Processing device

Abstract

To provide a processing device capable of reducing an area required for installation.SOLUTION: A processing device for processing an object includes: a device body; and a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device body. The first auxiliary tool protrudes from a first side surface of the device body to the outside of the device body, the second auxiliary tool protrudes outside the device body from a second side surface of the device body that faces the first side surface in a first direction, and the first auxiliary tool and the second auxiliary tool are provided at different positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing device that performs processing on an object.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that draws a tray conveyed by a conveyor near a robot, and after putting vegetables on the tray, returns the tray to the conveyor.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As an auxiliary tool for the above apparatus, it is possible to attach legs (outriggers) for preventing tipping. However, for example, when a plurality of the above apparatuses are arranged near a conveyor, the legs may interfere with each other, and the area (footprint) required for installing the apparatuses may be unnecessarily enlarged. Such a problem is not limited to the legs, and may also occur for various forms of auxiliary tools having a shape that protrudes outward when attached to the apparatus.

[0005] Therefore, on one hand, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device capable of suppressing the area required for installation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a processing device that performs processing on an object, comprising a device body, and a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device body, The first auxiliary tool protrudes outward from the first side surface of the apparatus main body. The second auxiliary tool protrudes outward from the second side surface of the apparatus main body that faces the first side surface in the first direction. A processing device is provided in which the first auxiliary tool and the second auxiliary tool are provided at different positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, on one side surface, a processing device capable of suppressing the area required for installation can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 1D

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, as a processing device, an apparatus for putting food into a tray as an object will be described as an example. However, the object to which the present disclosure is applied is arbitrary and is not limited to containers or things related to food. Further, the processing of the object is arbitrary and is not limited to putting things into the object or processing related to food.

[0010] FIGS. 1 to 1D are perspective views showing the processing device of this embodiment.

[0011] The processing apparatus of this embodiment includes an apparatus main body 100, and is an apparatus for putting food into a tray 90 and placing the tray 90 into which the food has been put on a conveyor apparatus 200 (for example, a belt conveyor apparatus) serving as an operating conveyor apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a plurality of (including three or more) apparatus main bodies 100 can also be arranged side by side in the conveying direction (the X direction in FIGS. 1 and 1C) of the conveyor apparatus 200 at positions adjacent to the conveyor apparatus 200. In addition, in FIGS. 1 and 1A, only a part of the components is illustrated in the apparatus main body 100 on the right side in FIG. 1 and the back side in FIG. 1A.

[0012] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, two apparatus main bodies 100 can be arranged facing each other with the conveyor apparatus 200 interposed therebetween. A plurality of (including three or more) apparatus main bodies 100 can also be arranged side by side in the conveying direction of the conveyor apparatus 200 on each or one side of both sides sandwiching the conveyor apparatus 200. In addition, in FIGS. 1B and 1D, only a part of the components is illustrated in the apparatus main body 100 on the left side in FIGS. 1B and 1D.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the apparatus main body 100 includes a supply mechanism 10 for supplying a tray 90 for containing food, and a transfer mechanism 20 for transferring the tray 90 supplied via the supply mechanism 10. Further, the apparatus main body 100 includes a robot mechanism 30A and a robot mechanism 30B for putting food into the tray 90 transferred by the transfer mechanism 20 from above.

[0014] A shooter 11 as an auxiliary tool capable of supplying the tray 90 to the supply mechanism 10 can be attached to the apparatus main body 100. In addition, a supply mechanism (not shown) for supplying the tray 90 to the transfer mechanism 20 at a position different from the supply mechanism 10 can be attached to the apparatus main body 100. In this case, in addition to the shooter 11, a shooter 12 as an auxiliary tool can be attached. This shooter 12 is connected to the supply mechanism 10A and supplies the tray 90 toward the supply mechanism 10A.

[0015] At the bottom of the apparatus main body 100, an outrigger 60 as an auxiliary tool, to which a plurality of casters 61 are attached, is provided. While maintaining the stability of the apparatus main body 100, at the same time, the apparatus main body 100 can be easily moved. Further, on the side surface of the apparatus main body 100, handles 65L and 65R as auxiliary tools for facilitating the handling of the apparatus main body 100 during movement and the like are attached. The handles 65L and 65R can also be used as fixing tools for fixing adjacent apparatus main bodies 100 to each other and preventing unintentional movement of the apparatus main body 100.

[0016] Note that the width (width in the X direction) of the lower part 101 (FIGS. 1 and 1A) of the apparatus main body 100 is narrower than that of the upper part. For this reason, even when the processing apparatuses arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the conveyor apparatus 200 come into contact with each other, the lower parts 101 do not directly come into contact with each other. For this reason, elements that are vulnerable to impact and vibration can be accommodated in the lower part 101 of the apparatus main body 100. For example, electronic devices including a main control unit 50 described later may be accommodated in the lower part 101.

[0017] Further, a protrusion 103L (FIGS. 1A and 1B) is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 100 facing the X direction (FIG. 1), and a protrusion 103R (FIGS. 1 and 1B) is provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 100 facing the -X direction. When the processing apparatuses arranged side by side in the conveyance direction of the conveyor apparatus 200 come into contact with each other, the protrusion 103L and the protrusion 103R come into contact with each other, and contact in other parts is avoided. For this reason, damage to the apparatus main body 100 caused by contact between the processing apparatuses can be prevented. For example, it is also possible to arrange elements that are easily damaged, such as switches, on the side surface of the apparatus main body 100 provided with the protrusion 103L or the protrusion 103R.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the processing apparatus.

[0019] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 100 includes a main control unit 50 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus main body 100.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 50 controls each actuator (including the linear actuator 25 described later) provided in the supply mechanism 10 and the transfer mechanism 20. Further, the main control unit 50 controls the operation of the robot mechanism 30A via the robot control unit 53A and the operation of the robot mechanism 30B via the robot control unit 53B, respectively. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, various sensors S1, S2,... provided in each part of the apparatus main body 100 are connected to the main control unit 50. Also, an operation unit 55 (FIG. 1A) that receives various operations on the apparatus main body 100 and a display unit 56 (FIG. 1A) that displays the operation state and the like of the apparatus main body 100 are connected to the main control unit 50.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view showing the trajectory of the tray transferred by the transfer mechanism.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer mechanism 20 can move the tray 90 on an arc 91 in the horizontal plane. Also, the transfer mechanism 20 can convey the tray 90 to and stop at each of the points P1, P2A, P2B, P3A, P3B, P4, and P5 on the arc 91.

[0023] In the processing apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, the transfer mechanism 20 grips the tray 90 supplied from the supply mechanism 10 at the point P1 and moves the tray 90 to the point P2A or P2B. At the point P2A, the process of loading the prepared food on the tray 90 is performed by the robot mechanism 30A. Also, at the point P2B, the process of loading the prepared food on the tray 90 is performed by the robot mechanism 30B. Further, the transfer mechanism 20 moves the tray 90 on which the prepared food is loaded to the point P3A or P3B and releases it onto the operating conveyor device 200.

[0024] In this embodiment, according to the conveying directions of the conveyor device 200 indicated by the arrow 201 and the arrow 202 in FIG. 3, the positions for releasing the tray 90 are selected from the point P3A and the point P3B. That is, by selecting the position on the downstream side of the conveyor device 200 (point P3A or point P3B), it is possible to smoothly convey the tray 90 into which the prepared food has been loaded onto the conveyor device 200. Thereby, the degrees of freedom in the conveying direction of the conveyor device 200 and the installation method of the processing device (FIG. 1, FIG. 1B) are ensured.

[0025] (Outrigger) Next, the outrigger 60 as an auxiliary tool attached to the apparatus main body 100 will be further described.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1C, the outrigger 60 includes a support leg 60a (third auxiliary tool, third support leg), support legs 60b and 60c (first auxiliary tool, first support legs), and a support leg 60d (second auxiliary tool, second support leg). As shown in FIG. 1C, the support leg 60a extends in the Y direction (second direction), the support legs 60b and 60c extend in the X direction (first direction) which is the extending direction of the conveyor device 200, and the support leg 60d extends in the -X direction.

[0027] The support leg 60a protrudes in the Y direction from the side surface facing the Y direction of the apparatus main body 100, the support legs 60b and 60c protrude in the X direction from the side surface (first side surface) facing the X direction of the apparatus main body 100, and the support leg 60d protrudes in the -X direction from the side surface (second side surface) facing the -X direction of the apparatus main body 100. The support leg 60a, the support legs 60b, the support leg 60c, and the support leg 60d are connected to each other to form the outrigger 60. Note that the XY plane shown in FIGS. 1 and 1C is a plane (substantially horizontal plane) parallel to the grounding plane of the processing device, and the X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0028] In this way, by the support leg 60a, the support legs 60b, the support leg 60c, and the support leg 60d protruding outside the side surface of the apparatus main body 100, the stability of the apparatus main body 100 is ensured.

[0029] In addition, in this embodiment, the position of the support leg 60d in the Y direction is different from the positions of the support legs 60b and 60c in the Y direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, even when the processing devices are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction, the support leg 60d does not interfere with the support legs 60b and 60c of the adjacent processing device. Accordingly, the area required for installing the processing devices can be suppressed. In FIGS. 1 and 1C, when the conveying direction of the conveyor device 200 is the X direction, the conveying direction of the conveyor device 200 coincides with the protruding directions of the two support legs 60b and 60c. In this case, for example, when a heavy object is supplied from the processing device to the downstream side of the conveyor device 200, the processing device is firmly supported by the two support legs 60b and 60c, so that the stability of the processing device can be more reliably ensured.

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, the support leg 60a is provided at a position shifted in the -X direction from the centers of the two side surfaces of the device body 100 facing each other in the X direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1D, interference between the support legs 60a of the processing devices facing each other can be prevented. That is, in FIG. 1D, the support leg 60a of the right processing device is positioned above the support leg 60a of the left processing device, and the two processing devices can be installed facing each other without interference between them. Accordingly, the area required for installing the processing devices can be suppressed.

[0031] (Shooter) Next, the shooters 11 and 12 as auxiliary tools attached to the device body 100 will be further described.

[0032] The shooters 11 and 12 attached to the device body 100 extend on the conveyor device 200, respectively. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the shooter 11 protrudes in the -X direction from the side surface of the device body 100 facing the -X direction. The shooter 12 protrudes in the X direction from the side surface of the device body 100 facing the X direction.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the shooter 11 of one processing device and the shooter 12 of the other processing device adjacent to each other in the conveying direction (X direction) of the conveyor device 200 are in positions overlapping each other when viewed from above. However, the shooter 11 is at a higher position than the shooter 12, preventing interference between them. For this reason, it becomes possible to install the processing devices adjacent to each other in the conveying direction (X direction), and the area required for installing the processing devices can be suppressed.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, the shooter 11 of one processing device and the shooter 12 of the other processing device installed facing each other across the conveyor device 200 are in positions overlapping each other when viewed from above. However, the shooter 11 is at a higher position than the shooter 12, preventing interference between them. For this reason, it becomes possible to install the processing devices facing each other across the conveyor device 200, and the area required for installing the processing devices can be suppressed. Note that the protruding direction may be made changeable by making the shooter 11 or the shooter 12 rotatable in the horizontal direction.

[0035] (Handle) Next, the handles 65L and 65R as auxiliary tools attached to the apparatus main body 100 will be further described.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 65R protrudes in the -X direction from the side surface of the apparatus main body 100 facing the -X direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1A, the handle 65L protrudes in the X direction from the side surface of the apparatus main body 100 facing the X direction. However, the handles 65L and 65R are provided at different positions in the Y direction. That is, the handle 65L (FIG. 1B) is provided at a position shifted in the Y direction (FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 100 compared to the handle 65R. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, when two processing apparatuses are arranged adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (X direction) of the conveyor apparatus 200, the handle 65L of one processing apparatus and the handle 65R of the other processing apparatus are arranged at different positions with respect to the Y direction. For this reason, interference between the handle 65L and the handle 65R is prevented. Therefore, it becomes possible to install the processing apparatuses adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction (X direction), and the area required for installing the processing apparatuses can be suppressed.

[0037] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the positions where the handles 65L and 65R, which are auxiliary tools, are provided are shifted in the Y direction is shown, but the positions where the auxiliary tools are provided may be shifted in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the positions where the auxiliary tools are provided may be shifted in both the Y direction and the vertical direction.

[0038] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the processing apparatuses are arranged adjacent to each other along the conveyance direction of the conveyor apparatus 200, and when the processing apparatuses are arranged facing each other with the conveyor apparatus 200 interposed therebetween, the outriggers 60 do not interfere with each other. That is, in these cases, the support legs 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other. For this reason, the area required for installing the processing apparatuses can be suppressed.

[0039] Further, according to the present embodiment, when the processing apparatuses are arranged adjacent to each other along the conveyance direction of the conveyor apparatus 200, the handles 65L and 65R are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other. For this reason, the area required for installing the processing apparatuses can be suppressed.

[0040] Further, according to the present embodiment, when the processing device is arranged adjacent to the conveyor device 200 along the conveying direction, and when the processing device is arranged facing each other with the conveyor device 200 interposed therebetween, the shooters 11 and 12 are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, the area required for installing the processing device can be suppressed.

[0041] As described above, the embodiments have been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope described in the claims. Also, it is possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiments. For example, the object is arbitrary and is not limited to a container or an object related to food. Also, the processing related to the object is arbitrary and is not limited to the input of an object to the object or the processing related to food. Further, the auxiliary tool includes all configurations that protrude outside the device main body when attached to the device main body, and is not limited to the legs, handles, and shooters. Also, the processing device is not limited to a device arranged in the vicinity of the conveying device. Furthermore, the conveying device is not limited to a conveyor device, and any device can be used. For example, as the conveying device, a device that moves on a rail such as a rail, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) that is magnetically guided along a predetermined path, an autonomous mobile conveying robot that autonomously searches for a traveling path, or the like can also be used.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 100 Device main body 60 Outrigger 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d Legs 65L, 65R Handles 11, 12 Shooters

Claims

1. A processing device for performing processing on an object, comprising: a device main body, a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device main body, the first auxiliary tool protruding outward from the first side surface of the device main body, the second auxiliary tool protruding outward from the second side surface of the device main body facing the first side surface in a first direction, the processing device, wherein the first auxiliary tool and the second auxiliary tool are provided at different positions from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

2. The processing device is installed in the vicinity of a conveying device for conveying the object, The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is the extending direction of the conveying device.

3. The processing device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the processing devices are arranged and installed in the first direction.

4. a first support leg as the first auxiliary tool, a second support leg as the second auxiliary tool, and a third support leg protruding in the second direction, The processing device according to claim 2, further comprising: wherein the first support leg, the second support leg and the third support leg are connected to each other.

5. The processing device according to claim 4, wherein the third support leg protrudes in the second direction at a position shifted in the first direction from the centers of the first side surface and the second side surface.

6. A processing device for performing processing on an object, comprising: a device main body, a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device main body, the first support leg as the first auxiliary tool protruding downstream of the conveying device, the second support leg as the second auxiliary tool protruding upstream of the conveying device, The processing device according to claim 2, wherein the number of the first support legs is larger than the number of the second support legs.

7. A processing device for performing processing on an object, comprising: a device main body, a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device main body, the processing device is installed in the vicinity of a conveying device for conveying the object, the first auxiliary tool protruding downstream of the conveying device from the device main body at a position overlapping the conveying device in the vertical direction, the second auxiliary tool protruding upstream of the conveying device from the device main body at a position overlapping the conveying device in the vertical direction. When the first device and the second device as the processing device are installed adjacent to each other in the flow direction of the conveying device, the first auxiliary tool and the second auxiliary tool are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other, the processing device.

8. A processing device that performs processing on an object, comprising a device main body, and a first auxiliary tool and a second auxiliary tool attached to the device main body, the processing device is installed in the vicinity of a conveying device that conveys the object, the first auxiliary tool projects downstream of the conveying device from the device main body at a position overlapping the conveying device in the vertical direction, the second auxiliary tool projects upstream of the conveying device from the device main body at a position overlapping the conveying device in the vertical direction, When the first device and the second device as the processing device are installed facing each other with respect to the conveying device and facing each other in the second direction, the first auxiliary tool and the second auxiliary tool are provided at positions where they do not interfere with each other, the processing device.

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