accumulator

Abstract

To provide an accumulator that not only significantly improves the storage capacity of manufactured goods per installation area but also generally enables first-in, first-out (FIFO) storage of the manufactured goods during accumulation.SOLUTION: The accumulator includes: an accumulation bypass conveyor arranged alongside a main transport line that conveys manufactured products; an accumulation pallet positioned on one side of this accumulation bypass conveyor; a transfer mechanism that transfers manufactured products to the accumulation pallet; a pallet conveyor that circulates and conveys multiple accumulation pallets between the accumulation receiving position, the accumulation dispatch position, and the pallet standby position; and an accumulation return conveyor that returns manufactured products that have left during accumulation to the main transport line; and a discharge mechanism that discharges manufactured products from the accumulation pallet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an accumulation device that temporarily stores products flowing on a production line upstream of a malfunction that occurs on the line. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a production line where food such as dairy products is packed into containers and manufactured, a plurality of processing devices such as food filling devices and packaging devices are connected via a conveyor. Therefore, for example, the products manufactured on the production line are continuously transported by the conveyor while undergoing the necessary processing in each processing device attached to the conveyor.

[0003] While the above-mentioned manufactured products are continuously transported by a transport conveyor, it is possible that a processing device on the production line may stop due to some factor. To address this issue, as exemplified by Patent Documents 1 and 2, an accumulation device has been used in conjunction with the transport conveyor to prevent an upstream processing device from stopping when a downstream processing device stops. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-72239 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-8100 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-64836 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional accumulation devices, including those described in the above-mentioned patent documents, still have areas that need improvement. That is, the conventional accumulation devices described in the above-mentioned patent documents have a small number of manufactured products that can be stored relative to the installation area, and there is considerable room for improvement in the storage efficiency of manufactured products during accumulation. In addition, as described in Patent Document 3, there are stacking devices that stack manufactured products vertically, but when it is desired to increase the number of products that can be stored, the height restrictions at the installation location have a significant impact.

[0006] In this way, with conventional accumulator devices, if the accumulator device is configured to extend horizontally, it is difficult to ensure the number of products that can be stored relative to the installation area, and if the accumulator device is configured to extend vertically, the installation area can be made more efficient, but the number of products that can be stored is reduced.

[0007] Furthermore, in conventional equipment structures, the specifications are often such that the products are returned to the production line in the reverse order of the order in which they were stored in the accumulator, which is not necessarily good for managing the takt time of the products.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems as an example, and aims to provide an accumulation device that not only greatly increases the number of manufactured products that can be stored per installation area in an accumulation device that temporarily stores manufactured products, but also enables the manufactured products to be accumulated on a first-in, first-out basis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The accumulation device in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: (1) an accumulation bypass conveyor arranged alongside a main conveyor line that conveys manufactured products and that separates the manufactured products from the main conveyor line during accumulation; an accumulation pallet arranged on one side of the accumulation bypass conveyor and that allows a plurality of the manufactured products to be stacked vertically in a juxtaposed state; a transfer mechanism arranged on the other side of the accumulation bypass conveyor so as to face the accumulation pallet and that transfers the plurality of manufactured products flowing on the accumulation bypass conveyor to the accumulation pallet; and a transfer mechanism arranged on one side of the accumulation bypass conveyor and that transfers the plurality of accumulation pallets to the accumulation pallet. a pallet transport conveyor that circulates between an accumulation receiving position where the manufactured products are received, an accumulation sending position where at least one manufactured product is sent from the accumulation pallet holding the manufactured products toward the main transport line, and a pallet waiting position adjacent to the accumulation receiving position where the next accumulation pallet to be sent to the accumulation receiving position waits; an accumulation returning conveyor that connects a sending-out receiving position adjacent to the accumulation sending-out position and a main transport line return position where the manufactured products that were detached during accumulation are returned to the main transport line; and a delivery mechanism that delivers the manufactured products from the accumulation sending-out position to the sending-out receiving position.

[0010] Furthermore, in the accumulation device described in (1) above, (2) it is preferable that the accumulation pallet includes a plurality of rods surrounding the manufactured product, a base body that holds the rods and has through-holes formed therein through which the manufactured product can pass so that the manufactured product is stacked in the vertical direction within the plurality of rods, and a latch body that is built into the rods and holds the manufactured product pushed up into the plurality of rods at a predetermined height.

[0011] Furthermore, in the accumulator device described in (2) above, (3) the latch body can be positioned at a storage position where it is stored inside the hollow rod and at a holding position where it holds the manufactured product, and it is preferable that the latch body moves to the storage position when the manufactured product passes through the passage opening and comes into contact with it during the pushing-up, and that the manufactured product moves to the holding position after being pushed up above the latch body.

[0012] Furthermore, the accumulator device described in (2) above preferably further comprises (4) a push-up device that is installed at the accumulator receiving position and pushes up the bottom of the manufactured product that has been transferred to the accumulator receiving position, the push-up device including a support plate that supports the bottom of the manufactured product, and a latch escape groove that the latch body passes through when the push-up is performed is preferably provided on the outer periphery of the support plate.

[0013] Furthermore, in the accumulation device described in (1) above, (5) the transfer mechanism includes a pusher with an insertion protrusion that is inserted between the multiple manufactured products lined up along the conveying direction on the accumulation bypass conveyor, and an extrusion means that pushes the pusher toward the accumulation pallet, and it is preferable that when the multiple manufactured products are transferred to the accumulation receiving position via the extrusion means, a predetermined gap corresponding to the width of the insertion protrusion is formed between adjacent manufactured products.

[0014] Furthermore, in the accumulation device described in (5) above, (6) it is preferable that the manufactured product includes a cylindrical shallow container, and the pusher has, as the insertion protrusion, a sawtooth extrusion surface that can contact the side of the shallow container aligned along the conveying direction.

[0015] Furthermore, in the accumulation device described in any one of (1) to (6) above, (7) it is preferable that the pallet transport conveyor includes an outward conveyor that is laid from the accumulation receiving position to the accumulation sending position in a direction intersecting the direction in which the accumulation bypass conveyor extends, a first slide mechanism that slides the accumulation pallet from the accumulation sending position to a return path start position, a return path conveyor that is arranged alongside the outward conveyor and is laid from the return path start position to the pallet standby position, and a second slide mechanism that slides the accumulation pallet from the pallet standby position to the accumulation receiving position.

[0016] Furthermore, in the accumulation device described in any one of (1) to (6) above, (8) it is preferable that the discharge mechanism includes a lifter that is installed at the accumulation discharge position and pushes up the lowest manufactured product on the accumulation pallet positioned at the accumulation discharge position, a height detection sensor that detects the position of the manufactured product in the vertical direction, and a discharge arm that discharges the uppermost manufactured product among the manufactured products stacked on the accumulation pallet to the discharge receiving position on the accumulation return conveyor based on the detection result of the height detection sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the accumulation device of the present invention, not only is it possible to greatly increase the number of manufactured products that can be stored relative to the installation area, but also it is possible to generally arrange the manufactured products in a first-in, first-out order during accumulation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top view schematically illustrating the configuration of an accumulation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of an accumulation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an accumulation bypass conveyor and a first transfer mechanism in the accumulation device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a manner in which a manufactured product is transferred to an accumulation pallet by a first transfer mechanism according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an accumulation pallet and a second transfer mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed structure of an accumulation pallet and a second transfer mechanism according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an anti-back mechanism mounted on the accumulation pallet according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a state transition diagram that schematically illustrates a state in which manufactured products (cartons, etc.) are stacked on an accumulation pallet by a second transfer mechanism according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing an accumulation pallet and a pallet transport conveyor in the accumulation device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a state transition diagram from when the accumulation pallet reaches the accumulation sending position until the topmost manufactured product (carton, etc.) is transferred to the sending-out receiving position. [Figure 11] This is a state transition diagram when a manufactured product (such as a carton) is lifted by a lifter at the accumulation sending position. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram showing how manufactured products (cartons, etc.) are returned to the main conveyor line by the dispensing mechanism and the accumulation return conveyor according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufactured product (such as a carton) according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The accumulation device according to this embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment describes one example of the application of the present invention and does not unintentionally limit the present invention. Furthermore, other known configurations, including those described in the above-mentioned patent documents, may be appropriately supplemented and implemented. Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction, the direction in which the main conveyor line extends in the area where the accumulation device is installed is defined as the X direction, and the direction in which the accumulation bypass conveyor extends is defined as the Y direction.

[0020] [Accumulator] The accumulation device 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13. As shown in these figures, the accumulation device 100 in this embodiment is configured to have the function of temporarily storing manufactured products flowing on the main conveyor line ML when any processing equipment downstream of the main conveyor line ML, which will be described later, stops.

[0021] An example of a "manufactured product" suitable for this embodiment is a cylindrical shallow container in which contents such as cheese (dairy products) are divided into small portions and enclosed or sealed. The material of such a container may be, for example, primarily paper. Note that "primarily paper" includes, for example, known paper made of a fibrous material, as well as a material formed using a composite material with a fibrous-based resin, such as paper coated on the inside or outside with a known resin material (e.g., polyethylene).

[0022] The product suitable for this embodiment is not limited to the shallow containers containing dairy products described above; various known containers can be used as long as they are shaped to be stackable on the accumulation pallet described below. The containers constituting such products may, for example, have flanges on the periphery corresponding to the end in plan view, or may have a top or bottom surface that is not circular but elliptical or polygonal (e.g., approximately rectangular) in plan view, or may be bottomed containers with a bottom other than a shallow bottom. Furthermore, the contents constituting the product suitable for this embodiment may be various products, such as food products other than dairy products such as cheese, or known pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the product suitable for this embodiment may consist solely of containers without any such contents sealed inside.

[0023] As an example, a manufactured product suitable for this embodiment is shown in FIG. The carton 90 as a manufactured product of this embodiment is a cylindrical (shallow) container in which, for example, a cylindrical piece of cheese is divided into six portions (6P) and sealed. As shown in the figure, such a cheese-filled carton 90 includes a box body 93 having a bottom surface 91 and an inner wall 92, and an upper lid 96 having an outer surface 94 and a cover 95 positioned outside the inner wall 92.

[0024] Furthermore, the cartons 90 are configured so that multiple cartons 90 can be stably stacked, for example, vertically. More specifically, a peripheral convex portion 91e is formed on the bottom surface 91 of the box body 93 of the carton 90, capable of accommodating a top surface convex portion 95c (described later) therein. The peripheral convex portion 91e is formed on the periphery of the bottom surface 91, protruding downward from the main bottom surface 91s in the center, thereby preventing lateral displacement when multiple cartons 90 are stacked. The main bottom surface 91s may be provided with one or more through holes for ventilating the storage space with the outside air.

[0025] Furthermore, the cover 95 of the top lid 96 of the carton 90 is formed with a top surface protrusion 95c that can be positioned inside the peripheral edge protrusion 91e during stacking. The top surface protrusion 95c is formed to have a convex shape that protrudes upward inside the periphery of the cover 95 (the area that comes into contact with the peripheral edge protrusion 91e of the upper carton 90 during stacking). This prevents the peripheral edge protrusion 91e and the top surface protrusion 95c from being adjacent to each other during stacking, thereby preventing the lateral misalignment described above. Note that the top surface protrusion 95c may be formed in the shape of a peripheral wall with a central depression as in this embodiment, or in the shape of a dome with a reduced central depression.

[0026] Below, we will use a carton 90 as an example of a manufactured product in this embodiment and describe in detail an example of accumulating this carton 90 from the main conveying line ML (temporarily holding or stocking the conveyed item (manufactured product) without stopping the conveying line).

[0027] That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the accumulation device 100 is disposed adjacent to the main conveying line ML that conveys the cartons 90. More specifically, the accumulation device 100 of this embodiment is configured to include an accumulation bypass conveyor 10, an accumulation pallet 20, a transfer mechanism 30, a pallet transport conveyor 40, an accumulation return conveyor 50, and a dispensing mechanism 60.

[0028] In the accumulation device 100 of this embodiment, if the processing device PD stops due to, for example, a malfunction at least downstream of the installation location of the accumulation device 100 on the main conveying line ML, the accumulation operation shown in this embodiment (an operation of temporarily storing manufactured products flowing on the main conveying line ML when a malfunction occurs downstream of the main conveying line ML) is performed.

[0029] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the flow of manufactured products during accumulation is as follows: first, the manufactured products are diverted from the main conveying line ML to the accumulation detour conveyor 10, where they are stacked and held in the accumulation pallet 20; and then, depending on whether the above-mentioned malfunctions have been resolved, the cartons 90 are sequentially returned to the main conveying line ML via the accumulation return conveyor 50 in a substantially first-in, first-out order.

[0030] The processing in each part during accumulation will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Accumulation bypass conveyor> The accumulation detour conveyor 10 is disposed adjacent to the main conveyor line ML that conveys the finished products (cartons 90 in this example), and has the function of temporarily separating the finished products from the main conveyor line ML during the above-mentioned accumulation. More specifically, the accumulation detour conveyor 10 of this embodiment includes a detour path 11, a lane changer 12, a stopper 13, etc., as shown in Figure 3.

[0031] The detour 11 is a conveyor arranged to intersect with the main conveyor line ML. As an example, the detour 11 in this embodiment is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the main conveyor line ML and is connected to the main conveyor line ML to detour the cartons 90 from the main conveyor line ML. An example of such a detour 11 is a known belt conveyor capable of transporting cartons 90. Note that, although the detour 11 is connected to the main conveyor line ML so as to be perpendicular to the main conveyor line ML in this embodiment, it does not necessarily have to be perpendicular and may be connected to the main conveyor line ML at a predetermined angle.

[0032] The lane changer 12 has a function of transferring the cartons 90 flowing on the main conveyor line ML to the detour route 11 under the control of the control device 70 described below. More specifically, the lane changer 12 of this embodiment is provided on the opposite side of the main conveyor line ML from the detour route 11. As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the lane changer 12 includes a push-out hand made of, for example, metal or resin, and a driving means (such as an air cylinder), and is able to push out the cartons 90 into the detour route 11 using the push-out hand.

[0033] The stopper 13 is installed in the detour 11 and has the function of holding the cartons 90 so that the transfer pusher 32 (described later) can transfer and load the maximum number of cartons 90 at one time. As an example, since the transfer pusher 32 of this embodiment transfers and loads four cartons 90 at a time, the stopper 13 separates the cartons 90 flowing through the detour 11 into groups of four and supplies them to the transfer pusher 32, as shown in FIG.

[0034] <Transfer mechanism> The transfer mechanism 30 is disposed on the other side of the accumulation bypass conveyor 10 so as to face the accumulation pallet 20, which will be described later. The transfer mechanism 30 has a function of transferring a plurality of cartons 90 flowing on the accumulation bypass conveyor 10 to the accumulation pallet 20. The transfer mechanism 30 of this embodiment includes a first transfer mechanism 31 that transfers the manufactured products horizontally from the accumulation bypass conveyor to the accumulation pallet, and a second transfer mechanism 35 that transfers the manufactured products in the accumulation pallet vertically.

[0035] The first transfer mechanism 31 has a function of transferring and loading multiple (four in this example) cartons 90 flowing on the accumulation bypass conveyor 10 in parallel to storage positions on the accumulation pallet 20. More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first transfer mechanism 31 of this embodiment includes a transfer pusher 32 having insertion protrusions CP that are inserted between multiple cartons 90 lined up in the conveyance direction (Y direction) on the accumulation bypass conveyor 10, and a pushing means 33 that pushes the transfer pusher 32 toward the accumulation pallet 20. Note that the pushing means 33 may be any of various known drive mechanisms, such as an air cylinder or a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0036] The transfer pusher 32 pushes multiple cartons 90 toward the accumulation pallet 20 while inserting insertion protrusions CP between adjacent cartons 90, thereby forming a predetermined gap d between adjacent cartons 90 during the transfer process, as shown in Figure 4. This makes it possible to transfer the cartons 90 while aligning them with appropriate spacing to each storage position on the accumulation pallet 20, which will be described later. For example, when the manufactured products are cylindrical containers with bottoms, such as cartons 90, the transfer pusher 32 of this embodiment preferably has, as the insertion protrusions CP, sawtooth extrusion surfaces (see Figure 4) that can come into contact with the side surfaces of cylindrical containers lined up along the conveyance direction (Y direction).

[0037] 2 and 5, the second transfer mechanism 35 is installed at the accumulator receiving position P1 (see FIG. 1, etc.). The second transfer mechanism 35 functions as a push-up device that can push up the bottom of a manufactured product (carton 90) transferred into the accumulator pallet 20 positioned at the accumulator receiving position P1 (in other words, transfer it vertically upward and place it there).

[0038] More specifically, the second transfer mechanism 35 serving as the push-up device of this embodiment includes a support platen 36 capable of supporting the bottom of the manufactured product (carton 90), and a lifting means 37 that drives the support platen 36 to move up and down in the vertical direction. Note that the lifting means 37 may be any of various known drive mechanisms, such as an air cylinder or a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0039] 5 and 6, the support plate 36 may include an inner disk 36a that is inserted into the peripheral convex portion 91e of the carton 90 to support the bottom of the carton 90, and an outer disk 36b that has an outer diameter larger than that of the inner disk 36a and can support the peripheral edge (peripheral convex portion 91e) of the carton 90. Note that the inner disk 36a is not essential to the support plate 36 and may be omitted as appropriate.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in the drawing, it is preferable that a latch escape groove 36c, through which a latch body 23 (described later) passes when the support plate 36 is pushed up, is provided on the outer periphery of the support plate 36 (in this example, the periphery of the outer disk 36b). This allows the support plate 36 to move up and down smoothly within the passage opening 22a (described later).

[0041] <Accumulation Palette> The accumulation pallet 20 is arranged on one side of the accumulation bypass conveyor 10 and is configured so that a plurality of manufactured products (cartons 90 in this example) can be stacked vertically in a juxtaposed state. As shown in Fig. 5, the accumulation pallet 20 of this embodiment is configured so that a plurality (four in this example) of accumulation pallets 20 are lined up along the conveying direction (Y direction) according to the number of cartons 90 pushed out at one time by the transfer pusher 32.

[0042] More specifically, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the accumulation pallet 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of rods 21 arranged to surround the periphery of the carton 90, a base body 22 that holds the rods 21 and has passage openings 22a formed therein through which the cartons 90 can pass so that the cartons 90 are stacked vertically within the plurality of rods 21, and latch bodies 23 that are built into each of the rods 21 and can hold the cartons 90 pushed up into the plurality of rods 21 at a predetermined height.

[0043] As an example, four rods 21 are installed around the periphery of the carton 90. Examples of rods 21 include rod-shaped members made of known metal or resin. Any number of rods 21 other than four may be installed as long as the latch body 23 can hold the cartons 90 stacked together.

[0044] 5, the base body 22 may be made of, for example, a known metal or resin material, and may be composed of an upper base 22U and a lower base 22D that respectively hold the above-mentioned rods 21. The upper base 22U and the lower base 22D can be connected by a known connecting member 24, such as a combination of a ball screw and a nut. By configuring the base body 22 as being divided into upper and lower parts in this way, it becomes possible to stably hold multiple rods 21 in an upright position.

[0045] 7, latch body 23 of this embodiment can be positioned at a storage position (position S) where it is stored inside hollow rod 21, and at a holding position (position T) where it holds carton 90. As an example, latch body 23 of this embodiment is positioned so that the above-mentioned holding position (position T) becomes its initial state due to its own weight.

[0046] 8, when the carton 90 passes through the passage opening 22a and comes into contact with the latch body 23 when pushed up by the second transfer mechanism 35 (support plate 36 and lifting means 37), the latch body 23 moves to the storage position, and after the carton 90 is pushed up above the latch body 23, the latch body 23 moves (returns) to the holding position. As described above, the latch escape groove 36c is formed on the periphery of the support plate 36 in this embodiment, which prevents the latch body 23 from unintentionally interfering with the support plate 36 when it descends.

[0047] This allows the cartons 90 to be stably stacked one by one individually inside the accumulation pallet 20. In this embodiment, four accumulation pallets 20 are arranged in the Y direction, and therefore the four second transfer mechanisms 35, which are also arranged in the Y direction, each stack the cartons 90 in parallel inside the accumulation pallet 20.

[0048] <Pallet transport conveyor> The pallet transport conveyor 40 is disposed on one side (the opposite side to the transfer mechanism 30) of the accumulation bypass conveyor 10. As can be understood by comparing Figures 1 and 9, the pallet transport conveyor 40 has the function of transporting a plurality of accumulation pallets 20 in a circulating manner between an accumulation receiving position P1, an accumulation sending position P2, a return path start position P3, and a pallet standby position P4.

[0049] Here, the accumulation receiving position P1 is a position where the cartons 90 are received from the accumulation bypass conveyor 10. The accumulation sending position P2 is a position where at least one carton 90 is sent out from the accumulation pallet 20 holding the cartons 90 towards the main conveyor line ML. The return path start position P3 is adjacent to the accumulation pallet sending position P2 and is a position from which the accumulation pallet 20 is sent out toward a pallet standby position P4, which will be described later. The pallet standby position P4 is adjacent to the accumulation receiving position P1 and is a position where the next accumulation pallet 20 to be sent to the accumulation receiving position P1 waits. The pallet transport conveyor 40 of this embodiment is capable of circulating and transporting the accumulation pallet 20 in the order of accumulation receiving position P1 → accumulation sending position P2 → return path start position P3 → pallet standby position P4.

[0050] More specifically, the pallet transport conveyor 40 of this embodiment includes an outgoing conveyor 41, a first slide mechanism 42, a returning conveyor 43, and a second slide mechanism 44, as shown in FIG.

[0051] The outgoing conveyor 41 is laid in a direction (movement direction X) that intersects with the direction in which the accumulation bypass conveyor 10 extends (transport direction Y), and extends from an accumulator receiving position P1 to an accumulator sending-out position P2. An example of such an outgoing conveyor 41 is a known conveying means such as a chain conveyor that can convey the pallet of this example.

[0052] The first slide mechanism 42 has the function of sliding the accumulation pallet 20 from the accumulation sending position P2 to the return path start position P3. Examples of such a first slide mechanism 42 include known conveying means such as a hydraulic mechanism or a robot hand that can translate the pallet in this example.

[0053] The return conveyor 43 is arranged alongside the outgoing conveyor 41 along the movement direction X. The return conveyor 43 is laid out from the return start position P3 to the pallet standby position P4. The accumulation pallet 20 that has dispensed the cartons 90 is transported via the return conveyor 43 from the return start position P3 to the pallet standby position P4.

[0054] The second slide mechanism 44 has the function of sliding the accumulation pallet 20 from the pallet standby position P4 to the accumulation receiving position P1. As with the first slide mechanism 42, the second slide mechanism 44 may be, for example, any of a variety of known conveying means such as a hydraulic mechanism or a robot hand.

[0055] <Accumulator return conveyor> The accumulation return conveyor 50 has the function of returning the cartons 90 temporarily stored in the accumulation pallet 20 to the main transfer line ML. As shown in Figures 1 and 12, the accumulation return conveyor 50 is configured to connect a delivery receiving position P5 adjacent to the accumulation delivery position P2 with a main transfer line return position P6 that returns the cartons 90 that have been detached during accumulation to the main transfer line ML.

[0056] More specifically, the accumulation return conveyor 50 of this embodiment is configured to include a first conveying line 51, a chute 52, a relay line 53, a second conveying line 54, and a delivery mechanism 55 installed on the second conveying line 54 to deliver the cartons 90 to the main conveying line ML at any timing.

[0057] The first conveyor line 51 is laid so as to extend parallel to the conveyance direction Y and include the aforementioned sending-out receiving position P5. Therefore, the cartons 90 dispensed at the sending-out receiving position P5 begin to be transported along the Y direction via this first conveyor line 51 toward the main conveyor line ML. As an example, the first conveyor line 51 may be a known belt conveyor capable of transporting cartons 90. As shown in FIG. 12 and other figures, a guide portion 51a that guides the cartons 90 to the chute 52 is provided in an area of ​​the first conveyor line 51 that connects to the chute 52.

[0058] Chute 52 is connected to the terminal end of first conveyor line 51 and is laid at an angle so as to descend along movement direction X. As shown in Figure 2 and other figures, because output receiving position P5 is located higher in height than accumulation pallet 20, carton 90 must be lowered so that it matches the height of the conveying surface of main conveyor line ML. Therefore, carton 90 flowing on first conveyor line 51 changes direction at the terminal end along guide portion 51a and slides down chute 52.

[0059] The relay line 53 is laid so as to complement the terminal end of the chute 52 and the starting end of the second conveyor line 54. The relay line 53 connects to the terminal end of the chute 52 and has the function of changing the direction of transport of the cartons 90 so that they are again along the conveying direction Y. Therefore, the cartons 90 that slide down the chute 52 change direction at the terminal end along the relay line 53 and move toward the second conveyor line 54. Note that because the cartons 90 slide down the chute 52 by their own weight, the relay line 53 is not provided with a function to transport the cartons 90, but may be formed by a known conveyor equipped with a conveying belt or the like, similar to the first conveyor line 51 and the second conveyor line 54.

[0060] The second transfer line 54 is configured to connect to the terminal end of the relay line 53 and run parallel to the detour line 11, including the main transfer line return position P6. As shown in the figure, the terminal end of the second transfer line 54 is preferably located in an area adjacent to the connection between the main transfer line ML and the detour line 11. This allows for efficient use of the installation space for the accumulation device 100, and also prevents the main transfer line ML from becoming redundant by returning the cartons 90 that have detached from the main transfer line ML to their original positions. Note that, although the second transfer line 54 in this embodiment extends parallel to the detour line 11 and is disposed adjacent to it, it does not necessarily have to be parallel to the detour line 11.

[0061] The delivery mechanism 55 may include a stopper that temporarily stops the cartons 90 on the second conveyor line 54. The delivery mechanism 55 may include, for example, a known driving means such as an air cylinder that drives the stopper. By controlling the delivery mechanism 55, the control device 70 can return the cartons 90 to the main conveyor line ML at the intervals at which they flowed on the main conveyor line ML before accumulation, for example.

[0062] <Dispensing mechanism> The dispensing mechanism 60 has a function of dispensing the carton 90 from the accumulation sending position P2 to the sending-out receiving position P5. More specifically, the dispensing mechanism 60 of this embodiment includes a lifter 61, a height detection sensor 62, and a dispensing arm 63, as shown in Figures 2, 10 to 12, etc.

[0063] The dispensing mechanism 60 may include a relay pallet 25 fixedly disposed at the accumulation sending-out position P2. Therefore, for example, as shown in Figure 10, the accumulation pallet 20 transferred to the accumulation sending-out position P2 via the first slide mechanism 42 is positioned directly below the relay pallet 25 that has been fixed in advance at the accumulation sending-out position P2. This makes it possible to set the sending-out receiving position P5 within the installation area of ​​the pallet transport conveyor 40, thereby making it possible to efficiently use the installation space for the accumulation device 100. Furthermore, when the dispensing mechanism 60 is equipped with the relay pallet 25 described above, the emptied accumulation pallet 20 from which the cartons 90 have been dispensed can be slid to the return path start position P3, and the next accumulation pallet 20 carrying a large number of cartons 90 can wait at the accumulation sending-out position P2. This makes it possible to efficiently dispense the cartons 90 to the sending-out receiving position P5 without stopping the drive of the dispensing arm 63.

[0064] The sending / receiving position P5 may be located outside the installation area of ​​the pallet transport conveyor 40. In this case, the sending / receiving position P5 can be set at the same height as the topmost level of the accumulation pallet 20, so the relay pallet 25 described above can be omitted as appropriate.

[0065] 11, the lifter 61 is installed at the accumulation sending-out position P2 and has the function of pushing up the lowest carton 90 on the accumulation pallet 20 positioned at this accumulation sending-out position P2. In this embodiment, a plurality of lifters 61 (four in this example) are arranged along the conveying direction (Y direction) in accordance with the number of accumulation pallets 20 arranged in parallel along the conveying direction (Y direction) (i.e., the number of cartons 90 pushed out at one time by the transfer pusher 32). Such a lifter 61 may be equipped with a plate- or rod-shaped holding piece capable of holding the bottom of the carton 90 and an elevating means for raising and lowering the holding piece. It is preferable that a plurality of holding pieces are provided on the lifting means at predetermined intervals, which allows a plurality of cartons 90 to be lifted and lowered efficiently in a short time.

[0066] The height detection sensor 62 has a function of detecting the vertical position of the carton 90. As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the accumulation pallet 20 is positioned directly below the relay pallet 25 at the accumulation sending-out position P2. Therefore, the height detection sensor 62 can detect whether the carton 90, which has moved from the accumulation pallet 20 to the relay pallet 25, has reached the top of the relay pallet 25. Note that a known non-contact optical sensor such as an infrared sensor may also be used as the height detection sensor 62.

[0067] The dispensing arm 63 has a function of dispensing the carton 90 that has reached the accumulation sending position P2 to the sending-out receiving position P5. The dispensing arm 63 may be configured, for example, by a known robot hand. As shown in Figure 10, the dispensing arm 63 dispenses the finished product located at the top of the cartons 90 stacked on the accumulation pallet 20 (or relay pallet 25) to the sending-out receiving position P5 on the accumulation return conveyor 50 based on the detection result of the height detection sensor 62.

[0068] In particular, in this embodiment, since the relay pallet 25 is installed on the accumulation pallet 20, the dispensing arm 63 will dispense the manufactured product located at the top of the stacked cartons 90 via the relay pallet 25 toward the sending-out receiving position P5, which is the sending-out receiving position P5.

[0069] The control device 70 performs the accumulation operation described above by controlling the various mechanisms that make up the accumulation device 100. Such a control device 70 can be, for example, a known computer, and is configured to include one or more processors (CPUs (Central Processing Units)) and one or more storage devices (memories) communicably connected to the one or more processors. As an example, the control device 70 of this embodiment may be configured to be connectable to an external server or the like via a known network.

[0070] The accumulation device 100 of this embodiment described above uses accumulation pallets 20 that can stack and hold finished products (cartons 90 in this example) flowing on the main conveying line ML, and is configured to circulate these accumulation pallets 20 using the pallet transport conveyor 40. This makes it possible to greatly increase the number of finished products that can be stored per installation area of ​​the accumulation pallet 20.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the accumulation device 100 of this embodiment, the accumulation pallet 20 holds the finished products stacked from the bottom up, and when the finished products are to be removed, they are returned to the main conveying line ML starting from the finished product located on the top side of the accumulation pallet 20. This allows the flow of finished products during accumulation to be essentially one-way, which not only greatly increases the number of finished products that can be stored during accumulation, but also generally enables first-in, first-out ordering of finished products.

[0072] The embodiment described above is an example that embodies the gist of the present invention, and appropriate modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, known structures and methods may be appropriately added and modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0073] For example, although the transfer pusher 32 transfers four manufactured products at a time to the accumulation receiving position P1, any number other than four may be transferred in parallel to the accumulation receiving position P1. Furthermore, the insertion protrusion CP of the transfer pusher 32 does not necessarily have to have the sawtooth-shaped pushing surface described above as long as it can form the predetermined gap d required during pushing, and may have various shapes, such as a gear shape or a shape with a curved portion, as long as it is possible to insert manufactured products into the accumulation pallet 20 arranged side by side at the accumulation receiving position P1.

[0074] Furthermore, although the accumulation pallet 20 of this embodiment stacks a plurality of manufactured products (cartons 90), the number of manufactured products that can be stacked on this accumulation pallet 20 may be set arbitrarily depending on the height of the space in which the accumulation device 100 is housed. Such an accumulation pallet 20 may be equipped with a temperature control device (for example, a battery-powered cooling device or heating device) that can adjust the temperature of each manufactured product. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] The present invention can be used, for example, in an accumulation device that can increase the number of storage items while saving space and can temporarily store the stored products on a first-in, first-out basis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 100 Accumulator 10 Accumulator bypass conveyor 20 Accumulation Palette 30 Transfer mechanism (first transfer mechanism 31, second transfer mechanism 35) 40 Pallet transport conveyor 50 Accumulator return conveyor 60 Dispensing mechanism

Claims

1. an accumulation bypass conveyor that is arranged adjacent to a main conveying line that conveys manufactured products and that separates the manufactured products from the main conveying line during accumulation; an accumulation pallet that is arranged on one side of the accumulation bypass conveyor and that allows a plurality of the manufactured products to be stacked vertically in a juxtaposed state; a transfer mechanism disposed on the other side of the accumulation bypass conveyor so as to face the accumulation pallet, and configured to transfer the plurality of manufactured products flowing on the accumulation bypass conveyor to the accumulation pallet; a pallet transport conveyor arranged on one side of the accumulation bypass conveyor for transporting the plurality of accumulation pallets in a circulating manner between an accumulation receiving position for receiving the manufactured products from the accumulation bypass conveyor, an accumulation sending position for sending at least one of the manufactured products from the accumulation pallet holding the manufactured products toward the main transport line, and a pallet waiting position adjacent to the accumulation receiving position where the next accumulation pallet to be sent to the accumulation receiving position waits; an accumulation return conveyor connecting a delivery receiving position adjacent to the accumulation delivery position and a main conveyance line return position for returning the manufactured products that have been removed during the accumulation to the main conveyance line; a delivery mechanism for delivering the manufactured product from the accumulation delivery position to the delivery receiving position; An accumulation device comprising:

2. The accumulation pallet is a plurality of rods surrounding the article of manufacture; a base body that holds the rods and has passage openings formed therein through which the manufactured products can pass so that the manufactured products are stacked in the vertical direction within the plurality of rods; a latch body that is built into the rod and holds the manufactured product pushed up into the multiple rods at a predetermined height. The accumulation device according to claim 1 .

3. The latch body is the rod is movable between a storage position where the rod is stored inside the hollow rod and a holding position where the product is held, and the rod moves to the storage position when the product passes through the passage opening and comes into contact with the passage opening during the pushing-up operation, and moves to the holding position after the product is pushed up above the latch body. The accumulation device according to claim 2 .

4. a push-up device that is installed at the accumulator receiving position and pushes up the bottom of the manufactured product that has been transferred to the accumulator receiving position; The push-up device is a support plate for supporting the bottom of the manufactured article; a latch escape groove through which the latch body passes when the support plate is pushed up is provided on the outer periphery of the support plate; The accumulation device according to claim 2 .

5. The transfer mechanism includes: a pusher having an insertion protrusion to be inserted between the plurality of products lined up in the conveying direction on the accumulation bypass conveyor; a pushing means for pushing the pusher toward the accumulation pallet, When the plurality of manufactured products are transferred to the accumulator receiving position via the pushing means, a predetermined gap corresponding to the width of the insertion protrusion is formed between adjacent manufactured products. The accumulation device according to claim 1 .

6. the article of manufacture includes a cylindrical container; The pusher includes, as the insertion protrusion, a sawtooth-shaped pushing surface that can come into contact with the side surfaces of the cylindrical containers arranged along the conveying direction. The accumulation device according to claim 5.

7. The pallet transport conveyor is an outgoing conveyor extending from the accumulator receiving position to the accumulator sending position in a direction (moving direction X) intersecting with a direction (transporting direction Y) in which the accumulator bypass conveyor extends; a first slide mechanism that slides the accumulation pallet from the accumulation sending position to a return path start position; a return conveyor that is arranged alongside the outgoing conveyor and that extends from the return start position to the pallet standby position; a second slide mechanism that slides the accumulation pallet from the pallet standby position to the accumulation receiving position; comprising: The accumulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The dispensing mechanism includes: a lifter that is placed at the accumulation delivery position and pushes up the lowest product on the accumulation pallet positioned at the accumulation delivery position; a height detection sensor for detecting the position of the manufactured product in the vertical direction; and a delivery arm that delivers the uppermost product among the products stacked on the accumulation pallet to the delivery / receiving position on the accumulation return conveyor based on the detection result of the height detection sensor. The accumulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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