Grain elevating device

Abstract

To further improve convenience of a grain elevating device.SOLUTION: A grain elevating device 1 according to one embodiment discharges grains placed in a hopper 21 from a discharge outlet 41 located at a position higher than the hopper 21. The grain elevating device 1 has a first conveying mechanism 50 that vertically conveys the grains placed in the hopper 21 toward a first position higher than the hopper 21, and a second conveying mechanism 60 that diagonally conveys the grains conveyed by the first conveying mechanism 50 from a second position lower than the first position toward a third position higher than the second position, and the discharge outlet 41 is located at a position lower than the third position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a grain lifting device used for bagging grains (kernels) of grains such as rice and wheat. [Background technology]

[0002] Grain grains are sometimes packed in bag-shaped packaging materials (for example, flexible container bags) for storage, transportation, etc. In the following description, bag-shaped packaging materials into which grain grains are packed are collectively referred to as "storage bags."

[0003] In a typical bagging operation, grains are dropped into a storage bag from a position higher than the opening of the storage bag, so in order to bag the grains, it is necessary to carry the grains up to a position higher than the opening of the storage bag.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a grain lifting device used for the bagging work described above. The grain lifting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a grain lifting duct that extends vertically, a conveyor that is provided within the grain lifting duct and lifts grains from the lower end to the upper end of the grain lifting duct, and a delivery duct that delivers the grains lifted by the conveyor to the outside. The delivery duct has a discharge port through which the grains are discharged, and the discharge port is located above the storage bags held by the frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6613122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Further improvements in the convenience of grain lifting equipment are required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A grain lifting device according to one embodiment discharges grains placed in a hopper from a discharge port located at a higher position than the hopper. The grain lifting device includes a first conveying mechanism that vertically conveys the grains placed in the hopper to a first position higher than the hopper, and a second conveying mechanism that diagonally conveys the grains conveyed by the first conveying mechanism from a second position lower than the first position to a third position higher than the second position, and the discharge port is located at a lower position than the third position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a grain lifting device with even greater convenience is realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front oblique view showing the appearance of the grain lifting device. [Figure 2] This is a rear oblique view showing the appearance of the grain lifting device. [Figure 3] This is a left side view showing the appearance of the grain lifting device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the grain lifting device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the grain lifting device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a first transport mechanism and a second transport mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings used to describe the embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for identical or substantially identical configurations and elements. Furthermore, as a general rule, once a configuration or element has been described, it will not be described again.

[0011] <Outline of the grain lifting device> Fig. 1 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of the grain lifting device 1, Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view, and Fig. 3 is a left side view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of the grain lifting device 1, and Fig. 5 is a side view. Note that in Figs. 4 and 5, some components are omitted in order to show the internal structure of the grain lifting device 1.

[0012] As shown in Figure 3, the grain lifting device 1 is used for bagging work in which grain G is packed into storage bags 2. The storage bags 2 are arranged adjacent to the grain lifting device 1. More specifically, the storage bags 2 are placed on a platform scale 3 arranged behind (at the rear of) the grain lifting device 1, and are held with their mouths open by a frame 4.

[0013] The platform scale 3 is equipped with a weighing means and outputs a signal indicating the weight of the grain G packed in the storage bag 2 to the grain lifting device 1. From another perspective, the grain lifting device 1 detects the weight of the grain G packed in the storage bag 2 and can perform various operations and controls based on the detection results. For example, the grain lifting device 1 opens and closes a shutter 46, which will be described later, based on the weight of the grain G packed in the storage bag 2.

[0014] The type of storage bag 2 is not particularly limited, but the storage bag 2 in this embodiment is a flexible container bag. Note that flexible container bags are sometimes abbreviated as "flexible container bags." Furthermore, the type of grains G packed into the storage bag 2 by the grain lifting device 1 is also not particularly limited, but the grains G in this embodiment are rice (brown rice).

[0015] As shown mainly in Figures 1 and 2, the grain lifting device 1 has a base 10 and a housing 20 mounted on the base 10. As shown in Figure 4, a vertical duct 30 is provided inside the housing 20, and a horizontal duct 40 is provided on the top of the housing 20.

[0016] Furthermore, a first transport mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 5 is provided inside the vertical duct 30, and a second transport mechanism 60 shown in the same figure is provided inside the horizontal duct 40.

[0017] The grains G are fed into a hopper 21 provided on the front side of the housing 20. The grains G fed into the hopper 21 are transported vertically within the vertical duct 30 by a first transport mechanism 50. More specifically, the grains G are transported vertically by the first transport mechanism 50 to a predetermined height.

[0018] The kernels G that have been conveyed to a predetermined height by the first conveying mechanism 50 are then conveyed obliquely within the horizontal duct 40 by the second conveying mechanism 60. More specifically, the kernels G are conveyed obliquely upward by the second conveying mechanism 60.

[0019] From another perspective, the second conveying mechanism 60 takes over the kernels G from the first conveying mechanism 50. Furthermore, the second conveying mechanism 60 conveys the kernels G taken over from the first conveying mechanism 50 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction by the first conveying mechanism 50.

[0020] The grains G conveyed by the first conveying mechanism 50 and the second conveying mechanism 60 are discharged from a discharge outlet 41 provided at the end of the horizontal duct 40 and fall into the storage bag 2. The discharge outlet 41 is automatically closed when a predetermined amount (e.g., 1090 kg) of grains G is packed into the storage bag 2. Thereafter, the next storage bag 2 is placed below the discharge outlet 41, and when the discharge outlet 41 is opened, the bagging operation is resumed.

[0021] The above is the basic structure and basic operation of the grain lifting device 1 according to this embodiment. Each part of the grain lifting device 1 will be described in more detail below.

[0022] <Base> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base 10 has a rectangular metal frame 11, casters 12 provided at the four corners of the metal frame 11, and fixed legs 13 provided near each caster 12.

[0023] Each caster 12 is attached to the underside of the metal frame 11 and can run on an installation surface F (FIG. 3) on which the grain lifting device 1 is placed. The installation surface F is, for example, the ground or floor of a workplace.

[0024] Each fixed leg 13 has a threaded shaft 13a that penetrates the metal frame 11 and a disk-shaped grounding portion 13b attached to the lower end of the threaded shaft 13a. When the threaded shaft 13a is rotated, the length of the threaded shaft 13a that protrudes from the metal frame 11 increases or decreases. From another perspective, when the threaded shaft 13a is rotated, the grounding portion 13b rises or falls.

[0025] When the ground contact portion 13b is raised to a position higher than the lower end of the caster 12, the grain lifting device 1 is supported by the caster 12 and can move on the installation surface F. Therefore, the grain lifting device 1 can be moved to any location within the workplace.

[0026] On the other hand, when the ground contact portion 13b is lowered to the same position as the lower end of the caster 12, the running or movement of the grain lifting device 1 is prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, when the ground contact portion 13b is lowered to a position lower than the lower end of the caster 12, the caster 12 rises above the installation surface F. In other words, the grain lifting device 1 is supported by the fixed leg 13 instead of the caster 12.

[0027] Furthermore, by adjusting the height of each of the grounding portions 13b, the metal frame 11 can be made horizontal. In other words, the grain lifting device 1 can be made horizontal.

[0028] <Case> The housing 20 has a front outer wall 22, a rear outer wall 23, a right outer wall 24, and a left outer wall 25. The front outer wall 22 and the rear outer wall 23 face each other, and the right outer wall 24 and the left outer wall 25 face each other. As a result, the housing 20 as a whole has the appearance of a rectangular tube extending in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

[0029] Furthermore, the front outer wall 22 and the rear outer wall 23 are parallel to each other. The right outer wall 24 and the left outer wall 25 are parallel to each other for the most part, but are non-parallel at their upper portions. Specifically, the upper portions of the right outer wall 24 and the left outer wall 25 are inclined so as to approach each other. As a result, the upper end of the housing 20 has an appearance that is similar to a quadrangular pyramid as a whole, and appears roughly triangular when viewed from the front or rear.

[0030] In the following description, the upper end of the housing 20 may be referred to as the "roof portion 20a" to distinguish it from other portions, although this distinction is made merely for the sake of convenience.

[0031] The front outer wall 22, the rear outer wall 23, the right outer wall 24, and the left outer wall 25 are each formed from a metal plate. Both sides of the right outer wall 24 are screwed to one side of the front outer wall 22 and the rear outer wall 23 adjacent to those sides. Also, both sides of the left outer wall 25 are screwed to the other side of the front outer wall 22 and the rear outer wall 23 adjacent to those sides.

[0032] The hopper 21 is provided at the lower front portion of the housing 20. More specifically, the hopper 21 is provided at a position lower than the center of the front outer wall 22 in the up-down direction.

[0033] Although not shown, an operation unit including operation buttons and an operation panel is provided on the upper front surface of the housing 20. The operation unit is provided at a position higher than at least the hopper 21.

[0034] <Vertical duct> 4, the vertical duct 30 is provided inside the housing 20 and has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the same direction (up and down direction) as the housing 20. Each surface of the vertical duct 30 is formed from a metal plate.

[0035] 5, the front surface of the vertical duct 30 is flush or nearly flush with the front outer wall 22. On the other hand, the back surface 33 of the vertical duct is disposed inside the back outer wall 23 and faces the back outer wall 23 across a space.

[0036] Referring again to Figure 4, a right side surface 34 of the vertical duct 30 is disposed inside the right outer wall 24 and faces the right outer wall 24 across a space. A left side surface 35 of the vertical duct 30 is disposed inside the left outer wall 25 (not shown in Figure 4) and faces the left outer wall 25 across a space.

[0037] A slit (opening) is provided in the front outer wall 22 of the housing 20, allowing the vertical duct 30 to be incorporated inside the housing 20. After the vertical duct 30 is incorporated inside the housing 20, the slit is closed by a strip-shaped cover panel 26 shown in FIG.

[0038] In another embodiment, the slit is closed by one surface of the vertical duct 30 incorporated inside the housing 20. In such an embodiment, the cover panel 26 that closes the slit is not essential.

[0039] 4 and 5, a storage chamber 27 is provided inside the housing 20 around the vertical duct 30. Specifically, the storage chamber 27 is formed by the spaces between the inner surfaces of the rear outer wall 23, right outer wall 24, and left outer wall 25 of the housing 20 and the rear surface 33, right side surface 34, and left side surface 35 of the vertical duct 30. As a result, the vertical duct 30 is surrounded on three sides by the storage chamber 27.

[0040] The lower end of the vertical duct 30 communicates with the storage chamber 27. More specifically, the bottom of the storage chamber 27 is cone-shaped, and an opening 28 is provided in the center thereof, which communicates with the lower end of the vertical duct 30. The opening 28 is opened and closed by a shutter driven by a solenoid actuator 29.

[0041] The hopper 21, like the storage chamber 27, is connected to the lower end of the vertical duct 30. Therefore, both the grains G returned to the storage chamber 27 via a return path 80 (described later) and the grains G introduced into the hopper 21 are guided to the lower end of the vertical duct 30.

[0042] <Horizontal duct> 3 and 5, the side duct 40 is provided outside the housing 20 and extends from the roof portion 20a in a direction intersecting with the housing 20. More specifically, the side duct 40 protrudes rearward from an upper portion of the rear outer wall 23 of the housing 20.

[0043] Here, one longitudinal end of the horizontal duct 40 connected to the rear outer wall 23 of the housing 20 is defined as the "base end" and the other longitudinal end of the horizontal duct 40 is defined as the "tip end." However, these definitions are merely for the convenience of explanation.

[0044] The horizontal duct 40 has an upper panel 42, a lower panel 43, a right panel 44, and a left panel 45. The upper panel 42 is flush or nearly flush with the ceiling of the roof portion 20a of the housing 20 and extends horizontally toward the rear.

[0045] The lower plate 43 is inclined so as to gradually move away from the upper plate 42 from the tip end side toward the base end side of the horizontal duct 40. In other words, the lower plate 43 has a downward inclination toward the housing 20.

[0046] The discharge port 41 through which the grains G are discharged is provided at the tip of the horizontal duct 40 and opens downward. In addition, a shutter 46 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is provided near the discharge port 41 and is driven by a solenoid actuator to open and close the discharge port 41.

[0047] <First conveyance mechanism> 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the structures of the first transport mechanism 50 and the second transport mechanism 60. As described above, the first transport mechanism 50 is provided in the vertical duct 30, and the second transport mechanism 60 is provided in the horizontal duct 40.

[0048] The first conveying mechanism 50 has a pair of first rotating bodies 51, 52 and a first conveying belt 53 wound around the first rotating bodies 51, 52. The first conveying mechanism 50 also has a plurality of buckets 54 arranged at predetermined intervals on the first conveying belt 53. In other words, the first conveying mechanism 50 is a bucket conveyor.

[0049] One of the first rotating bodies 51 is disposed at the lower end of the vertical duct 30, and the other first rotating body 52 is disposed at the upper end of the vertical duct 30. Therefore, in the following description, the first rotating body 51 may be referred to as the "lower drum 51," and the first rotating body 52 may be referred to as the "upper drum 52."

[0050] In another embodiment, protrusions and recesses are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first transport belt 53. In this embodiment, the lower drum 51 and the upper drum 52 are replaced with toothed drums that mesh with the protrusions and recesses formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first transport belt 53.

[0051] Although the first conveyor belt 53 in this embodiment is a flat belt, it may be replaced with another type of endless conveyor. For example, the first conveyor belt 53 may be replaced with a V-belt or a chain.

[0052] When the first conveyor belt 53 is replaced with a V-belt, the lower drum 51 and the upper drum 52 are replaced with V-pulleys. When the first conveyor belt 53 is replaced with a chain, the lower drum 51 and the upper drum 52 are replaced with sprockets.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, an electric motor 5 that is the drive source for the first transport mechanism 50 and the second transport mechanism 60 is mounted on the base 10. The rotational driving force output from the electric motor 5 is input to a lower drum 51 shown in Fig. 6 via a power transmission mechanism composed of pulleys, belts, etc.

[0054] When the lower drum 51 rotates due to the input rotational driving force, the first conveyor belt 53 that is wound around the lower drum 51 and the upper drum 52 is driven. From another perspective, the buckets 54 revolve within the vertical duct 30.

[0055] The bucket 54, which rotates within the vertical duct 30, scoops up the grains G as it passes the lower end of the vertical duct 30. As already mentioned, the grains G fed into the hopper 21 are guided to the lower end of the vertical duct 30.

[0056] The grains G scooped up by the bucket 54 and stored in the bucket 54 rise vertically within the vertical duct 30 as the bucket 54 moves. The bucket 54 containing the grains G reverses its orientation when it passes through the upper drum 52. More specifically, the orientation of the bucket 54 containing the grains G becomes downward when it passes through the upper drum 52.

[0057] When the bucket 54 faces downward, the grains G are discharged from the bucket 54. The grains G discharged from the bucket 54 fall onto the receiving plate 6 provided below the discharge position.

[0058] That is, the first conveying mechanism 50 including the bucket 54 conveys the grains G put into the hopper 21 vertically toward a first position P1 (FIG. 5) that is higher than the hopper 21.

[0059] <Second transport mechanism> The second conveying mechanism 60 has a pair of second rotating bodies 61, 62 and a second conveying belt 63 wound around the second rotating bodies 61, 62. Furthermore, the second conveying mechanism 60 has a plurality of plates 64 arranged on the second conveying belt 63 at predetermined intervals.

[0060] One second rotating body 61 is disposed at the base end of the horizontal duct 40, and the other second rotating body 62 is disposed at the tip end of the horizontal duct 40. Therefore, in the following description, the second rotating body 61 may be referred to as the "base end drum 61," and the second rotating body 62 may be referred to as the "tip end drum 62."

[0061] The base end drum 61 and the tip end drum 62 are disposed at different heights. More specifically, the base end drum 61 is disposed at a position lower than the discharge position, and the tip end drum 62 is disposed at a position higher than the discharge position.

[0062] As a result, the second conveyor belt 63 is inclined as shown in Fig. 5. More specifically, the second conveyor belt 63 has an upward inclination from the base end side of the horizontal duct 40 toward the tip end side.

[0063] In another embodiment, projections and recesses are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second conveyor belt 63. In this embodiment, the base end drum 61 and the tip end drum 62 are replaced with toothed drums that mesh with the projections and recesses formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second conveyor belt 63.

[0064] A plurality of plates 64 are erected at regular intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the second conveyor belt 63. In this embodiment, the plates 64 are stainless steel plates, but may be replaced with other metal plates or resin plates.

[0065] 4 and 5 is attached to one end of the rotation shaft 52a (FIG. 6) of the upper drum 52 of the first transport mechanism 50. Also, the driven pulley 72 shown in FIG. 5 is attached to one end of the rotation shaft 61a (FIG. 6) of the base end drum 61 of the second transport mechanism 60.

[0066] Furthermore, a power transmission belt 73 is wound around the drive pulley 71 and the driven pulley 72. An idler pulley 74 is pressed against the power transmission belt 73. The driven pulley 72 is covered by a cover 75 attached to the left side surface of the horizontal duct 40.

[0067] When the upper drum 52 (rotary shaft 52a) rotates, the rotational force is transmitted to the base-end drum 61. More specifically, the rotational drive force is transmitted to the base-end drum 61 shown in Fig. 6 via the drive pulley 71, power transmission belt 73, and driven pulley 72 shown in Fig. 5.

[0068] From another perspective, the rotational driving force output from the electric motor 5 is transmitted to the second transport mechanism 60 via the first transport mechanism 50.

[0069] When the base end drum 61 rotates due to the transmitted rotational driving force, the second conveyor belt 63 that is wound around the base end drum 61 and the tip end drum 62 is driven. From another perspective, the plate 64 revolves within the horizontal duct 40.

[0070] The plate 64, which rotates inside the horizontal duct 40, scoops up the grains G on the receiving plate 6 as it passes the base end of the horizontal duct 40. The grains G scooped up by the plate 64 are placed on the outer circumferential surface of the second conveyor belt 63.

[0071] The grains G placed on the second conveyor belt 63 by the plate 64 move within the horizontal duct 40 as the plate 64 and the second conveyor belt 63 move. Here, since the second conveyor belt 63 is inclined as described above, the grains G move obliquely upward within the horizontal duct 40.

[0072] Furthermore, the width of the horizontal duct 40 (the distance between the right side plate 44 and the left side plate 45) is approximately the same as the width of the second conveyor belt 63, and the width of the plate 64 is approximately the same as the width of the second conveyor belt 63. If the gap between the horizontal duct 40 and the second conveyor belt 63, etc. is large (wide), there is a risk that many grains G will fall out from the gap. On the other hand, if the gap between the horizontal duct 40 and the second conveyor belt 63, etc. is small (narrow), there is a risk that the horizontal duct 40 and the second conveyor belt 63, etc. will interfere with each other.

[0073] Therefore, in this embodiment, the gap between the right side panel 44 of the horizontal duct 40 and the second conveying belt 63, etc. is set to 5 mm, and the gap between the left side panel 45 of the horizontal duct 40 and the second conveying belt 63, etc. is also set to 5 mm.

[0074] When the plate 64 and second conveyor belt 63 conveying the grains G pass the front end drum 62, the direction of movement (travel direction) is reversed. Then, the grains G that had been resting on the outer peripheral surface of the second conveyor belt 63 are released from the second conveyor belt 63. The grains G that have been released from the second conveyor belt 63 fall onto the front end inclined portion 47 (FIG. 5) of the horizontal duct 40 that is disposed below the front end drum 62.

[0075] From another perspective, the second conveying mechanism 60 collects the grains G, which have been conveyed to the first position P1 by the first conveying mechanism 50, from above the receiving plate 6 at a second position P2 that is lower than the first position P1. Furthermore, the second conveying mechanism 60 conveys the grains G collected at the second position P2 obliquely toward a third position P3 that is higher than the second position P2, and releases them.

[0076] The kernels G that have left the second conveying mechanism 60 and fallen onto the inclined tip portion 47 are guided by the inclined tip portion 47 to the discharge outlet 41 and are discharged from the discharge outlet 41. However, when the discharge outlet 41 is closed by the shutter 46 shown in Figures 2 and 4, the kernels G are not discharged from the discharge outlet 41 and accumulate inside the discharge outlet 41.

[0077] On the other hand, the first conveying mechanism 50 and the second conveying mechanism 60 do not stop even while the discharge outlet 41 is closed by the shutter 46. For example, the first conveying mechanism 50 and the second conveying mechanism 60 continue to convey the grains G even during the operation of replacing the storage bags 2.

[0078] Of course, it is possible to stop the first conveying mechanism 50 and the second conveying mechanism 60, but from the viewpoint of work efficiency, it is preferable to perform the work of replacing the storage bags 2 without stopping the first conveying mechanism 50 and the second conveying mechanism 60. Therefore, a return path 80 shown in FIG. 5 is provided inside the horizontal duct 40.

[0079] <Return route> The return path 80 is provided inside the horizontal duct 40 and below the second transport mechanism 60. Furthermore, the return path 80 has a downward slope toward the housing 20 and is connected to the storage chamber 27.

[0080] From another perspective, the return path 80 is formed by the lower plate 43 of the horizontal duct 40 which has a downward slope toward the housing 20 .

[0081] Therefore, when the bulk of the grains G accumulated inside the discharge port 41 exceeds the upper end of the tip inclined portion 47 connected to the tip of the lower plate 43, the grains G flow into the return path 80. More specifically, when the amount of grains G accumulated inside the discharge port 41 exceeds a predetermined amount, the plate 63 folded back at the tip-side drum 62 scrapes the grains G into the return path 80.

[0082] The grains G that have flowed into the return path 80 are returned to the storage chamber 27 through the return path 80. The grains G that have been returned to the storage chamber 27 are guided to the lower end of the vertical duct 30 and are transported again by the first transport mechanism 50.

[0083] As described above, the opening 28 provided at the bottom of the storage chamber 27 is opened and closed by a shutter. Therefore, the grains G returned to the storage chamber 27 via the return path 80 are guided to the lower end of the vertical duct 30 when the opening 28 is opened.

[0084] In this embodiment, the shutter of the opening 28 is linked to the shutter 46 of the discharge port 41. In other words, when the shutter of the opening 28 opens, the shutter 46 of the discharge port 41 also opens, and when the shutter of the opening 28 closes, the shutter 46 of the discharge port 41 also closes. However, these two shutters may be opened and closed independently.

[0085] The housing 20 is provided with a plurality of windows through which the grains G in the storage chamber 27 can be seen. For example, a plurality of windows 7a are provided on the back surface of the housing 20. Windows 7b are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 20. A window 7c is provided on the front surface of the housing 20.

[0086] A window 8 is provided on the left side of the roof portion 20a, through which the drive pulley 71, power transmission belt 73, etc. can be visually observed. A window 9 is provided at the tip of the horizontal duct 40, through which the grains G remaining inside the discharge port 41 can be visually observed. However, the number and positions of the windows can be changed as appropriate.

[0087] <Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment> The grain lifting device 1 of this embodiment relays grains G using two conveying mechanisms with different conveying directions. More specifically, the first conveying mechanism 50 of the grain lifting device 1 conveys the grains G placed in the hopper 21 vertically toward a first position P1 that is higher than the hopper 21. The second conveying mechanism 60 of the grain lifting device 1 conveys the grains G conveyed by the first conveying mechanism 50 obliquely from a second position P2 that is lower than the first position P1 toward a third position P3 that is higher than the second position P2.

[0088] The grain lifting device 1 of this embodiment uses the two conveying mechanisms described above in combination, making it possible to shorten the first conveying mechanism 50 while transporting grain G to the discharge outlet 41 which is located at a higher position than the storage bag 2.

[0089] As a result, the overall height of the housing 20 that houses the first conveying mechanism 50 is reduced, and thus the overall height of the grain lifting device 1 is also reduced. Specifically, the overall height H of the housing 20 shown in Fig. 3 is 2.2 m or less. The overall height H of the housing 20 shown in Fig. 3 is the vertical distance from the installation surface F to the upper surface of the housing 20 (the ceiling of the roof portion 20a) when the casters 12 are in contact with the installation surface F.

[0090] Reducing the overall height of the grain lifting device 1 contributes to improving the convenience of the grain lifting device 1. For example, a grain lifting device 1 with a lower overall height than conventional devices can be installed in buildings with low ceilings, where installation was previously difficult.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a bulge may be provided on the right outer wall 24 or the left outer wall 25 of the housing 20 to increase the volume of the storage chamber 27. Furthermore, the first transport mechanism 50 and the second transport mechanism 60 may be driven by different drive sources. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1...grain lifting device, 2...storage bag, 3...platform scale, 4...frame, 5...electric motor, 6...receiving plate, 7a, 7b, 7c, 8, 9...window, 10...base, 11...metal frame, 12...caster, 13...fixed leg, 13a...screw shaft, 13b...grounding portion, 20...casing, 20a...roof portion, 21...hopper, 22...front outer wall, 23...rear outer wall, 24...right outer wall, 25...left outer wall, 26...cover panel, 27...storage chamber, 28...opening, 29...solenoid actuator, 30...vertical duct, 33...back, 34...right side, 35...left side, 40...horizontal duct, 41...discharge outlet, 4 2...upper surface plate, 43...lower surface plate, 44...right side surface plate, 45...left side surface plate, 46...shutter, 47...tip inclined portion, 50...first conveying mechanism, 51...first rotating body (lower drum), 52...first rotating body (upper drum), 52a...rotating shaft, 53...first conveying belt, 54...bucket, 60...second conveying mechanism, 61...second rotating body (base end drum), 61a...rotating shaft, 62...second rotating body (tip end drum) 63...second conveying belt, 64...plate, 71...driving pulley, 72...driven pulley, 73...power transmission belt, 74...idler pulley, 75...cover, 80...return path

Claims

1. A grain lifting device that discharges grains fed into a hopper from a discharge outlet provided at a position higher than the hopper, a first conveying mechanism that vertically conveys the grains fed into the hopper toward a first position higher than the hopper; a second conveying mechanism that conveys the kernels conveyed by the first conveying mechanism obliquely from a second position that is lower than the first position to a third position that is higher than the second position, A grain lifting device, wherein the discharge outlet is located at a position lower than the third position.

2. a housing extending in a vertical direction; a vertical duct provided inside the housing and extending in the same direction as the housing; a horizontal duct protruding from an upper portion of the housing in a direction intersecting the housing, the first transport mechanism is provided inside the vertical duct, the second transport mechanism is provided inside the horizontal duct, The grain lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge outlet is provided at an end of the horizontal duct.

3. a shutter that opens and closes the discharge port; a return path for returning the grains conveyed by the second conveying mechanism to the inside of the housing, The grain lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the return path is located inside the horizontal duct and below the second conveying mechanism, and has a downward slope toward the housing.

4. the first conveying mechanism includes a first conveying belt wound around a pair of first rotating bodies, and a plurality of buckets arranged at predetermined intervals on the first conveying belt; The grain lifting device described in claim 2, wherein the second conveying mechanism comprises a second conveying belt wound around a pair of second rotating bodies and a plurality of plates arranged at predetermined intervals on the second conveying belt.

5. a drive pulley attached to a rotation shaft of one of the first rotating bodies; a driven pulley attached to a rotary shaft of one of the second rotary bodies; a power transmission belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, The grain lifting device according to claim 4, wherein a rotational driving force is input to the rotation shaft of the other of the first rotating bodies.

6. A base is provided with casters that can run on an installation surface, The grain lifting device according to claim 2, wherein the height of the housing mounted on the base relative to the installation surface is 2.2 m or less.

Images