JP2000079905A - Article guide apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article guide apparatus designed so as to correspond to changes in the sizes of a container and a storing space, and capable of guiding even a flat or a non-circular container into a box without hindrance. SOLUTION: A guide means 12 includes three guide sections 12A, 12B, 12C for guiding containers 3 into a box. Each of the guide sections 12A, 12B, 12C is provided with six rectangular guide holes 15, and guide pieces 16A, 16B are mounted at four sides of each guide hole 15, respectively. When the size of the containers 3 is changed, the length of two sides of each guide hole 15, which are located in the X-direction, among the four sides thereof is changed, and each guide hole 15 is designed so as to be expanded and contracted in the X-direction. Even in the case where the length of the two sides located in the X-direction is changed, the guide pieces 16A, 16A provided at the two sides are designed so as to be positioned at the central part in the longitudinal direction of each of the two sides, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article guiding apparatus, and more particularly, to an article guiding apparatus for guiding a container into a box whose inside is partitioned by a grid-like partition plate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an article guide device having the following configuration. That is, a plurality of X-direction members arranged parallel to the X direction and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of Y-direction members arranged parallel to the Y direction orthogonal to the X-direction member and spaced apart from each other And a pair of adjacent X-direction members and a pair of adjacent Y-direction members intersecting with them, a rectangular guide hole through which articles pass, and a pair of X-direction members forming four sides of these guide holes, There is known an article guide device which is provided with a guide piece attached to each of a pair of Y-direction members to guide an article passing through a guide hole into a box so that the size of the guide hole can be changed. (Japanese
-314117). In this conventional article guide device, since the size of the guide hole can be changed by changing the length of the four sides constituting the guide hole, it can be used for containers of different sizes.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, each guide piece is arranged at the four corners of the guide hole at the intersection of the X-direction member and the Y-direction member. For this reason, when guiding the container into the box, each guide piece is located at the intersection of the partition plate in the box. For this reason, there is no problem when guiding a container with a circular cross section into the box, but in the case of a flat container or a container with a non-circular cross section, the container sways in the guide hole, and the bottom of the container is partitioned by the box. There is a disadvantage that the storage operation is hindered by contacting the upper end of the plate.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In view of such circumstances,
According to the present invention, in the article guide device described above, an X-direction moving mechanism that moves the Y-direction member in the X direction is provided, and a pair of Y-direction members are attached to each of the Y-direction members by moving the pair of Y-direction members closer to each other. The distance between the guide pieces can be changed, and the guide piece attached to at least one of the pair of X-direction members is swingably attached so as to approach and separate from the other opposing guide piece. Things.

[0005]

According to such a configuration, the guide pieces can be arranged at the positions of the upper ends of the partition plates that partition the storage space, and the distance between the guide pieces can be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a change in the size of the container or the storage space, and even a flat container or a non-circular container can be guided into the box without any trouble.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a container storage device, each of which has three boxes 2 stopped at a storage position A.
It is configured to house two containers 3. The container storage device 1 includes a box transport conveyor 4 and a container transport conveyor 5 arranged in parallel to the X direction which is the left-right direction in FIG.
A gripping mechanism 6 for gripping the container 3 at the standby position B on the container transport conveyor 5 and moving to the storage position A to release the gripping state of the container 3, and capable of moving up and down to the storage position A and orthogonal to the X direction. And an article guide device 8 provided movably in the Y direction to guide the container 3 gripped by the gripping mechanism 6 into the box 2. As shown in FIG. 1, each box 2 has an upper surface opened, and the interior is partitioned by arranging a total of five vertical and horizontal partition plates in a grid pattern. Thereby, a total of 12 storage spaces 2A are formed in the box 2 in four rows in the transport direction and three rows in the width direction. The boxes 2 configured as described above are supplied on the box transport conveyor 4 in a single vertical line. Then, the box transport conveyor 4 is intermittently moved so that three successive boxes 2 are sequentially stopped at the storage position A. The container 3 is stored in the storage space 2A of each box 2 stopped at the storage position A.

On the other hand, the container 3 of this embodiment has a flat shape, is filled with a filling liquid, and has a cap attached to the upper end opening. Container 3 is two vertical rows,
And, it is supplied onto the container transporting conveyor 5 so that what comes before and after it comes into contact. A pair of left and right engaging members 7, 7 'are arranged at predetermined positions in the process of transporting the container transport conveyor 5. The containers 3 conveyed in two vertical rows are synchronized in the conveying direction by the two engaging members 7 and 7 'in the conveying process.
It is divided into individual pieces. As a result, a total of six containers 3 in a state of three abutments in the transport direction in two vertical rows are grouped into one group. The container 3 in this state is transported to the downstream side. The container transport conveyor 5 runs intermittently, and a total of 1
The eight containers 3 are sequentially stopped at the standby position B. Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gripping mechanism 6 includes three sets of six gripping members 11 arranged in two vertical rows along the X direction. The configuration of the gripping mechanism 6 is conventionally known, and the gripping mechanism 6 is moved to the storage position A and the standby position B, and is moved up and down by a required amount.

That is, when the gripping mechanism 6 is located above the set of six containers 3 stopped at the standby position B, it is lowered by a predetermined amount from the rising end position. As a result, the set of six gripping members 11 is placed in the standby position B so that each of the six containers 3
(Fig. 3). Thereafter, the gripping mechanism 6
Is moved from the standby position B to the storage position A while being raised. In this way, when the gripping mechanism 6 is located at the storage position A, the container 3 gripped by the gripping member 11 is placed above the two rows of six storage spaces 2A on one side of the three boxes 2 stopped at the storage position A. To position. On the other hand, an article guide device 8 described later is arranged at a position above the box 2 in the storage position A.
As will be described in detail later, the article guide device 8 includes a guide means 12 for guiding the container 3 into the storage space 2A of each box 2, an elevating frame 13 provided with the guide means 12, and an elevating frame for elevating the elevating frame 13. And a mechanism 14. As shown in FIG. 10, the guide means 12 includes a first guide portion 12A for guiding the container 3 to the most downstream (leftward) box 2 at the storage position A, and a container at the center box 2 at the storage position A. 3 and a third guide portion 12C for guiding the container 3 to the most upstream (rightward) box 2 at the storage position A.
And Each of these guides 12A, 12B, 12
C has a set of six rectangular guide holes 15 in two rows parallel to the X direction and three rows parallel to the Y direction. Each guide hole 1
Along the two sides parallel to the X direction of the four sides constituting the guide 5, plate-like guide pieces 16 </ b> A, 16 </ b> A, which are long facing downward as guide members, are attached, and each guide hole 15 is formed.
Also, plate-like guide pieces 16B, 16B, which are long and downward, are attached as guide members to two sides parallel to the Y direction of the four sides constituting. That is, each guide hole 15 is provided with a set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B. As will be described later, the guide means 12 configured as described above can be moved in the Y direction on the elevating frame 13 by a moving mechanism 17 described in detail later. Then, as described above, when the container 3 gripped by the gripping member 11 is located above the storage position A, the guide means 12 of the article guide device 8 is lowered by the elevating mechanism 14 and The lower end portions of the set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B provided are inserted into each of the two rows of storage spaces 2A along the X direction, which is one side of the box 2 (FIG. 3). ). From this state, the container 3 supported by the gripping mechanism 6 is lowered, so that the container 3 gripped by the gripping member 11 is inserted into the guide hole 15 of the guide means 12 and a set of four guide pieces 16A, 16B
And is stored in the storage space 2A of each box 2 while being guided thereby.

Up to this point, the container transport conveyor 5 has traveled a predetermined distance and has been stopped, so that a total of 18 containers 3 for three new groups are waiting at the standby position B. Thereafter, the gripping mechanism 6 at the storage position A releases the gripping state of the container 3, moves up again to the standby position B, and grips the new 18 containers 3 waiting there. . At the same time, the guide means 12 is raised by the elevating mechanism 14, so that the guide pieces 16A and 16B of the guide means 12 are extracted from the storage space 2A of each box 2. Thereby, one side 2 of each box 2
This means that six containers 3 are stored in the storage space 2A for the rows. In other words, at this time, the storage spaces 2A for the two rows on the other side of each box 2 remain empty.
Thereafter, the guide means 12 is moved in the Y direction by two rows of the storage space 2A of the box 2 by the moving mechanism 17 described later,
Thereafter, it is lowered by the lifting mechanism 14. Thereby, the lower ends of the guide pieces 16A and 16B of the guide means 12 are inserted into the two rows of empty storage spaces 2A in the box 2.
Next, the holding mechanism 6 holding the container 3 is moved from the standby position B to a position above the guide means 12 at the storage position A, and then lowered. Thereby, the container 3 held by the holding mechanism 6
Is inserted into each guide hole 15, and then the guide pieces 16A,
It is inserted into the storage space 2A while being guided by 16B. Thereafter, the gripping state of the container 3 by the gripping member 11 is released, and the gripping member 11 moves up from the storage position A to the standby position B after rising. Thereafter, the guide means 12 is raised by the elevating mechanism 14, and the guide pieces 16A, 16B are withdrawn upward from the storage space 2A of the box 2. As a result, a total of 12 containers 3 are stored in all the storage spaces 2A in the box 2. Thereafter, the guiding means 12
Is moved to an upper position on one side of the original box 2 in the Y direction by the moving mechanism.

In this manner, the gripping mechanism 6 is moved to the standby position B
And the storage position A, and the guide means 12 is moved up and down and moved in the Y direction. As a result, a set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B is inserted into each of the storage spaces 2A of the box 2 and then extracted, so that a total of 12 storage spaces 2A for four rows in the X direction in the box 2 are provided.
Then, the container 3 is stored twice. Then, after this, the box transport conveyor 4 and the container transport conveyor 5 run a predetermined amount in synchronization with each other.
Are transferred to the downstream side of the storage position A, and three new empty boxes 2 are stopped at the storage position A. At the same time, a total of 18 containers 3 which are half of the new three boxes are stopped at the standby position B. At this point, the guide means 12 is located above the two rows of storage spaces 2A on one side of the three empty boxes 2. After this,
The guide means 12 is lowered to insert the lower ends of the guide pieces 16A and 16B into the storage space 2A of the box 2, and then the gripping mechanism 6 reciprocates between the standby position B and the storage position A as described above. By doing so, the containers 3 are stored in the six storage spaces 2A in each box 2. The configuration itself of the gripping mechanism 6 is conventionally known, and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

In this embodiment, however, the article guiding device 8
The guide means 12 is moved up and down by an elevating mechanism 14 and moved in the Y direction on an elevating frame 13, and the size of a guide hole 15 of the guide means 12 can be changed. First, the lifting mechanism 14 that raises and lowers the guide means 12 will be described. At the storage position A, two sets of right and left columns 21 are erected across the box transport conveyor 4, and the lifting frame 13 is mounted on the columns 21. It is mounted to be able to move up and down freely. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the lifting frame 13 has a rectangular frame shape, and the long side of the lifting frame 13 is
They are arranged so as to be parallel to the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, two pairs of upper and lower rotating shafts 23 are rotatably mounted on the pair of columns 21 facing each other at positions on both sides of the box transport conveyor 4 over the width direction of the box transport conveyor 4. Sprockets 24 are fitted on both ends of each of the rotating shafts 23. Then, the chain 26 is extended over the two sprockets 24 at the upper and lower positions. Each of these chains 26 is connected to the four corners of the lifting frame 13, whereby the lifting frame 13 is horizontally supported (FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIG. 7, a rotating shaft 27 is rotatably supported over two columns 21 which are one side of the box transport conveyor 4, and the rotating shaft 27 is moved downward by two sets of bevel gears 28. It is interlocked with the two rotating shafts 23 on the side. A servo motor 29 is disposed at a position near and above the rotating shaft 27. The servomotor 29 is interlocked with the rotating shaft 27 via a conventionally known interlocking mechanism 33 including a belt 32 and a pair of bevel gears. With this configuration, the servo motor 2
When the motor 9 is rotated by a required amount in the normal and reverse directions, the lifting frame 13 and the guide means 12 provided on the frame are raised and lowered to a lower end position shown by a solid line and a higher end position shown by an imaginary line in FIG. It has become. Thus, the lower ends of the guide pieces 16A and 16B of the guide means 12 can be inserted into and removed from the storage space 2A of the box 2 from above.

As shown in FIG. 10, the guide means 12 has a rectangular support frame 31, and the support frame 31 is provided with the guides 12A, 12B and 12C. Two sets of brackets 25, 25 are attached to both short sides 31B of the support frame 31, and these two sets of brackets 25, 25 are placed on both short sides of the elevating frame 13 to support them. The frame 31 can reciprocate along both short sides of the lifting frame 13, that is, in the Y direction (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, a rotary shaft 34 is rotatably mounted at one long side of the lifting frame 13, and the sprocket 3 is attached to both ends of the rotary shaft 34.
5 is installed. In addition, sprockets 36 are rotatably mounted at both ends of the other long side of the lifting frame 13 respectively. The chain 37 extends over each of the two sets of sprockets 35 and 36. The two short sides 31B of the support frame 31 are connected to the two chains 37 via the brackets 25,25. As shown in FIG.
The servomotor 38 is attached to the lower surface of the. The rotating shaft 34 and the servomotor 38 are linked by a belt 41. Thus, when the servo motor 38 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, the rotating shaft 34 is also rotated in the forward and reverse directions, and in conjunction with this, the two chains 37, 37 travel in the same direction by the same amount. ing. Thus, the support frame 31 (that is, the guide unit 12) is moved in the Y direction along the short side of the lifting frame 13.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, two limit switches 42, 42 'are attached to the short side on the left side of the elevating frame 13 at a predetermined interval with a central portion in the longitudinal direction therebetween. A detected part (not shown) is formed at a predetermined position on the support frame 31 of the guide means 12, and when the limit switches 42, 42 'detect the detected part of the support frame 31, the operation of the servomotor 38 is stopped. It is supposed to be. Thereby, when the support frame 31 is moved in the Y direction along the short side of the elevating frame 13 by the servomotor 38, the position of one end and the position of the other end on the elevating frame 13 are changed. I try to regulate. Guiding means 12
Is stopped at the position of one end on the lifting frame 13, the guide portions 12 </ b> A, 12 </ b> A
A set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B of B and 12C is located on each row of the storage space 2A for two rows on one side of the box 2. On the other hand, when the guide means 12 is stopped at the position of the other end on the elevating frame 13, a set of four guide pieces 16 A, 16 B of the respective guide portions 12 A, 12 B, 12 C is connected to the other side of the box 2. It is located on each of the two rows of storage spaces 2A. As described above, the guide means 12 is moved in the Y direction above the box 2 and the guide means 12 is moved up and down by the elevating mechanism 14, so that a total of twelve pieces in four rows of the box 2 are provided as described above. The container 3 is configured to be stored twice in the storage space. As can be understood from the above description, the moving mechanism 17 of the guide means 12 according to the present embodiment includes the two chains 37, the belt 41, the servomotor 38 as a driving source, and the two limit switches 42 and 42 '.

Next, the structure of the guide means 12 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the guide means 12 includes the rectangular support frame 31 as described above. The support frame 31 is mounted on the lifting frame 13 via the two sets of brackets 25 so as to be movable in the Y direction.
It is raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism 14. As already described above, each guide portion 12A, 12B, 12C of the guide means 12
Has six rectangular guide holes 15, and a set of four guide pieces 16A, 1 provided on these four sides.
6B. Thus, the containers 3 passing through the respective guide holes 15 are stored in the respective storage spaces 2A of the box 2 while being guided by the set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B.
In this embodiment, of the four sides forming each guide hole 15, X
By changing the length of two sides in the direction, the guide hole 15
Is configured to be able to expand and contract in the X direction. Further, when the size of each guide hole 15 is changed in such a manner, the guide pieces 16A provided on the two sides in the X direction are arranged at the center of the two sides in the X direction. The short side 31B of the support frame 31 of the guide means 12 is Y
It is placed on the elevating frame 13 so as to be parallel to the direction, and its long side 31A is supported so as to be parallel to the X direction.

A pair of upper and lower guide shafts 44, 44 and guide shafts 45, 45 are attached to the inside of both long sides 31A of the support frame 31 in parallel with the X direction over both short sides 31B. These guide shafts 44, 44 (45, 4)
5) A pair of plate-like members 46 and 47 are disposed at a central position along the X direction, and two pairs of upper and lower guide holes formed at both ends of the plate-like members 46 and 47 are guided. Axes 44, 4
4 (45, 45) are slidably penetrated. These plate-like members 46 and 47 are arranged at the same distance from the center in the longitudinal direction of the long side 31A of the support frame 31. In addition, a pair of rotating shafts 48 are rotatably supported at positions near and inside the two long sides 31A of the support frame 31 (FIG. 16). The rod-shaped guide members 5 are respectively provided at positions below the rotation shaft 48 on both long sides 31A.
1 is attached. In order to simplify the drawing, in the plan view of FIG.
Only express. The left end and the outer periphery at the center of both rotating shafts 48 are threaded portions 48A and 48B. The pitch of the left threaded portion 48A and the pitch of the central threaded portion 48B of both rotating shafts 48 are set to be the same. The portion 48B has a left-hand thread. Left plate member 46
The right-hand nuts are attached to both ends of the guide bush 49, respectively.
Is installed. The right-hand thread nuts at both ends of the plate-like member 46 are screwed into the threaded portions 48A of both rotating shafts 48, and both guide bushes 49 are slidably fitted on the guide member 51. Also, nuts with left-hand screws are attached to both ends of the right plate-like member 47, respectively.
A guide bush 49 is attached at a position close to and below these nuts. The left-hand threaded nuts at both ends of the plate-shaped member 47 are screwed into the threaded portions 48B of the two rotating shafts 48, and the two guide bushes 49 are slidably fitted on the guide member 51.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rotation shaft 52 is rotatably supported by the bracket 25 on a short side 31B on the right side of the support frame 31. One end of the rotating shaft 52 and one end of one rotating shaft 48 are linked by a set of bevel gears 53, and the other end of the rotating shaft 52 and the other end of the other rotating shaft 48 are connected by a set of bevel gears. It is linked by 50. The rotation shaft 52 is linked to a servomotor 54. As a result, when the servomotor 54 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, the rotating shaft 52 and the pair of rotating shafts 48 are also rotated, and accordingly, the two plate-shaped members 4 are rotated.
Reference numerals 6 and 47 are arranged so as to approach or separate from each other in the X direction by the same distance with respect to the center of the long side 31A of the support frame 31. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a bar-shaped member 55 is arranged parallel to the X direction over the center of both short sides 31B of the support frame 31. A through hole is formed in the center of the plate members 46 and 47 in the longitudinal direction.
7, and both end portions are fixed to both short sides 31B of the support frame 31. Support frame 3
A through hole is formed below the position where the rod-shaped member 55 is fixed on both short sides 31B of FIG. 1 (FIG. 12). The rod-shaped member 55 penetrates through guide holes of twelve slide guides 56 described later in detail. As shown in FIG. 12, a bar-shaped slide member 5 is provided below the bar-shaped member 55.
7, 58 are arranged, and these slide members 57, 5
8 also penetrates the guide hole of the slide guide 56, and also penetrates the through hole provided in the center of the plate-like members 46 and 47 and the central through hole of both short sides 31B of the support frame 31. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, the bar-shaped member 55 and the slide members 57 and 58 are in a state of being overlapped on the same straight line.

The slide member 57 is fixed to the plate member 46, while the slide member 58 is fixed to the plate member 47. Thereby, the plate member 46 and the slide member 5
7 can move integrally in the X direction, and the plate member 47 and the slide member 58 can move integrally in the X direction. The first guide portion 12A is constituted by a region on the left side of the plate-like member 46.
The area between 47 constitutes the second guide portion 12B,
Further, a third guide portion 12C is configured by a region on the right side of the plate-shaped member 47. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, a rod-shaped member 55 which is the center of the two slide guides 56 on the center side in each of the guide portions 12A, 12B and 12C.
, Two guide pieces 16A, 16A are attached back to back. In addition, each guide portion 12A, 12
Two slide guides 56 on the left side in B and 12C
The two guide pieces 16A, 16A are attached to the back of the slide member 57 at the center of the guide member. Further, the two guide pieces 16 are placed back to back at the slide member 58 at the center of the two slide guides 56 on the right side of each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, and 12C.
A and 16A are respectively attached. With this configuration, both rotating shafts 4 are linked with the servomotor 54.
8 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions, so that the plate-shaped members 46,
When 47 approaches or separates in the X direction, the slide members 57 and 58 are also moved in the X direction. Accordingly, the two guide pieces 16A, 16A at the center in the X direction of the guide portions 12A, 12B, 12C are sandwiched, and the guide pieces 16A, 16A at the left and right sides thereof are moved in the X direction by the same distance. They are close to or separated from each other.

Next, in each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, and 12C, four plate members 61 are arranged in parallel with the Y direction over the two pairs of guide shafts 44 and 45, respectively. That is, a total of 12 plate members 61 are provided. Rectangular slide blocks 59 are fixed to both ends of the plate member 61, and guide shafts 44 and 45 are slidably penetrated through upper and lower through holes formed in the slide block 59 (FIG. 17). Each of the plate members 61 is supported above the rod-shaped member 55 and the slide members 57 and 58 in the X direction so as to be orthogonal thereto. Each of the slide guides 56 is provided at the bottom of the plate member 61 at the center in the longitudinal direction.
Is fixed. As shown in FIG. 17, the slide guide 56 is composed of a pair of plate-shaped members and four needle rollers connecting them, and three slides are provided between the pair of plate-shaped members and the needle rollers at the upper and lower positions. Guide hole 56
a, 56b and 56c are formed. The rod-shaped member 55 penetrates the upper guide hole 56a, the slide member 57 penetrates the intermediate guide hole 56b, and the slide member 58 penetrates the lower guide hole 56c.
Each of the plate members 61 at the left end position and the right end position of each guide portion 12A, 12B, 12C has two guide pieces 16B, 16 adjacent to each other with the slide guide 56 interposed therebetween.
B is attached (FIG. 17). In addition, each guide section 12
The two plate members 61 located on the center side of A, 12B, and 12C are adjacent to each other with the slide guide 56 interposed therebetween, and the four guide pieces 16B,
16B is attached. As shown in FIG. 16, the guide pieces 16B, 16B attached to each plate member 61 are shaped such that the lower part is positioned as close to the slide guide 56 as possible, so that both large and small containers can be used. It has become.

Further, guide bushes 62 are fitted on the outer peripheral portions of the guide shafts 44 and 45 at positions between the adjacent slide blocks 59, respectively. A guide piece 16A is attached to each of the guide bushes 62. Guide piece 16A attached to this guide bush 62
The vertical dimension in the natural state is slightly longer than the guide pieces 16A, 16A and the other guide pieces 16B located on the center side in the Y direction, which are the opposing positions. Of the guide bushes 62 located in the guide portions 12A, 12B, and 12C, the guide bush 62 located in the center in the X direction is fixed to the center of the support frame 31 in the X direction in each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, and 12C. ing. On the other hand, the guide bushes 62 located on the left and right sides of each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, 12C
It is possible to move along (45). FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of rod-shaped members 69, 70 is provided below the guide shafts 44, 45 in parallel with the X direction.
Are arranged respectively. The bar-shaped members 69 and 70 can move in parallel with the X direction while being in contact with each other.
Through the through hole. One rod-shaped member 69 is integrally connected to the plate-shaped member 47. The guide bush 62 on the right side of each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, and 12C is arranged such that adjacent guide bushes 62 are at equal intervals.
It is connected to a rod-shaped member 69. The other bar-shaped member 70 is integrally connected to the plate-shaped member 46. Further, the guide bush 62 on the left side of each of the guide portions 12A, 12B, 12C is connected to the bar-shaped member 70 such that adjacent ones of the guide bushes 62 are at equal intervals. Thus, when the plate members 46, 47 approach or separate in the X direction, the slide members 57, 58 and the guide piece 16A provided thereon are also moved in the X direction. At the same time, the guide bush 62 located on the left and right sides of each of the guide portions 12A, 12B and 12C and the guide piece 16A provided on the guide bush 62 are also moved in the X direction. At this time, since the pitches of the threaded portions 48A, 48B of the rotary shaft 48 are the same, each of the guides 12A, 12B,
The guide bushes 62 located on the left and right sides of the 12C are close to each other in the X direction by the same distance with the guide bush 62 fixed at the center of each of the guides 12A, 12B, 12C interposed therebetween.
Or they are separated. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 14 and FIG.
At positions adjacent to the guide shafts 44 (45) in B and 12C, link mechanisms 63 each having a shape in which X is continuous are arranged. That is, as a whole, six link mechanisms 63 are arranged. The link mechanism 63 has seven intersections where links intersect at the center position in the height direction in the direction of expansion and contraction (X direction), and each intersection is swingably supported by a pin ( FIG. 14, FIG.
5). The intersections of both ends of the link mechanism 63 in the expansion and contraction direction (X direction) and the pins 64 at every other intersection are connected to the slide blocks 59 at both ends of the plate member 61 in each of the guides 12A, 12B, and 12C. ing. On the other hand, a pin 65 at the point of intersection one inward from both ends in the expansion and contraction direction (X direction) of the link mechanism 63 is connected to two guide bushes 62 on both ends of each of the guides 12A, 12B, and 12C. . Further, the link mechanism 6
The pin 66 at the center intersection in the expansion / contraction direction (X direction) of No. 3
Is connected to a fixed guide bush 62 at the center of each of the guides 12A, 12B, 12C.

With this configuration, the plate-like member 4
When 6,47 are made to approach or separate in the X direction,
Each guide portion 12A, 12 is inserted through each rod-shaped member 69, 70.
B, two guide bushes 62 at both ends in 12C
Are moved toward or away from a guide bush 62 fixed at the center.
Each slide block 59 is moved so as to approach or separate from the guide bush 62 via a link mechanism 63 connected to the slide bush 62. Since the guide bush 62 and the slide block 59 are connected by the link mechanism 63, their intervals are all constant.
As a result, X of the four sides constituting each guide hole 15 is
The size of each guide hole 15 can be changed by expanding and contracting two sides in the direction, and the guide pieces 16A, 16A can be located at the center of the two sides in the X direction. As described above, each of the guide portions 12A,
Each of 12B and 12C has a total of six guide holes 15. Further, two sides (X-direction members) in the X direction of the four sides forming each guide hole 15 are a pair of alternately provided slide members 57 and 58 and guide shafts 44 and 4.
On the other hand, two sides (Y-direction members) in the Y direction among the four sides forming each guide hole 15 are formed by each plate member 61. By the way, as described above, in the present embodiment, the size of the guide hole 15 can be scaled in the X direction, but cannot be scaled in the Y direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vertical dimension of the guide piece 16A provided on the guide bush 62 is made longer than that of the outer one, and it is possible to swing toward the guide piece 16A at the opposing position as described below. I have. Thereby, even when the size of the guide hole 15 is enlarged or reduced in the X direction, a set of four guide pieces 16
A and 16B can be smoothly inserted into the storage space 2A of the box 2. That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, at the upper end of the guide bush 62, a swing member 68 is swingably provided by a pair of left and right pins 67 provided in parallel with the X direction. The upper end of the guide piece 16A is connected to the front surface of the moving member 68. Thereby, the swing member 68 and the guide piece 16A can swing about the pin 67, whereby the lower end of the guide piece 16A approaches or is separated from the guide piece 16A at the opposing position. It is supposed to. A pair of rotating shafts 71 are supported above the guide shafts 44 and 45 in parallel with the X direction. An abutting member 72 having an L-shaped cross section is fixed downward at each required position in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 71, and the lower ends of the abutting members 72 are fixed as shown in FIGS. The part is located at the rear end of the swing member 68 (FIGS. 19 and 20).
(Left side).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 21, a crank member 73 is connected to one end of each of the rotating shafts 71.
Air cylinders 74 each supporting a piston in the Y direction are disposed adjacent to each of the crank members 73, and the pistons of the air cylinders 74 are swingably attached to the free ends of the crank members 73. ing. The two air cylinders 74 are operated in synchronism to alternately move their pistons between a forward position and a retracted position. When the pistons of the air cylinders 74 are advanced, the contact member 72 is lowered from the rising end to the lowering end via the rotating shafts 71 as shown in FIG. 19, and the rear end of the swing member 68 is pushed down. Thus, the lower end of the guide piece 16A provided on the swing member 68 moves from the retreat position shown by the imaginary line to the forward position shown by the solid line toward the guide piece 16A at the opposing position, and the lower ends thereof abut. . On the other hand, when the pistons of both air cylinders 74 are retracted to the retracted position, the contact member 72 is raised, and accordingly, the swing member 68 and the guide piece 16A provided thereon are moved by their own weights as shown in FIG. It retreats to the position shown by the imaginary line at 19. At this time, the guide piece 16A provided on the swinging member 68 is separated from the lower end of the guide piece 16A at the opposing position. In this embodiment, the guide hole 1 of the guide means 12 is provided.
Before inserting the set of four guide pieces 16A, 16B provided in 5 into the storage space 2A of the box 2, the contact member 72 is lowered.
The state where the lower end of the guide piece 16A is in contact with the lower end of the guide piece 16A at the opposing position is held, and in this state, it is inserted into the storage space 2A of the box 2. Since the pair of guide pieces 16A are closest to each other, the lower end of the guide piece 16A can be inserted into the storage space 2A without contacting the edge of the box 2 or the upper end of the partition plate. Thereafter, when the contact member 72 is raised to release the pressing of the swing member 68, the one guide piece 16A
Swings by its own weight and separates from the other guide piece 16A,
It comes into contact with the upper end of the side surface of the box 2 and stops. In this state, the container 3 is inserted into the guide hole 15 from above.
Is passed through the guide pieces 16A and 16B without being brought into contact with the side wall of the box 2 or the upper end of the partition plate, and is stored in the storage space 2A in the box 2. As can be understood from the configuration described above, in the present embodiment, the plate member 61 is
The X-direction moving mechanism for moving in the direction
4, constituted by rotating shafts 52 and 48, plate members 46 and 47, bar members 69 and 70, guide bush 62, link mechanism 63, and slide block 59. Further, the adjusting means for positioning the guide piece 16A at the center in the X direction includes a servomotor 54, rotating shafts 52 and 48, and plate members 46 and 4.
7, slide members 57, 58 and rod-shaped members 69, 7
0, constituted by a guide bush 62.

(Explanation of Operation) The operation of the container storage device 1 having the above configuration will be described. That is, when the gripping mechanism 6 is located above the set of six containers 3 stopped at the standby position B, the gripping mechanism 6 is lowered by a predetermined amount from the rising end position. Thereby, the set of six gripping members 11 grips the upper ends of the six containers 3 waiting at the standby position B (FIG. 3). After this,
The gripping mechanism 6 is moved from the standby position B to the storage position A while being raised. Thus, the holding mechanism 6 is moved to the storage position A.
, The container 3 gripped by the gripping member 11 is positioned above two rows of six storage spaces 2A on one side of the three boxes 2 stopped at the storage position A. On the other hand, at this time, the guide means 12 is lowered to the lower end by the elevating mechanism 14, and a set of four guide pieces 16 provided in each guide hole 15 is provided.
The lower ends of A and 16B are in a state of being inserted into each of the two rows of storage spaces 2A along the X direction which is one side of the box 2. When the guide pieces 16A and 16B are inserted into the respective storage spaces 2A, the contact member 72 is lowered in conjunction with the air cylinder 74 and provided on the swing member 68 as shown in FIG. The lower end of the guide piece 16A is in contact with the guide piece 16A at a position facing the lower end. Therefore, the interval between the pair of guide pieces 16A is closest to each other, so that their lower ends are inserted into the storage space 2A without contacting the edges of the box 2 or the upper ends of the partition plates. Then, the guide pieces 16A and 16B are arranged in the respective storage spaces 2A.
Is inserted into the air cylinder 74, the contact member 72 is raised in conjunction with the air cylinder 74 to release the pressing of the swing member 68, so that one guide piece 16A provided on the swing member 68 swings by its own weight. Then, it is separated from the other guide piece 16A and comes into contact with the upper end of the side surface of the box 2 and stops. From this state, the gripping mechanism 6
The container 3 held by the holding member 11 is lowered, so that the container 3 held by the holding member 11 is inserted into the guide hole 15 of the guide means 12 and then pushed between the set of four guide pieces 16A and 16B. Are stored in the storage space 2A of each box 2 while being guided thereby. Up to this point, the container transport conveyor 5 has traveled a predetermined amount and has been stopped, so that a total of 18 containers 3 for three new groups are waiting at the standby position B. Thereafter, the gripping mechanism 6 in the storage position A
Releases the gripping state of the container 3, moves up to the standby position B again after being raised, and grips 18 new containers 3 waiting there. Thereafter, the guide means 12 is raised by the elevating mechanism 14, so that the guide pieces 16A and 16B of the guide means 12 are smoothly extracted from the storage space 2A of each box 2. As a result, six containers 3 are stored in the two rows of storage spaces 2A on each side of each box 2. In other words, at this time, the storage spaces 2A for the two rows on the other side of each box 2 remain empty. Thereafter, the guide means 12 is moved by the moving mechanism 17 in the Y direction by two rows of the storage space 2A of the box 2, and then lowered by the elevating mechanism 14. At this time, since the contact member 72 is lowered in conjunction with the air cylinder 74, the lower end portion of the guide piece 16A provided on the swinging member 68 is brought into contact with the guide piece 16A at an opposing position. It has become. Therefore, the interval between the pair of guide pieces 16A is closest to each other, so that their lower ends are inserted into the storage space 2A without contacting the edges of the box 2 or the upper ends of the partition plates. And the guide pieces 16A, 16B
Is inserted into each storage space 2A, the air cylinder 74
The guide member 16A provided on the swing member 68 swings by its own weight and separates from the other guide piece 16A because the contact member 72 is raised to release the pressing of the swing member 68. Then, it comes into contact with the upper end of the side surface of the box 2 and stops. In this manner, the lower ends of the guide pieces 16A and 16B of the guide means 12 are inserted into the two rows of empty storage spaces 2A in the box 2. Next, the holding mechanism 6 holding the container 3 moves to the standby position B.
Is moved to above the guiding means 12 at the storage position A, and then lowered. As a result, the container 3 gripped by the gripping mechanism 6 is inserted into each guide hole 15 and then the guide piece 16
A and 16B are inserted into the storage space 2A while being guided. Thereafter, the gripping state of the container 3 by the gripping member 11 is released, and the gripping member 11 moves up from the storage position A to the standby position B after rising. Thereafter, the guide means 12 is raised by the elevating mechanism 14, and the guide pieces 16A, 16B are withdrawn upward from the storage space 2A of the box 2. As a result, a total of 12 containers 3 are stored in all the storage spaces 2A in the box 2. Thereafter, the guiding means 12
Is moved by the moving mechanism 17 to an upper position on one side of the original box 2 in the Y direction. Thus, the gripping mechanism 6 is reciprocated between the standby position B and the storage position A, and the guide means 12 is moved up and down and moved in the Y direction. Thereby, a set of four guide pieces 16A,
16B is inserted into each storage space 2A of the box 2 and then withdrawn, so that a total of 1 for four rows along the X direction in the box 2
The container 3 is stored twice in the second storage space 2A.

According to the guide means 12 of this embodiment, when the size of the storage space 2A for the container 3 and the box 2 is changed, the guide hole 15 of the guide means 12 is adjusted in the X direction. (See FIGS. 20 and 21). Further, at this time, the guide pieces 16A provided on them are always located at the center of two sides in the X direction. In the present embodiment, each plate member 61 forming two sides in the Y direction on the drawing is used.
Does not expand and contract in the Y direction, so that the air cylinder 74 is moved forward and backward, the guide piece 16A provided on the guide bush 62 is positioned at the forward position or the retracted position, and the distance between the guide piece 16A and the facing guide piece 16A is reduced. change. According to this embodiment, even if the container 3 to be processed is a flat container having a non-circular cross section or a non-circular container 3, a set of four guide pieces 16A, With 16B, the container 3 can be smoothly guided to the storage space 2A in the box 2. Therefore, as compared with the related art, when the container 3 is stored in the storage space 2 </ b> A in the box 2, it is possible to prevent the container from swaying or shifting in direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide the article guide device 8 having higher versatility and processing ability than the conventional one.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, a flat container or a non-circular container can be guided into a box without any trouble in response to a change in the size of a container or a storage space. The effect is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the article storage device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lifting frame shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part along a line VII-VII in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a main part of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a main part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of FIG. 1;

11 is a plan view of the support frame 31 and its related members shown in FIG.

12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along the line XII-XII in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows different operating states of the member shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a main part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 shows different operating states of the member shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a main part of FIG. 10;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 10;

19 is a cross-sectional view of a main part along the line XX-XX in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a different operation state of the member shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a left side view of a main part of FIG. 10;

22 is a schematic plan view showing a case where a large container 3 is guided by the guiding means 12 shown in FIG.

23 is a schematic plan view showing a case where the small container 3 is guided by the guiding means 12 shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container storage apparatus 2 Box 2A Storage space 3 Container 8 Article guide apparatus 12 Guide means 15 Guide hole 16A Guide piece 16B Guide piece

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Kikuchi 58, Soyoda-Honmachi, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture Inside Shibuya Corporation (72) Inventor Eizo Sasaki 2-1-5 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Santo (72) Inventor Takanobu Yamamoto 2-1-5 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Prefecture F-term (reference) 3E043 AA01 AA05 BA10 BA13 DA01 DA06 DB04 EA02 EA20 FA01

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of X-direction members arranged parallel to an X direction and spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of X-direction members arranged parallel to a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction members and spaced apart from each other. A Y-direction member, a pair of adjacent X-direction members and a pair of adjacent Y-direction members intersecting with each other, a rectangular guide hole through which articles pass, and a pair of Xs forming four sides of these guide holes. A guide member attached to the direction member and the pair of Y-direction members to guide the article passing through the guide hole into the box, so that the size of the guide hole can be changed. An X direction moving mechanism for moving the Y direction member in the X direction is provided, and the distance between the pair of guide pieces attached to each Y direction member can be changed by moving the pair of Y direction members closer and further away. And a guide piece attached to at least one of the pair of X-direction members is swingably attached so as to approach and separate from the other opposing guide piece. apparatus. 2. The guide piece attached to the X-direction member is configured to be movable in the X direction, and the guide piece attached to the X-direction member in accordance with the approach / separation operation of the pair of Y-direction members. 2. The article guiding device according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting unit that moves the X-axis by a predetermined amount in the X-direction and positions the X-axis in the center of the Y-direction member.