JP7577484B2 - Storage facilities - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to item storage facilities.

Patent Document 1 discloses a warehouse facility equipped with a safety fence. In the warehouse facility described in Patent Document 1, a safety fence is attached to the loading/unloading device on the loading/unloading area side, except for the surface where goods are loaded and unloaded on the loading/unloading area side.

Patent Document 2 discloses a shelf device provided with a lifter guard to prevent workpieces from jumping out forward from a pallet on a lifter. In the shelf device described in Patent Document 1, the lifter guard is movable up and down integrally with the lifter, and is provided so as to be able to stop at a predetermined height position when the lifter descends from the predetermined height position.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-43110 JP 2018-58692 A

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, a safety fence is provided up to the top end of the post of the lifting device, and the larger the safety fence is, the higher the cost becomes.

In addition, with the technology described in Patent Document 2, when the lifter is located above a predetermined height position, the lifter guard must be moved up and down together with the lifter, and when the lifter is located below the predetermined height position, the lifter guard must be stopped at the predetermined height, which makes the configuration complicated and costly.

Therefore, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide technology that can implement safety measures around an article lifting device as inexpensively as possible.

In order to solve the above problem, the item storage equipment according to the first aspect is an item storage equipment including an item support section arranged adjacent to the travel path of an item transfer vehicle traveling horizontally and arranged in multiple tiers in the vertical direction, and an item lifting device arranged on the end side of the travel path relative to the item support section and having a lifting platform that moves up and down to lift and lower items, and further including a safety fence that surrounds the periphery near the bottom end of the item lifting device and prevents people from coming into contact with the item lifting device, and a fall prevention section that is arranged at a position higher than the safety fence to surround the lifting path of the lifting platform, and the fall prevention section is configured separately from the safety fence and is stationary together with the safety fence with respect to the vertical movement of the lifting platform of the item lifting device.

The item storage facility according to the second aspect is the item storage facility according to the first aspect, and the fall prevention unit is installed at a position away from the floor surface on which the item storage facility is installed.

The item storage facility according to the third aspect is the item storage facility according to the second aspect, in which the lower part of the fall prevention part is supported by the safety fence.

The fourth aspect of the item storage facility is an item storage facility according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the fall prevention unit has a mast fixing unit fixed to a mast in the item lifting device.

The item storage facility according to the fifth aspect is an item storage facility according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the fall prevention unit has a support unit fixing unit fixed to the item support unit.

The sixth aspect of the item storage facility is an item storage facility according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the fall prevention unit is configured in a simplified manner that is simpler than the safety fence.

The seventh aspect of the item storage facility is the sixth aspect of the item storage facility, and the simplified aspect is an aspect in which the size of the opening in the fall prevention section is larger than the size of the opening in the safety fence.

The eighth aspect of the item storage facility is the sixth or seventh aspect, and the simplified aspect is an aspect in which the fall prevention unit is smaller than the safety fence in a plan view.

The item storage facility according to the ninth aspect is the item storage facility according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, in which the openings are formed in the safety fence by assembling rod-shaped members in a lattice pattern, and the simplified aspect is an aspect in which the openings are formed in the fall prevention section by weaving wires of lower rigidity than the rod-shaped members in a net pattern.

The item storage facility according to the tenth aspect is an item storage facility according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and the height of the safety fence is 2,700 mm or less.

The item storage facility according to the eleventh aspect is the item storage facility according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and the safety fence is provided so that the relationship between the height of the safety fence, the size of the opening of the safety fence, and the horizontal distance between the safety fence and the item lifting device complies with ISO13857.

The item storage facility according to the twelfth aspect is an item storage facility according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, in which the safety fence is freestanding on the floor surface on which the item storage facility is installed.

According to each aspect, the area near the bottom end of the article lifting device is surrounded by a safety fence, thereby preventing people from coming into contact with the article lifting device. In addition, a fall prevention unit is provided at a position higher than the safety fence, preventing articles from falling from the platform. This fall prevention unit is constructed separately from the safety fence and is stationary together with the safety fence with respect to the up and down movement of the platform of the article lifting device, allowing the fall prevention unit to be constructed simply. This makes it possible to implement safety measures around the article lifting device as inexpensively as possible.

According to the second aspect, the extension of the fall prevention part to the bottom of the item storage equipment is prevented, which further reduces costs.

According to the third aspect, the fall prevention unit can be easily and stably installed at a position away from the floor surface.

The fourth aspect makes it easier to install the fall prevention unit stably.

According to the fifth aspect, the fall prevention part can be easily installed stably.

According to the sixth aspect, the fall prevention part can be made to have a simpler configuration than a safety fence, thereby making it possible to reduce costs.

According to the seventh aspect, by changing the size of the opening, the fall prevention part can be made to have a simpler configuration than a safety fence.

According to the eighth aspect, by making the range in which the fall prevention unit is provided narrower than the range in which the safety fence is provided in a plan view, the fall prevention unit can be configured to be simpler than the safety fence.

According to the ninth aspect, by changing the type of material that forms the opening, the fall prevention part can be made to have a simpler configuration than a safety fence.

According to the tenth aspect, a generally available, inexpensive safety fence can be used as the safety fence.

According to the eleventh aspect, by using a safety fence that complies with ISO 13857 for placement under the item storage facility, appropriate safety can be ensured.

According to the twelfth aspect, a safety fence can be installed up to the bottom of the item storage facility.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the item storage facility. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the item storage facility. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the item storage facility on the storage side. 2 is a schematic side view showing an article lifting device and its surroundings in the article storage facility. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of the item storage facility. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a first modified example of the item storage facility. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a second modified example of the item storage facility. FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of the outgoing side of an item storage facility according to a second modified example. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a third modified example of the item storage facility.

{Embodiment}
Hereinafter, an item storage facility according to an embodiment will be described.

<Overall structure>
The overall configuration of the item storage facility will now be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing the item storage facility 10, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the item storage facility 10.

The item storage facility 10 is a facility that stores items 12. Here, the item storage facility 10 automatically stores items 12 that are received from the outside, and automatically removes the stored items to the outside. Such item storage facility 10 is also called an automated warehouse. In the item storage facility 10, it is assumed that the items 12 are handled in a state where they are stored in, for example, a standard shaped container. The container may be of one size or of multiple sizes. The item storage facility 10 includes an item storage section 20, an item lifting device 30, an item transfer vehicle 50, a safety fence 60, and a fall prevention section 70.

The item storage section 20 is provided on at least one side of the travel path 40 (described later) along which the item transfer vehicle 50 travels. Here, a pair of item storage sections 20 are provided on both sides of the travel path 40. The item transfer vehicle 50 traveling along the travel path 40 can put items 12 in and take them out of both of the pair of item storage sections 20.

The item storage section 20 includes a plurality of shelf units 22. The shelf unit 22 includes a plurality of shelf boards 24 as a plurality of item support sections. The shelf boards 24 are supported at intervals in the vertical direction, and an item 12 can be placed on each shelf board 24. Here, a plurality of items 12 are placed on each shelf board 24 in a line at intervals. The dimension between the items 12 is set to a size equal to or larger than the minimum gap into which the arm of the item transfer vehicle 50, which will be described later, can enter. The item storage section 20 is configured by arranging a plurality of shelf units 22 in a line. When viewed as a whole, the item storage section 20 stores a plurality of items 12 arranged in an array vertically and horizontally. The items 12 are inserted and removed from each shelf board 24 from the travel path 40 side. The plurality of support sections do not have to be shelf boards 24. For example, the item support section may be a pair of rails that support both sides of the bottom side of the item 12. The article support portion may also be a hanging rail that supports the article 12 in a suspended state.

Here, the item storage section 20 further includes a temporary shelf 26. The temporary shelf 26 is provided at one end of the row of shelf units 22 in the extension direction. The temporary shelf 26 is provided between the shelf unit 22 and the item lifting device 30. The temporary shelf 26 is provided corresponding to each shelf board 24. Each temporary shelf 26 is configured to receive an item 12 from the item lifting device 30 and temporarily place the item 12 until the item 12 is received by the item transfer vehicle 50. Conversely, each temporary shelf 26 is configured to receive an item 12 from the item transfer vehicle 50 and temporarily place the item 12 until the item lifting device 30 comes to receive the item 12. The temporary shelf 26 is also an example of an item support section that supports the item 12.

The article lifting device 30 is disposed on the end side of the travel path 40 with respect to the article support section. The article lifting device 30 includes a lifting platform 32, a mast 34, and a lifting drive mechanism (not shown). The lifting platform 32 moves up and down to lift and lower the article 12. The mast 34 extends in the vertical direction. The mast 34 supports the lifting platform 32 and guides the up and down movement of the lifting platform 32. The part of the lifting platform 32 supported by the mast 34 is driven to move up and down by the lifting drive mechanism so that the lifting platform 32 is positioned opposite the shelf board 24 of each stage. This allows the article 12 to be stored to be lifted and moved to the upper or lower position of the shelf board 24 to be stored. Conversely, the article 12 to be removed from the shelf board 24 position where it is stored to a height position suitable for removal.

The mast 34 is located on one of the four sides of the lifting platform 32, and the temporary storage shelf 26 is located on the other. In this example, of the remaining two sides of the lifting platform 32 where the mast 34 and temporary storage shelf 26 are not located, the side opposite the temporary storage shelf 26 is referred to as the front of the article lifting device 30, and the side opposite the mast 34 is referred to as the side of the article lifting device 30.

Here, the goods 12 entering the goods storage facility 10 and the goods 12 leaving the goods storage facility 10 are transported by the conveyor device C. The goods lifting device 30 is provided at the end of the conveyor device C. The goods lifting device 30 is located between the conveyor device C and the temporary storage shelf 26. Here, one conveyor device C is provided at a predetermined position in the vertical direction for one goods lifting device 30. Here, the conveyor device C is provided at a position lower in the vertical direction than the upper end of the safety fence 60. Here, a pair of conveyor devices C1 and C2 corresponding to a pair of goods lifting devices 30 are provided at different positions in the vertical direction. However, the number of conveyor devices C, their positions in the vertical direction, etc. are not limited to those described above and can be set appropriately. For example, multiple conveyor devices C may be provided for one goods lifting device 30. Also, for example, the conveyor device C may be provided at a position higher in the vertical direction than the upper end of the safety fence 60. Also, for example, a pair of conveyor devices C1 and C2 corresponding to a pair of goods lifting devices 30 may be provided at the same positions in the vertical direction.

The transfer of the goods 12 between the temporary shelf 26 and the goods lifting device 30, and between the goods lifting device 30 and the conveyor device C, can be performed, for example, by driving the rollers provided thereon in both forward and reverse directions by a rotation drive unit such as a motor, or by driving an actuator such as a cylinder to push the goods 12 placed on the temporary shelf 26, the goods lifting device 30, or the conveyor device C.

The travel path 40 is provided along the item storage section 20, here between a pair of item storage sections 20, in the extending direction between them. Therefore, the item storage section 20 can store multiple items 12 lined up along the extending direction of the travel path 40. The travel path 40 extends along the extending direction of the item storage section 20 up to the temporary storage shelf 26.

Here, multiple travel paths 40 are provided corresponding to each of the upper and lower shelf boards 24. Each travel path 40 has a pair of rails 42, 42. The pair of rails 42, 42 are supported horizontally on the pair of item storage sections 20 along the extension direction of the item storage sections 20. As a result, the pair of rails 42, 42 are supported in a parallel position with a gap between them.

The rails 42, 42 may also serve as horizontal frames for each shelf unit 22. The rails 42, 42 may not function as frames for the shelf units 22 and may be configured as separate entities from the shelf units 22. In addition, the travel path 40 does not need to be configured as a pair of rails 42, 42, and may be configured, for example, as a long, thin, plate-shaped travel path along which the article transfer vehicle 50 can travel, or as a rail that supports the cart 54 in a suspended state.

The item transfer vehicle 50 is equipped with an item transfer device 52 and a trolley 54.

The article transfer device 52 is a device that transfers the article 12 from another location to its own location, or transfers the article 12 from its own location to another location. The article transfer device 52 transfers the article 12 from the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26 to the article transfer device 52 side, or transfers the article 12 from the article transfer device 52 to the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26. The article transfer device 52 includes, for example, a pair of arms, a hook, and a drive mechanism. The pair of arms are provided at an interval in the extension direction of the travel path 40 in the horizontal direction. The pair of arms are provided so as to be able to advance and retreat with respect to the cart 54 in a direction intersecting the travel path 40 in the horizontal direction. The hook is provided on both ends of the arm. The hook is provided so as to be able to change its position between an upright position and a lying position. The upright position is a position in which the space between the pair of arms is open, and the pair of arms are not caught on the article 12 when they extend on both sides of the article 12. The lying position is a position in which the arm falls between the pair of arms, and is capable of being caught on the article 12 placed between the pair of arms. The drive mechanism drives the forward and backward movement of the pair of arms and the change in position of the hook piece, etc.

The cart 54 is configured to move the article transfer device 52 between positions corresponding to the multiple shelves 24, which are an example of multiple article support sections. In this embodiment, one article transfer device 52 is mounted on one cart 54. At each shelf level, the cart 54 travels back and forth on the rails 42, 42, so that the article transfer device 52 moves to a position facing one of the multiple shelves 24 at that shelf level (specifically, a position facing the position on the shelf 24 where the article 12 is placed or the empty position where the article 12 is to be placed). In this embodiment, the travel of the cart 54 also moves the article transfer device 52 to a position facing the temporary storage shelf 26.

By moving the cart 54, the item transfer device 52 can move to the position of the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26 where the item 12 is placed, and transfer the item 12 from the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26 to the item transfer device 52 side. Alternatively, the item transfer device 52 can move to an empty position of the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26 where the item 12 is to be placed, and transfer the item 12 on the item transfer device 52 side to the shelf 24 or temporary shelf 26 side.

It is not essential that rails 42, 42 and article transfer vehicles 50 are provided for each shelf level. For example, rails 42, 42 and article transfer vehicles 50 may be provided in common for multiple shelf levels. In this case, for example, multiple article transfer devices 52 may be stacked on a cart 54 traveling on the travel path 40, making it possible to load and unload articles 12 for multiple shelf levels. Also, for example, one article transfer device 52 may be supported by a lifting mechanism so that it can be raised and lowered on a cart 54 traveling on the travel path 40, making it possible to load and unload articles 12 for multiple shelf levels. Also, multiple article transfer vehicles 50 may travel on one travel path 40.

The operation of each part in the item storage facility 10 can be controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit is composed of a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, and a storage device (e.g., flash memory). The control unit controls the operation of each part by the CPU as a processor executing arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the storage device. The control unit controls, for example, the transfer operation of the items 12 between the temporary storage shelf 26 and the item lifting device 30, the lifting operation of the item lifting device 30, the traveling operation of the item transfer vehicle 50, and the loading and unloading operation of the items 12, etc.

In this item storage facility 10, items 12 entering from outside (here, conveyor device C) are transferred from the item lifting device 30 via the temporary storage shelf 26 and item transfer vehicle 50 to the shelf board 24 under the control of the control unit, and are then stored. Also, items 12 being removed from the storage are removed from the shelf board 24 via the item transfer vehicle 50, temporary storage shelf 26, and item lifting device 30 to the outside (here, conveyor device C) under the control of the control unit.

The safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 70 are provided around the article lifting device 30. The safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 70 are constructed separately from each other. Both the safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 70 are stationary with respect to the up and down movement of the lifting platform 32 of the article lifting device 30. Below, the safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 70 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 in addition to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the receiving side of the article storage facility 10. Figure 4 is a schematic side view showing the article lifting device 30 and its surrounding area of the article storage facility 10.

<Safety fences>
The safety fence 60 surrounds the periphery near the lower end of the article lifting device 30. The safety fence 60 prevents people from coming into contact with the article lifting device 30. The safety fence 60 stands independently on the floor surface F on which the article storage equipment 10 is installed. The safety fence 60 includes posts 62 and panels 64. The posts 62 are arranged at multiple locations spaced apart around the article lifting device 30. The posts 62 are installed on the floor surface F and stand independently. The panels 64 are arranged between the posts 62. The panels 64 are supported by the posts 62. The posts 62 and the panels 64 are fixed together, for example, by connecting fittings or the like.

The safety fence 60 is provided so that the relationship between the height of the safety fence 60 and the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 complies with ISO13857. More specifically, the relationship between the height of the safety fence 60 and the horizontal distance between the height of the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 is set so as to satisfy the relationship stipulated in 4.2.2 of ISO13857. For example, the height of the safety fence 60 can be the height from the floor surface F to the top of the panel 64. Here, the vertical movement range of the lifting platform 32 in the article storage equipment 10, the height of the safety fence 60, and the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 correspond to the height of the danger zone, the height of the protective structure, and the horizontal safety distance to the danger zone in 4.2.2 of ISO13857, respectively.

Note that the height of the danger zone in ISO 13857 4.2.2 of the article lifting device 30 can change as the lift platform 32 rises and falls. In particular, the article lifting device 30 reciprocates between a position close to the floor surface F and a position at a height of 2700 mm or more above the floor surface F. For this reason, it is advisable to set the height of all danger zones in ISO 13857 4.2.2 so that the relationship between the height of the protective structure and the horizontal safety distance to the danger zone satisfies the specified relationship.

The height of the safety fence 60 should be 2700 mm or less. If the height of the danger zone exceeds 2700 mm, there is a low possibility that a person will come into contact with the danger zone. For this reason, in order to prevent people from coming into contact with the danger zone, there is no need to install a safety fence 60 in a danger zone that exceeds 2700 mm.

The height of the safety fence 60 is preferably 1000 mm or more. For example, the height of the safety fence 60 may be 2000 mm or more, or may be 2500 mm or more. If the height of the safety fence 60 is 2500 mm or more, then in accordance with the provisions of 4.2.2 of ISO 13857, the distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 may be a maximum of 100 mm with respect to the height of the safety fence 60.

The safety fence 60 has an opening. Here, the opening is formed in the panel 64. Specifically, the panel 64 includes an outer frame 65 and a core material 66. The outer frame 65 is provided in a rectangular shape. The core material 66 is provided by assembling a plurality of first rod-shaped members 66a and a plurality of second rod-shaped members 66b. The outer frame 65 and the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b are formed of materials such as metal or hard resin, and are members that are highly rigid and difficult to bend. The rigidity of the outer frame 65 is preferably higher than the rigidity of the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b. The rigidity of the outer frame 65 may be the same as the rigidity of the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b, and the same material as the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b may constitute the outer frame. The first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b extend in directions that intersect with each other. Here, the first rod-shaped member 66a extends in the vertical direction, and the second rod-shaped member 66b extends in the horizontal direction. The first rod-shaped members 66a extend parallel to each other with horizontal intervals. The second rod-shaped members 66b extend parallel to each other with vertical intervals. The first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b may extend diagonally to the horizontal and vertical directions. The opening 67 of the inner material 66 is the largest of the portion surrounded by the two first rod-shaped members 66a and the two second rod-shaped members 66b, or the portion surrounded by the outer frame 65 and the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b. Usually, the portion surrounded by the two first rod-shaped members 66a and the two second rod-shaped members 66b is the same as or larger than the portion surrounded by the outer frame 65 and the first rod-shaped members 66a and the second rod-shaped members 66b. Therefore, the area surrounded by the two first rod members 66a and the two second rod members 66b is usually the opening 67 of the safety fence 60.

The safety fence 60 is provided so that the size of the opening 67 of the safety fence 60 and the relationship of the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 also comply with ISO 13857. More specifically, the size of the opening 67 of the safety fence 60 and the relationship of the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 are set to satisfy the relationship specified in 4.2.4 and 4.3 of ISO 13857. The size of the opening 67 is the size specified in 4.2.4 of ISO 13857. More specifically, in 4.2.4 of ISO 13857, the opening 67 is divided into a regular opening and an irregular opening. A regular opening is a square, rectangular, or circular opening, and an irregular opening is an opening having a shape other than these. The size of a regular opening corresponds to one side of a square opening, the diameter of a circular opening, or the dimension of the short side of a rectangular opening. For irregular openings, the size of the irregular opening is determined to be the diameter of the smallest circular opening, the side of the smallest square opening, and the width of the smallest rectangular opening that can accommodate the irregular opening, whichever results in the smallest corresponding safety distance.

In the safety fence 60, the panels 64 are installed at a distance from the floor surface F. Therefore, in the safety fence 60, the portion surrounded by each panel 64, the floor surface F, and the two posts 62 also forms an opening 68. The relationship between the size of this opening 68 and the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 should also be set to comply with ISO13857.

Here, the conveyor C is provided at a position lower than the upper end of the safety fence 60 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the safety fence 60 is provided so as not to interfere with the end of the conveyor C. In other words, the safety fence 60 is provided so as not to impede the movement of the article 12 on the conveyor C and the transfer of the article 12 between the conveyor C and the article lifting device 30. For example, the panels 64a and 64b installed on the conveyor C1 and C2 side of the article lifting device 30 are installed at a higher position from the floor surface F than the panel 64c installed on the side of the article lifting device 30 where the conveyor C1 and C2 are not present. Here, the panels 64a and 64b are installed above the conveyor C1 and C2, and are provided so that parts of the conveyor C1 and C2 enter inside the safety fence 60. An opening 68a is formed between the floor surface F, the panel 64a, and the two posts 62 supporting the panel 64a. The opening 68a is narrowed by the conveyor C1. An opening 68b is formed between the floor surface F, the panel 64b, and the two posts 62 supporting the panel 64b. The opening 68b is narrowed by the conveyor device C2. Here, the conveyor device C2 is provided higher in the vertical direction than the conveyor device C1. Therefore, the bottom end of the panel 64b is provided higher in the vertical direction than the bottom end of the panel 64a. When the conveyor devices C1 and C2 are not taken into consideration, the size of the openings 68a and 68b is larger than the size of the opening 68c corresponding to the panel 64c, and the size of the opening 68b is larger than the size of the opening 68a. When the conveyor devices C1 and C2 are taken into consideration, the sizes of the openings 68a and 68b can be considered to be approximately the same.

By providing an opening 68 on the front side of the safety fence 60, the safety distance at the front is greater than the safety distance at the side. The horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the side is set to a distance corresponding to the safety distance at the side. As a result, the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the side is set to be smaller than the safety distance at the front. Therefore, in the item storage equipment 10, the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the front is greater than the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the side. The horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the side may be set to a distance corresponding to the safety distance at the front, or the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the front may be the same as the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the article lifting device 30 at the side.

<Fall prevention unit 70>
The fall prevention unit 70 is disposed at a position higher than the safety fence 60 so as to surround the lifting path of the lifting platform 32. The fall prevention unit 70 prevents the article 12 from falling from the lifting platform 32. Here, the fall prevention unit 70 is configured to prevent the article 12 from falling from two of the four sides of the lifting platform 32 where the temporary storage shelf 26 and the mast 34 are not located, that is, from the front and side of the article lifting device 30. The fall prevention unit 70 is installed at a position away from the floor surface F on which the article storage equipment 10 is installed. In addition, the lower part of the fall prevention unit 70 is supported by the safety fence 60. The fall prevention unit 70 is installed in an upper area of the article storage equipment 10 where there is little risk of people entering. The fall prevention unit 70 only needs to prevent the article 12 from falling from the lifting platform 32, and may have a function of suppressing people from entering the facility that is lower than that of the safety fence 60. If the fall prevention unit 70 is installed on the floor surface F instead of the safety fence 60, it may not meet the ISO 13857 standard.

Here, the fall prevention unit 70 includes a post 72, a horizontal frame 74, and a vertical frame 78. The lower part of the post 72 is supported by the safety fence 60. The horizontal frame 74 extends horizontally and is supported by the post 72. The vertical frame 78 extends vertically and is supported by the horizontal frame 74. The vertical frame 78 does not reach the safety fence 60.

One post 72 is provided for one article lifting device 30. A plurality of horizontal frames 74 (two in this example) are provided for one article lifting device 30. The horizontal frames 74 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. A plurality of vertical frames 78 (four in this example) are provided for one article lifting device 30. The vertical frames 78 are provided at intervals in the horizontal direction. Two vertical frames 78 are provided on each of the front and side of the article lifting device 30. The vertical frames 78 are preferably arranged closer to the article lifting device 30 than the horizontal frames 74. This makes it easier for the article 12 to come into contact with the vertical frame 78 rather than the horizontal frame 74 if the article 12 on the lifting platform 32 tilts or falls when the lifting platform 32 on which the article 12 is placed moves up and down. This prevents the article 12 from coming into contact with the horizontal frame 74, making it less likely for the article 12 to get caught on the fall prevention section 70.

For example, square pipes or round pipes can be used as the main body parts of the posts 72, horizontal frames 74, and vertical frames 78. The main body parts of the posts 72 and vertical frames 78 can be made of a single pipe. One horizontal frame 74 has a first portion 74a and a second portion 74b.

The first portion 74a is formed in a straight line and is provided on the side. The main body of the first portion 74a can be formed from a single pipe. One end of the pipe is fixed to the item support portion (here, temporary shelf 26), and the other end is fixed to the post 72. The fixed portion between the pipe and the item support portion (here, temporary shelf 26) is the support portion fixing portion 75.

The second portion 74b is formed in an L-shape and is provided so as to extend from the front toward the mast. The main body of the second portion 74b can be formed from a single pipe bent into an L-shape. One end of the pipe is fixed to the mast 34, and the other end is fixed to the post 72. The fixed portion between the pipe and the mast 34 is the mast fixing portion 76. A reinforcing member may be provided at the portion located at the corner of the L-shape. The reinforcing member may be connected to the portion extending from the bent portion in one direction and the portion extending in the other direction, respectively. The main body of the second portion 74b may be formed by connecting two straight pipes.

The configurations of the support fixing portion 75, the mast fixing portion 76, the fixing portion between the post 72 and the horizontal frame 74, and the fixing portion between the horizontal frame 74 and the vertical frame 78 are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. For example, these fixing portions may be screwed, welded, or the like. In the case of screwing, they may be screwed via a bracket or the like. For example, the post 72 and the horizontal frame 74 may not be screwed directly to each other, but may be screwed to an L-shaped bracket. Also, for example, the horizontal frame 74 and the vertical frame 78 may be screwed directly to each other.

The fall prevention unit 70 is configured in a simple manner that is simpler than the safety fence 60. For example, the simple manner is one in which the size of the opening 79 in the fall prevention unit 70 is larger than the size of the opening 67 in the safety fence 60. For example, the opening 79 in the fall prevention unit 70 is an opening 79 surrounded by two vertical frames 78 and two horizontal frames 74. The opening 79 is larger than the openings 67, 68 in the safety fence 60.

For example, the simple embodiment is an embodiment in which the fall prevention unit 70 is smaller than the safety fence 60 in a plan view. Here, the fall prevention unit 70 is arranged at a position closer to the article lifting device 30 in the horizontal direction than the safety fence 60 at the front. The safety fence 60 is provided with an opening 68, so that the safety distance at the front is greater than the safety distance at the side. The part of the safety fence 60 located at the front is arranged at a distance corresponding to the safety distance at the front. In contrast, the fall prevention unit 70 is located at an upper position, and there is no need to consider the safety distance. Therefore, the part of the fall prevention unit 70 located at the front can be arranged at a position closer to the article lifting device 30 than the part of the safety fence 60 located at the front. For example, the part of the fall prevention unit 70 located at the front and the part located at the side may be arranged at approximately the same distance from the article lifting device 30.

Effects of the embodiment
According to the article storage facility 10 configured as described above, the periphery near the lower end of the article lifting device 30 is surrounded by the safety fence 60, thereby preventing people from coming into contact with the article lifting device 30. Furthermore, the fall prevention unit 70 is provided at a position higher than the safety fence 60, thereby preventing the article 12 from falling from the lifting platform 32. Since the fall prevention unit 70 is configured separately from the safety fence 60 and is stationary together with the safety fence 60 with respect to the up and down movement of the lifting platform 32 of the article lifting device 30, the fall prevention unit 70 can be configured simply. This allows safety measures around the article lifting device 30 to be implemented as inexpensively as possible.

Furthermore, the fall prevention unit 70 is installed at a position away from the floor surface F on which the item storage equipment 10 is installed. This prevents the fall prevention unit 70 from extending to the bottom of the item storage equipment 10, further reducing costs. At this time, the bottom of the fall prevention unit 70 is supported by the safety fence 60. This makes it easier for the fall prevention unit 70 to be stably installed at a position away from the floor surface F.

Furthermore, the fall prevention unit 70 has a mast fixing portion 76 that is fixed to the mast 34 of the article lifting device 30. This makes it easier for the fall prevention unit 70 to be installed stably. In particular, as in this example, the fall prevention unit 70 can be easily installed stably even when it is installed at a position away from the floor surface F.

The fall prevention unit 70 has a support fixing part 75 that is fixed to the temporary shelf 26 as an item support part. This makes it easier for the fall prevention unit 70 to be installed stably. In particular, as in this example, the fall prevention unit 70 can be easily installed stably even when it is installed at a position away from the floor surface F.

Furthermore, the fall prevention unit 70 is configured in a simpler manner than the safety fence 60. In this way, by making the fall prevention unit 70 a simpler configuration than the safety fence 60, costs can be further reduced. For example, such a simpler manner is one in which the size of the opening 79 in the fall prevention unit 70 is larger than the size of the opening 67 in the safety fence 60. In this way, by changing the sizes of the openings 67, 79, the fall prevention unit 70 can be configured in a simpler manner than the safety fence 60. Also, for example, the simpler manner is one in which the fall prevention unit 70 is smaller than the safety fence 60 in a plan view. In this way, by making the range in which the fall prevention unit 70 is provided narrower than the range in which the safety fence 60 is provided in a plan view, the fall prevention unit 70 can be configured in a simpler manner than the safety fence 60.

The height of the safety fence 60 is 2,700 mm or less. This allows a generally available, inexpensive safety fence 60 to be used as the safety fence 60.

The safety fence 60 is also installed so that the height of the safety fence 60, the size of the opening 67 of the safety fence 60, and the relationship of the horizontal distance between the safety fence 60 and the item lifting device 30 comply with ISO 13857. As a result, by using a safety fence 60 that complies with ISO 13857 as the safety fence 60 placed at the bottom of the item storage equipment 10, appropriate safety can be ensured.

The safety fence 60 is also freestanding on the floor surface F on which the item storage equipment 10 is installed. This allows the safety fence 60 to be installed all the way up to the bottom of the item storage equipment 10.

{Modification}
Fig. 5 is a schematic front view showing a first modified example of the item storage facility 10. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing the first modified example of the item storage facility 10.

The item storage facility 110 according to the first modified example has a configuration of the fall prevention unit 170 that differs from the configuration of the fall prevention unit 70 in the item storage facility 10 described above.

The fall prevention unit 170 is provided with a net member 80. The net member 80 is formed by weaving wires into a net shape. In the net member 80, openings 81 are formed between the wires. The wires have flexibility (flexibility) that allows them to be woven into ropes or wires. The wires are members with lower rigidity than the rod-shaped members 66a and 66b that constitute the panel 64. For this reason, the net member 80 can be configured to be simpler than the inner material 66 in the panel 64. In this way, by changing the types of members that form the openings 67 and 81 in the safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 170, the fall prevention unit 170 can be configured to be simpler than the safety fence 60. In the fall prevention unit 170, the vertical frame 78 is omitted, and the net member 80 is supported by the horizontal frame 74, the post 72, etc. In the fall prevention unit 170, the vertical frame 78 may also be provided, and the net member 80 may also be supported by the vertical frame 78.

Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing a second modified example of the item storage facility 10. Figure 8 is a schematic front view of the outgoing side of the item storage facility 10 according to the second modified example.

The item storage equipment 210 according to the second modified example differs from the item storage equipment 10 according to the embodiment in that the temporary storage shelf, the item lifting device, the safety fence, and the fall prevention unit are provided on the storage side and the delivery side, respectively. In the item storage equipment 210, the temporary storage shelf 226A, the item lifting device 230A, the safety fence 260A, and the fall prevention unit 270A provided on the storage side are configured similarly to the item lifting device 30, the safety fence 60, and the fall prevention unit 70 in the item storage equipment 10. In the item storage equipment 210, the temporary storage shelf 226B, the item lifting device 230B, the safety fence 260B, and the fall prevention unit 270B provided on the delivery side are provided at the end opposite the temporary storage shelf 226A, the item lifting device 230A, the safety fence 260A, and the fall prevention unit 270A provided on the storage side along the extension direction of the travel path 40. In the item storage facility 210, the temporary storage shelf 226B and the item lifting device 230B provided on the exit side are configured similarly to the temporary storage shelf 26 and the lifting device in the item storage facility 10, except for the locations where they are provided. In the item storage facility 210, the safety fence 260B and the fall prevention unit 270B provided on the exit side are also different from the safety fence 60 and the fall prevention unit 70 in the item storage facility 10, except for the locations where they are provided.

More specifically, on the outgoing side, multiple conveyor devices C are arranged for one shelf unit 22. The multiple conveyor devices C are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Here, four conveyor devices C are provided for one shelf unit 22. Of the four conveyor devices C3, C4, C5, and C6, two conveyor devices C3 and C4 are provided at a height position of the safety fence 260B. Of the four conveyor devices C3, C4, C5, and C6, the remaining two conveyor devices C5 and C6 are provided at a height position of the fall prevention section 270B.

An opening 68b corresponding to the two conveyor devices C3 and C4 is formed in the safety fence 260B. The above-mentioned panel 64b is used in the portion of the opening 68b. Therefore, the safety fence 260B differs from the above-mentioned safety fence 60 in that the panel 64b is used instead of the panel 64a at the front, that is, the panel 64b is provided on both sides. The conveyor device C3 may be provided at the same height as the conveyor device C1, and the conveyor device C4 may be provided at the same height as the conveyor device C2. The ends of the conveyor devices C3 and C4 reach the inside of the safety fence 260B from between the panel 64b and the floor surface F.

In addition, an opening 82 corresponding to the two conveyor devices C5 and C6 is also formed in the fall prevention unit 270. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the two vertical frames 78 are omitted from the front, so that an opening 82 surrounded by the post 72 and the two horizontal frames 74 is formed in the fall prevention unit 270. Therefore, the fall prevention unit 270 differs from the fall prevention unit 70 in that the vertical frame 78 is omitted. The ends of the conveyor devices C5 and C6 reach the inside of the fall prevention unit 270B from between the two horizontal frames 74.

Figure 9 is a schematic plan view showing a third modified example of the item storage facility 10.

The item storage equipment 310 according to the third modified example has multiple pairs of item storage units 14 arranged side by side, each configured similarly to the item storage equipment 10 of embodiment 1. In the item storage equipment 310, the configurations of the portion 361 of the safety fence 360 located between the item storage units 14 and the fall prevention section 370 located between the item storage units 14 are different from the configurations of the safety fence 60 and the fall prevention section 70 in the item storage equipment 10 of embodiment 1.

The safety fence 360 is shared in the portion located between the item storage units 14. The safety fence 360 is configured so that the two safety fences 60 are connected and the posts 62 and panels 64 in the overlapping portions on the side are omitted. Similarly, the portion 371 of the fall prevention section 370 located between the item storage units 14 is shared. The fall prevention section 370 is configured so that the two fall prevention sections 70 are connected and the posts 72 in the overlapping portions on the side, the first portions 74a of the horizontal frames 74, and the vertical frames 78 are omitted.

In addition, although it has been described above that the panel 64 of the safety fence 60 has an opening 67 formed therein, this is not a required configuration, and the panel 64 does not have to have the opening 67 formed therein. In such a panel, for example, the inner material supported by the outer frame 65 may be a flat plate without holes. Or, for example, the panel itself may be a single flat plate. Even if the opening 67 is formed in the panel 64, it is not a required configuration for the opening to be formed by the rod-shaped members 66a, 66b. For example, if the inner material of the panel is a flat plate, multiple through holes may be drilled in the flat plate, and the through holes may serve as the opening.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the safety fence 60 is configured to meet standards required for the safety fence 60 other than ISO 13857. The fall prevention unit 70 does not have to meet the standards that the safety fence 60 meets. For example, the safety fence 60 may be configured to pass a dynamic load test conforming to ISO 14120, while the fall prevention unit 70 may be configured to not pass the dynamic load test conforming to ISO 14120.

Although the fall prevention unit 70 has been described so far as being installed at a position away from the floor surface F on which the item storage equipment 10 is installed, this is not a required configuration. The fall prevention unit 70 may reach the floor surface F on which the item storage equipment 10 is installed. For example, at least one of the post 72 and the vertical frame 78 may reach the floor surface F and be supported by the floor surface F.

Although the lower part of the fall prevention unit 70 has been described as being supported by the safety fence 60, this is not a required configuration. The lower part of the fall prevention unit 70 does not have to be supported by the safety fence 60. For example, the fall prevention unit 70 may be configured so that only the horizontal frame 74 is supported by a member other than the fall prevention unit 70.

Although the fall prevention unit 70 has been described above as having a mast fixing portion 76 fixed to the mast 34 of the article lifting device 30, this is not a required configuration. The fall prevention unit 70 does not have to have a mast fixing portion 76. For example, the second portion of the horizontal frame 74 may also be supported by the article support portion. Also, for example, the vertical frame 78 may be supported by the safety fence 60.

Although the fall prevention unit 70 has been described so far as having a support unit fixing part 75 fixed to the item support unit, this is not a required configuration. The fall prevention unit 70 does not have to have a support unit fixing part 75. For example, the vertical frame 78 may be supported by the safety fence 60. The fall prevention unit 70 may include a brace, one end of which may be fixed to the horizontal frame and the other end of which may be fixed to the item support unit. The fixing part between the brace and the item support unit may be the support unit fixing part.

In addition, although it has been described above that the fall prevention unit 70 is smaller than the safety fence 60 in a plan view, this is not a required configuration. In a plan view, the fall prevention unit 70 and the safety fence 60 may be the same size, or the fall prevention unit 70 may be larger than the safety fence 60.

The configurations described in the above embodiment and each modified example can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

The above description is illustrative in all respects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

10 Item storage facility 12 Item 24 Shelf (item support portion)
26 Temporary storage shelf (item support section)
Description of the Reference Signs 30: Goods lifting device 32: Lifting platform 34: Mast 40: Runway 50: Goods transfer vehicle 60: Safety fence 62: Post 64, 64a, 64b, 64c: Panel 65: Outer frame 66: Inner material 66a: First rod-shaped member 66b: Second rod-shaped member 67: Opening 70: Fall prevention section 72: Post 74: Horizontal frame 75: Support section fixing section 76: Mast fixing section 78: Vertical frame 79: Opening 80: Net member 81: Opening F: Floor surface

Claims (11)

an article support unit arranged adjacent to a travel path of the article transfer vehicle traveling in a horizontal direction and arranged in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction;
an article lifting device that is disposed on an end side of the travel path with respect to the article support section and has a lifting platform that moves up and down to lift and lower an article;
An item storage facility comprising:
a safety fence that surrounds a periphery near a lower end of the article lifting device and prevents people from coming into contact with the article lifting device;
A fall prevention unit is disposed so as to surround the ascent/descent path of the lift platform at a position higher than the safety fence;
Equipped with
The item storage equipment, wherein the fall prevention unit is configured separately from the safety fence and, together with the safety fence, is stationary relative to the vertical movement of the lifting platform of the item lifting device. The item storage facility according to claim 1,
The fall prevention unit is installed at a position away from the floor surface on which the item storage equipment is installed. The item storage facility according to claim 2,
An item storage facility, wherein the lower part of the fall prevention section is supported by the safety fence. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The item storage equipment, wherein the fall prevention portion has a mast fixing portion fixed to a mast in the item lifting device. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The item storage equipment, wherein the fall prevention section has a support section fixing section fixed to the item support section. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The fall prevention unit is configured in a simple manner that is simpler than the safety fence,
The simplified aspect is an aspect of the item storage equipment in which the size of the opening in the fall prevention section is larger than the size of the opening in the safety fence. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The fall prevention unit is configured in a simple manner that is simpler than the safety fence,
The simplified aspect is an aspect of the item storage equipment in which, when viewed in a plan view, the fall prevention part is smaller than the safety fence. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The fall prevention unit is configured in a simple manner that is simpler than the safety fence,
In the safety fence, openings are formed by arranging rod-shaped members in a lattice pattern, and the simplified form is an item storage facility in which openings are formed in the fall prevention section by weaving wires having lower rigidity than the rod-shaped members into a mesh pattern. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
An item storage facility, wherein the height of the safety fence is 2,700 mm or less. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The safety fence is installed in an item storage facility so that the relationship between the height of the safety fence, the size of the opening of the safety fence, and the horizontal distance between the safety fence and the item lifting device complies with ISO 13857. The item storage facility according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
The safety fence is freestanding on the floor surface on which the item storage facility is installed.

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