Linking device and carrier

Abstract

Provided are a connecting device capable of reducing dimensions in the moving direction of a slider and a carrier equipped with the same. 【Solution means】The connecting device 10 includes a main body portion 12, swing members 18, 20, a slider 22, a suction portion 24, and a magnet portion 26. The swing members 18, 20 are rotatable around rotation shafts 28, 32. The slider 22 is displaced to the right from the connecting portion 40b and the rotation shaft 32. The slider 22 moves in the front-rear direction X in conjunction with the rotational movement of the swing members 18, 20. The suction portion 24 moves in conjunction with the movement of the slider 22. The magnet portion 26 faces the suction portion 24. When the swing member 20 rotates, a connected state in which the connected portion 3 can be connected to the connected portion 40b and an open state in which the connected portion 40b is released are switched. When the suction portion 24 is attracted to the magnet portion 26, the movement of the slider 22 is restricted and the connected state is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting device and a carrier.

Background Art

[0002] For connecting a transport vehicle and a carriage towed by the transport vehicle, various connecting devices are used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a connecting device that uses magnetic force to connect objects to be connected.

[0003] The connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a magnet portion, a hook that rotates about a shaft as a fulcrum, a main body portion having a connecting space that is partially open in a plan view, a slider that is movable in a pushing direction pushed into the main body portion and a pulling direction pulled out from the main body portion, and an adsorption portion of a magnetic body that is movable in the pushing direction and the pulling direction as the slider moves. The hook is provided so as to rotate as the slider moves, and the connecting space is closed as the slider moves in the pushing direction, and a part of the connecting space is opened as the slider moves in the pulling direction. In a state where the slider has moved in the pushing direction until the connecting space is closed, the magnet portion and the adsorption portion are adsorbed by the magnetic force of the magnet portion, so that the state where the connecting space is closed is maintained.

[0004] In the connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, until the connecting space is closed, the object to be connected is connected by the slider being pushed by the object to be connected, and the state where the object to be connected is connected can be maintained by the magnet portion and the adsorption portion being adsorbed. Thus, in the connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the object to be connected can be easily connected by pushing the slider by the object to be connected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the connecting device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the connecting space, the slider, the suction part, and the magnet part are arranged in a straight line along the pushing direction. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the size of the connecting device in the pushing direction.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device capable of reducing the size in the moving direction of the slider and a carrier including the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The connecting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a main body portion having a recess that opens toward one side in a first direction; a first swing member rotatably supported by the main body portion around a first rotation axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a second swing member having a hook portion and rotatably supported by the main body portion around a second rotation axis extending in the second direction; a slider provided on one side of the center of the recess and the second rotation axis in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and connected to the first swing member and the second swing member so as to move in the first direction in conjunction with the rotational operations of the first swing member and the second swing member; a suction portion attached to the slider so as to move in the first direction in conjunction with the movement of the slider in the first direction, at least a part of which is made of a magnetic material; a magnet portion supported by the main body portion so as to face the suction portion in the first direction, and When the second swing member rotates around the second rotation axis, the hook portion covers the central portion of the recess from one side in the first direction as viewed from the second direction, and the hook portion is in an open state retracted outward in the third direction from the central portion of the recess compared to the position in the connected state as viewed from the second direction. The state is switched, When the connected state is achieved, the adsorption portion is adsorbed to the magnet portion, thereby restricting the movement of the slider and the rotation of the first swing member and the second swing member, and maintaining the connected state. In the open state, as viewed from the second direction, a part of the first swing member is positioned within the recess. This is the gist of the invention.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the dimensions of the connecting device in the moving direction of the slider can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, a connecting device and a carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a carrier equipped with a connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an object to be connected to the carrier. In FIG. 1, (a) shows a state before the object 2 to be connected is connected to the carrier 1, and (b) shows a state where the object 2 to be connected is connected to the carrier 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, a connecting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided on the carrier 1. In the present embodiment, the carrier 1 is, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV). Note that the carrier on which the connecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided is not limited to an automated guided vehicle, and a connecting device can be provided on various devices such as industrial robots, crane devices, helicopters, and drones that can connect and transport objects.

[0013] In the present embodiment, the object 2 to be connected is a carriage provided with a rod-shaped connected portion 3. As shown in FIG. 1(b), in the present embodiment, the object 2 to be connected is connected to the carrier 1 by connecting the connected portion 3 and the connecting device 10. Thereby, the object 2 to be connected can be towed by the carrier 1. Note that the shape of the connected portion 3 is not limited to a rod shape, and other shapes such as a ring shape may be used as long as it can be connected to the connecting device 10.

[0014] (Configuration of the Connecting Device) Hereinafter, the connecting device 10 will be described in detail. In the following description, the pulling direction of the object 2 to be connected by the carrier 1 is defined as the front, and the positional relationship of each part of the connecting device 10 will be described.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the connecting device 10. In FIG. 2, an arrow X indicating the front-rear direction and an arrow Y indicating the left-right direction are shown. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction will be described as the front-rear direction X, and the left-right direction will be described as the left-right direction Y. In each of the figures described later, arrows indicating the front-rear direction X and the left-right direction Y are appropriately shown, and further, an arrow Z indicating the up-down direction is appropriately shown. Hereinafter, the up-down direction will be described as the up-down direction Z. The front-rear direction X, the left-right direction Y, and the up-down direction Z are directions orthogonal to each other. Note that the positional relationship of each part when the connecting device is attached to the carrier is not limited to the front-rear, left-right, and up-down positional relationships shown in each figure. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction X corresponds to the first direction, the up-down direction Z corresponds to the second direction, and the left-right direction Y corresponds to the third direction.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting device 10 has a box-shaped main body 12. The main body 12 includes a support portion 14, a lid portion 16, and vertical wall portions 42a to 42e. In the present embodiment, the lid portion 16 is provided so as to cover the support portion 14 and the vertical wall portions 42a to 42e from above. FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views showing the connecting device 10 with the lid portion 16 removed. Further, FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the A-A portion of FIG. 3.

[0017] The support portion 14 is formed in a plate shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recess 40 is formed at the rear portion of the support portion 14 so as to open rearward. In the present embodiment, the recess 40 includes a tapered portion 40a and a connecting portion 40b.

[0018] The tapered portion 40a is formed such that the width gradually decreases from the rear edge of the support portion 14 toward the front. In this specification, the width means the length in the left-right direction Y. The connecting portion 40b is formed so as to be recessed further forward from the front end of the tapered portion 40a. In plan view, the connecting portion 40b has a U shape so as to open rearward. The connecting portion 40b is a portion into which the connected portion 3 is fitted when connecting the connecting object 2 to the connecting device 10.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, a vertical wall portion 42a is provided so as to extend in the left - right direction Y along the front edge of the support portion 14, a vertical wall portion 42b is provided so as to extend in the front - rear direction X along the left edge of the support portion 14, and a vertical wall portion 42c is provided so as to extend in the front - rear direction X along the right edge of the support portion 14. A vertical wall portion 42d is provided so as to extend leftward from the rear end portion of the vertical wall portion 42c. A vertical wall portion 42e is provided so as to connect the rear end portion of the vertical wall portion 42b and the left end portion of the vertical wall portion 42d. The vertical wall portions 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e are supported by the support portion 14 so as to rise upward from the support portion 14.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the lid portion 16 has a plate - shaped top plate portion 16a. A recess 60 is formed in the rear portion of the top plate portion 16a so as to open rearward. In the present embodiment, similar to the recess 40, the recess 60 has a tapered portion 60a and a connecting portion 60b. The tapered portion 60a is formed such that the width gradually decreases from the rear edge of the top plate portion 16a toward the front. The connecting portion 60b is formed so as to be recessed further forward from the front end of the tapered portion 60a. In plan view, the connecting portion 60b has a U - shape so as to open rearward. The connecting portion 60b is a portion into which the connected portion 3 is fitted when connecting the connecting object 2 to the connecting device 10. In the present embodiment, in plan view, the rear edge portion of the lid portion 16 is positioned in front of the rear edge portion of the support portion 14 so that a part of the lid portion 16 is not located inside the recess 40.

[0021] The lid portion 16 further includes vertical wall portions 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e. The vertical wall portion 16b is formed so as to extend downward from the left edge of the top plate portion 16a. The vertical wall portion 16b is formed so as to cover the vertical wall portions 42b, 42e from the left side and extend rearward beyond the vertical wall portions 42b, 42e. The vertical wall portion 16c is formed so as to extend downward from the right edge of the top plate portion 16a. The vertical wall portion 16c is formed so as to cover the vertical wall portions 42c, 42d from the right side and extend rearward beyond the vertical wall portions 42c, 42d.

[0022] The vertical wall portion 16d is formed so as to extend downward from the trailing edge of the top plate portion 16a on the left side of the recess 60. The vertical wall portion 16e is formed so as to extend downward from the trailing edge of the top plate portion 16a on the right side of the recess 60. In the present embodiment, the space between the support portion 14 and the lid portion 16 (the internal space of the main body portion 12) is partitioned into a first region 15a behind the vertical wall portions 42d, 42e and a second region 15b in front of the vertical wall portions 42d, 42e. In the present embodiment, the vertical wall portions 42d, 42e correspond to the partition wall portions.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the first region 15a is a region surrounded by the vertical wall portions 42d, 42e, the top plate portion 16a, and the vertical wall portions 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e. The first region 15a is connected to the space behind the lid portion 16 below the recess 60. In other words, the lid portion 16 is open rearward below the recess 60. The second region 15b is a region surrounded by the vertical wall portions 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e and the top plate portion 16a.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first swing member 18, a second swing member 20, a slider 22, a suction portion 24, and a magnet portion 26 are supported by the main body portion 12. The first swing member 18 is supported by the support portion 14 so as to be rotatable around a first rotation axis 28 extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the first swing member 18 is an arm-shaped member provided so as to extend in the left-right direction Y. In the present embodiment, the left end portion of the first swing member 18 is rotatably supported by the first rotation axis 28. In the present embodiment, the first rotation axis 28 is provided on the left side of the center portion of the recess 40. Note that, in the present specification, the center portion of the recess means the portion into which the connected portion is fitted when connecting the connection object to the connection device. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the center portion of the recess 40 means the connection portion 40b into which the connected portion 3 is fitted. In the present embodiment, the first rotation axis 28 is provided on the left side of the connection portion 40b.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a guide portion 18a into which a connecting member 30 described later is fitted is formed at the right end portion of the first swing member 18. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 18a is formed so as to be recessed from the right edge portion 18b of the first swing member 18 toward the left side. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 18a is arcuately curved so as to be convex toward the rear side in plan view. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the guide portion 18a is formed so as to penetrate the first swing member 18 in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second swing member 20 is supported by the support portion 14 so as to be rotatable around a second rotation axis 32 extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the second rotation axis 32 is provided on the right side of the first rotation axis 28. Further, in the present embodiment, the center of the second rotation axis 32 is located on the left side of the right edge of the connecting portion 40b in the left-right direction Y. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second rotation axis 32 is provided in front of the connecting portion 40b.

[0027] A key-shaped hook portion 20a is provided at the left end portion of the second swing member 20. The connecting device 10 is switched between a connected state (the state shown in FIG. 4) in which the hook portion 20a covers the central portion (connecting portion 40b) of the recess 40 from the rear in plan view when the second swing member 20 rotates around the second rotation axis 32, and an open state (the state shown in FIG. 3) in which the hook portion 20a retreats to the outside in the left-right direction Y from the central portion of the recess 40 with respect to the position in the connected state in plan view.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, an inclined edge portion 21 is provided at the tip portion of the hook portion 20a. The inclined edge portion 21 is inclined with respect to the left-right direction Y so as to face the front side in plan view and be located more forward from the tip of the hook portion 20a as it is farther from the tip of the hook portion 20a in the left-right direction Y when the connecting device 10 is in the connected state.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a guide portion 20b into which a connecting member 30 is fitted is formed at the right end portion of the second swing member 20. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 20b is a through hole formed at the right end portion of the second swing member 20. The guide portion 20b is curved in an arc shape so as to protrude rearward in a plan view.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider 22 is provided on the right side of the center portion of the recess 40, the first rotation shaft 28, and the second rotation shaft 32. In the present embodiment, the slider 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the slider 22 is supported by the vertical wall portion 42d via a cylindrical guide member 34. The guide member 34 is provided so as to penetrate the vertical wall portion 42d in the front-rear direction X. In the present embodiment, a through hole 34a is formed in the guide member 34 so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction X. The slider 22 is slidably inserted into the through hole 34a. Thereby, the moving direction of the slider 22 is restricted to the front-rear direction X.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider 22 is connected to the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 so as to move in the front-rear direction X in conjunction with the rotational operations of the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, a pair of plate-like support portions 22a are provided at the rear end portion of the slider 22 so as to be separated from each other in the vertical direction Z. Through holes 22b penetrating in the vertical direction are formed in the respective support portions 22a. In the present embodiment, with the right end portion of the second swing member 20 fitted between the pair of support portions 22a, the connecting member 30 is passed through the guide portion 18a of the first swing member 18, the through holes 22b of the pair of support portions 22a, and the guide portion 20b of the second swing member 20, whereby the first swing member 18, the second swing member 20, and the slider 22 are connected. In the present embodiment, the connecting member 30 has a cylindrical shape and is inserted into the guide portion 18a and the guide portion 20b so as to be slidable within the guide portion 18a and the guide portion 20b.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, when the connecting device 10 is in the open state, in plan view, a part of the first swinging member 18 is positioned within the recess 40. More specifically, in plan view, a part of the first swinging member 18 is positioned within the connecting portion 40b.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a rotational force applying member 36 is attached to the second rotating shaft 32. The rotational force applying member 36 applies a force to the second swinging member 20 to rotate the second swinging member 20 around the second rotating shaft 32 so that the connecting device 10 is in the open state. In the present embodiment, a torsion spring is used as the rotational force applying member 36. Although detailed description is omitted, in the present embodiment, the second rotating shaft 32 is fitted into the coil portion of the torsion spring, one arm portion of the torsion spring is hooked on the protrusion 38a provided on the support portion 14, and the other arm portion is hooked on the protrusion 38b provided on the second swinging member 20, thereby applying a rotational force to the second swinging member 20. Note that the rotational force applying member only needs to be configured to be able to apply a rotational force to the second swinging member 20, and an elastic member other than the torsion spring may be used as the rotational force applying member.

[0034] An adsorption portion 24 is attached to the front end portion of the slider 22. The adsorption portion 24 is at least partially formed of a magnetic material so as to be able to adsorb to the magnet portion 26. For example, among the adsorption portion 24, the portion in contact with the magnet portion 26 is formed of a magnetic material. In the present embodiment, the adsorption portion 24 has a cylindrical portion 24a and a flange portion 24b. The flange portion 24b is formed in an annular shape so as to protrude from the front end portion of the cylindrical portion 24a toward the outside of the cylindrical portion 24a. In the present embodiment, for example, at least the flange portion 24b is formed of a magnetic material.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the present embodiment, the adsorption portion 24 is attached to the slider 22 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction X with respect to the slider 22. In the present embodiment, the front end portion of the slider 22 is slidably fitted into the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 24a.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, in the present embodiment, an annular flange portion 24c protruding inward is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical portion 24a. A columnar guide member 50 is provided inside the suction portion 24. The rear end portion of the guide member 50 is fixed to the front end portion of the slider 22. An annular flange portion 52 is provided at the front end portion of the guide member 50. An elastic member 54 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the flange portion 24c and the front end portion of the slider 22 in the front-rear direction X. Further, an elastic member 56 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the flange portion 24c and the flange portion 52 in the front-rear direction X. In the present embodiment, for example, compression coil springs as the elastic members 54 and 56 are fitted to the guide member 50. The elastic members 54 and 56 are provided to buffer the force in the front-rear direction X generated between the suction portion 24 and the slider 22.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a magnet portion 26 is provided so as to face the suction portion 24 in the front-rear direction X. In the present embodiment, the magnet portion 26 is supported by the vertical wall portion 42a. In the present embodiment, the magnet portion 26 is provided in front of the suction portion 24. The magnet portion 26 is configured to be able to adsorb the suction portion 24 using magnetic force. Although detailed description is omitted, in the present embodiment, the magnet portion 26 is a permanent electromagnetic (EPM (Electro Permanent Magnet)) device having a magnetic force generating portion including a coil, a first magnet whose magnetization direction can be switched by the energization direction to the coil, and a second magnet having a fixed magnetization direction. In the present embodiment, for example, the state of the magnet portion 26 is switched between a state of adsorbing to the suction portion 24 and a state of not adsorbing to the suction portion 24 by an electric current supplied from a control device via a wiring (not shown). Note that the control device may be an external device of the connecting device 10 (for example, a control device provided in the carrier 1), or may be provided in the connecting device 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, a contact detection unit 58 for detecting contact between the adsorption unit 24 and the magnet unit 26 is provided near the magnet unit 26 or the magnet unit 26. When the contact detection unit 58 detects contact between the adsorption unit 24 and the magnet unit 26, it transmits a detection signal to a control device via wiring (not shown). When the control device receives the detection signal from the contact detection unit 58, for example, it applies a current to the magnet unit 26 to switch the state of the magnet unit 26 to a state of being adsorbed to the adsorption unit 24. Thereby, the state where the adsorption unit 24 and the magnet unit 26 are adsorbed is maintained.

[0039] (Connection method) Next, a connection method between the connection object 2 and the connection device 10 will be described. As a premise, when connecting the connection object 2 and the connection device 10, the state of the connection device 10 is set to the open state shown in FIG. 3. In that state, as shown in FIG. 1, when connecting the connection object 2 and the connection device 10, the carrier 1 and the connection object 2 are brought closer. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the carrier 1 and the connection object 2 are brought closer so that the connected part 3 fits into the connection part 40b of the recess 40 and the connection part 60b (see FIG. 2) of the recess 60 (see FIG. 2).

[0040] The carrier 1 and the connection object 2 are brought closer further, and the first swing member 18 is pushed forward by the connected part 3, causing the first swing member 18 to rotate around the first rotation axis 28. As a result, the second swing member 20 rotates around the second rotation axis 32, and the connection device 10 becomes the connected state shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the hook part 20a is positioned on the rear side of the connected part 3. Also, in conjunction with the rotation operation of the first swing member 18, the slider 22 moves forward, and the adsorption unit 24 comes into contact with the magnet unit 26. At this time, when the adsorption unit 24 is adsorbed to the magnet unit 26, the backward movement of the slider 22 and the rotation of the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 are restricted. As a result, the connected state is maintained, and it is possible to prevent the connected part 3 from coming out backward from the connection part 40b. That is, the state where the connection device 10 and the connection object 2 are connected can be maintained.

[0041] When separating the connecting device 10 from the object to be connected 2, the state of the magnet part 26 is switched to a state where it does not adsorb to the adsorption part 24. As a result, the adsorption part 24 separates from the magnet part 26, and the slider 22 can move rearward and the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 can rotate. In this case, due to the rotational force applied from the rotational force applying member 36 to the second swing member 20, the connecting device 10 is in an open state. As a result, the connected part 3 can be removed rearward from the connecting part 40b, and the connecting device 10 and the object to be connected 2 can be separated.

[0042] (Function and effect) In the connecting device 10 according to the present embodiment, the slider 22 for moving the adsorption part 24 in the front-rear direction X is provided on the right side of the connecting part 40b of the recess 40. In this case, the position where the connected part 3 pushes the first swing member 18 and the position of the slider 22 can be shifted in the left-right direction Y. Thereby, the length of the connecting device 10 in the front-rear direction X can be shortened. That is, the dimension of the connecting device 10 in the moving direction of the slider 22 can be reduced.

[0043] Further, in the present embodiment, the first swing member 18 is provided so as to be rotatable around the first rotation shaft 28. Therefore, whether the pushing direction of the first swing member 18 by the connected part 3 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction X or parallel to the front-rear direction X in plan view, there is almost no difference in the rotational operation of the first swing member 18. Thereby, even when the pushing direction of the first swing member 18 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction X, the slider 22 can be appropriately moved in the front-rear direction X, and the connecting device 10 and the object to be connected 2 can be smoothly connected.

[0044] Further, in the present embodiment, the slider 22 is provided on the right side of the second rotation axis 32 of the second swing member 20. By shifting the position of the slider 22 and the position of the second rotation axis 32 in the left - right direction Y in this way, when the hook portion 20a is pushed rearward by the connected portion 3 in the connected state of the connecting device 10, the force with which the second swing member 20 pushes the slider 22 rearward can be weakened. As a result, the state in which the suction portion 24 and the magnet portion 26 are adsorbed can be sufficiently maintained, so that the traction force of the carrier 1 can be increased. In particular, in the connecting device 10 according to the present embodiment, the second rotation axis 32 is provided in front of the connecting portion 40b. Thereby, the distance between the connecting member 30 and the second rotation axis 32 can be made sufficiently large, so that even if the adsorption force generated between the magnet portion 26 and the suction portion 24 is small, a moment of sufficient magnitude can be applied to the second swing member 20. That is, the traction force can be made sufficiently large.

[0045] Further, in the present embodiment, the first swing member 18 and the slider 22 are connected on the right side of the connecting portion 40b, and the first rotation axis 28 of the first swing member 18 is provided on the left side of the connecting portion 40b. In this case, when the first swing member 18 is pushed in by the connected portion 3, the amount of forward movement of the connecting portion between the first swing member 18 and the slider 22 is larger than the amount of forward movement of the portion of the first swing member 18 that is pushed in by the connected portion 3. Thereby, even when the pushing - in amount of the connected portion 3 is small, a sufficient amount of movement of the slider 22 can be ensured.

[0046] Further, in the present embodiment, when the first swing member 18 is pushed in by the connected portion 3, the distance from the connecting portion between the first swing member 18 and the slider 22 to the first rotation axis 28 can be made larger than the distance from the connected portion 3 to the first rotation axis 28. Thereby, the force applied from the slider 22 (suction portion 24) to the magnet portion 26 can be reduced.

[0047] In addition, in the present embodiment, a first region 15a that houses the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 and a second region 15b that houses the suction portion 24 and the magnet portion 26 are partitioned by partition walls (vertical wall portions 42d, 42e). In this case, even if foreign matter such as dust is generated in the main body portion 12 due to the rotational operation of the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20, it is possible to suppress the foreign matter from adhering to the suction portion 24 and the magnet portion 26. Thereby, a decrease in the function of the connecting device 10 can be suppressed.

[0048] In the present embodiment, elastic members 54, 56 that buffer the force in the front-rear direction X are provided between the suction portion 24 and the slider 22. Thereby, even when the parallelism of the contact surface between the suction portion 24 and the magnet portion 26 is insufficient, the suction portion 24 can be made to follow the magnet portion 26 and smoothly adsorbed.

[0049] In addition, the following effects can also be obtained by the elastic members 54, 56. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the elastic member 54 provided between the slider 22 and the suction portion 24, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the elastic member 56 provided between the slider 22 and the suction portion 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the slider 22 moves forward and the suction portion 24 is adsorbed to the magnet portion 26, the elastic member 54 is compressed, thereby reducing the impact force applied from the slider 22 to the magnet portion 26 via the suction portion 24.

[0050] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a large force that attempts to move the slider 22 backward is instantaneously generated, the elastic member 56 is compressed, thereby reducing the impact force applied from the slider 22 to the suction portion 24. Thereby, even when a large force is instantaneously applied to the second swing member 20 from the connected portion 3 during the traction of the connection object 2, it is possible to suppress the suction portion 24 from separating from the magnet portion 26.

[0051] In the present embodiment, an inclined edge portion 21 that is inclined with respect to the left - right direction Y is provided on the hook portion 20a of the second swing member 20. For example, when attempting to open the connecting device 10 and the magnet portion 26 is not attracted to the attracting portion 24, if for some reason the connecting device 10 does not open, it is necessary to move the connected portion 3 (the object to be connected 2) backward with respect to the connecting device 10 to pull out the connected portion 3 from the connecting portion 40b. In such a case, due to the provision of the inclined edge portion 21, the connected portion 3 will not get caught on the hook portion 20a, and the connected portion 3 can be smoothly pulled out from the connecting portion 40b.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the guide portion 18a of the first swing member 18 and the guide portion 20b of the second swing member 20 are each curved in an arc shape so as to protrude toward the side opposite to the attracting portion 24 (in the present embodiment, the rear) in the front - rear direction X. By forming the guide portions 18a and 20b in such a shape, when the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 rotate, the connecting member 30 can smoothly move within the guide portions 18a and 20b. Thereby, the first swing member 18 and the second swing member 20 can be smoothly rotated.

[0053] (Modification example) FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a connecting device 10 according to a modification example. Although detailed description is omitted, as shown in FIG. 8, the connecting device 10 may further include a movement detection portion 62 that detects the movement of the magnet portion 26 side of the attracting portion 24. In this case, for example, when the movement detection portion 62 detects the movement of the attracting portion 24, it transmits a detection signal to an external control device via a wiring (not shown). The control device can control the carrier 1 or the object to be connected 2 to slow down the approaching speed between the carrier 1 and the object to be connected 2.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the case where a permanent magnet device is used as the magnet part 26 has been described. However, the magnet part 26 may be any device "configured to be able to adsorb an object to be adsorbed (adsorption part 24) using magnetic force", and may be composed of a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or the like. In this case, for example, in the open state, the adsorption part 24 may be separated to a place where the magnetic force of the magnet part 26 does not reach (when not adsorbed by the magnet part 26). When removing the adsorption part 24 from the magnet part 26, the adsorption part 24 may be pulled off from the magnet part 26 by manually pulling the adsorption part 24 with a lever or the like.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first rotation shaft 28 is provided on the left side of the connecting part 40b has been described. However, the first rotation shaft 28 may be provided on the right side of the connecting part 40b. In this case, the adsorption part 24 and the magnet part 26 may be provided behind the slider 22, and the connecting device may be configured such that the slider 22 moves backward when the first swing member 18 is pushed in by the connected part 3.

[0056] Although detailed description is omitted, the configuration of the above-described connecting device 10 may be reversed left and right.

Industrial Applicability

[0057] The dimensions of the connecting device in the moving direction of the slider can be reduced.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 1 Carrier 2 Object to be Connected 3 Connected Part 10 Connecting Device 12 Main Body Part 14 Support Part 15a First Region 15b Second Region 16 Cover Part 18 First Swing Member 18a Guide Part 20 Second Swing Member 20a Hook Part 20b Guide Part 21 Inclined Edge Part 22 Slider 24 Suction part 26 Magnet part 28 First rotation axis 30 Connecting member 32 Second rotation axis 36 Rotation force applying member 40 Recess 40b Connecting part 42d, 42e Vertical wall part (partition wall part) 54, 56 Elastic member 58 Contact detection part 62 Movement detection part

Claims

1. A main body portion having a recess that opens toward one side in the first direction, a first swing member rotatably supported by the main body portion about a first rotation axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a second swing member having a hook portion and rotatably supported by the main body portion about a second rotation axis extending in the second direction, a slider provided on one side of the center of the recess and the second rotation axis in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, and connected to the first swing member and the second swing member so as to move in the first direction in conjunction with the rotational operations of the first swing member and the second swing member, an adsorption portion at least partially made of a magnetic material, attached to the slider so as to move in the first direction in conjunction with the movement of the slider in the first direction, a magnet portion supported by the main body portion so as to face the adsorption portion in the first direction, and comprising: when the second swing member rotates about the second rotation axis, a connection state in which the hook portion covers the center of the recess from one side in the first direction as viewed from the second direction, and an open state in which the hook portion retreats to the outside in the third direction from the center of the recess compared to the position in the connection state as viewed from the second direction are switched, when the connection state is achieved, the adsorption portion is adsorbed to the magnet portion, thereby restricting the movement of the slider and the rotation of the first swing member and the second swing member, and maintaining the connection state, a connecting device in which a part of the first swing member is positioned within the recess when viewed from the second direction in the open state.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a rotational force applying member that applies a force to rotate the second swing member about the second rotation axis so as to be in the open state.

3. The first swing member and the slider are connected on one side of the center of the recess in the third direction, The first rotation axis is provided on the other side of the center of the recess in the third direction. The connecting device according to claim 1.

4. The main body portion is configured in a box shape, The inside of the main body portion is partitioned by a partition portion into a first region that houses the first swing member and the second swing member, and a second region that houses the adsorption portion and the magnet portion. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the slider is provided so as to penetrate the partition portion.

5. The suction portion is attached to the slider so as to be movable in the first direction with respect to the slider, and an elastic member for buffering the force in the first direction generated between the suction portion and the slider is provided between the suction portion and the slider. The connecting device according to claim 1.

6. The tip of the hook portion has an inclined edge portion inclined with respect to the third direction so that, in the connected state, when viewed from the second direction, it faces the other side in the first direction and is located on the other side in the first direction so as to be farther from the tip of the hook portion in the third direction. The connecting device according to claim 1.

7. The connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a movement detection unit that detects movement of the suction portion toward the magnet portion side.

8. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet portion includes a permanent magnet device.

9. The connecting device according to claim 8, further comprising a contact detection unit that detects contact between the suction portion and the magnet portion.

10. The first swing member and the second swing member are connected to the slider via a columnar connecting member. The first swing member and the second swing member each have a guide portion into which the connecting member is slidably fitted. The connecting member and the guide portion are provided on the side opposite to the magnet portion when viewed from the suction portion in the first direction. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is curved in an arc shape so as to protrude toward the side opposite to the magnet portion in the first direction when viewed from the second direction.

11. A carrier comprising the connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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