Conveyor

Abstract

To provide a carrier truck capable of easily reloading a heavy object.SOLUTION: A carrier 1 comprises a truck 2 that allows a heavy object to be inserted or unloaded from its front end, an arm 4 that is formed in a U shape with both ends of the U shape joined to the front end of the truck 2 so as to be rotatable in a back-forth direction of the truck 2, a crosspiece 8 that is provided in a manner connecting between intermediate portions of the opposite members of the U shape in the arm 4, and hooks 12a, 12b that are joined hanging from the crosspiece 8 and rotatable in the back-force direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device. [Background technology]

[0002] A battery exchange cart for transporting and exchanging batteries for transfer robots and the like used in factories and the like has been known (Patent Document 1). The battery exchange cart described in Patent Document 1 is supported on the cart so as to be able to rise and fall, and is provided with a rail-like portion that extends forward from the front end of the cart and holds or places the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-183351 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the battery exchange cart described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a mechanism for raising and lowering the rail-shaped portion and a mechanism for folding the rail portion that protrudes from the cart toward the cart for safety during movement, and there is room for improvement in terms of structure and operability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transport vehicle that allows heavy objects to be easily transferred. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A conveying device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cart into which heavy objects are inserted or removed from the front end, an arm formed in a U-shape with both ends of the U-shape joined to the front end of the cart so that the arm can rotate in the fore-and-aft direction of the cart, a crosspiece arranged to connect the middle parts of the opposing U-shaped members of the arm, and a hook hanging from and joined to the crosspiece and rotatable in the fore-and-aft direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily transfer heavy objects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveying device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery replacement method. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example of a method for replacing the battery. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example of a battery replacement method. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an example of a method for replacing a battery. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating an example of a battery replacement method. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for moving the transport device 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the transport device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for moving the transport device 1. As shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] The structure of a conveying device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying device 1 includes a carriage 2 and a conveying mechanism 3. In this embodiment, the traveling direction of the carriage 2 is defined as the "forward direction," and the opposite direction on a horizontal plane relative to the "forward direction" is defined as the "rearward direction." When the horizontal plane formed by the "forward direction" and the "rearward direction" is viewed from above, a direction rotated 90 degrees clockwise relative to the "forward direction" is defined as the "rightward direction," and a direction rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the "forward direction" is defined as the "leftward direction." With respect to the horizontal plane formed by the "forward direction," "rearward direction," "rightward," and "leftward," a direction extending vertically upward is defined as the "upward direction," and a direction extending vertically downward is defined as the "downward direction." The conveying device 1 is used to transport and exchange heavy objects. An example of a "heavy object" is a battery used in an automated guided vehicle (AGV) used in a factory. While the heavy object is not limited to a battery, this embodiment will be described using a battery as the heavy object.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport mechanism 3 is composed of two adjacent arms 4 and 5. Hereinafter, "arm 4" may be referred to as the "left arm 4." Also, "arm 5" may be referred to as the "right arm 5." Arm 4 is formed in a U-shape by three frames 6a to 6c. One end of frames 6a and 6b are respectively joined to both ends of frame 6c. Similarly, arm 5 is formed in a U-shape by three frames 7a to 7c. One end of frames 7a and 7b are respectively joined to both ends of frame 7c. As shown in FIG. 1, arms 4 and 5 are joined to the carriage 2. Specifically, frame 6a is joined to the upper frame of carriage 2 at joint 23a. Similarly, frame 6b is joined to the upper frame of carriage 2 at joint 23b. Similarly, frame 7a is joined to the upper frame of carriage 2 at joint 24a. Similarly, frame 7b is joined to the upper frame of carriage 2 at joint 24b. The joints 23a and 23b rotatably support the arm 4. Similarly, the joints 24a and 24b rotatably support the arm 5.

[0012] The frames 6c and 7c are also gripping portions that are held by an operator. The operator grips the frame 6c or the frame 7c and rotates the arm 4 or the arm 5 in the front-rear direction around the joints 23a and 23b or the joints 24a and 24b as the rotation axis.

[0013] A crosspiece 8 joined between frames 6a and 6b (at the middle) is a support for attaching hooks 12a and 12b to arm 4. A U-shaped hanger portion 10 (support member) is joined to crosspiece 8. Hooks 12a and 12b are attached to both ends of hanger portion 10. A crosspiece 9 joined between frames 7a and 7b is a support for attaching hooks 13a and 13b to arm 5. A U-shaped hanger portion 11 (support member) is joined to crosspiece 9. Hooks 13a and 13b are attached to both ends of hanger portion 11. Hooks 13a and 13b are used to support battery 50. A handle portion 50a is provided on battery 50, and hooks 13a and 13b are used by hanging them from handle portion 50a. Although no batteries are hung on the hooks 12a and 12b in Fig. 1, the hooks 12a and 12b function in the same way as the hooks 13a and 13b. As shown in Fig. 1, reference numeral 16, where a wire 14 connecting the frame 6c and the crosspiece 8 is provided, indicates the location where the wire 14 is attached to the crosspiece 8. Similarly, reference numeral 17, where a wire 15 connecting the frame 7c and the crosspiece 9 is provided, indicates the location where the wire 15 is attached to the crosspiece 9. The functions of the wires 14 and 15 will be described later. The hooks may be represented by integrating the hanger portion 10 and the hooks 12a and 12b. Similarly, the hooks may be represented by integrating the hanger portion 11 and the hooks 13a and 13b.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the dolly 2 includes an operating unit 19, a locking mechanism 18, lower frames 20a-20f, pedestals 21a-21b, 22a-22b, side frames, and an upper frame. The operating unit 19 is a rod-shaped member that an operator grasps to move the dolly 2. The six lower frames 20a-20f form a rectangular base 35. In this embodiment, the base 35 forms two rectangles. The lower frames 20d and 20e support the arms 4 and 5 and are reinforcing frames for reinforcing the strength between the opposing lower frames 20b and 20c. Eight side frames are joined to the four corners and center of the base 35, rising upward. Five upper frames are formed to connect the upper ends of the eight side frames. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper frame forms a U-shape. Reference numerals 40 and 41 indicate storage spaces for storing batteries. Pedestals 21a-21b and 22a-22b are joined between opposing lower frames 20b and 20c. Pedestals 21a-21b are made up of a plurality of rollers and are used to place batteries in storage space 40. Similarly, pedestals 22a-22b are made up of a plurality of rollers and are used to place batteries in storage space 41. Details of locking mechanism 18 will be described later.

[0015] The above-mentioned various frames are not particularly limited, but an example is an aluminum frame.

[0016] 2 and 3 are plan views of the transport device 1. Compared to FIG. 3, the hook is omitted in FIG. 2. Reference numeral 60 denotes an automated guided vehicle. As described above, the transport device 1 is used, for example, to load and unload batteries onto and from the automated guided vehicle 60. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a scene in which a battery 51 held by the left arm 4 is moved to the automated guided vehicle 60. Of course, the manner in which the transport device 1 is used is not limited to this. For example, consider a situation in which the remaining battery capacity of the automated guided vehicle 60 is low and the battery needs to be replaced. In this case, the worker inserts a charged battery 50 into the right arm 5 (storage space 41). The worker moves the transport device 1 to the front of the automated guided vehicle 60 and operates the left arm 4 to move the battery 51 from the automated guided vehicle 60 to the transport device 1. The worker then moves the transport device 1 leftward to align the battery storage space of the automated guided vehicle 60 with the storage space 41 of the right arm 5. The worker may then operate the right arm 5 to move the battery 51 to the automated guided vehicle 60.

[0017] Next, an example of a battery transfer method will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. The scenes shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 depict a scene in which an operator carries the transport device 1 to the front of the automatic guided vehicle 60 and transfers the battery 52 mounted on the transport device 1 to the automatic guided vehicle 60. As shown in FIG. 4, when transferring the battery 52 to the automatic guided vehicle 60, the operator carries the transport device 1 to the front of the automatic guided vehicle 60. After carrying the transport device 1 to the front of the automatic guided vehicle 60, the operator grasps the arm 4 and rotates the arm 4 forward, as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the operator grasps the frame 6c of the arm 4 (see FIG. 1) and rotates the arm 4 forward. The arm 4 rotates forward around the joint 23a. At this time, the frame 6c of the arm 4 serves as the force point, the joint 23a serves as the fulcrum, and the hook 12a supporting the battery 52 serves as the point of application, enabling the operator to move the heavy battery 52 with little force by using the principle of leverage. In other words, the battery 52 can be easily moved in conjunction with the movement of the arm 4.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 6, the worker tilts the arm 4 toward the automatic guided vehicle 60. This completes the transfer of the battery 52 as shown in FIG. 7. After transferring the battery 52 from the transport device 1 to the automatic guided vehicle 60, the worker holds the wire 14 with any finger (for example, the thumb) as shown in FIG. 8. The wire 14 rotates the hook 12a via the hanger portion 10 (see FIG. 1). Holding the wire 14 may also be expressed as pulling the wire 14 downward. By pulling the wire 14 downward, the hanger portion 10 connected to the wire 14 can be rotated, and the hook 12a connected to the hanger portion 10 also rotates backward. As shown in FIG. 8, the hook 12a rotates backward, causing it to detach from the handle portion of the battery 52. ​​This separates the battery 52 from the transport device 1. After removing the battery 52 from the hook 12a, the worker rotates the arm 4 backward, completing the transfer of the battery 52.

[0019] It should be noted that the wire 14 is not an essential structure. If the wire 14 is not provided, it is sufficient for the worker to directly operate the hook 12a to detach the hook 12a from the battery 52. ​​Of course, by providing the wire 14, the worker can detach the hook 12a from the battery 52 with a simple operation (simply by pushing the wire 14) without having to directly operate the hook 12a, so it goes without saying that providing the wire 14 reduces the burden on the worker.

[0020] 4 to 8 illustrate an example in which the battery 52 is transferred from the transport device 1 to the automated guided vehicle 60. However, the use of the transport device 1 is not limited to this. As described above, a battery with low remaining capacity may be collected from the automated guided vehicle 60 and replaced with a charged battery. The method for collecting a battery from the automated guided vehicle 60 is the reverse of the method described in FIGS. 4 to 8. That is, with the storage space 40 of the left arm 4 empty, the transport device 1 is carried to the front of the automated guided vehicle 60. The worker grasps the arm 4 and rotates it forward. After tilting the arm 4 toward the automated guided vehicle 60, the worker holds the wire 14 with any finger (for example, the thumb) and rotates the hook 12a, hooking it onto the battery. The worker rotates the arm 4 backward to move the battery into the transport device 1 (storage space 40). The principle of leverage also comes into play in this process, allowing the worker to move a heavy battery with little force. The worker then moves the transport device 1 leftward to align the battery storage space of the automated guided vehicle 60 with the storage space 41 of the right arm 5. The worker then operates the right arm 5 to move the battery placed in the storage space 41 to the automated guided vehicle 60. This operation is the same as the operation described with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

[0021] A method for efficiently moving the conveying device 1 in front of the automated guided vehicle 60 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the locking mechanism 18 (see FIG. 1) includes a pedal 26, a rod-shaped shaft 27, various frames connected to the pedal 26 and shaft 27, and left and right wheels 31a and front and rear wheels 32a connected directly or indirectly to the pedal 26 and shaft 27. Reference numeral 30a denotes a wheel that can rotate 360 ​​degrees. Because FIGS. 9 and 10 show the conveying device 1 from the left side, the right side of the conveying device 1 is provided with wheels 30b, left and right wheels 31b, and front and rear wheels 32b corresponding to the wheels 30a, left and right wheels 31a, and front and rear wheels 32a, and these are not shown. The shaft 27 has a joint 28 that allows it to bend. Reference numeral 29 denotes a pedal, and an operator can step on the pedal 29. The left and right wheels 31a are locked against rotation and can only move left and right. The front and rear wheels 32a are locked against rotation and can only move forward and backward.

[0022] In the state of the locking mechanism 18 in Figure 9, the shaft 27 (joint 28) is in a straight line. This state is referred to as the "locked state." In the locked state, as shown in Figure 9, the left and right wheels 31a are lifted and the front and rear wheels 32a are in contact with the ground. This allows the transport device 1 (cart 2) to move in the front-rear direction.

[0023] Now consider the case where the transport device 1 (carriage 2) is to be moved left and right. The case where the transport device 1 (carriage 2) is to be moved left and right is, for example, the case where the battery storage space of the automated guided vehicle 60 is to be aligned with the storage space 41 of the right arm 5 (the case where the cart 2 is to be moved leftward), as described above. To move the transport device 1 (carriage 2) left and right, the operator steps on the area 29 as shown in FIG. 10. This bends the joint 28 (becoming V-shaped) and unlocks it. This pulls the pedal 26 upward, lifting the front and rear wheels 32a and bringing the left and right wheels 31a into contact with the ground. This makes it possible to move the transport device 1 (carriage 2) left and right, allowing the transport device 1 (carriage 2) to be moved efficiently in front of the automated guided vehicle 60.

[0024] (Action and effect) As described above, the transport device 1 according to this embodiment provides the following advantageous effects.

[0025] The conveyance device 1 includes a carriage 2 into which a heavy load is inserted or removed from its front end; a U-shaped arm 4, both ends of which are joined to the front end of the carriage 2 so as to be rotatable in the fore-and-aft direction of the carriage 2; a crosspiece 8 that horizontally connects the middle portions of the opposing U-shaped members of the arm 4; and hooks 12a, 12b that hang from and are joined to the crosspiece 8 and are rotatable in the fore-and-aft direction. An example of a heavy load is a battery used in an automated guided vehicle 60, but this is not limiting and the device can also be applied to other heavy loads. The U-shaped arm 4 is composed of frames 6a to 6c, as shown in FIG. 1. Both ends of the U-shape (both ends of frame 6a and frame 6b) are joined to the front end of the carriage 2 at joints 23a, 23b. An example of the "U-shaped opposing members of the arm 4" is frames 6a and 6b that face each other in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the crosspiece 8 horizontally connects the middle portions of the opposing frames 6a and 6b. The hooks 12a and 12b are attached to the crosspiece 8 while hanging from it. While FIG. 1 illustrates the hanger portion 10 hanging from the crosspiece 8 and the hooks 12a and 12b attached to both ends of the hanger portion 10, the hanger portion 10 and the hooks 12a and 12b may be defined as a single entity and be referred to as a "hook." According to this embodiment, simply by rotating the arm 4, the hooks 12a and 12b also rotate in conjunction with the movement of the arm 4, and the hooks 12a and 12b engage with the handles of the battery, allowing the battery to be easily lifted and moved for easy replacement. This allows workers to easily move heavy batteries with little effort. While the above-described embodiment illustrates the combination of two sets of arms and hooks adjacent to each other on the left and right, this is not limiting. Only one set of arms and hooks may be attached to the cart 2.

[0026] The transport device 1 further includes a string-like member that connects the U-shaped non-opposing members of the arm 4 with the joints between the crosspiece 8 and the hooks 12a, 12b. An example of the "U-shaped non-opposing members of the arm 4" is frame 6c. Frame 6a faces frame 6b, while frame 6c faces no frame. The joints between the crosspiece 8 and the hooks 12a, 12b are indicated by the reference numeral 16 (see FIG. 1). Joint 16 is located eccentrically from the center of rotation of the hooks. An example of the "string-like member" is wire 14. By manipulating wire 14, it becomes easy to hook the hook to the battery and to detach the hook from the battery.

[0027] Two sets of arms, crosspieces, and hooks may be formed adjacent to each other on the carriage 2. This makes it possible to empty one storage space 40 and place a charged battery in the other storage space 41. This allows the battery collection and replacement work for the automated guided vehicle 60 to be completed in a single movement. The transport device 1 may also be equipped with a locking mechanism 18 that moves wheels provided on the carriage 2 in the up and down directions to move the carriage 2 in the forward / backward or left / right directions. This allows the transport device 1 (carriage 2) to be moved efficiently in front of the automated guided vehicle 60, as described using Figures 9 and 10.

[0028] The battery may further include a fixing member joined to the middle of the hook for fixing a heavy load to the cart 2. An example of the fixing member is a bolt. Fixing the battery to the cart 2 with the bolt makes it possible to prevent the battery from falling off the cart 2 during transportation.

[0029] The transport device 1 further includes pedestals 21a and 21b on which heavy objects are placed. As shown in Fig. 4, the pedestals 21a and 21b are inclined vertically downward from the front end to the rear end of the cart 2. This makes it possible to prevent the battery from falling off the cart 2 during transportation.

[0030] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0031] For example, although the batteries are mounted in parallel on the carriage 2 facing forward in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this and they may face outward on the left and right. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Conveyor device 2 carts 3. Conveyor mechanism 4, 5 arms 6a~6c frame 7a~7c Frame Rails 8 and 9 12a, 12b hook 13a, 13b hook 14, 15 wires 18 Locking mechanism 21a, 21b pedestal 22a, 22b pedestal 26 pedals 27 axes 28 Joints

Claims

1. a cart into which a heavy object is inserted or carried out from the front end side; an arm formed in a U-shape, with both ends of the U-shape joined to the front end of the cart so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the cart, and with which an operator can grasp and rotate the U-shaped members that do not face each other; a crosspiece provided to connect intermediate portions of the opposing U-shaped members of the arm; a hook that is hung from and joined to the crosspiece and is rotatable in the front-rear direction. A conveying device characterized by:

2. The arm further includes a string-like member that connects the U-shaped non-opposing members of the arm and the joint between the crosspiece and the hook.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. two sets of the arm, the crosspiece, and the hook are formed adjacent to each other on the carriage; The vehicle further includes a locking mechanism for moving wheels provided on the vehicle in the vertical direction to move the vehicle in the forward / backward direction or the left / right direction.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The apparatus further includes a fixing member joined to an intermediate portion of the hook for fixing the heavy object to the carriage.

4. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device is a conveying device for conveying a plurality of objects.

5. Further provided is a base on which the heavy object is placed, The base is inclined downward in the vertical direction from the front end to the rear end of the carriage.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying device is a conveying device for conveying a plurality of objects.

Images