Box conveyance device

Abstract

To provide a box conveyance device which temporarily stops boxes for tasks such as arranging objects to be conveyed in the boxes which are successively sent out and changes the conveyance direction of the boxes with low power consumption.SOLUTION: A work platform 5 rotates around a rotation shaft 11 and is switchable between a first state on a first guide slope 3S side and a second state on a second guide slope 4S side, and includes: a link mechanism 6 in which the upper end of an upper link is connected to the bottom of the work platform 5 and the lower end of a lower link is connected to a device body frame 2; a damper mechanism 7 that extends the upper end of the lower link so as to be in the first state; an actuator 8 that pulls the upper end of the lower link to be in the second state; a first box stopper 9 that stops the feeding of boxes when the first state is released and allows the feeding of the boxes when the state returns from the second state to the first state; a second box stopper 10 that prevents the movement of boxes until immediately before transitioning from the first state to the second state, and allows the boxes to be transferred to a second conveyance path 4 when the state transitions to the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a box transporting device that can temporarily stop a box and change the transport direction of the box to place an object to be transported inside the box or to remove an object from the box using a mechanical device, with little power consumption. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a box conveying device that uses a mechanical mechanism to quickly and orderly exchange ordered boxes and empty boxes. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a box conveying device that includes a loading platform on which ordered boxes or empty boxes can be placed, and a posture changing unit that can change the posture of the loading platform, and the loading platform is attached to the posture changing unit at its lower part, so that the loading platform is held in a reverse tilted posture that is opposite to the tilted posture that allows the ordered boxes to be sent to the station by their own weight. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-179865 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above box conveying device requires multiple actuators, one for moving the platform up and down and one for stopping the box. In addition, the actuator for moving the platform up and down directly bears the weight of the workpiece, so it requires a large thrust. For this reason, the conventional box conveying device had the problem of consuming a large amount of power.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a box transporting device that can temporarily suspend a box and change the transport direction of the box to place an object to be transported inside the box that is sequentially sent out using a mechanical contraption, or to remove an object from the box, with little power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a box transporting device that places objects to be transported in boxes that are successively fed out from a first guide slope of a first transport path on an upper stage by their own weight onto a work platform, or transfers boxes from which objects to be transported have been removed by their own weight to a second guide slope of a second transport path on a lower stage, the work platform having a rotating shaft that serves as a fulcrum for a lever at one end and a rotating shaft at the other end that is switchable between a first state in which the other end is on the side of the first guide slope and a second state in which the other end is on the side of the second guide slope, an upper link and a lower link are connected in a bent state, an upper end of the upper link is connected to a bottom of the work platform, a lower end of the lower link is connected to a first fixed point of a device body, and a link mechanism that rotates the bottom of the work platform vertically around the rotating shaft, and a link mechanism that connects an upper end of the lower link to a second fixed point of the device body and a link mechanism that rotates the other end of the work platform in the first state. and an actuator that pulls an upper end of the lower link against the extension force of the damper mechanism to assist the other end of the work platform to reach the second state. A first box stopper that, when the work platform starts to transition from the first state to the second state and the first state is released, switches to a first stop state that stops the next box on the first conveying path from being fed onto the work platform, and when the work platform returns to the first state from the second state, releases the first stop state in conjunction with the rotation of the work platform to allow the next box on the first conveying path to be fed onto the work platform. A second box stopper that switches to a second stop state that prevents the movement of the box on the work platform until just before the work platform transitions from the first state to the second state, and releases the second stop state in conjunction with the rotation of the work platform when the work platform reaches the second state, allowing the box on the work platform to be transferred to the second conveying path.

[0007] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the actuator is a wire mechanism that pulls a wire connected to the upper end of the lower link against the extension force of the damper mechanism, thereby assisting the other end of the work platform to reach the second state.

[0008] In addition, in the above invention, the first box stopper is in the first stopped state by a first stop protrusion provided on the device main body and descends by its own weight, and when the work platform returns to the first state from the second state, a release protrusion provided on the side of the work platform abuts against the first box stopper and raises the first box stopper, thereby releasing the first stopped state.

[0009] In addition, in the above invention, the second box stopper has a second stop protrusion provided on the other end side of the work platform and protrudes onto the loading surface of the work platform by the rotational force of a spring, and when the work platform transitions to the second state, the abutment end portion opposite to the second stop protrusion is pressed against the abutment portion provided on the device main body, causing the second stop protrusion to rotate and recess the second stop protrusion below the loading surface, thereby releasing the second stop state.

[0010] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, it further comprises a first abutment portion that suppresses the extension by the damper mechanism to form the first state, and a second abutment portion that suppresses the tension by the actuator to form the second state.

[0011] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the damper mechanism is maximally extended in the first state and is minimally extended in the second state.

[0012] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, when in the first state, the work platform is positioned so that the loading surface of the work platform is lower than the first guide slope of the first conveying path.

[0013] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the first transport path, the second transport path and the work platforms are arranged in a plurality of rows. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a mechanical device is used to sequentially send out boxes, and the boxes can be temporarily stopped and the transport direction of the boxes can be changed to place or remove objects from the boxes, all with little power consumption. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a box conveying device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the box conveying device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the first conveying path, the second conveying path, and the work platform in the first state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the box conveying device taken along line AA in the first state. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the first conveying path, the second conveying path, and the work platform in the second state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the box conveying device taken along line BB in the second state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a box conveying device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, a box conveying device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] <Overall composition> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a box conveying device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the box conveying device 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the box conveying device 1 has an upper first conveying path 3, a lower second conveying path 4, and a work platform 5 on an apparatus main body frame 2. In the box conveying device 1, boxes 100 are sequentially placed on a first guide slope 3S of the first conveying path 3 from a direction AR1, and are sequentially fed onto the work platform 5 by their own weight. An operator or a working robot places a workpiece 101, which is an object to be conveyed, in a box on the work platform 5, or performs an operation of removing the workpiece 101 from the box 100. When the work is completed, the actuator 8 is operated by the worker or the work robot, or even by an electric motor or air cylinder, and the work platform 5 is rotated downward using the rotation shaft 11 as the fulcrum of the lever, so that the placement surface 5S of the work platform 5 faces the lower second conveying path 4, and the box 100 on the work platform 5 is transferred by its own weight onto the second guide slope 4S and conveyed in the direction AR2. Here, the state in which the work platform 5 faces the first conveying path 3 side is referred to as the first state, and the state in which the work platform 5 faces the second conveying path 4 side is referred to as the second state.

[0018] The box conveying device 1 has a link mechanism 6, a damper mechanism 7, the above-mentioned actuator 8, a first box stopper 9, and a second box stopper 10. In the link mechanism 6, an upper link and a lower link are connected in a bent state, an upper end of the upper link is connected to the bottom of the work platform 5, and a lower end of the lower link is connected to a first fixed point of the device main body frame 2, and the bottom of the work platform is rotated in the vertical direction around a rotation shaft 11 to switch between a first state and a second state.

[0019] The damper mechanism 7 is connected to the upper end of the lower link and a second fixed point of the device main body frame 2, and extends so that the work platform 5 is in the first state and maintains the first state. The actuator 8 assists the worker or work robot in pulling the upper end of the lower link through a wire 8a against the extension force of the damper mechanism 7 so that the work platform 5 is in the second state. When the thrust (pulling force) applied to the actuator 8 is no longer applied, the upper link of the link mechanism 6 rises due to the extension force of the damper mechanism 7, pushing the work platform 5 upward, and the work platform 5 returns to the first state.

[0020] When the working platform 5 begins to transition from the first state to the second state and the first state is released, the first box stopper 9 enters a first stop state that stops the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 from being fed onto the working platform 5, and when the working platform 5 returns to the first state from the second state, the first box stopper 9 releases the first stop state in conjunction with the rotation of the working platform 5, allowing the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 to be fed onto the working platform 5.

[0021] The second box stopper 10 is in a second stop state that prevents the movement of the box 100 on the work platform 5 until immediately before the transition from the first state to the second state, and when the second state is reached, the second stop state is released in conjunction with the rotation of the work platform 5, allowing the box 100 on the work platform 5 to be transferred to the second conveying path 4. Details of the second box stopper 10 will be described later.

[0022] <Box transport operation> Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the first conveying path 3, the second conveying path 4 and the work platform 5 in the first state. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the box conveying device 1 in the first state. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the first conveying path 3, the second conveying path 4 and the work platform 5 in the second state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the box conveying device 1 in the second state.

[0023] 3, the first box stopper 9 is hanger-shaped, with its center portion near the end of the first transport path 3 and attached to the apparatus main body frame 2 at the top of the first transport path 3, and is guided in the vertical direction while descending under its own weight. A downward-facing stop release protrusion 9a is formed on the end of the first box stopper 9 on the work platform 5 side. In addition, a downward-facing first stop protrusion 9b is formed on the end of the first box stopper 9 on the first transport path 5 side.

[0024] A release protrusion 5a is formed on one side of the work platform 5 at a position corresponding to the stop release protrusion 9a. When the work platform 5 returns from the second state to the first state, in conjunction with this return operation, the release protrusion 5a of the work platform 5 abuts against the stop release protrusion 9a of the first box stopper 9 to raise the first box stopper 9, thereby releasing the first stopped state and allowing the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 to be fed to the work platform 5. Note that the transition from the first state to the second state causes the release protrusion 5a to descend, and this descent of the release protrusion 5a causes the first stop protrusion 9b to engage with the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 to stop the feeding of the next box 100 to the work platform 5 (see FIG. 5).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, in the link mechanism 6, the upper link 31 and the lower link 32 are connected in a bent state by the shaft 42. The upper end of the upper link 31 is disposed at the bottom of the work platform 5 and connected to the shaft 41, and the lower end of the lower link 32 is connected to a shaft 43 at a first fixed point of the apparatus main body frame 2. The work platform 5 rotates within the YZ plane around the rotation shaft 11. Furthermore, the link mechanism 6 bends in the YZ plane via the shaft 42, and the shaft 42 rotates in the -Y direction around the shaft 43, and the shaft 41 descends.

[0026] The damper mechanism 7 is connected to a shaft 45 provided at the upper end of the lower link 32 and a shaft 46 at a second fixed point of the device main body frame 2, and extends from the shaft 46 in the direction of the shaft 45 to push the work platform 5 diagonally upward from the -Y direction, thereby holding the work platform 5 in the first state. The damper mechanism 7 is, for example, an air cylinder, but is not limited to this. The upper part of the other end side (opposite the rotation shaft 11) in the Y direction of the work platform 5 abuts against a first abutment portion 21 provided at the lower end of the first conveying path 3 on the work platform 5 side, whereby the extension by the damper mechanism 7 stops, and the first state is held by the pressing force of the damper mechanism 7.

[0027] In the first state, the placement surface 5S of the work platform 5 is made lower than the first sloped guide surface of the first conveying path 3. This is because when the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 is fed onto the work platform 5, the leading edge of the next box 100 is tilted downward, making it easier to feed the next box 100 and ensuring its transfer to the placement surface 5S. Also, by making the placement surface 5S of the work platform 5 lower than the first sloped guide surface of the first conveying path 3, it is possible to eliminate the prevention of the feeding of the box 100 by the second stop protrusion 10a of the second box stopper 10.

[0028] 6, by pushing the lever 8b of the actuator 8 downward (in the -Z direction), the actuator 8 transitions from the first state to the second state. The actuator 8 is a wire mechanism using a wire 8a, and the wire 8a is connected to a shaft 45 at the upper end of the lower link 32. More specifically, the wire 8a is connected to a ring near the shaft 45.

[0029] By pushing the lever 8b downward, the shaft 45 is pulled diagonally downward in the -Y direction against the extension force of the damper mechanism 7, and the stroke of the damper mechanism 7 is shortened, thereby bending the link mechanism 6. As a result, the work platform 5 connected to the upper end of the upper link 31 rotates downward about the rotation shaft 11, and transitions from the first state to the second state.

[0030] A second contact portion 22 is provided on the device main body frame 2 below the end of the second transport path 4 on the working platform 5 side. The second contact portion 22 contacts the lower end of the working platform 5 side, prevents the working platform 5 from rotating downward beyond the second state, and maintains the second state when pressed by the actuator 8.

[0031] Here, the second box stopper 10 is provided on the other end side (opposite side to the rotation shaft 11) of the work platform 5, and has a second stop projection 10a that protrudes onto the mounting surface 5S of the work platform 5 by the rotational force of a spring centered on the shaft 10c. The second stop projection 10a is in a protruding state in the first state (see FIG. 4), and prevents the box 100 from sliding on the mounting surface 5S.

[0032] When the transition of the work platform 5 to the second state is completed, the abutment end 10b of the shaft 10c corresponding to the second stop protrusion 10a abuts against the abutment portion 23 provided on the device body frame 2. Then, the second stop protrusion 10a rotates due to the abutment portion 23 pressing against the abutment end 10b, causing the second stop protrusion 10a to be recessed below the placement surface 5S, thereby releasing the second stop state. With this release of the second stop state, the box 100 on the work platform 5 is sent out to the second conveying path 4.

[0033] After the box 100 on the work platform 5 has been sent onto the second conveying path 4, when the downward pressure on the lever 8b of the actuator 8 is released, the damper mechanism 7 transitions the work platform 5 from the second state to the first state, and in the transitioned first state, the next box 100 on the first conveying path 3 is delivered onto the loading surface 5S of the work platform 5.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the first state is maintained by the first abutment portion 21 and the second state is maintained by the second abutment portion 22. However, the first and second states may also be maintained by limiting the stroke so that the rod of the damper mechanism 7 is maximum extended in the first state and minimum extended in the second state.

[0035] In this embodiment, by driving a single actuator 8 and using a mechanical mechanism, it is possible to temporarily stop the boxes and change the direction of transport for placing objects to be transported inside the boxes that are being sent out one after another, or to remove objects from the boxes.Furthermore, since support for the work platform 5 is indirectly provided by the connection of the lever mechanism, link mechanism 6, and damper mechanism 7 in the work platform 5, the thrust (pulling force) of the actuator 8 can be reduced, and power consumption can be suppressed.

[0036] <Modification> Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a box conveying device 1 according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 7, in this modified example, the box conveying devices 1 shown in Fig. 1 are arranged in parallel. That is, the first conveying path 3, the second conveying path 4, and the work platforms 5 are arranged in multiple rows on the main body device frame. Note that a link mechanism 6, a damper mechanism 7, and an actuator 8 are provided for each row.

[0037] In the above embodiment and modified example, the work platform 5 is provided with one release protrusion 5a, and the first box stopper 9 is provided with one stop release protrusion 9a corresponding to this, but as shown in Fig. 7, two release protrusions 5a may be provided on both sides of the work platform 5, and the first box stopper 9 may be provided with two stop release protrusions 9a corresponding to each release protrusion 5a. This stabilizes the up and down movement of the first box stopper 9, and the first stop protrusion 9b can reliably stop the delivery of the box 100. In addition, the first stop protrusion 9b is provided at the rear end of the box 100 on the first conveying path 3, but the first stop protrusion 9c may also be provided at the front end side of the box 100 to reliably stop the delivery of the box 100.

[0038] In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments and modifications are merely functional schematics, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0039] The box conveying device of the present invention is useful when it is necessary to temporarily stop a box and change the conveying direction of the box to place or remove an object to be conveyed inside the box, which is sequentially sent out using a mechanical contraption, with little power consumption. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Box conveyor 2. Machine body frame 3 First conveyor path 3S First guide slope 4 Second conveyor path 4S 2nd guide slope 5 Working platform 5a Release protrusion 5S Placement surface 6 Link mechanism 7 Damper mechanism 8 Actuators 8a Wire 8b Lever 9 First box stopper 9a Stop release protrusion 9b,9c 1st stop protrusion 10 2nd box stopper 10a Stop protrusion 10b Contact end 10c,41~43,45,46 axis 11 Rotation axis 21 1st contact part 22 Second contact part 23 Contact part 31 Top link 32 Bottom link 100 boxes 101 Work AR1,AR2 direction

Claims

1. A box conveying device that places objects to be conveyed in boxes that are successively fed onto a work platform by their own weight from a first guide slope of a first conveying path in an upper stage, or transfers the boxes, from which objects to be conveyed have been removed, by their own weight onto a second guide slope of a second conveying path in a lower stage, The work platform has a rotation axis serving as a fulcrum of a lever at one end, and the other end rotates around the rotation axis, and is switchable between a first state in which the other end faces the first guide slope and a second state in which the other end faces the second guide slope, a link mechanism in which an upper link and a lower link are connected in a bent state, an upper end of the upper link is connected to the bottom of the work platform, and a lower end of the lower link is connected to a first fixed point of the device body, and which rotates the bottom of the work platform in the vertical direction around the rotation axis; a damper mechanism connected to an upper end of the lower link and a second fixed point of the device body, the damper mechanism extending so that the other end of the work platform is in the first state; an actuator that pulls an upper end of the lower link against the extension force of the damper mechanism to assist the other end of the work platform in the second state; a first box stopper that, when the work platform starts to transition from the first state to the second state and the first state is released, switches to a first stop state that stops the next box on the first conveying path from being fed onto the work platform, and, when the work platform returns from the second state to the first state, releases the first stop state in conjunction with the rotation of the work platform to allow the next box on the first conveying path to be fed onto the work platform; a second box stopper that holds the box on the work platform in a second stop state until immediately before the box is shifted from the first state to the second state, and that, when the box is shifted to the second state, releases the second stop state in conjunction with the rotation of the work platform to allow the box on the work platform to be transferred to the second conveying path; A box conveying device comprising:

2. The box conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator is a wire mechanism that pulls a wire connected to the upper end of the lower link against the extension force of the damper mechanism to assist the other end of the work platform to reach the second state.

3. The box conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first box stopper is in the first stopped state by a first stop protrusion provided on the device main body and descends under its own weight, and when the work platform returns from the second state to the first state, a release protrusion provided on the side of the work platform abuts against the first box stopper and raises the first box stopper, thereby releasing the first stopped state.

4. The box conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that the second box stopper has a second stop protrusion provided on the other end side of the work platform and protrudes onto the loading surface of the work platform by the rotational force of a spring, and when the work platform transitions to the second state, the abutment end opposite the second stop protrusion is pressed against an abutment portion provided on the device main body, causing the second stop protrusion to rotate and recess the second stop protrusion below the loading surface, thereby releasing the second stop state.

5. a first contact portion that suppresses the extension caused by the damper mechanism to form the first state; a second contact portion that suppresses the tension by the actuator to form the second state; The box conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. 5. The box conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the damper mechanism is maximally extended in the first state and is minimally extended in the second state.

7. The box conveying device of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when in the first state, the work platform is positioned so that the loading surface of the work platform is lower than the first guide slope of the first conveying path.

8. 5. The box conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying path, the second conveying path and the work platform are arranged in a plurality of rows.

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