Conveying device, transfer device, and transfer method of conveyed object

Abstract

To provide a conveying device capable of conveying a conveyed object received at a confluent part to a downstream side with a constant posture.SOLUTION: A transfer device 10 is arranged at a portion of a main stream side conveyance path 2 to which a branch side conveyance path 3 is connected. The transfer device 10 can perform forward drive, for moving a conveyed object in a forward direction with respect to the main stream side conveyance path, and receiving direction drive, for moving the conveyed object in a receiving direction, and includes a contact member 52. The contact member is at a position opposite to an end part of the branch side conveyance path 3. When the conveyed object is transferred from the branch side conveyance path 3 to the main stream side conveyance path 2, the receiving direction drive of the transfer device 10 is continued at least until the conveyed object contacts the contact member 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device having a junction, a transfer device used at the junction of the conveying device, and a transfer method for transferring an object to be conveyed. [Background technology]

[0002] Conveying devices are often installed in delivery points, collection points, warehouses, and the like. For example, a delivery site has storage areas for transported items in multiple locations, and the necessary items are picked up from these storage areas and transported to a predetermined collection point. The collection points are limited, and the items picked up from the multiple storage areas are finally gathered at the collection point. Therefore, there are multiple confluences on the discharge route from the storage location to the collection location.

[0003] The confluence of the transport device can be said to be the portion where the main transport path is connected to the tributary transport path. That is, in a conveying device installed in a delivery site or the like, there are multiple junctions where a tributary conveying path is connected to a mainstream conveying path. At the junctions, the objects to be conveyed are transferred from the tributary conveying path to the mainstream conveying path, and then moved along the mainstream conveying path. One method for transferring the objects from the tributary transport path to the mainstream transport path is to use a pusher or the like to push the objects on the tributary transport path into the mainstream transport path. Another method is to use a transfer device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-67361 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-163549 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-119547 [Patent Document 4] WO2019 / 167864 publication [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-230914 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A confluence section that uses a pusher or similar device to push items on the tributary conveying path into the mainstream conveying path has the advantage of being simple in construction, but it has the problem that the posture of the items introduced into the mainstream conveying path is unstable. That is, the orientation of the items pushed out by the pusher or similar device may become irregular, and they may be conveyed downstream in a distorted posture. The same is true when using a transfer device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, where the posture of the object being transported when introduced into the main transport path is unstable and it may be transported downstream in a distorted posture. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a conveying device that can convey objects received at a junction in a constant posture downstream. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problem is a conveying device having a tributary side conveying path and a mainstream side conveying path having a conveying direction different from that of the tributary side conveying path, the end of the tributary side conveying path being connected to the mainstream side conveying path so that the object to be conveyed can be transferred from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path and moved via the mainstream side conveying path, wherein a transfer device is arranged at the portion of the mainstream side conveying path to which the tributary side conveying path is connected, the transfer device is capable of forward direction drive to move the object to be conveyed in a forward direction relative to the mainstream side conveying path and receiving direction drive to move the object to the receiving direction, and has a backing member located opposite the end of the tributary side conveying path, and the receiving direction drive of the transfer device is continued at least until the object to be conveyed abuts against the backing member when transferring the object from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path.

[0007] In the conveying device of this aspect, a transfer device is provided at the junction. The transfer device can perform forward drive to move the conveyed object in a forward direction relative to the mainstream conveying path and receiving drive to move the conveyed object in a direction to receive the conveyed object. The transfer device employed in this aspect also has a backing member, and the backing member is provided at a position opposite to the end of the tributary conveying path. In the conveying device of this aspect, the transfer device is driven in the receiving direction to pull the object into the mainstream conveying path. Here, in the conveying device of this aspect, when the object is transferred from the tributary conveying path to the mainstream conveying path, driving in the receiving direction continues at least until the object abuts against the stopper member. As a result, the transported object is pressed against the contact member, and its posture is corrected.

[0008] In the above-mentioned aspect, when the transported object is transferred from the tributary side transport path to the mainstream side transport path, it is desirable that the transfer device continue to drive in the receiving direction for a predetermined period of time even after the transported object abuts against the support member.

[0009] According to this aspect, the entire surface of the transported object is pressed against the contact member, and the posture of the transported object is reliably corrected. Furthermore, even if the transported object collides with the contact member and bounces off, the transported object moves toward the contact member again and is pressed against the contact member, thereby correcting its position.

[0010] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, the transfer device is driven in the receiving direction by a motor, and has a rotation speed detection means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotation speed of the motor, and when the transported object is transferred from the tributary side transport path to the mainstream side transport path, it is desirable that the rotation speed of the motor be monitored by the rotation speed detection means and that the motor be rotated at a speed exceeding the motor rotation speed required to abut the transported object against the contact member.

[0011] In the conveying device of this aspect, when the object is transferred from the tributary conveying path to the mainstream conveying path, the rotation speed detection means monitors the motor rotation speed and rotates the motor at a speed exceeding the rotation speed required to bring the object into contact with the contact member. In the conveying device of this aspect, the receiving direction drive continues even after part of the object has reached the contact member. As a result, the entire surface of the object is pressed against the contact member, and the posture of the object is reliably corrected. Furthermore, even if the transported object collides with the contact member and bounces off, the transported object moves toward the contact member again and is pressed against the contact member, thereby correcting its position.

[0012] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, when transferring the transported object from the tributary side transport path to the mainstream side transport path, it is desirable to monitor the drive time of the receiving direction drive and continue the receiving direction drive beyond the drive time required to abut the transported object against the contact member.

[0013] In the conveying device of this aspect, the main flow conveying path is driven for a time longer than is necessary to bring the conveyed object into contact with the contact member, so that the conveying path continues to be driven in the receiving direction even after part of the conveyed object has reached the contact member, so that the entire surface of the conveyed object is pressed against the contact member, and the posture of the conveyed object is reliably corrected. Furthermore, even if the transported object collides with the contact member and bounces off, the transported object moves toward the contact member again and is pressed against the contact member, thereby correcting its position.

[0014] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, the transfer device has a main conveying conveyor section that moves the transported item in a forward direction relative to the main stream side transport path, a sub-conveyor conveyor section that moves the transported item in the receiving direction, and a lifting means that raises and lowers at least one of the main conveying conveyor section or the sub-conveyor conveyor section, and it is desirable that the lifting means be able to switch between a main conveying state in which the transport surface of the main conveying conveyor section is positioned above the transport surface of the sub-conveyor conveyor section, and a receiving direction drive state in which the transport surface of the sub-conveyor conveyor section is positioned above the transport surface of the main conveying conveyor section.

[0015] The transfer device employed in the transport device of this aspect has a main transport conveyor section and a sub-transport conveyor section, and the transport surfaces of the two transport conveyors can be switched by the lifting device.

[0016] In the above-described aspect, when switching from the receiving direction drive state to the main conveying state, it is desirable to drive the main conveying conveyor section while raising and lowering at least one of the main conveying conveyor section and the sub-conveyor conveyor section using the lifting means.

[0017] According to this aspect, the transported object can be received and immediately moved along the mainstream transport path.

[0018] In each of the above-described aspects, it is desirable that a conveyor frame be provided that supports part or all of the mainstream transport path, and that the backing member be formed by a part of the conveyor frame.

[0019] According to this aspect, the conveyor frame is used as a contact member, so the number of parts is small.

[0020] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that a posture detection means for detecting the posture of the transported object is provided near the connection between the tributary side transport path and the main side transport path, and that the driving period of the receiving direction drive is changed depending on the posture of the transported object.

[0021] According to this aspect, the driving period of the receiving direction drive is changed depending on the posture of the transported object that has reached the junction, so the posture of the transported object can be corrected in a short time.

[0022] An aspect of the transfer device is that, in a transfer device used at the confluence of a conveying device having a tributary conveying path and a mainstream conveying path having a conveying direction different from that of the tributary conveying path, the device is capable of performing forward direction drive to move the transported object in a forward direction relative to the mainstream conveying path, and receiving direction drive to move the transported object in a direction to receive it, and has a stop member that is located opposite the end of the tributary conveying path, and when the transported object is transferred from the tributary conveying path to the mainstream conveying path, the receiving direction drive continues at least until the transported object abuts against the stop member.

[0023] The transfer device of this aspect is driven in the receiving direction to pull the transported object into the mainstream transport path. Here, in the transfer device of this aspect, when the transported object is transferred from the tributary transport path to the mainstream transport path, driving in the receiving direction continues until the transported object abuts against the stopper member. As a result, the transported object is pressed against the contact member, and its posture is corrected.

[0024] An aspect of the method for transferring transported objects is a method for transferring transported objects discharged from a tributary side transport path to a mainstream side transport path which has a different transport direction from the tributary side transport path, and for moving the transported objects along the mainstream side transport path, characterized in that a support member is provided at a position opposite to the end of the tributary side transport path, and when transferring the transported objects from the tributary side transport path to the mainstream side transport path, the transported objects are pressed against the support member to align their posture with the support member, and then the transported objects are moved along the mainstream side transport path.

[0025] In the method for transferring an object of this aspect, when the object is transferred from the tributary transport path to the mainstream transport path, the object is pressed against the support member to align the posture of the object with the support member, thereby correcting the posture of the object. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, the object received at the junction can be conveyed downstream in a fixed posture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the transport device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a transfer device employed in the transport device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the transfer device of FIG. 3 with a portion thereof omitted. [Figure 5] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the transport device of FIG. [Figure 6] 2(a) and 2(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the conveying device of FIG. 1, the left diagram showing the movement of the conveyed object, and the right diagram showing the driving state of the conveying device. [Figure 7] 6(c) and (d) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the conveying device of FIG. 1 following FIG. 6, the left diagram showing the movement of the conveyed object, and the right diagram showing the driving state of the conveying device. [Figure 8] 7(e) and (f) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the conveying device of FIG. 1, continued from FIG. 7, in which the left diagram shows the movement of the conveyed object, and the right diagram shows the driving state of the conveying device. [Figure 9] 8(g) and (h) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the conveying device of FIG. 1 following FIG. 8, the left diagram showing the movement of the conveyed object, and the right diagram showing the driving state of the conveying device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sensor unit used in the transport device shown in FIG. [Figure 12]10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the function of the sensor unit, where (a) shows the case where the transported object arrives near the junction in the correct posture, and (b) shows the case where the transported object arrives near the junction in a distorted posture. [Figure 13] 10(a) is a plan view of a transfer device used in a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of a cell that is a component thereof. [Figure 14] 10(a) is a plan view of a transfer device used in a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of a cell that is a constituent member thereof. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a transfer device used in a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a transport device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The transport device 1 of this embodiment is a conveyor having a junction 7. That is, the conveying device 1 has a mainstream conveying path 2 that conveys the object 100 in a fixed direction, and a tributary conveying path 3 whose tip is connected to the mainstream conveying path 2, and a transfer device 10 is installed at a junction 7 of the mainstream conveying path 2. That is, the transfer device 10 is disposed at a portion of the mainstream conveying path 2 where the tributary conveying path 3 is connected. The mainstream conveying path 2 of the conveying device 1 extends long and continuous from side to side in the drawing, and the tributary conveying path 3 extends long and continuous upward in the drawing, but for convenience of drawing, only the vicinity of the junction 7 is shown. In the conveying device 1, the object 100 conveyed from the branch conveying path 3 enters the mainstream conveying path 2 at the junction 7, and is conveyed downstream by the mainstream conveying path 2.

[0029] The main transport path 2 is a conveyor line having an upstream conveyor 5 and a downstream conveyor 6, with a transfer device 10 installed between them. The tributary conveying path 3 is composed of a discharge conveyor 8 connected at right angles to the side of the transfer device 10. In this embodiment, the upstream conveyor 5, downstream conveyor 6, and discharge conveyor 8 are all roller conveyors with multiple conveying rollers arranged in a row. Each conveying roller is linked by a belt (not shown) and rotated by a motor (not shown). The upstream conveyor 5, downstream conveyor 6, and discharge conveyor 8 are not limited to roller conveyors, and may be conveyor devices with other structures, such as belt conveyors. The upstream conveyor 5, downstream conveyor 6, and discharge conveyor 8 used in this embodiment are configured as multiple zone conveyors. Each zone conveyor is individually controlled and driven and stopped individually.

[0030] In this embodiment, the transfer device 10 has the structure disclosed in Patent Document 5. The transfer device 10 can move the transported object 100 in a main transport direction (forward direction) connecting the upstream conveyor 5 and the downstream conveyor 6, and in a secondary transport direction (receiving direction) that is transverse to the main transport direction. In other words, the transfer device 10 is capable of performing forward drive, which moves the transported item 100 in a forward direction relative to the mainstream side transport path 2, and receiving direction drive, which moves the transported item 100 in a direction in which it is received from the tributary side transport path 3 onto the mainstream side transport path 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the connection part of the transfer device 10 with the upstream conveyor 5 functions as the main introduction part 26, and the connection part with the downstream conveyor 6 functions as the discharge part 11. In addition, the connection part of the transfer device 10 with the discharge conveyor 8 functions as the sub introduction part 27. The transfer device 10 can perform forward direction discharge, in which the transfer device 10 receives the transported object 100 from the upstream conveyor 5 belonging to the main transport path 2 at the main introduction section 26, and advances the received transported object 100 in the main transport direction (forward direction) and discharges it from the discharge section 11. The transfer device 10 can also perform sub-conveyance direction discharge, in which the transfer device 10 receives the transported object 100 from the discharge side conveyor 8 at the sub-introduction section 27, moves the received transported object 100 in the sub-conveyance direction (receiving direction), and then changes the traveling direction at a right angle to discharge it from the discharge section 11. In other words, the transfer device 10 can move the transported object 100 discharged from the discharge side conveyor 8 in the direction in which it will be received by the transfer device 10.

[0032] 3 and 4, the transfer device 10 has a main frame 20, a main conveyor section 21 that conveys the transported object 100 in a forward direction along the main transport path 2, and a sub-conveyor section 22 that conveys the transported object 100 in a sub-conveyor direction (receiving direction) that is transverse to the main conveyor direction (forward direction) and moves the transported object 100 in a direction to receive the transported object 100 discharged from the discharge conveyor 8. The transfer device 10 also has a lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 that lifts and lowers the sub-conveyor section 22. The lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 can switch between a main conveying state in which the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 is positioned above the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor section 22, and a receiving direction drive state in which the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor section 22 is positioned above the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21. That is, in the transfer device 10 employed in this embodiment, only the sub-transport conveyor section 22 is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23. In the transfer device 10 of this embodiment, the height of the main transport conveyor section 21 remains unchanged, and by changing the height of the sub-transport conveyor section 22, it is possible to switch between a main transport state in which the transport surface of the main transport conveyor section 21 is positioned above the transport surface of the sub-transport conveyor section 22, and a receiving direction drive state in which the transport surface of the sub-transport conveyor section 22 is positioned above the transport surface of the main transport conveyor section 21. The transfer device 10 is also provided with various sensors to detect the elevation state of the main transport conveyor section 21 and the elevation state of the sub-transport conveyor section 22.

[0033] In this embodiment, the main conveyor section 21 is a roller conveyor, and the sub-conveyor section 22 is a parallel arrangement of narrow conveyor belts 25. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor belts 25 of the sub-conveyor section 22 are suspended on motorized rollers 30 provided at the bottom, and are driven by the motorized rollers 30.

[0034] The lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 is composed of two pairs (four cams) 12 as shown in Figure 4. The cams 12 are attached to both ends of rollers 13a and 13b. One of the rollers, 13a, is a motor-integrated roller, which rotates the cams 12 on both ends. The left and right cams 12 are connected by a connecting rod 15 and rotate synchronously. The sub-conveyor section 22 is provided with rollers 16 which are engaged with the cams 12 . Therefore, when the roller (motorized roller) 13a rotates, the cam 12 rotates, and the sub-transport conveyor section 22 that engages with the cam 12 moves up and down.

[0035] The conveyor belt 25 of the sub-conveyor section 22 is disposed between the rollers 28 of the main conveyor section 21. The motorized roller 30 has a motor 35 and a reducer (not shown) built into a roller body 36. In this embodiment, by driving the motor 35, the roller body 36 rotates and the conveyor belt 25 moves.

[0036] In this embodiment, pulses are output as the motor 35 rotates, and the number of rotations of the motor 35 can be determined by counting the number of pulses, and the travel distance of the conveyor belt 25 can be calculated indirectly. The auxiliary conveyor section 22 is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 23. When the auxiliary conveyor section 22 is lowered and the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 is higher than the auxiliary conveyor section 22, the rollers 28 of the main conveyor section 21 come into contact with the article 100, and the article 100 can be moved in the main conveying direction along the mainstream conveying path 2. In other words, by setting the transfer device 10 in the main conveying state, forward driving can be performed to move the article 100 in the forward direction relative to the mainstream conveying path 2.

[0037] Furthermore, when the auxiliary conveyor section 22 is raised so that the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 is higher than the main conveyor section 21, the conveying belt 25 of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 comes into contact with the transported item 100, and the transported item 100 can be moved in the auxiliary conveying direction horizontal to the main transporting direction. That is, by switching the transfer device 10 to the receiving direction drive state, it is possible to perform receiving direction drive, which moves the transported article 100 in the receiving direction.

[0038] The transport device 1 of this embodiment has a common conveyor frame 50 to which the upstream conveyor 5, the transfer device 10, and the downstream conveyor 6 that constitute the main transport path 2 are fixed. The conveyor frame 50 is, for example, a channel steel arranged in parallel. That is, both sides of the main transport path 2 are provided with walls formed by the conveyor frame 50. However, between the transfer device 10 and the tributary transport path 3, the wall formed by the conveyor frame 50 is removed in order to discharge the transported object 100 onto the tributary transport path 3 side.

[0039] In this embodiment, the side surface of the transfer device 10 on the tributary transport path 3 side functions as a sub-introduction section 27 that receives the transported article 100 from the discharge conveyor 8. Furthermore, a portion of the conveyor frame 50 opposite to the sub-introduction section 27 functions as a contact member 52. The contact member 52 is located in a position facing the end of the tributary transport path 3. The backing member 52 extends along the main conveying direction (forward direction) and is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tributary-side conveying path 3. The backing member 52 has a linear portion that is perpendicular to the article conveying direction of the tributary-side conveying path 3. It is desirable that the length of the backing member 52 is longer than the width of the secondary introduction section 27.

[0040] Next, we will explain the function of the conveying device 1. In this embodiment, the conveyed object 100 is assumed to be an object that is rectangular in plan view, such as a cardboard box or a loading pallet. In other words, the conveyed object 100 is assumed to have at least a linear portion. In the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, a transfer device 10 is installed at the junction 7 of the mainstream conveying path 2. The transfer device 10 can move the object 100 linearly in the main conveying direction (forward direction) along the mainstream conveying path 2. That is, the transfer device 10 can perform forward driving to advance the object 100 received from the upstream conveyor 5 in the main conveying direction, move it in the forward direction relative to the mainstream conveying path 2, and discharge it from the discharge section 11 to the downstream conveyor 6. Specifically, the transported object 100 can be moved in the order of the upstream conveyor 5, the transfer device 10, and the downstream conveyor 6. At this time, the transfer device 10 drives the lifting mechanism 23 to lower the auxiliary conveyor section 22, and adjusts to a main conveying state in which the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 is higher than the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22. The transported object 100 is transferred from the upstream conveyor 5 to the main conveyor section 21 of the transfer device 10, and moves along the main conveyor section 21 toward the downstream conveyor 6. In this manner, in this embodiment, the transported object 100 can be moved linearly along the mainstream transport path 2 in the main transport direction (forward direction).

[0041] Furthermore, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the object 100 discharged from the tributary conveying path 3 can be introduced into the mainstream conveying path 2 by the transfer device 10. That is, the transfer device 10 can move the object 100 discharged from the tributary conveying path 3 in the sub-conveying direction (receiving direction) and move the object 100 on the tributary conveying path 3 toward the mainstream conveying path 2. That is, the transfer device 10 can perform receiving direction drive to move the object 100 from the tributary conveying path 3 toward the mainstream conveying path 2 in the receiving direction.

[0042] Then, by driving in the receiving direction, the transported object 100 that has been drawn into the transfer device 10 can be discharged onto the downstream conveyor 6. In this way, the transfer device 10 adopted in this embodiment can receive the transported item 100 discharged from the tributary conveying path 3 by driving in the receiving direction, and move the received transported item 100 in the main conveying direction to discharge it from the discharge section 11 to the downstream conveyor 6, thereby performing confluence direction discharge. Specifically, the transported object 100 can be moved in the order of the discharge side conveyor 8, the transfer device 10, and the downstream side conveyor 6.

[0043] When receiving the transported object 100 discharged from the tributary-side conveying path 3, the transfer device 10 drives the lifting mechanism 23 to raise the auxiliary conveyor section 22, and adjusts the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 so that it is higher than the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21. The transported object 100 is transferred from the tributary-side conveying path 3 to the auxiliary conveyor section 22, travels on the auxiliary conveyor section 22, and is drawn into the transfer device 10. Here, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the auxiliary conveyor section 22 continues to drive even after the transported object 100 has been completely drawn into the transfer device 10.

[0044] As a result, the transported object comes into contact with the contact member 52 on the opposite surface of the tributary-side transport path 3 and is pressed against the contact member 52. As a result, one side of the transported object 100 is aligned with the contact member 52, and the posture of the transported object 100 is adjusted. Next, the transfer device 10 drives the lifting mechanism 23 to lower the auxiliary conveyor section 22, and adjusts the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 so that it is higher than the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22. The object 100 is transferred from the auxiliary conveyor section 22 to the main conveyor section 21, and travels along the main conveyor section 21 to the downstream conveyor 6. In this embodiment, the main conveyor section 21 is driven simultaneously with the start of driving of the lifting mechanism 23. Therefore, the object 100 advances toward the downstream conveyor 6 as soon as the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 comes into contact with the bottom of the object 100.

[0045] The contact member 52 that acts in this embodiment is part of the conveyor frame 50. Therefore, the contact member 52 is linearly connected to the conveyor frame 50 of the adjacent downstream conveyor 6. Therefore, the transported object 100 is transported along the conveyor frame 50 of the adjacent downstream conveyor 6 while in contact with the contact member 52 of the transfer device 10.

[0046] A series of operations of the conveying device 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5 and Figs. 6 to 9. The flowchart in Fig. 5 shows the control process for introducing the object 100 that has reached the end of the tributary-side conveying path 3 into the mainstream-side conveying path 2 and moving it downstream of the mainstream-side conveying path 2. The conveying device 1 is equipped with a control device (not shown), and a computer program for executing a series of operations is stored in a storage device of the control device. The control device also has a rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor 35 of the sub-conveyor section 22 by pulses emitted by the motor 35.

[0047] 6 to 9, the left diagrams show the positional relationship between the transported object 100 and the transport device 1. In Fig. 6 to 9, the right diagrams show the driving state of the transport device. In the right diagrams, the transport device in the driving state is drawn with hatching, and the transport device in the stopped state is drawn with a dashed line. Figure 6(a) shows a state where the transported object 100 is waiting to arrive at the end of the tributary-side transport path 3. Figure 6(a) shows a state where the transported object 100 is waiting to arrive at the end of the tributary-side transport path 3, and the transported object 100 is not depicted in the left drawing. Also, as shown in the right drawing, all of the transport devices 1 are on standby and stopped.

[0048] In step 1, the system waits for the article 100 to arrive at the end of the branch transport path 3. When the transported object 100 arrives at the end of the tributary transport path 3 as shown in Figure 6(b), step 1 becomes YES and the process proceeds to step 2. In step 2, it is confirmed whether or not the transported object 100 is present in the transfer device 10 in order to prevent a collision of the transported object 100. If the transported object 100 is not present in the transfer device 10 as shown in Figure 6(b), the process proceeds to step 3.

[0049] In step 3, the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 is driven, and the auxiliary conveyor section 22 starts to rise. When it is confirmed in step 4 that the lifting of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 is complete, the process proceeds to step 5, and the discharge conveyor 8 of the tributary conveying path 3 is driven as shown in the right diagram of Figure 7(c), and in step 6 the auxiliary conveyor section 22 of the transfer device 10 also starts to drive (Figure 7(c)). The start of driving of the discharge conveyor 8 in step 5 and the start of driving of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 in step 6 may be simultaneous or reversed. Also, the discharge conveyor 8 and the auxiliary conveyor section 22 may be driven without waiting for the completion of the lifting of the auxiliary conveyor section 22 in step 4.

[0050] When the discharge side conveyor 8 and the auxiliary conveyor section 22 are driven, the transported item 100 is pushed out by the discharge side conveyor 8 and pulled into the transfer device 10 by the auxiliary conveyor section 22 of the transfer device 10, as shown in the left diagram of Figure 7(c)(d). At this time, the posture of the transported object 100 may become tilted as shown in the left diagrams of FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d). In this embodiment, the number of pulses of the motor 35 that drives the auxiliary conveyor unit 22 after the auxiliary conveyor unit 22 starts to be driven in step 7 is counted.

[0051] Then, in step 8, the process waits for the pulses to reach a predetermined cumulative number. This cumulative number is a value that has a considerable margin with respect to the number of pulses required for the transported object 100 to be completely pulled into the transfer device 10. In other words, it is the required number of pulses RP required for the transported object 100 to be completely pulled into the transfer device 10 plus the additional number of pulses AP.

[0052] Specifically, when the total length of the sub-conveyor section 22 (the width of the transfer device 10) is L, the required number of pulses RP is the number of pulses required to run the transfer belt 25 by L. The number of additional pulses AP is about 10 to 200 percent of the number of essential pulses RP, more preferably 20 to 100 percent, and most preferably 30 to 80 percent.

[0053] In this embodiment, the transported object 100 is moved over the entire length of the auxiliary transport conveyor unit 22 (the width of the transfer device 10), and the auxiliary transport conveyor unit 22 continues to drive. As a result, the transported object 100 reaches the contact member 52, which is part of the conveyor frame 50, as shown in FIG. 8(e). Further, as the auxiliary transport conveyor unit 22 is driven, one surface of the transported object 100 is pressed entirely against the contact member 52, as shown in FIG. 8(f). As a result, the posture of the transported object 100 follows the contact member 52, as shown in FIG. 8(f), and each side of the transported object 100 becomes parallel or perpendicular to the traveling direction. In other words, the tilted posture is corrected to be straight.

[0054] Furthermore, even if the transported object 100 hits the contact member 52 with force and bounces back away from the contact member 52, the transported object 100 moves again toward the contact member 52 and is pressed against the contact member 52 to correct its posture.

[0055] When it is confirmed in step 8 that the pulses have reached a predetermined cumulative number, the process proceeds to step 9, where the discharge conveyor 8 is stopped, and the auxiliary conveyor unit 22 is also stopped in step 10. The stopping of the discharge conveyor 8 in step 9 and the stopping of the auxiliary conveyor unit 22 in step 10 may start at the same time or in reverse.

[0056] Then, the process proceeds to step 11, where the main conveyor section 21 of the transfer device 10 is started. At this stage, the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor section 22 is at a higher position than the main conveyor section 21. Therefore, even when the main conveyor section 21 is started, the transported object 100 does not move, and remains in a position along the backing member 52.

[0057] In the following step 12, the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 is driven, and the auxiliary conveyor section 22 begins to descend. As the auxiliary conveyor section 22 descends, the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 becomes higher than the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22. In this embodiment, the main conveyor section 21 is started before the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 reaches a position higher than the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22. Therefore, as soon as the conveying surface of the main conveyor section 21 reaches a position higher than the conveying surface of the auxiliary conveyor section 22, the conveyed object 100 immediately moves in the forward direction (FIG. 9(g)). In this way, in the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, when the attitude of the transfer device 10 is switched from the receiving direction drive state to the main conveying state, the main conveying conveyor section 21 is driven while the sub-conveyor conveyor section 22 is lowered by the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23, so that as soon as the conveying surface of the main conveying conveyor section 21 reaches a position higher than the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor conveyor section 22, the conveyed item 100 moves in the forward direction, and the conveyed item 100 moves toward the downstream conveyor 6.

[0058] In addition, in step 13, the downstream conveyor 6 of the main transport path 2 is started, and the transported object 100 is delivered to the downstream conveyor 6 as shown in FIG. 9(h). In this embodiment, the conveyor frame 50 is used as the support member 52. In this embodiment, the conveyor frame 50 is common to the conveyors 5 and 6 before and after the transfer device 10, and the support member 52 of the transfer device 10 and the conveyor frame 50 of the downstream conveyor 6 are connected in series. Therefore, the transported object 100 moves to the downstream conveyor 6 while maintaining contact with the conveyor frame 50. In other words, the transported object 100 can be transferred from the tributary transport path 3 to the mainstream transport path 2, and then moved along the mainstream transport path 2.

[0059] In addition, the start of activation of the main transport conveyor section 21 of the transfer device 10 in step 11, the driving of the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23 in step 12, and the activation of the downstream conveyor 6 in step 13 may be simultaneous, or the order may be reversed. According to the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the object 100 received from the tributary transport path 3 onto the mainstream transport path 2 can be temporarily pressed against the contact member 52 to be set in a fixed position, and then conveyed downstream.

[0060] In the transfer device 10 employed in the embodiment described above, only the sub-conveying conveyor section 22 is raised and lowered to switch between a main conveying state in which the conveying surface of the main conveying conveyor section 21 is positioned above the conveying surface of the sub-conveying conveyor section 22, and a receiving direction driving state in which the conveying surface of the sub-conveying conveyor section 22 is positioned above the conveying surface of the main conveying conveyor section 21. According to this configuration, the secondary conveyor section 22 is lowered to lower the transported object 100, and the transported object 100 is transferred to the main conveyor section 21, which is waiting at a fixed height. According to this embodiment, there is no need to raise the transported object 100, so only a small driving force is required for the lifting mechanism (lifting means) 23. Furthermore, because the main conveyor section 21 is driven in advance, the transported object 100 quickly starts moving toward the downstream conveyor 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and only the main transport conveyor section 21 may be raised and lowered, or both the main transport conveyor section 21 and the sub-transport conveyor section 22 may be raised and lowered alternately.

[0061] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, a posture detection means 61 for detecting the posture of the transported object 100 is provided near the connection between the tributary transport path 3 and the mainstream transport path 2. If the posture of the transported object 100 is straight when received, the number of additional pulses AP is reduced, and if the posture of the transported object 100 is distorted, the number of additional pulses AP is increased. The posture detection means 61 employed in this embodiment is a sensor unit shown in Fig. 11. The posture detection means 61 has a plurality of sensor elements, each of which can individually detect the presence of an object, and which are arranged in a direction intersecting the conveying direction of the conveyed object 100.

[0062] 11, the attitude detection means 61 has an outer casing member 65 and a plurality of sensor members 63. The attitude detection means 61 is formed by fixing the plurality of sensor members 63 to the outer casing member 65 and integrating them (unitizing them). The attitude detection means 61 of this embodiment has an overall outer shape that extends like a rod.

[0063] In this posture detection means 61, a plurality of (six) sensor members 63 are arranged in parallel in a straight line at intervals to form a sensor row. The sensor member 63 is a sensor capable of detecting the presence of an object, and in this embodiment, a reflective photoelectric sensor is used. That is, the sensor member 63 has a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, and when light emitted from the light-emitting section is reflected by the object to be detected and reaches the light-receiving section, it detects the presence of the object to be detected at a predetermined location. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, a photodiode is used as the sensor element that constitutes the light receiving section.

[0064] The sensor members 63 generate signals indicating whether or not an object is present. In the attitude detection means 61 of this embodiment, each of the plurality of sensor members 63 individually performs a detection operation and individually generates a sensor signal. The attitude detection means 61 is attached to the branch-side transport path 3 so that the light projection direction of each sensor member 63 is directed upward. In the posture detection means 61 of this embodiment, each sensor member 63 detects the bottom surface of the transported object passing above, and more specifically, detects whether or not part of the bottom surface of the transported object is present at a position vertically above the installation position and on the transport surface. As shown in FIG. 10, the position detection means 61 is attached at a position between the two transport rollers in a plan view.

[0065] The conveying device 60 of this embodiment is capable of detecting (confirming) the posture of the conveyed object 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12(a), if the conveyed object 100 is conveyed in the correct posture (expected posture), when the conveyed object reaches the top of the posture detection means 61, the presence of the conveyed object is detected by the four sensor members 63b to 63e (see the right diagram). Meanwhile, the other two sensor members 63a and 63f do not detect the presence of the conveyed object. That is, the four sensor members 63b to 63e are turned on, and the other two sensor members 63f remain off. The conveyed object 100 remains positioned above the sensor members 63b to 63e until it passes over the posture detection means 61. Meanwhile, during this period, the conveyed object 100 is not positioned above the other two sensor members 63a and 63f.

[0066] 12(b), if the posture of the transported object 100 becomes poor during transport (if the posture is not as expected), the presence of the transported object 100 is first detected by two sensor members 63c and 63d (see the right diagram). At this time, the other four sensor members 63a, 63b, 63e, and 63f do not detect the presence of the transported object 100. In other words, the two sensor members 63c and 63d are turned on, and the other four sensor members 63a, 63b, 63e, and 63f are turned off.

[0067] After that, the four sensor members 63b, 63c, 63d, and 63e are turned on, and the other two sensor members 63a and 63f are turned off (not shown). After that, all the sensor members 63 are turned on (not shown). After that, similarly to the above, the state changes to one in which the four sensor members 63b, 63c, 63d, and 63e are turned on, and then to one in which the two sensor members 63c and 63d are turned on (not shown). In other words, when the transported object 100 passes over the posture detection means 61, it is possible to detect the posture of the transported object 100 based on information such as which sensor element 63 turns on, and then what the on / off state of each sensor element 63 becomes over time.

[0068] If the result of the above-mentioned detection operation indicates that the posture of the transported object 100 is distorted, the number of additional pulses AP is increased and the transported object 100 is pressed against the contact member 52 for a longer period of time. If the posture of the transported object 100 is determined to be straight, the number of additional pulses AP is decreased and the transported object 100 is sent to the downstream conveyor 6 more quickly. The number of additional pulses AP may be changed in multiple stages depending on the posture of the transported object 100. The posture detection means 61 is not limited to this embodiment, and may, for example, capture an image of the posture of the transported object 100 with a camera, and the control means may determine the posture from the image.

[0069] The steps described above are merely examples, and the order of the steps may be changed or some of the steps may be omitted.

[0070] In the embodiment described above, the transfer device 10 is a combination of a roller conveyor and a conveyor consisting of a narrow conveying belt 25, and the conveying belt 25 runs to pull in the transported item 100 discharged from the tributary side conveying path 3, and the roller conveyor moves the transported item 100 to the downstream conveyor 6. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the transported object 100 discharged from the tributary transport path 3 may be pulled in by a roller conveyor, and the transported object 100 may be moved to the downstream conveyor 6 by the transport belt 25. In other words, the orientation of the transfer device 10 may be rotated 90 degrees.

[0071] In the embodiment described above, the transfer device 10 has the structure disclosed in Patent Document 5, but the type of the main body of the transfer device is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, transfer devices 200, 300, and 400 may have the structures shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15. Note that in the transfer devices shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15, only the main body portion is shown, and the backing members are not shown.

[0072] The transfer device 200 shown in Fig. 13 is an arrangement of a plurality of transport cells 201. The transport cell 201 has a swivel table 202 and a traveling unit 203. The traveling unit 203 is a roller that rotates by power, and comes into contact with the transported object 100 to urge the transported object 100, thereby moving the transported object 100.

[0073] The transfer device 200 can change the orientation of the traveling part 203 by rotating the swivel base 202 . The transfer device 200 can individually start / stop the rotation and switch between forward and reverse rotation of the traveling part 203 of each transfer cell 201. Also, the transfer device 200 can individually change the angular posture of the swivel base 202 of each transfer cell 201. Therefore, the transfer device 200 can move the transported article 100 in the main transport direction and the sub-transport direction, and can also move the transported article 100 in the rotation direction.

[0074] 14 also has a transfer device 300 in which a plurality of transfer cells 301 are arranged side by side. The transfer cell 301 has a swivel base 302 and a running unit 303, and the orientation of the running unit 303 can be changed by rotating the swivel base 302. The transfer device 300 can also individually start / stop the rotation and switch between forward and reverse rotation of the traveling part 303 of each transfer cell 301. Also, the transfer device 300 can individually change the angular attitude of the swivel base 302 of each transfer cell 301. Therefore, the transfer device 300 can move the transported article 100 in the main transport direction and the sub-transport direction, and can also move the transported article 100 in the rotation direction.

[0075] The transfer device 400 shown in FIG. 15 has a conveyor device 401 placed on a turntable 402, and the conveyor device 401 itself can be rotated. Therefore, the transfer device 400 can move the transported article 100 in the main transport direction and the sub-transport direction, and can also move the transported article 100 in the rotation direction.

[0076] In the embodiment described above, a part of the conveyor frame 50 is used as the contact member 52, but another plate or rod may be provided at a position facing the sub-introduction section 27 as the contact member. The backing member may also be movable.

[0077] In the embodiment described above, the number of rotations of the motor 35 is determined by counting the number of pulses of the motor 35, and the travel distance of the conveyor belt 25 is indirectly calculated. When the conveyed object 100 is transferred from the tributary-side conveying path 3 to the mainstream-side conveying path 2, the conveyor belt 25 continues to be driven in the receiving direction for a predetermined period of time even after the conveyed object 100 contacts the contact member 52. The control method for continuing the receiving direction drive for a predetermined period of time even after the transported item 100 abuts against the contact member 52 is not limited to this configuration. For example, when the transported item 100 is pulled into the transfer device 10, the time for continuing the receiving direction drive can be measured, and the receiving direction drive can be continued until that time reaches a predetermined time. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the transport device when this measure is adopted. In this embodiment, in step 7, the time for which the auxiliary conveyor section 22 is driven is measured.

[0078] Then, in step 8, the process waits for the drive time of the sub-transport conveyor section 22 to reach a predetermined time. This time is a time that has a considerable margin compared to the time required for the transported object 100 to be completely drawn into the transfer device 10. In other words, this time is the required time required for the object 100 to be completely drawn into the transfer device 10 plus an additional time.

[0079] The additional time may be on the order of 10 to 200 percent of the required time, more preferably 20 to 100 percent, and most preferably 30 to 80 percent.

[0080] As another configuration, a sensor may be provided to detect when the transported item 100 has contacted the contact member 52, and after the sensor detects that the transported item 100 has contacted the contact member 52, the sub-conveyor conveyor section 22 may be kept driven for a certain number of pulses or for a certain period of time.

[0081] In the embodiment described above, the auxiliary conveyor section 22 continues to be driven even after the transported item 100 contacts the contact member 52, thereby pressing the transported item 100 against the contact member 52, but the auxiliary conveyor section 22 may also be stopped at the point when the transported item 100 contacts the contact member 52. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1, 60 Conveyor device 2 Main stream conveying route 3. Tributary transport route 5 Upstream conveyor 6 Downstream conveyor 7. Junction 8. Discharge conveyor 10 Transfer equipment 21 Main conveyor section 22 Sub-transport conveyor section 23 Lifting mechanism 35 motor 50 Conveyor Frame 52 Backing member 61 Attitude detection means 100 items transported 200, 300, 400 transfer equipment AP additional pulse number RP Required Pulse Number

Claims

1. A conveying device having a tributary-side conveying path and a mainstream-side conveying path having a conveying direction different from that of the tributary-side conveying path, wherein an end of the tributary-side conveying path is connected to the mainstream-side conveying path, and an object to be conveyed can be transferred from the tributary-side conveying path to the mainstream-side conveying path and moved along the mainstream-side conveying path, a transfer device is disposed on the main transport path at a location where the tributary transport path is connected; the transfer device is capable of performing a forward direction drive for moving the transported object in a forward direction relative to the mainstream transport path and a receiving direction drive for moving the transported object in a direction to receive the transported object, a backing member, the backing member being located at a position opposite to an end of the branch-side conveying path; A conveying device characterized in that, when the object is transferred from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path, the transfer device continues to be driven in the receiving direction at least until the object abuts against the support member.

2. A conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the transported object is transferred from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path, the transfer device continues to drive in the receiving direction for a predetermined period of time even after the transported object abuts the contact member.

3. The transfer device is driven in the receiving direction by a motor, and has a rotation speed detection means for directly or indirectly detecting the rotation speed of the motor, The conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the transported object is transferred from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path, the rotation speed detection means monitors the rotation speed of the motor, and the motor is rotated at a speed exceeding the motor rotation speed required to abut the transported object against the contact member.

4. The conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the transported object is transferred from the tributary side conveying path to the mainstream side conveying path, the drive time of the receiving direction drive is monitored, and the receiving direction drive is continued beyond the drive time required for the transported object to abut against the contact member.

5. The transfer device includes a main conveyor section that moves the transported object in a forward direction relative to the main transport path, a sub-conveyor section that moves the transported object in a direction to receive the transported object, and an elevating means that elevates at least one of the main conveyor section or the sub-conveyor section, A conveying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lifting means can switch between a main conveying state in which the conveying surface of the main conveying conveyor section is positioned above the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor section, and a receiving direction drive state in which the conveying surface of the sub-conveyor section is positioned above the conveying surface of the main conveying conveyor section.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that, when switching from the receiving direction drive state to the main conveying state, the main conveying conveyor section is driven while the lifting means lifts and lowers at least one of the main conveying conveyor section and the sub-conveyor conveyor section.

7. 5. The transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a conveyor frame that supports part or all of the main transport path, and the contact member is formed by a part of the conveyor frame.

8. A posture detection means for detecting the posture of the transported object is provided near the connection between the tributary transport path and the main transport path, 5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a driving period of the receiving direction drive is changed depending on the posture of the conveyed object.

9. A transfer device used at a junction of a conveying device having a tributary-side conveying path and a main-side conveying path whose conveying direction is different from that of the tributary-side conveying path, It is possible to perform a forward direction drive for moving the transported object in a forward direction relative to the mainstream transport path, and a receiving direction drive for moving the transported object in a direction to receive the transported object, a backing member, the backing member being located at a position opposite to an end of the branch-side conveying path; A transfer device characterized in that, when transferring an object from the branch transport path to the main transport path, the receiving direction drive is continued at least until the object abuts against the contact member.

10. A method for transferring an object to be transported, in which an object discharged from a tributary-side transport path is transferred to a mainstream-side transport path in a transport direction different from that of the tributary-side transport path, and the object is moved along the mainstream-side transport path, a contact member is provided at a position facing the end of the branch-side conveying path; A method for transferring an object to be transported, characterized in that when transferring the object from the tributary side transport path to the mainstream side transport path, the object is pressed against the support member to align the object with the support member, and then the object is moved along the mainstream side transport path.

Images