Patent Publication Number: US-10766697-B2

Title: Storage rack and article storage facility

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-245293 filed Dec. 21, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a storage rack to which an article is transferred from the front side using a supporting body that supports the article from below, and an article storage facility that includes such a storage rack and a transfer device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One example of a storage rack as described above is disclosed in JP 2008-174335A (Patent Document 1). A storage rack (2) disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used to store a storage article (9) such as a reticle case or a FOUP, and the storage article (9) is transferred from the front side using a hand (47) that supports the storage article (9) from below. Specifically, the storage rack (2) has a notch (2a) that extends in a depth direction of the storage rack (2), and the storage article (9) is transferred between the hand (47) and the storage rack (2), as a result of the hand (47) passing through the notch (2a) in a vertical direction. Since such a notch (2a) is formed in the storage rack (2), the storage article (9) is placed on the storage rack (2) spanning the notch (2a). Furthermore, the storage rack (2) is configured such that two storage articles (9) are placed thereon in the depth direction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Meanwhile, if, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a storage rack is used to store articles such as reticle cases or FOUPs, the storage rack typically has a configuration for positioning and holding an article in a horizontal direction, so that the article is appropriately transferred between the storage rack and a supporting body. As disclosed in Patent Document 1, when two articles are stored in the depth direction, it is desirable that both of the two articles can be positioned and held. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a configuration for positioning and holding the articles in the horizontal direction in the storage rack. 
     Therefore, there is a demand for realizing a technique for enabling, in a storage rack that can store a plurality of articles that are aligned in a depth direction, each of the plurality of articles to be appropriately positioned and held in the horizontal direction. 
     According to the present disclosure, a storage rack that is used to store at least one article that includes, at a plurality of positions on a bottom thereof, recesses for positioning that are recessed upward, an article being transferred to the storage rack from a front side using a supporting body that supports the article from below, the storage rack including: a rack body that supports the article from below, wherein the rack body includes a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion, and a third supporting portion, and is configured to be able to support a plurality of articles aligned in a depth direction of the storage rack from below, assuming that, in a horizontal plane, a direction that is orthogonal to the depth direction is a lateral width direction, and one side in the lateral width direction is a first side, and the other side in the lateral width direction is a second side, the first supporting portion is formed extending in the depth direction, and is arranged on the first side with respect to a width directional center, which is the center in the lateral width direction of the rack body, the second supporting portion is formed extending in the depth direction, and is arranged on the second side with respect to the width directional center, and the third supporting portion is formed extending in the lateral width direction, and is arranged on the back side of the storage rack relative to a separation space, which is a space that is formed between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, and through which the supporting body passes in a vertical direction when the article is transferred, and assuming that an article storage place on the backmost side in the depth direction of the rack body is a first storage place, and an article storage place on the frontmost side in the depth direction of the rack body is a second storage place, the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion respectively include first engaging parts that engage with the recesses of the article that is stored at the first storage place, and the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion respectively include restricting parts that are arranged opposing side faces of the bottom of the article that is stored at the second storage place, and are configured to restrict horizontal movement of the article. 
     With the above-described configuration, the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion respectively include the first engaging parts that engage with the positioning recesses of the article that is stored at the first storage place. Accordingly, by the first engaging parts of the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion engaging with the recesses, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the first storage place in the horizontal direction. 
     Moreover, with the above-described configuration, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion respectively include restricting parts that are arranged opposing side faces of the bottom of the article stored at the second storage place, and are configured to restrict horizontal movement of the article. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the second storage place in the horizontal direction, using the respective restricting parts of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. In other words, the separation space through which the supporting body passes in the vertical direction when the article is transferred is formed between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. Accordingly, at the second storage place, there is no third supporting portion and it is not possible to position and hold the article in the same manner as at the first storage place, but with the configuration in which the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion include the restricting parts, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article also at the second storage place in the horizontal direction. 
     As described above, with the above-described configuration, in a storage rack that can store a plurality of articles aligned in a depth direction, it is possible to appropriately position and hold each of the plurality of articles in the horizontal direction. 
     Further features and advantages of the storage rack will become apparent from the following description of embodiments to be explained with reference to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating part of an article storage facility. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view illustrating part of a storage rack. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a rack body. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating part of the rack body. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the part of the rack body. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a transfer device and the rack body in a state in which a supporting body is located at a first projected position. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a trajectory of movement of the supporting body and an advancing/retracting mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating the transfer device and the rack body in a state in which the supporting body is located at a second projected position. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view illustrating the transfer device and the rack body in the state in which the supporting body is located at the second projected position. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view illustrating the transfer device and the rack body in the state in which the supporting body is located at the first projected position. 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view illustrating the transfer device and the rack body in the state in which the supporting body is located at the first projected position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a transfer device and a rack body according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of a storage rack and an article storage facility will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a first distance L 1  corresponds to a “distance from the width directional center to a first supporting portion”, and a second distance L 2  corresponds to a “distance from the width directional center to a second supporting portion”. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an article storage facility  1  includes storage racks  3  in which articles  60  are stored, and a transfer device  2  configured to transfer the articles  60  to the storage racks  3  from front sides Y 1  of the storage racks  3 . The storage racks  3  are provided for articles  60  (storage objects) that each have, at a plurality of positions on the bottom  63  thereof, positioning recesses  70  (see  FIG. 3 ) that are recessed upward. In other words, the articles  60  that have the recesses  70  at a plurality of positions on the bottom  63  thereof are stored in the storage racks  3 . The storage racks  3  are provided with rack bodies  30  that support the articles  60  from below. The transfer device  2  includes a supporting body  10  that supports an article  60  from below, and an advancing/retracting mechanism  20  that moves the supporting body  10  back and forth in a depth direction Y of the corresponding storage rack  3 , and the article  60  is transferred using the supporting body  10  from the front side Y 1  to the storage rack  3 . Each rack body  30  has a separation space D (see  FIG. 3 ), which will be described in detail later, and as a result of the supporting body  10  passing through the separation space D in a vertical direction Z in a state in which the supporting body  10  is projected to the back side Y 2  of the storage rack  3  by the advancing/retracting mechanism  20 , the article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the rack body  30  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     According to the present embodiment, the articles  60  are containers in which semiconductor wafers are housed, specifically, front opening unified pods (FOUPs). As denoted by virtual lines in  FIG. 3 , three recesses  70  are formed in the bottom  63  of each article  60 . The three recesses  70  are formed at different positions in a circumferential direction with respect to the center of the bottom  63 , extending in a groove shape in radial directions with respect to this center, when viewed in a plan view (when viewed in a vertical direction Z). In other words, the three recesses  70  are formed in the shape of a groove extending in a radial fashion with respect to the center of the bottom  63  when viewed in a plan view. Each of the three recesses  70  are formed such that the groove width is reduced toward the upper side. In other words, the recess  70  internally has inclined surfaces that are inclined toward the center of the groove (width directional center) as approaching the upper side. As will be described later, the rack body  30  includes first engaging parts  41  and a second engaging part  42  that engage with the corresponding recesses  70 . When an article  60  is transferred from the supporting body  10  to the rack body  30 , the first engaging parts  41  or the second engaging part  42  are/is guided by the inner surface of the recess  70 , so that the position of the article  60  with respect to the rack body  30  can be corrected. Furthermore, as will be described later, the supporting body  10  includes third engaging parts  43  that engage with the recesses  70 . When an article  60  is transferred from the rack body  30  to the supporting body  10 , the third engaging parts  43  are guided by the inner surfaces of the recesses  70 , so that the position of the article  60  with respect to the supporting body  10  can be corrected. 
     Each rack body  30  is configured to be able to support, from below, a plurality of articles  60  aligned in the depth direction Y. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 8 , in the present embodiment, one rack body  30  is configured to be able to support, from below, two articles  60  aligned in the depth direction Y. Note that, in  FIG. 3 , for ease of understanding the configuration of the rack body  30 , one rack body  30  is emphatically hatched and the articles  60  supported by this one rack body  30  are indicated by virtual lines. The storage rack  3  is provided with supporting members  39  that support the rack bodies  30 . The rack bodies  30  are supported by the supporting members  39  in a cantilever manner from the back side Y 2 . In the present embodiment, the supporting members  39  are supporting posts that stand on the floor while extending in the vertical direction Z, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of supporting members  39  are aligned in a lateral width direction X. Each of the rack bodies  30  is supported by two supporting members  39  aligned in the lateral width direction X. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , a storage place for an article  60  on the backmost side Y 2 , in the depth direction Y, of the rack body  30  is referred to as a “first storage place S 1 ”, and a storage place for an article  60  on the frontmost side Y 1 , in the depth direction Y, of the rack body  30  is referred to as a “second storage place S 2 ”. In the present embodiment, the first storage place S 1  is the storage place on the back side Y 2  of the two storage places adjacent to each other in the depth direction Y, and the second storage place S 2  is the storage place on the front side Y 1 . The articles  60  are supported on the rack body  30  in the same orientation at both the first storage place S 1  and the second storage place S 2 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the articles  60  are supported on the rack body  30  in an orientation such that two of the three recesses  70  are aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same level in the depth direction Y, and the remaining recess  70  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the two recesses  70 . Note that the lateral width direction X is a direction that is orthogonal to the depth direction Y in a horizontal plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the present embodiment, the storage rack  3  includes the plurality of rack bodies  30  that are aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same height (that is, at the same level in the vertical direction Z). The plurality of rack bodies  30  aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same height constitute a rack unit  4  capable of supporting a plurality of articles  60  aligned in the lateral width direction X. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the plurality of rack bodies  30  of the storage rack  3  are aligned in the vertical direction Z at the same level in the lateral width direction X. Here, the storage rack  3  includes the rack units  4  in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction Z, and is configured to be able to support articles  60  on each of the plurality of stages (rack stages) aligned in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, one pair of storage racks  3  are provided facing each other in the depth direction Y with a movement pathway R interposed therebetween. 
     In the present embodiment, the supporting body  10  of the transfer device  2  is configured to support only one article  60  from below. Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 7 to 11 , the supporting body  10  is provided with the third engaging parts  43  that engage with the recesses  70  of the article  60 . The third engaging parts  43  are pins for positioning the article  60 , and are formed protruding upward from a plate-shaped base of the supporting body  10 . As described above, in the present embodiment, an article  60  has three recesses  70  on the bottom  63  thereof, and the supporting body  10  is provided with three third engaging parts  43 . The article  60  is supported by the supporting body  10  in a state of being positioned with respect to the supporting body  10  by the third engaging parts  43  respectively engaging with the recesses  70 . The three third engaging parts  43  are arranged on the supporting body  10  so as to be able to support the article  60  in the same orientation as that of when the article  60  is supported on the rack body  30 . Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 7, 9, and 11 , two of the three third engaging parts  43  are arranged while being aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same level in the depth direction Y, and the remaining third engaging part  43  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the two third engaging parts  43 . 
     The advancing/retracting mechanism  20  of the transfer device  2  is configured to be able to move the supporting body  10  back and forth in the depth direction Y (advancing movement to the back side Y 2  and retracting movement to the front side Y 1 ) while maintaining the orientation of the supporting body  10 . In other words, the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is configured to be able to move the supporting body  10  in the depth direction Y while maintaining the orientation of the supporting body  10 , between a retracted position P 3  (see  FIG. 1 ), at which the supporting body  10  is retracted to the side away from the rack body  30  (that is, to the front side Y 1 ), and a projected position, at which the supporting body  10  is projected to the side approaching the rack body  30  (that is, to the back side Y 2 ). As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when an article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the first storage place S 1 , the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  moves the supporting body  10  from the retracted position P 3  to the first projected position P 1 , so that the supporting body  10  is located at the first projected position P 1 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , when an article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the second storage place S 2 , the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  moves the supporting body  10  from the retracted position P 3  to the second projected position P 2 , so that the supporting body  10  is located at the second projected position P 2 . Note that the first projected position P 1  and the second projected position P 2  are different positions in the depth direction Y, and the first projected position P 1  is on the back side Y 2  relative to the second projected position P 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the article storage facility  1  is provided with a transport device  90  that transports an article  60  to or from the storage rack  3 . The transport device  90  transports an article  60  while moving in the lateral width direction X on the movement pathway R along the front sides of the storage racks  3 . The movement pathway R is formed at a position adjacent to the front sides Y 1  of the storage racks  3 . In the present embodiment, the transport device  90  is a stacker crane. Specifically, the transport device  90  includes a traveling carriage  91  that is guided by a rail  95  installed on the floor and is capable of travelling in the lateral width direction X, and a vertically moving body  93  that is guided by masts  92  standing on the traveling carriage  91  and is capable of moving in the vertical direction Z (that is, capable of being lifted and lowered). The transfer device  2  is mounted on the transport device  90 . In the present embodiment, the transfer device  2  is supported by the vertically moving body  93 . Accordingly, the entire transfer device  2  moves in the vertical direction Z in accordance with the vertically moving body  93  being lifted or lowered. 
     In a state in which the vertically moving body  93  is lifted/lowered to the height that corresponds to a target rack body  30 , an article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the rack body  30  using the transfer device  2 . Specifically, by the supporting body  10  being projected toward the back side Y 2  and in this state, the vertically moving body  93  being lifted/lowered, the supporting body  10  passes through the separation space D formed in the target rack body  30  in the vertical direction Z and the article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the rack body  30 . That is, by lifting/lowering the vertically moving body  93  in a state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the first projected position P 1 , the article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the first storage place S 1 , and by lifting/lowering the vertically moving body  93  in a state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the second projected position P 2 , the article  60  is transferred between the supporting body  10  and the second storage place S 2 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the vertically moving body  93  is provided with a rotating plate  94  that rotates the transfer device  2  around the axis thereof extending in the vertical direction Z with respect to the vertically moving body  93 . Accordingly, the direction in which the supporting body  10  is projected by the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  can be switched by the rotating plate  94  rotating the transfer device  2 , making it possible to transfer, using the supporting body  10 , an article  60  with respect to any rack body  30  of the pair of storage racks  3 . 
     In order to transport an article  60  from or to a storage rack  3 , the transport device  90  is controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the article storage facility  1  to perform an operation for transferring the article  60  with respect to the storage rack  3 . When an operation for transferring the article  60  to the storage rack  3  is performed, the traveling operation of the traveling carriage  91  is controlled so that it is moved to the position in the lateral width direction X that corresponds to the target rack body  30 , and the lifting/lowering operation of the vertically moving body  93  is controlled so that the vertically moving body  93  is lifted/lowered to the height that corresponds to the rack body  30 . Note that, while the traveling carriage  91  travels, the supporting body  10  is kept retracted at the retracted position P 3  (see  FIG. 1 ). The height that corresponds to the rack body  30  includes a lower-side height (the height of the vertically moving body  93  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 ) and an upper-side height that is higher than the lower-side height. When the article  60  is transferred from the rack body  30  to the supporting body  10 , the vertically moving body  93  is controlled to be lifted/lowered to the lower-side height of the rack body  30 , and when the article  60  is transferred from the supporting body  10  to the rack body  30 , the vertically moving body  93  is controlled to be lifted/lowered to the upper-side height of the rack body  30 . 
     When the article  60  is transferred from the rack body  30  to the supporting body  10 , the transfer operation of the transfer device  2  (operation of advancing/retracting the supporting body  10  using the advancing/retracting mechanism  20 ) and the lifting/lowering operation of the vertically moving body  93  are controlled so that the supporting body  10  is moved from the retracted position P 3  to the first projected position P 1  or the second projected position P 2 , then the vertically moving body  93  is lifted from the lower-side height to the upper-side height, and then the supporting body  10  is moved from the first projected position P 1  or the second projected position P 2  to the retracted position P 3 . Accordingly, the article  60  is caught by the supporting body  10  from the rack body  30 , and the article  60  is transferred from the rack body  30  to the supporting body  10 . Furthermore, when the article  60  is transferred from the supporting body  10  to the rack body  30 , the transfer operation of the transfer device  2  and the lifting/lowering operation of the vertically moving body  93  are controlled so that the supporting body  10  is moved from the retracted position P 3  to the first projected position P 1  or the second projected position P 2 , then the vertically moving body  93  is lowered from the upper-side height to the lower-side height, and then the supporting body  10  is moved from the first projected position P 1  or the second projected position P 2  to the retracted position P 3 . Accordingly, the article  60  is unloaded from the supporting body  10  onto the rack body  30  and thus is transferred from the supporting body  10  to the rack body  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is provided with a link mechanism that uses arms (links). Specifically, the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  includes a first arm  21 , a second arm  22 , a first coupling part  20   a  that couples the first arm  21  and the second arm  22 , and a second coupling part  20   b  that couples the supporting body  10  and the first arm  21 , and is provided at a position in the first arm  21  that is different from the position at which the first coupling part  20   a  is provided. The first coupling part  20   a  couples the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  so that they can rotate about a first axis M 1  extending in the vertical direction Z, and the second coupling part  20   b  couples the supporting body  10  and the first arm  21  so that they can rotate about a second axis M 2  extending in the vertical direction Z. The advancing/retracting mechanism  20  further includes a third coupling part  20   c  that couples the second arm  22  and another member and is provided at a position in the second arm  22  that is different from the first coupling part  20   a . The third coupling part  20   c  couples the second arm  22  and the other member so that they can rotate about a third axis M 3  extending in the vertical direction Z. In the present embodiment, the third coupling part  20   c  couples the second arm  22  and the vertically moving body  93  (specifically, here, the rotating plate  94  mounted on the vertically moving body  93 ). Note that the first axis M 1 , the second axis M 2 , and the third axis M 3  are all virtual axes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , assume that one side in the lateral width direction X is referred to as a “first side X 1 ” and the other side in the lateral width direction X is referred to as a “second side X 2 ”, the transfer device  2  is configured to move the supporting body  10  back and forth with the first coupling part  20   a  located on the first side X 1  relative to the second coupling part  20   b , by rotating the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  about the first axis M 1  in opposite directions. Note that, in  FIG. 7 , the supporting body  10  and the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  in a state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the first projected position P 1  are denoted by solid lines, and the supporting body  10  and the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  in a state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the second projected position P 2  are denoted by long-short-short dashed lines, and the trajectory of movement of the supporting body  10  and the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  when the supporting body  10  is moved between the first projected position P 1  and the second projected position P 2  is hatched. When the supporting body  10  is moved back and forth, the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  are rotated with the first coupling part  20   a  located on the first side X 1  relative to the second coupling part  20   b , and thus the trajectory of movement of the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  when the supporting body  10  is moved back and forth includes a portion protruded to the first side X 1  from the trajectory of movement of the supporting body  10  when the supporting body  10  is moved back and forth. Also, when the supporting body  10  is moved between the second projected position P 2  and the retracted position P 3  (see  FIG. 1 ), which is however omitted in  FIG. 7 , the first coupling part  20   a  is located on the first side X 1  relative to the second coupling part  20   b , similar to the case where the supporting body  10  is moved between the first projected position P 1  and the second projected position P 2 . 
     The advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is provided with an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the arms (the first arm  21  and the second arm  22  in the present embodiment) and the supporting body  10 , although the details are not included here. The interlocking mechanism is constituted by, for example, a plurality of rotating bodies (such as a pulley or a sprocket) and a power transmission (a belt, toothed belt, chain, or wire) that is wound spanning the plurality of rotating bodies to transmit the power. The transfer device  2  is provided with a driving power source such as an electrically-operated motor (not shown) that drives the second arm  22  to rotate about the third axis M 3  with respect to the vertically moving body  93  (rotating plate  94 ). Also, when the second arm  22  is rotated about the third axis M 3  with respect to the vertically moving body  93  (rotating plate  94 ), the interlocking mechanism causes the first arm  21  to rotate about the first axis M 1  with respect to the second arm  22 , and causes the supporting body  10  to rotate about the second axis M 2  with respect to the first arm  21 . 
     Assume that the direction and the angle of rotation of the second arm  22  about the third axis M 3  with respect to the vertically moving body  93  are referred to as a “first rotation direction” and a “first rotation angle”, the direction and the angle of rotation of the first arm  21  about the first axis M 1  with respect to the second arm  22  are referred to as a “second rotation direction” and a “second rotation angle”, and the direction and the angle of rotation of the supporting body  10  about the second axis M 2  with respect to the first arm  21  are referred to as a “third rotation direction” and a “third rotation angle”, and the interlocking mechanism has a configuration in which the second rotation direction is opposite to the first rotation direction, and the third rotation direction is identical to the first rotation direction, and the second rotation angle is twice as large as the first rotation angle, and the third rotation angle is identical to the first rotation angle. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the supporting body  10  is moved back and forth in the depth direction Y by the advancing/retracting mechanism  20 , while maintaining its orientation. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , in the present embodiment, in a state (specific state) in which the supporting body  10  is located at the first projected position P 1 , the first arm  21  is arranged inside the separation space D while being inclined toward the first side X 1  as approaching the front side Y 1 , when viewed in a plan view. That is, in the specific state, the direction extending from the second axis M 2  to the first axis M 1  approximates to the direction to the first side X 1  as approaching to the front side Y 1 , when viewed in a plan view. On the other hand, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , in the state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the second projected position P 2 , as in the state in which the supporting body  10  is located at the retracted position P 3  (see  FIG. 1 ), the first arm  21  is arranged outside the separation space D (on the front side Y 1  relative to the separation space D), when viewed in a plan view. 
     The following will specifically describe the configuration of the rack body  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rack body  30  includes a first supporting portion  31  and a second supporting portion  32 . The first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  are formed extending in the depth direction Y. The first supporting portion  31  is arranged on the first side X 1  with respect to the width directional center C, which is the center in the lateral width direction X of the rack body  30 , and the second supporting portion  32  is arranged on the second side X 2  with respect to the width directional center C. The rack body  30  is configured to be able to support, on both sides in the lateral width direction X, a plurality of articles  60  (two articles  60  in the present embodiment) aligned in the depth direction Y, using the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 . 
     The separation space D through which the supporting body  10  passes in the vertical direction Z when an article  60  is transferred is formed between the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the width, in the lateral width direction X, of the separation space D is larger than the width, in the lateral width direction X, of the supporting body  10 . In the present embodiment, the supporting body  10  is formed such that the width, in the lateral width direction X, of the portion on the leading end side (back side Y 2 ) is reduced toward the leading end side. Accordingly, the width, in the lateral width direction X, of the portion on the back side Y 2  of the separation space D is reduced toward the back side Y 2 . Note that the supporting body  10  is formed in a shape such that it can pass through the separation space D in the vertical direction Z without interfering with the rack body  30 , both in the state in which it is located at the first projected position P 1  (see  FIG. 11 ) and the state in which it is located at the second projected position P 2  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rack body  30  further includes a third supporting portion  33 . The third supporting portion  33  is formed extending in the lateral width direction X, and is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the separation space D. The third supporting portion  33  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , and the end, on the back side Y 2 , of the first supporting portion  31  and the end, on the back side Y 2 , of the second supporting portion  32  are coupled to each other by the third supporting portion  33 . In other words, the rack body  30  is U-shaped (with the third supporting portion  33  serving as a bottom) and open to the front side Y 1  when viewed in the vertical direction Z. 
     In view of downsizing of the article storage facility  1  in the depth direction Y and reducing time necessary for transferring an article  60  between the supporting body  10  and the rack body  30 , it is desirable that the rack body  30  and the transfer device  2  can be arranged as close as possible to each other in the depth direction Y, on the condition that interference between the rack body  30  and the transfer device  2  can be avoided and articles  60  can appropriately be supported at all article storage places including the second storage place S 2 , which is an article storage place (storage place for an article  60 ) on the frontmost side Y 1 . The following describes a configuration of the rack body  30  used for a layout that satisfies such conditions and in which the rack body  30  and the transfer device  2  are arranged close to each other in the depth direction Y. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first distance L 1  refers to a distance from the width directional center C to the first supporting portion  31  (the distance in the lateral width direction X, the same will also be applied to the description below), and the second distance L 2  refers to a distance from the width directional center C to the second supporting portion  32 . In other words, the first distance L 1  is a distance from the width directional center C to the outer edge, on the width directional center C side (second side X 2 ), of the first supporting portion  31 , and the second distance L 2  is a distance from the width directional center C to the outer edge, on the width directional center C side (first side X 1 ) of the second supporting portion  32 . In a first region A 1  of the rack body  30 , which is a region in the depth direction Y and includes the end portion on the front side Y 1 , the first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2 . Specifically, the portion of the first supporting portion  31  that is arranged in the first region A 1  has a cut-off portion  31   a  obtained by cutting off a portion on the width directional center C side. In the present embodiment, the cut-off portion  31   a  is formed by cutting off a corner, on the second side X 2 , of the first supporting portion  31  at the end on the front side Y 1  into a triangular shape. Here, the cut-off portion  31   a  is shaped such that the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  is straight to the first side X 1  toward the front side Y 1  at a constant rate. As a result of such a cut-off portion  31   a  being formed, the first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2  in the first region A 1 . Note that, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in the present embodiment, the second supporting portion  32  has a cut-off portion obtained by cutting off a corner, on the first side X 1 , of the second supporting portion  32  at the end on the front side Y 1  into a rectangular shape, and also in the region in the depth direction Y in which this cut-off portion is formed (that is included in the first region A 1 ), the first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , with a configuration as described above in which the first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2  in the first region A 1 , it is possible to arrange the rack body  30  and the transfer device  2  close to each other in the depth direction Y to the extent that the first arm  21  is arranged inside the separation space D in the specific state (in which the supporting body  10  is located at the first projected position P 1 ), when viewed in a plan view. Thus, as a result of the first arm  21  being arranged inside the separation space D in such a specific state when viewed in a plan view, it is possible to move the supporting body  10  in the vertical direction Z so that the supporting body  10  passes through the separation space D while avoiding interference between the first arm  21  and the rack body  30 , regardless of the positional relationship in the vertical direction Z between the first arm  21  and the rack body  30 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the rack body  30  is formed so as not to overlap, when viewed in a plan view, the trajectory of movement of the supporting body  10  and the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  when the supporting body  10  is moved back and forth. Accordingly, it is possible to move the supporting body  10  from the retracted position P 3  to the first projected position P 1 , at which the first arm  21  is positioned inside the separation space D, when viewed in a plan view, while avoiding interference between the first arm  21  and the rack body  30 , regardless of the positional relationship in the vertical direction Z between the first arm  21  and the rack body  30 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the first arm  21  is arranged inside the separation space D, in the specific state, while being inclined to the first side X 1  as approaching the front side Y 1 , when viewed in a plan view. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 11 , the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  has a shape that conforms to an outer edge of the first arm  21  in the specific state when viewed in a plan view. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure that an area of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1 , when viewed in a plan view, is larger than in a case where the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  has a shape that does not conform to the outer edge of the first arm  21  in the specific state (for example, a case where the outer edge extends parallel to the depth direction Y), when viewed in a plan view. As a result, also at the second storage place S 2 , which is a storage place for an article  60  on the frontmost side Y 1 , it is easy to ensure appropriate strength of support of an article  60  by the first supporting portion  31 . 
     On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in a second region A 2 , which is a region in the depth direction Y and is located on the back side Y 2  relative to the first region A 1 , the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 . In the present embodiment, both the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31 , and the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the second supporting portion  32  extend parallel to the depth direction Y, except for part of the second region A 2  on the back side Y 2 . As a result, the first distance L 1  and the second distance L 2  have a certain value in the depth direction Y (that is, the same value at every position in the depth direction Y), except for part of the second region A 2  on the back side Y 2 . Note that a configuration is also possible in which portions of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  that are arranged in the second region A 2  have a cut-off portion obtained by cutting off part on the width directional center C side or a protruding portion that protrudes to the width directional center C side. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the entire region in which the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  are arranged in the depth direction Y, and that is on the back side Y 2  relative to the first region A 1  serves as the second region A 2  in which the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 . Note that a configuration is also possible in which part of the region in which the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  are arranged in the depth direction Y, and that is on the back side Y 2  relative to the first region A 1  serves as the second region A 2  in which the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 , and the remaining region is such that the first distance L 1  is different from the second distance L 2 . 
     The following will describe a structure for positioning articles  60  at the first storage place S 1  and the second storage place S 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first supporting portion  31 , the second supporting portion  32 , and the third supporting portion  33  are respectively provided with the first engaging parts  41  that engage with the recesses  70  of the article  60  that is stored at the first storage place S 1 . Here, each of the first supporting portion  31 , the second supporting portion  32 , and the third supporting portion  33  is provided with one first engaging part  41 . The first engaging parts  41  are pins for positioning an article  60 , and are formed protruding upward from a plate-shaped base of the rack body  30 . The article  60  is supported at the first storage place S 1  on the rack body  30 , in a state in which it is positioned with respect to the rack body  30  as a result of the first engaging parts  41  engaging with the recesses  70 . 
     As described above, in the present embodiment, the article  60  is supported on the rack body  30  in an orientation such that two of the three recesses  70  are aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same level in the depth direction Y, and the remining one recess  70  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the two recesses  70 . Accordingly, the first engaging part  41  formed on the first supporting portion  31  and the first engaging part  41  formed on the second supporting portion  32  are arranged at the same level in the depth direction Y. Since the third supporting portion  33  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , the first engaging part  41  formed on the third supporting portion  33  is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the first engaging parts  41  formed on the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 . The first engaging part  41  formed on the third supporting portion  33  is arranged at the width directional center C. 
     As described above, the article  60  is supported at the first storage place S 1  on the rack body  30  in a state in which it is positioned with respect to the rack body  30  using the three first engaging parts  41 . Note that the present invention may employ a configuration in which the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the first storage place S 1  on the rack body  30  is in contact with the upper surface of the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30 , or a configuration in which the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the first storage place S 1  on the rack body  30  is not in contact with the upper surface of the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30  (for example, a configuration in which only the three first engaging parts  41  are in contact with the bottom  63  of the article  60 ). Furthermore, in the latter configuration or the like, another member provided on the rack body  30  may also be in contact with the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the first storage place S 1  on the rack body  30 . Examples of such another member can include a grommet (elastic member with a venthole) used to supply an inert gas to the inside of the container (FOUP in the present embodiment) serving as an article  60 . 
     In the present embodiment, the rack body  30  is provided with the second engaging part  42  that engages with the corresponding recess  70  of an article  60  that is stored at the second storage place S 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , since the article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2  is supported by the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , either or both of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  is/are provided with the second engaging part  42 . As described above, the first supporting portion  31  has the cut-off portion  31   a , and thus, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2  is supported on the rack body  30  so that a recess  70  does not overlap the first supporting portion  31  when viewed in a plan view. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, only one of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , namely, the second supporting portion  32 , is provided with the second engaging part  42 . Similar to the first engaging parts  41 , the second engaging part  42  is a pin for positioning an article  60 , and is formed protruding upward from the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30 . 
     The rack body  30  further includes restricting parts  50  that are arranged opposing side faces  64  (see  FIGS. 3 and 6 ) of the bottom  63  of an article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2 , and restrict horizontal movement of the article  60 . In this context, the expression that two faces (a first face and a second face) “oppose” each other means that a normal vector directed outward of the first face has a component opposite to that of a normal vector directed outward of the second face, and includes not only a case where the first face and the second face are arranged parallel to each other, but also a case where the first face and the second face are arranged while being inclined with respect to each other. Since the rack body  30  includes such restricting parts  50 , the article  60  is supported at the second storage place S 2  on the rack body  30  in a state in which it is positioned with respect to the rack body  30  by the second engaging part  42  and the restricting parts  50 . Note that the present invention may employ a configuration in which the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the second storage place S 2  on the rack body  30  is in contact with the upper surface of the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30 , or a configuration in which the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the second storage place S 2  on the rack body  30  is not in contact with the upper surface of the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30  (for example, a configuration in which only the second engaging part  42  and the restricting parts  50  are in contact with the bottom  63  of the article  60 ). Furthermore, in the latter configuration or the like, another member (such as an above-described grommet) provided on the rack body  30  may also be in contact with the bottom  63  of the article  60  supported at the second storage place S 2  on the rack body  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom  63  of an article  60  has a first corner  61  and a second corner  62  that are each formed by two side faces  64  that intersect with each other. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2  in the orientation such that one of the two side faces  64  forming the first corner  61  is directed to the front side Y 1  and the other one is directed to the first side X 1 , and one of the two side faces  64  forming the second corner  62  is directed to the front side Y 1  and the other one is directed to the second side X 2 . Note that, as described above, the article  60  is stored at the first storage place S 1  in the same orientation as in the case where it is stored at the second storage place S 2 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the side faces  64  of the bottom  63  of the article  60  include a first side face  64   a , a second side face  64   b , a third side face  64   c , a fourth side face  64   d , and a fifth side face  64   e . Also, the first corner  61  is formed by the first side face  64   a  and the third side face  64   c  that intersect with each other (at a right angel, here), and the second corner  62  is formed by the second side face  64   b  and the third side face  64   c  that intersect with each other (at a right angel, here). The article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2  in an orientation such that the first side face  64   a  is directed to the first side X 1 , the second side face  64   b  is directed to the second side X 2 , and the third side face  64   c  is directed to the front side Y 1 . The first side face  64   a , the second side face  64   b , the third side face  64   c , the fourth side face  64   d , and the fifth side face  64   e  are each planar. Also, in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 , the first side face  64   a , the second side face  64   b , the fourth side face  64   d , and the fifth side face  64   e  are arranged along a surface orthogonal to the lateral width direction X, and the third side face  64   c  is arranged along a surface orthogonal to the depth direction Y. Note that the fourth side face  64   d  is a face that is directed to the same side as that of the first side face  64   a , and is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the first side face  64   a  in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . Furthermore, the fifth side face  64   e  is a face that is directed to the same side as that of the second side face  64   b , and is arranged on the back side Y 2  relative to the second side face  64   b  in a state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , each of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  is provided with the restricting parts  50 . Specifically, the first supporting portion  31  is provided with two restricting parts  50 , namely, a first restricting part  51  and a third restricting part  53 , and the second supporting portion  32  is provided with two restricting parts  50 , namely, a second restricting part  52  and a fourth restricting part  54 . In the present embodiment, the restricting parts  50  are constituted by members (block-shaped members) other than the plate-shaped base of the rack body  30 , and are fixed to the base from above. 
     The first restricting part  51  has two restricting surfaces ( 50   a  and  50   b ) arranged opposing the two side faces  64  ( 64   a  and  64   c ) forming the first corner  61  in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first restricting part  51  has a first restricting surface  50   a  arranged opposing the first side face  64   a , and a second restricting surface  50   b  arranged opposing the third side face  64   c . The first restricting surface  50   a  restricts movement of the first corner  61  to the first side X 1 , and the second restricting surface  50   b  restricts movement of the first corner  61  to the front side Y 1 . In the present embodiment, the first restricting surface  50   a  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the second side X 2 , and the second restricting surface  50   b  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the back side Y 2 . Accordingly, the first restricting surface  50   a  restricts movement of the first corner  61  to the first side X 1  by guiding the first corner  61  toward the second side X 2 , and the second restricting surface  50   b  restricts movement of the first corner  61  to the front side Y 1  by guiding the first corner  61  toward the back side Y 2 . 
     The second restricting part  52  has two restricting surfaces ( 50   c  and  50   d ) arranged opposing the two side faces  64  ( 64   b  and  64   c ) forming the second corner  62  in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second restricting part  52  has a third restricting surface  50   c  arranged opposing the second side face  64   b , and a fourth restricting surface  50   d  arranged opposing the third side face  64   c . The third restricting surface  50   c  restricts movement of the second corner  62  to the second side X 2 , and the fourth restricting surface  50   d  restricts movement of the second corner  62  to the front side Y 1 . In the present embodiment, the third restricting surface  50   c  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the first side X 1 , and the fourth restricting surface  50   d  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the back side Y 2 . Accordingly, the third restricting surface  50   c  restricts movement of the second corner  62  to the second side X 2  by guiding the second corner  62  toward the first side X 1 , and the fourth restricting surface  50   d  restricts movement of the second corner  62  to the front side Y 1  by guiding the second corner  62  toward the back side Y 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the third restricting part  53  has a fifth restricting surface  50   e  arranged opposing the fourth side face  64   d  in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . The fifth restricting surface  50   e  restricts movement of the fourth side face  64   d  to the first side X 1 . In the present embodiment, the fifth restricting surface  50   e  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the second side X 2 , and restricts movement of the fourth side face  64   d  to the first side X 1  by guiding the fourth side face  64   d  toward the second side X 2 . In the present embodiment, the third restricting part  53  has a first supporting surface  50   g  that supports the article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2  from below, but a configuration without such a first supporting surface  50   g  is also possible. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fourth restricting part  54  has a sixth restricting surface  50   f  arranged opposing the fifth side face  64   e  in the state in which the article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2 . The sixth restricting surface  50   f  restricts movement of the fifth side face  64   e  to the second side X 2 . In the present embodiment, the sixth restricting surface  50   f  has an inclined surface that is inclined downward as approaching the first side X 1 , and restricts movement of the fifth side face  64   e  to the second side X 2  by guiding the fifth side face  64   e  toward the first side X 1 . In the present embodiment, the fourth restricting part  54  has a second supporting surface  50   h  that supports the article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2  from below, but a configuration without such a second supporting surface  50   h  is also possible. 
     Since the rack body  30  includes the restricting parts  50  having the above-described configuration, it is possible to correct a misalignment, in the lateral width direction X, of an article  60  that is stored at the second storage place S 2  using the first restricting surface  50   a , the third restricting surface  50   c , the fifth restricting surface  50   e , and the sixth restricting surface  50   f , and hold the article  60  at the corrected position in the lateral width direction X, using these restricting surfaces ( 50   a ,  50   c ,  50   e , and  50   f ). Furthermore, it is possible to correct a misalignment, in the depth direction Y, of an article  60  that is stored at the second storage place S 2  (here, a misalignment to the front side Y 1 ) using the second restricting surface  50   b  and the fourth restricting surface  50   d , and hold the article  60  at the corrected position in the depth direction Y using these restricting surfaces ( 50   b  and  50   d ) (while restricting movement to the front side Y 1 , here). As described above, in the present embodiment, the rack body  30  (specifically, the second supporting portion  32 ) has the second engaging part  42  that engages with the corresponding recess  70  of the article  60  that is stored at the second storage place S 2 . Accordingly, in the present embodiment, by using the second engaging part  42  and the restricting parts  50  together, a misalignment of an article  60  that is stored at the second storage place S 2  is corrected and the article  60  is held at the corrected position. Note that, in the present embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first restricting surface  50   a , the second restricting surface  50   b , the third restricting surface  50   c , and the fourth restricting surface  50   d  may each have a vertical surface below the above-described inclined surface, and these vertical surfaces may also oppose the side faces  64  of the bottom  63  of the article  60  in the state in which the article  60  is supported at the second storage place S 2  on the rack body  30 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     The following will describe other embodiments of the storage rack and the article storage facility. 
     (1) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the first supporting portion  31  has two restricting parts  50 , namely, the first restricting part  51  and third restricting part  53 , and the second supporting portion  32  has two restricting parts  50 , namely, the second restricting part  52  and the fourth restricting part  54 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, for example, the first supporting portion  31  has only one of the first restricting part  51  and the third restricting part  53 , namely, the first restricting part  51 , and the second supporting portion  32  has only one of the second restricting part  52  and the fourth restricting part  54 , namely, the second restricting part  52 . 
     (2) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which an article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2  in an orientation such that one of the two side faces  64  forming the first corner  61  is directed to the front side Y 1  and the other one is directed to the first side X 1 , and one of the two side faces  64  forming the second corner  62  is directed to the front side Y 1  and the other one is directed to the second side X 2 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, for example, an article  60  is stored at the second storage place S 2  in an orientation such that one of the two side faces  64  forming the first corner  61  is directed to the back side Y 2  and the other one is directed to the second side X 2 , and one of the two side faces  64  forming the second corner  62  is directed to the back side Y 2  and the other one is directed to the first side X 1  (that is, the orientation of the article  60  in the above-described embodiment is rotated about the axis along the vertical direction Z by 180 degrees). Even in this case, it is preferable that the rack body  30  has a restricting part  50  that has two restricting surfaces arranged opposing the two side faces  64  forming the first corner  61 , and a restricting part  50  that has two restricting surfaces arranged opposing the two side faces  64  forming the second corner  62 . 
     (3) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which only one of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , namely, the second supporting portion  32 , has the second engaging part  42 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, if an article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2  is supported on the rack body  30  such that its recess  70  overlaps with the first supporting portion  31  when viewed in a plan view, both of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  may have the second engaging part  42 , or only one of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32 , namely, the first supporting portion  31 , may have the second engaging part  42 . Furthermore, it is also possible that the rack body  30  does not have the second engaging part  42 , and in this case, it is also possible that, for example, an article  60  is positioned at the second storage place S 2  only by the restricting parts  50 . 
     (4) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  has a shape that conforms to an outer edge of the first arm  21  in the specific state, when viewed in a plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  has a shape that does not conform to the outer edge of the first arm  21  in the specific state, when viewed in a plan view (for example, a configuration in which the outer edge extends parallel to the depth direction Y). 
     (5) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which, in a state in which the supporting body  10  is positioned at the first projected position P 1  (specific state), the first arm  21  is arranged inside the separation space D while being inclined toward the first side X 1  as approaching the front side Y 1 , when viewed in a plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, in the specific state, the first arm  21  is arranged inside the separation space D while extending parallel to the depth direction Y, when viewed in a plan view. In other words, in the specific state, the direction connecting the first axis M 1  and the second axis M 2  may also be parallel to the depth direction Y when viewed in a plan view. In this case, for example, the outer edge, on the width directional center C side, of the first supporting portion  31  in the first region A 1  may have a shape that conforms to, when viewed in a plan view, an outer edge of the first arm  21  in a state in which the supporting body  10  is positioned on the front side Y 1  relative to the first projected position P 1 , or may have a shape that conforms to an outer edge of the trajectory of the movement of the first arm  21 . 
     (6) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the third coupling part  20   c  couples the second arm  22  to the vertically moving body  93  (specifically, the rotating plate  94  provided on the vertically moving body  93 ). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  includes at least three arms including the first arm  21  and the second arm  22 , and the third coupling part  20   c  couples the second arm  22 , to an arm coupled to the vertically moving body  93  directly or via another arm. 
     (7) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the supporting body  10  supports only one article  60  from below. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the supporting body  10  can support a plurality of articles  60  (for example, two articles  60 ) aligned in the depth direction Y from below. In this case, both transfer of one of the articles  60  between the supporting body  10  and the first storage place S 1 , and transfer of the other one of the articles  60  between the supporting body  10  and the second storage place S 2  can be realized by the supporting body  10  projected to the first projected position P 1  passing through the separation space D in the vertical direction Z. 
     (8) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which, in the second region A 2 , which is a region in the depth direction Y and is located on the back side Y 2  relative to the first region A 1 , the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, in the second region A 2 , the first distance L 1  differs from the second distance L 2  (for example, the first distance L 1  is longer than the second distance L 2 ). 
     (9) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which a rack body  30  can support two articles  60  aligned in the depth direction Y from below. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the rack body  30  can support at least three articles  60  aligned in the depth direction Y. In this case, in contrast to the above-described embodiment, one or more other storage places (storage places for articles  60 ) are arranged in the depth direction Y between the first storage place S 1  and the second storage place S 2 . 
     (10) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which a storage rack  3  includes a plurality of rack bodies  30  aligned in the lateral width direction X at the same height. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the storage rack  3  includes only one rack body  30  at a single position in the vertical direction Z. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the storage rack  3  includes a plurality of rack bodies  30  aligned in the vertical direction Z at the same level in the lateral width direction X. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the storage rack  3  includes only one rack body  30  at a single position in the lateral width direction X. 
     (11) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which a pair of storage racks  3  are disposed opposing each other in the depth direction Y with the movement pathway R interposed therebetween. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which one storage rack  3  is disposed on only one side, in the depth direction Y, of the movement pathway R (on one side, in the width direction, of the movement pathway R). In this case, the vertically moving body  93  may also not be provided with the rotating plate  94 . 
     (12) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the supporting members  39  that support the rack bodies  30  are supporting posts that stand on the floor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the supporting members  39  are supporting frames fixed to the floor or ceiling, walls fixed to the floor, or the like. 
     (13) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the transfer device  2  is supported by the vertically moving body  93 , and moves the supporting body  10  in the vertical direction Z so that it passes through the separation space D, by lifting and lowering the vertically moving body  93  and moving the entire transfer device  2  in the vertical direction Z. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the transfer device  2  is provided with a lifting/lowering mechanism for moving the supporting body  10  in the vertical direction Z, and uses the lifting/lowering mechanism to move the supporting body  10  in the vertical direction Z so that it passes through the separation space D. 
     (14) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the transport device  90  is a stacker crane. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the transport device  90  is a transport device other than the stacker crane, such as a transport device that travels autonomously on the floor while recognizing its current location, a transport device that travels along the movement pathway R that is provided in the lateral width direction X correspondingly to each stage of the storage rack  3 , or a transport device (ceiling transport vehicle) that is supported by a rail provided on the ceiling side and travels while being guided by the rail. 
     (15) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which an article  60  is a FOUP in which semiconductor wafers are housed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which the article  60  is a container in which objects other than semiconductor wafers are housed, such as a container in which reticles are housed. Furthermore, the article  60  may also be an article other than a container. 
     (16) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is provided with a link mechanism that uses arms. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, for example, the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is provided with a slide mechanism that supports the supporting body  10  so that it can slide in the depth direction Y. An example of such a configuration is shown in  FIG. 12 . In the example shown in  FIG. 12 , the advancing/retracting mechanism  20  includes a third supporting member  83  that supports the supporting body  10  so that it can slide in the depth direction Y, a second supporting member  82  that supports the third supporting member  83  so that it can slide in the depth direction Y, and a first supporting member  81  that supports the second supporting member  82  so that it can slide in the depth direction Y, and is fixed to the lifting/lowering body  93  (specifically, the rotating plate  94  mounted on the lifting/lowering body  93 ). The advancing/retracting mechanism  20  is provided with an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the supporting body  10 , the third supporting member  83 , and the second supporting member  82 , although the details are not included here. Due to the effects of this interlocking mechanism, when the second supporting member  82  is moved to the back side Y 2  relative to the first supporting member  81 , the third supporting member  83  is moved to the back side Y 2  relative to the second supporting member  82 , and the supporting body  10  is moved to the back side Y 2  relative to the third supporting member  83 . Furthermore, due to the effects of this interlocking mechanism, when the second supporting member  82  is moved to the front side Y 1  relative to the first supporting member  81 , the third supporting member  83  is moved to the front side Y 1  relative to the second supporting member  82 , and the supporting body  10  is moved to the front side Y 1  relative to the third supporting member  83 . 
     (17) The above-described embodiment has described, as an example, a configuration in which, in the first region A 1 , which is a region in the depth direction Y and includes an end on the front side Y 1  of the rack body  30 , the first distance L 1 , which is a distance from the width directional center C to the first supporting portion  31 , is longer than the second distance L 2 , which is a distance from the width directional center C to the second supporting portion  32 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration is also possible in which, as the foregoing example shown in  FIG. 12 , in the first region A 1 , the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 . Note that in the example shown in  FIG. 12 , in the entire region, in the depth direction Y, of the first supporting portion  31  and the second supporting portion  32  in which articles are arranged, the first distance L 1  is equal to the second distance L 2 . Furthermore, in the example shown in  FIG. 12 , in contrast to the above-described embodiment, not only the second supporting portion  32  but also the first supporting portion  31  include the second engaging part  42  that engages with the corresponding recess  70  of the article  60  stored at the second storage place S 2 . 
     (18) Note that the configurations disclosed in the foregoing embodiments can also be applied in combination with a configuration disclosed in the other embodiments unless they contradict each other (including combinations of the embodiments explained as other embodiments). With respect to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in the present description are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, a variety of modifications are possible as appropriate within the scope without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. 
     Overview of Embodiments 
     The overview of the foregoing storage rack and article storage facility will be described. 
     A storage rack that is used to store at least one article that includes, at a plurality of positions on a bottom thereof, recesses for positioning that are recessed upward, an article being transferred to the storage rack from a front side using a supporting body that supports the article from below, the storage rack including: a rack body that supports the article from below, wherein the rack body includes a first supporting portion, a second supporting portion, and a third supporting portion, and is configured to be able to support a plurality of articles aligned in a depth direction of the storage rack from below, assuming that, in a horizontal plane, a direction that is orthogonal to the depth direction is a lateral width direction, and one side in the lateral width direction is a first side, and the other side in the lateral width direction is a second side, the first supporting portion is formed extending in the depth direction, and is arranged on the first side with respect to a width directional center, which is the center in the lateral width direction of the rack body, the second supporting portion is formed extending in the depth direction, and is arranged on the second side with respect to the width directional center, and the third supporting portion is formed extending in the lateral width direction, and is arranged on the back side of the storage rack relative to a separation space, which is a space that is formed between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, and through which the supporting body passes in a vertical direction when the article is transferred, and assuming that an article storage place on the backmost side in the depth direction of the rack body is a first storage place, and an article storage place on the frontmost side in the depth direction of the rack body is a second storage place, the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion respectively include first engaging parts that engage with the recesses of the article that is stored at the first storage place, and the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion respectively include restricting parts that are arranged opposing side faces of the bottom of the article that is stored at the second storage place, and are configured to restrict horizontal movement of the article. 
     With the above-described configuration, the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion respectively include the first engaging parts that engage with the positioning recesses of the article that is stored at the first storage place. Accordingly, by the first engaging parts of the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion, and the third supporting portion engaging with the recesses, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the first storage place in the horizontal direction. 
     Moreover, with the above-described configuration, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion respectively include restricting parts that are arranged opposing side faces of the bottom of the article stored at the second storage place, and are configured to restrict horizontal movement of the article. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the second storage place in the horizontal direction, using the respective restricting parts of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. In other words, the separation space through which the supporting body passes in the vertical direction when the article is transferred is formed between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion. Accordingly, at the second storage place, there is no third supporting portion and it is not possible to position and hold the article in the same manner as at the first storage place, but with the configuration in which the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion include the restricting parts, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article also at the second storage place in the horizontal direction. 
     As described above, with the above-described configuration, in a storage rack that can store a plurality of articles aligned in a depth direction, it is possible to appropriately position and hold each of the plurality of articles in the horizontal direction. 
     Here, preferably, the bottom of the article has a first corner and a second corner that are each formed by two side faces that intersect with each other, the article is stored at the second storage place in an orientation such that one of the two side faces forming the first corner is directed to the front side, and the other one is directed to the first side, and one of the two side faces forming the second corner is directed to the front side, and the other one is directed to the second side, the restricting part of the first supporting portion has two restricting surfaces that are arranged opposing the two side faces forming the first corner, and the restricting part of the second supporting portion has two restricting surfaces that are arranged opposing the two side faces forming the second corner. 
     With this configuration, it is possible to position and hold an article at the second storage place in the horizontal direction, using the two corners of the bottom of the article. Specifically, the restricting part of the first supporting portion can restrict, in two directions from the first side and the front side, movement of the first corner, and the restricting part of the second supporting portion can restrict, in two directions from the second side and the front side, movement of the second corner. As a result, using the two restricting parts, it is possible to restrict the movement of the article stored at the second storage place to both sides in the lateral width direction, and to the front side in the depth direction. 
     Furthermore, preferably, either of the first supporting portion or the second supporting portion has, or both of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion have a second engaging part that engages with the recess of the article that is stored at the second storage place. 
     With this configuration, by using the restricting parts and the second engaging part together, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the second storage place in the horizontal direction. 
     An article storage facility includes: the storage rack; and a transfer device; wherein the transfer device includes the supporting body, and an advancing/retracting mechanism configured to move the supporting body back and forth in the depth direction, an article being transferred between the supporting body and the rack body, by the supporting body being projected toward the back side by the advancing/retracting mechanism, and in this state, the supporting body passing through the separation space in the vertical direction, the advancing/retracting mechanism includes: a first arm; a second arm; a first coupling part that couples the first arm and the second arm so that they can rotate about a first axis that extends in the vertical direction; and a second coupling part that couples the supporting body and the first arm so that they can rotate about a second axis that extends in the vertical direction, the second coupling part being provided at a position in the first arm that is different from a position at which the first coupling part is provided, the transfer device is configured to move the supporting body back and forth with the first coupling part located on the first side relative to the second coupling part, by rotating the first arm and the second arm about the first axis in opposite directions, in a first region, which is a region in the depth direction and includes an end on the front side of the rack body, a distance from the width directional center to the first supporting portion is longer than a distance from the width directional center to the second supporting portion, and only the second supporting portion, out of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, includes the second engaging part. 
     With the above-described configuration, a trajectory of movement of the advancing/retracting mechanism when the supporting body is moved back and forth is a trajectory that protrudes, to the first side, from a trajectory of movement of the supporting body, due to the fact that the first coupling part is located on the first side relative to the second coupling part. In this regard, with the above-described configuration, the rack body is formed such that, in the first region, which is a region in the depth direction and includes an end on the front side of the rack body, a distance from the width directional center, which is the center in the lateral width direction of the rack body, to the first supporting portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “first distance”) is longer than a distance from the width directional center to the second supporting portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “second distance”). Accordingly, in the first region, the first distance being longer than the second distance makes it possible to enlarge the separation space formed between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion toward the first side. Since the separation space can be enlarged to the first side in the first region in this manner, it is easy to arrange the rack body and the transfer device close to each other in the depth direction while avoiding interference between the rack body and the trajectory of movement of the advancing/retracting mechanism, compared to a case where the first distance is equal to the second distance in the first region. 
     Note that, in such a configuration, due to the fact that the first distance is longer than the second distance in the first region, the outer edge, on the width directional center side, of the first supporting portion in the first region is arranged on the first side. Accordingly, there may be a case where it is difficult to provide the second engaging part on the first supporting portion, but with a configuration as described above in which only the second supporting portion, out of the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, includes the second engaging part, it is possible to appropriately position and hold the article stored at the second storage place, and at the same time, it is possible to arrange the rack body and the transfer device close to each other in the depth direction, by setting the first distance in the first region to be longer than the second distance. 
     It is sufficient that the storage rack and the article storage facility according to this disclosure can realize at least one of the above-described effects.