Extendable conveyor

Abstract

This extendable conveyor comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The first conveyor has a plurality of first conveyance members and a plurality of first drive parts, and the second conveyor has a plurality of second conveyance members and a plurality of second drive parts. Each of the plurality of second conveyance members is adjacent, in a width direction, to respective conveyance members among the plurality of first conveyance members at least in a part in a conveyance direction. A first angle of the plurality of first conveyance members with respect to the conveyance direction changes according to positions of the plurality of first drive parts, and a second angle of the plurality of second conveyance members with respect to the conveyance direction changes according to positions of the plurality of second drive parts. When the second conveyor advances and retreats with respect to the first conveyor, a length from a proximal end of the first conveyor to a distal end of the second conveyor increases or decreases.

Description

Telescopic Conveyor

[0001] The present disclosure relates to telescoping conveyors.

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a conveyor belt device for loading or unloading goods into a storage space such as a container on a truck. The conveyor belt device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of conveyor belts arranged alternately along the width direction of the conveyor belt device. The conveying section of this conveyor belt device is extended by the plurality of conveyor belts being stretched out relative to one another in a nested manner, and is shortened by the plurality of conveyor belts being compressed relative to one another.

[0003] Special table 2016-518295 publication

[0004] In the above-described conveyor belt device, only the base ends of the multiple conveyor belts are supported. In this case, considering the possibility of bending and breakage of the multiple conveyor belts, it may not be possible to extend the conveying section of the conveyor belt device to a sufficient length. Furthermore, the above-described conveyor belt device extends in one direction. Here, if the floor height at the source of the conveyor belt device differs from the floor height at the destination of the conveyor belt device, the entire conveyor belt device must be tilted to convey the items. In this case, it may be difficult to insert the leading end of the conveyor belt device deep into the storage area. For these reasons, the leading end of an extendable conveyor such as a conveyor belt device cannot reach the deepest part of the storage area, which may impair the convenience of workers using the extendable conveyor.

[0005] The present disclosure describes an extendable conveyor that can improve worker convenience.

[0006] [1] An extendable conveyor according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an extendable conveyor configured to transport articles along a transport direction, and includes a first conveyor located at a base end of the extendable conveyor, and a second conveyor located at a tip end of the extendable conveyor and capable of advancing and retreating relative to the first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor has a plurality of first transport members arranged along a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and which are endless, a first drive unit that rotationally drives the plurality of first transport members, and a plurality of first support units that each include a first wheel and support the plurality of first transport members, and the second conveyor has a plurality of second transport members arranged along the width direction and which are endless, a second drive unit that rotationally drives the plurality of second transport members, and and a plurality of second support portions each including two wheels and supporting a plurality of second conveying members, each of the plurality of second conveying members being adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of first conveying members in the width direction in at least a portion of the conveying direction, a first angle of the plurality of first conveying members relative to the horizontal direction changing according to the positions of the plurality of first wheels, a second angle of the plurality of second conveying members relative to the horizontal direction changing according to the positions of the plurality of second wheels, when the second conveyor advances relative to the first conveyor, the length from the base end of the first conveyor to the tip end of the second conveyor becomes larger, and when the second conveyor retreats relative to the first conveyor, the length from the base end of the first conveyor to the tip end of the second conveyor becomes smaller.

[0007] According to the telescopic conveyor of [1], the multiple first conveying members are supported by the multiple first support portions, and the multiple second conveying members are supported by the multiple second support portions. This allows the second conveyor to move forward and backward relative to the first conveyor while the telescopic conveyor is supported at multiple positions, thereby enabling a sufficiently long length from the base end of the first conveyor to the tip end of the second conveyor. As a result, the tip end of the telescopic conveyor can more reliably reach the back of the item storage area. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the first angles of the multiple first conveying members change depending on the positions of the multiple first wheels, and the second angles of the multiple second conveying members change depending on the positions of the multiple second wheels. This allows the first angles of the multiple first conveying members relative to the horizontal direction to change independently from the second angles of the multiple second conveying members relative to the horizontal direction. As a result, for example, it is possible to tilt the multiple first conveying members relative to the horizontal direction while extending the multiple second conveying members horizontally. This allows the tip end of the telescopic conveyor to more reliably reach the back of the item storage area. In addition, according to the above configuration, each of the plurality of second conveying members is adjacent to each of the plurality of first conveying members in the width direction at least in part of the conveying direction. This causes the leading edge of the first conveyor and the base edge of the second conveyor to overlap each other when viewed in the width direction. As a result, the height of the step at the location where the leading edge of the first conveyor and the base edge of the second conveyor intersect can be reduced. As a result, the convenience of workers using the telescopic conveyor can be improved.

[0008] [2] In the telescopic conveyor of [1] above, the first and second conveying members may be arranged alternately along the width direction in at least a portion of the conveying direction. Here, the size of the articles conveyed by the first and second conveying members is greater than the spacing between the plurality of conveying members. Therefore, with the above configuration, the spacing between the plurality of first conveying members and the spacing between the plurality of second conveying members is narrowed, allowing the telescopic conveyor to convey smaller articles.

[0009] [3] The telescopic conveyor of [1] or [2] may further include a main conveyor located closer to the base end of the telescopic conveyor than the first conveyor and to which the first conveyor is attached, and the first conveyor may be movable forward and backward relative to the main conveyor below the main conveyor. The addition of the main conveyor increases the overall length of the telescopic conveyor. The first and second conveyors can also be stored below the main conveyor.

[0010] [4] In the telescopic conveyor of [3] above, the main conveyor may include a main body capable of transporting articles along the conveying direction and a connecting conveyor provided at the tip of the main body and swingable about a central axis extending in the width direction, the connecting conveyor including a plurality of endless third conveying members aligned along the width direction and each extending so as to protrude from the tip of the main body, the endless third conveying members swinging to enter between the plurality of first conveying members when a portion of the first conveyor extends from below the main body. With this configuration, the endless third conveying members can swing to enter between the plurality of first conveying members, thereby reducing the step between the main body and the first conveyor at the tip of the main body.

[0011] [5] In the telescopic conveyor of [4] above, the connecting conveyor may further include a transmission member that transmits the driving force of the first driving unit from the plurality of first transport members to the endless third transport member. With this configuration, there is no need to provide a driving unit that applies driving force to the plurality of endless third transport members. This makes it possible to realize an telescopic conveyor including the connecting conveyor with a simpler configuration.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, convenience for workers can be improved.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an extension conveyor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2(a) is a plan view showing the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a plan view showing the first and second conveyors shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3(a) is a plan view showing the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3(b) is a plan view showing the first and second conveyors shown in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 4(a) is a plan view showing the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4(b) is a side view showing the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 4(a). FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the main conveyor of the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip of the main conveyor of the extension conveyor shown in FIG. 2(a) when the second conveyor is retracted relative to the first conveyor. FIG. 8 is a side view showing an extension conveyor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an extension conveyor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the extendable conveyor 100 according to the embodiment is a conveyor for transporting articles W from a storage location of the articles W or for transporting articles W to the storage location of the articles W. In this embodiment, the extendable conveyor 100 is a conveyor for loading and unloading articles W onto and from a truck T parked at a truck berth of a warehouse or the like. The extendable conveyor 100 extends from a floor surface F1 of the warehouse or the like to a floor surface F2 of the loading platform C (storage location) of the truck T. The articles W are placed on the extendable conveyor 100 by a worker and transported to the extendable conveyor 100. In this way, the articles W are loaded and unloaded onto and from the loading platform C of the truck T. The articles W are, for example, tires. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the extendable conveyor 100 will be referred to as the X direction (transport direction, horizontal direction), the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the extendable conveyor 100 will be referred to as the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction will be referred to as the Z direction.

[0016] The extendable conveyor 100 is configured to extend and retract along the X direction. The extendable conveyor 100 includes a main conveyor 10, a first conveyor 20, and a second conveyor 30. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) are plan views showing the extendable conveyor 100 when extended. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), when the extendable conveyor 100 is extended, the main conveyor 10, the first conveyor 20, and the second conveyor 30 are lined up in this order along the X direction.

[0017] The main body conveyor 10 is located closer to the base end 100a of the extendable conveyor 100 than the first conveyor 20. The main body conveyor 10 is a conveyor extending in the X direction, such as a roller conveyor. The main body conveyor 10 has a main body portion 11, a plurality of main body support portions 12 (see FIG. 1) that support the main body portion 11, and a connecting conveyor 40 provided at the tip 11a of the main body portion 11.

[0018] The main body 11 is capable of transporting an article W along the X direction. The main body 11 has a frame 13 extending along the X direction and a plurality of rollers 14 attached to the frame 13. The plurality of rollers 14 form the transport surface of the main body conveyor 10. The plurality of rollers 14 are aligned along the X direction and extend along the Y direction. Each of the plurality of rollers 14 rotates around a central axis extending in the Y direction while supporting the article W. This allows the article W to be transported along the X direction.

[0019] Each of the multiple main body support parts 12 has a leg part 15 and a main body wheel 16 provided at the tip of the leg part 15 (see FIG. 1). The main body wheel 16 is movable on the floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like. This allows the main body conveyor 10 to move smoothly on the floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like. The connection conveyor 40 extends so as to protrude from the tip 11a of the main body part 11. The main body wheel 16 is, for example, a caster or a drive wheel. The connection conveyor 40 is movable relative to the tip 11a of the main body part 11. The connection conveyor 40 will be described in detail below.

[0020] The first conveyor 20 is located closer to the base end 100a of the extendable conveyor 100 than the second conveyor 30. The first conveyor 20 is attached to the main body 11 of the main conveyor 10 in a state where it can move along the X direction. The first conveyor 20 has a plurality of first transport members 21, a first drive unit 22 that drives and rotates the plurality of first transport members 21, and a plurality of first support units 23 (see FIG. 1 ) that support the plurality of first transport members 21.

[0021] Each of the multiple first conveying members 21 is wound around multiple conveyor rollers (not shown) aligned along the X direction. The first conveying members 21 are endless and may be, for example, a conveyor belt (e.g., a modular belt) or a conveyor chain. The multiple first conveying members 21 support the items W and rotate in the same direction to convey the items W along the X direction. The multiple first conveying members 21 are aligned along the Y direction. Each of the multiple first conveying members 21 extends along the X direction. In this embodiment, the multiple first conveying members 21 are aligned at a predetermined interval so that a second conveying member 31 (described below) can be positioned between the multiple first conveying members 21. The multiple first conveying members 21 extend along the X direction so as to be parallel to each other. For example, the tips 21a of the multiple first conveying members 21 are aligned in a comb-like shape.

[0022] The first drive unit 22 is provided at the base end 20a of the first conveyor 20. The first drive unit 22 has a motor 22a and a drive shaft 22b connected to the motor 22a. The drive shaft 22b is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor 22a to each of the multiple first transport members 21. The multiple first transport members 21 are each rotated in the same direction by the first drive unit 22.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the multiple first support portions 23 has a leg portion 24 and a first wheel 25 provided at the tip of the leg portion 24. The first wheel 25 is movable on a flat surface such as a floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like and a floor surface F2 of the loading platform C. In this embodiment, four first support portions 23 are provided at four corners of the first conveyor 20 when viewed from the Z direction. The four first support portions 23 are movable on a flat surface while supporting the multiple first transport members 21. This allows the first conveyor 20 to move smoothly on a flat surface such as a floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like or a floor surface F2 of the loading platform C. The first wheel 25 is, for example, a caster or a drive wheel.

[0024] The first angle of the plurality of first conveying members 21 with respect to the X direction changes depending on the positions of the plurality of first wheels 25. Specifically, when the positions of the plurality of first wheels 25 provided on the tip 20b side of the first conveyor 20 change in the XZ plane, the position of the tip 20b of the first conveyor 20 changes in the XZ plane. In this case, the first angle of the first conveyor 20 with respect to the X direction changes. The first angle of the first conveyor 20 with respect to the X direction is the angle θ1 at which the extension direction of the first conveyor 20 intersects with the X direction (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The first angle is, for example, 1.5 degrees or less.

[0025] The second conveyor 30 is located closer to the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 than the first conveyor 20. The second conveyor 30 has a plurality of second transport members 31, a second drive unit 32 that drives and rotates the second transport members 31, and a plurality of second support units 33 (see FIG. 1 ) that support the second transport members 31.

[0026] Each of the multiple second conveying members 31 is wound around multiple conveyor rollers (not shown) aligned along the X direction. The second conveying members 31 are endless and may be, for example, a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain. The multiple second conveying members 31 support the items W and rotate in the same direction to convey the items W along the X direction. The multiple second conveying members 31 are aligned along the Y direction. Each of the multiple second conveying members 31 extends along the X direction. In this embodiment, the multiple second conveying members 31 are aligned at a predetermined interval so that the first conveying member 21 can be positioned between the multiple second conveying members 31. The multiple second conveying members 31 extend along the X direction so as to be parallel to each other. For example, the base ends 31a of the multiple second conveying members 31 are aligned in a comb-like shape.

[0027] The second drive unit 32 is provided at the tip 30b of the second conveyor 30. The second drive unit 32 has a motor 32a and a drive shaft 32b connected to the motor 32a. The drive shaft 32b is configured to transmit the driving force of the motor 32a to each of the multiple second transport members 31. Therefore, the multiple second transport members 31 are each rotated in the same direction by the second drive unit 32.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , each of the multiple second support portions 33 has a leg portion 34 and a second wheel 35 provided at the tip of the leg portion 34. The second wheel 35 is movable on a flat surface such as a floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like or a floor surface F2 of the loading platform C. In this embodiment, four second support portions 33 are provided at four corners of the second conveyor 30 when viewed from the Z direction. The four second support portions 33 are movable on a flat surface while supporting the multiple second transport members 31. This allows the second conveyor 30 to move smoothly on the floor surface F1 of a warehouse or the like and the floor surface F2 of the loading platform C. The second wheel 35 is, for example, a caster or a drive wheel.

[0029] The second angles of the multiple second conveying members 31 with respect to the X direction change depending on the positions of the multiple second wheels 35. Specifically, when the positions of the multiple second wheels 35 provided on the base end 30a side of the second conveyor 30 change in the XZ plane, the position of the base end 30a of the second conveyor 30 changes in the XZ plane. When the positions of the multiple second wheels 35 provided on the tip end 30b side of the second conveyor 30 change in the XZ plane, the position of the tip end 30b of the second conveyor 30 changes in the XZ plane. In this case, the second angle of the second conveyor 30 with respect to the X direction changes. The second angle of the second conveyor 30 with respect to the X direction is the angle at which the extension direction of the second conveyor 30 intersects with the X direction. The second angle is, for example, 1.5 degrees or less.

[0030] The first angles of the plurality of first conveying members 21 with respect to the X direction vary independently from the second angles of the plurality of second conveying members 31 with respect to the X direction. For example, it is possible to make the plurality of second conveying members 31 extend along the X direction while the plurality of first conveying members 21 are tilted with respect to the X direction.

[0031] Each of the multiple second conveying members 31 is adjacent to each of the multiple first conveying members 21 in the Y direction, at least in part of the X direction. In this embodiment, the first conveying members 21 and the second conveying members 31 are alternately arranged along the Y direction, at least in part of the X direction. The first conveying members 21 and the second conveying members 31 are alternately arranged along the Y direction, at least in part of the X direction. Specifically, the tip 21a of the first conveying member 21 is adjacent to the second conveying member 31. The base end 31a of the second conveying member 31 is adjacent to the first conveying member 21.

[0032] Above, each component of the extendable conveyor 100 after extension has been described. Next, the extension and retraction operation of the extendable conveyor 100 will be described. Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views showing the extendable conveyor 100 during extension and retraction, and Figure 4(a) is a plan view showing the extendable conveyor 100 after contraction. Figure 4(b) is a side view showing the extendable conveyor after contraction.

[0033] First, the contraction operation of the extendable conveyor 100 will be described. As shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), 3(a), and 3(b), the second conveyor 30 can be retracted relative to the first conveyor 20. For example, the second conveyor 30 slides toward the first conveyor 20. When the second conveyor 30 retracts relative to the first conveyor 20, the length L23 from the base end 20a of the first conveyor 20 to the tip end 30b of the second conveyor 30 decreases. This reduces the length from the base end 100a to the tip end 100b of the extendable conveyor 100. In this case, as shown in Figure 3(b), the first conveying members 21 and the second conveying members 31 are alternately arranged in the Y direction, and the first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30 overlap each other. The base end 20a of the first conveyor 20 and the base end 30a of the second conveyor 30 are substantially aligned. The tip 20b of the first conveyor 20 and the tip 30b of the second conveyor 30 are substantially aligned. The base end 30a of the second conveyor 30 (the second wheel 35 on the base end 30a side) moves from the floor F2 of the loading platform C onto the floor F1 of the warehouse or the like as the second conveyor 30 moves backward relative to the first conveyor 20. The tip 20b of the first conveyor 20 (the first wheel 25 on the tip 20b side) is located on the floor F2 of the loading platform C.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 4(a), the first conveyor 20 can be moved backward relative to the main conveyor 10 below the main conveyor 10. The first conveyor 20, for example, moves together with the second conveyor 30 to be positioned below the main conveyor 10. This further reduces the length of the telescopic conveyor 100 from the base end 100a to the tip end 100b. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(a), the main conveyor 10, the first conveyor 20, and the second conveyor 30 are overlapped when viewed from the Z direction. Also, as shown in Figure 4(b), the multiple main support members 12, the multiple first support members 23, and the multiple second support members 33 are arranged at offset positions relative to each other in the X direction. The tip 20b of the first conveyor 20 (first wheel 25 on the tip 20b side) and the tip 30b of the second conveyor 30 (second wheel 35 on the tip 30b side) move from the floor F2 of the loading platform C to the floor F1 of the warehouse, etc., as the first conveyor 20 retreats relative to the main conveyor 10.

[0035] Next, the extension operation of the extendable conveyor 100 will be described. As shown in Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 4(a), the first conveyor 20 can advance relative to the main conveyor 10 below the main conveyor 10. The first conveyor 20 moves to retract from below the main conveyor 10 together with, for example, the second conveyor 30. This increases the length of the extendable conveyor 100 from the base end 100a to the tip end 100b. The tip end 20b of the first conveyor 20 (the first wheel 25 on the tip end 20b side) and the tip end 30b of the second conveyor 30 (the second wheel 35 on the tip end 30b side) move from the floor F1 of the warehouse or the like to the floor F2 of the loading platform C as the first conveyor 20 advances relative to the main conveyor 10.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), 3(a), and 3(b), the second conveyor 30 can advance relative to the first conveyor 20. For example, the second conveyor 30 slides away from the first conveyor 20. When the second conveyor 30 advances relative to the first conveyor 20, the length L23 from the base end 20a of the first conveyor 20 to the tip 30b of the second conveyor 30 increases. This further increases the length from the base end 100a to the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100. The base end 30a of the second conveyor 30 (the second wheel 35 on the base end 30a side) moves from the floor F1 of the warehouse or the like to the floor F2 of the loading platform C as the second conveyor 30 advances relative to the first conveyor 20. The tip 20b of the first conveyor 20 (the first wheel 25 on the tip 20b side) is located on the floor surface F2 of the loading platform C.

[0037] As described above, the extendable conveyor 100 extends and retracts along the X direction. For example, when unloading an article W from the bed C of a truck T, the second conveyor 30 can be advanced or retracted relative to the first conveyor 20 as shown in FIG. 1 , and the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 can be moved to the position of the article W. Also, when loading an article W onto the bed C of the truck T, the second conveyor 30 can be advanced or retracted relative to the first conveyor 20, and the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 can be moved to the position where the article W is to be placed. This allows the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 to always be located near the worker who loads or unloads an article W onto the extendable conveyor 100 on the bed C, improving convenience for the worker.

[0038] Next, the connecting conveyor 40 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the tip 11a of the main conveyor 10 of the extension conveyor 100 shown in Figure 2(a). Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the connecting conveyor 40 has a plurality of endless third conveying members 41, a transmission member 42 that transmits driving force to the plurality of third conveying members 41, a pair of support members 43 that support the plurality of third conveying members 41 and the transmission member 42, and a central shaft 44 that supports the pair of support members 43.

[0039] The central shaft 44 is provided at the tip 11a of the main body 11 of the main body conveyor 10 and extends along the Y direction. The central shaft 44 supports the base ends of the pair of support members 43 so that the plurality of third transport members 41, the transmission member 42, and the pair of support members 43 can swing relative to the central shaft 44.

[0040] The pair of support members 43 are disposed on both ends of the transmission member 42 in the Y direction. The pair of support members 43 extend to protrude from the tip 11a of the main body 11. The pair of support members 43 support the plurality of third conveying members 41 and the transmission member 42. The pair of support members 43 support a central axis 52 of the first transmission part 50 and a central axis 63 (described later) of the second transmission part 60 of the transmission member 42.

[0041] The third conveying member 41 is, for example, a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain. In this embodiment, the third conveying member 41 is a conveyor chain. Each of the multiple third conveying members 41 is wrapped around multiple conveyor rollers 41b (some not shown) and interlocking rollers 62 (described later) aligned along the X direction. The multiple conveyor rollers 41b and interlocking rollers 62 are disposed between two frames (not shown) aligned along the Y direction. The two frames support the multiple conveyor rollers 41b and interlocking rollers 62, for example, from both sides (both outer sides) in the Y direction. The multiple third conveying members 41 rotate in the same direction while supporting the items W, thereby conveying the items W along the X direction. The multiple third conveying members 41 are aligned along the Y direction. The multiple third conveying members 41 protrude from the leading end 11a of the main body 11 of the main conveyor 10 and extend parallel to each other. The plurality of third conveying members 41 extend so as to be positioned between the plurality of first conveying members 21 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0042] The plurality of third conveying members 41 can swing around a central axis 44. Each of the plurality of third conveying members 41 can swing to enter between the plurality of first conveying members 21 when a portion of the first conveyor 20 extends from below the main body 11. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of third conveying members 41 swings so that the tip 41c of the third conveying member 41 enters between the plurality of first conveying members 21. At this time, the outer peripheral surface 51a of the first roller 51 of the transmission member 42 (described below) contacts the conveying surface 21b of the first conveying member 21 due to the weight of the connecting conveyor 40. As a result, the conveying surface 41a of the third conveying member 41 and the conveying surface 21b of the first conveying member 21 intersect with each other at the tip 41c of the plurality of third conveying members 41. As a result, the step between the main body conveyor 10 and the first conveyor 20 can be eliminated.

[0043] Each of the multiple third conveying members 41 can swing to enter between adjacent first and second conveying members 21 and 31 when the second conveyor 30 retracts relative to the first conveyor 20 (when the second conveyor 30 overlaps the first conveyor 20 when viewed from the Y direction). Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the leading end 11a of the main conveyor 10 when the second conveyor 30 retracts relative to the first conveyor 20. In the example shown in Figure 7, the width of the second conveying member 31 in the Y direction is smaller than the distance between two adjacent third conveying members 41 between two adjacent first conveying members 21. The width of the third conveying member 41 in the Y direction is also smaller than the distance between adjacent first and second conveying members 21 and 31. For example, the width of the third conveying member 41 in the Y direction is 30 mm, and the interval between the adjacent first conveying member 21 and second conveying member 31 is 50 mm. As a result, when the second conveyor 30 retreats relative to the first conveyor 20, the second conveying member 31 can move to enter between the third conveying member 41 and the first conveying member 21 when viewed from the Z direction. As a result, the third conveying member 41 can swing to enter between the adjacent first conveying member 21 and second conveying member 31.

[0044] The transmission member 42 transmits the driving force of the first drive unit 22 from the plurality of first transport members 21 to the plurality of third transport members 41. The transmission member 42 has a first transmission unit 50 to which the driving force of the first drive unit 22 is transmitted from the plurality of first transport members 21, and a second transmission unit 60 to which the driving force of the first drive unit 22 is transmitted to the plurality of third transport members 41.

[0045] The first transmission unit 50 has a plurality of first rollers 51 and a central shaft 52 that is the rotation axis of the plurality of first rollers 51. The plurality of first rollers 51 are aligned along the Y direction and overlap the first transport member 21 when viewed from the Z direction. The outer peripheral surface 51a of each of the plurality of first rollers 51 is pressed against the transport surface 21b of the first transport member 21 with a constant pressure. The plurality of first rollers 51 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the plurality of first transport members 21. As an example, the first rollers 51 are urethane wheels.

[0046] The second transmission unit 60 has a plurality of second rollers 61, a plurality of interlocking rollers 62, and a central axis 63 that is the rotation axis of the plurality of second rollers 61 and the plurality of interlocking rollers 62. The plurality of second rollers 61 are aligned along the Y direction and overlap the first conveying member 21 when viewed from the Z direction. The outer circumferential surface 61a of each of the plurality of second rollers 61 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface 51a of each of the plurality of first rollers 51. The plurality of second rollers 61 rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the plurality of first rollers 51. As an example, the second rollers 61 are urethane wheels.

[0047] The interlocking rollers 62 are aligned along the Y direction and overlap the third conveying member 41 when viewed from the Z direction. The interlocking rollers 62 share a rotation axis with the second rollers 61 and rotate in accordance with the rotation of the second rollers 61. This causes the third conveying members 41 wound around each of the interlocking rollers 62 to rotate. The interlocking rollers 62 are, for example, sprockets that mesh with a conveyor chain or the like, or rollers around which a conveying belt or the like can be wound.

[0048] According to the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment, the multiple first conveying members 21 are supported by the multiple first support portions 23, and the multiple second conveying members 31 are supported by the multiple second support portions 33. As a result, with the extendable conveyor 100 supported at multiple positions, the second conveyor 30 can move forward and backward relative to the first conveyor 20, and the length from the base end 20a of the first conveyor 20 to the tip 30b of the second conveyor 30 can be made sufficiently long. As a result, the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 can more reliably reach the back of the storage area for the items W. Furthermore, according to the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment, the first angles of the multiple first conveying members 21 change depending on the positions of the multiple first wheels 25, and the second angles of the multiple second conveying members 31 change depending on the positions of the multiple second wheels 35. As a result, the first angles of the multiple first conveying members 21 with respect to the X direction change independently from the second angles of the multiple second conveying members 31 with respect to the X direction. As a result, for example, it is possible to tilt the plurality of first conveying members 21 relative to the X direction while extending the plurality of second conveying members 31 along the X direction. This allows the leading end 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 to reach the depths of the storage area for the items W more reliably. Additionally, according to the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment, each of the plurality of second conveying members 31 is adjacent to each of the plurality of first conveying members 21 in the Y direction at least in part of the X direction. This causes the leading end 20b of the first conveyor 20 and the base end 30a of the second conveyor 30 to overlap with each other when viewed from the Y direction. This reduces the height of the step at the intersection between the leading end 20b of the first conveyor 20 and the base end 30a of the second conveyor 30. This improves the convenience of workers using the extendable conveyor 100.

[0049] The above-mentioned effects will be described in detail. FIGS. 8 and 9 are side views showing the extendable conveyor 100 according to the embodiment. First, in FIG. 1, the floor F1 of a warehouse or the like and the floor F2 of the loading platform C are located at the same height. Meanwhile, in FIG. 8, items W are loaded on the loading platform C, and the floor F2 is lower than the floor F1. In FIG. 9, the loading platform C is empty, and the floor F2 is higher than the floor F1. Conventional transport conveyors tilt depending on the height of the floor F2, which can result in bending or damage to the frame. In contrast, with the extendable conveyor 100 according to the present embodiment, the first angle of the multiple first transport members 21 relative to the X direction changes independently from the second angle of the multiple second transport members 31 relative to the X direction. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second conveyor 30 can be extended along the X direction while the first conveyor 20 is tilted relative to the X direction. Therefore, the tip 100b of the extendable conveyor 100 can reach the back of the loading platform C while suppressing bending and damage to the extendable conveyor 100 in accordance with fluctuations in the height of the floor surface F2 of the loading platform C.

[0050] In addition, conventionally, the transport conveyor does not reach the back of the bed C of the truck T, which reduces worker convenience. While it is conceivable to add a roller conveyor to the tip of the transport conveyor, this would result in the tip of the transport conveyor being lower than the base end of the transport conveyor, making it necessary to adjust the height of the truck bed floor by constructing a pit in the truck berth or the like in accordance with the height of the tip of the transport conveyor. In contrast, with the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment, each of the multiple second conveying members 31 is adjacent to each of the multiple first conveying members 21 in the Y direction over at least a portion of the X direction. As a result, even if the second conveyor 30 is added to the tip 20b of the first conveyor 20, the height of the tip 100b relative to the base end 100a of the extendable conveyor 100 does not change, so the extendable conveyor 100 can reach the back of the bed C of the truck T in an existing truck berth. In addition, there was a problem that a step would occur at the base end of the additional roller conveyor, which would hinder the transport of goods W, but the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of a step between the first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30.

[0051] The extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment also includes the first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30. This allows the extendable conveyor 100 to have a simpler configuration than a telescopic conveyor, which extends and retracts by moving one cylindrical member forward and backward relative to the other cylindrical member. In other words, the manufacturing costs of the extendable conveyor 100 can be reduced compared to a telescopic conveyor, etc.

[0052] The first and second conveying members 21 and 31 are alternately arranged in the width direction at least in part of the X direction. Here, the size of the articles conveyed by the first and second conveying members 20 and 30 is greater than the spacing between the plurality of conveying members. Therefore, according to the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment, the spacing between the plurality of first conveying members 21 and the spacing between the plurality of second conveying members 31 is narrowed, so the extendable conveyor 100 can convey smaller articles W.

[0053] The telescopic conveyor 100 further includes a main conveyor 10, which is located closer to the base end 100a of the telescopic conveyor 100 than the first conveyor 20 and to which the first conveyor 20 is attached, and the first conveyor 20 is movable forward and backward relative to the main conveyor 10 below the main conveyor 10. The addition of the main conveyor 10 increases the overall length of the telescopic conveyor 100. The first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30 can be stored below the main conveyor 10. As a result, the distance from the base end 100a to the tip end 100b of the telescopic conveyor 100 can be reduced. For example, when no loading or unloading of goods W is being performed on the truck berth, the first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30 can be stored below the main conveyor 10, and the telescopic conveyor 100 can be stored in the warehouse (inside a shutter installed on the truck berth).

[0054] The main body conveyor 10 also includes a main body 11 capable of transporting items W along the X direction, and a connecting conveyor 40 provided at the tip 11a of the main body 11 and swingable about a central axis 44 extending in the Y direction. The connecting conveyor 40 includes a plurality of endless third conveying members 41 aligned along the Y direction and each extending so as to protrude from the tip 11a of the main body 11. The endless third conveying members 41 can swing to enter between the plurality of first conveying members 21 when a portion of the first conveyor 20 advances from below the main body 11. This allows each of the endless third conveying members 41 to swing to enter between the plurality of first conveying members 21. As a result, the step between the main body 11 and the first conveyor 20 at the tip 11a of the main body 11 can be made gentler.

[0055] For example, if a roller conveyor is placed between the main body 11 and the first conveyor 20, a step will remain between the roller conveyor and the first conveyor 20. In this case, an article W will get caught on the step between the main body conveyor 10 and the first conveyor 20. In particular, an article W transferring from the first conveyor 20 to the main body conveyor 10 will get caught on the step. In contrast, the extendable conveyor 100 of this embodiment can avoid the occurrence of the step.

[0056] The connecting conveyor 40 also includes a transmission member 42 that transmits the rotational driving force of the first driving unit 22 from the plurality of first transport members 21 to the plurality of third transport members 41. This eliminates the need to provide a driving unit that applies driving force to the plurality of third transport members 41. As a result, the extendable conveyor 100 including the connecting conveyor 40 can be realized with a simpler configuration.

[0057] Although the embodiments have been described above, one aspect of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the extension conveyor 100 includes the main conveyor 10, but it may not include the main conveyor 10, and may include only the first conveyor 20 and the second conveyor 30.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the first conveying members 21 and the second conveying members 31 are arranged alternately along the Y direction in at least a portion of the X direction, but each of the multiple second conveying members may be adjacent to each of the multiple first conveying members in the Y direction in at least a portion of the X direction. For example, the multiple first conveying members 21 may be arranged so as to be sandwiched between two second conveying members 31 in the Y direction in at least a portion of the X direction. Furthermore, for example, the multiple second conveying members 31 may be arranged so as to be sandwiched between two first conveying members 21 in the Y direction in at least a portion of the X direction.

[0060] 100...extendable conveyor, 100a...base end, 100b...tip end, 10...main conveyor, 11...main body, 11a...tip end, 20...first conveyor, 20a...base end, 20b...tip end, 21...first conveying member, 21a...tip end, 22...first drive unit, 23...first support unit, 25...first wheel, 30...second conveyor, 30a...base end, 30b...tip end, 31...second conveying member, 31a...base end, 32...second drive unit, 33...second support unit, 35...second wheel, 40...connecting conveyor, 41...third conveying member, 42...transmission member, 44...central axis, W...article.

Claims

1. An extendable conveyor configured to transport articles along a transport direction, comprising: a first conveyor located at the base end side of the extendable conveyor; and a second conveyor located at the tip end side of the extendable conveyor and capable of advancing and retreating relative to the first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor has: a plurality of first transport members arranged along a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction and endless; a first drive unit that rotationally drives the plurality of first transport members; and a plurality of first support parts, each of which includes a first wheel and supports the plurality of first transport members; the second conveyor has a plurality of second transport members arranged along the width direction and endless; a second drive unit that rotationally drives the plurality of second transport members; and a plurality of second support parts, each of which includes a second wheel and supports the plurality of second transport members, wherein each of the plurality of second transport members is adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of first transport members in the width direction along at least a part of the transport direction, an extendable conveyor in which a first angle of the plurality of first conveying members relative to the horizontal direction changes depending on the positions of the plurality of first wheels, and a second angle of the plurality of second conveying members relative to the horizontal direction changes depending on the positions of the plurality of second wheels, and when the second conveyor advances relative to the first conveyor, the length from the base end of the first conveyor to the tip end of the second conveyor increases, and when the second conveyor retreats relative to the first conveyor, the length from the base end of the first conveyor to the tip end of the second conveyor decreases.

2. The telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying members and the second conveying members are arranged alternately along the width direction in at least a portion of the conveying direction.

3. An extendable conveyor as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a main conveyor located closer to the base end of the extendable conveyor than the first conveyor and to which the first conveyor is attached, wherein the first conveyor is below the main conveyor and is capable of moving forward and backward relative to the main conveyor.

4. The telescopic conveyor of claim 3, wherein the main body conveyor includes a main body portion capable of transporting articles along the transport direction, and a connecting conveyor provided at the tip of the main body portion and capable of swinging about a central axis extending in the width direction, the connecting conveyor including a plurality of endless third transport members aligned along the width direction and each extending so as to protrude from the tip of the main body portion, and the endless third transport members are capable of swinging to enter between the plurality of first transport members when a portion of the first conveyor advances from below the main body portion.

5. The telescopic conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the connecting conveyor further includes a transmission member that transmits the driving force of the first drive unit from the plurality of first conveying members to the endless third conveying member.

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