Unloading assistance device

Abstract

This unloading assistance device comprises: a drive conveyor capable of transporting a load; a housing that is movable along the horizontal direction and in which the drive conveyor is provided; and an expansion conveyor that is configured to be able to convey a load and expand and contract along the transport direction of the drive conveyor, and one end of which in the expansion / contraction direction is connected to the end of the drive conveyor on the downstream side in the transport direction. The expansion conveyor is configured such that the other end in the expansion / contraction direction can be fixed so as not to move, and the one end in the expansion / contraction direction can move in conjunction with the movement of the housing.

Description

Unloading aids

[0001] The present invention relates to an unloading aid.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Unloading assist devices that assist manual unloading of cargo from the bed of a truck or a container are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-218379 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-196260 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-78126

[0004] The unloading assist devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not take into consideration the transport of luggage using an extendable conveyor.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an unloading assist device capable of transporting luggage using an extendable conveyor.

[0006] An unloading assist device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a drive conveyor capable of transporting luggage; a housing capable of moving horizontally and in which the drive conveyor is mounted; and an extendable conveyor capable of transporting the luggage and configured to be extendable and contractible along the transport direction of the drive conveyor, with one end in the extendable and contractible direction connected to the downstream end of the drive conveyor in the transport direction, wherein the other end in the extendable and contractible direction of the extendable conveyor can be fixed so as to be immovable, and one end in the extendable and contractible direction is configured to be movable in conjunction with the movement of the housing.

[0007] The unloading assist device according to one aspect of the present invention can transport luggage using an extendable conveyor.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a fifth diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a sixth diagram illustrating the transport of a load using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A flowchart for explaining unloading using an unloading assist device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A block diagram showing the unloading assist device of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating the frictional force generated when an extendable conveyor is extended with a load placed on it. FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating the frictional force generated when an extendable conveyor is extended with a load placed on it. FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating the frictional force generated when an extendable conveyor is extended with a load placed on it. A diagram showing a first modified example of the unloading assist device of FIG. 1. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a view showing a second variant of the unloading aid of Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 14.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description does not limit the present invention, but is essentially merely illustrative, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions and the like do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, an unloading assist device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 2, a drive conveyor 7, and an extendable conveyor 8. The unloading assist device 1 according to this embodiment includes moving means 3 that is provided in the housing 2 and has a driving force capable of moving the housing 2 in a horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the unloading assist device 1 is used for manual unloading from a loading platform 101 of a truck 100 onto a fixed platform 107 of a berth 102 (an example of an unloading location), as shown in Figs. 1 to 6.

[0011] The housing 2 is movable in the horizontal direction and is provided with a drive conveyor 7. In this embodiment, the housing 2 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the vertical direction (e.g., the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1 ) and is configured to be positionable on the floor surface 101 a.

[0012] The drive conveyor 7 is configured to be able to transport luggage. In this embodiment, the drive conveyor 7 is driven by a transport motor 30 (see FIG. 8 ) and is positioned above the housing 2 in the vertical direction so as to be able to transport luggage 200 in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The drive conveyor 7 may be built into the housing 2.

[0013] The extendable conveyor 8 is configured to be capable of conveying the luggage 200 and to be extendable and contractible along the conveying direction (e.g., X direction) of the drive conveyor 7, and one end in the extension and contraction direction (e.g., X direction) is connected to the downstream end in the conveying direction of the drive conveyor 7. The extendable conveyor 8 is configured so that the other end in the extension and contraction direction can be fixed so as not to move, and so that one end in the extension and contraction direction can move in conjunction with the movement of the housing 2.

[0014] In this embodiment, the other end of the extendable conveyor 8 is fixed to a fixed base 107, as shown in Figures 2 to 6. The drive conveyor 7 and the extendable conveyor 8 are connected by a connecting means 10. The connecting means 10 may include a retention prevention plate. The retention prevention plate is located downstream of the drive conveyor 7 in the conveying direction, and is configured to be able to change the conveying angle of the cargo 200 conveyed from the drive conveyor 7 to the extendable conveyor 8.

[0015] An example of unloading using the unloading assist device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, when the truck 100 arrives at the berth 102, a worker carries the unloading assist device 1 and the extendable conveyor 8 into the truck 100 (FIG. 7, step S1).

[0017] After the unloading assist device 1 and the extendable conveyor 8 are carried into the truck 100, the worker fixes the fixing base 107 on the berth 102 as shown in FIG. 2 (FIG. 7, step S2).

[0018] Once the fixed platform 107 is fixed on the berth 102, the worker operates the drive switch of the operating unit 34 to drive the drive conveyor 7, as shown in FIG. 3, and transports the cargo 200 toward the fixed platform 107 via the extendable conveyor 8 (FIG. 7, step S3).

[0019] After a certain amount of luggage 200 has been transported, the worker moves the unloading assist device 1 to the vicinity of the luggage 200 loaded on the loading platform 101 at the rear of the truck 100, as shown in Fig. 4 (Fig. 7, step S4). At this time, one end of the extendable conveyor 8 moves in conjunction with the movement of the unloading assist device 1, and the extendable conveyor 8 extends toward the rear of the truck 100.

[0020] When the unloading assist device 1 moves close to the cargo 200 loaded on the loading platform 101 at the back of the truck 100, the worker operates the drive switch on the operating unit 34 to drive the drive conveyor 7, as shown in Figure 5, and transports the cargo 200 toward the fixed platform 107 via the extendable conveyor 8 (Figure 7, step S5).

[0021] When the luggage 200 is transported toward the fixed platform 107, the worker determines whether the transport of the luggage 200 in the truck 100 has been completed (step S6 in FIG. 7). If it is determined that the transport of the luggage 200 in the truck 100 has not been completed, the worker returns to step S4, moves the unloading assist device 1, and transports the luggage 200. On the other hand, if it is determined that the transport of the luggage 200 in the truck 100 has been completed, the worker moves the unloading assist device 1 toward the fixed platform 107 (for example, in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6), retracts the extendable conveyor 8, and carries the unloading assist device 1 out of the truck 100 (step S7 in FIG. 7), thereby completing the unloading process.

[0022] As shown in Figure 8, the unloading assist device 1 of this embodiment includes a control device 33, an operation unit 34, a drive motor 31, and a conveyor motor 30. The control device 33 is configured to be able to control the drive motor 31 and the conveyor motor 30 based on operation commands from the operation unit 34. The drive motor 31 constitutes part of a moving means capable of moving the housing 2 in the horizontal direction. An in-wheel motor, which is an electromagnetic motor incorporated into a wheel, is used as the drive motor 31.

[0023] The control device 33 includes a processor 331, a storage device 332, and a communication device 333. The processor 331, the storage device 332, and the communication device 333 constitute, for example, a part of a processing circuit. The processor 331 includes, for example, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, an ASIC, or a combination thereof. The storage device 332 is configured, for example, as an internal or external recording medium. The internal recording medium includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured as an internal or external recording medium. The internal recording medium includes a non-volatile memory, etc. The external recording medium includes a hard disk (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), an optical disk device, etc. The communication device 333 is configured, for example, as a communication circuit or a communication module for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as a server, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet, or an external input device such as a remote controller (remote control device).

[0024] The control device 33 is connected to a power supply unit 32 provided in the housing 2. The power supply unit 32 includes a rechargeable battery 32a (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). The power supply unit 32 is a so-called cordless power supply, so that the unloading assist device 1 can be easily moved to the back of the bed 101 of the truck 100.

[0025] The operation unit 34 has, for example, a plurality of switches, including, for example, a drive switch for driving / stopping the drive conveyor 7, a speed switch for changing the conveying speed of the drive conveyor 7, a travel switch for moving (for example, forward, backward, or turning) the unloading assist device 1, and an emergency stop switch for instantly stopping the unloading assist device 1.

[0026] The unloading assist device 1 has the following features.

[0027] The unloading auxiliary device 1 includes a drive conveyor 7 capable of transporting luggage 200, a housing 2 movable in a horizontal direction and provided with the drive conveyor 7, and an extendable conveyor 8. The extendable conveyor 8 is configured to be capable of transporting luggage 200 and extendable along the transport direction of the drive conveyor 7, with one end in the extension direction connected to the downstream end of the drive conveyor 7 in the transport direction. The other end of the extendable conveyor 8 can be fixed so as not to move, and one end in the extension direction can move in conjunction with the movement of the housing 2. With this configuration, an unloading auxiliary device 1 capable of transporting luggage 200 using the extendable conveyor 8 can be realized.

[0028] The unloading assist device 1 can have the following configuration.

[0029] The moving means may be configured to have a driving force greater than the total value of horizontal frictional forces of the luggage 200 that can be placed on the extendable conveyor 8. For example, if there is a possibility that a maximum of 10 luggage pieces 200 can be loaded on the extendable conveyor 8, the drive motor 31 may be configured to have a driving force greater than the total value of horizontal frictional forces of the 10 luggage pieces 200 against the extendable conveyor 8. With this configuration, the extendable conveyor 8 can be extended or retracted while luggage pieces 200 are placed on the extendable conveyor 8.

[0030] As shown in Figure 9, assume that the extendable conveyor 8 includes multiple rollers 80, and that a load 200 is placed on the extendable conveyor 8 in a contracted state where adjacent rollers 80 are in contact with each other. When the extendable conveyor 8 in this state is extended in the direction of arrow B, a force acts on the load 200 in the direction R1 in which each roller 80 rotates. At this time, since the rollers 80 are in contact with each other, a frictional force is generated between adjacent rollers 80, and a frictional force is also generated between the load 200 and each roller 80 in the direction of arrow B (e.g., horizontally).

[0031] As shown in Figure 10, when the extendable conveyor 8 in a contracted state is extended in the direction of arrow B, adjacent rollers 80 become separated from each other. In this state, the movement of the luggage 200 and the extension of the extendable conveyor 8 cause each roller 80 to randomly stop rotating and change its rotation direction. As a result, a frictional force in the direction of arrow B is generated between the luggage 200 and the rollers 80, which is different from the state shown in Figure 9 where adjacent rollers 80 are in contact with each other.

[0032] 11 , which shows the extendable conveyor 8 from above, when the extendable conveyor 8 is extended while bending so that only one side of the roller 80 in the width direction extends in the direction of arrow C, a difference in rolling of the load 200 occurs in the width direction of the roller 80. As a result, a horizontal frictional force occurs between the extendable conveyor 8 and the load 200 due to the sliding phenomenon of the load 200.

[0033] As described above, various frictional forces act on the extendable conveyor 8 when the cargo 200 is placed on it, and therefore, in order to extend or contract the extendable conveyor 8, a force greater than these frictional forces is required.

[0034] 12 to 15, the extendable conveyor 8 may include a plurality of rollers 80, each of which has a substantially cylindrical base portion 81 and a contact portion 82, and the contact portion 82 may have a first contact portion 821 and a second contact portion 822 having a surface friction force smaller than that of the first contact portion 821. With this configuration, the friction force can be reduced, and the extendable conveyor 8 can be extended or retracted with the cargo 200 placed on it.

[0035] The first contact portion 821 is, for example, the outer surface of the base material 81 and is made of the same material (for example, a metal material) as the base material 81. The second contact portion 822 is formed, for example, by attaching a low-friction material (for example, a fluorine-based sheet) to the outer surface of the base material 81 or by processing the outer surface of the base material 81 (for example, fluorine coating). With this configuration, the second contact portion 822 can be easily formed on the outer surface of the base material 81.

[0036] In the extendable conveyor 8 shown in Figures 12 and 13, the first contact portions 821 and the second contact portions 822 are arranged alternately along the width direction intersecting the conveying direction and the vertical direction. In the extendable conveyor 8 shown in Figures 14 and 15, if the rollers adjacent in the conveying direction are the first roller 80 and the second roller 80, the first contact portions 821 of the first roller 80 and the second contact portions 822 of the second roller 80 are arranged alternately along the conveying direction. With this configuration, the luggage 200 placed on the extendable conveyor 8 can slide easily on the extendable conveyor 8, and the extendable conveyor 8 can be extended or retracted more easily with the luggage 200 placed on the extendable conveyor 8.

[0037] The moving means 3 can be omitted. In this case, the housing 2 is moved manually by an operator, for example.

[0038] In the present disclosure, any of the various embodiments and modifications described above can be combined as appropriate. Combinations of embodiments and / or modifications include combinations of configurations included in the embodiments and / or configurations included in the examples.

[0039] The present disclosure has been fully described through the above-described embodiments and / or modifications with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the above-described embodiments and / or modifications do not encompass all of the present disclosure. Many modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present disclosure. Such modifications and variations should be understood to be included in the present disclosure as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0040] Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings. Finally, various aspects of the present disclosure will be described.

[0041] The first aspect of the unloading assist device comprises: a drive conveyor capable of transporting luggage; a housing capable of moving horizontally and in which the drive conveyor is mounted; and an extendable conveyor capable of transporting the luggage and configured to be extendable and contractible along the transport direction of the drive conveyor, with one end in the extendable and contractible direction connected to the downstream end of the drive conveyor in the transport direction, wherein the other end in the extendable and contractible direction of the extendable conveyor can be fixed so as to be immovable, and one end in the extendable and contractible direction is configured to be movable in conjunction with the movement of the housing.

[0042] The second aspect of the unloading assist device is the unloading assist device of the first aspect, which further comprises a moving means provided on the housing and having a driving force capable of moving the housing horizontally, and the moving means has a driving force greater than the total value of the horizontal frictional forces of the luggage that can be placed on the extendable conveyor.

[0043] The third aspect of the unloading assist device is the unloading assist device of the first or second aspect, wherein the telescopic conveyor includes a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers having a cylindrical base portion and a contact portion provided on the outer surface of the base portion and capable of contacting the cargo, and the contact portion having a first contact portion and a second contact portion having a surface friction force smaller than that of the first contact portion.

[0044] The unloading auxiliary device of the fourth aspect is the unloading auxiliary device of the third aspect, wherein the plurality of rollers are arranged in a line along the conveying direction, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged alternately along a width direction that intersects the conveying direction and the vertical direction.

[0045] The unloading auxiliary device of the fifth aspect is the unloading auxiliary device of the fourth aspect, wherein the plurality of rollers are arranged in a line along the conveying direction, and when adjacent rollers in the conveying direction are designated as a first roller and a second roller, the first contact portion of the first roller and the second contact portion of the second roller are arranged alternately along the conveying direction.

[0046] The unloading assist device of the sixth aspect is the unloading assist device of any of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the second contact portion is formed by attaching a low-friction material to the outer surface of the base material portion.

[0047] The unloading assist device of a seventh aspect is the unloading assist device of any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the second contact portion is formed by processing the outer surface of the base material portion.

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Unloading auxiliary device 2 Housing 3 Moving means 7 Drive conveyor 8 Telescopic conveyor 10 Connecting means 30 Conveying motor 31 Drive motor 32 Power supply unit 33 Control device 34 Operation unit 80 Roller 81 Base unit 82 Contact unit 100 Truck 101 Loading platform 102 Berth 107 Fixed base 200 Baggage 331 Processor 332 Storage device 333 Communication device 821 First contact unit 822 Second contact unit

Claims

1. An unloading assistance device comprising: a drive conveyor capable of transporting luggage; a housing capable of moving horizontally and in which the drive conveyor is mounted; and an extension conveyor capable of transporting the luggage and configured to be extendable and retractable along the transport direction of the drive conveyor, one end in the extension direction being connected to a downstream end of the drive conveyor in the transport direction, wherein the other end of the extension conveyor in the extension direction can be fixed so as to be immovable, and one end of the extension conveyor in the extension direction is configured to be movable in conjunction with the movement of the housing.

2. An unloading assistance device as described in claim 1, further comprising a moving means provided on the housing and having a driving force capable of moving the housing in a horizontal direction, the moving means having a driving force greater than the total value of the horizontal frictional forces of the luggage that can be placed on the telescopic conveyor.

3. An unloading assistance device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the telescopic conveyor includes a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers having a cylindrical base portion and a contact portion provided on the outer surface of the base portion and capable of contacting the cargo, the contact portion having a first contact portion and a second contact portion having a surface friction force smaller than that of the first contact portion.

4. An unloading assist device as described in claim 3, wherein the plurality of rollers are arranged in a line along the conveying direction, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged alternately along a width direction that intersects the conveying direction and the vertical direction.

5. The unloading assist device as described in claim 4, wherein the plurality of rollers are arranged in a line along the conveying direction, and adjacent rollers in the conveying direction are designated as a first roller and a second roller, and the first contact portion of the first roller and the second contact portion of the second roller are arranged alternately along the conveying direction.

6. An unloading assistance device as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second contact portion is formed by attaching a low-friction material to the outer surface of the base material portion.

7. An unloading auxiliary device as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second contact portion is formed by processing the outer surface of the base material portion.

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