US 12,103,409 B2
Article transport system
Fumio Funahashi, Komaki (JP); and Hiromichi Takaki, Komaki (JP)
Assigned to Daifuku Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed by Daifuku Co., Ltd., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,875.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-002843 (JP), filed on Jan. 12, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0219551 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. B60L 53/12 (2019.01); B60L 50/50 (2019.01); B65G 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC B60L 53/12 (2019.02) [B60L 50/50 (2019.02); B65G 35/00 (2013.01); B60L 2200/44 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An article transport system, comprising:
a plurality of transport bodies on each of which an article is placeable or each of which is configured to house the article;
a plurality of unmanned transport vehicles each configured to transport a transport body; and
a control unit configured to control the transport bodies and the unmanned transport vehicles, wherein each of the unmanned transport vehicles comprises:
a first electrical energy storage device;
a travel section configured to travel on electric power from the first electrical energy storage device;
a holding section configured to hold the transport body;
a first power receiving unit configured to receive electric power from an external power source and at least either charge the first electrical energy storage device or supply electric power to the travel section; and
a first power transmitting unit configured to transmit electric power of the first electrical energy storage device to an external component;
wherein each of the transport bodies comprises:
a second electrical energy storage device;
a second power receiving unit configured to receive electric power from an external power source including the first electrical energy storage device and charge the second electrical energy storage device; and
a second power transmitting unit configured to transmit electric power of the second electrical energy storage device to an external component, and
wherein the control unit is configured to selectively execute:
a first control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the second electrical energy storage device via the second power transmitting unit and the first power receiving unit and at least either charging the first electrical energy storage device or supplying electric power to the travel section; and
a second control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the first electrical energy storage device via the first power transmitting unit and the second power receiving unit and charging the second electrical energy storage device.