U.S. patent application number 09/752407 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for earthquake-damping rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha, Kyoto-shi, Japan. Invention is credited to Fukuta, Osamu, Inagaki, Taro, Kokubo, Tomoya, Masuda, Junichi.
Application Number | 20010005961 09/752407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26583171 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fukuta, Osamu ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Earthquake-damping rack
Abstract
A plurality of column members 6a, 6b of a rack are joined with
an earthquake-damping joint 21. The earthquake-damping joint 24
comprises a deformation portion 24, which is narrower so as to gain
increased plastic formability, and a pair of fixing portions 26,
which are strengthened with increased thickness, to join an upper
joint section 20a and a lower joint section 20b with a plurality of
bolts 28 or the like. Said deformation portion 24 is deformed by
the horizontal stress applied in the direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the rack and the upper column member 6a
moves upwardly, absorbing the vibration energy. Said fixing
portions 26 are strengthened by increased thickness so that the
bolts 28 do not yield to the shock.
Inventors: |
Fukuta, Osamu; (Ama-gun,
JP) ; Masuda, Junichi; (Niwa-gun, JP) ;
Inagaki, Taro; (Inuyama-shi, JP) ; Kokubo,
Tomoya; (Nishikasugai-gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARMSTRONG,WESTERMAN, HATTORI,
MCLELAND & NAUGHTON, LLP
1725 K STREET, NW, SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha,
Kyoto-shi, Japan
|
Family ID: |
26583171 |
Appl. No.: |
09/752407 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/167.3 ;
52/167.1; 52/167.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 1/02 20130101; A47B
96/066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/167.3 ;
52/167.4; 52/167.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 001/98; E04H
009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2000 |
JP |
2000-475 |
Sep 1, 2000 |
JP |
2000-264931 |
Claims
1. An earthquake-damping rack comprising a plurality of columns,
each column composed of an upper column member and a lower column
member combined by a joint which comprises an upper joint and a
lower joint, with at least one of the upper joint and the lower
joint having a deformation portion that allows the upward movement
of the upper column member through deformation, and a plurality of
fixing portions that are stronger than the deformation portion.
2. An earthquake-damping rack as in claim 1, wherein the upper
joint and the lower joint are superposed, the deformation portion
made narrower or thinner than the fixing portion.
3. An earthquake-damping rack as in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the
length along the longitudinal direction is substantially longer
than the length along the depth direction, and the deformation in
the deformation portion of the joint damps the vibration caused by
the horizontal stress applied in the direction perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
4. An earthquake-damping rack as in claim 1, wherein the upper
joint and lower joint are superposed, the deformation portion
having grooves or holes.
5. An earthquake-damping rack as in claim 1, wherein the upper
joint and the lower joint are superposed, and the fixing portions
have ribs installed for the reinforcement.
6. An earthquake-damping rack characterized in that the columns are
divided at a position at least lower than the middle of the whole
height of the columns, and the upper column member and the lower
column member are joined with the joints that allow upward
movements of the upper column members.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an earthquake-damping rack
mainly used in an automated warehouse.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Racks used in automated warehouses need to be
earthquake-resistant. The higher they become, the higher level of
earthquake-resistance is required. When columns are strengthened as
required by the need to be earthquake-resistant, the thickness of
the columns tends to increase substantially.
[0003] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to gain
improved earthquake-resistance by damping the earthquake effects
with joints which absorb relatively large earthquake vibration
energy.
[0004] It is also an object of the present invention to prevent the
plastic deformation of the fixing portion connecting the upper
joint and the lower joint.
[0005] Further, it is also aimed at preventing the deformation of
the deformation portion of the joint at the time of weak
earthquakes.
[0006] Still further, the additional improvement of the present
invention is aimed at making sure that only the deformation portion
of the joint can be deformed.
[0007] Still further, the additional improvement of the present
invention is to provide an earthquake-damping rack that is suitable
for the use in an automated warehouse.
[0008] In addition, it is also an object of the present invention
to decrease the thickness of the columns by alleviating horizontal
stress generated at the time of earthquakes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is an earthquake-damping rack provided
with a plurality of columns, each column composed of an upper
column member and a lower column member combined by a joint which
comprises an upper joint and a lower joint. At least one of the
upper joint and the lower joint has a deformation portion that
allows the upward movement of the upper column member through
deformation. The earthquake-damping rack of the present invention
is also characterized in that a plurality of fixing portions that
are stronger than the deformation portion are provided.
[0010] It is preferable that the upper joint and the lower joint
are superposed, and the deformation portion are made thinner or
narrower than the fixing portions.
[0011] It is also preferable that the earthquake-damping rack is
rectangular, and the length along the longitudinal direction is
substantially longer than the length along the depth direction, and
that the deformation of the deformation portion of said joint is
capable of damping the vibration caused by the horizontal stress
working in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction.
[0012] It is also preferable to superpose the upper joint and the
lower joint, and to reduce the strength of the deformation portion
compared with the fixing portions by making grooves or holes in the
deformation portion.
[0013] Preferably, the upper joint and the lower joint are
superposed, and ribs are used in said fixing portions.
[0014] The column is divided into two portions at a position lower
than the middle of the whole height of the column, and the upper
portion and the lower portion are joined with the joint that allows
upwardly movement of the upper column member.
[0015] In the case of earthquakes and the like, when upwardly
tensile stress is applied to the upper column member, the
deformation portion is deformed, allowing the upwardly movement of
the upper column member. This absorbs the vibration energy, and in
other words damps vibration. In addition, the fixing portion
combining the upper joint and the lower joint is formed outside the
deformation portion, and is stronger than the deformation portion,
so that even if the deformation portion is deformed, the fixing
portion does not deform, serving to prevent the upper and lower
column members from being disconnected. This results in increased
earthquake-resistance realized without increasing the thickness of
the columns. The target level of the earthquake-resistance is aimed
at a very strong earthquake that might occur once or never during
the life of the rack. Thus, it is preferable to design the rack so
that the deformation portion does not deform in an earthquake of
such a strength that might occur several times during the life. In
this way, it is possible to prevent the collapse of column members
and the fall-out of the rack even in an unprecedented level of
earthquake without increasing the weight of the rack.
[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, the deformation
portion is made thinner or narrower than the fixing portion. In
this way the strength of the deformation portion is reduced
compared with the fixing portion, so that only the deformation
portion can be deformed without the deformation of the fixing
portion.
[0017] In a third aspect of the present invention, an
earthquake-damping rack that is especially suitable for an
automated warehouse is provided. A rack used for an automated
warehouse needs to be high-rising and also light-weighted. It is
also characterized in that the length along the depth direction is
substantially shorter than the length along the longitudinal
direction. With the use of the earthquake-damping joint, the
resistance against the horizontal stress applied in the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is improved, so that
the resistance against an extremely strong earthquake will be
enhanced.
[0018] There are a variety of structures that are designed to
reduce the relative strength of the deformation portion compared
with the fixing portion. For example, grooves or holes may be made.
Ribs may be used to strengthen the fixing portion.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
upper and lower column members are joined with a special joint that
allows upward movement. The force applied to the earthquake-damping
rack at the time of the earthquake can be dissipated by the upward
movement of the upper column member. Next, as for the bending
moment that is applied to the earthquake-damping rack when an
earthquake occurs, there is a position where the bending moment
becomes zero (known as the point of contraflexure) at a point
slightly higher than the middle of the entire column. The bending
moment increases toward the bottom from this point of
contraflexure. Therefore, if the column is divided at a position
lower than the middle of the entire column, and the joint is
installed at the divided position, the earthquake-damping is more
effective. As a result, the columns can be thinner because the
horizontal stress generated in the event of an earthquake is
alleviated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an important part of an
earthquake-damping rack embodying the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an automated warehouse employing
the earthquake-damping rack embodying the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint
employed in the embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view of the earthquake-damping joint of the
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows how the vibration is absorbed by deformation of
the earthquake-damping joints. The left drawing shows the state
after the deformation, and the drawing to the right shows the state
before the deformation.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing how the earthquake force is
applied to the earthquake-damping rack in the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and how the vibration
is absorbed by the earthquake-damping joint.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint in an
alternative embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of the earthquake-damping joint in the
alternative embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of a
second alternative embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of a
third alternative embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of a
fourth alternative embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of a
fifth alternative embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of a
sixth alternative embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the earthquake-damping joint of
the sixth alternative embodiment after the deformation.
[0034] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing the relations between the upper
joint, the liner and the lower joint in an embodiment wherein the
liner is inserted between the upper and lower joints.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show an earthquake-damping rack embodying
the present invention.
[0036] The earthquake-damping rack 2 in FIG. 1 comprises a
plurality of center-columns 4 in the middle of the depth direction
of the structure, a plurality of end-columns 6 at both ends of the
depth direction, and a plurality of earthquake-damping joints
mounted at least on each of said end-columns 6. Each of the
end-columns 6 is composed of a plurality of column members, made up
of square steel tubes, for example, joined with a plurality of
joints, at least one of the joints being an earthquake-damping
joint. 8 and 10 are beams. The beams 8 are the beams placed in the
longitudinal direction and the beams 10 are placed in the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The definitions of the
longitudinal direction and the depth direction are shown in FIG. 1.
12, 14 are cross ties. The rack 2 is made in what is called a truss
structure. 16 is a rail laid in the longitudinal direction, and
used for running a transport vehicle such as a stacker crane.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows an automated warehouse 17 having a plurality of
the earthquake-damping racks 2. 3, 3 are earthquake-damping racks
similar to the earthquake-damping rack 2. The length along the
depth direction of the rack 3 is half that of the rack 2, having no
center-columns 4. Otherwise, the structure of the rack 3 is similar
to the rack 2 in that the end-columns 6 positioned at both ends of
the depth direction have earthquake-damping joints. However, if the
racks 3, 3 are used to serve as outer walls, the racks 3, 3 don't
have to contain earthquake-damping joints in order to prevent
deformation due to wind. 18 are transport vehicles such as stacker
cranes. The automated warehouse 17 is composed of a plurality of
the earthquake-damping racks 3 and a plurality of the
earthquake-damping racks 2, which are half length along the depth
direction, arranged in rows. In the automated warehouse 17, for
example, if the racks 2 and the racks 3 are more than 30 meters
high, and provided that the length along the longitudinal direction
is extremely long compared with the length along the depth
direction, it is naturally strong in the longitudinal direction,
but weak against horizontal stress given in the direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Thus, it is the object
of the present invention to enable a higher structure that may
exceed 30 meters, for example, while avoiding increased thickness
of the end-columns 6.
[0038] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example of the earthquake-damping
joint 21. The earthquake-damping joint 21 is composed of an upper
joint 20a and a lower joint 20b, the upper and lower joints 20a,
20b having similar forms, arranged back to back. The
earthquake-damping joint 21 joins the square steel tubes 6a, 6b. 22
shows a flange of the joint 21. The flange 22 may be square, for
example. Each of the end-column members 6a, 6b is fixed to the
flange 22 in such a method as welding. However, any type of
combining methods or reinforcement methods may be used for the
end-column members 6a, 6b. The flanges 22, 22 are only arranged in
the positions together with the upper and lower joints 20a, 20b,
and are not fixed with each other. 24 is a deformation portion
aimed at absorbing vibration energy by deforming itself in the
event of strong vibration. The deformation portion 24 is positioned
outside the flange 22. 26 are fixing portions positioned outside
the deformation portion 24, joining the upper and lower joints 20a,
20b with bolts 28 and nuts 30 or by other fixing methods such as
welding. The joints 20a, 20b are made of metal with high plastic
deformability such as dead soft steel. The deformation portion 24
is narrower than the flange 22 and the fixing portions 26, or
thinner than the fixing portions 26 so that only the deformation
portion 24 can be deformed by tensile stress. In the example
described here, the deformation portion 24 is both thinner and
narrower. However, it is permissible to make it either thinner or
narrower. The fixing portion 26 has a base member made of dead soft
steel as is used in the joint 21 and a reinforcing member made of
metal stronger than the base member such as common steel combined
by welding or in other method so as to make the fixing portion 26
resistant to deformation.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows an example of deformation of the deformation
portion 24 due to an earthquake or the like. The drawing to the
right shows the state before the tremor such as an earthquake. When
upwardly tensile stress stronger than the yield point of the
deformation portion 24 is applied, deformation portion 24 is
deformed. The upper column member 6a is moved upwardly in respect
to the lower column member 6b. As a result, there is a gap formed
between the upper joint 20a and the lower joint 20b. In the case of
an earthquake, when the phase of vibration changes by 180 degrees,
downwardly compressive stress will follow the tensile stress. This
compressive stress closes the gap of the deformation portion 24,
and the state of the joint looks like the example shown by the
right drawing of FIG. 5. During these movements, the energy of the
earthquake or the like is absorbed. In other words, the earthquake
effect is damped.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a mechanism for preventing collapse with the
use of the earthquake-damping joints 21 of the earthquake-damping
rack 2. The length along the longitudinal direction of the
earthquake-damping rack 2 is longer than the length along the depth
direction, so that it is naturally strong against the earthquake
waves in the longitudinal direction. However, the
earthquake-damping rack 2 is weak against forces applied in the
direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, because it
is tall and thin. When horizontal stress is applied as shown in the
white-out arrow of the FIG. 6, compressive stress is generated at a
joint P between the column members 6a, 6b, on the right side of the
drawing of FIG. 6, and on the left side, tensile stress is
generated at a joint Q. Against this tensile stress, the
deformation portion 24 is deformed so that there will be a gap in
the substantially vertical direction between the two components of
the deformation portion 24. When the vibration phase is changed by
180 degrees, the deformation portion 24 deforms in the area
encompassing the joint P. The vibration energy is absorbed during
these movements. As a result, the earthquake-resistance of the
racks 2, 3 can be improved together with the increased height
without increasing the thickness of the column members 6a, 6b. In
addition, the rack 2 can be easily repaired by changing or
repairing the joints 21 after the joints 21 have got deformed.
[0041] In the example described above, both the upper and lower
joints 20a, 20b have the deformation portion 24. However, either
joint may have the deformation portion 24. In the description, the
effects have been described in terms of both height and
earthquake-resistance. However, the present invention can be
utilized in order to improve only the earthquake-resistance without
increasing the height of the structures.
[0042] FIG. 7 to FIG. 12 show altered examples.
[0043] In the altered examples in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the
earthquake-damping joint has a flange 42 for the column member to
be welded to, a deformation portion 44 outside the flange 42, and a
pair of fixing portions 46 which constitute in the edge outside the
deformation portion 44 of the earthquake-damping joint 40. The
earthquake-damping joint 40 is made of such metal as SN steel,
wherein the yield point is controlled, or dead soft steel having
the low yield point, which has good plastic deformability. 48 is a
hole for a bolt. A pair of the earthquake-damping joints 40 are
arranged back to back as in FIG. 8 and fixed with a plurality of
bolts 28 and nuts 30. In the altered example as shown in FIG. 7 and
FIG. 8, the deformation portion 44 is actually a kind of groove
formed on a plate. The earthquake-damping joint 40 is made from a
plate member with the groove 44 engraved, and a plurality of
through bolt holes 48. The length of the groove 44 is the same with
the length along the depth direction of the earthquake-damping
joint 40, as shown vertically in FIG. 7. However, the groove 44 may
be shorter than the length along the depth direction of the
earthquake-damping joint 40. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the
groove 44 is rectangular, but it may be circular. In short, it is
only necessary to reduce the thickness of the deformation portion
44 to make it thinner than the fixing portion 46.
[0044] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an example provided with holes. The
earthquake-damping joint 50 in FIG. 9 has a plurality of holes 55
in the deformation portion 54 outside the flange 42, and has a
plurality of bolt holes 48 at both ends thereof. Though the holes
55 are through holes in this example, dents that are not through
may be usable. The holes 55 may not be limited to ovals as shown in
FIG. 9, and may be circle or square.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows an earthquake-damping joint 60 comprising a
plurality of holes 65 perforated in the deformation portion 64
outside the flange 42 in the center of said earthquake-damping
joint 60, the deformation portion 64 having a plurality of
semi-circular cuts, and the fixing portions 66 on both sides of the
deformation portion 64. The fixing portions 66 have a plurality of
bolt holes 48. FIG. 10 shows semi-circular cuts 65, but any other
cuts such as rectangular or square cuts may be used.
[0046] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show an example that employs a plurality
of ribs. The earthquake-damping joint 70 of FIG. 11 has a
deformation portion 74 outside the flange 42, a pair of fixing
portions 76 outside each of the deformation portion 74, the fixing
portions 76 having a plurality of ribs 77. The number of ribs 77
may be three on each side, for example. 48 is the bolt hole. The
entire earthquake-damping joint 70 is like a flat plate except for
the ribs. By installing the ribs 77 in the fixing portion 76, the
deformation of the fixing portion 76 is prevented, so that the
deformation occurs only in the deformation portion 74. In order to
make stronger contrast in the difference in strength between the
fixing portion 76 and the deformation portion 74, the deformation
portion 74 may have cuts, holes, or grooves as shown by dot-dash
lines in FIG. 11.
[0047] The example shown in FIG. 12 is devised so that the
deformation of the flange 42 and also the deformation of the fixing
portion 86 are prevented. 83, 83 are ribs to reinforce the flange
42, which can also be used for bolting the column members. 84 is
the deformation portion outside the flange 42. The fixing portion
86 has the rib 87 that extends along the whole depth (shown
vertically in FIG. 12), thus is thicker than the deformation
portion 84. The structure of the rib 87 is shown enlarged at the
lower right-hand corner.
[0048] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show an earthquake-damping joint 90 as a
still different embodiment. An upper joint 91 and a lower joint 92
are fixed to a pair of fixing portions 94 made up of a thick plate
positioned on both sides of the upper and lower joints, by means of
welding or in other method. 96 is the deformation portion. A plate
98 is installed at a position nearer to the center of the joint
with respect to the deformation portion 96 and fixed to the plate
99 which is inside the column member with bolts or in other
methods. When a large tensile stress is applied to the
earthquake-damping joint 90, it deforms as shown in FIG. 14.
[0049] FIG. 15 shows an example wherein a liner 100 is installed
between the upper and lower earthquake-damping joints. Although the
example shown in FIG. 15 employs the upper joint 20a and lower
joint 20b shown in FIG. 3, the same method can be applied to any
type of joints shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 14. FIG. 15 shows, from top
to bottom, the top of the upper joint 20a, the liner 100, and the
bottom of the lower joint 20b. The liner 100 is a plate member made
of normal steel or the like. The liner 100 is asymmetrical in FIG.
15. The upper part of the liner 100 as shown in FIG. 15 is located
outside and the lower part of the liner 100 as shown in FIG. 15 is
located inside of the rack.
[0050] The liner 100 comprises a cut 102, which is a part
corresponding to the deformation portion 104, and a plurality of
bolt holes 106. The bolt hole 106 is made so that the bolt hole 106
is all through via the bolt hole 48 of the earthquake-damping
joint. The cut 102 corresponds to the part of the flange of the
earthquake-damping joint, and constitutes in a big cut facing the
outside of the rack. The deformation-portion-correspon- ding part
104 is a cut made to match the deformation portion 24 of the
earthquake-damping joint 21. If the earthquake-damping joint 21 is
made thinner and does not have the cut, there is no need to make
the deformation-portion-corresponding part 104.
[0051] In the rack 2 of FIG. 1, when horizontal stress is applied
in an earthquake or the like, one column receives compressive
stress while the other column has upwardly tensile stress. With the
upwardly tensile stress deforms the deforming portion 24, and the
upper portion of the column member moves upward. At this point, on
the side where the compressive stress is applied, the horizontal
stress can be dissipated more effectively if the upper portion of
the column member slightly moves outwardly. If the joint 20a, 20b
have a liner 100 in between, with a cut section 102 facing
outwardly, the upper portion of the column member is more easily
movable toward the outside. In this way the horizontal resistance
against the horizontal stress is further enhanced.
[0052] The liner 100 is a plate member installed between the upper
and lower joints. On both ends thereof fixing portions are made to
fixed with the upper and lower earthquake-damping joints. The
central part between the fixing portions serve to make the outward
movement of the upper column member easier than the inward
movement. Instead of making the cut 102, the area corresponding to
the cut 102 may be thinner, for example.
* * * * *