JP7318859B2 - Elevating mechanism and three-dimensional automated warehouse equipped with the elevating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lift mechanism for a multi-level automated warehouse and a multi-level automated warehouse equipped with the lift mechanism. In particular, the present invention provides storage shelves for articles and article storage containers (hereinafter referred to as "articles, etc.") arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The number of storage racks are arranged at predetermined intervals, and the transfer of goods in the X-axis direction is performed by traveling carriages provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction, and the transfer of goods in the Y-axis direction is performed on storage racks. The present invention relates to a lift mechanism for a multi-level automated warehouse performed by a lift provided in a predetermined space, and to a multi-level automated warehouse equipped with the lift mechanism.

Modernization and rationalization in logistics have lagged behind those in production and sales, but in recent years, the desire to get the goods they need when they need them has become stronger not only in the industrial world but also among general consumers, and the demand is rapidly increasing. Logistics rationalization, that is, a logistics revolution is being promoted. To this end, the development of unit load systems through palletization and containerization, and the promotion of warehouse automation are indispensable.

Among these, from the perspective of not only improving the efficiency of logistics, but also the efficiency of space utilization, the reduction of personnel, and the improvement of the work environment, etc. A multi-level automated warehouse system, in which a simple control system operates a series of operations of conveyors, elevators, peripheral devices, etc., has received particular attention, and is in a situation where it is progressing day and night.

Such a three-dimensional automated warehouse generally consists of a storage section and a loading/unloading section, and various transfer means are provided between them. The loading/unloading section is mainly composed of a conveyor, etc., and the storage section has storage shelves facing each other with a predetermined space on a storage surface from which articles can be put in and taken out. A set of storage racks that are adjacent to each other on the opposite side of the storage surface from which items can be put in and taken out are opposed to each other with a predetermined interval, and the space in which items, etc. are stored. A storage facility in which a transfer means is arranged is generally used as a structural unit.

Various automatic warehouses have been developed depending on the means for transferring the above-mentioned articles. For example, a three-dimensional automated warehouse (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) in which a stacker crane or the like is used as a means for transferring goods, etc., and goods such as can be freely reciprocated in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the storage shelf, A traveling truck provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction and a lift provided in a predetermined space between the storage shelves are used as means for transferring articles, etc., and the traveling vehicle can freely move the articles, etc. in the X-axis direction of the storage shelves. There is a three-dimensional automated warehouse (Fig. 1, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4, and Non-Patent Document 1) in which a lift is responsible for free reciprocating movement of articles in the Y-axis direction.

In particular, the latter automated warehouse is excellent in terms of physical distribution efficiency, space utilization efficiency, reduction of personnel, improvement of working environment, etc. However, this automated warehouse also has problems and is being improved. For example, in order to increase the amount of storage while suppressing equipment costs and installation space, a tandem type multi-story warehouse (Patent Document 5) in which storage shelves are arranged in series with the lift as the center of symmetry, A three-dimensional automated warehouse (Patent Document 6), etc., has been proposed that employs a cross-transport method that enables the transfer of articles in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction) between storage racks.

However, in the three-dimensional automated warehouse as shown in FIG. 1, as is clear from the plan view (FIG. 2), the running shelves made of facing storage racks (L _n ' and L _n+1 , L _n+1 ' and L _n+2 ) A lift 8 composed of a mast 8-1, a hoistway 8-2, a carriage 8-3, and a carriage 8-4 is arranged at one end of the travel space 6 of the carriage 4, and the carriage 8-3 slides. The hoistway 8-2 is moved up and down by a mechanism, and the carriage 8-4 mounted on the carriage 8-3 enables free reciprocation of articles, etc. in the Y-axis direction, but the installation location of the lift 8 is restricted. In addition, there is a problem that it is fixed in a part of the multi-level automatic warehouse and occupies the space, lowering the space utilization efficiency. Furthermore, in the tandem-type automatic warehouse with an improved storage capacity of the automatic warehouse shown in FIG. , the lift 8 is arranged in the center of the traveling space 6 of the traveling carriage 4, which hinders the reciprocating movement of the traveling carriage 4 in the X-axis direction, which greatly reduces the efficiency of physical distribution. there is Thus, despite the various problems caused by the lift 8, a method for solving these problems has not yet been disclosed.

JP-A-8-108904 JP 2012-236683 A JP-A-63-165205 JP 2015-168573 A JP 2011-178549 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-524374

Itoki Co., Ltd. homepage, SAS PDF, http://www. Itoki. jp/catalog/pdf/senmon/sys_streamer. pdf

According to the present invention, a predetermined number of storage shelves for articles, etc., arranged in a grid pattern are arranged in parallel with a predetermined space therebetween, and a traveling carriage provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction and a storage shelf are provided. A lift arranged in space is used as a transfer means for goods, etc., and a traveling cart freely reciprocates goods, etc. in the X-axis direction of the storage shelf, and a lift freely reciprocates goods, etc. in the Y-axis direction. Elevating mechanism that solves the adverse effects of lifts installed in the space between storage shelves, reduces equipment costs, and realizes a multi-level automated warehouse with high space utilization efficiency and distribution efficiency And the object is to provide a lifting mechanism-integrated three-dimensional automatic warehouse equipped with the lifting mechanism.

The present inventors have found that a predetermined number of storage shelves for articles, etc., arranged in a grid are arranged in parallel with a predetermined space therebetween, and a traveling carriage and a storage shelf are provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction. A lift provided in a predetermined space between the racks is used as means for transferring articles, etc. The traveling vehicle freely reciprocates articles, etc. in the X-axis direction of the storage shelf, and the lift freely transfers articles, etc. in the Y-axis direction. In place of the lift, a vertical guide part tightly connected to the storage shelf, a driving means attached to the vertical guide part, and a transport connected via the driving means By integrating a lifting mechanism equipped with a platform with a multi-level automated warehouse, the cost of conventional lifts can be reduced, making it possible to make it smaller, thinner, and lower and higher, and the space of the multi-level automated warehouse. In addition to the improvement in the utilization efficiency of the traveling carriage, the degree of freedom of the reciprocating movement of the traveling carriage in the X-axis direction is increased, and the installation location is expanded, leading to the completion of the present invention.

That is, the present invention provides an elevating mechanism comprising a vertical guide portion tightly connected to a storage shelf, driving means attached to the vertical guide portion, and a carriage connected via the driving means. It is something to do.

Further, the present invention comprises a storage shelf, a vertical guide part tightly connected to the storage shelf, a drive means attached to the vertical guide part, and a carriage connected via the drive means. To provide a three-dimensional automatic warehouse integrated with a lifting mechanism characterized by:

More specifically, it travels in the horizontal direction of a storage shelf for articles, etc., arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a storage surface on which the articles, etc. can be taken in and out, and stores the articles, etc. Transfer means that can be freely put in and taken out, a vertical guide part that is tightly connected to the storage shelf or the travel path of the moving means, a driving means attached to the vertical guide part, and connected via the driving means A lifting mechanism-integrated three-dimensional automatic warehouse equipped with a carriage that is equipped with.

In the lifting mechanism of the present invention, the up-and-down guide part corresponding to the conventional mast is tightly connected to the storage shelf and is reinforced by the structure of the storage shelf, so the heavy mast of the conventional lift is unnecessary, and the size and thickness can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to design a lifting mechanism having a height corresponding to the number of stages of storage racks, and it is characterized in that it is possible to lower the floor and raise the floor. As a result, restrictions on the installation location of conventional lifts are removed, space efficiency is improved, and the cost of lifts is reduced. Moreover, since the lifting mechanism of the present invention can be installed at any position in the multi-level automated warehouse, the lifting-mechanism-integrated multi-level automated warehouse is a multi-level automated warehouse with high overall distribution efficiency.

The vertical guide section, which is characteristic of such a lifting mechanism, requires at least the strength and size necessary to attach a driving means capable of lifting and lowering the carriage. If they are the same, their thickness can be halved or less. In order to further reduce the size, weight, and cost of the lifting mechanism, two or more lifting mechanisms having narrower vertical guides are used to move the carriage in the Y-axis direction. It is also possible to However, the vertical direction guide part does not affect the structure of the storage shelf, that is, the beams (beams, wide beams, sub-beams, deck channels, etc.) that make up the storage shelf, struts, shelf boards, etc., and the horizontal direction of the storage surface of the storage shelf. If a transfer means is provided that travels in both directions, the travel rails provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction can also be reinforced. It is a change determined together with the design of the rail and does not form the essence of the technical idea of the present invention.

On the other hand, the method of joining the vertical guide part, which is characteristic of the lifting mechanism of the present invention, to the beams, struts, shelf boards, and rails required for the transfer means, which constitute the storage shelf, is riveting. General joining methods such as mechanical joining such as screw joining, press-fit joining, and metallurgical joining using welding such as fusion welding, pressure welding, and brazing can be used. However, considering the degree of freedom in the installation location of the lifting mechanism, screw connection is preferred.

In addition, the method of incorporating the vertical direction guide portion of the lifting mechanism into the beams, supports, shelf boards, rails required for the transfer means, etc. that constitute the above-mentioned storage shelf is considered to be a fitting method from the viewpoint of strength, space utilization efficiency, etc. Construction method is preferable.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of designing an elevating mechanism according to the number of stages of storage shelves, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which a vertical guide portion having a height corresponding to one stage of storage shelves is added in the Y-axis direction. In this case, it is preferable in terms of strength to use a fitting joint construction method for the vertical direction guide portion.

The driving means attached to the vertical guide portion and the carriage connected via the driving means are carriages in which the driving means are provided with a hoistway and a sliding mechanism, as in conventional lifts. and a carriage mounted on a carriage is preferably used. However, the drive means is not limited to this, and may be a rope type, hydraulic type, chain drive type, etc. drive means used for various lifts. Also, the carrier may be a general conveyor, but given the configuration of the automated high-rise warehouse, a conveyor with a direction changing mechanism is used to enable movement of articles, etc. in the Z-axis direction between storage racks. Sometimes one is desired.

The elevating mechanism of the present invention can realize an elevator-integrated multi-level automated warehouse that is integrated with all storage racks and multi-level automated warehouses. In particular, a predetermined number of storage shelves for goods arranged in a grid pattern are arranged in parallel with a predetermined space between them, and the space between the traveling carriage and the storage shelf provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction. The deployed lifts are used as means for transferring goods, etc., and the traveling carriage is responsible for free reciprocating movement of goods, etc. in the X-axis direction of the storage shelf, and the lift is responsible for free reciprocating movement of goods, etc. in the Y-axis direction. It can be integrated into a multi-level automated warehouse, that is, it can be replaced with a lift. Since the lift is removed from the traveling space of the traveling carriage responsible for the reciprocating movement of the carriage, the degree of freedom of the reciprocating motion of the traveling carriage is dramatically increased, and a multi-story automated warehouse with an integrated lifting mechanism can be realized with greatly improved logistics efficiency.

According to the present invention, the cost of conventional lifts can be reduced, and it is possible to make them smaller, thinner, and lower and higher. Since the degree of freedom is increased and the installation location is expanded, a lifting mechanism and a lifting mechanism-integrated three-dimensional automatic warehouse with extremely excellent overall distribution efficiency are provided.

A traveling cart provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction and a lift transfer device provided in a predetermined space between the storage shelves are used as means for transferring articles, and the traveling vehicle moves the articles in the X-axis direction of the storage shelves. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional three-dimensional automated warehouse in which a lift transfer machine is responsible for free reciprocating movement of articles, etc. in the Y-axis direction. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the three-dimensional automated warehouse of FIG. 1 viewed from above; FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of a tandem-type automatic multi-level warehouse in which the storage capacity of the multi-level automatic warehouse shown in FIG. 1 is improved. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross section cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper on the cutting line A of FIG. 3 ; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse as viewed from above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provided with a lift mechanism in which a vertical guide part is incorporated in a beam that constitutes a storage shelf; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross section cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper on the cutting line B of FIG. 5 ; 1 is a schematic plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse provided with lifting mechanisms having different positions of beams in which the lifting mechanisms are incorporated and different widths of vertical guide portions according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a method of incorporating a vertical guide section into a beam when there is only one lifting mechanism in the automatic multi-story warehouse shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a method of incorporating a vertical guide section into a pillar when there is only one lifting mechanism in the automatic multi-story warehouse shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a method of incorporating a vertical guide section into a beam when there are two narrow lifting mechanisms in the multi-story automated warehouse shown in FIG. 7 ; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a method of incorporating a vertical guide section into a column when there are two narrow lifting mechanisms in the multi-story automated warehouse shown in FIG. 7 ;

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using one embodiment shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is possible to implement it and is limited only by the technical concept described in the claims.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a three-dimensional automated warehouse as viewed from above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, provided with a lift transfer machine in which a vertical guide part is incorporated in a beam that constitutes a storage shelf. The storage shelves L _n , L _n ', L _n+1 , L _n+1 ', L _n+2 are composed of columns 1, beams 2, and shelf plates 3, vertical guides 9-1, and hoistways that constitute driving means. 9-2, a carriage _9-3 , and a vertical _direction guide portion _9-1 of the lifting mechanism 9, which is composed of a platform 9-4. A lifting mechanism 9 is provided in the space of the storage shelves L _n , L _n ′, L _n+1 , L _n+1 ′, _and L _n+2 . A carriage 9-4 placed on a carriage 9-3 of the driving means attached to the vertical guide portion 9-1 is placed in the space, and the hoistway 9 of the driving means attached to the vertical guide portion 9-1 moves toward the vertical direction guide portion 9-1. It moves up and down along -2 to move items.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a cross section cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper on the cutting line B of FIG. 5 . In this cross-sectional schematic diagram, the vertical guide portion 9-1 of the lifting mechanism 9 is constructed on the beam 2 that constitutes the storage shelves L _n and L _n ', L _n+1 and L _n+1 ' adjacent on the back, and is stored. A lifting mechanism 9 is provided in the spaces of the shelves L _n , L _n ', L _n+1 , L _n+1 ', and L _n+2 , and placed on a carriage 9-3 of a driving means attached to a vertical guide portion 9-1. It clearly shows how the carriage 9-4 moves up and down along the hoistway 9-2 of the driving means attached to the vertical guide portion 9-1 to move articles and the like.

The lifting mechanism 9 of the present invention and the multi-level automated warehouse (Figs. 5 and 6) installed with it are compared with the conventional lift 8 and the multi-level automated warehouse (Figs. 2-4) where the conventional lift 8 is installed. It can be seen that the problem caused by the occupation of the traveling space 6 of the cart 4 is eliminated, that is, the utilization efficiency of the space of the multi-level automatic warehouse is remarkably improved. In particular, in the tandem type multi-story automatic warehouse, as is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6, the lifting mechanism 9 of the present invention prevents the traveling carriage 4 from reciprocating in the X-axis direction. can be carried out freely, and the efficiency of physical distribution can be dramatically improved.

In FIG. 5, as an embodiment, the elevating mechanism 9 of the present invention is arranged at one end of the storage shelf, and adjacent to it is a temporary storage device for temporarily storing articles and the like so that efficient physical distribution can be performed. Although the placement carrier 7 is provided, it is not limited to this configuration. The lifting mechanism 9 of the present invention can be installed anywhere along the beam 2 in the X-axis direction of the storage shelf in FIG. It is also possible to The temporary placement carrier 7 is preferably arranged adjacent to the lifting mechanism 9 of the present invention. Since it can be directly transferred, it is not necessarily required.

Further, the elevating mechanism 9 of the present invention can be installed on the beam 2 on the traveling space 6 side of the traveling carriage 4 as shown in FIG. In this case, the rail 5 on which the traveling carriage 4 travels can be used to form the vertical guide portion 9-1 of the lifting mechanism 9. As shown in FIG. However, since the traveling carriage 4 cannot directly transfer the articles or the like placed on the carriage 9-4 of the elevating mechanism 9 and moved, it is necessary to arrange the temporary placement carriage 7 adjacent to the elevating mechanism 9. be.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the lifting mechanism of the present invention can use two or more narrow lifting mechanisms 91 and can be incorporated into the storage shelf. As shown in FIG. 10, this elevating mechanism 91 has two vertical guides 91-1, a hoistway 9-2 attached thereto, and a carriage 91-3. The table 91-4 is placed on two carriages 91-3. As with the lifting mechanism 9, the storage shelves _Ln and _Ln ', Ln ₊₁ and _Ln+1 ' adjacent on the back side may be provided on the beams 2, or the beams 2 and rails on the side of the traveling space 6 of the traveling carriage 4 may be provided. 5 can also be set. In particular, even if the narrow lifting mechanism 91 is arranged on the beam 2 or the rail 5 on the side of the traveling space 6 of the traveling carriage 4, the article placed on the carriage 91-4 of the lifting mechanism 91 and moved There is an advantage that such as can be directly transferred.

8 to 11 show how the vertical guides 9-1 and 91-1 of the lifting mechanisms 9 and 91 are incorporated into the storage shelf structure.

FIG. 8 shows that the vertical guide portion 9-1 of the lifting mechanism 9 and the beam 2 or rail 5 are connected by mechanical joining such as riveting, screw joining, and press-fit joining, and metallurgical welding using welding such as fusion welding, pressure welding, and brazing. It is joined as it is by a general joining method such as mechanical joining. However, the vertical guide portion 9-1 and the beam 2 or rail 5 enclosed by the dashed line are preferably joined by fitting, as shown in the enlarged view of the dashed line portion, in terms of strength. On the other hand, here, the vertical guide part 9-1 and the hoistway 9-2 are depicted as one long structure, but the vertical guide part 9-1 having the length of one storage shelf and the attached It is also possible to extend the hoistway 9-2 to be used.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to fit the vertical guide portion 9-1 into the column 1 instead of joining the vertical guide portion 9-1 to the beam 2. FIG. In this case as well, it is preferable from the standpoint of strength that the pillar 1 and the beam 2 or rail 5 surrounded by the dashed line are joined by fitting as shown in the enlarged view of the dashed line. Conversely, although not shown in the drawings, the two columns 1 may be joined together with the vertical guide portion 9-1 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, there are two vertical guides 91-1, a hoistway 91-2 and a carriage 91-3 attached to them, and a drive unit 91-4. A lifting mechanism 91 configured to place the carriage 91-3 on two carriages 91-3 can also be incorporated by being joined in the same manner as in FIGS. The vertical direction guide part 91-1 and the beam 2 or rail 5 are joined by general joining methods such as mechanical joining such as riveting, screw joining and press-fit joining, and metallurgical joining using welding such as fusion welding, pressure welding and brazing. However, the vertical guide portion 91-1 and the beam 2 or the rail 5, and the support 11 and the beam 2 or the rail 5 surrounded by the dashed line are preferably joined by a fitting method in terms of strength. . Also, although not shown, two posts 11 may be joined so as to interpose the vertical guide portion 91-1. Although the vertical guide portion 91-1 and the hoistway 91-2 are drawn as one long structure, the vertical guide portion 91-1 and the hoistway 91-2 having the length of one storage shelf are shown. It is also possible to continue to add

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can reduce the size, weight, and cost of the vertical guide section of the elevating mechanism by incorporating it into the struts, beams, shelf boards, etc. of the storage shelf, thereby improving the space utilization efficiency of the multi-story automatic warehouse. In addition, it provides a lifting mechanism that can improve logistics efficiency and a lifting mechanism-integrated multi-level automatic warehouse equipped with the same, but it is not only applicable to the three-dimensional automatic warehouse, but also has a strong structure. In some cases, it can be applied to any case where it is necessary to transfer an article or the like in the vertical direction of the structure. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the transfer of goods, etc., but a lifting mechanism and a lifting mechanism that can be applied to any storage management system such as a library, a garage, and a storehouse for materials, parts, work-in-process products, finished products, etc. in factories. This is a multi-level automated warehouse with an integrated lifting mechanism.

L _n-1 ', L _n , L _n ', L _n+1 , L _n+1 ', L _n+2 Storage shelf P _n-1 ', P _n , P _n ', P _n+1 , P _n+1 ', P _n+2 Goods, etc. 1 Support (1)
11 strut (2)
2 Beam 3 Shelf 4 Traveling carriage with telescopic arm 5 Rail 6 Traveling space of traveling carriage 7 Temporary placement platform 8 Conventional lift 8-1 Mast 8-2 Hoistway 8-3 Carriage 8-4 Platform 9 First Lifting Mechanism 9-1 of the Invention Vertical Guide Part 9-2 Lifting Path 9-3 Carriage 9-4 Carrier 91 Second Lifting Mechanism 91-1 of the Invention Vertical Guide Part 91-2 Lifting Path 91 -3 Carriage 91-4 Platform 10 Loading/unloading device A, B Cutting line

Claims (3)

a pair of storage shelves formed adjacent to each other with their backs facing each other, and storage shelves for goods or goods storage containers arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction;
It is attached over substantially the entire length of both sides of the traveling path formed in the horizontal direction of each stage between the first pair of storage shelves and the second pair of storage shelves adjacent thereto. a traveling carriage that travels horizontally on the right rail and the left rail and can freely take in and out the article or the article storage container between the storage shelf;
A lifting mechanism that is constructed on the side of the right rail or the left rail opposite to the running path and is capable of moving in the vertical direction, the vertical guide portion being joined to the right rail or the left rail; Driving means attached to the vertical direction guide portion and comprising a carriage having a hoistway and a sliding mechanism, and an elevating mechanism having a carriage mounted on the carriage. death,
When transferring an article or an article storage container between the lifting mechanism and the traveling carriage, the article or the article storage container that has been placed on the carrier and moved is moved by the traveling carriage on the right side rail or the left side rail. A three-dimensional automated warehouse with an integrated lifting mechanism that is characterized by direct transfer across rails. 2. The multi-story automated warehouse with integrated lifting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said carriage is a conveyor having a direction changing mechanism. further comprising a temporary placement carrier adjacent to the lifting mechanism;
When transferring an article or an article storage container between the lifting mechanism and the traveling carriage, the article or the article storage container that has been placed on the carrier and moved is moved by the traveling carriage on the right side rail or the left side rail. The article or article storage container transferred from the carriage to the temporary placement carriage is directly transferred through the rail, or the traveling carriage directly transfers the article or article storage container through the right rail or the left rail. 3. The multi-story automated warehouse with integrated lifting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:

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