Transport mechanism

Abstract

A transport mechanism 1 includes: an air bag 12 which can be contracted and expanded by the filling and releasing of a gas and which, when expanded, secures cargo 2 to be transported so that the same does not move in the horizontal direction or upwards; and an anti-vibration pallet 13 which supports the cargo 2 from below and damps vibrations.

Description

transport mechanism

[0001] The present disclosure relates to transport mechanisms.

[0002] When transporting cargo by cargo transport vehicles such as trucks and freight trains, a transport mechanism including a transport container for storing the cargo may be used. The transport container is also called a container, and is required to stabilize the posture of the cargo and prevent damage to the cargo due to vibrations during transportation.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for loading coils into a container that uses an airbag to easily load and secure coils into the container even when the diameters of the coils to be transported are different. Patent Document 2 discloses a luggage stabilizer and a packing method that uses a bag body to increase the contact area between the luggage and the luggage stabilizer when storing luggage inside a box, even if the luggage has a complex shape, and that allows the shape of the luggage stabilizer to be kept constant during transportation of the luggage.

[0004] JP 2018-039535 A JP 2013-224170 A

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the fixing direction by the airbag is limited, and there is room for improvement in posture maintenance performance. In Patent Document 2, the bag body supports the load of the luggage, which is not suitable for heavy luggage, and there is also room for improvement in vibration isolation performance.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a transport mechanism that has high posture maintenance performance and vibration isolation performance for cargo to be transported.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a transport mechanism comprising an airbag that can be inflated and deflated by adding and releasing gas, and that when inflated secures the cargo to be transported so that it does not move horizontally or upward, and a vibration-damping pallet that supports the cargo from below and damps vibrations.

[0008] According to this configuration, the airbags can secure cargo of various shapes and sizes so that they do not move horizontally or upward, and the vibration-isolating pallet can support cargo of various weights from below, thereby stabilizing the posture of cargo of any shape or size in all directions. In particular, since the cargo can be secured in all directions, no additional securing work such as tightening the cargo is required, allowing the cargo to be transported efficiently. Furthermore, the vibration-isolating pallet can attenuate vibrations transmitted to the cargo during transportation. Therefore, a transport mechanism with high posture maintenance and vibration-isolating capabilities can be provided for the cargo to be transported. Note that the cargo to be transported can be heavy coils or the like that have a shape that makes them prone to rolling.

[0009] The vibration-isolating pallet may include at least one spring.

[0010] This configuration allows the vibration-damping pallet to be realized with a simple structure using springs. Also, by selecting an appropriate load capacity for the springs, it can be used to transport heavy cargo.

[0011] The at least one spring may include a plurality of types of springs with different properties.

[0012] This configuration allows a single vibration-damping pallet to transport loads of various weights. The different types of springs include springs with different lengths and spring multipliers. Specifically, the number of springs supporting the load can be varied depending on the load's weight. For example, if two types of springs, long and short, are included, a light load can be supported by only the long springs, and a heavy load can be supported by both the long and short springs.

[0013] The vibration-isolating pallet may comprise at least one rubber.

[0014] This construction allows the vibration-damping pallet to be realized with a simple structure using rubber. Also, by selecting an appropriate load capacity for the rubber, it can be used to transport heavy cargo.

[0015] The at least one rubber may include a plurality of types of rubber having different properties.

[0016] With this configuration, similar to the case of the springs described above, a single vibration-isolating pallet can be used to transport loads of various weights. Here, the multiple types of rubber with different properties include rubbers with different lengths and hardnesses.

[0017] The vibration-isolating pallet may include at least one air spring.

[0018] This configuration allows the vibration-isolating pallet to be realized with a simple structure using air springs. Also, the amount of vibration damping can be easily adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the air springs.

[0019] The transport mechanism may further comprise a box-shaped transport container having the airbag attached to an inner surface thereof.

[0020] This configuration allows the airbag to be mounted in various directions, thereby achieving optimal securing of the luggage.

[0021] The transport mechanism may further include a storage facility having a box-shaped outer wall and removable partition walls that divide the space within the outer wall into a plurality of rooms, and that stores the transport containers in each of the plurality of rooms.

[0022] With this configuration, partition walls can be attached or detached as needed within the storage facility to form rooms of a size suitable for transport containers or luggage.

[0023] The transport mechanism may have a dew point control function.

[0024] This configuration allows the dew point to be controlled, thereby preventing condensation from forming on the cargo.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, a transport mechanism can be provided that has high posture maintenance performance and vibration isolation performance for cargo to be transported.

[0026] 1. A cross-sectional view of a transport mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view of a transport container. A cross-sectional view of the transport container taken along line A-A in FIG. 2 when the airbag is inflated. A cross-sectional view of the transport container taken along line A-A in FIG. 2 when the airbag is deflated. A cross-sectional view of the transport container taken along line B-B in FIG. 2 when the airbag is inflated. A cross-sectional view of the transport container taken along line B-B in FIG. 2 when the airbag is deflated. A cross-sectional view of a transport container showing a first modified example of a vibration-isolating pallet. A cross-sectional view of a transport container showing a second modified example of a vibration-isolating pallet. An exploded cross-sectional view of a transport container in a modified example. A cross-sectional view of a transport container shown in a folded state from FIG. 9. A cross-sectional view of a transport container in another modified example. A cross-sectional view of a transport container shown in a folded state from FIG. 11. A cross-sectional view of a transport mechanism in a modified example.

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a transport mechanism 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, although for clarity of illustration, some parts are not shown in cross-section.

[0029] The transport mechanism 1 is used to transport cargo 2 in a transport container 10. In this embodiment, the cargo 2 is a coil made of aluminum alloy or steel. Because the coil has a round shape, it is generally difficult to stabilize its posture depending on how it is arranged. In addition, some coils are large and heavy, with a diameter exceeding 1 m, and transporting them is generally difficult. However, the transport mechanism 1 of this embodiment can easily transport even such large, heavy, round coils 2. However, there are no particular limitations on the size, weight, or shape of the cargo 2 to be transported.

[0030] In all the drawings, the front-to-back direction is indicated by reference symbol X (arrow points forward), the left-to-right direction is indicated by reference symbol Y (arrow points right), and the up-to-down direction is indicated by reference symbol Z (arrow points upward). However, these directions are for convenience of explanation and do not limit the orientation of the arrangement.

[0031] In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 1 includes a transport container 10 , an airbag 12 , a vibration-isolating pallet 13 , and a storage facility 20 .

[0032] The storage facility 20 has a box-shaped outer wall 21 and is loaded onto a luggage transport vehicle such as a truck or a freight train. In this embodiment, the transport containers 10 that constitute each of the multiple rooms R1 to R3 are stored inside the storage facility 20. The storage facility 20 stores three transport containers 10 lined up front and behind each other. Inside two of the three transport containers 10, coils 2 are arranged so that their central axes extend in the left-right direction. The front-to-back direction, left-to-right direction, and up-down direction of the luggage transport vehicle carrying the storage facility 20 correspond to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively, described above.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the shipping container 10.

[0034] The transport container 10 has a box-shaped storage wall 11 with an open bottom. The bottom of the storage wall 11 is sealed by a pallet 13, thereby sealing the interior. A coil 2 is disposed within the storage wall 11 with its central axis extending in the left-right direction. A gas port 11a may be provided in the storage wall 11. The gas port 11a is used to supply a predetermined gas, such as dry air, capable of suppressing condensation into the storage wall 11. Alternatively, the gas port 11a may be used to reduce the pressure inside the storage wall 11 by exhausting the gas from the storage wall 11. The gas port 11a has a sealed structure to prevent unintentional gas leakage to the outside. This facilitates dew point control to suppress condensation within the storage wall 11. Note that, in FIG. 2 , the gas port 11a is provided on the top surface of the storage wall 11, but this is not limited thereto and may be provided at any position, such as the side. Alternatively, such a gas port may be provided on the top surface 13c of the pallet 13, rather than on the storage wall 11.

[0035] In this embodiment, the transport container 10 may have a sensor 3 that measures at least one of vibration, temperature, and humidity applied during transport, and a storage medium 4 that can store data measured by the sensor 3. The data stored in the storage medium 4 is used to check the transport status.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 taken along line A-A in Fig. 2 when the airbag 12 is inflated, and Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 taken along line A-A in Fig. 2 when the airbag 12 is deflated. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 taken along line B-B in Fig. 2 when the airbag 12 is inflated, and Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 taken along line B-B in Fig. 2 when the airbag 12 is deflated. In Fig. 1, the airbag 12 in room R1 is inflated, and the airbags 12 in rooms R2 and R3 are in deflated.

[0037] The airbag 12 can be inflated and deflated by injecting and evacuating gas (e.g., air). When inflated, it secures the coil 2 to be transported so that it cannot move horizontally (in all directions, front, back, left, and right) or upward. When deflated, the airbag 12 releases the coil 2, allowing the coil 2 to be easily removed from the transport container 10. The airbag 12 is fluidly connected to a gas supply source (e.g., a gas pump), and the supply source is electrically connected to a control device. Therefore, the gas supply and exhaust can be adjusted.

[0038] In this embodiment, the airbags 12 are attached to the inner surface of the storage wall 11 of the transport container 10. In the illustrated example, the airbags 12 are arranged on the lower left front side, upper left front side, lower left rear side, upper left rear side, lower right front side, upper right front side, lower right rear side, and upper right rear side relative to the coil 2. Referring particularly to Figure 5, the airbags 12 press down on the luggage 2 from the four sides constituting the storage wall 11 of the transport container 10.

[0039] The arrangement of the airbag 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to apply a pressing force to the coil 2 in the front-rear, left-right, and downward directions. For example, the airbag 12 may not be arranged directly above the coil 2, but may be arranged diagonally above it. Even when the airbag 12 is arranged with a space directly above the coil 2 empty in this way, a downward pressing force is applied to the luggage as a force component, so the coil 2 is fixed so as not to move upward. The same applies to the horizontal direction (front-rear, left-right directions), and any arrangement may be used as long as it is possible to apply a pressing force from the airbag 12 to the coil 2 so as not to move in any of the front-rear, left-right, and right directions.

[0040] The vibration-isolating pallet 13 supports the coil 2 from below and attenuates vibrations transmitted from the luggage transport vehicle to the coil 2. A positioning member 14 for positioning the coil 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the vibration-isolating pallet 13. In the illustrated example, the positioning member 14 has a triangular prism shape extending in the left-right direction. The positioning member 14 can be easily removed and may be omitted if necessary.

[0041] In this embodiment, the vibration-isolating pallet 13 includes multiple types of springs 13a, 13b with different properties and a movable plate 13c arranged on the springs 13a, 13b and capable of moving up and down. The multiple types of springs 13a, 13b may have different lengths and spring multipliers. In the illustrated example, two types of springs 13a, 13b with different lengths are provided. When the coil 2 is light, the movable plate 13c does not sink deeply, and the coil 2 is supported via the movable plate 13c only by the long spring 13a. When the coil 2 is heavy, the movable plate 13c sinks deeply, and the coil 2 is supported by both the long spring 13a and the short spring 13b. Note that if versatility in terms of the weight of the coil 2 is not required, only a single type of spring may be used. The vibration-isolating pallet 13 may also include any number of springs.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 showing a first modified example of the vibration-isolating pallet 13.

[0043] The vibration-isolating pallet 13 may include multiple types of rubber 13d, 13e with different properties instead of the springs 13a, 13b (see FIG. 3). The multiple types of rubber 13d, 13e may have different lengths and hardnesses. In the illustrated example, two types of rubber 13d, 13e with different lengths and hardnesses are provided, and the coil 2 is supported via a movable plate 13c. The vibration-isolating pallet 13 including such multiple types of rubber 13d, 13e provides versatility with respect to the weight of the coil 2, similar to the case of the springs 13a, 13b. The vibration-isolating pallet 13 may also include any number of rubbers.

[0044] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the transport container 10 showing a second modified example of the vibration-isolating pallet 13.

[0045] The vibration-isolating pallet 13 may include air springs 13f instead of the springs 13a and 13b (see FIG. 3). The air spring 13f has a spring structure that utilizes gas (e.g., air) pressure. Any known mechanism such as an air cylinder or an air bag may be used as the air spring 13f. The vibration-isolating pallet 13 including the air spring 13f can provide vibration damping function similar to that of the springs 13a and 13b. Furthermore, the amount of vibration damping can be easily adjusted by adjusting the pressure of the air spring 13f.

[0046] FIG. 9 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a transport container 10 according to a modified example.

[0047] In this modification, the storage wall 11 has a storage upper wall 11b and a storage side wall 11c that can be separated from each other. The storage side wall 11c is rectangular tubular, and the storage upper wall 11b serves as a lid for the storage side wall 11c. The storage side wall 11c and the storage upper wall 11b are placed on a vibration-isolating pallet 13. In this way, the storage wall 11 may be disassembled into multiple parts.

[0048] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shipping container 10 shown in FIG. 9 in a folded state.

[0049] In this modification, the storage side wall 11c is rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in Figure 9 and folded. The storage side wall 11c has a joint 11d that allows the center portion to be constricted inward like an hourglass. The storage side wall 11c is folded and placed on the vibration-isolating pallet 13, and the storage top wall 11b is placed on top of the folded storage side wall 11c.

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an open shipping container 10 in another variation.

[0051] In this embodiment, the storage wall 11 is configured to be openable and closable, allowing the coil 2 to be easily inserted into and removed from the transport container 10. In the illustrated example, the top surface of the storage wall 11 is configured to open forward and backward. However, the opening direction is not particularly limited. In this modified example, the transport container 10 has a bottom wall 11e. In other words, the transport container 10 is completely box-shaped and can form an airtight structure by itself.

[0052] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the shipping container 10 in the collapsed state from FIG.

[0053] In this embodiment, the storage wall 11 is configured to be foldable. By folding it when not storing the coil 2, it is possible to save space. In the illustrated example, the dimensions in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions remain the same, but the dimension in the height direction can be significantly reduced.

[0054] The opening / closing structure and the folding structure of the transport container 10 can be easily realized by providing a joint to the storage wall 11. The opening / closing structure and the folding structure of the transport container 10 are not limited to those described above.

[0055] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the transport mechanism 1 in a modified example.

[0056] In this modification, the storage facility 20 and the transport container 10 are integrally configured. Specifically, the outer wall 21 of the storage facility 20 (see FIG. 1 ) and the storage wall 11 of the transport container 10 (see FIG. 3 ) are integrally configured as an integral wall 23. That is, the storage facility 20 and the transport container 10 share the integral wall 23.

[0057] A partition wall 24 that divides the interior space into multiple rooms R1 to R3 is detachably attached to the integral wall 23, and an airbag 12 is attached to the inner surface of each of the multiple rooms R1 to R3. In the illustrated example, one airbag 12 is provided for each of the rooms R1 to R3, and when inflated, the airbag 12 securely wraps around the coil 2 horizontally and from above. In the illustrated example, the coil 2 is not housed in the central room R2, and the vibration-isolating pallet 13 has been removed.

[0058] In this modified example, a dew point regulator 30 is provided. The dew point regulator 30 has the function of adjusting and managing the dew points of the rooms R1 to R3. The dew point regulator 30 adjusts and manages environmental values ​​that affect the dew point, such as temperature or humidity. The dew point regulator 30 may be a known air conditioner. In the illustrated example, one dew point regulator 30 is provided for each of the three rooms R1 to R3.

[0059] According to this embodiment and the multiple modifications, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0060] The airbags 12 can secure luggage 2 of various shapes and sizes so that they do not move in the horizontal or upward direction, and the vibration-isolating pallet 13 can support luggage 2 of various weights from below, so the posture of luggage 2 of any shape or size can be stabilized in all directions. In particular, since the luggage 2 can be secured in all directions, no additional securing work such as tightening the luggage 2 is required, and the luggage 2 can be transported efficiently. Furthermore, the vibration-isolating pallet 13 can attenuate vibrations transmitted to the luggage 2 during transportation. Therefore, a transport mechanism 1 can be provided that has high posture maintenance performance and vibration-isolating performance for the luggage 2 to be transported.

[0061] Furthermore, the springs 13a and 13b (see FIGS. 3 and 4) allow the vibration-isolating pallet 13 to be realized with a simple structure. By appropriately selecting the load-bearing capacity of the springs 13a and 13b, it is possible to transport even heavy loads 2. Furthermore, because the vibration-isolating pallet 13 has multiple types of springs 13a and 13b, it is possible to transport loads 2 of various weights using a single vibration-isolating pallet.

[0062] The rubbers 13d and 13e (see FIG. 7) also allow the vibration-isolating pallet 13 to be realized with a simple structure. By appropriately selecting the load-bearing capacity of the rubbers 13d and 13e, it is possible to transport heavy loads 2. Furthermore, because the vibration-isolating pallet 13 has multiple types of rubbers 13d and 13e, it is possible to transport loads 2 of various weights using a single vibration-isolating pallet 13, just as in the case of the springs 13a and 13b.

[0063] Furthermore, the air springs 13f (see FIG. 8) can be used to realize a simple structure for the vibration-isolating pallet 13. By adjusting the pressure of the air springs 13f, the amount of vibration damping can be easily adjusted.

[0064] In addition, the transport mechanism 1 can have a dew point control function by supplying dry air or reducing pressure to the transport container 10 via the gas port 11 (see Figure 2) or by using the dew point regulator 30 (see Figure 13), thereby preventing condensation from occurring on the luggage 2.

[0065] Furthermore, since the airbag 12 is attached to the inner surface of the transport container 10, the airbag 12 can be attached in various directions, thereby realizing suitable fixation of the luggage 2.

[0066] Furthermore, the partition wall 24 can be attached or detached within the storage facility 20 as needed to form rooms R1 to R3 of sizes suitable for the transport container 10 and the luggage 2.

[0067] Although specific embodiments of the present invention and their modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the present invention.

[0068] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-031338, filed March 1, 2024. Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-031338 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0069] The present disclosure may include the following aspects. (Aspect 1) A transport mechanism comprising: an airbag that can be inflated and deflated by adding and releasing gas, and that, when inflated, secures a load to be transported so that it does not move horizontally or upward; and a vibration-damping pallet that supports the load from below and damps vibrations. (Aspect 2) The transport mechanism of Aspect 1, in which the vibration-damping pallet has at least one spring. (Aspect 3) The transport mechanism of Aspect 2, in which the at least one spring includes multiple types of springs with different properties. (Aspect 4) The transport mechanism of Aspect 1, in which the vibration-damping pallet has at least one rubber. (Aspect 5) The transport mechanism of Aspect 4, in which the at least one rubber includes multiple types of rubber with different properties. (Aspect 6) The transport mechanism of Aspect 1, in which the vibration-damping pallet has at least one air spring. (Aspect 7) The transport mechanism of any of Aspects 1 to 5, further comprising a box-shaped transport container with the airbag attached to its inner surface. (Aspect 8) The transport mechanism according to Aspect 7, further comprising a box-shaped outer wall and removable partition walls that divide the space within the outer wall into a plurality of rooms, and a storage facility for storing the transport container in each of the plurality of rooms. (Aspect 9) The transport mechanism according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, having a dew point control function.

[0070] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Transport mechanism 2 Baggage (coil) 3 Sensor 4 Storage medium 10 Transport container 11 Storage wall 11a Gas port 11b Storage top wall 11c Storage side wall 11d Joint 11e Bottom wall 12 Air bag 13 Vibration-proof pallet 13a, 13b Spring 13c Movable plate 13d, 13e Rubber 13f Air spring 14 Positioning member 20 Storage shed 21 Outer wall 23 Integrated wall (outer wall, storage wall) 24 Partition wall 30 Dew point regulator

Claims

1. A transport mechanism comprising an airbag that can be inflated and deflated by adding and releasing gas, and that when inflated secures the cargo to be transported so that it does not move horizontally or upwards, and an anti-vibration pallet that supports the cargo from below and attenuates vibrations.

2. The transport mechanism of claim 1, wherein said vibration-isolating pallet includes at least one spring.

3. The transport mechanism of claim 2, wherein said at least one spring comprises a plurality of types of springs having different properties.

4. The transport mechanism of claim 1, wherein the vibration-isolating pallet comprises at least one rubber.

5. The transport mechanism of claim 4, wherein the at least one rubber comprises multiple types of rubber with different properties.

6. The transport mechanism of claim 1, wherein the vibration-isolating pallet includes at least one air spring.

7. The transport mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a box-shaped shipping container having said air bag attached to an interior surface thereof.

8. A transport mechanism as described in claim 7, further comprising a box-shaped outer wall and removable partition walls that divide the space within said outer wall into a plurality of rooms, each of said rooms further comprising a storage facility for storing said transport container.

9. A transport mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a dew point control function.

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