Belt conveyor and conveyor device and sorting device equipped with the same

Abstract

To provide a belt conveyor capable of facilitating mounting work of a belt support frame, and a conveyor device and a distribution device having the same.SOLUTION: A belt conveyor includes: a pair of side frames arranged to face each other; a driving pulley 31 and a driven pulley 32 mounted on both ends of the pair of side frames so as to be rotatable; an endless belt 33 conveying an article placed on a top face of an upper part to a prescribed horizontal direction by the rotation of the driving pulley 31; and a belt supporting frame 81 for supporting a lower face of an upper part of the belt 33. The belt supporting frame 81 has a mounting part to mount at a prescribed mounting position of each of the pair of side frames in edge parts on both sides in the width direction of the belt 33 and the total shape of the belt supporting frame 81 including the mounting part is a symmetrical shape with regard to a vertical plane including the center line in the width direction of the belt 33 and is a symmetrical shape with regard to a vertical plane including the center line in a prescribed horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a belt conveyor used in a weight sorter or the like, and a conveyor device and a sorting device equipped with the belt conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, agricultural and marine products and other items are sorted into ranks according to their weight, and items of the same rank are packed into boxes or bags. In this way, weight sorters are used to sort items into ranks according to their weight.

[0003] A conventional weight sorter includes, for example, a weighing device that weighs the articles while transporting them in one direction by a belt conveyor, and a sorting device that sorts the articles according to the weights of the articles weighed by the weighing device downstream of the weighing device. The sorting device includes, for example, a belt conveyor that transports articles in one direction, and a sorting means such as a sorting arm.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes the configuration of a sorting device that has a first sorting arm on both the left and right sides (both outside in the belt width direction) of a belt conveyor (conveying mechanism) that sorts defective products that are underweight, and a second sorting arm that sorts defective products that are overweight.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe the configuration of a belt conveyor used in a weighing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-114366 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-129821 [Patent Document 3] JP 2010-37073 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Conventionally, the frame of the belt conveyor used in the above-mentioned sorting device or weighing device includes a pair of side frames with a driving pulley and a driven pulley rotatably attached to both ends, and a belt support frame, which is provided between the pair of side frames and is made of, for example, a top plate, and supports the lower surface (rear surface) of the upper part of the rotating conveyor belt. When the belt support frame is removed during the manufacture or maintenance of such a belt conveyor, the belt support frame must be attached to the side frames. It is desired to simplify the installation work of this belt support frame.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a belt conveyor in which the belt support frame can be easily attached, and a conveyor device and sorting device equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a belt conveyor according to one embodiment of the present invention has a shape extending in a predetermined horizontal direction and includes a pair of side frames arranged opposite each other, a drive pulley and a driven pulley rotatably attached to both ends of the pair of side frames, an endless belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley and transporting an article placed on an upper surface of the upper part in the predetermined horizontal direction by the rotation of the drive pulley, and a belt support frame arranged between the pair of side frames and supporting an underside of the upper part of the belt, wherein the belt support frame has mounting portions on both edge portions in the width direction of the belt for mounting to predetermined mounting locations of the pair of side frames, and the overall shape of the belt support frame including the mounting portions is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including a center line in the width direction of the belt and is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including a center line in the predetermined horizontal direction.

[0010] According to this configuration, when a worker attaches the belt support frame to the side frame during manufacturing or maintenance of the belt conveyor, the worker can attach the belt support frame to the side frame without paying special attention to the orientation of the belt support frame, and the installation work of the belt support frame can be easily performed. Also, in a configuration in which a plurality of belt support frames are arranged in a predetermined horizontal direction, the belt support frames can be installed even if their installation locations are swapped, and the installation work of the belt support frame can be easily performed.

[0011] In addition, the pair of side frames may be provided with a driven pulley mounting portion attached to the end portion on the driven pulley side so as to extend outward from the side frames, and the driven pulley may be rotatably attached thereto, and the driven pulley mounting portion may be attached to the end portion on the driven pulley side so as to be rotatable upwards.

[0012] According to this configuration, when removing the belt, the driven pulley mounting portion is rotated upward, narrowing the gap between the driving pulley and the driven pulley and loosening the belt, making it easy to remove the belt and also easy to attach the removed belt.

[0013] Further, a plurality of the belt support frames may be arranged in the predetermined horizontal direction between the pair of side frames.

[0014] According to this configuration, for example, even in the case of a long belt conveyor, the length of each belt support frame can be shortened, making it easier to handle the belt support frames during manufacture, maintenance, etc. of the belt conveyor.

[0015] In addition, a conveyor device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned belt conveyor and a conveyor stand supporting the belt conveyor from below, the conveyor stand being composed of first and second stands arranged side by side in a predetermined horizontal direction in which a pair of side frames of the belt conveyor extend, with adjacent portions removably fixed to each other.

[0016] According to this configuration, the conveyor racks can be easily added or removed.

[0017] In addition, in the above conveyor device, the pair of side frames of the belt conveyor may be arranged side by side in the predetermined horizontal direction and may be composed of a pair of first frames supported from below by the first frame and a pair of second frames supported from below by the second frame.

[0018] Moreover, a sorting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned belt conveyor, and sorting means for removing articles transported by the belt conveyor from the belt conveyor.

[0019] A sorting device according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-mentioned conveyor device, and a plurality of sorting means for removing articles conveyed by the belt conveyor of the conveyor device from the belt conveyor. Effect of the Invention

[0020] The present invention has the above-described configuration and has an effect of providing a belt conveyor in which the installation work of the belt support frame can be easily performed, and a conveyor device and a sorting device equipped with the same. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a weight sorting machine equipped with a sorting device of an example of the first embodiment, viewed from above, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the same weight sorting machine, viewed from the side. [Diagram 2] Fig. 2(A) is a perspective view of a specific example of a sorting device, and Fig. 2(B) is a schematic diagram showing a framework of a stand of the sorting device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the sorting device shown in FIG. 2(A) seen from above. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sorting device shown in FIG. 2(A) as viewed from the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor. [Diagram 5] Figure 5(A) is a plan view of the belt support frame of the sorting conveyor seen from above, Figure 5(B) is a side view of the belt support frame shown in Figure 5(A) seen from one direction, and Figure 5(C) is a side view of the belt support frame shown in Figure 5(A) seen from another direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a schematic perspective view showing the details of the driven pulley mounting portion, and FIG. 6(B) is a schematic perspective view showing the driven pulley mounting portion in a rotated state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) is a side view of a sorting device according to an example of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7(B) is a schematic diagram showing the frameworks of first and second frames of the sorting device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion of the first and second bases constituting the conveyor base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and duplicated descriptions thereof may be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic illustrations of the respective components for ease of understanding, and shapes, dimensional ratios, and the like may not be accurately depicted. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0023] (First embodiment) FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a weight sorting machine equipped with a sorting device of an example of the first embodiment, viewed from above, and FIG. 1(B) is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of the same weight sorting machine, viewed from the side.

[0024] First, an outline of a weight sorter equipped with a sorting device 100 according to an example of the first embodiment will be described. This weight sorter sorts items, such as agricultural and marine products, such as fruits and seafood, into a predetermined number of weight ranks, and includes an infeed conveyor 1, a weighing conveyor 2 supported by a weight sensor 2a such as a load cell, a sorting device 100 equipped with a sorting conveyor 3 and sorting arms 8, 9, an electrical equipment storage box 5, an operation display 6, and a control device 7. Around the sorting conveyor 3, for example, containers (containers) B1 to B7 for storing items are arranged.

[0025] An operation display unit 6 is fitted into the upper front part of the electrical equipment storage box 5, and a control device 7 is housed inside. The operation display unit 6 is configured using, for example, a touch panel display, and is equipped with an input means for operating the weight sorter and setting its operating conditions, and a display means for displaying the weight value of the articles, etc. on a display screen. The control device 7 inputs signals from the operation display unit 6 and outputs signals such as data to be displayed on the operation display unit 6.

[0026] The control device 7 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, and controls the operation of the entire weight checker. Therefore, the control device 7 controls the operations of the feed conveyor 1, the weighing conveyor 2, the sorting conveyor 3, and the sorting arms 8 and 9. The control device 7 may be configured by a single control device that performs centralized control, or may be configured by multiple control devices that cooperate with each other to perform distributed control.

[0027] For example, a supply conveyor (not shown) is provided in front of the infeed conveyor 1. Articles are supplied to this supply conveyor from a worker or a front-stage device (not shown), and the articles are transported to the infeed conveyor 1. The infeed conveyor 1 receives the articles transported sequentially by the supply conveyor, and transfers them to the weighing conveyor 2. The weighing conveyor 2 receives the articles transported by the infeed conveyor 1, and transfers them to the sorting conveyor 3.

[0028] The control device 7 receives a weighing signal from the weight sensor 2a, and acquires the weight of the article on the weighing conveyor 2 weighed by the weight sensor 2a at a predetermined timing based on a detection signal from an article detection sensor (not shown) provided between the infeed conveyor 1 and the weighing conveyor 2, for example, and determines which of a plurality of preset weight ranks the weight of the article belongs to. Then, based on the determination result, the control device 7 controls the operation of the sorting arms 8, 9 by controlling an arm driving device 12 (see FIG. 2, etc.) described later.

[0029] Here, for example, seven weight ranks are set, consisting of six weight ranks for standard products, numbered 1 to 6, and a weight rank for non-standard products. These weight ranks can be set by the user by operating the operation display device 6.

[0030] For example, the weight range for standard products can be set to be equal to or greater than the lower limit weight value WL and equal to or less than the upper limit weight value WU, and the range below the lower limit weight value WL and the range above the upper limit weight value WU can be set to weight ranks for non-standard products.The weight range for standard products can be divided into six and weight ranks 1 to 6 can be set.

[0031] For example, by operating the sorting arms 8 and 9 at positions corresponding to the storage boxes B1 to B6, the first to sixth weight ranks of the items are stored in the storage boxes B1 to B6, such that the first weight rank of the items is stored in the storage box B1, the second weight rank of the items is stored in the storage box B2, and the third weight rank of the items is stored in the storage box B3. For example, in the case of the first weight rank of the items, the sorting arm 8 corresponding to the storage box B1 rotates around the rotating shaft 10 as shown by the two-dot chain line and advances onto the sorting conveyor 3, so that the items transported on the sorting conveyor 3 in the direction of the arrow a are stored in the storage box B1. In addition, in the case of the fourth weight rank of the items, the sorting arm 9 corresponding to the storage box B4 rotates around the rotating shaft 10 as shown by the two-dot chain line and advances onto the sorting conveyor 3, so that the items transported on the sorting conveyor 3 in the direction of the arrow a are stored in the storage box B4. For articles that fall under the weight rank of non-standard items, neither sorting arm 8 nor 9 is operated, so that the article is stored in non-standard item storage box B7.

[0032] In order for the control device 7 to accurately control the timing at which each sorting arm 8, 9 operates, an item detection sensor can be provided at the discharge end of the weighing conveyor 2 or halfway through the sorting conveyor 3, and the detection signal can be input to the control device 7.

[0033] Next, a specific example of the sorting device 100 will be described in detail. Fig. 2(A) is a perspective view of the sorting device 100 seen from diagonally above, and Fig. 2(B) is a schematic diagram showing the framework of the stand 50 of the sorting device 100. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sorting device 100 seen from above. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the sorting device 100 seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3. Note that Fig. 4 does not show the storage box placement units 70 provided on both sides of the stand 50.

[0034] The sorting device 100 includes a sorting conveyor 3, which is an example of a belt conveyor in this embodiment, a drive device (motor 3M and drive transmission unit 3S) for operating the sorting conveyor 3, sorting arms 8, 9, arm drive devices 12 (12A, 12B: see FIG. 4) for operating each of the sorting arms 8, 9, a discharge chute 40, a stand 50 for placing the sorting conveyor 3, etc., and a storage box placement unit 70 having four bars 71 arranged horizontally. Note that a jump prevention plate 40a is added to the discharge chute 40 to prevent articles from jumping out of the sorting conveyor 3. The jump prevention plate 40a is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0035] The stand 50 supports the sorting conveyor 3 and the like from below, and includes support frames 51, 52 arranged in parallel to the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the sorting conveyor 3, connecting frames 53, 54 connecting both ends of the two support frames 51, 52, four pillars 55-58 supporting both ends of the two support frames 51, 52, reinforcing frames 59-62 connecting the pillars 55-58, and legs 63 consisting of height adjustment adjusters attached to the lower parts of the pillars 55-58. The pillars 55-58 and the frames 51-54, 59-62 can be formed of, for example, equilateral angles, and are connected by welding or the like. In this example, a storage box placement unit 70 having four rods 71 ​​is attached to both sides of the stand 50, but the configuration of the storage box placement unit 70 can be changed as appropriate, or may be omitted.

[0036] The sorting conveyor 3 is a belt conveyor that conveys articles in a predetermined horizontal direction (arrow a direction), and includes a driving pulley 31 on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a driven pulley 32 on the downstream side, an endless belt 33 made of a flat belt, a pair of side frames 34, 35 (FIG. 4) that extend in the conveying direction and are arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of rod-shaped connecting parts 36 (FIG. 4) that connect the side frames 34, 35, and a belt support frame 81. As shown in FIG. 4, each side frame 34, 35 is formed, for example, of an L-shaped angle with an L-shaped cross section, and has vertical parts 34a, 35a and horizontal parts 34b, 35b. Each connecting part 36 connects the vertical parts 34a, 35a of the side frames 34, 35.

[0037] The driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 are rotatably attached to both ends of the side frames 34, 35 in the conveying direction, and a conveying belt 33 is wound around the pulleys 31, 32. That is, the endless conveying belt 33 is wound around the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32. The driving pulley 31 is rotated by a motor (driving motor) 3M via a drive transmission unit 3S. Although the cover member of the drive transmission unit 3S is shown and its interior is not shown, it can have a well-known configuration, for example, it is configured by winding a timing belt between a pulley to which the rotation of the motor 3M is transmitted and a pulley provided at one end of the driving pulley 31. The motor 3M is fixed to the frame 50 at the upstream end side in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3.

[0038] The sorting arms 8 are arranged in a row in the conveying direction at a predetermined interval on one side of the width direction of the sorting conveyor 3, and the sorting arms 9 are arranged in a row in the conveying direction at a predetermined interval on the other side of the width direction of the sorting conveyor 3.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, each of the sorting arms 8, 9 has a rotating shaft 10 extending in the vertical direction, and an arm unit 11 that is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 10 and removes articles from the sorting conveyor 3 as the rotating shaft 10 is rotated. The arm unit 11 is, for example, the part illustrated as the sorting arms 8, 9 in Fig. 3. Each of the sorting arms 8, 9 is provided with an arm driving device 12 (12A, 12B) arranged below the sorting conveyor 3.

[0040] The arm driving device 12 has a housing 13 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with a top panel 13a through which the rotating shaft 10 passes, and a driving unit that rotates the rotating shaft 10 of the distribution arms 8, 9 is housed inside this housing 13. This driving unit can be of a known configuration that rotates the rotating shaft 10 forward and backward using, for example, an air cylinder or a motor.

[0041] The arm drive device 12A of the sorting arm 8 and the arm drive device 12B of the sorting arm 9 are configured to rotate the pivot shaft 10 of the sorting arm 8 and the pivot shaft 10 of the sorting arm 9 in opposite directions during the operation of the sorting arms 8, 9 to remove articles from the sorting conveyor 3 (the operation shown by the dotted line in Figure 1 (A)).

[0042] In this example, the arm driving device 12A of each sorting arm 8 has a bottom plate 13b of its housing 13 fixed to one support frame 51 of the stand 50 with bolts or the like (not shown), and a horizontal part 34b of one side frame 34 of the sorting conveyor 3 fixed to the top plate 13a with bolts or the like (not shown). Similarly, the arm driving device 12B of each sorting arm 9 has a bottom plate 13b of its housing 13 fixed to the other support frame 52 of the stand 50 with bolts or the like (not shown), and a horizontal part 35b of the other side frame 35 of the sorting conveyor 3 fixed to the top plate 13a with bolts or the like (not shown). In this way, the arm driving devices 12A and 12B are attached between the stand 50 and the side frames 34 and 35 of the sorting conveyor 3 so as to support the sorting conveyor 3.

[0043] As described above, the sorting conveyor 3 is supported on the frame 50 by the housings 13 of the arm driving devices 12A and 12B, but if necessary, a pillar (such as pillar 38 in Figure 2(A)) supporting the sorting conveyor 3 may be provided on the frame 50.

[0044] Further, a discharge chute 40 is provided for each of the sorting arms 8, 9. The discharge chute 40 has an inclined surface that allows articles removed from the sorting conveyor 3 by the sorting arms 8, 9 to slide downward to avoid the arm driving devices 12A, 12B. Therefore, by allowing the articles removed from the sorting conveyor 3 by the sorting arms 8, 9 to slide down the discharge chute 40, they can be stored, for example, in storage boxes B1 to B6 without colliding with the arm driving devices 12A, 12B disposed extending to the side of the sorting conveyor 3.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the sorting conveyor 3 is provided with a plurality of belt support frames 81. As shown in Fig. 1(B), if the portion of the rotating endless belt 33 located on the upper side where articles are placed is referred to as upper portion 33a and the portion located on the lower side is referred to as lower portion 33b, the belt support frame 81 supports the lower surface (rear surface) of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 from below. The belt 33 conveys articles placed on the upper surface of the upper portion 33a in a predetermined horizontal direction indicated by arrow a by the rotation of the drive pulley 31 which is driven to rotate by the motor 3M.

[0046] The multiple belt support frames 81 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction) indicated by the arrow a between the pair of side frames 34, 35. Here, multiple belt support frames 81 (three in this example) are provided, but it may be configured with only one, although this will increase the length. By shortening the length and dividing it into multiple frames as in this example, it becomes easier to handle.

[0047] In this example, the side frames 34, 35 are configured by attaching the frame extensions 34A, 35A shown in FIG. 3 to the downstream end of the vertical parts 34a, 35a in the conveying direction, and the driven pulley 32 is rotatably attached to the frame extensions 34A, 35A. In addition, the frame extensions 34A, 35A are attached with a connecting plate 37 that is connected to them and supports the lower surface of the upper part 33a of the belt 33 from below. The side frames 34, 35 may be configured without the frame extensions 34A, 35A and with the driven pulley 32 rotatably attached to the downstream end of the vertical parts 34a, 35a in the conveying direction. In this case, the connecting plate 37 may be omitted and the belt support frame 81 may be configured to be disposed close to the driven pulley 32 as on the driving pulley 31 side.

[0048] Figure 5(A) is a plan view of the belt support frame 81 of the sorting conveyor 3 seen from above, Figure 5(B) is a side view of the same belt support frame 81 seen from one direction, and Figure 5(C) is a side view of the same belt support frame 81 seen from the other direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the belt support frame 81 includes a pair of end plates 82, a plurality of (four in this example) support members 83, a pair of connecting plates 84, a pair of mounting rods 85, and four bolts (flanged bolts) 86 screwed into both ends of each mounting rod 85.

[0050] The pair of end plates 82 are disposed facing each other and spaced apart in the width direction W of the belt 33 of the sorting conveyor 3 (width direction of the sorting conveyor 3). Each end plate 82 has a flat portion 82a and a vertical portion 82b.

[0051] The multiple support members 83 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in the width direction W of the belt 33 between the pair of end plates 82. Each support member 83 has an elongated shape extending in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction) indicated by the arrow a. The width of each support member 83 in the width direction W of the belt 33 is smaller (narrower) than the distance between the adjacent support members 83. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of each support member 83 perpendicular to the conveying direction is a rectangle that is long in the vertical direction (see FIG. 5(C)). The multiple support members 83 and the flat plate parts 82a of the pair of end plates 82 support the lower surface of the upper part 33a of the belt 33 from below.

[0052] The pair of connecting plates 84 are connected by welding to portions 82bb at both ends of the pair of end plates 82 in the conveying direction where the vertical portions 82b are bent toward the inside of the belt support frame 81, and are also connected to both ends of each support member 83 by welding.

[0053] The pair of mounting rods 85 are rod-shaped members extending in the width direction W of the belt 33, and are arranged in parallel with a gap in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow a, penetrating all the support members 83 and the vertical portions 82b of the pair of end plates 82, and are connected by welding at each penetration portion. The length of each mounting rod 85 is set to be approximately equal to the distance between the vertical portions 34a, 35a of the pair of side frames 34, 35.

[0054] Both ends of each mounting rod 85 are provided with a threaded hole into which a bolt 86 is screwed. Two grooves 34c into which the threaded portions of the two bolts 86 are inserted from above are provided in the vertical portion 34a of the side frame 34. Similarly, although not shown, two grooves (referred to as "grooves 35c") into which the threaded portions of the two bolts 86 are inserted from above are provided in the vertical portion 35a of the side frame 35.

[0055] When attaching the belt support frame 81 to the pair of side frames 34, 35, the four bolts 86 are loosened, the threaded portions of the four bolts 86 are inserted into the four grooves 34c, 35c of the pair of side frames 34, 35, and then the four bolts 86 are tightened. In this manner, the belt support frame 81 is disposed straddling the vertical portions 34a, 35a of the pair of side frames 34, 35.

[0056] As described above, the belt support frame 81 has attachment parts (bolts 86) at both edges in the width direction W of the belt 33 for attachment to the predetermined attachment points (grooves 34c, 35c) of the pair of side frames 34, 35. The overall shape of the belt support frame 81 including the attachment parts (bolts 86) is configured to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P1 including the center line in the width direction W of the belt 33 and to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P2 including the center line in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow a. Thus, for each belt support frame 81, the two grooves 34c of the side frame 34 and the two grooves 35c of the side frame 35, which are the attachment points, are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane P1, the two grooves 34c of the side frame 34 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane P2, and the two grooves 35c of the side frame 35 are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane P2.

[0057] In this embodiment, the belt support frame 81 has mounting parts (bolts 86) for mounting to the predetermined mounting locations (grooves 34c, 35c) of the pair of side frames 34, 35 at both edges in the width direction W of the belt 33, and the overall shape of the belt support frame 81 including the mounting parts (bolts 86) is configured to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P1 including the center line in the width direction W of the belt 33, and is also symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P2 including the center line in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction) indicated by the arrow a. With this configuration, when a worker or the like attaches the belt support frame 81 to the side frames 34, 35 during manufacturing or maintenance of the belt conveyor (sorting conveyor 3), the belt support frame 81 can be attached without paying special attention to the orientation of the belt support frame 81, and the installation work of the belt support frame 81 can be easily performed. In addition, when a plurality of belt support frames 81 are arranged in the conveying direction as in this embodiment, the belt support frames 81 can be attached even if their installation locations are interchanged, and the installation work of the belt support frame 81 can be easily performed.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even in the case of a long belt conveyor, such as the sorting conveyor 3 in which multiple sorting arms (8, 9) are arranged side by side in the conveying direction on the side of the sorting conveyor 3, by arranging multiple belt support frames 81 in the conveying direction, the length of each belt support frame 81 can be shortened, making it easier to handle the belt support frames 81 during manufacture or maintenance of the belt conveyor (sorting conveyor 3), etc.

[0059] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(A), by providing a long and narrow hole 87 in the flat plate portion 82a of the end plate 82 of the belt support frame 81, the weight of the belt support frame 81 can be reduced, making it easier to handle.

[0060] In this embodiment, the driven pulley mounting portion having the frame extensions 34A and 35A is configured to be rotatable. Fig. 6(A) is a schematic perspective view showing the details of the driven pulley mounting portion having the frame extensions 34A and 35A, and Fig. 6(B) is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the driven pulley mounting portion is rotated. Note that Figs. 6(A) and (B) do not show the belt 33. Figs. 6(A) and (B) also show an example in which an elongated hole 87 is provided in an end plate 82 of a belt support frame 81.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 6A, the driven pulley mounting part 300 has frame extensions 34A, 35A, which are attached to the ends 34e, 35e of the pair of side frames 34, 35 on the driven pulley side so as to extend outward from the side frames 34, 35. The frame extensions 34A, 35A are attached to the mounting fixtures 301, which are attached to predetermined positions of the ends 34e, 35e, so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction around the mounting fixtures 301. The mounting fixtures 301 are attached by screwing into screw holes provided at predetermined positions of the ends 34e, 35e of the side frames 34, 35. The driven pulley mounting part 300 can be removed from the side frames 34, 35 by removing the mounting fixtures 301 on both sides from the screw holes.

[0062] One of the side frames 34 is provided with a first stopper 305 for determining the fixed position of the frame extension 34A when the driven pulley mounting part 300 shown in Fig. 6(A) is in the normal mounting state, and a second stopper 306 for determining the rotation limit position of the frame extension 34A when the driven pulley mounting part 300 is rotated upward. Also, a hand-tightened bolt 307 is provided for fixing the frame extension 34A to the side frame 34 when the frame extension 34A is in the fixed position. The frame extension 34A is provided with a groove 303 through which the threaded part of the hand-tightened bolt 307 passes when the driven pulley mounting part 300 changes from the state shown in Fig. 6(B) to the state shown in Fig. 6(A). The hand-tightened bolt 307 is screwed into a screw hole provided in the vertical part 34a of the side frame 34.

[0063] The other side frame 35 is also provided with a first stopper 305, a second stopper 306 and a hand-tightened bolt 307, similar to side frame 34, and frame extension 35A is provided with a groove 303 similar to that of frame extension 34A. The configuration of frame extension 34A side and the configuration of frame extension 35A side are symmetrical.

[0064] Further, at the tips of the frame extensions 34A and 35A, there are provided bearing grooves 302 into which the fixed shafts 32a on both sides of the driven pulley 32 are inserted. The driven pulley 32 is configured such that the fixed shaft 32a at the center is fixed and the roller portions 32b on the outer periphery rotate.

[0065] The frame extensions 34A and 35A are each provided with a belt tension adjustment section 304 for adjusting the tension of the belt 33. Each belt tension adjustment section 304 has a well-known configuration including a screw receiving section 304a fixed to the frame extensions 34A and 35A, an adjustment screw 304b screwed into a screw hole provided in the screw receiving section 204a, and a fixing nut 305c. As shown in FIG. 6(A), when the driven pulley mounting section 300 is in a normal mounting state, the tip of the adjustment screw 304b is in contact with the fixed shaft 32a of the driven pulley 32, and after the adjustment screw 304b is rotated to adjust the tension of the belt 33, the fixing nut 305c is rotated to fix the adjustment screw 304b to the screw receiving section 304a. In this way, the tension of the belt 33 is adjusted on both sides of the width direction of the belt 33, thereby preventing the belt 33 from meandering.

[0066] As described above, the driven pulley mounting part 300 is attached to the ends 34e, 35e of the side frames 34, 35 on the driven pulley side so as to be rotatable upward, and therefore when removing the belt 33, by rotating the driven pulley mounting part 300 upward, the gap between the driving pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 narrows and the belt 33 loosens, making it possible to easily remove the belt 33 and also to easily install the removed belt 33. In addition, the driven pulley 32 can be easily removed from the driven pulley mounting part 300 by pulling out the fixed shafts 32a on both sides from the bearing grooves 302.

[0067] In the first embodiment, a plurality of sorting arms (8, 9), which are an example of a sorting means, are arranged side by side on both sides of the sorting conveyor 3 in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3, but a configuration in which a plurality of sorting arms are arranged side by side on either side of the sorting conveyor 3 in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3 may also be used. A configuration in which one sorting arm is arranged on each side of the sorting conveyor 3, or a configuration in which only one sorting arm is arranged on either side of the sorting conveyor 3, may also be used. The length (length in the conveying direction) of the sorting conveyor 3 may be appropriately changed depending on the number of sorting arms, etc.

[0068] Second embodiment FIG. 7(A) is a side view of a sorting device according to an example of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7(B) is a schematic diagram showing the frameworks of first and second frames of the sorting device.

[0069] The sorting device 100 of the first embodiment is provided with six sorting arms 8, 9 and arm driving devices 12, but the sorting device 200 of the second embodiment is configured to be provided with ten sorting arms 8, 9 and arm driving devices 12. In a weight sorter equipped with this sorting device 200, for example, the sorting device 100 in Fig. 1 can be replaced with the sorting device 200, and the number of weight ranks of the articles to be sorted can be set to be greater than that of the sorting device 100. The same reference numerals are used to designate parts that are the same as or correspond to those of the sorting device 100 of the first embodiment.

[0070] Here, we will explain the case where the sorting device 100 of the first embodiment is modified to construct the sorting device 200 of the second embodiment, but this is not limited to the above, and the sorting device 200 of the second embodiment may be provided in the weight sorting machine from the beginning.

[0071] This sorting device 200 is equipped with a sorting conveyor 3A, which is an example of a belt conveyor, a drive device (motor 3M and drive transmission unit 3S) that operates the sorting conveyor 3A, ten sorting arms 8, 9, ten arm drive devices 12 that operate each of the sorting arms 8, 9, ten discharge chutes 40, and first and second stands 50, 150 on which the sorting conveyor 3A and the like are placed.

[0072] Here, the first frame 50 and the second frame 150 are connected (removably fixed) to form a conveyor frame that supports the sorting conveyor 3A from below.

[0073] The first frame 50 corresponds to the frame 50 (FIG. 2) in the first embodiment. The second frame 150 includes support frames 151, 152 arranged in parallel to each other and extending in the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the sorting conveyor 3A, connecting frames 153, 154 connecting both ends of the two support frames 151, 152, four pillars 155-158 supporting both ends of the two support frames 151, 152, reinforcing frames 159-162 connecting the pillars 155-158, and legs 163 consisting of height adjustment adjusters attached to the lower parts of the two pillars 156, 158. Each of the pillars 155-158 and each of the frames 151-154, 159-62 can be formed of, for example, an equilateral angle, and are connected by welding or the like. It should be noted that no legs 163 are attached to the lower parts of the two pillars 155 and 157 connected to the first frame 50.

[0074] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a connection portion of the first and second racks 50, 150 constituting the conveyor rack. The first and second racks 50, 150 are fixed to each other at adjacent portions by using bolts or the like so as to be removable. In the example shown in FIG. 8, adjacent portions of two pillars 56, 155 are fixed to each other by, for example, a bolt BT1 and a nut (not shown), adjacent portions of two pillars 58, 157 are fixed to each other by, for example, a bolt BT2 and a nut (not shown), and adjacent portions of two frames 54, 153 are fixed to each other by, for example, two bolts BT3, BT4 and two nuts (not shown). Note that, without using nuts, a screw hole for screwing with the bolt BT1 may be provided in the pillar 56, a screw hole for screwing with the bolt BT2 may be provided in the pillar 58, and two screw holes for screwing with the bolts BT3, BT4 may be provided in the frame 54. By removably fixing the first and second racks 50, 150 in this manner, the conveyor racks can be easily added or removed.

[0075] The sorting conveyor 3A is a belt conveyor that conveys articles in a predetermined horizontal direction (arrow a direction), and includes a driving pulley 31 on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a driven pulley 32 on the downstream side, an endless belt 33A made of a flat belt, a pair of side frames 34, 35 (FIG. 4) arranged above the first base 50 and extending in the conveying direction and arranged opposite to each other, a pair of side frames 134, 135 (135 is not shown) arranged above the second base 150 and extending in the conveying direction and arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of rod-shaped connecting parts 36 (FIG. 4) connecting the side frames 34, 35 and the side frames 134, 135, and a plurality of belt support frames 81. Although not shown, the side frame 135 is arranged opposite to the side frame 134, similar to the side frame 35 arranged opposite to the side frame 34. 4, these side frames 134, 135 are also configured, for example, with L-shaped angles having an L-shaped cross section. Side frame 134 is arranged in a straight line with side frame 34 in the conveying direction, and adjacent ends of each are fixed to connecting plate 201 with, for example, bolts (not shown). Similarly, side frame 135 is arranged in a straight line with side frame 35 in the conveying direction, and adjacent ends of each are fixed to connecting plate 201 with, for example, bolts (not shown).

[0076] As described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), just as the side frames 34, 35 are supported on the first frame 50 by the housing 13 of the arm driving device 12 and a pillar 38 fixed on the first frame 50, the side frames 134, 135 are supported on the second frame 150 by the housing 13 of the arm driving device 12 and a pillar 138 fixed on the second frame 150.

[0077] In this embodiment, the driven pulley mounting portion 300 attached to the end portions 34e, 35e on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the side frames 34, 35 in the first embodiment is removed, and the driven pulley mounting portion 300 is attached to the end portions on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the side frames 134, 135 in the same manner as in the case of the side frames 34, 35 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6. Also, the endless conveying belt 33A is changed to one longer than the conveying belt 33 in the first embodiment.

[0078] In this embodiment, five belt support frames 81 similar to those in the first embodiment are used. That is, grooves similar to the grooves 34c, 35c of the side frames 34, 35 are also provided in the side frames 134, 135, and two belt support frames 81 are attached to the grooves. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, when a worker attaches the belt support frames 81 to the side frames 34, 35 and the side frames 134, 135 during manufacturing or maintenance of the belt conveyor (sorting conveyor 3A), the belt support frames 81 can be attached without paying special attention to the orientation of the belt support frames 81, and the belt support frames 81 can be attached even if their attachment locations are swapped, making it easy to attach the belt support frames 81.

[0079] In addition, when manufacturing this sorting device 200 from the beginning, the pair of side frames 34, 35 which are a pair of first frames, and the pair of side frames 134, 135 which are a pair of second frames, may be configured as a pair of side frames (one side frame in which the portions of side frames 34, 134 are continuous, and one side frame in which the portions of side frames 35, 135 are continuous).

[0080] In the second embodiment, a plurality of sorting arms (8, 9), which are an example of a sorting means, are arranged side by side on both sides of the sorting conveyor 3A in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3, but a configuration in which a plurality of sorting arms are arranged side by side on either side of the sorting conveyor 3A in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3 may also be used. The length (length in the conveying direction) of the sorting conveyor 3A may be appropriately changed depending on the number of sorting arms, etc.

[0081] Furthermore, the belt support frame 81 of the first and second embodiments can be applied not only to belt conveyors used in a sorting device (sorting conveyors 3, 3A), but also to other belt conveyors, such as belt conveyors used in weighing devices that weigh objects while transporting them.

[0082] In the first and second embodiments, the belt support frame 81 supporting the underside of the upper portion of the belts 33, 33A on which articles are placed is configured to have a plurality of elongated support members 83 spaced apart in the width direction W of the belts 33, 33A, but the portion of the belt support frame 81 supporting the belts 33, 33A may be configured with a top plate (flat plate) or the like. However, the contact area and frictional force between the belt support frame 81 and the belts 33, 33A can be reduced and the load on the motor 3M can be reduced by configuring the portion supporting the belts 33, 33A to have the above-mentioned plurality of support members 83 rather than configuring the portion supporting the belts 33, 33A with a top plate or the like.

[0083] From the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above description should be construed as merely illustrative and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present invention. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0084] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a belt conveyor in which the installation work of the belt support frame can be easily performed, and as a conveyor device and a sorting device equipped with the same. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 3,3A Distribution conveyor 8,9 Swing arm 3M Motor 31 Drive pulley 32 Driven pulley 33 Belt 34,35 Side frame 50,150 1st and 2nd racks 81 Belt support frame 100,200 sorting device 134,135 Side frame 300 Driven pulley mounting part

Claims

1. A single belt conveyor; A conveyor stand that supports the single belt conveyor from below; Equipped with The belt conveyor is A pair of side frames each having a shape extending in a predetermined horizontal direction and disposed opposite each other; a drive pulley and a driven pulley rotatably attached to both ends of the pair of side frames; an endless belt that is wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley and conveys an article placed on an upper surface of the upper portion in the predetermined horizontal direction by the rotation of the drive pulley; a belt support frame disposed between the pair of side frames and supporting a lower surface of an upper portion of the belt; The belt support frame includes: The belt support frame has attachment portions at both edge portions in the width direction of the belt for attachment to predetermined attachment points of the pair of side frames, and the overall shape of the belt support frame including the attachment portions is configured to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including a center line in the width direction of the belt and to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including a center line in the predetermined horizontal direction, The conveyor stand is The pair of side frames of the belt conveyor are arranged side by side in a predetermined horizontal direction in which the pair of side frames extend, and the first and second frames are removably fixed to adjacent portions of each other. Conveyor equipment.

2. The belt conveyor, a driven pulley attachment portion attached to an end portion of the pair of side frames on the side of the driven pulley so as to extend outward from the side frames, and to which the driven pulley is rotatably attached; The driven pulley mounting portion is The driven pulley side end portion is attached so as to be rotatable upward.

2. The conveyor system of claim 1.

3. A plurality of the belt support frames are arranged in the predetermined horizontal direction between the pair of side frames.

3. A conveyor system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The pair of side frames of the belt conveyor are The frame is configured with a pair of first frames that are arranged side by side in the predetermined horizontal direction and supported from below by the first frame and a pair of second frames that are supported from below by the second frame, The conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A conveyor device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a plurality of sorting means for removing articles conveyed by the belt conveyor of the conveyor device from the belt conveyor; A sorting device equipped with the above.

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