Conveyor

Abstract

To address such a problem that sometimes it is not possible to secure a space to install a drive source below a conveyor belt.SOLUTION: A standby device (3) includes a first arm (31) and a second arm (32), a drive source (4) and a transmission mechanism (5). The first arm (31) and the second arm (32) rotate around rotary shafts (A1 and A2) provided on both width-directional outsides of a belt conveyor (2) for conveying vessels (P) on which articles are placed, and transition between a closed state for stopping vessels (P) on the belt conveyor (2) and an open state for allowing the vessels (P) to move on the belt conveyor (2). The drive source (4) is disposed laterally to a conveyance device (1) including the belt conveyor (2), and drives the first arm (31) and the second arm (32). The transmission mechanism (5) transmits drive force from the drive source (4) to the first arm (31) and the second arm (32).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a standby device that allows a container carrying an article to wait on a belt conveyor, and a transport device that includes this standby device and transports the container. [Background technology]

[0002] A standby device that allows containers containing food and drink to wait on a belt conveyor is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The standby device in Patent Document 1 has a stopper that protrudes from below between parallel belt conveyors and stops the progress of the container by hitting the stopper against the center of the container being transported on the belt conveyor. The standby device then retracts the stopper downward, allowing the belt conveyor to resume transporting the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-95522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the standby device of Patent Document 1, the drive source and the mechanism for transmitting the drive force from the drive source to the stopper are located below the belt conveyor, so space must be secured below the belt conveyor to install the drive source and the transmission mechanism. However, it is sometimes not possible to secure space below the belt conveyor to install the drive source, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The standby device of the present invention comprises a first arm and a second arm, a drive source, and a transmission mechanism. The first arm and the second arm rotate around rotation axes provided on both outer sides in the width direction of the belt conveyor that transports containers carrying items, and transition between a closed state in which the containers are stopped on the belt conveyor and an open state in which the containers are allowed to move along the belt conveyor. The drive source is disposed to the side of the transport device including the belt conveyor and drives the first arm and the second arm. The transmission mechanism transmits driving force from the drive source to the first arm and the second arm.

[0006] The drive source may include a drive member that reciprocates in a straight line. The transmission mechanism may convert the reciprocating motion of the drive member into rotational motion and transmit it to the first arm and the second arm. The transmission mechanism may include a first link, a slider, and a second link. The first link rotates coaxially with the first arm and engages with the drive member at one end. The slider has a slider pin that engages with the other end of the first link and is slidable in the direction of extension of the belt conveyor. The second link engages with the slider pin and rotates coaxially with the second arm in response to the movement of the slider resulting from the rotation of the first link.

[0007] The first arm, the second arm, and the drive source can be arranged side by side in the width direction of the belt conveyor. The transmission mechanism can be arranged along the bottom of the belt conveyor. A transport device can be configured by the standby device of the present invention and the belt conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the drive source that drives the first arm and the second arm is disposed to the side of the conveying device including the belt conveyor, so there is no need to secure space below the belt conveyor to place the drive source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control block of the transport device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the belt conveyor and the standby device. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the standby device as seen from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the conveying device 1. The conveying device 1 is installed in a restaurant such as a sushi shop, and conveys plates P carrying ordered items such as sushi and drinks on a linear belt conveyor 2. The linear belt conveyor 2 is installed, for example, in a restaurant to deliver multiple plates P carrying ordered items to customers. Note that the belt conveyor 2 is not limited to a linear type, and may be any type that can transport plates P to customers who have placed orders.

[0011] As shown in the speech bubble (B) in Figure 1, the plate P tapers toward the bottom. An annular leg PL is erected on the bottom surface Pb of the plate P, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag Pt, whose thickness is smaller than the height of the leg PL, is attached to the inner region of the leg PL. The IC tag Pt stores identification information.

[0012] It should be noted that a tag incorporating an IC tag Pt may be placed on the plate P. Although the plate P is shown as being circular in plan view, suitable for transporting sushi, it may have any suitable planar or three-dimensional shape. Furthermore, the object to be transported by the transport device 1 may be a tray capable of carrying multiple plates, instead of the plate P, or any other container capable of carrying items. The transport device 1 may be installed in restaurants such as yakiniku restaurants and set meal restaurants, and may also be used for purposes other than food and drink, such as sorting items (transporting containers carrying items).

[0013] Tables T and seats S are installed along the portion of the belt conveyor 2 that is located inside the store. An order terminal 101 is installed at each table T. A dispenser 102 and a plate waiting table 103 are installed corresponding to each table T. The dispenser 102 may have any suitable configuration. For example, when dispensing a plate P, the dispenser 102 rotates a guide plate located on the outer side of the width direction of the belt conveyor 2 to position the plate P on the belt conveyor 2 at an angle to the traveling direction of the belt conveyor 2, thereby dispensing the plate P from the belt conveyor 2 to the plate waiting table 103. The upstream side of the belt conveyor 2 is located in the kitchen 9. Multiple waiting devices 3 are installed along the portion of the belt conveyor 2 that is located in the kitchen 9. The above-mentioned installation locations of the waiting devices 3 are merely examples, and the waiting devices 3 may be installed at any suitable location relative to the belt conveyor 2.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1A, the standby device 3 includes a first arm 31 and a second arm 32. The first arm 31 is located below the belt conveyor 2 in Fig. 1, and the second arm 32 is located above the belt conveyor 2 in Fig. 1. The first arm 31 and the second arm 32 transition between a closed state and an open state by rotating in a horizontal plane.

[0015] In the closed state, the tip sides of the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are positioned above the belt conveyor 2, narrowing the path of the plate P from both sides in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2. Then, when the belt conveyor 2 is driven, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 abut against the plate P, in this embodiment, the feet PL of the plate P, from both sides, thereby stopping the movement of the plate P.

[0016] In the open state, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are positioned outside the width direction of the belt conveyor 2 to allow the plate P to pass. When the belt conveyor 2 is driving and the plate P is waiting by the first arm 31 and the second arm 32, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 change from a closed state to an open state, causing the plate P to move by the belt conveyor 2. A sensor PS is installed upstream of each waiting device 3. The sensor PS detects that the plate P has passed the upstream position of the corresponding waiting device 3.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the control block of the conveying device 1. The conveying device 1 is equipped with a control device 104. The order terminal 101 and the control device 104 are computers with communication functions, calculation functions, storage functions, display functions, and input reception functions. The control device 104 may be configured as a single computer located inside or outside the store, or multiple computers connected via an appropriate network. The control device 104 provides an ordering system and performs store status management, cooking distribution, food and drink arrival notifications, order aggregation, etc. The control device 104 communicates with the order terminal 101 and the sensor PS, and controls the dispenser 102, belt conveyor 2, and standby device 3.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 1 , when a customer orders food and drink using the ordering terminal 101, a plate P carrying the ordered items is placed on the belt conveyor 2 by the kitchen staff in the kitchen 9. At this time, if one ordering customer places multiple orders or if the belt conveyor 2 is currently transporting a plate P within the restaurant, the control device 104 causes the plate P to wait on the belt conveyor 2 in the kitchen 9. For example, if one ordering customer has ordered three items, the control device 104 closes the empty, most downstream standby device 3 and causes the plate P carrying the first ordered item to wait in that standby device 3. When the sensor PS located upstream of that standby device 3 detects that the plate P is waiting in that standby device 3, the control device 104 repeats the above process in the standby device 3 one step upstream, causing the plate P for the second ordered item to wait. In a similar manner, the third ordered item waits in the standby device 3 further upstream.

[0019] Next, the control device 104 simultaneously switches the standby devices 3 from a closed state to an open state, releasing the plates P, and causes the belt conveyor 2 to transport the three plates P lined up in the conveyance direction. The control device 104 then uses the dispenser 102 to dispense these plates P from the belt conveyor 2 to the plate standby table 103 for the ordering customer. The standby and standby release conditions for the plates P set by the control device 104 can be set appropriately depending on the intended use of the standby device 3, for example. For example, if the belt conveyor 2 is running and multiple standby devices 3 are waiting plates P for different ordering customers, when a downstream standby device 3 releases a plate P for one ordering customer, the upstream standby device 3 may continue to wait for a plate P for another ordering customer, or the upstream standby device 3 may release the plate P at an appropriate timing. Any number of standby devices 3 can be installed, or only one may be installed.

[0020] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the belt conveyor 2 and the standby device 3. The belt conveyor 2 is provided at the widthwise center of a longitudinal aluminum frame F. Guide surfaces Ff of the frame F are arranged on both widthwise outer sides of the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 2. The guide surfaces Ff are located slightly lower than the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 2 and, together with the conveying surface of the belt conveyor 2, form a conveying path for the plates P.

[0021] In the standby device 3, the rotation axis A1 passing through the center of the shaft member 311 of the first arm 31 is located on one outer side in the width direction with respect to the belt conveyor 2 (the lower left side in FIG. 3 ) and extends in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the belt conveyor 2. The rotation axis A2 passing through the center of the shaft member 321 of the second arm 32 is located on the other outer side in the width direction with respect to the belt conveyor 2 (the upper right side in FIG. 3 ) and extends in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the belt conveyor 2. Both of the shaft members 311 and 321 extend below the guide surface Ff through holes Fh formed in the guide surface Ff. In this embodiment, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are disposed in an orientation in which the rotation axes A1 and A2 are located on the upstream side, but they may also be disposed in an orientation in which the rotation axes A1 and A2 are located on the downstream side.

[0022] The standby device 3 includes a drive source 4 that drives the first arm 31 and the second arm 32. The drive source 4 is disposed to the side of the transport device 1 and is provided further outward in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2 than the first arm 31 (lower left side in FIG. 3). The drive source 4, the first arm 31, and the second arm 32 are disposed side by side in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2. In this embodiment, the drive source 4 is attached to a base 33, and the base 33 is attached to the frame F, so that the drive source 4 is provided on the side of the frame F along the frame F. The drive source 4 may be provided further outward in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2 than the second arm 32 (upper right side in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the first arm 31, the second arm 32, and the drive source 4 at least partially overlap in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2.

[0023] The driving source 4 includes a driving source main body 41 and a driving member 42 that is reciprocated linearly by the driving source main body 41. The driving source 4 is an electric cylinder that rotates a ball screw using a motor in the driving source main body 41, causing the driving member 42, which has a ball screw nut on the ball screw built in, to move linearly relative to the driving source main body 41. The driving source 4 may be pneumatic or hydraulic to drive the driving member 42. The driving member 42 is disposed along the direction in which the belt conveyor 2 extends. The driving member 42 includes a shaft 421, indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3, and a bracket 422. The shaft 421 is reciprocated by the driving source main body 41.

[0024] The bracket 422 is L-shaped with a rising portion 424 rising from one end (upstream side) of a bottom portion 423. The rising portion 424 is fixed to the tip of the shaft portion 421. As the shaft portion 421 extends outward from the drive source main body 41, the bracket 422 slides in the direction UD (opposite the conveying direction) in FIG. 3, and the rising portion 424 moves away from the drive source main body 41. As a result, the first arm 31 rotates in the CCD direction in FIG. 3 (counterclockwise when the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are viewed from above), and the second arm 32 rotates in the CD direction in FIG. 3 (clockwise when the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are viewed from above), and the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 change from a closed state to an open state.

[0025] 3 (the same direction as the conveying direction), and the rising portion 424 approaches the drive source main body 41. Then, the first arm 31 rotates in the CD direction, and the second arm 32 rotates in the CCD direction, and the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 change from the open state to the closed state.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the standby device 3. The base 33 is attached to the bottom of the frame F and is disposed at the bottom of the belt conveyor 2. A cylindrical housing 331 that holds the shaft member 311 of the first arm 31 protrudes upward from the base 33. Flange-type plain bearings 332 and 333 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the housing 331. The shaft member 311 of the first arm 31 extends downward through the housing 331. Similarly, a cylindrical housing 334 that holds the shaft member 321 of the second arm 32 protrudes upward from the base 33. Flange-type plain bearings 335 and 336 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the housing 334. The shaft member 321 of the second arm 32 extends downward through the housing 334.

[0027] The standby device 3 includes a transmission mechanism 5 that transmits a driving force from the driving source 4 to the first arm 31 and the second arm 32. The transmission mechanism 5 can have an appropriate configuration depending on the type of driving source 4, the purpose of the transmission mechanism 5, and the like. In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism 5 converts the linear reciprocating motion of the driving member 42 into rotational motion and transmits it to the first arm 31 and the second arm 32. The transmission mechanism 5 includes a first link 51, a slider 52, and a second link 53.

[0028] The first link 51 is a V-shaped plate member formed by connecting two link arms 511, 512 that extend in different directions. The rotation axis A1 of the first arm 31 is located at the portion where the link arms 511, 512 are connected, and a hole 513 is formed therein. A bolt (not shown) is passed through the hole 513 from below via a washer 514. The bolt is screwed into the shaft member 311 of the first arm 31 via a collar 515, thereby fixing the first link 51 to the shaft member 311 of the first arm 31.

[0029] A pin groove 516 is formed on the tip side of the link arm 511, extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the link arm 511. The drive member 42 has a drive pin 425 fixed to the underside of the bracket 422. The drive pin 425 passes through the pin groove 516 and a resin washer 426 is passed through the drive pin 425, and is prevented from coming off the link arm 511 by a retaining ring 427.

[0030] Link arm 512 is longer than link arm 511. A pin groove 517 extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of link arm 512 is formed on the right side of the tip of link arm 512. Slider 52 is disposed midway between rotation axes A1 and A2 in the width direction of belt conveyor 2. Slider 52 is fixed to base 33 and held by slider guide 54 above slider 52 so as to be slidable in the direction in which belt conveyor 2 extends. Slider 52 is provided with slider pin 521 that protrudes downward.

[0031] The second link 53 is a linear plate member. One end of the second link 53 is formed with a hole 531 extending in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the second link 53. A bolt (not shown) is passed through the hole 531 from below via a washer 532. The bolt is screwed into the shaft member 321 of the second arm 32 via a collar 533, thereby fixing the second link 53 to the shaft member 321 of the second arm 32.

[0032] A pin groove 534 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second link 53 is formed on the other end side of the second link 53. The slider pin 521 passes through the pin groove 517 of the link arm 512, and a resin washer 535 is passed through it. The slider pin 521 further passes through the pin groove 534, and a resin washer 536 is passed through it, and the slider pin 521 is prevented from coming off the first link 51 and the second link 53 by a retaining ring 537.

[0033] 5 is a perspective view of the standby device 3 as viewed from below. When the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are changed from the closed state to the open state, the drive source 4 moves the shaft portion 421, and slides the drive pin 425 in the direction UD (opposite the conveying direction) in FIG. 5 via the bracket 422. The drive pin 425 rotates the first link 51 in the direction CCD in FIG. 5 via the pin groove 516 of the first link 51. Here, the pin groove 516 converts the sliding movement of the drive pin 425 into rotation of the first link 51.

[0034] Here, the first arm 31 is fixed to the hole 513 of the first link 51 via the shaft member 311 (Figure 4). However, since the hole 513 of the first link 51 and the shaft member 311 are located on the same axis (on the rotation axis A1), when the first link 51 rotates in the direction CCD of Figure 5, the first arm 31 also rotates in the direction CCD and becomes in an open state.

[0035] As the first link 51 rotates, the pin groove 517 of the first link 51 causes the slider pin 521 to slide in the direction DD (conveyance direction) in FIG. 5. Here, the slider pin 521 moves from one end side to the other end side of the pin groove 517. By moving in the direction DD, the slider pin 521 rotates the second link 53 in the direction CD via the pin groove 534 of the second link 53. As the second link 53 rotates in the direction CD, the slider pin 521 moves from one end to the other end of the pin groove 534.

[0036] Here, the second arm 32 is fixed to the hole 531 of the second link 53 via the shaft member 321 (Figure 4). However, since the hole 531 of the second link 53 and the shaft member 321 are located coaxially (on the rotation axis A2), when the second link 53 rotates in the direction CD in Figure 5, the second arm 32 rotates in the direction CCD and enters the open state.

[0037] When the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 are changed from the open state to the closed state, the driving source 4 moves the shaft 421 to slide the driving pin 425 in the direction DD in FIG. 5, and rotates the first link 51 in the direction CD in FIG. 5 via the pin groove 516. As a result, the first arm 31 rotates in the direction CD (see FIG. 3) and assumes the closed state. As the first link 51 rotates in the direction CD, the slider pin 521 slides in the direction UD in FIG. 5 (the opposite direction to the conveying direction) via the pin groove 517 of the first link 51. As the slider pin 521 moves in the direction UD, it rotates the second link 53 in the direction CCD via the pin groove 534 of the second link 53. As a result, the second arm 32 rotates in the direction CCD and assumes the closed state.

[0038] In this way, the first link 51 rotates about the rotation axis A1 due to the reciprocating movement of the drive member 42, and the rotation is transmitted to the first arm 31. The second link 53 rotates about the rotation axis A2 due to the movement of the slider 52, and the rotation is transmitted to the second arm 32. In this embodiment, the rotation amounts of the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 in response to the drive of the drive member 42 are set to be equal, but may be set appropriately.

[0039] In this embodiment, since the driving source 4 is disposed on the side of the transport device 1, there is no need to ensure space for disposing the driving source 4 below the belt conveyor 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the transmission mechanism 5 is attached to the base 33 disposed below the belt conveyor 2 and is disposed along the plane of the base 33, so that the space for disposing the transmission mechanism 5 below the belt conveyor 2 can be made smaller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1: conveying device, 2: belt conveyor, 3: standby device, 4: driving source, 5: transmission mechanism, 31: first arm, 32: second arm, 42: driving member, 51: first link, 52: slider, 53: second link, 425: driving pin, 516: pin groove, 517: pin groove, 521: slider pin, 534: pin groove, A1: rotating shaft, A2: rotating shaft, P: device

Claims

1. A belt conveyor; a first arm and a second arm that rotate around rotation axes provided on both outer sides in the width direction of the belt conveyor that transports containers carrying articles, and that transition between a closed state that stops the containers on the belt conveyor and an open state that allows the containers to move along the belt conveyor; a drive source including a drive member that reciprocates linearly, the drive source being disposed on one side of a conveying device including the belt conveyor, and configured to drive the first arm and the second arm; a transmission mechanism that converts the reciprocating motion of the drive member into rotational motion and transmits a driving force to the first arm and the second arm, The transmission mechanism includes: a first link that rotates coaxially with the first arm and rotates in a plane along the belt conveyor, and engages with the drive member at one end thereof; a slider having a slider pin that engages with the other end of the first link and that is slidable in the direction in which the belt conveyor extends; a second link that engages with the slider pin and rotates coaxially with the second arm and in a plane along the belt conveyor in response to movement of the slider accompanying rotation of the first link; A conveying device comprising:

2. 2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm, the second arm and the driving source are arranged side by side in the width direction of the belt conveyor.

Images