US 11,873,165 B2
Article transport apparatus
Kunihiro Tsukamoto, Hinocho (JP)
Assigned to Daifuku Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed by Daifuku Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jan. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/160,935.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-015527 (JP), filed on Jan. 31, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0237976 A1, Aug. 5, 2021
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 1/1375 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article transport apparatus comprising a transfer apparatus that moves an article in a transfer direction, and a movement apparatus that moves the transfer apparatus along a transport path, wherein:
a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction when viewed in a vertical direction is defined as a width direction,
the transfer apparatus is provided with a first protruding/retracting unit capable of protruding/retracting in the transfer direction, and a second protruding/retracting unit capable of protruding/retracting in the transfer direction and installed in a state spaced apart from the first protruding/retracting unit in the direction,
the transfer apparatus further comprises a first drive unit that moves the first protruding/retracting unit in the width direction, and a second drive unit that moves the second protruding/retracting unit in the width direction,
the first drive unit is provided with a first connection unit connected to the first protruding/retracting unit, a swing mechanism that swings the first connection unit around a prescribed axis, and a first drive mechanism that drives the swing mechanism, the first drive unit configured to move the first protruding/retracting unit in the width direction within a first setting range by swinging the first connection unit,
the second drive unit is provided with a second connection unit connected to the second protruding/retracting unit, a reciprocating movement mechanism that moves the second connection unit in a reciprocating manner along a prescribed path in the width direction, and a second drive mechanism that drives the reciprocating movement mechanism, the second drive unit configured to move the second protruding/retracting unit in the width direction within a second setting range wider than the first setting range by moving the second connection unit back and forth in the prescribed path,
the swing mechanism is provided with a swinging body supported so as to be capable of swinging around the prescribed axis, and
the first connection unit is provided with a first connection body provided at a position away from the prescribed axis in the swinging body, and a guide unit that is provided in the first protruding/retracting unit and slidably guides the first connection body in a direction that intersects the width direction.