Moving device

Abstract

To provide a carrying-out device capable of compactly storing a device itself.SOLUTION: A carrying-out device 1 includes a conveyance part 10 for conveying a storage box 100; a detection part 12 for reading storage article information provided onto the storage box 100; a storage part 30 for storing the storage box 100 conveyed by the conveyance part 10; and a transport part 20 for transferring the storage box 100 between the conveyance part 10 and the storage part 30. The storage part 30 has a classification area (a first classification area 30a to a fourth classification area 30d) for placing a classified storage box 100. The transport part 20 transports the conveyed storage box 100 to the classified area corresponding to the storage article information and when a prescribed number of storage boxes 100 are placed at the classification area, carries out the storage boxes 100 from the classification area and transfers the boxes to the conveyance part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrying-out device that carries out a group of storage boxes containing items collectively. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, agricultural products are sorted at collection and shipping facilities based on various criteria such as item and grade, and then packed into boxes for shipping. Since the boxes containing produce contain a mixture of different items and grades, a pre-shipment method has been proposed in which these are sorted and the sorted boxes are transported together (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-37423 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the pre-shipment processing method for agricultural produce described in Patent Document 1, agricultural produce stored in cases is sorted at the upstream line section of the incoming line, and the sorted cases are then sorted by the same item and grade at the intermediate line section and moved to the downstream line section, where the cases are stacked in multiple tiers using a stacking means, and the stacked items are then transported to the next line.

[0005] In the above-mentioned pre-shipment processing method for agricultural produce, multiple intermediate line sections are installed in parallel to separate the produce according to item and grade, which requires a large installation area according to the number of lines installed. In addition, a stacking device is required in addition to each line section, which increases the installation area and costs.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a carry-out device that can be stored in a compact size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The ejection device of the present invention is an ejection device that ejects storage boxes containing contents in bulk, and is equipped with a transport unit that transports the storage boxes from an entrance section to a receiving section, a detection unit that reads content information assigned to the storage boxes, a storage section in which the storage boxes transported by the transport unit are stored, and a transport unit that transports the storage boxes between the transport unit and the storage section, wherein the storage section has a sorting area in which the storage boxes are sorted and placed, and the transport unit transports the storage boxes transported from the entrance section to the sorting area according to the content information, and when a predetermined number of the storage boxes have been placed in the sorting area, it removes the storage boxes from the sorting area and transports them to the ejection section, and the transport unit transports the transported storage boxes toward the receiving section.

[0008] In the discharge device according to the present invention, the transport section may have a removal member that rotates around a central axis, and the storage section may be configured to be arranged circumferentially around the transport section.

[0009] In the carry-out device according to the present invention, the storage section may be configured to have a plurality of the sorting areas arranged in a height direction.

[0010] In the discharge device according to the present invention, a plurality of the storage boxes may be placed side by side in the sorting area, and the transfer section may be configured to transfer the plurality of storage boxes collectively from the sorting area. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the sorting operation and the transporting operation can be performed together, so that the carry-out device itself can be stored compactly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a carry-out device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view (part 1) showing the operation of the discharge device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view (part 2) showing the operation of the discharge device. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view (part 3) showing the operation of the discharge device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view (part 4) showing the operation of the discharge device. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a carry-out device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view showing a carry-out device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a carry-out device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing a carry-out device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The carry-out device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a conveying unit 10, a detection unit 12, a storage unit 30, and a transfer unit 20, and carries out the storage boxes 100 containing the stored items together. The stored items are, for example, agricultural products, and the items and grades are set. The storage boxes 100 are provided with stored item information indicating the items and grades of the stored items. The stored item information is, for example, a barcode, a character string, or a figure written on the surface of the storage box 100, and is read by the detection unit 12. Note that the stored item information is not limited to this, and may be an IC tag stored inside the storage box 100, or the shape or size of the storage box 100 itself may be different so that the items and grades can be distinguished. In the following, for the sake of explanation, storage boxes 100 that contain items of the same item or grade based on the stored item information may be called the same type of storage box 100.

[0016] The conveying unit 10 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and conveys the storage box 100 along a conveying direction H from the loading unit 13 (the upper end of the conveying unit 10 in FIG. 1) to the goods receiving unit 14 (the lower end of the conveying unit 10 in FIG. 1). The driving source 11 drives the connected conveying unit 10, and can also stop it as appropriate. In the conveying unit 10, a detection position 10a and a transfer position 10b are set in order along the conveying direction H. The detection unit 12 is provided at a position corresponding to the detection position 10a, and reads the contents information of the storage box 100 that has reached the detection position 10a. At the transfer position 10b, the transfer unit 20 transfers the storage box 100 between the conveying unit 10 and the storage unit 30. The conveying unit 10 is not limited to a configuration in which the driving source 11 stops the transfer of the storage box 100, and a stop means for stopping the storage box 100 at the detection position 10a or the transfer position 10b may be provided. As the stopping means, for example, a blocking bar that blocks the transported storage box 100 may be provided, and since the stopping means stops the storage box 100, the transport section 10 can be kept driven.

[0017] The transfer unit 20 is a take-out arm having a take-out member 25 provided near the conveying unit 10 (particularly, the transfer position 10b), and has a rotating base 21, a movable arm 22, and a box gripping unit 23. The rotating base 21 is connected to a base via a central axis 24, and rotates in a rotation direction R around the central axis 24. The movable arm 22 extends from the rotating base 21 and has a length that reaches the outer edge of the storage unit 30. The movable arm 22 is divided into multiple parts, and the height of the tip and the length from the rotating base 21 can be changed by moving each divided part. The box gripping unit 23 is provided at the tip of the movable arm 22, and grips the storage box 100. When the rotating base 21 and the movable arm 22 are moved with the box gripping unit 23 gripping the storage box 100, the transfer unit 20 can transfer the storage box 100 to a desired position within the movable range.

[0018] The storage section 30 is provided circumferentially around the transport section 20, and has a plurality of sorting areas SR (first sorting area 30a to fourth sorting area 30d) in which the storage boxes 100 are sorted and placed. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the number of sorting areas is not particularly limited, and they may be arranged in the storage section 30 so as not to overlap. In this way, the storage section 30 is provided according to the movable range of the transport section 20, so that the limited space can be efficiently utilized and the carry-out device 1 itself can be stored compactly.

[0019] Next, the operation of the discharge device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view (part 1) showing the operation of the discharge device.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the discharge device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side. In FIG. 2, in consideration of the ease of viewing the drawing, only the first sorting area 30a to the third sorting area 30c are shown among the multiple sorting areas SR, and the other sorting areas SR are omitted. In the state shown in FIG. 2, in the storage section 30, one storage box 100 is placed in each of the first sorting area 30a and the third sorting area 30c. Alternatively, in the conveying section 10, the storage box 100 whose contents information has been read at the detection position 10a has reached the transfer position 10b. The transfer section 20 moves so as to grab the storage box 100 located at the transfer position 10b based on the contents information. In this embodiment, the box gripping section 23 is structured to clamp both opposing side surfaces of the storage box 100.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view (part 2) showing the operation of the discharge device.

[0023] 3 shows a state in which the storage box 100 has been transferred from the conveying section 10 to the storage section 30 in comparison with FIG. 2. The transfer section 20 determines the position for placing the storage box 100 based on the content information, and in the state shown in FIG. 3, the storage box 100 has been transferred to the second sorting area 30b.

[0024] When the conveying unit 10 transfers the storage box 100 from the transfer position 10b, it sequentially conveys the storage box 100 from the upstream side (detection position 10a) to the transfer position 10b, and returns to a state substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 2. In this manner, by repeating the state shown in Fig. 2 and the state shown in Fig. 3, the same type of storage box 100 is accumulated in the corresponding sorting area SR in the storage unit 30.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view (part 3) showing the operation of the discharge device.

[0026] In FIG. 4, as a result of repeating the phase to the storage section 30, one storage box 100 is placed in the first sorting area 30a, two storage boxes 100 are placed in the second sorting area 30b, and one storage box 100 is placed in the third sorting area 30c. In the conveying section 10, the storage box 100 corresponding to the second sorting area 30b is located at the transfer position 10b. In other words, when the conveying section 10 (transfer position 10b) and the storage section 30 (second sorting area 30b) are combined, there are three storage boxes 100 corresponding to the second sorting area 30b. In this embodiment, it is set so that three storage boxes 100 are carried out together for each item or grade. In this way, when a predetermined number of storage boxes 100 are placed in the sorting area SR, the transfer section 20 transfers the storage boxes 100 from the storage section 30 to the conveying section 10. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the transfer section 20 moves so as to grip the storage box 100 placed in the second sorting area 30b.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view (part 4) showing the operation of the discharge device.

[0028] 5 shows a state in which the storage boxes 100 have been transferred from the storage section 30 to the transport section 10, in contrast to FIG. 4. Specifically, the transport section 20 loads the two storage boxes 100 placed in the second sorting area 30b onto the storage box 100 located at the transfer position 10b. As a result, three storage boxes 100 are loaded at the transfer position 10b, and the transport section 10 transports them collectively toward the goods receiving section. In this way, the discharge device 1 can perform the sorting work and the transport work together, so the device itself can be stored compactly.

[0029] Second embodiment Next, a carry-out device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the structure of the carry-out device according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description and drawings are omitted.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a carry-out device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the storage unit 30 is constructed three-dimensionally. Specifically, the storage unit 30 is provided with a plurality of sorting areas SR (first sorting area 30a to third sorting area 30c) arranged in the height direction. That is, the storage unit 30 is a shelf having a plurality of tiers of sorting areas SR arranged vertically. Although omitted in FIG. 6, a plurality of sorting areas SR may be arranged horizontally, or a shelf having a plurality of sorting areas SR arranged vertically and horizontally may be used as the storage unit 30. In this way, by providing a plurality of tiers of sorting areas SR in the height direction and arranging them three-dimensionally, it is possible to efficiently use a limited space. Also, in the second embodiment, the box gripping unit 23 is structured to clamp the upper and lower surfaces facing each other in the storage box 100.

[0032] Third embodiment Next, a description will be given of a carry-out device according to a third embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the structure of the carry-out device according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments, so the same reference numerals are used and the description and drawings will be omitted.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view showing a carry-out device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of storage boxes 100 are placed side by side in the sorting area SR. Specifically, the storage unit 30 is provided with a first sorting area 30a to a fourth sorting area 30d, each of which has a size corresponding to two storage boxes 100 arranged side by side. In the third embodiment, the transfer unit 20 is provided with two box gripping units 23 so as to sandwich the two storage boxes 100. Note that the structure of the transfer unit 20 is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the box gripping units 23 are provided so as to sandwich two storage boxes 100 together.

[0035] In addition, in the conveying section 10, a detection position 10a, a standby position 10c, and a transfer position 10b are set in the order along the conveying direction H. In this embodiment, the transfer section 20 transfers the storage box 100 located at the standby position 10c to the storage section 30, and places the storage box 100 transferred from the storage section 30 at the transfer position 10b. In other words, when one storage box 100 is placed in the sorting area SR by the transfer section 20 and two storage boxes 100 are accumulated in the sorting area SR, and the same type of storage box 100 reaches the standby position 10c, the transfer section 20 places the two storage boxes 100 from the storage section 30 together at the transfer position 10b. After that, the one storage box 100 located at the standby position 10c and the two storage boxes 100 located at the transfer position 10b are combined, and the three storage boxes 100 of the same type are conveyed toward the goods receiving section. In this embodiment, since storage boxes 100 are not stacked on top of other storage boxes 100, it is possible to efficiently carry out the transport operation while accommodating storage boxes 100 for which stacking is not desirable.

[0036] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to provide a basis for a restrictive interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Unloading device 10. Conveyor 12 Detection section 13 Loading section 14 Receiving section 20 Transfer section 24 Center axis 25 Extraction member 30 Storage Department H Transport direction R Turning direction SR sorting area

Claims

1. A carrying-out device for carrying out a plurality of storage boxes containing stored items, A conveying section that conveys the container from the carrying-in section to the receiving section; A detection unit that reads information about the contents of the container; a storage unit in which the storage box transported by the transport unit is stored; A transfer unit that transfers the storage box between the transport unit and the storage unit, The storage unit has a sorting area in which the storage boxes are sorted and placed, The transfer section transfers the storage boxes transported from the carry-in section to the sorting area according to the content information, and when a predetermined number of the storage boxes are placed in the sorting area, the transfer section removes the storage boxes from the sorting area and transfers them to the transport section. When the storage boxes are removed from the sorting area, the storage boxes are in a stacked state. The conveying section conveys the transferred container box toward the receiving section, and the container box is in a loaded state. The discharge device is characterized by the above.

2. The discharge device according to claim 1 , The transfer section has a take-out member that rotates around a central axis, The storage section is provided in a circumferential shape centered on the transfer section. The discharge device is characterized by the above.

3. The discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, The storage unit has a plurality of sorting areas arranged in a height direction. The discharge device is characterized by the above.

4. A discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A plurality of the storage boxes are placed side by side in the sorting area, The transfer unit transfers a plurality of the storage boxes collectively from the sorting area. The discharge device is characterized by the above.

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