JP7563340B2 - Mounting stand - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a platform that forms a running surface along which an article transport vehicle that transports articles travels.

In recent years, automation of work in logistics warehouses has progressed. In particular, there is an increasing demand for goods transport vehicles that automatically transport goods. There are various types of such goods transport vehicles. For example, in the technology disclosed in JP 2020-011790 A (Patent Document 1), an goods transport vehicle (4) that travels on a continuous, flat traveling surface is used to transport goods (W).

JP 2020-011790 A

However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose how the running surface on which the article transport vehicle (4) travels is configured. The range of such a running surface is the range in which the article transport vehicle (4) can transport the article (W). Therefore, by making it possible to install a running surface of an appropriate size and shape as a transport facility using the article transport vehicle (4), it is possible to realize a transport facility that meets various demands. However, the technology in Patent Document 1 does not take this point into consideration.

In light of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a platform that allows flexible adjustment of the size and shape of the running surface on which the article transport vehicle travels.

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
the entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of units selected from a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit;
the first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate section that forms a part of the running surface, and a first support leg section that supports the first top plate section;
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
the fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion that supports the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fifth support leg portion that supports the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed into a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is a first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of the second top plate portion is the first length, and the length of the short side of the second top plate portion is a second length that is 2/3 of the first length,
The third top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is the second length,
The fourth top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a length of a long side of the fourth top plate portion is the first length, and a length of a short side of the fourth top plate portion is a third length that is 1/3 of the first length,
The outer shape of the fifth top panel portion is formed into a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of which is the second length, and the length of the short side of which is the third length.

According to this configuration, by arranging various top plate sections, each having a square or rectangular outer shape in a plan view, side by side so that their sides are adjacent to each other, a continuous running surface for the article transport vehicle to run on can be easily formed. Here, each side of the first to fifth top plate sections has a first length, a second length that is 2/3 of the first length, or a third length that is 1/3 of the first length. Therefore, by combining at least two types of the second to fifth units to form a stand for the first unit, which has a large first top plate section due to the inclusion of a receiving section, the overall size and shape of the running surface can be flexibly set to the required size and shape in units of 1/3 of the first length, which is the length of one side of the first top plate section. Therefore, according to this configuration, the size and shape of the running surface on which the article transport vehicle runs can be flexibly set.

Further features and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments, which are described with reference to the drawings.

Plan view of an article transport facility equipped with a rack FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a transport path of a container by a transport unit. FIG. 1 is a view in the travel direction showing how an article is transferred to a receiving section by an article transport vehicle. FIG. 1 is a view in the direction of travel showing how items are dropped from the receiving section onto the conveyor unit; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first unit; FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first to fifth units; A plan view showing the arrangement of each unit forming the running surface. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the arrangement of each unit forming the running surface in another embodiment.

Below, we will explain an embodiment of the stand, taking as an example a case where the stand is installed in an item transport facility that sorts and transports items.

[Overview of goods transport equipment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the item transport equipment F includes an item transport vehicle V that transports an item W, a running surface Ff on which the item transport vehicle V travels, an item supply unit 9 that supplies the item W to be transported to the item transport vehicle V, and a receiving unit I that receives the item W transported by the item transport vehicle V. The platform 100 forms the running surface Ff on which the item transport vehicle V travels. The running surface Ff is formed to spread in a flat plane. A passage R (see FIG. 3, etc.) for the item transport vehicle V to travel is defined on the running surface Ff. The receiving unit I is provided at multiple locations on the running surface Ff and is configured to receive the item W transported by the item transport vehicle V. In this embodiment, each of the receiving units I provided at multiple locations has a receiving port Ia that guides the item W below the running surface Ff.

As shown in FIG. 2, the item transport equipment F includes a transport section T that transports a container C for storing at least one item W, an empty container supply section 8 that supplies an empty container C that does not contain an item W (hereinafter referred to as an "empty container Ce"), and a shipping section 7 that ships a container C that contains at least one item W (hereinafter referred to as an "actual container Cf"). The transport section T is disposed below the running surface Ff (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the transport section T includes an empty container loading section 80 that loads empty containers Ce supplied from the empty container supply section 8, an actual container unloading section 70 that unloads actual containers Cf that contain an item W received at the receiving section I, and a receiving transport section Ti that is provided to connect the empty container loading section 80 and the actual container unloading section 70. In this embodiment, the transport section T includes multiple receiving and transporting sections Ti, each of which is arranged to connect the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70. In this example, the multiple receiving and transporting sections Ti are arranged parallel to each other in a plan view. In this embodiment, the empty container loading section 80, the full container unloading section 70, and the multiple receiving and transporting sections Ti are configured by conveyors.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the receiving section I is arranged so as to overlap with the receiving and conveying section Ti in a plan view. A container C is arranged at a position in the receiving and conveying section Ti corresponding to the receiving section I. As a result, an item W received from the item conveying vehicle V at the receiving section I is guided below the running surface Ff through the receiving opening Ia and then stored in the container C arranged in the receiving and conveying section Ti (see also Figures 3 and 4). In this embodiment, multiple receiving sections I are arranged side by side corresponding to each of the multiple receiving and conveying sections Ti. A container C is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the multiple receiving sections I, more specifically, directly below each of the multiple receiving sections I.

In this embodiment, the empty container carry-in section 80 is configured to transport multiple containers C synchronously in units of a container group, with the same number of containers C as the number of receiving sections I arranged corresponding to one receiving and transporting section Ti. The receiving and transporting section Ti and the full container carry-out section 70 are similarly configured to transport multiple containers C synchronously in units of the container group. In the illustrated example, 21 receiving sections I are provided corresponding to one receiving and transporting section Ti, and the empty container carry-in section 80 and the full container carry-out section 70 transport the 21 containers C synchronously in units of the container group, with the 21 containers C as a container group. In this case, the receiving and transporting section Ti transports the 21 containers C after all of the 21 containers C that make up the container group have items W stored in them.

In this item conveying equipment F, for example, multiple items W are sorted by receiving the items W at a specific receiving section I designated based on sorting information such as the type, quantity, and shipping destination of the items W. The sorted items W are placed in a container C and conveyed by a conveying section T.

In this embodiment, the item transport equipment F is equipped with a shutter S that opens and closes the receiving port Ia (see Figures 3 and 4). The shutter S keeps the receiving port Ia closed until at least one item W to be sorted based on the sorting information is received by the receiving section I. Then, the shutter S opens the receiving port Ia after at least one item W to be sorted based on the sorting information is received by the receiving section I. As a result, at least one item W sorted by the item transport vehicle V to each of the multiple receiving sections I is guided through the receiving port Ia below the running surface Ff and stored in a container C arranged in the receiving and conveying section Ti.

In the item supply section 9, for example, items W designated as a destination to a specific receiving section I based on the above sorting information are supplied to an item transport vehicle V by a supplying entity such as a worker or robot. Then, the item transport vehicle V that has received the item W at the item supply section 9 travels along the path R (see FIG. 3, etc.) defined on the running surface Ff to transport the item W to the receiving section I designated based on the above sorting information.

Around each of the multiple receiving sections I, a position information storage section (not shown) is provided that stores position information indicating the position corresponding to each receiving section I. The article transport vehicle V travels toward a specific receiving section I designated as a transport destination, and detects the position information stored in the position information storage section corresponding to the receiving section I with a position information detection section (not shown), and stops at that position (or travels at a low speed) to deliver the article W to the receiving section I. The position information storage section is configured, for example, as a display such as a barcode (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode) that displays the position information, a memory element such as an RFID tag (radio frequency identifier tag) that stores the position information, or a signal transmitter such as a beacon that emits a signal indicating the position information. For example, if the position information storage section is a barcode, the position information detection section is configured as a barcode reader, if the position information storage section is an RFID tag, the position information detection section is configured as an RFID reader, and if the position information storage section is a beacon, the position information detection section is configured as a receiver.

As shown in FIG. 6, the entire running surface Ff is composed of a combination of a first unit 1 and at least two of the second unit 2, third unit 3, fourth unit 4, and fifth unit 5. The part indicated with reference number "1" in FIG. 1 is the first unit 1. In this example, multiple first units 1 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view, forming part of the running surface Ff. Note that in FIG. 1, in order to make it easier to understand the division of each first unit 1, one of the multiple first units 1 that form part of the running surface Ff is given the reference number "1."

Figures 3 and 4 show one first unit 1. In detail, Figures 3 and 4 are views of the first unit 1 as seen from the running direction. The explanation will continue below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[Goods transport vehicle]
3 and 4, the article transport vehicle V is configured to travel along a path R defined in the travel surface Ff (see FIG. 1) to transport articles W from the article supply section 9 to the receiving section I. In the following, the direction in which the article transport vehicle V travels along the path R of the first unit 1 is referred to as the "travel direction X", and the direction perpendicular to the travel direction X in a plan view is referred to as the "width direction Y".

In this embodiment, the item transport vehicle V includes a cart body Va having wheels, an item support part Vb that supports an item W, and a transfer part Vc that operates the item support part Vb to transfer the item W.

In this embodiment, the item support part Vb is configured to place an item W on it. In this example, the item support part Vb is formed in a plate shape, and the item W is placed on its upper surface. Also, in this example, the item support part Vb is provided on the upper part of the cart body Va, and is configured to swing around an axis along the traveling direction X relative to the cart body Va.

The transfer unit Vc includes a drive source such as a motor. In this embodiment, the transfer unit Vc is configured to swing the item support unit Vb around an axis along the travel direction X relative to the cart body Va. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer unit Vc is configured to tilt the item support unit Vb in the width direction Y to slide the item W on the item support unit Vb in the width direction Y, and transfer the item W to a transfer location located outside the width direction Y relative to the item transport vehicle V. In this example, the transfer unit Vc is configured to swing the item support unit Vb to deliver the item W to each of the receiving units I (transfer locations) located on both sides of the width direction Y relative to the item transport vehicle V.

[First Unit]
Next, the first unit 1 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The first unit 1 comprises a receiving section 101 that receives an article W from an article transport vehicle V, a first top plate section 10 that forms part of the running surface Ff (see Figure 1), and a first support leg section 11 that supports the first top plate section 10. The receiving section 101 is formed on the first top plate section 10. The first top plate section 10 is connected to the upper part of the first support leg section 11, and is disposed at a distance above the floor surface. The receiving section 101 is a section that receives an article W transported by the article transport vehicle V, and is included in the receiving section I described above.

In this embodiment, the first unit 1 includes a conveyor unit 12. The conveyor unit 12 is disposed below the first top plate portion 10. In this embodiment, the receiving portion 101 includes an opening 101a that penetrates in the vertical direction. The conveyor unit 12 is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening 101a, and is supported by the first support leg portion 11.

In this embodiment, the first top plate portion 10 includes a central member 10m and a pair of side members 10s arranged on either side of the central member 10m in the width direction Y. The central member 10m is configured to connect the pair of side members 10s in the width direction Y. In this example, the central member 10m and each of the pair of side members 10s are detachably connected by fastening members such as bolts.

In this embodiment, the central member 10m is provided with a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. Each of the pair of side members 10s is provided with a receiving section 101. In this example, each of the pair of side members 10s has a plurality of receiving sections 101 arranged side by side along the travel direction X. Here, three receiving sections 101 are arranged on each of the pair of side members 10s.

The receiving section 101 has an opening 101a that penetrates in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the opening 101a is formed to penetrate the side member 10s in the vertical direction. The opening 101a is an opening that receives an item W from the item transport vehicle V, and is included in the above-mentioned receiving port Ia. In this example, the item W is inserted (transferred) into the opening 101a by the item transport vehicle V.

In this embodiment, the receiving section 101 is provided with a guide member 101b that guides the item W received from the item transport vehicle V to the opening 101a. This allows the item W to be properly received from the item transport vehicle V. The guide member 101b may be configured to properly guide the item W received from the item transport vehicle V to the opening 101a. In the illustrated example, the guide member 101b is provided with a peripheral wall portion 101b1 that surrounds the periphery of the opening 101a to prevent the item W received from the item transport vehicle V from protruding outside the opening 101a. In addition, the guide member 101b is provided with an inclined portion 101b2 that inclines downward from the central member 10m side to the side member 10s side in the width direction Y to facilitate the transfer of the item W from the item transport vehicle V.

As described above, the item transport equipment F is provided with a shutter S that opens and closes the receiving port Ia. In this embodiment, this shutter S is provided in the first unit 1 and is configured to open and close the opening 101a. In this example, the first unit 1 is provided with multiple shutters S. In detail, the first unit 1 is provided with the same number of shutters S as the number of openings 101a.

The shutter S includes a shutter body Sa that moves between an open position that opens the opening 101a and a closed position that closes the opening 101a, and a shutter drive unit Sb that drives the shutter body Sa between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the shutter body Sa is configured to slide along the width direction Y below the first top plate unit 10. The shutter drive unit Sb also includes a drive source such as a motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force generated by the drive source to the shutter body Sa. The transmission mechanism includes, for example, a shaft member, a sprocket, and a chain.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the closed position and maintains the opening 101a closed until the item W is transported to the receiving section 101 by the item transport vehicle V. As a result, the item W received by the receiving section 101 is held in the receiving section 101 for a certain period of time. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the open position and opens the opening 101a at a set timing that is arbitrarily determined. As a result, the item W held in the receiving section 101 falls downward through the opening 101a. The fallen item W is stored in a container C arranged in the conveyor unit 12, as described later. The above-mentioned "set timing" is arbitrarily set according to the operation of the equipment, etc. In this example, at least one item W to be sorted based on sorting information such as type, quantity, and shipping destination is transported to the receiving section 101 by the item transport vehicle V. The "set timing" is preferably set to the timing when all of the items W to be sorted based on the sorting information have been received by the receiving section 101, or to a later timing.

As described above, the first support leg 11 is configured to support the first top plate 10 from below. The first support leg 11 includes a plurality of support members 110 arranged in the vertical direction, and a plurality of beam members 111 that connect the plurality of support members 110 together.

Each of the pair of side members 10s is supported from below by the support member 110. In this embodiment, the central member 10m is supported by the support member 110 via the pair of side members 10s. In other words, in this embodiment, no dedicated support member is provided for supporting the central member 10m. In this example, the shutter S is connected to the support member 110.

As described above, the conveyor unit 12 is disposed below the first top plate portion 10. The conveyor unit 12 is configured to transport the item W below the first top plate portion 10. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 is configured to transport the container C, thereby transporting the item W contained in the container C. In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured as part of the transport section T (see also FIG. 2), and is provided between the transport path between the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70.

The conveyor unit 12 is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening 101a, and is supported by the first support leg 11. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 is supported by the beam member 111 of the first support leg 11. Specifically, the conveyor unit 12 is supported in a state in which it is placed on the beam member 111 of the first support leg 11. In this example, a transport support member 121 (described later) in the conveyor unit 12 is fixed to the beam member 111 of the first support leg 11 while abutting against the beam member 111 from above.

In this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 constitutes a part of the receiving and transporting section Ti, and is capable of arranging a plurality of containers C in a line along the traveling direction X (see also FIG. 2). In detail, the conveyor unit 12 is configured to be capable of arranging the container C (empty container Ce) carried in from the empty container carrying section 80 in a position corresponding to the opening 101a in the receiving section 101. In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured to arrange the container C (empty container Ce) in a position overlapping each of the plurality of openings 101a (receiving section 101) in a plan view. Then, when the item W received by the receiving section 101 is contained in the container C, the conveyor unit 12 transports the container C (full container Cf). In this example, the conveyor unit 12 transports all the containers C together after the items W sorted based on the sorting information are contained in all the containers C arranged in a line along the traveling direction X.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the conveyor unit 12 includes a conveying member 120 and a conveying support member 121 that supports the conveying member 120. In this example, the conveyor unit 12 is configured as a roller conveyor, and the conveying member 120 is configured as a roller. The conveying support member 121 is configured as a frame to which the conveying member 120 is connected. In this example, the conveying support member 121 supports the roller as the conveying member 120 so that it can rotate freely.

[Stand]
Next, the configuration of the stand 100 will be described. As described above, the stand 100 forms the running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V runs. The running surface Ff is formed to spread in a planar shape. Note that "spreading in a planar shape" generally means spreading along a flat surface. Therefore, an uneven surface may be formed in part of the running surface Ff. In addition, a part or all of the running surface Ff may be inclined.

The stand 100 includes a first unit 1 and at least two of the following units: a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the entire running surface Ff is configured by a combination of the first unit 1 and at least two of the following units: a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5. In FIG. 6, the first unit 1, the second unit 2, the third unit 3, the fourth unit 4, and the fifth unit 5 are shown in order from left to right in the figure.

As described above, the first unit 1 includes a first tabletop portion 10 that forms a part of the running surface Ff, and a first support leg portion 11 that supports the first tabletop portion 10. The outer shape of the first tabletop portion 10 is formed in a square shape in a plan view, and the length of one side is a first length L1. At least, support members 110 are provided at positions corresponding to the four corners of the first tabletop portion 10 that is formed in a square shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, support members 110 are provided in addition to the four corners of the first tabletop portion 10. In the illustrated example, a total of eight support members 110 are provided on the first tabletop portion 10. Specifically, four support members 110 are provided on each of a pair of opposing sides of the first tabletop portion 10.

The second unit 2 includes a second top plate portion 20 that forms a part of the running surface Ff, and a second support leg portion 21 that supports the second top plate portion 20. The outer shape of the second top plate portion 20 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, with the length of its long side being a first length L1 and the length of its short side being a second length L2 that is 2/3 of the first length L1. The second support leg portion 21 includes a plurality of support members 210. The support members 210 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the second top plate portion 20 that is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the support members 210 are provided only at the four corners of the second top plate portion 20. That is, a total of four support members 210 are provided on the second top plate portion 20.

The third unit 3 includes a third top plate portion 30 that forms a part of the running surface Ff, and a third support leg portion 31 that supports the third top plate portion 30. The external shape of the third top plate portion 30 is formed in a square shape in a plan view, and the length of one side is the second length L2. The third support leg portion 31 includes a plurality of support members 310. The support members 310 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the third top plate portion 30 that is formed in a square shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the support members 310 are provided only at the four corners of the third top plate portion 30. That is, a total of four support members 310 are provided on the third top plate portion 30.

The fourth unit 4 includes a fourth top plate 40 that forms a part of the running surface Ff, and a fourth support leg 41 that supports the fourth top plate 40. The outer shape of the fourth top plate 40 is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, with the length of its long side being a first length L1 and the length of its short side being a third length L3 that is 1/3 of the first length. The fourth support leg 41 includes a plurality of support members 410. The support members 410 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the fourth top plate 40 that is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the support members 410 are provided only at the four corners of the fourth top plate 40. That is, a total of four support members 410 are provided on the fourth top plate 40.

The fifth unit 5 includes a fifth tabletop 50 that forms a part of the running surface Ff, and a fifth support leg 51 that supports the fifth tabletop 50. The fifth tabletop 50 has a rectangular shape in plan view, with the long side having a second length L2 and the short side having a third length L3. The fifth support leg 51 includes a plurality of support members 510. The support members 510 are provided at least at positions corresponding to the four corners of the fifth tabletop 50 that is rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, the support members 510 are provided only at the four corners of the fifth tabletop 50. That is, a total of four support members 510 are provided on the fifth tabletop 50.

As described above, the third length L3 is 1/3 of the first length L1. The second length L2 is 2/3 of the first length L1. In other words, the first length L1 is three times the third length L3, and the second length L2 is twice the third length L3. In this embodiment, the third length L3 is set according to the width of the passage R (see Figures 3 and 4) along which the article transport vehicle V travels. This makes it possible to set the size and shape of the running surface Ff to the required size and shape, with the width of the passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels as the smallest unit.

In this embodiment, a square area with one side having a third length L3 is defined as a unit area Au, and the area occupied by each of the first top plate portion 10, the second top plate portion 20, the third top plate portion 30, the fourth top plate portion 40, and the fifth top plate portion 50 in a planar view is formed by a combination of multiple unit areas Au.

The area occupied by the first top plate portion 10 in plan view is formed by a combination of nine unit areas Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along each side of the first top plate portion 10, which has a first length L1, and a total of nine (3 x 3) unit areas Au are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view.

The area occupied by the second top plate portion 20 in plan view is formed by a combination of six unit areas Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the second top plate portion 20 having a first length L1, and two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the short side of the second top plate portion 20 having a second length L2, so that six (3 x 2) unit areas Au are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view.

The area occupied by the third top plate portion 30 in plan view is formed by a combination of four unit areas Au. Specifically, two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along each side of the third top plate portion 30, which has the second length L2, and as a whole, four (2 x 2) unit areas Au are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view.

The area occupied by the fourth top plate portion 40 in plan view is formed by a combination of three unit areas Au. Specifically, three unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 having the first length L1, and one unit area Au is arranged side by side along the short side of the fourth top plate portion 40 having the third length L3, so that three (3 x 1) unit areas Au are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view.

The area occupied by the fifth top plate portion 50 in plan view is formed by a combination of two unit areas Au. Specifically, two unit areas Au are arranged side by side along the long side of the fifth top plate portion 50 having the second length L2, and one unit area Au is arranged side by side along the short side of the fifth top plate portion 50 having the third length L3, so that two (2 x 1) unit areas Au are arranged in a lattice pattern in plan view.

Figure 7 shows an example of the arrangement of each unit constituting the stand 100. Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 1. In Figure 7, in order to make the arrangement of each unit easier to understand, configuration that is not relevant to the explanation is omitted, and a reference symbol is indicated in the center of each unit. For example, a first unit 1 is arranged in the part indicated by "1" in the figure, and a second unit 2 is arranged in the part indicated by "2". The same applies to the other units. In the following, a specific direction in a planar view is referred to as a "first direction D1", and a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 in a planar view is referred to as a "second direction D2".

As described above, the platform 100 forms a running surface Ff on which the article transport vehicle V runs. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the running surface Ff in a plan view is rectangular. The area occupied by the running surface Ff in a plan view is a size obtained by combining multiple unit areas Au (see FIG. 6) each having a side length of the third length L3. In this example, the dimension of the running surface Ff in the first direction D1 is the first length L1×N (N is a natural number), and the dimension of the running surface Ff in the second direction D2 is the first length L1×M (M is a natural number). As described above, each of the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1), the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3), the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4), and the fifth top plate portion 50 (fifth unit 5) is composed of a combination of multiple unit areas Au. Therefore, by combining these top plate portions (units), it is possible to easily form a running surface Ff whose dimension in the first direction D1 is the first length L1 x N and whose dimension in the second direction D2 is the first length L1 x M.

In this embodiment, the entire running surface Ff is formed by a combination of a first unit 1, a second unit 2, a third unit 3, and a fifth unit 5, as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the fourth unit 4 is not used to form the running surface Ff.

In this embodiment, a plurality of first units 1 are arranged adjacent to each other to form a receiving area Ai that receives items W from an item transport vehicle V. In the example shown in FIG. 7, 35 first units 1 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view to form the receiving area Ai. The outer edge of the receiving area Ai is formed by the sides of one or more first units 1 arranged along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. As described above, the length of one side of the first top plate portion 10 of the first unit 1 is the first length L1. Therefore, each side that constitutes the outer edge of the receiving area Ai has a length that is an integer multiple of the first length L1 depending on the number of first units 1 arranged along each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In the illustrated example, seven first units 1 are arranged in the first direction D1 and five in the second direction D2. Therefore, the length of the side of the receiving area Ai along the first direction D1 is 7 times the first length L1, and the length of the side of the receiving area Ai along the second direction D2 is 5 times the first length L1.

In this embodiment, the area adjacent to the receiving area Ai where units other than the first unit 1 are arranged is defined as an adjacent area An, and the second top plate section 20 (second unit 2) is arranged in the adjacent area An. The second top plate section 20 (second unit 2) arranged in the adjacent area An is arranged so that its long side is adjacent to the side of the first top plate section 10 (first unit 1). The long side of the second top plate section 20 and the side of the first top plate section 10 both have a first length L1 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the second top plate section 20 and the side of the first top plate section 10 adjacent to it can be arranged in the same range (the range corresponding to the first length L1) in the extension direction of those sides (the first direction D or the second direction D2).

In this embodiment, the adjacent areas An surround the entire periphery of the receiving area Ai. In other words, the adjacent areas An are provided on both sides of the receiving area Ai in the first direction D1 and on both sides of the receiving area Ai in the second direction D2. In this example, multiple second top plate portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged in such a receiving area Ai.

In this embodiment, the third tabletop portion 30 (third unit 3) and the multiple second tabletop portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged adjacent to each other, and at least two adjacent sides of the third tabletop portion 30 (third unit 3) are adjacent to the short sides of the second tabletop portion 20 (second units 2). The sides of the third tabletop portion 30 and the short sides of the second tabletop portion 20 both have the second length L2 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the sides of the third tabletop portion 30 and the adjacent short sides of the second tabletop portion 20 can be arranged in the same range (the range corresponding to the second length L2) in the extension direction of those sides (the first direction D or the second direction D2). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the area in which the third tabletop portion 30 (third unit 3) and the multiple second tabletop portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged adjacent to each other is located at the end area in the first direction D1 and the end area in the second direction D2 on the running surface Ff (top right and top left in the figure).

In addition, in this embodiment, the fifth tabletop portion 50 (fifth unit 5) and the second tabletop portion 20 (second unit 2) are arranged adjacent to each other, and the long side of the fifth tabletop portion 50 (fifth unit 5) is adjacent to the short side of the second tabletop portion 20 (second unit 2). The long side of the fifth tabletop portion 50 and the short side of the second tabletop portion 20 both have the second length L2 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the fifth tabletop portion 50 and the short side of the second tabletop portion 20 can be arranged in the same range (the range corresponding to the second length L2) in the extension direction of those sides (the first direction D or the second direction D2). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the area in which the fifth tabletop portion 50 (fifth unit 5) and the multiple second tabletop portions 20 (second units 2) are arranged adjacent to each other is located at the end area in the first direction D1 and the end area in the second direction D2 on the running surface Ff (bottom right and bottom left in the figure).

In this embodiment, the area where goods W are supplied to the goods transport vehicle V is defined as the goods supply area Aw, and the goods supply area Aw is provided with a placement section in which at least one of the second top plate section 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate section 30 (third unit 3), the fourth top plate section 40 (fourth unit 4), and the fifth top plate section 50 (fifth unit 5) is placed, and a non-placement section in which none of these are placed. In this example, the goods supply section 9 is provided in the non-placement section.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the item supply area Aw is provided with a plurality of second top plate sections 20 (second units 2). Each of the plurality of second top plate sections 20 (second units 2) is arranged so that the long side is along the first direction D1. The plurality of second top plate sections 20 (second units 2) are arranged side by side along the second direction D2 with a gap between them. The item supply section 9 is arranged in a non-arrangement section formed between the plurality of second top plate sections 20 (second units 2) in the item supply area Aw. In the example shown in FIG. 7, five item supply sections 9 are arranged in the item supply area Aw. Two of the five item supply sections 9 (item supply sections 9 arranged at both ends of the second direction D2 in the figure) are the same size as the second top plate section 20 (second units 2) in a plan view. In detail, the outer shape of two of the five item supply sections 9 in a plan view is formed as a rectangle whose long side has a first length L1 and whose short side has a second length L2. On the other hand, the remaining three of the five item supply sections 9 (the item supply sections 9 arranged toward the center in the second direction D2 in the figure) are smaller in size in a plan view than the second top plate section 20 (second unit 2). In detail, the outer shape of the remaining three of the five item supply sections 9 in a plan view is formed as a rectangle whose long side has a first length L1 and whose short side has a third length L3.

In areas on the running surface Ff other than the receiving area Ai, adjacent area An, and item supply area Aw, at least two types of top plate sections are arranged from the second top plate section 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate section 30 (third unit 3), the fourth top plate section 40 (fourth unit 4), and the fifth top plate section 50 (fifth unit 5). In the example shown in FIG. 7, three types of top plate sections (units) are arranged: the second top plate section 20 (second unit 2), the third top plate section 30 (third unit 3), and the fifth top plate section 50 (fifth unit 5).

According to the platform 100 described above, by arranging various tabletops, each of which has a square or rectangular outer shape in a plan view, side by side with their sides adjacent to each other, it is possible to easily form a continuous running surface Ff along which the article transport vehicle V runs. Furthermore, the size and shape of the running surface Ff can be flexibly set.

Other embodiments
Next, other embodiments of the mount will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is not used to form the running surface Ff has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) may be used to form the running surface Ff. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) and the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) are arranged adjacent to each other, and the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is adjacent to the long side of the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2). Here, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the item supply area Aw. In the above embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7, the item supply portion 9 was arranged in a non-arrangement portion formed in a rectangular shape with a long side having a first length L1 and a short side having a third length L3, but in the example shown in FIG. 8, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the part that was the non-arrangement portion. In this way, the running surface Ff can also be formed using the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4). However, when using the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4), the configuration is not limited to the above, and the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) and the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1) may be arranged adjacent to each other, and the long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) may be adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1). In this case, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) may be arranged in the adjacent area An (not shown).

(2) In the above embodiment, an example in which the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) is arranged in the adjacent area An has been described. However, without being limited to such an example, it is sufficient that the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2) or the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the adjacent area An. When the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) is arranged in the adjacent area An, the fourth top plate portion 40 (fourth unit 4) arranged in the adjacent area An is arranged so that its long side is adjacent to the side of the first top plate portion 10 (first unit 1). The long side of the fourth top plate portion 40 and the side of the first top plate portion 10 both have the first length L1 (the same length) (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the long side of the fourth tabletop 40 and the side of the first tabletop 10 can be arranged in the same range (the range corresponding to the first length L1) in the extension direction of those sides (the first direction D or the second direction D2).

(3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which each of two adjacent sides of the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3) is adjacent to a short side of the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2). However, without being limited to such an example, each of three or four sides of the third top plate portion 30 (third unit 3) may be adjacent to a short side of the second top plate portion 20 (second unit 2).

(4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which multiple first units 1 are arranged adjacent to each other to form a receiving area Ai that receives items W from an item transport vehicle V. This receiving area Ai may be formed only by first units 1, or may be formed to include at least one of the following units: a second unit 2, a third unit 3, a fourth unit 4, and a fifth unit 5 in addition to the first units 1. In addition, the receiving area Ai may be provided in multiple separate locations on the running surface Ff.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the third length L3 is set according to the width of the aisle R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. However, without being limited to such an example, the third length L3 may be set independently of the width of the aisle R.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the first unit 1 includes a conveyor unit 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the first unit 1 does not have to include a conveyor unit 12.

(7) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, provided no contradictions arise. With respect to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications may be made as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of this disclosure.

[Summary of the above embodiment]
The above-described pedestal will now be described.

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
the entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of units selected from a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit;
the first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate section that forms a part of the running surface, and a first support leg section that supports the first top plate section;
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
the fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion that supports the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fifth support leg portion that supports the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed into a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is a first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of the second top plate portion is the first length, and the length of the short side of the second top plate portion is a second length that is 2/3 of the first length,
The third top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is the second length,
The fourth top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a length of a long side of the fourth top plate portion is the first length, and a length of a short side of the fourth top plate portion is a third length that is 1/3 of the first length,
The outer shape of the fifth top panel portion is formed into a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of which is the second length, and the length of the short side of which is the third length.

According to this configuration, by arranging various top plate sections, each having a square or rectangular outer shape in a plan view, side by side so that their sides are adjacent to each other, a continuous running surface for the article transport vehicle to run on can be easily formed. Here, each side of the first to fifth top plate sections has a first length, a second length that is 2/3 of the first length, or a third length that is 1/3 of the first length. Therefore, by combining at least two types of the second to fifth units to form a stand for the first unit, which has a large first top plate section due to the inclusion of a receiving section, the overall size and shape of the running surface can be flexibly set to the required size and shape in units of 1/3 of the first length, which is the length of one side of the first top plate section. Therefore, according to this configuration, the size and shape of the running surface on which the article transport vehicle runs can be flexibly set.

a plurality of the first units are arranged adjacent to each other to form a receiving area for receiving the items from the item transport vehicle;
An area adjacent to the receiving area in which units other than the first unit are arranged is defined as an adjacent area,
The second top plate portion or the fourth top plate portion is disposed in the adjacent area,
It is preferable that the second top plate portion placed in the adjacent area is positioned so that its long side is adjacent to a side of the first top plate portion, and the fourth top plate portion placed in the adjacent area is positioned so that its long side is adjacent to a side of the first top plate portion.

With this configuration, the range of the receiving area can be set with priority, and then an adjacent area of the required size and shape can be formed according to the range of the receiving area. Therefore, the size and shape of the running surface on which the article transport vehicle runs can be flexibly set while appropriately securing the receiving area where the receiving section that receives the articles is provided.

The third length is preferably set according to the width of the passageway along which the article transport vehicle travels.

With this configuration, the size and shape of the running surface can be set to the required size and shape, with the width of the passageway along which the article transport vehicle travels as the smallest unit. Therefore, with this configuration, the size and shape of the running surface can be flexibly set while ensuring proper travel of the article transport vehicle.

The third top plate portion and the plurality of second top plate portions are disposed adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that at least two adjacent sides of the third top plate portion are adjacent to short sides of the second top plate portion.

With this configuration, the third unit having the third top plate portion and the second unit having the second top plate portion can be appropriately combined and arranged.

The fourth top plate portion and the first top plate portion or the second top plate portion are disposed adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that a long side of the fourth top plate portion is adjacent to a side of the first top plate portion or a long side of the second top plate portion.

With this configuration, the fourth unit having the fourth top plate portion and the first unit having the first top plate portion or the second unit having the second top plate portion can be appropriately combined and arranged.

The fifth top plate portion and the second top plate portion are disposed adjacent to each other,
It is preferable that a long side of the fifth top plate portion is adjacent to a short side of the second top plate portion.

With this configuration, the fifth unit having the fifth tabletop portion and the second unit having the second tabletop portion can be appropriately combined and arranged.

the first unit comprises a conveyor unit;
The receiving portion has an opening extending therethrough in a vertical direction,
It is preferable that the conveyor unit is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening, and is supported by the first support leg.

According to this configuration, the items can be transported below the first top plate by a conveyor unit, which is a transport means separate from the item transport vehicle. In this case, the items received by the receiving section from the item transport vehicle are transported through the opening to the conveyor unit arranged below the first top plate. The items are then further transported by the conveyor unit. In other words, according to this configuration, the stages in which the items are transported can be divided into a stage in which the items are transported by the item transport vehicle and a stage in which the items are transported by the conveyor unit. Therefore, for example, multiple items that have been transported by the item transport vehicle multiple times can be transported together in one trip by the conveyor unit, making this suitable for use in facilities that sort and transport items, for example.

The technology disclosed herein can be used in a platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles travels.

100: Stand 1: First unit 10: First top plate portion 101: Receiving portion 101a: Opening 11: First support leg portion 12: Conveyor unit 2: Second unit 20: Second top plate portion 21: Second support leg portion 3: Third unit 30: Third top plate portion 31: Third support leg portion 4: Fourth unit 40: Fourth top plate portion 41: Fourth support leg portion 5: Fifth unit 50: Fifth top plate portion 51: Fifth support leg portion Ai: Receiving area An: Adjacent area Ff: Travel surface R: Passage V: Article transport vehicle W: Article

Claims (7)

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
the entire running surface is configured by a combination of a first unit and at least two types of units selected from a second unit, a third unit, a fourth unit, and a fifth unit;
the first unit includes a receiving section that receives the article from the article transport vehicle, a first top plate section that forms a part of the running surface, and a first support leg section that supports the first top plate section;
The second unit includes a second top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a second support leg portion that supports the second top plate portion,
The third unit includes a third top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a third support leg portion that supports the third top plate portion,
the fourth unit includes a fourth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fourth support leg portion that supports the fourth top plate portion,
The fifth unit includes a fifth top plate portion that forms a part of the running surface, and a fifth support leg portion that supports the fifth top plate portion,
The outer shape of the first top plate portion is formed into a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is a first length,
The outer shape of the second top plate portion is formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of the second top plate portion is the first length, and the length of the short side of the second top plate portion is a second length that is 2/3 of the first length,
The third top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a square shape in a plan view, and a length of one side of the square shape is the second length,
The fourth top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a length of a long side of the fourth top plate portion is the first length, and a length of a short side of the fourth top plate portion is a third length that is 1/3 of the first length,
The fifth top plate portion has an outer shape formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, the length of the long side of the fifth top plate portion being the second length, and the length of the short side of the fifth top plate portion being the third length. a plurality of the first units are arranged adjacent to each other to form a receiving area for receiving the items from the item transport vehicle;
An area adjacent to the receiving area in which units other than the first unit are arranged is defined as an adjacent area,
The second top plate portion or the fourth top plate portion is disposed in the adjacent area,
The stand according to claim 1, wherein the second tabletop portion arranged in the adjacent area is arranged so that its long side is adjacent to a side of the first tabletop portion, and the fourth tabletop portion arranged in the adjacent area is arranged so that its long side is adjacent to a side of the first tabletop portion. The platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third length is set according to the width of the passageway along which the article transport vehicle travels. The third top plate portion and the plurality of second top plate portions are disposed adjacent to each other,
The pedestal according to claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent sides of the third tabletop portion are adjacent to short sides of the second tabletop portion. The fourth top plate portion and the first top plate portion or the second top plate portion are disposed adjacent to each other,
The pedestal according to claim 1 , wherein a long side of the fourth tabletop portion is adjacent to a side of the first tabletop portion or a long side of the second tabletop portion. The fifth top plate portion and the second top plate portion are disposed adjacent to each other,
The pedestal according to claim 1 , wherein a long side of the fifth tabletop portion is adjacent to a short side of the second tabletop portion. the first unit comprises a conveyor unit;
The receiving portion has an opening extending therethrough in a vertical direction,
The rack according to claim 1 , wherein the conveyor unit is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening and is supported by the first support leg.

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