Wheel rack and wheel support method

Abstract

To provide a wheel rack that prevents scratches from occurring on wheels.SOLUTION: A wheel rack 1 includes: conveyors 11A, 11B that can move a wheel 30 in a direction that intersects a vertical direction; and a support mechanism 20 that supports the wheel 30 from the lower side in the vertical direction. The support mechanism 20 is configured to be switchable between a first contact state in which the wheel 30 is in point contact or surface contact with the conveyors 11A, 11B and a second contact state in which the wheel 30 is in contact with the conveyors 11A, 11B in a contact area smaller than the first contact state and a part of the wheel 30 is displaced to the upper side in the vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel rack and a wheel supporting method.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wheel rack in which shelf boards are disposed on vertically installed support columns, and wheels are displayed on the shelf boards. A predetermined number of holding members for holding the wheels are disposed on the shelf board so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when wheels are transported by a transport vehicle such as a truck, vibration during transportation may be applied to the wheels. Even in such a case, it is desired to suppress the occurrence of scratches on the wheels.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of scratches on wheels.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A wheel rack according to one aspect of the present invention includes a conveyor capable of moving a wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism that supports the wheel from the lower side in the vertical direction, wherein the support mechanism is configured to be switchable between a first contact state in which the wheel and the conveyor are brought into point contact or surface contact, and a second contact state in which the wheel and the conveyor are brought into contact with a contact area smaller than that in the first contact state, and a part of the wheel is displaced upward in the vertical direction.

[0007] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, the second contact state may be that the wheel makes point contact with the support mechanism and the conveyor at at least three points.

[0008] (3) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the support mechanism includes a lifter that supports a part of the wheel from the vertically downward side, and the lifter may be fitted with an anti-slip material to prevent the wheel from slipping.

[0009] (4) In any of the embodiments described in (1) to (3) above, a fall prevention mechanism may be further provided to prevent the wheel from falling out of the opening of the wheel rack where the wheel is loaded or unloaded.

[0010] (5) In any of the embodiments of (1) to (4) above, the system further comprises a plurality of intervening members that are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the wheels by the conveyor and interposed between two adjacent wheels, wherein the intervening members have flexibility to allow the wheels to move by the conveyor.

[0011] (6) A wheel support method according to one aspect of the present invention is a wheel support method for supporting a wheel in a wheel rack comprising a conveyor that can move the wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism that supports the wheel from below in the vertical direction, the method comprising: a first contact step of making point contact or surface contact between the wheel and the conveyor; and a second contact step of making contact between the wheel and the conveyor in a contact area smaller than the contact state in the first contact step, and displacing a part of the wheel upward in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The wheel rack according to the embodiment of (1) above comprises a conveyor that can move the wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism that supports the wheel from below in the vertical direction, and the support mechanism is configured to be switchable between a first contact state in which the wheel and the conveyor are in point contact or surface contact, and a second contact state in which the wheel and the conveyor are in contact over a smaller contact area than the first contact state, and a part of the wheel is displaced upward in the vertical direction, thereby achieving the following effects. The support mechanism allows the wheel to be supported with a portion of it displaced vertically upward (second contact state). Therefore, vibrations during transport (an example of an external factor that can cause scratches on the wheel) during transport by trucks or other transport vehicles can be minimized. Consequently, scratches on the wheel can be suppressed.

[0013] According to the embodiment of (2) above, the second contact state is achieved by making point contact between the wheel and the support mechanism and the conveyor at at least three points, thereby producing the following effects. Compared to cases where the wheel makes point contact with the support mechanism and conveyor at two or fewer points, the wheel can be supported more stably.

[0014] According to the embodiment of (3) above, the support mechanism includes a lifter that supports a part of the wheel from the vertically downward side, and the lifter is fitted with an anti-slip material to prevent the wheel from slipping, thereby providing the following effects. The anti-slip material prevents the wheel from slipping (skidding sideways).

[0015] According to the embodiment of (4) above, by further providing a fall prevention mechanism to prevent wheels from falling out of the opening of the wheel rack where wheels are loaded or unloaded, the following effects are achieved. The fall prevention mechanism prevents wheels from falling out of the wheel rack opening.

[0016] According to the aspect (5) described above, a plurality of interposed members are arranged at intervals in the moving direction of the wheels by the conveyor, each interposed between two adjacent wheels among the plurality of wheels, and the interposed members have flexibility allowing the movement of the wheels by the conveyor, thereby achieving the following effects. When the wheels are carried into the wheel rack, the interposed members are automatically interposed between two adjacent wheels, so that interference between the wheels can be suppressed.

[0017] The wheel supporting method according to the aspect (6) described above is a wheel supporting method for supporting a wheel in a wheel rack that includes a conveyor capable of moving the wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism that supports the wheel from the lower side in the vertical direction, the method including: a first contact step of bringing the wheel and the conveyor into point contact or surface contact; and a second contact step of bringing the wheel and the conveyor into contact in a contact area smaller than the contact state in the first contact step, and displacing a part of the wheel upward in the vertical direction, thereby achieving the following effects. The wheel can be supported in a state where a part of the wheel is displaced upward in the vertical direction by the second contact step. For this reason, it is possible to suppress as much as possible the transmission of vibration during transportation when the wheels are transported by a transport vehicle such as a truck (an example of an external factor that may scratch the wheels) to the wheels. Therefore, the occurrence of scratches on the wheels can be suppressed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] The perspective view of the wheel rack of the embodiment. [Figure 2] The perspective view showing the actuating device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] The perspective view in which a part of the wheel rack of the embodiment is enlarged. [Figure 4] The operation explanatory diagram of the support mechanism of the embodiment. [Figure 5] The operation explanatory diagram of the support mechanism, continuing from Figure 4. [Figure 6] The explanatory diagram of bringing the wheel of the embodiment into point contact at three points. [Figure 7] A perspective view illustrating a fall prevention mechanism and a discharge-side stopper of an embodiment. [Figure 8] A side view illustrating an interposed member according to a modification of the embodiment. [Description of Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, a wheel rack for displaying vehicle wheels (hereinafter also simply referred to as "wheels") to be mounted on vehicles such as automobiles will be described. In the following description, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "parallel", "perpendicular", "center", and "coaxial" not only strictly mean such arrangements, but also include states of relative displacement with angles or distances to the extent that tolerances and the same function can be obtained. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately modified to make each member recognizable in size.

[0020] <Wheel Rack> Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wheel rack 1 of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the wheel rack 1 has a basic structure in which a plurality of support members 2, 3 are combined. For example, each of the support members 2, 3 is made of metal (for example, made of steel plate). For example, each of the support members 2, 3 has a square pipe shape. The material and shape of each of the support members 2, 3 are not limited to the above, and can be changed according to design specifications.

[0021] The plurality of support members 2, 3 include a plurality of columns 2 having a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, and horizontal bridging members 3 having a longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction. The wheel rack 1 includes a top plate 4 connected to the upper end of each column 2, and a bottom plate 5 connected to the lower end of each column 2. The outer shape of each of the top plate 4 and the bottom plate 5 has a rectangular shape in top view.

[0022] The wheel rack 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the side of the wheel rack 1 may have fork insertion holes 6 to allow transport by forklift. For example, two fork insertion holes 6 may be provided at the bottom of each side of the wheel rack 1. For example, the configuration of the fork insertion holes 6 is not limited to the above and can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0023] The wheel rack 1 has multiple lanes 10A to 10E. In the example shown in the figure, there are five lanes 10A to 10E. Note that the number of lanes 10A to 10E is not limited to the above and can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the actuator 28 of the embodiment. Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the wheel rack 1 of the embodiment. Referring together to Figures 2 and 3, the wheel rack 1 comprises conveyors 11A and 11B that can move the wheel 30 in a horizontal direction (an example of a direction intersecting the vertical direction), and a support mechanism 20 that supports the wheel 30 from below in the vertical direction.

[0025] For example, conveyors 11A and 11B are roller conveyors. However, conveyors 11A and 11B are not limited to the above; they may also be belt conveyors. For example, the configuration of conveyors 11A and 11B can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0026] The wheel rack 1 has two rows of conveyors 11A and 11B inside each lane 10A to 10E. The wheels 30, which are the stored items, are loaded and unloaded through openings 12A and 12B on the sides of the wheel rack 1. For example, each lane 10A to 10E can accommodate the wheels 30 for one vehicle (for example, 4 or 5 wheels 30). However, the number of wheels 30 that can be loaded into each lane 10A to 10E is not limited to the above and can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0027] The support mechanism 20 is configured to switch between a first contact state in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are in point contact or surface contact, and a second contact state in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are in contact over a smaller contact area than the first contact state, and a part of the wheel 30 is displaced vertically upward.

[0028] <An example of wheel structure> Next, we will describe an example of the structure of the wheel 30, which is the product to be transported. As shown in Figure 1, the wheel 30 comprises an annular rim 31 and a disc 32 provided inside the rim 31. The rim 31 has flanges 33A and 33B for supporting a tire, located radially outward with respect to the axis of the wheel 30. The flanges 33A and 33B have annular edge shapes at both or one of the axial ends of the rim 31.

[0029] For example, of the flanges 33A and 33B of the rim 31, the vehicle mounting side flange 33B is in contact with the conveyors 11A and 11B when the wheel 30 is being transported. The vehicle mounting side flange 33B is the flange on the opposite side of the rim 31 from the vehicle-side surface (design surface) of the wheel 30 in the axial direction.

[0030] On the other hand, the disc 32 does not come into contact with the conveyors 11A and 11B when the wheel 30 is being transported. For example, the disc 32 is positioned above the vehicle mounting side flange 33B with respect to the conveyors 11A and 11B when the wheel 30 is being transported. If the vehicle mounting side flange 33B is axially outward from the disc 32, then the above-mentioned vehicle mounting side flange 33B becomes the contact surface when the wheel 30 is being transported.

[0031] <Support mechanism> As shown in Figure 3, the support mechanism 20 comprises a lifter 21, a first link 22, a second link 23, and a slider 24. The lifter 21 is a member that supports a portion of the wheel 30 from the vertically downward side. The lifter 21 has its longitudinal side in the horizontal direction (conveying direction M shown in the figure) along the conveyors 11A and 11B. In the example shown in the figure, the lifter 21 is a rod-shaped object with a circular cross-section. However, the lifter 21 may also be a rod-shaped object with a polygonal cross-section, such as a triangle or a quadrilateral, in cross-section. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the lifter 21 can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0032] The lifter 21 is fitted with an anti-slip material 25 to prevent the wheel 30 from slipping (sideways skidding). For example, the anti-slip material 25 is a rubber hose or the like. However, the anti-slip material 25 is not limited to the above, and may be a member made of rubber or resin that has elasticity and flexibility to sufficiently bite into the weight of the wheel 30 and hold the wheel 30 in place. For example, the configuration of the anti-slip material 25 can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0033] For example, the first links 22 are positioned on both sides (input side and output side) of the openings 12A and 12B on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheels 30 are loaded and unloaded. The longitudinal end of the lifter 21 is fixed to one end of each first link 22. The longitudinal center of each first link 22 is rotatable about the support shaft 26. The longitudinal center of each first link 22 may also be rotatably connected to the horizontal member 3 via the support shaft 26.

[0034] For example, the second links 23 are positioned on both sides (input side and output side) of the openings 12A and 12B on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheels 30 are loaded and unloaded. One end of each second link 23 is rotatably connected to the other end of each first link 22 via a connecting shaft 27 parallel to the support shaft 26. The other end of each second link 23 is inclined with respect to the vertical.

[0035] For example, the sliders 24 are positioned on both sides (input side and output side) of the openings 12A and 12B on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheels 30 are loaded and unloaded. One end of each slider 24 is inclined vertically, parallel to the other end of each second link 23. Each slider 24 may be movable vertically along the support column 2.

[0036] As described above, in the first contact state, the support mechanism 20 makes point contact or surface contact between the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B. The first contact state is when the upper end of the lifter 21 is located below the upper surface (conveying surface) of the conveyors 11A and 11B. In the first contact state, the vehicle mounting side flange 33B of the wheel 30 is in contact with the upper surface of the two rows of conveyors 11A and 11B. In the first contact state, the vehicle mounting side flange 33B of the wheel 30 does not have to be in contact with the lifter 21. For example, the first contact state may be switched when loading or unloading products into or from the container of the wheel rack 1.

[0037] As described above, in the second contact state, the support mechanism 20 brings the wheel 30 into contact with the conveyors 11A and 11B over a smaller contact area than in the first contact state, and displaces a portion of the wheel 30 vertically upward. In the second contact state, the wheel 30 makes point contact with the support mechanism 20 and the conveyors 11A and 11B at at least three points P1 to P3 (see, for example, the three points P1 to P3 shown in Figure 6). For example, in the second contact state, the vehicle mounting side flange 33B of the wheel 30 is in contact with the lifter 21 at two points and with the upper surface of one of the conveyors 11A and 11B at one point. For example, when transporting the wheel 30 inside a container, the system may be switched to the second contact state.

[0038] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the support mechanism 20 of the embodiment. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the support mechanism 20, following Figure 4. For example, the support mechanism 20 is configured to switch between a first contact state and a second contact state by the following procedure. First, as shown in Figure 4, the slider 24 is moved in the direction of arrow V1 (downward in the vertical direction). Then, one end of the slider 24 comes into contact with the other end of the second link 23, and the second link 23 moves in the direction of arrow V2 (one side in the horizontal direction). Then, the first link 22 rotates around the support shaft 26 in the direction of arrow V3 (counterclockwise in the figure).

[0039] As a result, as shown in Figure 5, one end of the first link 22 moves to a position higher than the reference plane F. The reference plane F corresponds to the upper surface of the conveyors 11A and 11B. Consequently, the upper end of the lifter 21 is positioned above the upper surface of the conveyors 11A and 11B. As a result, a portion of the wheel 30 is supported by the lifter 21 and displaced vertically upward.

[0040] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating how the wheel 30 of the embodiment makes point contact at three points P1 to P3. Referring to Figure 6, for example, in the second contact state, the lifter 21 may lift the wheel 30 at two points (points P1 and P2 in the figure) that are located further away from the center of gravity G. As a result, the part of the wheel 30 opposite to the center of gravity G (point P3 in the figure) is held at one point on one of the two conveyors 11A and 11B. For example, the wheel 30 may be fixed in place and transported by three-point support P1 to P3: two points P1 and P2 on the lifter 21 where lateral slippage is prevented, and one point P3 on the conveyor on the opposite side.

[0041] The support mechanism 20 can tilt the wheel 30 in the direction of arrow R in the figure so that the inclination of the wheel 30's axis Ax relative to the vertical changes. This allows the wheel's orientation to be changed.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2, for example, in the wheel rack 1, the lifters 21 of each lane 10A to 10E may be operated simultaneously by a link mechanism and a cam mechanism, etc., at one point on the outside of the wheel rack 1. For example, the wheel rack 1 may be equipped with an actuator 28 for simultaneously operating the link mechanism and cam mechanism, etc. For example, the actuator 28 may be connected to the support mechanism 20 via the link mechanism and cam mechanism, etc.

[0043] For example, the actuator 28 may include a hydraulic lever or a hydraulic jack. This allows the operator to use hydraulic force to lift multiple heavy objects, such as wheels 30, simultaneously with minimal effort. The configuration of the actuator 28 is not limited to the above and can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0044] Referring also to Figure 1, the wheel rack 1 may further include a clamping mechanism 40 that clamps the wheel 30 from two horizontal directions (an example of two or one direction intersecting the vertical direction). This makes it possible to suppress displacement of the wheel 30 (movement in two or one direction intersecting the vertical direction). For example, the clamping mechanism 40 may include horizontal members 3 (an example of members standing upright on the sides of the wheel 30) arranged on both sides in a direction intersecting the conveying direction M of the wheel 30 (hereinafter also referred to as the "width direction of the conveyors 11A and 11B").

[0045] For example, the clamping mechanism 40 may be positioned on at least one side in the width direction of the conveyors 11A and 11B and may include a movable member that can move to the other side. For example, the clamping mechanism 40 may employ a method of clamping the wheel 30 from both sides or one side in the left-right direction of each lane 10A to 10E. For example, the configuration of the clamping mechanism 40 can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0046] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the fall prevention mechanism 50 and the discharge-side stopper 52 of the embodiment. Referring also to Figure 7, the wheel rack 1 further includes a fall prevention mechanism 50 to prevent the wheels 30 from falling out of the openings 12A and 12B of the wheel rack 1 where the wheels 30 are loaded or unloaded.

[0047] The fall prevention mechanism 50 is located at the opening 12A (loading side) on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheels 30 are loaded. For example, the fall prevention mechanism 50 includes a one-way foldable (pendulum type) stopper 51. For example, the stopper 51 is designed to fall when pushed by the wheel 30 during loading, but not in the opposite direction. For example, the stopper 51 is not limited to the above and may be electrically operated. For example, the configuration of the stopper 51 can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0048] For example, a foldable stopper 51 utilizing the reaction force of a spring may be provided at the opening 12B (unloading side) on the side of the wheel rack 1 from which the wheel 30 is unloaded. For example, the wheel 30 may be unloaded by pushing down the stopper 51 on the unloading side with an external force. For example, the installation method of the stopper 51 on the unloading side can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0049] For example, the conveyors 11A and 11B are arranged horizontally along the entire direction of movement of the wheel 30 by the conveyors 11A and 11B. Furthermore, the conveyors 11A and 11B may be inclined so as they move in one direction (the transport direction M in the figure) of the movement of the wheel 30 by the conveyors 11A and 11B, they are positioned vertically downward. This allows the wheel 30 to move in one direction along the conveyors 11A and 11B by its own weight. For example, the conveyors 11A and 11B may be inclined so as they move from the opening 12A (input side) on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheel 30 is loaded to the opening 12B (output side) on the side of the wheel rack 1 where the wheel 30 is unloaded, they are positioned vertically downward.

[0050] For example, the bottom surface of the wheel rack 1 (the underside of the bottom plate 5) may be tapered in order to tilt the conveyors 11A and 11B. For example, the degree of inclination of the conveyors 11A and 11B should be set so that the wheels 30 move smoothly in one direction along the conveyors 11A and 11B due to the weight of the wheels 30 themselves.

[0051] <Wheel support method> The wheel support method of this embodiment is a method for supporting a wheel 30 in a wheel rack 1 which comprises conveyors 11A and 11B that can move the wheel 30 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism 20 that supports the wheel 30 from below in the vertical direction. The wheel support method comprises a first contact step in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are brought into point contact or surface contact, and a second contact step in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are brought into contact with each other in a smaller contact area than the contact state in the first contact step, and a part of the wheel 30 is displaced upward in the vertical direction.

[0052] In the first contact step, the wheels 30 are brought into the first contact state. For example, in the first contact step, wheels 30 for one vehicle (e.g., 5 wheels 30) are loaded into each lane 10A to 10E. In the first contact step, the wheels 30 can be loaded and unloaded by sliding them onto the conveyors 11A and 11B. For example, after loading wheels 30 into all 5 levels of wheel rack 1 is complete, the process moves to the second contact step.

[0053] In the second contact step, the wheel 30 is brought into a second contact state. For example, in the second contact step, the lifter 21 of the support mechanism 20 is raised. For example, in the second contact step, one hydraulic jack is used to simultaneously raise each lifter 21 in all lanes 10A to 10E. As a result, a portion of each wheel 30 in all lanes 10A to 10E is lifted, fixing them in place while preventing skidding.

[0054] <Effects and Effects> As described above, the wheel rack 1 of the above embodiment includes conveyors 11A and 11B that can move the wheel 30 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism 20 that supports the wheel 30 from below in the vertical direction. The support mechanism 20 is configured to switch between a first contact state in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are in point contact or surface contact, and a second contact state in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are in contact over a smaller contact area than the first contact state, and a part of the wheel 30 is displaced upward in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the support mechanism 20 can support the wheel 30 with a portion of it displaced vertically upward (second contact state). Therefore, vibrations during transport (an example of an external factor that can cause scratches on the wheel 30) when the wheel 30 is transported by a transport vehicle such as a truck can be suppressed as much as possible. Consequently, scratches on the wheel 30 can be prevented. Incidentally, a conventional method of transporting wheels is truck transport using pallets. For example, in this truck transport method, one pallet is stacked in five layers, with five wheels 30 (enough for one vehicle) placed in each layer, and cushioning material such as cardboard placed on top of the wheels 30. However, in the conventional truck transport method, the wheels 30 stacked on the lower pallets are subjected to pressure from the upper layers. Therefore, even when cushioning material is placed on top of the wheels 30, there was a high possibility that scratches would occur on the wheels 30 due to foreign matter contamination, etc. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the wheels 30 can be supported with a part of the wheel 30 displaced vertically upward by the support device described above, so the above pallet stacking is not necessary. Therefore, it can be applied as a proposed method of transporting wheels 30 where a design surface is required and the wheels 30 cannot be stacked directly. For example, when transporting a group of wheels 30 arranged in sequence according to different product types (products with different sizes, shapes, and masses) required for the next process, using a conventional pallet system, the wheels 30 stacked on a single pallet had to be of the same height (product type). In contrast, according to this embodiment, the support device described above can support wheels 30 of different product types. Therefore, it is possible to transport the wheels directly to the next process conveyors 11A and 11B without disrupting the combination (sequence) of different product types.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the second contact state is when the wheel 30 makes point contact with the support mechanism 20 and the conveyors 11A and 11B at least three points P1 to P3 or more. With this configuration, the wheel 30 can be supported more stably compared to the case where the wheel 30 is in point contact with the support mechanism 20 and the conveyors 11A and 11B at two or fewer points.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the support mechanism 20 includes a lifter 21 that supports a portion of the wheel 30 from the vertically downward side. The lifter 21 is fitted with an anti-slip material 25 to prevent the wheel 30 from slipping. With this configuration, the anti-slip material 25 can prevent the wheel 30 from slipping (skidding sideways).

[0057] In the above embodiment, a fall prevention mechanism 50 is further provided to prevent the wheel 30 from falling out of the openings 12A and 12B of the wheel rack 1 where the wheel 30 is loaded or unloaded. With this configuration, the fall prevention mechanism 50 can prevent the wheels 30 from falling out of the openings 12A and 12B of the wheel rack 1.

[0058] The wheel 30 support method of the above embodiment is a wheel 30 support method for supporting a wheel 30 in a wheel rack 1 which comprises conveyors 11A and 11B that can move the wheel 30 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism 20 that supports the wheel 30 from below in the vertical direction. The wheel 30 support method includes a first contact step in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are brought into point contact or surface contact, and a second contact step in which the wheel 30 and the conveyors 11A and 11B are brought into contact in a smaller contact area than the contact state in the first contact step, and a part of the wheel 30 is displaced upward in the vertical direction. This method allows the wheel 30 to be supported with a portion of it displaced vertically upward by the second contact step. Therefore, vibrations during transport (an example of an external factor that can cause scratches on the wheel 30) when the wheel 30 is transported by a transport vehicle such as a truck can be minimized. Consequently, scratches on the wheel 30 can be suppressed.

[0059] <Other variations> Figure 8 is a side view showing an intermediate member 60 of a modified embodiment. Referring also to Figure 8, for example, multiple wheel racks are arranged at intervals in the direction of movement of the wheels 30 by the conveyors 11A and 11B (conveying direction M in the figure), and may further include intervening members 60 interposed between two adjacent wheels 30. The intervening members 60 may have flexibility to allow the movement of the wheels 30 by the conveyors 11A and 11B.

[0060] The intervening member 60 functions as a partition member that separates two wheels 30 adjacent to each other in the transport direction M. For example, the intervening member 60 may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. The material of the intervening member 60 is not limited to the above and can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0061] With this configuration, when loading wheels 30 into the wheel rack, the intervening member 60 is automatically placed between two adjacent wheels 30, thereby preventing the wheels 30 from interfering with each other.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the second contact state was described as an example in which the wheel makes point contact with the support mechanism and conveyor at least three points, but it is not limited to this. For example, the second contact state may be one in which the wheel makes point contact with the support mechanism and conveyor at two points or less. For example, the manner in which the wheel contacts the support mechanism and conveyor in the second contact state can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the support mechanism was described as comprising a lifter that supports a part of the wheel from the vertically downward side, and the lifter is fitted with an anti-slip material to prevent the wheel from slipping. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the lifter does not need to be fitted with an anti-slip material. For example, the manner in which the anti-slip material is installed can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the wheel rack was described with an example that further includes a fall prevention mechanism to prevent wheels from falling out of the opening of the wheel rack where wheels are loaded or unloaded, but it is not limited to this. For example, the wheel rack does not need to have a fall prevention mechanism. For example, the installation method of the fall prevention mechanism can be changed according to the design specifications.

[0065] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the above-described modifications can be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1…Wheel rack 11A, 11B... Conveyor 12A, 12B…Opening 20...Support mechanism 21... Lifter 25…Anti-slip material 30...wheel 50...Fall prevention mechanism 60…Intervening member M... Conveying direction (one direction of movement) P1,P2,P3…3 points

Claims

1. A conveyor that can move the wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, The wheel is supported by a support mechanism that supports it from below in the vertical direction, The aforementioned support mechanism is A first contact state in which the wheel and the conveyor are in point contact or surface contact, The system is configured to allow switching between a second contact state, in which the wheel and the conveyor are in contact over a smaller contact area than the first contact state, and a second contact state in which a portion of the wheel is displaced vertically upward. Wheel rack.

2. The second contact state is characterized in which the wheel makes point contact with the support mechanism and the conveyor at at least three points. The wheel rack according to claim 1.

3. The support mechanism includes a lifter that supports a portion of the wheel from the vertically downward side, The lifter is fitted with an anti-slip material to prevent the wheel from slipping. The wheel rack according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further includes a fall prevention mechanism to prevent the wheels from falling out of the opening of the wheel rack where the wheels are loaded or unloaded. The wheel rack according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Multiple intervening members are arranged at intervals in the direction of movement of the wheels by the conveyor, and interposed between two adjacent wheels among the multiple wheels. The intervening member has flexibility that allows the wheel to move by the conveyor. The wheel rack according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A wheel support method for supporting a wheel in a wheel rack comprising a conveyor capable of moving the wheel in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a support mechanism that supports the wheel from below in the vertical direction, A first contact step involves bringing the wheel and the conveyor into point contact or surface contact, The device includes a second contact step which brings the wheel and the conveyor into contact over a smaller contact area than the contact state in the first contact step, and displaces a portion of the wheel vertically upward. Wheel support method.

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