Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a technology that can reduce the size of a conveying device.SOLUTION: Conveying device for conveying an object includes a cassette having a holding portion for holding the object when conveying, a conveying lane for conveying the cassette holding the object at a first location in a conveying direction toward a second location, and a return lane for returning the cassette from which the object has been removed at the second location in the opposite conveying direction toward the first location, the return lane being positioned opposite the conveying lane on the back side of the conveying lane, and the cassette further having a foldable variable portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional conveying device is known in which an endless chain member is wound around two rollers spaced apart in the conveying direction of an object (Patent Document 1). In this conveying device, a conveying hook for hooking an object is attached to the outside of the endless chain member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-185913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, the shape of the transport hook is the same whether it is transporting the transport hook with the object hooked on it or returning the transport hook with the object removed. Therefore, there is room for improvement in miniaturizing the transport device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present disclosure can be realized in the following forms.

[0006] (1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a conveying device is provided. The conveying device for conveying an object includes a cassette having a holding portion that holds the object when the object is being conveyed, a conveying lane that conveys the cassette holding the object from a first location in a conveying direction toward a second location, and a return lane that returns the cassette from which the object has been removed at the second location in a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction toward the first location, the return lane being disposed opposite the conveying lane on the back side of the conveying lane, and the cassette further includes a foldable variable portion. According to this aspect, the conveying device can reduce the size of the cassette by folding the variable portion at least one of when conveying the cassette and when returning the cassette. (2) In the above aspect, the cassette may have a plurality of transport units arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the opposing direction in which the transport lane and the return lane oppose each other, a support part supporting the plurality of transport units, and a base part connected to the support part and attached to the transport lane and the return lane, and each of the plurality of transport units may have the variable part and the holding part. According to this aspect, the transport device can transport a plurality of objects held in one cassette. (3) The above embodiment further includes an operating unit disposed at the second location and used to fold the unfolded variable section, the operating unit including an operating-side shaft, an operating-side rotating section connected to one end of the operating-side shaft, the operating-side rotating section having a protrusion that protrudes parallel to the axis of the operating-side shaft on the opposite side of the operating-side shaft in the axial direction of the operating-side shaft, a pinion connected to the other end of the operating-side shaft, a rack that engages with the pinion, and a shift section that moves the rack along the rotation direction of the pinion, The set may further include an operated portion operated by the operating portion, the operated portion including a cassette-side shaft portion extending along the axial direction of the operating-side shaft portion and a cassette-side rotating portion connected to the cassette-side shaft portion so as to face the operating-side rotating portion along the axial direction, the cassette-side rotating portion having a fitting portion that fits with the protrusion and thereby rotates in response to rotation of the operating-side rotating portion, and the variable portion may include a joint portion attached to be rotatable about the axis of the cassette-side shaft portion in response to rotation of the cassette-side rotating portion. According to this aspect, the transport device can rotate the joint portion by rotating the cassette-side rotating portion through operation of the operating portion, thereby folding the variable portion. (4) In the above aspect, the cassette may further have a locking portion for maintaining the variable portion in either the folded state or the unfolded state, and the locking portion may have an anti-back that restricts movement of the variable portion and a biasing member that biases the anti-back. According to this aspect, the transport device can maintain the variable portion in either the folded state or the unfolded state using the locking portion. (5) In the above embodiment, the return lane is located above the transport lane in the direction of gravity, and the locking unit further includes a moving shaft connected to the anti-bag and configured to move along the biasing direction of the biasing member in response to the biasing force of the biasing member, thereby moving the anti-bag. The transport device may further include a guide unit disposed at the first location and used to unfold the folded variable section, the guide unit having a guide surface that moves the moving shaft in the direction opposite to the biasing direction when it comes into contact with a guided section connected to the moving shaft. According to this embodiment, the transport device can prevent the locking unit from interfering with the unfolding operation of the variable section during the process of unfolding the variable section. The transport device can unfold the variable section by its own weight, utilizing the difference in elevation between the transport lane and the return lane in the direction of gravity. The present disclosure can be realized in various forms other than the above-described conveying device, such as a method for conveying an object, a method for manufacturing a conveying device, a method for controlling a conveying device, a computer program for implementing the control method, a non-transitory recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a transport device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a transport device in the vicinity of a second location. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a transport device in the vicinity of a first location. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cassette according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 1 shows how to fold the variable section. [Figure 6] Figure 2 shows how to fold the variable section. [Figure 7] Figure 3 shows how to fold the variable section. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the difference between a locked state and an unlocked state. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a variable section in accordance with the rotation of a cassette-side rotating section. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the variable portion in accordance with the rotation of the cassette-side rotating portion. [Figure 11] Figure 1 shows how the variable section is deployed. [Figure 12] Figure 2 shows how the variable section is deployed. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cassette according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a holding portion in another embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a holding portion in another embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a transport device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A. Implementation: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the conveying device 1. The conveying device 1 conveys an object W. As shown in a side view, the object W is held in a cassette 20 in an unfolded state DP at a first location P1. The cassette 20 holding the object W is conveyed in a first conveying direction D1 from the first location P1 to a second location P2. The object W is removed from the cassette 20 at the second location P2. The cassette 20 from which the object W has been removed is folded at the second location P2. The cassette 20 in a folded state FD is returned in a second conveying direction D2 from the second location P2 to the first location P1. The returned cassette 20 is unfolded at the first location P1.

[0009] The conveying device 1 includes two rollers 11 and 12, an endless chain member 15, a driving device 17, a support 19, and a plurality of cassettes 20. The conveying device 1 is a circulating conveying device.

[0010] The rollers 11 and 12 rotate to move the endless chain member 15. The first roller 11 rotates around a first rotation axis A1. The second roller 12 rotates around a second rotation axis A2. The first rotation axis A1 and the second rotation axis A2 are parallel to each other. The first roller 11 and the second roller 12 are arranged spaced apart in the direction along the conveying directions D1 and D2 of the cassette 20. The first roller 11 is arranged at a first location P1. The second roller 12 is arranged at a second location P2.

[0011] The endless chain member 15 is wound around two rollers 11 and 12. The endless chain member 15 moves in accordance with the rotation of the rollers 11 and 12, thereby moving a plurality of cassettes 20. The endless chain member 15 is formed by connecting a conveying lane 151 and a return lane 152 by connecting lanes 155 and 156. The conveying lane 151 conveys the cassettes 20 in a first conveying direction D1. The return lane 152 returns the cassettes 20 in a second conveying direction D2 opposite to the first conveying direction D1. The return lane 152 is disposed opposite the conveying lane 151 on the back side of the conveying lane 151, and is positioned above the conveying lane 151 in the direction of gravity.

[0012] The driving device 17 rotates at least one of the two rollers 11 and 12. The driving device 17 is, for example, an actuator such as a motor.

[0013] The support pillars 19 support the components 11, 12, 15, 17, and 20 of the transport device 1. In this embodiment, the support pillars 19 are fixed to a floor surface F, which is a horizontal surface.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the transport device 1 around the second location P2. The transport device 1 further includes an operation unit 30 and a lock operation unit 40.

[0015] The operating unit 30 is used to fold the variable portion 23 of the cassette 20. The operating unit 30 has an operating-side shaft portion 310, an operating-side rotating portion 320, a pinion 330, a rack 340, a support base 345, a base 350, a rack shifting portion 360, and a base shifting portion 370.

[0016] The operation-side shaft 310 extends parallel to the rotation axes A1 and A2 of the rollers 11 and 12 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation-side rotating part 320 is connected to one end of the operation-side shaft 310 and rotates around the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft 310. The operation-side rotating part 320 has two protrusions 327 and 328. The protrusions 327 and 328 protrude parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft 310 toward the opposite side from the operation-side shaft 310 in the axial direction of the operation-side shaft 310. The first protrusion 327 fits into the first fitting portion 277 of the cassette 20. The second protrusion 328 fits into the second fitting portion 278 of the cassette 20.

[0017] The pinion 330 is connected to the other end of the operation-side shaft 310. The pinion 330 is a cylindrical gear that rotates around the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft 310. The rack 340 is a linear gear that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the operation-side shaft 310. The rack 340 is fixed to a support base 345. The support base 345 is disposed on a base 350. The support base 345 slides along a rail 351 provided on the base 350. The rail 351 extends along the first conveying direction D1. Stoppers 354, 355 are provided at both ends of the rail 351 to define the movement range of the support base 345. The movable auxiliary part 348 is fixed to the support base 345 and extends parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft 310. The rack shifting unit 360 moves the support base 345 along the rail 351, thereby moving the rack 340 in the rotational direction of the pinion 330. The rack shifting unit 360 has a rack shifting main body 361, a rack shifting end portion 363, and a rack movable portion 367. The rack shifting main body 361 is fixed on the base 350. The rack shifting end portion 363 is fixed to the movable auxiliary portion 348. The base end of the rack movable portion 367 is housed inside the rack shifting main body 361. The tip end of the rack movable portion 367 is connected to the rack shifting end portion 363. The rack movable portion 367 is movable parallel to the rail 351.

[0018] The base shifting portion 370 moves the base 350 parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft portion 310. The base shifting portion 370 has a base shifting main body portion 371, a base shifting end portion 373, and a base movable portion 377. The base shifting main body portion 371 is fixed to a support (not shown). The base shifting end portion 373 is fixed to the base 350. The base end of the base movable portion 377 is housed inside the base shifting main body portion 371. The tip of the base movable portion 377 is connected to the base shifting end portion 373. The base movable portion 377 is movable parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft portion 310.

[0019] When folding the variable part 23 in the unfolded state DP, the locking operation unit 40 temporarily releases the locked state L of the locking unit 28 of the cassette 20 to the unlocked state UL. After the folding operation of folding the variable part 23 is completed, the locking operation unit 40 returns the locking unit 28 to the locked state L. As will be described in detail later, the locking unit 28 is a locking mechanism for maintaining the variable part 23 in either the folded state FD or the unfolded state DP.

[0020] The lock operating unit 40 has a lock executing unit 410 and a lock shift unit 450. One end of the lock executing unit 410 is formed with an action unit 415 that contacts the guided portion 285 of the lock unit 28. The lock shift unit 450 changes the position of the action unit 415 by moving the lock executing unit 410. The lock shift unit 450 has a lock shift main unit 451, a lock shift end unit 453, and a lock movable unit 457. The lock shift main unit 451 is fixed to a support (not shown). The lock shift end unit 453 is fixed to the other end of the lock executing unit 410. The base end of the lock movable unit 457 is housed in the lock shift main unit 451. The tip end of the lock movable unit 457 is connected to the lock shift end unit 453. The lock movable unit 457 is movable parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft unit 310.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the conveying device 1 around the first location P1. The conveying device 1 further includes a guide unit 50. When unfolding the variable unit 23 in the folded state FD, the guide unit 50 temporarily releases the locking unit 28 from the locked state L to the unlocked state UL. After the unfolding operation of the variable unit 23 is completed, the guide unit 50 returns the locking unit 28 to the locked state L. The guide unit 50 includes a first guide member 510, a second guide member 520, and a third guide member 530. The first guide member 510 and the third guide member 530 extend along the second conveying direction D2. The second guide member 520 connects the first guide member 510 and the third guide member 530. The guide unit 50 includes a guide surface 500. The guide surface 500 comes into contact with the guided portion 285 during the unfolding of the variable unit 23 in the folded state FD.

[0022] 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cassette 20. The cassette 20 has three transport units 20A to 20C, a base portion 21, a support portion 22, an operated portion 27, and a lock portion .

[0023] The support portion 22 supports the three transport units 20A to 20C. The support portion 22 extends parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft portion 310. The base portion 21 is connected to the support portion 22 and attached to the endless chain member 15 shown in FIG.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2 , the operated portion 27 is operated by the operating portion 30. The operated portion 27 has a cassette-side shaft 271 and a cassette-side rotating portion 272. The cassette-side shaft 271 extends along the axial direction of the operating-side shaft 310. The cassette-side rotating portion 272 is connected to the cassette-side shaft 271 so as to face the operating-side rotating portion 320 along the axial direction of the operating-side shaft 310. The cassette-side rotating portion 272 has two receiving portions 274, 275 and two fitting portions 277, 278. The first receiving portion 274 is a hole that receives the insertion portion 282 of the locking portion 28 when the variable portion 23 is in the unfolded state DP and the locking portion 28 is in the locked state L. The second receiving portion 275 is a hole that receives the insertion portion 282 when the variable portion 23 is in the folded state FD and the locking portion 28 is in the locked state L. The first fitting portion 277 is a hole that fits with the first protrusion 327. The second fitting portion 278 is a hole that fits with the second protrusion 328. The cassette side rotating portion 272 has fitting portions 277, 278 that fit with the protrusions 327, 328, and thereby rotates in response to the rotation of the pinion 330.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the three transport units 20A to 20C are arranged along an arrangement direction D4. The arrangement direction D4 is a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport D1, D2 of the cassette 20 and the opposing direction D3 in which the transport lane 151 and the return lane 152 oppose each other. Of the three transport units 20A to 20C, the first transport unit 20A is arranged at a position closest to the cassette-side rotating part 272 in the arrangement direction D4. Of the three transport units 20A to 20C, the third transport unit 20C is arranged at a position farthest from the cassette-side rotating part 272 in the arrangement direction D4. The second transport unit 20B is arranged between the first transport unit 20A and the third transport unit 20C in the arrangement direction D4. Each of the three transport units 20A to 20C has a foldable variable part 23 and a holding part 25 as a transport hook that holds the object W when transporting the object W.

[0026] The variable section 23 has a connecting arm section 231 and two connecting joint sections 232 and 233. Furthermore, the variable section 23 has an axis gear 240, a variable arm section 241, an axis joint section 242, two variable joint sections 243 and 244, a first axis section 245, a first gear 246, a transmission section 247, a second axis section 248, and a second gear 249.

[0027] The connecting arm portion 231 extends along the opposing direction D3. One end of the connecting arm portion 231 is connected to the support portion 22. The other end of the connecting arm portion 231 is connected to the connecting joint portions 232, 233. The cassette-side shaft portion 271 is inserted through the connecting joint portions 232, 233 to rotatably support the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The first connecting joint portion 232 is disposed at a position closer to the cassette-side rotating portion 272 than the second connecting joint portion 233 in the axial direction of the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The second connecting joint portion 233 is disposed on the opposite side of the first connecting joint portion 232 in the axial direction of the cassette-side shaft portion 271, with the shaft gear 240 and the shaft joint portion 242 sandwiched therebetween.

[0028] The shaft gear 240 is fixed to the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The shaft gear 240 is a cylindrical gear that rotates about the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft portion 271 in response to rotation of the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The shaft gear 240 is disposed between the first connection joint portion 232 and the shaft joint portion 242 in the axial direction of the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The variable arm portion 241 extends along the opposing direction D3 when the variable portion 23 is in the unfolded state DP. One end of the variable arm portion 241 is connected to the shaft joint portion 242. The cassette-side shaft portion 271 is inserted through the shaft joint portion 242. The shaft joint portion 242 is attached so as to be rotatable about the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft portion 271 in response to rotation of the cassette-side rotating portion 272. The shaft joint portion 242 is connected to the shaft gear 240. The shaft joint 242 is disposed between the shaft gear 240 and the second connecting joint 233 in the axial direction of the cassette-side shaft 271. The other end of the variable arm 241 is connected to the variable joints 243, 244. The second shaft 248 is inserted through the variable joints 243, 244. The variable joints 243, 244 are attached so as to be rotatable about the axis C22 of the second shaft 248 in response to the rotation of the second gear 249.

[0029] The first shaft portion 245 extends parallel to the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The first gear 246 is connected to the first shaft portion 245. The first gear 246 is a cylindrical gear that rotates around the axis C21 of the first shaft portion 245. The transmission portion 247 is wound around the shaft gear 240 and the first shaft portion 245. The second shaft portion 248 extends parallel to the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft portion 271. The second gear 249 is connected to the second shaft portion 248. The second gear 249 is a cylindrical gear that rotates around the axis C22 of the second shaft portion 248 in response to the rotation of the first gear 246.

[0030] The holding portion 25 has a holding arm portion 251 , a holding joint portion 252 , two holding connection portions 253 and 254 , two sub-holding portions 256 and 257 , and a main holding portion 259 .

[0031] The holding arm 251 extends along the opposing direction D3. One end of the holding arm 251 is connected to the holding joint 252. The second shaft 248 is inserted through the holding joint 252, and the holding joint 252 is attached so as to be rotatable about the axis C22 of the second shaft 248. The other end of the holding arm 251 is connected to the holding connection parts 253 and 254. The holding connection parts 253 and 254 extend generally parallel to the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft 271. The sub-holding parts 256 and 257, for example, regulate displacement of the object W when the object W is transported. As a result, the sub-holding parts 256 and 257 prevent adjacent objects W from colliding with each other due to, for example, the object W swinging in the arrangement direction D4. The first sub-holding part 256 is connected to the first holding connection part 253. The second sub-holding portion 257 is connected to the second holding connection portion 254. As shown in FIG. 1, the main holding portion 259 holds the object W by being inserted into a first held portion WH1 of the object W. The first held portion WH1 is either a recess or a hole formed in the object W. As shown in FIG. 4, the main holding portion 259 protrudes obliquely from the other end side of the holding arm portion 251.

[0032] The lock portion 28 has an insertion portion 282 , a lock connection portion 284 , a guided portion 285 , a moving shaft portion 286 , an anti-back mechanism 29 , and a lock biasing member 287 .

[0033] The insertion portion 282 restricts the rotational movement of the cassette-side rotating portion 272 by being inserted into the receiving portions 274, 275. When the variable portion 23 is in the unfolded state DP and the locking portion 28 is in the locked state L, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the first receiving portion 274. When the variable portion 23 is in the folded state FD and in the locked state L, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the second receiving portion 275. When the locking portion 28 is in the unlocked state UL, the insertion portion 282 is not inserted into either of the receiving portions 274, 275 and is separated from the receiving portions 274, 275. The lock connecting portion 284 connects the insertion portion 282 and the guided portion 285. The guided portion 285 extends along the opposing direction D3. The anti-back 29 restricts the movement of the variable portion 23. An anti-bag 29 is provided for each of the transport units 20A to 20C. The anti-bag 29 has a restricting shaft portion 294, a restricting portion 295, and a restricting biasing member 297. The restricting portion 295 rotates around the restricting shaft portion 294 in response to the biasing force of the restricting biasing member 297. A lock biasing member 287 biases the anti-bag 29. The lock biasing member 287 is provided for each anti-bag 29. The anti-bag 29 is connected to a moving shaft portion 286. The moving shaft portion 286 moves along the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287 in response to the biasing force of the lock biasing member 287, thereby moving the anti-bag 29.

[0034] 5 to 7 are diagrams showing a method of folding the variable part 23. As shown in step S11 in Fig. 5, at the start of folding the variable part 23 in the unfolded state DP, the protrusions 327, 328 are spaced apart without engaging with the engaging portions 277, 278. The locking part 28 is in the locked state L. In the locked state L, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the first receiving portion 274, and the guided portion 285 is in the initial position I1.

[0035] In step S12 shown in FIG. 5, the cassette-side rotation part 272 is made operable by the operation part 30. Specifically, the base movable part 377 moves in a base approaching direction D9 in which the base 350 approaches the first transport unit 20A, which is parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft part 310. At this time, the base shift main body part 371 is fixed to a support (not shown). Therefore, as the base movable part 377 moves, the base shift end part 373 moves in the base approaching direction D9, and the base 350 connected to the base shift end part 373 moves in the base approaching direction D9. As a result, the operation-side rotation part 320 and the cassette-side rotation part 272 approach each other, and the first protrusion part 327 fits into the first fitting part 277, and the second protrusion part 328 fits into the second fitting part 278.

[0036] In step S13 shown in FIG. 6, the lock state L of the lock portion 28 is released. Specifically, the lock movable portion 457 moves in a counter-biasing direction D6 opposite to the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. At this time, the lock shift main body 451 is fixed to a support (not shown). Therefore, as the lock movable portion 457 moves, the lock shift end portion 453 moves in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, and the lock executing portion 410 connected to the lock shift end portion 453 moves in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. As the lock executing portion 410 moves in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, the acting portion 415 comes into contact with the guided portion 285. After the acting portion 415 comes into contact with the guided portion 285, the lock movable portion 457 further moves in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, thereby changing the position of the guided portion 285 from the initial position I1 to the non-insertion position I2.

[0037] 8 is a diagram showing the difference between the locked state L and the unlocked state UL. The insertion portion 282 is connected to the guided portion 285 via the lock connection portion 284. Therefore, when the guided portion 285 moves from the initial position I1 to the non-inserted position I2, the insertion portion 282 moves in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. As a result, the insertion portion 282 comes out of the first receiving portion 274, the locked state L is released, and the cassette-side rotation portion 272 becomes rotatable.

[0038] 6, the guided portion 285 is also connected to the moving shaft 286. Therefore, when the guided portion 285 moves from the initial position I1 to the non-inserted position I2, the moving shaft 286 moves in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. The anti-back 29 is also connected to the moving shaft 286. Therefore, when the moving shaft 286 moves in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, the anti-back 29 moves in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. At this time, the positions of the components 20A to 20C, 21, 22, and 27 of the cassette 20 other than the lock portion 28 do not change. Therefore, when the guided portion 285 moves from the initial position I1 to the non-inserted position I2 and the locked state L is released, the tip of the restricting portion 295 shifts in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287.

[0039] In step S14 shown in FIG. 6, the variable section 23 is folded. Specifically, the movable auxiliary section 348 slides in a sliding direction D10 from the first stopper 354 side to the second stopper 355 side, and the rack movable section 367 moves in the sliding direction D10 parallel to the rail 351. As the rack movable section 367 moves from the first stopper 354 side to the second stopper 355 side, the rack shift end section 363 pushes the movable auxiliary section 348 toward the second stopper 355 side. As a result, the support base 345 moves along the rail 351 from the first stopper 354 side to the second stopper 355 side, and the rack 340 fixed to the support base 345 moves from the first stopper 354 side to the second stopper 355 side. At this time, the teeth of the rack 340 and the teeth of the pinion 330 mesh with each other. Therefore, when the rack 340 moves from the first stopper 354 side to the second stopper 355 side, the pinion 330 rotates about the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft portion 310. The protrusions 327, 328 are fitted into the fitting portions 277, 278. Therefore, the rotational force of the pinion 330 is transmitted to the cassette-side rotating portion 272 via the operation-side shaft portion 310 connected to the pinion 330 and the operation-side rotating portion 320 connected to the operation-side shaft portion 310. When the cassette-side rotating portion 272 rotates in response to the rotation of the pinion 330, the cassette-side shaft portion 271 connected to the cassette-side rotating portion 272 rotates about the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft portion 271.

[0040] 9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the variable section 23 in accordance with the rotation of the cassette side rotating section 272. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation section 30 is not shown.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 9, the pivot joint 242 connected to the variable arm section 241 is connected to the pivot gear 240. This pivot gear 240 is fixed to the cassette-side shaft section 271 and rotates in response to the rotation of the cassette-side shaft section 271. Therefore, when the cassette-side shaft section 271 rotates by a predetermined angle from the start of the folding operation of the variable section 23 shown in Fig. 1 F91 of Fig. 9 and Fig. 1 F101 of Fig. 10, the following occurs. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2 F92 of Fig. 9 and Fig. 2 F102 of Fig. 10, the variable arm section 241 is folded from the pivot joint 242 as a starting point by an angle corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cassette-side shaft section 271.

[0042] Furthermore, a transmission part 247 that transmits the rotational force of the cassette-side shaft part 271 is wound around the shaft gear 240 and the first shaft part 245. Therefore, when the transmission part 247 moves in accordance with the rotation of the shaft gear 240, the first shaft part 245 rotates, and the first gear 246 connected to the first shaft part 245 rotates. The first gear 246 is engaged with a second gear 249 that rotates the holding joint part 252 connected to the holding arm part 251. Therefore, the rotational force of the cassette-side shaft part 271 is transmitted from the shaft gear 240 to the first gear 246 and from the first gear 246 to the second gear 249 by the transmission part 247. As a result, when the cassette-side shaft part 271 rotates by a predetermined angle from the start of the folding operation of the variable part 23 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the following occurs. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2 F102 of Fig. 10, the second gear 249 rotates in a direction D12 opposite to the rotation direction D11 of the cassette-side shaft 271. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2 F92 of Fig. 9 and Fig. 2 F102 of Fig. 10, the holding arm 251 is folded by an angle corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cassette-side shaft 271, starting from the holding joint 252.

[0043] As the cassette-side rotating portion 272 rotates further from the point shown in FIG. 9F2, the following occurs. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9F3, the holding arm portion 251 comes into contact with the tip of the restricting portion 295 of the anti-back 29 and presses the restricting portion 295 in a counter-biasing direction D8 opposite to the biasing direction D7 of the restricting and biasing member 297. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9F4, the restricting portion 295 rotates around the restricting shaft portion 294.

[0044] 9, the cassette-side rotating portion 272 rotates further from the point shown in FIG. 4 F94, resulting in the following situation: In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 F95 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 3 F103 of FIG. 10, the holding arm portion 251 is released from contact with the restricting portion 295, and the holding arm portion 251 is housed between the restricting portion 295 and the connecting arm portion 231. In this way, the variable portion 23 reaches the two-stage folded state FD at the end of the folding operation of the variable portion 23 shown in FIG. 9, F95 of FIG. 9 and FIG. 3 F103 of FIG. 10.

[0045] In step S15 shown in FIG. 7 , the lock unit 28 is returned from the unlocked state UL to the locked state L to maintain the variable section 23 in the folded state FD. Specifically, the lock movable portion 457 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. At this time, the lock shift main body 451 is fixed to a support (not shown). Therefore, as the lock movable portion 457 moves, the lock shift end portion 453 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287, and the lock executing portion 410 connected to the lock shift end portion 453 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. As the lock executing portion 410 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287, the acting portion 415 moves away from the guided portion 285. As a result, the pressure on the guided portion 285 is released, and the guided portion 285 moves from the non-inserted position I2 to the initial position I1. At this time, the insertion portion 282 is connected to the guided portion 285 via the lock connection portion 284. Therefore, when the guided portion 285 moves from the non-inserted position I2 to the initial position I1, the insertion portion 282 moves in the urging direction D5 of the lock urging member 287. Here, as shown in FIG. 5 F95 in FIG. 9 , at the end of the folding operation of the variable section 23, the cassette-side rotating portion 272 is in a state rotated by the operating unit 30. That is, at the end of the folding operation of the variable section 23 shown in FIG. 5 F95 in FIG. 9 , the second receiving portion 275 is located in the position where the first receiving portion 274 was located at the start of the folding operation of the variable section 23 shown in FIG. 1 F91 in FIG. Therefore, when the insertion portion 282 moves in the urging direction D5 of the lock urging member 287, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the second receiving portion 275. As a result, the rotational movement of the cassette side rotation portion 272 is restricted, and the lock portion 28 returns to the locked state L.

[0046] In step S16 shown in FIG. 7, the protrusions 327, 328 are removed from the fittings 277, 278 of the cassette-side rotation part 272. Specifically, the base movable part 377 moves in the base-away direction D15 in which the base 350 moves away from the first transport unit 20A, that is, in the base-away direction D15 parallel to the axis C30 of the operation-side shaft part 310. At this time, the base shift main body part 371 is fixed to a support (not shown). Therefore, as the base movable part 377 moves, the base shift end part 373 moves in the base-away direction D15, and the base 350 connected to the base shift end part 373 moves in the base-away direction D15. As a result, the operation-side rotation part 320 moves away from the cassette-side rotation part 272, the first protrusion 327 comes out of the first fitting part 277, and the second protrusion 328 comes out of the second fitting part 278.

[0047] 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a method for unfolding the variable portion 23. In step S21 of FIG. 11, the locked state L is released. Specifically, during the process of unfolding the variable portion 23 in the folded state FD, the guided portion 285 of the cassette 20 moving in the second conveying direction D2 comes into contact with the guide surface 500 of the first guide member 510 of the guide unit 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the guide unit 50 is positioned so that when the guide surface 500 of the first guide member 510 comes into contact with the guided portion 285, the guided portion 285 is positioned at the initial position I1. As shown in FIG. 11, when the guided portion 285 is in the initial position I1, the following occurs. In this case, the moving shaft 286 connected to the guided portion 285 and the anti-back movement 29 connected to the moving shaft 286 are biased in the biasing direction D5 without moving in the counter biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. As a result, the movement of the variable section 23 is restricted by the restricting portion 295 of the anti-back 29. Therefore, it is not possible to unfold the variable arm section 241 and the retaining arm section 251 by rotating the connecting joints 232, 233 and the retaining joint 252 shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, when the guided section 285 is in the initial position I1, as shown in FIG. 11, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the second receiving portion 275, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the cassette-side rotating section 272. Therefore, it is not possible to unfold the variable arm section 241 and the retaining arm section 251 by rotating the pivot joint 242 shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 , after the guided portion 285 contacts the guide surface 500 of the first guide member 510, the cassette 20 further moves in the second conveying direction D2, causing the guided portion 285 to contact the guide surface 500 of the second guide member 520. The guide unit 50 is positioned such that when the guide surface 500 of the second guide member 520 contacts the guided portion 285, the guided portion 285 is positioned at the non-inserted position I2. As the guided portion 285 moves from the initial position I1 to the non-inserted position I2, the inserting portion 282, which is connected to the guided portion 285 via the lock connecting portion 284, moves in the direction D6 opposite to the biasing force of the lock biasing member 287 and comes out of the second receiving portion 275. This releases the locked state L, allowing the cassette side rotating portion 272 to rotate. By making the cassette side rotating portion 272 rotatable, it is possible to rotate the shaft joint portion 242 shown in FIG. 4, thereby unfolding the connecting arm portion 231 and the variable arm portion 241.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 , after the guided portion 285 comes into contact with the guide surface 500 of the second guide member 520, the cassette 20 moves further in the second conveying direction D2, causing the guided portion 285 to come into contact with the guide surface 500 of the third guide member 530. The guide unit 50 is positioned so that the guided portion 285 is in the non-restricted position I3 when the guide surface 500 of the third guide member 530 comes into contact with the guided portion 285. As shown in FIG. 11 , as the guided portion 285 moves from the non-insertion position I2 to the non-restricted position I3, the following occurs. In this case, the movable shaft 286 connected to the guided portion 285 and the anti-back 29 connected to the movable shaft 286 move in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. In this way, the tip of the restricting portion 295 of the anti-back 29 is shifted in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, and the restricting portion 295 does not interfere with the variable portion 23. This makes it possible to rotate the connecting joints 232, 233 and the holding joint 252 shown in FIG. 4, thereby unfolding the variable arm portion 241 and the holding arm portion 251.

[0050] In step S22 of FIG. 12, the variable section 23 is unfolded. Specifically, as shown in the side view of FIG. 1, the return lane 152 is located above the conveyance lane 151 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, when the restricting portion 295 does not interfere with the variable section 23, the holding portion 25 moves downward in the direction of gravity due to its own weight, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 F123 of FIG. 12. At this time, the variable section 23 and the holding portion 25 are connected via the variable joints 243, 244 and the holding joint 252, which rotate in response to the rotation of the second gear 249. Therefore, when the holding portion 25 moves downward in the direction of gravity due to its own weight, the second gear 249 rotates in a direction D14 opposite to the rotation direction D12 in the folding operation of the variable section 23. This unfolds the variable arm section 241 and the holding arm section 251.

[0051] Furthermore, the rotation of the second gear 249 rotates the first gear 246 that engages with the second gear 249. A transmission part 247 that transmits the rotational force of the first shaft part 245 is wound around the shaft gear 240 and the first shaft part 245 that is connected to the first gear 246. Therefore, when the insertion part 282 comes out of the second receiving part 275 and the cassette side rotating part 272 becomes rotatable, the transmission part 247 moves in accordance with the rotation of the first shaft part 245, causing the shaft gear 240 to rotate. As a result, the cassette side shaft part 271 that fixes the shaft gear 240 rotates in the direction D13 opposite to the rotation direction D11 in the folding operation of the variable part 23, and the folding of the connecting arm part 231 and the variable arm part 241 is released.

[0052] In step S23 of FIG. 12 , in order to maintain the variable section 23 in the unfolded state DP, the lock section 28 is returned from the unlocked state UL to the locked state L. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 F124 of FIG. 12 , after the guided section 285 comes into contact with the guide surface 500 of the third guide member 530 of the guide section 50, the cassette 20 further moves in the second conveying direction D2, causing the guided section 285 to move away from the guide section 50. As a result, the guided section 285 moves from the non-restricted position I3 to the initial position I1. At this time, the insertion section 282 is connected to the guided section 285 via the lock connection section 284. Therefore, as the guided section 285 moves from the non-restricted position I3 to the initial position I1, the insertion section 282 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. Here, as shown in FIG. 3 F123 of FIG. 12, at the end of the unfolding operation of the variable section 23, the cassette-side rotating section 272 has returned to its pre-rotation state. That is, at the end of the unfolding operation of the variable section 23 shown in FIG. 3 F123 of FIG. 12, the first receiving section 274 is located in the position where the second receiving section 275 was located at the start of the unfolding operation of the variable section 23 shown in FIG. 12 F121. Therefore, as the insertion section 282 moves in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287, the insertion section 282 is inserted into the first receiving section 274. This restricts the rotation of the cassette-side rotating section 272, and the lock section 28 returns to the locked state L. Furthermore, as the guided portion 285 moves from the non-restricted position I3 to the initial position I1, the moving shaft portion 286 connected to the guided portion 285 and the anti-back 29 connected to the moving shaft portion 286 move in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. As a result, the movement of the variable portion 23 is again restricted by the restricting portion 295 of the anti-back 29.

[0053] According to the above embodiment, as shown in the side view of Fig. 1, the transport device 1 can be made smaller by folding the variable portion 23 of the cassette 20 when returning the cassette 20. This allows space to be saved.

[0054] According to the above embodiment, as shown in the side view of FIG. 1 , the return lane 152 is disposed on the rear side of the transport lane 151, facing the transport lane 151, and is located above the transport lane 151 in the direction of gravity. In this configuration, by folding the adjustable portion 23 of the cassette 20 when returning the cassette 20, the dimension of the transport device 1 in the height direction Z can be reduced compared to when the adjustable portion 23 is not folded. This allows the transport lane 151 to be positioned at a height that makes it easy for the worker H to hold the object W in the holder 25. Furthermore, as shown in the front view of FIG. 1 , the transport lane 151 and the return lane 152 are disposed opposite each other in the direction of gravity, and therefore the dimension of the transport device 1 in the width direction Y can be reduced compared to when the transport lane 151 and the return lane 152 are disposed opposite each other in the horizontal direction. This allows for both ease of operation for the worker H and space saving. Furthermore, since the dimensions of the conveying device 1 in the height direction Z and the width direction Y can be reduced, when the conveying device 1 is installed indoors, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the conveying device 1 interfering with other devices in the building or the conveying device 1 interfering with at least one of the walls and ceiling of the building. Therefore, layout restrictions when installing the conveying device 1 indoors can be reduced.

[0055] According to the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, in one cassette 20, three transport units 20A to 20C, each having an adjustable portion 23 and a holder 25, are arranged along an arrangement direction D4 that is perpendicular to the direction along the transport directions D1 and D2 and the opposing direction D3. In this configuration, as shown in the front view of Fig. 1, the transport device 1 can transport three objects W held in one cassette 20. Therefore, the dimension of the transport device 1 in the depth direction X can be made smaller than when one cassette 20 has one holder 25.

[0056] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the transport device 1 can rotate the operation-side rotation unit 320 by utilizing the rotation of the pinion 330 caused by the movement of the rack 340. The transport device 1 can rotate the cassette-side rotation unit 272 in response to the rotation of the operation-side rotation unit 320 by fitting the protrusions 327, 328 of the operation-side rotation unit 320 into the fittings 277, 278 of the cassette-side rotation unit 272. As shown in FIG. 4 , the variable unit 23 has joints 232, 233, 242 that rotate in response to the rotation of the cassette-side rotation unit 272 by inserting a cassette-side shaft 271 connected to the cassette-side rotation unit 272 through the joints 232, 233, 242 through which the cassette-side shaft 271 is inserted. The joints 232, 233, 242, through which the cassette-side shaft 271 is inserted, connect the connection arm unit 231 and the variable arm unit 241. In this configuration, as shown in Figure 6, the conveying device 1 can fold the variable section 23 by rotating the cassette side rotating section 272, thereby rotating the joint sections 232, 233, and 242 and changing the position of the connecting arm section 231 and the variable arm section 241.

[0057] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the variable section 23 has joints 243, 244, and 252 that connect the variable arm section 241, through which the cassette-side shaft section 271 is inserted, and the holding arm section 251, through which the second shaft section 248, which is different from the cassette-side shaft section 271, is inserted. Furthermore, the variable section 23 has a transmission section 247 that transmits a rotational force between the shaft gear 240 fixed to the cassette-side shaft section 271 and the first shaft section 245, and a first gear 246 and a second gear 249 that transmit the rotational force of the first shaft section 245 to the second shaft section 248. With this configuration, the transport device 1 can transmit the rotational force of the cassette-side shaft section 271 to the second shaft section 248, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. As a result, the transport device 1 can fold the variable section 23 by rotating the joint sections 243, 244, 252 through which the second shaft section 248 is inserted and changing the arrangement of the variable arm section 241 and the holding arm section 251.

[0058] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the anti-back 29 is connected to the guided portion 285 via the moving shaft portion 286 and is biased by the lock biasing member 287. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, before starting the folding operation of the variable portion 23, the conveying device 1 can do the following. In this case, the conveying device 1 can move the guided portion 285 in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287 by bringing the action portion 415 of the lock operating portion 40 into contact with the guided portion 285 and pressing the guided portion 285. This allows the conveying device 1 to move the anti-back 29 in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287 and release the restriction on the movement of the variable portion 23 by the anti-back 29. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the insertion portion 282 is connected to the guided portion 285 via the lock connection portion 284. As shown in FIG. 5, the insertion portion 282 is inserted into the first receiving portion 274 at the start of folding the variable portion 23. Therefore, by moving the guided portion 285 in the counter-biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, the transport device 1 can move the insertion portion 282 away from the first receiving portion 274 and release the restriction by the insertion portion 282 on the rotational movement of the cassette-side rotation portion 272. In this way, by setting the lock portion 28 to the unlocked state UL before starting the folding operation of the variable portion 23, the transport device 1 can prevent the lock portion 28 from interfering with the folding operation of the variable portion 23.

[0059] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , after the folding operation of the variable section 23 is completed, the transport device 1 can perform the following. In this case, the transport device 1 moves the acting portion 415 away from the guided section 285 to release the pressure on the guided section 285, thereby allowing the guided section 285 to move in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287 by the biasing force of the lock biasing member 287. As a result, the transport device 1 can restrict the rotational movement of the cassette-side rotating section 272 by moving the insertion section 282 in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287 and inserting it into the second receiving section 275. Furthermore, by moving the guided section 285 in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287, the transport device 1 can move the anti-back 29 connected to the moving shaft section 286 in the biasing direction D5 of the lock biasing member 287. As a result, the transport device 1 can restrict the movement of the variable section 23 by the anti-back 29. In this way, the conveying device 1 can maintain the variable section 23 in the folded state FD by setting the lock section 28 to the locked state L after the folding operation of the variable section 23 is completed.

[0060] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the guide unit 50 is disposed at the first location P1 where the unfolding operation of the variable portion 23 is performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 11 , during the process of unfolding the variable portion 23, the transport device 1 can bring the guided portion 285 into contact with the guide surface 500 of the guide unit 50 and move the moving shaft portion 286 in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287. This allows the transport device 1 to move the anti-back movement 29 in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287 and release the restriction on the movement of the variable portion 23 by the anti-back movement 29. Furthermore, by using the guide unit 50 to move the moving shaft portion 286 in the opposite biasing direction D6 of the lock biasing member 287, the transport device 1 can move the insertion portion 282 away from the second receiving portion 275 and release the restriction on the rotational operation of the cassette-side rotation portion 272 by the insertion portion 282. In this way, by setting the locking unit 28 to the unlocked state UL before starting the unfolding operation of the variable section 23, the conveying device 1 can prevent the locking unit 28 from interfering with the unfolding operation of the variable section 23. Here, in the conveying device 1, the return lane 152 is positioned above the conveying lane 151 in the direction of gravity. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 1 F121 to 3 F123 of Fig. 12, the conveying device 1 can unfold the variable section 23 by its own weight, utilizing the difference in height in the direction of gravity between the conveying lane 151 and the return lane 152.

[0061] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 12 , in FIG. 4 F124 , the guide portion 50 is disposed so that the guided portion 285 moves away from the guide portion 50 after the unfolding operation of the variable portion 23 is completed. Therefore, after the unfolding operation of the variable portion 23 is completed, the transport device 1 can move the moving shaft portion 286 in the unfolding direction D5 of the lock unfolding member 287 by the unfolding force of the lock unfolding member 287. As a result, the transport device 1 can restrict the rotational operation of the cassette-side rotating portion 272 by moving the insertion portion 282 in the unfolding direction D5 of the lock unfolding member 287 and inserting it into the first receiving portion 274. As a result, after the unfolding operation of the variable portion 23 is completed, the transport device 1 can maintain the variable portion 23 in the unfolded state DP by setting the lock portion 28 to the locked state L.

[0062] According to the above embodiment, the conveying device 1 is a circulation-type conveying device in which the conveying lane 151 and the return lane 152 face each other in the direction of gravity. In this configuration, the dimension of the conveying device 1 in the height direction Z can be made smaller than when the conveying device 1 is a gravity-type conveying device. Note that the conveying device 1 may also be a gravity-type conveying device. A gravity-type conveying device moves conveying members such as belts and chains that convey the cassettes 20 by using their own weight, without being driven by the drive device 17. The conveying lane 151 and the return lane 152 in the gravity-type conveying device each extend so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction. As a result, the gravity-type conveying device conveys the cassettes 20 by their own weight, utilizing the difference in height in the direction of gravity between both ends of each lane 151, 152.

[0063] B. Other Embodiments: (B1) As shown in the side view of Fig. 1, the transport device 1 may further include a safety cover 90. The safety cover 90 is disposed, for example, at the first location P1 where the variable portion 23 is deployed. In this configuration, the safety of the worker H can be improved when the worker H works around the transport device 1.

[0064] (B2) The adjustable section 23 may be configured to be folded in one stage, or in three or more stages, for example. As shown in FIG. 13 , the adjustable section 23a may not have the adjustable arm section 241, the pivot joint section 242, the variable joint sections 243 and 244, the pivot gear 240, the first shaft section 245, the first gear 246, the transmission section 247, the second shaft section 248, and the second gear 249, but may instead have the following: The adjustable section 23 may have a connecting arm section 231 and connecting joint sections 232 and 233. In this case, the cassette-side shaft section 271 is inserted through the holding joint section 252 of the holder 25. The holding joint section 252a is attached rotatably around the axis C20 of the cassette-side shaft section 271. The holding joint section 252 is disposed between the first connecting joint section 232 and the second connecting joint section 233 in the axial direction of the cassette-side shaft section 271. In this configuration, the holding joint 252 connected to the holding arm 251 can be rotated by rotating the cassette-side shaft 271. This allows the variable section 23a to be folded in one step by changing the position of the holding arm 251. Furthermore, the movement of the variable section 23a can be restricted without using the moving shaft 286 and the anti-back 29.

[0065] (B3) As shown in FIG. 14, the holder 25a may have only the holding arm 251, the holding joint 252, and the holding connection portions 253 and 254, without the auxiliary holders 256 and 257. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the main holders 259m and 259n may be members that protrude parallel to the holding arm 251 from the tip ends of the auxiliary holders 256 and 257. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 15, ... In this configuration, objects W of various shapes can be transported by using the holding units 25, 25a, 25b according to the shape of the object W to be transported.

[0066] (B4) As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of Fig. 16, when the transport lane 151 and the return lane 152 are arranged to face each other in the direction of gravity, the return lane 152 may be located lower than the transport lane 151 in the direction of gravity. In this case, the return lane 152 may be housed in an underfloor UF. In this configuration, the transport devices 1a and 1b can be partially housed in the underfloor UF. This further reduces space requirements.

[0067] (B5) As shown in Fig. 16, the conveying lane 151 and the return lane 152 may be arranged to face each other in the horizontal direction. In this configuration, the dimensions of the conveying devices 1c and 1d in the height direction Z can be made smaller than when the conveying lane 151 and the return lane 152 are arranged to face each other in the direction of gravity.

[0068] (B6) The cassette 20 only needs to have the variable portion 23 and the holding portion 25 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of Fig. 16, and does not necessarily need to have a plurality of transport units 20A to 20C as shown in Figs. 4, 2 and 4 of Fig. 16. In addition, the variable portion 23 may be folded by a method other than the method shown in Figs. 5 to 7. The variable portion 23 may be unfolded by a method other than the method shown in Figs. 11 and 12. The movement of the variable portion 23 may be restricted by a configuration other than the lock portion 28 shown in Fig. 4.

[0069] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention section can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1, 1a to 1d... conveying device, 11, 12... roller, 15... endless chain member, 17... driving device, 19... support, 20... cassette, 20A to 20C... conveying unit, 21... base portion, 22... support portion, 23, 23a... variable portion, 25, 25a, 25b... holding portion, 27... operated portion, 28... lock portion, 29... anti-back, 30... operating portion, 40... lock operation portion, 50... guide portion, 90... safety cover, 151... conveying lane, 152... return lane, 155, 156... connection lane, 2 31...connecting arm portion, 232, 233...connecting joint portion, 240...shaft gear, 241...variable arm portion, 242...shaft joint portion, 243, 244...variable joint portion, 245...first shaft portion, 246...first gear, 247...transmission portion, 248...second shaft portion, 249...second gear, 251...holding arm portion, 252, 252a...holding joint portion, 253, 254...holding connection portion, 256, 257...sub-holding portion, 259, 259m, 259n...main holding portion, 271...cassette side shaft portion, 272...cassette side rotating portion , 274, 275...receiving portion, 277, 278...fitting portion, 282...insertion portion, 284...lock connection portion, 285...guided portion, 286...moving shaft portion, 287...lock biasing member, 294...regulating shaft portion, 295...regulating portion, 297...regulating biasing member, 310...operating side shaft portion, 320...operating side rotating portion, 327, 328...protruding portion, 330...pinion, 340...rack, 345...support base, 348...movable auxiliary portion, 350...base, 351...rail, 354, 355...stopper, 360...rack Shift portion, 361... rack shift main body portion, 363... rack shift end portion, 367... rack movable portion, 370... base shift portion, 371... base shift main body portion, 373... base shift end portion, 377... base movable portion, 410... lock execution portion, 415... action portion, 450... lock shift portion, 451... lock shift main body portion, 453... lock shift end portion, 457... lock movable portion, 500... guide surface, 510... first guide member, 520... second guide member, 530... third guide member, A1,A2...rotation axis, C20...axis of cassette side shaft portion, C21...axis of first shaft portion, C22...axis of second shaft portion, C30...axis of operation side shaft portion, D1...first conveying direction, D2...second conveying direction, D3...opposing direction, D4...arrangement direction, D5...urging direction of lock urging member, D6...counter-urging direction of lock urging member, D7...urging direction of regulating urging member, D8...counter-urging direction of regulating urging member, D9...direction approaching base, D10...sliding direction, D11, D13...cassette Rotation direction of the mat side rotating part, D12, D14...Rotation direction of the second gear, D15...Base separation direction, DP...Unfolded state, F...Floor surface, FD...Folded state, H...Worker, I1...Initial position, I2...Non-inserted position, I3...Unrestricted position, L...Locked state, P1...First location, P2...Second location, UF...Underfloor, UL...Unlocked state, W...Object, WH1...First held part, WH2...Second held part, X...Depth direction, Y...Width direction, Z...Height direction

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying an object, a cassette having a holder for holding the object when the object is being transported; a conveying lane that conveys the cassette holding the object at a first location in a conveying direction toward a second location; a return lane that returns the cassette from which the object has been removed at the second location to the first location in a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction, The return lane is disposed on the back side of the transport lane and opposite to the transport lane, The cassette further includes a foldable variable portion.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1 , The cassette comprises: A plurality of transport units arranged along an arrangement direction perpendicular to a direction along the transport direction and an opposing direction in which the transport lane and the return lane oppose each other; a support portion that supports the plurality of transport units; a base portion connected to the support portion and attached to the transport lane and the return lane; A transport device, wherein each of the plurality of transport units has the variable portion and the holding portion.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: an operating part disposed at the second location and used to fold the unfolded variable part; The operation unit includes: an operating side shaft portion; an operating-side rotating part connected to one end of the operating-side shaft part, the operating-side rotating part having a protruding part protruding parallel to the axis of the operating-side shaft part on the opposite side to the operating-side shaft part in the axial direction of the operating-side shaft part; a pinion connected to the other end of the operation-side shaft portion; a rack that engages with the pinion; a shift unit that moves the rack along the rotation direction of the pinion, The cassette further comprises: an operated unit that is operated by the operating unit; The operated unit is a cassette-side shaft portion extending along the axial direction of the operation-side shaft portion; a cassette-side rotating portion connected to the cassette-side shank portion so as to face the operating-side rotating portion along the axial direction, the cassette-side rotating portion having a fitting portion that fits with the protrusion, and thereby rotating in response to rotation of the operating-side rotating portion; The variable portion is a conveying device having a joint portion attached so as to be rotatable about the axis of the cassette side shaft portion in response to rotation of the cassette side rotating portion;

4. The conveying device according to claim 1 , The cassette further comprises: a locking portion for maintaining the variable portion in either a folded state or an unfolded state; The locking portion is an anti-back that restricts the movement of the variable portion; and a biasing member that biases the anti-back.

5. 5. The conveying device according to claim 4, The return lane is located above the transport lane in the direction of gravity, The locking portion further includes a moving shaft portion connected to the anti-back and moving along the biasing direction of the biasing member in response to the biasing force of the biasing member to move the anti-back, the carrier device further includes a guide portion disposed at the first location and used to unfold the folded deformable portion; The guide portion has a guide surface that moves the moving shaft portion in a direction opposite to the biasing direction when the guide portion comes into contact with a guided portion connected to the moving shaft portion.

Images