Patents by Inventor Masashige Iwata
Masashige Iwata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240092568Abstract: An overturning prevention device includes a shaking occurrence information acquisition section configured to acquire shaking occurrence information indicating that shaking of a travel face where a moving body travels is equal to or more than a predetermined reference value; a support arm supported by the moving body; and an arm driving device configured to drive the support arm. The support arm is configured to be changeable between a projecting state where the support arm projects outwardly in a vehicle-body width direction from the moving body to be grounded on a travel face outside the moving body in the vehicle-body width direction and a retracted state where the support arm is retracted inside a width dimension of the moving body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Satoshi Horie
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Publication number: 20240025646Abstract: A picking system is realized that can efficiently perform operations from collection to delivery of articles in a limited space. A picking system (1) includes: a multi-row sorting device (2) configured to sort the article into one of the plurality of rows of exits (21) and discharge the sorted article; a container supporting device (3) capable of supporting an accommodating container (B) on a plurality of rows of container supporting portions (32) until an article group that is a set of articles for the order is collected; and a transport device (4) configured to unload the accommodating container (B) in which the article is accommodated from the container supporting portion (32), and load an empty accommodating container (B) to the container supporting portion (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masaya Miyamoto, Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura
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Publication number: 20230415994Abstract: An article storage facility includes a first multilevel rack including first shelves; a second multilevel rack including second shelves; a standby station that is disposed between the first multilevel rack and the second multilevel rack and include a standby conveyor; a transfer shuttle that transfers articles between the standby conveyor, the first shelves, and the second shelves; a first raising and lowering apparatus that is disposed between the first multilevel rack and the standby station and includes a first raising and lowering mechanism that raises and lowers a first raising and lowering conveyor that transfers the articles to and from the standby conveyor- and a second raising and lowering apparatus that is disposed between the second multilevel rack and the standby station and includes a second raising and lowering mechanism that raises and lowers a second raising and lowering conveyor that transfers the articles to and from the standby conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata
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Patent number: 11827451Abstract: A transfer apparatus (7) includes a first protruding/retracting unit (21), a second protruding/retracting unit (22), and a control unit. The first protruding/retracting unit (21) includes a first arm (27A) that protrudes and retracts in a transfer direction, and a first hook (31) that swings around a first axis (P1). The second protruding/retracting unit (22) includes a second arm (27B) that protrudes and retracts in the transfer direction, and a second hook (32) that swings around a second axis (P2). A spacing changing unit is configured to change a spacing between the first arm (27A) and the second arm (27B) to a first spacing (D1) that is narrower than the sum of a first intermediate-state protrusion amount and a second intermediate-state protrusion amount and is wider than the sum of a first transferring-state protrusion amount and a second transferring-state protrusion amount.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Hirotaka Osako
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Publication number: 20230373732Abstract: An article transport apparatus includes a first belt conveyor (11), and a second belt conveyor (12) adjacent to the first belt conveyor (11) on a second side in the width direction (W2). The first belt conveyor (11) includes a first belt member (11B) forming a first transport surface (11F), and a second belt conveyor (12) includes a second belt member (12B) forming a second transport surface (12F). The first transport surface (11F) is configured to allow an article being transported to be placed thereon, and is inclined downward toward the second side in the width direction (W2), the second transport surface (12F) is configured to come into contact, from the second side in the width direction (W2), with the article placed on the first transport surface (11F), and a surface friction coefficient (?1) of the first belt member (11B) and a surface friction coefficient (?2) of the second belt member (12B) are different from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura
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Patent number: 11807458Abstract: A picking system is realized that can efficiently perform operations from collection to delivery of articles in a limited space. A picking system (1) includes: a multi-row sorting device (2) configured to sort the article into one of the plurality of rows of exits (21) and discharge the sorted article; a container supporting device (3) capable of supporting an accommodating container (B) on a plurality of rows of container supporting portions (32) until an article group that is a set of articles for the order is collected; and a transport device (4) configured to unload the accommodating container (B) in which the article is accommodated from the container supporting portion (32), and load an empty accommodating container (B) to the container supporting portion (32).Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masaya Miyamoto, Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura
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Patent number: 11767204Abstract: A transport vehicle (2) that travels along a container shelf (1) provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions (11) arranged in a vertical direction (Z) and configured to support containers (W), thereby transporting the containers (W). The transport vehicle (2) is provided with a support region where a container (W) is supported, a first transfer apparatus (23) that inserts/takes the container (W) into/out of the container shelf (1), and a second transfer apparatus (24) that loads/unloads the container (W) on/from the support region. The second transfer apparatus (24) is configured such that a container (W) can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers (W) to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Akira Emoto
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Publication number: 20230174301Abstract: A control unit controls a transfer machine to execute: a first article delivery operation to store a target article in a first placement region as a first article; and a second article position adjustment operation of moving a second locking member disposed between the first article and a second article in a depth direction toward a depth-direction far side to a position corresponding to a position of a front surface portion of the second article located at a second article proper position, and the control unit is configured to, after the target article has been stored in the first placement region as the first article, cause the transfer machine to execute the second article position adjustment operation, and, upon end of the second article position adjustment operation, cause a first locking member be restored to a position corresponding to a holding region to end the first article delivery operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata
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Publication number: 20230150774Abstract: A transfer device includes a first hook and a second hook. The first hook has a first side-edge section, which is an end edge on a second side in the width direction in a first retreat position. A partial region of the first side-edge section that includes at least a first leading-end section has a shape that is curved or bent to gradually extend toward the first side in the width direction while extending toward the first leading-end section. The second hook has a second side-edge section, which is an end edge on the first side in the width direction in a second retreat position. A partial region of the second side-edge section that includes at least a second leading-end section has a shape that is curved or bent to gradually extend toward the second side in the width direction while extending toward the second leading-end section.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Hiroaki Nakamura, Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura
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Publication number: 20230047293Abstract: A control unit causes a transfer machine to execute a first article take-out operation by moving a locking part to a depth-direction near side with the locking part locked to a rear surface portion of a first article; and a second article position adjustment operation of moving the locking part disposed between the first article and a second article in the depth direction toward a far side to a position corresponding to a front surface portion of the second article located at a second article proper position, and the control unit is configured to, after the locking part has been disposed between the first article and the second article during execution of the first article take-out operation using the transfer machine, cause the transfer machine to execute the second article position adjustment operation, and to complete the first article take-out operation upon completion of the second article position adjustment operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata
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Publication number: 20230033724Abstract: A transport vehicle (2) that travels along a container shelf (1) provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions (11) arranged in a vertical direction (Z) and configured to support containers (W), thereby transporting the containers (W). The transport vehicle (2) is provided with a support region where a container (W) is supported, a first transfer apparatus (23) that inserts/takes the container (W) into/out of the container shelf (1), and a second transfer apparatus (24) that loads/unloads the container (W) on/from the support region. The second transfer apparatus (24) is configured such that a container (W) can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers (W) to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Akira Emoto
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Publication number: 20230023364Abstract: A picking system includes a multi-tier sorting device having ports in a plurality of tiers at different levels in a top-bottom direction, and sorts and discharges each of articles to one of the ports in the plurality of tiers; a plurality of first transport devices respectively corresponding to the ports in the plurality of tiers; and a second transport device configured to receive the articles from the first transport device and transport the articles. The second transport device has a second transport surface movable upward and downward, and, in a state where the second transport surface is located at a height corresponding to a terminal end portion of the first transport surface of one of the plurality of first transport devices, the second transport device receives the articles discharged from the terminal end portion of the first transport surface and transports the articles, with use of the second transport surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Fumiaki Tatemi, Masaya Miyamoto, Wataru Kiyokawa, Kazunari Kimura, Masashige Iwata, Yuichi Ueda
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Publication number: 20230001959Abstract: A rail unit includes an upper plate segment extending in a width direction, a lower plate segment extending in the width direction and at a position in a downward direction from the upper plate segment, and an intermediate plate segment extending in a vertical direction and joining an edge of the upper plate segment in a first width direction and an edge of the lower plate segment in a first width direction. A power feeder is located in a space defined by the upper plate segment, the intermediate plate segment, and the lower plate segment in the rail unit. The upper plate segment includes a traveling surface facing in an upward direction. The lower plate segment includes a lower flat portion extending in a traveling path direction and the width direction, and a groove protruding in the downward direction from the lower flat portion and extending continuously in the traveling path direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2020Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Hiroaki Nakamura
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Patent number: 11530120Abstract: A transport vehicle (2) that travels along a container shelf (1) is provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions (11) arranged in a vertical direction (Z) and configured to support containers (W), thereby transporting the containers (W). The transport vehicle (2) is provided with a support region where a container (W) is supported, a first transfer apparatus (23) that inserts/takes the container (W) into/out of the container shelf (1), and a second transfer apparatus (24) that loads/unloads the container (W) on/from the support region. The second transfer apparatus (24) is configured such that a container (W) can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers (W) to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Ueda, Masashige Iwata, Akira Emoto
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Publication number: 20220388778Abstract: A turning device includes a rattling restriction mechanism configured to restrict a rattling in a turning direction of a turner caused by backlashes in a transmission mechanism. The rattling restriction mechanism includes a pushed portion and a restriction section. The pushed portion includes a pushed face facing the turning direction. The restriction section includes: a contact member configured to come into contact with the pushed face while the pushed face is positioned in a specific range in the turning direction, the contact member is arranged in a movement path of the pushed face configured to move in conjunction with a turning of the turner; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the contact member in contact with the pushed face, toward the pushed face in the turning direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Hiroyoshi Murata
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Publication number: 20220363475Abstract: A pair of drive wheels are disposed in a middle region of a travel body section in a body length direction and are separated from each other in a body width direction. A first drive source is disposed on a first side in the body length direction relative to a width direction reference line and a first side in a body width direction relative to a length direction reference line in top-down view. A second drive source is disposed on a second side in the body length direction relative to the width direction reference line and a second side in the body width direction relative to the length direction reference line in top-down view.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Hiroyoshi Murata
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Publication number: 20220363527Abstract: A transfer driver includes a transfer drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a contact section, and a transfer drive source configured to drive the transfer drive transmission mechanism. A guide driver includes a guide drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a pair of guide sections, and a guide drive source configured to drive the guide drive transmission mechanism. The transfer drive source and the guide drive source are disposed on a transfer-direction scooping side relative to a holder, and the transfer drive transmission mechanism and the guide drive transmission mechanism intersect each other in a vertical view at an intersection portion, and are adjacent to each other in a vertical direction at the intersection portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Hiroyoshi Murata
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Publication number: 20220363476Abstract: A travel body includes a wheel drive source for driving a drive wheel, a support arm swingable relative to a travel body section and supporting the drive wheel and the wheel drive source, a swing support attached to the travel body section and supporting the swing fulcrum of the support arm, and an elastic unit. The swing support is detachably attached to the travel body section. The elastic unit includes an abutting section that abuts, from a second side in the swing direction, a target spot located away from the swing fulcrum of the support arm, and an elastic section that biases the abutting section abutting the support arm toward a first side in the swing direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Hiroyoshi Murata
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Publication number: 20220363529Abstract: A transfer device includes: a pusher configured to push a container during a delivery operation; a lockable portion lockable to the container during a pick-up operation; a transfer drive unit configured to cause the pusher and the lockable portion to reciprocate in the transfer direction; and a lock drive unit configured to drive the lockable portion separately from the pusher and causes the lockable portion to change in orientation. The transfer device performs a delivery operation by moving, toward a delivery side in the transfer direction, the pusher in contact with a container rear face portion with use of the transfer drive unit, and performs a pick-up operation by moving the lockable portion in the locking orientation toward a pick-up side in the transfer direction with use of the transfer drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Kazunari Kimura, Hiroyoshi Murata
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Patent number: D975954Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashige Iwata, Hiroaki Nakamura