JP7167702B2 - Transfer system - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer system capable of placing an object on a placement section and taking it out from the placement section.

In cage carts equipped with swivel wheels (swivel casters), the rolling of the wheels provided on the swivel wheel (hereinafter, the rotation of the wheels around the horizontal axis (the rotation of the wheels around the axle) is generally referred to as "rolling". .The same in the scope of claims) is provided, but the brakes that stop the turning of the wheels around the vertical axis (hereinafter, the rotation of the wheels around the vertical axis is referred to as "turning"; the same in the scope of claims) does not exist, so it is less stable.

Patent Literature 1 describes a technique for restricting the wheels from turning during the transfer of the cage truck by providing wheel guides that contact the wheels of the free wheel when the cage truck is transferred while floating. Further, the wheel guide is provided with a notch so that the wheel guide and the wheel shaft do not interfere with each other when the floated cage truck is placed on the placement part.

JP 2016-37334 A

However, the inventor found that when the wheel of the universal wheel reaches the notch of the wheel guide and the restriction of the wheel guide does not reach the wheel, the wheel turns and the end of the notch interferes with the wheel. rice field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above knowledge, and an object thereof is to provide a transfer system capable of restricting the turning of the wheels even when the restriction of the wheel guides cannot be reached at the notch.

In order to achieve the above object, a transfer system according to one aspect of the present invention has a mounting surface section on which an object is mounted, which has a main body and a swivel wheel having wheels attached to the lower part of the main body. The movable wheel is lifted from a mounting surface, which is a horizontal plane including the mounting portion and the mounting surface portion, and the object is transferred between the mounting portion and the mounting portion in a state in which the swivel wheel is free to turn. and a mounting device provided on the mounting portion and having a height higher than a lifting height, which is the distance between the mounting surface and the wheel of the universal wheel when the object is transferred, and a wheel guide arranged in a lateral direction of the placement surface portion in a width direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction in a horizontal plane, and extending along the transfer direction of the object; a notch portion provided in the notch portion corresponding to a region through which the shaft of the radial bearing of the universal wheel passes when the object is placed on the mounting surface portion; When the object passes through the notch in the transfer direction, the wheels of the free wheel are restricted from turning, and when the object descends and is placed on the placement surface portion, the and an auxiliary member that does not hinder the descent of the object due to its flexibility in the vertical direction when it hits the free wheel.

As a result, the auxiliary member restricts the turning of the wheel positioned in the notch, so that the wheel can be prevented from interfering with the edge of the notch. In addition, when the object descends, the auxiliary member can arrange the shaft inside the notch without interfering with the descent of the free wheel including the shaft.

At least part of the auxiliary member may be arranged on the side through which the wheel passes from the wheel guide. Further, the height of the auxiliary member is higher than the lifting height, which is the distance between the mounting surface and the wheel of the universal wheel when transferring the object, and is preferably equal to or less than the height of the wheel guide. . According to this, it is possible to more reliably prevent the wheel from interfering with the end of the notch.

The auxiliary member includes a contact member that comes into contact with the shaft of the wheel of the free wheel when the object descends and is placed on the placement surface portion, and the shaft that comes into contact causes the contact member to move. and an elastic member that allows the contact member to move and returns the contact member to its original position as the shaft rises.

According to this, even when the wheel is positioned in the notch, the abutting member restricts the turning of the wheel, thereby more reliably avoiding interference between the wheel and the end of the notch. Further, since the contact member is supported by the elastic member, the contact member does not become an obstacle when the free wheel is lowered or raised.

The contact member may be arranged in a state of extending from one end of the notch to the other end in the transfer direction.

According to this, even if the wheel exists in any position of the notch in the transfer direction during transfer, the contact member can restrict the turning of the wheel. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems due to interference between the contact member and the wheel.

The abutment member and the elastic member may be formed by a series of wire-like members. According to this, the contact member can be easily formed.

In addition, the elastic members are arranged in an upright manner at both ends of the notch in the conveying direction, the abutment member connects the upper end of the elastic member in a bridge manner, and the elastic member has a helical shape. structural deformations.

Further, a fixture may be provided for hooking and holding the auxiliary member, which is a wire-like member, using the elastic force of the elastic member.

The auxiliary member may include a brush member that is provided in the notch and protrudes into an area through which the wheel of the free wheel guided by the wheel guide passes.

According to this, the brush member acts on the wheel entering the notch or escaping from the notch to adjust the direction of the wheel, and the wheel can be prevented from interfering with the end of the notch. In addition, the flexibility of the brush member prevents the brush from becoming an obstacle when the swivel wheel moves up and down.

A pair of the brush members may be arranged at the end of the notch in the transfer direction.

According to the present invention, even when the wheel is positioned in the notch, the auxiliary member restricts the turning of the wheel and prevents the wheel from interfering with the edge of the notch.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing part of an automated warehouse equipped with a transfer system. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing part of the automated warehouse from above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the object from below. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a universal wheel. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the relationship between a part of the placement section and the transfer device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a placement section that holds an object. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary member with one of the wheel guides in a transparent state. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the vicinity of the swivel wheel in the process of transferring the object. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of arrangement of wheel guides and auxiliary members. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a brush member that is another example of the auxiliary member. 11A and 11B are plan views showing the action of the brush member step by step. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a first alternative example of the auxiliary member. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a second alternative example of the auxiliary member. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a third alternative example of the auxiliary member.

Next, an embodiment of a transfer system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment merely shows an example of the transfer system according to the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the language of the claims with reference to the following embodiments, and is not limited only to the following embodiments. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, the constituent elements not described in the independent claims representing the top concept of the present invention are not necessarily required to achieve the object of the present invention, but are more It is described as constituting a preferred form.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing part of an automated warehouse equipped with a transfer system. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing part of the automated warehouse from above.

As shown in these figures, the automated warehouse 100 is a device capable of automatically storing the objects 200 that have been brought in, and automatically unloading the stored objects 200. It is composed of a transfer system including a unit 101 and a transfer device 124 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an object from below.

As shown in these figures, the target object 200 has a main body 201 and a swivel wheel 202 attached to the lower part of the main body 201 and is an object to be placed on the placing section 101 . In the case of this embodiment, the target object 200 is what is called a cage cart. Note that the object 200 does not only mean an empty basket truck, but also a combination of the basket truck and the luggage accommodated in the basket truck. Specifically, the basket trolley, which is the target object 200, has a net-like member erected from the periphery of a rectangular base. In the case of this embodiment, the object 200 has a universal wheel 202 attached to each of the four lower corners of a rectangular main body 201 .

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the universal wheel 202. FIG.

The swivel wheel 202 is a so-called swivel caster, and includes wheels 221 , radial bearings 222 and thrust bearings 223 . A radial bearing 222 is attached to the main body 201 via a thrust bearing 223 , and a wheel 221 is attached to the radial bearing 222 . Therefore, the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 rolls (θ1) on the mounting surface F around the rolling axis H, and rotates (θ2 )can do.

More specifically, the universal wheel 202 is arranged such that the turning shaft V, which is the rotating shaft of the thrust bearing 223, and the rolling shaft H, which is the rotating shaft of the radial bearing 222, are separated from each other (eccentricity). The contact portion between the wheel 221 and the mounting surface F varies within the range of the distance D depending on the direction of .

In the case of this embodiment, the universal wheel 202 has rolling stoppers 224 capable of restricting rolling of the wheels 221 .

The transfer device 124 is a device capable of transferring the object 200 to and from the placement section 101 . In the case of this embodiment, the transfer device 124 is a device capable of transporting the object 200 along the placement section 101, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the transfer device 124 includes a carriage 121 that moves in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) along the placement section 101, and a carriage 121 that extends in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction in the figure) and is attached to the carriage 121. A mast 122 that moves in the horizontal direction together with a carriage 121 , an elevating table 123 that moves up and down along the mast 122 , and a transfer that transfers an object 200 between a transfer device 124 and the placement section 101 . and a mounting device 124 .

In the case of this embodiment, the transfer device 124 provided in the transfer device 124 moves the object 200 lifted up until the wheel 221 of the flexible wheel 202 is lifted, that is, the wheel 221 is lifted up. It has a so-called slide fork that can be moved towards the

Note that the transfer device 124 included in the transfer device 124 is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that transports the object 200 in a lifted state.

The transfer device 124 also includes wheel turning means (not shown) for turning the wheels 221 to determine the position of the wheels 221 with respect to the turning axis V of the thrust bearings 223 (hereinafter referred to as "turning state of the wheels 221"). and a second wheel guide that maintains the turning state of the wheels 221 determined by the wheel turning means when the object 200 is transferred from the transfer device 124 to the placement unit 101. .

FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the relationship between a portion of the placement section and the transfer device.

The mounting section 101 is equipment for mounting and holding the target object 200 on the mounting surface section 111 . In addition, when the object 200 is lifted from the mounting surface F, which is a horizontal plane that virtually extends including the mounting surface portion 111, and is transferred between the transfer device 124, the mounting surface F and the swivel wheel A direction perpendicular to the transfer direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) in the horizontal plane, with a height higher than the lifting height R, which is the distance from the lowest part of the wheel 221 of 202, with respect to the mounting surface F. is a side of the mounting surface portion 111 in the width direction (the Y direction in the figure), is arranged in a state of being extended along the transfer direction of the object 200, and is a wheel that restricts turning of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 A guide 112 is provided in the transfer system.

In the case of this embodiment, the mounting portion 101 includes a plurality of mounting surface portions 111 in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction in the drawing) and the horizontal direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing). is equipped with a wheel guide 112, so that the object 200 can be placed in a stable state.

1 and 2, etc., only a part of the wheel guides 112 is shown, and other wheel guides 112 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, two placement units 101 are arranged so as to sandwich one transfer device 124 in the transfer direction (the X-axis direction in the figure). A wheel guide 112 is provided. Note that the transfer device 124 can transfer the object 200 in a lifted state to any of the placement units 101 arranged on both sides. Also, the automated warehouse 100 may include a plurality of transfer devices 124 and a plurality of placement units 101 corresponding thereto.

Further, the mounting surface F is virtually set corresponding to each mounting surface portion 111 provided on the mounting portion 101 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing one unit of a placement section on which one object is placed.

As shown in the figure, the wheel guide 112 is a plate-like member erected along the transfer direction on the mounting surface portion 111, and the height T of the wheel guide 112 is the height at which the object 200 is lifted. It is set higher than R. In the case of this embodiment, the two wheel guides 112 are arranged parallel or substantially parallel, and form a groove together with the mounting surface portion 111 . The width of the groove is set slightly wider than the width of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 in the direction of the rolling axis, and is set to such a width that the wheel 221 cannot freely turn. Therefore, while the transfer device 124 is transferring the object 200 with the wheels 221 of the object 200 inserted into the two wheel guides 112 arranged opposite to each other, the wheels 221 do not turn to a predetermined value. direction (transfer direction).

Further, the wheel guide 112 is cut out corresponding to a region through which the radial bearing 222 of the free wheel 202 passes vertically when the object 200 is placed on the placing surface portion 111 or lifted. A notch 113 is provided.

Further, the wheel guide 112 is provided with a tapered portion 119 having a surface inclined so as to gradually move away from the area through which the wheel 221 passes as it moves toward the transfer device 124 side at its tip portion on the transfer device 124 side. Accordingly, when the object 200 is transferred from the transfer device 124 to the placement unit 101, the wheels 221 of the free wheel 202 can be moved along the tapered portion 119 regardless of which direction the wheels 221 are facing. It becomes possible to adjust the wheels 221 along the transfer direction.

Note that the mounting portion 101 may further include a stopper. The stopper has a height lower than the lifting height R at which the object 200 is lifted by the transfer device 124, and is arranged in front and rear of the mounting surface portion 111 in the transfer direction (the X-axis direction in the figure), It is a member for restricting movement of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 mounted on the mounting surface portion 111 of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 .

Note that the distance between the stoppers arranged in front and behind the mounting surface portion 111 is determined based on the size of the wheel 221 when the turning state of the wheel 221 is constant. When the turning state of the wheels 221 is not constant, the distance D is set to be longer than the distance D, which is twice the distance between the turning axis V (see FIG. 4) of the wheels 221 of the free wheel 202 and the rolling axis H of the wheels 221. ing. As a result, even if the rolling axis H is positioned in any direction in the transfer direction with respect to the turning axis V, movement of the object 200 placed on the placement unit 101 in the transfer direction is suppressed. It is possible to prevent the target object 200 from dropping from the mounting section 101 . Moreover, the stopper may be provided for each of the plurality of wheels 221 or may be provided for one wheel 221 .

In the case of this embodiment, the mounting portion 101 has a mounting surface portion 111 and a wheel guide 112 at a position corresponding to the swivel wheel 202 arranged on one side in the width direction of the main body 201, and a wheel guide 112 on the other side. A second mounting surface portion 118 is provided.

The second mounting surface portion 118 has a planar shape having a size equal to or larger than the distance D of the wheel 221 . According to this, turning of the universal wheel 202 mounted on the relevant portion is not restricted, and it is possible to cope with any direction in which the wheels 221 face. Note that this description does not deny the provision of the wheel guide 112 on the other side. Also, the second placement surface portion 118 may be circular with a diameter equal to or greater than the distance D of the wheel 221 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an auxiliary member with one of the wheel guides in a transparent state. As shown in the figure, the auxiliary member 130 is provided in the notch portion 113, and when the object 200 passes through the notch portion 113 in the transfer direction, the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 is restricted from turning. When the object 200 descends and is placed on the placement surface portion 111, if it hits the shaft of the radial bearing 222 of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202, the downward flexibility of the object 200 does not hinder the descent of the object 200. It is a member.

In the case of this embodiment, the auxiliary member 130 is arranged on the side through which the wheel 221 passes by the wheel guide 112 . The two wheel guides 112 are arranged in parallel, and the two auxiliary members 130 are arranged in contact with the inner surfaces of the two wheel guides 112 respectively. In addition, the height of the auxiliary member 130 from the mounting surface portion 111 is higher than the lifting height, which is the distance between the mounting surface and the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 when the object 200 is transferred. height is set below.

In the case of the present embodiment, the auxiliary member 130 contacts the radial bearing 222 forming the shaft of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 when the object 200 descends and is placed on the placement surface portion 111 . A contact member 131 and an elastic member 132 that allows the contact member 131 to move downward due to the contacting radial bearing 222 and returns the contact member 131 to its original position as the radial bearing 222 rises. . Moreover, the contact member 131 and the elastic member 132 are formed in series by bending a wire-like member, and the boundary between the contact member 131 and the elastic member 132 is not clear. Furthermore, since the contact member 131 also has elasticity, it may play a part of the function of deforming when the radial bearing 222 descends and restoring its shape as the radial bearing 222 ascends. The two auxiliary members 130 arranged on the sides of the two wheel guides 112 arranged opposite to each other through which the wheel 221 passes may be formed in series by bending one wire-like member. , may be formed separately. In this way, by forming the auxiliary member 130 in series using a single wire-like member, the auxiliary member 130 can be easily formed with a small number of parts.

The abutment member 131 is a member extending in the transfer direction, and is arranged in a state extending from one end of the notch 113 to the other end in the transfer direction. This eliminates the gap between the wheel guide 112 and the contact member 131 in the transfer direction, thereby preventing the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 from getting stuck in the gap between the wheel guide 112 and the contact member 131. can.

The elastic member 132 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the contact member 131 in the transfer direction. Thereby, when the contact member 131 is pressed downward by the radial bearing 222, the contact member 131 can descend in parallel.

In the case of this embodiment, the auxiliary member 130 is fixed by a fixture 133 attached to the placement surface portion 111 . Specifically, the two mounting fixtures 133 are arranged side by side in the transfer direction, and the auxiliary member 130 receives a force that spreads in the transfer direction due to its elastic force. A member 130 is attached. By adopting this structure, the auxiliary member 130 can be easily attached and removed easily.

Next, a method for transferring the object 200 using the automatic warehouse 100 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the vicinity of the swivel wheel in the process of transferring the object.

First, as shown on the right side of (1) in the drawing, the object 200 is lifted from the mounting surface F by a lifting height R (lifting step). The object 200 may be lifted by the lifting table 123 of the transfer device 124, or the transfer device 124 may have a lifting structure to lift the object 200. FIG.

Next, the transfer device 124 of the transfer device 124 transfers the object 200 toward the placement section 101 while the flexible wheel 202 is lifted (transfer step).

In the case of the present embodiment, as shown on the right side of (2) in the figure, during the transfer process, the swivel wheel 202 having a height higher than the lifting height R and in a lifted state The upper end portion of the thrust bearing 223 is located at a position lower than the lower end portion of the thrust bearing 223, is lateral to the mounting surface portion 111 in the width direction (the Y direction in the drawing), and extends along the transfer direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing). The side surface of the wheel guide 112 and the side surface of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 come into contact with each other, and the direction of the wheel 221 is corrected so as to face the transfer direction.

In the case of this embodiment, since the wheel guide 112 has a tapered portion 119 (not shown in FIG. 8) that widens toward the transfer device 124 side, the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 is oriented perpendicular to the transfer direction. To gradually correct the orientation of the wheels 221 in the transfer direction when the object 200 is transferred to the placement section 101 even if the wheels 221 are turning due to vibration or the like during transfer. becomes possible.

Next, as shown on the right side of (3) in the drawing, the object 200 is transferred onto the wheel guide 112 while sliding the side surface of the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 until the universal wheel 202 is positioned in the notch 113. move in the direction At this time, the wheels 221 approaching the cutouts 113 interfere with the ends of the cutouts 113 because turning is restricted by the abutment member 131 of the auxiliary member 130 arranged on the side through which the wheels 221 pass. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects.

Since the height of the stopper is set lower than the lifting height R, the wheels 221 do not interfere with the stopper during the movement.

Next, as shown on the right side of (4) in the drawing, the object 200 is lowered (in the Z-axis direction in the drawing). At this time, while the radial bearing 222 pushes down the contact member 131 , the entire auxiliary member 130 including the elastic member 132 is deformed, and the wheel 221 is mounted on the mounting surface portion 111 .

As described above, it is possible to transfer the object 200 from the transfer device 124 to the placement unit 101 and place the object 200 on the placement unit 101 . Further, when the object 200 is transferred from the placement unit 101 to the transfer device 124, the object 200 is lifted by the height R. The contact member 131 of the auxiliary member 130 is restored to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 132 . Therefore, when the object 200 is moved in the transfer direction, the contact member 131 restricts the turning of the wheel 221, and the object 200 is transferred without the wheel 221 interfering with the end of the notch 113. be able to.

According to the automated warehouse 100 and the transfer method described above, when the object 200 is transferred from the transfer device 124 to the placement unit 101, the direction of the wheel 221 of the flexible wheel 202 is adjusted by the wheel guide 112 and the auxiliary wheel guide 112. It can be corrected in the transfer direction by the contact member 131 of the member 130 .

In addition, even when the object 200 is placed on the placement unit 101, the wheel guides 112 restrict the turning of the wheels 221, so that the object 200 in the placed state is prevented from swinging due to vibration or the like. becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to secure a stable mounting state of the object 200 .

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, another embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements described in this specification or omitting some of the constituent elements may be an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention also includes modifications obtained by making various modifications to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the gist of the present invention, that is, the meaning of the words described in the claims, which a person skilled in the art can think of. be

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the wheel guide 112 may restrict turning of all the wheels 221 of the universal wheel 202 of the object 200 . Specifically, the wheel guide 112 for regulating the wheel 221 provided at one end in the width direction of the main body 201 of the object 200 and the wheel guide 112 for regulating the wheel 221 provided at the other end are provided. They should be placed in corresponding positions.

Also, the auxiliary member 130 is not limited to being formed of a wire-like member. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the auxiliary member 130 is provided at the end of the notch 113 in the transfer direction (the X-axis direction in the drawing) so that the wheel 221 of the universal wheel 202 guided by the wheel guide 112 passes through. A brush member 134 may be provided that protrudes into the region. In the modification shown in FIG. 10, brush members 134 are arranged at both ends of the notch 113 in the transfer direction. Brush members 134 are arranged on both sides of the two wheel guides 112 arranged in parallel. The brush member 134 is fixed by a second fixture 135 .

By providing the brush member 134 in the auxiliary member 130, the following effects are achieved. That is, when the object 200 is transferred to the mounting section 101 with the flexible wheel 202 floating, the wheel 221 enters the position corresponding to the notch 113 as shown in FIG. 11(a). At , the brush member 134 bends in the transfer direction due to its own flexibility and comes into contact with the side surface of the wheel 221 to restrict turning. Also, since the brush members 134 abut on the side surfaces of the wheels 221 from both sides in the width direction (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), the wheels 221 are oriented parallel to the wheel guides 112 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the wheel 221 moves further to the corresponding portion of the notch 113, the brush member 134 crosses the radial bearing 222 and contacts the side surface of the wheel 221 on the opposite side. At this stage as well, the brush member 134 restricts the turning of the wheel 221 .

Next, as shown in (c) of FIG. 11, when the object 200 moves to a predetermined position in a floating state, the brush members arranged on both sides of the notch 113 in the X-axis direction in the drawing are removed. 134 abut on both sides of the wheel 221 to restrict the turning of the wheel 221 . Next, when the object 200 is lowered to place the object 200, the brush member 134 bends in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction in the figure) due to its own flexibility, allowing the effect of the wheels 221 and causing the wheels 221 to move due to vibration or the like. Keep control of your turns.

When the object 200 is transferred from the placement section 101 to the transfer device 124, the steps are reversed, but the brush member 134 exerts the same effect as described above and restricts the turning of the wheels 221. do.

Also, the brush members 134 may be provided so as to cover the entire notch 113 instead of being provided at both ends of the notch 113 in the transfer direction.

12, the auxiliary member 130 includes a contact member 131 having rigidity comparable to that of the wheel guide 112, and a guide member for guiding movement of the contact member 131 in the vertical direction along the notch 113. 136 and an elastic member 132 such as a coil spring.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the auxiliary member 130 may have a plurality of contact members 131 and a plurality of elastic members 132 in the transfer direction.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the auxiliary member 130 may be provided with a structurally deforming portion 137 that spirally bends the middle of the elastic member 132 made of a wire-like member and adjusts and controls the deformation of the elastic member 132 according to the structure. I do not care. Structural deforming portions 137 may be provided on the elastic members 132 that support the contact members 131 at both ends. The arrangement of the structural deformation portion 137 is not particularly limited, and may be inside or outside. When the structurally deforming portion 137 is located on the outside, the external force when the swivel wheel 202 contacts the contact member 131 is less likely to act outwardly of the auxiliary member 130 in the conveying direction than when the structurally deforming portion 137 is located on the inside. The contact member 131 can easily move downward. Also, the contact member 131 can easily be restored to its original position. This is because, due to the characteristics of the spring, it is difficult to deform in the winding direction of the spring, and it is easy to deform in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the spring.

Also, the contact member 131 may be provided in a bridge-like manner between the two elastic members 132 . Also, the structural deformation portion 137 may be provided on the contact member 131 provided between the two elastic members 132 .

Further, the auxiliary member 130 may be constructed by combining not only the wire-like member and the brush member 134, but also various mechanical elements such as a link mechanism and a gear mechanism. In the case of the link mechanism, a structure in which one end side of the contact member 131 is fixed and the other end side is slidable can be exemplified.

Also, the auxiliary member 130 may be formed of a member having flexibility and resilience, such as sponge.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in automated warehouses and the like that store objects equipped with flexible wheels such as cage carts.

100 Automated warehouse 101 Mounting unit 111 Mounting surface unit 112 Wheel guide 113 Notch 118 Second mounting surface unit 119 Taper unit 121 Cart 122 Mast 123 Lifting table 124 Transfer device 130 Auxiliary member 131 Contact member 132 Elastic member 133 Attachment 134 brush member 135 second fixture 136 guide member 200 object 201 main body 202 universal wheel 221 wheel 222 radial bearing 223 thrust bearing 224 rolling stopper

Claims (10)

a mounting portion having a mounting surface portion on which an object is mounted, the mounting portion having a main body and a universal wheel having wheels attached to the lower portion of the main body;
a transfer device for transferring the object to and from the mounting portion in a state in which the movable wheel is lifted from a mounting surface that is a horizontal plane including the mounting surface portion and the movable wheel is free to turn;
a height higher than a lifting height, which is a distance between the mounting surface and the wheel of the universal wheel when the object is transferred, and is provided on the mounting portion; a wheel guide arranged laterally of the placement surface portion in the width direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the direction in a horizontal plane, and extending along the transfer direction of the object;
a notch provided in the wheel guide corresponding to a region through which the shaft of the radial bearing of the universal wheel passes when the object is placed on the placement surface;
When the object passes through the notch in the transfer direction, the wheel of the free wheel is restricted from turning, and the object descends to reach the mounting surface. A transfer system comprising an auxiliary member that does not interfere with the descent of the object due to its flexibility in the vertical direction when it hits the swivel wheel when being placed. 2. The transfer system according to claim 1, wherein at least part of said auxiliary member is arranged on a side through which said wheel passes from said wheel guide. 3. The height of the auxiliary member is higher than a lifting height, which is a distance between the mounting surface and the wheel of the universal wheel when transferring the object, and is equal to or less than the height of the wheel guide. 3. The transfer system according to 1 or 2. The auxiliary member is
a contact member that contacts the shaft of the wheel of the free wheel when the object descends and is placed on the placement surface;
4. An elastic member that allows the abutment member to move by the abutted shaft, and returns the abutment member to its original position based on the rise of the shaft. The transfer system described in . The contact member is
5. The transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the transfer system is arranged in a state in which the notch extends from one end to the other end in the transfer direction. 6. The transfer system according to claim 4, wherein said contact member and said elastic member are formed by a series of wire-like members. The elastic members are arranged upright at both ends of the notch in the conveying direction,
The contact member connects the upper ends of the elastic members in a bridge-like manner,
7. The transfer system according to claim 6, wherein each of said elastic members has a helical structural deformation portion provided on the outer side in the conveying direction. 8. The transfer system according to claim 6, further comprising a fixture for hooking and holding said auxiliary member, which is a wire-like member, using the elastic force of said elastic member. The auxiliary member is
4. The transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a brush member provided in said notch portion and protruding into an area through which said wheel of said universal wheel guided by said wheel guide passes. 10. The transfer system according to claim 9, wherein a pair of said brush members are arranged at the ends of said notch in the transfer direction.

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