JPH10120108A - Safety fence and automated storage and retrieval system in warehouse facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the preparation of a rack for controlling the cards and documents used for works performed around the safety fence. SOLUTION: A safety fence 11 is formed in U shape as viewed from the top side, and set up so that it covers the end part of a stacker crane traveling rail in an automated storage and retrieval system. Two fence bodies 12 and 13 which constitute the safety fence 11 are provided with a card rack 29 on their outer sides. Also rack number cards used to input rack number data by inserting them into a card inserting hole 16 of an operating panel 14 can be stored in the card rack 29. In addition, the fence body 12 is installed rotatably to a column 22 through a hinge 24 to use also as a door to enter the safety fence 11 for maintenance, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a safety fence and an automatic warehouse in a warehouse facility such as an automatic warehouse, for example, a warehouse facility installed to cover an end of a traveling rail of a stacker crane.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a safety fence has been installed at an end of a traveling rail on which a crane device for loading and unloading cargo in an automatic warehouse travels so as to cover the traveling rail. For example, Tokuho 7-5
Japanese Patent Publication No. 165 proposes a safety fence in a warehouse facility shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 6, in a passage 53 sandwiched between shelves 52 each having a large number of load storage spaces 51 in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, a loading / unloading device 55 movable along a fixed path 54 is arranged. The loading / unloading device 56 provided in the loading / unloading device 55 so as to be able to move up and down and to be able to move in and out in the horizontal direction allows the load W to be moved between the load storage space 51 of the shelf 52 and the load receiving table 57.
Is passed.

At the end of the fixed path 54, one end of the loading / unloading device 55 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so as to prevent a person or a forklift from coming into contact with the loading / unloading device 55 located at a position facing the loading tray 57. Thus, a safety fence 58 having a U-shape in plan view is installed. In the safety fence 58, the space between the opposing surfaces of the fence body 59 is formed to be narrower toward the end of the fixed path 54, so that the fence body 59 does not hinder the operability of a forklift or the like. In addition, safety fence 58
Was provided with an operation panel 60.

[0005]

The operation panel 60
Some of them include a reading device of a system for reading data such as a shelf number of a shelf to be subjected to a loading / unloading operation from a card (data card). In this case, a shelf or the like for managing cards for each shelf number is required. Conventionally, a card is managed by placing a card rack, for example, at a location away from the operation panel 60 so as not to hinder the running of a forklift or the like, and inserting the card rack into the card rack.

However, since the card rack is located away from the operation panel 60, every time a command is issued for loading and unloading, the card must be taken out of the card rack each time, and returned to the card rack again after the command. I had to go and it took time to move. Therefore, there is a problem that the work efficiency of the data input operation for the entry / exit command is poor. Further, even in a safety fence without the operation panel 60, it is necessary to separately prepare a rack and manage cards, documents, and the like necessary for work in the vicinity thereof.

Further, when an operator needs to enter the passage 53 for maintenance or the like, the door 61 provided on the safety fence 58 can be opened to enter the passage 53. . However, since the door 61 is provided in parallel with the operation panel 60 between one end of the two fences 59 where the distance between the two barriers 59 is reduced, there is a problem that the doorway of the door 61 is narrowed. For example, when bringing in relatively large devices and parts for use in maintenance or the like, the safety fence 58 has to be removed because the entrance is narrow.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to separately provide a rack for managing cards, documents, and the like used for work around a safety fence. An object of the present invention is to provide a safety fence and an automatic warehouse in a warehouse facility that does not need to be prepared. The second object is to secure a wide doorway for entering the safety fence. A third object is to enable a data card used for work on the operation panel to be managed near the operation panel.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, to cover an end of a traveling track line of a transfer apparatus for transferring a load in a warehouse facility. In a safety fence in a warehouse facility having a fence, at least one of the fences also serves as a card rack.

In order to achieve the second object, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the safety fence in the warehouse facility according to the first aspect, at least one of the fences is provided rotatably around one end. Have been.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the third object, in the safety fence according to the first or second aspect, the card rack is provided on an operation panel provided on the safety fence. And a data card for storing the data card in the read device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the safety fence according to any one of the first to third aspects, the safety fence is parallel along a longitudinal direction of the traveling track line or an end of the traveling track line. Two fences are arranged so that the distance between the two fences is reduced, and at least one of the two fences also serves as a card rack, and at least one is rotatably provided around one end. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic warehouse, the safety fence according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided with the traveling track line of a crane device as the transfer device. It is installed at the end.

(Operation) According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A safety fence is installed so as to cover the end of the traveling track line of the transfer device for transferring the load in the warehouse facility with a fence body. Since at least one of the fences constituting the safety fence also serves as a card rack, it is possible to store cards, documents, and the like used for work around the safety fence without preparing a separate rack.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fence provided rotatably around one end also serves as a door for entering the safety fence. The entrance is relatively wide.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a data card to be read by the reading device of the operation panel is stored in the card rack. Therefore, the data card used for the input operation on the operation panel can be managed near the operation panel, and the moving distance when the operator retrieves or returns the data card can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, of the two fences arranged parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the traveling track line or such that the distance between the two fence bodies decreases as the distance from the end of the traveling track line increases, At least one serves also as a card rack and at least one is provided rotatably around one end. Therefore, even if the operation panel is installed at a position almost facing the extension of the running track line, one of the two fences, which is not affected by the size, also serves as a card rack or rotates around one end. Therefore, it is easy to secure a large number of card racks to be accommodated, and it is easy to secure a wide doorway for entering the safety fence.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, in the automatic warehouse, the safety fence according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is installed at the end of the traveling rail of the transfer device. Therefore, the same operation as the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4 can be obtained.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 2, an automatic warehouse 1 as a warehouse facility includes a pair of frame shelves 2.
a, 2b are provided upright with the passage 3 interposed therebetween. Frame shelf 2
Reference numerals a and 2b each include a plurality of storage sections 4 formed by partitioning a plurality of sections in a continuous direction (up and down direction in the figure) and a step direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure). Passage 3
A traveling rail 5 as a traveling track line is laid in a straight line, and a stacker crane 6 as a transfer device and a crane device is provided so as to be able to travel on the traveling rail 5.

The stacker crane 6 includes an elevating carriage 8 that can move up and down along two masts 7 erected on a traveling platform 6a. A fork device 9 is mounted on the lifting carriage 8.
Is equipped. A receiving table 10 is arranged at a position adjacent to the frame shelves 2a and 2b. The stacker crane 6 travels along the traveling rail 5 and moves the elevating carriage 8 to a predetermined storage section 4 by elevating and lowering the fork device 9 in the lateral direction to load the cargo W with the storage section 4. By carrying in and out, the storage and retrieval work between the predetermined storage unit 3 and the receiving tray 8 is performed. Running rail 5
A safety fence 11 having a U-shape in plan view is installed at an end of the stacker crane 6 so as to cover an end of the traveling area of the stacker crane 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the safety fence 11 comprises two fences 1 opposed to each other in a state parallel to the traveling rail 5.
2 and 13 and an operation panel 14 and a fence plate 15 arranged in a row so as to connect one end side of the two fence bodies 12 and 13. The operation panel 14 and the fence plate 15 are fixed to the floor surface by fastening anchor bolts and nuts (both not shown).

The operation panel 14 is for inputting operation command data for instructing the stacker crane 6 to enter and exit the work, and the operation surface 14a constitutes a reading device in addition to various operation buttons. A card insertion slot 16 is provided. The input data for issuing a work command to the stacker crane 6 includes shelf number data of the storage unit 4 to be moved in and out, and work type data for specifying whether to store or unload. The input of the shelf number data is performed by reading a shelf number card 17 (shown in FIG. 1) as a data card inserted into the card insertion slot 16 by a reading device (not shown) built in the operation panel 14. Has become. Storage bin card 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a punch card having a plurality of perforations corresponding to the shelf number data at the end.

The work command data input from the operation panel 14 is transmitted to the crane controller 19 of the stacker crane 6 by optical communication via an optical communication device 18. When the crane controller 19 controls the driving of the traveling motor 20 and the lifting / lowering motor 21 (both are shown in FIG. 2) based on the work command data, the stacker crane 6 performs the prescribed commanded loading / unloading work.

On the other hand, the fences 12 and 13 are in a state where one ends are respectively supported by columns 22 and 23 fixed to the floor surface. The fence 13 is fixed to the floor, and the other fence 12 is connected to the support 22 by three hinges 24.
Is mounted so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane via a. One auxiliary roller 25 for assisting opening and closing (rotation) is attached to the bottom of the fence 12. The fence 12 is locked by magnetic force by inserting two locking plugs 26 into a locking mechanism 27.

The two fences 12, 13 are formed in substantially the same shape. A net 28 is stretched in the lower half, and a card rack 29 is formed in the upper half. A large number of support plates 30 are attached vertically and horizontally to the card rack 29 in a state where the support plates 30 are detachably locked in an oblique state that opens upward, and a large number of insertion portions 31 are formed by attaching the support plates 30. ing. The insertion section 31 accommodates a shelf number card 17 used for inputting the shelf number data.

Next, the operation of the safety fence 11 will be described. In a card rack 29 provided in the fences 12 and 13, a shelf number card 17 used for issuing a work command to the automatic warehouse 1 is inserted in a managed manner for each shelf number. When instructing the automatic warehouse 1 to perform a loading / unloading operation, the shelf number card 17 corresponding to the storage unit 4 to be loaded / unloaded is removed from the card rack 29 and inserted into the card insertion slot 16, and the shelf number data is sent to the reading device. Read. After use, the shelf number card 17 is returned to the original card rack 29.

Since the fences 12 and 13 also serve as the card rack 29, the operation panel 14 where the shelf number card 17 is used is provided in a place where the forklift does not hinder the traveling.
The storage bin card 17 can be stored in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, the number of movements for retrieving and returning the shelf number card 17 is smaller than before, and the work efficiency of the data input work is improved because the storage and retrieval work is commanded.

When it is necessary to enter the safety fence 11 for maintenance work or the like, the locking plug 26
Is removed to release the lock, and the fence body 12 also serving as a door is opened by rotating as shown by a chain line in FIG. Since the fence body 12 itself is a door that can be opened and closed in this way, a wide entrance for the worker to enter the safety fence 11 is secured. Therefore, for example, it is easy to carry in relatively large devices and components required for maintenance or the like.

Further, since the insertion portions 31 are arranged vertically and horizontally on the card rack 29, the shelf number cards 17 can be arranged and stored in association with the shelf numbers. It is easy to manage.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment,
The following effects can be obtained. (A) Since the card racks 29 are formed on the fences 12 and 13 to provide a card rack function, the shelf number cards 17 to be used at the time of the command of the loading / unloading operation are stored in the card racks 29, so that the shelf number cards 17 are provided. Can be managed in the immediate vicinity of the operation panel 14 where the device is used. Therefore, the number of times to retrieve the shelf number card 17 to read the shelf number data from the card insertion slot 16 of the operation panel 14 and to return the shelf number card 17 after use is small, and the work efficiency of data input work is small. Can be improved.

(B) The fence body 12 constituting the safety fence 11 is mounted so as to be rotatable around the support column 22, and the fence body 12 also functions as a door. It is possible to secure a wide entrance to enter.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may be embodied as follows, for example. (1) As shown in FIG. 3, the two fences 12 and 13 constituting the safety fence 11 are both provided rotatably around one end.
The two fences 12 and 13 may be configured to double as doors. According to this configuration, even if one of the fences 12, 13 is blocked by a load, a forklift, or the like and cannot be opened, the other fence on the opposite side can be opened to enter the safety fence 11. Can be.

(2) As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 14 and the fence plate 15 may be integrally formed as a door body 35 rotatable about one end. According to this configuration, even if the door 35 is opened, it is not necessary to obstruct a traveling passage of a forklift or the like.

(3) As shown in FIG. 5, two fences 1
Safety fences 3 of the type described in the prior art, in which the spaces 2 and 13 are arranged so that the distance between them becomes smaller toward the end of the running rail 5.
In 6, the fences 12 and 13 may be configured so as to be rotatable around one end. According to this configuration, the fence 1
The traveling path of a forklift or the like does not need to be obstructed much for the opening degrees of 2, 13.

(4) The card rack 29 may be formed on only one of the fences 12 and 13. Further, the fence body on which the card rack 29 is not formed may have a door function.

(5) In a safety fence provided with an operation panel without a built-in card reader (that is, card insertion slot 16),
It is good also as a structure which provided the card rack in the fence body which comprises a safety fence. In this case, cards, documents, and the like used for operations on the operation panel can be managed near the operation panel.
In addition, the card rack can be used according to the user's needs, and may be used for purposes other than card management. The size of the card rack insertion portion is not limited to the shelf number card. .

(6) A safety fence without an operation panel may be used. For example, in a configuration in which a safety fence with an operation panel is installed at one end of a traveling rail of an automatic warehouse and a safety fence without an operation panel is installed at the opposite end, The present invention can be applied to a safety fence. By providing a card rack on the fence even without an operation panel, it is possible to manage cards and documents used for work around this safety fence, and it is necessary to prepare a separate card rack. Disappears. Further, if the fence body is rotatable around one end, a wide entrance can be secured when entering the safety fence for maintenance or the like.

(7) The safety fence to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the one provided at the end of the traveling rail of the stacker crane 6. For example, the present invention may be applied to a safety fence installed to cover a traveling area of a cargo handling vehicle such as an unmanned trolley that conveys a load discharged by a stacker crane or a load for storage in an automatic warehouse to and from the automatic warehouse. It can also be applied. That is, the present invention can be widely applied to a safety fence for covering an end of a traveling area of a transfer device for transferring a load in a warehouse facility.

The inventions other than those described in the claims which can be grasped from the embodiment and the modified examples are listed below together with their effects. (A) The invention according to claim 1, comprising two fences arranged in parallel with each other along the longitudinal direction of the traveling track line, or arranged so that the distance becomes smaller as the distance from the end of the traveling track line increases, An operation panel for issuing a work command to the transfer device is provided on a fence arranged so as to be sandwiched between ends of the two fences, and the fence is integrated with the operation panel. At one end so as to be rotatable around one end. According to this configuration, even if the fence body is rotated around one end and opened,
It is unlikely to hinder the traveling of vehicles such as forklifts that are performing cargo handling work on warehouse equipment.

(B) Claims 1 to 4 and (a)
The warehouse facility according to any one of the above, is an automatic warehouse. According to this configuration, claims 1 to 4 and (a)
The same effect as the invention described in any one of the above is obtained.

(C) A fence provided with the card rack according to any one of (1) to (4) and (a) and (b). According to the safety fence manufactured with the fence body, the same effect as the first or third aspect of the invention can be obtained.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, at least one of the fences constituting the safety fence also serves as a card rack. There is no need to separately prepare a rack for storing cards, documents, and the like used for peripheral work.

According to the second and fifth aspects of the present invention, at least one of the fences is provided so as to be rotatable around one end and also serves as a door, so that it can enter the safety fence. Entrance can be secured relatively wide.

According to the third and fifth aspects of the present invention, the card rack is partitioned into a size that can store a data card to be read by the reading device provided on the operation panel provided on the safety fence. In addition, since the card rack can be used for data card management, it is possible to reduce the moving distance when an operator retrieves and returns the data card, and to improve the efficiency of data card input work. Can be.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the two fences are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the traveling track line or such that the distance between the two fences decreases as the distance from the end of the traveling rail increases. Since at least one of the bodies also serves as a card rack and at least one of the bodies can rotate around one end, even if the operation panel is installed at a position almost facing the extension of the traveling rail, the card rack can be accommodated. A relatively large number can be secured, and a relatively wide doorway for entering the safety fence can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a safety fence according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of an automatic warehouse.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another example of a safety fence.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another example of a safety fence different from FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another example of a safety fence different from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a conventional automatic warehouse.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional safety fence.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic warehouse as warehouse equipment, 5 ... Traveling rail as traveling track line, 6 ... Stacker crane as transfer device and crane device, 11 ... Safety fence, 12, 13 ... Fence body, 14 ... Operation panel, 16: Card insertion slot constituting a reading device; 17: shelf number card as a data card; 29 ...
Card rack, W ... load.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A safety fence in a warehouse facility provided with a fence body for covering an end of a traveling orbit line of a transfer device for transferring a load in a warehouse facility, wherein at least one of the fence bodies is a card. Safety fence in warehouse equipment that also serves as a rack. 2. The safety fence in a warehouse facility according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the fence bodies is provided rotatably around one end. 3. The card rack for storing a data card for causing a reader provided on an operation panel provided on the safety fence to read data,
The safety fence in the warehouse facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the safety fence is partitioned into a size capable of storing the data card. 4. A vehicle comprising two fences arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the traveling orbital line, or so as to be spaced apart from an end of the traveling orbital line. The safety fence in a warehouse facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one doubles as a card rack and at least one is rotatably provided around one end. 5. An automatic warehouse, wherein the safety fence according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is installed at an end of the traveling track line of a crane device serving as the transfer device.