Conveyance device, roller cartridge, and roller unit

Abstract

A conveyance device (1) comprises a conveyance mechanism (11) and a drive mechanism (31). The conveyance mechanism (11) is provided with a plurality of roller cartridges (12) arranged in the conveyance direction of a conveyed item. The roller cartridges (12) are each provided with a cartridge body (15) having a connection opening (17), and a plurality of roller units (16) accommodated in the cartridge body. The roller units (16) are each provided with a support shaft (19) supported by the cartridge body, a conveyance roller (21), and a drive shaft member (22) rotatably supported with respect to the support shaft. The drive shaft member (22) is provided with a drive connection portion (25) and a roller support portion (26). By mounting the roller cartridge (12) onto the mounting surface with the connection opening (17) facing a frame (32), the drive connection portion (25) is connected to the drive mechanism (31).

Description

Carrier device, roller cartridge, and roller unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a carrier device, a roller cartridge, and a roller unit that carry an object to be carried by carrier rollers.

[0002] As a conveyor device as a carrier device described in Patent Document 1, a roller unit as a cartridge that houses a plurality of carrier rollers is arranged on a frame in which a drive mechanism is configured. Each roller unit houses a roller assembly including a carrier roller portion and the like inside a roller cover member, and a drive wheel for rotating the carrier roller portion is arranged on the side surface of the roller cover member. A chain engaged with a sprocket is engaged with the drive wheel. The carrier roller portion is rotated through the drive wheel when the chain runs. Then, the carrier roller portion carries the object to be carried when the portion exposed from the roller cover member comes into contact with the object to be carried.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018 - 172212

[0004] In the conveyor device of Patent Document 1, the roller assembly deteriorates due to wear or the like during repeated use and needs to be replaced. When replacement of parts such as the roller assembly becomes necessary, in the replacement process, first, the chain is removed from the drive wheel, and then the roller unit is removed. Then, the roller assembly or the like that needs to be replaced is replaced from the removed roller unit. Also, it is replaced with a new roller unit. Then, it is necessary to arrange the new roller unit at a predetermined position of the frame and then engage the chain with the drive wheel. For this reason, maintenance has become complicated.

[0005] A conveying device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a conveying mechanism for conveying an object and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a plurality of roller cartridges arranged in the direction of conveying the object, each roller cartridge being detachably attached to a mounting surface of a frame on which the drive mechanism is configured, and each roller cartridge comprises a cartridge body having an upper surface on which the object is conveyed and a connection opening for connecting to the drive mechanism, and a plurality of roller units housed in the cartridge body, each roller unit comprising a support shaft supported by the cartridge body, a conveying roller partially exposed from the upper surface, and a drive shaft member rotatably supported with respect to the support shaft, the drive shaft member comprising a drive connection portion and a roller support portion for supporting the conveying roller, wherein the drive connection portion is connected to the drive mechanism when the roller cartridge is mounted on the mounting surface with the connection opening facing the frame.

[0006] According to the above configuration, roller cartridges are mounted in a row on the mounting surface of the frame. As a result, the conveying rollers transport the material through the drive force transmitted from the drive mechanism via the drive shaft member. In such a conveying device, for example, if it becomes necessary to replace parts of the roller unit, only the roller cartridge that needs replacing needs to be replaced with a new roller cartridge. Therefore, the conveying device is easy to maintain.

[0007] In the above-described conveying device, the mounting surface of the frame may be an upward-facing surface, and the roller cartridge may be configured such that the connecting opening faces downward and is mounted on the mounting surface from above.

[0008] With the above configuration, at least the weight of the conveyor roller is applied to the roller support, causing the conveyor roller to rotate integrally with the drive shaft member due to friction with the roller support. Furthermore, since the roller cartridge can be attached and detached from above the frame, the replacement of the roller cartridge becomes easy.

[0009] In the above-described conveying device, the drive shaft member may be configured to rotate the conveying roller by friction with the roller support. With this configuration, when a load is applied to the roller support, the conveying roller rotates integrally with the drive shaft member by friction with the roller support, and the portion exposed from the upper surface of the cartridge body conveys the conveyed object. If an external force greater than the thrust that moves the conveyed object in the conveying direction is applied to the conveyed object, the roller support rotates freely relative to the conveying roller, and the conveyed object stops.

[0010] In the above-described conveying device, the exposed portion of the conveying roller in the roller cartridge that is exposed from the upper surface may be configured such that it is alternately displaced in the left-right direction with respect to a virtual straight line extending in the conveying direction on the upper surface. With this configuration, the exposed portion is more likely to come into contact with the conveyed object.

[0011] In the above-described conveying device, the conveying roller comprises a roller portion having a first roller side surface and a second roller side surface, and a cylindrical portion erected in the center of the first roller side surface, the cylindrical portion having a roller support hole on its inside that penetrates the roller portion, and the conveying roller is configured such that the roller support portion is inserted into the roller support hole from the side of the cylindrical portion to form a first roller assembly, and the roller support portion is inserted into the roller support hole from the side of the second roller side surface to form a second roller assembly, and the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly are arranged alternately in the conveying direction within the cartridge body.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly are arranged alternately within the cartridge body in the transport direction. With this configuration, the exposed portion can be positioned on the upper surface on the side where the transported object is being transported, displaced alternately in the left-right direction with respect to a virtual straight line extending in the transport direction.

[0013] In the above-described conveying device, the drive mechanism may be configured to include an endless drive transmission member to which the drive connection portion of the drive shaft member is connected, a drive unit including a motor that drives the drive transmission member, and a plurality of idler rollers at both ends of the frame in the conveying direction to which the drive transmission member is wound, wherein the drive unit may be positioned between the idler rollers. With this configuration, the drive unit is housed inward from both ends of the frame, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

[0014] In the above-described conveying device, the edge of the drive transmission member wrapped around the outermost idler roller may be configured to be located inward from the outer peripheral edges of the conveying rollers located at both ends of the frame.

[0015] According to the above configuration, at the point where the conveying device is connected, the edge of the drive transmission member wrapped around the outermost idler roller is located inside the outer circumference of the conveying roller located at the end. Therefore, the end of one frame and the end of the other frame can be connected in close proximity.

[0016] In the above-described conveying device, the roller cartridge may include a plurality of connecting units that are connected to the drive connection portions of adjacent roller units within the plurality of roller units, the drive mechanism may include a drive transmission member connected to at least one of the connecting units, and the drive transmission member may be configured to be connected to the drive mechanism through the connecting units.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the drive transmission member is connected via a roller cartridge connecting unit. With this configuration, only a drive transmission member is needed in the drive mechanism instead of a drive chain. This simplifies the configuration of the drive mechanism.

[0018] In the above-described conveying device, the drive connection section may be provided with a drive connection gear section, the connecting unit may be provided with a connecting gear section, the connecting gear section may mesh with adjacent drive connection gear sections, and the drive transmission member may be a drive transmission gear that meshes with at least one of the connecting gear sections. With the above configuration, the configuration of the drive mechanism can be simplified by providing a connecting gear section in the connecting unit and a drive connection gear section in the drive transmission member.

[0019] In the above-described conveying device, the drive shaft member having the drive connection portion and the connecting member having the connecting gear portion may be composed of a single part having the same configuration. According to this configuration, the number of parts in the roller unit can be reduced.

[0020] In the above-described conveying device, adjacent roller cartridges are a first roller cartridge and a second roller cartridge, the drive connection portion closest to the second roller cartridge in the first roller cartridge is the first drive connection portion, the drive connection portion closest to the first roller cartridge in the second roller cartridge is the second drive connection portion, and an intermediate cartridge is provided between the first drive connection portion and the second drive connection portion, the intermediate cartridge having an intermediate connecting portion that connects the first drive connection portion and the second drive connection portion. With the above configuration, adjacent roller cartridges can be connected to each other at the intermediate connecting portion.

[0021] A roller cartridge according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a conveying device comprising a conveying mechanism for conveying a conveyed object and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the roller cartridge is arranged in the conveying direction as a conveying mechanism and is detachably attached to a mounting surface of a frame comprising the drive mechanism, and comprises a cartridge body having an upper surface on the side to which the conveyed object is conveyed and a connection opening for connecting to the drive mechanism, and a plurality of roller units housed in the cartridge body, wherein each roller unit comprises a support shaft supported by the cartridge body, a conveying roller with a portion exposed from the upper surface, and a drive shaft member rotatably supported with respect to the support shaft, the drive shaft member comprising a drive connection portion and a roller support portion for supporting the conveying roller, and the drive connection portion is connected to the drive mechanism by being mounted on the mounting surface with the connection opening facing the frame.

[0022] A roller unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a conveying device comprising a conveying mechanism for conveying objects and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the roller unit is housed in roller cartridges arranged in the conveying direction as the conveying mechanism, and comprises a conveying roller, a portion of which is exposed from the upper surface of the roller cartridge on the side to which the conveyed objects are conveyed, and a drive shaft member rotatably supported with respect to a support shaft supported by the roller cartridge, wherein the drive shaft member comprises a drive connection portion connected to the drive mechanism through a connection opening configured on the opposite side of the roller cartridge from the upper surface, and a roller support portion that supports the conveying roller.

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the frame comprising the roller cartridge and drive mechanism used in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from below of the roller cartridge used in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view from below of the roller cartridge used in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 5 is a front view showing the relationship between the drive shaft member and the drive chain in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a front view showing the path of the drive chain in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drive unit in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 8 is a side view illustrating the idler roller in the conveying device described in the first embodiment. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the conveying device described in the first embodiment in a connected state. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a perspective view from above of the frame comprising the roller cartridge and drive mechanism used in the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the roller cartridge used in the conveying device described in the second embodiment, viewed from the bottom. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the roller cartridge used in the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of the roller cartridge used in the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism in the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the connecting gear section and the drive transmission gear in the conveying device described in the second embodiment. Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the end of the roller cartridge row in the conveying device described in the second embodiment.

[0024] Hereinafter, a belt-type conveying device to which this disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] [Overall Configuration] As shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a conveying mechanism 11 and a drive mechanism 31. The conveying mechanism 11 has roller cartridges 12 arranged along the conveying direction. In the conveying device 1 described in the first embodiment, there are two rows of roller cartridges 12. The two rows 12a and 12b of roller cartridges 12 are provided on both sides of the frame 32 constituting the drive mechanism 31 in the left-right direction D2 which intersects the conveying direction D1, which is also the longitudinal direction. A part of the conveying roller 21 is exposed from the upper surface 13 on the side of each roller cartridge 12 to which the conveyed object 2 is conveyed, forming an exposed portion 14 (see Figure 2). The conveyed object 2 is placed on the upper surface 13. The conveyed object 2 is supported on both sides by the two rows 12a and 12b of roller cartridges 12. The exposed portion 14 of the conveyed object 2 is in contact with the lower surface of the conveyed object 2. The conveyed object 2 is transported in the conveying direction D1 by the rotation of the conveying rollers 21. Each roller cartridge 12 is detachable from the frame 32 for repairs, etc.

[0025] Guide walls 4 are provided on the outer surfaces of the frame 32 in the left-right direction D2 to guide the transport of the transported object 2. The guide walls 4 guide the movement of the transported object 2 and prevent it from falling off the transport path.

[0026] [Conveying Mechanism] As shown in Figure 2, the conveying mechanism 11 is equipped with a plurality of roller cartridges 12 that constitute rows 12a and 12b arranged in the conveying direction D1. Each roller cartridge 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The side of each roller cartridge 12 that is on which the conveyed object 2 is conveyed is the top surface 13. The top surface 13 is a rectangular plane. On each top surface 13, exposed portions 14 are provided, alternately displaced in the left-right direction D2 with respect to a virtual straight line 13a that extends in the conveying direction D1, with respect to the center of the left-right direction D2. That is, the exposed portions 14 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the conveying direction D1. Each exposed portion 14 is a part of the conveying roller 21 and protrudes slightly from the plane that constitutes the top surface 13. As an example, the protrusion height of each exposed portion 14 from the top surface 13 is all the same. This makes it easier for all exposed portions 14 in each row 12a and 12b to contact the bottom surface of the conveyed object 2. Each exposed portion 14 is exposed through an exposure hole 14a formed in the top surface 13.

[0027] Each row 12a, 12b of the roller cartridge 12 is supported by a part of the frame 32 that constitutes the drive mechanism 31. That is, the frame 32 comprises a first support plate 33a and a second support plate 33b that support each row 12a, 12b. The first support plate 33a and the second support plate 33b are plate materials aligned at the same height. The upper surfaces of the first support plate 33a and the second support plate 33b constitute mounting surfaces 34 on which the roller cartridge 12 is mounted. Each roller cartridge 12 can be attached to and detached from the mounting surfaces 34. There is a space between the first support plate 33a and the second support plate 33b, forming a connection space 35. The connection space 35 faces the drive chain 36, which is a drive transmission member. As an example, the position of the drive chain 36 is lower than the first support plate 33a and the second support plate 33b. When the roller cartridge 12 is mounted on the mounting surface 34 from above, the outer teeth 25b of the drive connection portion 25 of the drive shaft member 22, which rotates the transport roller 21 facing outward from the connection opening 17 (see Figure 3), are connected to the drive chain 36.

[0028] [Roller Cartridge] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the roller cartridge 12 comprises a cartridge body 15 and roller units 16. The cartridge body 15 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The upper surface 13 of the cartridge body 15 is the surface on which the conveyed material 2 is conveyed. The upper surface 13 has exposed holes 14a for exposing a part of the conveying roller 21 as an exposed portion 14. Each exposed hole 14a has a rectangular shape. The bottom surface of the cartridge body 15 is open and has a connecting opening 17. The surface on which the connecting opening 17 is formed is the surface opposite to the upper surface 13. The inside of the cartridge body 15 is configured as a roller housing section 18 in which a plurality of roller units 16 are housed.

[0029] The cartridge body 15 has four sides. Of the four sides, a pair of opposing sides along the transport direction D1 are long sides, and the remaining pair of opposing sides along the left-right direction D2 are short sides. The long sides are sides with nothing provided on them. The short sides are connection surfaces where the short sides of cartridge bodies 15 constituting adjacent roller cartridges 12 abut against each other. Each short side has a recess 17a through which a portion of the outermost transport roller 21 is exposed. The recess 17a is continuous with a connection opening 17 formed on the lower surface.

[0030] The roller housing section 18 accommodates multiple roller units 16. For example, the roller housing section 18 accommodates four roller units 16. The roller units 16 are arranged in the conveying direction D1 with their rotation axes parallel to each other. Each roller unit 16 comprises a support shaft 19, a conveying roller 21, and a drive shaft member 22.

[0031] The support shaft 19 is fitted at both ends into shaft support recesses 19a formed in the roller housing portion 18. The support shaft 19 is not a shaft that rotates within the roller housing portion 18. The drive shaft member 22 rotates relative to the support shaft 19. Since the support shaft 19 is subjected to bending forces, it is preferable that it be a resin molded body of a plastic such as an engineering plastic with excellent mechanical properties. To avoid friction between the support shaft 19 and the drive shaft member 22, it is preferable to select a different material for the support shaft 19 than for the drive shaft member 22.

[0032] The conveying roller 21 is a resin molded body made of a different plastic, such as engineering plastic, than the drive shaft member 22, because it is necessary for it to slide with the drive shaft member 22. Furthermore, since the conveying roller 21 is intended to propel the conveyed object 2 by frictional force, it is preferable to select an elastomer material with a high coefficient of friction. The conveying roller 21 comprises a roller portion 23 and a cylindrical portion 24. The roller portion 23 is the part for conveying the conveyed object 2 and has a circular shape. The outer surface of the roller portion 23 is the surface that contacts the conveyed object 2 and is the exposed portion 14. The roller portion 23 also comprises an opposing first roller side surface 23a and a second roller side surface 23b. The roller portion 23 also has a through hole in its center. The first roller side surface 23a comprises the cylindrical portion 24. The cylindrical portion 24 is the central part of the first roller side surface 23a and is erected from around the through hole. The inside of the cylindrical portion 24 communicates with the through hole, forming a roller support hole 24a through which the roller support portion of the drive shaft member 22 is inserted.

[0033] The drive shaft member 22 is a resin molded body made of plastic such as polyacetal, polyamide, or polyester, which has excellent mechanical properties because it is subjected to stress from the drive chain 36 and other drive sources. The drive shaft member 22 comprises a drive connection portion 25 and a roller support portion 26. The drive connection portion 25 is a gear portion with a larger diameter than the roller support portion 26 and is equipped with outer peripheral teeth 25b that constitute a drive connection sprocket. The drive connection portion 25 equipped with outer peripheral teeth 25b is a drive connection sprocket that meshes with the drive chain 36. The drive connection portion 25 has opposing first and second sides. The roller support portion 26 is a cylindrical portion erected on the first side of the drive connection portion 25. The drive shaft member 22 has a support shaft hole 22a in its rotational center portion that penetrates from the drive connection portion 25 to the roller support portion 26. The first and second sides of the drive connection portion 25 are equipped with protrusions 25a. On the first surface, the protrusion 25a is located at the base of the roller support portion 26. On the second surface, only the protrusion 25a is provided.

[0034] The roller support portion 26 is the part that supports the conveying roller and is inserted through the roller support hole 24a of the conveying roller 21. The outer diameter of the roller support portion 26 is approximately the same as the diameter of the roller support hole 24a. For example, the conveying roller 21 can rotate smoothly relative to the roller support portion 26, and when a load is applied, it rotates integrally with the roller support portion 26 due to friction between the outer surface of the roller support portion 26 and the inner surface of the roller support hole 24a. Here, the load applied from the conveying roller 21 to the roller support portion 26 is at least the weight of the conveying roller 21, and more preferably the weight of the conveying roller 21 plus a predetermined weight. For example, when the weight of the conveyed object 2 is applied to the conveying roller 21, it rotates integrally with the roller support portion 26. Conversely, when an external force is applied to the conveyed object 2 and the external force exceeds the thrust of the conveyed object 2, the roller support portion 26 rotates freely relative to the conveying roller 21. In other words, the conveying roller 21 does not rotate, and the conveyed object 2 also stops moving. The outer surface of the roller support portion 26 and the inner surface of the roller support hole 24a are adjusted to have a roughness that generates appropriate friction.

[0035] Incidentally, as shown in Figure 4, the first roller assembly 27a is formed when the conveying roller 21 is inserted into the roller support portion 26 from the side of the cylindrical portion 24. The conveying roller 21 is inserted until the end of the cylindrical portion 24 abuts against the protruding portion 25a.

[0036] Furthermore, the second roller assembly 27b is formed when the transport roller 21 is inserted into the roller support portion 26 from the side of the second roller side 23b. The transport roller 21 is inserted until the second roller side 23b abuts against the protruding portion 25a.

[0037] In the first roller assembly 27a, a protruding portion 25a and a cylindrical portion 24 are interposed between the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25. Therefore, the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25 are relatively far apart. In contrast, in the second roller assembly 27b, only a protruding portion 25a lower than the cylindrical portion 24 is interposed between the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25. Therefore, the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25 are relatively close together.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the first roller assembly 27a and the second roller assembly 27b are arranged alternately in the roller housing section 18 in the transport direction D1. In the roller housing section 18, the first roller assembly 27a faces out of one recess 17a, and the second roller assembly 27b faces out of the other recess 17a. This allows a portion of the roller portion 23 to be exposed through the staggered exposed holes 14a formed on the upper surface 13 of the cartridge body 15. Adjacent roller units 16 have a portion of the roller portion 23 of the transport roller 21 overlapping in the left-right direction D2. In addition, the outer teeth 25b of the drive connection section 25 protrude from the connection opening 17 and are aligned linearly in the transport direction D1. This allows the protruding portion to mesh with the drive chain 36.

[0039] [Assembly of Roller Cartridge] First, the transport roller 21 is combined with the drive shaft member 22 to form a first roller assembly 27a and a second roller assembly 27b. Specifically, the roller support portion 26 is inserted into the roller support hole 24a. By orienting the transport roller 21 relative to the roller support portion 26 toward the cylindrical portion 24 side (first roller side 23a side), the first roller assembly 27a can be formed. Also, by orienting the transport roller 21 relative to the roller support portion 26 toward the second roller side 23b side, the second roller assembly 27b can be formed.

[0040] Next, the support shaft 19 is inserted into the support shaft hole 22a of the drive shaft member 22. This completes the roller unit 16. Then, both ends of the support shaft 19 are fitted into the shaft support recesses 19a of the roller housing section 18. As shown in Figure 4, at this time, the first roller assembly 27a and the second roller assembly 27b are arranged alternately in the conveying direction. As a result, a part of the roller section 23 is exposed through the exposure hole 14a, becoming the exposed section 14. The outermost conveying roller 21a has its roller section 23 exposed through the recess 17a.

[0041] The lower surface of the cartridge body 15, on both sides of the connection opening 17, is the fixing surface 28a of the closing plate 28 (see Figure 3). The closing plate 28 is a rectangular flat plate. It is positioned on the fixing surface 28a so as to block the shaft support recess 19a, preventing both ends of the support shaft 19 from falling out of the shaft support recess 19a. The closing plate 28 is provided with through holes 28b, and the fixing surface 28a is provided with fixing holes 28c, which are made up of screw holes or the like. The closing plate 28 is fixed to the fixing surface 28a by being tightened with fixing members 28d such as screws, with the positions of the through holes 28b and fixing holes 28c aligned.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the closing plate 28 attached to the fixed surface 28a of the cartridge body 15, the outer teeth 25b of the drive connection portion 25 protrude from the connection opening 17 beyond a virtual plane 17x including the lower surface of the closing plate 28. This protruding portion engages with the drive chain 36. Note that in Figure 5, the outer teeth 25b and the drive chain 36 are shown separated. In addition, the roller portions 23 of the outermost transport rollers 21a located at both ends protrude from the recesses 17a formed on the connection surface of the cartridge body 15. These roller portions 23 partially overlap with the roller portions 23 of the outermost transport rollers 21a of the adjacent roller cartridges 12. This makes it possible to narrow the distance between adjacent exposed portions 14.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the roller cartridge 12 is assembled as described above, and this unit is mounted on the mounting surface 34 configured on the frame 32 of the drive mechanism 31. For example, when a roller unit 16 of one roller cartridge 12 needs to be replaced due to wear, deterioration over time, etc., only that roller cartridge 12 is removed from the mounting surface 34. Then, the closing plate 28 is removed from the fixing surface 28a, and the roller unit 16 is replaced. Then, the closing plate 28 is fixed to the fixing surface 28a again, the roller cartridge 12 is assembled, and mounted on the mounting surface 34. In this way, since it is not necessary to engage the drive chain 36 with the roller cartridge 12, the workability of maintenance is improved.

[0044] [Drive Mechanism] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first support plate 33a and the second support plate 33b are provided with fixing holes 37a such as screw holes at the portion that becomes the mounting surface 34. Corresponding to the position of the fixing hole 37a, the closing plate 28 is provided with a first through hole 37b. The cartridge body 15 is provided with a second through hole 37c. A fixing member 37d such as a screw is inserted from the side of the second through hole 37c. The fixing member 37d is inserted through the second through hole 37c and the first through hole 37b, and then tightened into the fixing hole 37a. Thereby, the roller cartridge 12 is fixed to the mounting surface 34.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, when the roller cartridge 12 is fixed to the mounting surface 34, the outer peripheral teeth 25b of the drive connection portion 25 facing the outside between the closing plates 28 mesh with the drive chain 36 located below it.

[0046] Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive mechanism 31 includes a drive chain 36, an idler roller 38, and a drive unit 41. The drive chain 36 is an endless chain and is wound around a plurality of idler rollers 38. The drive chain 36 has an annular running path, and a first running path 39a and a second running path 39b are formed. The first running path 39a is the upper running path and is the drive portion where the outer peripheral teeth 25b of the drive connection portion 25 mesh. The second running path 39b is the lower running path and is the return portion.

[0047] Among the plurality of idler rollers 38, the idlers located at both ends in the conveying direction D1 are the outermost idler rollers 38a. The outermost idler rollers 38a are located at both ends of the frame 32. The upper side between the outermost idler rollers 38a is the first running path 39a, and the lower side is the second running path 39b. Since the first running path 39a is the drive portion where the outer peripheral teeth 25b of the drive connection portion 25 mesh, no idler roller 38 is arranged, and a plurality of idler rollers 38 are arranged in the portion of the lower second running path 39b.

[0048] One inside of the outermost idler roller 38a is the inner idler roller 38b, and one more inside is the intermediate idler roller 38c. The outermost idler roller 38a has the drive chain 36 wound around it from the upper side to the outside and extends below the inner idler roller 38b. Then, the drive chain 36 extends from below the inner idler roller 38b toward the upper side of the intermediate idler roller 38c. A plurality of intermediate idler rollers 38c are arranged toward the inside of the frame 32, and the drive chain 36 travels on the upper side of the intermediate idler roller 38c. The drive unit 41 is located between the innermost intermediate idler rollers 38c.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the drive unit 41 includes a motor 42, a drive pulley 43a, a driven pulley 43b, an endless belt 44 connecting between the drive pulley 43a and the driven pulley 43b, and a first sprocket 45a. The first sprocket 45a is connected to a second sprocket 45b via a link shaft 46. Therefore, the sprockets 45a and 45b rotate synchronously. On both sides of the sprockets 45a and 45b, the innermost idler rollers 38d are arranged. The drive chain 36 wound around the sprockets 45a and 45b extends to the innermost idler roller 38d and extends to the innermost intermediate idler roller 38c.

[0050] The motor 42, the drive pulley 43a, the driven pulley 43b, the first sprocket 45a, and the innermost idler roller 38d are attached to a first mounting plate 32a that forms a part of the frame 32. The motor 42 is attached to the inner surface of the first mounting plate 32a. The drive pulley 43a, the driven pulley 43b, and the endless belt 44 are arranged on the outer surface of the first mounting plate 32a. The first sprocket 45a and the innermost idler roller 38d are attached to the inner surface of the first mounting plate 32a. The first mounting plate 32a has the motor 42, which is the largest component, attached to the inner surface, so that the motor 42 does not protrude outward from the frame 32, suppressing the overall size increase of the device. The second sprocket 45b and the innermost idler roller 38d are attached to the inner surface of a second mounting plate 32b that forms a part of the frame 32 and is parallel to the first mounting plate 32a.

[0051] As described above, the drive unit 41 is positioned inside the outermost idler roller 38a, i.e., inside the frame 32, even in the transport direction D1 of the frame 32, thereby suppressing an increase in the overall size of the device.

[0052] [Arrangement of the outermost idler roller] As shown in Figure 8, the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outermost end of the outermost idler roller 38a is located inside the outermost ends 21x of the outermost conveyor rollers 21a located at both ends of the frame 32. Preferably, the outermost end of the outermost idler roller 38a is positioned so that it fits within half a pitch of the outermost conveyor roller 21a when the distance between the rotation axes (support shafts 19) of adjacent conveyor rollers 21 is defined as 1 pitch P. In the first embodiment, the rotation axis of the outermost idler roller 38a is located directly below the rotation axis (support shaft 19) of the outermost conveyor roller 21a. The outermost idler roller 38a is arranged in this positional relationship. The outermost end 21x of the outermost conveyor roller 21a is located outside the end 32x of the frame 32, but the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outermost end of the outermost idler roller 38a is located inside the end 32x of the frame 32.

[0053] When the two frames 32 are joined together, their ends 32x come into contact with each other. At this time, the portion of the outermost conveyor roller 21a that extends beyond the end 32x of the frame 32 is positioned to overlap with the roller portion 23 of the outermost conveyor roller 21a of the adjacent roller cartridge 12. The edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outer circumference of the outermost idler roller 38a does not interfere with the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outer circumference of the outermost idler roller 38a of the adjacent roller cartridge 12. Therefore, the ends 32x of one frame 32 and the ends 32x of the other frame 32 can be brought close together when connecting the two frames 32. As a result, the roller cartridge 12 located at the end of one frame 32 and the roller cartridge 12 located at the end of the other frame 32 are connected without any gaps.

[0054] As shown in Figure 9, the transport distance L in one transport device 1 is, for example, 1 m. In this case, if the transport distance of the transported object 2 is 3 m, then three transport devices 1 can be connected together.

[0055] [Effects of the First Embodiment] (1-1) Roller cartridges 12 are mounted side by side on the mounting surface 34 configured on the frame 32. As a result, the driving force from the drive mechanism 31 is transmitted to the transport roller 21 via the drive shaft member 22. When a load is applied to the roller support portion 26, the transport roller 21 rotates integrally with the drive shaft member 22 due to friction with the roller support portion 26, and the exposed portion 14 exposed from the upper surface 13 of the cartridge body 15 transports the transport object 2. When an external force greater than the thrust force that moves the transport object 2 in the transport direction D1 is applied to the transport object 2, the roller support portion 26 rotates freely relative to the transport roller 21, and the transport object 2 stops.

[0056] In such a conveying device 1, for example, if it becomes necessary to replace parts of the roller unit 16, only the roller cartridge 12 containing the roller unit 16 that needs replacing needs to be replaced with a new roller cartridge 12. Therefore, the conveying device 1 is easy to maintain.

[0057] (1-2) At least the weight of the conveyor roller 21 is applied to the roller support portion 26, causing the conveyor roller 21 to rotate integrally with the drive shaft member 22 due to friction with the roller support portion 26. In addition, the roller cartridge 12 can be attached and detached from above the frame 32, making it easy to replace the roller cartridge 12.

[0058] (1-3) The exposed portion 14 of the conveying roller 21 that is exposed from the upper surface 13 is positioned on the upper surface 13 with alternating displacements in the left-right direction D2 with respect to a virtual straight line 13a extending in the conveying direction D1. Therefore, even if the conveyed object 2 becomes biased in either the left-right direction D2 of the conveying path during conveying, more of the exposed portion 14 can come into contact with the conveyed object 2 (see Figure 2).

[0059] (1-4) The first roller assembly 27a and the second roller assembly 27b are arranged alternately within the cartridge body 15 in the transport direction D1. With this configuration, the roller portions 23 of adjacent transport rollers 21 partially overlap in the left-right direction D2. The exposed portions 14 can be positioned on the upper surface 13 by being alternately displaced in the left-right direction D2 with respect to a virtual straight line 13a extending in the transport direction D1. In addition, the spacing between adjacent exposed portions 14 can be narrowed (see Figures 2 and 4).

[0060] (1-5) At both ends of the frame 32 in the transport direction D1, the drive unit 41 is located between the outermost idler rollers 38a around which the drive chain 36 is wound, so the drive unit 41 is located inside the ends 32x on both sides of the frame 32. Therefore, the size of the transport device 1 can be suppressed. The motor 42, which is the largest component of the drive unit 41, is located on the inner surface of the first mounting plate 32a that constitutes the frame 32. Therefore, the motor 42 does not protrude outside the device, so the overall size of the device can be suppressed (see Figure 7).

[0061] (1-6) At the point where the conveying device 1 is connected, the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outermost idler roller 38a is located inside the outer peripheral end 21x of the outermost conveying roller 21a. Therefore, of the two frames 32 to be connected, the end 32x of one frame 32 and the end 32x of the other frame 32 can be connected in close proximity (see Figure 8).

[0062] (1-7) When the roller cartridge 12 needs to be replaced due to wear, deterioration over time, etc., only the roller cartridge 12 can be removed from the mounting surface 34, replaced with a new roller cartridge 12, and mounted on the mounting surface 34. In this way, since it is not necessary to engage the drive chain 36 with the roller cartridge 12, the workability of maintenance can be improved.

[0063] (1-8) For example, when the roller unit 16 needs to be replaced due to wear, deterioration over time, etc., the roller cartridge 12 that needs to be replaced is removed from the mounting surface 34. Next, the blocking plate 28 is removed from the cartridge body 15. This makes it easy to replace the roller unit 16 that needs to be replaced. The roller cartridge 12 from which the roller unit 16 has been replaced can be reattached to the mounting surface 34 and reused.

[0064] [Second Embodiment] As shown in Figure 10, the conveying device 51 according to the second embodiment also includes a conveying mechanism 61 and a drive mechanism 81. The conveying mechanism 61 has roller cartridges 62 arranged along the conveying direction. In the conveying device 51, there are two rows 62a and 62b of roller cartridges 62. A part of the conveying roller 21 is exposed from the mounting surface 63 on the side of each roller cartridge 62 where the conveyed object 2 is conveyed, thereby forming an exposed portion 64 (see Figure 11). The conveyed object 2 is placed on the mounting surface 63. The conveyed object 2 is supported on both sides by the two rows 62a and 62b of roller cartridges 62. The conveyed object 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction D1 by the rotation of the conveying rollers 21. Each roller cartridge 62 is detachable from the frame 82 for repair, etc. In the first embodiment, the drive connection portion 25 of the conveying device is connected to a drive chain 36 which is a drive transmission member, whereas in the second embodiment, the drive connection portion 25 is connected to a drive transmission gear which is a drive transmission member via a connecting member 76.

[0065] [Conveying Mechanism] The conveying mechanism 61 is equipped with a plurality of roller cartridges 62 arranged in the conveying direction D1. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the mounting surface 63 of each roller cartridge 62 is the side facing the conveyed object 2. The protruding plane within each mounting surface 63 is the upper surface 63x. The upper surface 63x is provided with exposed portions 64 by alternately displacing in the left-right direction D2 with respect to a virtual straight line 63a extending in the conveying direction D1 from the center of the left-right direction D2. The exposed portions 64 are arranged in a staggered pattern in the conveying direction D1. Each exposed portion 64 is part of the conveying roller 21 and protrudes slightly from the plane that constitutes the upper surface 63x. As an example, the protrusion height of each exposed portion 64 from the upper surface 63x is all the same. This makes it easier for all exposed portions 64 in each row 62a, 62b to contact the bottom surface of the conveyed object 2.

[0066] Each roller cartridge 62 is supported by a pair of frames 82 that constitute the drive mechanism 81. The upper surfaces of the pair of frames 82 form mounting surfaces 84 on which the roller cartridges 62 are mounted. Each roller cartridge 62 can be attached to and detached from the mounting surface 84. In the pair of frames 82, there is a space between the two frames 82, forming a connection space 85 (see Figure 15). The connection space 85 faces a drive transmission gear 86, which is a drive transmission member. The top position of the drive transmission gear 86 is, for example, slightly higher than the mounting surface 84 (see Figure 16). The connecting gear portion 77 of the roller cartridge 62 meshes with the drive transmission gear 86. In the transport direction D1, adjacent roller cartridges 62 (first roller cartridge 62, second roller cartridge 62) are connected via an intermediate cartridge 91.

[0067] [Roller Cartridge] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the roller cartridge 62 comprises a conveying surface component 65 and a mounting frame 71. The mounting surface 63 of the conveying surface component 65 has a convex shape, and its top surface forms an upper surface 63x. The upper surface 63x is the surface on which the conveyed object 2 is conveyed. The upper surface 63x has an exposed hole 64a for exposing a part of the conveying roller 21 as an exposed portion 64. The lower surface of the conveying surface component 65 has a lower opening. The space inside the conveying surface component 65 is configured as a roller housing portion 68 in which a plurality of roller units 16 are housed (see Figure 14). The space inside the conveying surface component 65 is connected to the space inside the mounting frame 71. Each short surface of the conveying surface component 65 in the left-right direction D2 is a connecting surface to which the short surfaces of the conveying surface component 65 of the adjacent roller cartridge 62 abut. Each short surface is provided with a recess 67a in which a portion of the outermost conveyor roller 21 is exposed. The recess 67a is continuous with a bottom opening formed on the bottom surface.

[0068] As shown in Figure 14, the conveying surface component 65 has a pair of side walls 67 parallel to the conveying direction D1. An axial support recess 69a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner surface of each side wall 67. The end of the first support shaft 19 of the roller unit 16 engages with the axial support recess 69a. The roller housing section 68 accommodates a plurality of roller units 16. As an example, the roller housing section 68 accommodates four roller units 16.

[0069] [Roller Unit] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the roller unit 16 is housed in the conveying direction D1 with its rotation axes parallel to each other. The roller unit 16 has the same configuration as the roller unit 16 in the first embodiment. That is, the roller unit 16 comprises a first support shaft 19, a conveying roller 21, and a drive shaft member 22. In the second embodiment, the support shaft 19 in the first embodiment is also referred to as the first support shaft 19.

[0070] Although details are omitted, the conveyor roller 21 comprises a roller portion 23 and a cylindrical portion 24. The drive shaft member 22 comprises a drive connection portion 25 and a roller support portion 26. The drive connection portion 25 is a drive connection gear portion equipped with outer teeth 25b. The roller support portion 26 is the part that supports the conveyor roller and is inserted through the roller support hole 24a of the conveyor roller 21. The conveyor roller 21 is capable of rotating smoothly relative to the roller support portion 26, and when a load is applied, it rotates integrally with the roller support portion 26 due to friction between the outer surface of the roller support portion 26 and the inner surface of the roller support hole 24a.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the roller unit 16 is composed of a first roller assembly 27a and a second roller assembly 27b. In the first roller assembly 27a, a protruding portion 25a and a cylindrical portion 24 are interposed between the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25. Therefore, the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25 are relatively far apart. In contrast, in the second roller assembly 27b, only a protruding portion 25a lower than the cylindrical portion 24 is interposed between the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25. Therefore, the roller portion 23 and the drive connection portion 25 are relatively close together.

[0072] The first roller assembly 27a and the second roller assembly 27b are arranged alternately in the roller housing section 68 in the conveying direction D1. This allows a portion of the roller section 23 to be exposed through the staggered exposed holes 64a formed on the upper surface 63x of the conveying surface component 65. Adjacent roller units 16 have a portion of the roller section 23 of the conveying roller 21 overlapping in the left-right direction D2. In addition, the outer teeth 25b of the drive connection section 25 are aligned in a straight line in the conveying direction D1.

[0073] [Assembly Method of Roller Unit] The assembly method of the roller unit 16 will now be described. First, the conveyor roller 21 is combined with the drive shaft member 22 to form the first roller assembly 27a and the second roller assembly 27b. Specifically, the roller support portion 26 is inserted into the roller support hole 24a. The first roller assembly 27a is formed by orienting the conveyor roller 21 relative to the roller support portion 26 toward the cylindrical portion 24 side (first roller side 23a side). The second roller assembly 27b is formed by orienting the conveyor roller 21 relative to the roller support portion 26 toward the second roller side 23b side (see Figures 13 and 14).

[0074] Next, the first support shaft 19 is inserted into the support shaft hole 22a of the drive shaft member 22. This completes the roller unit 16. Then, both ends of the first support shaft 19 are engaged with the shaft support recess 69a in the roller housing section 68. On the conveying surface component 65, roller units 16 equipped with the first roller assembly 27a and roller units 16 equipped with the second roller assembly 27b are arranged alternately in the conveying direction D1. As a result, a portion of the roller section 23 is exposed through the exposure hole 64a, becoming the exposed section 64. The outermost conveying roller 21a has its roller section 23 exposed through the recess 67a.

[0075] [Mounting Frame and Connecting Unit] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the mounting frame 71 comprises a bottom wall 72 and a pair of side walls 73 parallel to the transport direction D1. As shown in Figure 12, the bottom wall 72 is provided with a bottom opening 72a for exposing the connecting gear portion 77 of the connecting unit 75 to the outside. Three bottom openings 72a are arranged in a row in the transport direction D1, separated by partitions. The number of bottom openings 72a corresponds to the number of connecting gear portions 77.

[0076] The pair of side walls 73 have their lower end surfaces which are mounting surfaces 73a that are attached to the frame 82 of the drive mechanism 81 (see Figure 12). The pair of side walls 73 are provided with shaft support recesses 73b that extend vertically on their inner surfaces. The ends of the second support shaft 74 of the connecting unit 75 are engaged with the shaft support recesses 73b.

[0077] The connecting unit 75 comprises a second support shaft 74 and a connecting member 76. The second support shaft 74 is a member having the same configuration as the first support shaft 19. The connecting member 76 is composed of a single component having the same configuration as the drive shaft member 22.

[0078] The connecting member 76 comprises a connecting gear portion 77 corresponding to the drive connection portion 25 and a cylindrical portion 78 corresponding to the roller support portion 26. The connecting gear portion 77 is a gear portion with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 78 and is provided with outer teeth 77a. The connecting gear portion 77 has opposing first and second sides. The cylindrical portion 78 is erected on the first side of the connecting gear portion 77. The connecting gear portion 77 has a support shaft hole 78a in its rotational center portion that penetrates from the connecting gear portion 77 to the cylindrical portion 78. The first and second sides of the connecting gear portion 77 are provided with protrusions 79. On the first side, the protrusions 79 are located at the base of the cylindrical portion 78. The second side is only provided with the protrusions 79.

[0079] The second support shaft 74 is inserted into the support shaft hole 78a of the connecting member 76. This constitutes the connecting unit 75. The end of the second support shaft 74 of the connecting unit 75 engages with the shaft support recess 73b. The connecting gear portion 77 then meshes with both of the drive connection portions 25 (outer teeth 25b) of the adjacent drive shaft members 22. As a result, the connecting gear portion 77 can rotate one drive shaft member 22 and the other drive shaft member 22 synchronously in the same direction.

[0080] [Assembly Method of Roller Cartridge] The conveying surface component 65 on which the roller unit 16 is arranged and the mounting frame 71 on which the connecting unit 75 is arranged are assembled as follows: The lower end surfaces of the pair of side walls 67 and the upper end surfaces of the pair of side walls 73 of the conveying surface component 65 are brought into contact with each other. The shaft restraining pieces 65a erected on the lower end surfaces of the pair of side walls 67 of the conveying surface component 65 engage with the shaft support recesses 73b to suppress rattling of the second support shaft 74. In addition, the shaft restraining projections 71a erected on the upper end surfaces of the pair of side walls 73 of the mounting frame 71 engage with the shaft support recesses 69a to suppress rattling of the first support shaft 19. After this, fixing members 79a (see Figure 11) such as fixing screws and nuts are inserted into the screw holes 79b provided in the pair of side walls 67 and the pair of side walls 73, and the conveying surface component 65 and the mounting frame 71 are fastened together.

[0081] [Intermediate Cartridge] As shown in Figure 10, an intermediate cartridge 91 is placed between adjacent roller cartridges 62 in the transport direction D1. The intermediate cartridge 91 is the connecting portion of adjacent roller cartridges 62 and is placed on a pair of frames 82.

[0082] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the intermediate cartridge 91 comprises a cartridge body 92 and an intermediate roller unit 93. The cartridge body 92 comprises a connecting wall portion 94 and a pair of intermediate side wall portions 95 erected on both sides of the connecting wall portion 94. The connecting wall portion 94 has the same width as the bottom wall 72 of the mounting frame 71. The tip of the intermediate side wall portion 95 has an arc shape. The shape of the tip may be a polygon such as a square, pentagon, or hexagon. An axial support recess 95a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the inner surface of the intermediate side wall portion 95. The end of the third support shaft 96 of the intermediate roller unit 93 engages with the axial support recess 95a.

[0083] The intermediate roller unit 93 comprises a third support shaft 96 and an intermediate connecting member 97. The third support shaft 96 is a member having the same configuration as the first support shaft 19 and the second support shaft 74. The intermediate connecting member 97 is composed of a single component having the same configuration as the drive shaft member 22 and the connecting member 76.

[0084] The intermediate connecting member 97 comprises an intermediate connecting gear portion 97a corresponding to the drive connection portion 25 and the connecting gear portion 77, and a cylindrical portion 97b corresponding to the roller support portion 26 and the cylindrical portion 78. The intermediate connecting gear portion 97a is a gear portion with a larger diameter than the cylindrical portion 97b and is equipped with outer teeth 97c. The intermediate connecting gear portion 97a has opposing first and second sides. The cylindrical portion 97b is erected on the first side of the intermediate connecting gear portion 97a. The intermediate connecting gear portion 97a has a support shaft hole 97d in its rotational center portion that penetrates from the intermediate connecting gear portion 97a to the cylindrical portion 97b. The first and second sides of the intermediate connecting gear portion 97a are equipped with protrusions 97e. On the first side, the protrusion 97e is located at the base of the cylindrical portion 97b. The second side is only provided with the protrusion 97e.

[0085] As a result, the intermediate connecting gear portion 97a (outer teeth 97c) meshes with the drive connection portion 25 (outer teeth 25b) of the drive shaft member 22 located at the end of one roller cartridge (first roller cartridge) 62 and with the drive connection portion 25 (outer teeth 25b) of the drive shaft member 22 located at the end of the other roller cartridge (first roller cartridge) 62. The intermediate connecting gear portion 97a can cause one drive shaft member 22 and the other drive shaft member 22 to rotate synchronously in the same direction at the connecting portion of adjacent roller cartridges 62.

[0086] The pair of side walls 73 of the mounting frame 71 are provided with notches 98 at the corners with the bottom wall 72, corresponding to the shape of the intermediate side wall 95. Half of the area of ​​the intermediate side wall 95 engages with the notches 98. That is, one half of the intermediate side wall 95 engages with the notch 98 of one of the adjacent mounting frames 71, and the other half engages with the notch 98 of the other mounting frame 71. In addition, the edge of the bottom wall 72 is provided with an engaging projection 99a (Figure 12). The connecting wall 94 is provided with a projection 99c that is continuous with the connecting wall 94, and the projection 99c is provided with an engaging hole 99b that engages with the engaging projection 99a. The intermediate roller unit 93 is arranged on a pair of frames 82. Subsequently, the intermediate cartridge 91 and the roller cartridge 62 are aligned by engaging the engaging projection 99a with the engaging hole 99b and engaging the intermediate side wall portion 95 with the notch 98.

[0087] [End Cartridge] As shown in Figure 17, an end cartridge 100 that engages with a notch 98 is arranged on the roller cartridge 62 located at the end of the frame 82. The end cartridge 100 also includes an end connecting wall portion 101 and a pair of end side wall portions 102 erected on both sides of the end connecting wall portion 101. The pair of end side wall portions 102 have an arc shape corresponding to the notch 98. The shape of the end side wall portion 102 may be a polygon such as a square, pentagon, or hexagon. The opposite side of the arc shape is closed by a closing portion 103. The end side wall portion 102 engages with the notch 98 of the mounting frame 71. This prevents the intermediate roller unit 93 from being exposed from the roller cartridge 62 located at the end of the conveying path. No gear unit is arranged on the end cartridge 100. In addition, since the closing portion 103 is made up of a flat vertical surface, the distance to the end of the device connected to the conveying device 1 can be reduced.

[0088] [Drive Mechanism] As shown in Figure 15, each of the rows 62a and 62b of the roller cartridge 62 is provided with a pair of frames 82 that support the roller cartridge 62. The drive mechanism 81 includes a drive transmission gear 86 and a drive unit 87. The drive unit 87 includes a motor 87a. The driving force of the motor 87a is connected to the link shaft 87c via a transmission mechanism 87b. The transmission mechanism 87b consists of a drive pulley connected to the motor 87a, a driven pulley via an endless belt, multiple gears, etc. The drive unit 87 rotates the link shaft 87c via the transmission mechanism 87b.

[0089] The link shaft 87c is provided with drive transmission gears 86 corresponding to a pair of frames 82 that constitute row 62a of the roller cartridges 62, and also with drive transmission gears 86 corresponding to a pair of frames 82 that constitute row 62b. These two drive transmission gears 86 are provided on the same link shaft 87c so that they rotate synchronously.

[0090] In the second embodiment, there is one drive transmission gear 86 corresponding to rows 62a and 62b of the roller cartridge 62. The drive transmission gear 86 enters the bottom opening 72a of the bottom wall 72 of the mounting frame 71. The drive transmission gear 86 then meshes with one connecting gear portion 77 (outer teeth 77a) of a specific roller cartridge 62 in each row 62a and 62b. As a result, each drive transmission gear 86 corresponding to rows 62a and 62b of the roller cartridge 62 can rotate the conveyor roller 21 synchronously.

[0091] [Attaching and Detaching Roller Cartridges] In the second embodiment configured as described above, attaching and detaching the roller cartridges 62 is performed as follows. When a malfunction occurs in a predetermined roller cartridge 62 and it is necessary to replace it, the predetermined roller cartridge 62 is lifted upward while the motor 87a is stopped, and removed from the pair of frames 82. If an adjacent roller cartridge 62 also has a malfunction, that roller cartridge 62 is also removed from the pair of frames 82. In this case, even if adjacent roller cartridges 62 are removed, the intermediate cartridge 91 remains on the pair of frames 82. Therefore, the intermediate cartridge 91 is also removed from the pair of frames 82 as needed.

[0092] When installing a new roller cartridge 62, the intermediate cartridge 91 is placed on the pair of frames 82 before the roller cartridge 62 is installed, and then the new roller cartridge 62 is placed.

[0093] [Effects of the Second Embodiment] (2-1) In the second embodiment, the same effects and advantages as those in (1-1) to (1-4) of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0094] (2-2) The roller cartridge 62 can be refurbished by replacing not only the roller unit 16, but also the connecting members 76 and the second support shaft 74 that make up the malfunctioning connecting unit 75.

[0095] (2-3) The roller cartridge 62 is provided with a connecting unit 75 on the mounting frame 71 that meshes with the drive connection portion 25 of the roller unit 16 provided on the conveying surface component 65. The drive connection portion 25 meshes with the connecting gear portion 77 of the connecting member 76 that constitutes the connecting unit 75. With this configuration of the second embodiment, instead of using a drive chain as a drive transmission member in the drive mechanism 81, it is only necessary to mesh the drive transmission gear 86 with the connecting gear portion 77 of the connecting member 76. This simplifies the configuration of the drive mechanism 81.

[0096] (2-4) The drive shaft member 22 and the connecting member 76 are the same part. Also, the first support shaft 19 and the second support shaft 74 are the same part. Therefore, the roller unit 16 can reduce the number of parts.

[0097] (2-5) Adjacent roller cartridges 62 can be connected to each other by using an intermediate cartridge 91 equipped with an intermediate connecting member 97, thereby connecting adjacent drive shaft members 22 of adjacent roller cartridges 62. Furthermore, not only the roller cartridges 62 but also the intermediate cartridge 91 can be easily replaced when a malfunction occurs. Specifically, when a malfunction occurs in the intermediate cartridge 91, the cartridge body 92, the third support shaft 96, and the intermediate connecting member 97 can be replaced.

[0098] (2-6) In the intermediate cartridge 91, the third support shaft 96 is a member having the same configuration as the first support shaft 19 and the second support shaft 74. The intermediate connecting member 97 is made of the same parts as the drive shaft member 22 and the connecting member 76. Therefore, the intermediate cartridge 91 can minimize the increase in the number of types of parts.

[0099] (2-7) An end cartridge 100 is attached to the roller cartridge 62 located at the end of the transport path. This prevents the intermediate roller unit 93 from being exposed from the roller cartridge 62 located at the end of the transport path. In addition, since the closing section 103 is made up of a flat vertical surface, the distance between it and the end of the device connected to the transport device 1 can be reduced.

[0100] [Modifications] The above-described transport device may also be in the form of the modifications shown below, or a combination of at least two mutually non-contradictory modifications.

[0101] In the first embodiment, the roller cartridge 12 allows for the replacement of the roller unit 16 by removing the blocking plate 28 from the cartridge body 15. However, the roller cartridge 12 may be configured in such a way that the blocking plate 28 cannot be removed without destroying it from the cartridge body 15. In this case, if there is a roller unit 16 that needs to be replaced inside the roller cartridge 12, the entire roller cartridge 12 will be replaced.

[0102] In the first embodiment, when connecting the conveying devices 1, if a gap is allowed between the ends 32x of the frame 32, the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outermost idler roller 38a may be at the same position as the outermost end of the outermost conveying roller 21a, or it may protrude. That is, the edge 36a of the drive chain 36 wrapped around the outermost idler roller 38a may protrude beyond the end 32x of the frame 32.

[0103] In the first embodiment, the drive unit 41 may protrude from the end 32x of the frame 32, for example, in the transport direction D1. The motor 42 may also be mounted on the outer surface of the first mounting plate 32a.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the connection between the conveyor roller 21 and the drive shaft member 22 is not limited to friction between the outer circumferential surface of the roller support portion 26 and the inner circumferential surface of the roller support hole 24a. Furthermore, the conveyor roller 21 and the drive shaft member 22 may always rotate as a single unit. For example, there may be an engagement structure in which a projection provided on either the outer circumferential surface of the roller support portion 26 or the inner circumferential surface of the roller support hole 24a engages with a recess provided on the other.

[0105] - In the second embodiment, the transport mechanism 61 may be configured to omit the end cartridge 100. - In the second embodiment, the intermediate connecting member 97 of the intermediate cartridge 91 may be a dedicated part with a different configuration from the drive shaft member 22 and the connecting member 76. The connecting member 76 may also be a dedicated part with a different configuration from the drive shaft member 22.

[0106] In the second embodiment, the number of drive transmission gears 86 in each row 62a, 62b of the roller cartridge 62 is not limited to one, but may be multiple. Also, the connection between the drive transmission gear 86 and the connecting member 76 may not be a gear connection, but a pressure contact or a transmission mechanism using a pulley and an endless belt.

[0107] In the first embodiment, the exposed portions 14 do not have to be alternately displaced in the left-right direction D2 with respect to the virtual straight line 13a extending in the transport direction D1. That is, the exposed portions 14 may be lined up in a row on the virtual straight line 13a. This is because if the left-right direction D2 is narrow, the exposed portions 14 can contact the transported object 2 even if they are lined up in a straight line.

[0108] In the second embodiment, the connection between the connecting member 76 and the drive connection part 25 may be made by pressure contact or a transmission mechanism using a pulley and an endless belt, in addition to a gear connection. In the first and second embodiments, the mounting direction of the mounting surface 34 of the roller cartridge 12 is not limited to mounting from above downwards. For example, the roller cartridge 12 may be mounted to the mounting part from the side. The connecting opening 17 may be provided on an adjacent surface, etc., rather than on the opposite surface of the upper surface 13, in accordance with the mounting direction to the mounting surface 34.

[0109] 11...Conveying mechanism 12...Roller cartridge 13...Top surface 14...Exposed part 15...Cartridge body 16...Roller unit 17...Connecting opening 17a...Recess 19...Support shaft 19a...Shaft support recess 21, 21a...Conveying roller 22...Drive shaft member 23...Roller part 24...Cylindrical part 25...Drive connection part 25a...Protruding part 25b...Outer teeth 26...Roller support part 28...Closing plate 31...Drive mechanism 32...Frame 32a...First mounting plate 32b...Second mounting plate 32x...End 33a...First support plate 33b...Second support plate 34...Mounting surface 35...Connecting space 36...Drive chain 38a-38d...Idler roller

Claims

1. A conveying device comprising a conveying mechanism for conveying objects and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a plurality of roller cartridges arranged in the direction of conveying the objects, each roller cartridge being detachably attached to a mounting surface of a frame on which the drive mechanism is configured, and each roller cartridge comprises a cartridge body having an upper surface on which the objects are conveyed and a connection opening for connecting to the drive mechanism, and a plurality of roller units housed in the cartridge body, each roller unit comprising a support shaft supported by the cartridge body, a conveying roller partially exposed from the upper surface, and a drive shaft member rotatably supported with respect to the support shaft, the drive shaft member comprising a drive connection portion and a roller support portion for supporting the conveying roller, wherein the roller cartridge is mounted on the mounting surface with the connection opening facing the frame, thereby connecting the drive connection portion to the drive mechanism.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the frame, the mounting surface is an upward-facing surface, and the roller cartridge is configured with the connecting opening facing downward and is mounted on the mounting surface from above.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein in the roller cartridge, the exposed portion of the conveying roller exposed from the upper surface is positioned on the upper surface, displaced alternately in the left-right direction with respect to a virtual straight line extending in the conveying direction.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the conveying roller comprises a roller portion having a first roller side surface and a second roller side surface, and a cylindrical portion erected in the center of the first roller side surface, the cylindrical portion having a roller support hole on its inside that penetrates the roller portion, the conveying roller constitutes a first roller assembly when the roller support portion is inserted into the roller support hole from the side of the cylindrical portion, and constitutes a second roller assembly when the roller support portion is inserted into the roller support hole from the side of the second roller side surface, and the first roller assembly and the second roller assembly are arranged alternately in the conveying direction within the cartridge body.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises an endless drive transmission member to which the drive connection portion of the drive shaft member is connected; a drive unit including a motor for driving the drive transmission member; and a plurality of idler rollers at both ends of the frame in the conveying direction to which the drive transmission member is wound, the drive unit being located between the idler rollers.

6. The conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the edge of the drive transmission member wrapped around the outermost idler roller is located inward from the outer peripheral edges of the conveying rollers located at both ends of the frame.

7. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the roller cartridge comprises a plurality of connecting units connected to the drive connection portions of adjacent roller units within the plurality of roller units, the drive mechanism comprises a drive transmission member connected to at least one of the connecting units, and the drive transmission member is connected to the drive mechanism through the connecting units.

8. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the drive connection portion comprises a drive connection gear portion, the connecting unit comprises a connecting gear portion, the connecting gear portion meshes with adjacent drive connection gear portions, and the drive transmission member is a drive transmission gear that meshes with at least one of the connecting gear portions.

9. The conveying device according to claim 8, wherein the drive shaft member having the drive connection portion and the connecting member having the connecting gear portion are composed of a single component having the same configuration.

10. The conveying device according to claim 7, wherein the adjacent roller cartridges are a first roller cartridge and a second roller cartridge, the drive connection portion in the first roller cartridge closest to the second roller cartridge is the first drive connection portion, the drive connection portion in the second roller cartridge closest to the first roller cartridge is the second drive connection portion, and an intermediate cartridge is provided between the first drive connection portion and the second drive connection portion, the intermediate cartridge having an intermediate connecting portion that connects the first drive connection portion and the second drive connection portion.

11. A conveying device comprising a conveying mechanism for conveying objects and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the conveying mechanism is arranged in the conveying direction and comprises a roller cartridge which is detachably attached to a mounting surface of a frame on which the drive mechanism is formed, and has an upper surface on which the objects to be conveyed are conveyed, and has a connection opening for connecting to the drive mechanism, and comprises a plurality of roller units housed in the cartridge body, the roller unit comprising a support shaft supported by the cartridge body, a conveying roller in which a part is exposed from the upper surface, and a drive shaft member which is rotatably supported with respect to the support shaft, and has a drive connection portion and a roller support portion which supports the conveying roller, and the roller cartridge which is mounted on the mounting surface with the connection opening facing the frame, thereby connecting the drive connection portion to the drive mechanism.

12. A conveying device comprising a conveying mechanism for conveying objects and a drive mechanism for driving the conveying mechanism, wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a roller unit housed in roller cartridges arranged in the conveying direction, the roller unit comprising: a conveying roller, a portion of which is exposed from the upper surface of the roller cartridge on the side to which the conveyed objects are conveyed; and a drive shaft member rotatably supported with respect to a support shaft supported by the roller cartridge, wherein the drive shaft member comprises a drive connection portion connected to the drive mechanism through a connection opening configured on the opposite side of the roller cartridge from the upper surface; and a roller support portion supporting the conveying roller.

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