Transport System

Abstract

To provide a driving force to a conveyor of a relay transport device capable of changing posture thereof.SOLUTION: A relay transport device (100) comprises: a conveyor(10) including a first rotating body (11), capable of conveying a package by rotating the first rotating body (11) around a first rotating shaft (11a), and of changing posture between transport posture and retract posture; a transport drive device (30) having a first driving member (13) that rotationally drives the first rotating body (11) around the first rotating shaft (11a), and a first driving section (31) that drives the first driving member(13); and a posture changing device (50) changing the posture between the transport posture and the retract posture by rotating the conveyor (10) around the first rotating shaft (11a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intermediary conveyance device whose posture can be changed between a conveyance posture and a retracted posture. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an intermediary conveyance device that can be inserted into a linear cargo transport path such as a conveyor and can switch between a transport position and a retracted position. Patent Document 1 discloses the use of such an intermediary conveyance device in a transport path between a transport vehicle and a shelf in an automated warehouse. Patent Document 2 discloses the insertion of a fire shutter when the intermediary conveyance device is in the retracted position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5626579 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-19576 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a relay conveying path where the relay conveying device can be retracted, it is difficult to arrange a drive device for transporting luggage in order to make the relay conveying path retractable (movable). On the other hand, if the relay conveying path needs to be considerably long, it is preferable to arrange a drive device for transporting luggage in the relay conveying path. The drive device for transporting luggage is, for example, a roller that can rotate by itself and is arranged in the relay conveying path.

[0005] The relay conveyance device of Patent Document 1 has multiple rollers arranged in the relay conveyance section. These multiple rollers are basically driven rollers that do not have a drive source. Although it is stated that the rollers in the relay conveyance path may be driven rollers, there is no sufficient disclosure as to how this is achieved. Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, one roller arranged in the relay conveyance path is a driven roller.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a simple method for providing driving force to a conveyor of an intermediary transport device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Below, several aspects will be described as means for solving the problems. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

[0008] The relay transport device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a conveyor having a first rotor, capable of conveying cargo by rotating the first rotor around a first rotation axis, and capable of changing its position between a conveying position and a retracted position; a transport drive device including a first drive member that drives the first rotor to rotate around the first rotation axis, and a first drive unit that drives the first drive member; a position changing device that changes the position of the conveyor between a transport position and a retracted position by rotating the conveyor around a first rotation shaft; Equipped with.

[0009] The cargo to be conveyed here is, more precisely, the cargo and / or a container for accommodating the cargo. The first driving member is, for example, a chain or a belt. The first driving unit is, for example, a motor.

[0010] The relay conveyance device of the first aspect includes a conveyance drive device, and is capable of conveying luggage by driving the first rotor to rotate. Because the relay conveyance device has the driving force to convey luggage, it is possible to relay luggage along a relatively long distance conveyance path.

[0011] Furthermore, since the first drive unit of the transport drive device is disposed via the first drive member, it can be disposed at a remote position and does not interfere with the position of the conveyor whose posture is changed.

[0012] Furthermore, since the first rotation axis of the first rotor that transports the load and the rotation axis when changing the position of the conveyor are the same, the drive transmission member of the conveyor does not sag during the position change.

[0013] The position-changing device includes an extension / contraction mechanism that extends and contracts to change the position of the conveyor between a transport position and a retracted position, and a second drive unit that extends and contracts the extension / contraction mechanism. The second drive unit is, for example, a motor.

[0014] The telescopic mechanism may be a link mechanism or a cylinder mechanism.

[0015] The attitude changing device may further include a second drive member that drives the link mechanism, and the second drive unit may drive the second drive member. The second drive member may be, for example, a chain or a belt.

[0016] Since the second drive unit is disposed via the second drive member, it can be disposed at a remote position and does not interfere with the position of the conveyor whose position the second drive unit changes.

[0017] The conveyor may further include a third drive member driven by rotation of the first rotor and a second rotor rotated by driving the third drive member. Transport of the load by the conveyor is achieved by driving the third drive member. Here, the third drive member is, for example, a chain or a belt.

[0018] A conveying system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an intermediary conveying device, a first conveying device disposed on the first rotating body side of the intermediary conveying device, and a second conveying device disposed on the opposite side of the first conveying device. When the conveyor is in the conveying position, the conveying system forms a continuous conveying path with the first conveying device, the intermediary conveying device, and the second conveying device, and when the conveyor is in the retracted position, a shutter can be placed between the intermediary conveying device and the second conveying device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The relay conveyance device of the present disclosure is driven by a conveyor, so it can transport cargo even if the relay conveyance path is relatively long. Also, because the drive shaft of the conveyor and the rotation axis for changing the position of the conveyor are the same, the drive transmission member of the conveyor is less likely to sag when changing the position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of the conveying system 1 as seen from a direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction X. In FIG. 1, the conveyor 10 of the intermediary conveying device 100 is in a conveying position. [Figure 2] 2 is a view of the conveying system 1 as seen from a direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction X. In FIG. 2, the intermediary conveying device 100 is in a retracted position. [Figure 3] 1 is a view of the intermediary conveyance device 100 as seen from a direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction X. The conveyor 10 of the intermediary conveyance device 100 is in a conveying position. [Figure 4] 1 is a view of the intermediary conveyance device 100 as seen from the conveyance direction X. In particular, the first rotor 11, the swing rotor 54, and their connecting portions are depicted as the focus. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram showing the intermediary conveyance device 100 as seen from above (direction Z), with the conveyor 10 and the conveyance drive device 30 particularly shown as the focus. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram showing the intermediary transport device 100 as seen from above (direction Z), with the attitude changing device 50 being particularly shown as the center. [Figure 7]1 is a perspective view of the intermediary conveyance device 100. The conveyor 10 is in a conveying position. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view of the intermediary conveyance device 100. The conveyor 10 is in a retracted position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the intermediary transport device 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] 1. First embodiment (1) Transport System 1 1 or 2, the conveying system 1 of this embodiment includes an intermediary conveying device 100, a first conveying device 200, and a second conveying device 300. The intermediary conveying device 100 is inserted between the first conveying device 200 and the second conveying device 300. The first conveying device 200, the intermediary conveying device 100, and the second conveying device 300 are connected together to form a linear conveying path R.

[0022] The conveying system 1 is placed, for example, at a loading / unloading entrance of a warehouse. The first conveying device 200 is placed in a room I of the warehouse. The second conveying device 300 is placed outside O of the room I in which the first conveying device 200 is installed, i.e., outdoors or in another room. In other words, the conveying system 1 carries packages in and out of the room I from outside the room I.

[0023] In this embodiment, the objects to be transported are packages and / or containers that contain packages. Examples of containers include pallets and trays. In this embodiment, the objects to be transported are pallets or packages placed on pallets.

[0024] The first conveying device 200 includes a main body 210 , a chain 221 , and a pallet guide 211 .

[0025] The relay conveying device 100 is fixed to the main body 210 of the first conveying device 200. The relay conveying device 100 can take a conveying position and a retracted position. As shown in FIG. 1, when the relay conveying device 100 takes the conveying position, the relay conveying device 100 is positioned between the inside and outside of a room I, and the conveying path R is continuous. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when the relay conveying device 100 takes the retracted position, the relay conveying device 100 is positioned inside the room I, the conveying path R is cut off, and the relay conveying device 100 cannot convey any packages. When the relay conveying device 100 takes the retracted position, a space is created between the relay conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 300, making it possible to insert a sheet shutter 401 and a fire shutter 402.

[0026] Room I is a constant temperature room. It may also be a refrigerator or freezer. Sheet shutter 401 has a structure that insulates the inside of room I from the outside O. Room I is maintained at a predetermined temperature by an air conditioning system or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, sheet shutter 401 is normally kept down and the loading / unloading opening of room I is kept closed. Only when cargo is being carried in or out of room I is sheet shutter 401 raised and relay conveyance device 100 is set to the conveying position. In other words, relay conveyance device 100 is always kept in the retracted position, but is frequently changed to the conveying position. Fire shutter 402 closes in the event of an emergency such as a fire, and serves to isolate the inside of room I from the outside O.

[0027] In the transport system 1 of the present disclosure, the space created by the intermediary transport device 100 being in the retracted posture needs to be a fairly long space because two shutters 401 and 402 need to be inserted into the space.

[0028] (2) Intermediate transport device 100 (2.1) Transport of cargo by conveyor 10 and transport drive device 30 The relay conveying device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a view of the relay conveying device 100 as seen from direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction X, FIG. 4 is a view of the relay conveying device 100 as seen from the conveying direction X, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are views of the relay conveying device 100 as seen from above (direction Z). FIG. 5 particularly focuses on the conveyor 10 and the conveyor drive device 30, and FIG. 6 particularly focuses on the position changing device 50. FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the relay conveying device 100. In FIG. 7, the conveyor 10 is in the conveying position, and in FIG. 8, the conveyor 10 is in the retracted position. Note that in FIGS. 7 and 8, the left and right of direction X are reversed from FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0029] The relay conveyance device 100 includes a conveyor 10, a conveyance driving device 30, a position changing device 50, and a control unit .

[0030] Conveyor 10 includes a first rotor 11, a second rotor 12, a chain 13, a frame 14, and a crossover roller 15. First rotor 11 of conveyor 10 is rotatably attached to frame 14. Rotation of first rotor 11 around rotation axis 11a enables conveyor 10 to change between a conveying position and a retracted position. First rotor 11 and second rotor 12 are rotatably attached to frame 14. First rotor 11 and second rotor 12 are arranged side by side in conveying direction X. Two chains 13 are wound around first rotor 11 and second rotor 12. When conveyor 10 is in the conveying position, first rotor 11 and second rotor 12 rotate relative to frame 14, and chain 13 rotates accordingly, thereby conveying packages.

[0031] The first rotating body 11 has a shaft body 110, two sprockets 111, 111 attached to both ends of the shaft body 110, and one sprocket 20 attached to the shaft body 110 between the two sprockets 111, 111.

[0032] The second rotating body 12 includes two sprockets 121, 121. The two sprockets 121, 121 rotate around a common rotation axis 12a.

[0033] Two chains 13, 13 are arranged parallel to the conveying direction X of the conveyor 10. The two chains 13, 13 move in the same direction at the same speed, allowing the load to be conveyed in the conveying direction X. Each chain 13 is hung on a sprocket 111 of the first rotating body 11 and a sprocket 121 of the second rotating body 12.

[0034] Two transfer rollers 15 are attached to the frame 14 and assist in the transfer of cargo and pallets between the second rotating body 12 and the second transfer device 300. The transfer rollers 15 are driven rollers.

[0035] The conveyor drive device 30 includes a chain 33 that drives the sprocket 20 of the first rotor 11, and a conveyor motor 31 that drives the chain 33. The motor 31 includes a rotating shaft and a sprocket 32 ​​attached to the rotating shaft. The motor 31 is located away from the conveyor 10. The motor 31 is attached to the main body 210 of the first conveyor device 200. The chain 33 is looped around the sprocket 32 ​​of the motor 31 and the sprocket 20 of the first rotor 11. When the motor 31 is driven, it drives the chain 33, which rotates the sprocket 20 of the first rotor 11 around the first rotating shaft 11a. The rotation of the sprocket 20 rotates the first rotor 11, and the driving force is transmitted to the two chains 13 via the sprockets 111, 111. As the chain 13 is driven, the package is conveyed in the conveyance direction X. The second rotor 12 is driven by the drive of the chain 13 .

[0036] (2.2) Changing the conveying position and the retracted position of the conveyor 10 by the position changing device 50 The attitude changing device 50 includes an extension / contraction mechanism, a swing rotor 54, a chain 53, a motor 51, a stopper 56, and angle detection devices 57, 58, and 59. In this embodiment, the extension / contraction mechanism is a link mechanism 55. The extension / contraction mechanism may also be a cylinder mechanism.

[0037] The link mechanism 55 has two sets of first and second plates 551 and 552, and a connecting rod 553. One end 551a of the first plate 551 is rotatably attached to the lower part of the frame 14 of the conveyor 10 on the side of the second rotor 12. The other end 551b of the first plate 551 is rotatably attached to one end 552a of the second plate 552. A connecting rod 553 is connected to the connecting portion between the first plate 551 and the second plate 552 (see FIG. 4). The connecting rod 553 connects the connecting portions of the first plate 551 and the second plate 552 at two points. The other end 552b of the second plate 552 is connected to the shaft 540 of the swing rotor 54. The second plate 552 rotates together with the rotation of the swing rotor 54.

[0038] The swing rotator 54 has a shaft 540 and a sprocket 541 attached to the shaft 540. The swing rotator 54 is fixed to the main body 210 of the first conveyance device 200.

[0039] The swing motor 51 includes a rotating shaft and a sprocket 52 attached to the rotating shaft. The swing motor 51 is disposed at a position separated from the conveyor 10. The swing motor 51 is attached to the main body 210 of the first conveying device 200.

[0040] The chain 53 is looped around the sprocket 52 of the swing motor 51 and the sprocket 541 of the swing rotor 54. The swing motor 51 is driven to drive the chain 53. The chain 53 rotates the swing rotor 54. When the swing rotor 54 rotates, the second plate 552 of the link mechanism 55 rotates around the shaft 540. The rotation of the second plate 552 also rotates the first plate 551. This causes the link mechanism 55 to expand and contract, and the conveyor 10 to rotate around the rotation shaft 11a of the first rotor 11. In other words, the posture of the conveyor 10 is changed.

[0041] 3, when the length of link mechanism 55 is at its longest, in other words, when the longitudinal directions of first plate 551 and second plate 552 are substantially aligned, conveyor 10 assumes the conveying position. Stopper 56 is provided to prevent the connection between first plate 551 and second plate 552 from rotating any further.

[0042] The angle detectors 57, 58, and 59 detect the rotation angle of the swing rotor 54. The rotation angle of the swing rotor 54 corresponds to the rotation angle of the conveyor 10 around the rotation axis 11a via the link mechanism 55. In other words, the angle detectors 57, 58, and 59 detect whether the conveyor 10 is in the conveying position, the retracted position, or an intermediate position. The angle detectors 57, 58, and 59 are composed of shielding plates 57b, 58b, and 59b attached to the shaft 540 of the swing rotor 54 and position detectors 57a, 58a, and 59a that detect the rotation angle (position) of the shielding plates. The position detectors 57a, 58a, and 59a are horseshoe-shaped optical sensors. The shielding plates 57b, 58b, and 59b are arranged side by side in the axial direction (direction Y) of the shaft 540, as shown in FIG. 6. Three shielding plates 57b, 58b, and 59b are attached to shaft 540 so as to block light from position detection sensor 57a according to the respective angles of rotation of shaft 540. Angle detection device 57 detects that conveyor 10 is in the transport position when shielding plate 57b blocks light from position detection sensor 57a. Angle detection device 59 detects that conveyor 10 is in the retracted position when shielding plate 59b blocks light from position detection sensor 59a. Angle detection device 58 detects the deceleration position when conveyor 10 is driven between the transport position and the retracted position when shielding plate 58b blocks light from position detection sensor 58a and when shielding plate 58b no longer blocks light from position detection sensor 58a.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a control block diagram of the relay conveyance device 100. The control unit 70 of the relay conveyance device 100 controls the conveyance motor 31 and the swing motor 51. The control unit 70 drives the conveyance motor 31 to drive the chain 33, the first rotor 11, and the chain 13, thereby conveying the package or pallet. The control unit 70 is also connected to angle detection devices 57, 58, and 59. The control unit 70 drives the swing motor 51 in response to signals received from the angle detection devices 57, 58, and 59, thereby switching the conveyor 10 between the conveying position and the retracted position. The control unit 70 may not drive the conveyance motor 31 unless the signals from the angle detection devices 57 to 59 indicate that the conveyor 10 is in the conveying position.

[0044] The control unit 70 may further be connected to a sheet shutter position detection sensor 411 and a fire shutter position detection sensor 412. When the signal from the sheet shutter position detection sensor 411 indicates that the sheet shutter 401 is open and the signal from the fire shutter position detection sensor 412 indicates that the fire shutter 402 is open, the control unit 70 may drive the swing motor 51 so that the conveyor 10 assumes the conveying position.

[0045] The control unit 70 is a computer. The control unit 70 has a processor, memory, an operation unit, and a display unit. The processor executes a control program based on a user's command or automatically. The program and data are stored in the memory. The user's command is input from the operation unit. The display unit displays information to the user and the results of program execution.

[0046] The control unit 70 may control only the relay transport device 100, or may also control other devices in the transport system 1. It may also control the shutters 401 and 402. The computer of the control unit 70 may be a single computer, or may be configured with multiple computers.

[0047] 2. Features of the embodiment The above embodiment can also be explained as follows.

[0048] The relay transport device 100 includes a conveyor 10, a transport drive device 30, and a position change device 50. The conveyor 10 has a first rotor 11 that rotates around a first rotation shaft 11a to transport cargo, and is capable of changing its position between a transport position and a retracted position. The transport drive device 30 has a chain 13 (an example of a first drive member) that drives the first rotor 11 to rotate around the first rotation shaft 11a, and a transport motor 31 (an example of a first drive unit) that drives the chain 13. The position change device 50 changes the position of the conveyor 10 between the transport position and the retracted position by rotating the conveyor 10 around the first rotation shaft 11a.

[0049] The relay conveyance device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a position change device 50, which allows the conveyor 10 to be switched between a conveying position and a retracted position. By setting the conveyor 10 to the retracted position, shutters 401 and 402 can be arranged between the relay conveyance device 100 and the second conveyance device 300.

[0050] Furthermore, the relay conveyance device 100 includes a conveyor 10, and the conveyor 10 can be driven by the conveyance drive device 30, so that the transport of goods can be performed even in the relay portion of the transport path R. This allows the relay portion to be longer. In this embodiment, it is possible to secure a distance for arranging the two shutters 401 and 402.

[0051] Furthermore, in the relay conveyance device 100, the rotation axis 11a of the first rotor 11 that drives the conveyor 10 is the same as the rotation axis that rotates the conveyor 10 to change the position of the conveyor 10. Therefore, the transmission member of the conveyor does not sag during the position change.

[0052] Furthermore, the conveyor motor 31 of this embodiment transmits driving force to the conveyor 10 using a chain 33. Therefore, the conveyor motor 31 is disposed away from the conveyor 10 and does not interfere with the conveyor 10 when it changes position.

[0053] Similarly, swing motor 51 transmits driving force to link mechanism 55 using chain 53 to change the posture of conveyor 10. Swing motor 51 is positioned away from conveyor 10 and does not interfere with conveyor 10 when it changes posture.

[0054] 3. Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In particular, the multiple embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

[0055] In this embodiment, chains 13, 33, and 53 and sprockets 111, 121, 20, 32, 541, and 52 are used. Endless belts may be used instead of the chains 13, 33, and 53. Rollers may be used instead of the sprockets.

[0056] In this embodiment, one end of link mechanism 55 is attached to conveyor 10, and the other end of link mechanism 55 is attached to swing rotator 54, which is rotated by swing motor 51 via chain 53. The rotation axis of swing motor 51 may be aligned with the rotation axis of swing rotator 54.

[0057] In this embodiment and the other embodiments described above, the link mechanism 55 is used as an extension / contraction mechanism for changing the posture of the conveyor 10. Instead of the link mechanism 55, a cylinder mechanism may be used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0058] The relay conveyance device of this embodiment can be effectively used in a conveyance system in which a conveyance path is not always configured, but is configured only when necessary for transporting luggage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Transport system 10 Conveyor 11 First rotating body 11a First rotation axis 110 Shaft 111, 20 sprocket 12 Second rotating body 121 sprocket 13 (Conveyor) Chain 14 Frame 15 Crossing roller 30 Conveyor drive device 31 Conveyor motor 32 Sprocket attached to the rotating shaft of the (transport motor) 33 Chain 50 Attitude change device 51 Swing motor 52 (Swing motor) sprocket attached to the rotating shaft 53 (swing) chain 54 Swing Rotor 540 shaft 541 sprocket 55 Link mechanism 551 1st board 552 2nd board 553 Connecting rod 56 Stopper 57, 58, 59 Angle detection device 57a, 58a, 59a Optical sensors 57b, 58b, 59b shielding plate 70 Control Unit 100 Relay transport device 200 First conveying device 210 (First conveying device) main body 211 Pallet Guide 221 Chain (of the first conveying device) 300 Second conveying device 401 Sheet shutter 402 Fire shutter 411 Sheet shutter position detection sensor 412 Fire shutter position detection sensor

Claims

1. A conveying system comprising a first conveying device, an intermediary conveying device, and a second conveying device, arranged in this order: The relay transport device includes a conveyor that can change its position between a transport position and a retracted position, a position change device that changes its position between the transport position and the retracted position, and a transport drive device; When the conveyor is in the conveying position, the first conveying device, the relay conveying device, and the second conveying device form a single continuous conveying path; When the conveyor is in the retracted position, a shutter can be disposed between the relay conveying device and the second conveying device, the conveyor has a first rotating body arranged on the first transport device side, and is capable of transporting luggage by rotating the first rotating body around a first rotation axis; the transport drive device includes a first drive member that drives the first rotating body to rotate around the first rotation axis, and a first motor that drives the first drive member, the position-changing device rotates the conveyor around the first rotation shaft to change the position between a transport position and a retracted position, The position changing device includes a link mechanism that extends and contracts to change the position of the conveyor between a transfer position and a retracted position; a second driving member that drives the link mechanism; a second motor that drives the second driving member to extend and retract the link mechanism; the first motor and the second motor are attached to the first conveying device, the first motor and the second motor are attached at positions that overlap when viewed horizontally and in a direction perpendicular to the conveying path; Conveying system.

2. The conveyor further comprises: a third driving member driven by rotation of the first rotating body; a second rotor that is rotated by the driving of the third driving member; having The transport system according to claim 1 .

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