Pallet Cleaning Device

Abstract

To save a space for installing a device.SOLUTION: A pallet cleaning device (100) includes: a plurality of forks (10); a fork moving mechanism (30); a reception part (20) which moves a pallet in a first horizontal direction to cause the forks (10) to be inserted into the pallet; a cleaning part (40) which is disposed above the reception part (20) and cleans the pallet held by the forks; and a transport part (81) which moves the pallet which is cleaned and moved held by the forks (10) in the first horizontal direction to remove the forks.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device for pallets used for transporting cargo, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning device that cleans objects to be cleaned, such as pallets used for transporting cargo. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-52973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques require a large space to be secured for installation of the device.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to reduce the space required for installing an apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a pallet cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of forks, a fork moving mechanism for moving the forks, a receiving unit for inserting the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by moving the pallet in a first horizontal direction, a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit for cleaning the pallet held by the forks, and a transport unit for detaching the forks from the insertion openings by moving the pallet that has been cleaned in the cleaning unit and moved while held by the forks in the first horizontal direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to save space for installing the device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic side view of a pallet cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a pallet. [Figure 3] 1 shows a partial schematic top view of a pallet cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a fork movement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a fork movement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of region VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of region VII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment] Prior to describing the pallet washing device according to the present disclosure, a pallet to be washed and dried by the pallet washing device will be described below. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a pallet P.

[0010] A pallet P is a transport tool for transporting goods loaded on the pallet P. For example, the pallet P can be lifted by the forks of a forklift and transported by the forklift. The pallet P has, for example, an upper deck board TD, a lower deck board BD, and a connection part C.

[0011] Pallet P has an insertion opening E on each side, which is an opening surrounded by an upper deck board TD, a lower deck board BD, and a connection part C. By inserting the forks of a forklift into the insertion opening E, pallet P can be transported by a forklift.

[0012] <Configuration of Pallet Cleaning Equipment> A pallet washing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the drawings, the direction perpendicular to the ground (installation surface) is the Z-axis direction, and the upward direction is the Z-axis positive direction. The direction in which a pallet P travels in a receiving section 20 (described below) is the X-axis positive direction (first horizontal direction). The X-axis positive direction may also be referred to as the forward direction, and the X-axis negative direction as the backward direction. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis. The Y-axis direction may also be referred to as the lateral direction. The Y-axis positive direction may also be referred to as the leftward direction, and the Y-axis negative direction as the rightward direction.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a pallet washing device 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a schematic partial top view of the pallet washing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0014] 1, the pallet cleaning device 100 includes a receiving section 20, a cleaning section 40, a drying section 60, a transport section (conveyor 81), and an unloading module 90. The pallet cleaning device 100 also includes a first fork moving mechanism 30X and a second fork moving mechanism 30Y, each equipped with a fork 10 that can be inserted into an insertion slot E of a pallet P.

[0015] The pallet cleaning device 100 is a device that cleans and dries the pallet P while transporting the pallet P using the conveyor 21, first fork moving mechanism 30X, conveyor 81 (transport unit), second fork moving mechanism 30Y, etc. that are provided in the receiving unit 20. The pallet cleaning device 100 can clean the pallet P at high pressure.

[0016] The pallet cleaning apparatus 100 may be housed almost entirely in a housing C as shown in Figure 1. The side view of Figure 1 and the top view of Figure 3 show the side and top of the housing C in a transparent state, and only the outline of the housing C is shown. The housing C has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the pallet stack group PG to pass through. The housing C prevents cleaning liquid, water, etc. from splashing to the outside when the pallets P are washed and dried.

[0017] The pallet cleaning device 100 may include a control unit (not shown) that is configured with a processor such as a CPU that controls each part. The pallet cleaning device 100 may also include an operation unit (not shown) that is operated by a user to clean the pallet P through that operation. Each part of the pallet cleaning device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0018] (Acceptance Department) The receiving unit 20 moves a pallet stack PG, which is a stack of multiple pallets P, horizontally to insert the forks 10 into the insertion openings E on the side of each pallet P. At least a portion of the forks 10 attached to a first fork moving mechanism 30X, which will be described later, is located in the receiving unit 20.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the receiving unit 20 is equipped with a conveyor 21. The conveyor 21 transports the pallet stack PG, which has been carried by a forklift and placed on the conveyor 21, in the X-axis direction. As a result, the forks 10 attached to the first fork moving mechanism 30X are inserted into the insertion opening E on the front side of each pallet P. The vertical spacing of the forks 10 in the receiving unit 20 is adjusted so that the forks 10 can be inserted into the insertion opening E of each pallet P in the pallet stack PG.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the receiving unit 20 may be equipped with a side surface cleaning unit 22 that cleans the side surfaces of the pallet P. The side surface cleaning unit 22 is equipped with a nozzle that sprays liquid toward the side surfaces of the pallet P. Since the receiving unit 20 has this nozzle, the side surfaces of the pallet P can be cleaned in the receiving unit 20.

[0021] More specifically, side surface cleaning unit 22 can be provided on the transport path of conveyor 21 in receiving unit 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, side surface cleaning unit 22 includes rail 221 and a pair of nozzles 222R and 222L for spraying liquid (cleaning liquid). Rail 221 is fixed to, for example, housing C, and serves as a guide rail for moving shafts 224R and 224L in the Y-axis direction. Shafts 224R and 224L support nozzles 222R and 222L and also function as rotation axes for nozzles 222R and 222L.

[0022] 3, nozzle 222R is a nozzle that can reciprocate between position NP1 near the center of rail 221 and position NP2 near the end in the negative Y-axis direction by movement of shaft 224R along rail 221. Nozzle 222L is a nozzle that can reciprocate between position NP1 near the center of rail 221 and position NP2 near the end in the positive Y-axis direction by movement of shaft 224L along rail 221.

[0023] Nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L have, for example, a cylindrical shape and are fixed to shafts 224R and 224L extending downward from rail 221. Nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L extend in the Z-axis direction and can rotate around shafts 224R and 224L. Nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L have a plurality of injection ports 223 arranged along the extension direction. The number of injection ports 223 that each nozzle has is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10. High-pressure liquid can be injected from each injection port 223.

[0024] As the pallet stack PG moves near the side surface cleaning unit 22, the nozzles 222R and 222L move from position NP1 to position NP2, respectively, to clean the front side of the pallet stack PG being transported by the conveyor 21. Alternatively, the nozzles 222R and 222L may clean the front side of the pallet stack PG as they move from position NP1 to position NP2, respectively, while the pallet stack PG is stopped in a position close to the side surface cleaning unit 22. As they move from position NP1 to position NP2, the nozzles 222R and 222L spray cleaning liquid in the negative direction of the X-axis. Note that in FIG. 3, the arrows shown adjacent to the nozzles 222R and 222L indicate the direction in which the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle outlets 223 of each nozzle.

[0025] When nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L each move to position NP2, nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L rotate about axis 224R and axis 224L, respectively, and change the spray direction. This rotation causes nozzle 222R to spray cleaning liquid in the positive direction of the Y axis, and nozzle 222L to spray cleaning liquid in the negative direction of the Y axis. When nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L are each located at position NP2, the distance between nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L is longer than the length of one side of pallet P. As the pallet stack PG passes between nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L, which are spraying liquid, the side surfaces of the pallet stack PG are cleaned.

[0026] When the rear end of the pallet cleaning group PG passes the nozzle position, nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L change their spray direction to the X-axis direction by rotating around axes 224R and 224L. Nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L, having changed their spray direction, clean the rear side of the pallet stack group PG while moving from position NP2 to position NP1, respectively.

[0027] By providing the pallet washing device 100 with the side surface washing unit 22 configured as described above, all of the side surfaces of the pallets P can be washed while the stack of pallets PG is moving in the receiving unit 20.

[0028] (First fork moving mechanism 30X, second fork moving mechanism 30Y) The pallet cleaning device 100 has two fork moving mechanisms with the same basic configuration. A part of the first fork moving mechanism 30X is located in the receiving section 20, and moves the pallet P transported by the conveyor 21 to the conveyor 81. The second fork moving mechanism 30Y functions as part of the unloading module 90, and moves the pallet P transported by the conveyor 81 to the unloading section (conveyor 92) described below.

[0029] In the following, the common configuration of the first fork moving mechanism 30X and the second fork moving mechanism 30Y will be described using the general term "fork moving mechanism 30" which refers to the first fork moving mechanism 30X and the second fork moving mechanism 30Y.

[0030] The fork moving mechanism 30 moves a plurality of forks 10. The detailed configuration of the fork moving mechanism 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the fork moving mechanism 30. Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the fork moving mechanism 30. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of area VI in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of area VII in Fig. 4. Note that, for simplicity, only the components necessary for explanation are extracted and illustrated in each figure.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fork moving mechanism 30 has at least one pair of endless chains 31A and 31B suspended in the vertical direction, and a plurality of plate members 32 arranged between the endless chains 31A and 31B.

[0032] In the fork moving mechanism 30 of this embodiment, one endless chain 31A is composed of two endless chains 311 and 312 of the same length, which are arranged and connected so that they overlap when viewed from the side. Similarly, the other endless chain 31B is composed of two endless chains 313 and 314 of the same length, which are arranged and connected so that they overlap when viewed from the side. This configuration improves the strength of each endless chain 31A and 31B. Note that the endless chains 31A and 31B are also arranged so that they overlap when viewed from the side.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, in the fork movement mechanism 30, the endless chains 31A and 31B are arranged so that the track surface of each chain is parallel to the XZ plane. Each chain is suspended in the vertical direction. The endless chain 31A and the endless chain 31B are suspended on sprockets arranged above and below each other. The endless chain 31A and the endless chain 31B rotate with a track surface that is perpendicular to the axis of the sprocket by rotating at least one of the sprockets arranged above and below using a motor (not shown).

[0034] During the cleaning process by the pallet cleaning device 100, each of the endless chains 31A and 31B rotates in one direction. More specifically, each of the endless chains 31A and 31B of the fork moving mechanism 30 rotates in one direction, that is, clockwise, when the fork moving mechanism 30 is viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis.

[0035] Each of the endless chains 31A and 31B is made up of a first straight section closer to the receiving section 20, an upper turning section located at the top, a second straight section located opposite the first straight section, and a lower turning section located at the bottom. Each of the endless chains engages with a sprocket at the upper turning section and the lower turning section.

[0036] The plate members 32 are fixed to the links 310 that make up each of the endless chains 31A and 31B. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, the plate members 32 can be fixed to the links 310 via an attachment 331 that connects to the links 310 of the endless chain 31A and a connecting member 332 that adjusts the attachment position of the plate members 32. The attachment 331 and the connecting member 332 can be fixed together with a screw 333, and the connecting member 332 and the plate members 32 can be fixed together with a screw 334.

[0037] The plate member 32 is a plate member that is long in the horizontal direction. The direction perpendicular to the main surface 32A of the plate member 32 is parallel to the track surfaces of the endless chains 31A and 31B. Two forks 10 are fixed to the main surface 32A of the plate member 32 so that they are perpendicular and face outward.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, a spacer 101 may be provided at the connection between the fork 10 and the plate member 32 to ensure a distance between the pallet P and the endless chains 31A and 31B when the fork 10 is inserted into the insertion opening E of the pallet P.

[0039] The fork moving mechanism 30 includes a first moving section 321 that moves the forks 10 upward. The first straight portions of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the first moving section 321. The fork moving mechanism 30 includes a first turning section 322 that is continuous with the first moving section 321 and changes the direction of movement of the forks 10. The upper turning sections of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the first turning section 322. The fork moving mechanism 30 includes a second moving section 323 that is continuous with the first turning section 322 and moves the forks 10 downward. The second straight portions of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the second moving section 323.

[0040] The first fork moving mechanism 30X includes a first moving section (first moving section 321) that moves the fork 10 upward, a turning section (first turning section 322) that is continuous with the first moving section and changes the direction of movement of the fork 10, and a second moving section (second moving section 323) that is continuous with the turning section and moves the fork 10 downward.

[0041] The second fork moving mechanism 30Y includes a third moving section (first moving section 321) that moves the fork 10 upward, a second turning section (first turning section 322) that is continuous with the first moving section and changes the direction of movement of the fork 10, and a fourth moving section (second moving section 323) that is continuous with the second turning section and moves the fork 10 downward.

[0042] At least a portion of the forks 10 located in the first moving section 321 of the first fork moving mechanism 30X is located in the receiving section 20. At least a portion of the forks 10 located in the front half of the first turning section 322 is located in the cleaning section 40, which will be described later. The front half of the first turning section 322 is the portion of the first turning section 322 that is located on the first moving section 321 side.

[0043] (cleaning section 40) The cleaning unit 40 uses a liquid to clean the pallet P transported from the receiving unit 20 by the fork moving mechanism 30 and the forks 10. The liquid may be, for example, tap water or a cleaning liquid such as shampoo. The cleaning unit 40 is located above the receiving unit 20. In FIGS. 1 and 3, the pallet P is shown as being positioned at position PP1, indicated by a two-dot chain line, after having been moved from the first moving unit 321 of the fork moving mechanism 30 to the first turning unit 322 and having the forks 10 inserted therein while tilted relative to the ground. At the first turning unit 322, the endless chains 31A and 31B turn along the sprockets, increasing the distance between the tips of the forks 10. As a result, the pallet P positioned at position PP1 is vertically spaced apart from the other pallets P. The cleaning unit 40 cleans the pallet P positioned at position PP1.

[0044] 1 and 3, the cleaning unit 40 includes a nozzle support unit 41 and a guide rail 42 that extends in the Y-axis direction and guides the movement of the nozzle support unit 41. The guide rail 42 may be fixed to the housing C. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the nozzle support unit 41 has a U-shape that surrounds the upper and lower surfaces of the pallet P located at position PP1 and the side surface located opposite the fork movement mechanism 30. The nozzle support unit 41 is provided with an upper nozzle 43, a lower nozzle 44, and a side nozzle 45. High-pressure liquid can be sprayed from each nozzle.

[0045] The nozzle support part 41 has an elongated shape extending in the X-axis direction when viewed from above. The upper nozzles 43 are nozzles for cleaning the upper surface of the pallet P, and multiple upper nozzles 43 may be arranged longitudinally on the ceiling surface of the nozzle support part 41. The lower nozzles 44 are nozzles for cleaning the lower surface of the pallet P, and multiple lower nozzles 44 may be arranged longitudinally on the bottom surface of the nozzle support part 41. The side nozzles 45 are nozzles for cleaning the side surface of the pallet P located opposite the fork moving mechanism 30, and at least one side nozzle 45 may be arranged on the inner surface (bottom of the U-shape) of the nozzle support part 41. The side nozzles 45 are of an optional configuration. For example, if the pallet cleaning device 100 is equipped with the side surface cleaning part 22, the four side surfaces of the pallet P are cleaned in the side surface cleaning part 22, and therefore the side nozzles 45 are not necessary.

[0046] 3, when viewed from above, the nozzle support part 41 can move back and forth between a position WP1 on the left side of the movement area of ​​the pallet P and a position WP2 on the right side. In the cleaning part 40, the nozzle support part 41 moves between positions WP1 and WP2 while spraying liquid from each nozzle, thereby cleaning the pallet P located at position PP1.

[0047] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the cleaning unit 40 also includes a liquid tank (not shown) and liquid paths from the liquid tank to each nozzle. A liquid receiving unit 70 is provided below the cleaning unit 40, and the liquid receiving unit 70 may be connected to a sewer or the like.

[0048] (Transport section (conveyor 81)) The conveyor 81 is an example of a transport unit that moves the pallet P, which has been cleaned in the cleaning unit 40 and held and moved by the forks 10, in the X-axis direction (first horizontal direction), thereby detaching the forks 10 from the insertion opening E. The conveyor 81 receives the pallet P supported by the forks 10 located on the second moving unit 323 of the first fork moving mechanism 30X, and moves it in the X-axis direction, thereby detaching the pallet P from the forks 10 provided on the first fork moving mechanism 30X. The conveyor 81 further moves the pallet P detached from the forks 10 in the X-axis direction, thereby inserting the forks 10 provided on the second fork moving mechanism 30Y into the insertion opening E on the side of the pallet P.

[0049] (Drying section) The drying section 60 dries the pallet P that has been washed in the washing section 40. The drying section 60 is disposed at a position horizontal to the washing section 40. In other words, the drying section 60 dries the pallet P at a position roughly at the same height as the washing section 40.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the drying section 60 includes a first drying section 610, a second drying section 620, and a third drying section 630. The first drying section 610 is equipped with a blower 611 that blows air toward the interior of the pallet P. At least a portion of the forks 10 fixed to the plate member 32 in the rear half of the first turning section 322 of the first fork movement mechanism 30X is located in the first drying section 610. The rear half of the first turning section 322 refers to the portion of the first turning section 322 that is located on the second movement section 323 side. The first drying section 610 may include one or more nozzles whose positions and angles are adjusted to appropriately blow air into the interior of the pallet P positioned in the first drying section 610. Air is blown to the nozzles via pipes connecting the blower 611 to the nozzles. These nozzles and pipes are omitted from FIG. 1.

[0051] 1, a pallet P that has moved to the rear half of the first turning section 322 of the fork moving mechanism 30 and into which the forks 10 are inserted while tilted relative to the ground is shown using a two-dot chain line as a pallet P positioned at position PP2. At the first turning section 322, the spacing between the tips of the forks 10 increases, so the pallet P positioned at position PP2 is vertically spaced apart from the other pallets P. The drying section 60 dries the pallet P positioned at position PP2.

[0052] The second drying section 620 is equipped with a blower 621 that blows air toward the surfaces of pallets P transported by the conveyor 81. The second drying section 620 is equipped with an upper surface blowing nozzle 621A that is connected to the blower and that sprays gas toward the upper surface of the pallet P, and a lower surface blowing nozzle 621B that sprays gas toward the lower surface of the pallet P. The upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B are positioned on either side of the pallet P on the conveyor 81. The upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B may also be arranged alternately along the X-axis direction. This configuration allows liquid to be efficiently removed from the upper and lower surfaces of the pallet P. Air is blown to the upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B via pipes that connect the blower 621 to the upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B, respectively.

[0053] The third drying section 630 includes a hot air dryer 632 that uses hot air to dry the pallets P transported by the conveyor 81. The hot air dryer 632 includes a drying chamber 632A into which heated air is introduced, and a heating device 632B that heats the air. The drying chamber 632A may include a blower 631 for promoting the circulation of heated air within the drying chamber 632A. The heating device 632B is located below the drying chamber 632A. The heating device 632B may be a boiler that uses kerosene or gas, or may be a heat pump. Using a heat pump can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.

[0054] (Export module 90) The pallet cleaning device 100 is equipped with an unloading module 90 that includes a stacking unit 91 that stacks pallets P held by the forks 10 to form a pallet stack group PG, and an unloading unit (conveyor 92) that moves the pallet stack group PG horizontally and unloads it. By providing the pallet cleaning device 100 with the unloading module 90 configured as described above, the pallets P can be unloaded as a pallet stack group PG.

[0055] The carry-out module 90 includes a second fork moving mechanism 30Y and a second receiving section 93 that inserts the forks 10 into the insertion openings E on the side surfaces of the pallets P transported by the conveyor 81.

[0056] The forks 10 in the first moving section 321 or the front half of the first turning section 322 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are positioned in the second receiving section 93. The forks 10 in the second moving section 323 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are positioned in the stacking section 91. By positioning the second moving section 323 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y in the stacking section 91, the pallets P can be organized into a pallet stack group PG.

[0057] The pallet cleaning device 100 may further include a camera 94 that captures an image of the pallet P after cleaning. By including the camera 94, the pallet cleaning device 100 can inspect the pallet P after cleaning. In this embodiment, the camera 94 is located above the first turning section 322 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y, and can capture an image of the surface of the pallet P supported by the forks 10 in the first turning section 322. In the first turning section 322, the pallet P is spaced apart from the other pallets P in the vertical direction, and it is possible to capture an image of the surface of the pallet P with the pallet P in an upright position.

[0058] The pallet cleaning apparatus 100 may be equipped with multiple camera devices 94. For example, the apparatus may be equipped with a camera device 94 that captures an image of the top surface of a pallet P located in the front half of the first turning section 322, and a camera device 94 that captures an image of the bottom surface of a pallet P located in the rear half of the first turning section 322. The position of the camera device 94 is not limited to the above position. For example, the camera device 94 may be disposed at any position in the drying section 60.

[0059] (Pallet cleaning and drying process) The process of cleaning and drying pallets P by the pallet cleaning device 100 is briefly described below with reference to Figure 1. Pallet stacks PG transported to the receiving section 20 by a forklift or the like are moved horizontally (in the positive direction of the X-axis) by the conveyor 21 toward the first fork moving mechanism 30X. During this movement, the sides of the pallet stacks PG are cleaned by the side surface cleaning unit 22. After the sides have been cleaned by the side surface cleaning unit 22, the pallet stacks PG move further, and the forks 10 attached to the first fork moving mechanism 30X are inserted into the insertion openings E on the front side of each pallet P.

[0060] When the forks 10 are inserted into the insertion openings E of the pallet P, the first fork moving mechanism 30X starts the forward rotation of the endless chain 31, thereby moving the forks 10. As a result, the pallets P into which the forks 10 have been inserted move upward.

[0061] The washing unit 40 is located above the receiving unit 20, and pallets P that have reached the washing unit 40 and are separated from the other pallets are washed individually in the washing unit 40. Here, pallets P waiting to be washed are located below the washing unit 40. Therefore, the pallets P waiting to be washed can be pre-washed with the liquid used for washing in the washing unit 40. As a result, pallets P other than the topmost pallet P do not need to be pre-washed in the washing unit 40, or the washing time can be short. This achieves a water-saving effect.

[0062] The pallets P washed in the washing section 40 are naturally drained to a certain extent by being turned upright in the first turning section 322. Furthermore, in the first drying section 610, gas is sprayed toward the inside of the pallets P, which further reduces the amount of liquid remaining inside the pallets P.

[0063] Pallet P, which has moved from first turning section 322 to second moving section 323, is detached from forks 10 and moves in the X-axis direction as conveyor 81 operates. While placed on conveyor 81 and moving, pallet P passes through second drying section 620 and third drying section 630. In second drying section 620, moisture on the surface of pallet P is removed. In third drying section 630, residual moisture in pallet P is dried by hot air drying device 632.

[0064] The pallet P dried in the drying section 60 is further moved in the X-axis direction by the conveyor 81. As a result, the forks 10 attached to the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are inserted into the insertion opening E of the pallet P in the second receiving section 93. The pallet P moved by the rotational operation of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y has both sides photographed by the photographing device 94 at the position of the first turning section 322 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y.

[0065] Thereafter, the pallets P are stacked in the stacking section 91 to form a stack of pallets PG.

[0066] The stack of pallets PG is detached from the forks 10 attached to the second fork moving mechanism 30Y by the operation of the conveyor 92, and is carried out from the pallet washing device 100 by the forklift FL.

[0067] 〔summary〕 (1) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device comprising: a plurality of forks; a fork moving mechanism for moving the forks; a receiving unit for inserting the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by moving the pallet in a first horizontal direction; a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit for cleaning the pallet held by the forks; and a transport unit for detaching the forks from the insertion openings by moving the pallet that has been cleaned in the cleaning unit and moved while held by the forks in the first horizontal direction.

[0068] By locating the cleaning unit above the receiving unit, the space above can be effectively utilized. This allows for space savings when installing the equipment. Furthermore, by locating the cleaning unit above the receiving unit, pallets waiting to be cleaned while being moved from the receiving unit to the cleaning unit are pre-cleaned with the liquid used for cleaning in the cleaning unit, thereby saving on the amount of liquid used for cleaning. Furthermore, because the direction of transport into the equipment and the direction of transport from the cleaning unit are the same, continuous and highly efficient processing is possible.

[0069] (2) A pallet cleaning device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of the first aspect, further comprising a drying unit that dries the pallet cleaned in the cleaning unit.

[0070] By providing the drying section in the pallet washing device, the pallet can be washed and dried within the pallet washing device.

[0071] (3) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 2 above, wherein the drying unit includes a first drying unit that is positioned horizontally from the cleaning unit and is equipped with a blower that blows air toward the inside of the pallet.

[0072] This configuration allows the inside of the pallet to be drained after cleaning.

[0073] (4) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in accordance with aspect 2 or 3 above, wherein the drying section includes a second drying section equipped with a blower that blows air toward the surface of the pallet being transported by the transporting section.

[0074] This configuration allows the surface of the pallet to be drained after cleaning.

[0075] (5) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any of aspects 2 to 4 above, wherein the drying section includes a third drying section equipped with a hot air drying device that uses hot air to dry the pallet transported by the transporting section.

[0076] This configuration allows the interior and surface of the pallet to be dried efficiently after cleaning.

[0077] (6) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 5 above, wherein the hot air drying device includes a drying chamber into which heated air is introduced and a heating device that heats the air, and the heating device is located below the drying chamber.

[0078] This configuration allows the area below the drying chamber to be used effectively, thereby making it possible to further reduce the space required for the entire device.

[0079] (7) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any one of aspects 1 to 6 above, wherein the fork moving mechanism comprises a first moving unit that moves the forks upward, a turning unit that is continuous with the first moving unit and changes the direction of movement of the forks, and a second moving unit that is continuous with the turning unit and moves the forks downward.

[0080] The first moving part moves the forks holding the pallets upward, making it possible to utilize the space above. In addition, the turning part allows the pallets moving continuously to be spaced apart, making it easy to clean them at the spaced apart position.

[0081] (8) A pallet cleaning device according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of the seventh aspect, wherein the forks in the first moving section are positioned in the receiving section.

[0082] With this configuration, the fork moving mechanism can hold the pallet to be cleaned in the receiving section.

[0083] (9) A pallet washing device according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure is the pallet washing device of the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the forks in the turning section are located in the washing section.

[0084] At the turning point, the continuously moving pallets are spaced apart, making them easy to clean.

[0085] (10) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any of aspects 1 to 9 above, which is equipped with an unloading module including a stacking unit that stacks the pallets held by the forks to form a pallet stack group, and an unloading unit that moves the pallet stack group horizontally and unloads it.

[0086] This configuration allows the pallets to be transported as a stack.

[0087] (11) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 11 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in which, in the above-mentioned aspect 10, the discharge module further includes a second receiving section in which the forks are inserted into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by the conveying section moving the pallet in the first horizontal direction, and a second fork moving mechanism that moves the forks inserted into the pallet in the second receiving section, the second fork moving mechanism including a third moving section that moves the forks upward, a second turning section that is continuous with the third moving section and changes the movement direction of the multiple forks, and a fourth moving section that is continuous with the second turning section and moves the multiple forks downward, and the forks on the fourth moving section are located in the stacking section.

[0088] The discharge module can be realized by a second fork moving mechanism having the same configuration as the fork moving mechanism, which can significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

[0089] (12) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 12 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 11 above, in which the forks located in the third moving section or the second turning section are located in the second receiving section.

[0090] With this configuration, the second fork moving mechanism can hold the pallet to be cleaned in the second receiving section.

[0091] (13) A pallet cleaning device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of any one of the first to twelfth aspects, further comprising a photographing device that photographs the pallet after cleaning.

[0092] With this configuration, the imaging device installed inside the pallet washing machine can obtain information necessary for inspection, such as cracks, damage, and areas that have not been washed on the pallet. By taking images inside the pallet washing machine, where the pallets are automatically moving, the efficiency of the inspection work can be significantly improved.

[0093] (14) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 14 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any of aspects 11 to 13 above, further comprising a photographing device for photographing the pallet after cleaning, the photographing device being located above the second turning section.

[0094] This configuration allows images to be taken of both the top and bottom surfaces of the pallet.

[0095] (15) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 15 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any of aspects 11 to 14 above, wherein the fork moving mechanism comprises at least one pair of endless chains suspended in the vertical direction, and a horizontally long plate member arranged between at least one pair of the endless chains, the plate member being fixed to the links constituting each of the endless chains, the direction perpendicular to the main surface being perpendicular to the track in the track plane of the endless chain, and the forks being fixed to the plate member so that they are perpendicular to the main surface and facing outward.

[0096] The fork moving mechanism having this configuration allows the pallets P to be moved individually to the washing section located above the receiving section, and each pallet P can be moved continuously from the washing section to the drying section located horizontally.

[0097] (16) A pallet cleaning device according to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of the fifteenth aspect, wherein the endless chain rotates in one direction.

[0098] This configuration allows the fork moving mechanism to be operated with simple control.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 100···Pallet cleaning device 10···fork 20...Acceptance Department 22 Side cleaning section 222L·222R···Nozzle 30X...First fork movement mechanism 30Y Second fork movement mechanism 31. Endless chain 32...Plate member 321···First moving part 322 First Turn 323···Second moving part 40 Cleaning section 50...Standby section 60...Drying section 81 Conveyor (transport section) 90 Unloading module 610...1st drying section 620...2nd drying section 630...Third drying section 632...Hot air drying equipment 632A...Drying room 632B...Heating device 611, 621, 631... Blower P···Palette

Claims

1. Multiple forks and a fork moving mechanism that moves the forks; a receiving section that moves the pallet in a first horizontal direction to insert the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet; a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit and configured to clean the pallet held by the forks; A pallet cleaning device comprising: a conveying unit that moves the pallet, which has been cleaned in the cleaning unit and held and moved by the forks, in the first horizontal direction, thereby detaching the forks from the insertion opening.

2. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1 , further comprising a drying section that dries the pallet cleaned in the cleaning section.

3. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 2 , wherein the drying unit includes a first drying unit that is disposed horizontally from the cleaning unit and that has a blower that blows air toward the inside of the pallet.

4. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 2 , wherein the drying unit includes a second drying unit equipped with a blower that blows air toward the surface of the pallet transported by the transport unit.

5. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 2 , wherein the drying section includes a third drying section equipped with a hot air drying device that uses hot air to dry the pallet transported by the transport section.

6. 6. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the hot air drying device comprises a drying chamber into which heated air is introduced and a heating device that heats the air, the heating device being located below the drying chamber.

7. The fork moving mechanism includes a first moving unit that moves the fork upward; a turning section that is continuous with the first moving section and changes the moving direction of the fork; The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second moving unit that is continuous with the turning unit and moves the forks downward.

8. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 7 , wherein the forks in the first moving section are located in the receiving section.

9. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 7 , wherein the forks at the turning section are located in the cleaning section.

10. a stacking unit that stacks the pallets held by the forks to form a pallet stack; The pallet cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: an unloading module including: an unloading section that moves the stack of pallets in a horizontal direction and unloads the stack of pallets.

11. The discharge module further comprises: a second receiving unit that inserts the forks into insertion openings on the side surfaces of the pallet by the conveying unit moving the pallet in the first horizontal direction; a second fork moving mechanism that moves the forks inserted into the pallet in the second receiving section, The second fork moving mechanism is a third moving unit that moves the fork upward; a second turning section that is continuous with the third moving section and changes the moving direction of the plurality of forks; a fourth moving section that is continuous with the second turning section and moves the plurality of forks downward, The pallet cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the forks in the fourth moving section are located in the stacking section.

12. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 11 , wherein the forks at the third moving section or the second turning section are located at the second receiving section.

13. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing device for photographing the pallet after cleaning.

14. Further provided is a photographing device for photographing the pallet after cleaning, The pallet cleaning device according to claim 11 , wherein the photographing device is located above the second turning section.

15. The fork moving mechanism includes: At least one pair of endless chains suspended in the vertical direction, a plate member that is long in the horizontal direction and is provided across at least one pair of the endless chains, the plate member being fixed to each link that constitutes the endless chain, and the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the plate member being a direction perpendicular to the track in the track plane of the endless chain; The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the forks are fixed to the plate member so as to be perpendicular to the main surface and point outward.

16. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 15, wherein the endless chain rotates in one direction.

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