Cart transport apparatus

A cart transport apparatus for transporting a cart provided with a plurality of storage areas in each of which trays with medicine contained therein can be stored,

• the cart comprising a plurality of support panels juxtaposed to each other, a lower connection member connecting the lower end portions of the plurality of support panels, and casters positioned below the lower connection member,
• the cart transport apparatus comprising:
• a frame having wheels which can be driven to rotate, the frame being movable beneath the lower connection member of the cart;
• a first grip member for gripping the lower connection member of the cart;
• a cart detection portion for detecting the lower connection member of the cart;
• and
• a control portion for driving the grip member based on a detection signal from the cart detection portion to grip the lower connection member,
• the first grip member comprising a pair of grip arms disposed on the frame so as to be shifted from each other in a longitudinal direction of the lower connection member, the pair of grip arms being capable of pivoting in synchronization with each other so as to guide the lower connection member from side surfaces thereof,
• the cart detection portion comprising a plurality of groups of sensors, wherein the sensors in each group of sensors are juxtaposed in a cart transporting direction within a range of a width of the lower connection member to detect the lower connection member, wherein at least a first group of the groups of sensors is disposed on a first side of the frame and a second group of the groups of sensors is disposed on a second side of the frame,
• the control portion driving the grip member to grip the lower connection member when receiving the detection signal that both the first group of the groups of sensors and the second group of the groups of sensors detect the lower connection member.