JP2000233826A - Device for changing rows of objects to be carried - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device changing rows of objects to be carried preventing the objects to be carried from overturning and eliminating the need for stopping production line, even when the objects to be carried overturn in the upstream side. SOLUTION: Multiple guide railg C1 are provided to connect gaps between a pair of attachment chains B1. A gripper E1 is fixed on a slider D1 engaged with the guide rails C1 for sliding and moving along the guide rails C1. The number of rows of PET bottles Q1 is changed by carrying the PET bottles Q1, while being hanged and held by the grippers E1 and by moving the sliders D1 at a prescribed rate in the crosswise direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conveyor, and more particularly, to a conveyor line changing device for changing the line of conveyors by arranging or gathering the lines of conveyors during conveyance. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a conveyed product line changing device used on a conveyed product conveyer, a conveyed product is conveyed on a plurality of rows of conveyers while a fixed guide, a swinging swing guide, or a phase difference is detected. The rows of the conveyed articles are sorted or gathered by a rotating body or the like, and the number of conveyed articles is increased or decreased and changed. Further, as an aspect of increasing or decreasing the number of rows of the conveyed products, an increase / decrease of a single row of conveyed product rows and a plurality of conveyed product rows, or an increase / decrease of a plurality of conveyed product rows and a plurality of conveyed product rows having different numbers of rows are used. Is assumed. In addition, as the above-mentioned conveyed article line changing device, usually, conveyed articles are placed on the upper surface of a conveyor and conveyed, and the conveyed article line is increased or decreased in the conveying process.

[0003]

However, such a problem,
In the above conveyed product line changing device, the conveyed product line is increased or decreased by changing the traveling direction of the conveyed product that travels straight at high speed. Therefore, when the conveyed product is a tall container such as a beverage container that is unstable and easily falls down, there is a risk that the beverage container may fall over. For this reason, the line must be stopped in order to remove the overturned conveyed product, which causes a problem such as a reduction in the line operation rate and the need for manual operation.

Therefore, the present invention can suitably prevent a conveyed product from overturning, and even if the conveyed product is overturned, does not need to stop the line. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. First, the present invention is wound around a driving wheel and a driven wheel so that the driving wheel is driven from the driven wheel to the driven wheel. A pair of transmission members formed in a continuous loop shape transmitting torque,
A plurality of guide rails connecting the pair of transmission members at predetermined intervals, a slider slidably locked to the guide rail and movable along the guide rail, and fixed to the slider; A gripper capable of gripping and suspending a transportable product that can be suspended, and a gripper capable of switching between a gripped state and an open state of the transported product, and a state in which the transported product is suspended and gripped by the gripper. And a change mechanism for changing the row of conveyed articles by moving the slider in the horizontal direction at a predetermined ratio at the same time as the conveyance.

[0006] In the transported article line changing device of the first configuration, the gripping tool is fixed to the slider so that the transported article can be gripped and suspended, and can be suspended by the gripping tool. The transported product is configured to be transported while being held in a suspended state. At the same time, the row of conveyed articles is changed by moving the slider in the horizontal direction at a predetermined ratio. Therefore, the transported article is suspended and gripped by the gripping tool, and the transported article is smoothly moved and laterally moved, so that the transported article can be suitably prevented from tipping over, and the transport line can be operated at high speed. Becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to smoothly cope with a case where the conveyed articles are intermittently supplied in a state of being separated. Furthermore, since the transported product is suspended by the gripping tool, even if the transported product falls over on the upstream side, the transported product that has fallen over falls down without being gripped, so that it falls over during transport. There is no need to stop the line in order to collect the above conveyed products, and problems such as a reduction in the line operation rate and the need for human labor do not occur.

Secondly, in the first configuration, the gripping member holds the pair of lever members on a gripping side so that the pair of lever members rotatably supported at all times is always held. A biasing member for biasing the gripper, and switching means for switching between a gripping state and an open state of the gripping tool by rotating the pair of lever members.

[0008] In the transported article line changing device of the second configuration, the gripping member holds the pair of lever members on the gripping side so that the pair of lever members rotatably and pivotally held is always held. A biasing member that biases the gripping tool, and a switching unit that can switch between a gripping state and an open state of the gripping tool by rotating the pair of lever members.
Because the pair of lever members are always in a gripping state,
An operation mechanism for bringing the gripper into a gripping state is not required, and a switching mechanism may be set only for a portion to be set in an open state having a short setting range such as a portion for gripping and releasing a container, so that a simple and efficient configuration is achieved. can do. In addition, since the gripping tool can be switched between the gripping state and the open state by the rotation of the pair of lever members, the gripping tool can be switched between the gripping state and the open state with a simple configuration. Will be possible.

Thirdly, in the second configuration, the urging member obtains an urging force by a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet.

[0010] In the conveyed article line changing device of the third configuration, since the urging member obtains the urging force by the repulsive force or the attractive force of the magnet, there is a fear that cut-off or the like may occur with a simple configuration. A conveyed article can be gripped by an inexpensive configuration.

Fourthly, in the second or third configuration, the switching means is performed by a cam mechanism. Therefore, with a simple configuration,
It is possible to smoothly switch between the gripping state and the open state of the gripping tool.

Fifth, in the second or third configuration, the switching means is performed by a biasing force of a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet. In the conveyed article line changing device, a simple configuration can smoothly switch between the gripping state and the open state of the gripping tool, and there is no abrasion powder due to non-contact. Further, it is possible to provide a switching unit in which the impact on the gripper is also suppressed.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment shows an example of a sorting device that sorts conveyed articles conveyed in a single row into a plurality of rows. Also, an example is shown in the case of a round PET bottle as a conveyed product.

[0014] The conveyed article line changing device A1 according to the present invention comprises:
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an attachment chain (transmission member) B1, a guide rail C1, a slider D
1, gripper E1, guide member (change mechanism) F1, gripping cam G1 (switching means), release cam G2 (switching means), frame H1, supply conveyor J1, unloading conveyor J2, PE
It has a T bottle (transportation product) Q1.

The attachment chain B1 has a plurality of link plates B10 connected in a continuous loop, and as shown in FIG. 1, a drive wheel B1a driven by an electric motor (not shown) and a rotatable pivot. Driven wheel B
1b, from the drive wheel B1a to the driven wheel B
1b to transmit the rotational force.

The attachment chain B1 is
As shown in FIG. 3, the link plate B10 is formed by engaging a pair of the link plates B10 via a pair of pins B12, and is disposed on both sides of the frame H1 so as to face each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the link plates B10 disposed inside has a substantially inverted T-shape, and a fitting hole B10a is formed in an upper projecting portion. ing. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the round bar-shaped guide rail C1 is provided between the fitting holes B10a of the link plates B10 facing both sides of the frame H1.
Are fitted and fixed.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slider D1 is formed by fixing a flange D14 having a substantially inverted T-shape in side view to the lower side of a flat guide plate D10.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the guide plate D10 has an insertion hole D penetrating therethrough from the side.
10a and a long hole D10b are formed. By inserting the guide rail C1 into the insertion hole D10a and the elongated hole D10b, the guide rail C1 and the slider D1 are engaged. A pin D12 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the guide plate D10 so as to protrude upward.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a recess D14a is formed in the flange D14 so as to rotatably support the gripper E1, and the flange D14 penetrates the recess D14a on both sides. An insertion hole D14b is formed to be in communication.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the gripper E1 is formed by disposing a pair of left and right arm-shaped lever members E10 in the concave portion D14a of the flange D14. Is done. The pins D16 are inserted into the insertion holes D14b, respectively, so that the pins D16 are rotatably supported by the flanges D14 as described above.

Further, at the lower end of the lever member E10, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there is formed a claw portion E1a which projects inward at a substantially right angle. Further, the lever members E10 disposed in a pair on the left and right sides are connected to the claw portions E1a.
However, a spring E20 (biasing member) is stretched around a substantially central portion of the lever member E10 so as to constantly bias the lever member E10 in the mutually attracting direction.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, by inserting the claw portions E1a of the pair of left and right lever members E10 below the neck portion Q1a of the PET bottle Q1, it is preferable that the PET bottle Q1 is inserted. The bottle Q1 can be gripped and hung. In addition, since the pair of lever members E10 are always in a gripping state, an operating mechanism for holding the gripper E1 in a gripping state is unnecessary, and an opening state in which a set range is short, such as a portion for gripping and releasing the PET bottle Q1. Since the switching mechanism only needs to be set for the part to be set, a simple and efficient configuration can be achieved.

Also, by pressing the outer upper end corner E1b of the lever member E10 inward, as shown in FIG. 6, the lever member E10 pivots about the pin D16 against the spring force of the spring E20, as shown in FIG. , And rotate outward. Therefore, the PET bottle Q1 is opened to release the gripping, and the PET bottle Q1 is released.
Release the suspension of 1.

In other words, by opening and closing the upper end corner E1b outside the lever member E10, it is possible to switch between the holding state and the open state of the PET bottle Q1 by the holding tool E1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the gripper E1 is disposed at a pitch Pe shorter than the pitch Pq of the PET bottle Q1. Therefore, the above PET bottle Q1
The gripping tool E1
Become more continuous, preventing the PET bottle Q1 from tipping over and falling down, and the PET bottle Q1 can be gripped regardless of the pitch of the PET bottle Q1. Further, it is not necessary to adjust the pitch of the gripper E1 according to the change of the pitch of the PET bottle Q1.

Preferably, the pitch Pe of the gripper E1 is 30 to 7 with respect to the outer diameter of the PET bottle Q1.
Preferably, it is set to about 0%.

Further, the gap Le between the grippers E1 is set to be 10% of the grip width Lq of the PET bottle Q1.
The gripper E1 is provided as described below. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the PET bottle Q1 from dropping into the gap Le between the grippers E1.

Further, the guide members F1 (F1a, F1
As shown in FIG. 7, b) is formed by a thin leaf spring or a metal plate and has flexibility, and as shown in FIG. 3, a height at which the pin D12 of the slider D1 can be extracted. And one end thereof is fixed to the end of the fixed guide F2 as shown in FIG. Also, approximately in the middle,
The rod of the air cylinder F20 is fixed, and is rotatable by expansion and contraction of the air cylinder F20.

The grip cam G1 and the release cam G2
As shown in FIG. 1, is formed by a resin member or the like along a periphery of the driving wheel B1a and the driven wheel B1b in a substantially arc shape in a side view. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the gripping cams G1 are disposed right above the supply conveyor J1 in a pair of left and right directions facing each other at a predetermined interval. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the release cams G2 are arranged in a pair on the left and right sides of each of the lines to be distributed immediately above the carry-out conveyor J2 with a predetermined interval therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 8, the gripping cam G1 and the release cam G2 gradually increase in thickness in the advancing direction in the unfolded shape. The thickness gradually decreases. And
As shown in FIG. 8, at the top, the interval between the gripping cam G1 and the release cam G2 disposed in a pair on the left and right is adjusted by pushing the upper end corner E1b of the lever member E10 into a predetermined opening / closing operation. Is set to be possible.

Accordingly, as the slider D1 passes through the gripping cam G1 and the release cam G2, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer upper end corner E1b of the gripping tool E1 is opened and closed. As described above, the switching means is capable of switching between the holding state and the open state of the PET bottle Q1.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the PET bottles Q1 are conveyed to the lower side of the attachment chain B1 in a single row by the supply conveyor J1. The attachment chain B1 is rotated by driving the drive wheel B1a by an electric motor (not shown). Accordingly, the guide rail C1 fixed to each link plate B10 accordingly moves continuously in the transport direction of the PET bottle Q1 on the traveling side (lower surface side) of the attachment chain B1. Therefore, the slider D1 engaged with the guide rail C1 also moves continuously in the transport direction of the PET bottle Q1 on the advancing side of the attachment chain B1.

At this time, the slider D1 is moved along the outer periphery of the driven wheel B1b.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the upper end corner E1b of the gripping tool E1 enters the space between the pair of gripping cams G1, the upper end corner E1b is lowered. It is pushed inside. When the upper end corner E1b moves to the tops of the pair of gripping cams G1, the upper end corner E1b is pushed in by a predetermined amount to rotate the lever member E10 as shown in FIG. As shown in (2), the gripper E1 is in an open state.

When the slider D1 reaches the vicinity of the lowermost end of the driven wheel B1b, the claws E1a of the pair of left and right lever members E10 are located below the neck Q1a of the PET bottle Q1. In this position, the grip cam G1 is set so as to be retracted. Therefore, since the gripper E1 is in the gripping state shown in FIG. 4, the claw portions E1a of the pair of left and right lever members E10 can be inserted below the neck portion Q1a of the PET bottle Q1. In addition, by the gripping tool E1,
The PET bottle Q1 can be gripped and hung.

In this case, as described above, the gripper E1 is, as shown in FIG.
The pitches Pe are shorter than the pitch Pq. Therefore, the gripper E1 becomes more continuous and the PE
It is possible to suitably prevent the T bottle Q1 from falling or falling. That is, the PET bottle Q1 is not only gripped by one gripping tool E1, but may be gripped by a plurality of gripping tools E1 in some cases.

Further, as described above, each of the grippers E
1 is defined as the width L of the grip portion of the PET bottle Q1.
Since the gripping tool E1 is arranged so as to be 10% or less of q, the PET bottle Q1 does not fall into the gap Le between the gripping tools E1 and the PET bottle Q1 does not fall.
Can be suitably prevented from falling. Then, in a state where the PET bottle Q1 is thus gripped by the gripper E1, the rotation of the attachment chain B1 causes the PET bottle Q1 to be transported in the arrow direction shown in FIGS.

As the PET bottle Q1 is conveyed, as shown in FIG. 2, the selected PET bottle Q1 is picked up by the plurality of guide members F1 and sorted left and right. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the guide members F1a and F1b are rotated by the expansion and contraction of each of the air cylinders F20, and the selected pins D
The guide member F1a that extracts and guides 12 moves to the PET bottle Q1 side, and the guide member F1b that does not guide retreats from the PET bottle Q1 side.

Therefore, the pin D12 of the slider D1 is caught and extracted by the guide member F1a for guiding, and moves along the guide member F1a. It is divided right and left by the movement of F1. In addition, any of the guide members F1 is made of the PET bottle Q
When retreating from the 1 side, the PET bottle Q1
Will go straight on.

Thus, the number of rows of the PET bottle Q1 is changed to a desired number. In this case, the number of rows to be changed is not particularly limited, and when the number of rows to be changed is large, the number of rows of the guide member F1 and the air cylinder F20 is changed according to the number. Increase the number. In addition, the movement of the guide member F1 by driving the air cylinder F20 corresponds to the desired PET.
The above PET is set so that it can be changed to the number of rows of the bottle Q1.
The controller is controlled by a controller (not shown) in consideration of the transport speed and pitch of the bottle Q1 or the situation on the upstream and downstream of the line.

As described above, when the PET bottle Q1 moves along the guide member F1 for guiding, as shown in FIG. 10, the lateral movement angle with respect to the movement direction of the PET bottle Q1. θ is preferably within ± 20 ° in order to maintain a smooth operation state of the device.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the PET bottle Q1 is transported to the upper portion of the carry-out conveyor J2, as shown in FIG.
Enters between the pair of opening cams G2. When the slider D1 moves to the tops of the pair of opening cams G2, as shown in FIG. 8, the outer upper end corner E1b of the lever member E10 is opened and closed, as shown in FIG. Then, the gripper E1 is in an open state.

Therefore, the PET by the gripper E1
The holding state of the bottle Q1 is released, and the PET bottle Q
As shown in FIG. 2, 1 is dropped by a small distance on the surface of the unloading conveyor J2 with the rows changed, and is conveyed by the unloading conveyor J2. Then, from that state, the slider D1 is moved to the link plate B10.
And the guide rail C1 is pulled up along the drive wheel B1a to the return side (upper surface side) of the attachment chain B1 so as to form the attachment chain B1.
Is returned to the side opposite to the direction of transport of the PET bottle Q1, and is used again for transporting the PET bottle Q1 above the supply conveyor J1. In addition, the traveling speed of the supply conveyor J1, the attachment chain B1, and the unloading conveyor J2 is set to be substantially the same so that the transfer to the respective members is performed so that a fall or the like does not occur smoothly. Is preferred.

As described above, according to the configuration of the conveyed article line changing device A1 according to the present embodiment, the gripper E1 is fixed to the slider D1 so that the PET bottle Q1 can be gripped and hung. It is made possible to transport the PET bottle Q1 in a state of being suspended and gripped. At the same time, the number of rows of the PET bottles Q1 is changed by moving the slider D1 in the horizontal direction at a predetermined ratio. In this case, the gripper E1
As a result, the PET bottle Q1 is suspended and gripped, and the PET bottle Q1 is smoothly advanced and moved in the lateral direction, so that the PET bottle Q1 can be suitably prevented from falling.

Therefore, it is possible to operate the transfer line at high speed. Further, even when the PET bottles Q1 are intermittently supplied in a state of being separated, it is possible to smoothly cope with the cases. In addition, since the gripper E1 is a method of suspending the PET bottle, the PET bottle Q supplied from the supply conveyor J1 in a state in which the PET bottle has fallen upstream.
1 falls without being grasped, and is collected at the lower portion. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the PET bottle Q1 from the apparatus, and the operation of the line is not hindered.

In the gripper E1, the gripping tool E1 can be switched between a gripping state and an open state by rotating the pair of lever members E10. It is possible to switch between the gripping state and the open state of E1.

Further, at this time, switching between the gripping state and the release state of the gripping tool E1 is performed by switching means by a cam mechanism including the gripping cam G1 and the release cam G2. Therefore, with the simple configuration, it is possible to smoothly switch between the gripping state of the gripper E1 and the open state. Note that the states of the grip cam G1 and the release cam G2 viewed from above in each drawing show a developed shape.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned PE is
Since the transfer and the change of the row are performed while holding the T bottle Q1, the stability is high and higher speed operation is possible.

Further, since the conveyor length can be shortened as compared with the conventional sorting and collecting apparatus using a conveyor, the apparatus can be downsized. Also, while the device can be manufactured at low cost,
The layout space in the plant can be saved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the present embodiment, and various embodiments are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, 1
Each of the sliders D1 has a configuration in which two round bar-shaped guide rails C1 are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is formed in a square bar shape in order to prevent the slider D1 from rotating. It is good also as composition using one guide rail which was used.

Also, the slider D1 and the guide rail C1 can be slid smoothly with respect to the guide rail by using a bearing, a metal bush, or an oil-impregnated resin. If they do, they are all included.

In this embodiment, the PET bottle Q
1 is conveyed, but includes everything that can be suspended by a gripping tool, such as a bottle, a milk bottle, or a mug-like container with a handle.

In this embodiment, the PET bottle Q
1 has a cylindrical shape, however, as shown in FIG. 11, the present invention can be suitably applied to a case where a prismatic PET bottle Q2 is conveyed. In this example, the PET bottle is used to mean a bottle made of polyethylene terephthalate.

Further, in this embodiment, an example of the sorting device for sorting the PET bottles Q1 conveyed in a single row into a plurality of rows is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is possible. For example, (a) a plurality of rows of the PET bottles Q1 may be set to a greater number of the P bottles.
Sort into ET bottle Q1 row. (B) Multiple PEs
Rows of T bottles Q1 with fewer PETs
Set in bottle Q1 row. (C) A set of a plurality of rows of the PET bottles Q1 into a single row of the PET bottles Q1.

In the aspect (c) in which the rows of the plurality of PET bottles Q1 are assembled into the single row of the PET bottles Q1, the driving direction is changed to the opposite direction by using the configuration of the present embodiment as it is. It can be executed by driving. In this case, the guide member F
1 is disposed on the return side of the attachment chain B1 so that when the PET bottle Q1 is gripped, the P
The configuration is such that the gripper E1 is already sorted according to the position of the ET bottle Q1.

The attachment chain B1, the slider D1, the grip cam G1, the release cam G2 and the like are of course arbitrarily set according to the weight, size, speed, etc. of the conveyed article. Things. For example, if the conveyed product is relatively light,
When each of the members is made of an oil-impregnated resin or the like and the conveyed article is relatively heavy, each of the members is made of steel or stainless steel.

In order to cope with the case where the conveyed article is relatively heavy, as shown in FIG. 13, a guide rail C2 vertically arranged in two axes is provided. The attachment chain B2 and the slider D2 that engage with C2 may also be biaxially arranged in the vertical direction. In this case,
Since the guide rails C2 are arranged biaxially in the vertical direction,
The allowable weight in the vertical direction can be increased, and the configuration becomes stronger with respect to the weight of the conveyed product.

The control of the electric motor (not shown) for driving the attachment chain B1 and the air cylinder F20 for rotating the guide member F1 can be performed by a switching operation visually by an operator, or by an electric circuit or a microcomputer. Any control, such as control by the user, may be used.

When a row of conveyed articles having different heights is changed, the height can be easily changed by changing the height of the frame H1 so that the height of the gripper E1 corresponds to the conveyed article. It is possible.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the PET bottle Q is transferred from the supply conveyor J1 to the gripper E1.
When the PET bottle Q1 is transferred from the gripper E1 to the carry-out conveyor J2, the thickness of the support fork S1 is gradually changed.
Can be disposed below the neck Q1a of the PET bottle Q1. With this configuration,
The above operation can be performed more smoothly and reliably.

Further, in the structure of the present embodiment, the urging member and the switching means of the gripper E1 are also constituted by the tension spring (spring E20) and the cam (gripping cam G1 and release cam G2) as described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modes are possible. For example, as the urging member, a compression spring, a leaf spring,
Alternatively, the gripper E may be moved by the repulsive force or the attractive force of the magnet.
The switching means may be configured to switch between a gripping state and an open state by a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet, and the pressing member may be gripped by a solenoid. Any mechanism that can smoothly open and close the gripping tool E1 and that can hold the gripping state, such as a configuration in which the gripping tool E1 is opened and closed by contact with the tool E1, is included.

Further, an example in which a repulsive force of a magnet is used as the urging member will be specifically described. As shown in FIG.
A magnet M10 is provided at a position inside the upper ends of the left and right lever members E10, and a convex portion D30 is formed in a concave portion D14a of the flange D14, and a portion of the convex portion D30 facing the magnet M10 is formed. A magnet M20 whose magnetic pole direction is set so as to repel the polarity of the magnet M10 is disposed. Therefore, the magnet M10 and the magnet M20
, The lever member E10 can be constantly biased in the closing direction.

Further, an example in which the attraction force of a magnet is used as the urging member will be specifically described. As shown in FIG.
Magnets M30 and M40 are arranged at the positions inside the central portions of the left and right lever members E10 in opposite directions so that the magnetic poles attract each other. Therefore, the lever member E10 can be attracted to each other by the attraction force of the magnet M30 and the magnet M40, and the lever member E10 can be constantly urged in the closing direction.

Further, an example in which a repulsive force of a magnet is used as the switching means will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 15, upper end corners E1b of the left and right lever members E10 are provided with:
Magnets M50 and M60 are provided outwardly, respectively. Further, the magnets M50 and M50 are held at the holding position or the opening position of the PET bottle Q1 where the switching of the holding tool E1 is necessary.
The magnets M50, M
The magnets M70 and M80 are arranged so that the magnetic poles 60 and the magnetic poles repel each other. Therefore, the magnets M50 and M60 and the magnet M7 are held at the holding position or the opening position of the PET bottle Q1.
The lever member E10 is opened to overcome the urging force of the urging member that urges the lever member E10 toward the gripping side and push the upper end corner portion E1b of the lever member E10 by the repulsion of 0 and M80. Can be turned to the side.

In the case where the biasing member obtains a biasing force by a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet, a simple and inexpensive structure without fear of cutting or the like can be obtained.
Further, in the configuration in which the switching means utilizes the repulsive force or the attractive force of the magnet, the switching means does not generate abrasion powder because it is non-contact, and can suppress the impact on the gripper. In FIG. 15, the left and right lever members E10 are both pivotally supported by a single pin D16. However, the pin D16 can be shared as described above. If configured,
An inexpensive and simple gripping tool can be provided.

[0067]

According to the apparatus for changing the row of conveyed articles according to the present invention, the gripper is fixed to the slider so that the conveyed article can be gripped and suspended, and can be hung by the gripper. It is configured to transport a conveyed product in a state where it is suspended and gripped. At the same time, by moving the slider laterally at a predetermined rate,
The row of conveyed goods has been changed. Therefore, the transported article is suspended and gripped by the gripping tool, and the transported article is smoothly moved and laterally moved, so that the transported article can be suitably prevented from tipping over, and the transport line can be operated at high speed. Becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to smoothly cope with a case where the conveyed articles are intermittently supplied in a state of being separated. Furthermore, since the transported product is suspended by the gripping tool, even if the transported product falls over on the upstream side, the transported product that has fallen over falls down without being gripped, so that it falls over during transport. There is no need to stop the line in order to collect the above conveyed products, and problems such as a reduction in the line operation rate and the need for human labor do not occur.

In particular, according to the apparatus for changing the row of conveyed articles according to the second aspect, the gripper is configured so that the pair of lever members rotatably and pivotally held are always gripped. A biasing member for biasing the lever member toward the gripping side, and switching means for switching between a gripping state and an open state of the gripping tool by rotating the pair of lever members. Since the pair of lever members are always held in a gripping state, an operation mechanism for holding the holding tool in a holding state is unnecessary, and a switching mechanism is provided only for a portion to be opened in a short setting range such as a portion for holding and releasing a container. , A simple and efficient configuration can be achieved. In addition, since the gripping tool can be switched between the gripping state and the open state by the rotation of the pair of lever members, the gripping tool can be switched between the gripping state and the open state with a simple configuration. Will be possible.

Further, in particular, according to the apparatus for changing the row of conveyed articles according to the third aspect, since the urging member obtains the urging force by the repulsive force or the attracting force of the magnet, it has a simple configuration. The transported product can be gripped by an inexpensive configuration without fear of damage.

Further, in particular, according to the apparatus for changing a conveyed article row according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to smoothly switch the gripping state between the gripping state and the open state with a simple configuration.

In particular, according to the apparatus for changing a conveyed article array according to the fifth aspect, the simple and simple arrangement allows the grasping tool to be smoothly switched between the gripping state and the open state, and also has a non-contact state. Therefore, no abrasion powder is generated.
Further, it is possible to provide a switching unit in which the impact on the gripper is also suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a conveyed article line changing device based on an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a transfer and distribution operation of the transfer product line changing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a relationship between a guide rail, a slider, and a guide member.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a gripping state of a conveyed product by a gripper.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a gripping state of a conveyed product by a gripper.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a released state of a conveyed article by a gripper.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of changing a conveyed article row by a guide member.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a switching operation between a gripping state of the gripper and a release state by the gripping cam and the release cam.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a dimensional relationship between a gripper and a conveyed product.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a dimensional relationship with a lateral movement of a conveyed product.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a prismatic conveyed product.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a support fork is used.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example in which guide rails are arranged in two axes.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example in which a conveyed product is gripped by a biasing force due to a repulsive force of a magnet.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a main part showing an example in which a conveyed product is gripped by an urging force of a magnet's attraction force and an example in which a gripper is switched between a gripping state and an open state by a repulsive force of a magnet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A1 Conveyance product line changing device B1 Transmission member B1a Drive wheel B1b Follower wheel C1 Guide rail D1 Slider E1 Gripping tool E10 Lever member E20 Urging member F1 Changing mechanism G1, G2 Switching means Pe Grip tool pitch Pq Conveyance product pitch Le Each Gap between gripping tools Q1

Claims (5)

[Claims] A pair of transmission members wound around a drive wheel and a driven wheel and formed in a continuous loop for transmitting a rotational force from the drive wheel to the driven wheel, and a predetermined space between the pair of transmission members. A plurality of guide rails connected at intervals, a slider slidably locked to the guide rail and movable along the guide rail, and gripping a transportable product fixed to the slider and suspendable. A gripper capable of being suspended and capable of switching between a gripped state and an open state of the conveyed article; and A change mechanism for changing the row of the conveyed articles by moving the conveyed articles in a horizontal direction at a ratio, and a conveyed article row changing apparatus. 2. An urging member for urging the pair of lever members toward a gripping side so that the gripper always holds a pair of rotatably supported lever members, and a pair of the urging members. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit configured to switch between a gripping state and an open state of the gripping tool by rotating the lever member. 3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the urging member obtains an urging force by a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching means is performed by a cam mechanism. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching means is performed by a biasing force of a repulsive force or an attractive force of a magnet.