Pallet transport device

Abstract

To provide a pallet carrier adapted to inhibit a pallet arranged in such a position that detention occurs in a second area when carried from being carried to the second area.SOLUTION: A pallet carrier 1, 2 comprises a carrying unit 10 that extends in a transport direction of a pallet 5, a partitioning wall unit 30 that partitions the carrying unit 10 and its surrounding area into a first area 90 including an upstream portion 13 and a second area 91 including a downstream portion 14, a pallet loading unit 20 that is arranged in the upstream portion 13, a widthwise positioning unit 50 that is arranged on widthwise one side of the pallet loading unit 20, and a regulating unit 70a, 70b that is arranged between the pallet loading unit 20 and the partitioning wall unit 30 in a widthwise the other side of the carrying unit 10. In the second area 91, the pallet 5 is allowed to pass in an area within a predetermined permissible range 92 in a width direction of the carrying unit 10. A pallet abutment portion 51 of the widthwise positioning unit 50 and an end 71a, 71b of the regulating unit 70a, 70b are positioned inside the predetermined permissible range 92 in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In the pallet supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, empty pallets stored in a pallet magazine are sent out one by one by an output roller conveyor as needed and transported to a predetermined location. A height detector is installed along the way to detect nails or other objects protruding upward from the empty pallet. If a nail or other object protrudes upward from the empty pallet, the engagement plate of the height detector comes into contact with the nail or object and swings in the transport direction. This swing is detected by a detector installed on the swing shaft of the engagement plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-294433 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in a pallet conveying device that conveys pallets to a product placement position where products processed by an automatic processing device are placed, the surrounding area is divided into a first area where workers work and a second area where the automatic processing device is located. Within the first area, workers place pallets on the pallet placement section of the pallet conveying device. However, depending on the placement position of the pallet on the pallet placement section, the pallet may be conveyed outside the specified tolerance range and become stuck in the second area. In such cases, workers may have to reposition the stuck pallet in the second area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A pallet conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a conveying section that extends along a conveying direction of a pallet having a rectangular shape in a plan view and is capable of conveying the pallet while maintaining the orientation of the pallet in the conveying direction; a partition wall section that is provided between an upstream section and a downstream section of the conveying section in the conveying direction and that divides the conveying section and its surrounding area into a first area that includes the upstream section and a second area that includes the downstream section; a pallet placing section that is provided in the upstream section and is capable of placing the pallet; and a partition wall section that is provided on one side of the pallet placing section in a horizontal width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the partition wall section being a partition wall section that is provided on one side of the pallet placing section in a horizontal width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. and a width direction positioning section having a pallet abutment section that is arranged on the other side of the conveying section in the width direction and that is capable of positioning the pallet in the width direction by abutting against an edge portion on one side of the width direction of the pallet placed on the pallet placing section, and a regulating section that is arranged between the pallet placing section and the partition wall section, wherein in the second region, the pallet is allowed to pass within a predetermined tolerance range in the width direction of the conveying section, and the pallet abutment section and the end portion on the one side of the width direction of the regulating section are located inside the predetermined tolerance range in the width direction.

[0006] According to one aspect of this pallet conveying device, a pallet can be placed on the pallet placement section from at least the other widthwise side of the pallet placement section. The widthwise positioning section can more reliably position the pallet. Furthermore, if a pallet is positioned such that it will become stuck in the second region during conveyance, it mechanically interferes with the restricting section during conveyance, thereby preventing the pallet from being conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the pallet can be prevented from being conveyed to the second region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pallet conveying device can be provided that can prevent a pallet arranged in a position that would cause it to stagnate in the second area when conveyed from being conveyed to the second area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a pallet conveying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of a pallet conveying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a partial oblique view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section of the pallet conveying device of the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship between the conveying section, the pallet loading section, the width direction positioning section, the conveying direction positioning section, and the regulating section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet placement unit of the pallet conveying device according to the first embodiment, and shows a state in which the pallet is positioned on the pallet placement unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section to explain the operational effect of the pallet conveying device of the first embodiment, and shows a state in which the transport of a pallet loaded on the pallet loading section in a misaligned state is restricted. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partial oblique view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section of the pallet conveying device of the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship between the conveying section, the pallet loading section, the width direction positioning section, the conveying direction positioning section, and the regulating section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the conveying direction positioning unit shown in FIG. 6 has been moved to the inside in the width direction of the conveying unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of a pallet placement unit of a pallet conveying device according to the second embodiment, and shows a state in which a pallet is positioned on the pallet placement unit. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section to explain the operational effect of the pallet conveying device of the second embodiment, and shows a state in which the transport of a pallet placed on the pallet loading section in a misaligned state is restricted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Below, a pallet conveying device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the pallet conveying device. LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the pallet conveying device. UP and DN indicate the top and bottom. In the following description, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction and the left and right in the width direction of the pallet conveying device will be simply referred to as "front," "rear," "left," and "right," respectively. Elements having the same function will be given the same symbols, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0010] In the following description, the "conveying direction" refers to the direction of the route along which the pallet 5 is conveyed. In the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiments, the rear direction corresponds to the conveying direction, as indicated by arrow D in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Similarly, in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the rear direction corresponds to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the "width direction" refers to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the left-right direction corresponds to the width direction.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a pallet conveying device 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the overall configuration of the pallet conveying device 1 according to an embodiment. The pallet conveying device 1 is a device that conveys a pallet 5 to, for example, a product placement position 4. The pallet conveying device 1 comprises a conveying section 10, a pallet placement section 20, and a partition wall section 30. Furthermore, as in the illustrated example, the pallet conveying device 1 may also comprise a first device 40.

[0012] An automatic processing device (not shown) is disposed behind the pallet conveying device 1 illustrated in Figure 1 or 2. A product placement position 4 is a position where a product 3 processed by the automatic processing device is placed. The automatic processing device is a device that processes a workpiece and manufactures the product 3 without manual operation by an operator.

[0013] The automatic processing device may be, for example, a bending device that bends a plate-shaped workpiece. The product 3 is placed on a pallet 5 arranged at a product placement position 4 by, for example, a robot arm of an industrial robot provided in the automatic processing device.

[0014] As shown in the example, the pallet 5 is a loading platform made of, for example, resin, having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Furthermore, the dimensions of each side of the pallet 5 in a plan view are greater than the vertical dimension. Therefore, the pallet 5 has a flat box shape overall. The upper surface of the pallet 5 is a substantially flat surface on which the product 3 can be placed. Furthermore, the lower surface of the pallet 5 is also substantially flat. The pallets 5 can be stacked vertically.

[0015] The conveying unit 10 extends along the conveying direction of the pallet 5. The conveying unit 10 is configured to be able to convey the pallet 5 while maintaining the orientation of the pallet 5 in the conveying direction. The conveying unit 10 illustrated in the figure can convey the pallet 5 placed on the conveying unit 10 toward the first device 40. The conveying unit 10 extends approximately horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the pallet 5 on the conveying unit 10 is conveyed on an approximately horizontal plane. Note that the conveying unit 10 illustrated in the figure extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction, but is not limited to this. The conveying unit 10 may include a portion that curves, for example, to the left or right.

[0016] As illustrated in the figure, the conveying unit 10 may include a pair of conveying units 10a and 10b that are spaced apart in the width direction of the conveying unit 10 and extend parallel to each other. The conveying units 10a and 10b constitute both ends of the conveying unit 10 in the width direction. The conveying units 10a and 10b include a drive roller 11 that can be driven and controlled by a control circuit (not shown).

[0017] The drive roller 11 has a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction of the conveying section 10 and may be made of metal such as iron or steel. The drive roller 11 incorporates an electric motor (not shown) whose drive can be controlled by a control circuit. Therefore, the drive roller 11 can rotate around a central axis parallel to the extension direction thereof.

[0018] Each of the conveying sections 10a and 10b has a plurality of drive rollers 11 installed at predetermined intervals in the extension direction of the conveying section 10. Note that cover sections 12 may be attached between the plurality of drive rollers 11. The cover sections 12 are plate-like members having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and form at least a part of the upper side of the conveying section 10. Note that the upper surface of the cover section 12 is located below the uppermost portion of the outer circumferential surface of the drive roller 11.

[0019] By driving the drive rollers 11, the pallet 5 placed on the conveying section 10 can be conveyed. For example, by rotating the multiple drive rollers 11 installed on each of the conveying sections 10a and 10b clockwise as viewed from the right side, the pallet 5 on the conveying section 10 can be conveyed backward. At this time, each of the multiple drive rollers 11 installed on each of the conveying sections 10a and 10b is rotated, for example, by approximately the same amount of rotation. Therefore, during the process of conveying the pallet 5 placed on the conveying section 10, the orientation of the pallet 5 with respect to the conveying direction is maintained.

[0020] Note that "the posture relative to the conveying direction is maintained" means that there is no relative change in the angle formed by each side of the outer periphery of the pallet 5 relative to the conveying direction and in the widthwise position on the conveying unit 10 while the pallet 5 is being conveyed, and also includes a case where the relative change in the angle and the widthwise position is maintained within a predetermined tolerance range. In the example shown, while the pallet 5 is being conveyed backward, the pallet 5 does not rotate horizontally relative to the conveying unit 10, and the relative position in the widthwise direction on the conveying unit 10 does not change. Note that the amount of rotation of each of the drive rollers 11 installed on each of the conveying units 10a and 10b may be set as appropriate so that the posture of the pallet 5 is maintained relative to the conveying direction.

[0021] A pallet placement unit 20 is disposed in the upstream section 13 in the conveying direction of the conveying section 10. A pallet 5 can be placed on the pallet placement unit 20. In the illustrated example, the pallet placement unit 20 is disposed at the upstream end of the upstream section 13 in the conveying direction. Furthermore, four pallets 5 are placed on the pallet placement unit 20 in a four-tiered stack in the vertical direction, but this is not limitative. A single pallet 5 may also be placed on the pallet placement unit 20.

[0022] The upstream section 13 is a region of the conveying section 10 that extends over a predetermined range upstream in the conveying direction. The upstream side in the conveying direction refers to the upstream side in the direction in which the pallet 5 is conveyed, in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the conveying section 10. In the illustrated example, the upstream side in the conveying direction is the front side. The downstream section 14 is a region of the conveying section 10 that extends over a predetermined range downstream in the conveying direction. The downstream side in the conveying direction refers to the downstream side in the direction in which the pallet 5 is conveyed, in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the conveying section 10. In the illustrated example, the downstream side in the conveying direction is the rear side.

[0023] An intermediate section 21 may be provided in the downstream section 14. The intermediate section 21 is an area where the pallets 5 transported from the pallet loading section 20 can be temporarily placed before being carried into the first device 40. As illustrated in the figure, the intermediate section 21 may include loading positions 22a and 22b as positions where the pallets 5 can be placed. Pallets 5 are loaded in a vertically stacked four-tier configuration at each of the loading positions 22a and 22b. However, each of the loading positions 22a and 22b may also be loaded with a single pallet 5. By providing the intermediate section 21, more pallets 5 can be placed in the conveying section 10. The size of the intermediate section 21 in the conveying direction can be set appropriately depending on the size of the conveying section 10 in the conveying direction.

[0024] The partition wall 30 is provided between the upstream section 13 and the downstream section 14 in the conveying direction of the conveying section 10. The partition wall 30 also divides the conveying section 10 and its surrounding area into a first region 90 that includes the upstream section 13 and a second region 91 that includes the downstream section 14.

[0025] The first area 90 is an area extending forward of the partition wall portion 30. The first area 90 is an area where work related to the pallet conveying device 1 can be performed. For example, an operator can perform the work of placing a pallet 5 on the pallet placement portion 20. The second area 91 is an area extending rearward of the partition wall portion 30. The second area 91 is an area where automatic processing equipment and the first device 40 are located. The partition wall portion 30 may include a fence portion 31 and an object detection area 32.

[0026] The fence section 31 is a wall section erected in the peripheral area of ​​the pallet conveying device 1, and extends from the left to the right of the pallet conveying device 1. The fence section 31 may be constructed, for example, by attaching mesh or lattice panels to an aluminum frame. A partition opening 33 penetrating in the front-to-rear direction is provided in a predetermined range of the fence section 31. The conveying section 10 extends from the first area 90 to the second area 91 through the partition opening 33. The fence section 31 mechanically divides the conveying section 10 and its peripheral area into the first area 90 and the second area 91.

[0027] The object detection area 32 is formed, for example, by an object detection unit (not shown) provided in the partition opening 33. The object detection unit may be a light curtain having a light-emitting unit provided on one side in the left-right direction of the partition opening 33 and a light-receiving unit provided on the other side. The object detection area 32 is formed between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit by receiving multiple parallel optical axes emitted by the light-emitting unit. The object detection area 32 optically divides the transport section 10 and its surrounding area into a first area 90 and a second area 91.

[0028] If at least some of the multiple optical axes emitted from the light-emitting unit are not received by the light-receiving unit, the control circuit determines that an object has entered the partition opening 33, and stops, for example, the transport of pallets 5 by the pallet transport device 1 and the automatic processing device.

[0029] Because the pallet conveying device 1 is provided with the partition wall portion 30, a worker is prevented from entering the second area 91 from the first area 90. Furthermore, even if, for example, part of the worker's body enters the partition opening 33, it is possible to temporarily stop the conveyance of the pallet 5 by the pallet conveying device 1 and the automatic processing device.

[0030] The first device 40 is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying section 10. The first device 40 has an inlet 41 through which the pallets 5 conveyed from the conveying section 10 are brought in. The inlet 41 is connected to the end of the conveying section 10 on the downstream side in the conveying direction. The conveying section 10 conveys the pallets 5 while maintaining their orientation in the conveying direction, so the pallets 5 are brought into the inlet 41 in the orientation they had when they passed through the partition wall section 30. In this way, the first device 40 has an inlet 41 connected to the downstream section 14 through which the pallets 5 are brought in in the orientation they had when they passed through the partition wall section 30. The inlet 41 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the front-to-rear direction.

[0031] In the illustrated example, the first device 40 is a pallet lifting device 46. The pallet lifting device 46 is a device that supplies the lowest pallet 5 of multiple pallets 5 stacked vertically and stored in an internal space 47 to the product loading position 4. The internal space 47 is a space that can accommodate the pallet 5 carried in through the carry-in entrance 41. The internal space 47 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view.

[0032] The pallet lifting device 46 has a rear wall 42, a side wall 43a, and a side wall 43b. The rear wall 42 is a wall that defines the rear side of the internal space 47. The side wall 43a is a wall that defines the left side of the internal space 47. The side wall 43b is a wall that defines the right side of the internal space 47. The lower part of the internal space 47 is defined by the bottom (not shown) of the pallet lifting device 46. At least a portion of the bottom of the pallet lifting device 46 may be formed by the drive roller 11. In the illustrated example, the rear wall 42 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the front-to-rear direction. The side wall portions 43a, 43b have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the left-to-right direction.

[0033] The front end 44a of the side wall 43a defines the widthwise end 41a of the carrying inlet 41. The front end 44a is the upstream end of the side wall 43a in the conveying direction. The front end 44b of the side wall 43b defines the widthwise end 41b of the carrying inlet 41. The front end 44b is the upstream end of the side wall 43b in the conveying direction.

[0034] The front end 44a may have a tapered surface 45a. The tapered surface 45a is a wall surface that extends obliquely relative to the front-rear direction in a plan view. The upstream edge of the tapered surface 45a in the conveying direction is positioned outward in the width direction of the inlet 41 than the downstream edge of the tapered surface 45a in the conveying direction.

[0035] The front end 44b may have a tapered surface 45b. The tapered surface 45b is a wall surface that extends obliquely relative to the front-rear direction in a plan view. The upstream edge of the tapered surface 45b in the conveying direction is positioned outward in the width direction of the inlet 41 than the downstream edge of the tapered surface 45b in the conveying direction.

[0036] When tapered surfaces 45a and 45b are formed, left end 41a of inlet 41 is defined by the upstream edge of tapered surface 45a in the conveying direction. Similarly, right end 41b of inlet 41 is defined by the upstream edge of tapered surface 45b in the conveying direction. Therefore, the width of inlet 41 is configured to be larger than the width of internal space 47.

[0037] If the tapered surfaces 45a and 45b are not formed, the end 41a of the inlet 41 is defined by the widthwise inner edge of the front end 44a, and the end 41b of the inlet 41 is defined by the widthwise inner edge of the front end 44b.

[0038] The shape, dimensions, etc. of the conveying unit 10 or the first device 40 are not limited to the example shown in the figure. The shape, dimensions, etc. of the conveying unit 10 or the first device 40 can be set appropriately depending on, for example, the shape, dimensions, number of stacked tiers, etc. of the pallet 5. The first device 40 is not limited to the pallet lifting device 46. For example, it may be a pallet supply device that supplies one pallet 5 carried in through the carry-in entrance 41 to the product placement position 4.

[0039] Next, the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9. In the illustrated examples, one widthwise side of the pallet placement unit 20, the pallet 5, the conveying unit 10, or the regulating units 70a and 70b corresponds to the left side. The other widthwise side of the pallet placement unit 20, the pallet 5, the conveying unit 10, or the regulating units 70a and 70b corresponds to the right side. In the examples shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, one conveying direction side of the pallet placement unit 20 or the pallet 5 corresponds to the front side. The other conveying direction side of the pallet placement unit 20 or the pallet 5 corresponds to the rear side. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, one conveying direction side of the pallet placement unit 20 or the pallet 5 corresponds to the rear side. The other conveying direction side of the pallet placement unit 20 or the pallet 5 corresponds to the front side.

[0040] (First embodiment) 3 or 4, the pallet conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a width direction positioning unit 50 and a restricting unit 70a. The pallet conveying device 1 may also include a conveying direction positioning unit 60a.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the vicinity of the pallet placing unit 20 of the pallet conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship between the conveying unit 10, the pallet placing unit 20, the width direction positioning unit 50, the conveying direction positioning unit 60a, and the regulating unit 70a. Fig. 4 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet placing unit 20 of the pallet conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the pallet 5 is positioned on the pallet placing unit 20.

[0042] The width direction positioning unit 50 is disposed on one side in the horizontal width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the pallet placing unit 20. The width direction positioning unit 50 also has a pallet abutting unit 51 that can abut against an edge 6a on one side in the width direction of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placing unit 20, thereby positioning the pallet 5 in the width direction.

[0043] The width direction positioning unit 50 illustrated in the figure is erected on the left side of the pallet placement unit 20. The width direction positioning unit 50 may have, for example, an inverted C shape in a plan view and may be made of metal such as iron or steel. The width direction positioning unit 50 may be fixed to a fixture such as a bracket using a fastener such as a bolt.

[0044] The pallet abutment portion 51 may be constituted by a pallet abutment surface 52. The pallet abutment surface 52 is a surface having a substantially flat shape that constitutes the right side of the width direction positioning portion 50. The pallet abutment surface 52 extends in the front-to-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the left-to-right direction. By constituting the pallet abutment portion 51 with the pallet abutment surface 52, the pallet 5 can be more reliably positioned in the width direction in the positioning step described below.

[0045] The dimension of the pallet abutting surface 52 in the front-to-rear direction is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and can be set appropriately depending on, for example, the dimensions of the pallet 5, the dimensions of the conveying section 10, the dimensions of the pallet conveying device 1, etc. Furthermore, the pallet abutting portion 51 is not limited to being made up of the pallet abutting surface 52. For example, the pallet abutting portion 51 may be made up of a plurality of rod-shaped members having a cylindrical, rectangular, or other shape that extend in the up-and-down direction, arranged in the front-to-rear direction.

[0046] The conveying direction positioning unit 60a is disposed on one conveying direction side of the pallet placement unit 20. In addition, the conveying direction positioning unit 60a can position the pallet 5 in the conveying direction by abutting an edge 6b on one conveying direction side of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placement unit 20.

[0047] In the illustrated example, the conveying direction positioning unit 60a extends in the width direction of the conveying unit 10, on the front and left sides of the pallet loading unit 20. The conveying direction positioning unit 60a has a generally rectangular shape when viewed in an axial direction parallel to the front-rear direction, and may be made of metal such as iron or steel. In addition, the left end of the conveying direction positioning unit 60a may extend rearward and be connected to the front end of the width direction positioning unit 50.

[0048] A pallet abutment portion 61 is formed on the rear side of the conveying direction positioning portion 60a, and is capable of positioning the pallet 5 in the conveying direction by abutting against an edge portion 6b of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placement portion 20. The pallet abutment portion 61 may be configured by a pallet abutment surface 62. The pallet abutment surface 62 is a flat surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0049] The regulating portion 70a is disposed between the pallet placement portion 20 and the partition wall portion 30 on the other widthwise side of the conveying portion 10. In the illustrated example, the regulating portion 70a is erected on the right side of the conveying portion 10 in an area rearward of the pallet placement portion 20 and forward of the partition wall portion 30. The regulating portion 70a may be a columnar portion that extends in the vertical direction and has a generally C-shaped cross section. The regulating portion 70a may be made of metal such as iron or steel, and may be fixed to a fixture such as a bracket using a fastener such as a bolt.

[0050] 4, the pallet abutment portion 51 and the end portion 71a on one widthwise side of the regulating portion 70a are located inside a predetermined tolerance range 92 in the width direction of the conveying section 10. Therefore, the distance L2 in the width direction between the pallet abutment surface 52 and the end portion 71a is smaller than the dimension L5 in the width direction of the predetermined tolerance range 92.

[0051] The predetermined allowable range 92 refers to a predetermined range in the width direction of the conveying section 10 through which the pallet 5 is allowed to pass when being conveyed from the first region 90 to the second region 91. The dimension L5 in the width direction of the predetermined allowable range 92 is set so that the pallet 5 that has passed within the predetermined allowable range 92 does not become stuck in the second region 91. Therefore, in the second region 91, the pallet 5 is allowed to pass within the predetermined allowable range 92 in the width direction of the conveying section 10.

[0052] The value of dimension L5 may be set based on the positions of devices and components provided in conveying section 10 in second region 91. For example, it may be determined based on distance L3 (see FIG. 2) in the width direction between end 41a and end 41b of entrance 41. In one embodiment, the value of dimension L5 may be equal to or less than distance L3.

[0053] In addition, when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the width direction of the conveying section 10, the pallet abutting portion 51 and the end 71a on one side in the width direction of the regulating portion 70a may at least partially overlap. The end 71a may be a plane extending in a direction parallel to the conveying direction. In the illustrated example, the rear end of the pallet abutting surface 52 and the front end of the end 71a overlap when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the left-right direction.

[0054] As illustrated in the figure, a pallet 5 can be placed and positioned on the pallet placement section 20. The state in which the pallet 5 is positioned on the pallet placement section 20 is simply referred to as the "positioned state." In the example shown, an edge 6a on one side of the pallet 5 in the width direction abuts against a pallet abutting surface 52. Furthermore, an edge 6b on one side of the pallet 5 in the conveying direction abuts against a pallet abutting surface 62. Therefore, the pallet 5 is positioned in the width direction and conveying direction on the pallet placement section 20.

[0055] The shape, dimensions, etc. of the pallet 5 are not limited to the example shown in the figure. The widthwise dimension L1 of the pallet 5 only needs to be smaller than the distance L2. In the example shown in the figure, the edge 6c on the other side of the widthwise direction of the pallet 5 is located inside the end 71a of the restricting portion 70a in the widthwise direction.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the arrangement of the entrance 41, the width direction positioning unit 50, and the restricting unit 70a will be described.

[0057] The end 41a on one widthwise side of the carrying inlet 41 is located widthwise outside the pallet abutment portion 51 of the widthwise positioning portion 50. The end 41b on the other widthwise side of the carrying inlet 41 is located widthwise outside the end 71a on one widthwise side of the restricting portion 70a. The one widthwise side of the carrying inlet 41 corresponds to the left side. The other widthwise side of the carrying inlet 41 corresponds to the right side.

[0058] As illustrated in the figure, imaginary surface 80a, which is formed by virtually extending parallel to the conveying direction from pallet abutment surface 52 toward carry-in entrance 41, intersects with the opening plane of carry-in entrance 41 on a widthwise inner side of end 41a of carry-in entrance 41. Furthermore, imaginary surface 80b, which is formed by virtually extending parallel to the conveying direction from end 71a toward carry-in entrance 41, intersects with the opening plane of carry-in entrance 41 on a widthwise inner side of end 41b of carry-in entrance 41. Therefore, distance L3 is greater than distance L2. The opening plane of carry-in entrance 41 is a plane defined by the inner peripheral edge of carry-in entrance 41.

[0059] (Second embodiment) Similar to the pallet conveying device 1, the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment comprises a conveying section 10, a pallet placing section 20, and a partition wall section 30. The pallet conveying device 2 may also comprise a first device 40. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the pallet conveying device 2 comprises a width direction positioning section 50 and a regulating section 70b. The pallet conveying device 2 may also comprise a conveying direction positioning section 60b. In the following description of the second embodiment, only the configurations that differ from the preceding embodiments and variants (hereinafter referred to as the preceding embodiments, etc.) will be described. Elements that have the same functions as elements already described in the preceding embodiments, etc. will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the vicinity of the pallet placement unit 20 of the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing the arrangement relationship between the conveying unit 10, the pallet placement unit 20, the width direction positioning unit 50, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b, and the regulating unit 70b. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the state in which the conveying direction positioning unit 60b shown in Fig. 6 has been moved to the inside in the width direction of the conveying unit 10. Fig. 8 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet placement unit 20 of the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which a pallet 5 is positioned on the pallet placement unit 20.

[0061] The regulating portion 70b is disposed between the pallet placement portion 20 and the partition wall portion 30 on the other widthwise side of the conveying portion 10. In the illustrated example, the regulating portion 70b is erected in an area on the right side of the conveying portion 10, rearward of the pallet placement portion 20 and forward of the partition wall portion 30. The regulating portion 70b may be a columnar member extending in the vertical direction. The regulating portion 70b may be made of metal such as iron or steel, and may be fixed to a fixture such as a bracket using a fastener such as a bolt. Note that an end portion 71b on one widthwise side of the regulating portion 70b may be a flat surface extending in a direction parallel to the conveying direction.

[0062] The restricting portion 70b may include a conveying direction positioning portion 60b. In the illustrated example, the end portion 71b is configured by the conveying direction positioning portion 60b. The conveying direction positioning portion 60b has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the left-right direction.

[0063] Extending portions 72a and 72b extend from the right side of the conveying direction positioning portion 60b. The extending portions 72a and 72b are columnar portions extending in the left-right direction and may have, for example, a cylindrical shape. The right ends of the extending portions 72a and 72b are connected to each other by a gripping portion 73 extending in the up-down direction.

[0064] The extensions 72a and 72b are slidably supported by the support portion 74. The support portion 74 has a plate-like shape extending in the vertical direction, and a pair of openings (not shown) penetrating in the left-right direction are formed in each of the upper and lower regions of the support portion 74. The extensions 72a and 72b are slidably inserted into the pair of openings. Therefore, the conveying direction positioning portion 60b is supported by the support portion 74 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. Therefore, for example, an operator can grasp the grip portion 73 and move the conveying direction positioning portion 60b toward the inside in the width direction of the conveying portion 10, as shown by arrow B in FIG. 7 . In other words, the conveying direction positioning portion 60b is disposed between the pallet placement portion 20 and the partition wall portion 30 so as to be movable in the width direction of the conveying portion 10.

[0065] In this way, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is included in the regulating unit 70b. Therefore, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is disposed on one conveying direction side of the pallet placing unit 20. In the example shown, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is disposed on the rear side of the pallet placing unit 20. Furthermore, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b can position the pallet 5 in the conveying direction by abutting an edge 6d on one conveying direction side of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placing unit 20.

[0066] The conveying direction positioning portion 60b may include a pallet abutment portion 63 that forms its front end portion. In the example shown, the pallet abutment portion 63 is formed by a pallet abutment surface 64 that is a flat surface extending in the vertical direction.

[0067] Note that the pallet abutment portion 51 and the end portion 71b of the regulating portion 70b on one side in the width direction may at least partially overlap when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the width direction of the conveying portion 10. In the example shown, the rear end portion of the pallet abutment surface 52 and the end portion 71b overlap when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the left-right direction.

[0068] 8, when the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is moved toward the inside in the width direction of the conveying unit 10, the pallet 5 can be positioned on the pallet placement unit 20. In the example shown, the edge 6a of the pallet 5 is in contact with the pallet abutment surface 52. Furthermore, the edge 6d of the pallet 5 is in contact with the pallet abutment surface 64. Therefore, the pallet 5 is positioned in the width direction and the conveying direction on the pallet placement unit 20.

[0069] Note that end 71b of regulating portion 70b corresponds to end 71a of regulating portion 70a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, pallet abutment portion 51 and end 71b on one widthwise side of regulating portion 70b are located inside predetermined tolerance range 92 in the width direction of conveying section 10. Therefore, distance L4 in the width direction between pallet abutment surface 52 and end 71b is smaller than dimension L5. Furthermore, end 41b on the other widthwise side of carry-in entrance 41 is located outside end 71b on one widthwise side of regulating portion 70b in the width direction. Therefore, distance L3 (see FIG. 2) is greater than distance L4.

[0070] In the illustrated example, the restricting portion 70b includes the conveying direction positioning portion 60b, but is not limited to this. For example, the conveying direction positioning portion 60b may be disposed between the pallet placement portion 20 and the partition wall portion 30, separately from the restricting portion 70b, so as to be movable in the width direction of the conveying portion 10.

[0071] Next, an example of the operation of the pallet conveying device 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 or FIG.

[0072] First, a worker performs the pallet placing process in the first area 90. The pallet placing process is a process of placing the pallet 5 on the pallet placing section 20. In the illustrated example, the pallet 5 can be placed on the pallet placing section 20 from the right or the front. The pallet placing process may be performed by a worker.

[0073] When placing multiple pallets 5, the pallets 5 may be stacked one by one on the pallet placement section 20. Alternatively, multiple pallets 5 may be stacked vertically in multiple levels and placed on the pallet placement section 20. The pallet placement process may also be carried out using a pallet truck, forklift truck, or the like. A pallet truck is a transport vehicle equipped with the function of supporting cargo so that it can be raised and lowered. A forklift truck is a cargo handling vehicle equipped with the function of supporting cargo so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0074] Next, a positioning process is carried out to position the pallet 5. In the positioning process, first, for example, an operator presses the pallet 5 on the pallet placement unit 20 against the width direction positioning unit 50 from the right. This causes the edge 6a of the pallet 5 to come into contact with the pallet abutment surface 52. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the edge 6a and the pallet abutment surface 52 are in line contact in a plan view. Next, the pallet 5 is pressed against the transport direction positioning unit 60a from the rear. This causes the edge 6b of the pallet 5 to come into contact with the pallet abutment surface 62. In the example shown, the edge 6b and the pallet abutment surface 62 are in line contact in a plan view. Through this positioning process, the pallet 5 is placed in a positioned state.

[0075] Next, a transport process is performed in which the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placement section 20 is transported. The transport process may be started by an operator operating the operation section 8 installed in the first area 90. In the transport process, the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placement section 20 passes between the width direction positioning section 50 and the regulating section 70a and is transported toward the second area 91. Note that detection of objects passing through the partition opening 33 by the object detection section is suspended for a predetermined time until the pallet 5 passes through the partition opening 33 and is transported into the second area 91. After the pallet 5 passes through the partition opening 33 and is transported into the second area 91, detection of objects by the object detection section is resumed.

[0076] The pallet 5 carried into the second area 91 is carried into the entrance 41 of the pallet lifting device 46 via the intermediate section 21 and placed in the internal space 47. The pallet 5 placed in the internal space 47 is supplied to the product placement position 4 as appropriate. In the example shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the pallet 5 is supplied to the product placement position 4 on the left side by a cylinder (not shown) attached to the bottom of the pallet lifting device 46. The cylinder may be a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder that can extend and retract in the left-right direction. When the pallet 5 is carried into the internal space 47, the pallet 5 may be transported so that the edge 6d is pressed against the rear wall 42. This makes it possible to more reliably position the pallet 5 in the internal space 47 in the conveying direction.

[0077] If the first device 40 has the tapered surface 45a or the tapered surface 45b, the pallet 5 can be more reliably carried into the first device 40. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 2, even if the edge 6c of the pallet 5 comes into contact with the tapered surface 45b, the pallet 5 can be guided into the internal space 47 along the tapered surface 45b.

[0078] When performing the positioning process in the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is moved inward in the width direction of the conveying unit 10. Then, the pallet 5 on the pallet placement unit 20 is pressed against the width direction positioning unit 50 from the right. This causes the edge 6a of the pallet 5 to come into contact with the pallet contact surface 52. In the illustrated example, the edge 6a and the pallet contact surface 52 are in line contact in a plan view. Next, the pallet 5 is pressed against the conveying direction positioning unit 60b from the front. This causes the edge 6d of the pallet 5 to come into contact with the pallet contact surface 64. In the illustrated example, the edge 6d and the pallet contact surface 64 are in line contact in a plan view. This positioning process allows the pallet 5 to be positioned. Then, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is moved outward in the width direction of the conveying unit 10. This allows the pallet 5 to pass between the pallet contact surface 52 and the regulating unit 70b during the conveying process.

[0079] Next, the effects of the pallet conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, a "misaligned state" refers to a state in which the pallet 5 is disposed in a position that causes it to become stuck in the second region 91 when conveyed. For example, if a pallet 5 placed in a misaligned state is conveyed from the first region 90 to the second region 91 on the conveying section 10 with a portion outside the predetermined tolerance range 92, there is a risk of mechanical interference with the ends 41a, 41b of the entrance 41. Such interference could cause the pallet 5a to become stuck in the entrance 41.

[0080] Figure 5 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section 20 to explain the operational effect of the pallet conveying device 1 of the first embodiment, and shows a state in which the transport of a pallet 5a loaded on the pallet loading section 20 in a misaligned state is restricted.

[0081] In the misaligned state illustrated in the figure, the pallet outer end 7 is located widthwise further outward than the end 71a of the restricting portion 70a. The pallet outer end 7 is the portion of the edge 6c on the other widthwise side of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet placement section 20 that is located most outward in the widthwise direction.

[0082] The pallet 5a shown in the figure is a pallet 5 that is placed in a misaligned state. The corner located on the rear side of the edge 6a is in contact with the pallet contact surface 52. The pallet 5a is placed in a position where the edge 6a diagonally intersects with the conveyance direction in a plan view. Therefore, the pallet outer edge 7 is located to the right of the edge 71a. In the example shown, the pallet outer edge 7 is the corner located on the frontmost side of the edge 6c.

[0083] During the conveying process, the pallet 5a is conveyed in the direction of arrow A shown in the figure. At this time, the pallet 5a comes into contact with the regulating portion 70a. In the illustrated example, the edge 6c comes into contact with the end 71a. Because of this mechanical interference between the pallet 5a and the regulating portion 70a, the drive roller 11 in contact with the bottom surface of the pallet 5a rotates idly. This prevents the pallet 5a from being conveyed to the second region 91.

[0084] Next, the effects of the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0085] Figure 9 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of the pallet loading section 20 to explain the operational effect of the pallet conveying device 2 of the second embodiment, and shows a state in which the transport of a pallet 5a loaded on the pallet loading section 20 in a misaligned state is restricted.

[0086] The rear corner of the edge 6a of the pallet 5a shown in the figure abuts against the pallet abutment surface 52. The pallet 5a is placed with the edge 6a obliquely intersecting the conveyance direction in a plan view. Therefore, the outer edge 7 of the pallet is located to the right of the edge 71b.

[0087] During the conveying process, the pallet 5a is conveyed in the direction of arrow C shown in the figure. At this time, the pallet 5a comes into contact with the regulating portion 70b. In the illustrated example, the edge 6c comes into contact with the end 71b of the regulating portion 70b. Because of this mechanical interference between the pallet 5a and the regulating portion 70b, the drive roller 11 in contact with the bottom surface of the pallet 5a rotates freely. This prevents the pallet 5a from being conveyed to the second region 91.

[0088] The pallet conveying devices 1, 2 may be configured to detect when the conveyance of the pallet 5a is restricted. For example, if the pallet 5 is not detected at a predetermined position in the second area 91 for a predetermined time, the control circuit may determine that the conveyance of the pallet 5a is restricted and stop driving the drive roller 11. The pallet 5 in the second area 91 may be detected, for example, using a photoelectric sensor (not shown) attached between the placement positions 22a and 22b or near the front side of the carry-in entrance 41. A contact-type displacement sensor may be provided in the restriction units 70a, 70b to detect contact with the pallet 5a.

[0089] The pallet conveying devices 1, 2 may also include a return conveying section 100 that conveys a pallet 5 placed at the product placement position 4 forward, as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, for example. The return conveying section 100 extends from the first area 90 to the second area 91 via the partition wall section 30. A pallet removal section 101 is disposed at the front end of the first area 90 of the return conveying section 100. An operator can remove the pallet 5 from the pallet removal section 101. This allows the operator to remove the pallet 5 on which the products 3 are placed in the first area 90.

[0090] (1) The pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiments comprise a conveying section 10 that extends along the conveying direction of a pallet 5 having a rectangular shape in a planar view and is capable of conveying the pallet 5 while maintaining the orientation of the pallet 5 relative to the conveying direction; a partition wall section 30 that is provided between an upstream section 13 and a downstream section 14 in the conveying direction of the conveying section 10 and that divides the conveying section 10 and its surrounding area into a first area 90 that includes the upstream section 13 and a second area 91 that includes the downstream section 14; a pallet mounting section 20 that is disposed in the upstream section 13 and is capable of placing the pallet 5; a widthwise positioning section 50 that is disposed on one side of the pallet mounting section 20 in a horizontal widthwise direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and has a pallet abutment section 51 that can position the pallet 5 in the widthwise direction by abutting against an edge section 6a on one side of the widthwise direction of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet mounting section 20; and regulating sections 70a and 70b that are disposed on the other widthwise side of the conveying section 10 between the pallet mounting section 20 and the partition wall section 30. In the second region 91, the pallet 5 is allowed to pass within a predetermined tolerance range 92 in the width direction of the conveying section 10, and the pallet abutment portion 51 and the ends 71a, 71b on one side of the width direction of the regulating portions 70a, 70b are located inside the predetermined tolerance range 92 in the width direction.

[0091] According to the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 of the present embodiment, the pallet 5 can be placed on the pallet placement section 20 from at least the other widthwise side of the pallet placement section 20. The widthwise positioning unit 50 can more reliably position the pallet 5. Furthermore, if a pallet 5a is positioned such that it would become stuck in the second region 91 during transport, it mechanically interferes with the restricting units 70a and 70b during transport, preventing it from being transported downstream in the transport direction. This prevents the pallet 5a from being transported to the second region 91. This allows a worker in the first region 90 to reposition the pallet 5a to a position where it will not become stuck in the second region 91 during transport. This ultimately prevents workers from entering the second region 91, where automatic processing equipment and the like are located.

[0092] (2) The pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiments include a first device 40 having an inlet 41 connected to the downstream section 14, through which the pallet 5 is brought in in the position it was in when it passed through the partition wall section 30. An end 41a on one widthwise side of the inlet 41 is located outside the pallet abutment section 51 of the widthwise positioning section 50, and an end 41b on the other widthwise side of the inlet 41 is located outside the ends 71a and 71b on one widthwise side of the regulating sections 70a and 70b.

[0093] The pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the present embodiment include a first device 40 having an inlet 41. Pallets 5a positioned such that they would become stuck at the inlet 41 during conveyance are prevented from being conveyed downstream in the conveying direction by mechanically interfering with the restricting members 70a and 70b. This prevents the pallets 5a from being conveyed to the second area 91. This allows a worker in the first area 90 to reposition the pallet 5a so that it will not become stuck at the inlet 41 during conveyance. This in turn prevents workers from entering the second area 91 where the automatic processing equipment and the first device 40 are located.

[0094] (3) In the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiment, the pallet contacting portion 51 and the end portions 71a and 71b on one side in the width direction of the restricting portions 70a and 70b at least partially overlap when viewed in the axial direction parallel to the width direction.

[0095] According to the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 of the embodiments, when the pallet 5a abuts against the restricting portions 70a and 70b during conveyance, the edge portion 6a on one widthwise side of the pallet 5a can be brought into contact with the pallet abutting portion 51. This restricts movement of the pallet 5a toward one widthwise side of the conveying section 10. This more reliably causes mechanical interference between the pallet 5a and the restricting portions 70a and 70b. This more reliably prevents the pallet 5a from being conveyed downstream in the conveying direction. This more reliably prevents the pallet 5a from being conveyed to the second region 91.

[0096] (4) The pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiment are provided with conveying direction positioning sections 60a and 60b which are arranged on one side of the pallet loading section 20 in the conveying direction and which are capable of positioning the pallet 5 in the conveying direction by abutting the edge sections 6b and 6d on one side of the conveying direction of the pallet 5 placed on the pallet loading section 20.

[0097] According to the pallet conveying devices 1 and 2 of the embodiment, the conveying direction positioning units 60a and 60b can more reliably position the pallet 5 in the pallet placing unit 20 in the conveying direction.

[0098] (5) In the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is disposed between the pallet placement unit 20 and the partition wall unit 30 so as to be movable in the width direction.

[0099] In the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is disposed downstream in the conveying direction of the pallet placing unit 20 in the first area 90. This prevents the conveying direction positioning unit 60b from interfering with the placing operation when the pallet 5 is placed from the front side of the pallet placing unit 20 during the pallet placing process. This makes it easier to place the pallet 5 on the pallet placing unit 20.

[0100] (6) In the pallet conveying device 2 according to the second embodiment, the restricting portion 70b includes the conveying direction positioning portion 60b.

[0101] According to the pallet conveying device 2 of the second embodiment, the conveying direction positioning unit 60b is included in the regulating unit 70b. This allows some of the components that make up the regulating unit 70b to be shared with some of the components that make up the conveying direction positioning unit 60b. This reduces the number of components that make up the pallet conveying device 2 of the embodiment, making it easier to configure the pallet conveying device 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1,2 Pallet transport device 3 products 4 Product placement position 5,5a palette 6a,6b,6c,6d Edge 7 Pallet outer edge 8 Control section 10, 10a, 10b Conveying section 11 Drive roller 12 Cover 13 Upper reaches 14 Downstream 20 Pallet placement area 21 Middle section 22a Placement position 22b Placement position 30 Partition wall 31 Fence section 32 Object Detection Area 33 Partition opening 40 1st device 41 Loading entrance 41a End 41b End 42 Rear wall 43a,43b Side wall part 44a,44b Front end 45a, 45b tapered surface 46 Pallet lifting device 47 Interior Space 50 Width direction positioning part 51 Pallet contact part 52 Pallet contact surface 60a, 60b Conveying direction positioning unit 61 Pallet contact part 62 Pallet contact surface 63 Pallet contact part 64 Pallet contact surface 70a,70b Regulation Department 71a,71b End 72a,72b extension part 73 Gripping part 74 Support part 80a, 80b Virtual surface 90 1st area 91 Second area 92 Prescribed tolerance 100 Return transport section 101 Pallet removal section

Claims

1. a conveying unit that extends along a conveying direction of a pallet having a rectangular shape in a plan view and is capable of conveying the pallet while maintaining the orientation of the pallet with respect to the conveying direction; a partition wall portion provided between an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the conveying portion in the conveying direction, the partition wall portion dividing the conveying portion and its surrounding area into a first area including the upstream portion and a second area including the downstream portion; a pallet placement section disposed in the upstream section and capable of placing the pallet; a width direction positioning unit that is disposed on one side of the pallet placement unit in a horizontal width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and has a pallet abutment portion that can position the pallet in the width direction by abutting an edge portion of the one side in the width direction of the pallet placed on the pallet placement unit; a regulating section disposed between the pallet placement section and the partition wall section on the other side of the conveying section in the width direction; a conveyance direction positioning section that is disposed on one side of the pallet placement section in the conveyance direction and that is capable of positioning the pallet in the conveyance direction by abutting an edge portion of the pallet placed on the pallet placement section on the one side in the conveyance direction; Equipped with In the second region, the pallet is allowed to pass through within a predetermined allowable range in the width direction of the conveying section, the pallet abutment portion and the end portion on one side in the width direction of the regulating portion are located inside the predetermined tolerance range in the width direction, the conveying direction positioning unit is disposed between the pallet placement unit and the partition wall unit so as to be movable in the width direction; Pallet transport device.

2. a first device having an inlet connected to the downstream portion, into which the pallet is carried in the attitude when it passed through the partition wall portion; an end portion on one side in the width direction of the carry-in entrance is positioned outside the pallet abutment portion of the width direction positioning portion in the width direction; The pallet transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the other widthwise end of the entrance is positioned outside the one widthwise end of the restricting portion.

3. The pallet conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pallet abutment portion and an end portion of the regulating portion on one side in the width direction at least partially overlap each other when viewed in an axial direction parallel to the width direction.

4. The pallet conveying device according to claim 1 , wherein the regulating portion includes the conveying direction positioning portion.

Images