Abstract: A wireless power transmitting apparatus is provided with: a power transmitting circuit for transmitting power for a load device to a wireless power receiving apparatus; a signal transmitting circuit for transmitting a control signal for the load device to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a signal receiving circuit for obtaining an estimated received power level indicating a level of the power transmitted from the wireless power transmitting apparatus and received by the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a control circuit. The control circuit periodically allocates time slots to wireless power receiving apparatuses for wireless power transmission. When the received power level is smaller than a threshold in a first time slot allocated to one wireless power receiving apparatus, the control circuit extends a second time slot allocated to the one wireless power receiving apparatus, the second time slot preceding or following the first time slot.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a power supply antenna, a directivity control unit, a position information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The power supply antenna emits, to a plurality of power reception apparatuses, a radio wave that is based on a power supply signal. The directivity control unit controls directivity of the power supply antenna. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information indicating a position of a moving obstruction. The control unit determines, based on the position information, a power reception apparatus, among the plurality of power reception apparatuses, to which power is supplied while avoiding the obstruction. The control unit controls the directivity control unit to steer the radio wave toward the determined power reception apparatus.

Abstract: A low cost automated warehouse that enables a plurality of types of stacker cranes to travel and support articles with different weights is provided. The warehouse includes a rack with multiple levels of shelves, a track along the rack at a position higher than the multiple levels of shelves, and a first and second suspension type stacker crane. The first suspension type stacker crane includes a plurality of driving trucks arranged in a traveling direction, a mast extending in the vertical direction, and a first transfer device suspended in a liftable manner. The second suspension type stacker crane includes a plurality of driving trucks whose number is smaller than the number of the driving trucks of the first suspension type stacker crane, arranged in the traveling direction, a mast extending in the vertical direction, and a second transfer device suspended in a liftable manner.

Abstract: A compact and high capacity sorting system includes a transportation vehicle travelling along a travelling route where the transportation vehicle may diverge and merge, and raising and lowering a transfer device; racks provided along the travelling route and having a height corresponding to multiple floors; an arrival area, a shipment area, and a sorting area, each provided along an outer periphery of the travelling route; and a controller controlling the transportation vehicle to transport commodities from the arrival area to the sorting area via the racks, and transport commodities from the sorting area to the shipment area.

Abstract: In a picking system, commodities are efficiently transported to a picking area and a shipment area by one type of transportation vehicle travelling along a travelling route including a diverging section and a merging section. The picking system is provided with a transportation vehicle, racks, picking units, the shipment area, and a controller configured and programmed to control the transportation vehicle. The picking units are provided with a carrying-in station to which the transportation vehicle transports a container and a carrying-out station from which the transportation vehicle transports the container and the picked commodities. The transportation vehicle transports a container containing ordered commodities from the racks to a carrying-in station, the picked commodities to the shipment area, and a container after picking the commodities to the racks.

Abstract: A suspension stacker crane includes an upper truck frame, a pair of mast units, a transferring device, and an upper base. The upper truck frame includes driving trucks arranged side by side in a travelling direction, and a bogie structure that couples the driving trucks. Each of the pair of mast units is suspended from the bogie structure, and includes a lifting drive motor and a lifting drive transmission. The pair of mast units is arranged side by side in the travelling direction. The transferring device is driven to be lifted or lowered by the lifting drive motor and the lifting drive transmission. The upper base links the pair of mast units.

Abstract: A low cost automated warehouse that enables a plurality of types of stacker cranes to travel and support articles with different weights is provided. The warehouse includes a rack with multiple levels of shelves, a track along the rack at a position higher than the multiple levels of shelves, and a first and second suspension type stacker crane. The first suspension type stacker crane includes a plurality of driving trucks arranged in a traveling direction, a mast extending in the vertical direction, and a first transfer device suspended in a liftable manner. The second suspension type stacker crane includes a plurality of driving trucks whose number is smaller than the number of the driving trucks of the first suspension type stacker crane, arranged in the traveling direction, a mast extending in the vertical direction, and a second transfer device suspended in a liftable manner.

Abstract: A suspension stacker crane includes an upper truck frame, a pair of mast units, a transferring device, and an upper base. The upper truck frame includes driving trucks arranged side by side in a travelling direction, and a bogie structure that couples the driving trucks. Each of the pair of mast units is suspended from the bogie structure, and includes a lifting drive motor and a lifting drive transmission. The pair of mast units is arranged side by side in the travelling direction. The transferring device is driven to be lifted or lowered by the lifting drive motor and the lifting drive transmission. The upper base links the pair of mast units.

Abstract: In a picking system, commodities are efficiently transported to a picking area and a shipment area by one type of transportation vehicle travelling along a travelling route including a diverging section and a merging section. The picking system is provided with a transportation vehicle, racks, picking units, the shipment area, and a controller configured and programmed to control the transportation vehicle. The picking units are provided with a carrying-in station to which the transportation vehicle transports a container and a carrying-out station from which the transportation vehicle transports the container and the picked commodities. The transportation vehicle transports a container containing ordered commodities from the racks to a carrying-in station, the picked commodities to the shipment area, and a container after picking the commodities to the racks.

Abstract: A compact and high capacity sorting system includes a transportation vehicle travelling along a travelling route where the transportation vehicle may diverge and merge, and raising and lowering a transfer device; racks provided along the travelling route and having a height corresponding to multiple floors; an arrival area, a shipment area, and a sorting area, each provided along an outer periphery of the travelling route; and a controller controlling the transportation vehicle to transport commodities from the arrival area to the sorting area via the racks, and transport commodities from the sorting area to the shipment area.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overhead travelling carriage system in which an overhead travelling carriage 110 is run along a running rail to convey a cassette 14 between processing devices 111. The overhead travelling carriage system is provided with an elevating space 8 for a platform 12 on which transfer means 51 is provided to transfer the cassette 14 and a storage space 10 in which a plurality of shelves are provided in a vertical direction to store cassettes 14. The elevating space and the storage space are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the running rail, as viewed from above. According to the present invention, the stocker requires a reduced space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrying apparatus that prevents an elevating motor and the like from projecting from a stacker crane to hinder the stacker crane from interfering with walls of an automatic warehouse. A traveling vehicle 2 of a stacker crane comprises traveling driving means 20, 20 for wheels 9, and elevation driving means 35 for elevating and lowering a platform 4. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged so that a longitudinal direction of both driving means 20, 35 is almost parallel with a direction in which the traveling vehicle 2 runs. The traveling vehicle 2 comprises a pair of frames 17, 17 spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of connecting members that connect both frames 17, 17 together. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged outside the respective frames 17. Wheels 9, 9 are arranged in the front and rear, respectively, of the traveling vehicle 2. The traveling driving means 20 is connected to each wheel 9.

Abstract: A mast in a conventional stacker crane is configured to extend in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the mast is not sufficiently rigid, and may swing in a running direction during running or when the running operation is stopped. An attempt to increase the rigidity results in a thicker mast, thus increasing the size of the stacker crane. In order to solve this problem, a mast is extended vertically from a lower frame and a platform that elevates and lowers along the mast wherein a ladder is extended vertically at a position opposite to the mast across the platform in a direction in which the lower frame runs, and a top of the mast and a top of the ladder is connected together via an upper frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated guided vehicle system that can transfer an article between an automated guided vehicle and an automatic warehouse on the basis of easy control. In an automated guided vehicle system 1, the vehicle 10A running on a running path is provided with a roller conveyor 8 used to transfer an article. Further, automatic warehouses 5 are each provided with an article storage and retrieval roller conveyor 51. The transfer roller conveyor 8, which runs with the vehicle 10A, and the storage and retrieval roller conveyor 51 are arranged in series and in proximity to each other in a carrying direction. An article 9 can be transferred between the vehicle 10A and the automatic warehouse 5. The bottom surface of the article 9 is formed as planar portions 9c, 9c at its laterally opposite ends in the carrying direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an overhead travelling carriage system in which an overhead travelling carriage 110 is run along a running rail to convey a cassette 14 between processing devices 111. The overhead travelling carriage system is provided with an elevating space 8 for a platform 12 on which transfer means 51 is provided to transfer the cassette 14 and a storage space 10 in which a plurality of shelves are provided in a vertical direction to store cassettes 14. The elevating space and the storage space are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the running rail, as viewed from above. According to the present invention, the stocker requires a reduced space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrying apparatus that prevents an elevating motor and the like from projecting from a stacker crane to hinder the stacker crane from interfering with walls of an automatic warehouse. A traveling vehicle 2 of a stacker crane comprises traveling driving means 20, 20 for wheels 9, and elevation driving means 35 for elevating and lowering a platform 4. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged so that a longitudinal direction of both driving means 20, 35 is almost parallel with a direction in which the traveling vehicle 2 runs. The traveling vehicle 2 comprises a pair of frames 17, 17 spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and a plurality of connecting members that connect both frames 17, 17 together. Both driving means 20, 35 are arranged outside the respective frames 17. Wheels 9, 9 are arranged in the front and rear, respectively, of the traveling vehicle 2. The traveling driving means 20 is connected to each wheel 9.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated guided vehicle system that can transfer an article between an automated guided vehicle and an automatic warehouse on the basis of easy control. In an automated guided vehicle system 1, the vehicle 10A running on a running path is provided with a roller conveyor 8 used to transfer an article. Further, automatic warehouses 5 are each provided with an article storage and retrieval roller conveyor 51. The transfer roller conveyor 8, which runs with the vehicle 10A, and the storage and retrieval roller conveyor 51 are arranged in series and in proximity to each other in a carrying direction. An article 9 can be transferred between the vehicle 10A and the automatic warehouse 5. The bottom surface of the article 9 is formed as planar portions 9c, 9c at its laterally opposite ends in the carrying direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic warehouse that enables an operator to work in an area located above his or her height as required. An automatic warehouse 1 comprises a pair of racks 3, 3 each provided with a large number of shelves 2 arranged in a vertical and lateral directions, and a transfer device 4 that moves between the pair of racks 3, 3. Work plates 7 can be arranged between the pair of racks 3, 3. Each of the work plates 7 comprises support members 8, 18 and 28 that bridge across the racks 3, 3 and plate materials 9 that can be freely attached to and removed from the support members 8, 18 and 28. The support members 8, 19 can be attached to and removed from corresponding body materials (struts 11, connection materials 12, or masts 13) constituting a frame of the automatic warehouse 1. The constituent members (plate materials 9 and support members 8, 18) of the work plate 7 can be housed inside the automatic warehouse 1 and outside a route for the transfer device 4.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic warehouse in which an article housing portion is constructed by installing a plurality of strut units parallel with one another, the strut units each having a large number of shelf members arranged in a vertical direction and extended between a pair of strut bases arranged in a direction in which articles are housed, the automatic warehouse housing articles each having projecting portions such as hand gripping portions on its sides, wherein the hand gripping portions of the article and the strut bases located at the front and rear of the article are prevented from interfering with each other and wherein the articles can be housed more efficiently in the automatic warehouse without increasing the size of a housing space for each article. One of the pair strut bases 21B is arranged closer to the other strut member 21B, located at the loading and unloading side of the article 8.

Abstract: A mast in a conventional stacker crane is configured to extend in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the mast is not sufficiently rigid, and may swing in a running direction during running or when the running operation is stopped. An attempt to increase the rigidity results in a thicker mast, thus increasing the size of the stacker crane.