Heavy object turnover device, and heavy object turnover method

Abstract

To provide a heavy object turnover device, and a heavy object turnover method capable of smoothly changing a direction of a heavy object and improving maintainability of the heavy object.SOLUTION: A heavy object turnover device 1 changes a direction of a pallet truck 100. The heavy object turnover device 1 comprises: a rotary frame 11 including a U-shaped part 18 formed in a U-shape in a side view and capable of taking out / in the pallet truck 100 through an opening 21 of the U-shaped part 18; and a support part 12 rotatably supporting the rotary frame 11 around a horizontal rotational axis line S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heavy object inverting device and a heavy object inverting method. [Background technology]

[0002] Sintering equipment is installed in steelworks that produce steel using blast furnaces. In the sintering equipment, powdered ore placed on multiple pallet carts that travel on caterpillar tracks (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is ignited in an ignition furnace and the powdered ore is baked. The pallet carts are heavy objects and are used in harsh environments. For maintenance of the pallet carts, they may be rotated 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a vertical position, or rotated 180 degrees to turn them upside down. Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose devices that turn heavy objects 90 degrees or 180 degrees. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-247088 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-3538 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-196658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sintering equipment's pallet carts have ventilation holes formed between the grate bars on which powdered ore is placed, and air and gas are sucked through these ventilation holes from above to below the pallet carts.

[0005] To ensure that air and gas are sucked through the vent holes, a sealing mechanism is installed between the pallet cart and the caterpillar tracks. If this sealing mechanism deteriorates or is damaged, air will leak from the damaged area below the pallet cart (causing air leakage), reducing the ability to suck gas and air through the vent holes and the ore. As a result, the sintering speed and efficiency decrease.

[0006] Managing pallet trucks is an important measure to reduce the above-mentioned air leakage. Inspection and repair of pallet trucks can be performed from the top or side of the truck. However, parts of the sealing mechanism, such as the seal bar, must be inspected and repaired from below (inside) the truck. Furthermore, in recent years, there have been incidents of wear on the bottom ends of pallet truck frames, making inspection and repair of the undersides of pallet trucks increasingly important. However, because multiple pallet trucks are arranged in a line on the endless tracks with almost no gaps between them, it is not possible to inspect or repair the undersides of the pallet trucks from the endless tracks.

[0007] Therefore, the pallet cart was removed from the caterpillar tracks, and the pallet cart was turned over using a crane and a wire, and the seal bar was inspected and repaired on the pallet cart in the turned over state.

[0008] However, until now, there has been no device capable of adequately turning over a pallet cart. For this reason, two hoisting devices, one for the main hoist and one for the auxiliary hoist, on a tow truck or overhead crane have been used to lift the pallet cart from the caterpillar tracks, turn it over, and lower it to the ground, thereby turning over the pallet cart.

[0009] When flipping a pallet cart around a horizontal axis of rotation, if it was turned over more than 90 degrees, it was necessary to reattach the wire that was attached to the pallet cart. Also, after the inspection and repair of the pallet cart was completed, the same procedure as when flipping the pallet cart was carried out again to return the pallet cart to its original orientation. In this way, even just glancing at the underside of the pallet cart required a lot of work.

[0010] Due to the above circumstances, if there were a heavy load inverting device that could smoothly invert the pallet carts, it would be possible to facilitate the daily management of the pallet carts and enable stable operation of the sintering facility.

[0011] In other words, if the pallet cart can be rotated more smoothly around the horizontal axis of rotation and the pallet cart can be maintained in a rotated and displaced state, the maintainability of the pallet cart can be improved. Note that in Cited Document 2, the pallet cart can only be rotated 90 degrees, and Cited Document 3 does not disclose the idea of ​​maintaining a heavy object while it is in an inverted state.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a heavy object inversion device and a heavy object inversion method that can change the orientation of heavy objects more smoothly and improve the maintainability of heavy objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention relates to the following heavy object inversion device and heavy object inversion method.

[0014] (1) A heavy object inversion device for changing the orientation of a heavy object, a rotating frame including a U-shaped portion formed in a U-shape in a side view, wherein the heavy object can be put in and taken out through an opening of the U-shaped portion; a support portion that supports the rotary frame so that the rotary frame is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis.

[0015] (2) The outer periphery of the rotary frame is provided with a rail formed along the rotation axis, The heavy object inverting device according to (1), wherein the support portion is provided with a roller that supports the rail and rolls against the rail as the rotating frame rotates.

[0016] (3) The U-shaped portion has a rear portion formed at a location farther from the opening, A heavy object inversion device as described in (1) or (2), in which the heavy object is positioned so that the combined center of gravity of the heavy object and the rotating frame is located at a point further toward the rear side from the rotation axis.

[0017] (4) The heavy object inverting device according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising a drive mechanism for rotating the rotary frame around the rotation axis.

[0018] (5) The heavy object inverting device according to (4), wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive source that generates a rotational force.

[0019] (6) The drive mechanism includes a drive gear driven by the drive source and a driven gear meshing with the drive gear and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary frame around the rotation axis, The heavy object inversion device described in (5) above, wherein the drive gear and the driven gear are configured so that the driven gear rotates when power is transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear, but the drive gear does not rotate when power is transmitted from the driven gear to the drive gear.

[0020] (7) The drive mechanism includes one or more fluid pressure cylinders, The heavy object inverting device according to (4), wherein the rotary frame is rotated by extension and contraction of one or more of the fluid pressure cylinders.

[0021] (8) A heavy object inversion device as described in any one of (1) to (7), which is provided with a retaining portion for preventing the heavy object inserted into the U-shaped portion from slipping out through the opening.

[0022] (9) The heavy object inverting device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the rotary frame is rotatable 180 degrees around the rotation axis so that the U-shaped portion is turned upside down.

[0023] (10) A heavy object inversion device described in any one of (1) to (9), comprising a rotation lock mechanism that locks the rotating frame to maintain the rotating frame in a state of rotational displacement around the rotation axis.

[0024] (11) A method for inverting a heavy object using the heavy object inverting device according to any one of (1) to (10), The U-shaped portion has a rear portion formed at a position farther from the opening, A method for inverting a heavy object, comprising: positioning the heavy object so that the combined center of gravity of the heavy object and the rotating frame is located at a point further toward the rear side than the rotation axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, the orientation of a heavy object can be changed more smoothly and the maintainability of the heavy object can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a front view of a pallet truck, which is an example of a heavy object that can be turned over by a heavy object turning device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1B is a side view of the pallet truck. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the heavy object inverting device and the pallet cart. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the heavy object inverting device and the pallet cart. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a side view showing the rotating frame and the pallet cart in a state where they are inverted by 90 degrees, and Fig. 4B is a side view showing the rotating frame and the pallet cart in a state where they are inverted by 180 degrees. [Figure 5] Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 1. Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 2. [Figure 6] Fig. 6A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 3. Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 4. [Figure 7]7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the rotation operation of the rotary frame in Modification 4. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the fifth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1A is a front view of a pallet truck 100, which is an example of a heavy object to be inverted by a heavy object inverting device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a side view of the pallet truck 100. FIG. 2 is a side view of the heavy object inverting device 1 and the pallet truck 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the heavy object inverting device 1 and the pallet truck 100. FIG. 4A is a side view showing a state in which the rotating frame 11 and the pallet truck 100 are inverted by 90 degrees. FIG. 4B is a side view showing a state in which the rotating frame 11 and the pallet truck 100 are inverted by 180 degrees.

[0029] (Outline of heavy load inversion device) As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3, the heavy object inverting device 1 is configured to rotate (invert) a pallet cart 100, which is an example of a heavy object, about a rotation axis S and maintain the rotated state of the pallet cart 100. Inverting the underside portion of the pallet cart 100 makes it easier for workers to see, making it easier to inspect and maintain the underside portion of the pallet cart 100. Note that in this embodiment, the pallet cart 100 will be described as an example of a heavy object, but heavy objects other than the pallet cart 100 may also be inverted by the heavy object inverting device 1, and the specific configuration of the heavy object is not limited.

[0030] (Configuration of pallet truck) A plurality of pallet carts 100 are placed in a row on endless track rails 101, 101. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one pallet cart 100, a plurality of pallet carts 100 are lined up on the rails 101, 101 with almost no gaps between them. The plurality of pallet carts 100 form a space for loading powdered ore, which is raw material L. The raw material L on the plurality of pallet carts 100 is sintered by ignition in an ignition furnace (not shown), and is transported as the pallet carts 100 move forward, becoming sintered ore. The pallet cart 100 is a heavy object that is elongated in the direction in which the rails 101, 101 face each other (width direction X1), and is, for example, a heavy object weighing 3 tons to 6 tons. The heavy object of the present invention is not limited to a specific weight, and an example of the heavy object is an object that is at least heavy enough that it is difficult for one person to lift.

[0031] The pallet truck 100 includes a truck body 105 that is elongated in the width direction X1, and wheels 106 that are connected to the truck body 105.

[0032] The bogie body 105 may include a girder frame 111, a plurality of grate bars 112 installed on the girder frame 111, side walls 113, 113 formed at both widthwise ends of the girder frame 111, bearings 114, 114 attached to the side walls 113, 113, and seal bars 115, 115 installed at the bottom of the side walls 113, 113.

[0033] The girder frame 111 is a skeletal portion disposed on the rails 101, 101 so as to straddle the rails 101, 101. The girder frame 111 is elongated in the width direction X1 of the pallet cart 100 and relatively short in the traveling direction of the rails 101, 101. The grate bars 112 are elongated rod-shaped members, and a plurality of them are arranged in the width direction X1. Ventilation holes through which gas passes are formed between adjacent grate bars 112. In FIG. 3, some of the grate bars 112 are removed to make the heavy object inverting device 1 easier to see. Raw material L is placed on the grate bars 112. The side walls 113, 113 receive the raw material L on the grate bars 112. Bearings 114 are attached to the side walls 113, 113, and the wheels 106 are supported by the bearings 114. In this embodiment, a total of four wheels 106 are installed: one pair at the front and rear and one pair at the left and right. Seal bars 115, 115 are attached to the lower part of the girder frame 111 near the side walls 113, 113. The seal bars 115, 115 come into contact with stationary members 118, 118 adjacent to the rails 101, 101, thereby sealing the space outside the pallet cart 100 around the rails 101, 101 and the space inside the pallet cart 100.

[0034] The seal bars 115, 115 are members that can only be seen from the underside of the pallet cart 100. Therefore, when the pallet cart 100 is lifted from the rails 101, 101 and transported to the heavy object inverting device 1, and is inverted upside down by the heavy object inverting device 1, the seal bars 115, 115 can be easily seen, facilitating inspection and maintenance.

[0035] (Configuration of heavy object inversion device) The heavy object inverting device 1 inverts the pallet cart 100 by changing the orientation of the pallet cart 100. In this case, "inverting" means rotating the pallet cart 100 around the rotation axis S. In this embodiment, the heavy object inverting device 1 can invert the pallet cart 100 by 90 degrees to place it in a vertical position, and can also invert the pallet cart 100 by 180 degrees to place it in an upside-down position.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heavy object inversion device 1 comprises a rotating frame 11, a support part 12 that supports the rotating frame 11 so that it can rotate around a horizontal rotation axis S, and a drive mechanism 13 that rotates the rotating frame 11 around the rotation axis S.

[0037] The rotating frame 11 supports the pallet cart 100 and is rotatable together with the pallet cart 100 about a horizontal predetermined rotation axis S. The rotating frame 11 includes one or more units 15 (three in this embodiment).

[0038] The unit 15 is configured to support a portion of the pallet cart 100 in the width direction X1 of the pallet cart 100. With this configuration, the area that the heavy object inverting device 1 covers on the pallet cart 100 can be reduced, making it easier to see the underside of the pallet cart 100 and the seal bars 115, 115. When the pallet cart 100 is placed on the rotating frame 11, the width direction X1 of the pallet cart 100 and the width direction X2 of the rotating frame 11 are the same direction. In this embodiment, the units 15 are arranged coaxially at approximately equal intervals in three locations spaced apart in the width direction X2 of the rotating frame 11.

[0039] Each unit 15 includes a U-shaped portion 18 formed in a U-shape in a side view, and an arc-shaped portion 19 arranged on the outer periphery of the U-shaped portion 18 .

[0040] The U-shaped portion 18 is a portion into which the pallet truck 100 is inserted. The U-shaped portion 18 is formed in a U-shape when viewed from the side (as viewed along the width direction X2 of the heavy object inverting device 1). The U-shaped portion 18 opens horizontally at the initial position P1, which is the position when the pallet truck 100 is not inserted. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration of the heavy object inverting device 1 when it is in the initial position P1 will be described below.

[0041] The U-shaped portion 18 has an opening 21, and a lower portion 22, a rear portion 23, and an upper portion 24 that define the inner space of the U-shape.

[0042] The opening 21 is a place where the pallet cart 100 passes through, and is configured so that the pallet cart 100 can be taken in and out of the rotary frame 11 through the opening 21.

[0043] The lower portion 22 is a flat surface facing upward in the initial position P1, and is a surface on which, for example, the underside 111a (FIG. 1) of the girder frame 111 of the pallet truck 100 is placed. The lower portion 22 may be horizontal in the initial position P1 or may be inclined at several degrees with respect to the ground. The shape of the lower portion 22 is not limited as long as it can support the pallet truck 100. The lower portion 22 may be configured so that a worker can access it from the side of the lower portion 22 opposite to the side on which the pallet truck 100 is placed (the upper side when the lower portion 22 is turned 180 degrees from the initial position P1) to facilitate repair of the underside 111a of the pallet truck 100 placed on the lower portion 22 and the seal bars 115, 115 near the underside 111a. Specifically, the lower portion 22 may be composed of multiple beams or may be formed in a lattice pattern, as long as it has perforations in the area in contact with the underside 111a. Since the rotating frame 11 can be turned 180 degrees from the initial position P1, maintenance of the pallet cart 100 can be performed with the rotating frame 11 turned upside down, improving the maintainability of the pallet cart 100. A rear portion 23 is formed at a point from the opening 21 toward the rear of the "U" shape.

[0044] The rear side portion 23 receives the pallet cart 100 so that it does not move any further toward the rear when the pallet cart 100 is inserted into the U-shaped portion 18. Furthermore, when the pallet cart 100 rotates and its own weight acts on it, the rear side portion 23 receives the weight of the pallet cart 100. The rear side portion 23 may be a flat surface, or may be a plurality of beam-like members or column-like members arranged at a distance in the X1 or width direction X2, or may be formed with a protrusion or the like that protrudes toward the pallet cart 100 side, and the specific configuration for receiving the pallet cart 100 is not limited.

[0045] The upper portion 24 is a flat surface facing downward in the initial position P1, and is the surface facing, for example, the great bar 112 of the pallet cart 100. The shape of the upper portion 24 is not limited to a specific shape as long as it can support the pallet cart 100. The upper portion 24 may be configured so that workers can easily reach it from the side opposite the great bar 112 (the upper side in the initial position P1) to facilitate repairs to the great bar 112 of the pallet cart 100 placed on the lower portion 22. Specifically, the upper portion 24 may be composed of multiple beams or may be formed in a lattice pattern, as long as a through-hole is formed at the location facing the great bar 112. If the upper portion 24 and the lower portion 22 are parallel to each other, the pallet cart 100 can be easily inserted and removed from the U-shaped portion 18. When the pallet cart 100 is placed on the lower part 22, it is preferable that a gap A of several millimeters to several tens of millimeters is provided between the upper part 24 and the pallet cart 100 (great bar 112). By providing such a gap A, the pallet cart 100 can be easily taken in and out of the U-shaped portion 18 when it is transported by the hoisting tool 120. When the rotation angle of the rotary frame 11 from the initial position P1 exceeds 90 degrees, the upper part 24 receives the great bar 112 of the pallet cart 100, thereby supporting the pallet cart 100.

[0046] In this embodiment, the U-shaped portion 18 is shaped to match the shape of the pallet cart 100, and at the initial position P1, the U-shaped portion 18 is formed in a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction and short in the up-down direction in a side view. By shaping the U-shaped portion 18 in this way, when the rotating frame 11 is turned over 90 degrees from the initial position P1, the vertically deep U-shaped portion 18 can support the pallet cart 100 in a stable position.

[0047] In a side view of the heavy object inverting device 1, an arc-shaped portion 19 is disposed so as to surround the U-shaped portion 18.

[0048] The arc-shaped portion 19 is formed in an arc shape in a side view, and is connected to the upper end 21a and lower end 21b of the opening 21 of the U-shaped portion 18 at the initial position P1. The arc-shaped portion 19 is formed in an arc shape with a portion where the opening 21 of the U-shaped portion 18 is open missing. The central axis of the arc-shaped portion 19 is the rotation axis S of the rotary frame 11. The rotation axis S is a horizontal axis that extends along the direction in which the units 15 are lined up.

[0049] In this embodiment, the pallet truck 100 is preferably arranged so that the combined center of gravity G1+G2 of the pallet truck 100 and the rotating frame 11 is located at a point toward the rear side 23 from the rotation axis S. More specifically, the center of gravity of the rotating frame 11 is located, for example, on the rotation axis S. Meanwhile, when the pallet truck 100 is placed on the lower part 22 of the U-shaped portion 18 at the initial position P1, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the pallet truck 100 is located toward the rear side 23 with respect to the rotation axis S. With this arrangement, the combined center of gravity G1+G2 is located at a point toward the rear side 23 with respect to the rotation axis S. Therefore, a moment M acts on the rotating frame 11 and the pallet truck 100 in a direction such that the opening 21 faces upward. This moment M acts until the combined center of gravity G1+G2 and the rotation axis S are aligned vertically, that is, until the rotation angle of the rotating frame 11 from the initial position P1 becomes 90 degrees.

[0050] As described above, in this embodiment, three units 15 are provided. These units 15 may be connected by a connecting member 25 so as to rotate integrally around the rotation axis S. The connecting member 25 is, for example, disposed between the units 15 and fixed to each unit 15. It is preferable that the connecting member 25 and each unit 15 have a shape as narrow as possible in the width direction X2, which reduces the area covering the pallet cart 100 and improves the maintainability of the pallet cart 100. Note that the location where the connecting member 25 is disposed is not limited to the above, and it is sufficient that the multiple units 15 are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate integrally around the rotation axis S. Furthermore, each unit 15 may be able to rotate about the rotation axis S independently of each other. In this case, by inserting the pallet cart 100 into the opening 21 of each unit 15, the pallet cart 100 functions as a connecting member, allowing the multiple units 15 to rotate integrally about the rotation axis S.

[0051] Of the three units 15, the units 15 at both ends of the rotary frame 11 in the width direction X2 are provided with rails 26 formed around the rotation axis S on the outer periphery of the arc-shaped portion 19. The rails 26 are supported by the support portions 12.

[0052] The support portion 12 includes a base 27 and a roller 28 supported by the base 27 .

[0053] The frame 27 is formed of, for example, a plurality of beams and pillars, and supports the weight of the rotating frame 11 via rollers 28. The frame 27 supports the rollers 28 rotatably around a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis S. The rollers 28 are arranged on the outer periphery of the unit 15 provided with the rails 26. At least two rollers 28 are arranged for each unit 15, and support the rails 26 of the unit 15. The rollers 28 roll and come into contact with the rails 26 as the rotating frame 11 rotates around the rotation axis S.

[0054] In this embodiment, the drive mechanism 13 applies a rotational drive force to the middle unit 15 in the width direction X2. By applying the rotational drive force from the drive mechanism 13 to the center or near the center of the rotating frame 11 in the width direction X2 in this way, the amount of torsional deformation of the rotating frame 11 can be reduced, allowing the rotating frame 11 to rotate more smoothly. The drive mechanism 13 in this embodiment is a gear-type drive mechanism and is a reduction gear mechanism. When the drive mechanism 13 is a reduction gear mechanism, it can transmit a large output to the rotating frame 11 that is sufficient to rotate the rotating frame 11, even if the motor is small.

[0055] The drive mechanism 13 includes a drive source 31 that generates a rotational force, and a gear mechanism 32 that is driven by the drive source 31 .

[0056] The drive source 31 may be an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, and the specific drive method is not limited. The drive source 31 is supported by the base 27 below the unit 15 disposed in the middle in the width direction X2.

[0057] The gear mechanism 32 transmits the rotational driving force from the drive source 31 to the rotary frame 11. Examples of the gear mechanism 32 include a spur gear mechanism, a parallel-axis gear mechanism such as a helical gear mechanism, and an intersecting-axis gear mechanism such as a bevel gear mechanism. The gear mechanism 32 includes a drive gear 34 fixed to an output shaft 33 of the drive source 31 and driven by the drive source 31, and a driven gear 35 that meshes with the drive gear 34 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary frame 11 about the rotation axis S.

[0058] The drive gear 34 is a small gear such as a pinion. The drive gear 34 is arranged parallel to the rotation axis S. The driven gear 35 is a large gear and has a larger number of teeth than the drive gear 34. The driven gear 35 is formed on the arc-shaped portion 19 of the unit 15 in the middle of the rotary frame 11 in the width direction X2. The driven gear 35 is formed over a range in which the rotary frame 11 can rotate around the rotation axis S, and in this embodiment, is formed over at least a range of 180 degrees around the rotation axis S.

[0059] The above is the general configuration of the heavy object inverting device 1. Next, an example of the operation of the heavy object inverting device 1 will be described.

[0060] (An example of the operation of the heavy load inversion device) When the pallet truck 100 is inverted, the pallet truck 100 is first lifted from the rails 101, 101 using a lifting device 120. The lifting device 120 is configured to lift, for example, the four wheels 106 of the pallet truck 100. The lifted pallet truck 100 is inserted into the U-shaped portion 18 of the rotating frame 11 through the opening 21 of the U-shaped portion 18. Before the pallet truck 100 is inserted, the U-shaped portion 18 preferably maintains an orientation in which the lower portion 22 is horizontal (an orientation in which the pallet truck 100 can be inserted into the U-shaped portion 18 by moving it horizontally). This orientation can be achieved by the drive mechanism 13 maintaining the orientation of the rotating frame 11 for a certain period of time. At this time, the pallet truck 100 is positioned on the rear side 23 of the U-shaped portion 18 so that the combined center of gravity G1+G2 is located on the rear side 23 side with respect to the rotation axis S. The pallet cart 100 is preferably inserted into the rear side of the U-shaped portion 18 until it hits the rear side portion 23 .

[0061] After the pallet cart 100 is placed on the lower portion 22 of the U-shaped portion 18, the lifting device 120 is removed from the wheels 106. Since the rotation axis S and the combined center of gravity G1+G2 are offset, the pallet cart 100 and the rotating frame 11 rotate 90 degrees around the rotation axis S from the initial position P1, as shown in FIG. 4A. At this time, the rotating frame 11 may be rotated by operating the drive mechanism 13. With the pallet cart 100 rotated 90 degrees in this manner, a worker can inspect the seal bars 115 and the underside of the girder frame 111. Furthermore, the pallet cart 100 and the rotating frame 11 may be rotated 180 degrees from the initial position P1 by hand or by operating the drive mechanism 13, as shown in FIG. 4B. This arrangement allows, for example, a worker to mount the pallet cart 100 and install or remove the seal bars 115. In addition, workers can ride on the pallet cart 100 to perform maintenance work such as repairing the buildup in the thinned portions of the underside of the girder frame 111.

[0062] When the maintenance work on the pallet cart 100 is completed, the rotating frame 11 is rotated manually or by the operation of the drive mechanism 13, and the pallet cart 100 is returned to the initial position P1 shown in Fig. 2. Thereafter, the pallet cart 100, with the hoisting device 120 attached to the wheels 106, is lifted by the hoisting device 120, removed from the rotating frame 11 through the opening 21, and returned onto the rails 101, 101.

[0063] (effect) As described above, according to this embodiment, with the pallet cart 100 placed on the U-shaped portion 18 of the rotating frame 11, the rotating frame 11 can be rotated by more than 90 degrees around the rotation axis S. This allows the orientation of the pallet cart 100, which is a heavy object, to be changed smoothly without the need for complicated reversing work using wires. Furthermore, when reversing the pallet cart 100, there is no need to rewire, and the pallet cart 100 can be reversed more safely.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rollers 28 allow the rotary frame 11 to rotate smoothly.

[0065] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the pallet cart 100 is positioned so that the combined center of gravity G1+G2 of the pallet cart 100 and the rotating frame 11 is located at a point further toward the rear side portion 23 from the rotation axis S. As a result, by placing the pallet cart 100 on the rotating frame 11, the pallet cart 100 can be turned 90 degrees under its own weight, and the 90-degree turned attitude can be stabilized.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the drive mechanism 13 is provided, and therefore, by operating the drive source 31 of the drive mechanism 13, the pallet cart 100 can be turned over without relying on human power.

[0067] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the heavy object inverting device 1 can rotate the pallet cart 100 by 180 degrees from the initial position P1, and can therefore invert the pallet cart 100 upside down. This makes it easier to perform maintenance work on the underside 111a of the pallet cart 100.

[0068] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications of the present invention are possible as long as they fall within the scope of the claims. Below, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and similar components to those of the embodiment will be designated by similar reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] (Variation 1) In the embodiment, the drive mechanism 13 is configured so that the drive gear 34 rotates (reversely rotates) due to the rotation of the driven gear 35 accompanying the rotation of the rotary frame 11. In contrast to this, in Modification 1 shown in Fig. 5A, the drive gear 34A and the driven gear 35A are configured so that the driven gear 35A rotates due to the power transmission from the drive gear 34A to the driven gear 35A, but the drive gear 34A does not rotate due to the power transmission from the driven gear 35A to the drive gear 34A.

[0070] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5A, which is a diagram for explaining the configuration of Modification 1, the gear mechanism 32A is a worm gear mechanism. The drive gear 34A is a worm fixed to the drive source 31, and the driven gear 35A is a worm wheel provided on the outer periphery of the arc-shaped portion 19. The rotation axis of the drive gear 34A is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the width direction X2. The gear mechanism 32A also functions as a rotation lock mechanism that locks the rotary frame 11 to maintain a state in which the rotary frame 11 is rotationally displaced about the rotation axis S.

[0071] In this way, the gear mechanism 32A has a self-locking function. Therefore, even when a moment M about the rotation axis S acts on the rotating frame 11 while the drive source 31 is stopped, the engagement between the driven gear 35A and the drive gear 34A restricts the rotation of the rotating frame 11. This restricts unintended rotation of the rotating frame 11 and the pallet cart 100 without providing a separate locking mechanism. For example, the gear mechanism 32A can lock the rotating frame 11 in an inclined position in which the rear portion 23 of the U-shaped portion 18 is positioned slightly below the opening 21. This prevents the rotating frame 11 and the pallet cart 100 from unintended tilting about the rotation axis S when the pallet cart 100 is inserted into or removed from the U-shaped portion 18 in this position. Furthermore, the gear mechanism 32A can lock the rotating frame 11 when the rotation angle of the rotating frame 11 is 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or any other angle. Therefore, the pallet cart 100 can be maintained in a stable position when the pallet cart 100 is inspected or repaired.

[0072] (Variation 2) In Modification 1, a worm gear mechanism is described as gear mechanism 32A, but this is not necessarily the case. As shown in Fig. 5B, which is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 2, gear mechanism 32B may be used. In addition to the configuration of gear mechanism 32 of the embodiment, gear mechanism 32B is provided with a lock mechanism 37B that restricts rotation of drive gear 34 and output shaft 33 of drive source 31.

[0073] The locking mechanism 37B locks the rotating frame 11 to maintain a constant position of the rotating frame 11 around the rotation axis S. The locking mechanism 37B includes a driving source 38B that is provided separately from the driving source 31 and supported by the frame 27, a worm 39B that is fixed to the output shaft of the driving source 38B, and a worm wheel 40B that meshes with the worm 39B and is fixed to the output shaft 33 of the driving source 31.

[0074] In this configuration, when the drive source 38B is driven and the worm 39B rotates, the worm wheel 40B and the drive gear 34 can rotate. Even in this configuration, by stopping the drive source 38B, the worm wheel 40B can be locked by the worm 39B, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating frame 11 and the pallet cart 100, thereby preventing unintended rotation of the rotating frame 11 and the pallet cart 100.

[0075] In Modifications 1 and 2, a worm gear mechanism is used as the locking mechanism. However, this does not have to be the case, and other mechanisms with self-locking functionality, such as a trapezoidal screw, may be used as the locking mechanism. In Modifications 1 and 2 as well, it is preferable that the U-shaped portion 18 before the pallet cart 100 is inserted maintain a position in which the lower portion 22 is horizontal (a position in which the pallet cart 100 can be moved horizontally and inserted into the U-shaped portion 18). Maintaining such a position can be achieved by a locking mechanism.

[0076] (Variation 3) In Modifications 1 and 2, the rotation of the rotary frame 11 is locked using a worm gear mechanism. However, this is not necessarily the case. As shown in Fig. 6A, which is a diagram illustrating the configuration of Modification 3, a rotation lock mechanism 41 for maintaining the state in which the rotary frame 11 is rotationally displaced around the rotation axis S may be provided separately from the drive mechanism 13.

[0077] The rotation lock mechanism 41 may be, for example, a brake mechanism that includes a brake pad that frictionally contacts the arc-shaped portion 19 of the rotary frame 11 and restricts the rotation of the unit 15. Alternatively, the rotation lock mechanism 41 may include a gear that meshes with the driven gear 35 and a ratchet mechanism connected to this gear, and may allow the rotation angle of the rotary frame 11 to increase from the initial position P1 while exhibiting a locking function when the rotation angle decreases. When a ratchet mechanism is used, the rotary frame 11 can be returned to the initial position P1 by releasing the lock provided by the ratchet mechanism. In addition, various configurations that restrict the rotation of a rotating body may be used as the rotation lock mechanism 41.

[0078] In this way, by using the rotation lock mechanism 41, the posture of the rotary frame 11 and the pallet cart 100 can be stabilized when inspecting or maintaining the rotary frame 11.

[0079] (Variation 4) In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, a configuration in which the drive source 31 generates a rotational force has been described as an example. However, this is not necessarily the case. As shown in FIG. 6B , which is a diagram illustrating the configuration of modified example 4, a drive mechanism 13D including a plurality of fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43 may be used as the drive source instead of the drive source 31. The fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43 are hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, or the like. The fluid pressure cylinder 42 includes a cylinder 42a and a piston 42b. The fluid pressure cylinder 43 includes a cylinder 43a and a piston 43b. The pistons 42b, 43b move linearly relative to the cylinders 42a, 43a, thereby performing extension and retraction operations of the fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43. The fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43 are arranged outside the area in which the pallet truck 100 is arranged in the width direction X2 of the heavy object tipping device 1, so as not to interfere with the pallet truck 100. The fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43 may be arranged on only one side of the rotary frame 11 in the width direction X2, or may be arranged on both sides of the rotary frame 11, respectively.

[0080] The fluid pressure cylinder 42 is disposed below the rotary frame 11 at the initial position P1. The cylinder 42a of the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is supported by the base 27 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis S, and the piston 42b is supported by the arc-shaped portion 19 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis S near the opening 21. The positions of the cylinder 42a and the piston 42b may be interchanged.

[0081] The fluid pressure cylinder 43 is disposed above the rotary frame 11 at the initial position P1. The cylinder 43a of the fluid pressure cylinder 43 is supported by the base 27 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis S, and the piston 43b is supported by the arc-shaped portion 19 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the rotation axis S near the opening 21. The positions of the cylinder 43a and the piston 43b may be interchanged.

[0082] With the above configuration, when the rotating frame 11 and the pallet cart 100 are rotated 90 degrees from the initial position P1, the fluid pressure cylinder 42 is operated to extend and the fluid pressure cylinder 43 is operated to retract, as shown in Fig. 7A. This makes it possible to set the rotation angle of the rotating frame 11 to 90 degrees. When the rotating frame 11 is rotated another 90 degrees from the 90-degree angle position shown in Fig. 7A to set the rotation angle to 180 degrees as shown in Fig. 7B, the fluid pressure cylinder 43 is operated to extend when the rotating frame 11 is at the 90-degree angle position. To return the rotating frame 11 to the initial position P1, the fluid pressure cylinders 42 and 43 are operated in the opposite manner to the above.

[0083] If it is sufficient to rotate the rotary frame 11 from the initial position P1 up to a rotation angle of 90 degrees, either of the fluid pressure cylinders 42 and 43 may be omitted.

[0084] According to this modification, the rotary frame 11 can be rotated by the extension and contraction of one or more (two) fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43. In this way, by using the fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43, the operation of the fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43 can also be stopped to lock the rotary frame 11.

[0085] In the fourth modification, as a locking mechanism for restricting unintended operation of the fluid pressure cylinders 42, 43, other mechanisms having a self-locking function, such as a trapezoidal screw, may be provided.

[0086] (Variation 5) In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the rotary frame 11 may be provided with a retaining portion 45, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of modified example 5. The retaining portion 45 prevents the pallet cart 100 inserted into the U-shaped portion 18 from slipping out of the opening 21.

[0087] The retaining portion 45 is provided near the opening 21, and may have, for example, a lever 47 attached to the side surface of the arc-shaped portion 19 via a pin 46. The lever 47 rotates around the pin 46, and is displaced between a position where it protrudes into the opening 21 and a position where it is removed from the opening 21. When the lever 47 protrudes into the opening 21, it is fixed by a fixing member such as a pin 48 that is inserted into the lever 47 and the U-shaped portion 18, thereby preventing the pallet cart 100 from coming out.

[0088] In this way, by providing the retaining portion 45, it is possible to prevent the pallet cart 100 from unintentionally falling off the U-shaped portion 18.

[0089] The retaining portion 45 is not limited to the above configuration, and may have a configuration in which, for example, a lever that is movable toward and away from the opening 21 is pressed toward the opening 21 by a spring or the like. In this case, when the pallet truck 100 enters the U-shaped portion 18, the pallet truck 100 pushes up the lever against the elastic repulsive force of the spring, allowing the pallet truck 100 to enter the U-shaped portion 18. On the other hand, if the pallet truck 100 is unintentionally displaced toward the opening 21, the lever gets caught on the pallet truck 100, preventing the pallet truck 100 from coming out of the U-shaped portion 18. When the pallet truck 100 is to be withdrawn from the U-shaped portion 18, the lever is pushed up manually or the like to retract the lever, thereby allowing the pallet truck 100 to be withdrawn from the U-shaped portion 18.

[0090] As described above, various embodiments and modifications have been described, but the present invention is not limited to any other configuration as long as it includes the rotary frame 11 and the support portion 12. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] The present invention can be applied as a heavy object inverting device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Heavy object inversion device 11 Rotating Frame 12 Support part 13 Drive mechanism 18 U-shaped part 21 Opening 23 Back side 26 Rail 28 Laura 31 Power Source 34 Drive gear 35 Driven gear 37 Rotation lock mechanism 42,43 Fluid pressure cylinder 45 Retaining part 100 Pallet cart (heavy load) G1+G2 composite center of gravity S rotation axis

Claims

1. A heavy object inverting device for changing the orientation of a heavy object, a rotating frame including a U-shaped portion formed in a U-shape in a side view, wherein the heavy object can be put in and taken out through an opening of the U-shaped portion; a support portion that supports the rotary frame so that the rotary frame is rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis.

2. an outer periphery of the rotary frame is provided with a rail formed along the rotation axis, The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1 , wherein the support portion includes a roller that supports the rail and rolls against the rail as the rotary frame rotates.

3. The U-shaped portion has a rear portion formed at a position farther from the opening, 2. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1, wherein the heavy object is disposed so that a combined center of gravity of the heavy object and the rotating frame is located at a position further toward the rear side than the rotation axis.

4. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism that rotates the rotary frame about the rotation axis.

5. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 4 , wherein the drive mechanism includes a drive source that generates a rotational force.

6. the drive mechanism includes a drive gear driven by the drive source, and a driven gear that meshes with the drive gear and rotates in conjunction with rotation of the rotary frame about the rotation axis, 6. The heavy object inversion device according to claim 5, wherein the drive gear and the driven gear are configured so that the driven gear rotates when power is transmitted from the drive gear to the driven gear, but the drive gear does not rotate when power is transmitted from the driven gear to the drive gear.

7. the drive mechanism includes one or more fluid pressure cylinders; The heavy object inverting device according to claim 4, wherein the rotary frame is rotated by extension and contraction of one or more of the fluid pressure cylinders.

8. 2. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining portion for preventing the heavy object inserted into the U-shaped portion from slipping out of the opening.

9. 2. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1, wherein the rotary frame is rotatable 180 degrees about the rotation axis so that the U-shaped portion is turned upside down.

10. 2. The heavy object inverting device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotation lock mechanism that locks the rotary frame so as to maintain the rotary frame in a state where it is rotationally displaced about the rotation axis.

11. A method for inverting a heavy object using the heavy object inverting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The U-shaped portion has a rear portion formed at a position farther from the opening, A method for inverting a heavy object, comprising: positioning the heavy object so that the combined center of gravity of the heavy object and the rotating frame is located at a point further toward the rear side than the rotation axis.

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