Conveyor lifting device

Abstract

To appropriately grasp the state of a holding mechanism that holds a conveyor.SOLUTION: A detection part 23 includes: a position detection unit 231 that detects a vertical position of an engaged part; and an elevation detection unit 232 that detects a moving direction of the engaged part. The detection part 23 detects whether a holding mechanism is in a locked state, a locked transition state, or an unlocked state based on the vertical position of the engaged part detected by the position detection unit 231 and the movement direction of the engaged part detected by the elevation detection unit 232.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor lifting device including a conveyor lifting mechanism that raises and lowers a conveyor between an elevated position and a lowered position, and a holding mechanism that holds the conveyor in the elevated position. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such a conveyor lifting device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6885752 (Patent Document 1). In the following description of the background art, the reference numerals in parentheses refer to those in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a lifting device that lifts a conveyor (11), one end of which is supported so as to be able to swing, via a lifting mechanism (20), and a ceiling hanging bracket (24) that is attached to a ceiling. The lifting device is configured to raise the lifting mechanism (20) together with the conveyor (11), thereby fixing the lifting mechanism (20) to the ceiling hanging bracket (24). In this way, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to hold the conveyor (11) in a raised position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6885752 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the lifting mechanism (20) is moved up and down by the lifting and lowering of the hook portion (30) in the lifting mechanism (20), so that the lifting mechanism (20) transitions between a locked state in which the lifting mechanism (20) is fixed to the ceiling hanging fitting (24) and an unlocked state in which the fixation is released. That is, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of Patent Document 1, the elements constituting the lifting mechanism (20), such as the hook portion (30) and the release plate (33), interact with the rod-shaped fitting (31) of the ceiling hanging fitting (24) as the hook portion (30) moves up and down, so that the state transition between the locked state and the unlocked state is realized. Whether the interaction between the above elements is properly performed depends on the lifting and lowering distances of the hook portion (30) during the state transition. Therefore, high accuracy is required for the lifting and lowering of the hook portion (30). In order to raise and lower the hook portion 30 with high accuracy, it is desirable to be able to properly grasp the state (locked state, unlocked state, etc.) of the lifting mechanism portion 20 and the ceiling hanging bracket 24. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose this point.

[0006] In view of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a technology that can properly grasp the state of the holding mechanism that holds the conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A conveyor lifting device comprising: a conveyor lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering a conveyor between an elevated position and a lowered position; and a holding mechanism for holding the conveyor in the elevated position, The holding mechanism includes a ceiling side mechanism portion attached to a ceiling and a conveyor side mechanism portion attached to the conveyor, The holding mechanism includes: The conveyor mechanism is raised from below a predetermined lock transition area to within the lock transition area, thereby entering a lock transition state, When the conveyor-side mechanism part is lowered from the locked transition state, the ceiling-side mechanism part and the conveyor-side mechanism part are brought into a locked state in which they are engaged with each other, thereby holding the conveyor. When the conveyor-side mechanism rises to an unlocked region above the lock transition region, the engagement between the ceiling-side mechanism and the conveyor-side mechanism is released to an unlocked state, allowing the conveyor to descend, The holding mechanism further includes a detection unit that detects whether the state is the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state, and a status output unit that outputs status information indicating the state detected by the detection unit.

[0008] According to this configuration, the detection unit can appropriately detect whether the holding mechanism is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state, and can output the detected state. This makes it possible to appropriately grasp the state of the holding mechanism. Therefore, for example, when an operator operates the conveyor lifting mechanism, the status output unit can appropriately inform the operator of the state of the holding mechanism. Therefore, the operator can appropriately perform the lifting and lowering operation of the conveyor to put the holding mechanism into the locked state or the unlocked state. Furthermore, for example, when the conveyor lifting and lowering mechanism is controlled by a control device, the status output unit can appropriately output the state of the holding mechanism to the control device. Therefore, the control device can appropriately perform the lifting and lowering operation of the conveyor to put the holding mechanism into the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Side view of conveyor lifting device [Diagram 2] Front view of conveyor lifting device [Diagram 3] A front view showing the main part of the conveyor lifting device. [Figure 4] Conveyor lifting device functional block diagram [Diagram 5]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the first hook and the second hook in response to the movement of the engaged portion; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the first hook and the second hook in response to the movement of the engaged portion; [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the first hook and the second hook in response to the movement of the engaged portion; [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the first hook and the second hook in response to the movement of the engaged portion; [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the movement of the first hook and the second hook in response to the movement of the engaged portion; [Figure 10] A flowchart showing a processing procedure when a state transition of a holding mechanism is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The conveyor lifting device is a device for lifting and lowering a conveyor and for supporting the conveyor. Hereinafter, the conveyor lifting device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of the conveyor lifting device 100, and shows the conveyor 9 to be lifted together with the conveyor lifting device 100. FIG. 2 is a front view of the conveyor lifting device 100, and shows the state in which the conveyor 9 is held by the conveyor lifting device 100. Note that the left-right direction in FIG. 2 is the width direction W of the conveyor 9 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "width direction W"). The width direction W is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 9 when viewed in the up-down direction. In the following description, one side of the width direction W may be referred to as the "first width direction side W1" and the other side as the "second width direction side W2".

[0013] 1 and 2, the conveyor lifting device 100 includes a conveyor lifting mechanism 1 that raises and lowers the conveyor 9 between an upper position Pu and a lower position Pd, and a holding mechanism 2 that holds the conveyor 9 at the upper position Pu. The holding mechanism 2 includes a ceiling-side mechanism part 21 attached to the ceiling, and a conveyor-side mechanism part 22 attached to the conveyor 9.

[0014] The conveyor lifting mechanism 1 is provided above the conveyor 9, and is configured to lift and lower the conveyor 9 while supporting it in a suspended state. In this embodiment, the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 is configured to lift and lower the conveyor 9 via the conveyor side mechanism unit 22 by lifting and lowering the conveyor 9. The conveyor lifting mechanism 1 is configured by, for example, a ceiling crane.

[0015] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor 9 is configured to swing. When in use, the conveyor 9 is in an inclined position inclined downward, and when not in use, the conveyor 9 is in a horizontal storage position. The base end of the conveyor 9 is supported rotatably at a position spaced above the floor surface. The tip end of the conveyor 9 is in contact with the floor surface when the conveyor 9 is in the inclined position, and is located at a position spaced above the floor surface when the conveyor 9 is in the storage position.

[0016] In this embodiment, the conveyor-side mechanism 22 is connected to the conveyor 9 at a position closer to the tip end than the center in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 9. The conveyor lifting mechanism 1 is configured to oscillate the conveyor 9 by raising and lowering the conveyor-side mechanism 22.

[0017] The ceiling side mechanism 21 is disposed at a position corresponding to the conveyor side mechanism 22. In detail, the ceiling side mechanism 21 is disposed at a position overlapping the conveyor side mechanism 22 when the conveyor 9 is disposed at the raised position Pu. The holding mechanism 2 is configured to hold the conveyor 9 at the raised position Pu by the ceiling side mechanism 21 and the conveyor side mechanism 22 engaging with each other.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the holding mechanism 2 is configured to enter a locked transition state when the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 rises from below a predetermined locked transition region Rt into the locked transition region Rt. The "locked transition state" refers to a state in which the ceiling-side mechanism unit 21 and the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 can be engaged (locked). Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the holding mechanism 2 enters the locked transition state when the engaged portion 224 of the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 rises from below the locked transition region Rt into the locked transition region Rt.

[0019] The holding mechanism 2 is configured to hold the conveyor 9 in a locked state in which the ceiling-side mechanism unit 21 and the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 are engaged with each other as a result of the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 descending from the locked transition state. The "locked state" refers to a state in which the ceiling-side mechanism unit 21 and the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 are engaged with each other, or a state in which the holding mechanism 2 holds the conveyor 9. In this embodiment, the holding mechanism 2 enters the locked state as the engaged portion 224 of the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 descends from the locked transition state of the holding mechanism 2.

[0020] The holding mechanism 2 is configured such that, when the conveyor-side mechanism 22 rises to within an unlocked region Rr above the locked transition region Rt, the engagement between the ceiling-side mechanism 21 and the conveyor-side mechanism 22 is released, and the holding mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state, allowing the conveyor 9 to descend. The "unlocked state" refers to a state in which the engagement between the ceiling-side mechanism 21 and the conveyor-side mechanism 22 is released, or a state in which the conveyor-side mechanism 22 can be retracted downward from the ceiling-side mechanism 21. In this embodiment, the holding mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state when the engaged portion 224 of the conveyor-side mechanism 22 rises to within an unlocked region Rr above the locked transition region Rt.

[0021] The holding mechanism 2 includes a detection unit 23 that detects whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state. That is, the detection unit 23 is configured to detect whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a lock transition state, or whether the holding mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state.

[0022] 2, the holding mechanism 2 includes a status output unit 24 that outputs status information indicating the status detected by the detection unit 23. The "status information" is information indicating whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state.

[0023] In this embodiment, the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 lifts and lowers the conveyor 9 in accordance with a signal from an operation unit 8 (see FIG. 4) operated by an operator. The status output unit 24 is configured to notify the operator of the status of the holding mechanism 2 detected by the detection unit 23.

[0024] The status output unit 24 notifies the worker of the status of the holding mechanism 2 by visual means or audio means. Visual means include means using light, images, etc. Audio means include means using voice announcements, alarm sounds, etc. In this embodiment, the status output unit 24 displays status information indicating whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state so that the worker can visually confirm it. In this example, the status output unit 24 is configured using a signal tower, and is configured to notify the worker of the status of the holding mechanism 2 by changing the status to a flashing state, a lit state, or an unlit state. That is, the status output unit 24 notifies the worker of the status of the holding mechanism 2 by visual means using light. In this example, the status output unit 24 is in a flashing state when the holding mechanism 2 is in a lock transition state, in a lit state when the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, and in an unlit state when the holding mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state.

[0025] In this embodiment, the status output unit 24 is provided in the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22. This makes it easy for an operator to visually check the output status of the status output unit 24 while visually checking the rising and lowering conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 and the conveyor 9. However, the status output unit 24 only needs to be provided in a place that is easy for an operator to see, and may be provided on the floor, for example.

[0026] In this embodiment, the conveyor side mechanism 22 comprises a conveyor support portion 220 that supports the conveyor 9 from below, vertical frame portions 221 erected upward from both ends of the conveyor support portion 220 in the width direction W, horizontal frame portions 222 connected to the upper ends of each of the pair of vertical frame portions 221, and an engaged portion 224 connected to the horizontal frame portions 222 via connecting portions 223.

[0027] The engaged part 224 is a part that overlaps with the support member 210 of the ceiling side mechanism part 21 in the width direction W view as the conveyor 9 rises and falls, and is engaged with the ceiling side mechanism part 21. In this embodiment, the engaged part 224 is configured to rise and fall in the passage part 210a formed in the support member 210 as the conveyor 9 rises and falls. That is, in this embodiment, the conveyor side mechanism part 22 is provided with the engaged part 224 that rises and falls in the passage part 210a of the support member 210 as the conveyor 9 rises and falls. In this example, the engaged part 224 is configured using a rod-shaped member. And, the engaged part 224 is arranged in parallel (including a state parallel or slightly inclined) with the longitudinal direction of the conveyor 9. That is, the engaged part 224 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2.

[0028] In this embodiment, the conveyor-side mechanism section 22 has a pair of engaged parts 224. The pair of engaged parts 224 are arranged spaced apart in the width direction W of the conveyor 9. In this example, a connecting part 223 is erected upward from each of both ends of the horizontal frame part 222 in the width direction W. The engaged part 224 is supported by each of the pair of connecting parts 223.

[0029] In this embodiment, the ceiling side mechanism unit 21 includes a support member 210 having a passage portion 210a that is open toward the downward side, a first hook 211 that is supported by the support member 210 and has a portion that is positioned in the passage portion 210a, and a second hook 212 that is supported by the support member 210 and has a portion that is positioned in the passage portion 210a.

[0030] The first hook 211 and the second hook 212 are configured to operate when pressed by the engaged portion 224 moving up and down inside the passage portion 210a. Although details will be described later, the first hook 211 operates directly by the engaged portion 224 moving up and down, or indirectly by the second hook 212 being pressed by the engaged portion 224, and is configured to change its position between a restricting position that prevents the engaged portion 224 from moving down and a non-restricting position that does not prevent the engaged portion 224 from moving down.

[0031] In this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the width direction W when viewed in the up-down direction is defined as an "orthogonal direction L", and the passage portion 210a is formed in a slit shape with an open lower end portion of the main body portion 210B of the support member 210 and both ends in the orthogonal direction L. In this example, the above-mentioned engaged portion 224 is configured to move up and down within the passage portion 210a while protruding on both sides in the orthogonal direction L with respect to the passage portion 210a. In other words, a part of the engaged portion 224 (the center portion in the orthogonal direction L) is configured to move up and down within the passage portion 210a.

[0032] In this embodiment, the ceiling side mechanism section 21 is provided with engagement units U each including a support member 210, a first hook 211, and a second hook 212, which correspond to each of the pair of engaged sections 224, at positions spaced apart in the width direction W. Each of the pair of engagement units U is supported by being suspended from the ceiling at positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction W. Each of the pair of engagement units U is supported by being suspended from the ceiling directly or indirectly via another member.

[0033] In this embodiment, in one engagement unit U, the first hook 211 is arranged on the first widthwise side W1 relative to the second hook 212, and in the other engagement unit U, the first hook 211 is arranged on the first widthwise side W1 relative to the second hook 212. That is, in each of the pair of engagement units U, the first hook 211 is arranged on the first widthwise side W1 relative to the second hook 212, and the second hook 212 is arranged on the second widthwise side W2 relative to the first hook 211. In other words, each of the pair of engagement units U is arranged to face the same direction. With this configuration, even if the pair of engaged parts 224 rise in a state where they are shifted in the width direction W relative to the pair of engagement units U, the positional relationship in the width direction W between the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 and the engaged part 224 in each engagement unit U is equivalent to each other between the pair of engagement units U. Therefore, it is easy to avoid a situation in which one of the pair of engaged portions 224 properly engages with the engaging unit U while the other does not.

[0034] In this embodiment, the positional relationship of each element constituting each of the pair of engagement units U is the same in each of the pair of engagement units U. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the configurations of the pair of engagement units U are similar. Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the engagement unit U will be described by focusing on one of the pair of engagement units U.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging unit U includes a support member 210, a first hook 211, and a second hook 212. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The support member 210 includes a passage 210a through which the engaged portion 224 of the conveyor-side mechanism 22 can move up and down. The passage 210a is formed so as to open downward from the main body 210B of the support member 210 and extend vertically from the open portion. In this example, the passage 210a is formed so as to open from the main body 210B toward both sides in the perpendicular direction L. That is, in this example, the passage 210a is formed in a slit shape in which the lower end of the main body 210B and both ends in the perpendicular direction L are open. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the main body 210B is formed using a pair of plate-like members arranged at a distance in the perpendicular direction L. The main portions of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 are arranged between the pair of plate-like members constituting the main body 210B in the perpendicular direction L.

[0037] The engaged portion 224 of the conveyor-side mechanism portion 22 is configured to enter the passage portion 210a from below. In this embodiment, the support member 210 is provided with a guide portion 210b that guides the engaged portion 224 to the passage portion 210a. The guide portion 210b is provided so as to be continuous with the passage portion 210a at the lower end of the main body portion 210B, and is formed in a tapered shape that narrows from the lower end of the main body portion 210B toward the passage portion 210a. This allows the engaged portion 224 approaching from below to be appropriately guided to the passage portion 210a. Since the guide portion 210b is a portion that may come into contact with the engaged portion 224, it is preferable that the guide portion 210b is configured using a resin material that is not easily damaged by contact with the engaged portion 224.

[0038] As described later, in this embodiment, the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 are supported by the support member 210 so as to be freely swingable. In this embodiment, the support member 210 includes a first stopper 210c that restricts the swing of the first hook 211 in one direction, and a second stopper 210d that restricts the swing of the first hook 211 in the other direction. In this example, the first stopper 210c is configured to receive the first hook 211 in the non-restricted position. The second stopper 210d is configured to receive the first hook 211 in the restricted position. The first stopper 210c is disposed on a first widthwise side W1 with respect to a swing center (hereinafter referred to as a "first swing center A1") of the first hook 211. The second stopper 210d is disposed on a second widthwise side W2 with respect to the first swing center A1. In the illustrated example, the first stopper 210c is disposed above the second stopper 210d, and the second stopper 210d is disposed below the first stopper 210c.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 are supported to be freely swingable relative to the support member 210. The first hook 211 is supported by the support member 210 via a first swing shaft 211x, and is configured to swing around the first swing shaft 211x. That is, the position where the first swing shaft 211x is arranged becomes the swing center (first swing center A1) of the first hook 211. The second hook 212 has a second swing shaft 212x, and is configured to swing around the second swing shaft 212x. That is, the position where the second swing shaft 212x is arranged becomes the swing center (hereinafter referred to as the "second swing center A2") of the second hook 212.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 are configured not to hinder the rise of the engaged portion 224 in the passage portion 210a. The first hook 211 and the second hook 212 swing in the pressing direction as the portions of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 arranged in the passage portion 210a are pressed by the rising engaged portion 224.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first oscillation axis 211x and the second oscillation axis 212x are along the same direction. In this example, the first oscillation axis 211x and the second oscillation axis 212x are along the perpendicular direction L. The first oscillation axis 211x (first oscillation center A1) is disposed below the second oscillation axis 212x (second oscillation center A2). Therefore, the first hook 211 that swings around the first oscillation axis 211x is configured to swing below the second hook 212 that swings around the second oscillation axis 212x.

[0042] The first hook 211 has a portion disposed in the passage portion 210a, and is configured so that this portion is pressed by the rising and falling engaged portion 224. The first hook 211 is also configured so that it is pressed by the swinging second hook 212. The first hook 211 swings when pressed by the engaged portion 224 or the second hook 212.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first hook 211 includes a pair of extensions (211a, 211b) extending in different directions from the first swing center A1 in a virtual plane perpendicular to the first swing axis 211x. One extension 211a of the pair of extensions (211a, 211b) is formed shorter than the other extension 211b. In this embodiment, the shorter of the pair of extensions (211a, 211b) is the first short portion 211a, and the longer of the pair of extensions (211a, 211b) is the first long portion 211b. That is, in this embodiment, the first hook 211 includes the first short portion 211a and the first long portion 211b extending in different directions from the first swing center A1 in a virtual plane perpendicular to the first swing axis 211x. In the illustrated example, the extending direction of the first short side portion 211a and the extending direction of the first long side portion 211b intersect at a substantially right angle, so that the first hook 211 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed in the orthogonal direction L.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first hook 211 has a pressed portion 211c that is pressed by the rising engaged portion 224 or the swinging second hook 212. The center of gravity of the first hook 211 is located closer to the pressed portion 211c than the swing center (first swing center A1) of the first hook 211. In this example, the pressed portion 211c is connected to the first long portion 211b. Therefore, in this example, the first hook 211 is configured such that the first long portion 211b side is easily swingable downward. In this example, the pressed portion 211c is located at a different position in the perpendicular direction L from the extending portions (211a, 211b) of the first hook 211.

[0045] In this embodiment, the pressed portion 211c is configured using a rotating body, a sphere, or the like. This can reduce friction when pressed by the engaged portion 224 or the second hook 212. In the illustrated example, the pressed portion 211c is configured using a roller (an example of a rotating body) that is rotatable around an axis along the orthogonal direction L.

[0046] The second hook 212 has a portion disposed in the passage portion 210a, and is configured so that the portion is pressed by the ascending and descending engaged portion 224. The second hook 212 swings by being pressed by the engaged portion 224. The second hook 212 is configured to press the first hook 211 by being pressed by the engaged portion 224 and swinging. In this example, the second hook 212 has a portion that overlaps with the pressed portion 211c of the first hook 211 in the orthogonal direction L. As a result, the second hook 212 can press the pressed portion 211c of the first hook 211 by swinging, and is configured to press the first hook 211 by pressing the pressed portion 211c. The second hook 212 is disposed at a different position in the orthogonal direction L from the first short portion 211a and the first long portion 211b of the first hook 211. Therefore, the second hook 212 and the first short portion 211a and first long portion 211b of the first hook 211 are configured not to interfere with each other even when the second hook 212 or the first hook 211 swings.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second hook 212 has a pair of extensions (212a, 212b) extending in different directions from the second swing center A2 in a virtual plane perpendicular to the second swing axis 212x. One extension 212a of the pair of extensions (212a, 212b) is formed shorter than the other extension 212b. In this embodiment, the shorter of the pair of extensions (212a, 212b) is the second short portion 212a, and the longer of the pair of extensions (212a, 212b) is the second long portion 212b. That is, in this embodiment, the second hook 212 has the second short portion 212a and the second long portion 212b extending in different directions from the second swing center A2 in a virtual plane perpendicular to the second swing axis 212x. In the illustrated example, the extending direction of the second short side portion 212a and the extending direction of the second long side portion 212b intersect at a substantially right angle. Therefore, the second hook 212 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed in the orthogonal direction L.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the detector 23 includes a position detector unit 231 that detects the vertical position of the engaged portion 224, and a lift detector unit 232 that detects the movement direction of the engaged portion 224.

[0049] In this embodiment, the position detection unit 231 includes a sensor Se attached to the engaged portion 224, and a position determination portion 231a that determines the vertical position of the engaged portion 224 based on the detection result of the sensor Se.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, the sensor Se is attached to the engaged portion 224 via the connecting portion 223, and is disposed at the same position in the up-down direction relative to the engaged portion 224. The sensor Se is configured to detect a detected portion D provided on the support member 210. In this example, the sensor Se is configured using an optical sensor. The detected portion D is configured using a reflecting plate that reflects detection light emitted by the sensor Se. The sensor Se detects the detected portion D by receiving the detection light reflected by the detected portion D.

[0051] The detectable portion D includes a first detectable portion D1 arranged at the same vertical position relative to the entry area Re, a second detectable portion D2 arranged at the same vertical position relative to the lock transition area Rt, and a third detectable portion D3 arranged at the same vertical position relative to the lock release area Rr.

[0052] The entry area Re is a vertical area set near the entrance of the passage 210a. The lock transition area Rt is a vertical area in which the engaged part 224 is located when the holding mechanism 2 is in a lock transition state. In this example, the lock transition area Rt is a vertical area in which the engaged part 224 is located when the rising engaged part 224 passes the first hook 211. The unlock area Rr is a vertical area in which the engaged part 224 is located when the holding mechanism 2 is in an unlocked state. In this example, the unlock area Rr is a vertical area in which the engaged part 224 is located when the second hook 212, which is pressed by the rising engaged part 224 to swing, operates the first hook 211 to cause the first hook 211 to assume an unrestricted position.

[0053] In this embodiment, the sensor Se as an optical sensor is configured to project detection light along the orthogonal direction L. In this example, the sensor Se includes a first sensor Se1 and a second sensor Se2. The first sensor Se1 is disposed on the first widthwise side W1 relative to the engaged portion 224. The second sensor Se2 is disposed on the second widthwise side W2 relative to the engaged portion 224. There are four combination patterns (combination patterns of on and off) of the detection states of the detected portion D by the two sensors (Se1, Se2). In this example, as described later, the above combination patterns are made different depending on whether the engaged portion 224 is in the entry area Re, whether the engaged portion 224 is in the lock transition area Rt, whether the engaged portion 224 is in the unlock area Rr, or whether the engaged portion 224 is in an area other than these three areas (Re, Rt, Rr). This makes it possible for the position detection unit 231 to distinguish and detect whether the engaged portion 224 is in the entry region Re, whether the engaged portion 224 is in the lock transition region Rt, and whether the engaged portion 224 is in the unlock region Rr.

[0054] In this embodiment, the detection target D as a reflector is attached to the main body 210B of the support member 210 so that the reflection surface faces the orthogonal direction L. In this example, the first detection target D1 arranged at the same height as the entry area Re includes a pair of reflection plates arranged on both sides of the passage 210a in the width direction W. The second detection target D2 arranged at the same height as the lock transition area Rt includes a reflection plate arranged on the first width direction side W1 with respect to the passage 210a. The third detection target D3 arranged at the same height as the unlock area Rr includes a reflection plate arranged on the second width direction side W2 with respect to the passage 210a. Note that the detection target D only needs to be arranged at the same height as the entry area Re, the lock transition area Rt, and the unlock area Rr, and the reflection surface may face in any direction. The sensor Se for detecting the detection target D is installed according to the direction of the reflection surface.

[0055] As described above, the position detection unit 231 is configured to detect that the engaged portion 224 has entered the passage portion 210a, that the engaged portion 224 is in the lock transition region Rt, and that the engaged portion 224 is in the lock release region Rr.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the lifting / lowering detection unit 232 includes a lifting / lowering determination unit 232a that determines whether the engaged part 224 has been lifted or lowered. In this example, the lifting / lowering determination unit 232a is configured to determine whether the engaged part 224 has been lifted or lowered by receiving a signal input to the operation unit 8 by an operator. In detail, the lifting / lowering determination unit 232a determines that the engaged part 224 connected to the conveyor 9 has been lifted by receiving an up signal input to the operation unit 8 to lift the conveyor 9 by the conveyor lifting mechanism 1. In addition, the lifting / lowering determination unit 232a determines that the engaged part 224 connected to the conveyor 9 has been lowered by receiving a down signal input to the operation unit 8 to lower the conveyor 9 by the conveyor lifting mechanism 1. For example, the lifting / lowering signal or the down signal is transmitted by operating a lifting / lowering lever or a lifting / lowering button provided on the operation unit 8. The lifting / lowering determination unit 232a receives these up and down signals and determines whether the conveyor 9 is lifted or lowered. In this manner, the lifting / lowering detection unit 232 detects the moving direction of the engaged part 224, i.e., whether the engaged part 224 is lifting or lowering.

[0057] In this way, the detection unit 23 detects whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state, based on the vertical position of the engaged part 224 detected by the position detection unit 231 and the movement direction (lift state) of the engaged part 224 detected by the lift detection unit 232. Then, the state output unit 24 outputs state information indicating the state of the holding mechanism 2 detected by the detection unit 23 (locked state, lock transition state, or unlocked state). As described above, in this embodiment, the state output unit 24 configured using a signal tower notifies the operator of the state of the holding mechanism 2 detected by the detection unit 23 by flashing when the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state, turning on when the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state, and turning off when the holding mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state.

[0058] Next, the operation of the conveyor lifting and lowering device 100 and the process steps performed by the conveyor lifting and lowering device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] 5 to 9 show the movements of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 in response to the movement of the engaged portion 224. In detail, Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 show a series of movements of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 in chronological order from when the engaged portion 224 enters the passage portion 210a until when it exits the passage portion 210a.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5 (time T1), when the rising engaged part 224 is disposed at the same height as the first detected part D1, both the first sensor Se1 and the second sensor Se2 detect the first detected part D1 (first sensor Se1: ON, second sensor Se2: ON). Then, the elevation detection unit 232 receives an elevation signal from the operation unit 8 and detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (engaged part 224: elevation). By satisfying these conditions, that is, the first sensor Se1 and the second sensor Se2 both detect the detected part D (first sensor Se1: ON, second sensor Se2: ON) and the elevation detection unit 232 detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (engaged part 224: elevation), the detection unit 23 detects that the engaged part 224 has entered the passage part 210a (steps #1 and #2 in FIG. 10).

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5 (time T2), the engaged portion 224 that has entered the passage portion 210a continues to rise, and causes the first hook 211 to swing while pressing the first hook 211 upward.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6 (T3), when the engaged part 224, which is further rising, is disposed at the same height as the second detected part D2, the first sensor Se1 detects the second detected part D2 (first sensor Se1: ON, second sensor Se2: OFF). Then, the elevation detection unit 232 receives an elevation signal from the operation unit 8 and detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (engaged part 224: rising). By satisfying these conditions, that is, the first sensor Se1 detects the detected part D (first sensor Se1: ON), the second sensor Se2 does not detect the detected part D (second sensor Se2: OFF), and the elevation detection unit 232 detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (engaged part 224: rising), the detection unit 23 detects that the engaged part 224 has entered the lock transition region Rt and detects that the holding mechanism 2 has entered the lock transition state (steps #3 and #4 in FIG. 10). That is, when the detection unit 23 detects that the engaged portion 224 has entered the passage portion 210a, and then detects that the engaged portion 224 has entered the lock transition region Rt while rising, the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in a lock transition state.

[0063] When the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state, the engaged portion 224 is disposed above the first hook 211. The first hook 211, which is released from the pressure of the engaged portion 224, swings by its own weight in the opposite direction to the direction in which it was pressed by the rising engaged portion 224. As a result, the first hook 211 is disposed below the engaged portion 224 in a state where it overlaps with the engaged portion 224 when viewed in the up-down direction. Specifically, the first long portion 211b of the first hook 211 is disposed below the engaged portion 224 in a state where it overlaps with the engaged portion 224 when viewed in the up-down direction. Then, when the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state, the status output unit 24 outputs status information indicating that the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state (step #5 in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the status output unit 24 is in a flashing state.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6 (T4), the engaged part 224 starts to descend after the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state. When the detection unit 23 detects that the engaged part 224 has left the lock transition region Rt during descent after detecting that the holding mechanism 2 is in the lock transition state, the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state. In the locked state of the holding mechanism 2, the first hook 211 abuts from below against the engaged part 224 that is attempting to descend from within the lock transition region Rt, and assumes a restrictive posture that prevents the engaged part 224 from descending. In this embodiment, the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state (steps #6 and #7 in FIG. 10) on the condition that the first sensor Se1 and the second sensor Se2 do not detect the detected part D (first sensor Se1: OFF, second sensor Se2: OFF) and the elevation detection unit 232 detects that the engaged part 224 has descended for a specified time (engaged part 224: descended for specified time).

[0065] Then, when the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state, the status output unit 24 outputs status information indicating that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state (step #8 in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the status output unit 24 is in the lit state.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7 (T5), the engaged portion 224 starts to rise after the holding mechanism 2 is locked. The rising engaged portion 224 swings the second hook 212 while pressing the second short portion 212a of the second hook 212. The second hook 212, which is pressed by the engaged portion 224 and swings, swings the first hook 211 while pressing the first hook 211. Specifically, the second long portion 212b of the second hook 212 swings the first hook 211 while pressing the pressed portion 211c of the first hook 211. That is, in this embodiment, the pressed portion 211c of the first hook 211 is configured to be pressed by the second hook 212, which swings in response to the rise of the engaged portion 224, when the first hook 211 changes position from the restricted position to the non-restricted position.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 7 (T6), when the engaged part 224, which is further rising, is disposed at the same height as the third detected part D3, the second sensor Se2 detects the third detected part D3 (the first sensor Se1: OFF, the second sensor Se2: ON). Then, the elevation detection unit 232 receives an elevation signal from the operation unit 8 and detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (the engaged part 224: rising). By satisfying these conditions, that is, the first sensor Se1 does not detect the detected part D (the first sensor Se1: OFF), the second sensor Se2 detects the detected part D (the second sensor Se2: ON), and the elevation detection unit 232 detects the elevation of the engaged part 224 (the engaged part 224: rising), the detection unit 23 detects that the engaged part 224 has entered the unlocked region Rr and detects that the holding mechanism 2 has entered the unlocked state (steps #9 and #10 in FIG. 10). That is, when the detector 23 detects that the engaged portion 224 has entered the unlocked region Rr during ascent, the detector 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state.

[0068] Here, as described above, the position of the center of gravity of the first hook 211 is closer to the pressed portion 211c than the swing center (first swing center A1) of the first hook 211. As a result, when the pressed portion 211c is pressed by the second hook 212, the first hook 211 can be easily swung toward the pressed portion 211c by utilizing the weight balance of the first hook 211 with respect to the first swing center A1. In this example, when the holding mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state, the center of gravity of the first hook 211, which has been pressed and swung by the second hook 212, is disposed on the first widthwise side W1 than the first swing center A1. Then, the first hook 211 swings by its own weight to the same side as the direction in which it was pressed by the second hook 212. As a result, the first long portion 211b of the first hook 211 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the engaged portion 224 when viewed in the up-down direction. At this time, the first hook 211 is in a non-restricted position that does not prevent the descent of the engaged part 224. That is, the second hook 212 is configured to change the position of the first hook 211 from the restricted position to the non-restricted position in response to the movement of the engaged part 224 rising to the unlocking region Rr. Thus, in this embodiment, the first hook 211 is configured to change its position between a restricted position (see FIG. 6 (T4)) in which the engaged part 224 that is attempting to descend from within the lock transition region Rt is abutted from below to prevent the descent of the engaged part 224, and a non-restricted position (see FIG. 7 (T6)) in which the descent of the engaged part 224 is not prevented. In this example, the first hook 211 in the non-restricted position is received by the first stopper 210c.

[0069] Then, when the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state, the status output unit 24 outputs status information indicating that the holding mechanism 2 is in the unlocked state (step #11 in FIG. 10). In this embodiment, the status output unit 24 is turned off.

[0070] 8 (T7), the engaged portion 224 starts to descend after the holding mechanism 2 is released from the lock state. The second hook 212 swings due to its own weight while being supported by the descending engaged portion 224. Specifically, the second hook 212 swings downward due to its own weight while the second short portion 212a of the second hook 212 is supported by the descending engaged portion 224.

[0071] 8 (T8), the engaged portion 224 continues to descend, pressing the first hook 211 downward and swinging the first hook 211. Specifically, the engaged portion 224 presses the first short portion 211a of the first hook 211 and swings the first hook 211.

[0072] 9 (T9), the first hook 211 is received by the second stopper 210d and stops swinging. When the engaged part 224, which is further lowered, is disposed at the same height as the first detected part D1, both the first sensor Se1 and the second sensor Se2 detect the first detected part D1 (first sensor Se1: ON, second sensor Se2: ON). Then, the elevation detection unit 232 receives a lowering signal from the operating part 8 and detects the lowering of the engaged part 224 (engaged part 224: lowered). When these conditions are met, i.e., both the first sensor Se1 and the second sensor Se2 detect the detected portion D (first sensor Se1: ON, second sensor Se2: ON) and the up / down detection unit 232 detects the descent of the engaged portion 224 (engaged portion 224: up), the detection portion 23 detects that the engaged portion 224 has exited from the passage portion 210a (steps #12 and #13 in Figure 10).

[0073] According to the conveyor lifting device 100 described above, the state of the engaged portion 224 is detected by the detector 23, and the state of the holding mechanism 2 that holds the conveyor 9 can be appropriately grasped based on the detection result.

[0074] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the conveyor lifting device will be described.

[0075] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the detection unit 23 includes a position detection unit 231 that detects the vertical position of the engaged portion 224 and a lift detection unit 232 that detects the moving direction of the engaged portion 224. Then, an example has been described in which the detection unit 23 detects whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state based on the detection results by the position detection unit 231 and the lift detection unit 232. However, without being limited to such an example, the detection unit 23 may include a hook posture detection unit that detects the posture of the first hook 211 and the posture of the second hook 212 instead of or in addition to the position detection unit 231 and the lift detection unit 232. In this case, the detection unit 23 is configured to detect whether the holding mechanism 2 is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state based on the posture of the first hook 211 and the posture of the second hook 212 detected by the hook posture detection unit. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the hook posture detection unit may be equipped, for example, with a sensor that detects the amount of swing and swing angle of each of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212, and a switch that comes into contact when each of the first hook 211 and the second hook 212 swings a specific amount.

[0076] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the detection unit 23 detects that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state on the condition that the lifting / lowering detection unit 232 detects that the engaged part 224 has descended for a specified time (engaged part 224: descends for specified time) in a state in which neither the first sensor Se1 nor the second sensor Se2 detects the detected part D (first sensor Se1: OFF, second sensor Se2: OFF). However, without being limited to such an example, the detection unit 23 may detect that the holding mechanism 2 is in the locked state on the condition that the lifting / lowering detection unit 232 detects that the engaged part 224 has stopped descending (a state in which the engaged part 224 does not descend any further) in a state in which neither the first sensor Se1 nor the second sensor Se2 detects the detected part D (first sensor Se1: OFF, second sensor Se2: OFF).

[0077] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the ceiling side mechanism 21 has engagement units U including the support member 210, the first hook 211, and the second hook 212, each of which corresponds to a pair of engaged parts 224, at positions spaced apart in the width direction W. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the pair of engagement units U may be provided in the conveyor side mechanism 22. In this case, it is preferable that the pair of engaged parts 224 are provided in the ceiling side mechanism 21.

[0078] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the status output unit 24 is configured using a signal tower and is configured to notify the status of the holding mechanism 2 by changing the state between a flashing state, a lit state, and an off state. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the status output unit 24 may notify the status of the holding mechanism 2 by displaying the status of the holding mechanism 2 on the display screen of the operation unit 8 operated by the worker.

[0079] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 lifts and lowers the conveyor 9 in accordance with a signal from the operation unit 8 operated by an operator. However, without being limited to such an example, the conveyor lifting device 100 may be configured to include a control device and to lift and lower the conveyor 9 by automatically controlling the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 using the control device. In this case, the status output unit 24 may be configured as a signal output unit and configured to output a signal indicating the status of the holding mechanism 2 detected by the detection unit 23 to the control device.

[0080] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the pressed portion 211c of the first hook 211 is configured to be pressed by the second hook 212 that swings in response to the rise of the engaged portion 224 when the first hook 211 changes its position from the restricted position to the unrestricted position. However, without being limited to such an example, the pressed portion 211c does not have to be configured to be pressed by the second hook 212. In this case, it is preferable that the pressed portion 211c is configured to be pressed by the rising engaged portion 224 when the first hook 211 changes its position from the restricted position to the unrestricted position.

[0081] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 has a pair of engaged parts 224, and the ceiling-side mechanism unit 21 has a pair of engaging units U. However, without being limited to such an example, the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22 may have one engaged part 224 or three or more engaged parts 224. The ceiling-side mechanism unit 21 may have one engaging unit U or three or more engaging units U.

[0082] (8) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the conveyor 9 is configured to oscillate, and the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 oscillates the conveyor 9 by raising and lowering the conveyor-side mechanism unit 22. However, without being limited to such an example, the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 may be configured to raise and lower the conveyor 9 without oscillating it. For example, the conveyor lifting mechanism 1 may be configured to raise and lower the conveyor 9 in a horizontal position while keeping it in the horizontal position.

[0083] (9) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described conveyor lifting device will now be described.

[0085] A conveyor lifting device comprising: a conveyor lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering a conveyor between an elevated position and a lowered position; and a holding mechanism for holding the conveyor in the elevated position, The holding mechanism includes a ceiling side mechanism portion attached to a ceiling and a conveyor side mechanism portion attached to the conveyor, The holding mechanism includes: The conveyor mechanism is raised from below a predetermined lock transition area to within the lock transition area, thereby entering a lock transition state, When the conveyor-side mechanism part is lowered from the locked transition state, the ceiling-side mechanism part and the conveyor-side mechanism part are brought into a locked state in which they are engaged with each other, thereby holding the conveyor. When the conveyor-side mechanism rises to an unlocked region above the lock transition region, the engagement between the ceiling-side mechanism and the conveyor-side mechanism is released to an unlocked state, allowing the conveyor to descend, The holding mechanism further includes a detection unit that detects whether the state is the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state, and a status output unit that outputs status information indicating the state detected by the detection unit.

[0086] According to this configuration, the detection unit can appropriately detect whether the holding mechanism is in a locked state, a lock transition state, or an unlocked state, and can output the detected state. This makes it possible to appropriately grasp the state of the holding mechanism. Therefore, for example, when an operator operates the conveyor lifting mechanism, the status output unit can appropriately inform the operator of the state of the holding mechanism. Therefore, the operator can appropriately perform the lifting and lowering operation of the conveyor to put the holding mechanism into the locked state or the unlocked state. Furthermore, for example, when the conveyor lifting and lowering mechanism is controlled by a control device, the status output unit can appropriately output the state of the holding mechanism to the control device. Therefore, the control device can appropriately perform the lifting and lowering operation of the conveyor to put the holding mechanism into the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0087] The conveyor lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the conveyor in accordance with a signal from an operation unit operated by an operator, It is preferable that the status output unit displays the status information indicating whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state so that the operator can visually confirm the status information.

[0088] According to this configuration, the status output unit can appropriately notify the operator of the status of the holding mechanism, thereby allowing the operator to appropriately perform the lifting and lowering operation of the conveyor to lock or unlock the holding mechanism.

[0089] the ceiling side mechanism section includes a support member having a passage section that is open downward, a first hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage section, and a second hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage section, the conveyor-side mechanism portion includes an engaged portion that moves up and down within the passage portion in association with the lifting and lowering of the conveyor, the first hook and the second hook are configured not to hinder the rise of the engaged portion in the passage portion, the first hook is configured to change its position between a restricting position in which the first hook abuts against the engaged portion attempting to descend from within the lock transition area from a lower side to prevent the engaged portion from descending, and a non-restricting position in which the first hook does not prevent the engaged portion from descending, the second hook is configured to change the position of the first hook from the restricting position to the non-restricting position in response to a movement of the engaged portion rising to the unlocking region, the detection section includes a position detection unit that detects the vertical position of the engaged section, and a lift detection unit that detects the moving direction of the engaged section; It is preferable that the detection unit detects whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state based on the vertical position of the engaged part detected by the position detection unit and the movement direction of the engaged part detected by the lift detection unit.

[0090] According to this configuration, by raising and lowering the engaged part, the first hook and the second hook can be made to operate mutually, and the locked state, the lock transition state, and the unlocked state of the holding mechanism can be appropriately realized. Also, the detection part can appropriately detect whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state based on the vertical position and the moving direction of the engaged part.

[0091] the position detection unit is configured to detect that the engaged portion has entered the passage portion, that the engaged portion is in the lock transition area, and that the engaged portion is in the unlock area, The detection unit is when it is detected that the engaged portion has entered the passage portion and then that the engaged portion has entered the lock transition area during ascent, the holding mechanism detects that the engaging portion is in the lock transition state; when it is detected that the engaged portion has left the lock transition area during descent after the locked transition state is detected, the holding mechanism detects that the retaining mechanism is in the locked state; It is preferable that the holding mechanism detects that the holding mechanism is in the unlocked state when it is detected that the engaged portion has entered the unlocked region during ascent.

[0092] According to this configuration, the position detection unit can be simply configured to detect that the engaged portion has entered the passage portion, that it is in the lock transition region, and that it is in the unlock region. Furthermore, with such a simple configuration, the detection portion can appropriately detect whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state.

[0093] the ceiling side mechanism section includes a support member having a passage section that is open downward, a first hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage section, and a second hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage section, the conveyor-side mechanism portion includes an engaged portion that moves up and down within the passage portion in association with the lifting and lowering of the conveyor, the first hook and the second hook are configured not to hinder the rise of the engaged portion in the passage portion, the first hook is configured to change its position between a restricting position in which the first hook abuts against the engaged portion attempting to descend from within the lock transition area from a lower side to prevent the engaged portion from descending, and a non-restricting position in which the first hook does not prevent the engaged portion from descending, the second hook is configured to change the position of the first hook from the restricting position to the non-restricting position in response to a movement of the engaged portion rising to the unlocking region, The detection unit includes a hook attitude detection unit that detects an attitude of the first hook and an attitude of the second hook, It is preferable that the detection unit detects whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state based on the posture of the first hook and the posture of the second hook detected by the hook posture detection unit.

[0094] According to this configuration, by raising and lowering the engaged portion, the first hook and the second hook can be made to operate mutually, and the lock state, the lock transition state, and the unlock state of the holding mechanism can be appropriately realized. Also, based on the posture of the first hook and the posture of the second hook, the detection unit can appropriately detect whether the holding mechanism is in the lock state, the lock transition state, or the unlock state.

[0095] The conveyor-side mechanism portion includes a pair of the engaged portions, The pair of engaged portions are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the conveyor, the ceiling side mechanism includes engagement units each including the support member, the first hook, and the second hook, each of which is disposed at a position spaced apart in the width direction in correspondence with each of the pair of engaged portions; The one side in the width direction is defined as a first side in the width direction, It is preferable that in one of the engagement units, the first hook is arranged on the first side in the width direction relative to the second hook, and that in the other engagement unit, the first hook is also arranged on the first side in the width direction relative to the second hook.

[0096] According to this configuration, the conveyor can be stably held by the pair of engaged parts and the pair of engaging units. Also, according to this configuration, in each of the pair of engaging units, the second hook is arranged on the same side in the width direction relative to the first hook. Therefore, even if the pair of engaged parts rise in a state where they are shifted in the width direction relative to the pair of engaging units, the positional relationship in the width direction between the first hook and the second hook and the engaged parts in each engaging unit is the same for each pair of engaging units. Therefore, it is easy to avoid a situation where one of the pair of engaged parts properly engages with the engaging unit while the other does not.

[0097] the first hook and the second hook are supported to be swingable relative to the support member, the first hook includes a pressed portion that is pressed by the second hook that swings in response to a rise of the engaged portion when the first hook changes its position from the restricted position to the non-restricted position, It is preferable that the center of gravity of the first hook is located closer to the pressed portion than the swing center of the first hook.

[0098] According to this configuration, since the center of gravity of the first hook is located closer to the pressed part than the swing center of the first hook, when the pressed part is pressed by the second hook, the weight balance of the first hook with respect to the swing center can be used to easily swing the first hook toward the pressed part. Then, the swing of the first hook toward the pressed part can be used to put the first hook into the unrestricted position. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a conveyor lifting device that includes a conveyor lifting mechanism that raises and lowers a conveyor between an elevated position and a lowered position, and a holding mechanism that holds the conveyor in the elevated position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 100: Conveyor lifting device 1: Conveyor lifting mechanism 2: Holding mechanism U: Engagement unit 21: Ceiling side mechanism 210: Support member 210a: Passage section 211: First hook 211c: Pressed part 212: 2nd hook 22: Conveyor side mechanism 224: Engaged part 23: Detection unit 231: Position detection unit 232: Lift detection unit 24: Status output section 8 :Operation section 9: Conveyor A1: Swing center of the first hook Pd: Lowering position Pu: Ascending position Rr: Unlocked area Rt: Lock transition area W: Width direction W1: Width direction first side

Claims

1. A conveyor lifting device comprising: a conveyor lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering a conveyor between an elevated position and a lowered position; and a holding mechanism for holding the conveyor in the elevated position, The holding mechanism includes a ceiling side mechanism portion attached to a ceiling and a conveyor side mechanism portion attached to the conveyor, The holding mechanism includes: The conveyor mechanism is raised from below a predetermined lock transition area to within the lock transition area, thereby entering a lock transition state, When the conveyor-side mechanism part is lowered from the locked transition state, the ceiling-side mechanism part and the conveyor-side mechanism part are brought into a locked state in which they are engaged with each other, thereby holding the conveyor. When the conveyor-side mechanism rises to an unlocked region above the lock transition region, the engagement between the ceiling-side mechanism and the conveyor-side mechanism is released to an unlocked state, allowing the conveyor to descend, The conveyor lifting device further includes a detection unit that detects whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state, and a status output unit that outputs status information indicating the state detected by the detection unit.

2. The conveyor lifting mechanism lifts and lowers the conveyor in accordance with a signal from an operation unit operated by an operator, The conveyor lifting device according to claim 1 , wherein the status output unit displays the status information indicating whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state so that the status information can be visually confirmed by the operator.

3. the ceiling side mechanism portion includes a support member having a passage portion that is open downward, a first hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage portion, and a second hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage portion, the conveyor-side mechanism portion includes an engaged portion that moves up and down within the passage portion in association with the lifting and lowering of the conveyor, the first hook and the second hook are configured not to hinder the rise of the engaged portion in the passage portion, the first hook is configured to change its position between a restricting position in which the first hook abuts from below against the engaged portion attempting to descend from within the lock transition region to prevent the engaged portion from descending, and a non-restricting position in which the first hook does not prevent the engaged portion from descending, the second hook is configured to change the position of the first hook from the restricting position to the non-restricting position in response to a movement of the engaged portion rising to the unlocking region, the detection section includes a position detection unit that detects the vertical position of the engaged section, and a lift detection unit that detects the moving direction of the engaged section; A conveyor lifting device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit detects whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state based on the vertical position of the engaged part detected by the position detection unit and the movement direction of the engaged part detected by the lift detection unit.

4. the position detection unit is configured to detect that the engaged portion has entered the passage portion, that the engaged portion is in the lock transition area, and that the engaged portion is in the unlock area, The detection unit is when it is detected that the engaged portion has entered the passage portion and then that the engaged portion has entered the lock transition area during ascent, the holding mechanism detects that the engaging portion is in the lock transition state; when it is detected that the engaged portion has left the lock transition area during descent after the locked transition state is detected, the holding mechanism detects that the retaining mechanism is in the locked state; The conveyor lifting device according to claim 3 , wherein the holding mechanism detects that the conveyor is in the unlocked state when it detects that the engaged portion has entered the unlocked region during lifting.

5. the ceiling side mechanism portion includes a support member having a passage portion that is open downward, a first hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage portion, and a second hook that is supported by the support member and has a portion that is arranged in the passage portion, the conveyor-side mechanism portion includes an engaged portion that moves up and down within the passage portion in association with the lifting and lowering of the conveyor, the first hook and the second hook are configured not to hinder the rise of the engaged portion in the passage portion, the first hook is configured to change its position between a restricting position in which the first hook abuts from below against the engaged portion attempting to descend from within the lock transition region to prevent the engaged portion from descending, and a non-restricting position in which the first hook does not prevent the engaged portion from descending, the second hook is configured to change the position of the first hook from the restricting position to the non-restricting position in response to a movement of the engaged portion rising to the unlocking region, The detection unit includes a hook attitude detection unit that detects an attitude of the first hook and an attitude of the second hook, 3. The conveyor lifting device of claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects whether the holding mechanism is in the locked state, the lock transition state, or the unlocked state based on the posture of the first hook and the posture of the second hook detected by the hook posture detection unit.

6. The conveyor-side mechanism portion includes a pair of the engaged portions, The pair of engaged portions are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the conveyor, the ceiling side mechanism includes engagement units each including the support member, the first hook, and the second hook, each of which is disposed at a position spaced apart in the width direction in correspondence with each of the pair of engaged portions; The one side in the width direction is defined as a first side in the width direction, A conveyor lifting device as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein in one of the engagement units, the first hook is arranged on the first side in the width direction relative to the second hook, and in the other engagement unit, the first hook is also arranged on the first side in the width direction relative to the second hook.

7. the first hook and the second hook are supported to be swingable relative to the support member, the first hook includes a pressed portion that is pressed by the second hook that swings in response to a rise of the engaged portion when the first hook changes its position from the restricted position to the non-restricted position, The conveyor lifting device according to claim 3 , wherein a center of gravity of the first hook is located closer to the pressed portion than a swing center of the first hook.

Images