Transport stand

Abstract

This technology provides a mechanism to open and close the stopper on the transport platform in accordance with the vertical movement of the transport vehicle's lifting mechanism. [Solution] The transport stand comprises a free-roller type conveyor on which transported objects can be placed, a movable plate pivotally supported by a rotating shaft, and a movable stopper having an opening / closing lever connected to the movable plate that rotates the movable plate. The movable stopper is configured such that when the transport stand is being transported by a transport vehicle with the elevator raised, the movable plate is in a closed position that restricts the movement of transported objects on the free-roller type conveyor. When the elevator is lowered and a fixed stand fixed to the floor surface pushes up the opening / closing lever, the movable plate rotates and changes from the closed position to an open position that allows the movement of transported objects on the free-roller type conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a carrier stand.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic transfer device that unloads a container on an automated guided vehicle onto a shooter. This automatic transfer device includes a sliding lock means for restricting the sliding of the container on the automated guided vehicle in the traveling direction, an extrusion member for extruding the container on the automated guided vehicle in the traveling direction, and a link mechanism that releases the sliding lock means and extrudes the container by the extrusion member when the automated guided vehicle contacts the shooter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When transporting a carrier stand with a transport vehicle such as an automated guided vehicle, it is preferable to provide a stopper on the carrier stand that opens and closes according to the vertical movement of the elevator of the transport vehicle. However, the above prior art cannot be applied to a stopper that opens and closes according to the vertical movement of the elevator. Therefore, a technology that can open and close the stopper of the carrier stand according to the vertical movement of the elevator of the transport vehicle is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

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

[0006] (1) According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a transport stand is provided which is transported by a transport vehicle equipped with a lifting mechanism. The transport stand comprises a free-roller type conveyor on which an object to be transported can be placed, a movable plate pivotally supported by a rotating shaft, and a movable stopper having an opening / closing lever connected to the movable plate and rotating the movable plate. The movable stopper is configured such that, in a transport state in which the transport stand is transported by the transport vehicle with the lifting mechanism raised, the movable plate is in a closed position that restricts the movement of the object to be transported on the free-roller type conveyor, and when the lifting mechanism is lowered and a fixed stand fixed to the floor surface pushes up the opening / closing lever, the movable plate rotates and changes from the closed position to an open position that allows the movement of the object to be transported on the free-roller type conveyor. This transport platform allows the movable plate to be changed between open and closed positions in accordance with the vertical movement of the transport vehicle's lift, using a simple movable stopper. (2) The conveying frame may further include a base to which the free-roller type conveyor is fixed, and the movable stopper may be installed at one end of the base in the direction of rolling of the free-roller type conveyor, and the fixed stopper may be installed at the other end. This conveying frame allows for the control of the movement of conveyed objects on a free-roller conveyor using movable and fixed stoppers. (3) The transport stand may further include a plurality of legs provided below the base, and the movable plate may be maintained in the open position when the plurality of legs are in contact with the floor surface. This transport stand allows for the movement of transported objects on a free-roller type conveyor while the legs of the transport stand are in contact with the floor. (4) In the above transport stand, the movable stopper may have a fixing part fixed to one end of the base part and supporting the movable plate so that it can rotate via the rotation shaft, and a biasing part provided between one of the plurality of legs and the opening / closing lever, which biases the opening / closing lever so that the movable plate is maintained in the closed position when transported. This transport frame allows for the construction of a movable plate with a simple structure. (5) In the above transport stand, a rotor is provided at the upper end of the fixed stand, and the movable stopper is configured such that the contact position where the rotor contacts the opening / closing lever when the elevator is lowered moves from the starting point to the ending point while the rotor rotates as the elevator is lowered. This transport stand reduces friction between the fixed stand and the opening / closing lever. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the transport frame and fixed stand in the embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the transportable object loaded onto the transport platform. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram showing the transport process where a transport platform is being transported by a transport vehicle. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the self-supporting state of the transport vehicle, where the lift has been lowered and the transport platform is in contact with the floor. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the transport platform 100 and fixed stand 200 in the embodiment, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the transport object 300 mounted on the transport platform 100. In each figure, the X and Y directions are parallel to the floor, and the Z direction is perpendicular to the floor.

[0009] The transport platform 100 includes a base 110, a free-roller type conveyor 120, a movable stopper 130, a fixed stopper 140, a guide plate 150, and legs 160. In the example shown in Figure 1, the base 110 has a flat plate structure, but the base 110 may be made lighter by constructing the base 110 with a frame.

[0010] The free-roller conveyor 120 is composed of multiple free rollers 122 and is configured to movably support the conveyed object 300. The conveyed object 300 has a box body 310 and multiple slider sections 320 provided on the lower surface of the box body 310. In this embodiment, the slider sections 320 have a substantially rectangular cross-section and a straight rod shape extending in the X direction. When the conveyed object 300 is placed on the conveying frame 100, each slider section 320 rests on the free-roller conveyor 120. In the example in Figure 2, the conveyed object 300 has only four slider sections 320, and the slider sections 320 are positioned on four of the six free-roller conveyors 120 provided on the conveying frame 100. The other two free-roller conveyors 120 are used when conveying objects of a different size than the conveyed object 300 in Figure 2.

[0011] The conveyed object 300 is movable along the rolling direction Dm of the free roller 122. The rolling direction Dm is parallel to the X direction. The X direction is also called the "front-back direction," and the Y direction is also called the "left-right direction." In this embodiment, six free roller type conveyors 120 are installed on the base portion 110. The number of free roller type conveyors 120 can be set to any number, but it is preferable to install two or more parallel to each other.

[0012] The movable stopper 130 is configured to be able to take on a closed state that restricts the movement of the conveyed object 300 on the free-roller conveyor 120, and an open state that allows the movement of the conveyed object 300 on the free-roller conveyor 120. The configuration of the movable stopper 130 will be described later. The movable stopper 130 is installed at the front end of the base portion 110. The front end of the base portion 110 corresponds to one end of the base portion 110 in the rolling direction Dm of the free-roller conveyor 120. In this embodiment, two movable stoppers 130 are provided on the conveying frame 100, but the number of movable stoppers 130 can be set to any number of one or more. However, providing two or more movable stoppers 130 has the advantage that even if some of the movable stoppers 130 fail, the function of restricting the movement of the conveyed object 300 is not lost.

[0013] In this embodiment, the two movable stoppers 130 are configured with shapes that are mirror images of each other. This allows for the common use of parts for the two movable stoppers 130, thereby reducing costs.

[0014] The fixed stopper 140 is installed at the rear end of the base portion 110 and is fixed in place to constantly restrict the movement of the conveyed object 300. That is, the fixed stopper 140 restricts the movement of the conveyed object 300 in the direction opposite to the rolling direction Dm of the free roller conveyor 120. In this embodiment, the fixed stoppers 140 are installed at positions corresponding to the rear ends of the four free roller conveyors 120 installed in the center of the base portion 110. However, the number of fixed stoppers 140 is arbitrary. Also, the fixed stoppers 140 may be omitted.

[0015] The guide plate 150 has the function of guiding the slider portion 320 of the conveyed object 300 as it moves on the free-roller conveyor 120. This makes it possible to guide the conveyed object 300 so that it moves correctly along the rolling direction Dm of the free-roller conveyor 120. However, the guide plate 150 may be omitted.

[0016] The plurality of legs 160 are used for the transport stand 100 to stand on its own when the transport stand 100 is not transported by a transport vehicle.

[0017] Among the floor surfaces, a fixed stand 200 is installed in advance at a location where the transport stand 100 is planned to stand on its own. As will be described in detail below, the fixed stand 200 is used to contact the movable stopper 130 and change the movable stopper 130 from the closed state to the open state. In the present embodiment, two fixed stands 200 are installed corresponding to the two movable stoppers 130 of the transport stand 100.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a transport state in which the transport stand 100 is transported by the transport vehicle 400 in a state where the elevator 410 has ascended, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a self-standing state in which the elevator 410 of the transport vehicle 400 has descended and the transport stand 100 has grounded on the floor surface FL. The transport state in FIG. 3 corresponds to a state in which the transport stand 100 has been transported directly above the fixed stand 200 installed on the floor surface FL.

[0019] As the transport vehicle 400, it is preferable to use an automatic transport vehicle such as an AGV (Automated Guides Vehicle, unmanned transport vehicle) or an AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot, autonomous traveling transport robot).

[0020] The movable stopper 130 includes a movable plate 131 pivotally supported by a rotation axis Rx, an opening and closing lever 132 connected to the movable plate 131 to rotate the movable plate 131, a fixed plate 133 and a fixed block 134 for fixing the movable plate 131 to the pedestal portion 110, and a biasing portion 135 for biasing the opening and closing lever 132. [[ID=A]] [[ID=B]]

[0021] [[ID=1C]] The movable plate 131 is attached to the fixed plate 133 in a state where it is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Rx. The fixed plate 133 is fixed to the base portion 110 by a fixed block 134. The fixed plate 133 and the fixed block 134 correspond to the "fixing part" that fixes the movable plate 131 to the base portion 110.

[0022] The movable plate 131 includes a movement-blocking part 131b that prevents the movement of the conveyed object 300, a connecting part 131c connected to the opening / closing lever 132, and a positioning part 131p that determines the rotation angle of the movable plate 131 in the closed position.

[0023] In the transport state shown in Figure 3, the movement-blocking section 131b, the connecting section 131c, and the positioning section 131p each extend in three different directions when viewed from the rotation axis Rx. Specifically, the movement-blocking section 131b extends approximately horizontally from the rotation axis Rx, and the positioning section 131p extends approximately horizontally on the opposite side of the rotation axis Rx from the movement-blocking section 131b. Furthermore, the vertical width of the positioning section 131p is set to be smaller than the vertical width of the movement-blocking section 131b. The connecting section 131c extends downward from the rotation axis Rx.

[0024] In the transport state shown in Figure 3, the movable plate 131 is in a closed position that restricts the movement of the transported object 300 on the free-roller type conveyor 120. That is, the movement-blocking portion 131b of the movable plate 131 prevents the transported object 300 from moving when it attempts to move in the rolling direction Dm (Figure 2) on the free-roller type conveyor 120. Specifically, the movement-blocking portion 131b is located in front of the free-roller type conveyor 120, and the upper end of the movement-blocking portion 131b is higher than the upper surface of the free-roller type conveyor 120. Therefore, when the transported object 300 attempts to move in the rolling direction Dm (Figure 2), the transported object 300 stops when its slider portion 320 comes into contact with the movement-blocking portion 131b, preventing further movement.

[0025] An opening / closing lever 132 is fixed to the connection portion 131c of the movable plate 131. In this embodiment, the opening / closing lever 132 and the movable plate 131 are configured as separate parts, but they may also be formed as a single integrated part.

[0026] The tip of the opening / closing lever 132 is fixed to the connection portion 131c of the movable plate 131. The rear end of the opening / closing lever 132 is connected to the leg portion 160 via a biasing portion 135. The biasing portion 135 biases the opening / closing lever 132 so that the movable plate 131 is maintained in the closed position in the transport state shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the biasing portion 135 is composed of a coil spring that pulls the rear end of the opening / closing lever 132 downward and is provided between the rear end of the opening / closing lever 132 and the lower end of the leg portion 160.

[0027] In the transport state shown in Figure 3, the movable plate 131 is in a state where the positioning part 131p is in contact with the top of the fixed block 134. That is, the movable plate 131 is biased clockwise in Figure 3 by the opening / closing lever 132 and the biasing part 135, and its rotation angle is determined by the contact between the positioning part 131p and the fixed block 134. As a result, in the transport state, the movable plate 131 can be maintained in a stable closed position, and vibration of the movable plate 131 during transport can be prevented. However, the biasing part 135 is optional.

[0028] It is preferable that the center of gravity Gc of the movable plate 131 and the opening / closing lever 132 be set at an offset position on the opening / closing lever 132 side, rather than on the movable plate 131 side, when viewed from the rotation axis Rx. This allows the movable plate 131 to be stabilized in the closed position during transport.

[0029] In the transport state shown in Figure 3, there is a gap between the opening / closing lever 132 and the fixed stand 200. When the lifter 410 of the transport vehicle 400 descends, the fixed stand 200 pushes up the opening / closing lever 132, and in response, the movable plate 131 rotates, changing from the closed position shown in Figure 3 to the open position shown in Figure 4. When the lifter 410 has descended sufficiently and separated from the transport platform 100, the legs 160 of the transport platform 100 become self-supporting with their contact with the floor surface FL.

[0030] In the self-supporting state shown in Figure 4, the movable plate 131 is in an open position that allows the movement of the conveyed object 300 on the free-roller conveyor 120. That is, the movement-blocking portion 131b of the movable plate 131 is located lower than the upper surface of the free-roller conveyor 120. Therefore, when the conveyed object 300 attempts to move in the rolling direction Dm (Figure 2), the slider portion 320 of the conveyed object 300 does not interfere with the movement-blocking portion 131b, and the movement of the conveyed object 300 is permitted. In the example of Figure 4, the positioning portion 131p of the movable plate 131 protrudes above the upper surface of the free-roller conveyor 120, but since the slider portion 320 of the conveyed object 300 does not exist at the position of the positioning portion 131p, the positioning portion 131p does not block the movement of the conveyed object 300. As described above, the guide plate 150 has the function of guiding the slider portion 320 of the conveyed object 300 as it moves on the free roller type conveyor 120.

[0031] When the elevator 410 descends from the transport state shown in Figure 3, the rotor 210, located at the upper end of the fixed stand 200, contacts the opening / closing lever 132 at a starting point Pi on the lower surface of the opening / closing lever 132. For convenience of illustration, the starting point Pi is indicated by a white triangle. The rotor 210 is composed of, for example, a cam follower.

[0032] Subsequently, as the elevator 410 descends further, the rotor 210 rotates along the underside of the opening / closing lever 132, pushing it upward and reaching the endpoint Pe shown in Figure 4. For illustrative purposes, the endpoint Pe is indicated by a black triangle. In this way, the movable stopper 130 is configured such that the contact position where the rotor 210 of the fixed stand 200 contacts the opening / closing lever 132 moves from the starting point Pi to the endpoint Pe as the elevator 410 descends, while the rotor 210 rotates. As a result, the frictional force between the fixed stand 200 and the opening / closing lever 132 can be reduced. Furthermore, wear on the fixed stand 200 and the opening / closing lever 132 can be suppressed.

[0033] In the transport state shown in Figure 3, the direction in which the opening / closing lever 132 extends is diagonally downward, forming an obtuse angle with the direction in which the movement-blocking part 131b extends. Furthermore, the contact point between the fixed stand 200 and the opening / closing lever 132 is offset to the opposite side of the movement-blocking part 131b when viewed from the rotation axis Rx. This arrangement allows the fixed stand 200 to smoothly push up the opening / closing lever 132 when the upper end of the fixed stand 200 contacts it.

[0034] As described above, in this embodiment, a movable stopper 130 with a simple configuration can be used to change the movable plate 131 between the open position and the closed position in accordance with the vertical movement of the lifting mechanism 410 of the transport vehicle 400.

[0035] Other forms: This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. For example, this disclosure can also be implemented in the following forms (aspects). The technical features in the embodiments described above that correspond to the technical features in each of the forms described below can be replaced or combined as appropriate in order to solve some or all of the problems of this disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of this disclosure. Furthermore, if such technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

[0036] This disclosure can also be implemented in various forms other than a transport stand. For example, it can be implemented in the form of a method for performing work using a transport stand, a computer program for performing work using a transport stand, or a non-transitory storage medium on which the computer program is recorded. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 100...Conveyor frame, 110...Base, 120...Free roller type conveyor, 122...Free roller, 130...Movable stopper, 131...Movable plate, 131b...Movement prevention part, 131c...Connection part, 131p...Positioning part, 132...Opening / closing lever, 133...Fixed plate, 134...Fixed block, 135...Biasing part, 140...Fixed stopper, 150...Guide plate, 160...Legs, 200...Fixed stand, 210...Rotor, 300...Conveyed object, 310...Box body, 320...Slider part, 400...Conveyor cart, 410...Elevator

Claims

1. A transport platform that is transported by a transport vehicle equipped with an elevator, A free-roller type conveyor on which transported objects can be placed, A movable stopper having a movable plate supported by a rotating shaft, and an opening / closing lever connected to the movable plate for rotating the movable plate, Equipped with, The aforementioned movable stopper is In the transport state in which the transport platform is transported by the transport vehicle with the elevator raised, the movable plate is in a closed position that restricts the movement of the transported object on the free roller type conveyor. The elevator is configured such that when it lowers and the fixed stand, which is pre-secured to the floor, pushes up the opening / closing lever, the movable plate rotates and changes from the closed position to an open position that allows the conveyed object to move on the free-roller type conveyor. Transport stand.

2. A transport stand according to claim 1, further, The aforementioned free-roller type conveyor is provided with a base to which it is fixed, A conveying frame having a movable stopper installed at one end of the base portion in the rolling direction of the free-roller type conveyor, and a fixed stopper installed at the other end.

3. A transport stand according to claim 2, further, It comprises a plurality of legs provided below the base portion, A transport stand configured such that the movable plate is maintained in the open position when the plurality of legs are in contact with the floor surface.

4. A transport stand according to claim 3, The aforementioned movable stopper is A fixing part is fixed to one end of the base portion and supports the movable plate so that it can rotate via the rotation shaft, A biasing unit is provided between one of the plurality of legs and the opening / closing lever, which biases the opening / closing lever so that the movable plate is maintained in the closed position during transport. A transport stand having the following features.

5. A transport stand according to claim 1, A rotor is provided at the upper end of the aforementioned fixed stand, The movable stopper is configured such that the contact position where the rotor contacts the opening / closing lever when the elevator descends moves from the starting point to the ending point as the rotor rotates as the elevator descends.

Images