Material supply device

Abstract

The device is too large to be placed close to the user for easy access. [Solution] This supply device 100 has a box-shaped main body 1, a transport unit 2 located inside the main body 1, a storage unit 3 for storing the items to be supplied, and an operation unit 4 for operating the entire device. An opening 20 with an opening and closing door 21 is provided at the top of the main body 1. The storage unit 3 stores a plurality of trays 31 inside. The transport unit 2 consists of a slider device 51 having a column 55 that moves in the vertical direction, a support unit 52 installed horizontally to the column 55, and an arm device 53 located at the base of the support unit 52. The trays 31 are taken out of the storage unit 3 by this transport unit 2 and transported to the opening 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a small article supply device that stores tools such as wrenches, machine parts such as bolts, electronic parts such as semiconductors, medicines, foods, etc., and supplies desired articles as needed.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an automatic storage device as described in Patent Document 1 is known. This automatic storage device arranges two rows of shelves 33 that store a plurality of racks capable of storing a plurality of sample containers, has means for inserting and removing racks between the shelves 33, and a picker capable of taking out a sample container and replacing it with another rack. The conveying unit is arranged so as to be movable up, down, left, and right, and when the racks are carried in and out by the conveying means, a part of the conveying means protrudes from the opening of the exterior part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above conventional automatic storage device has a problem that its volume is too large to be easily used when placed near the user. The present invention has been made to solve such problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The article supply device according to the present invention includes a box-shaped main body having an opening for taking out at the upper part, a storage unit for storing a plurality of trays on which articles are placed in a stacked manner, and a conveying unit for selectively conveying a plurality of trays arranged inside the main body and moving them to the opening.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the supply device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the supply device. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the opening. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the opening. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the tray. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the storage section. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the transport unit. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram showing the hook and locking parts. [Figure 10] This is a functional block diagram showing the control panel and other components. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the transport unit. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the supply device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the supply device. This supply device 100 has a box-shaped body 1, a transport unit 2 located inside the body 1, a storage unit 3 for storing the items to be supplied, and an operation unit 4 for operating the entire device.

[0008] The main body 1 is a rectangular box with a hollow interior. In plan view, the shorter side of the rectangle is the front. The entire structure is made of sheet metal. The corners are rounded. The rear surface is detachable, allowing goods to be supplied to the interior. The main body 1 is made of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The top surface 1a has a slope at the front, a horizontal surface in the middle, and a slope at the rear. An operating section 4, which will be described later, is provided on the front slope. An opening 20 with an opening and closing door 21 is provided in the center.

[0009] The door 21 of the opening 20 is a two-part structure that opens and closes in a forward and backward direction. The door 21 is linked to an internal horizontal movement mechanism 22. Specifically, the door 21 is connected to a slider 23 of the horizontal interlocking mechanism 22 shown in Figure 4, and the door 21 opens and closes in conjunction with the lateral movement of the slider 23. The slider 23 moves along a rail 23b. The slider 23 is provided with a link mechanism 24, and the link mechanism 24 operates when a part of the link mechanism 24 comes into contact with the vertically moving column 56 of the actuator 201 of the transport unit 2, which will be described later. Since the door 21 does not have its own actuator, the entire device can be easily constructed.

[0010] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the operation of the slider and the link mechanism. As shown in Figure (a), the slider 23 is movable horizontally by a horizontal movement mechanism 22, and one end of the rod 23a is rotatably mounted on the slider 23, while the other end is rotatably mounted on a block that moves vertically. The rod 23a is mounted symmetrically on both sides of the block. Another horizontal movement mechanism 22 is provided on the opposite side of the opening. The slider on the opposite side does not have a link mechanism, and the slider simply moves along the horizontal movement mechanism.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the block 23c is in the lowest position, the end of the rod 23a is also positioned downward and maintains a posture with a slight angle. Next, when the column 56 rises and the block 23c is pushed up after the column 56 abuts against the block 23c, as shown in Fig. (b) of the same figure, the rod 23a opens and the slider 23 moves horizontally. Subsequently, when the column 56 reaches the uppermost position, the rod 23a fully opens and the slider 23 moves to the left and right most positions. In this state, the door 21 will open.

[0012] Next, when the column 56 descends, the block 23c drops by its own weight, and accordingly the rod 23a closes. As a result, the left and right sliders 23 move toward the center along the horizontal movement mechanism 22 (see Fig. (b) of the same figure), and when the column 6 completely descends and the block 23c comes to the lowest position, the door 21 closes (see Fig. (a) of the same figure). The weight of the block 23c is sufficient for the movement of the door 21, the rod 23a, etc.

[0013] The back panel 1c has an opening and closing structure, which can be either an opening and closing structure by attachment and detachment or an opening and closing structure that opens like a door. In the example shown in the same figure, it is an opening and closing structure by attachment and detachment. In the case of an opening and closing structure by attachment and detachment, protrusions for locking are provided at the lower part of the back panel 1c, and these protrusions are locked to the bottom surface of the main body 1 and the upper part is fixed with a magnet, a latch, etc. (not shown). As will be described later, it is possible to take in and out articles in the state where the back panel 1c is opened, and it is also possible to take in and out the tray 31 with the articles placed thereon.

[0014] Examples of articles placed on the tray 31 are tools such as wrenches, mechanical parts such as bolts, electronic parts such as semiconductors, medicines, foods, and documents (especially suitable for storing confidential documents).

[0015] The dimensions of the main body 1 are approximately 50 cm to 100 cm in width, 50 cm to 120 cm in depth, and 70 cm to 120 cm in height. With these dimensions, it is suitable for use in factories, stores, etc. Casters may be provided on the bottom surface 1.

[0016] The storage unit 3 is configured to hold a plurality of trays 31 in the vertical direction on both the front side and the back side inside the main body 1. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the tray 31 has a wall 31b around a rectangular flat plate 31a, and the wall 31b is slightly inclined outward. At one end of the tray 31, as shown in Figs. 6(b) and (c), a locking portion 31c that locks with a hook of the conveying unit 2 described later is provided. The locking portion 31c has a hole portion 31d into which a protrusion described later is inserted. Inside the main body 1, as shown in Fig. 7, a framework 32 is provided, and a placing plate 33 facing from the front to the back is provided. The tray 31 is placed on the placing plate (shelf 33) 33.

[0017] The locking portion 31 preferably uses a material softer than metal to share the functions of positioning and locking, and it is preferably made of resin because it makes less noise when contacting metal. The locking portion 31 is screwed to the edge of the tray 31. The number and dimensions of the trays 31 in the vertical direction are arbitrary. The tray 31 may be made of sheet metal or may be composed of reinforced plastic.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 8, the conveying unit 2 is composed of a slider device 51 having a column 55 that moves in the vertical direction, a support portion 52 provided to protrude in the horizontal direction with respect to the column 55, and an arm device 53 disposed at the base of the support portion 52. The operation of the conveying unit 2 is controlled by a control unit 54. The operation unit 4 of the control unit 54 will be described later. The control unit 54 controls the vertical movement of the column 55 and the turning of the arm of the arm device 53.

[0019] The slider device 51 has a ball screw provided inside along the longitudinal direction, and a servo motor is provided at the screw end. The nut portion is attached to the column 55. The column 55 moves along the rail of the main body of the slider device 51. A linear guide is interposed between the rail and the column 55. Since the ball screw, the nut portion, the rail, and the linear guide are well-known technologies, they are not shown in the figure. The column 55 includes a resin piece as a contact portion 56 at the upper part. The resin piece is in a contact state with the block 23c of the link mechanism when the door 21 of the opening is opened and closed.

[0020] The support portion 52 is installed perpendicular to the column 55 so as to be horizontal. The support portion 52 moves up and down between the tray groups of the storage portion 3. The support portion 52 has a linear motion portion 57 that slides in the front-rear direction (the opposing direction of the opposing tray groups). This linear motion portion 57 has an upward-facing hook portion 58. The hook portion 58 is inserted into and engages with a locking portion 31c provided at the end of the tray 31.

[0021] As shown in Figure 11, the arm device 53 has a servo motor provided at the base of the support portion 52, an arm 53a provided on the rotation axis of the servo motor, and an elongated hole 53b in the arm 53a, and the shaft 53c of the hook portion 58 is connected so as to be movable within the elongated hole 53c. The rotation axis of the servo motor may be connected to the rotation axis of the built-in motor via a reduction gear. The rotation of the arm 53a causes the hook portion 58 to move along the linear motion portion 57. The locking operation of the hook portion 58 with respect to the tray 31 is performed by moving the column 55 to raise and lower the support portion 52, and inserting and removing the projection 58c from the hole 31d. Note that the locking configuration between the tray 31 and the hook portion 58 is not limited to the example shown in the figure.

[0022] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the hook portion 58 and the locking portion 31c. The hook portion 58 consists of a contact portion 58b for positioning and a projection portion 58c provided below the contact portion 58b. The projection portion 58c has a projection that protrudes upward. This configuration is formed on both sides of the hook portion 58. The locking portion 31c has a contact surface 31e that contacts the contact portion 58b and a locking hole 31d at a position separate from the contact surface 31e. The locking hole 31d has an elongated shape in cross-section into which the projection portion 58c of the plate-shaped hook portion 58 is inserted. The projection portion 58c has a mountain-like shape that tapers towards the tip.

[0023] As shown in Figure 9, when the hook portion 58 engages with the locking portion 31c, the hook portion 58 moves due to the arm device 53, and the contact surface 31e of the locking portion 31c comes into contact with the contact portion 58b of the hook portion 58. In this state, the positional relationship between the hook portion 58 and the locking portion 31c is determined. The contact portion 58b is set higher than the projection portion 58c, and when positioning is performed by moving the column 55, it is set to a position where the locking portion 31c and the projection portion 58c do not interfere with each other. In this state, the hook portion 58 is moved to bring the contact surface 31e into contact with the contact portion 58b and perform positioning. This is the same for both the left and right sides of the storage portion 3.

[0024] When the contact surface 31e and the contact portion 58b come into contact, the column 55 is moved upward and the projection 58c is inserted into the hole 31d of the locking portion 31c. This locks the hook portion 58 into the locking portion 31c. When the hook portion 58 is moved by the arm device 53 in this state, the tray 31 is pulled out from the shelf 33. The tray 31 is then transported by the transport device 2 while being supported by the support portion 52.

[0025] When inserting the tray 31 into the shelf 33, insert the tray 31 into the shelf 33 while it is locked as described above. After inserting, move the column 55 downward to remove the projection 58c from the hole 31c and return the hook portion 58 to its original position.

[0026] The hook portion 58 and locking portion 31c may be provided in pairs on one side of the tray 31. Providing them on both the left and right sides stabilizes the entire tray 31 during transport. It also prevents the concentration of load on the projection portion 58c.

[0027] Figure 10 is a functional block diagram 23c showing the operation unit and other components. The operation unit 4 is connected to the driver circuits 60 of the arm device 53 and the slider device 51. The operation unit 4 consists of a processing unit 41, a storage unit 42, a display unit 43, and an input / output unit 44. The display unit 43 includes a liquid crystal panel 43a, which is touch-sensitive and also serves as the input / output unit 44. The liquid crystal panel 43a of the display unit 43 is provided on the top surface of the main body 1. A predetermined program is stored in the storage unit 42. The processing unit 41 processes information according to the program based on the input information, etc., and produces a predetermined output.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, a camera 70 is provided on the side of the space inside the main body 1 that serves as the movement path for the transport unit 2. The camera 70 acquires an image of the tray 31 from the side of the transport space. By capturing the image of the tray 31 from an oblique angle, it is easier to distinguish the items on the tray 31 from the oblique image. In particular, it is easier to distinguish their size and other characteristics.

[0029] In the operation unit 4, the storage unit 42 includes an item information storage unit 45 that stores information about the items placed on the tray 31, and a storage information storage unit 46 that stores the tray number and current status of the tray 31. The processing unit 41 also includes a transport control unit 47 that controls the transport of the tray 31.

[0030] [Storage of items] The shelves 33 that store the trays 31 are numbered, and the number is stored in association with the tray 31. When a predetermined number is entered, the transport unit 2 retrieves the tray 31 from the storage unit 3. This tray 31 is exposed through the opening 20 at the top. In this state, items are placed on the tray 31. Information about the items is entered in any format from the input / output unit 44 and stored. This operation is performed for all trays 31. The item information storage unit 45 stores the information about the items in association with the trays 31.

[0031] Alternatively, the camera 70 may be automatically used to take a picture when the tray 31 is returned, and the image may be stored. Only the image is stored and associated with the tray 31, and the display unit 43 displays the image itself. The inside of the tray 31 is colored black, making it easier to identify items when photographed by the camera 70. Furthermore, when storing the image, only the image of the items may be extracted from the overall image and stored.

[0032] By inputting item information using only images, tedious data entry during work is eliminated. Furthermore, because it is image-based, there is no need to read text, making it suitable for foreign users. It also prevents misidentification of items due to text.

[0033] Furthermore, the above-mentioned memory operation can also be performed in advance when storing the storage unit 3 containing multiple trays 31 into the main unit 1. In this case as well, the tray number (shelf 33) is linked to the item and entered, and stored in the item information storage unit 45. In this state, the storage unit 3 is stored into the main unit 1 from the back.

[0034] Furthermore, the camera 70 may be used to take pictures of all or more of the trays 31 after they have been stored. The user randomly places items in all of the trays 31 and stores them in the main unit 1 as is. In this state, it is unknown which item is placed in which tray 31.

[0035] The above steps complete the linking of tray 31 (shelf 33) to the items.

[0036] Furthermore, the camera 70 can also confirm that there are no items in tray 31. If the internal information of the captured data is uniform, the storage information storage unit 46 stores that tray 31 is empty. The camera 70 is positioned to photograph the items in tray 31 from an oblique angle. This makes it easier to recognize three-dimensional information such as the thickness of the items.

[0037] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the supply device. The user can display a list of items on the display unit 43 (step S1). When a predetermined item is selected, the tray 31 containing that item is selected (step S2), the transport unit 2 acquires this tray 31, and ejects it from the opening 20 at the top (step S3). The user takes an item from the tray 31. At this time, a button to confirm the acquisition of the item is displayed on the display unit 43, and by pressing this button, the item information storage unit 45 stores that there are no items in the tray 31 (step S4). If there are multiple items in the tray 31, the number is subtracted and stored in the item information storage unit 45 (step S5).

[0038] Furthermore, when another item is selected from the display unit 43 (step S6), the transport unit 2 returns the previous tray 31 to its original position (step S7), retrieves the tray 31 containing the selected item, and delivers it through the opening 20 at the top (step S8). The user then presses a button to indicate that an item has been acquired, as described above, and stores the item information in the item information storage unit 45.

[0039] When tray 31 is removed, the shelf 33 in which it is stored becomes empty. By pressing the button on the display unit 43 indicating that tray 31 has been retrieved, the system remembers that shelf 33 is empty. The display unit 43 will then display "empty" or similar on the display unit 43. Tray 31 can be stored again in this empty shelf 33. The user calls up the support unit 52 and places the tray 31 containing the items into the opening. In this state, the contents of the items are stored in the item information storage unit 45, and the tray 31 is moved to the empty shelf 33 for storage. This state is stored in the storage information storage unit 46. In this state, the display unit 43 displays the information of tray 31, linked to the items, just like the other trays 31 (shelves 33).

[0040] When changing the information of an item, the desired tray 31 is selected and exposed through the opening 20, and the item can be changed in this state. The content is entered from the operation unit 4. In addition, as described above, an image captured by the camera 70 can be used as the registration information for the item. The storage of information about the item in the item information storage unit 45 and the storage information storage unit 46 is the same as described above.

[0041] Information about the items can also be entered automatically. The contents of the items on tray 31 are captured by camera 70, the contents are understood by the computer through image analysis, etc., and stored in the item information storage unit 45. The inner surface of tray 31 may have a certain pattern to prevent confusion with the image of the items when acquiring images. In this case, camera 70 is installed on the top or side of the opening 20 to acquire images of the tray 31. If there are multiple parts, the number of parts can be counted. This information is automatically stored.

[0042] With this supply device 100, the main unit 1 is compact and easy to use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100 Feeding device 1 Main unit 2. Conveying section 3 Storage section 3 4 Control section 20 openings 21 Doors

Claims

[Claim 1] A box-shaped body with an opening at the top for removal, A storage unit that stores items by stacking multiple trays on top of each other, A transport unit that selectively transports multiple trays arranged inside the main body and moves them to the opening, An article supply device having

Images