Conveyor

Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying device. The conveying device (10) is used to convey a pallet (91) along a conveying path (20) including a straight path (21) and a curved path (22) connected to the straight path (21). The conveying device (10) is provided with a posture assist mechanism (30) for assisting the change in the conveying posture of the pallet (91) when the pallet (91) is conveyed from the straight path (21) to the curved path (22). The posture assist mechanism (30) is provided on the straight path (21) on the conveying path (20) and is closer to the conveying upstream side than the position (S) where the curved path (22) starts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for conveying an object along a conveying path including a straight path and a curved path connected to the straight path. Background Art

[0002] In the past, it is well known that a conveying device for conveying a conveyed object, as shown in Japanese Patent No. 5168794, has a conveying path formed by appropriately combining a straight path, a curved path, and a branch portion, wherein the straight path is used to guide the conveyed object in a straight direction, the curved path is used to branch the conveyed object from the straight path, and the branch portion has the straight path and the curved path.

[0003] The conveying device of Japanese Patent No. 5168794 is used in manufacturing plants for semiconductors or liquid crystal display panels to convey products in the process of manufacture according to the manufacturing process, or in sorting equipment at airports for sorting passengers' baggage or cargo to convey passengers' baggage or cargo to aircraft.

[0004] The transport devices installed in airport sorting facilities are used to transport pallets (transported items) loaded with luggage or cargo to their destination aircraft. In airport sorting facilities, particularly when transporting cargo, multiple items must be loaded onto a single pallet. Therefore, long pallets are used for loading cargo, with the cargo loading portion (loading surface) extending in the pallet's transport direction.

[0005] like Figures 5A to 5C As shown, in the conventional conveying device 100 shown in Japanese Patent No. 5168794, when the above-mentioned long pallet 91 is used to convey the goods 95, when the pallet 91 carrying the goods 95 changes the conveying direction from the straight path 121 to the curved path 122, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A As shown, the front end F of the tray 91 is conveyed on the conveying path 120 to the position S0 where the curved path 122 starts. Figure 5BAs shown, when the front half of the tray 91 (hereinafter referred to as "the front half 92 of the tray 91") is guided toward the curved path 122 in the conveying direction of the tray 91, the force of the conveying device 100 intended to guide the front half 92 of the tray 91 toward the curved path 122 causes the rear half of the tray 91 (hereinafter referred to as "the rear half 93 of the tray 91") to move to the left relative to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91 on the straight path 121 (the direction opposite to the side where the curved path 122 is provided (the conveying direction H2 of the tray 91 on the curved path 122)). In other words, when the front half 92 of the tray 91 intends to change from a conveying position toward the straight path 121 to a conveying position toward the curved path 122, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 intends to change from a conveying position toward the straight path 121 to a conveying position toward the curved path 122 in conjunction with the force.

[0006] However, in the conventional conveying device 100, when a long pallet 91 is used to convey goods 95, the load applied to the pallet 91 may be biased to the rear side of the pallet 91 due to the position, size, quantity, etc. of the goods 95 placed on the pallet 91, resulting in a rear load. Figure 5C As shown, when attempting to transport the tray 91 from the straight path 121 toward the curved path 122, the resistance to the sliding of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 increases. Consequently, the force exerted by the front half 92 of the tray 91 to turn toward the curved path 122 and the force exerted by the rear half 93 of the tray 91 to slide leftward relative to the transport direction H1 of the tray 91 become unbalanced. Consequently, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 cannot be shifted to the transport position facing the curved path 122 in time with the timing of the front half 92 of the tray 91 shifting to the transport position facing the curved path 122. Consequently, the rear-loaded tray 91 cannot turn from the curved path 122, causing the front half 92 of the tray 91 to collide with the corner guide 123.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device that can convey an object from a straight path to a curved path even if a load applied to the object is biased to the rear side of the object to form a rear load. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems will be described.

[0009] That is, the conveying device of the present invention is used to convey a conveyed object along a conveying path including a straight path and a curved path connected to the straight path. The conveying device includes: a posture assist mechanism for assisting the change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object when the conveyed object is conveyed from the straight path to the curved path, and the posture assist mechanism is arranged on: the straight path on the conveying path that is closer to the upstream side of the conveying than the starting position of the curved path.

[0010] According to the above-mentioned structure, when the conveyed object is conveyed from a straight path toward a curved path, the posture assist mechanism assists the change of the conveying posture of the conveyed object (from the conveying posture toward the straight path to the conveying posture toward the curved path) on the straight path that is closer to the upstream side of the conveying than the starting position of the curved path on the conveying path.

[0011] Here, the term "curved path connected to a straight path" refers to a curved path formed by connecting to the end of the straight path (a curved path forming a corner portion of the conveying path), a curved path branching off from a side portion of the straight path (a curved path forming a branch portion of the conveying path), and a curved path merging with a side portion of a straight path (a curved path forming a merging portion of the conveying path). Furthermore, the term "change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object when conveyed from the straight path to the curved path" refers to the ability of the conveying posture of the conveyed object to change from a conveying posture toward the straight path to a conveying posture toward the curved path.

[0012] The posture assist mechanism of the conveying device of the present invention is arranged within a specified range on the conveying path centered on a position on the straight path that is a specified distance away from the position starting from the curved path toward the upstream side of the conveying, and the specified distance is a distance equivalent to 1 / 4 of the length of the conveyed object in the conveying direction.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned structure, the posture assist mechanism assists in changing the conveying posture of the conveyed object so that when the center of the conveyed object is conveyed to the position where the curved path starts on the conveying path, the conveying posture of the rear half of the conveyed object relative to the conveying direction of the conveyed object can be changed from the conveying posture toward the straight path to the conveying posture toward the curved path.

[0014] The posture assist mechanism of the conveying device of the present invention is composed of a rotating body, which can freely change the rotation direction by cooperating with the change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object being conveyed toward the curved path, thereby assisting the change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object when it is conveyed toward the curved path.

[0015] According to the above-mentioned structure, the posture assist mechanism changes the rotation direction of the rotating body by cooperating with the change of the conveying posture of the conveyed object being conveyed toward the curved path, thereby assisting the change of the conveying posture of the conveyed object so that the conveying posture of the conveyed object can be changed from the conveying posture toward the straight path to the conveying posture toward the curved path.

[0016] The posture assist mechanism of the conveying device of the present invention is composed of a rotating body, which assists the change of the conveying posture of the conveying object when it is conveyed toward the curved path by rotating the rotating body in a direction forming a predetermined angle with the conveying direction of the conveyed object on the straight path.

[0017] According to the above structure, the posture assist mechanism assists the change of the conveying posture of the conveyed object by rotating the rotating body in a direction forming a predetermined angle with the conveying direction of the conveyed object on the straight path, so that the conveying posture of the conveyed object changes from the conveying posture toward the straight path to the conveying posture toward the curved path.

[0018] The rotating body of the conveying device of the present invention is driven to rotate by contact with the conveyed object.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the posture assist mechanism assists the object in changing its posture from a posture along a straight path to a posture along a curved path by the rotating body contacting the object and being driven to rotate.

[0020] According to the conveying device of the present invention, when an object is being conveyed from a straight path to a curved path, a posture assist mechanism assists the object's posture change (from a posture toward the straight path to a posture toward the curved path) on the straight path, which is located upstream of the starting point of the curved path. This reduces the resistance to sliding of the rear half of the object caused by the object acting as a rear load, thereby maintaining a balance between the force exerted by the front half of the object to turn toward the curved path and the force exerted by the rear half of the object to move in a direction opposite to the curved path. Consequently, the rear half of the object can be shifted to a posture toward the curved path in sync with the timing of the front half's shift. Consequently, the rear-loaded object can bend the curved path without colliding with the corner guide of the curved path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a top view of a branch portion of the conveying device according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2A It is a plan view when a pallet is conveyed to a branch portion of the conveying device according to the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2B This is a plan view of a pallet being conveyed along a curved path of the conveying device according to the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3A When the pallet is transported along a straight path Figure 2A A-A cross-section diagram.

[0025] Figure 3B When the pallet is transported along a curved path Figure 2A A-A cross-section diagram.

[0026] Figure 4A This is a side view of the vicinity of the posture assist mechanism when the conveying device according to the present invention conveys a pallet along a linear path at a branching portion.

[0027] Figure 4B It is a side view of the vicinity of the posture assist mechanism when the conveying device according to the present invention conveys a pallet along a curved path at a branching portion.

[0028] Figure 5A This is a plan view of a conventional conveying device immediately before a pallet enters a curved path when the pallet is conveyed along a curved path at a branching portion.

[0029] Figure 5B This is a plan view of a conventional conveying device conveying a pallet along a curved path at a branching portion, when the pallet is midway along the curved path.

[0030] Figure 5C This is a plan view of a pallet immediately after it enters the curved path when a conventional conveying device conveys the pallet along the curved path at a branching portion.

[0031] Description of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10…Conveying device; 20…Conveying path; 21…Straight path; 22…Curved path; 30…Posture assist mechanism; 31a…Wheel (rotating body); 31b…Wheel (rotating body); 31c…Wheel (rotating body); 31d…Wheel (rotating body); 91…Pallet (conveyed object); DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The conveying device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0034] For example, at an airport or a distribution center, the conveying device 10 is installed in a sorting device (shown in the figure) for sorting luggage or goods. Figure 1 、 Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B As shown, the transport device 10 transports a tray 91 (an example of a “transported object”) carrying articles 90 such as luggage or cargo along a transport path 20 .

[0035] like Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B As shown, the tray 91 transported by the transport device 10 is a long plate-like body with a length L in the longitudinal direction on which the articles 90 can be placed. The tray 91 is transported along the transport path 20 in such a manner that its longitudinal direction is in a transport posture along the transport direction (the front-to-back direction of the transport direction of the tray 91). The tray 91 is divided into an area of the front half of the longitudinal direction of the tray 91 (the front half 92 of the tray 91), and an area of the rear half of the longitudinal direction of the tray 91 (the rear half 93 of the tray 91), with the line in the width direction passing through the center P of the tray 91 as the boundary. The articles 90 are placed in the two areas of the tray 91. In addition, in Figure 2A as well as Figure 2B In order to facilitate the following description, the article 90 is only loaded on the front half 92 of the tray 91 and the rear half 93 of the tray 91. The position of the article 90 loaded on the tray 91 is not limited to the front half 92 of the tray 91 and the rear half 93 of the tray 91.

[0036] The transport path 20 for transporting the tray 91 is configured by appropriately combining a straight path 21, a curved path 22, and a curved path 22 extending from one side of the straight path 21 ( Figure 1 In the figure, the branch portion 23 branches off from the conveying direction H of the tray 91 on the straight path 21 (to the right).

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, a linear rail 24 and a branch rail 25 are provided in the branch portion 23 so as to partially overlap. The linear rail 24 is used to guide the pallet 91 guided from the linear path 21 on the upstream side of the conveyance toward the linear path 21 on the downstream side of the conveyance. The branch rail 25 is used to guide the pallet 91 guided from the linear path 21 on the upstream side of the conveyance toward the curved path 22 branching off on the downstream side of the conveyance. The linear rail 24 and the branch rail 25 are formed so that their most upstream position U is located on the linear path 21 on the conveyance path 20, which is closer to the upstream side of the conveyance than the position S where the curved path 22 starts, and the rails extending downstream from the most upstream position U partially overlap.

[0038] The linear rail 24 is provided with a plurality of right rollers 26R and a plurality of left rollers 26L. The plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L are arranged at predetermined intervals on a frame (not shown) and rotate to move the tray 91 toward the linear path 21. The plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L are drive rollers driven by a drive motor 27. Alternatively, either the plurality of right rollers 26R or the plurality of left rollers 26L may be used as a drive roller, with the other as a driven roller.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 4B As shown, among the plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L, the right rollers 26R1 to R6 and the left rollers 26L1 to L6 that overlap with the plurality of right rollers 29R and the plurality of left rollers 29L of the branch rail 25 are configured to be able to move to a position ( Figure 4A ) and the position when the tray 91 is transported toward the curved path 22 ( Figure 4B ) are lifted and lowered in the up-down direction between them. The right rollers 26R1~R6 and the left rollers 26L1~L6 are driven by the drive motor 28 to lift and lower in the up-down direction with the right roller 26R1 (left roller 26L1) side as the fulcrum. When the pallet 91 is transported toward the straight path 21, the right rollers 26R1~R6 and the left rollers 26L1~L6 are maintained at a specified position: the roller height (the height determined by the tangent of the uppermost point of the right roller 26R and the left roller 26L) is the same as the roller height of the right roller 29R1 and the left roller 29L1 of the branch rail 25 (the height determined by the tangent of the uppermost point of the right roller 29R and the left roller 29L) and is higher than the roller height of the right rollers 29R2~R6 and the left rollers 29L2~L6. Specifically, as Figure 3A As shown, the right roller 26R and the left roller 26L are held at a position where their uppermost points contact the bottom surface of the tray 91. Meanwhile, the right rollers 29R2 to R6 and the left rollers 29L2 to L6 of the branch rail 25 are held at a position where their uppermost points are lower than the uppermost points of the right rollers 26R and the left rollers 26L. Alternatively, the right rollers 26R and the left rollers 26L may be held at a height higher than the height of the right rollers 29R1 and the left rollers 29L1 of the branch rail 25.

[0040] On the other hand, Figure 3B As shown, when the tray 91 is conveyed toward the curved path 22 , the right roller 26R and the left roller 26L are lowered so that their roller heights are lower than those of the right roller 29R and the left roller 29L of the branch rail 25 .

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, among the plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L, the right rollers 26R7 to R11 and the left rollers 26L7 to L12 located downstream of the right roller 26R6 and the left roller 26L6 are configured so that their roller heights are always kept constant and do not change when the tray 91 is conveyed along the straight path 21 or when the tray 91 is conveyed along the curved path 22. Alternatively, the right rollers 26R7 to R11 and the left rollers 26L7 to L12 may be configured to rise and fall in the vertical direction with the right roller 26R11 (left roller 26L12) side serving as a fulcrum, and their roller heights may change when the tray 91 is conveyed along the straight path 21 or when the tray 91 is conveyed along the curved path 22. In this case, the right side rollers 26R7~R11 and the left side rollers 26L7~L12 are maintained in a specified position in a manner that their roller heights are higher than the roller heights of the right side rollers 29R7 and the left side rollers 29L7 of the branch rail 25 when the pallet 91 is transported toward the straight path 21, and are lowered in a manner that their roller heights are lower than the roller heights of the right side rollers 29R7 and the left side rollers 29L7 of the branch rail 25 when the pallet 91 is transported toward the curved path 22.

[0042] Among the right rollers 26R and the left rollers 26L, the right roller 26R1 and the left roller 26L1 located at the most upstream position U of the linear track 24 have the lowest roller heights. The right rollers 26R1 to R6 and the left rollers 26L1 to L6 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the downstream side of the linear track 24, with their roller heights gradually increasing from the right roller 26R1 and the left roller 26L1. Furthermore, the right roller 26R7 and the left rollers 26L7 located downstream of the right roller 26R6 and the left roller 26L6 are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the downstream side of the linear track 24, with their roller heights remaining constant.

[0043] The branch track 25 is provided with a plurality of right rollers 29R and a plurality of left rollers 29L. The plurality of right rollers 29R and the plurality of left rollers 29L are arranged at predetermined intervals on a frame (not shown) and rotate to move the tray 91 toward the curved path 22. The plurality of left rollers 29L are driving rollers driven by the drive motor 27. The plurality of right rollers 29R are driven rollers that rotate by contact with the tray 91. Alternatively, both the plurality of right rollers 29R and the plurality of left rollers 29L may serve as driving rollers.

[0044] The plurality of right rollers 29R and the plurality of left rollers 29L are arranged at predetermined intervals toward the downstream side of the branch rail 25 so that the heights of the respective rollers are constant.

[0045] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B As shown, a posture assist mechanism 30 is provided at the upstreammost position U of the linear track 24 and the branch track 25 to assist in the transport posture of the pallet 91. When the pallet 91 is transported from the linear path 21 to the curved path 22, the posture assist mechanism 30 assists in changing the transport posture of the pallet 91 from the transport posture toward the linear path 21 to the transport posture toward the curved path 22. The posture assist mechanism 30 includes four wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d (an example of a "rotating body") formed of omnidirectional wheels (registered trademark).

[0046] The wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are composed of a main body 32 and barrel-shaped rollers 33 (an example of a "rotating body") arranged around the circumference of the main body 32. By combining the rotation of the main body 32 (movement in the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91) with the rotation of the barrel-shaped rollers 33 (movement of the tray 91 in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the conveying direction H1), the rotational direction of the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d can be flexibly changed in accordance with changes in the conveying posture of the tray 91 being conveyed along the curved path 22. The main body 32 rotates in the same direction as the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91 on the straight path 21. The barrel-shaped rollers 33 rotate in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91 on the straight path 21 (an example of a direction forming a predetermined angle with the conveying direction of the object on the straight path). The wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are driven wheels that rotate when the barrel roller 33 contacts the tray 91. Specifically, the contact between the barrel roller 33 and the tray 91 causes the barrel roller 33 to rotate, which in turn causes the main body 32 to rotate.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are arranged on the conveying path 20 within a predetermined range centered at a position S1 on the straight path 21 that is a predetermined distance K away from the position S starting from the curved path 22 toward the upstream side of the conveying path. Here, the predetermined distance K refers to: Figure 2AAs shown, the distance K is equivalent to the length from the center P of the tray 91 to the center P1 of the rear half 93 of the tray 91. In other words, the specified distance K is a distance equivalent to 1 / 4 of the length L of the tray 91 in the longitudinal direction (the length of the tray 91 in the conveying direction). In addition, the so-called rear half 93 of the tray 91 refers to the rear half of the effective bottom surface of the tray 91 that can contact the right roller 26R, the left roller 26L, the right roller 29R, the left roller 29L, and the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d. In addition, the specified range centered on the position S1 on the straight path 21 refers to the range of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 that covers the straight path 21 when the center P1 of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 conveyed on the straight path 21 reaches the position S1 on the straight path 21.

[0048] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B As shown, the four wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are arranged equidistantly about position S1 on the linear path 21, between the second right roller 26R2 forming the linear track 24 and the second left roller 29L2 forming the branch track 25. Specifically, wheels 31a and 31b are positioned to oppose the second left roller 29L2 on the left side of the pallet 91's conveyance direction H1, centered about position S1. Wheels 31c and 31d are positioned to oppose the second right roller 26R2 on the right side of the pallet 91's conveyance direction H1, centered about position S1. Wheels 31a and 31b are arranged in a straight line along the linear path 21. Wheels 31c and 31d are arranged in a straight line along the linear path 21. Furthermore, wheel 31a is positioned to oppose wheel 31c in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the linear path 21. The wheel 31b is arranged so as to oppose the wheel 31d in a direction horizontally perpendicular to the linear path 21. Thus, by arranging the four wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d within a predetermined range centered at position S1 on the linear path 21, when the center P1 of the rear half 93 of the pallet 91 being conveyed on the linear path 21 reaches position S1 on the linear path 21, the four wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d come into even contact with the bottom surface of the rear half 93 of the pallet 91, thereby evenly supporting the bottom surface of the rear half 93 of the pallet 91 via the four wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d.

[0049] like Figure 3AAs shown, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are arranged so that their roller height (a height determined by a tangent line to the uppermost point of the barrel-shaped roller 33 that reaches the uppermost position of the main body 32 through rotation of the main body 32) is lower than the roller height of the second right roller 26R2 and the second left roller 26L2 when the tray 91 is transported along the straight path 21, and is higher by a height W than the roller height of the second right roller 29R2 and the second left roller 29L2 that constitute the branch rail 25. In other words, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are preferably arranged so that their roller height reaches a height between the roller height of the second right roller 26R2 and the second left roller 26L2 when the tray 91 is transported along the straight path 21 and the roller height of the second right roller 29R2 and the second left roller 29L2. By configuring the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d in this way, when the pallet 91 is transported toward the straight path 21, the second right roller 26R2 and the second left roller 26L2 constituting the straight rail 24 contact the bottom surface of the pallet 91. When the pallet 91 is transported toward the curved path 22, the second right roller 26R2 and the second left roller 26L2 descend, and the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d contact the bottom surface of the pallet 91.

[0050] In addition, as long as the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are configured so that their roller heights are higher than the roller heights of the second right roller 29R2 and the second left roller 29L2, their roller heights can be configured higher within a range that does not hinder the conveyance of the pallet 91 toward the straight path 21.

[0051] like Figure 3B As shown, when the tray 91 is transported from the straight path 21 to the curved path 22, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d contact the bottom surface of the tray 91 through the barrel-shaped rollers 33, thereby supporting the bottom surface of the rear half 93 of the tray 91. In addition, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d rotate through the main body 32 and the barrel-shaped rollers 33. Figure 2B As shown, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can be moved to the left (the direction opposite to the side where the curved path 122 is provided (the conveying direction H2 of the tray 91 on the curved path 22)) with respect to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91 on the straight path 21. In other words, the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d can assist in changing the rear half 93 of the tray 91 from the conveying position toward the straight path 21 to the conveying position toward the curved path 22.

[0052] Next, the operation of the tray 91 at the branch portion 23 of the conveying device 10 will be described.

[0053] At the branch portion 23 of the conveying device 10, the tray 91 is conveyed from the straight path 21 upstream of the branch portion 23 toward the straight path 21 downstream of the branch portion 23. Alternatively, the tray 91 is conveyed from the straight path 21 upstream of the branch portion 23 toward the curved path 22 downstream of the branch portion 23.

[0054] The tray 91 is conveyed toward the linear path 21 downstream of the branch portion 23 by the plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L of the linear rail 24. When the tray 91 is conveyed toward the linear path 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A as well as Figure 4A As shown, the right rollers 26R2 to R6 and the left rollers 26L2 to L6 are maintained at a height higher than the rollers 29R1 to R6 and the left rollers 29L1 to L6 of the branch rail 25. The tray 91 is conveyed toward the linear path 21 by the rotation of the plurality of right rollers 26R and the plurality of left rollers 26L.

[0055] The tray 91 is conveyed toward the curved path 22 on the downstream side of the branch portion 23 by the plurality of right rollers 29R and the plurality of left rollers 29L of the branch rail 25. When the tray 91 is conveyed toward the curved path 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 3B as well as Figure 4B As shown, the right rollers 26R2-R6 and left rollers 26L2-L6 of the linear rail 24 are lowered so that their roller heights are lower than the roller heights of the right rollers 29R1-R6 and left rollers 29L1-L6 of the branch rail 25, and the roller heights of the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d. Specifically, the right rollers 29R1-R6 and left rollers 29L1-L6 of the branch rail 25, and the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the posture assist mechanism 30 are arranged so that their roller heights are higher than the roller heights of the right rollers 26R1-R6 and left rollers 26L1-L6 of the linear rail 24, so as to avoid resistance from the right rollers 26R1-R6 and left rollers 26L1-L6 of the linear rail 24. The tray 91 is transported toward the curved path 22 by the rotation of the plurality of left rollers 29L.

[0056] like Figure 2A as well as Figure 2BAs shown, when the front end F of the tray 91 (the front end of the front half 92 of the tray 91) is conveyed on the conveying path 20 to the position S where the curved path 22 begins, and the front half 92 of the tray 91 attempts to be guided toward the curved path 22 by the right roller 29R and the left roller 29L of the branch rail 25, the conveying posture of the tray 91 changes from the conveying posture toward the straight path 21 to the conveying posture toward the curved path 22 due to the force of the multiple left rollers 29L of the branch rail 25 that attempts to guide the front half 92 of the tray 91 toward the curved path 22. Specifically, the front half 92 of the tray 91 attempts to turn toward the curved path 22, and the rear half 93 of the tray 91 attempts to slide toward the left direction relative to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91 on the straight path 21 (the direction opposite to the side where the curved path 22 is provided (the conveying direction H2 of the tray 91 on the curved path 22)).

[0057] Here, when the load on the tray 91 is approximately equal between the front half 92 and the rear half 93 of the tray 91, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 will slide at the moment when the front half 92 of the tray 91 attempts to turn toward the curved path 22. Specifically, when the front half 92 of the tray 91 attempts to change from a transport position directed toward the straight path 21 to a transport position directed toward the curved path 22, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 attempts to change from a transport position directed toward the straight path 21 to a transport position directed toward the curved path 22. This prevents the front half 92 of the tray 91 from colliding with the corner guide 15, and the tray 91 is guided toward the curved path 22.

[0058] On the other hand, when the load on tray 91 is biased toward the rear portion 93 of tray 91 (in the case of a rear load), the resistance to the sliding of tray 91 increases. As a result, the force exerted by the front portion 92 of tray 91 to turn toward the curved path 22 and the force exerted by the rear portion 93 of tray 91 to slide become unbalanced. Consequently, the rear portion 93 of tray 91 cannot slide in time with the timing when the front portion 92 of tray 91 wants to turn toward the curved path 22. Specifically, when the front portion 92 of tray 91 wants to change from a transport position toward the straight path 21 to a transport position toward the curved path 22, the rear portion 93 of tray 91 cannot change from a transport position toward the straight path 21 to a transport position toward the curved path 22. Consequently, tray 91 cannot turn from the curved path 22, causing the front portion 92 of tray 91 to collide with the corner guide 15.

[0059] Therefore, in the conveying apparatus 10, by arranging the posture assist mechanism 30 within a predetermined range centered at position S1 on the linear path 21, the resistance to the sliding of the tray 91 caused by the tray 91 acting as a rear load can be reduced. Specifically, when the front half 92 of the tray 91 attempts to turn toward the curved path 22, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 contacts the barrel-shaped rollers 33 of the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d of the posture assist mechanism 30. The contact of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 with the barrel-shaped rollers 33 causes the barrel-shaped rollers 33 to rotate, thereby moving the rear half 93 of the tray 91 to the left with respect to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91. The rotation of the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d thus assists the sliding of the rear half 93 of the tray 91, facilitating the leftward sliding of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 with respect to the conveying direction H1 of the tray 91. That is, the change in the transport posture of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 is assisted by the posture assist mechanism 30, and the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can easily change from the transport posture toward the straight path 21 to the transport posture toward the curved path 22. In this way, the transport posture of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can be changed in coordination with the change in the transport posture of the front half 92 of the tray 91.

[0060] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the tray 91 is transported from the straight path 21 to the curved path 22, the posture assist mechanism 30 assists the change in the transport posture of the tray 91 (the change of the tray 91 from the transport posture toward the straight path 21 to the transport posture toward the curved path 22) at the straight path 21 located upstream of the position S where the curved path 22 begins on the transport path 20. This reduces the resistance to sliding of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 caused by the tray 91 acting as a rear load, thereby maintaining a balance between the force exerted by the front half 92 of the tray 91 to turn toward the curved path 22 and the force exerted by the rear half 93 of the tray 91 to move and turn in a direction opposite to the curved path 22. Consequently, the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can be shifted to the transport posture toward the curved path 22 in sync with the timing at which the front half 92 of the tray 91 shifts to the transport posture toward the curved path 22. Therefore, the rear-loaded tray 91 can bend the curved path 22 without colliding with the corner guide 15 of the curved path 22 .

[0061] In addition, in this embodiment, although the posture assist mechanism 30 (wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) is composed of omnidirectional wheels (registered trademark), it is not limited to this. As long as it is constructed so that the rear half 93 of the tray 91 is moved in the direction opposite to the side on which the curved path 22 extends, the conveying posture of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can be changed, the posture assist mechanism 30 can also be constructed by, for example, a Mecanum wheel (registered trademark), a free ball bearing, a pulley, etc.

[0062] Alternatively, the posture assist mechanism 30 may be formed by a belt conveyor, and when the pallet 91 is conveyed along the curved path 22, the belt conveyor is pressed against the bottom surface of the pallet 91 to assist in changing the conveying posture of the pallet 91. In this case, the belt portion of the belt conveyor rotates in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction H1 of the pallet 91 on the straight path 21.

[0063] In this embodiment, although the wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are driven wheels that rotate by contacting the barrel-shaped roller 33 with the tray 91, the present invention is not limited to this. The wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d can also be composed of driving wheels driven by a driving motor.

[0064] In this embodiment, although the posture assist mechanism 30 is composed of four rotating bodies (wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d), it is not limited to this. As long as the rear half 93 of the tray 91 is slid in the direction opposite to the side on which the curved path 22 extends, the conveying posture of the rear half 93 of the tray 91 can be changed. The number of rotating bodies does not have to be limited to four, and it can be composed of one to three rotating bodies, or more than five rotating bodies.

[0065] In this embodiment, although the four rotating bodies (wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d) of the posture assist mechanism 30 are arranged at positions equidistant from the position S1 on the straight path 21, this is not limited to this. As long as they are arranged at positions that can assist the change in the conveying posture of the tray 91 when the tray 91 is conveyed from the straight path 21 to the curved path 22, the four rotating bodies (wheels 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d) do not have to be arranged at positions equidistant.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the conveying device 10 conveys the tray 91 on which the articles 90 are placed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The tray 91 may be empty without placing any articles 90 thereon.

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying an object along a conveying path including a straight path and a curved path connected to the straight path, characterized in that: The linear path is provided with linear path rollers for supporting the object to be conveyed while conveying the object along the linear path, and the linear path rollers are configured to be able to move up and down. The curved path is provided with curved path rollers for supporting the conveyed object while conveying the conveyed object along the curved path. When the object is conveyed toward the linear path, the linear path rollers are held at predetermined positions so that their roller heights are higher than those of the curved path rollers. When the object is conveyed toward the curved path, the straight path rollers are lowered so that their roller height is lower than that of the curved path rollers. The conveying device includes a posture assist mechanism for assisting a change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object when the conveyed object is conveyed from the straight path to the curved path. The posture assist mechanism is provided on the straight path on the conveying path, which is located on the conveying upstream side of the starting position of the curved path. When the object is conveyed along the straight path, the posture assist mechanism is located below the object and does not contact the object. When the object is conveyed along the curved path, the posture assist mechanism contacts the bottom surface of the object.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: The posture assist mechanism is provided on the conveying path within a predetermined range centered at a position on the straight path that is a predetermined distance away from a position where the curved path starts toward the conveying upstream side. The predetermined distance is a distance corresponding to 1 / 4 of the length of the conveyed object in the conveying direction.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The posture assist mechanism is composed of a rotating body. The rotating body can freely change its rotational direction in accordance with a change in the conveyance posture of the object being conveyed along the curved path, thereby assisting the change in the conveyance posture of the object being conveyed along the curved path.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The posture assist mechanism is composed of a rotating body. The rotating body rotates in a direction forming a predetermined angle with respect to the conveying direction of the conveyed object on the linear path, thereby assisting the change in the conveying posture of the conveyed object when the conveyed object is conveyed toward the curved path.

5. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The rotating body is driven to rotate by contact with the conveyed object.

6. The conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The rotating body is driven to rotate by contact with the conveyed object.

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