JP7567701B2 - Goods handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an article transport facility that includes rails extending in a first direction at multiple levels in the vertical direction and that includes an article transport vehicle that travels along the rails to transport articles.

An example of such an article transport facility is disclosed in JP 2019-119585 A (Patent Document 1). In the following description of this background art, the reference symbols in Patent Document 1 are quoted in parentheses.

The article transport equipment of Patent Document 1 includes first running rails (13) extending along a first direction (X) in multiple stages in the vertical direction (Z), and a transport cart (12) that travels along the first running rails (13) to transport an article (W). The transport cart (12) includes a parent cart (18) that travels along the first running rails (13) and a child cart (19) that can be mounted on the parent cart (18). In this article transport equipment, a storage shelf (11) that stores the article (W) is provided, and the parent cart (18) travels along the first running rails (13) with the child cart (19) mounted thereon to a position corresponding to the storage shelf (11) to be transferred, and then the child cart (19) separates from the parent cart (18) and transfers the article (W) to the storage shelf (11). The storage shelves (11) are arranged in multiple tiers, and in each tier, the first running rail (13) is arranged at a height corresponding to the storage shelves (11).

JP 2019-119585 A

In view of increasing the placement density of article transport vehicles that run along rails (in Patent Document 1, transport carts that run along the first running rail), it is desirable to keep the spacing between vertically aligned rails small. When storage sections (storage shelves in Patent Document 1) that store articles in multiple tiers are provided, as in the article transport equipment of Patent Document 1, it is desirable to keep the spacing between vertically aligned rails small, also from the perspective of increasing the efficiency of storing articles.

In the article transport equipment of Patent Document 1, it can be understood from the drawings and the like in Patent Document 1 that the rails on which the article transport vehicles run are directly or indirectly supported by posts arranged to extend in the vertical direction. Relatively large stresses are repeatedly generated in the support structure that supports the rails on the posts as the article transport vehicles run. For this reason, the dimensions of the members that make up the support structure tend to be large in order to ensure the durability of the support structure, and as a result, the space occupied by the support structure tends to be large. Such an increase in the space occupied by the support structure tends to hinder keeping the spacing between the rails aligned in the vertical direction small.

Therefore, it is desirable to realize an article transport facility that can minimize the spacing between vertically aligned rails while adequately ensuring the durability of the support structure that supports the rails on the posts.

The article transport equipment according to the present disclosure is an article transport equipment including a rail extending along a first direction in a plurality of vertical stages, an article transport vehicle that travels along the rail to transport articles, a support pillar, and a support beam, the support pillars are arranged at a plurality of locations so as to extend along the vertical direction, the support beams are arranged at a target stage among the plurality of stages so as to extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed in the vertical direction along the vertical direction, and are supported by at least two of the support pillars arranged at a distance in the second direction, the support beams at the target stage support the rails from below, and the support beams are arranged at a plurality of locations so as to extend along the vertical direction, the support beams are arranged at a target stage among the plurality of stages so as to extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed in the vertical direction along the vertical direction, and are supported by at least two of the support pillars arranged at a distance in the second direction, the support beams support the rails from below at the target stage, and the support beams are arranged at a plurality of locations so as to extend along the vertical direction. The pillar and the support beam are connected via a connection unit, one side in the first direction is a first direction first side, the other side in the first direction is a first direction second side, one side in the second direction is a second direction first side, and the other side in the second direction is a second direction second side, the support beam includes a beam first side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction first side, a beam second side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction second side, and a beam lower portion forming a surface facing downward, and the pillar includes a pillar first side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction first side, a pillar second side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction second side, and a pillar second side portion forming a side surface facing the second direction first side. the connecting unit comprises a first side connecting member, a second side connecting member, and a lower connecting member, the lower connecting member comprising a lower connecting upper portion forming a surface facing upward, and a lower connecting side portion forming a surface facing the second side in the second direction, the lower connecting upper portion being fixed to the beam lower portion and the lower connecting side portion being fixed to the column third side portion, the first side connecting member comprising a first connecting side surface which is a surface facing the second side in the first direction, the first side connecting member comprising a first connecting portion forming a side surface first region which is a partial region of the first connecting side surface, and a lower connecting side portion which is closer to the first side in the second direction than the side surface first region on the first connecting side surface and a second connecting part forming a second side region, which is a region in which the first connecting part is disposed, the first connecting part is fixed to the column first side part, and the second connecting part is fixed to the beam first side part, the second side connecting member has a second connecting side surface which is a surface facing the first side in the first direction, the second side connecting member has a third connecting part forming a third side region which is a region of a portion of the second connecting side surface, and a fourth connecting part forming a fourth side region which is a region on the second connecting side surface which is disposed on the first side in the second direction from the third side region, the third connecting part being fixed to the column second side part, and the fourth connecting part being fixed to the beam second side part.

In this configuration, the lower connecting member has a lower connecting upper part fixed to the lower part of the support beam and a lower connecting side part fixed to the third side part of the support column, so that the vertical load acting on the support beam that supports the rail from below can be appropriately supported by the support column via the lower connecting member. In addition, in this configuration, the first side connecting member has a first connecting part fixed to the first side part of the support column and a second connecting part fixed to the first side part of the support beam, and the second side connecting member has a third connecting part fixed to the second side part of the support column and a fourth connecting part fixed to the second side part of the support beam. Therefore, the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member can connect the side of the support column in the first direction to the side of the support beam in the first direction in a state in which the support column and the support beam are sandwiched from both sides in the first direction by the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member. In other words, the support beam can be connected to the support column so as to embrace the support column with the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member. By connecting the support beam to the support column in this manner, the moment load acting on the connecting unit from the rail side via the support beam can be efficiently transmitted to the support column, which makes it difficult for large localized stresses to occur in the connecting unit.

In this manner, in this configuration, the connecting unit constituting the support structure that supports the rail on the support pillar connects the support beam and the pillar using the first side connecting member, the second side connecting member, and the lower connecting member, making it difficult for large localized stresses to occur in the connecting unit. This makes it easier to increase the durability of the support structure constituted by the connecting unit, and makes it possible to miniaturize the connecting unit that constitutes the support structure while appropriately ensuring the durability of the support structure. Furthermore, by miniaturizing the connecting unit, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the support structure and make it easier to reduce the spacing between rails lined up in the vertical direction.

As described above, this configuration makes it possible to keep the distance between vertically aligned rails small while adequately ensuring the durability of the support structure that supports the rails on the posts. This makes it possible to improve the placement density of article transport vehicles that run along the rails. Furthermore, when a storage section for storing articles is provided on each of the multiple levels, keeping the distance between vertically aligned rails small can also improve the efficiency of storing articles.

Further features and advantages of the item transport equipment will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings.

Plan view of the goods transport facility A longitudinal sectional front view of a part of the article transport equipment Cross-sectional plan view of a part of the goods transport facility A longitudinal sectional front view of a part of the article transport equipment A longitudinal sectional side view of a portion of the article transport facility. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the connecting unit; Cross-sectional plan view of a part of the goods transport facility

An embodiment of the article transport equipment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the article transport equipment 100 includes first rails 20 extending along a first direction X in multiple stages in the vertical direction Z (vertical direction), an article transport vehicle 10 that travels along the first rails 20 to transport an article W, a support column 1, and a support beam 2. Here, the first direction X is a horizontal direction. In this embodiment, a pair of first rails 20 are arranged at a distance in the second direction Y in each of the multiple stages, with the direction perpendicular to the first direction X in a vertical view (plan view) along the vertical direction Z being the second direction Y. The pair of first rails 20 are arranged at the same position (i.e., at the same height) in the vertical direction Z. Here, the second direction Y is a horizontal direction (specifically, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction X). The number of stages L on which the first rail 20 is provided is not limited to this, but in the example shown in FIG. 2, the first rail 20 is provided on three stages L: a first stage L1, a second stage L2, and a third stage L3. In this embodiment, the first rail 20 corresponds to a "rail."

Here, one side of the first direction X is the first direction first side X1, and the other side of the first direction X is the first direction second side X2. Also, one side of the second direction Y is the second direction first side Y1, and the other side of the second direction Y is the second direction second side Y2. Here, the side approaching the first rail 20 in the second direction Y (here, the center position in the second direction Y between the pair of first rails 20) is the second direction first side Y1, and the opposite side is the second direction second side Y2. Therefore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the orientations of the second direction first side Y1 are opposite to each other between the regions on both sides of the second direction Y with respect to the first rail 20 (here, the pair of first rails 20).

The pillars 1 are arranged at multiple locations so as to extend along the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 1, the pillars 1 are arranged at multiple locations in the first direction X, and more specifically, multiple pillars are arranged so as to line up in the first direction X. The first rail 20 is supported by multiple pillars 1 arranged at a distance in the first direction X (specifically, multiple pillars 1 arranged in the first direction X) by being connected to the multiple pillars 1. As will be described later, the first rail 20 is connected to the multiple pillars 1 via the support beam 2 and the connecting unit 3. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the pillars 1 are arranged at multiple locations in the second direction Y, and more specifically, multiple pillars are arranged so as to line up in the second direction Y. The support beam 2 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) is supported by the multiple pillars 1 arranged at a distance in the second direction Y (specifically, multiple pillars 1 arranged in the second direction Y) by being connected to the multiple pillars 1. As described below, the support beam 2 is connected to the multiple columns 1 (specifically, a pair of columns 1 aligned in the second direction Y) via a connecting unit 3. The columns 1 are erected, for example, on the floor. As the columns 1, for example, shaped steel such as lip channel steel can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the article conveying equipment 100 includes a second rail 30 extending along the second direction Y. Here, the second rail 30 is provided in each of a plurality of stages (see FIG. 2). The second rail 30 is connected to a plurality of posts 1 (specifically, a plurality of posts 1 aligned in the second direction Y) spaced apart in the second direction Y, and is supported by the plurality of posts 1. As described below, the second rail 30 is connected to the plurality of posts 1 via support members 9. As shown in FIG. 1, the second rail 30 is arranged at a plurality of locations in the first direction X, and a plurality of posts 1 for supporting the second rail 30 are arranged to be aligned in both the first direction X and the second direction Y.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the item transport equipment 100 includes a storage shelf 90 for storing items W. The storage shelf 90 is formed using a support 1 for supporting the second rail 30. Specifically, a storage section 91 for items W in the storage shelf 90 is formed to support the items W against the support 1. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the storage section 91 is formed to place the items W on a placement surface 31 formed on the second rail 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the second rail 30 and the storage shelf 90 are provided on both sides of the first rail 20 (here, a pair of first rails 20) in the second direction Y, but one or both of the second rail 30 and the storage shelf 90 may be configured to be provided only on one side of the first rail 20 in the second direction Y.

The goods W entering the storage shelf 90 are carried in from the outside to the receiving section 92 (see FIG. 1), and the goods W leaving the storage shelf 90 are carried out from the leaving section 93 (see FIG. 1). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the receiving section 92 and the leaving section 93 are provided on the same side of the first direction X (specifically, the first side X1 of the first direction), but the receiving section 92 and the leaving section 93 may be provided separately on both sides of the first direction X, or the receiving section 92 and the leaving section 93 may be provided on both sides of the first direction X. The goods transport vehicle 10 transports the goods W entering the storage shelf 90 from the receiving section 92 to the storage shelf 90 (specifically, the storage section 91), and transports the goods W leaving the storage shelf 90 from the storage shelf 90 (specifically, the storage section 91) to the leaving section 93. The type of item W is not limited to this, but Figures 2, 4, and 5 show examples in which a pallet Wa with a load Wb on it and a pallet Wa without a load Wb on it are items W.

As shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 2, the article transport vehicle 10 is provided with a first running wheel 11a that rolls on a first running surface 23 (surface facing the upper side Z1 in the vertical direction Z) of the first rail 20. The first running wheel 11a is rotated by a drive device (not shown) such as an electric motor, causing the article transport vehicle 10 to run along the first rail 20. In this embodiment, a pair of first rails 20 is provided, and therefore the article transport vehicle 10 is provided with a first running wheel 11a that rolls on the first running surface 23 of one of the pair of first rails 20, and a first running wheel 11a that rolls on the first running surface 23 of the other of the pair of first rails 20.

2 shows that the article transport vehicles 10 are arranged on each of the multiple tiers (each of the three tiers L in the example shown in FIG. 2), but the article transport vehicles 10 do not necessarily have to be arranged on each of the multiple tiers. In other words, when the article transport vehicles 10 can move between different tiers L (for example, when a lifting device is provided for moving the article transport vehicles 10 between different tiers L), a number of article transport vehicles 10 less than the number of tiers L can be provided, and the article transport vehicles 10 can be arranged only on some of the tiers L of the multiple tiers. Even when a number of article transport vehicles 10 greater than the number of tiers L is provided, the article transport vehicles 10 can be arranged only on some of the tiers L depending on the transport status of the article W on each tier L.

In this embodiment, the article transport vehicle 10 includes a first carriage 11 that runs along the first rail 20 and a second carriage 12 that runs along the second rail 30. The first carriage 11 is configured to be able to run along the first rail 20 with the second carriage 12 mounted thereon. That is, the second carriage 12 can move in the first direction X while mounted on the first carriage 11, and can move in the second direction Y while separated from the first carriage 11. Thus, in this embodiment, the article transport vehicle 10 is a parent-child carriage that includes the first carriage 11 as a parent carriage and the second carriage 12 as a child carriage. In FIG. 2, the article transport vehicle 10 with the second carriage 12 mounted on the first carriage 11 is shown in the second stage L2, and the article transport vehicle 10 with the second carriage 12 separated from the first carriage 11 is shown in the first stage L1.

The first bogie 11 is equipped with the first running wheel 11a described above, and the first bogie 11 runs along the first rail 20 as the first running wheel 11a is rotated. As shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 5, the second bogie 12 is equipped with a second running wheel 12a that rolls on the second running surface 33 (surface facing the upper side Z1) of the second rail 30. The second running wheel 12a is rotated by a drive device (not shown) such as an electric motor, and the second bogie 12 runs along the second rail 30. The second running wheel 12a is rotated, and the second bogie 12 moves between the first bogie 11 and the second rail 30. In this embodiment, the second carriage 12 travels along a pair of second rails 30 spaced apart in the first direction X, so the second carriage 12 is equipped with a second running wheel 12a that rolls on the second running surface 33 of one of the pair of second rails 30, and a second running wheel 12a that rolls on the second running surface 33 of the other of the pair of second rails 30. The pair of second rails 30 are arranged at the same height.

The second carriage 12 is configured to be movable between the first carriage 11 and the second rail 30 when the first carriage 11 is in a position in the first direction X corresponding to the second rail 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "second rail corresponding position"). Specifically, the position where the second running wheel 12a of the second carriage 12 mounted on the first carriage 11 is disposed at the same position in the first direction X as the second rail 30 (specifically, the second running surface 33) is set as the second rail corresponding position. In addition, the second rail 30 is provided so that the second running surface 33 is disposed at the same height as the lower end of the second running wheel 12a of the second carriage 12 mounted on the first carriage 11. Therefore, when the first carriage 11 is in the second rail corresponding position, the second carriage 12 moves between the first carriage 11 and the second rail 30 by rotating the second running wheel 12a. In this embodiment, the second carriage 12 travels along a pair of second rails 30 spaced apart in the first direction X. Therefore, the second rail corresponding position is set to a position where each of the second running wheels 12a on both sides in the first direction X of the second carriage 12 mounted on the first carriage 11 is located at the same position in the first direction X as the second running surface 33 of the corresponding second rail 30.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the second cart 12 has a support surface 12b that supports the item W from the lower side Z2 in the vertical direction Z. The support surface 12b is configured to be able to rise and fall between an elevated position Z1 above the placement surface 31 of the item W in the storage section 91 and a descended position Z2 below the placement surface 31. The second cart 12 raises and lowers the support surface 12b by the driving force of a driving device (not shown) such as an electric motor.

In this embodiment, the storage section 91 is formed using the second rail 30. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the second rail 30 includes, in addition to the second running surface 33 described above, a placement surface 31 (a surface facing the upper side Z1) that is arranged on the upper side Z1 of the second running surface 33, and a connecting portion 32 that is formed to extend in the vertical direction Z and connects the second running surface 33 and the placement surface 31. The length in the second direction Y of the placement surface 31 (here, the second rail 30 on which the placement surface 31 is formed) is set to a length that allows multiple items W to be placed side by side in the second direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, multiple items W can be stored side by side in the second direction Y in one storage section 91.

As shown in FIG. 5, the article W is stored in the storage section 91 with both sides in the first direction X placed on the placement surface 31. In this embodiment, a pair of second rails 30 arranged at a distance in the first direction X form one running path for the second cart 12 and constitute one storage section 91. Here, if the side facing the center position in the first direction X between the pair of placement surfaces 31 constituting one storage section 91 is the inside in the first direction X, and the opposite side is the outside in the first direction X, each placement surface 31 is disposed outside in the first direction X with respect to the second running surface 33 formed on the same second rail 30 as the placement surface 31. In other words, a pair of second running surfaces 33 forming one running path for the second cart 12 are disposed between the first direction X of the pair of placement surfaces 31 constituting one storage section 91. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pairs of the second rails 30 spaced apart in the first direction X are arranged in line in the first direction X. As a result, a plurality of travel paths and storage sections 91 for the second carriage 12 are formed in line in the first direction X. In addition, since the second rails 30 are provided in each of the multiple stages, the travel paths and storage sections 91 for the second carriage 12 are formed in each of the multiple stages.

When an item W is stored in the storage shelf 90, the first cart 11 with the second cart 12 loaded thereon receives the item W to be stored at the receiving section 92 and then travels along the first rail 20 to the second rail corresponding position. The second rail corresponding position here is a position in the first direction X corresponding to the second rail 30 (specifically, a pair of second rails 30) constituting the storage section 91 in which the item W is stored. With the first cart 11 stopped at the second rail corresponding position, the second cart 12 moves from the first cart 11 onto the second rail 30 while raising the support surface 12b to the raised position and supporting the item W on the support surface 12b (see the second cart 12 on the first stage L1 in FIG. 2), and travels along the second rail 30 to the storage position in which the item W is stored. Then, while stopped at the storage position, the second cart 12 lowers the support surface 12b to the lowered position and places the item W supported on the support surface 12b onto the placement surface 31 (see FIG. 5), thereby storing the item W at the storage position.

When an item W is to be removed from the storage shelf 90, the first cart 11 carrying the second cart 12 not supporting the item W travels along the first rail 20 to a second rail corresponding position. The second rail corresponding position here is a position in the first direction X corresponding to the second rail 30 (specifically, a pair of second rails 30) constituting the storage section 91 in which the item W to be removed is stored. With the first cart 11 stopped at the second rail corresponding position, the second cart 12 moves from the first cart 11 onto the second rail 30 with the support surface 12b lowered to the lower position, and travels along the second rail 30 to the storage position where the item W to be removed is stored. With the second cart 12 stopped at the storage position, the support surface 12b is raised to the upper position, and the item W placed on the placement surface 31 is lifted by the support surface 12b, thereby transferring the item W from the placement surface 31 to the support surface 12b. Then, with the support surface 12b maintained in the raised position, the second cart 12 moves along the second rail 30 toward the first cart 11, and then moves from the second rail 30 onto the first cart 11. After that, the first cart 11 with the second cart 12 loaded thereon travels along the first rail 20 to the unloading section 93, and delivers the item W to the unloading section 93.

Next, the support structure of the first rail 20 relative to the support pillar 1 in the article transport equipment 100 of this embodiment will be described. As described below, the first rail 20 is supported by the support pillar 1 by being connected to the support pillar 1 via the support beam 2 and the connecting unit 3.

2, the support beam 2 is arranged in a target stage among the multiple stages so as to extend along the second direction Y. In the target stage, the support beam 2 supports the first rail 20 (here, a pair of first rails 20) from the lower side Z2. When multiple stages L among the multiple stages are the target stages, the support beam 2 supports the first rail 20 from the lower side Z2 in each of the target stages. The target stage may be a part or all of the multiple stages. In this embodiment, all stages L except the lowest stage among the multiple stages are the target stages. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the second stage L2 and the third stage L3 are the target stages, and the support beam 2 is not arranged in the first stage L1, but the support beam 2 is arranged in each of the second stage L2 and the third stage L3. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first rail 20 arranged in the first stage L1, which is the lowest stage, is supported by the floor without the support column 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the target stage, the support beams 2 are arranged at multiple locations in the first direction X, specifically, multiple support beams 2 are arranged in a line in the first direction X. In the target stage, multiple support beams 2 arranged at a distance in the first direction X (specifically, multiple support beams 2 lined up in the first direction X) support the first rail 20 (here, a pair of first rails 20) from the lower side Z2.

The support beam 2 is supported by at least two pillars 1 arranged at a distance in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the support beam 2 is supported by two pillars 1 arranged at a distance in the second direction Y (specifically, two pillars 1 aligned in the second direction Y). The pillars 1 and the support beam 2 are connected via a connecting unit 3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the support beam 2 is connected to the pillars 1 via the connecting units 3 on both sides of the second direction Y. That is, the support beam 2 is connected to the two pillars 1 aligned in the second direction Y via a pair of connecting units 3. The side on which the support beam 2 is arranged relative to the pillars 1 in the second direction Y is the second direction first side Y1.

The connection unit 3 that connects the support beam 2 to the support column 1 on one side of the second direction Y, and the connection unit 3 that connects the support beam 2 to the support column 1 on the other side of the second direction Y are configured to be mirror images of each other with a plane of symmetry perpendicular to the second direction Y (specifically, a plane perpendicular to the second direction Y at the center position in the second direction Y between the pair of connection units 3). In other words, one connection unit 3 of the pair of connection units 3 has the same configuration as the other connection unit 3, and is arranged in mirror image with the other connection unit 3 with respect to the above-mentioned plane of symmetry.

As described above, in this specification, the second direction first side Y1 and the second direction second side Y2 are defined such that the second direction first side Y1 faces in the opposite directions between the regions on both sides of the first rail 20 (here, a pair of first rails 20) in the second direction Y. On the other hand, for the first direction X, the first direction first side X1 and the first direction second side X2 are defined in common between these two regions. Thus, while Figures 5 to 7 show the coupling unit 3 on one side of the second direction Y (the left side in Figure 3), the coupling unit 3 on the other side of the second direction Y (the right side in Figure 3) has a configuration inverted in the first direction X from the coupling unit 3 in Figures 5 to 7.

5 and 6, the support beam 2 includes a beam first side 2a forming a side surface facing the first direction first side X1, a beam second side 2b forming a side surface facing the first direction second side X2, and a beam lower part 2c forming a surface facing the lower side Z2. Note that, like the beam first side 2a forming the side surface facing the first direction first side X1, the target part forming the target surface is a concept including the target surface and a part (e.g., a wall part) necessary for forming the target surface. In addition, the support column 1 includes a column first side 1a forming a side surface facing the first direction first side X1, a column second side 1b forming a side surface facing the first direction second side X2, and a column third side 1c forming a side surface facing the second direction first side Y1. In this embodiment, the support beam 2 is connected to the support column 1 via the connecting unit 3 so that a gap in the second direction Y is formed between the support beam 2 and the column third side 1c. Although the shape of the support beam 2 is not limited to this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the support beam 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section. For example, a square steel pipe can be used as the support beam 2.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connecting unit 3 includes a first side connecting member 4, a second side connecting member 5, and a lower connecting member 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower connecting member 6 includes a lower connecting upper portion 6a that forms a surface facing the upper side Z1, and a lower connecting side portion 6b that forms a surface facing the second direction second side Y2. In this embodiment, the lower connecting upper portion 6a and the lower connecting side portion 6b are integrally formed. Here, "integrally formed" means that these multiple portions are composed of one member by bending a single member or the like. The lower connecting upper portion 6a is fixed to the beam lower portion 2c, and the lower connecting side portion 6b is fixed to the column third side portion 1c. Specifically, the lower connecting upper portion 6a is fixed to the beam lower portion 2c in a state in which the surface facing the upper side Z1 formed by the lower connecting upper portion 6a is arranged to face the surface facing the lower side Z2 formed by the beam lower portion 2c. The lower connecting side portion 6b is fixed to the third column side portion 1c in a state in which the surface facing the second side Y2 in the second direction formed by the lower connecting side portion 6b faces the surface facing the first side Y1 in the second direction formed by the third column side portion 1c. Note that the concept of a surface facing another surface includes both cases in which these two surfaces abut and cases in which another member is disposed between these two surfaces.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, in this embodiment, the lower connecting member 6 is formed in an L-shape in a first direction view along the first direction X, in which an end of the lower connecting upper part 6a along the second direction Y on the second side Y2 is connected to an end of the lower connecting side part 6b along the up-down direction Z on the upper side Z1. In addition to this configuration, for example, the lower connecting member 6 may be formed in a plate shape in which the first direction X is the thickness direction (direction perpendicular to the plate surface) and includes a reinforcing plate part that connects the lower connecting upper part 6a and the lower connecting side part 6b.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first side connecting member 4 has a first connecting side surface S1 which faces the second side X2 in the first direction. That is, the first side connecting member 4 has a first connecting side surface portion 41 which forms the first connecting side surface S1. The first side connecting member 4 (specifically, the first connecting side surface portion 41) has a first connecting portion 41a which forms a side surface first region S1a which is a partial region of the first connecting side surface S1, and a second connecting portion 41b which forms a side surface second region S1b which is a region located on the first connecting side surface S1 closer to the first side Y1 in the second direction than the side surface first region S1a. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 41a and the second connecting portion 41b are integrally formed. The first connecting portion 41a is fixed to the column first side portion 1a, and the second connecting portion 41b is fixed to the beam first side portion 2a. Specifically, the first connecting portion 41a is fixed to the column first side portion 1a in a state in which the side surface first region S1a formed by the first connecting portion 41a faces the surface formed by the column first side portion 1a facing the first direction first side X1. Also, the second connecting portion 41b is fixed to the beam first side portion 2a in a state in which the side surface second region S1b formed by the second connecting portion 41b faces the surface formed by the beam first side portion 2a facing the first direction first side X1.

In this embodiment, the surface facing the first direction, first side X1, formed by the column first side 1a and the surface facing the first direction, first side X1, formed by the beam first side 2a, are arranged at the same position in the first direction X. Therefore, the side surface first region S1a and the side surface second region S1b are arranged at the same position in the first direction X. Here, the first connecting side surface S1 is formed so that the entire surface is a flat surface, and as a result, the side surface first region S1a and the side surface second region S1b are arranged at the same position in the first direction X.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second side connecting member 5 has a second connecting side surface S2 which faces the first side X1 in the first direction. That is, the second side connecting member 5 has a second connecting side surface portion 51 which forms the second connecting side surface S2. The second side connecting member 5 (specifically, the second connecting side surface portion 51) has a third connecting portion 51a which forms a side surface third region S2a which is a partial region of the second connecting side surface S2, and a fourth connecting portion 51b which forms a side surface fourth region S2b which is a region located on the second connecting side surface S2 closer to the first side Y1 in the second direction than the side surface third region S2a. In this embodiment, the third connecting portion 51a and the fourth connecting portion 51b are integrally formed. The third connecting portion 51a is fixed to the column second side portion 1b, and the fourth connecting portion 51b is fixed to the beam second side portion 2b. Specifically, the third connecting portion 51a is fixed to the second column side portion 1b in a state in which the third side region S2a formed by the third connecting portion 51a is arranged to face the surface formed by the second column side portion 1b facing the second side X2 in the first direction. Also, the fourth connecting portion 51b is fixed to the second beam side portion 2b in a state in which the fourth side region S2b formed by the fourth connecting portion 51b is arranged to face the surface formed by the second beam side portion 2b facing the second side X2 in the first direction.

In this embodiment, the surface facing the first direction second side X2 formed by the column second side portion 1b and the surface facing the first direction second side X2 formed by the beam second side portion 2b are arranged at the same position in the first direction X. Therefore, the side third region S2a and the side fourth region S2b are arranged at the same position in the first direction X. Here, the second connecting side S2 is formed so that the entire surface is a flat surface, and as a result, the side third region S2a and the side fourth region S2b are arranged at the same position in the first direction X.

In this embodiment, the fastening portion between the lower connecting upper portion 6a and the beam lower portion 2c, the fastening portion between the lower connecting side portion 6b and the column third side portion 1c, the fastening portion between the first connecting portion 41a and the column first side portion 1a, the fastening portion between the second connecting portion 41b and the beam first side portion 2a, the fastening portion between the third connecting portion 51a and the column second side portion 1b, and the fastening portion between the fourth connecting portion 51b and the beam second side portion 2b are each a fastening portion using a bolt B. In the fastening portion using the bolt B, the bolt B inserted or inserted into the mounting holes formed in each of the multiple members to be fixed is screwed into the female thread portion, thereby fixing the multiple members to be fixed to each other. The female thread portion can be any type of female thread portion, such as a female thread portion formed in a nut (including those fixed to the member to be fixed by welding, caulking, etc.) or a female thread portion formed in a mounting hole by tapping, etc.

6 and 7, in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 41a, the third connecting portion 51a, and the pillar 1 are fastened and fixed using a first bolt B1 (one first bolt B1 in this example) arranged along the first direction X so as to penetrate them. That is, the fixing portion between the first connecting portion 41a and the pillar first side portion 1a and the fixing portion between the third connecting portion 51a and the pillar second side portion 1b are configured using a common first bolt B1. In this example, in the fastening fixing portion using the first bolt B1, a female thread portion that screws into the first bolt B1 is formed in the nut N, and the first connecting portion 41a, the third connecting portion 51a, and the pillar 1 are fixed in a state in which the first bolt B1 is screwed into the nut N.

6 and 7, in this embodiment, the second connecting portion 41b, the fourth connecting portion 51b, and the support beam 2 are fastened and fixed using second bolts B2 (two second bolts B2 in this example) arranged along the first direction X so as to penetrate them. That is, the fixing portion between the second connecting portion 41b and the first beam side portion 2a and the fixing portion between the fourth connecting portion 51b and the second beam side portion 2b are configured using a common second bolt B2. In this example, in the fastening fixing portion using the second bolt B2, a female thread portion that screws into the second bolt B2 is formed in the nut N, and the second connecting portion 41b, the fourth connecting portion 51b, and the support beam 2 are fixed in a state in which the second bolt B2 is screwed into the nut N.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the lower connecting upper part 6a and the beam lower part 2c are fastened and fixed using third bolts B3 (four third bolts B3 in this example) arranged along the vertical direction Z. In this example, a reinforcing plate 70 having an attachment hole through which the third bolt B3 is inserted is fixed to the beam lower part 2c by welding or the like. In the fastening and fixing part using the third bolt B3, a female thread portion into which the third bolt B3 is screwed is formed in the above-mentioned attachment hole of the reinforcing plate 70, and the lower connecting upper part 6a and the beam lower part 2c are fixed in a state in which the third bolt B3 is screwed into the attachment hole. By providing the reinforcing plate 70 in this way, the allowable stress of the support beam 2 can be increased. In addition, while the support beam 2 is formed in a tubular shape (see FIG. 5), the reinforcing plate 70 is formed in a plate shape, so that by forming a female thread portion in the attachment hole of the reinforcing plate 70, the formation of the female thread portion can be made easier than when a female thread portion is formed in the attachment hole of the support beam 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the lower connecting side 6b and the third column side 1c are fastened and fixed using fourth bolts B4 (four fourth bolts B4 in this example) arranged along the second direction Y. In this example, in the fastening part using the fourth bolts B4, a female thread portion that screws into the fourth bolts B4 is formed in the nut N, and the lower connecting side 6b and the third column side 1c are fixed in a state in which the fourth bolts B4 are screwed into the nut N.

In this embodiment, the first rail 20 is connected to the support beam 2 and the support column 1 via the connection unit 3. That is, in this embodiment, the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 are connected using the connection unit 3 (specifically, the first side connection member 4 and the second side connection member 5) for connecting the support column 1 and the support beam 2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the first side connection member 4 has a first connection upper surface portion 42 that forms a surface facing the upper side Z1, and the second side connection member 5 has a second connection upper surface portion 52 that forms a surface facing the upper side Z1. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the first side connection member 4 is formed in an L-shape in which the end of the first connection upper surface portion 42 along the first direction X on the first direction second side X2 and the end of the first connection side portion 41 along the vertical direction Z on the upper side Z1 are connected when viewed in the second direction along the second direction Y. In addition, the second side connecting member 5 is formed in an L-shape when viewed in the second direction, in which the end of the second connecting upper surface portion 52 on the first side X1 in the first direction along the first direction X and the end of the upper side Z1 on the second connecting side surface portion 51 on the up-down direction Z are connected.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the first rail 20 has a rail first side portion 21 that forms a side surface facing the first side Y1 of the second direction, and a rail second side portion 22 that forms a side surface facing the second side Y2 of the second direction. In this embodiment, the connection unit 3 has a first rail connection member 7 and a second rail connection member 8.

7, the first rail connecting member 7 has a fifth connecting portion 7a which forms a surface facing the lower side Z2, and a sixth connecting portion 7b which forms a surface facing the second side Y2 in the second direction. In this embodiment, the fifth connecting portion 7a and the sixth connecting portion 7b are integrally formed. The fifth connecting portion 7a is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion 42 and the second connecting upper surface portion 52, and the sixth connecting portion 7b is fixed to the rail first side portion 21. Specifically, the fifth connecting portion 7a is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion 42 and the second connecting upper surface portion 52 in a state where the surface facing the lower side Z2 formed by the portion of the first direction first side X1 of the fifth connecting portion 7a is arranged to face the surface facing the upper side Z1 formed by the first connecting upper surface portion 42, and the surface facing the lower side Z2 formed by the portion of the first direction second side X2 of the fifth connecting portion 7a is arranged to face the surface facing the upper side Z1 formed by the second connecting upper surface portion 52. Also, the sixth connecting portion 7b is fixed to the rail first side portion 21 in a state where the surface facing the second direction second side Y2 formed by the sixth connecting portion 7b is arranged to face the surface facing the second direction first side Y1 formed by the rail first side portion 21.

7, the second rail connecting member 8 includes a seventh connecting portion 8a forming a surface facing the lower side Z2 and an eighth connecting portion 8b forming a surface facing the second direction first side Y1. The seventh connecting portion 8a is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion 42 and the second connecting upper surface portion 52, and the eighth connecting portion 8b is fixed to the rail second side portion 22. Specifically, the seventh connecting portion 8a is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion 42 and the second connecting upper surface portion 52 in such a state that the surface facing the lower side Z2 formed by the portion of the seventh connecting portion 8a on the first direction first side X1 is arranged to face the surface facing the upper side Z1 formed by the first connecting upper surface portion 42, and the surface facing the lower side Z2 formed by the portion of the seventh connecting portion 8a on the first direction second side X2 is arranged to face the surface facing the upper side Z1 formed by the second connecting upper surface portion 52. In addition, the eighth connecting portion 8b is fixed to the rail second side portion 22 in a state in which the surface facing the second direction first side Y1 formed by the eighth connecting portion 8b faces the surface facing the second direction second side Y2 formed by the rail second side portion 22.

In this embodiment, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion 7a and the first connecting upper surface portion 42, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion 7a and the second connecting upper surface portion 52, the fixing portion between the sixth connecting portion 7b and the first rail side portion 21, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion 8a and the first connecting upper surface portion 42, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion 8a and the second connecting upper surface portion 52, and the fixing portion between the eighth connecting portion 8b and the second rail side portion 22 are each fastened and fixed using bolt B.

7, in this embodiment, the fifth connecting portion 7a and the first connecting upper surface portion 42 are fastened and fixed using the fifth bolt B5 arranged along the vertical direction Z, and the fifth connecting portion 7a and the second connecting upper surface portion 52 are fastened and fixed using the sixth bolt B6 arranged along the vertical direction Z. The seventh connecting portion 8a and the first connecting upper surface portion 42 are fastened and fixed using the seventh bolt B7 arranged along the vertical direction Z, and the seventh connecting portion 8a and the second connecting upper surface portion 52 are fastened and fixed using the eighth bolt B8 arranged along the vertical direction Z. The sixth connecting portion 7b and the rail first side portion 21 are fastened and fixed using the ninth bolt B9 arranged along the second direction Y, and the eighth connecting portion 8b and the rail second side portion 22 are fastened and fixed using the tenth bolt B10 arranged along the second direction Y. Alternatively, the sixth connecting portion 7b, the eighth connecting portion 8b, and the first rail 20 can be fastened together using a common bolt that is arranged along the second direction Y so as to penetrate the sixth connecting portion 7b, the eighth connecting portion 8b, and the first rail 20.

Next, the support structure of the second rail 30 relative to the support pillar 1 in the item transport equipment 100 of this embodiment will be described. As described below, the second rail 30 is supported by the support pillar 1 by being connected to the support pillar 1 via the support member 9.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the support member 9 that supports the second rail 30 includes a beam portion 9a that is arranged to extend along the first direction X, a fixed portion 9b that is fixed to the support 1, a support portion 9c that supports the second rail 30, and a support connection portion 9d that connects the support portion 9c to one or both of the beam portion 9a and the fixed portion 9b (in this example, the beam portion 9a).

The beam portion 9a is supported by two pillars 1 (specifically, two pillars 1 aligned in the first direction X) spaced apart in the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 5, the beam portion 9a is connected to the pillars 1 via fixing portions 9b on both sides of the first direction X. That is, the beam portion 9a is connected to the two pillars 1 aligned in the first direction X via a pair of fixing portions 9b. Although the shape of the beam portion 9a is not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the beam portion 9a is formed into a cylindrical shape with a rectangular cross section. For example, a square steel pipe can be used as the support beam 2.

The fixing portion 9b is fixed to both ends of the beam portion 9a in the first direction X by welding or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the fixing portion 9b has an engagement portion 72 that engages with a hole formed in the support 1 (specifically, the third side portion 1c of the support) from the upper side Z1. The fixing portion 9b is fixed to the support 1 in a state in which the engagement portion 72 engages with the hole and the anti-slip member 73 is arranged to penetrate the fixing portion 9b and the support 1 (specifically, the third side portion 1c of the support). Each of the fixing portions 9b fixed to both ends of the beam portion 9a in the first direction X is fixed to the support 1 in this manner, so that the beam portion 9a is supported by the support 1. The fixing portion 9b may also be configured to be fastened to the support 1 using a bolt.

As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the support portion 9c is formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being perpendicular to the second direction Y. Specifically, the support portion 9c includes a portion formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being the vertical direction Z, and a portion formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being the first direction X. As shown in Figure 5, the support portion 9c is formed to follow the shape of the second rail 30 when viewed in the second direction. Specifically, the support portion 9c includes a first portion formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being the vertical direction Z and supporting the second running surface 33 of the second rail 30 from the lower side Z2, a second portion formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being the vertical direction Z and supporting the placement surface 31 of the second rail 30 from the lower side Z2, and a third portion formed in a plate shape with the thickness direction being the first direction X and connecting the first portion and the second portion. In this example, the second rail 30 (specifically, the connecting portion 32) is fastened and fixed to the support portion 9c (specifically, the third portion) using the 11th bolt B11, and the second rail 30 is supported by the support portion 9c.

The support connection portion 9d is formed in a plate shape with the second direction Y being the thickness direction. The support connection portion 9d is fixed to the beam portion 9a by welding or the like, and is also fixed to the support portion 9c by welding or the like. In this way, the support connection portion 9d connects the support portion 9c to the beam portion 9a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fixing portion 9b of the support member 9 is fixed to the support column 1 at a position different from the portion of the support column 1 to which the connecting unit 3 is fixed (specifically, at a position Z1 above that portion). Therefore, the support member 9 is connected to the support column 1 without the support beam 2 and the connecting unit 3. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first rail 20 is arranged so that its arrangement area in the vertical direction Z overlaps with that of the support member 9, and the support beam 2 is arranged Z2 below the support member 9. In this example, the upper Z1 surface of the first rail 20 (first running surface 23) and the upper Z1 surface of the beam portion 9a are arranged at the same height.

By overlapping the respective arrangement areas of the first rail 20 and the support member 9 in the vertical direction Z in this way, the installation space of the first rail 20, the second rail 30, and their support structures in each stage can be kept small in the vertical direction Z. This allows the spacing between the first rails 20 aligned in the vertical direction Z and the spacing between the second rails 30 aligned in the vertical direction Z to be kept small, and as a result, the separation distance D (see Figure 2) of the items W between two storage sections 91 adjacent in the vertical direction Z can be kept short, improving the storage efficiency of the items W.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the item transport equipment 100 includes a passageway forming member 80 for forming a passageway 81 along which the worker can move, and a locking bar 60 to which the worker's safety belt is locked. The passageway forming member 80 and the locking bar 60 are described below. Note that it is also possible to configure the item transport equipment 100 so that one or both of the passageway forming member 80 and the locking bar 60 are not provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the passage forming member 80 is supported by at least two support beams 2 arranged at a distance in the first direction X. In this embodiment, the passage forming member 80 is supported by two support beams 2 arranged at a distance in the first direction X (specifically, two support beams 2 aligned in the first direction X). As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6, in this example, the bracket 71 is fixed to the support beam 2 by welding or the like. The passage forming member 80 is supported from the lower side Z2 by the bracket 71 so that the upper side Z1 surface of the passage forming member 80 (i.e., the surface on which the worker passes) is positioned at the same height (the same or approximately the same height) as the upper side Z1 surface of the support beam 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the space on the upper side Z1 of the passage forming member 80 is the passage for workers 81.

In this article transport facility 100, a locking bar 60 is provided using the support beam 2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when a worker passes through the worker passage 81 formed in the second stage L2 (in other words, the worker passage 81 formed on the upper side Z1 of the passage forming member 80 arranged in the second stage L2), a locking bar 60 (here, a pair of locking bars 60 arranged at a distance in the second direction Y) for locking the safety belt of the worker is connected to the support beam 2 arranged in the third stage L3. That is, the locking bar 60 is used to lock the safety belt of a worker who works in the stage L one stage below Z2 of the stage L where the locking bar 60 is arranged (in the example shown in FIG. 2, the second stage L2 one stage below Z2 of the third stage L3 where the locking bar 60 is arranged).

As shown in FIG. 3, the locking bar 60 is arranged to extend along the first direction X. The locking bar 60 is connected to at least two support beams 2 arranged at a distance in the first direction X. In this example, the locking bar 60 is connected to two support beams 2 arranged at a distance in the first direction X (specifically, two support beams 2 aligned in the first direction X). As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 and 7, the locking bar 60 includes a bar main body 61 to which the worker's safety belt is locked, and a bar connecting portion 62 connected to the support beam 2. In this example, each of the ends of the locking bar 60 in the first direction X is a bar connecting portion 62, and the portion between the pair of bar connecting portions 62 is a bar main body 61.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bar connecting portion 62 is connected to the lower beam portion 2c. Specifically, the bar connecting portion 62 is fastened and fixed to the lower beam portion 2c using the 12th bolt B12. In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing plate 70 described above is formed with an attachment portion 70a for connecting the bar connecting portion 62. The attachment portion 70a is formed in a hole shape into which the 12th bolt B12 is inserted. The attachment portion 70a is formed with a female thread portion into which the 12th bolt B12 is screwed, and the bar connecting portion 62 is fixed to the lower beam portion 2c with the 12th bolt B12 screwed into the attachment portion 70a.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, the dimension of the bar connecting portion 62 in the vertical direction Z is smaller than the dimension of the bar main body portion 61 in the vertical direction Z. The lower end of the bar connecting portion 62 and the lower end of the bar main body portion 61 are disposed at the same height. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed in the first direction, the bar main body portion 61 is disposed so as to protrude upward Z1 relative to the bar connecting portion 62. Such a locking bar 60 can be formed, for example, by compressing both axial ends of a cylindrical member in the vertical direction Z.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, the locking bar 60 is positioned below Z2 the passageway forming member 80 (specifically, the upper Z1 surface of the passageway forming member 80) of the step L on which the locking bar 60 is positioned. This makes it possible to position the locking bar 60 so as not to impede the passage of workers working on the step L on which the locking bar 60 is positioned (the third step L3 in the example shown in FIG. 2).

Also, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in this example, the locking bar 60 is arranged on the second side Y2 in the second direction with respect to the passage forming member 80 of the stage L in which the locking bar 60 is arranged. Specifically, the locking bar 60 is arranged between the passage forming member 80 and the support column 1 in the second direction Y. The locking bar 60 (specifically, the bar main body portion 61) is arranged so as to have a portion that overlaps with the support beam 2 when viewed in the first direction (see FIG. 4). That is, the locking bar 60 is arranged between the passage forming member 80 and the support column 1 in the second direction Y, utilizing the space (dead space) that overlaps with the support beam 2 when viewed in the first direction. By arranging the locking bar 60 in this way, the amount of protrusion of the locking bar 60 to the lower side Z2 relative to the support beam 2 is kept small, making it easier to keep the interval between the first rails 20 lined up in the vertical direction Z small.

Other embodiments
Next, other embodiments of the article transport facility will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the first rail 20 is arranged so that its arrangement area in the vertical direction Z overlaps with the support member 9, and the support beam 2 is arranged below the support member 9 on the Z2 side. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, it is also possible to arrange the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 together so that their arrangement areas in the vertical direction Z overlap with the support member 9, or to arrange the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 together below the support member 9 on the Z2 side.

(2) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the support member 9 is connected to the support column 1 without via the support beam 2 and the connecting unit 3 has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and it is also possible for the support member 9 to be connected to the support column 1 via the support beam 2 and the connecting unit 3, or via the connecting unit 3.

(3) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the first rail 20 is connected to the support beam 2 and the support column 1 via the connecting unit 3, in other words, a configuration in which the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 are connected via the connecting unit 3, has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 are connected without the connecting unit 3, that is, a configuration in which the connecting structure between the first rail 20 and the support beam 2 is provided separately from the connecting unit 3, is also possible. In this case, for example, the first side connecting member 4 can be a flat plate-like member having a first connecting side portion 41, and the second side connecting member 5 can be a flat plate-like member having a second connecting side portion 51.

(4) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the first connecting portion 41a, the third connecting portion 51a, and the pillar 1 are fastened and fixed using a first bolt B1 arranged along the first direction X so as to penetrate them. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the bolt for fastening the first connecting portion 41a to the pillar first side portion 1a and the bolt for fastening the third connecting portion 51a to the pillar second side portion 1b are each separate bolts may also be used.

(5) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the second connecting portion 41b, the fourth connecting portion 51b, and the support beam 2 are fastened together using the second bolt B2 arranged along the first direction X so as to penetrate through them. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the bolt for fastening the second connecting portion 41b to the beam first side portion 2a and the bolt for fastening the fourth connecting portion 51b to the beam second side portion 2b may each be a separate bolt.

(6) In the above embodiment, the fixing portion between the lower connecting upper part 6a and the beam lower part 2c, the fixing portion between the lower connecting side part 6b and the column third side part 1c, the fixing portion between the first connecting part 41a and the column first side part 1a, the fixing portion between the second connecting part 41b and the beam first side part 2a, the fixing portion between the third connecting part 51a and the column second side part 1b, the fixing portion between the fourth connecting part 51b and the beam second side part 2b, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting part 7a and the first connecting upper surface part 42, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting part 7a and the second connecting upper surface part 52, the fixing portion between the sixth connecting part 7b and the rail first side part 21, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting part 8a and the first connecting upper surface part 42, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting part 8a and the second connecting upper surface part 52, and the fixing portion between the eighth connecting part 8b and the rail second side part 22 are each fastened and fixed using bolt B. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and at least one of these fixing parts can be a fixing part other than a fastening fixing part using a bolt B (for example, a fixing part using a rivet, a welded fixing part, etc.).

(7) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the loading surface 31 on which the item W is placed in the storage section 91 is formed on the second rail 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the loading surface 31 may also be formed on another member (e.g., a member dedicated to forming the loading surface 31) supported by the support 1.

(8) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a pair of first rails 20 are arranged at a distance in the second direction Y in each of the multiple stages has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which a single first rail 20 is arranged in each of the multiple stages may also be used. In this case, the article transport vehicle 10 (in the above embodiment, the first cart 11) runs along the single first rail 20. Also, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the second cart 12 runs along a pair of second rails 30 arranged at a distance in the first direction X has been described as an example, but a configuration in which the second cart 12 runs along a single second rail 30 may also be used.

(9) In the above embodiment, the article transport equipment 100 includes a second rail 30 extending along the second direction Y, and the article transport vehicle 10 includes a first cart 11 running along the first rail 20 and a second cart 12 running along the second rail 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the article transport vehicle 10 may not include the second cart 12, and the article transport equipment 100 may not include the second rail 30. In this case, for example, the article transport vehicle 10 may include a transfer device that moves the article W along the second direction Y to transfer the article W, and the transfer device may transfer the article W between the article transport vehicle 10 and the storage section 91. Also, unlike the above embodiment, the article transport equipment 100 may not include a storage shelf 90 that stores the article W.

(10) The configurations disclosed in each of the above-described embodiments may be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of the embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as no contradictions arise. With regard 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]
An overview of the article transport facility described above will now be given.

An article transport facility that includes rails extending along a first direction in multiple vertical stages, an article transport vehicle that travels along the rails to transport articles, a support pillar, and a support beam, in which the support pillars are arranged at multiple locations so as to extend along the vertical direction, and the support beams are arranged at a target stage among the multiple stages so as to extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed in the vertical direction along the vertical direction, and are supported by at least two of the support pillars arranged at a distance in the second direction, and the support beams support the rails from below at the target stage, and the support pillars and the support beams are connected via a connecting unit, one side in the first direction is a first direction first side, the other side in the first direction is a first direction second side, one side in the second direction is a second direction first side, and the other side in the second direction is a second direction second side, the support beam includes a beam first side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction first side, a beam second side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction second side, and a beam lower portion forming a surface facing a downward side, and the support column includes a column first side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction first side, a column second side portion forming a side surface facing the first direction second side, and a column third side portion forming a side surface facing the second direction first side. the connecting unit comprises a first side connecting member, a second side connecting member, and a lower connecting member, the lower connecting member comprises a lower connecting upper portion forming a surface facing upward and a lower connecting side portion forming a surface facing the second side in the second direction, the lower connecting upper portion is fixed to the beam lower portion and the lower connecting side portion is fixed to the column third side portion, the first side connecting member comprises a first connecting side surface which is a surface facing the second side in the first direction, the first side connecting member comprises a first connecting portion forming a side surface first region which is a partial region of the first connecting side surface, and is disposed on the first side in the second direction of the first connecting side surface relative to the side surface first region of the first connecting side surface. and a second connecting part forming a second side region, which is a region that is located on the first side of the first direction, the first connecting part is fixed to the column first side part, and the second connecting part is fixed to the beam first side part, the second side connecting member has a second connecting side surface that is a surface that faces the first side in the first direction, the second side connecting member has a third connecting part that forms a third side region that is a region of a portion of the second connecting side surface, and a fourth connecting part that forms a fourth side region that is a region on the second connecting side surface that is located on the first side in the second direction from the third side region, the third connecting part is fixed to the column second side part, and the fourth connecting part is fixed to the beam second side part.

In this configuration, the lower connecting member has a lower connecting upper part fixed to the lower part of the support beam and a lower connecting side part fixed to the third side part of the support column, so that the vertical load acting on the support beam that supports the rail from below can be appropriately supported by the support column via the lower connecting member. In addition, in this configuration, the first side connecting member has a first connecting part fixed to the first side part of the support column and a second connecting part fixed to the first side part of the support beam, and the second side connecting member has a third connecting part fixed to the second side part of the support column and a fourth connecting part fixed to the second side part of the support beam. Therefore, the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member can connect the side of the support column in the first direction to the side of the support beam in the first direction in a state in which the support column and the support beam are sandwiched from both sides in the first direction by the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member. In other words, the support beam can be connected to the support column so as to embrace the support column with the first side connecting member and the second side connecting member. By connecting the support beam to the support column in this manner, the moment load acting on the connecting unit from the rail side via the support beam can be efficiently transmitted to the support column, which makes it difficult for large localized stresses to occur in the connecting unit.

In this manner, in this configuration, the connecting unit constituting the support structure that supports the rail on the support pillar connects the support beam and the pillar using the first side connecting member, the second side connecting member, and the lower connecting member, making it difficult for large localized stresses to occur in the connecting unit. This makes it easier to increase the durability of the support structure constituted by the connecting unit, and makes it possible to miniaturize the connecting unit that constitutes the support structure while appropriately ensuring the durability of the support structure. Furthermore, by miniaturizing the connecting unit, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the support structure and make it easier to reduce the spacing between rails lined up in the vertical direction.

As described above, this configuration makes it possible to keep the distance between vertically aligned rails small while adequately ensuring the durability of the support structure that supports the rails on the posts. This makes it possible to improve the placement density of article transport vehicles that run along the rails. Furthermore, when a storage section for storing articles is provided on each of the multiple levels, keeping the distance between vertically aligned rails small can also improve the efficiency of storing articles.

It is preferable that the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the support pillar are fastened and fixed using a first bolt arranged along the first direction so as to penetrate them, and that the second connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion, and the support beam are fastened and fixed using a second bolt arranged along the first direction so as to penetrate them.

According to this configuration, the fixing parts between the first side connecting member and the support column, the fixing parts between the first side connecting member and the support beam, the fixing parts between the second side connecting member and the support column, and the fixing parts between the second side connecting member and the support beam can all be fastened and fixed using bolts. Therefore, it is easier to ensure high durability of the fixing parts compared to when these fixing parts are welded fixing parts by welding. Furthermore, even if it becomes necessary to replace the support beam, the replacement work for the support beam can be easily carried out.

Furthermore, according to this configuration, the fixing portion between the first side connecting member and the support column and the fixing portion between the second side connecting member and the support column are fastened and fixed using a common first bolt arranged to penetrate the first side connecting member (specifically, the first connecting portion), the second side connecting member (specifically, the third connecting portion), and the support column. Therefore, compared to when these two fixing portions are fastened and fixed using different bolts, the bolt fastening work can be simplified. In addition, the fixing portion between the first side connecting member and the support beam and the fixing portion between the second side connecting member and the support beam are fastened and fixed using a common second bolt arranged to penetrate the first side connecting member (specifically, the second connecting portion), the second side connecting member (specifically, the fourth connecting portion), and the support beam. Therefore, compared to when these two fixing portions are fastened and fixed using different bolts, the bolt fastening work can be simplified. In this way, this configuration makes it easier to simplify the bolt tightening process, which makes it easier to assemble the support beam.

It is also preferable that the lower connecting upper part and the lower part of the beam are fastened together using a third bolt arranged along the vertical direction, and the lower connecting side part and the third side part of the column are fastened together using a fourth bolt arranged along the second direction.

With this configuration, both the fixing portion between the lower connection upper part and the lower part of the beam, and the fixing portion between the lower connection side part and the third side part of the column can be fastened and fixed using bolts. Therefore, it is easier to ensure high durability of the fixing portions compared to when these fixing portions are welded fixing portions by welding.

It is also preferable that the lower connecting member is formed in an L-shape when viewed in a first direction along the first direction, in which an end portion on the second side in the second direction of the lower connecting upper portion along the second direction and an upper end portion on the lower connecting side portion along the up-down direction are connected.

With this configuration, the shape of the lower connecting member can be designed so that the amount of downward protrusion from the support beam and the amount of protrusion from the support column in the second direction (first side) are small. This makes it easier to further reduce the spacing between the rails lined up in the vertical direction.

The first side connecting member further comprises a first connecting upper surface portion forming a surface facing upward, and the second side connecting member further comprises a second connecting upper surface portion forming a surface facing upward, the rail comprises a rail first side portion forming a side surface facing the first side in the second direction and a rail second side portion forming a side surface facing the second side in the second direction, the rail is connected to the support beam and the column via the connecting unit, and the connecting unit further comprises a first rail connecting member and a second rail connecting member, and the first rail connecting member It is preferable that the second rail connecting member has a fifth connecting portion that forms a surface facing downward and a sixth connecting portion that forms a surface facing the second side in the second direction, the fifth connecting portion being fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the sixth connecting portion being fixed to the first side portion of the rail, and the second rail connecting member has a seventh connecting portion that forms a surface facing downward and an eighth connecting portion that forms a surface facing the first side in the second direction, the seventh connecting portion being fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the eighth connecting portion being fixed to the second side portion of the rail.

According to this configuration, the rail is connected to a support beam that supports the rail from below via a connecting unit, thereby allowing an appropriate support structure to be configured that supports the rail on the support pillar. Note that in this configuration, the rail and support beam can be connected using a first side connecting member and a second side connecting member for connecting the support pillar and the support beam. Therefore, it is easier to keep the space occupied by the support structure that supports the rail on the support pillar small compared to when the connecting structure between the rail and the support beam is provided separately from the connecting unit that connects the support pillar and the support beam.

As described above, in the configuration in which the fifth connecting portion is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, the sixth connecting portion is fixed to the rail first side portion, the seventh connecting portion is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the eighth connecting portion is fixed to the rail second side portion, it is preferable that the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion and the first connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the sixth connecting portion and the rail first side portion, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion and the first connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the fixing portion between the eighth connecting portion and the rail second side portion are each a fastening fixing portion using a bolt.

This configuration makes it easier to attach and remove the rail to and from the support beam. Therefore, even if the rail needs to be replaced due to wear or other reasons, the rail replacement can be easily performed.

In each of the above-described configurations of the article transport equipment, the rail is a first rail and further includes a second rail extending along the second direction, the article transport vehicle includes a first cart that runs along the first rail and a second cart that runs along the second rail, the first cart is configured to run along the first rail with the second cart mounted thereon, the second cart is configured to be movable between the first cart and the second rail when the first cart is in a position in the first direction corresponding to the second rail, the support member that supports the second rail is connected to the support column without the support beam and the connecting unit, the first rail is arranged so that the vertical arrangement area of the support member overlaps with that of the support member, and the support beam is arranged below the support member.

According to this configuration, the support member supporting the second rail is connected to the support column without the support beam and connecting unit, so that the load acting on the second rail as the second bogie travels can be transmitted to the support column without the need for a path for transmitting the load acting on the first rail as the first bogie travels to the support column. In this way, by separating the load transmission path from the first rail to the support column (i.e., the load transmission path formed by the support beam and connecting unit) from the load transmission path from the second rail to the support column (i.e., the load transmission path formed by the support member), it is easy to improve the durability of the members forming these load transmission paths and facilitate maintenance work (e.g., replacement work).

Furthermore, according to this configuration, the first rail is arranged so that its vertical arrangement area overlaps with the support member, and the support beam is arranged below the support member. Therefore, by arranging the support beam and the support member that constitute different load transfer paths with a vertical offset, it is easy to avoid interference between the members that constitute different load transfer paths, and by overlapping the vertical arrangement areas of the first rail and the support member, the installation space for the first rail, second rail, and their support structures in each stage can be kept small in the vertical direction.

The item transport equipment disclosed herein is required to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned effects.

1: Support 1a: First column side 1b: Second column side 1c: Third column side 2: Support beam 2a: First beam side 2b: Second beam side 2c: Lower beam portion 3: Connection unit 4: First side connection member 5: Second side connection member 6: Lower connection member 6a: Lower connection upper portion 6b: Lower connection side portion 7: First rail connection member 7a: Fifth connection portion 7b: Sixth connection portion 8: Second rail connection member 8a: Seventh connection portion 8b: Eighth connection portion 9: Support member 10: Article transport vehicle 11: First cart 12: Second cart 20: First rail (rail)
21: First rail side portion 22: Second rail side portion 30: Second rail 41a: First connecting portion 41b: Second connecting portion 42: First connecting upper surface portion 51a: Third connecting portion 51b: Fourth connecting portion 52: Second connecting upper surface portion 100: Item transport equipment B: Bolt B1: First bolt B2: Second bolt B3: Third bolt B4: Fourth bolt L2: Second stage (target stage)
L3: 3rd stage (target stage)
S1: First connecting side surface S1a: Side first region S1b: Side surface second region S2: Second connecting side surface S2a: Side surface third region S2b: Side surface fourth region W: Article X: First direction

Claims (7)

An article transport facility including a rail extending in a first direction in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction, an article transport vehicle that travels along the rail to transport an article, a support pillar, and a support beam,
The support columns are disposed at a plurality of locations so as to extend along the up-down direction,
The support beam is arranged in a target stage among the plurality of stages so as to extend along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when viewed in the up-down direction along the up-down direction, and is supported by at least two of the columns arranged at a distance in the second direction,
The support beam supports the rail from below at the target stage,
The support column and the support beam are connected via a connecting unit,
One side of the first direction is a first direction first side, the other side of the first direction is a first direction second side, one side of the second direction is a second direction first side, and the other side of the second direction is a second direction second side,
The support beam includes a beam first side portion forming a side surface facing a first side in the first direction, a beam second side portion forming a side surface facing a second side in the first direction, and a beam lower portion forming a surface facing downward,
The pillar includes a pillar first side portion forming a side surface facing a first side in the first direction, a pillar second side portion forming a side surface facing a second side in the first direction, and a pillar third side portion forming a side surface facing a first side in the second direction,
The connecting unit includes a first side connecting member, a second side connecting member, and a lower connecting member,
The lower connecting member includes a lower connecting upper portion forming a surface facing upward and a lower connecting side portion forming a surface facing the second side in the second direction,
The lower connection upper portion is fixed to the beam lower portion, and the lower connection side portion is fixed to the column third side portion,
The first side surface connecting member includes a first connecting side surface that faces the second side in the first direction,
the first side surface connecting member includes a first connecting portion that forms a side surface first region that is a partial region of the first connecting side surface, and a second connecting portion that forms a side surface second region that is a region of the first connecting side surface that is disposed on a first side in the second direction relative to the side surface first region,
The first connecting portion is fixed to the column first side portion, and the second connecting portion is fixed to the beam first side portion,
The second side surface connecting member includes a second connecting side surface that faces a first side in the first direction,
the second side surface connecting member includes a third connecting portion that forms a side surface third region that is a partial region of the second connecting side surface, and a fourth connecting portion that forms a side surface fourth region that is a region of the second connecting side surface that is disposed on the first side in the second direction relative to the side surface third region,
The third connecting portion is fixed to the second side portion of the column, and the fourth connecting portion is fixed to the second side portion of the beam. The first connecting portion, the third connecting portion, and the support pillar are fastened and fixed using a first bolt arranged along the first direction so as to penetrate therethrough,
The article transport equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the second connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion and the support beam are fastened together using a second bolt arranged along the first direction so as to penetrate therethrough. The lower connection upper portion and the beam lower portion are fastened and fixed using a third bolt arranged along the vertical direction,
The article transport facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower connecting side portion and the third column side portion are fastened together using a fourth bolt arranged along the second direction. The article transport facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower connecting member is formed in an L-shape in which an end portion on the second side in the second direction at the lower connecting upper portion along the second direction is connected to an upper end portion on the lower connecting side portion along the up-down direction when viewed in the first direction along the first direction. The first side connecting member further includes a first connecting upper surface portion forming a surface facing upward,
The second side connecting member further includes a second connecting upper surface portion forming a surface facing upward,
the rail includes a rail first side portion forming a side surface facing a first side in the second direction, and a rail second side portion forming a side surface facing a second side in the second direction,
The rail is connected to the support beam and the column via the connection unit,
The connection unit further includes a first rail connecting member and a second rail connecting member,
The first rail connecting member includes a fifth connecting portion that forms a surface facing downward and a sixth connecting portion that forms a surface facing a second side in the second direction,
the fifth connecting portion is fixed to the first connecting top surface portion and the second connecting top surface portion, and the sixth connecting portion is fixed to the rail first side portion;
The second rail connecting member includes a seventh connecting portion that forms a surface facing downward and an eighth connecting portion that forms a surface facing the first side in the second direction,
5. An article transport facility according to claim 1, wherein the seventh connecting portion is fixed to the first connecting upper surface portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the eighth connecting portion is fixed to the rail second side portion. The article transport facility according to claim 5, wherein each of the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion and the first connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the fifth connecting portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the sixth connecting portion and the first side portion of the rail, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion and the first connecting upper surface portion, the fixing portion between the seventh connecting portion and the second connecting upper surface portion, and the fixing portion between the eighth connecting portion and the second side portion of the rail is a fastening fixing portion using a bolt. The rail is a first rail, and a second rail is further provided extending along the second direction,
the article transport vehicle includes a first carriage that runs along the first rail and a second carriage that runs along the second rail;
The first carriage is configured to be capable of traveling along the first rail with the second carriage mounted thereon,
the second carriage is configured to be movable between the first carriage and the second rail in a state in which the first carriage is at a position in the first direction corresponding to the second rail,
a support member that supports the second rail is connected to the support column without the support beam and the connecting unit;
the first rail is disposed so that an arrangement area of the first rail overlaps with an arrangement area of the support member in the up-down direction;
The article transport facility according to claim 1 , wherein the support beam is disposed below the support member.

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