Conveying device

Abstract

The present application relates to a conveying device, which is capable of appropriately performing conveying control even for an adhering article. A conveying device (1) according to an embodiment includes a trough (11) that receives an article from the outside and conveys the article in a conveying direction from upstream toward downstream, and a driving section (20) that drives the trough. The trough has a plurality of protrusions (92) on a surface (91) that conveys the article, and an opening (91A) that opens from the surface toward a back surface (93) is formed at an end portion (92E) of the plurality of protrusions on a downstream side.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a conveying device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a conveying device having a slot that receives an article from the outside and conveys the article in a conveying direction from upstream toward downstream (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-23386 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the conventional slot, there is a problem that in the case where an article having adhesiveness is conveyed, it is difficult to move the article even if vibration is applied, and thus it is difficult to perform conveying control.

[0008] Therefore, the present application has been achieved in view of the above-described technical problems, and an object thereof is to provide a conveying device that is capable of performing appropriate conveying control also on an article having adhesiveness.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The conveying device according to an embodiment is characterized by including: a slot that receives an article from the outside and conveys the article in a conveying direction from upstream toward downstream; and a driving section that drives the slot, the slot having a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, and an opening being formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions from the surface toward a back surface.

[0011] The conveying device according to an embodiment is characterized by including: a slot that receives an article from the outside and conveys the article in a conveying direction from upstream toward downstream; and a driving section that drives the slot, the slot including: a first sliding surface having a plurality of openings; and a second sliding surface that closes a part of the openings and is disposed at a position closer to an inner side of the slot than the first sliding surface, the second sliding surface being continuously formed with the first sliding surface on an upstream side, a left side, and a right side of the openings.

[0012] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a conveying device that is capable of performing appropriate conveying control also on an article having adhesiveness. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trough 11 of the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a portion of the surface 91 on which articles are conveyed in the trough 11 of the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 XX cross-sectional view in the diagram.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a view of the groove 11 of the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment, viewed from the rear 92 side.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the trough 11 of the conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement pattern of a plurality of protrusions 92 on a surface 91 for conveying articles in a trough 11 of a conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement pattern of a plurality of protrusions 92 on a surface 91 for conveying articles in a trough 11 of a conveying device 1 according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement pattern of a plurality of protrusions 92 on a surface 91 that transports articles in a trough 11 of a conveying device 1 according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following drawings, identical or similar parts are labeled with the same or similar symbols. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensions and proportions may differ from actual dimensions. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined by referring to the following description. Additionally, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships or proportions. In this specification and the accompanying drawings, redundant descriptions are omitted by labeling elements that have substantially the same function and structure with the same symbols, and elements not directly related to the present invention are also omitted.

[0024] (First Implementation)

[0025] The following is for reference Figures 1 to 6The conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0026] In this embodiment, the case where the conveying device 1 is configured as a measuring device for measuring the mass value of an article using a Robewell mechanism is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this case.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment includes a dispersing worktable 10, a trough 11, a storage hopper 12, a metering hopper 13, a collection and discharge guide trough 15, and a drive unit 20.

[0028] The dispersing worktable 10 disperses the items (to be measured) falling from the supply device (not shown) toward the tank 11.

[0029] For example, the dispersing table 10 in this embodiment is configured such that vibration is applied by a vibration mechanism (not shown) to disperse the article circumferentially and convey it radially outward. Furthermore, the dispersing table 10 is not limited to this configuration; it can also be a mechanism that conveys the article toward the trough 11 by rotating it about a rotation axis C extending vertically. In other words, it can be any configuration as long as it has the function of conveying the article toward the trough 11.

[0030] For example, the item could be a soft and sticky food such as raw chicken. However, the item is not limited to this. Specifically, it could be any item, such as fruit like prune or sugar coated with granulated sugar.

[0031] The trough 11 receives articles from the outside and conveys them in a conveying direction from upstream to downstream. In this embodiment, the trough 11 is configured to supply articles from the distribution worktable 10 to storage hoppers 12 located downstream of each hopper. The drive unit 20 drives the trough 11.

[0032] The storage hopper 12 allows the items supplied from the trough 11 to temporarily remain. The lower part of the storage hopper 12 is provided with a door 12a. By opening and closing the door 12a, the metered items remaining in the storage hopper 12 are discharged into the metering hopper 13 located below the door 12a.

[0033] The metering hopper 13 allows the items discharged from the storage hopper 12 to temporarily remain. A door (not shown) is provided in the lower part of the metering hopper 13. By opening and closing the door, the items remaining in the metering hopper 13 are discharged into the collection discharge guide 15 located below the door.

[0034] The collection discharge guide 15 collects the items discharged from the multiple metering hoppers 13 and causes them to fall downwards.

[0035] The following is for reference Figures 2 to 4An example of the groove 11 of the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2 , the groove 11 has a plurality of protrusions 92 on the surface 91 through which the article is conveyed. That is, the surface 91 of the groove 11 through which the article is conveyed is subjected to louver processing. The louver processing can also be referred to as louver processing. The surface 91 subjected to the louver processing is a structure in which the opposite side of the groove 11 is not visible when the surface 91 is viewed from the front, and the opposite side of the groove 11 is visible by deviating the viewing angle.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the end portion 92E on the downstream side of the plurality of protrusions 92 is formed with an opening 91A from the surface 91 toward the back surface 93.

[0038] In other words, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the groove 11 has a first sliding surface 91 having a plurality of openings 91A and a second sliding surface 92 that closes a portion of the openings 91A and is disposed at a position closer to the inner side I of the groove 11 than the first sliding surface 91.

[0039] The second sliding surface 92 is continuously formed with the first sliding surface 91 on the upstream side U, the left side L, and the right side R of the opening 91A.

[0040] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3 , the second sliding surface 92 has a left side plane 92L, a right side plane 92R, and an upper side plane 92U.

[0041] Here, as shown in Figure 3 , the left side plane 92L is formed so as to rise from the first sliding surface 91 toward the inner side I on the left side L of the opening 91A.

[0042] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , the right side plane 92R is formed so as to rise from the first sliding surface 91 toward the inner side I on the right side R of the opening 91A.

[0043] Further, as shown in Figure 3 , the upper side plane 92U is formed so as to connect the left side plane 92L and the right side plane 92R.

[0044] As shown in Figure 4 , on the surface 91 through which the article is conveyed of the groove 11, the article slides from the upper side U to the lower side D along the first sliding surface 91 and the upper side plane 92U of the second sliding surface 92 by a driving force or the like from the driving unit 20.

[0045] According to this configuration, since a protrusion (second sliding surface) 92 is provided on the surface 91 of the conveyed item in the groove 11, the contact area between the highly adhesive item and the surface 91 can be reduced, the adsorption of the item to the surface 91 can be reduced, and appropriate conveying control can be performed.

[0046] Furthermore, even when a highly adhesive item is in contact with surface 91, air will flow in through opening 91A. Therefore, an air layer can be formed between surface 91 and the item, and air pressure is applied to the portion of surface 91 in contact with the item. This reduces the adhesion of the item to surface 91.

[0047] In addition, the movement of the item from end 92E toward the rear is restricted, thus enabling the item to be smoothly transported downstream.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the density D1 of the protrusion 92 formed in the first region A near the downstream end 11E of the groove 11 is smaller than the density D2 of the protrusion 92 formed in the second region B located upstream of the first region A near the downstream end 11E of the groove 11.

[0049] Here, it can be configured such that by setting the distance between the protrusions 92 in the first region A to be longer than the distance between the protrusions 92 in the second region B, the density D1 is less than the density D2.

[0050] Alternatively, it can be configured such that: a region without protrusion 92 is provided in a portion of the first region A (in Figure 2 In the example, region C1 is such that density D1 is less than density D2.

[0051] According to this configuration, by intentionally degrading the conveyability of the articles in the first region A near the downstream end 11E of the trough 11, the conveying speed of the surface 91 of the trough 11 is suppressed, and overflow of the articles can be prevented. As a result, the articles slow down at the front end of the trough 11, thereby reducing the unintended falling of articles into the storage hopper 12.

[0052] For example, when conveying elastic items such as meat, in the first region A near the end 11E on the downstream side of the trough 11, the contact area increases as the item deforms, which inhibits the conveying speed.

[0053] Alternatively, it can be configured such that the height H of the protrusion 92 formed in the first region A of the groove 11 (refer to...) Figure 4 It is lower than the height H of the protrusion 92 formed in the second region B of the groove 11.

[0054] According to this configuration, in a case where an article with high adhesion in the first region A comes into contact with the surface 91, the amount of air flowing in from the openings 91A can be reduced. Therefore, the air layer formed between the surface 91 and the article becomes thin. Thus, compared to the second region B, the adsorption of the article to the surface 91 remains, the conveying speed of the article can be suppressed, and thus overflow of the article can be prevented. As a result, the article can be reduced from falling into the storage hopper 12 unexpectedly.

[0055] In addition, as shown in Figure 2 , the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment can have a standing portion 21 standing from the surface 91 at both ends in the width direction W intersecting the conveying direction MD of the slot 11. Here, as shown in Figure 2 , the standing portion 21 can also have a plurality of protrusions 22 on the surface 23 on the inner side in the width direction W.

[0056] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , an opening 21A from the surface 23 toward the back surface 24 can be formed at the end portion 22E on the downstream side of the plurality of protrusions 22 of the standing portion 21.

[0057] In other words, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the slot 11 has a first sliding surface 23 having a plurality of openings 21A and a second sliding surface 22 that closes a portion of the openings 21A and is disposed at a position closer to the inner side I of the slot 11 than the first sliding surface 23.

[0058] The second sliding surface 22 is continuously formed with the first sliding surface 23 on the upstream side U, the left side L, and the right side R of the above-described openings 21A.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3 , the second sliding surface 22 has a left side plane 22L, a right side plane 22R, and an upper side plane 22U.

[0060] Here, as shown in Figure 3 , the left side plane 22L is formed so as to stand from the first sliding surface 23 toward the inner side I on the left side L of the openings 21A.

[0061] In addition, as shown in Figure 3 , the right side plane 22R is formed so as to stand from the first sliding surface 23 toward the inner side I on the right side R of the openings 21A.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3 , the upper side plane 22U is configured so as to connect the left side plane 22L and the right side plane 22R.

[0063] According to this configuration, by providing the protruding portion 22 also on the erected portion 21 that abuts against the side surface of the article, the conveyance speed of the article can be controlled more reliably.

[0064] As Figure 5 shown, the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment may also have a reinforcing member 51 on the back surface 93 side in the first region A near the end portion 11E on the downstream side of the groove 11. As Figure 2 shown, it may also be configured such that the protruding portion 92 is not provided in the region C1 of the surface facing the region of the back surface 93 where the reinforcing member 51 is provided.

[0065] In addition, as Figure 5 shown, the reinforcing member 51 may also extend to the back surface 24 of the erected portion 21. In this case, as Figure 2 shown, it may also be configured such that the protruding portion 92 is not provided in the region C2 of the surface facing the region of the back surface 24 where the reinforcing member 51 is provided.

[0066] According to this configuration, the strength of the groove 11 can be increased, and the density D1 can be made smaller than the density D2.

[0067] Here, the reinforcing member 51 provided on the back surface 93 side in the first region A and the reinforcing member 51 provided on the back surface 24 side of the erected portion 21 may be integrally formed or may be constituted by separate members.

[0068] As Figure 5 shown, the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment may also have a mounting portion 31 and a joining portion.

[0069] As Figure 6 shown, the mounting portion 31 extends in the conveying direction MD and is constituted by a member having a U-shaped cross section (i.e., the upper side is open like a "mouth" character without the upper horizontal line). For example, as Figure 2 and Figure 6 shown, the mounting portion 31 is mounted in a region of the groove 11 where the protruding portion 92 is not provided.

[0070] The joining portion 32 is mounted on the mounting portion 31 and can be mounted to the main body of the conveying device 1 or detached from the main body of the conveying device 1. For example, as Figure 6 shown, the joining portion 32 is mounted on the lower surface 31D of the mounting portion 31. In addition, as Figure 5 shown, the joining portion 32 has a circular shape corresponding to the mounting portion (not shown) of the main body of the conveying device 1.

[0071] According to this configuration, since the mounting portion 31 is mounted in a region of the groove 11 where the protruding portion 92 is not provided, the arrangement of the protruding portion 92 of the groove 11 is not affected, and thus the groove 11 can be mounted to the main body of the conveying device 1.

[0072] As Figure 6 illustrated, the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment can also have the rib 41 bent toward the back surface 93 side at the end 11E on the downstream side of the groove 11. Further, as Figure 6 illustrated, the rib 41 can also extend to the end on the downstream side of the standing portion 21. According to this configuration, the strength of the groove 11 can be further improved.

[0073] Further, in the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment, as Figures 7 to 9 illustrated, the plurality of protrusions 92 can also be arranged on the surface 91 in the conveying direction MD.

[0074] For example, as Figure 7 illustrated, the plurality of protrusions 92 can be arranged in a plurality of columns parallel to each other on the surface 91 in the conveying direction MD. In Figure 7 the example, the columns formed by the protrusions 92 are two columns, but can also be three or more columns.

[0075] Further, in the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment, as Figure 8 illustrated, the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W can be different depending on the position in the conveying direction MD. In Figure 8 the example, the position where the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W is one and the position where the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W is two coexist in the conveying direction MD, but the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W is not limited to this number and can be any number.

[0076] Further, in the conveying device 1 according to the present embodiment, as Figure 9 illustrated, the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W can be the same at any position in the conveying direction MD. In this case, as Figure 9 illustrated, the position of the protrusions 92 in the width direction W can be different depending on the position in the conveying direction MD. In Figure 9 the example, a case where the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W is two is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to this case and can also be applied to a case where the number of protrusions 92 arranged in the width direction W is three or more.

[0077] The present application has been described using the above-described embodiments, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. The present application can be modified and implemented as a modified example as long as it does not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in the present specification is intended to be illustrative and does not mean to constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0078] Reference Signs List

[0079] 1: conveying device; 10: dispersion workbench; 11: groove; 12: storage hopper; 13: metering hopper; 15: collective discharge chute; 20: drive section; 21: standing section; 21A, 91A: opening; 22: protruding section; 23: surface; 24, 93: back surface; 31: mounting section; 32: joint section; 41: rib; 51: reinforcing member; 91: surface (first sliding surface); 92: protruding section (second sliding surface).

Claims

1. A conveying device characterized by comprising: a slot that receives an article from the outside and conveys the article in a conveying direction from upstream toward downstream; and a driving section that drives the slot, the slot has: a first sliding surface that has a plurality of openings; and a second sliding surface that closes a part of the openings and is disposed at a position that is closer to an inner side of the slot than the first sliding surface, the second sliding surface is continuously formed with the first sliding surface on each of an upstream side, a left side, and a right side of the openings.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions, a density of the protrusions formed in a first region is lower than a density of the protrusions formed in a second region, the first region being near an end portion of a downstream side of the slot, the second region being located at a position that is closer to an upstream side than the first region.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions, a height of the protrusions formed in a first region is lower than a height of the protrusions formed in a second region, the first region being near an end portion of a downstream side of the slot, the second region being located at a position that is closer to an upstream side than the first region.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions, both end portions of the slot in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction have a standing portion that stands from the surface, a surface of the standing portion on an inner side in the width direction has a plurality of protrusions, an opening that faces a back surface from the surface is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions of the standing portion.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions, a reinforcing member is provided on a back surface side of a first region that is near an end portion of a downstream side of the slot, the protrusions are not provided in a region of the surface that opposes a region of the back surface in which the reinforcing member is provided.

6. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protrusions on a surface that conveys the article, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions, the conveying device has: ​ ​ A mounting portion in a cross-section U shape is mounted to a region of the groove where the protruding portion is not provided, extends in the conveying direction, and is open on the upper side; and A joint portion is mounted to a lower surface of the mounting portion and is attachable to or detachable from the main body of the conveying device.

7. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protruding portions on a surface on which the article is conveyed, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protruding portions, an end portion on a downstream side of the groove has a rib bent toward the back surface side.

8. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the second sliding surface provides a plurality of protruding portions on a surface on which the article is conveyed, each opening of the first sliding surface faces a back surface from the surface and is formed at an end portion on a downstream side of the plurality of protruding portions, the plurality of protruding portions are arranged in a plurality of columns parallel to the conveying direction.

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