Conveyance article positioning device in heavy article conveying friction roller conveyor system, and heavy article conveying friction roller conveyor system

Abstract

To provide a conveyance article positioning device capable of precisely positioning for a work-piece as a heavy article with respect to an automatic machine so as to secure safety of an operator during a manual operation, and to allow quickly changing between an automatic machine operation and the manual operation by arranging the conveyance article positioning device so as not to become an obstacle to the automatic machine operation, and capable of further suppressing a conveyance height of the work-piece to a height at which the manual operation is made to be easy, without generating a large impact during positioning, and to provide a heavy article conveying friction roller conveyor system therefor.SOLUTION: A conveyance article positioning device 20 in a heavy article conveying friction roller conveyor system comprises: a stopper device 21 comprising a swing stopper 22 on a conveyance surface 10A; an anti-back mechanism comprising a nose 32 capable of suppressing retreat thereof by coming into contact with a rear end of a pallet; and an anti-back pushing device 31 for pushing the anti-back mechanism until a front end of the pallet reaches a scheduled stop position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyance object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects and a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to share a conveyor for conveying heavy objects for both assembly by an automatic machine (for example, a transfer machine) and manual assembly.

[0003] In that case, it is necessary to prevent the conveyor from interfering with the operation of the automatic machine, and it is also necessary to enable quick change between the automatic machine and manual work.

[0004] Also, while the work is stopped by a stopper, a friction roller is used to ensure that the roller rotates but idles without generating a conveying force. However, when conveying heavy objects, even when using a friction roller, since the pallet on which the work is placed is positioned by contacting the stopper, the greater the attempt to stop accurately, the greater the impact. If an attempt is made to absorb this impact with a shock absorber, there remains a problem that the accuracy of conveyance object positioning decreases.

[0005] On the other hand, furthermore, there is a problem that for heavy and large work such as an agricultural engine, the conveying height of the conveyor (from the floor to the top of the work) becomes large and stable conveyance cannot be expected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and arranges a conveyed object positioning device so as not to interfere with the operation of an automatic machine, and can ensure the safety of an operator during manual work, enable quick change between the operation of the automatic machine and manual work, accurately position a heavy workpiece with respect to the automatic machine, and prevent a large impact from occurring during positioning. Further, the present invention aims to provide a conveyed object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects and a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects that can suppress the conveying height of the workpiece to a height that facilitates manual work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention relates to a stopper device provided with a swing stopper on a conveying surface in a friction roller conveyor system for placing and conveying heavy objects on a pallet, the swing stopper being displaceable from a protruding position protruding downward and capable of abutting against the tip of the pallet at a planned stop position or a retracted position retracting downward and not abutting, an anti-back mechanism provided on the conveying surface protruding from below and having a nose capable of abutting against the rear end of the pallet whose tip is behind the planned stop position to suppress its backward movement, and an anti-back extrusion device configured to include an extrusion mechanism for extruding the anti-back mechanism until the tip of the pallet reaches the planned stop position when the nose is in contact with the rear end of the pallet. The stopper device and the anti-back extrusion device can be detachably attached to a cross member connecting the left and right side frames in the friction roller conveyor system. The swing stopper is swingable such that one end can abut against the tip of the pallet at the protruding position and is positioned below the conveying surface at the retracted position. The stopper device includes the swing stopper, a stopper cylinder for pressing the other end of the swing stopper so that one end returns to the retracted position, and a spring that deforms against the force when the one end receives a force in the direction of returning to the retracted position. The above problems are solved by a conveyed object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects, which is characterized by the above configuration.

[0009] Moreover, in a friction roller conveyor system having a left side frame and a right side frame, each of which rotatably supports a plurality of friction rollers linearly and with a gap, and rotates these friction rollers to convey a pallet on which a heavy object is placed, the conveyed object positioning device in the friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects is provided at the center position in the conveyor width direction in the intermediate zone between the left side frame and the right side frame. The above problems are solved by a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects, which is characterized by the above configuration.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the conveyance object positioning device in the friction roller conveyor system for heavy object conveyance according to the present invention, a pallet on which a heavy object is placed is conveyed at a normal conveyance speed until before its planned stop position, and after passing through a low-speed process, it is decelerated and stopped before the planned stop position, and then it is slowly pushed out by an anti-back extrusion device, so that it can be surely stopped without impact at the planned stop position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 8C

Figure 8D

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] [Embodiment] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a friction roller conveyor system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a left side frame 12L and a right side frame 12R, each of which rotatably supports a plurality of friction rollers 11 linearly and with a gap, and rotates these friction rollers 11 to convey a pallet 13 on which a heavy object is placed.

[0013] In addition, a conveyed object positioning device 20 is provided at the center position in the conveyor width direction in the intermediate zone between the left side frame 12L and the right side frame 12R.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyed object positioning device 20 is composed of a stopper device 21 and an anti-back extrusion device 31.

[0015] The stopper device 21 and the anti-back extrusion device 31 are respectively mounted on a stopper-side cross member 14S and an anti-back-side cross member 14A that are spaced apart in the conveyor front-rear direction and spanned below the left side frame 12L and the right side frame 12R.

[0016] More specifically, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the stopper device 21 includes a swing stopper 22 that protrudes downward from the conveying surface 10A in the friction roller conveyor system 10 that conveys a heavy object placed on the pallet 13 and can be displaced to a protruding position where it can contact the tip of the pallet 13 at a planned stop position or a retracted position where it returns downward and does not contact.

[0017] The anti-back extrusion device 31 is composed of an anti-back mechanism 31A and an extrusion mechanism 31B.

[0018] The stopper device 21 includes a swing stopper 22, a stopper cylinder 23 that presses the other end of the swing stopper 22 so that one end returns to the retracted position, a spring 25 that deforms against the force when a force is applied in the direction in which one end returns to the retracted position, a stopper block 24 that supports the stopper cylinder 23, and a support pin 26 that is attached to the stopper block 24 and supports the swing stopper 22 in the horizontal direction in the swinging direction within the vertical plane and in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the pallet 13.

[0019] More specifically, the stopper cylinder 23 is arranged such that its cylinder rod 23A moves forward and backward parallel to the traveling direction of the pallet 13.

[0020] Regarding the swing stopper 22, more specifically, when one end of the swing stopper 22 returns to the retracted position, a roller follower 27 that can be tangentially contacted with the lower surface of the pallet 13 when in the retracted position is provided at the tip of the swing stopper 22.

[0021] The anti-back mechanism 31A includes an anti-back block 34 that swingably supports the nose 32 via a horizontal swing shaft 33 orthogonal to the traveling direction of the pallet 13, and a push-up spring 32A that biases the nose 32 in the upward push direction. The extrusion mechanism 31B includes an extrusion cylinder 35 in which the cylinder rod 35A moves forward and backward parallel to the traveling direction of the pallet 13, and a sliding plate 36 that guides the horizontal movement of the anti-back block 34 connected to the tip of the cylinder rod 35A as the cylinder rod 35A moves forward and backward.

[0022] Reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1 indicates support legs that support the left and right side frames 12L and 12R, and 18L and 18R respectively indicate drive portions for driving the friction roller 11.

[0023] Here, the friction roller 11 for transporting heavy objects will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the friction roller 11 in a state of being supported by the left side frame 12L.

[0025] The fixed shaft 71 at the center of the roller is fixed to the left side frame 12L by a clamp 71A so that it cannot rotate, and the friction roller 11 is attached via a bush 80 so that it can rotate with a certain amount of friction. This structure is strong and is unlikely to become distorted even when a heavy load is transported. Note that a heavy load here is defined as 300kg to 1000kg.

[0026] In Figure 5, reference numeral 72 denotes a bearing, reference numeral 73B denotes a sprocket portion of the sleeve-integrated sprocket 73, reference numeral 81 denotes a key for fixing the bushing 80 to the sleeve 73A, reference numeral 74 denotes a chain wound around the sprocket portion 73B, and reference numeral 75 denotes a chain rail for the chain.

[0027] A guide mounting plate 77 is provided on the outer surface of the right side of the left side frame 12L in Fig. 5, and a pallet guide 76 is provided inside this guide mounting plate 77 via a guide bracket 78. This pallet guide 76 is configured to guide the side surface of the pallet 13. The sleeve 73A of the sleeve-integrated sprocket 73 is less likely to become distorted. Reference numeral 79 in the drawing denotes a cover frame.

[0028] Next, referring to Fig. 6, a description will be given of a control device 40 of a friction roller conveyor system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, devices driven by command signals from the control device 40, and sensors that sense the states of the devices and output sensor signals to the control device 40. In this embodiment, the control device 40 is a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller).

[0029] The devices that transmit and receive signals to and from this control device 40 are as follows.

[0030] The conveyor device 41 provided on the conveyor side includes a right motor 15R, a left motor 15L, an inverter 42, a deceleration sensor 44, and a pass / stop sensor 46.

[0031] The stopper device 51 for the stopper apparatus includes a stopper cylinder 23, a solenoid valve 52, and a downward detection sensor 54.

[0032] As for the anti-back extrusion device 31, an anti-back extrusion device 61 is provided, and the anti-back extrusion device 61 includes an extrusion cylinder 35, a solenoid valve 62, an extrusion detection sensor 64, and an anti-back return detection sensor 66.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the deceleration sensor 44 included in the conveyor device 41 is attached to the inner wall of the right side frame 12R so as to detect the deceleration from the back side of the pallet 13.

[0034] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the passing and stopping sensor 46 is attached to the sliding plate 36 in the anti-back extrusion device 31 to detect whether the pallet 13 has passed over the anti-back extrusion device 31 and whether it has stopped.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the downward detection sensor 54 is attached to the outer periphery of the stopper cylinder 23 to detect that the tip of the swing stopper 22 has reached the retracted position below the transport surface 10A so that it does not collide with the pallet 13 due to the protrusion of the cylinder rod 23A.

[0036] The extrusion detection sensor 64 is attached to the outer periphery of the extrusion cylinder 35 in the anti-back extrusion device 31 to detect whether the cylinder rod 35A has protruded and pushed out the rear end of the pallet 13 by the nose 32.

[0037] Further, the anti-back return detection sensor 66 is also attached to the outer periphery of the extrusion cylinder 35 to detect whether the cylinder rod 35A has returned to its original position after extrusion.

[0038] Next, referring to Figure 7 (timing chart) and Figures 8A to 8D, the process of positioning the pallet 13 when it is transported by the friction rollers 11 of the left and right side frames 12L, 12R in the transported item positioning device 20 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows the process from the release of the first pallet 13-1 in a positioned state to the stopping of the subsequent second pallet 13-2 in front of the stopper device 21 and positioning it at the intended stopping position by the anti-back push-out device 31.

[0040] First, during the transportation of a heavy load, the left and right motors 15L and 15R are in a high-speed state, and therefore the conveyor transport speed is also high.

[0041] The first pallet 13-1, which is in a positioned and stopped state as shown in Fig. 8A, has the swing stopper 22 swung counterclockwise in Fig. 3 by the stopper cylinder 23 in the stopper device 21 at point A1 in Fig. 7, so that its leading end is in a retracted position below the conveyance surface 10A (see point A1), and the first pallet 13-1 can be conveyed above the roller followers 27. The left and right motors 15L, 15R are driven (see point A2), and the rear end of the first pallet 13-1 passes the deceleration sensor 44, which turns from ON to OFF at point B1 in Fig. 7 (see Fig. 8B).

[0042] Next, the second pallet 13-2 is conveyed (see point B2 in FIG. 7).

[0043] In the state of Figure 8C, the second pallet 13-2 is located above the pass and stop sensor 46 and the deceleration sensor 44. At point C1 in Figure 7, the deceleration sensor 44 turns ON, and the left and right motors 15L, 15R are changed from high speed to low speed at point C2.

[0044] The second pallet 13-2 passes through the passing and stopping sensor 46 as shown in Fig. 8D, and this sensor turns OFF (refer to point D1 in Fig. 7). From here, as shown at point D2, the left and right motors 15L and 15R run at low speed. Further, as shown at point D3, the left and right motors 15L and 15R stop, and at this timing, the nose 32 is pushed out by the push-out cylinder 35 of the push-out mechanism 31B in the anti-back push-out device 31 (refer to point D4).

[0045] At this time, the deceleration sensor 44 is in the ON state. When the second pallet 13-2 approaches the planned stop position, the left and right motors 15L and 15R enter the low-speed state, the passing and stopping sensor 46 turns from ON to OFF, and in accordance with this, the conveyor decelerates toward stopping. Also, the left and right motors 15L and 15R gradually become slower and are stopped over time before the planned stop position. Therefore, no shock due to sudden stopping occurs to the heavy object on the pallet 13.

[0046] The stop of the left and right motors 15L and 15R is the conveyor stop, and the cylinder rod 35A in the push-out cylinder 35 starts to gradually protrude from the non-protruding state.

[0047] The deceleration sensor 44 becomes effective slightly after turning OFF, and the swing stopper 22 protrudes upward from the conveying surface and is in a state where it can contact the tip of the second pallet 13-2 and forcibly stop it.

[0048] When the pallet 13 passes through the passing and stopping sensor 46, this passing and stopping sensor 46 outputs a detection signal, and the left and right motors 15L and 15R further decelerate from low speed and come to a stop.

[0049] At the timing of this stop, the cylinder rod 35A in the push-out cylinder 35 of the anti-back push-out device 31 slowly protrudes, pushing out the entire anti-back mechanism 31A, and its nose 32 slowly pushes the rear end of the second pallet 13-2 to the planned stop position (the position where it contacts the swing stopper 22) and then stops.

[0050] At this time, in the positioned state, the second pallet 13-2 will have slowly stopped at the planned stop position.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 10…Friction Roller Conveyor System (Roller Conveyor System) 10A…Conveyor Surface 11…Friction Roller 12L…Left Side Frame 12R…Right Side Frame 13…Pallet 13-1…First Pallet 13-2…Second Pallet 14A…Anti-back Side Cross Member 14S…Stopper Side Cross Member 15L…Left Motor 15R…Right Motor 16…Support Leg 18L…Left Driving Part 18R…Right Driving Part 20…Conveyed Object Positioning Device 21…Stopper Device 22…Swing Stopper 23…Stopper Cylinder 23A…Cylinder Rod 24…Stopper Block 25…Spring 26…Support Pin 27…Roller Follower 31…Anti-back Extrusion Device 31A…Anti-back Mechanism 31B…Extrusion Mechanism 32…Nose 32A…Lifting Spring 33…Swing Axis 34…Anti-back Block 35…Extrusion Cylinder 35A…Cylinder Rod 36…Sliding Plate 40…Control Device (PLC) 41…Conveyor Equipment 42…Inverter 44…Deceleration sensor 46…Passage and stop sensor 51…Stopper device 52…Solenoid valve 54…Descent detection sensor 61…Anti-back extrusion device 62…Solenoid valve 64…Extrusion detection sensor 66…Anti-back return detection sensor 71…Fixed shaft 71A…Clamp 72…Bearing 73…Sleeve-integrated sprocket 73A…Sleeve 73B…Sprocket part 74…Chain 75…Chain rail 76…Pallet guide 77…Guide mounting plate 78…Guide bracket 79…Cover frame 80…Bush 81…Key

Claims

1. On the conveying surface of a friction roller conveyor system for placing and conveying heavy objects on a pallet, a stopper device provided with a swing stopper that protrudes from below and can be displaced to a protruding position where it can abut against the tip of the pallet at a planned stop position or a retracted position where it returns downward and does not abut, and an anti-back mechanism provided on the conveying surface protruding from below and having a nose whose tip abuts against the rear end of the pallet behind the planned stop position to suppress its backward movement, and an anti-back extrusion device configured to include an extrusion mechanism that extrudes the anti-back mechanism until the tip of the pallet reaches the planned stop position when the nose abuts against the rear end of the pallet, characterized in that it has the stopper device and the anti-back extrusion device are detachably attachable to a cross member connecting the left and right side frames in the friction roller conveyor system, one end of the swing stopper can abut against the tip of the pallet when in the protruding position and is swingable so as to be located below the conveying surface in the retracted position, and the stopper device includes the swing stopper, a stopper cylinder that presses the other end of the swing stopper so that the one end returns to the retracted position, and a spring that deforms against the force when the one end receives a force in the direction of returning to the retracted position. A conveying object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects, characterized in that it is configured as such.

2. In Claim 1, the stopper device has a stopper block that supports the stopper cylinder, and a support pin attached to the stopper block and supporting the swing stopper so as to be swingable in a vertical plane in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the advancing direction of the pallet, the stopper cylinder is characterized in that its cylinder rod is arranged to advance and retract parallel to the advancing direction of the pallet. A conveying object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for conveying heavy objects.

3. In Claim 1, The anti-back mechanism has an anti-back block that supports the nose so as to be swingable via a horizontal swing axis orthogonal to the traveling direction of the pallet. The extrusion mechanism includes an extrusion cylinder in which a cylinder rod advances and retracts parallel to the traveling direction of the pallet, and a sliding plate that guides the horizontal movement of the anti-back block connected to the tip of the cylinder rod as the cylinder rod advances and retracts. A conveyance object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, characterized by comprising these components.

4. In claim 1, When one end of the swing stopper returns to the retracted position, a roller follower that can be tangentially contacted with the lower surface of the pallet when in the retracted position is provided at the tip of the swing stopper. A conveyance object positioning device in a friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, characterized by this feature.

5. A friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, comprising a left side frame and a right side frame, each of which rotatably supports a plurality of friction rollers linearly and with a gap, and rotates these friction rollers to transport a pallet on which a heavy object is placed. The conveyance object positioning device in the friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided at the center position in the conveyor width direction in the intermediate zone between the left side frame and the right side frame. A friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, characterized by this feature.

6. In claim 5, The stopper device and the anti-back extrusion device are respectively attached to the stopper side cross member and the anti-back side cross member that are stretched apart in the front-rear direction of the conveyor and are spaced apart below the left side frame and the right side frame. A friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, characterized by this feature.

7. In claim 6, A left motor that drives the friction rollers in the left side frame and a right motor that drives the friction rollers in the right side frame are attached to the gaps on both the left and right sides of the anti-back extrusion device in the anti-back side cross member. A friction roller conveyor system for transporting heavy objects, characterized by this feature.

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