Patent ID: 11873165
Assignee: DAIFUKU CO., LTD.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 13:
14. 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 width 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 second connection unit is provided with a second connection body and a connection fulcrum provided in the second protruding/retracting unit and to which the second connection body is connected,
the reciprocating movement mechanism is a first reciprocating movement mechanism or a second reciprocating movement mechanism,
the first reciprocating movement mechanism is provided with an endless member installed in the width direction and rotationally driven by the second drive mechanism, the second connection body attached to part of the endless member, and
the second reciprocating movement mechanism is provided with an expansion/contraction mechanism driven by the second drive mechanism to expand/contract in the width direction, the second connection body attached to part of the expansion/contraction mechanism.