Conveying device and conveyed object supplying device

Abstract

Provided is a conveyance device that receives and conveys loads from a load supply device that continuously conveys a plurality of loads, the conveyance device being capable of reliably separating adjacent loads using a simple configuration. The conveyance device 1 is a device that receives and conveys loads from a load supply device that continuously conveys a plurality of loads. The conveyance device 1 comprises: a stage 2 on which a load received from the load supply device is placed; a lift mechanism 3 that moves the stage 2 up and down; a vehicle body 4 on which the stage 2 is provided via the lift mechanism 3; a movement mechanism 5 that moves the vehicle body 4; and a separation part 6 that separates the load received from the load supply device from the following load. The separation part 6 has an inclined surface 13 that is inclined downward as it extends outward relative to the vehicle body 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device that receives and conveys a plurality of conveyed objects from a conveying object supplying device that continuously conveys the plurality of conveyed objects, and also to a conveying object supplying device that delivers and receives conveyed objects to and from such a conveying device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a loading device for an automated guided vehicle, which has a rotatable and reciprocating rotary drive body provided on the automated guided vehicle, driven means provided on a ground station and engageable with and driven by the rotary drive body, free rollers provided on the ground station to which the driving force received by the driven means is transmitted via driving force transmission means and which can transport cargo, a reciprocating drive body provided on the automated guided vehicle and which reciprocates in response to the rotary drive body, a ground station escape means which, when pressed by the reciprocating drive body, separates a first cargo on the free roller from a following second cargo, and a stopper which prevents the second cargo from falling off the free roller.

[0003] With this configuration, by rotating the free rollers using the automated guided vehicle, a load at the ground station can be transferred to the automated guided vehicle, and by operating the escape means using the automated guided vehicle, the first load can be separated from the following second load. That is, in the loading device for an automated guided vehicle described in Patent Document 1, a mechanism for rotating the free rollers and the escape means are provided on the ground station side, and a drive means for driving the mechanism for rotating the free rollers and a drive means for operating the escape means are provided on the automated guided vehicle side. The drive means for driving the mechanism for rotating the free rollers and the drive means for operating the escape means are linked. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-243519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of Patent Document 1, the drive means for operating the escape means provided in the ground station is provided on the automatic guided vehicle, so the configuration for separating the first load from the following second load is complicated. Moreover, the drive means for driving the mechanism that rotates the free rollers and the drive means for operating the escape means are configured to work together, so the configuration for separating the first load from the following second load is even more complicated. Therefore, the cost of Patent Document 1 is high.

[0006] In the case of Patent Document 1, since the drive means for driving the mechanism for rotating the free rollers and the drive means for operating the escape means are configured to work in conjunction with each other, if the first load and the second load are in close contact with each other, there is a risk that the first load and the second load cannot be separated. In other words, while the drive means for driving the mechanism for rotating the free rollers is operating, the drive means for operating the escape means is also operating, and since the loads can be transferred from the ground station to the automated guided vehicle, there is a risk that the second load will be transferred to the automated guided vehicle along with the first load.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a conveying device that receives and conveys a plurality of conveyed objects from a conveying object supplying device that continuously conveys the plurality of conveyed objects, and that can reliably separate adjacent conveyed objects with a simple configuration. Another object is to provide a conveying object supplying device to which such a conveying device is applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The conveying device of the present invention is a conveying device that receives and conveys transported items from a transported item supply device that continuously conveys multiple transported items, and is equipped with a loading section on which the transported items received from the transported item supply device are placed, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the loading section, a car body to which the loading section is attached via the lifting mechanism, a moving mechanism that moves the car body, and a separating section that separates the transported items received from the transported item supply device from subsequent transported items, and the separating section has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it goes outward from the car body.

[0009] The transported item supply device of the present invention is a transported item supply device that continuously transports multiple transported items and transfers the transported items to and from a transporting device, and comprises a transporting section that continuously transports multiple transported items, and a waiting section that has a pair of rail members that are spaced apart in the width direction of the transporting section at the end of the transporting direction of the transporting section and on which the transported items from the transporting section are placed, and the transporting device comprises a loading section on which the transported items received from the waiting section are placed, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the loading section, a car body on which the loading section is provided via the lifting mechanism, a moving mechanism that moves the car body, and a separating section that separates the transported item received from the waiting section from the subsequent transported item, the separating section having an inclined surface that slopes downward as it goes outward from the car body and is provided on the loading section, and the spacing between the pair of rail members is a through hole section through which the loading section and the separating section, which are raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism, pass. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conveying device that receives and conveys articles from an article supplying device that continuously conveys a plurality of articles, and that can reliably separate adjacent articles with a simple configuration. It is also possible to provide an article supplying device that is suitable for such a conveying device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a transported object supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a transported object supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, in which an article is not yet received. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing a state in which an object has been received. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view showing a state in which a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in use, in which an article has been received. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view showing a state in which the conveying device according to the embodiment of the present invention is in use, showing a state after receiving an article to be conveyed. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a conveying system including a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a conveyed object supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 1 is a right side view showing a schematic configuration of a conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The conveying device 1 of this embodiment is a device that receives and conveys a plurality of articles from a later-described article supplying device that continuously conveys the articles, and includes a placement unit 2 on which the articles received from the article supplying device are placed, a lifting mechanism 3 that raises and lowers the placement unit 2, a vehicle body 4 to which the placement unit 2 is attached via the lifting mechanism 3, a moving mechanism 5 that moves the vehicle body 4, and a separating unit 6 that separates the article received from the article supplying device from the subsequent article.

[0014] The placement unit 2 can be raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism 3. The lifting mechanism 3 has a conventionally known structure. For example, the lifting mechanism 3 includes a link mechanism 7 and an actuator (not shown). The link mechanism 7 has a first link member 8 and a second link member 9. The first link member 8 and the second link member 9 are connected by a pin 10 in a crossing state. The first link member 8 and the second link member 9 are connected at the crossing portion so that they can swing around the pin 10. The link mechanism 7 has a lower end mounted on the upper part of the vehicle body 4 with the pin 10 aligned in the left-right direction. The link mechanism 7 mounted on the vehicle body 4 can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction by operating an actuator. Note that the lifting mechanism 3 is not limited to this structure, and may have a structure in which the bag portion expands and contracts up and down by supplying and discharging air to and from the bag portion, for example.

[0015] A placing section 2 is provided at the upper end of the link mechanism 7. The placing section 2 is plate-shaped. The placing section 2 is provided on the link mechanism 7 with the plate surface facing up and down. Therefore, the placing section 2 is provided on the upper part of the car body 4 via the lifting mechanism 3. With this configuration, the placing section 2 can be raised and lowered by extending and contracting the link mechanism 7 up and down. When the placing section 2 is provided on the lifting mechanism 3, the upper surface of the placing section 2 becomes a placing surface 11 on which the transported object is placed.

[0016] The vehicle body 4 is provided with a movement mechanism 5. The movement mechanism 5 includes wheels 12 provided at each of the four corners of the lower end of the vehicle body 4, a motor (not shown) that drives the wheels 12, and a steering mechanism (not shown) that steers the wheels 12. With this configuration, the vehicle body 4 can travel on the ground by driving the motor. The vehicle body 4 can turn by driving the steering mechanism. However, the movement mechanism 5 is not limited to this configuration. For example, the movement mechanism 5 includes an omniwheel and a motor that drives the omniwheel. In this case, the vehicle body 4 can move in all directions by driving the motor.

[0017] The separating portion 6 is a plate-like member made of stainless steel and is provided on the mounting portion 2. The separating portion 6 extends rearward from the rear end of the mounting portion 2. The separating portion 6 is inclined downward as it extends rearward. Therefore, one plate surface 13 of the separating portion 6 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. When provided on the mounting portion 2, the separating portion 6 has an inclined surface 13 that inclines downward as it extends outward from the vehicle body 4. Here, the outward side of the vehicle body 4 refers to the direction away from the vehicle body 4 on a horizontal plane. The inclined surface 13 is preferably smooth and has a low coefficient of friction. The inclined surface 13 of the separating portion 6 is continuous with the mounting surface 11 of the mounting portion 2. The angle α of the inclined surface 13 with respect to the vertical plane is preferably 10° or more and 20° or less.

[0018] 2 and 3 are diagrams showing the schematic configuration of a transported article supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with Fig. 2 being a right side view with a portion in cross section, and Fig. 3 being a plan view. The transported article supplying device 14 of this embodiment is a device that continuously transports a plurality of transported articles 15, and transfers the transported articles 15 to and from the above-mentioned transporting device 1. The transported article supplying device 14 includes an automated shelf 16 that stores the plurality of transported articles 15, a transporting section 17 that continuously transports the plurality of transported articles 15, and a waiting section 18 on which the transported articles 15 from the transporting section 17 are placed.

[0019] The automated shelf unit 16 has a shelf body 19 in which a plurality of transported objects 15 are stored, and a transport mechanism 20 that moves the transported objects 15. The shelf body 19 is hollow and has a plurality of shelf boards 21 provided therein on which the transported objects 15 are placed. The shelf body 19 has an inlet (not shown) through which the transported objects 15 are brought into the interior, and an outlet 22 through which the transported objects 15 are brought out from the interior. In the illustrated example, the outlet 22 is formed on the front surface of the shelf body 19. The transport mechanism 20 is a mechanism that transports the transported objects 15 placed on the shelf boards 21 to the outlet 22, and any configuration is possible. The transport mechanism 20 is also used when storing the transported objects 15 on the shelf boards 21.

[0020] The conveying section 17 has a pair of frame members 23, 23 arranged spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of rollers 24 provided between the pair of frame members 23, 23. Each of the pair of frame members 23, 23 is supported by a support (not shown) erected on the ground. The pair of frame members 23, 23 are arranged spaced apart on the left and right while supported by the support. Each of the plurality of rollers 24 is provided to bridge between the pair of frame members 23, 23. The rollers 24 provided on the pair of frame members 23, 23 are rotatable around their axes. The plurality of rollers 24 are arranged side by side along the length direction of the frame member 23. In this case, a gap is formed between adjacent rollers 24, 24.

[0021] The conveying section 17 is disposed in front of the automated shelf 16. At this time, the rear end of the conveying section 17 is disposed within the shelf body 19 via the discharge opening 22. In this manner, the conveying section 17 is disposed extending forward from the automated shelf 16. With this configuration, the transported objects 15 stored within the shelf body 19 are transported forward when transported by the conveying section 17. A standby section 18 is disposed at the leading end of the conveying section 17 in the transport direction.

[0022] The waiting section 18 has a pair of rail members 25, 25 arranged at a distance in the left-right direction, which is the width direction of the conveying section 17. Each of the pair of rail members 25, 25 is supported by a support (not shown) erected on the ground. The pair of rail members 25, 25 is provided at the front end, which is the tip end of the conveying section 17 in the conveying direction, while being supported by the support. In this case, since the pair of rail members 25, 25 are spaced apart in the width direction of the conveying section 17, a gap is provided between the pair of rail members 25, 25. This gap is a through-hole portion 26 through which the placement unit 2 and the separation unit 6, which are raised by the lifting mechanism 3, pass when the conveyed article 15 is transferred from the conveying article supply device 14 to the conveying device 1.

[0023] Next, the operation of the conveying device 1 of this embodiment will be described. Figures 4 to 7 are views showing the use state of the conveying device of this embodiment, with Figure 4 being a right side view showing the state before the conveyed object is received, Figure 5 being a right side view showing the state after the conveyed object has been received, Figure 6 being a front view showing the state after the conveyed object has been received, and Figure 7 being a right side view showing the state after the conveyed object has been received. Here, Figures 4, 5, and 7 are schematic views showing the operation of the conveying device of this embodiment in chronological order. Figure 8 is an explanatory view showing an example of the configuration of a conveying system including the conveying device of this embodiment and the conveyed object supply device of this embodiment.

[0024] In this example, the transported goods 15 are containers that house a plurality of electronic components. The electronic components are, for example, multilayer ceramic capacitors, but are not limited thereto and may be other passive or active elements. The container 15 is provided with a recording medium (not shown) on which component information regarding the electronic components housed therein is recorded. The recording medium is, for example, an RFID tag. The component information recorded on the recording medium is, for example, one or more pieces of information selected from the lot number of the electronic components, the quantity of the electronic components, the size of the electronic components, etc.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 8, the conveying device 1 and the transported article supply device 14 are connected to a network 27. A server 28 is also connected to this network 27. The network 27 is, for example, the Internet. In this case, the conveying device 1 and the server 28 are connected via the Internet. The transported article supply device 14 and the server 28 are connected via the Internet. The conveying device 1 and the transported article supply device 14 are connected via the Internet.

[0026] The server 28 is a conventionally known server device. The server 28 stores component information related to the electronic components and destination information related to the destination of the container 15, in association with each other. The destination information is, for example, a travel route from the transported article supply device 14 to the destination. The server 28 stores component information related to the electronic components and container information of the container 15 to be transported, in association with each other. The container information is, for example, a container name, a container number, etc.

[0027] The conveying device 1 is an automated guided vehicle capable of automatic travel. As shown in Fig. 8, the conveying device 1 further includes a reading unit 29, a communication unit 30, and a controller 31. Note that the conveying device 1 is not limited to an automated guided vehicle, and may be capable of travelling by human operation.

[0028] The reading unit 29 is a means for reading component information relating to electronic components recorded on a recording medium provided in the container 15. The reading unit 29 is provided on the mounting unit 2. In this embodiment, the reading unit 29 is an RFID reader because the recording medium is an RFID tag.

[0029] The communication unit 30 is a means for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 30 communicates with the server 28 via the network 27. To this end, the communication unit 30 transmits the part information read by the reading unit 29 to the server 28, and receives from the server 28 the delivery destination information corresponding to the part information transmitted to the server 28. The communication unit 30 also communicates with the transported item supply device 14 via the network 27.

[0030] The controller 31 is a means for controlling the operation of the conveying device 1. The controller 31 has a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and controls each part of the conveying device 1 based on a program recorded in the ROM. Specifically, the controller 31 controls the moving mechanism 5 and the steering mechanism based on the destination information received by the communication unit 30. The controller 31 controls the lifting mechanism 3 based on a signal from the conveyed object supply device 14.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 8 , the transported article supply device 14 includes a sensor 32, a communication unit 33, and a controller 34. The sensor 32 is a means for detecting that a container 15 has been placed in the standby section 18 of the transported article supply device 14. The sensor 32 is, for example, a weight sensor that detects the weight of the container 15. The sensor 32 is provided in the standby section 18. The communication unit 33 is a means for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 33 communicates with the server 28 and the transport device 1 via the network 27. The controller 34 is a means for controlling the operation of the transported article supply device 14. The controller 34 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., and controls each part of the transported article supply device 14 based on a program recorded in the ROM. Specifically, the controller 34 controls the transport mechanism 20 based on a signal from the server 28.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the conveying device 1 receives a container 15 from the conveying article supply device 14 and then conveys the container 15 to its destination. At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the conveying article supply device 14 conveys the container 15 from the automated shelf 16 to the standby section 18. The conveying article supply device 14 acquires component information related to electronic components from the server 28 via the communication unit 33. The controller 34 controls the conveying mechanism 20 based on the component information acquired by the communication unit 33. As a result, of the containers 15 placed on each of the multiple shelves 21, the container 15 that stores the electronic component having the component information acquired by the communication unit 33 is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 20 to the rear end of the conveying section 17.

[0033] The transported article supply device 14 of this embodiment continuously transports containers 15 placed on the shelf boards 21 to the rear end of the conveying section 17. Therefore, the containers 15 located at the front are pushed by the following containers 15 and flow over the rollers 24 of the conveying section 17. This allows the conveying section 17 to continuously transport containers 15 from the base end in the conveying direction, which is the rear end of the conveying section 17, to the front end in the conveying direction, which is the front end of the conveying section 17. The containers 15 transported by the conveying section 17 are placed on a pair of rail members 25, 25 of the waiting section 18.

[0034] Meanwhile, the conveying device 1 first moves to the conveying article supply device 14. When the conveying device 1 arrives at the conveying article supply device 14, it is positioned below the standby section 18. At this time, the conveying device 1 is positioned below the standby section 18 so that the inclined surface 13 is located below the space between the container 15 received from the standby section 18 of the conveying article supply device 14 and the succeeding container 15.

[0035] After the conveying device 1 is positioned below the standby section 18, the reading unit 29 reads the part information recorded on the recording medium provided in the container 15 on the standby section 18. The part information read by the reading unit 29 is transmitted to the server 28 by the communication unit 30. Then, if the part information read by the reading unit 29 matches the part information associated with the container information, it is confirmed that the container 15 on the standby section 18 is a container to be conveyed.

[0036] Thereafter, the conveying device 1 acquires a detection signal from the sensor 32 via the communication unit 30. The controller 31 controls the lifting mechanism 3 to raise the mounting unit 2 based on the detection signal from the sensor 32 acquired via the communication unit 30. That is, after confirming that the container 15 is present on the standby unit 18, the conveying device 1 extends the link mechanism 7 to raise the mounting unit 2. In this way, the conveying device 1 controls the lifting mechanism 3 to raise the mounting unit 2 based on a signal from the transported article supply device 14.

[0037] As described above, a through hole 26 is formed between the pair of rail members 25, 25. Therefore, the placing unit 2 and the separating unit 6 are raised via the through hole 26. By raising the placing unit 2 with the lifting mechanism 3, it is possible to receive a container 15 from the standby unit 18 of the transported article supply device 14, and it is possible to raise the separating unit 6 so that the inclined surface 13 comes into contact with the subsequent container 15 on the standby unit 18. The container 15 received from the standby unit 18 is placed on the placing surface 11 of the placing unit 2. By bringing the inclined surface 13 into contact with the subsequent container 15, it is possible to move the subsequent container 15 backward, and to separate the container 15 received from the standby unit 18 from the subsequent container 15.

[0038] Furthermore, the conveying device 1 acquires, via the communication unit 30, destination information corresponding to the component information transmitted to the server 28 as described above. The controller 31 controls the moving mechanism 5 based on the destination information acquired via the communication unit 30. This allows the conveying device 1 to move from the transported object supply device 14 to the destination. In this embodiment, the destination is an electronic component processing device.

[0039] The conveying device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a separating unit 6 having an inclined surface 13, so that adjacent containers 15, 15 can be reliably separated from each other with a simple configuration. In the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the separating unit 6 is raised so that the inclined surface 13 comes into contact with the transported object 15. Therefore, when the inclined surface 13 comes into contact with the container 15, the container 15 slides rearward without excessively lifting up. In the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the angle α of the inclined surface 13 with respect to the vertical plane is equal to or greater than 10° and equal to or less than 20°. Therefore, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment can smoothly separate adjacent containers 15, 15 from each other. In the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the separating unit 6 is provided on the mounting unit 2. Therefore, the separating unit 6 can be raised by raising the mounting unit 2, so that the conveying device 1 can have a simpler configuration.

[0040] In the case of the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the placement unit 2 is raised based on a signal from the conveyed article supply device 14. Therefore, according to the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the containers 15, 15 can be separated from each other with simple control. In the case of the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, since it is equipped with the reading unit 29, the communication unit 30, and the controller 31, the conveying device 1 can be moved with simple control.

[0041] The article supply device 14 of this embodiment includes a standby section 18 having a pair of rail members 25, 25. Therefore, the article supply device 14 of this embodiment allows the above-described conveying device 1 to be used with a simple configuration. The article supply device 14 of this embodiment is configured so that a front container 15 is pushed by a rear container 15, thereby conveying multiple containers 15 continuously. In this configuration, adjacent containers 15, 15 may be in close contact with each other. According to the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, adjacent containers 15, 15 are separated from each other by a separating section 6 having an inclined surface 13, so that adjacent containers 15, 15 can be reliably separated even if they are in close contact with each other.

[0042] In the case of the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, the mounting section 2 may have a stopper for preventing the container 15 placed on the mounting surface 11 from falling. The stopper has a first stopper provided to protrude upward on the side of the mounting section 2 opposite to the side on which the separation section 6 is provided, and a second stopper that can appear and disappear above the mounting section 2 on the side on which the separation section 6 is provided. When the container 15 is placed on the mounting section 2, the second stopper retracts inward of the car body 4. The second stopper protrudes upward after the container 15 is placed on the mounting section 2.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0044] For example, the conveying section 17 of the transported article supplying device 14 in the above embodiment is configured with a plurality of rollers 24 provided between a pair of frame members 23, 23, but is not limited to this. For example, the conveying section 17 may be configured so that the transported article 15 slides on a pair of rails spaced laterally apart. Although the conveying section 17 of the transported article supplying device 14 in the above embodiment does not include a drive means for rotating the rollers 24 about their axes, the conveying section 17 may include the drive means. Although the transported article supplying device 14 in the above embodiment includes an automatic shelf 16, the automatic shelf 16 may not be included. In this case, the transported article supplying device 14 may be configured, for example, so that the conveying section 17 and the standby section 18 are provided in an electronic component processing device. That is, the conveying section 17 transports the container 15 containing the processed electronic components to the standby section 18. If the transported article supplying device 14 does not include an automatic shelf 16, an operator may place the transported article 15 on the conveying section 17.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the conveying section 17 and the standby section 18 may be inclined downward toward the leading end in the conveying direction. In this case, when the object 15 is placed at the base end of the conveying section 17 in the conveying direction, the object 15 naturally flows on the rollers 24 of the conveying section 17 toward the leading end in the conveying direction. That is, the object 15 in the front is conveyed without being pushed by the object 15 in the rear. The object 15 conveyed on the conveying section 17 is handed over to the standby section 18. A stopper is provided at the leading end in the conveying direction of the standby section 18 to prevent the object 15 received from the conveying section 17 from jumping out of the standby section 18. This stopper may remain in an upward protruding state. Even if the stopper remains in an upward protruding state, the conveying device 1 lifts the object 15 higher than the stopper, thereby preventing contact between the object 15 and the stopper when moving from the standby section 18 to the destination.

[0046] The standby section 18 of the transported article supply device 14 in the above embodiment is configured with a pair of rail members 25, 25, but is not limited to this. For example, the standby section 18 may have a pair of rail members spaced apart in the horizontal direction and a plurality of rollers provided between the pair of rail members. Each of the pair of rail members is supported by a support pillar erected on the ground. The pair of rail members are spaced apart in the width direction of the transport section 17 while supported by the support pillar. Each of the plurality of rollers is provided to span the pair of rail members. The rollers provided on the pair of rail members are rotatable around their axes. The plurality of rollers are arranged side by side along the length direction of the rail members. In this case, a gap is formed between adjacent rollers.

[0047] In this configuration, the conveying section 17 and the standby section 18 may be inclined downward toward the leading end in the conveying direction. Because the conveying section 17 and the standby section 18 are inclined, the object 15 placed at the base end of the conveying section 17 in the conveying direction naturally flows on the rollers 24 of the conveying section 17 toward the leading end in the conveying direction, as in the case described above. The object 15 conveyed on the conveying section 17 is transferred to the standby section 18 and placed on the rollers of the standby section 18. A stopper is provided at the leading end in the conveying direction of the standby section 18 to prevent the object 15 from flowing over the rollers of the standby section 18 and flying out. This stopper is retractable above the standby section 18. Therefore, when the object 15 is transferred from the standby section 18 to the placement section 2 of the conveying device 1, the stopper does not protrude upward. The stopper protrudes upward after the object 15 is transferred from the standby section 18 to the placement section 2.

[0048] In the above embodiment, after it is confirmed that the container 15 is the one to be transported, the article 15 is placed on the platform 2 of the transport device 1, but it may also be confirmed that the container 15 is the one to be transported after the article 15 is placed on the platform 2. In this case, after the article 15 is placed on the platform 2, the parts information recorded on the recording medium is read by the reading unit 29. Then, based on the read parts information, the container 15 to be transported is confirmed and the destination information is acquired. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Conveyor device 2. Placement area 3 Lifting mechanism 4. Body 5 Moving mechanism 6 Separation section 13 Slope 14. Material supply device 15 Transported goods 17 Conveyor 18 Waiting section 25 Rail material 26 Through-hole

Claims

1. A conveying device that receives and conveys a plurality of conveyed objects from a conveyed object supplying device that continuously conveys the plurality of conveyed objects, a placement unit on which the transported object received from the transported object supply device is placed; a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the placement unit; a vehicle body on which the mounting portion is provided via the lifting mechanism; a movement mechanism that moves the vehicle body; a separating unit that separates the conveyed object received from the conveyed object supply device from a subsequent conveyed object, The conveying device, wherein the separating section has an inclined surface that slopes downward as it extends outward from the vehicle body.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the angle of the inclined surface with respect to the vertical plane is equal to or greater than 10° and equal to or less than 20°.

3. the separating section is provided in the placing section, 3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, when the inclined surface is positioned below the transported item received from the transported item supply device and the subsequent transported item, the lifting mechanism raises the placement section and brings the inclined surface into contact with the subsequent transported item, thereby separating the transported item received from the transported item supply device from the subsequent transported item.

4. The transport device is an automated guided vehicle, 4. The transport device according to claim 3, wherein the lifting mechanism is controlled based on a signal from the transported article supply device to lift the placement unit.

5. The transported object is a container containing a plurality of electronic components, The conveying device is a reading unit that reads component information about the electronic components recorded on a recording medium provided in the container; a communication unit that transmits the part information read by the reading unit to a server in which the part information and destination information regarding the destination of the container are stored in association with each other, and receives the destination information corresponding to the part information from the server; The transport device according to claim 4 , further comprising: a controller that controls the moving mechanism based on the transport destination information received by the communication unit.

6. A transported object supply device that continuously transports a plurality of transported objects and transfers the transported objects to and from a transport device, a conveying unit that continuously conveys a plurality of conveyed objects; a waiting section having a pair of rail members spaced apart in a width direction of the conveying section at a leading end of the conveying section in the conveying direction, on which the conveyed article from the conveying section is placed, The conveying device is a placement section on which the transported object received from the standby section is placed; a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the placement unit; a vehicle body on which the mounting portion is provided via the lifting mechanism; a movement mechanism that moves the vehicle body; a separating unit that separates the article received from the standby unit from the subsequent article, the separating unit having an inclined surface that slopes downward as it goes outward from the vehicle body, the separating unit being provided in the placing unit; The transported object supply device, wherein the gap between the pair of rail members is a through-hole portion through which the placing portion and the separating portion, which are raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism, pass.

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