is, for example, a vertical conveyor, and conveys item A from another floor to the floor where the conveying system 1 is installed. The conveying vehicle 13 receives item A at the first conveyor 50 and conveys item A to the carry-in station 7, the temporary storage station 11, or the buffer 53. The second conveyor 51 is, for example, a vertical conveyor, and conveys item A from the floor where the conveying system 1 is installed to another floor. The conveying vehicle 13 receives item A from the carry-out station 9 or the buffer 53 and conveys item A to the second conveyor 51. The remaining weighing device 52 is a device that weighs (inspects) item A. The buffer 53 temporarily stores item A. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying system 1 is provided with two buffers 53. The direction changer 54 changes the direction (travel direction) of the conveying vehicle 13.

[0019] A plurality of loading stations 7 are arranged along the first running path 3. A plurality of unloading stations 9 are arranged along the first running path 3. In this embodiment, the loading stations 7 and the unloading stations 9 are provided in the production equipment 20. A plurality of production equipment 20 is arranged along the first running path 3. The production equipment 20 takes in the item A from the loading station 7, processes the item A (or the components contained in the item A, etc.), and unloads the processed item A to the unloading station 9.

[0020] The production facility 20 is provided with one carry-in station 7 and one carry-out station 9. The carry-in station 7 and the carry-out station 9 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the extension direction of the first running path 3 on the first running path 3 side of the production facility 20. In this embodiment, six production facilities 20 are provided. That is, in this embodiment, six carry-in stations 7 and six carry-out stations 9 are provided. In the following description, in order to distinguish between the multiple production facilities 20, they may be referred to as production facility 20A, production facility 20B, production facility 20C, production facility 20D, production facility 20E, and production facility 20F.

[0021] The temporary placement stations 11 temporarily place the item A thereon. The temporary placement stations 11 are arranged along the first running path 3 from one end to the other end of the first running path 3. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the interval between adjacent temporary placement stations 11 is small, but the interval between adjacent temporary placement stations 11 can be set arbitrarily. For example, the interval between the temporary placement stations 11 may be large, or some of the intervals may be large. In this embodiment, the temporary placement stations 11 are arranged parallel to the first running path 3. The temporary placement stations 11 are arranged at positions opposite the carry-in station 7 and the carry-out station 9 (production equipment 20) with the first running path 3 between them. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , six temporary placement stations 11 are provided.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3( a) and 3(b), the temporary placement station 11 has four legs 18A, 18B and a placement section 19 on which an item A can be placed. The two legs 18A are positioned closer to the first traveling path 3. The two legs 18B are positioned opposite the two legs 18A in the Y direction. The two legs 18A are positioned at a predetermined interval in the X direction. The predetermined interval is larger than the width of the transport vehicle 13. This allows the transport vehicle 13 to pass between the two legs 18A, as shown in FIG. 4. The two legs 18B are positioned at a predetermined interval in the X direction. The legs 18A and 18B are positioned at a predetermined interval in the Y direction. The predetermined interval is larger than the width of the transport vehicle 13. This allows the transport vehicle 13 to pass between the legs 18A and 18B.

[0023] The placement section 19 is composed of members that protrude inward beyond the four legs 18A, 18B. The placement section 19 supports the bottom surface of the item A. A gap is provided in the center of the placement section 19. This gap allows the lifter 132 (described below) of the transport vehicle 13 to pass through. In this way, the placement section 19 supports the item A so that the lifter 132 of the transport vehicle 13 can access (contact) the bottom (underside) of the item A. For example, a maximum of three items A can be placed on the temporary placement station 11.

[0024] A second running path 17 is provided below the placement section 19 of the temporary storage station 11. The second running path 17 has a height (Z direction) restriction. The second running path 17 is capable of transporting vehicles 13 that are not holding an item A. In other words, the second running path 17 is not capable of transporting vehicles 13 that are holding an item A. The second running path 17 is formed by the space below the temporary storage station 11 (placement section 19). The second running path 17 extends parallel to the first running path 3. The second running path 17 is a single-track running path. In other words, on the second running path 17, a transporting vehicle 13 cannot overtake or pass another transporting vehicle 13.

[0025] 5 , the transport vehicle 13 can travel between the first travel path 3 and the second travel path 17. The transport vehicle 13 can move from the first travel path 3 to the second travel path 17, and can move from the second travel path 17 to the first travel path 3.

[0026] The transport vehicle 13 transports an article A. As shown in FIG. 6 , each of the plurality of transport vehicles 13 includes a communication unit 130, a control unit 131, a lifter 132, and a drive unit 133.

[0027] The communication unit 130 communicates with the controller 15. The communication unit 130 can communicate with the controller 15 wirelessly. The communication unit 130 receives a transport command transmitted from the controller 15. The communication unit 130 outputs the transport command to the control unit 131. The communication unit 130 transmits a blocking request to the controller 15.

[0028] The control unit 131 controls the operation of the transport vehicle 13. The control unit 131 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage such as an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0029] The control unit 131 controls the operation of the transport vehicle 13. The control unit 131 generates a travel route (travel plan) based on a transport command and causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel along the travel route. The control unit 131 generates the travel route based on a map and rules stored in the transport vehicle 13. The map and rules are stored in, for example, storage and are updatable.

[0030] The control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to transport item A from the origin station 5 to the loading station 7, transport item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11, transport item A from the temporary storage station 11 to the loading station 7, and transport item A from the unloading station 9 to the origin station 5.

[0031] When the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to transport the item A from the unloading station 9 to the origin station 5, the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel back and forth on the first running path 3. When the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to transport the item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11 or the loading station 7, the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3 on the outbound route while holding the item A, and to travel on the second running path 17 on the return route after the transport vehicle 13 has transferred the item A.

[0032] When the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to transport item A from the temporary storage station 11 to the loading station 7, the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel along the first running path 3 on the outbound journey to the temporary storage station 11, causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel along the first running path 3 on the outbound journey from the temporary storage station 11 to the loading station 7 while holding item A, and causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel along the second running path 17 on the return journey after transferring item A.

[0033] After transporting item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary placement station 11, or after transporting item A from the temporary placement station 11 to the loading station 7, the control unit 131 causes item A to travel along the second running path 17 to the origin station 5.

[0034] When the control unit 131 generates the travel route, it outputs a blocking request to the communication unit 130. The blocking request is an instruction (information) requesting blocking of other guided vehicles 13 from entering the first travel path 3. When the control unit 131 receives information indicating permission from the controller 15 in response to sending the blocking request, it allows the guided vehicles 13 to travel.

[0035] The blocking request may include a full blocking request and a partial blocking request. A full blocking request is a request to block all other guided vehicles 13 from entering the first running path 3. Specifically, in a full blocking request, when the guided vehicle 13 places item A on the placement section 19 or transfers item A, and the guided vehicle 13 is positioned at the origin-side station 5, the control unit 131 allows other guided vehicles 13 different from the guided vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3. Before the guided vehicle 13 is positioned at the origin-side station 5, the control unit 131 does not allow other guided vehicles 13 different from the guided vehicle 13 to travel (enter) on the first running path 3. In other words, in a full blocking request, the control unit 131 does not allow multiple guided vehicles 13 to enter the first running path 3.

[0036] Partial blocking is a request to partially block the entry of other guided vehicles 13 onto the first running path 3. Specifically, in a partial blocking request, when a guided vehicle 13 is transporting an item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11 or the carry-in station 7, the control unit 131 may allow the other guided vehicles 13 traveling in the same direction to travel on the first running path 3 while only one of the guided vehicles 13 holding the item A is traveling on the first running path 3. For example, when a guided vehicle 13 transports an item A from the origin station 5 to the carry-in station 7, the control unit 131 may allow the leading guided vehicle 13 to enter the first running path 3, and then, when the leading guided vehicle 13 holding the item A is positioned on the first running path 3, allow the following guided vehicle 13 to enter the first running path 3. In other words, in partial blocking control, the control unit 131 allows multiple guided vehicles 13 to enter the first running path 3.

[0037] The lifter 132 is a device that raises and lowers the item A. The operation of the lifter 132 is controlled by the control unit 131. The lifter 132 is provided on the upper part of the body of the transport vehicle 13. The lifter 132 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The lifter 132 moves between a first position (initial position) (position shown in FIG. 3( a)) and a second position (support position) (position shown in FIG. 3( b)). The lifter 132 supports the item A from below. Specifically, the lifter 132 supports the item A by abutting against the bottom surface (lower surface) of the item A when positioned below the item A. The transport vehicle 13 becomes ready to transport the item A by using the lifter 132 to lift the item A above the loading surface on which the item A is placed.

[0038] The drive unit 133 drives the wheels 134 of the transport vehicle 13. The operation of the drive unit 133 is controlled by the control unit 131.

[0039] Returning to Fig. 2, the controller 15 manages the operation of the transport vehicle 13. The controller 15 may be a computer. The controller 15 may include a processor such as a CPU, memories such as a ROM and a RAM, and storage such as an SSD. The controller 15 may be a manufacturing execution system (MES) or the like.

[0040] 7 , the controller 15 includes a communication unit 150 and a control unit 131. The communication unit 150 communicates with each of the multiple transport vehicles 13. The communication unit 150 can communicate with the transport vehicles 13 wirelessly. The communication unit 150 transmits transport commands and permission commands to the transport vehicles 13.

[0041] The control unit 131 comprehensively controls the operations of the multiple transport vehicles 13. The control unit 131 generates a transport command to transport the item A by the transport vehicle 13 according to the operating status of the production facility 20. The transport command includes instructions regarding the destinations to which the transport vehicle 13 will transport the item A.

[0042] In response to a blocking request from the transport vehicle 13 , the control unit 131 generates a permission command indicating permission for the transport vehicle 13 to enter the first travel path 3 and outputs the permission command to the communication unit 150 .

[0043] Next, a description will be given of specific operations of the transport system 1. In the following description, in order to distinguish between the multiple transport vehicles 13, they may be referred to as transport vehicles 13A, 13B, and 13C. In addition, in order to distinguish between the multiple temporary placement stations 11, they may be referred to as temporary placement station 11A, temporary placement station 11B, temporary placement station 11C, temporary placement station 11D, temporary placement station 11E, and temporary placement station 11F.

[0044] [First Operation] First, the first operation will be described with reference to Figures 8(a), 8(b), 9(a), and 9(b). In the first operation, a form will be described in which the transport vehicle 13A transmits a full blocking request when the transport vehicle 13A is traveling from the unloading station 9 to the origin station 5 while carrying the item A.

[0045] First, the controller 15 transmits a transport request to the transport vehicle 13A. The transport request includes an instruction to "transport item A from the unloading station 9 of the production facility 20E to the origin station 5." When the transport vehicle 13A receives the transport request transmitted from the controller 15, it searches for a route based on the transport command and determines a travel route. The transport vehicle 13A determines a travel route that travels on the first travel path 3 for both the outbound route from the origin station 5 to the unloading station 9 and the return route from the unloading station 9 to the origin station 5.

[0046] Once the travel route is determined, the transport vehicle 13A transmits a full blocking request to the controller 15. Upon receiving the blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, the controller 15 transmits a permission command to the transport vehicle 13A to permit blocking. As a result, in the transport system 1, the transport vehicle 13A is allowed to travel on the first travel path 3, and the transport vehicles 13B and 13C are prevented from entering the first travel path 3.

[0047] When the transport vehicle 13A receives the permission command sent from the controller 15, it travels from the origin station 5 to the carry-out station 9 of the production facility 20E, as shown in FIG. 8(a). As shown in FIG. 8(b), the transport vehicle 13A receives item A from the carry-out station 9 of the production facility 20E. After receiving item A, the transport vehicle 13A travels from the carry-out station 9 of the production facility 20E to the origin station 5, as shown in FIG. 9(a). When the transport vehicle 13A is positioned at the origin station 5, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the controller 15 releases the blocking. This allows, for example, the transport vehicle 13B to enter the first travel path 3.

[0048] 10(a), 10(b), 11(a), and 11(b), the second operation will be described. In the second operation, a form will be described in which the transport vehicle 13A transmits a partial blocking request when the transport vehicle 13A carries the article A and travels from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11.

[0049] First, the controller 15 transmits a transport request to the transport vehicle 13A. The transport request includes an instruction to "transport item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11D." When the transport vehicle 13A receives the transport request transmitted from the controller 15, it searches for a route based on the transport command and determines a travel route. The transport vehicle 13A determines a travel route in which it travels on the first travel path 3 on the outbound route from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11D, and travels on the second travel path 17 on the return route from the temporary storage station 11D to the origin station 5. The transport vehicle 13A also determines to travel on the first travel path 3 with a partial blocking request.

[0050] Once the travel route is determined, the transport vehicle 13A sequentially transmits partial blocking requests to the controller 15. The transport vehicle 13A transmits partial blocking requests for the first travel path 3 from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11A to the controller 15. "Up to the temporary storage station" means "up to a position on the first travel path 3 in front of the temporary storage station." This also applies to the following description. When the controller 15 receives a partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to permit blocking. As a result, in the transport system 1, the transport vehicle 13A is able to travel up to the temporary storage station 11A on the first travel path 3, and the transport vehicles 13B and 13C are prevented from entering the first travel path 3.

[0051] Upon receiving the permission command transmitted from the controller 15, the transport vehicle 13A travels from the origin station 5 to the temporary placement station 11A, as shown in FIG. 10A. Once the transport vehicle 13A has traveled to the temporary placement station 11A, it transmits a request to the controller 15 for partial blocking of the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11A to the temporary placement station 11B. Upon receiving the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13A, the controller 15 transmits a permission command to the transport vehicle 13A permitting blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel to the temporary placement station 11B on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11A and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11B, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking to the temporary placement station 11A. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (to the temporary placement station 11A).

[0052] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11B, it transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 for the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11B to the temporary placement station 11C. When the controller 15 receives the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to authorize blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel up to the temporary placement station 11C on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11B and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11C, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking up to the temporary placement station 11B. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (up to the temporary placement station 11B).

[0053] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11C, it transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 for the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11C to the temporary placement station 11D. When the controller 15 receives the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to authorize blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel up to the temporary placement station 11D on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11C and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11D, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking up to the temporary placement station 11C. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (up to the temporary placement station 11C).

[0054] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11D with the item A, it moves below the temporary placement station 11D as shown in FIG. 10(b) and transfers the item A to the temporary placement station 11D. After transferring the item A, the transport vehicle 13A travels on the second travel path 17 as shown in FIG. 11(a) and travels from the temporary placement station 11D to the origin side station 5 as shown in FIG. 11(b). When the transport vehicle 13A travels on the second travel path 17, it does not perform blocking control and travels only using the collision prevention control possessed by the transport vehicle 13A. This is because the transport vehicle 13A travels in only one direction and does not perform transfer. Note that partial blocking as described above may also be performed.

[0055] In the second operation, an example has been described in which the transport vehicle 13A transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 in units of temporary storage stations 11, but the transport vehicle 13A may transmit a partial blocking request to the controller 15 in units of grids (the size of one transport vehicle 13). Also, the transport vehicle 13A may transmit a full blocking request to the controller 15 for the first traveling path 3, which is the outbound path.

[0056] 12(a), 12(b), 13(a), and 13(b), a third operation will be described. In the third operation, a form will be described in which the transport vehicle 13A transmits a partial blocking request when the transport vehicle 13A carries the item A and travels from the temporary storage station 11D to the carry-in station 7 of the production facility 20D.

[0057] First, the controller 15 sends a transport request to the transport vehicle 13A. The transport request includes an instruction to "transport item A from the temporary storage station 11D to the carry-in station 7 of the production facility 20D." When the transport vehicle 13A receives the transport request sent from the controller 15, it searches for a route based on the transport command and determines a travel route. The determined travel route is that the transport vehicle 13A will travel on the first travel path 3 on the outbound route from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11D, will travel on the first travel path 3 on the outbound route from the temporary storage station 11D to the production facility 20D, and will travel on the second travel path 17 on the return route from the carry-in station 7 of the production facility 20D to the origin station 5.

[0058] Once the travel route is determined, the transport vehicle 13A sequentially transmits partial blocking requests to the controller 15. The transport vehicle 13A transmits partial blocking requests for the first travel path 3 from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11A to the controller 15. When the controller 15 receives the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to permit blocking. As a result, in the transport system 1, the transport vehicle 13A is able to travel to the temporary storage station 11A on the first travel path 3, and the transport vehicles 13B and 13C are prevented from entering the first travel path 3.

[0059] Upon receiving the permission command transmitted from the controller 15, the transport vehicle 13A travels from the origin station 5 to the temporary placement station 11A, as shown in FIG. 12A. Once the transport vehicle 13A has traveled to the temporary placement station 11A, the transport vehicle 13A transmits a request to the controller 15 for partial blocking of the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11A to the temporary placement station 11B. Upon receiving the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13A, the controller 15 transmits a permission command to the transport vehicle 13A permitting blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel to the temporary placement station 11B on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11A and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11B, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking to the temporary placement station 11A. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (to the temporary placement station 11A).

[0060] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11B, it transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 for the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11B to the temporary placement station 11C. When the controller 15 receives the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to authorize blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel up to the temporary placement station 11C on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11B and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11C, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking up to the temporary placement station 11B. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (up to the temporary placement station 11B).

[0061] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11C, it transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 for the first travel path 3 from the temporary placement station 11C to the temporary placement station 11D. When the controller 15 receives the partial blocking request transmitted from the transport vehicle 13, it transmits an authorization command to the transport vehicle 13A to authorize blocking. This allows the transport vehicle 13A to travel up to the temporary placement station 11D on the first travel path 3 in the transport system 1. Then, when the transport vehicle 13A leaves the section of the temporary placement station 11C and enters the section of the temporary placement station 11D, the controller 15 releases the partial blocking up to the temporary placement station 11C. This allows the transport vehicle 13B to travel on the first travel path 3 (up to the temporary placement station 11C).

[0062] When the transport vehicle 13A reaches the temporary placement station 11D with the item A, it moves below the temporary placement station 11D and holds the item A at the temporary placement station 11D, as shown in Fig. 12(b). After holding the item A, the transport vehicle 13A moves to the first running path 3 as shown in Fig. 13(a) and then transfers the item A to the carry-in station 7 of the production facility 20D. After transferring the item A to the carry-in station 7, the transport vehicle 13A moves to the second running path 17 and travels from the temporary placement station 11D to the origin side station 5 as shown in Fig. 13(b).

[0063] In the third operation, an example has been described in which the transport vehicle 13A transmits a partial blocking request to the controller 15 in units of temporary storage stations 11, but the transport vehicle 13A may transmit a partial blocking request to the controller 15 in units of grids (the size of one transport vehicle 13). Also, the transport vehicle 13A may transmit a full blocking request to the controller 15 for the first traveling path 3, which is the outbound path.

[0064] As described above, in the conveying system 1 according to this embodiment, the second running path 17 is provided below the placement section 19 in the temporary placement station 11. The second running path 17 is capable of being traveled by a conveying vehicle 13 that is not holding an item A. In this configuration, in the conveying system 1, when a conveying vehicle 13 is used to convey an item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary placement station 11 or the carry-in station 7, the conveying vehicle 13 travels along the first running path 3 on the outbound route while holding the item A, and travels along the second running path 17 on the return route after transferring the item A. As a result, in the conveying system 1, after one conveying vehicle 13 transfers the item A, the one conveying vehicle 13 can travel along the second running path 17, and since the one conveying vehicle 13 travels to the origin station 5 using the second running path 17, the other conveying vehicles 13 can travel along the first running path 3. Therefore, in the conveyance system 1, after one conveyance vehicle 13 transfers the item A, the other conveyance vehicle 13 can start conveying the item A without having to wait until the one conveyance vehicle 13 returns to the origin side station 5. Therefore, in the conveyance system 1, the waiting time of the conveyance vehicle 13 can be reduced. As a result, in the conveyance system 1, the conveyance efficiency can be improved.

[0065] In the conveying system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to transport the item A from the temporary storage station 11 to the carry-in station 7, the control unit 131 causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3 on the outbound route to the temporary storage station 11, causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3 on the outbound route from the temporary storage station 11 to the carry-in station 7 while holding the item A, and causes the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the second running path 17 on the return route after transferring the item A. In this configuration, after one transport vehicle 13 transports the item A from the temporary storage station 11 to the carry-in station 7, the one transport vehicle 13 can travel on the second running path 17, and since the one transport vehicle 13 travels to the origin-side station 5 using the second running path 17, the other transport vehicle 13 can travel on the first running path 3. Therefore, in the conveyance system 1, after one conveyance vehicle 13 transfers the item A, the other conveyance vehicle 13 can start conveying the item A without having to wait until the one conveyance vehicle 13 returns to the origin side station 5, thereby reducing the waiting time of the conveyance vehicles 13. Therefore, in the conveyance system 1, conveyance efficiency can be improved.

[0066] In the conveying system 1 according to the present embodiment, when a transport vehicle 13 located on the first running path 3 places an item A on the placement section 19, or when the transport vehicle 13 is positioned on the second running path 17 after transferring the item A, the control section 131 may enable another transport vehicle 13 different from the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3. In this configuration, when a transport vehicle 13 located on the first running path 3 places an item A on the placement section 19, or when the transport vehicle 13 is positioned on the second running path 17 after transferring the item A, the control section 131 triggers the enabling of another transport vehicle 13 different from the transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3. This makes it possible for the transport system 1 to easily determine whether another transport vehicle 13 can travel on the first running path 3, and eliminates the need to provide unnecessary leeway time for allowing another transport vehicle 13 to travel on the first running path 3.

[0067] In the conveying system 1 according to this embodiment, when the conveying vehicle 13 conveys an item A from the origin station 5 to the temporary storage station 11 or the loading station 7, the control unit 131 may allow another conveying vehicle 13 to travel on the first travel path 3 while the conveying vehicle 13 holding the item A is traveling on the first travel path 3. In this configuration, one conveying vehicle 13 and the other conveying vehicle 13 can be positioned on the first travel path 3 simultaneously, thereby reducing the waiting time of the other conveying vehicle 13. Therefore, the conveying system 1 can improve conveying efficiency.

[0068] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the numbers of the carry-in stations 7, the carry-out stations 9, the temporary storage stations 11, and the transport vehicles 13 are not limited.

[0070] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the origin-side station 5 is provided with the first conveyor 50, the second conveyor 51, the remaining weigher 52, the buffer 53, and the direction changer 54. However, the origin-side station 5 does not need to be provided with these devices, or may further be provided with other devices.

[0071] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a travel route is generated in the guided vehicle 13. However, the travel route may be generated in the controller 15 and transmitted to the guided vehicle 13.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the controller 15 may be configured by one computer or by multiple computers. When multiple computers are used, these computers are connected via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet to logically configure one controller 15.

[0073] 1...conveying system, 3...first running path, 5...origin side station (waiting section), 7...loading station (loading section), 9...unloading station (unloading section), 11...temporary placement station (temporary placement section), 13, 13A, 13B, 13C...transport vehicle, 17...second running path, 19...placing section, 131...control section, 132...lifter, A...item.

Claims

1. A transport system comprising a plurality of transport vehicles each having a lifter that supports an item below the item and raises or lowers the item, and a control unit that controls the operation of the transport vehicles, comprising: a single-track first travel path along which the transport vehicles can travel back and forth; a waiting section provided at one end of the travel path of the first travel path; a plurality of carry-in sections arranged along the first travel path; a plurality of carry-out sections arranged along the first travel path; a temporary storage section that is arranged along the first travel path from one end to the other end of the first travel path and has a storage section on which the item can be placed, wherein a second travel path is provided below the storage section in the temporary storage section on which the transport vehicles not holding the item can travel, and the control unit, when causing the transport vehicle to transport the item from the carry-out section to the waiting section, causes the transport vehicle to travel back and forth on the first travel path, When the transport vehicle transports the item from the waiting area to the temporary storage area or the loading area, the transport vehicle travels along the first running path on the outbound route while holding the item, and travels along the second running path on the return route after transferring the item.

2. The conveying system described in claim 1, wherein, when the control unit causes the transport vehicle to transport the item from the temporary storage area to the loading area, the control unit causes the transport vehicle to travel along the first running path on the outbound route to the temporary storage area, the control unit causes the transport vehicle to travel along the first running path on the outbound route from the temporary storage area to the loading area while holding the item, and the control unit causes the transport vehicle to travel along the second running path on the return route after transferring the item.

3. A conveying system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit enables a conveying vehicle other than the conveying vehicle to travel on the first running path when the conveying vehicle located on the first running path places the item on the storage section, or when the conveying vehicle is located on the second running path after transferring the item.

4. A conveying system as described in claim 3, wherein when the transport vehicle is transporting the item from the waiting area to the temporary storage area or the loading area, the control unit allows other transport vehicles to travel on the first running path while the transport vehicle holding the item is traveling on the first running path.

5. The conveying system described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the conveying vehicle to transport the item from the discharge unit to the waiting unit, transport the item from the waiting unit to the temporary storage unit, and transport the item from the temporary storage unit to the loading unit, and after the conveying vehicle transports the item from the waiting unit to the temporary storage unit, or after the conveying vehicle transports the item from the temporary storage unit to the loading unit, causes the conveying vehicle to travel on the second running path to the waiting unit.

Images