Inverter

The turntable mechanism with a fluid-operated jack allows objects to be inverted and restored using their own weight, addressing the need for external power in existing inverters and enhancing safety and stability.

JP7711934B2Active Publication Date: 2025-07-23HIOKA MFG CO LTD
View PDF 5 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021174974
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-10-26
Publication Date
2025-07-23
Estimated Expiration
2041-10-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing inverters require external power to change the angle of heavy load placement objects and cannot be returned to their original state without external power.

Method used

A turntable mechanism with a pivot shaft and a fluid-operated jack that uses the weight of the object to pivot between states, incorporating a deformation mechanism and deformation restricting means to control the rotation speed, allowing inversion and restoration without external power.

Benefits of technology

Enables the inversion and restoration of objects using their own weight, ensuring stable and safe operation by controlling rotation speed and preventing unintentional pivoting, while minimizing the need for external power.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007711934000001
    Figure 0007711934000001
  • Figure 0007711934000002
    Figure 0007711934000002
  • Figure 0007711934000003
    Figure 0007711934000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an inverting machine that can invert an object mounted on an inverting table and can recover the inverting table without needing power from the outside.SOLUTION: An inverting machine includes: an inverting table 10 that loads and inverts an object B on it; a pivotal shaft 13 that pivotally supports the inverting table 10 in a pivotable manner; and a jack part 30 that recovers the inverting table 10. The inverting table 10 includes: a loading face 121 that loads the object B in an initial condition I; and an inverted face 122 that loads the object B inverted in an inverted condition R. The pivotal shaft 13 pivotally supports the inverting table 10 so that the loading face 121 in the initial condition I is disposed farther toward the +Z direction side than the inverted face 122 in the inverted condition R. The jack part 30 includes a fluid operation jack 31 that deforms from the initial condition I to the inverted condition R following the pivot of the object B by the self-weight, and recovers from the inverted condition R to the initial condition I by the object B lowered in the inverted condition R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an inverter for inverting an object.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a load placement object that is a heavy object may have its angle changed during transportation or unloading. And an inverter is used to change the angle of this load placement object. For example, the inverter described in Patent Document 1 includes an L-shaped frame that connects a load surface and an inversion surface in an L-shape, and a fork insertion port for inserting the forks of a forklift provided on the back surfaces of the load surface and the inversion surface.

[0003] By placing a plate-shaped panel, which is a load placement object, on the load surface of such an inverter, inserting the forks of a forklift into the fork insertion port provided on the back surface of the load surface, and raising the inserted forks, the L-shaped frame pivots with the pivot axis as the inversion fulcrum, and it is assumed that the plate-shaped panel placed on the L-shaped frame can be inverted.

[0004] However, in the inverter described in Patent Document 1, in order to invert the plate-shaped panel, it could not be inverted without external power such as from a forklift. Also, in order to reuse the inverter, to return it to its original state, it was necessary to lower the plate-shaped panel from the inversion surface, insert the forks of a forklift into the fork insertion port provided on the back surface of the inversion surface, and raise the inserted forks to pivot the L-shaped frame again. That is, the inverter described in Patent Document 1 could not be returned without external power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a reversing machine that can reverse an object placed on a turntable or restore the turntable without requiring external power.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes a turntable on which an object to be reversed is placed and reversed, a pivot shaft that pivotally supports the turntable so that it can pivot between a first state in which the object is placed and a second state in which the object is reversed, and a restoring means for restoring the turntable from the second state to the first state. The turntable is provided with a first placement portion for placing the object in the first state and a second placement portion for placing the reversed object in the second state. The pivot shaft pivotally supports the turntable such that the first placement portion in the first state is above the second placement portion in the second state. The restoring means is configured as a deformation mechanism that deforms from an initial state to a deformed state as the object pivots from the first state to the second state due to the weight of the object, and returns from the deformed state to the initial state when the object is lowered in the second state. , there is a deformation restricting means for restricting the deformation speed of the deformation mechanism. The deformation mechanism includes a container that houses a working fluid and a piston, and is constituted by a fluid-operated jack whose one end is attached to the turntable. There are provided a pressure vessel that communicates with the container and in which the working fluid can move freely in the container, and a connecting pipe that connects the container and the pressure vessel. The working fluid is composed of a liquid having a volume equal to or greater than the total volume of the container and the connecting pipe in a state where the piston is fully extended, and a gas. The container and the connecting pipe are filled with the liquid. It is characterized by being a reversing machine.

[0008] The turntable may be such that the respective ends are integrally connected so that the first placement portion and the second placement portion intersect. Specifically, the turntable may be provided in a substantially L-shape in which the first placement portion and the second placement portion are substantially orthogonal, or may be provided such that the first placement portion and the second placement portion are inclined in a substantially Z-shape or a substantially V-shape.

[0009] The deformation mechanism may be configured such that the weight of the object acts through the turntable to deform from the initial state to the deformed state, and returns to the initial state when the object is lowered from the turntable.

[0010] Specifically, the deformation mechanism may be a jack, an elastic member, etc., and may be a fluid-operated jack using a fluid such as a hydraulic jack, a water pressure jack, an air jack, etc., or a compression spring, a tension spring, etc. When using a spring, a shock absorber such as a buffer spring or a shock absorber may be used.

[0011] The deformation restricting means only needs to be able to restrict the deformation speed of the deformation mechanism when the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state, or when the turntable pivots from the second state to the first state, or in at least one of these cases.

[0012] The fluid-operated jack may be in an initial state when the turntable is in the first state, and may deform to a deformed state in which the piston slides relative to the container from the initial state when the turntable is in the second state. Also, the working fluid may be any fluid such as the gas and the liquid. Specifically, the gas may be air, and the liquid may be jack oil or the like.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to invert the object placed on the turntable or restore the turntable without requiring external power. Specifically, the turntable on which the object is placed is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft, and the first placement portion in the first state is arranged above the second placement portion in the second state.

[0014] Therefore, when the object is placed on the first placement portion in the first state and the weight of the object acts on the turntable, the turntable pivots to the second state, and accordingly, the object is inverted while moving downward, and the inverted object is placed on the second placement portion. In addition, as the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state, the deformation mechanism deforms from the initial state to the deformed state.

[0015] Then, in the second state, by lowering the object placed on the second placement portion, the weight of the object that has deformed the deformation mechanism through the turntable is removed, and the deformation mechanism returns from the deformed state to the initial state. With the return of the deformation mechanism, the turntable pivots from the second state to the first state and is restored.

[0016] Therefore, by placing the object on the first placement part in the first state, the object placed on the turntable can be inverted by the weight of the object itself, and by lowering the inverted object from the second placement part in the second state, the turntable can be restored to the first state. That is, it is possible to invert the object placed on the turntable or restore the turntable without requiring external power.

[0017] In addition, since there is a deformation restricting means for restricting the deformation speed of the deformation mechanism, by restricting the deformation speed of the deformation mechanism that deforms in conjunction with the pivoting of the turntable, the rotation speed, which is the speed at which the turntable pivots, can be restricted.

[0018] Specifically, when the deformation speed of the deformation mechanism is restricted, the rotation speed of the turntable that pivots in conjunction with the deformation of the deformation mechanism is restricted. When the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state, by restricting the rotation speed of the turntable, it is possible to prevent the turntable from pivoting forcefully, and when the pivoting of the turntable stops in the second state, it is possible to prevent the object from being damaged.

[0019] Furthermore, when the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state and when the turntable pivots from the second state to the first state, it is possible to prevent the turntable from pivoting forcefully, and the safety of the operator can be further improved.

[0020] Further, since the deformation mechanism includes a container that houses the working fluid therein and a piston, and is constituted by a fluid-operated jack whose one end is attached to the turntable, as the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state due to the weight of the object placed on the turntable, the piston of the fluid-operated jack slides in the extending or contracting direction.

[0021] Then, as the piston slides in the extending or contracting direction due to the weight of the object, pressure due to the weight of the object acts on the working fluid housed in the container, the volume of the working fluid changes, and the fluid-operated jack deforms from the initial state to the deformed state.

[0022] Specifically, the object is placed on the first placement portion in the first state, the weight of the object acts on the turntable, the turntable pivots to the second state, and the object moves downward while rotating.

[0023] Then, simultaneously with the piston sliding in the extending or contracting direction due to the weight of the object, pressure acts on the working fluid housed in the container, and the volume of the working fluid changes in response to the potential energy of the object decreasing as it moves downward, causing the fluid-operated jack to deform from the initial state to the deformed state.

[0024] Furthermore, when the inverted object is lowered from the turntable pivoted to the second state, the weight of the object acting on the turntable is removed. Along with this, the pressure due to the weight of the object acting on the working fluid via the piston is also removed. Therefore, as the volume of the working fluid that had changed due to the pressure of the object tries to return to the volume before the change, the piston slides in the contracting or extending direction. Thereby, the fluid-operated jack returns from the deformed state to the initial state.

[0025] And as the fluid-operated jack returns from the deformed state to the initial state, the turntable attached to one end of the fluid-operated jack is restored from the second state to the first state.

[0026] In this way, as the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state due to the weight of the object, and as the object rotates and moves downward, the pressure acting thereupon causes the volume of the working fluid to change in response to the potential energy of the object decreasing as it moves downward.

[0027] Then, in the second state, by lowering the object, the pressure acting on the working fluid disappears, and as the volume of the working fluid returns, the piston slides in the shortening or extending direction, enabling the fluid-operated jack to return to the initial state. When the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state, the potential energy of the object that has decreased can be utilized to easily restore the turntable to the first state.

[0028] Further, a pressure vessel that communicates with the container and in which the working fluid can freely move with respect to the container, and a connecting pipe that connects the container and the pressure vessel are provided. The working fluid is composed of a liquid having a volume equal to or greater than the total volume of the container and the connecting pipe in the state where the piston is most withdrawn, and a gas. Since the container and the connecting pipe are filled with the liquid, the working fluid is accommodated in the container and the pressure vessel, enabling each of the container and the pressure vessel to be miniaturized.

[0029] Also, the working fluid has a liquid having a volume equal to or greater than the total volume of the state where the volume of the container is maximized and the volume of the connecting pipe. Therefore, when the fluid of the fluid-operated jack is compressed or expanded, the container and the connecting pipe can be filled with the liquid.

[0030] Therefore, by making the working fluid passing through the connection part of the container, the pressure vessel, and the connecting pipe into the liquid, it is possible to prevent the gas that easily leaks from the gap from leaking from the connection part of the container, the pressure vessel, and the connecting pipe, etc.

[0031] Accordingly, leakage of the gas of the working fluid can be prevented, and in the second state, by simply lowering the object from the second placement part, the turntable can be surely restored from the second state to the first state by the gas accommodated in the pressure vessel via the liquid.

[0032] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, the connecting pipe may be connected below the pressure vessel. According to the present invention, as the piston slides in the extending direction and the working fluid in the pressure vessel flows into the inside of the connecting pipe, it is possible to prevent the gas from flowing into the container and the connecting pipe together with the liquid.

[0033] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, in the first state, the fluid-operated jack may be disposed below the first mounting portion, and one end of the fluid-operated jack may be attached to a side closer to the second mounting portion than the pivot shaft.

[0034] According to the present invention, in the first state, the inversion table pivoting by the weight of the object placed on the first mounting portion slides the piston of the fluid-operated jack in the shortening direction to compress the working fluid, and the fluid-operated jack deforms from the initial state to the deformed state.

[0035] Then, in the second state, by lowering the object from the inversion table, the weight of the object that has been acting on the slide via the inversion table is removed, and as the working fluid expands, the piston slides in the extending direction.

[0036] By the slide of the piston in the extending direction, the fluid-operated jack can be restored from the deformed state to the initial state, and the inversion table can be restored from the second state to the first state. That is, by using the repulsive force of the working fluid compressed by the weight of the object, the inversion table can be restored from the second state to the first state by the fluid-operated jack.

[0037] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the working fluid may be provided, and the deformation restricting means may be constituted by the valve. The valve may constitute the first state maintaining means and the second state maintaining means described above.

[0038] According to the present invention, the expansion and contraction speed of the piston of the fluid-operated jack, which is the deformation mechanism, can be easily adjusted by the valve, and the rotation speed of the inversion table on which the piston of the fluid-operated jack is attached can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, by stopping the flow of the working fluid by the valve, the inversion table can be maintained in the first state and the second state.

[0039] Also, as an aspect of the present invention, a pivot holding portion for pivotally holding the end portion on the other end side of the fluid-operated jack may be provided.

[0040] According to the present invention, in conjunction with the pivoting of the inversion table, by changing the angle of the fluid-operated jack, the pressure of the fluid-operated jack can be surely applied to the inversion table.

[0041] In an aspect of the present invention, the pivot shaft may be provided on the first placement portion and, in the first state, may be provided on a side away from the second placement portion from directly below the center of gravity of the combined object placed and the turntable.

[0042] According to the present invention, when the object is placed on the first placement portion, the position of the center of gravity of the combined object and the turntable and the pivot shaft will deviate in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft. Then, the self-weight of the object and the turntable acting vertically downward at the position deviated from the pivot shaft acts as a rotational force for pivoting the turntable about the pivot axis.

[0043] Furthermore, since the first placement part in the first state is arranged above the second placement part in the second state, the turntable with the object placed on the first placement part in the first state pivots from the first state to the second state.

[0044] In this way, by simply placing the object on the first placement part in the first state, the turntable can be pivoted from the first state to the second state with the pivot axis as the rotation axis, and the object can be inverted easily and surely.

[0045] As an aspect of this invention, the turntable may be provided such that the first placement part and the second placement part are substantially orthogonal to each other. According to this invention, the object placed on the first placement part in the first state can be brought into contact with the second placement part, and the turntable can be pivoted with the object in a stable state.

[0046] Specifically, generally, an object to be inverted using the inverter has a surface placed on the first placement part and a surface placed on the second placement part after the turntable is inverted, and the object is configured to be stably placed in its two states. For this reason, by supporting the surface of the object from two directions by the turntable, the turntable can be pivoted with the object in a stable state.

[0047] As an aspect of this invention, a first state maintaining means for maintaining the turntable in the first state may be provided. According to this invention, the turntable with the object placed on the first placement part can be maintained in the first state.

[0048] Thereby, it is possible to prevent the turntable from pivoting unintentionally when placing the object on the first placement part in the first state. Therefore, after the object is reliably placed on the first placement portion, the turntable can be pivoted from the first state to the second state, and the object can be reliably inverted, further improving the safety of the operator.

[0049] As an aspect of the present invention, second state maintaining means for maintaining the turntable in the second state may be provided. According to the present invention, the turntable with the object lowered can be maintained in the second state.

[0050] Thereby, for example, in the second state, when the object is lowered from the second placement portion, it is possible to prevent the turntable from pivoting unintentionally. Therefore, after the object is reliably lowered from the second placement portion, the turntable can be reliably restored from the second state to the first state, improving the safety of the operator.

[0051] As an aspect of the present invention, at least one gas container communicating with the pressure vessel may be provided, and a communication pipe for communicating the interiors of the gas containers may be provided. According to the present invention, by miniaturizing the pressure vessel and the gas container, the inverter can be miniaturized.

Effects of the Invention

[0052] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inverter that can invert an object placed on a turntable by the weight of the object and can be easily reused.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0053]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an explanatory drawing of the inverter 1, and FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the inverter 1. Specifically, FIG. 1(a) shows a perspective view showing a front view, a plan view, and a right side view of the inverter 1 in the initial state I, and FIG. 1(b) shows a perspective view showing a front view, a plan view, and a left side view of the inverter 1 in the inverted state R.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an explanatory drawing of the inversion table 10, FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the pivot support base 20, FIGS. 5 and 6 show explanatory drawings of the pivot support base 20, FIG. 7 shows an explanatory drawing of the jack part 30, FIG. 8 shows an explanatory drawing of the jack surrounding part 33, FIG. 9 shows an explanatory drawing of the first pressure tank part 40, and FIG. 10 shows an explanatory drawing of the second pressure tank part 50. Specifically, FIG. 3(a) shows an exploded perspective view of the inversion table 10, FIG. 3(b) shows a perspective view of the inversion table 10, and FIG. 3(c) shows an enlarged view of the α part in FIG. 3(a).

[0056] Further, FIG. 5(a) shows a plan view of the pivot support base 21 constituting the pivot support base 20, FIG. 5(b) shows a front view of the pivot part 22 constituting the pivot support base 20, FIG. 6(a) shows a perspective view of the jack protection part 23 constituting the pivot support base 20, FIG. 6(b) shows a left side view of the jack attachment part 24 constituting the pivot support base 20, and FIG. 6(c) shows a front view of the jack attachment part 24. Further, Fig. 7(a) shows a plan view of the jack portion 30, Fig. 7(b) shows a front view of the fluid-operated jack 31 that constitutes the jack portion 30, and Fig. 7(c) shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the jack body 32.

[0057] Fig. 8(a) shows an exploded perspective view representing a front view, a plan view, and a left side view of the jack surrounding portion 33, and Fig. 8(b) shows an exploded perspective view representing a front view, a plan view, and a right side view of the jack surrounding portion 33. Also, Fig. 9(a) shows a perspective view representing a front view, a plan view, and a left side view of the first pressure tank portion 40, and Fig. 9(b) shows a perspective view representing a front view, a bottom view, and a right side view of the first pressure tank portion 40, and Fig. 9(c) shows a front view of the first pressure tank portion 40. Also, Fig. 10(a) shows a perspective view representing a front view, a plan view, and a left side view of the second pressure tank portion 50, and Fig. 10(b) shows a front view of the second pressure tank portion 50.

[0058] Fig. 11(a) shows a schematic diagram explaining the inside of the fluid-operated jack 31 and the first pressure tank 41 in the initial state I, which is an extended state where the piston 323 slides in the +X direction in the jack portion 30.

[0059] Also, Fig. 11(b) shows a schematic diagram explaining the inside of the fluid-operated jack 31 and the first pressure tank 41 in the reversed state R, which is a contracted state where the piston 323 slides in the -X direction in the jack portion 30.

[0060] Fig. 12 shows an explanatory diagram explaining the method of reversing the object B by the reversing machine 1. Specifically, Fig. 12(a) shows a front view of the state where the object B is placed on the reversing machine 1 in the initial state I, Fig. 12(b) shows a front view of the reversing machine 1 pivoting from the initial state I to the reversed state R, and Fig. 12(c) shows a front view of the state where the reversing machine 1 has pivoted to the reversed state R and the object B has been reversed.

[0061] FIG. 13 shows an explanatory diagram for explaining a return mode in which the inverter 1 that has lowered the object B returns from the inverted state R to the initial state I. Specifically, FIG. 12(a) shows a front view of the inverter 1 in the inverted state R with the object B lowered, and FIG. 12(b) shows a front view of the state where the inverter 1 has returned to the initial state I.

[0062] Also, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the inverter 1 in FIG. 1(a) is defined as the longitudinal direction X. In the longitudinal direction X, the left side in FIG. 1(a) and the side where the object B is placed on the inverter 1 is the +X direction, and the opposite side is the -X direction.

[0063] Also, the direction along the width direction of the inverter 1 in FIG. 1(a) is defined as the width direction Y. In the width direction Y, the left side of FIG. 1(a) and the side where the second pressure tank portion 50 is arranged on the inverter 1 is the +Y direction, and the opposite side is the -Y direction. Also, the direction along the height direction of the inverter 1 in FIG. 1(a) is defined as the height direction Z. In the height direction Z, the upper side in FIG. 1(a) is the +Z direction, and the lower side is the -Z direction.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inverter 1 for inverting the placed object B includes an inversion table 10 that is substantially L-shaped in a front view for placing the object B, a pivot support base 20 that pivotally supports the inversion table 10, and a jack portion 30 that is pivotally connected to the inversion table 10 and the pivot support base 20. The object B to be inverted by the inverter 1 is formed by winding a long body such as a metal wire into a coil shape and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the inversion table 10 in the inverted state R is composed of a frame 11 formed in a substantially L-shape in a front view, an L-shaped table 12 attached to the frame 11 and formed by combining two flat plates in a substantially L-shape, and a pivot shaft 13 attached to the frame 11.

[0066] The front-view L-shaped frame 11 is composed of a substantially L-shaped frame body 111 arranged in three with a predetermined width along the width direction Y, a frame connecting portion 112 connecting the frame bodies 111 in the width direction Y, and a piston mounting portion 113 to which a jack surrounding portion 33 of a jack portion 30 described later is attached.

[0067] Each of the three frame bodies 111 is formed in an L shape in front view by integrally attaching a prismatic mounting frame 111a to which a mounting surface 121 is attached and a prismatic reversing frame 111b to which a reversing surface 122 is attached.

[0068] And on the mounting frame 111a, a pivot shaft mounting portion 114 that is recessed in an arc having the same diameter as the cylindrical pivot shaft 13 is provided at a position spaced a predetermined interval from the portion connected to the reversing frame 111b (see Fig. 3(b)). This pivot shaft mounting portion 114 is provided at a position spaced approximately two-thirds of the length of the mounting frame 111a in the longitudinal direction from the location where the mounting frame 111a and the reversing frame 111b are connected.

[0069] The frame connecting portion 112 is formed in a prismatic shape and spans and connects adjacent frame bodies 111 among the three frame bodies 111 arranged along the width direction Y in the width direction Y. The prismatic frame connecting portion 112 is provided at four locations so as to extend outward in the width direction Y from both ends of the frame body 111 arranged in the center of the width direction Y in order to integrally connect both ends of the L-shaped frame body 111.

[0070] The L-shaped table 12 attached to the frame 11 is composed of a mounting surface 121 on which the object B before inversion is placed and a reversing surface 122 on which the object B after inversion is placed. The placement surface 121 is composed of a flat plate with a rectangular main surface, and the placement surface 121 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the main surface is along the width direction Y. The inversion surface 122 is composed of a flat plate having substantially the same shape as the placement surface 121, and the inversion surface 122 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the main surface is along the width direction Y.

[0071] By integrally connecting the ends of the thus configured placement surface 121 and inversion surface 122, an L-shaped base 12 that is substantially L-shaped in a front view is formed (see Fig. 3(b)). The pivot shaft 13 is formed in a columnar shape extending along the width direction Y. The pivot shaft 13 is formed in a columnar shape having the same diameter as the pivot shaft mounting portion 114, is attached to the pivot shaft mounting portion 114, and is integrally attached to the placement frame 111a provided with the pivot shaft mounting portion 114.

[0072] The columnar pivot shaft 13 is formed such that the length in the longitudinal direction, that is, the length along the width direction Y, is longer than the length along the width direction Y of the frame 11 (see Fig. 3(a)). The pivot shaft 13 configured as such is attached to the pivot shaft mounting portion 114 provided on the frame body 111 disposed at the center in the width direction Y of the frame 11. That is, the pivot shaft 13 is attached so as to protrude from the frame 11 toward both outer sides in the width direction Y.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 3(c), the piston mounting portion 113 is formed such that a circle protrudes from a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped base portion, and a pair of them are arranged along the width direction Y. Further, a piston mounting hole 113a is provided in the piston mounting portion 113 by a through hole concentric with the protruding circle.

[0074] The pair of piston mounting portions 113 are provided on the placement frame 111a of the frame body 111 disposed at the center in the width direction Y, and are provided in a pair at a predetermined interval along the width direction Y at the end of the placement frame 111a on the side connected to the inversion frame 111b and on the side opposite to the inversion frame 111b.

[0075] Between this pair of piston mounting portions 113, the tip of the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31 described later, i.e., the end on the +X direction side, is disposed, and by attaching the protrusion 324 to the piston mounting hole 113a of the piston mounting portion 113, the jack portion 30 is connected to the turntable 10. As shown in Fig. 3(b), in the turntable 10 configured as described above, the pivot shaft 13 constituting the turntable 10 is provided at a position spaced apart from the inversion surface 122 by a distance greater than the center of gravity position C of the turntable 10.

[0076] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the pivot support base 20 includes a pivot support base 21 having a rectangular shape in plan view and arranged to have a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction X in contact with the ground surface on which the inverter 1 is disposed, a pivot support portion 22 having a substantially triangular shape in front view to which the pivot support base 20 is attached, a jack protection portion 23 which is a frame-shaped box body attached so as to surround the jack portion 30 described later, and a jack mounting portion 24 to which the jack portion 30 is attached.

[0077] The pivot support base 21 disposed on the ground surface and formed by combining flat plates each having a substantially uniform thickness is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction X, and includes a pair of base longitudinal plate portions 211 arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction Y, and four base width plate portions 212 formed in a flat plate shape extending in the width direction Y and arranged so as to span the pair of base longitudinal plate portions 211, and are integrally combined in a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0078] The four base width plate portions 212 include a base width plate portion 212a disposed at the end on the +X direction side, a base width plate portion 212b disposed at the end on the -X direction side, a base width plate portion 212c disposed at a position spaced from the base width plate portion 212a by a length substantially equal to the width of the base width plate portion 212, and a base width plate portion 212d disposed at a position spaced by a predetermined length from the center of the longitudinal direction X toward the -X direction.

[0079] The pivot support portion 22 having a substantially triangular shape in front view is provided with a pair at a position spaced by a predetermined length from the center of the longitudinal direction X toward the +X direction in each of the base longitudinal plate portions 211 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 5(b), each of the pivot support portions 22 includes a prismatic pivot support body 221 extending in the height direction Z, a pivot support hole portion 222 provided on the +Z direction side of the pivot support body 221 and having an insertion hole through which the pivot shaft 13 is inserted, and a pivot support auxiliary portion 223 provided so as to be inclined to separate from the pivot support body 221 in the -Z direction.

[0080] The pivot support body 221 is constituted by a flat plate-shaped prism that extends in the +Z direction from a position spaced a predetermined length in the +X direction from the center of the base longitudinal plate portion 211 in the longitudinal direction X and has a main surface in the longitudinal direction X.

[0081] The pivot support hole portion 222 is provided on the surface on the -X direction side of the pivot support body 221 on the +Z direction side, and is formed such that a circle protrudes from a rectangular base portion in a front view. Further, a pivot shaft mounting hole 222a is provided in the pivot support hole portion 222 by a through hole concentric with the protruding circle.

[0082] The pivot support hole portion 222 is formed such that the height from the lower end in the -Z direction of the pivot support body 221 to the axis of the pivot shaft mounting hole 222a is substantially the same as the height from the lower end in the -Z direction to the axis of the pivot shaft 13 in the inverted base 10 in the inverted state R. The pivot shaft mounting hole 222a is provided by a circular through hole having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pivot shaft 13, and is formed such that the pivot shaft 13 can be inserted into the pivot shaft mounting hole 222a.

[0083] The flat plate-shaped pivot support auxiliary portion 223 provided inclined with respect to the pivot support body 221 is attached to the pivot support body 221 at an inclination angle of about 45 degrees so as to separate from the pivot support body 221 in the -Z direction from the surface on the +X direction side of the pivot support body 221. The end portion on the +X direction side of the pivot support auxiliary portion 223 is attached to the back side of the position on the pivot support body 221 where the pivot support hole portion 222 is attached.

[0084] The pair of pivot support parts 22 configured in this way has the pivot support part main body 221 attached at a position separated by a predetermined length in the +X direction from the center in the longitudinal direction X of the pivot support part main body 221 that constitutes the pivot support base 21. Then, the pivot support auxiliary part 223 extending from the pivot support part main body 221 can prevent the rattling of the pivot support part main body 221, thereby preventing the axial displacement between the pivot shafts mounting holes 222a of the pivot holes 222 provided in the pair of pivot support parts 22.

[0085] And by inserting both end sides in the width direction Y of the pivot shaft 13 into the pivot shafts mounting holes 222a with the axial displacement prevented, the pivot support part 22 can reliably support the inversion table 10 so as to be pivotable (see Fig. 1).

[0086] As shown in Fig. 6(a), the jack protection part 23 is formed in a rectangular frame shape that is substantially square in plan view by combining prisms. The frame-shaped jack protection part 23 is composed of a jack protection upper part 231 formed by combining prisms into a square shape in plan view, and jack protection leg parts 232 extending in the -Z direction from the four corners of the jack protection upper part 231.

[0087] The jack protection part 23 is configured such that the length in the longitudinal direction X is substantially the same as the length by which the base width plate part 212d and the base width plate part 212b are separated in the longitudinal direction X. Also, the jack protection part 23 is formed such that the length in the width direction Y is shorter than the length in the width direction Y of the base width plate part 212 that constitutes the pivot support base 21 to which the jack protection part 23 is attached. And the jack protection part 23 is configured such that the length in the height direction Z is lower than the height of the axis of the pivot shaft mounting hole 222a of the pivot hole 222 attached to the pivot support part main body 221.

[0088] The jack protection part 23 configured as described above has jack protection legs 232 respectively attached to the base width plate parts 212b and 212d that constitute the pivot support base 21 so that the upper part of the jack protection 231 can span therebetween. Inside thereof, a jack part 30 described later can be arranged. Further, the upper end of the jack protection part 23 is configured so as not to interfere with the turntable 10 in the initial state I (see Fig. 1(a)).

[0089] As shown in Figs. 6(b) and 6(c), the jack mounting part 24 is integrally composed of a jack mounting base 241 formed in a prismatic shape with a longitudinal direction along the width direction Y, and a pair of jack mounting bodies 242 attached to the +X direction side of the jack mounting base 241 and having through holes for mounting the jack part 30 described later.

[0090] The jack mounting body 242 is formed such that a circular shape protrudes from a rectangular base part when viewed from the front. Further, a jack mounting hole 242a is provided in the jack mounting body 242 by a through hole concentric with the protruding circular shape. And the jack mounting body 242 protrudes in a length substantially the same as the length in the height direction Z of the pivot support base 21 toward the -Z direction side from the jack mounting base 241. A pair of the jack mounting bodies 242 configured as described above are provided at a predetermined interval along the width direction Y.

[0091] The jack mounting part 24 configured as described above is attached to the central part in the width direction Y of the base width plate part 212b that constitutes the pivot support base 21, and the jack mounting body 242 that constitutes the jack mounting part 24 is integrally attached to the jack mounting base 241 and the base width plate part 212b (see Fig. 1).

[0092] And between the pair of jack mounting bodies 242, the jack pivoting body 341 of the jack pivoting support part 34 described later is arranged, and by attaching the jack pivoting shaft part 342 to the jack mounting hole 242a of the jack mounting body 242, the jack part 30 is pivotally connected to the jack mounting part 24 so as to be pivotable.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 7, the jack portion 30 includes a fluid-operated jack 31 connected to the reversing table 10 and the pivot support table 20, a first pressure tank portion 40 filled with oil О and air E inside, a second pressure tank portion 50 filled with air E inside, a first connecting pipe 60 that movably connects the inside of the fluid-operated jack 31 and the first pressure tank portion 40 with a working fluid, and a second connecting pipe 70 that movably connects the inside of the first pressure tank portion 40 and the second pressure tank portion 50 with a working fluid.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the fluid-operated jack 31 includes a jack body 32, a jack surrounding portion 33 surrounding the jack body 32, and a jack pivot support portion 34 that attaches the fluid-operated jack 31 to the pivot support table 20.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7(c), the jack body 32 includes a cylindrical cylinder 321 filled with oil О inside, a first connection pipe connecting portion 322 that connects a first connecting pipe 60 described later to the cylinder 321, and a piston 323 that slidably moves inside the cylinder 321.

[0096] The first connection pipe connecting portion 322 is provided on the -X direction side of the cylinder 321 and is configured to be able to communicate the first pressure tank portion 40 with the jack portion 30 by connecting the first connecting pipe 60. The piston 323 is provided with a columnar protrusion 324 protruding along the width direction Y at the end on the +X direction side (see FIG. 7(a)).

[0097] The protrusion 324 is formed in a columnar shape with substantially the same diameter as the piston mounting hole 113a of the reversing table 10 described above. While arranging the end on the +X direction side, which is the tip of the piston 323, between a pair of piston mounting portions 113, and inserting the protrusion 324 into the piston mounting hole 113a, the jack portion 30 including the piston 323 is configured to be pivotable with respect to the reversing table 10.

[0098] As shown in Fig. 8, the jack surrounding portion 33 is composed of a surrounding portion main body 331 that supports the cylinder 321 from the -X direction side, a surrounding portion lid body 332 that supports the cylinder 321 from the +X direction side, and a connecting rod 333 which is two cylindrical rods connecting the surrounding portion main body 331 and the surrounding portion lid body 332.

[0099] The surrounding portion main body 331 is integrally composed of a rectangular jack fitting portion 334 having a circular depression that fits on the -X direction side of the cylindrical cylinder 321, a connecting pipe insertion hole 334a which is a circular through hole that penetrates in the height direction Z on the +Z direction side of the jack fitting portion 334 and through which a first connecting pipe 60 described later is inserted, and a plate-shaped jack support plate 335 that supports the jack body 32 from the -Z direction side.

[0100] On the +Z direction side of the jack fitting portion 334, a connecting fitting hole 336 into which the connecting rod 333 that is recessed in a cylindrical shape is fitted is provided at a predetermined width interval. And the connecting pipe insertion hole 334a is provided at a position corresponding to the first connecting pipe connecting portion 322. The jack support plate 335 is composed of a flat plate that extends in the +X direction from the end portion on the -Z direction side of the jack fitting portion 334 and is integrally formed with the jack fitting portion 334.

[0101] The surrounding portion lid body 332 is formed in a prismatic shape having a circular depression that fits on the +X direction side of the cylindrical cylinder 321. And the surrounding portion lid body 332 is provided with a support plate engaging portion 337 that is cut out at a height substantially the same as the thickness of the jack support plate 335 at the lower end in the -Z direction, a connecting through hole 338 provided at a position corresponding to the connecting fitting hole 336, and a piston insertion hole 339 through which the piston 323 is inserted.

[0102] With the above configuration, the end portion on the -X direction side of the cylinder 321 that constitutes the jack body 32 is fitted into the depression of the jack fitting portion 334 of the jack surrounding portion 33, and the jack body 32 is arranged along the jack support plate 335. Then, the first connecting pipe connecting portion 322 is inserted into the connecting pipe insertion hole 334a. As a result, the jack body 32 is attached to the surrounding part main body 331.

[0103] Furthermore, in the jack body 32 attached to the surrounding part main body 331, the recess of the surrounding part lid 332 is fitted to the end on the +X direction side of the cylinder 321, the piston 323 is inserted through the piston insertion hole 339, and the support plate engaging part 337 is engaged with the end on the +X direction side of the jack support plate 335. As a result, the surrounding part lid 332 is attached to the surrounding part main body 331 and the jack body 32.

[0104] Then, the connecting rod 333 is communicated with the connecting fitting hole 336 of the surrounding part main body 331 and the connecting through hole 338 of the surrounding part lid 332 thus attached, and the end on the +X direction side of the connecting rod 333 is fixed with bolts and nuts (not shown), thereby fixing the jack body 32 and the jack surrounding part 33.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the jack pivoting support part 34 is provided so as to project from the end on the -X direction side of the jack surrounding part 33, and is composed of a jack pivoting main body 341 formed in a substantially spatula shape having a main surface in the width direction Y, and a columnar jack pivoting shaft part 342 projecting along the width direction Y from the main surface of the jack pivoting main body 341.

[0106] The jack pivoting main body 341 is formed to be slightly thinner than the jack mounting main bodies 242 arranged at a predetermined interval along the width direction Y. Also, the jack pivoting shaft part 342 is formed in a columnar shape having substantially the same diameter as the jack mounting hole 242a of the pivot support base 20.

[0107] Therefore, the jack pivoting main body 341 is arranged between the pair of jack mounting main bodies 242, and the jack pivoting shaft part 342 is inserted through the respective jack mounting holes 242a, whereby the fluid-operated jack 31 can be pivotally attached to the pivot support base 20 so as to be pivotable.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 9, the first pressure tank section 40 includes a first pressure tank 41 filled with air E inside, a first tank base 42 on which the first pressure tank 41 is placed, a first mounting portion 43 for attaching a first connecting pipe 60 provided on the -Z direction side of the first pressure tank 41, and a first tank side second mounting portion 44 for attaching a second connecting pipe 70 provided near the center in the longitudinal direction X of the first pressure tank 41.

[0109] The first pressure tank 41 is composed of a substantially cylindrical metal pressure-resistant tank extending along the longitudinal direction X. The first tank base 42 extends along the longitudinal direction X and is formed in a flat plate shape that is rectangular in plan view and has the same thickness as the pivot support base 21. It is composed of a tank base 421 disposed on the ground surface and a tank support portion 422 that protrudes from the tank base 421 in the +Z direction and supports the first pressure tank 41.

[0110] The flat plate-shaped tank base 421 is disposed so as to span the base width plate portion 212b and the base width plate portion 212d along the longitudinal direction X at a position spaced a predetermined distance in the +Y direction from the center in the width direction Y of the pivot support base 21 (see FIG. 1).

[0111] The tank support portion 422 that supports the first pressure tank 41 is composed of a plate-shaped tank support portion 422a that protrudes from the +X direction end of the tank base 421 in the +Z direction and a plate-shaped tank support portion 422b that protrudes from the -X direction side end of the tank base 421 in the +Z direction.

[0112] The tank support portion 422a and the tank support portion 422b are each formed on a plate that is substantially rectangular in side view, and have a substantially semi-circular depression for placing the first pressure tank 41 at the central portion in the width direction Y at the +Z direction end.

[0113] Moreover, the length of the tank support portion 422b in the height direction Z is formed shorter than the length of the tank support portion 422a in the height direction Z. As a result, the first pressure tank 41 placed on the first tank base 42 is placed so as to incline in the -Z direction as it goes in the -X direction (see Fig. 9(c)).

[0114] The first attachment portion 43 is provided on the -X direction side and -Z direction side in the first pressure tank 41 that inclines in the -Z direction as it goes in the -X direction (see Fig. 9(b)). And the first attachment portion 43 is configured to be able to attach the first connection pipe 60 so that the internal space of the first pressure tank 41 and the internal space of the first connection pipe 60 formed in a tubular shape communicate with each other.

[0115] The first tank side second attachment portion 44 is provided near the center in the direction along the longitudinal direction X of the first pressure tank 41 and on the -Z direction side. And the first tank side second attachment portion 44 is configured to be able to attach the second connection pipe 70 so that the internal space of the first pressure tank 41 and the internal space of the second connection pipe 70 formed in a tubular shape communicate with each other.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 10, the second pressure tank portion 50 is composed of a second pressure tank 51 filled with air E inside, and a second tank base 52 that is configured the same as the first tank base 42 and is arranged symmetrically with the jack portion 30 interposed therebetween. Note that since the second tank base 52 has the same configuration as the first pressure tank 41 except for the place where it is arranged, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

[0117] The second pressure tank 51 is composed of a substantially cylindrical pressure-resistant tank made of metal that extends along the longitudinal direction X. And on the second pressure tank 51, a second tank side second attachment portion 54 for attaching the second connection pipe 70 is provided near the center and above in the direction along the longitudinal direction X. And the second tank side second attachment portion 54 is configured to be able to attach the second connection pipe 70 so that the internal space of the second pressure tank 51 and the internal space of the second connection pipe 70 formed in a tubular shape communicate with each other.

[0118] The first connecting pipe 60 is configured in a tubular shape capable of communicating the internal spaces of the first pressure tank 41 and the cylinder 321, and its internal space is filled with oil O (see FIGS. 7(a) and 11). And, as shown in FIG. 7(a), the first connecting pipe 60 is provided with a first valve 61 for adjusting the flow rate of the oil O passing through the inside of the first connecting pipe 60.

[0119] The second connecting pipe 70 is configured in a tubular shape capable of communicating the internal spaces of the first pressure tank section 40 and the second pressure tank section 50, and its internal space is filled with air E (see FIG. 7(a)). And, the second connecting pipe 70 is provided with a second valve 71 for adjusting the flow rate of the air E passing through the inside of the second connecting pipe 70.

[0120] The fluid-operated jack 31, the first pressure tank section 40, and the second pressure tank section 50 configured in this way are such that the first connection pipe connecting section 322 of the fluid-operated jack 31 and the first attachment section 43 of the first pressure tank section 40 are connected via the first connecting pipe 60. And, the first tank-side second attachment section 44 of the first pressure tank section 40 and the second tank-side second attachment section 54 of the second pressure tank section 50 are connected via the second connecting pipe 70 to constitute the jack section 30.

[0121] In this jack section 30, the volume of the oil O among the operating fluid filled inside is set to be larger than the total volume of the volume of the cylinder 321 when the piston 323 extends to the maximum and the maximum volume of the cylinder 321 and the volume of the first connecting pipe 60, as shown in FIG. 11, and is accommodated inside the first pressure tank 41, the cylinder 321, and the first connecting pipe 60. Thereby, the first pressure tank 41 and the first connecting pipe 60 can always be filled with the oil O.

[0122] In the jack portion 30 configured as described above, from the initial state I (see Fig. 11(a)) in which the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31 slides in the +X direction with respect to the cylinder 321, to the inverted state R (see Fig. 11(b)) in which the piston 323 slides in the -X direction with respect to the cylinder 321, the piston 323 pushes the oil О in the cylinder 321.

[0123] That is, the air E filled in the first pressure tank 41 whose interior communicates with the cylinder 321 via the first connecting pipe 60 and the second pressure tank 51 whose interior communicates with the first pressure tank 41 via the second connecting pipe 70 is configured to be compressible or expandable by sliding the piston 323.

[0124] Next, based on Fig. 12, a method for inverting the object B formed by winding a metal into a coil shape to form a substantially cylindrical shape will be described. As shown in Fig. 12(a), in the state where the inversion table 10 of the inverter 1 is in the initial state I with the placement surface 121 being horizontal, by closing the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, the flow of the oil О or the air E inside the jack portion 30 is stopped. Thereby, the movement of the piston 323 of the jack portion 30 can be stopped, and the inversion table 10 to which the piston 323 is connected can be fixed in the state of the initial state I.

[0125] Then, with respect to the inversion table 10 of the inverter 1 fixed in the initial state I, the object B is placed such that the outer circumference of the object B is on the placement surface 121 and the bottom surface portion of the object B is in contact with the inversion surface 122. The center of gravity position C of the inversion table 10 on which the object B is placed is provided at a position closer to the inversion surface 122 than the pivot axis 13 in the initial state I. For this reason, by placing the object B on the inversion surface 122 side of the pivot axis 13, the combined center of gravity position C´ of the object B and the inversion table 10 is at a position closer to the inversion surface 122 than the pivot axis 13. Therefore, a rotational moment is generated around the pivot axis 13 due to the self-weights of the inversion table 10 and the object B.

[0126] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(b), in the turntable 10 on which the object B is placed and fixed in the initial state I, by opening the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, the fixing of the turntable 10 is released. As a result, due to the rotational moment about the pivot shaft 13 generated by the self-weight of the object B, the L-shaped table 12 of the turntable 10 pivots toward the inverted state R with the pivot shaft 13 as the rotation axis. At the same time, the self-weight of the object B slides the piston 323 through the turntable 10 in the -X direction, that is, in the shortening direction.

[0127] At this time, the oil О filled inside the cylinder 321 is pushed in by the piston 323 sliding in the -X direction, flows into the first pressure tank 41 through the first connecting pipe 60, and the air E filled in the first pressure tank section 40 and the second pressure tank section 50 is compressed and its volume decreases.

[0128] The volume of the air E that decreases by being compressed by the self-weight of the object B corresponds to the potential energy of the object B that decreases as the object B placed on the turntable 10 moves downward along with the pivoting of the L-shaped table 12.

[0129] Then, as shown in FIG. 12(c), due to the self-weight of the object B, the L-shaped table 12 of the turntable 10 pivots until it abuts against the base web portion 212c, and when the turntable 10 reaches the inverted state R, the angle of the object B placed on the turntable 10 can be inverted by 90 degrees.

[0130] Then, in the state where the turntable 10 is in the inverted state R, by closing the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, the turntable 10 is fixed in the inverted state R, and even if the object B is lowered, the turntable 10 can be fixed in the state of the object B.

[0131] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a return method for returning the turntable 10 from the inverted state R to the initial state I will be described. As described above, as shown in Fig. 13(a), by lowering the object B from the turntable 10 of the inverter 1 in the inverted state R, the self-weight of the object B that had compressed the air E through the turntable 10, the piston 323, and the oil O is removed.

[0132] Then, in the inverter 1 from which the object B has been lowered, by opening the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, the volume of the air E compressed by the self-weight of the object B is restored, and the piston 323 that slides in the +X direction side via the oil O pushes up the turntable 10 (see Fig. 13(b)). Thereby, the turntable 10 can be restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I.

[0133] In this way, the inverter 1 can invert the object B by the self-weight of the object B, and can return the inverter 1 that has inverted the object B to the initial state I by utilizing the potential energy of the object B that decreases as the object B is inverted.

[0134] The inverter 1 configured in this way includes a turntable 10 on which the object B to be inverted is placed and inverted, a pivot shaft 13 that pivotally supports the turntable 10 so that it can pivot between the initial state I in which the object B is placed and the inverted state R in which the object B is inverted, and a jack portion 30 that restores the turntable 10 from the inverted state R to the initial state I. The turntable 10 is provided with a placement surface 121 on which the object B is placed in the initial state I and an inverted surface 122 on which the inverted object B is placed in the inverted state R. The pivot shaft 13 pivotally supports the turntable 10 such that the placement surface 121 in the initial state I is on the +Z direction side relative to the inverted surface 122 in the inverted state R. The jack portion 30 includes a fluid-operated jack 31 that deforms from the initial state I to the inverted state R as the turntable 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R due to the self-weight of the object B, and returns from the inverted state R to the initial state I when the object B is lowered in the inverted state R.

[0135] Thereby, it is possible to invert the object B placed on the turntable 10 or restore the turntable 10 without requiring external power. Specifically, the turntable 10 for placing the object B has a placement surface 121 in the initial state I disposed on the +Z direction side of the inversion surface 122 in the inverted state R, and is pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 13.

[0136] Therefore, by placing the object B on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I, the self-weight of the object B acts on the turntable 10, causing the turntable 10 to pivot to the inverted state R. Along with this, the object B is inverted while moving in the -Z direction, and the inverted object B is placed on the inversion surface 122. In addition, as the turntable 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R, the fluid-operated jack 31 deforms from the initial state I to the inverted state R.

[0137] Then, in the inverted state R, by lowering the object B placed on the inversion surface 122, the self-weight of the object B that deforms the fluid-operated jack 31 via the turntable 10 is removed, and the fluid-operated jack 31 returns from the inverted state R to the initial state I. As the fluid-operated jack 31 returns, the turntable 10 pivots from the inverted state R to the initial state I and is restored.

[0138] Therefore, by placing the object B on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I, the turntable 10 can invert the object B placed thereon by the self-weight of the object B, and by lowering the inverted object B from the inversion surface 122 in the inverted state R, the inversion machine 1 can be restored to the initial state I. That is, without the need for external power, the object B placed on the turntable 10 can be inverted, and the turntable 10 can be restored.

[0139] Also, the pivot shaft 13 is provided on the placement surface 121, and in the initial state I, it is provided on the side separated from the inversion surface 122 from the vertical -Z direction side of the center of gravity position C' of the placed object B and the turntable 10 combined.

[0140] As a result, when the object B is placed on the placement surface 121, the position of the combined center of gravity C' of the object B and the turntable 10 and the pivot axis 13 will deviate in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis 13. Then, at the position deviated from the pivot axis 13, the combined weight of the object B and the turntable 10 acting vertically downward, i.e., on the -Z direction side, acts as a rotational force to rotate the turntable 10 with the pivot axis 13 as the axis of rotation.

[0141] Furthermore, since the placement surface 121 in the initial state I is arranged on the +Z direction side of the inversion surface 122 in the inversion state R, the turntable 10 with the object B placed on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I pivots from the initial state I to the inversion state R.

[0142] In this way, simply placing the object B on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I can pivot the turntable 10 from the initial state I to the inversion state R with the pivot axis as the axis of rotation, and the object B can be inverted easily and surely.

[0143] Also, the turntable 10 is provided such that the placement surface 121 and the inversion surface 122 are substantially perpendicular to each other. As a result, the object B placed on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I can be brought into contact with the inversion surface 122, and the turntable 10 can be pivoted with the object B in a stable state.

[0144] Specifically, the object B to be inverted using the inverter 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a surface on which it is placed on the placement surface 121 and a surface on which it is placed on the inversion surface 122 after the inversion of the turntable 10, and the object B is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape in which it is stable in those two states. For this reason, by supporting the surfaces of the object B from two directions by the turntable 10, the turntable 10 can be pivoted with the object B in a stable state.

[0145] Also, a first valve 61 and a second valve 71 for maintaining the turntable 10 in the initial state I are provided. As a result, the turntable 10 with the object B placed thereon can be maintained in the initial state I on the placement surface 121.

[0146] As a result, in the initial state I, when placing the object B on the placement surface 121, it is possible to prevent the turntable 10 from pivoting unintentionally. Therefore, after the object B is reliably placed on the placement surface 121, the turntable 10 can be pivoted from the initial state I to the inverted state R, and the object B can be reliably inverted, improving the safety of the operator.

[0147] Also, a first valve 61 and a second valve 71 for maintaining the turntable 10 in the inverted state R are provided. As a result, the turntable 10 with the object B lowered can be maintained in the inverted state R.

[0148] As a result, for example, in the inverted state R, when lowering the object B from the inversion surface 122, it is possible to prevent the turntable 10 from pivoting unintentionally. Therefore, after reliably lowering the object B from the inversion surface 122, the turntable 10 can be reliably restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I, improving the safety of the operator.

[0149] Also, a first valve 61 and a second valve 71 for regulating the deformation speed of the fluid-operated jack 31 when it deforms are provided. As a result, by regulating the deformation speed of the fluid-operated jack 31 that deforms in conjunction with the pivoting of the turntable 10, the rotational speed, which is the speed at which the turntable 10 pivots, can be regulated.

[0150] Specifically, by regulating the deformation speed of the fluid-operated jack 31, the rotational speed of the turntable 10 that pivots in conjunction with the deformation of the fluid-operated jack 31 is regulated. When the turntable 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R, by regulating the rotational speed of the turntable 10, it is possible to prevent the turntable 10 from pivoting forcefully, and when the pivoting of the turntable 10 stops in the inverted state R, it is possible to prevent the object B from being damaged.

[0151] Furthermore, when the turntable 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R and when it pivots from the inverted state R to the initial state I, it is possible to prevent the turntable 10 from pivoting forcefully, and the safety of the operator can be further improved.

[0152] Also, the fluid-operated jack 31 has a cylinder 321 and a piston 323 that accommodate oil О therein, and the end on the +X direction side, which is the tip, is attached to the turntable 10. As a result, due to the weight of the object B placed on the turntable 10, as the turntable 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R, the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31 slides in the -X direction, which is the shortening direction.

[0153] And when the piston 323 slides in the -X direction, which is the shortening direction, due to the weight of the object B, pressure due to the weight of the object B acts on the oil О contained in the cylinder 321, and the volume of the air E contained in the first pressure tank 41 and the second pressure tank 51 changes, and the fluid-operated jack 31 deforms from the initial state I to the inverted state R.

[0154] Specifically, when the object B is placed on the placement surface 121 in the initial state I, the weight of the object B acts on the turntable 10, causing the turntable 10 to pivot to the inverted state R and the object B to move in the -Z direction while rotating.

[0155] And at the same time as the piston 323 moves in the -X direction due to the weight of the object B, pressure acts on the oil О contained in the cylinder 321, and in response to the potential energy of the object B decreasing as it moves in the -Z direction, the volume of the air E in the first pressure tank 41 and the second pressure tank 51 changes via the oil О, causing the fluid-operated jack 31 to deform from the initial state I to the inverted state R.

[0156] Furthermore, when the inverted object B is lowered from the turntable 10 that has pivoted to the inverted state R, the weight of the object B that has been acting on the turntable 10 is removed. Accordingly, along with the piston 323 and via the oil O, the pressure due to the self-weight of the object B that was compressing the air E is also removed. Therefore, as the volume of the air E that had changed due to the pressure from the object B tries to return to the volume before the change, the piston 323 slides in the extending direction, which is the +X direction side. As a result, the fluid-operated jack 31 returns from the inverted state R to the initial state I.

[0157] And when the fluid-operated jack 31 returns from the inverted state R to the initial state I, the inversion table 10 attached to one end of the fluid-operated jack 31 is restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I. In this way, as the inversion table 10 pivots from the initial state I to the inverted state R due to the self-weight of the object B, and as the object B moves in the -Z direction side and the pressure acting along with this movement causes the air E to change in volume according to the potential energy that decreases as the object B moves in the -Z direction side.

[0158] Then, in the inverted state R, by lowering the object B, the pressure acting on the oil O and the air E disappears, and as the volume of the air E returns, the piston 323 slides in the -X direction side, which is the extending direction, and the fluid-operated jack 31 can return to the initial state I. By utilizing the potential energy of the object B that decreased when the inversion table 10 pivoted from the initial state I to the inverted state R, the inversion table 10 can be easily restored to the initial state I.

[0159] Also, the fluid-operated jack 31 is arranged below the placement surface 121 in the initial state I, and one end of the fluid-operated jack 31 is attached to the side closer to the inversion surface 122 than the pivot axis 13.

[0160] As a result, in the initial state I, the inversion table 10 that pivots due to the self-weight of the object B placed on the placement surface 121 slides the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31 in the shortening direction to compress the air E, and the fluid-operated jack 31 deforms from the initial state I to the inverted state R.

[0161] Then, in the inverted state R, by lowering the object B from the turntable 10, the self-weight of the object B that was acting on the slide via the turntable 10 is removed. As the air E expands, the piston 323 slides in the extending direction.

[0162] By the sliding of this piston 323 in the extending direction, the fluid-operated jack 31 can be restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I, and the turntable 10 can be restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I. That is, by using the repulsive force of the air E compressed by the self-weight of the object B, the turntable 10 can be restored from the inverted state R to the initial state I by the fluid-operated jack 31.

[0163] Also provided are a first pressure tank 41 that communicates with the cylinder 321 and in which oil O and air E can move freely with respect to the cylinder 321, and a first connecting pipe 60 that connects the cylinder 321 and the first pressure tank 41. The oil O and air E have a volume greater than the total volume of the cylinder 321 and the first connecting pipe 60 in the state where the piston 323 is most withdrawn, and the cylinder 321 and the first connecting pipe 60 are filled with oil O. As a result, by accommodating the oil O and the air E in the cylinder 321 and the first pressure tank 41, the cylinder 321 and the first pressure tank 41 can be miniaturized respectively.

[0164] Also, it has oil O with a volume greater than the total of the volume when the volume of the cylinder 321 is maximized and the volume of the first connecting pipe 60. Therefore, when the fluid of the fluid-operated jack 31 is compressed or expanded, the cylinder 321 and the first connecting pipe 60 can be filled with oil O.

[0165] Therefore, by passing the oil O through the connecting parts of the cylinder 321, the first pressure tank 41, and the first connecting pipe 60, it is possible to prevent the air E from easily leaking out from the gaps. Therefore, by preventing the leakage of the air E, the air E contained in the first pressure tank 41 via the oil O can surely restore the turntable 10 from the inverted state R to the initial state I only by lowering the object B from the inverted surface 122 in the inverted state R.

[0166] In addition, a first connecting pipe 60 is connected to the -Z direction side of the first pressure tank 41. As a result, as the piston 323 slides in the extending direction and the oil O in the first pressure tank 41 flows into the inside of the first connecting pipe 60, it is possible to prevent the air E from flowing into the cylinder 321 and the first connecting pipe 60 together with the oil O, and the cylinder 321 and the first connecting pipe 60 can be surely filled with the oil O.

[0167] In addition, one second pressure tank 51 communicating with the first pressure tank 41 is provided, and a second connecting pipe 70 communicating the inside of the second pressure tank 51 with the second pressure tank 51 is provided. As a result, by miniaturizing the first pressure tank 41 and the second pressure tank 51, the inverter 1 can be miniaturized.

[0168] In addition, a first valve 61 and a second valve 71 for adjusting the flow rates of the oil O and the air E are provided. As a result, the expansion and contraction speed of the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31, which is the fluid-operated jack 31, can be easily adjusted by the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, and the rotation speed at which the turntable 10 to which the piston 323 of the fluid-operated jack 31 is attached pivots can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, by stopping the flow of the oil O and the air E with a valve, the turntable 10 can be maintained in the initial state I and the inverted state R.

[0169] In addition, a jack mounting portion 24 is provided for pivotally holding the end portion on the other end side of the fluid-operated jack 31.

[0170] As a result, in conjunction with the pivotal movement of the turntable 10, the angle of the fluid-operated jack 31 changes, so that the pressure of the fluid-operated jack 31 can be surely applied to the turntable 10.

[0171] In the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above-described embodiment, The reversing machine of this invention corresponds to the reversing machine 1 of the embodiment, Similarly hereinafter, The turntable corresponds to the turntable 10, The pivot support shaft corresponds to the pivot shaft 13, The pivot holding portion corresponds to the jack mounting portion 24, The restoring means corresponds to the jack portion 30, The pressure vessel corresponds to the first pressure tank 41, The gas container corresponds to the second pressure tank 51, The deformation restricting means, the initial state maintaining means, and the reversing state maintaining means correspond to the first valve 61 and the second valve 71, The first placement portion corresponds to the placement surface 121, The second placement portion corresponds to the reversing surface 122, The housing corresponds to the cylinder 321, The piston corresponds to the piston 323, The center of gravity position corresponds to the center of gravity position C´, The first state and the initial state correspond to the initial state I, The second state and the deformed state correspond to the reversing state R, The working fluid corresponds to the air E and the oil O, but This invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0172] For example, in the present embodiment, the object B is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by winding a metal in a coil shape, but it may be formed in any shape. Moreover, in the present embodiment, one object B is placed on the turntable 10, but a plurality of objects may be placed.

[0173] Also, in this embodiment, the reversing table 10 is formed in an L shape when viewed from the front such that the placement surface 121 and the reversing surface 122 are substantially perpendicular to each other. However, as long as the respective ends are integrally connected so that the placement surface 121 and the reversing surface 122 intersect. Specifically, the reversing table 10 may be provided such that the placement surface 121 and the reversing surface 122 are inclined in a substantially Z shape or a substantially V shape.

[0174] Also, in this embodiment, a fluid-operated jack 31 is provided to restore the reversing table 10 from the reversed state R to the initial state I. However, a jack such as a hydraulic jack, a pneumatic jack, an air jack, etc., or a compression spring, a tension spring, etc. may be used instead. Further, when using a spring, a shock absorber such as a buffer spring or a shock absorber may be used.

[0175] Also, in this embodiment, the first valve 61 and the second valve 71 are configured to be able to regulate the deformation speed of the fluid-operated jack 31 both when the reversing table 10 pivots from the initial state I to the reversed state R and when the reversing table 10 pivots from the reversed state R to the initial state I. However, as long as the deformation speed of the fluid-operated jack 31 can be regulated in at least one of them.

[0176] Also, in this embodiment, the first valve 61 and the second valve 71 are configured to be able to fix the reversing table 10 in the initial state I and the reversed state R. However, a separate member for fixing the reversing table 10 in at least one of the initial state I and the reversed state R may be provided. Also, in this embodiment, the pivot support 20 is configured by combining flat plates. However, for example, hooks or through holes may be provided at its four corners, and it may be configured to be movable by being suspended by a crane or the like.

[0177] Also, in this embodiment, the reversing machine 1 does not limit the grounding surface. However, the reversing machine 1 may be used by placing it not only on the ground but also on a transport vehicle such as a truck or a trailer. Also, fixing means for fixing the object B placed on the reversing table 10 to the reversing table 10 may be provided.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0178] 1···Inversion period 10···Inversion table 13···Pivoting axis 24···Jack mounting part 41···First pressure tank 51···Second pressure tank 61···First valve 71···Second valve 111···Placement surface 112···Inversion surface 321···Tank 323···Piston C,C´···Center of gravity position B···Object I···Initial state R···Inverted state

Claims

1. A turntable on which an object to be inverted is placed and inverted, a pivot shaft that pivotally supports the turntable so that it can pivot between a first state in which the object is placed and a second state in which the object is inverted, and a restoring means for restoring the turntable from the second state to the first state, wherein the turntable is provided with a first placement portion for placing the object in the first state and a second placement portion for placing the inverted object in the second state, and the pivot shaft pivotally supports the turntable such that the first placement portion in the first state is above the second placement portion in the second state, and the restoring means is constituted by a deformation mechanism that deforms from an initial state to a deformed state as the turntable pivots from the first state to the second state due to the weight of the object, and returns from the deformed state to the initial state when the object is lowered in the second state, and is provided with a deformation restricting means for restricting the deformation speed at which the deformation mechanism deforms, wherein the deformation mechanism comprises a container that houses a working fluid and a piston, and is constituted by a fluid-operated jack having one end attached to the turntable, a pressure vessel that communicates with the container and in which the working fluid can move freely with respect to the container, and a connecting pipe that connects the container and the pressure vessel, wherein the working fluid is composed of a liquid having a volume equal to or greater than the total volume of the container and the connecting pipe in a state where the piston is fully extended, and a gas, and the container and the connecting pipe are filled with the liquid inverting machine.

2. The inverting machine according to claim 1, wherein the connecting pipe is connected below the pressure vessel of the inverting machine according to claim 1.

3. The fluid-operated jack is disposed below the first placement portion in the first state, and one end of the fluid-operated jack is attached to a side closer to the second placement portion than the pivot shaft of the inverting machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A valve for adjusting the flow rate of the working fluid is provided, and the deformation restricting means is constituted by the valve of the inverting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The inverting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pivot holding portion is provided for pivotally holding an end portion on the other end side of the fluid-operated jack. of the inverting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The pivot shaft It is provided on the first placement part and, in the first state, is provided on the side separated from the second placement part from vertically below the center of gravity position where the placed object and the turntable are combined. The inverter according to any one of claims 1 to 5. **Claim 7** The turntable is provided such that the first placement part and the second placement part are substantially orthogonal to each other. The inverter according to any one of claims 1 to 6. **Claim 8** is provided with first state maintaining means for maintaining the turntable in the first state. The inverter according to any one of claims 1 to 7. **Claim 9** is provided with second state maintaining means for maintaining the turntable in the second state. The inverter according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • JP1975099669U

  • JP1978005962U

  • Rack rotary mechanism

    JP2017160018A

  • Work-piece measurement base

    JP2018054310A

  • JP226409A