Cross-shaped unfolding device and cross-shaped unfolding method

Abstract

A cross-shaped deployment device according to the present disclosure is provided with a frame, a stress concentration member, a plurality of movable parts, and a power transmission part, the stress concentration member located in a space is in contact with the interior of an empty box from the opening side of the empty box to place the empty box, and the power transmission part transmits power for moving the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member. And a stress concentration member including a reverse-slope blade protruding outward toward the upper side, the stress concentration member including a reverse-slope blade, the reverse-slope blade transmitting power for moving the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member so that the stress concentration member spreads the corner by opening the corner. And the stress concentration member including a reverse-slope blade protruding outward toward the upper side, the reverse-slope blade transmitting power for moving the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cross-unfolding device and a cross-unfolding method. Background Art

[0002] For example, when an operator performs an operation of cross-planarly unfolding and laying flat a rectangular box, manual tools such as scissors or knives are used to cut and stack the edges constituting the three-dimensional object, which is very time-consuming. In addition, when such an operation is performed by an automatic machine, a large crusher assuming that the entire box is broken is usually employed.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-075731 discloses a corrugated cardboard unpacking system for automatically unpacking a corrugated cardboard box and loading it onto a pallet. In the corrugated cardboard unpacking system of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-075731, cross-unfolding cannot be achieved in a single operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Generally, in a mass production line, general turnover boxes are used for logistics to prevent waste such as corrugated paper from being generated. However, when packaging batteries, due to various reasons such as the size of the battery as a product and shipping rules, it is sent to the factory in a state of being packaged with corrugated paper. Packaging components such as corrugated paper are usually "soft bodies without accuracy guarantee", and as described above, unpacking and waste treatment are sometimes based on manual work. Therefore, the operation of cross-planarly unfolding corrugated paper is an operation in the middle of logistics and the mass production line, and there has been no research on improving productivity by an automatic machine (robot). Therefore, it takes a long time to unfold an empty box in a cross shape.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cross-unfolding device and a cross-unfolding method capable of unfolding an empty box in a short time.

[0006] A cross-unfolding device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a cross-unfolding device for an empty box, and includes: a mounting frame that provides a mounting space for mounting the empty box with an opening before unfolding; a plurality of stress concentration members that respectively unfold a plurality of corner portions formed by the intersection of the inner side surfaces of the empty box; a plurality of movable parts respectively mounted on the plurality of stress concentration members; and a power transmission part that transmits power for moving the stress concentration members via the movable parts, the stress concentration members located in the mounting space contact the empty box from the opening side of the empty box with the inner side of the empty box, thereby mounting the empty box, and the power transmission part transmits the power for moving the stress concentration members to the stress concentration members so that the stress concentration members contact the corner portions. Furthermore, the power transmission part transmits the power that moves the stress concentration part to the stress concentration part, so that the stress concentration part expands the corner part to unfold the corner part. The stress concentration part includes a blade with an inverse slope that protrudes more outwardly as it goes higher.

[0007] In the above cross unfolding device, it is also possible that the stress concentration part includes a safety cover that houses the blade. The safety cover places the empty box on its upper part. The empty box that floats relative to the placement frame moves while being centered with respect to the placement space.

[0008] In the above cross unfolding device, it is also possible that the safety cover is installed on the movable part via a spring. The blade is installed on the movable part. The power transmission part transmits the power that moves the safety cover to the safety cover via the spring and the movable part. transmits the power that moves the blade to the blade via the movable part.

[0009] In the above cross unfolding device, it is also possible that the power transmission part transmits the power that moves the safety cover to the safety cover so that the safety cover that houses the blade contacts the corner part. Furthermore, the power transmission part transmits the power that moves the blade to the blade so that the blade protrudes from the safety cover that is in contact with the corner part, and the blade expands the corner part to unfold the corner part.

[0010] The cross unfolding method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cross unfolding method using a cross unfolding device for an empty box. The cross unfolding device includes: a placement frame that provides a placement space for placing the empty box with an open mouth before unfolding; a plurality of stress concentration parts that respectively unfold a plurality of corner parts formed by the intersection of the inner sides of the empty box; a plurality of movable parts that are respectively installed on the plurality of stress concentration parts; and a power transmission part that transmits the power that moves the stress concentration part via the movable part. The cross unfolding method includes: a step of placing the empty box by bringing the stress concentration part located in the placement space into contact with the inner side of the empty box from the opening side of the empty box; and a step of transmitting the power that moves the stress concentration part to the stress concentration part. In the step of transmitting the power for moving the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member, the power for moving the stress concentration member is transmitted to the stress concentration member so that the stress concentration member contacts the corner portion. Further, the power for moving the stress concentration member is transmitted to the stress concentration member so that the stress concentration member expands the corner portion to unfold the corner portion. The stress concentration member includes a blade with an inverse slope that protrudes more outwardly toward the upper side.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cross-unfolding device and a cross-unfolding method capable of unfolding an empty box in a short time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements. In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting table in the cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the configuration of the cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the configuration of the cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the configuration of the cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment; Figure 5 is a schematic view of a stress concentration member in the cross-unfolding device according to the comparative example; and Figure 6 is a flowchart of a cross-unfolding method using the cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential as technical means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and repeated explanations are omitted as needed. First Exemplary Embodiment

[0014] The cross-unfolding device according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting table 10 in the cross-unfolding device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Figure 2It is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cross expansion device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is a schematic view showing the configuration of the cross expansion device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. In Figures 1 to 4 some reference numerals are omitted to avoid complicating the drawing. In Figure 1 the stress concentration members 20, the movable parts 30, the power transmission parts 40, and the side pressing members 60 are omitted. In Figures 2 to 4 only one side pressing member 60 is shown.

[0015] As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the cross expansion device 1 includes a mounting table 10, a plurality of stress concentration members 20, a plurality of movable parts 30, a power transmission part 40, an operating rod 50, and a plurality of side pressing members 60. The cross expansion device 1 expands the empty box 70 in a cross plane and overlaps the expanded empty boxes 70. Here, in order to facilitate the description of the cross expansion device 1, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is introduced. The Z-axis direction is set as the vertical direction, and the XY plane is set as the horizontal plane. Empty box

[0016] The empty box 70 includes, for example, the lid of corrugated paper for transporting large lithium batteries. Specifically, the empty box 70 includes a rectangular parallelepiped lid that contains waste corrugated paper packaging the batteries supplied from overseas. In addition, as long as the empty box 70 can be expanded by the stress concentration members 20, it may also be an empty box such as ordinary corrugated paper. The empty box 70 has an opening 71 before expansion. The inner surface of the empty box 70 opposite to the opening 71 is called the bottom surface 72. The inner surface connected to the bottom surface 72 is called the side surface 73. For example, the empty box 70 has one opening 71, one bottom surface 72, and four side surfaces 73. The inner part of the empty box 70 that includes the line formed by the intersection of the side surfaces 73 is called the corner part 74. The empty box 70 includes a plurality of corner parts 74. For example, the empty box 70 includes four corner parts 74. Mounting table

[0017] The mounting table 10 has a frame 11 that matches the shape of the empty box 70 as viewed from above. For example, it has a frame 11 assembled in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a cubic shape. A space 12 is formed between the rectangular frames 11 as viewed from above the mounting table 10. The stress concentration members 20 and the movable parts 30 are arranged at the corners of the upper rectangular frame 11.

[0018] The open empty box 70 before expansion is placed in the space 12. When the empty box 70 is placed in the space 12, the stress concentration member 20 is located in the space 12 and the empty box 70 is placed thereon. Further, when the empty box 70 is placed in the space 12, the empty box 70 is placed from the opening 71 side. Specifically, the empty box 70 is placed with the opening 71 facing the -Z axis direction and the outer bottom surface of the empty box 70 facing the +Z axis direction. Therefore, the stress concentration member 20 located in the space 12 contacts the inner side of the empty box 70 from the opening 71 side of the empty box 70 to place the empty box 70. In this way, the frame 11 of the mounting table 10 provides the space 12 for mounting the open empty box 70 before expansion.

[0019] Sometimes the frame 11 is referred to as a mounting frame, and the space 12 is referred to as a mounting space. The empty box 70 with the corner 74 expanded falls in the space 12. Between the frames 11 at the lower part of the mounting table 10, a receiving table 13 for the empty box 70 after expansion is arranged. Stress concentration member

[0020] A plurality of stress concentration members 20 are respectively arranged at the four corners of the upper frame 11 arranged around the space 12. The stress concentration member 20 can move in the direction extending along the angle bisector of the corner of the upper frame 11. As Figure 4 shown, the direction in which the angle bisector along which the stress concentration member 20 moves extends is referred to as the moving direction R. The direction facing the inner side of the frame 11 in the moving direction R is referred to as the inner side direction. On the other hand, the direction facing the outer side of the frame 11 in the moving direction R is referred to as the outer side direction. Sometimes, the outer side direction is also referred to as the +R axis direction, and the inner side direction is also referred to as the -R axis direction. In Figure 4 it, the stress concentration member 20 at one corner is shown, but the stress concentration members 20 at other corners also have their respective moving directions R.

[0021] The stress concentration member 20 guides the expansion of the empty box 70. Specifically, for example, the stress concentration member 20 forms a cut at the corner 74 of the empty box 70. A plurality of stress concentration members 20 expand the plurality of corners 74 formed by intersecting the inner side surfaces 73 of the empty box 70 respectively. The stress concentration member 20 may also include a blade portion 21, and the blade portion 21 has a portion extending in a plane including the moving direction R and the Z axis direction in which the corner 74 extends. For example, the blade portion 21 has a blade (also referred to as a blade tip) 22, a peak 23, and a front end 24.

[0022] The peak 23 extends along the moving direction R. The peak 23 may also have a portion parallel to the XY plane orthogonal to the Z axis direction. Thus, the peak 23 can serve as a seating surface for the bottom surface 72 of the mounted empty box 70. The end portion of the peak 23 in the outer side direction becomes the front end 24. The front end 24 connects the peak 23 and the blade 22.

[0023] The blade 22 has a downward component. The blade 22 is inclined at a reverse slope. Specifically, the blade 22 can be inclined from the front end 24 toward the inner side. The blade 22 has a reverse slope such that it protrudes more toward the outer side as it goes higher. When the empty box 70 is placed on the stress concentration member 20 in the space 12, the blade 22 protrudes more toward the corner portion 74 as it goes closer to the bottom surface 72 side of the empty box 70. Also, the distance between the blade 22 and the corner portion 74 can be shorter as it goes closer to the bottom surface 72 side of the empty box 70. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the situation where the empty box 70 floats during the cutting using the stress concentration member 20, and thus suppress the situation where the stress concentration member 20 cannot cut into the corner portion 74.

[0024] Assume that the blade 22 has a tapered shape that protrudes more toward the outer side as it goes lower. In the case where the stress concentration member 20 moves outward to perform the unfolding process, the empty box 70 may float upward. Even if the rigidity of the empty box 70 is high, it will deform due to the load of the unfolding process. As a result, the empty box 70 sometimes escapes upward during the processing. In the present embodiment, due to the blade 22 having a reverse slope, the front end 24 can be inserted into the corner portion 74, and the empty box 70 can be pressed using the processing load.

[0025] The stress concentration member 20 slides along the moving direction R through the movable portion 30. When the empty box 70 before unfolding is placed in the space 12, the stress concentration member 20 is located in the space 12. Thus, the stress concentration member 20 places the empty box 70 before unfolding. The empty box 70 can also be supported at four points by the stress concentration member 20. The empty box 70 can be in a floating state with respect to the frame 11 of the mounting table 10.

[0026] As another method of unfolding the empty box 70, it can be considered to press and fix the vicinity of the center of the empty box 70 from above and below. However, in a method of pressing and fixing from above and below like this, the upper pressing may become a structural interference when setting the empty box 70. The lower pressing will hinder the empty box 70 from directly falling after the unfolding process. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the empty box 70 is in a floating state, there is no interference during setting, and the empty box 70 can directly fall onto the receiving table 13 after the unfolding process.

[0027] The stress concentration members 20 move in a direction of pushing outward from the inner side to the outer side of the empty box 70. Thereby, the plurality of stress concentration members 20 can align the floating empty box 70 while simultaneously unfolding a plurality of corners 74. Usually, the empty box 70 is light in weight, high in strength, and high in rigidity. Therefore, compared with the resistance for the stress concentration members 20 to unfold the corners 74, the resistance for the stress concentration members 20 to slide and move to the corners 74 with the empty box 70 in a floating state is smaller. Accordingly, all the stress concentration members 20 move outwardly in a balanced manner. After all the stress concentration members 20 move to the corners 74 together, the unfolding of the corners 74 starts. In this way, the plurality of stress concentration members 20 can align the empty box 70 floating relative to the frame 11 with respect to the space 12 while simultaneously unfolding a plurality of corners 74.

[0028] After all the stress concentration members 20 reach the corners 74, each stress concentration member 20 moves outwardly. Thereby, the stress concentration member 20 unfolds (cuts) the corner 74 of the empty box 70. In this way, the plurality of stress concentration members 20 unfold the corners 74 of the empty box 70 from the inside to the outside. Movable part

[0029] A plurality of movable parts 30 are respectively mounted on the plurality of stress concentration members 20. The movable parts 30 and the stress concentration members 20 are respectively arranged at the four corners of the upper frame 11 arranged around the space 12. The movable parts 30 transmit the power transmitted via the power transmission part 40 to the stress concentration members 20. Power transmission part

[0030] The power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the stress concentration members 20 to the stress concentration members 20 via the movable parts 30. Specifically, the power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the stress concentration members 20 to the stress concentration members 20 so that the stress concentration members 20 contact the corners 74. Further, the power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the stress concentration members 20 to the stress concentration members 20 so that the stress concentration members 20 expand the corners 74 to unfold the corners 74. The power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the stress concentration members 20 to the stress concentration members 20 so that the plurality of stress concentration members 20 respectively expand a plurality of corners 74 from the inside to the outside of the empty box 70.

[0031] The power transmission unit 40 includes, for example, a gear 41, a shaft 42, and a hammer 43. The power transmission unit 40 may also include other components in addition to these. The gear 41 is mounted on the shaft 42. The gear 41 transmits the power input through the operating lever 50 to the shaft 42 and the movable part 30. The gear 41 transmits the power that causes the stress concentration part 20 to unfold the corner part 74 to the stress concentration part 20 via the movable part 30 by rotating in one direction. In this way, the power transmission unit 40 can realize a series of action processes in a single action by connecting the unfolding of the empty box 70 using the power transmission structure of the same system.

[0032] The shaft 42 may also be, for example, rod-shaped and extend along the frame 11, and a plurality of gears 41 are mounted on it. The shaft 42 transmits the power input to a specified gear 41 to other gears 41.

[0033] The hammer 43 is mounted on the gear 41 via the gear 41 or the shaft 42. For example, when power is input through the operating lever 50 of the robot 80, the hammer 43 rises by rotating in one direction through the gear 41. After the empty box 70 unfolds, when the power input to the operating lever 50 disappears, the hammer 43 rotates in the opposite direction to one direction by descending. Thereby, the hammer 43 returns the stress concentration part 20 to the position in the space 12.

[0034] Specifically, for example, the robot 80 releases the operating lever 50 to lower the hammer 43 that has risen using the power transmitted through the operating lever 50. By the descent of the hammer 43, the stress concentration part 20 moves in the inner direction and is disposed in the space 12. Thereby, the stress concentration part 20 is disposed at the position for placing the next empty box 70. The side pressing member 60 is disposed at the position that becomes the input guide for the next empty box 70. In this way, by the descent of the hammer 43, each component of the cross-unfolding device 1 can be restored to its original position. Operating lever

[0035] The operating lever 50 is an operating part for inputting the power for cross-unfolding the empty box 70. For example, after the robot 80 places the empty box 70 in the space 12, it operates the operating lever 50 to input power. Thereby, the cross-unfolding device 1 starts the cross-unfolding of the empty box 70.

[0036] In a normal device design, devices that operate independently for each function can reduce trouble, but the processing time is long. The cross-expansion device 1 of the present embodiment can make the expansion action of the corner 74 of the empty box 70 into one action by having a power transmission unit 40. That is, the cross-expansion device 1 operates by the robot 80 operating the operating rod 50, expands the empty box 70, and drops the expanded empty box 70. Therefore, the cross-expansion device 1 makes flexible use of the operation of the operating rod 50 and the self-weight (mechanism) of the hammer 43, and does not require a power source. Thus, the expansion process can be performed in a short time, and on this basis, trouble can be reduced. Side pressing member

[0037] The side pressing member 60 may also be installed on the frame 11. When the empty box 70 before expansion is placed in the space 12, the side pressing member 60 has a shape that opens more outward as it goes higher. The side pressing member 60 may also be in contact with the outer side surface of the empty box 70 when the empty box 70 before expansion is placed in the space 12. Thus, it can function as a guide for the empty box 70 provided in the space 12.

[0038] Anti-slip processing of the empty box 70 may also be performed on the surface of the side pressing member 60 that contacts the empty box 70. The anti-slip processing includes, for example, spike processing and roulette processing. The side pressing member 60 is preferably arranged near the front of the stress concentration member 20 while expanding the corner 74 of the empty box 70 and moving.

[0039] In the case where there is no side pressing member 60 and the resistance of the expansion process of the multiple corners 74 of the empty box 70 fluctuates extremely, the expansion processes of the multiple corners 74 will not be completed simultaneously. Thus, sometimes, when the expansion of the corner 74 with a higher resistance in the expansion process has not ended, the expansion of other corners 74 ends. In this way, the pressing load of the stress concentration member 20 on the corner 74 whose expansion has not ended will decrease, and the corner 74 that has not ended may remain in an unprocessed state. In this case, the stress concentration member 20 cannot expand the corner 74 that has not ended but only drags the empty box 70.

[0040] In the present embodiment, since there is a side pressing member 60, even when the resistance of the expansion processes of the multiple corners 74 fluctuates extremely, the stress concentration member 20 of the corner 74 whose expansion has ended can break into the ended corner 74 and move outward. The stress concentration member 20 of the corner 74 whose expansion has not ended presses the corner 74 against the side pressing member 60 to limit the movement area of the empty box 70. Therefore, since the stress concentration member 20 continues to expand the corner 74, the expansion process can be completed.

[0041] In this way, since the cross expansion device 1 has the side pressing member 60, it is possible to suppress the remaining unprocessed parts caused by the loss of load at all corners 74 while absorbing fluctuations in the processing resistance of the empty absorption box 70. In this case, it is desirable that the contact surface of the side pressing member 60 also functions as an anti-slip member to prevent the empty box 70 from escaping. In addition, the closer the side pressing member 60 is to the stress concentration member 20, the more the above effect can be improved.

[0042] The side pressing member 60 may also be a movable type with the frame 11 as the rotation axis. For example, the side pressing member 60 may be a rotatable movable type that causes the expanded empty box 70 to fall onto the receiving table 13 of the empty box 70 arranged below.

[0043] The posture and trajectory of the expanded empty box 70 sometimes fluctuate due to accidental snagging or the like. The three-dimensional stiffness of the expanded empty box 70 is significantly reduced. Therefore, the side pressing member 60 having the function of a guiding member at the time of input of the empty box 70 is connected to the gear 41 and rotated synchronously with the expansion process. Thus, by applying surface pressure to the expanded empty box 70 from above, the empty box 70 is made to fall onto the receiving table 13. In this way, the cross expansion device 1 of the present embodiment can not only make the side pressing member 60 function as a guiding member at the time of input of the empty box 70, but also make it function as a pressing member for the empty box 70 during expansion and as an auxiliary member for the expanded empty box 70 to the receiving table 13. Safety cover

[0044] The stress concentration member 20 may also include a safety cover 25 in addition to the blade portion 21 having the blade 22. The safety cover 25 houses the blade 22. The upper part of the safety cover 25 extends along the moving direction R. The upper part of the safety cover 25 may also have a portion parallel to the XY plane orthogonal to the Z-axis direction. Thus, the upper part of the safety cover 25 can serve as a seating surface for the bottom surface 72 of the empty box 70 to be placed. That is, the safety cover 25 places the empty box 70 floating relative to the frame 11 and moves while centering with respect to the space 12.

[0045] The safety cover 25 in the stress concentration member 20 is installed on the movable part 30 via a spring 26. The blade portion 21 having the blade 22 in the stress concentration member 20 is directly installed on the movable part 30. Therefore, the power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the safety cover 25 to the safety cover 25 via the spring 26 and the movable part 30. The power transmission part 40 transmits the power for moving the blade 22 to the blade 22 via the movable part 30.

[0046] The power transmission unit 40 transmits the power for moving the safety cover 25 to the safety cover 25, so that the safety cover 25 accommodating the blade 22 contacts the corner portion 74. Furthermore, the power transmission unit 40 transmits the power for moving the blade 22 to the blade 22, so that the blade 22 is exposed from the safety cover 25 in contact with the corner portion 74, and the blade 22 spreads open the corner portion 74 to expand the corner portion 74. Comparative example

[0047] To illustrate the effects of the reverse-tapered blade 22 and the safety cover 25, the present embodiment is compared with the comparative example. Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the stress concentration member 120 in the cross expansion device 101 according to the comparative example. As Figure 5 shown, the lower the blade 122 of the stress concentration member 120 in the comparative example, the more it protrudes outward. If such a blade 122 is inserted into the corner portion 74 from the lower end to form a cut, the empty box 70 will float upward during the processing. Therefore, a suppression member for suppressing the floating during the processing is required.

[0048] In addition, the stress concentration member 120 in the comparative example does not include the safety cover 25. Therefore, when the empty box 70 is placed on the space 12, if the blade 22 is exposed, during the centering stage of the empty box 70, the blade 122 will catch on a portion different from the corner portion 74, and the stress concentration member 20 cannot be moved smoothly. Moreover, when stored, etc., if the blade 22 is always exposed, it is inherently dangerous.

[0049] In contrast, since the blade 22 in the present embodiment has a reverse taper, it is possible to suppress the floating of the empty box 70 during the processing. In addition, in the stress concentration member 20 of the present embodiment, the blade 22 is accommodated in the safety cover 25 that also serves as the seating surface of the empty box 70. And, through the power transmission operation, the safety cover 25 moves via the spring 26. Thus, the stress concentration member 20 can move to the corner portion 74 while centering the empty box 70. And, in a state where the safety cover 25 is in contact with the corner portion 74, if the power transmission unit 40 further transmits power, the blade 22 is exposed from the safety cover 25 and the expansion processing starts. After the processing is completed, the stress concentration member 20 including the blade 22 and the safety cover 25 passes through the expanded corner portion 74. Thus, the empty box 70 that has lost the seating surface falls onto the receiving table 13. In addition, the safety cover 25 passing through the expanded corner portion 74 moves via the spring 26 to accommodate the blade 22. Cross expansion method

[0050] Next, the cross expansion method using the cross expansion device 1 will be described. Figure 6 It is a flowchart illustrating the cross expansion method using the cross expansion device 1 according to the first embodiment. As Figure 6As shown in S10, the robot 80 sets the empty box 70. Specifically, the robot 80 sets the empty box 70 so that the stress concentration member 20 located in the space 12 contacts the inside of the empty box 70 from the opening 71 side of the empty box 70, thereby placing the empty box 70.

[0051] Next, as shown in S20, the robot 80 operates the operating rod 50, and via the power transmission unit 40, transmits the power for moving the stress concentration member 20 to the stress concentration member 20. In S20, the power for moving the stress concentration member 20 (including the blade 22 and the safety cover 25) is transmitted to the stress concentration member 20 so that the stress concentration member 20 contacts the corner 74. Further, the power for moving the stress concentration member 20 is transmitted to the stress concentration member 20 so that the blade 22 is exposed from the safety cover 25, and the blade 22 expands the corner 74 to expand the corner 74.

[0052] Specifically, S20 includes the operation of the operating rod (S21), the movement of the stress concentration member 20 (S22), the pressing and centering of the empty box 70 (S23), the expansion processing of the four corners 74 (S24), the falling assistance action (S25), and the falling of the expanded empty box (S26). In S22, the stress concentration member 20 includes the blade 22 and the safety cover 25. In S23, the safety cover 25 presses and centers the empty box 70. In S24, the blade 22 exposed from the safety cover 25 performs the expansion processing of the four corners 74. In S25, when the side pressing member 60 performs the falling assistance, the safety cover 25 houses the blade 22.

[0053] Next, as shown in S30, the robot 80 returns the cross expansion device 1 to the original position by releasing the operating rod 50. For example, by releasing the operating rod 50, the hammer 43 that has risen by the power transmitted through the operating rod 50 descends. Due to the descent of the hammer 43, the stress concentration member 20 moves in the inner direction and is disposed at a position for supporting the next empty box 70. The side pressing member 60 is disposed at a position to be the input guide for the next empty box 70.

[0054] Specifically, S30 includes releasing the operating rod 50 (S31) and returning to the original position by the descent of the hammer 43 (S32).

[0055] Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described. The cross expansion device 1 of the present embodiment moves the stress concentration member 20 by using the power transmitted via the power transmission unit 40. Thereby, the plurality of stress concentration members 20 expand the corners 74 in the outer direction (+R axis direction) from the inside of the empty box 70. Therefore, the empty box 70 can be cross-expanded in a short time.

[0056] In addition, the cross-expanding device 1 of the present embodiment operates by inputting power from the operating lever 50. For example, by the robot 80 setting an empty box 70 such as a three-dimensional lid lifted during the unpacking operation on this device and performing only a simple operation of the operating lever 50, the cross-expanding device 1 can make the empty box 70 fall in a cross-expanded shape. Therefore, it can be stably processed by the robot 80 in a short time.

[0057] As described above, embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure includes appropriate modifications that do not impair its purpose and advantages, and is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In addition, the respective configurations in the first and second embodiments can be appropriately combined. In addition, the matters described in the claims are also within the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment.

Claims

1. A cross-expansion device, which is a cross-expansion device for an empty box, comprising: A placement frame that provides a placement space for placing the empty box with an opening before expansion; A plurality of stress concentration components that respectively expand a plurality of corner portions formed by the intersection of the inner side surfaces of the empty box; A plurality of movable parts, which are respectively installed on the plurality of stress concentration components; and A power transmission part that transmits the power for moving the stress concentration components via the movable parts, The stress concentration components located in the placement space contact the inner side of the empty box from the opening side of the empty box, thereby placing the empty box, The power transmission part transmits the power for moving the stress concentration components to the stress concentration components so that the stress concentration components contact the corner portions. Furthermore, the power transmission part transmits the power for moving the stress concentration components to the stress concentration components so that the stress concentration components expand the corner portions to expand the corner portions, The stress concentration component includes a blade with an inverse slope that protrudes more outward as it goes higher.

2. The cross-expansion device according to claim 1, wherein The stress concentration component includes a safety cover for accommodating the blade, The safety cover, Places the empty box on the upper part, The empty box that floats relative to the placement frame moves while being centered with respect to the placement space.

3. The cross-expansion device according to claim 2, wherein The safety cover is installed on the movable part via a spring, The blade is installed on the movable part, The power transmission part, Transmits the power for moving the safety cover to the safety cover via the spring and the movable part, Transmits the power for moving the blade to the blade via the movable part.

4. The cross-expansion device according to claim 3, wherein The power transmission part transmits the power for moving the safety cover to the safety cover so that the safety cover accommodating the blade contacts the corner portion. Furthermore, the power transmission part transmits the power for moving the blade to the blade so that the blade exposes from the safety cover in contact with the corner portion, and the blade expands the corner portion to expand the corner portion.

5. A cross-expansion method, which is a cross-expansion method using a cross-expansion device for an empty box, The cross-expansion device includes: A placement frame that provides a placement space for placing the empty box with an opening before expansion; A plurality of stress concentration components that respectively expand a plurality of corner portions formed by the intersection of the inner side surfaces of the empty box; A plurality of movable parts, which are respectively installed on the plurality of stress concentration components; and A power transmission part that transmits the power for moving the stress concentration components via the movable parts, The cross-expansion method includes: A step of placing the empty box by making the stress concentration components located in the placement space contact the inner side of the empty box from the opening side of the empty box; And A step of transmitting the power for moving the stress concentration components to the stress concentration components. In the step of transmitting the power that moves the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member, transmit the power that moves the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member so that the stress concentration member contacts the corner portion, and further, transmit the power that moves the stress concentration member to the stress concentration member so that the stress concentration member spreads open the corner portion to expand the corner portion. The stress concentration member includes a blade with an inverse slope that protrudes more outwardly toward the upper side.

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