Pallet turnover device for a conveyor

Abstract

The present application provides a tray turnover device of a conveyor. The tray turnover device of a conveyor that conveys a tray having a mold with a front surface and a back surface different from each other includes a rotation unit that rotates the tray with respect to a conveying direction via a shaft provided at a center of the tray; and a hooked portion provided at one end of the shaft. The rotation unit is provided at one side of a rotation shaft of a head or a tail of the conveyor and rotates in synchronization with the rotation shaft. The rotation unit has a hooking portion that is capable of advancing and retreating with respect to the hooked portion and is capable of rotating with respect to the conveying direction. The rotation unit rotates the hooking portion by 180 degrees in a state where the hooking portion is hooked to the hooked portion, thereby turning over the tray with respect to the conveying direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pallet tilting device for a conveyor. Background Technology

[0002] As an existing technology, there is a pallet flipping device installed midway in a conveyor for pallets with different molds on the conveying surface and back side. In this device, clamping mechanisms on both sides of the pallet are arranged on both sides of the conveyor and can move freely forward and backward relative to the pallet. Furthermore, the pallet is controlled to rotate freely and, in turn, to lift freely (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing pallet flipping devices for conveyors use a clamping mechanism to hold both sides of the pallet, causing the pallet to rise from the conveyor and flip, and then lower and place the pallet back onto the conveyor, thereby enabling the pallet mold to be changed from the surface to the back or from the back to the surface.

[0004] Therefore, it can significantly reduce the work of changing pallets that need to be changed for each product, and produce two products using a single pallet with different molds on the front and back.

[0005] However, existing conveyor pallet-turning devices require the conveyor to be temporarily stopped when turning the pallet.

[0006] Therefore, this becomes the main reason for the reduced production efficiency of the product.

[0007] Prior art documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-43301 Summary of the Invention

[0010] Problem to be solved by the invention

[0011] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a pallet flipping device for a conveyor that does not stop the conveyor when flipping a pallet of a mold with a different surface and back side.

[0012] Solution to the problem

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a pallet flipping device for a conveyor that transports pallets having molds on their front and back sides different comprises: a rotating unit that allows the pallet to rotate freely relative to the conveying direction via an axis disposed at the center of the pallet; and a hook-on portion disposed at one end of the axis. The rotating unit is disposed on one side of the rotating axis at the head or tail of the conveyor and rotates synchronously with the rotating axis. The rotating unit has a hook-on portion that is rotatable relative to the conveying direction. The rotating unit rotates the hook-on portion 180 degrees while the hook-on portion is hooked onto the hook-on portion, thereby flipping the pallet relative to the conveying direction.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pallet flipping device for a conveyor conveying a pallet having molds on its front and back sides different comprises: a rotating unit that allows the pallet to rotate freely relative to the conveying direction via a shaft located at the center of the pallet; and a hook-on portion located at one end of the shaft. The rotating unit is located on one side of the rotating shaft at the head or tail of the conveyor and rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft. The rotating unit has a hook-on portion that can move forward and backward relative to the hook-on portion and rotate freely relative to the conveying direction. The rotating unit rotates the hook-on portion 180 degrees while hooking the hook-on portion to the hook-on portion, thereby flipping the pallet relative to the conveying direction.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the hooked portion has a plate protruding outward, and the hooking portion has two plates protruding parallel to the conveyor. The rotating unit operates the hooking portion in such a way that the plate enters between the two plates, hooking the hooking portion onto the hooked portion.

[0016] Effects of the invention

[0017] In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, the pallet flipping device of the conveyor can flip the pallet synchronously with the conveying speed of the conveyor, and change the mold of the pallet from the surface to the back or from the back to the surface.

[0018] Therefore, it can significantly reduce the work of changing pallets that need to be changed for each product, and produce two products using a single pallet with different molds on the front and back.

[0019] Moreover, flipping the pallet does not reduce the conveyor speed or stop the conveyor, thus improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view illustrating the pallet tilting device of the conveyor.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged side view illustrating the conveyor.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view illustrating the pallet tilting device of the conveyor.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an enlarged side view illustrating the tray.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a partially enlarged side view illustrating the pallet tilting device of the conveyor.

[0025] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram of the rotating unit and the clamping part.

[0026] Figure 7 This is an illustration of pallet flipping and conveying. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The pallet flipping device 10 of the conveyor of the present invention is described.

[0028] The pallet flipping device 10 is located at the tail end T of the conveyor 11 that sequentially transports multiple pallets P.

[0029] Conveyor 11 is a known chain conveyor (see reference) in which a motor M with a reducer is connected as a drive mechanism to the rotating shaft (not shown) of the head H. Figure 1 , Figure 2 ).

[0030] Furthermore, conveyor 11 is not limited to chain conveyors.

[0031] The pallet flipping device 10 mainly includes a hook-on part 12 and a rotating unit 13 located on the pallet P (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0032] Pallet P is a pallet divided into five molds, so that a mold for a product can be formed by combining the five pallets P side by side (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0033] The tray P is composed of different trays, one with mold 15 on the surface 14 and the other with mold 17 on the back 16 (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4 ).

[0034] The operator places the product W on a mold formed by assembling five pallets P arranged side by side and conveyed sequentially by the conveyor 11, and performs the operation.

[0035] Furthermore, the pallet P of the pallet flipping device 10 of the conveyor of the present invention is not limited to the segmented pallet as described above.

[0036] The mold 15 on the surface 14 and the mold 17 on the back 16 of the tray P are separated in the vertical direction by a flat plate 18 that is horizontally arranged in the center.

[0037] An identification code 22 for identifying the mold 15 is installed on the side of the mold 15 on the surface 14.

[0038] An identification code 23 for identifying the mold 17 is installed on the side of the mold 17 on the back side 16.

[0039] The identification sensor 24 located above one end of the conveyor 11 and the identification sensor 44 located below it are used to identify the mold 15 or mold 17 of the pallet P by reading the identification code 22 or the identification code 23.

[0040] The two ends of the center of the flat plate 18 are connected to shafts 19 and 19.

[0041] Shafts 19 and 19 are supported by bearings 20 and 20 on the tray for free rotation.

[0042] Thus, the pallet P is positioned with shafts 19 and 19 at its center, and the pallet P is rotatably arranged relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11 with respect to the shafts 19 and 19 as its center.

[0043] The lower ends of the bearings 20 and 20 are connected to each other via accessory 21.

[0044] Attachment 21 is connected to chains 25, 25 of conveyor 11.

[0045] Thus, pallet P is conveyed by the drive of conveyor 11.

[0046] The latching part 12 is connected to one end of a shaft 19.

[0047] The clamping part 12 is composed of a sheet metal protruding outward from the conveyor 11 and is horizontally arranged on the same line as the flat plate 18.

[0048] Therefore, if the clamped part 12 is rotated 180 degrees relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, the flat plate 18 will also rotate 180 degrees synchronously, and the pallet P will flip.

[0049] The hooked part 12 is guided by the lower guide 40 at the tail T of the conveyor 11, and then guided by the hooked parts 31 and 37 of the rotating unit 13 (described later), and again guided between the upper guides composed of the curved part 41 and the horizontal part 42 (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0050] Therefore, during the transport of pallet P, the hooked part 12 is always guided and will not rotate accidentally.

[0051] Therefore, at the tail end T of the conveyor 11, the pallet P will not be accidentally overturned.

[0052] Furthermore, the upper surface of the horizontal member 42 is in contact with the buffer members 43, 43 made of spring material, so the horizontal member 42 itself has a margin of movement in the vertical direction.

[0053] Therefore, the guided hook-up part 12 will not stop hooking between the upper guide members.

[0054] Rotating unit 13 has a first rotating unit 26 and a second rotating unit 27 (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 6 ).

[0055] The rotating unit 13 is formed by aligning the first rotating unit 26 and the second rotating unit 27 in a straight line and connecting them via a connector 32.

[0056] Furthermore, descriptions of additional program controls, air piping, electrical wiring, and amplifiers are omitted.

[0057] The rotating unit 13 is mounted on one side of the rotating shaft 33 of the tail T of the conveyor 11 via the center of the connector 32 in such a way that the rotating unit 13 can rotate freely in sync with the conveying direction of the conveyor 11.

[0058] Thus, as the conveyor 11 is driven, the rotating unit 13 rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft 33, and the first rotating unit 26 and the second rotating unit 27 rotate synchronously with the conveying speed of the conveyor 11.

[0059] The rotating shaft 33 is supported by the conveyor bearings 38 and 38, allowing it to rotate freely.

[0060] A known rotary joint 39 is provided at one end of the rotating shaft 33, thereby eliminating the torsion of air pipes (not shown) and the like caused by the rotation of the rotating unit 13.

[0061] Alternatively, the rotating unit 13 may be mounted on the outer side of the rotating shaft (not shown) of the head H of the conveyor 11 via the center of the connector 32 in such a way that the rotating unit 13 can rotate freely in sync with the conveying direction of the conveyor 11.

[0062] The first rotating unit 26 includes: a first cylinder 28, which is a retractable mechanism that can move freely forward and backward toward the conveyor 11; a first retractable member 29, which is connected to the top end of the rod of the first cylinder 28; a first rotating cylinder 30, which is connected to the first retractable member 29; and a first latching part 31, which is rotatably disposed relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11 by being connected to the first rotating cylinder 30.

[0063] Furthermore, the forward and backward mechanism of the first rotating unit 26 is not limited to a cylinder.

[0064] The first mounting part 31 consists of two plates that protrude parallel to the conveyor 11.

[0065] The first latching part 31 is configured in the first rotating unit 26 in such a way that a plate, which is the latched part 12, can be inserted between the two plates, latched, and rotated.

[0066] In addition, as mentioned above, the first latching part 31 also functions as a guide for guiding the latched part 12.

[0067] Furthermore, the first rotating unit 26 is mounted on one side of the rotating shaft 33 via the connector 32 in such a way that the first hooking part 31 can be synchronously opposite to the hooked part 12 that moves with the transport of the tray P. Parameters such as the amount of movement and the speed of movement of the first rotating unit 26 are pre-adjusted.

[0068] Thus, the first rotating unit 26 rotates relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, and has a first clamping part 31 that can move freely forward and backward relative to the clamped part 12 and rotate freely relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11.

[0069] Therefore, while synchronizing with the conveying speed of the conveyor 11, the first clamping part 31 is clamped onto the clamped part 12 and rotated 180 degrees, thereby enabling the pallet P to be flipped over, and the mold of the pallet P can be changed from the mold 15 on the surface 14 to the mold 17 on the back 16 or from the mold 17 on the back 16 to the mold 15 on the surface 14.

[0070] Furthermore, when the rotating unit 13 rotates relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, if the first clamping part 31 does not become an obstacle such as a partial collision with the conveyor 11, the first rotating unit 26 can be composed only of the first rotating cylinder 30 and the first clamping part 31.

[0071] The second rotating unit 27 includes: a second cylinder 34, which is a retractable mechanism that can move freely forward and backward toward the conveyor 11; a second retractable member 35, which is connected to the top end of the rod of the second cylinder 34; a second rotating cylinder 36, which is connected to the second retractable member 35; and a second latching part 37, which is rotatably provided relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11 by being connected to the second rotating cylinder 36.

[0072] Furthermore, the forward and backward mechanism of the second rotating unit 27 is not limited to a cylinder.

[0073] The second mounting part 37 consists of two plates that protrude parallel to the side of the conveyor 11.

[0074] The second latching part 37 is configured in the second rotating unit 27 in such a way that a plate, which is the latched part 12, can be inserted between the two plates, latched, and rotated.

[0075] In addition, as mentioned above, the second latching part 37 also functions as a guide for guiding the latched part 12.

[0076] In addition, the second rotating unit 27 is mounted on one side of the rotating shaft 33 via the connector 32 in such a way that the second hook part 37 can be arranged synchronously with the hook part 12 that moves with the transport of the tray P.

[0077] The parameters such as the amount of movement and the speed of movement of the second rotating unit 27 are pre-adjusted.

[0078] Thus, the second rotating unit 27 rotates relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, and has a second clamping part 37 that can move freely forward and backward relative to the clamped part 12 and rotate freely relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11.

[0079] Therefore, while synchronizing with the conveying speed of the conveyor 11, the second hook part 37 is hooked onto the hooked part 12 and rotated 180 degrees, thereby enabling the pallet P to be flipped over and the mold of the pallet P to be changed from the mold 15 on the surface 14 to the mold 17 on the back 16 or from the mold 17 on the back 16 to the mold 15 on the surface 14.

[0080] Furthermore, when the rotating unit 13 rotates relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, if the second clamping part 37 does not become an obstacle such as a partial collision with the conveyor 11, the second rotating unit 27 can be composed only of the second rotating cylinder 36 and the second clamping part 37.

[0081] In addition, the rotating unit 13 may also consist of only the first rotating unit 26.

[0082] Alternatively, the rotating unit 13 may not only have a first rotating unit 26 and a second rotating unit 27, but may also have a third rotating unit or more units with the same structure.

[0083] Furthermore, the hooked portion 12 is not limited to a structure consisting of a single sheet protruding outwards, and the first hooked portion 31 and the second hooked portion 37 are not limited to a structure consisting of two sheets protruding parallel to the conveyor 11.

[0084] If the structure can be shaped such that the first hook part 31 or the second hook part 37 can hook and flip the hooked part 12, then it can also be any shape.

[0085] For example, the structure is such that the latching part 12 is set to a known convex shape (or a known concave shape) and the first latching part 31 or the second latching part 37 is set to a known concave shape (or a known convex shape).

[0086] Alternatively, the hook portion 12 can be configured as a structure consisting of two plates protruding parallel to the outside of the conveyor 11, and the first hook portion 31 and the second hook portion 37 can be configured as a structure consisting of a single plate protruding towards the side of the conveyor 11.

[0087] Furthermore, the first rotating unit 26 and the second rotating unit 27 can be controlled by the program to perform either independent or synchronized actions.

[0088] Explanation of the function of the pallet tilting device 10 of the conveyor of the present invention (see reference) Figures 1 to 7 ).

[0089] The following situation is explained: The tray P of mold 15, with the outer surface (the side where the operator performs the work) as surface 14 and the inner surface (the back side) as back 16, is flipped over and replaced with the tray P of mold 15, with the outer surface (the back side) as back 16 and the inner surface as surface 14.

[0090] When the tray P of the mold 15 with the outer surface 14 and the mold 17 with the inner back 16, which is guided by the lower guide 40 of the clamping part 12, is transported by the conveyor 11 to a position perpendicular to the center point of the rotation axis 33 of the tail T, the identification sensor 44 below reads the identification code 22 of the mold 15 with the outer surface 14 and identifies the mold 15 of the tray P.

[0091] At this time, the second rotating unit 27 is located on the straight line of the first rotating unit 26, and is positioned in a position corresponding to the other tray P after the replacement of the mold 17 with the back side 16 on the outside and the mold 15 with the surface 14 on the inside, which is above the center point of the rotating shaft 33 that is transported to the tail T.

[0092] In addition, the second advance / retractor 35 of the second cylinder 34 retracts outward, and the second latching part 37 connected to the second rotary cylinder 36 separates from the latched part 12. The latched part 12, guided by the second latching part 37, is guided between the upper guide members composed of the bending member 41 and the horizontal member 42.

[0093] Furthermore, when the replacement pallet P, with the mold 17 facing the back side 16 and the mold 15 facing the surface 14, is transported by the conveyor 11 to a position vertically above the center point of the rotation axis 33 of the tail T, the identification sensor 24 above reads the identification code 23 of the mold 17 facing the back side 16, identifies the mold 17 on the pallet P, and confirms that the replacement of the mold 17 is correct.

[0094] Therefore, operators will not mistakenly place product W in the wrong mold and perform the operation.

[0095] Furthermore, in order to use the first hook-on portion 31 to guide the hook-on portion 12 after it has been guided by the lower guide member 40, the first advance / retreat member 29 of the first cylinder 28 of the first rotating unit 26 of the rotating unit 13, which rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft 33, extends toward the conveyor 11.

[0096] When the first forward / backward member 29 extends toward the conveyor 11, the first clamping part 31 connected to the first rotating cylinder 30 extends toward the clamped part 12, guiding one plate of the clamped part 12 into the space between the two plates of the first clamping part 31.

[0097] Furthermore, when the tray flipping device 10 receives a replacement signal for changing the mold 17 with the outward direction facing the back side 16, in order to flip the tray P of the mold 15 with the outward direction facing the surface 14 and the mold 17 with the inward direction facing the back side 16, and to replace the tray P of the mold 17 with the outward direction facing the back side 16 and the mold 15 with the inward direction facing the surface 14, the first hooking part 31 is immediately rotated 180 degrees, and one of the plates serving as the hooked part 12 is hooked between the two plates that serve as the first hooking part 31, while rotating 180 degrees at the same time.

[0098] Furthermore, if the tray flipping device 10 does not receive a replacement signal for changing the mold 17 facing outwards towards the back side 16, the first latching part 31 will not be rotated 180 degrees.

[0099] Here, the replacement signal can be input by the operator each time, or the timing of inputting the replacement signal can be predetermined through program control. There are no particular restrictions on the method of inputting the replacement signal.

[0100] When a plate that is used as the hanging part 12 rotates 180 degrees, the flat plate 18 also rotates 180 degrees synchronously, and the tray P flips over.

[0101] Therefore, the tray P of the mold 15 with the outer direction being surface 14 and the mold 17 with the inner direction being back 16 is replaced with the tray P of the mold 15 with the outer direction being back 16 and the inner direction being surface 14.

[0102] Then, the pallet P is directly transported to the vertical direction above the center point of the rotation axis 33 of the tail T. The first advance / retreat member 29 of the first cylinder 28 retracts outward, the first latching part 31 separates from the latched part 12, and the latched part 12, guided by the first latching part 31, is guided between the upper guide members composed of the bending member 41 and the horizontal member 42.

[0103] Then, the upper identification sensor 24 reads the identification code 23 of the mold 17 with the outer direction facing the back 16, identifies the mold 17 of the tray P, and confirms that the replacement of the mold 17 is correct.

[0104] At this time, the second rotating unit 27 is located on the opposite position of the first rotating unit 26 on the straight line, and is similarly arranged with respect to the first rotating unit 26 at the position corresponding to the tray P of the mold 15 with the outer direction of the surface 14 and the inner direction of the mold 17 with the back side 16, which is below the center point of the rotating shaft 33 that is transported to the tail T in the vertical direction.

[0105] Repeat the above steps without stopping the conveyed pallet P, sequentially flipping the pallet P with the mold 15 facing outwards to the mold 15 facing outwards to the mold 17 facing outwards to the mold 15 facing inwards to the mold 15 facing outwards to the mold 16 facing outwards to the mold 17 facing outwards to the mold 15 facing inwards to the mold 14 facing inwards.

[0106] Furthermore, as described above, the flipping of pallet P is carried out in the tail section (or head section) of the conveyor 11 during transport with the pallets P being sufficiently spaced apart from each other, so that the pallets P do not collide with each other.

[0107] In addition, as described above, the flipping of the pallet P is performed at the tail T (or head H) so as not to interrupt the work of the operators in areas other than the tail T and head H.

Claims

1. A pallet tilting device for a conveyor, characterized in that, The pallet tilting device of this conveyor transports pallets with molds on the front and back sides that have different designs. The pallet tilting device of the conveyor includes: A rotating unit that allows the tray to rotate freely relative to the conveying direction via an axis located at the center of the tray; and The locking part is located at one end of the shaft. The rotating unit is located on one side of the rotating shaft at the head or tail of the conveyor and rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft. The rotating unit has a locking part that can rotate freely relative to the conveying direction. The rotating unit rotates the hooking part 180 degrees while the hooking part is hooked onto the hooked part, thereby causing the pallet to flip relative to the conveying direction.

2. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the tray is transported to the lower side of the center point of the rotating shaft in the vertical direction, the rotating unit rotates the hook part during the period until the tray is transported to the upper side of the vertical direction.

3. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the pallet is conveyed to the vertical direction above the center point of the rotating shaft, the hooked part is guided between the curved and horizontal parts of the conveyor.

4. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The hooked part has a sheet material protruding outward. The mounting portion has two plates protruding parallel to the conveyor. The rotating unit operates the hooking part in such a way that one sheet enters between two sheets, hooking the hooking part onto the hooked part.

5. A pallet tilting device for a conveyor, characterized in that, The pallet tilting device of this conveyor transports pallets with molds on the front and back sides that have different designs. The pallet tilting device of the conveyor includes: A rotating unit that allows the tray to rotate freely relative to the conveying direction via an axis located at the center of the tray; and The locking part is located at one end of the shaft. The rotating unit is located on one side of the rotating shaft at the head or tail of the conveyor and rotates synchronously with the rotating shaft. The rotating unit has a locking part that can move freely forward and backward relative to the locked part and can rotate freely relative to the conveying direction. The rotating unit rotates the hooking part 180 degrees while the hooking part is hooked onto the hooked part, thereby causing the pallet to flip relative to the conveying direction.

6. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the tray is transported to the lower side of the center point of the rotating shaft in the vertical direction, the rotating unit rotates the hook part during the period until the tray is transported to the upper side of the vertical direction.

7. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, When the pallet is conveyed to the vertical direction above the center point of the rotating shaft, the hooked part is guided between the curved and horizontal parts of the conveyor.

8. The pallet tilting device for a conveyor according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The hooked part has a sheet material protruding outward. The mounting portion has two plates protruding parallel to the conveyor. The rotating unit operates the hooking part in such a way that one sheet enters between two sheets, hooking the hooking part onto the hooked part.

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