Lamination aid

Abstract

This invention provides a technology for a lamination aid that can suppress the inversion of sheet materials when they are fed from the input port into the lamination space. [Solution] The lamination aid comprises a frame portion surrounding the lamination space and a receiving portion extending into the lamination space. The lamination space is a space for laminating sheet metal. The frame portion has an upper edge portion. The upper edge portion is an edge portion located on the vertically upward side. The upper edge portion forms an input opening for inserting sheet metal into the lamination space. The receiving portion has a contact surface. The contact surface is a surface that faces the opening surface of the input opening and is configured to contact the sheet metal inserted from the input opening. The shortest distance between the opening surface of the input opening and the contact surface is smaller than the width of the sheet metal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a stacking aid.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a transport pallet. The transport pallet is used for stacking and transporting plate materials.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described in Patent Document 1, there are cases where it is desired to stack plate materials. Therefore, the inventors considered a stacking aid for stacking plate materials. First, the inventors prepared a frame body surrounding a stacking space as the stacking aid. Then, the inventors tried to stack the plate materials in the stacking space by inserting the plate materials into the stacking space from the inlet formed by the upper edge of the frame body. However, as a result of the inventors' intensive study, it was found that the plate materials may be reversed when being inserted from the inlet into the stacking space. When the plate materials are reversed, it may be difficult to stack the plate materials neatly.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique capable of suppressing the reversal of plate materials when the plate materials are inserted from an inlet into a stacking space in a stacking aid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a lamination aid. The lamination aid comprises a frame portion surrounding a lamination space and a receiving portion extending into the lamination space. The lamination space is a space for laminating sheet metal. The frame portion has an upper edge portion. The upper edge portion is an edge portion located on the vertically upward side. The upper edge portion forms an input opening for inserting sheet metal into the lamination space. The receiving portion has a contact surface. The contact surface is a surface that faces the opening surface of the input opening and is configured to contact the sheet metal inserted from the input opening. The shortest distance between the opening surface of the input opening and the contact surface is smaller than the width of the sheet metal.

[0007] With this configuration, the lamination aid can suppress the inversion of the plate material when it is fed from the input opening into the lamination space.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, the contact surface may be inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacked space. Such a configuration makes it easier to guide the plate material toward the bottom of the stacked space.

[0009] In one aspect of this disclosure, the receiving portion may have a shaft portion, an extension portion, and a biasing portion. The shaft portion is rod-shaped, and its central axis is substantially parallel to the opening surface of the input port. The extension portion extends from the shaft portion into the stacking space. A contact surface is formed on the extension portion. The biasing portion biases the extension portion. The extension portion may be configured to rotate around the shaft portion as a pivot axis in a direction away from the input port from a reference position. The reference position is the position where the contact surface faces the opening surface of the input port. The biasing portion may bias the extension portion toward the reference position. With such a configuration, it is possible to guide the plate material to the bottom side of the stacking space more easily.

[0010] One aspect of this disclosure may further include a guide section. The guide section is provided on the upper edge and is configured to guide the plate material into the stacking space. The upper surface of the guide section may be inclined so as to become lower as it approaches the frame. Such a configuration makes it even easier to guide the plate material to the input opening.

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, the frame portion may further have a lower edge portion. The lower edge portion is an edge portion located on the vertically downward side. The lower edge portion may form an outlet for removing the plate material from the stacking space. With such a configuration, the plate material stacked in the stacking space can be removed from the stacking space while maintaining its stacked state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a belt conveyor and a stacking system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a top view showing a belt conveyor and a stacking system of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a right side view showing a belt conveyor and a stacking system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a roller conveyor. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a lamination support tool. [Figure 6] Another perspective view of the lamination aid. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIA-VIIA in Figure 5. Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the extension has rotated from the state shown in Figure 7A. [Figure 8] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIIA-VIIIA in Figure 5. Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the extension has rotated from the state shown in Figure 8A. [Figure 9] This is a top view illustrating the operation of the conveyor chute according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the lamination aid. Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view at a different cutting line than that of Figure 10A. Figure 10C is a cross-sectional view showing the state after Figure 10B. [Figure 11] Figure 11A is a cross-sectional view showing the state after Figure 10B. Figure 11B is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the stacking aid has been lifted upwards. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing a belt conveyor and a stacking system of a second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a top view for explaining the operation of the conveyor chute of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] It is a perspective view showing a belt conveyor and a stacking system of the third embodiment. [Figure 15] It is a top view for explaining the operation of the conveyor chute of the third embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] The belt conveyor 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a device configured to convey a plate material 2 in a predetermined direction. In the belt conveyor 1, the conveying belt 11 rotates, whereby the plate material 2 is conveyed. Hereinafter, the discharge direction D1 of the plate material 2 from the belt conveyor 1 will be simply referred to as the discharge direction D1. The discharge direction D1 is, for example, along the horizontal direction. The belt conveyor 1 corresponds to an example of a conveyor.

[0015] The plate material 2 is a plate-shaped member. The plate material 2 is, for example, flat. The plate material 2 may be, for example, a blank material punched out for press forming. As shown in FIG. 2, the length L of the plate material 2 is the same as or greater than the width W of the plate material 2. The length L of the plate material 2 is a dimension along the length direction of the plate material 2. The length direction of the plate material 2 is one of the in-plane directions of the plate material 2. The width W of the plate material 2 is a dimension along the width direction of the plate material 2. The width direction of the plate material 2 is one of the in-plane directions of the plate material 2 and is a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the plate material 2. In FIGS. 1 to 3, as an example, a plate material 2 having a rectangular shape in a front view of the plate material 2 is shown. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the plate material 2 corresponds to the length direction of the plate material 2, and the short-side direction of the plate material 2 corresponds to the width direction of the plate material 2.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the two longitudinal edges of the outer edge of the plate material 2 are hereafter referred to as the first edge 21 and the second edge 22. Also, the two widthwise edges of the outer edge of the plate material 2 are hereafter referred to as the third edge 23 and the fourth edge 24. In this embodiment, the plate material 2 is transported by the belt conveyor 1 with the third edge 23 facing forward and discharged from the belt conveyor 1. That is, the widthwise direction of the plate material 2 coincides with the discharge direction D1.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, a stacking system 3A is located downstream of the belt conveyor 1. The stacking system 3A is configured to stack the sheet materials 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1. The stacking system 3A comprises a conveyor chute 4A, a mounting platform 5, and a stacking support tool 6.

[0018] The conveyor chute 4A is configured to guide the plate material 2 from the belt conveyor 1 to the mounting platform 5. The conveyor chute 4A has a support base 41, a plurality of roller conveyors 42, guide rollers 43, and a regulating plate 44. The roller conveyors 42 are also called wheel conveyors or roller conveyors.

[0019] The support base 41 is the part that supports the multiple roller conveyors 42, guide rollers 43, and regulating plates 44. The support base 41 has multiple (five in the example shown in Figures 1 to 3) horizontal bar sections 411 and at least two vertical bar sections 412. Both the horizontal bar sections 411 and the vertical bar sections 412 are rod-shaped parts. The central axis of each of the horizontal bar sections 411 and vertical bar sections 412 is straight. At least the portion of the outer surface of the horizontal bar sections 411 and vertical bar sections 412 that constitutes the upper surface 41u of the support base 41 is planar. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of each of the horizontal bar sections 411 and vertical bar sections 412 is rectangular.

[0020] Each horizontal bar section 411 is positioned approximately parallel to the tail pulley 12 of the belt conveyor 1. In other words, the central axis of each horizontal bar section 411 is approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the tail pulley 12. There is a gap between adjacent horizontal bar sections 411. The axial ends of multiple horizontal bar sections 411 are connected by vertical bar sections 412. For example, the axial intermediate sections of multiple horizontal bar sections 411 may also be connected by another vertical bar section 412. In this way, the support base 41 is composed of multiple horizontal bar sections 411 and multiple vertical bar sections 412.

[0021] Of the outer surfaces of the support base 41, at least the upper surface 41u is flat. As shown in Figure 3, the support base 41 is positioned such that its upper surface 41u becomes lower as it moves away from the belt conveyor 1. The highest height of the upper surface 41u of the support base 41 is lower than the lowest height of the upper surface 11u of the conveyor belt 11.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, each of the multiple roller conveyors 42 has two opposing walls 421, multiple rollers 422, and multiple support shafts 423.

[0023] The two opposing walls 421 are each flat plate-shaped portions. The two opposing walls 421 are arranged so that their plate surfaces face each other. A gap is provided between the opposing plate surfaces of the two opposing walls 421.

[0024] Each of the multiple rollers 422 is a cylindrical part. Each of the multiple rollers 422 has two bottom surfaces and a side surface that connects these bottom surfaces and is continuous in the circumferential direction. The multiple rollers 422 are arranged in a straight line between two opposing walls 421. In this case, the two bottom surfaces of each of the multiple rollers 422 face the opposing walls 421.

[0025] Multiple support shafts 423 are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple rollers 422. Each support shaft 423 is a rod-shaped portion. The central axis of each support shaft 423 is straight. Each support shaft 423 extends from one opposing wall 421 to the other, passing through the corresponding roller 422. Each roller 422 is configured to rotate around the corresponding support shaft 423 as its axis of rotation.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple roller conveyors 42 are mounted on a support base 41 with two opposing walls 421 extending from the belt conveyor 1 toward the mounting base 5. That is, in each of the multiple roller conveyors 42, the multiple rollers 422 are arranged in a straight line from the belt conveyor 1 toward the mounting base 5. Specifically, the multiple rollers 422 are arranged in a straight line from the belt conveyor 1 toward the input port 612p of the stacking auxiliary device 6, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 3, because the upper surface 41u of the support base 41 is inclined, the multiple roller conveyors 42 are arranged diagonally with respect to the discharge direction D1 such that they become lower as they move away from the belt conveyor 1. The maximum height of the multiple roller conveyors 42 is the same as or lower than the minimum height of the upper surface 11u of the conveyor belt 11.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the multiple roller conveyors 42 are arranged adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction D2. The arrangement direction D2 is the direction from the first side to the second side and intersects with the discharge direction D1. For example, the arrangement direction D2 is perpendicular to the discharge direction D1. Hereinafter, the roller conveyor 42 located furthest to the first side among the multiple roller conveyors 42 will be referred to as the proximal roller conveyor 42a. Also, hereafter, the roller conveyor 42 located furthest to the second side among the multiple roller conveyors 42 will be referred to as the distal roller conveyor 42b. The distal roller conveyor 42b is the furthest from the guide roller 43 among the multiple roller conveyors 42. In this embodiment, the proximal roller conveyor 42a is the closest to the guide roller 43 among the multiple roller conveyors 42.

[0028] Of the multiple roller conveyors 42, at least the distal roller conveyor 42b is positioned diagonally with respect to the discharge direction D1 such that the downstream side is located closer to the first side. For example, of the multiple roller conveyors 42, the first roller conveyor 42 from the second side to the nth roller conveyor 42 may be positioned diagonally with respect to the discharge direction D1 such that the downstream side is located closer to the first side. The first roller conveyor 42 from the second side corresponds to the distal roller conveyor 42b. n is, for example, a positive number between one-third and one-half of the total number N of roller conveyors 42.

[0029] Of the multiple roller conveyors 42, for example, the proximal roller conveyor 42a may be arranged parallel to the discharge direction D1 when viewed from above. For example, of the multiple roller conveyors 42, the first roller conveyor 42 from the first side to the mth roller conveyor 42 may be arranged parallel to the discharge direction D1 when viewed from above. The first roller conveyor 42 from the first side corresponds to the proximal roller conveyor 42a. m is a positive number satisfying n+m≦N. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the total number of roller conveyors 42 N is 6, the number of roller conveyors 42 arranged diagonally to the discharge direction D1 when viewed from above n is 2, and the number of roller conveyors 42 arranged parallel to the discharge direction D1 when viewed from above m is 4. That is, in the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, n+m=N.

[0030] The lengths of the multiple roller conveyors 42 may differ from one another, as in this embodiment, or they may be the same, as in the third embodiment described later. However, it is preferable that the upstream ends of each of the multiple roller conveyors 42 are positioned at approximately the same location in the discharge direction D1.

[0031] The guide roller 43 is an example of a turning guide unit configured to guide the turning of the plate material 2. That is, the guide roller 43 is configured to guide the turning of the plate material 2. The outer shape of the guide roller 43 is cylindrical. The guide roller 43 has a columnar portion 431 and an outer peripheral portion 432. The columnar portion 431 is a cylindrical part. The outer peripheral portion 432 is a cylindrical part. The outer peripheral portion 432 surrounds the outer circumference of the columnar portion 431. The outer peripheral portion 432 is configured to be displaceable in the circumferential direction relative to the columnar portion 431.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the guide roller 43 is positioned to contact the sheet metal 2 being discharged from the belt conveyor 1. The portion of the sheet metal 2 configured to contact the guide roller 43 will be referred to as the contact portion 25 below. In this embodiment, the sheet metal 2 is discharged from the belt conveyor 1 with its third edge 23 facing forward. Therefore, the contact portion 25 is included in the third edge 23. The contact portion 25 is closer to the first edge 21 than to the second edge 22. The first edge 21 corresponds to the first edge of the sheet metal 2 being discharged from the belt conveyor 1. The second edge 22 corresponds to the second edge of the sheet metal 2 being discharged from the belt conveyor 1. As will be described later, the sheet metal 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1 turns by contacting the guide roller 43. From this, the first or second edge of the sheet metal 2 being discharged from the belt conveyor 1 can also be described as the first or second edge of the sheet metal 2 before turning.

[0033] The guide roller 43 is positioned upstream of the downstream end of each of the multiple roller conveyors 42. For example, the guide roller 43 is positioned first to the proximal roller conveyor 42a. As shown in Figure 3, the guide roller 43 is fixed on the upper surface 41u of the support base 41, for example, with its axial direction being approximately perpendicular to the upper surface 41u of the support base 41.

[0034] The regulating plate 44 corresponds to an example of a turning restricting part configured to restrict the turning of the plate material 2. That is, the regulating plate 44 is configured to restrict the turning of the plate material 2. As shown in Figure 1, the regulating plate 44 is plate-shaped. The regulating plate 44 of this embodiment has a first flat plate portion 441 and a second flat plate portion 442. Both the first flat plate portion 441 and the second flat plate portion 442 are flat plate-shaped parts. The first flat plate portion 441 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the front. The second flat plate portion 442 extends from one end of the first flat plate portion 441 in the longitudinal direction. The second flat plate portion 442 is at an angle to the first flat plate portion 441. The dimension of the second flat plate portion 442 in the direction away from the first flat plate portion 441 is shorter than the dimension of the first flat plate portion 441 in the longitudinal direction of the first flat plate portion 441.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the regulating plate 44 is positioned downstream of the guide roller 43. The regulating plate 44 is positioned first to the proximal roller conveyor 42a. The regulating plate 44 is fixed on the upper surface 41u of the support base 41 with its out-of-plane direction aligned with the upper surface 41u of the support base 41. The first flat plate portion 441 is oriented downstream, and the second flat plate portion 442 is oriented upstream. The longitudinal direction of the first flat plate portion 441 is, for example, parallel to the discharge direction D1 in a top view. The first flat plate portion 441 is in contact with, for example, the proximal roller conveyor 42a. The second flat plate portion 442 is angled with respect to the first flat plate portion 441 such that it is positioned further upstream towards the first side.

[0036] The regulating plate 44 is positioned on a virtual straight line V, or second to the side of the virtual straight line V. The virtual straight line V is a virtual straight line connecting the guide roller 43 and the edge 612e of the opening surface of the input port 612p, which will be described later. Specifically, the edge 612e is the upstream and first side edge of the opening surface of the input port 612p. In this embodiment, the virtual straight line V connects the central axis of the guide roller 43 and the edge 612e. Also in this embodiment, the regulating plate 44 is positioned second to the side of the virtual straight line V.

[0037] The shortest distance M1 from the guide roller 43 to the regulating plate 44 is smaller than the dimension M2 in the plate material 2. In this embodiment, when there is a gap between the guide roller 43 and the regulating plate 44, the shortest distance M1 is equal to this gap. When the guide roller 43 and the regulating plate 44 are in contact with each other, that is, when there is no gap between them, the shortest distance M1 is 0. More specifically, dimension M2 is the dimension from the contact portion 25 to the second edge 22 in the plate material 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the mounting base 5 forms a mounting surface 5u for stacking the plate material 2. The mounting surface 5u is planar. The mounting surface 5u extends horizontally. The mounting base 5 may be configured as a so-called trolley, for example, with casters 52 attached to a base portion 51 that forms the mounting surface 5u.

[0039] The lamination support tool 6 is a device for laminating the plate material 2. As shown in Figure 5, the lamination support tool 6 has a frame portion 61, a receiving portion 62, a first guide portion 63a, a second guide portion 63b, a first extension portion 64a, and a second extension portion 64b.

[0040] The frame portion 61 is a cylindrical part. The space inside the frame portion 61 is hereafter referred to as the lamination space S. The lamination space S is a space for laminating the plate material 2. The frame portion 61 surrounds the lamination space S. The internal shape of the frame portion 61 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is formed to correspond to the external shape of the plate material 2. The internal shape of the frame portion 61 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is formed to be (for example, slightly) larger than the plate material 2. In this embodiment, since the plate material 2 is rectangular, the internal shape of the frame portion 61 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is formed to be a rectangle slightly larger than the plate material 2. The frame portion 61 in this embodiment is a rectangular tube with a rectangular internal shape. The frame portion 61 has a peripheral wall portion 611, an upper edge portion 612, and a lower edge portion 613.

[0041] The peripheral wall portion 611 is a cylindrical part. The peripheral wall portion 611 constitutes the side surface of the frame portion 61. In this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 611 is a rectangular cylinder. The peripheral wall portion 611 in this embodiment has a first short side portion 6111a, a second short side portion 6111b, a first long side portion 6112a, and a second long side portion 6112b.

[0042] The first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b, and the first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b are all flat. The first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b, and the first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b are all rectangular in their front view. The first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b are the same size. The first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b are the same size.

[0043] The first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b constitute the two short sides of the rectangular cross-section of the peripheral wall portion 611. The first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b face each other with a gap between them.

[0044] The first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b constitute the two long sides of the rectangular cross-section of the peripheral wall portion 611. The first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b face each other with a gap between them. The first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b connect the opposing ends of the first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b. The gap between the first long side portion 6112a and the second long side portion 6112b is smaller than the gap between the first short side portion 6111a and the second short side portion 6111b.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, an opening 6113 is provided in the peripheral wall portion 611. Specifically, the opening 6113 is provided in the first short side portion 6111a. The opening 6113 is the portion that forms the insertion opening 6113p. The opening surface of the insertion opening 6113p is, for example, rectangular. As shown in Figure 5, the opening surface of the insertion opening 6113p is (for example, slightly) larger than the contact surface 622u of the receiving portion 62, which will be described later.

[0046] The upper edge 612 is one edge of the peripheral wall 611 in the axial direction. The lower edge 613 is the other edge of the peripheral wall 611 in the axial direction (i.e., the edge opposite to the upper edge 612). The upper edge 612 and the lower edge 613 each extend around the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 611, surrounding its central axis. The upper edge 612 and the lower edge 613 each form an opening. Hereinafter, the opening formed by the upper edge 612 will be referred to as the input port 612p, and the opening formed by the lower edge 613 will be referred to as the output port 613p.

[0047] In this embodiment, the opening surfaces of the input port 612p and the output port 613p are rectangular in shape, slightly larger than the plate material 2. The opening surface of the input port 612p is a virtual plane surrounded by the end face of the upper edge portion 612. In the frame portion 61 of this embodiment, the end face of the upper edge portion 612 is not exposed, but in Figures 5 to 7B, a dashed line is added to the position corresponding to the end face of the upper edge portion 612 for ease of understanding. The opening surface of the output port 613p is a virtual plane surrounded by the end face of the lower edge portion 613. Both the opening surfaces of the input port 612p and the output port 613p are perpendicular to the opening surface of the insertion port 6113p. The opening surface of the insertion port 6113p is a virtual plane surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the opening 6113.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, the stacking aid 6 is placed on the mounting base 5 (specifically, the mounting surface 5u). When the stacking aid 6 is placed on the mounting base 5, the axial direction of the frame portion 61 coincides with the vertical direction. The upper edge portion 612 is oriented vertically upward, and the lower edge portion 613 is oriented vertically downward. The upper edge portion 612 can also be described as the edge located vertically upward. The lower edge portion 613 can also be described as the edge located vertically downward. The lower edge portion 613 is in contact with the mounting base 5.

[0049] As will be described in detail later, the sheet metal 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1 is guided to the input port 612p by multiple roller conveyors 42, and then fed into the stacking space S from the input port 612p. The input port 612p functions as an opening for feeding the sheet metal 2 into the stacking space S. Furthermore, when the sheet metal 2 is contained in the stacking space S, the stacking support device 6 is lifted upward, causing the sheet metal 2 to pass through the output port 613p and remain on the mounting table 5. The output port 613p functions as an opening for removing the sheet metal 2 from the stacking space S.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the receiving portion 62 is a part that extends into the stacking space S. A so-called latch mechanism is employed in the receiving portion 62. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the receiving portion 62 has a shaft portion 621, an extension portion 622, and a biasing portion 623.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6, the shaft portion 621 is a rod-shaped part. The central axis of the shaft portion 621 is straight. The shaft portion 621 is rotatably attached to the peripheral wall portion 611. Specifically, the shaft portion 621 is rotatably attached to the outer surface of the first short side portion 6111a. The shaft portion 621 is attached in a position opposite the upper part of the opening 6113. The central axis of the shaft portion 621 is parallel to the opening surface of the insertion port 6113p. The central axis of the shaft portion 621 is also parallel to the opening surface of the input port 612p.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the extended portion 622 is the part that extends from the shaft portion 621 into the stacking space S. The extended portion 622 is plate-shaped. The upper surface of the extended portion 622 faces the opening surface of the input port 612p. The upper surface of the extended portion 622 corresponds to the contact surface 622u. The contact surface 622u is a surface configured to contact the plate material 2 fed in from the input port 612p. In this embodiment, since the extended portion 622 is flat, the contact surface 622u is planar.

[0053] As shown in Figures 7A and 8A, the contact surface 622u is inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacking space S when no external force is acting on it. In other words, the distance between the opening surface of the input port 612p and the contact surface 622u increases toward the center of the stacking space S. Specifically, the contact surface 622u is inclined to become lower the further it is from the inner surface of the first short side portion 6111a (in other words, the further it is from the shaft portion 621) when no external force is acting on it. The shortest distance M3 between the opening surface of the input port 612p and the contact surface 622u is smaller than the width W of the plate material 2. This shortest distance M3 is the minimum value of the distance between the opening surface of the input port 612p and the contact surface 622u.

[0054] As shown in Figures 7A to 8B, the extension portion 622 is configured to be rotatable around the shaft portion 621 as a pivot axis, moving away from the reference position in the direction away from the input port 612p. As shown in Figure 7A, the reference position is the position where the contact surface 622u faces the opening surface of the input port 612p. In this embodiment, the reference position is the position where the contact surface 622u faces the opening surface of the input port 612p and is inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacking space S.

[0055] The biasing portion 623 is the part that biases the extension portion 622. The biasing portion 623 connects the shaft portion 621 and the peripheral wall portion 611. Specifically, the biasing portion 623 connects the shaft portion 621 and the outer surface of the first short side portion 6111a. The biasing portion 623 is composed of at least an elastic member. The elastic member is a member that has elasticity. The biasing portion 623 in this embodiment has a spring portion 6231, a movable portion 6232, and a fixed portion 6233.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the spring portion 6231 is formed by spirally winding a metal wire. The spring portion 6231 is a so-called tension coil spring. The spring portion 6231 is configured to be expandable and contractible. The spring portion 6231 faces the peripheral wall portion 611 (specifically the first short side portion 6111a). The spring portion 6231 is an example of an elastic member.

[0057] The movable part 6232 and the fixed part 6233 are rod-shaped components. The central axes of the movable part 6232 and the fixed part 6233 are straight. Unlike the spring part 6231, the movable part 6232 and the fixed part 6233 do not have elasticity. One end of the movable part 6232 in the axial direction is fixed to the shaft part 621. The other end of the movable part 6232 in the axial direction is connected to one end of the spring part 6231 in the axial direction. The other end of the spring part 6231 in the axial direction is connected to one end of the fixed part 6233 in the axial direction. The other end of the fixed part 6233 in the axial direction is fixed to the circumferential wall part 611 (specifically, to the outer surface of the first short side part 6111a). The fixed part 6233 is fixed to the circumferential wall part 611 below the shaft part 621.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7A, the initial tension of the spring portion 6231 is designed so that the extension portion 622 is in the reference position when no external force is acting on it. When the external force acting on the extension portion 622 exceeds the initial tension, the spring portion 6231 extends and the shaft portion 621 rotates, as shown in Figure 7B. Consequently, the extension portion 622 rotates from the reference position toward the input opening 612p. On the other hand, when the external force acting on the extension portion 622 falls below the initial tension, the spring portion 6231 compresses and the shaft portion 621 rotates in the opposite direction. Consequently, as shown in Figure 7A, the extension portion 622 returns to the reference position. In this way, the biasing portion 623 biases the extension portion 622 toward the reference position.

[0059] The initial tension of the spring portion 6231 may be designed to be approximately the same as the external force acting on the stretch portion 622 when one plate material 2 is placed on the contact surface 622u, or it may be designed to be approximately the same as the external force acting on the stretch portion 622 when multiple plate materials 2 are placed on the contact surface 622u. In other words, the stretch portion 622 may be configured to rotate each time one plate material 2 is placed on the contact surface 622u, or it may be configured to rotate when multiple plate materials 2 are placed on the contact surface 622u.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the first guide portion 63a and the second guide portion 63b are plate-shaped parts. In this embodiment, both the first guide portion 63a and the second guide portion 63b are flat plates. The first guide portion 63a and the second guide portion 63b are provided on the upper edge portion 612. Specifically, the first guide portion 63a is provided on the upper edge portion 612 in the part corresponding to the first short side portion 6111a. The second guide portion 63b is provided on the upper edge portion 612 in the part corresponding to the second long side portion 6112b. The first guide portion 63a and the second guide portion 63b protrude outwards from the frame portion 61. The upper surfaces of the first guide portion 63a and the second guide portion 63b are inclined to become lower as they approach the frame portion 61.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, the first extension 64a and the second extension 64b are plate-shaped portions. In this embodiment, both the first extension 64a and the second extension 64b are flat plates. The first extension 64a and the second extension 64b are provided on the upper edge 612. Specifically, the first extension 64a is provided on the upper edge 612 in the portion corresponding to the second short side portion 6111b. The first extension 64a is not inclined with respect to the second short side portion 6111b. That is, the first extension 64a forms a continuous plane with the second short side portion 6111b. The second extension 64b is provided on the upper edge 612 in the portion corresponding to the first long side portion 6112a. The second extension 64b is not inclined with respect to the first long side portion 6112a. That is, the second extension 64b forms a continuous plane with the first long side portion 6112a.

[0062] As will be described later, the sheet material 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1 rotates approximately 90° in the conveyor chute 4A. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the sheet material 2 is discharged from the belt conveyor 1 with its width direction coinciding with the discharge direction D1. Therefore, as the sheet material 2 rotates approximately 90° in the conveyor chute 4A, the sheet material 2 is discharged from the conveyor chute 4A with its length direction roughly coinciding with the front-to-back direction. For this reason, the stacking aid 6 is placed on the mounting table 5 with its first short side portion 6111a facing upstream (i.e., towards the conveyor chute 4A) and its second short side portion 6111b facing downstream (i.e., opposite to the conveyor chute 4A). The stacking aid 6 is also placed on the mounting table 5 with its first long side portion 6112a facing the first side and its second long side portion 6112b facing the second side. The first guide portion 63a is provided on the upstream portion of the upper edge portion 612. As shown in Figure 2, the edge defined by the first short side portion 6111a and the first long side portion 6112a corresponds to the edge 612e of the opening surface of the input port 612p, as described above. In a top view, the stacking aid 6 is adjacent to the downstream end of at least some of the roller conveyors 42 among the plurality of roller conveyors 42. In this embodiment, the first long side portion 6112a is included in the same vertical plane as the first flat plate portion 441.

[0063] [1-2. Effect] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the sheet material 2 is discharged from the belt conveyor 1 with its width direction aligned with the discharge direction D1 of the belt conveyor 1. The sheet material 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1 is guided toward the stacking aid 6 by a plurality of roller conveyors 42. Along the way, the contact portion 25 of the sheet material 2 comes into contact with the guide roller 43. As a result, the sheet material 2 rotates around the contact portion 25 as it moves toward the stacking aid 6. In other words, the orientation of the sheet material 2 changes. The contact portion 25 is closer to the first edge 21 than to the second edge 22. Therefore, by contacting the guide roller 43, the sheet material 2 rotates toward the downstream side as it moves toward the stacking aid 6. In this embodiment, the sheet material 2 rotates by approximately 90°.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, of the multiple roller conveyors 42, at least the distal roller conveyor 42b is positioned diagonally with respect to the discharge direction D1, with the downstream side being closer to the first side. This results in a faster rotation speed for the plate material 2 compared to, for example, a configuration where all roller conveyors 42 are parallel to the discharge direction D1 in a top view.

[0065] A regulating plate 44 is positioned downstream of the guide roller 43. If the plate material 2 attempts to turn beyond a predetermined angle (90° in this embodiment), the plate material 2 will come into contact with the regulating plate 44. For example, the plate material 2 will come into contact with the first flat plate portion 441. This prevents the plate material 2 from turning too much.

[0066] The turned plate material 2 is guided further downstream and discharged from multiple roller conveyors 42 towards the stacking aid 6. Then, the plate material 2 is fed into the stacking space S from the input port 612p. As shown in Figure 2, when the regulating plate 44 is positioned on a virtual straight line V, or second to the side of the virtual straight line V, the plate material 2 is guided even more towards the input port 612p. Therefore, the plate material 2 is fed even more easily into the stacking space S from the input port 612p.

[0067] Furthermore, if the lamination aid 6 is provided with a first guide portion 63a, as shown in Figure 10B, the plate material 2 can easily slide along the upper surface of the first guide portion 63a and reach the input port 612p in layers. In other words, the plate material 2 is easily guided in layers toward the input port 612p. Therefore, the plate material 2 is easily fed in layers from the input port 612p into the lamination space S.

[0068] Here, when the plate material 2 is introduced into the stacking space S, it is possible that the plate material 2 may invert. If the plate material 2 inverts, it may become difficult to stack the plate material 2 neatly in the stacking space S. Therefore, the stacking aid 6 is provided with a receiving portion 62. The receiving portion 62 has a contact surface 622u. The shortest distance M3 between the opening surface of the input port 612p and the contact surface 622u is smaller than the width W of the plate material 2. Therefore, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the introduced plate material 2 comes into contact with the contact surface 622u before inverting. As a result, the inversion of the plate material 2 is suppressed.

[0069] When the plate material 2 comes into contact with the contact surface 622u, and the external force acting on the stretched portion 622 exceeds a certain value, the stretched portion 622 rotates from the reference position to the rotation position, as shown in Figure 10C. The rotation position is a position where the contact surface 622u and the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 611 (specifically, the inner surface of the first short side portion 6111a) are included in a single virtual plane or curved surface. In this embodiment, since both the contact surface 622u and the inner surface of the first short side portion 6111a are planar, the rotation position is a position where the contact surface 622u and the inner surface of the first short side portion 6111a are included in a single virtual plane. As the stretched portion 622 rotates to the rotation position, the plate material 2 falls toward the mounting surface 5u. Then, in the stacking space S, the plate material 2 is placed in a stationary position parallel to the mounting surface 5u.

[0070] The above operation is repeated for multiple sheet materials 2. Subsequent sheet materials 2 fall on top of the previous sheet material 2, so sheet materials 2 are stacked in the stacking space S. The stretching section 622 rotates from the reference position to the rotation position, but as shown in Figure 11A, when the sheet materials 2 are stacked to a height that reaches the insertion opening 6113p, the stretching section 622 will not return from the rotation position to the reference position. This is because some of the sheet materials 2 block the insertion opening 6113p, preventing the stretching section 622 from rotating back to the reference position. In this case, sheet materials 2 that are subsequently fed into the stacking space S may fall towards the mounting surface 5u without contacting the stretching section 622. However, sheet materials 2 have already been stacked to a height that reaches the insertion opening 6113p, in other words, to a height that is already relatively close to the input opening 612p. Therefore, newly fed sheet materials 2 often come into contact with the uppermost sheet material 2 before being inverted.

[0071] As shown in Figure 11B, when the plate materials 2 are stacked to a predetermined height, the stacking aid 6 is lifted upward, for example, by an operator. As a result, the stacked plate materials 2 are left on the mounting table 5 through the removal opening 613p. In other words, the stacked plate materials 2 are removed from the stacking space S.

[0072] [1-3. Effects] According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0073] (1a) The lamination support device 6 is provided with a receiving portion 62. The receiving portion 62 has a contact surface 622u. The shortest distance M3 between the opening surface of the input port 612p and the contact surface 622u is smaller than the width W of the plate material 2.

[0074] With this configuration, when the plate material 2 is fed into the stacking space S from the input port 612p, the plate material 2 can be brought into contact with the contact surface 622u before it inverts. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inversion of the plate material 2 when it is fed into the stacking space S from the input port 612p. As a result, it becomes easier to neatly stack the plate material 2 in the stacking space S.

[0075] (1b) The contact surface 622u is inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacking space S. Specifically, the contact surface 622u is inclined to become lower the further it is from the inner surface of the first short side portion 6111a. With this configuration, the plate material 2 can be guided further toward the bottom side of the stacking space S (i.e., the mounting surface 5u side) by contacting the contact surface 622u. Therefore, it is possible to stack the plate material 2 more neatly in the stacking space S.

[0076] (1c) The receiving portion 62 has a shaft portion 621, an extension portion 622, and a biasing portion 623. The contact surface 622u is formed on the extension portion 622. The extension portion 622 is configured to be rotatable from a reference position in a direction away from the input opening 612p. The biasing portion 623 biases the extension portion 622 toward the reference position.

[0077] With this configuration, when the extension portion 622, located at the reference position, comes into contact with the plate material 2, and the magnitude of the external force acting on the extension portion 622 exceeds a certain value, the extension portion 622 can be rotated away from the input opening 612p. Therefore, it becomes easier to guide the plate material 2 to the bottom side of the stacking space S. Consequently, it becomes easier to stack the plate material 2 more neatly in the stacking space S.

[0078] (1d) A first guide portion 63a is provided on the upper edge portion 612. The upper surface of the first guide portion 63a is sloped so that it becomes lower as it approaches the frame portion 61. With this configuration, it is possible to guide the plate material 2 discharged from the conveyor chute 4A to the input port 612p by sliding it along the upper surface of the first guide portion 63a. In other words, it is possible to guide the plate material 2 to the input port 612p even more easily. Consequently, it is possible to stack the plate material 2 more neatly in the stacking space S.

[0079] (1e) The frame portion 61 has a lower edge portion 613. The lower edge portion 613 forms an outlet 613p. With this configuration, the plate material 2 can be removed from the stacking space S by lifting the stacking aid 6 upward. Therefore, the plate material 2 stacked in the stacking space S can be made easier to remove from the stacking space S while maintaining its stacked state.

[0080] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Structure] The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so the differences will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0081] As shown in Figure 12, the stacking system 3B of the second embodiment is equipped with a conveyor chute 4B instead of the conveyor chute 4A described above. The conveyor chute 4B differs from the conveyor chute 4A in that it does not have guide rollers 43.

[0082] [2-2. Effect] The operation of the lamination system 3B in the second embodiment is generally the same as that of the lamination system 3A in the first embodiment. However, in the lamination system 3B, as shown in Figure 13, the plate material 2 discharged from the belt conveyor 1 turns by contacting the second flat plate portion 442 instead of the guide roller 43. In this embodiment, the second flat plate portion 442 corresponds to an example of a turning guide portion. In this embodiment, the aforementioned shortest distance M1 is 0.

[0083] [2-3. Effects] According to the second embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0084] [3. Third Embodiment] [3-1. Structure] The third embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so the differences will be explained below. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment indicate the same components, and refer to the preceding description.

[0085] As shown in Figure 14, the stacking system 3C of the third embodiment includes a conveyor chute 4C in place of the conveyor chute 4A described above. The conveyor chute 4C has a configuration that is generally the same as the conveyor chute 4A described above. However, the conveyor chute 4C does not include guide rollers 43 and regulating plates 44.

[0086] Furthermore, in the conveyor chute 4C, the multiple roller conveyors 42 have the same length. All of the multiple roller conveyors 42 are arranged in parallel. For example, all of the multiple roller conveyors 42 may be arranged parallel to the discharge direction D1 when viewed from above. In each of the multiple roller conveyors 42, the multiple rollers 422 are arranged in a straight line from the belt conveyor 1 toward the mounting platform 5.

[0087] As shown in Figure 15, in the stacking system 3C, the stacking aid 6 is positioned on the mounting table 5 with its second long side portion 6112b facing upstream (i.e., towards the conveyor chute 4C) and its first long side portion 6112a facing downstream (i.e., away from the conveyor chute 4C). The stacking aid 6 is also positioned on the mounting table 5 with its first short side portion 6111a facing the first side and its second short side portion 6111b facing the second side. The second guide portion 63b is provided on the upstream portion of the upper edge portion 612.

[0088] [3-2. Effect] As shown in Figure 15, in this embodiment as well, the plate material 2 is discharged from the belt conveyor 1 with its third edge 23 facing forward. The plate material 2 is then guided toward the lamination aid 6 by the conveyor chute 4C.

[0089] Here, the conveyor chute 4C does not have guide rollers 43 and regulating plates 44. Therefore, the sheet material 2 does not rotate in the conveyor chute 4C, but moves on the multiple roller conveyors 42. That is, the sheet material 2 moves on the multiple roller conveyors 42 with its third edge 23 facing forward. The sheet material 2 is then discharged from the multiple roller conveyors 42 toward the stacking aid 6.

[0090] Similar to the first embodiment, when the plate material 2 is fed into the stacking space S from the input port 612p, the receiving portion 62 prevents the plate material 2 from inverting.

[0091] [3-3. Effects] According to the third embodiment described in detail above, the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained. However, the first guide portion 63a in (1d) above shall be read as the second guide portion 63b.

[0092] [4. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0093] (4a) In the first embodiment described above, the conveyor chute 4A is equipped with a guide roller 43. The guide roller 43 corresponds to an example of a turning guide section. However, the turning guide section does not necessarily have to be configured so that its outer circumference is displaceable in the circumferential direction, as is the case with the guide roller 43. For example, the turning guide section may be a simple columnar portion, or a plate-shaped portion, such as the second flat plate portion 442 in the second embodiment described above.

[0094] (4b) In the first embodiment described above, the guide roller 43 corresponds to an example of a turning guidance section, and the regulating plate 44 corresponds to an example of a turning restriction section. Thus, the turning guidance section and the turning restriction section may be provided independently of each other, for example. On the other hand, in the second embodiment described above, the second flat plate section 442 and the first flat plate section 441 included in the regulating plate 44 correspond to an example of a turning guidance section and a turning restriction section, respectively. Thus, the turning guidance section and the turning restriction section may be provided integrally, for example.

[0095] (4c) For example, the conveyor chute may be equipped with only the turning guide section among the turning guide section and the turning restriction section. Alternatively, for example, the conveyor chute may not be equipped with both the turning guide section and the turning restriction section, as in the third embodiment described above. Whether or not to provide a turning guide section in the conveyor chute is determined, for example, according to the orientation of the plates to be stacked on the loading platform relative to the orientation of the plates when they are discharged from the conveyor.

[0096] (4d) In the above embodiment, a latch mechanism is employed in the receiving portion 62 of the lamination aid 6. However, a latch mechanism is not necessarily required in the receiving portion. For example, the receiving portion may be configured so as not to be displaced relative to the frame portion. In this case, the internal shape of the frame portion perpendicular to the axial direction is designed to be large enough to allow the plate portion in contact with the receiving portion to slide on the contact surface and move to the bottom side of the lamination space.

[0097] (4e) In the above embodiment, the lamination aid 6 includes a first guide portion 63a and a second guide portion 63b. However, the lamination aid does not necessarily have to include guide portions. Similarly, the lamination aid does not necessarily have to include extension portions.

[0098] (4f) In the above embodiment, the stacking aid 6 is lifted upward, causing the stacked plate material 2 in the stacking space S to be removed from the stacking space S through the outlet 613p. However, the method of removing the plate material 2 from the stacking space S is not particularly limited. For example, the stacked plate material 2 may be removed from the input port 612p. That is, the input port 612p may also function as an outlet.

[0099] (4g) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. In addition, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to, replaced by, etc., the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0100] (4h) This disclosure can be realized in various forms, including the lamination aid 6 described above, lamination systems 3A, 3B, 3C which have the lamination aid 6 as a component, and methods for laminating plate materials 2 using the lamination systems 3A, 3B, 3C.

[0101] [Technical concepts disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A frame that surrounds the stacking space for stacking boards, A receiving portion extending into the aforementioned stacked space, Equipped with, The frame portion has an upper edge portion which is located on the vertically upward side, The upper edge portion forms an opening for inserting the plate material into the stacking space. The receiving portion has a contact surface which is a surface that faces the opening surface of the input port and is configured to contact the plate material that is inserted from the input port. A lamination aid in which the shortest distance between the opening surface and the contact surface is smaller than the width of the plate material.

[0102] [Item 2] The stacking aid described in item 1, A stacking aid in which the contact surface is inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacking space.

[0103] [Item 3] A lamination aid described in item 1 or item 2, The receiving portion is, A rod-shaped structure, with a central axis substantially parallel to the opening surface, An extended portion extending from the shaft portion into the stacked space, wherein the extended portion has the contact surface formed thereon, A biasing unit that biases the extended portion, It has, The extension portion is configured to be rotatable around the shaft portion as a pivot axis, in a direction away from the input opening, from a reference position where the contact surface faces the opening surface. The biasing portion is a lamination aid that biases the stretching portion toward the reference position.

[0104] [Item 4] A lamination aid described in any one of items 1 to 3, The upper edge portion is further provided with a guide portion configured to guide the plate material into the stacked space, The upper surface of the guide portion is sloped so that it becomes lower as it approaches the frame portion, in a stacking aid.

[0105] [Item 5] A lamination aid described in any one of items 1 to 4, The frame portion further has a lower edge portion which is an edge portion located on the vertically downward side, The lower edge portion forms an outlet for removing the plate material from the stacking space, and is a stacking aid. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1...Belt conveyor, 2...Plate material, 25...Contact part, 3A, 3B, 3C...Lamination system, 4A, 4B, 4C...Conveyor chute, 41...Support base, 42...Roller conveyor, 42a...Proximal roller conveyor, 42b...Distal roller conveyor, 422...Roller, 43...Guide roller, 44...Regulating plate, 441...First flat plate section, 442...Second flat plate section, 5...Placement base, 6...Lamination auxiliary tool, 61...Frame section, 611...Peripheral wall section, 61 2...Upper edge, 612e...Edge, 612p...Inlet, 613...Lower edge, 613p...Outlet, 62...Receiving part, 621...Shaft part, 622...Extended part, 622u...Contact surface, 623...Biasing part, 63a...First guide part, 63b...Second guide part, 64a...First extension part, 64b...Second extension part, D1...Discharge direction, D2...Arrangement direction, L...Length, M1, M3...Shortest distance, M2...Dimension, S...Stacking space, V...Virtual straight line, W...Width.

Claims

1. A frame that surrounds the stacking space for stacking boards, A receiving portion extending into the aforementioned stacked space, Equipped with, The frame portion has an upper edge portion which is located on the vertically upward side, The upper edge portion forms an opening for inserting the plate material into the stacking space. The receiving portion has a contact surface which is a surface that faces the opening surface of the input port and is configured to contact the plate material that is inserted from the input port. A lamination aid in which the shortest distance between the opening surface and the contact surface is smaller than the width of the plate material.

2. A lamination aid according to claim 1, A stacking aid in which the contact surface is inclined to become lower toward the center of the stacking space.

3. A lamination aid according to claim 1 or claim 2, The receiving portion is, A rod-shaped structure, with a central axis substantially parallel to the opening surface, An extended portion extending from the shaft portion into the stacked space, wherein the extended portion has the contact surface formed thereon, A biasing unit that biases the extended portion, It has, The extension portion is configured to be rotatable around the shaft portion as a pivot axis, in a direction away from the input opening, from a reference position where the contact surface faces the opening surface. The biasing portion is a lamination aid that biases the stretching portion toward the reference position.

4. A lamination aid according to claim 1 or claim 2, The upper edge portion is further provided with a guide portion configured to guide the plate material into the stacked space, The upper surface of the guide portion is sloped so that it becomes lower as it approaches the frame portion, in a stacking aid.

5. A lamination aid according to claim 1 or claim 2, The frame portion further has a lower edge portion which is an edge portion located on the vertically downward side, The lower edge portion forms an outlet for removing the plate material from the stacking space, and is a stacking aid.

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