JP7622591B2 - Mounting stand - Google Patents

Description

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

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

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 08-326293 (Patent Document 2) discloses a stand configured by arranging multiple units each having a top plate (18). The top plates (18) of the multiple units are arranged adjacent to each other. It is considered that the upper surfaces of these multiple top plates (18) form the running surface of the above-mentioned article transport vehicle. This makes it possible to form running surfaces of various sizes and shapes according to various demands.

JP 2020-011790 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-326293

However, when multiple tabletops are arranged adjacent to each other to form a running surface for an article transport vehicle, the joints between adjacent tabletops are prone to bending due to the weight of the article transport vehicle. Furthermore, due to such bending, gaps and steps are likely to occur at the joints between adjacent tabletops, and when an article transport vehicle passes over such a joint, the vehicle body is likely to shake, which may hinder smooth running.

In light of the above situation, it is desirable to enable article transport vehicles to move smoothly at the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the platform.

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view;
a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other,
The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate.
The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion;
In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body,
The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion,
An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction,
The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the upper exposed areas of both of the pair of units, while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units.

According to this configuration, the plate-shaped connecting part spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the exposed top surface areas of both of the pair of units, making it easy to ensure the durability of the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the stand. In addition, this plate-shaped connecting part is formed as a thin plate with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part, and is placed on the top surface of the main body while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts that are aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of adjacent units. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the top surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts and the top surface of the plate-shaped connecting part sandwiched between them at the same height. As a result, according to this configuration, it is easy to make the running surface at the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the stand close to smooth, making it possible to achieve smooth running of the article transport vehicle at the joints.

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

Plan view of an article transport facility equipped with a rack FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a transport path of a container by a transport unit. FIG. 1 is a view in the travel direction showing how an article is transferred to a receiving section by an article transport vehicle. FIG. 1 is a view in the direction of travel showing how items are dropped from the receiving section onto the conveyor unit; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first unit; Plan view showing part of the stand A plan view showing how the auxiliary plate portion is attached to the main body portion of the top plate. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. IX-IX cross-sectional view in FIG. XX cross-sectional view in FIG.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here, in this embodiment, the pedestal 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. In this embodiment, the second units U2 correspond to the "units."

The first unit U1 has a function of receiving an item W from an item transport vehicle V. The shape and size of each of the multiple first units U1 in a plan view may be the same or different. In this example, multiple first units U1 with the same shape and size in a plan view are used. The second unit U2 does not have a function of receiving an item W from an item transport vehicle V, and its main purpose is to form an aisle R along which the item transport vehicle V travels. The shape and size of each of the multiple second units U2 in a plan view may be the same or different. In this example, multiple types of second units U2 with different shapes and sizes in a plan view are used. As will be described in detail later, the first unit U1 is provided with one aisle R and a receiving section 11 (receiving section I) for receiving the item W. The second unit U2 is provided with multiple aisles R, but does not have a receiving section 11 (receiving section I).

In this embodiment, a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2 are arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view, forming a running surface Ff that extends continuously in a plane. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the running surface Ff is formed by arranging a plurality of first units U1 in a lattice pattern in a plan view. Then, a plurality of second units U2 are arranged in a line surrounding the first units U1, forming another portion of the running surface Ff. Note that in FIG. 1, in order to make it easier to understand the division of one first unit U1, one of the plurality of first units U1 that form part of the running surface Ff is given the reference symbol "U1".

Figures 3 and 4 show one first unit U1. In detail, Figures 3 and 4 are views of the first unit U1 as seen from the running direction. The explanation will continue below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

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

In this embodiment, the item transport vehicle V includes a cart body Va having wheels Vd, an item support section Vb that supports an item W, and a transfer section Vc that operates the item support section Vb to transfer the item W. In this embodiment, the wheels Vd are arranged in multiple locations spaced apart from the cart body Va in the width direction Y. In the illustrated example, four wheels Vd are arranged spaced apart from the cart body Va in the width direction Y.

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

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

[First Unit]
Next, the first unit U1 constituting a part of the gantry 100 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the gantry 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. Figures 3 to 5 show one first unit U1. As described above, the first unit U1 has the function of receiving an article W from an article transport vehicle V.

The first unit U1 comprises a receiving section 11 that receives an item W from the item transport vehicle V, a first top plate P1 that forms part of the running surface Ff (see FIG. 1), and a first support leg L1 that supports the first top plate P1. The receiving section 11 is formed on the first top plate P1. The first top plate P1 is connected to the upper part of the first support leg L1 and is positioned at a distance above the floor surface. The receiving section 11 is a section that receives an item W transported by the item transport vehicle V, and is included in the receiving section I described above.

In this embodiment, the first unit U1 includes a conveyor unit G. The conveyor unit G is disposed below the first top plate P1. In this embodiment, the receiving section 11 includes an opening 11a that penetrates in the vertical direction. The conveyor unit G is disposed so as to pass directly below the opening 11a and is supported by the first support leg L1.

In this embodiment, a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels is provided in the central region in the width direction Y of the first top panel P1 of the first unit U1. A pair of side regions arranged on both sides of the central region in the width direction Y each have a receiving section 11 provided. In this example, a plurality of receiving sections 11 are arranged side by side along the travel direction X in each of the pair of side regions. Here, three receiving sections 11 are arranged in each of the pair of side regions.

The receiving section 11 has an opening 11a that penetrates in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the opening 11a is formed to penetrate a side area of the first top plate P1 in the vertical direction. The opening 11a is an opening that receives an item W from the item transport vehicle V, and is included in the above-mentioned receiving port Ia. In this example, the item W is inserted (transferred) into the opening 11a by the item transport vehicle V.

In this embodiment, the receiving section 11 is provided with a guide member 11b that guides the item W received from the item transport vehicle V to the opening 11a. This allows the item W to be properly received from the item transport vehicle V. The guide member 11b may be configured to properly guide the item W received from the item transport vehicle V to the opening 11a. In the illustrated example, the guide member 11b is provided with a peripheral wall portion 11b1 that surrounds the periphery of the opening 11a to prevent the item W received from the item transport vehicle V from protruding outside the opening 11a. In addition, the guide member 11b is provided with an inclined portion 11b2 that inclines downward from the central region side to the side region side in the width direction Y to facilitate the transfer of the item W from the item transport vehicle V.

As described above, the item transport equipment F is provided with a shutter S that opens and closes the receiving port Ia. In this embodiment, this shutter S is provided in the first unit U1 and is configured to open and close the opening 11a. In this example, the first unit U1 is provided with multiple shutters S. In detail, the first unit U1 is provided with the same number of shutters S as the number of openings 11a.

The shutter S includes a shutter body Sa that moves between an open position that opens the opening 11a and a closed position that closes the opening 11a, and a shutter drive unit Sb that drives the shutter body Sa between the open position and the closed position. In this embodiment, the shutter body Sa is configured to slide along the width direction Y below the first top plate P1. The shutter drive unit Sb also includes a drive source such as a motor, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force generated by the drive source to the shutter body Sa. The transmission mechanism includes, for example, a shaft member, a sprocket, and a chain.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the closed position and maintains the opening 11a closed until the item W is transported to the receiving section 11 by the item transport vehicle V. As a result, the item W received by the receiving section 11 is held in the receiving section 11 for a certain period of time. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the shutter S places the shutter body Sa in the open position and opens the opening 11a at a set timing that is arbitrarily determined. As a result, the item W held in the receiving section 11 falls downward through the opening 11a. The fallen item W is stored in a container C arranged in the conveyor unit G, as described later. The above-mentioned "set timing" is arbitrarily set according to the operation of the equipment, etc. In this example, at least one item W to be sorted based on sorting information such as type, quantity, and shipping destination is transported to the receiving section 11 by the item transport vehicle V. The "set timing" is preferably set to the timing when all of the items W to be sorted based on the sorting information have been received by the receiving section 11, or to a timing later than that.

As described above, the first support leg L1 is configured to support the first top plate P1 from below. The first support leg L1 includes a plurality of first support members La1 arranged along the vertical direction, and a plurality of first beam members Lb1 that connect the plurality of first support members La1 together.

As described above, the conveyor unit G is disposed below the first top plate P1. The conveyor unit G is configured to transport items W below the first top plate P1. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G is configured to transport the container C, thereby transporting the items W contained in the container C. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured as part of the transport section T (see also FIG. 2), and is provided between the transport path between the empty container loading section 80 and the full container unloading section 70.

The conveyor unit G is positioned so as to pass directly below the opening 11a and is supported by the first support leg L1. In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G is supported by the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1. Specifically, the conveyor unit G is supported in a state in which it is placed on the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1. In this example, the transport support member Gb of the conveyor unit G, which will be described later, is fixed to the first beam member Lb1 of the first support leg L1 while abutting against the first beam member Lb1 from above.

In this embodiment, the conveyor unit G constitutes a part of the receiving and transporting section Ti, and is capable of arranging multiple containers C in a line along the traveling direction X (see also FIG. 2). In detail, the conveyor unit G is configured to be able to arrange the container C (empty container Ce) carried in from the empty container carrying section 80 in a position corresponding to the opening 11a in the receiving section 11. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured to arrange the container C (empty container Ce) in a position overlapping each of the multiple openings 11a (receiving section 11) in a plan view. Then, when the item W received by the receiving section 11 is contained in the container C, the conveyor unit G transports the container C (full container Cf). In this example, the conveyor unit G transports all the containers C together after the items W sorted based on the sorting information are contained in all the containers C arranged in a line along the traveling direction X.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the conveyor unit G includes a conveying member Ga and a conveying support member Gb that supports the conveying member Ga. In this example, the conveyor unit G is configured as a roller conveyor, and the conveying member Ga is configured as a roller. The conveying support member Gb is configured as a frame to which the conveying member Ga is connected. In this example, the conveying support member Gb rotatably supports the roller as the conveying member Ga.

[Second Unit]
Next, the second unit U2 constituting a part of the pedestal 100 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the pedestal 100 includes a plurality of first units U1 and a plurality of second units U2. FIGS. 6 to 10 show the second unit U2 and its surrounding structure. As described above, the second unit U2 does not have the function of receiving the article W from the article transport vehicle V, and its main purpose is to form a passage R along which the article transport vehicle V travels. The shapes and sizes of the plurality of second units U2 in plan view may be the same or different, but FIGS. 6 and 7 show an example of a plurality of second units U2 having the same shapes and sizes in plan view.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stand 100 includes a plurality of second units U2 (corresponding to "units") arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view, and a connecting member C2 connecting adjacent second units U2. The second unit U2 includes a second top plate P2 (corresponding to "top plate") formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a second support leg L2 (corresponding to "support leg") supporting the second top plate P2 (see also FIGS. 7 and 9). The second top plate P2 may be square or rectangular in a plan view. FIG. 6 illustrates a second top plate P2 that is square in a plan view. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the second support leg L2 includes a second support member La2 arranged along the vertical direction and a connecting member Lb2 connected to the second top plate P2. In this example, the connecting member Lb2 also functions as a beam member connecting a pair of adjacent second support members La2 to each other.

In the following, the direction in which a pair of adjacent second units U2 are lined up is referred to as the "line-up direction D" (see FIG. 9). The line-up direction D is not absolutely determined, but is a concept that is determined relatively between a pair of adjacent second units U2. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a plurality of second units U2 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a planar view. That is, in such a case, the line-up direction D is the direction in which two arbitrarily selected second units U2 are lined up. Therefore, the line-up direction D can be established along two virtual vectors that are orthogonal in a planar view. In this embodiment, in the boundary area between a pair of adjacent second units U2, the running direction X of the article transport vehicle V and the line-up direction D coincide.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second top plate P2 includes a main body portion P20 having a flat upper surface, and a thin auxiliary plate portion P21 attached to the main body upper surface P20f, which is the upper surface of the main body portion P20. The main body portion P20 and the auxiliary plate portion P21 are made of different materials. In this embodiment, the main body portion P20 is made of wooden plywood. The auxiliary plate portion P21 is made of a plate material whose main material is metal or fiber-reinforced resin.

In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion P21 is formed smaller than the main body upper surface P20f, and the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate portion P21 is disposed inside the outer edge P20e of the main body upper surface P20f by a specified offset width Ws. Here, the area of the outer edge on the main body upper surface P20f that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion P21 is the upper surface exposed area A. In other words, in a plan view, the exposed part on the main body upper surface P20f that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion P21 is the upper surface exposed area A (see the lower diagram of FIG. 7). The offset width Ws is arbitrarily determined based on the characteristics of the equipment or experiments. The offset width Ws specifies the size of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view. Preferably, the offset width Ws specifies the size of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view so that the range of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction X in a plan view is larger than the width of the passage R of the article transport vehicle V. In this way, the article transport vehicle V does not continuously run over the plate-shaped connection part C20 along the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20. The article transport vehicle V can pass over the plate-shaped connection part C20 along the lateral direction of the plate-shaped connection part C20 only when running over the connection part of the pair of adjacent second units U2. In this embodiment, each of the four outer edges P21e of the rectangular auxiliary plate part P21 is positioned inward by the same offset width Ws from the corresponding outer edge P20e among the four outer edges P20e of the rectangular main body upper surface P20f.

In this embodiment, a pair of adjacent second units U2 are arranged to form a gap Pg between the respective main body portions P20 in the arrangement direction D (see also FIG. 9). In this example, the gap Pg is formed to be smaller than the offset width Ws.

As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the connection member C2 has a plate-shaped connection part C20 formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part P21. The plate-shaped connection part C20 straddles a pair of adjacent second units U2, and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed areas A of both of the pair of second units U2, sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 aligned in the alignment direction D of the pair of second units U2.

In this way, the plate-shaped connection part C20 straddles a pair of adjacent second units U2 and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed areas A of both of the pair of second units U2, so that the durability of the joints between the multiple second tops P2 constituting the stand 100 is easily ensured. In addition, this plate-shaped connection part C20 is formed in a thin plate shape with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part P21, and is placed on the main body upper surface P20f in a state sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 arranged in the arrangement direction D related to the pair of adjacent second units U2. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the upper surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 and the upper surface of the plate-shaped connection part C20 sandwiched between them at the same height. This makes it easy to make the running surface Ff close to smooth at the joints between the multiple second tops P2 constituting the stand 100, and makes it possible to realize smooth running of the article transport vehicle V at the joints.

The plate-shaped connection portion C20 is formed in a long plate shape extending along the outer edge P21e of each of a pair of adjacent auxiliary plate portions P21, and is arranged along each of the outer edges P21e. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped connection portion C20 is the direction along the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate portion P21. The lateral direction of the plate-shaped connection portion C20 is the direction in which the pair of adjacent auxiliary plate portions P21 are lined up, i.e., the line-up direction D.

9, in this embodiment, the dimension Sc in the arrangement direction D of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is larger than the sum of the offset widths Ws of each of the adjacent pair of second units U2. In this example, the dimension Sc in the arrangement direction D of the plate-shaped connection part C20 is equal to the sum of the offset widths Ws of each of the adjacent pair of second units U2 and the gap Pg in the arrangement direction D formed between the adjacent pair of main body parts P20 (Sc ≒ 2Ws + Pg). This allows the plate-shaped connection part C20 to be arranged so that the gap Pg is left open so that the adjacent pair of main body parts P20 do not contact each other, and the plate-shaped connection part C20 covers the gap Pg from above. This reduces the possibility that the adjacent pair of main body parts P20 will come into contact with each other due to expansion caused by temperature changes or vibration caused by the travel of the item transport vehicle V, causing wear or deformation, and the like, and allows the running surface Ff on which the item transport vehicle V runs to be appropriately formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped connection part C20.

In this embodiment, the plate-shaped connection part C20 is in contact with both of the pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 of the pair of adjacent second units U2 in the arrangement direction D. That is, in this example, the dimension Sc of the plate-shaped connection part C20 in the arrangement direction D is the sum of the offset width Ws of each of the pair of adjacent second units U2 and the gap Pg in the arrangement direction D formed between the pair of adjacent main body parts P20. In order to achieve this, for example, when installing a pair of adjacent second units U2, it is preferable to arrange the pair of second units U2 based on the plate-shaped connection part C20 so that the plate-shaped connection part C20 is sandwiched without a gap between the pair of auxiliary plate parts P21 aligned in the arrangement direction D of the pair of second units U2. This allows the plate-shaped connection part C20 to be placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed areas A of both of the pair of second units U2 with almost no gap.

The position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view is positioned relative to the second support leg L2. This ensures high positional accuracy of the auxiliary plate portion P21 relative to the second support leg L2, even when the main body portion P20 is made of plywood with relatively low dimensional accuracy as in this example, making it easy to position the multiple second units U2 with high accuracy.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, in this embodiment, a through hole is formed that passes through the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 in the vertical direction, and the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 are integrally connected by inserting a fastening member B into the through hole.

In this embodiment, an upper through hole P21h that penetrates the auxiliary plate portion P21 in the vertical direction, a lower through hole Lbh that penetrates the second support leg L2 in the vertical direction, and an intermediate through hole P20h that is positioned vertically midway between the upper through hole P21h and the lower through hole Lbh and penetrates the main body portion P20 in the vertical direction are formed. A plurality of upper through holes P21h are formed in the auxiliary plate portion P21. Intermediate through holes P20h are formed in the main body portion P20 at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of upper through holes P21h. A lower through hole Lbh is formed in the second support leg L2 at positions corresponding to each of the plurality of upper through holes P21h. A fastening member B is arranged so as to integrally pass through the upper through hole P21h, the intermediate through hole P20h, and the lower through hole Lbh, which correspond to each other in a plan view, and the fastening member B integrally connects the auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2. As a result, the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a plan view is determined relative to the second support leg L2. The fastening member B can be a bolt or a rivet. In the illustrated example, the fastening member B is configured using a bolt. The auxiliary plate portion P21, the main body portion P20, and the second support leg L2 are clamped and fastened in the vertical direction by the head of the bolt and a nut screwed to the tip side of the bolt. In this embodiment, the lower through hole Lbh is formed in the connecting member Lb2 of the second support leg L2. However, the lower through hole Lbh may be formed in a part other than the connecting member Lb2 of the second support leg L2.

In this embodiment, the connection member C2 includes a connecting portion C21 that connects the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A formed on each of the pair of adjacent second units U2. Here, the connecting portion C21 is arranged in the vertical direction across the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A in the main body portion P20. The connecting portion C21 can be a bolt, a rivet, or the like. In the illustrated example, the connecting portion C21 is configured using a bolt, which penetrates the plate-shaped connection portion C20 in the vertical direction, and is screwed into a female threaded portion provided in the main body portion P20 to fasten the plate-shaped connection portion C20 by sandwiching it between the head of the bolt and the main body portion P20 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the connecting portion C21 is provided at multiple locations in the plate-shaped connection portion C20. The multiple connecting portions C21 are arranged at positions that do not overlap with the wheel passing area (not shown) through which the wheels Vd (see FIG. 3, etc.) of the article transport vehicle V pass. For example, if the connection C21 is formed of a bolt, nut, or rivet, the head of the bolt or rivet may protrude above the running surface Ff. However, even in such a case, since the connection C21 is positioned so as not to overlap with the wheel passing area, the connection C21 is unlikely to interfere with the running of the article transport vehicle V.

As described above, in this embodiment, the second units U2 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view. Therefore, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 7, the upper surface exposed areas A corresponding to the respective corners of four adjacent second units U2 in a lattice pattern are gathered together to form one area. This area is referred to as the collective exposed area Au. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the connection member C2 has a covering portion C22 that covers the collective exposed area Au (see FIG. 7) from above. This allows the entire frame 100, including the collective exposed area Au, to appropriately cover the upper surface exposed area A, making it easier to smooth the entire running surface Ff.

8 is an enlarged plan view of the periphery of the covering portion C22. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the covering portion C22 is composed of a part of four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 that connect four adjacent second units U2 in a lattice shape. Specifically, the covering portion C22 is composed of a combination of the longitudinal end portions C20e of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20. In this example, the longitudinal end portions C20e of the plate-shaped connecting portions C20 are formed in a triangular shape (more specifically, a trapezoidal shape) that becomes thinner toward the tip in a plan view. The longitudinal end portions C20e of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 are arranged so that the hypotenuses of the triangles of adjacent longitudinal end portions C20e abut against each other. This makes it possible to appropriately cover the collective exposed area Au.

As shown in Figures 6 and 10, this embodiment includes a traffic control member M arranged along the outer edge of the running surface Ff. The traffic control member M is arranged above the running surface Ff. This prevents the article transport vehicle V from falling off the running surface Ff and falling from the platform 100.

As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the traffic control member M includes a base portion Mb placed on the main body upper surface P20f so as to cover the upper surface exposed area A located on the outer edge of the running surface Ff, and an erected portion Ma provided so as to rise upward from the base portion Mb.

The erected portion Ma has a surface facing inward (toward the aisle R). This allows the carriage body Va of the article transport vehicle V to be received by the erected portion Ma when the article transport vehicle V is traveling outside the aisle R along which the article transport vehicle V should travel. In this embodiment, the erected portion Ma is formed in the shape of a wall rising upward from the travel surface Ff, or more specifically, from the upper surface of the auxiliary plate portion P21.

The base portion Mb is a portion for attaching the traffic control member M to the second top plate P2. In this embodiment, the base portion Mb is provided contiguous to the lower end of the erected portion Ma, and is formed so as to follow the extending direction of the main body top surface P20f. In this example, the base portion Mb is arranged along the outer edge P21e of the auxiliary plate portion P21 so as to be placed on the top surface exposed area A. This allows the base portion Mb to be placed on the second top plate P2 in a stable state. In the illustrated example, the base portion Mb has a shape similar to that of the plate-shaped connection portion C20 divided in half in the short direction, and is placed on the main body top surface P20f so as to cover the top surface exposed area A.

In this embodiment, the joint C21 is provided not only on the connection member C2 but also on the traffic regulation member M. The joint C21 joins the traffic regulation member M to the upper surface exposed area A. In detail, the joint C21 is disposed in the vertical direction across the base portion Mb of the traffic regulation member M and the upper surface exposed area A of the main body portion P20.

The platform 100 described above makes it easy to make the running surface Ff smooth at the joints between the multiple second tops P2 that make up the platform 100, enabling the article transport vehicle V to travel smoothly at the joints.

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

(1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which each of the four outer edges P21e of the rectangular auxiliary plate portion P21 is positioned the same offset width Ws inward from the corresponding outer edge P20e among the four outer edges P20e of the rectangular main body top surface P20f. However, without being limited to such an example, a different offset width Ws may be set for each outer edge. In addition, the offset width Ws may be different between a pair of adjacent second units U2.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the plate-shaped connection portion C20 is in contact with both of a pair of auxiliary plate portions P21 relating to an adjacent pair of second units U2 in the arrangement direction D. However, without being limited to such an example, the plate-shaped connection portion C20 may be arranged with a gap in the arrangement direction D with respect to at least one of the pair of auxiliary plate portions P21 relating to an adjacent pair of second units U2.

(3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a planar view is positioned relative to the second support leg L2. However, without being limited to such an example, the position of the auxiliary plate portion P21 in a planar view may be positioned, for example, relative to the main body portion P20.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the covering portion C22 is formed of a portion (longitudinal end portion C20e) of each of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 that connect each of the four second units U2 adjacent to each other in a lattice pattern. However, without being limited to this example, the covering portion C22 may be formed of a separate member from the plate-shaped connecting portions C20. For example, each of the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20 may be formed in a rectangular shape in a planar view. In this case, a collective exposed area Au that is rectangular in a planar view is exposed between the four plate-shaped connecting portions C20. Therefore, the collective exposed area Au may be covered from above by the covering portion C22 that is a separate member from the plate-shaped connecting portions C20 and is formed in a rectangular shape in a planar view.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the connection member C2 has a covering portion C22 that covers the collective exposed area Au from above. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the connection member C2 does not need to have a covering portion C22 as described above. In this case, the collective exposed area Au is exposed.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a bolt, a rivet, or the like was used as the joining portion C21 that joins the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A on the main body upper surface P20f. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, an adhesive may be used as the joining portion C21. Various types of such adhesives can be used.

(7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the connection member C2 has a joining portion C21 that joins the plate-shaped connection portion C20 and the upper surface exposed area A formed on each of a pair of adjacent second units U2. However, without being limited to such an example, the connection member C2 does not need to have the joining portion C21 as described above. In this case, the plate-shaped connection portion C20 may simply be placed on the upper surface exposed area A.

(8) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the erected portion Ma of the traffic control member M is formed in a wall shape rising upward from the running surface Ff. However, without being limited to such an example, the erected portion Ma may be formed, for example, in a rod shape or a band shape, and may be positioned at a position spaced above the running surface Ff.

(9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the platform 100 is provided with a traffic control member M arranged along the outer edge of the running surface Ff. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the platform 100 does not have to be provided with such a traffic control member M.

(10) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple second units U2 are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the arrangement of the multiple second units U2 can be determined arbitrarily depending on the characteristics of the equipment, etc. For example, the multiple second units U2 may be arranged in a line.

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

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

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view;
a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other,
The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate.
The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion;
In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body,
The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion,
An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction,
The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the upper exposed areas of both of the pair of units, while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units.

According to this configuration, the plate-shaped connecting part spans a pair of adjacent units and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the exposed top surface areas of both of the pair of units, making it easy to ensure the durability of the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the stand. In addition, this plate-shaped connecting part is formed as a thin plate with the same thickness as the auxiliary plate part, and is placed on the top surface of the main body while being sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate parts that are aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of adjacent units. Therefore, it is easy to arrange the top surfaces of the pair of auxiliary plate parts and the top surface of the plate-shaped connecting part sandwiched between them at the same height. As a result, according to this configuration, it is easy to make the running surface at the joints between the multiple top plates that make up the stand close to smooth, making it possible to achieve smooth running of the article transport vehicle at the joints.

It is preferable that the dimension of the plate-shaped connection portion in the arrangement direction is greater than the sum of the offset widths of each of the adjacent pairs of units.

According to this configuration, a pair of adjacent main body parts are arranged with a gap between them so that they do not come into contact with each other, and the plate-shaped connecting part is arranged to cover the gap from above. This makes it possible to appropriately form the running surface on which the article transport vehicle runs on the upper surface of the plate-shaped connecting part, while reducing the possibility that the pair of adjacent main body parts will come into contact with each other and cause wear or deformation due to expansion caused by temperature changes or vibration caused by the travel of the article transport vehicle.

It is preferable that the plate-shaped connection portion contacts both of the pair of auxiliary plate portions relating to the pair of adjacent units in the arrangement direction.

This configuration can minimize the occurrence of gaps in the alignment direction at the joints between the multiple tabletops that make up the stand. This can further facilitate smoother travel of the article transport vehicle at the joints. In addition, contact between the plate-shaped connecting portion and the auxiliary plate portion allows adjacent pairs of units to be positioned with an appropriate distance between them.

It is preferable that the position of the auxiliary plate portion in a plan view is positioned relative to the support leg.

With this configuration, even if the main body is made of a material with relatively low dimensional accuracy, such as wood, it is possible to ensure high positional accuracy of the auxiliary plate relative to the support legs, making it easy to position multiple units with high accuracy.

It is preferable that the connection member has a joining portion that joins the plate-shaped connection portion to the upper surface exposed area formed on each of the adjacent pair of units.

According to this configuration, the connecting portion connects the upper surface exposed areas of each of a pair of adjacent main body portions to the plate-shaped connecting portion, so that adjacent units can be connected to each other on the upper surface of the main body portions. This makes it easy to connect the units to each other.

A plurality of the units are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view,
a region where the upper surface exposed regions corresponding to the respective corners of the four units adjacent in a lattice pattern are gathered together is defined as a collective exposed region,
The connection member preferably includes a covering portion that covers the collective exposed area from above.

With this configuration, the entire stand can adequately cover the exposed top surface area, making it easier to make the running surface smooth overall.

A traffic control member is provided along an outer edge of the running surface,
It is preferable that the traffic control member comprises a base portion placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to cover the upper surface exposed area located at the outer edge of the running surface, and an upright portion arranged to rise upward from the base portion.

With this configuration, the upper surface exposed area located on the outer edge of the running surface can be used to install the traffic control member. The traffic control member can then prevent the article transport vehicle from coming off the running surface and falling off the platform.

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

100: Stand U2: Second unit (unit)
P2: Second top plate (top plate)
P20: Main body portion P20e: Outer edge P20f: Main body upper surface P21: Auxiliary plate portion P21e: Outer edge A: Upper surface exposed area Au: Collective exposed area C2: Connection member C20: Plate-shaped connection portion C21: Joint portion C22: Cover portion M: Traffic control member Ma: Standing portion Mb: Base portion Ff: Travel surface V: Article transport vehicle W: Article Ws: Offset width D: Arrangement direction

Claims (6)

A platform that forms a running surface on which an article transport vehicle that transports articles runs,
A plurality of units arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view;
a connecting member for connecting adjacent units to each other,
The unit includes a top plate formed in a rectangular shape in a plan view and a support leg that supports the top plate.
The top plate includes a main body portion having a flat upper surface and a thin auxiliary plate portion attached to the main body upper surface, which is the upper surface of the main body portion;
In a plan view, the auxiliary plate portion is formed smaller than the upper surface of the main body, and an outer edge of the auxiliary plate portion is disposed on the inside by a specified offset width with respect to an outer edge of the upper surface of the main body,
The connection member includes a plate-shaped connection portion formed in a thin plate shape having the same thickness as the auxiliary plate portion,
An outer edge region on the upper surface of the main body that is not covered by the auxiliary plate portion is defined as an upper surface exposed region, and a direction in which a pair of adjacent units are aligned is defined as an alignment direction,
The plate-shaped connecting portion spans a pair of adjacent units, and is sandwiched between a pair of auxiliary plate portions aligned in the alignment direction of the pair of units, and is placed on the top surface of the main body so as to cover the exposed top areas of both of the pair of units. The rack according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the plate-shaped connection part in the arrangement direction is greater than the sum of the offset widths of each of the adjacent pairs of the units. The stand according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate-shaped connection portion is in contact with both of the pair of auxiliary plate portions relating to the pair of adjacent units in the arrangement direction. The rack according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a joining portion that joins the plate-shaped connection portion and the upper surface exposed region formed on each of the pair of adjacent units. A plurality of the units are arranged in a lattice pattern in a plan view,
a region where the upper surface exposed regions corresponding to the respective corners of the four units adjacent in a lattice pattern are gathered together is defined as a collective exposed region,
The rack according to claim 1 , wherein the connection member includes a cover portion that covers the collective exposed area from above. A traffic control member is provided along an outer edge of the running surface,
The platform described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the traffic control member comprises: a base portion placed on the upper surface of the main body so as to cover the upper surface exposed area located at the outer edge of the running surface; and an upright portion provided so as to rise upward from the base portion.

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