Direction changing device and sorting system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a direction conversion device which can ensure conveyance stability in a main conveyance direction with respect to a conveyance path, can reduce resistance during direction conversion, and can achieve miniaturization, power saving, improvement in conveyance capacity, and longevity. Specifically, the above-mentioned problem can be solved by a configuration in which a part or all of a plurality of conveyance rollers (120) are configured so as to be provided with: a cylindrical section (121) having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface (122); and a spherical section (123) that is provided on at least one side in the rotational axis direction, has a spherical outer peripheral surface (124), and is provided with an introduction section (125) that has a curved outer peripheral surface (126) that connects the cylindrical outer peripheral surface (122) and the spherical outer peripheral surface (124).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a direction changing device that changes the direction of conveyance of an article, and a sorting system provided with the direction changing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Now, as a direction changing device that changes the direction of conveyance of an article in the middle of an article conveyance path, a so-called "turning roller type" device is known (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1, 2).

[0003] On this kind of direction changing device, an article is conveyed in the main conveyance direction on an article conveyance path by simultaneously frictionally driving a plurality of conveyance rollers using a plurality of drive shafts, the plurality of conveyance rollers being arranged in a plurality in the main conveyance direction and the width direction on the article conveyance path and being supported so as to be able to rotate freely about a horizontal axis. Furthermore, it is configured so as to be able to perform direction changing in a direction different from the main conveyance direction on the article conveyance path by causing the conveyance rollers to rotate about a vertical axis using a drive such as a cylinder, and transmit driving force in a state in which the rotation axis of the conveyance rollers and the rotation axis of the drive shafts are inclined.

[0004] As the conveyance rollers, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A , a conveyance roller 120a is used that is configured with a spherical outer periphery 124, and as shown in FIG. 11B , a conveyance roller 120b is used that is configured with a cylindrical portion 121 provided with a cylindrical outer periphery 122 in the central portion in the direction of the rotation axis, and the like. In the conveyance roller 120a shown in FIG. 11A , in a cross section that includes the rotation axis Ra, the spherical outer periphery 124 is configured, for example, by a portion of a circular arc that has the intersection of the rotation axis Ra and the center line in the width direction of the conveyance roller 120a as the center of curvature Cs. In the conveyance roller 120b shown in FIG. 11B , in a cross section that includes the rotation axis Ra, the portions that are connected to each of the two sides of the cylindrical portion 121 are, for example, spherical portions 123 that have a spherical outer periphery 124 that has the intersection of the rotation axis Ra and the center line in the width direction of the conveyance roller 120b as the center of curvature Cs.

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2911809

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5197269 SUMMARY

[0008] Further, in the direction switching device of the roller type, in order to perform a sorting operation quickly and surely, it is preferable that the resistance when the conveying roller is rotated at the time of switching the direction of the article be small. In this regard, since the frictional resistance with the transmission shaft accompanying the rotation of the conveying roller does not greatly change, it is preferable to use FIG. 11A the conveying roller 120a shown in the drawing.

[0009] However, in the conveying roller 120a shown in the drawing, FIG. 11A since it is not possible to increase the driving force transmitted from the transmission shaft to the conveying roller 120a, the conveying force of the article becomes weak, and in addition, the stability of the direction is reduced, there is a problem that the conveying stability of the article with respect to the main conveying direction in the article conveying path is low.

[0010] On the other hand, in the conveying roller 120b shown in the drawing, FIG. 11B since the cylindrical portion 121 is provided, even if a little interference is received, it is possible to ensure the conveying stability of the article with respect to the main conveying direction in the article conveying path.

[0011] However, in the conveying roller 120b shown in the drawing, FIG. 11B since the resistance when the conveying roller 120b is rotated is made large, in order to perform a sorting operation quickly and surely, a driver with a large thrust is required. Due to this, there are problems that the device is upsized, the energy consumption is increased, and the noise during the operation of the driver becomes large.

[0012] The present application is made based on the above circumstances, and the technical problem to be solved is to provide a direction switching device capable of ensuring the conveying stability with respect to the main conveying direction of the conveying path, and capable of realizing the reduction of the resistance at the time of switching the direction, capable of realizing the downsizing, the power saving, the improvement of the conveying capacity, and the lengthening of the life.

[0013] Further, another technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a sorting system capable of performing high-speed sorting of articles.

[0014] The present application is a direction switching device provided with: a plurality of roller rows; a transmission shaft arranged in parallel with the roller rows to rotate a plurality of conveying rollers constituting the roller rows simultaneously around a horizontal axis; and a rotation mechanism to rotate a plurality of the conveying rollers on the roller rows in unison in the direction of the conveying rollers around a vertical axis, which can solve the technical problem by being configured such that a part or all of the plurality of the conveying rollers are provided with: a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical outer surface; and a spherical portion provided on at least one side in the rotation axis direction, having a spherical outer surface, and provided with an introduction portion having a curved outer surface connecting the cylindrical outer surface and the spherical outer surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the sorting system of the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by employing a configuration that includes the aforementioned direction conversion device.

[0016] According to the invention of present technical solution 1, since the conveyor roller has a cylindrical portion, the conveying stability of the item relative to the main conveying direction of the item conveying path can be ensured when the conveyor roller is in its normal position where the conveying drive direction is the main conveying direction of the item conveying path. Furthermore, since the conveyor roller has a spherical portion, the rotational posture of the conveyor roller can be stabilized when the conveyor roller is rotated to a switching position where the conveying drive direction is different from the main conveying direction of the item conveying path (a state where the conveyor roller is tilted at a predetermined angle).

[0017] Furthermore, because the conveyor roller has an inlet section, the shape change from the cylindrical section to the spherical section becomes gradual, thus reducing the resistance when rotating the conveyor roller to change positions. Therefore, since the rotating mechanism can be configured with a low-thrust actuator such as a cylinder with a small air volume, an electric drive, or an electromagnetic solenoid, miniaturization and energy saving of the direction switching device are possible. In addition, because the resistance during conveyor roller position switching is reduced, the operating speed can be increased, the conveying capacity can be improved, and wear and deterioration of sliding parts and the conveyor roller can be suppressed, resulting in a longer service life.

[0018] According to the invention involved in this technical solution 2, the appropriate contact state between the drive shaft and the conveyor roller can be maintained when the conveyor roller is in any position between the normal position and the switching position.

[0019] According to the invention involved in this technical solution 3, the position of the conveying roller can be switched smoothly.

[0020] According to the invention involved in this technical solution 4, a sorting system capable of high-speed sorting of items can be constructed. Attached Figure Description

[0021] FIG. 1 This is a top view showing the configuration of a direction conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 It is a schematic representation. FIG. 1 The front view shows the main components of the direction conversion device.

[0023] FIG. 3 It is a schematic representation. FIG. 1 A top view of the structure of the roller unit of the direction conversion device shown.

[0024] FIG. 4 yes FIG. 3 Sectional view along line AA in the diagram.

[0025] FIG. 5 is FIG. 3 a combination cross-sectional view of the B-B line in Fig.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the rotational action of the conveying roller.

[0027] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of a plane containing the rotational axis when the configuration of the conveying roller is schematically represented.

[0028] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of a plane containing the rotational axis when another configuration example of the conveying roller is schematically represented.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a plane containing the rotational axis when still another configuration example of the conveying roller is schematically represented.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram representing the relationship between the rotational angle of the conveying roller and the thrust of the driver required when the conveying roller is rotated.

[0031] FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram representing the configuration of one example of a sorting system provided with the direction conversion device according to the present application.

[0032] FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram representing the configuration of another example of a sorting system provided with the direction conversion device according to the present application.

[0033] FIG. 10C is a schematic diagram representing the configuration of still another example of a sorting system provided with the direction conversion device according to the present application.

[0034] FIG. 11A is a diagram representing one configuration example of a conventional conveying roller.

[0035] FIG. 11B is a diagram representing another configuration example of a conventional conveying roller.

[0036] Explanation of symbols

[0037] 100-Direction conversion device; 101-Machine base; 102-Retaining frame; 103-Support body; 104-Bearing component; 105-Cover; 106-Roller protrusion hole; 110-Roller row; 110a-First roll row; 110b-Second roll row; 115-Roller unit; 120-Conveyor roller; 120a-Conveyor roller; 120b-Conveyor roller; 121-Cylindrical section; 122-Cylindrical outer circumferential surface; 123-Spherical section; 124-Spherical outer circumferential surface; 125-Inlet section; 126-Outer circumferential surface; 130-Supporting structure; 131-Bearing cylinder; 132-Roller rotating shaft; 133-Roller arm; 134-Joint shaft; 135-Roller support body; 136-Force application component; 140-Rotary drive mechanism; 141-Electric motor; 142-Drive shaft; 145-Toothed belt; 1 46-Driven toothed pulley; 147-Drive toothed pulley; 148a-Tensioner; 148b-Idler pulley; 150-Rotating mechanism; 151-Driver; 152-Cylinder; 153a-First working lever; 153b-Second working lever; 155-Connecting component; 156-Support body; 160a-Sorting system; 160b-Sorting system; 160c-Sorting system; 161-Main conveyor; 162a-First diversion conveyor; 162b-Second diversion conveyor; 162c-Third diversion conveyor; 165a-Upstream side conveyor; 165b-Upstream side conveyor; 166a-Downstream side conveyor; 166b-Downstream side conveyor; Ci-Center of curvature of the inlet; Cs-Center of curvature of the spherical surface; Pa-Rotation axis; Ra-Rotation axis; O-Item. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The direction conversion device according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] like FIGS. 1-4 As shown, the direction conversion device 100 of the present invention includes: multiple rows of rollers 110 arranged in the main conveying direction on the article conveying path ( FIG. 1 In one direction (as indicated by the hollow arrow); a rotation drive mechanism 140 having a drive shaft 142 that causes the plurality of conveying rollers 120 constituting the roller array 110 to rotate simultaneously about a horizontal axis; and a rotation mechanism 150 that keeps the plurality of conveying rollers 120 constituting the roller array 110 aligned in the direction of the conveying rollers 120 and rotates about a vertical axis.

[0040] Roller train 110 is constructed along the width of the article conveying path ( FIG. 1 It is composed of multiple conveyor rollers 120 arranged in the vertical direction. The surface (sliding surface) of the conveyor rollers 120 is made of a material with low hardness, such as nitrile rubber.

[0041] In this embodiment, the system includes a first roller column 110a having nine conveying rollers 120 in the width direction of the article conveying path and a second roller column 110b having ten conveying rollers 120. The multiple roller columns 110 are arranged such that the first roller column 110a and the second roller column 110b are alternately arranged in one direction, forming a unit and constituting five roller units 115. Hereinafter, unless specifically mentioned, the first roller column 110a and the second roller column 110b will be referred to simply as roller columns 110.

[0042] Each conveyor roller 120 is structured such that it is supported by the support structure 130 to rotate freely about a horizontal axis and is also supported to rotate freely about a vertical axis, and so on. FIG. 5 As shown, a portion of the conveyor roller 120 protrudes upward from a plurality of circular roller protrusions 106 formed on the top of the cover 105 in order to support the articles.

[0043] The support structure 130 includes: a bearing cylinder 131, which is fixed to the retaining frame 102 of the machine base 101 in a vertical direction; a roller rotating shaft 132, which is rotatably supported on the bearing cylinder 131 about a vertical axis; a rotating arm 133, which is fixed to the upper part of the roller rotating shaft 132; a joint shaft 134, which is provided on the rotating arm 133 in a width direction of the article conveying path on the rotation axis of the roller rotating shaft 132; and a roller support 135, which is oscillatingly supported by the joint shaft 134 and rotatably supports the conveying roller 120 about a horizontal axis.

[0044] The conveyor roller 120 is always stressed by the force-applying component 136 so as to maintain contact with the drive shaft 142.

[0045] In this embodiment, a torsion coil spring is used as the force-applying component 136, which is wound around the joint shaft 134 and clamped between the roller support 135 and the rotating arm 133.

[0046] The rotary drive mechanism 140 includes: an electric motor 141 capable of rotating in both directions; multiple drive shafts 142 disposed on each roller unit 115; and a winding drive mechanism as a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the electric motor 141 to each drive shaft 142.

[0047] The drive shaft 142 extends horizontally with its rotation axis parallel to the roller array 110 and is rotatably supported on the bearing component 104. A driven toothed pulley 146 is installed on one end of the axial direction. Both ends of the bearing component 104 are fixed on the machine base 101.

[0048] like FIG. 2As shown, the wraparound transmission mechanism is configured so that a toothed belt 145 is wrapped around a drive toothed pulley 147 fixed to a drive shaft of the electric motor 141, a driven toothed pulley 146 mounted on the transmission shaft 142, a tension pulley 148a, and an idler pulley 148b, and all of the transmission shafts 142 are simultaneously rotated in the same direction by one electric motor 141.

[0049] The tension pulley 148a is arranged so as to be positionally adjustable with respect to the table 101, whereby the tension of the toothed belt 145 can be adjusted. On the holding frame 102 of the table 101, the idler pulley 148b is arranged in one direction with a space therebetween.

[0050] The rotation mechanism 150 is provided with: a rotation arm 133 constituting the support structure 130 of the conveyance rollers 120 in the first roller row 110a; a link member 155 integrally connecting the rotation arm 133 constituting the support structure 130 of the conveyance rollers 120 in the second roller row 110b so as to be non- relatively movable; and a driver 151 moving the link member 155 in the width direction of the article conveyance path. The rotation arm 133 and the link member 155 are connected so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis parallel to the rotation axis of the roller rotation shaft 132.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the rotation action of the conveyance rollers 120 about the vertical axis is configured so as to be independently implemented in each roller unit 115, and the driver 151 is provided in each roller unit 115.

[0052] As shown, the driver 151 is configured by, for example, a cylinder having: a cylinder body 152; and a first working lever 153a and a second working lever 153b as working members, which are combined with one pair of plungers (not shown) slidably accommodated in the cylinder body 152, and which perform linear reciprocating motion.

[0053] The first working lever 153a is hingedly connected to a support body 156 fixed to the link member 155 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis, and the second working lever 153b is hingedly connected to a support body 103 fixed to the holding frame 102 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0054] Although in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the cylinder is used as the driver 151 is described, an electric driver or an electromagnetic solenoid can also be used as the driver 151.

[0055] In the present embodiment, as shown, the direction switching of the conveyance rollers 120 about the vertical axis is configured by the following actions, that is, an action of switching between a normal position and a first switching position, or an action of switching between the normal position and a second switching position (not shown), the normal position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the conveyance direction a of the main conveyance path (in the present embodiment, the direction in which the articles are conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the main conveyance path), the first switching position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the direction b in which the articles are conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the main conveyance path, and the second switching position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the direction c in which the articles are conveyed in the sub conveyance path. FIG. 6 FIG. 6 In the present embodiment, the direction switching of the conveyance rollers 120 about the vertical axis is configured by the following actions, that is, an action of switching between a normal position and a first switching position, or an action of switching between the normal position and a second switching position (not shown), the normal position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the conveyance direction a of the main conveyance path (in the present embodiment, the direction in which the articles are conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the main conveyance path), the first switching position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the direction b in which the articles are conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side in the main conveyance path, and the second switching position being a position in which the conveyance driving direction is the direction c in which the articles are conveyed in the sub conveyance path.​FIG. 6 The first switching position is the normal position (in the direction of the hollow arrow shown by the dashed line), where the conveying drive direction is relative to the main conveying direction α of the article conveying path and towards the first direction β at a specified angle θ° (in FIG. 6 The first switching position (indicated by the hollow arrow direction shown by the solid line) and the second switching position are the second switching positions in which the conveying drive direction is relative to the main conveying direction of the item conveying path and is directed towards the second direction at a specified angle -θ°.

[0056] FIG. 6 Pa in the diagram represents the axis of rotation of the conveyor roller 120, which includes the center of curvature Cs of the spherical surface 123 of the conveyor roller 120 (described later), and is located on a plane that passes through the plane where the axis of rotation Ra is normal. Therefore, when the conveyor roller 120 is in either the normal position or the switching position, it is possible to maintain a proper contact state between the conveyor roller 120 and the drive shaft 142.

[0057] The angle θ between the main conveying direction and the first or second direction can be set appropriately according to the purpose, but for example, it can be 35°.

[0058] In this embodiment, such as FIG. 7A As shown, the conveying roller 120 includes: a cylindrical portion 121 disposed at the center in the direction of the rotation axis Ra, having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122; and a spherical portion 123 disposed on both sides in the direction of the rotation axis Ra, having a spherical outer peripheral surface 124. The spherical outer peripheral surface 124 has a center of curvature Cs on the rotation axis Ra in a cross section including the rotation axis Ra.

[0059] Since the conveyor roller 120 has a cylindrical portion 121, the conveying stability of the item relative to the main conveying direction on the item conveying path can be ensured when the conveyor roller 120 is in its normal position. In addition, since the conveyor roller 120 has a spherical portion 123, the rotational posture of the conveyor roller 120 can be stabilized when the conveyor roller 120 is rotated to switch to the first switching position or the second switching position.

[0060] The cylindrical portion 121 is symmetrical with respect to the plane Ls (hereinafter referred to as the "plane of symmetry"), which is the center of curvature Cs of the spherical portion 123 and whose axis of rotation Ra is the normal. The dimension W (hereinafter referred to as the "plane width") in the direction of the axis of rotation Ra between the intersection point of the plane of symmetry Ls and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 and the tangent point of the cylindrical portion 121 and the guide portion 125 described later is uniformly sized, sandwiching the plane of symmetry Ls. By adopting this configuration, when the conveyor roller 120 is in its normal position where the conveying drive direction is the main conveying direction of the article conveying path, the orientation of the conveyor roller 120 can be maintained, thereby improving the conveying stability of the article relative to the main conveying direction of the article conveying path.

[0061] The planar width W of the cylindrical portion 121 is preferably 7.8% or more of the roll diameter D.

[0062] If the planar width W is less than 7.8% of the roll diameter D, the conveyance stability in the main conveyance direction of the article conveyance path tends to decrease, but by making the planar width W 7.8% or more of the roll diameter D, the torque of the force that returns the conveyance roll 120 to the normal position becomes greater than the torque of the force that hinders the return when the conveyance roll 120 is tilted from the normal position. Therefore, even if disturbed, the conveyance roll 120 can be caused to automatically return to the normal position, and thus the conveyance stability in the main conveyance direction of the article conveyance path can be improved.

[0063] Further, the planar width W of the cylindrical portion 121 is preferably 11.9% or less of the roll diameter D.

[0064] When the planar width W is more than 11.9% of the roll diameter D, it is difficult to smoothly switch the position of the conveyance roll 120, but by making the planar width W 11.9% or less of the roll diameter D, the resistance when the conveyance roll 120 is rotated to switch the position can be reduced while ensuring the conveyance stability with respect to the main conveyance direction of the article conveyance path, and thus the position of the conveyance roll 120 can be rapidly switched with a smaller switching thrust.

[0065] Further, in the direction switching device 100 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of conveyance rolls 120 are all configured so that the lead-in portion 125 is provided on both sides of the cylindrical portion 121, and the lead-in portion 125 has a curved outer peripheral surface 126 that connects the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124.

[0066] The outer peripheral surface 126 of the lead-in portion 125 and the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 of the cylindrical portion 121 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 of the spherical portion 123 are each connected in such a way that the outer peripheral surface of the conveyance roll 120 does not form a concave shape, and thus the switching of the position of the conveyance roll can be smoothly performed.

[0067] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 is a spherical shape that includes the connection point between the cylindrical portion 121 and the inlet portion 125, has a center of curvature Ci on the plane Lv where the axis of rotation Ra is normal, and has a radius of curvature r2 smaller than the radius of curvature r1 of the spherical outer peripheral surface 124. On the conveying roller 120, at the connection point between the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 and the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 and the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 are connected in the same connection state as the tangent relative to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 and the tangent relative to the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125. Furthermore, at the connection point between the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 of the spherical portion 123, the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 are connected in the following manner: the inclination of the tangent of the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 relative to the axis of rotation Ra is less than the inclination of the tangent of the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 relative to the axis of rotation Ra (a connection in which the two tangents intersect in a convex shape facing outward).

[0068] like FIG. 7B As shown, at the connection point between the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124, the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 can also be connected in such a way that the tangent T relative to the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 is the same as the tangent T relative to the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125. On the conveyor roller 120 with this configuration, the center of curvature Ci of the inlet portion 125 is located at a position where the straight line connecting the connection point of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical surface 123 to the center of curvature Cs of the spherical surface 123 intersects the plane containing the connection point of the cylindrical portion 121 and the inlet portion 125, with the axis of rotation Ra as the normal.

[0069] Although in this embodiment all of the multiple conveyor rollers 120 are configured to have the guide portion 125, it is also possible to configure at least a portion of the multiple conveyor rollers 120 to have the guide portion 125. Furthermore, although the guide portion 125 is configured to be provided on both sides of the cylindrical portion 121, for example, when the direction change of the conveyor roller 120 around the vertical axis is configured by switching between a normal position and a first switching position, for example... FIG. 8 As shown, it can also be configured such that the inlet portion 125 is provided only on one side of the cylindrical portion 121. In this case, as... FIG. 8 As shown by the dashed line, the cylindrical portion 121 does not need to be formed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry Ls, and the other side of the cylindrical portion 121 may also have a larger size than the planar width W of one side of the cylindrical portion 121.

[0070] Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 does not need to be spherical; for example, it can be an elliptic sphere with a center on the vertical line Lv. In this configuration, at the connection point between the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 of the spherical surface 123, the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 and the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 are connected in such a way that the inclination of the tangent of the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 relative to the axis of rotation Ra is less than the inclination of the tangent of the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 relative to the axis of rotation Ra (a connection where the two tangents intersect convexly outward).

[0071] Furthermore, if the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 is configured as a spherical shape, as long as the inclination of the tangent of the outer peripheral surface 126 of the inlet portion 125 relative to the axis of rotation Ra is less than the inclination of the tangent of the spherical outer peripheral surface 124 relative to the axis of rotation Ra (the connection state in which the two tangents intersect in a convex shape facing outward), it can also be a spherical shape with a radius of curvature larger than that of the spherical outer peripheral surface 124.

[0072] Furthermore, since the conveyor roller 120 has an inlet portion 125, the shape change from the cylindrical portion 121 to the spherical portion 123 becomes gradual, thereby reducing the resistance when rotating the conveyor roller 120 to change positions, such as FIG. 9 As shown by the solid line curve, the position of the conveyor roller 120 can be quickly switched with a relatively small switching thrust. Additionally, FIG. 9 The curve with the solid line in the middle is a reference curve. FIG. 7A The graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the conveyor roller 120 and the thrust of the driver is illustrated when the conveyor roller 120 is manufactured with a cylindrical outer circumferential surface 122 having a planar width W that is 9.6% of the roller diameter D. Furthermore, FIG. 9 The curve shown by the dashed line is a reference curve. FIG. 11B The graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the conveyor roller 120b and the thrust of the driver is shown when the conveyor roller 120b is manufactured with the planar width W of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 122 being 18.5% of the roller diameter D.

[0073] Therefore, according to the above-described configuration of the direction switching device 100, since the rotating mechanism 150 can be configured as a small-volume cylinder and a low-thrust actuator 151 such as an electric drive or an electromagnetic solenoid, the direction switching device 100 can be miniaturized and energy-saving. Furthermore, by reducing the resistance during position switching of the conveyor roller 120, the operating speed can be increased, the conveying capacity can be improved, and wear and deterioration of sliding parts and the conveyor roller 120 can be suppressed, thus extending its service life.

[0074] The direction conversion device 100 according to the present application, for example, by being arranged on a conveying line, can realize the direction conversion of the conveying path of articles such as "sorting", "crossing", "branching", and the like, and is extremely useful for constructing a high-speed automatic sorting system. Hereinafter, a sorting system according to the present application will be described.

[0075] For example, FIG. 10A The sorting system 160a shown is configured such that the direction conversion device 100 described above is arranged between a main conveying path 161 that conveys articles O in one direction and a first branching conveying path 162a arranged on the downstream side of the main conveying path 161 and conveying articles O in one direction, and such that a second branching conveying path 162b and a third branching conveying path 162c extending in a direction crossing the first branching conveying path 162a are arranged on the upstream end side of the first branching conveying path 162a, whereby high-speed sorting of articles O in three directions of left and right directions orthogonal to the article conveying direction of the main conveying path 161 and a straight-ahead direction can be performed.

[0076] Further, FIG. 10B The sorting system 160b shown is configured such that two conveying lines conveying articles in one direction are arranged in parallel, and the article conveying path can be changed between the two conveying lines. Each of the conveying lines is configured such that the direction conversion device 100 described above is arranged between an upstream conveying path 165a, 165b and a downstream conveying path 166a, 166b arranged on the downstream side of the upstream conveying path 165a, 165b. In this sorting system 160b, high-speed sorting of articles O conveyed on the upstream conveying path 165a of one of the conveying lines to the downstream conveying path 166a of the one of the conveying lines or the downstream conveying path 166b of the other of the conveying lines, and high-speed sorting of articles O conveyed on the upstream conveying path 165b of the other of the conveying lines to the downstream conveying path 166a of the one of the conveying lines or the downstream conveying path 166b of the other of the conveying lines can be performed.

[0077] Further, FIG. 10C The sorting system 160c shown is configured such that the direction conversion device 100 described above is arranged between a main conveying path 161 that conveys articles O in one direction and a first branching conveying path 162a arranged on the downstream side of the main conveying path 161 and conveying articles O in one direction, and such that a second branching conveying path 162b conveying articles O in a direction different from the one direction is arranged on one side of the direction conversion device 100, whereby high-speed sorting of articles O in two directions of a straight-ahead direction and a branching direction with respect to the article conveying direction of the main conveying path 161 can be performed. In this sorting system 160c, the conveying rollers 120 in the direction conversion device 100 can also be configured such that only one side of the cylindrical portion 121 in the rotational axis Ra direction (see FIG. 2) is provided with the plurality of protrusions 122, and the other side is provided with the plurality of protrusions 122. FIG. 8The guide-in portion 125 is provided.

[0078] While the embodiments of the present application have been described above, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the present application as described in the technical solution.

[0079] For example, while the case where the conveying rollers are capable of direction switching between the normal position and the two switching positions has been described, the configuration of the conveying rollers is not limited thereto, and can be configured to be capable of changing to four or more positions, for example.

[0080] Further, while the case where each of the two roller rows is taken as a roller unit and each of the roller units is configured to be capable of independent direction switching has been described in the above-described embodiments, each of the roller rows can be configured to be capable of independent direction switching, and each of the conveying rollers can be configured to be capable of individual direction switching, for example.

[0081] Further, the number of roller rows, the number of conveying rollers configuring the roller rows, and other specific configurations can of course be optimally selected depending on the type of the conveyed article, the conveying speed, the installation space, and the like.

Claims

1. A direction converting device comprising: a plurality of roller rows; a driving shaft arranged in parallel with the roller rows to rotate a plurality of conveying rollers constituting the roller rows simultaneously around a horizontal axis; and a turning mechanism to turn the plurality of conveying rollers on the roller rows in unison in a direction of the conveying rollers around a vertical axis, characterized in that, a part or all of the plurality of conveying rollers are provided with: a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface; and a spherical portion provided on at least one side in a direction of an axis of rotation, having a spherical outer peripheral surface, and provided with an introduction portion having a curved outer peripheral surface connecting the cylindrical outer peripheral surface and the spherical outer peripheral surface.

2. The direction converting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the conveying rollers are urged by an urging member to be in contact with the driving shaft, a center of curvature of the spherical portion is located on an axis of rotation of the conveying rollers, an axis of rotation of the conveying rollers contains the center of curvature of the spherical portion, and passes through a plane in which the axis of rotation is a normal line.

3. The direction converting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the outer peripheral surface of the introduction portion connects the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the spherical outer peripheral surface of the spherical portion each in a manner that the outer peripheral surface of the conveying rollers does not form a concave shape in a cross section containing the axis of rotation. The direction converting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. ​ ​ ​ ​ 4. A sorting system characterized in that, ​

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