Tray transport system

Abstract

The present invention is configured such that work for correcting inclination of a shelf of a rack having an egg-rolling mechanism is mechanized, and such that loading / unloading of the rack is not hindered by the mechanization. The present invention comprises a rack installation unit 2 in which there is installed a rack 10 having an egg-rolling mechanism 12 for inclining a shelf 11 of an egg tray T, a transport mechanism 3 for transporting the egg tray T into or out from the rack 10 installed in the rack installation unit 2, and an inclination correction mechanism 5 for correcting the inclination of the shelf of the rack 10. The inclination correction mechanism 5 retreats to a position that does not interfere with the loading / unloading of the rack 10 to / from the rack installation unit 2 in a standby state in which the inclination of the shelf 11 is not corrected.

Description

Tray transport system

[0001] The present invention relates to a tray transport system.

[0002] Conventionally, incubators (setters) use racks having an egg-turning mechanism that tilts the shelves of the tray, as shown in Patent Document 1.

[0003] When storing trays in a rack with an egg turning mechanism, a worker must adjust the shelf to a horizontal position and then store the tray in. When removing trays from a rack with an egg turning mechanism, a worker must also adjust the shelf to a horizontal position and then pull the tray out of the shelf.

[0004] However, the task of placing trays in and removing trays from the shelves after placing them in a horizontal position is extremely hard work and places a heavy burden on the worker.

[0005] Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 2, a tray conveying device that conveys trays to a rack having a tilting mechanism (egg turning mechanism) is being considered that has a tilt locking mechanism that prevents the tilting mechanism from accidentally operating and causing the tray shelf to tilt when the tray is being transported onto the tray shelf.

[0006] However, this tray transport device does not correct the shelf to a horizontal position, and if the shelf is moved into the rack placement area in an inclined state, there is a risk of interference between the shelf and the inclination locking mechanism.

[0007] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 50-4617 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-46110

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its objective is to mechanize the process of correcting the inclination of the shelves of a rack with an egg turning mechanism, while preventing this mechanization from interfering with the insertion and removal of the rack.

[0009] In other words, the tray conveying system of the present invention comprises a rack installation section in which a rack having an egg turning mechanism that tilts the shelf of the egg tray is installed, a transport mechanism that transports the egg trays in and out of the rack installed in the rack installation section, and a tilt correction mechanism that corrects the tilt of the shelf of the rack, and is characterized in that in a standby state in which the tilt correction mechanism does not correct the tilt of the shelf, it is retracted to a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack into and from the rack installation section.

[0010] This tray conveying system is provided with a tilt correction mechanism, which allows the shelves of the rack having the egg turning mechanism to be in a position (non-tilted) suitable for loading or unloading egg trays. As a result, the work of adjusting the shelf tilt, which has traditionally been done by a worker when loading or unloading trays, can be mechanized. Furthermore, because the tilt correction mechanism is provided in a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack from the rack installation section, the tilt correction mechanism does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack, making it easier to insert and remove the rack from the rack installation section.

[0011] It is desirable that the rack installation unit be configured so that the racks can be inserted and removed in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the egg trays are transported by the transport mechanism. In this configuration, the tilt correction mechanism is provided in a position where it does not interfere with the racks being inserted and removed from the rack installation unit in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Furthermore, the racks can be inserted into the rack installation unit from one side perpendicular to the transport direction, the egg trays are transported by the transport mechanism, and then the racks can be removed from the other side perpendicular to the transport direction. As a result, an automated system can be constructed by connecting a rack inlet path to one side of the rack installation unit and a rack outlet path to the other side of the rack installation unit.

[0012] The tilt correction mechanism includes a contact portion that contacts the rack, and a movement mechanism that moves the contact portion between a correction position where the contact portion contacts the rack to correct the tilt of the shelf, and a retracted position away from the rack, and the retracted position is preferably set to a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack into and from the rack installation unit. With this configuration, the tilt correction mechanism can be located at a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack, while still correcting the tilt of the rack shelf.

[0013] According to the present invention configured in this way, the work of correcting the inclination of the shelves of a rack with an egg turning mechanism can be mechanized, and this mechanization can be prevented from interfering with the insertion and removal of the rack.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a tray transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a rack according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the rack according to the embodiment in (a) a first inclined state and (b) a second inclined state. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an inclination correction mechanism according to the embodiment as seen from the front. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an inclination correction mechanism according to the embodiment as seen from the right. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the inclination correction mechanism according to the embodiment in (a) a state before inclination correction (retracted position Q), (b) a state during inclination correction (retracted position Q → correction position P), and (c) a state after inclination correction (correction position P). FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a tray transport device according to a modified embodiment.

[0015] An embodiment of a tray transport system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that, for ease of understanding, all of the drawings shown below are drawn in a schematic manner with appropriate omissions or exaggerations. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0016] <Configuration of tray conveying system 100> The tray conveying system 100 of this embodiment removes egg trays T (hereinafter simply referred to as trays T) containing eggs E from racks 10 on which the trays T are placed and conveys the trays T to the next process. Specifically, the tray conveying system 100 removes the trays T from racks 10 having egg turning mechanisms 12 used in an incubator (not shown) and conveys the trays T to the next process.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, this tray transport system 100 includes a rack installation section 2 in which a rack 10 on which a tray T is placed is installed, a tray removal mechanism 3 that removes the tray T from the rack 10 installed in the rack installation section 2, and an ejection mechanism 4 that ejects the tray T removed by the tray removal mechanism 3.

[0018] First, the rack 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

[0019] The rack 10 is movable on casters 14 and includes multiple shelves 11 on which trays T are placed, and an egg turning mechanism 12 that changes the inclination of the shelves 11 to turn the eggs. The rack 10 of this embodiment has three shelf rows 11R, each consisting of multiple shelves 11 arranged in the vertical direction. The number of shelf rows 11R provided on the rack 10 is not limited to three, and may be one or more.

[0020] Each shelf 11 is configured so that a tray T can be slid onto it from the front side. Specifically, each shelf 11 is provided with a linear slide portion 11a that slides a convex portion provided on the bottom of the tray T along the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, each shelf 11 can accommodate multiple trays T in the front-to-rear direction.

[0021] The egg turning mechanism 12 collectively changes the inclination of multiple shelves 11 (shelf row 11R) arranged vertically, switching between a first inclined state (see FIG. 3(a)) in which the tray T is inclined to one side and a second inclined state (see FIG. 3(b)) in which the tray T is inclined to the other side. The egg turning mechanism 12 of this embodiment tilts the tray T by rotating it around a rotation axis along the front-to-rear direction. In the first inclined state, the tray T (shelf 11) is inclined downward to the left, and in the second inclined state, the tray T (shelf 11) is inclined downward to the right. Note that the egg turning mechanism 12 can switch the tray T between the first and second inclined states, but cannot fix the tray T in a horizontal position.

[0022] Specifically, the egg turning mechanism 12 includes a connecting frame 121 that connects multiple shelves 11 in the shelf row 11R, and a frame driving unit 122 that is connected to the upper end of the connecting frame 121 and drives the connecting frame 121 in the vertical direction to change the inclination of the multiple shelves 11.

[0023] The connecting frame 121 of this embodiment has a pair of connecting frames 121a, 121b connected to both left and right ends of the shelf 11. The pair of connecting frames 121a, 121b are provided at both front and rear ends of the shelf 11, respectively.

[0024] The frame driving unit 122 also includes a connecting member 122a connected to the pair of connecting frames 121a, 121b, and an actuator 122b, such as an air cylinder, that rotates the connecting member 122a. The connecting member 122a is rotatably mounted on the main frame 13 by a rotation shaft 10x, and the actuator 122b rotates the connecting member 122a relative to the main frame 13. When the connecting member 122a rotates, the pair of connecting frames 121a, 121b connected to the connecting member 122a slide relative to each other in the vertical direction, thereby changing the inclination of the shelf 11. In this embodiment, in order to change the inclination of the three shelf rows 11R simultaneously, the three connecting members 122a are connected by a link mechanism 122c and are configured to rotate by a common actuator 122b.

[0025] Next, each part of the tray transport system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0026] The rack installation unit 2 is where the racks 10 are inserted and removed. In the rack installation unit 2, the racks 10 are installed so that the trays T can be removed from the shelves 11 by the tray removal mechanism 3, that is, so that the front of the racks 10 faces the tray removal mechanism 3.

[0027] The rack installation unit 2 may also be provided with a positioning mechanism (not shown) for positioning the rack 10 relative to the tray removal mechanism 3. The positioning mechanism may be a guide rail for guiding the casters 14 of the rack 10, or a guide member that comes into contact with the rack 10 to position it.

[0028] Furthermore, the racks 10 may be inserted into or removed from the rack installation unit 2 from the rear side, the left side, or the right side of the rack installation unit 2. In other words, the rack installation unit 2 can be configured so that the racks 10 can be inserted into or removed from the rack installation unit 2 in a direction perpendicular to the tray removal direction (transport direction) by the tray removal mechanism.

[0029] The tray removal mechanism 3 removes trays T from the rack 10 installed in the rack installation section 2. The tray removal mechanism 3 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and removes trays T from each of the multiple shelves 11 of the rack 10. The tray removal mechanism 3 is a transport mechanism (unloader) that transports trays T to and from the rack 10.

[0030] Specifically, the tray removal mechanism 3 has a tray receiving unit 31 that receives trays T from the shelf 11, a drive unit 32 that moves the tray receiving unit 31 and inserts it under the tray T, and a support unit (not shown) that supports the tray receiving unit 31 that is inserted under the tray T by the drive unit 32. In this embodiment, a tray receiving unit 31 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple shelf rows 11R, and the multiple tray receiving units 31 are reciprocated by a common drive unit 32. A tray is removed from a shelf by reciprocating the tray receiving unit 31 using the drive unit 32. The tray receiving unit 31, drive unit 32, and support unit are raised and lowered by an elevation mechanism (not shown) to the height of the shelf 11 from which the tray T is to be removed.

[0031] The carrying-out mechanism 4 carries the tray T removed from the rack 10 by the tray removal mechanism 3 to the next process. In this embodiment, the tray T is carried to a workbench or the like for transferring eggs to a hatcher.

[0032] Specifically, the discharge mechanism 4 has a tray discharge unit 41, which is formed of, for example, a conveyor, for discharging the tray T, and a tray transfer unit 42 that transfers the tray T taken out by the tray takeout mechanism 3 to the tray discharge unit 41. The tray transfer unit 42 moves the tray T on the tray receiving unit 31 to the base end side (front side) of the tray receiving unit and transfers it to the tray discharge unit 41. The tray transfer unit 42 has a pushing member 42a for pushing the tray T on the tray receiving unit 31 toward the tray discharge unit 41, and a drive unit 42b for moving the pushing member 42a toward the tray discharge unit 41. The tray transfer unit 42 waits in a position where it does not interfere with the tray takeout mechanism 3 taking out the tray T, and pushes the tray T toward the tray discharge unit 41 after the tray T has been taken out by the tray takeout mechanism 3.

[0033] <Tilt correction mechanism 5 for shelf 11> As shown in Figures 1 and 4 to 6, the tray transport system 100 of this embodiment has a tilt correction mechanism 5 that corrects the tilt of the shelf 11 in the rack 10 before the tray T is removed by the tray removal mechanism 3.

[0034] The tilt correction mechanism 5 corrects the shelves 11 in the rack 10 to a horizontal state, and is provided for each of the multiple shelf rows 11R (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, since there are three shelf rows 11R, three tilt correction mechanisms 5 are provided.

[0035] The tilt correction mechanism 5 is provided on the outer side of the rack installation unit 2, on the tray removal mechanism 3 side (see FIG. 1), and corrects the shelf 11 to a horizontal state by contacting the shelf 11 in the shelf row 11R or the connecting member 122a connected to the shelf row 11R. The tilt correction mechanism 5 of this embodiment corrects the shelf 11 to a horizontal state by contacting the lower end of the connecting member 122a and correcting the tilt of the connecting member 122a. The tilt correction mechanism 5 contacts both sides of the rotation shaft 10x at the lower end of the connecting member 122a. Here, the tilt correction mechanism 5 is provided on both sides of the rotation shaft 10x.

[0036] Specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tilt correction mechanism 5 includes a contact portion 51 that contacts the connecting member 122a of the rack 10, and a moving mechanism 52 that moves the contact portion 51 between a correction position P where the contact portion 51 contacts the rack 10 to correct the tilt of the shelf 11, and a retracted position Q away from the rack 10.

[0037] The moving mechanism 52 rotates the contact portion 51 between the correction position P and the retracted position Q. The moving mechanism 52 has a support member 52a that supports the contact portion 51 and a rotation actuator 52b that rotates the support member 52a.

[0038] The moving mechanism 52 in this embodiment is common to the multiple tilt correction mechanisms 5, and the contact portions 51 of the multiple tilt correction mechanisms 5 are fixed to the support member 52a. The support member 52a is rod-shaped and extends in the left-right direction in front of the rack installation unit 2. The contact portions 51 are fixed to this support member 52a at positions corresponding to the connecting members 122a of each shelf row 11R. Note that a moving mechanism 52 may be provided independently for each of the multiple tilt correction mechanisms 5.

[0039] The rotation actuator 52b may be configured to rotate the support member 52a, and may include, for example, a linear drive unit such as an air cylinder and a link mechanism that converts the linear movement of the linear drive unit into rotational movement and transmits it to the support member 52a. The rotation actuator 52b may also include a rotation motor, gears, etc.

[0040] In a standby state in which the tilt correction mechanism 5 does not correct the tilt of the shelf 11, the tilt correction mechanism 5 is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack 10 into and from the rack installation unit 2. Specifically, the retracted position Q of the contact portion 51 in the tilt correction mechanism 5 is set to a position where it does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack 10 into and from the rack installation unit 2. Here, the position where it does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack 10 into and from the rack installation unit 2 is a position outside the rack passing area when the rack 10 is inserted into and removed from the rack installation unit 2, as shown in FIG.

[0041] Then, when the moving mechanism 52 of the tilt correction mechanism 5 moves the contact portion 51 from the retracted position Q to the correction position P, the contact portion 51 enters the rack installation portion 2 and contacts the connecting member 122a of the rack 10, thereby correcting the tilt of the shelf 11.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 6( a), when the left side of the connecting member 122a is tilted downward (i.e., when the left side of the shelf 11 is tilted downward), the contact portion 51 on the left side of the rotating shaft 10x comes into contact with the left side of the connecting member 122a (see FIG. 6( b)). Then, when the contact portion 51 is rotated as is, the contact portion 51 on the left side of the rotating shaft 10x lifts the left side of the connecting member 122a upward. Furthermore, when the left side of the connecting member 122a is lifted and becomes horizontal, the contact portion 51 on the right side of the rotating shaft 10x comes into contact with the right side of the connecting member 122a (see FIG. 6( c)). This fixes the connecting member 122a in a horizontal position, and the shelf 11 is corrected and fixed in a horizontal position.

[0043] The tilt correction operation by the tilt correction mechanism 5 is controlled by a control device (not shown) and is performed after the rack 10 is installed in the rack installation section 2 and before the tray removal mechanism 3 starts removing the tray T. The tilt correction operation by the tilt correction mechanism 5 is maintained until the tray removal mechanism 3 finishes removing the tray T.

[0044] <Effects of this embodiment> According to tray transport system 100 of this embodiment, tilt correction mechanism 5 is provided, so shelves 11 of rack 10 having egg turning mechanism 12 can be placed in a position (non-tilted) suitable for tray removal. As a result, the work of adjusting the tilt of shelves 11, which has conventionally been done by an operator when removing trays T, can be mechanized. Furthermore, tilt correction mechanism 5 is provided in a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of rack 10 into and from rack installation unit 2, so that tilt correction mechanism 5 does not interfere with the insertion and removal of rack 10, facilitating the insertion and removal of rack 10 into and from rack installation unit 2.

[0045] In this embodiment, the rack installation unit 2 can be configured to allow the rack 10 to be inserted and removed in a direction (left and right) perpendicular to the removal direction (front-to-back direction) of the tray removal mechanism 3, so that the rack 10 can be inserted into the rack installation unit 2 from one side (for example, the left side) perpendicular to the removal direction (front-to-back direction), the tray can be removed by the tray removal mechanism, and then the rack 10 can be removed from the other side (for example, the right side) perpendicular to the removal direction (front-to-back direction). As a result, an automated system can be constructed by connecting a rack inlet path to one side of the rack installation unit 2 and a rack outlet path to the other side of the rack installation unit 2.

[0046] <Modified Embodiments of the Present Invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0047] For example, the tray transport system 100 in the above embodiment removes the tray T from the rack 10 on which the tray T is placed and transports it to the next process, but it may also be configured to transport the tray T into the rack 10.

[0048] 7, the tray transport system 100 includes a rack installation unit 6 on which empty racks 10 are installed, a tray loading mechanism 7 that loads trays T onto the racks 10 installed in the rack installation unit 6, and a tray supply mechanism 8 that supplies trays T to the tray loading mechanism 7. The rack installation unit 6 has the same configuration as the rack installation unit 2 of the above embodiment.

[0049] The tray loading mechanism 7 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and loads trays T onto each of the multiple shelves 11 of the rack 10. The tray loading mechanism 7 is a transport mechanism (loader) that loads trays T onto the rack 10.

[0050] Specifically, the tray carry-in mechanism 7 has a tray alignment section 71 in which trays T to be carried into the shelf 11 are aligned, and a tray push-out section 72 that pushes out trays T on the tray alignment section 71 toward the shelf 11. A tray alignment section 71 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple shelf rows 11R, and a predetermined number of trays T to be carried into each shelf 11 are aligned in a row. The tray push-out section 72 has a push member 72a for pushing the trays T on the tray alignment section 71 toward the shelf 11, and a drive section 72b for moving the push member 72a toward the shelf 11. The tray alignment section 71 and the tray push-out section 72 are raised and lowered by an elevation mechanism (not shown) to the height of the shelf 11 into which the tray T is to be carried.

[0051] The tray supply mechanism 8 supplies trays T to the tray alignment section 71 of the tray carry-in mechanism 7. Specifically, the tray supply mechanism 8 has a tray transport section 81, for example a conveyor, that transports the trays T, and a tray supply section 82 that pushes the trays T from the tray transport section 81 to the tray alignment section 71. The tray transport section 81 is provided with an adjustment section (not shown) that adjusts the distance between the trays T to match the spacing between the shelves 11. The tray supply section 82 also has a pushing member 82a that pushes the trays T on the tray transport section 81 toward the tray alignment section 71, and a drive section 82b that moves the pushing member 82a toward the tray alignment section 71.

[0052] 7 also has an inclination correction mechanism 5 that corrects the inclination of the shelf 11 in the rack 10 before the tray T is carried in by the tray carry-in mechanism 7. The configuration of this inclination correction mechanism 5 is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0053] The tilt correction operation by the tilt correction mechanism 5 is controlled by a control device (not shown) and is performed after the rack 10 is installed in the rack installation section 6 and before the tray loading mechanism 7 starts loading the tray T. The tilt correction operation by the tilt correction mechanism 5 is maintained until the tray loading mechanism 7 finishes loading the tray T.

[0054] The tilt correction mechanism 5 in the above embodiment is configured to switch between the correction position P and the retracted position Q by rotating the contact portion 51. However, in addition to the configuration in which the contact portion 51 is rotated, it may also be configured to switch between the correction position P and the retracted position Q by, for example, moving the contact portion 51 linearly.

[0055] Furthermore, the tilt correction mechanism 5 of the above embodiment may be provided corresponding to at least one shelf row 11R among the multiple shelf rows 11R. Since the multiple shelf rows 11R are connected by the link mechanism 122c, correcting the tilt of at least one shelf row 11R with the tilt correction mechanism 5 can also correct the tilt of the other shelf rows 11R via the link mechanism 122c. In this case, it is conceivable to provide the tilt correction mechanism 5 on both sides of the rotation axis 10x in the connecting member 122a of the corresponding shelf row 11R.

[0056] Furthermore, the contact points of the tilt correction mechanism 5 may be different in the multiple shelf rows 11R. For example, the contact portion 51 of the tilt correction mechanism 5 may contact the left side of the rotation shaft 10x in one shelf row 11R, and the contact portion 51 of the tilt correction mechanism 5 may contact the right side of the rotation shaft 10x in another shelf row 11R. With this configuration, the number of tilt correction mechanisms 5 can be reduced while correcting the tilt of the shelves 11 in the multiple shelf rows 11R.

[0057] Furthermore, although the tilt correction mechanism 5 in the above embodiment corrects the tilt of the shelf 11 by contacting the connecting member 122a of the rack 10, it may also correct the tilt of the shelf 11 by contacting other movable members of the rack 10 (for example, the shelf 11, the slide portion 11a or the connecting frames 121a, 121b, etc.).

[0058] In addition, the tilt correction mechanism 5 is configured to contact the lower end of a movable member such as the connecting member 122a and lift the movable member to correct the tilt, but it may also be configured to contact the upper end of a movable member such as the connecting member 122a and push down the movable member to correct the tilt.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0060] According to the present invention, the work of correcting the inclination of the shelves of a rack having an egg turning mechanism can be mechanized, and the mechanization can be prevented from interfering with the insertion and removal of the rack.

[0061] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100: Tray transport system T: Tray (egg tray) 10: Rack 11: Shelf 12: Egg turning mechanism 2: Rack installation section 3: Tray removal mechanism (transport mechanism) 5: Tilt correction mechanism 51: Contact section 52: Movement mechanism P: Correction position Q: Evacuation position 6: Rack installation section 7: Tray loading mechanism (transport mechanism)

Claims

1. A tray transport system comprising: a rack installation section in which a rack having an egg turning mechanism that tilts the shelves of egg trays is installed; a transport mechanism that loads and unloads the egg trays onto and from the rack installed in the rack installation section; and a tilt correction mechanism that corrects the tilt of the shelves of the rack, wherein the tilt correction mechanism is retracted to a position that does not interfere with the loading and unloading of the rack into and from the rack installation section during a standby state in which the tilt of the shelves is not corrected.

2. A tray conveying system as described in claim 1, wherein the rack installation section is configured to allow the rack to be taken in and out in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the egg trays are conveyed by the conveying mechanism.

3. A tray transport system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tilt correction mechanism comprises a contact portion that contacts the rack, and a moving mechanism that moves the contact portion between a correction position where the contact portion contacts the rack to correct the tilt of the shelf, and a retracted position away from the rack, and the retracted position is set to a position that does not interfere with the insertion and removal of the rack into and from the rack installation section.

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