JPH08140757A - Extensible movable rack device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shorten a time required for the extension of plural movable racks. CONSTITUTION: This device is equipped with an extension instruction button 9, an extending position detecting means 10 which detects the fact that the movable rack reaches an extending position decided in advance, and a control means 29 which moves the plural movable racks so as to be converged in both side terminal parts of a rail by separating them from the center to right and left directions correspondingly to an operating signal issued from the extension instruction button 9, and moves by extending them after completing such convergence and moving by extending them advancing the center, and stops each movable rack by operating the extending position detecting means 10 and moves each movable rack to a position with an equal interval.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a movable shelving device, and more particularly to a spreading type movable shelving device having a spreading function for separating the moving shelves at equal intervals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a shelf device for storing a large number of articles and files, in order to improve space efficiency,
Mobile shelving devices are widely used. Such a moving rack device can drive each of the moving racks by hand,
It is common to form a work passage corresponding to the work surface of the desired moving rack, but if the moving rack becomes large or the number of moving racks is large, it can be moved manually. It will be difficult.

Therefore, conventionally, each movable rack is automatically moved by providing a self-propelled mechanism on each movable rack and operating the passage opening instruction switch corresponding to the work passage to be formed. Various moving rack devices have been developed in which a desired work passage is formed. This type of moving rack device is provided with a reversible motor and a passage opening instruction switch for each of a plurality of moving racks that are movably installed along a rail, and has a passage opening instruction switch provided on any moving rack. When operated, each movable rack is moved by a reversible motor so that a working passage corresponding to the movable rack is formed.

[0004]

In the moving rack device as described above, usually, one working passage is formed,
After the work there is completed, the work passages are generally used one by one such as forming another work passage. However, for example, when used as a shelf for storing documents and books, air is periodically circulated to prevent damage to the paper due to moisture, and when used as a freezer, the stored items can be cooled efficiently. Therefore, it is necessary to open the movable shelves at equal intervals.

As a means for this, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-45
There is known an electric moving rack device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 602, in which all the moving racks are immediately moved from a passage forming state to a spread state. However, in this device, a position where a passage is formed. Therefore, the control circuit for spreading all the movable shelves at equal intervals is complicated and expensive, and the spread positions are likely to be uneven.

As a solution to this, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-4
As described in Japanese Patent No. 5406, there is known one in which all movable shelves are once converged in one direction and then spread. In the case of this technology, not only it takes time to once converge all the moving shelves in one direction, and after the completion of the convergence, to spread all the moving shelves again at equal intervals. However, there is a problem that the control circuit becomes complicated, troubles such as breakdown are likely to occur, and the operation becomes very complicated.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a spreading type movable rack device which shortens the time required to spread a plurality of movable racks.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the above problems can be solved as follows. (1) A plurality of movable shelves that are movably installed on the rails are moved left and right by a reversible motor provided on each movable shelf so that a working passage can be selectively formed in front of an arbitrary movable shelf. In the moving rack device described above, the spreading instruction means arranged at a position where it is easy to operate, the spreading means arranged on each moving shelf and detecting that the moving shelf has reached a predetermined spreading position, and According to the signal emitted from the spread instruction means, the plurality of movable shelves are divided into left and right parts from substantially the center and moved so as to converge on both side ends of the rail, and after this convergence is completed, each movable shelf is moved to the center. And a control means for controlling the movement of each movable rack so that the movable rack is stopped by operating the spread position detecting means.

(2) In the above item (1), the spread position detecting means is fixed to a shaft that is rotated by a reversible motor for moving each movable rack, and a rotation is provided by forming a large number of holes around the entire periphery. A disc and a photoelectric sensor that rotatably sandwiches the peripheral portion of the rotary disc between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided.

(3) In the above item (1) or (2), the control means is provided with a convergence detection means for detecting that all the movable shelves are divided into left and right from substantially the center thereof and converged on both side ends of the rail. After the spreading instruction means is actuated, the convergence detection means is actuated to start the spreading movement.

(4) In the above item (3), the convergence detecting means is provided on one side surface of each movable rack, and is brought into contact with another movable rack opposite to the side surface to operate, whereby the one side surface is moved. It shall be equipped with a limit switch that can detect that it is closed.

[0012]

According to the present invention, when the spread instruction means is actuated, the plurality of movable shelves are converged on both side end portions of the rail so as to open to the left and right from substantially the center thereof, and then the central portion. And is spread out towards each other to form exactly even intervals between all moving shelves. Therefore, after converging all moving shelves to one end of the rail,
The working time can be significantly shortened as compared with the case of spreading.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a spread state of an embodiment of a movable rack device according to the present invention. In this example, 6 mobile shelves
(1) is placed on the rail (3) so as to be movable left and right with the front direction facing between the fixed shelves (2a) and (2b) at the left and right ends.
(4) is a pantograph, which is between the fixed shelf (2a) and the moving shelf (1) adjacent thereto, and the moving shelf (1) adjacent to each other.
It is suspended between (1) and each movable shelf (1) from the fixed shelf (2a) side.
Power supply line that supplies power to the fixed shelf (2a) side and each mobile shelf
The transmission line for transmitting and receiving signals in (1) is provided.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the movable rack device in the spread state shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of a state in which one working passage is open, and FIG. 4 is a central working passage. Alternatively, it is a front view of a state where the central shelf space (25) is opened.

As shown in these figures, the fixed shelf (2a) is operated by an aisle opening instruction button (5), a continuous traveling instruction button (8), and a spreading instruction button (9) which is a spreading instruction means. It is located at a convenient height. Passage open instruction button (5)
Are also arranged on each mobile shelf (1). (6) is an entry detection sensor consisting of a photoelectric switch arranged on the front surface,
(7) is an object detecting bumper, (21) is a limit switch which is a convergence detecting means provided on the right side surface of the fixed shelf (2a) and each movable shelf (1), and (22) is a limit switch (21). ) Is a stopper for. Each limit switch (21) comes into contact with the stopper (22) facing it, so that each shelf (2a)
It is possible to detect that the right side surface of (1) is closed.

The passage opening instruction button (5) is a button for giving an instruction to open a desired space between shelves, and when this button is pressed, the space between shelves on the right side is opened. For example, in the state of FIG.
The passage opening instruction button (5) of the second movable rack (1) is operated to form a working passage on the right side thereof.

The entrance detection sensor (6) senses a person or an object approaching the moving rack (1) that is moving to close the moving rack (1) and makes an emergency stop of the moving rack (1). The object detection bumper (7), when there is something between the moving shelves (1) that is about to be closed, contacts the object and senses it, and the moving shelves (1) that are moving. It is a safety device for emergency stop.

Regarding the continuous running instruction button (8) and the spread instruction button (9), which are provided on the fixed shelf (2a) adjacent to the passage opening instruction button (5), refer to the description of FIG. 10 and subsequent figures. It will be described later.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the spread position detecting means (10) for detecting the spread position of the movable rack (1), which is a single movable rack (1).
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the frame of FIG. The spread position detecting means (10) includes a turntable (11) and a sensor (12). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the turntable (11) has a disc portion.
(13) and a cylindrical mounting portion (14) which is integral with this. The hollow portion of the mounting portion (14) is externally fitted to the shaft (15) and is fixed to it. Shaft (15) is a moving shelf
It is rotatably mounted on the frame of (1) and is rotated about the axis through a reduction gear by a reversible motor (19) for driving a moving rack which is also mounted on the frame. Disk part (13)
As shown in FIG. 7, a large number of holes (16) are formed in the periphery of the same on the same circumference. The holes (16) are all evenly spaced.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sensor (12) shown in FIG. 5, and this sensor (12) emits a pulse in accordance with passage or interruption of a light beam from the light emitting part (17) to the light receiving part (18). It is a photoelectric sensor that outputs, and the circumference part where the hole (16) of the disk part (13) of the above-mentioned rotating disk (11) exists is just located between the light emitting part (17) and the light receiving part (18). Thus, it is attached to the frame.

According to the spread position detecting means (10) having such a configuration, the light beam traveling from the light emitting portion (17) of the sensor (12) to the light receiving portion (18) is moved by the reversible motor (19) to move the shelves. In synchronization with the movement of (1), the hole (16) at the peripheral edge of the disk part (13) of the rotating disk (11) rotated by the shaft (15) rotating around the axis.
Pulses are output by passing light through and entering the light, or being shielded by the flat portion between the holes (16). It is clear that the number of this pulse is exactly proportional to the distance traveled by the mobile rack (1).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of the spread type movable rack device of the present invention. Passage open instruction button (5), continuous running instruction button (8), spread instruction button (9), spread position detecting means (10), reversible motor (19) and limit switch (21)
About the above. In this block diagram, a pulse counter (20) for counting the pulses from the spread position detection means (10),
Memory (23), calculator (28), motor controller (26), transmitter (2
4) and the receiving unit (27) are shown, which together with the limit switch (21) constitute the control means (29).

Next, an example of the initial setting of the number of pulses, which is the information for determining the spread stop position of each moving end (1), will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, when the continuous running instruction button (8) is pressed, step S
After shifting to 2, all the moving shelves (1) start moving to the right all at once, and all the moving shelves (1) are converged to the right end.

Then, in step S3, the leftmost movable rack (1) starts moving to the left. Simultaneously with the start of the movement, the process proceeds to step S4, and the pulse counter (20) starts counting the pulses output by the spread position detecting means (10) provided on the moving rack (1).

Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where the moving shelf (1) is moved by the limit switch (21) and the stopper (22).
It keeps moving until it comes into contact with and stops operating. In step S6, the limit switch (21) is actuated, and its signal is sent to the motor controller (26) via the receiver (27) and the calculator (28).
The power supply to the reversible motor (19) is cut off and the movable rack (1) is stopped. Simultaneously with the stop of the movable rack (1), the process proceeds to step S7, and the pulse counting by the pulse counter (20) ends.

In step S8, the pulse number thus obtained is divided by the interval number (moving rack number n + 1) registered in the memory (23) to obtain the basic pulse number required for moving by one interval. Then, in step S9, the basic pulse number is multiplied by the number of intervals determined by the spread position of each movable rack (1), and then the process proceeds to step S10, and the result obtained by this is sent from the transmission unit (24). Send each mobile shelf (1)
The memory (23) is stored as spread position information, and the initial setting ends.

Next, the operation of selectively opening the work passage will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the passage opening instruction button (5) has been operated. If it is determined that the passage opening instruction button (5) is pressed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the limit switch (21) in the OFF state. To detect.

Then, the process proceeds to step S13, and all the movable shelves (1) on the side of the limit switch (21) which are in the OFF state around the selected shelves to be opened are in the currently empty working passage direction. Start moving towards. If the entrance detection sensor 6 (step S14) or the object detection bumper 7 (step S15) detects any obstacle during this movement, the process proceeds to step 16 and the movable shelf (1) is stopped urgently. Approach detection sensor (6) or objective detection bumper
If (7) does not detect any obstacle, the movable rack (1) is judged to have detected the operation of the limit switch (21),
Continue to move (step S17). Limit switch (2
When it is determined that the operation of 1) is sensed, the movable rack (1) is stopped (step S18), and the passage opening formation is completed.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the spreading operation, that is, the operation of forming the movable shelves (1) and the movable shelves (1) and the fixed shelves (2a) and (2b) at equal intervals is described. ,
Next, a description will be given. In step S19 of FIG. 11, when it is determined that the spread instruction button (9), which is the spread instruction means, is pressed by the operation signal being emitted, the process proceeds to step S20 of FIG. 12, and the central shelf (25) The operating state of the limit switch (21) is determined to determine whether the central shelf space (25) is open. If the central shelf space (25) is open,
Immediately the process proceeds to step S24, but if the central shelf space (25) is closed, the process proceeds to step S21.

When the limit switch (21) in the OFF state is detected in step S21, all movable shelves on the side of the limit switch (21) in the OFF state are centered around the central rack (25) in step S22. (1) starts moving toward the currently vacant work passage. This movement is continued until it is determined that the limit switch (21) is activated (step S23). Limit switch (2
When it is determined that 1) has been activated, the movable rack (1) is stopped, the central rack space (25) is opened, and the left and right distributed convergence state is reached, and the spread preparation is completed (step S24).

Next, in step S25, the movable shelves (1), which are distributed and converged to the left and right, start moving toward the center. At the same time, the process proceeds to step S26, and the pulse counter (20) starts counting the pulses output from the spread position detecting means (10).

Until the arithmetic unit (29) determines that the number of pulses obtained by the pulse count started in this way and the number of pulses stored in the memory (23) of each mobile rack (1) match. The pulse counting is performed (step 27), and the motor control unit (26) sequentially shuts off the power supply to the reversible motor (19) from the moving rack (1) determined to match (step S28). ), The last moving shelf
When (1) is stopped, the operation of forming the movable shelves (1) at equal intervals is completed.

It should be noted that the number of movable shelves (1) is as shown in FIGS.
In the case where the number is even, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, but if this is an odd number, the central rack space (25) is completely the same in principle, but is offset to the right or left by one mobile rack.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the plurality of movable shelves are not converged on one side at a time, but are separated on the left and right sides from the center and are converged on both sides. The time required for
Furthermore, the spreading time can be shortened. Moreover, it is easy to operate, and it is possible to form even intervals between all movable shelves, simplify the control circuit, reduce troubles such as breakdowns, and achieve a very good spread-type movement. Shelf equipment can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the spread position detecting means is fixed to a shaft which is rotated by a reversible motor, and has a rotary disk having a large number of holes formed along the entire circumference of the rotary disk. If the peripheral portion is composed of a photoelectric sensor rotatably sandwiched between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, the moving distance of the movable rack can be determined very accurately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably detect that the plurality of movable shelves are separated from the center and are converged to the left and right, and to accurately determine the start position of the subsequent spreading movement. The accuracy of operation can be improved.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the convergence detecting means can be constituted by a simple limit switch, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a movable shelf of one embodiment of the present invention is spread.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where one work passage is opened.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state where the central racks are opened.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a frame of the movable shelf, showing an example of the spread position detecting means.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a turntable that constitutes the spread position detecting means.

7 is a front view of the turntable of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sensor forming a spread position detecting unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of initial setting of the number of pulses, which is information for determining the spread stop position of each movable rack.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when selectively opening a work passage.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a spreading operation of each movable rack.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Moving shelf (2a) (2b) Fixed shelf (3) Rail (4) Pantograph (5) Passage open instruction button (6) Approach detection sensor (7) Objective detection bumper (8) Continuous running instruction button (9) Spread instruction button (spread instruction means) (10) Spread position detection means (11) Rotating disc (12) Sensor (13) Disk part (14) Mounting part (15) Shaft (16) Hole (17) Light emitting part (18) Receiver (19) Reversible motor (20) Pulse counter (21) Limit switch (22) Stopper (23) Memory (24) Transmitter (25) Central shelf (26) Motor controller (27) Receiver (28) Computing unit (29) Control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of movable shelves movably installed on a rail are moved left and right by a reversible motor provided in each movable shelf, and a work passage is selectively formed in front of an arbitrary movable shelf. In the moving rack device configured to do so, there are spread instruction means arranged at a position where it is easy to operate, and spread means arranged on each moving shelf and detecting that the moving shelf has reached a predetermined spread position. According to a signal emitted from the spread instruction means, the plurality of movable shelves are moved so as to be converged on both side portions of the rail by dividing the movable shelves into left and right from substantially the center thereof, and after the convergence is completed, each movable shelf is A spread type movable rack device comprising: a control unit for controlling the movement of each movable rack so as to stop each movable rack by moving the movable rack toward the center and operating the spread position detecting unit. . 2. A spread disk position detecting means is fixed to a shaft rotated by a reversible motor for moving each movable rack, and a rotary disk having a large number of holes all around its peripheral edge, and a rotary disk of this rotary disk. The spreadable mobile shelf device according to claim 1, further comprising a photoelectric sensor having a peripheral portion rotatably sandwiched between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. 3. The control means includes a convergence detection means for detecting that all the movable shelves are divided into left and right from substantially the center thereof and converged on both side ends of the rail, and after the spread instruction means is operated, the convergence detection means. 3. The spreading type movable shelving device according to claim 1, wherein the spreading movement is started by operating the spreading type moving shelves. 4. Convergence detection means is provided on one side surface of each movable rack, and can detect that one side surface is closed by operating by contacting another movable rack opposite to the side surface. 4. A limit switch as set forth in claim 3,
The open type movable shelving device described.