JP2000247419A - Device for arranging article to one side - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure delivery-out of an article in an aligned state even if it is of polygonal shape by providing a guide surface of a guide device positioned on one side of a drive roller conveyor with a carrying-out part for carrying-out of an article to a carrying direction and an inclination part positioned upstream of the carrying-out part. SOLUTION: Drive roller conveyors 800A, 800B consist of rollers 803A, 803B and free rollers 806A, 806B. Guide devices 802A, 802B consist of belt conveyors 804A, 804B erected vertically on the side to which articles are shifted as well as have advance travelling parts 805A, 805B that are driven to the advance direction of articles and that constitute vertical guide surfaces 801A, 801B. The article is changed in its direction by the one-side shifting force from the roller 803a that gradually becomes strong when the article is moved to the guide device 802A with its one side being contact with the guide surface 801.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of disposing a polygonal article in a plan view in a state in which the article is displaced to a desired side and upstream of a conveying conveyor for conveying the article in a predetermined conveying direction. An article shifting device that is driven forward toward and biased toward the desired side, wherein a series of rollers are arranged such that the roller end on the side where the article is to be shifted is moved in the conveying direction of the article from the opposite roller end. And a vertical guide surface provided on the side of the drive roller conveyor that is to be shifted and facing an article on the drive roller conveyor. The present invention relates to attitude control for positioning a flat side surface of an article parallel to the transport direction at an exit of the guide apparatus in an article shifting apparatus including a guide apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a part of a conventional article sorting apparatus provided with such a type of article shifting apparatus.
In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a sorting conveyor for placing an article 2 having a polygonal shape (in general, a rectangular shape and thus shown as a rectangular shape) in a plan view and transporting the article 2 in a predetermined transport direction indicated by an arrow 3 (this specification). And the transport direction means the transport direction), and constitutes the transport conveyor referred to in the present invention. Reference numeral 4 denotes an input conveyor on which the worker places the articles 2 unloaded from, for example, a truck (not shown). Reference numeral 5 denotes a sorting destination each time the articles 2 are loaded on the input conveyor 4 along one side of the sorting conveyor 1. This is a keyboard for inputting the numbers of a series of chutes 6 arranged in a row.

[0003] Reference numeral 7 denotes a diverter disposed opposite the chutes 6 along the sorting conveyor 1, between a non-operation position indicated by a solid line and an operation position indicated by a dashed line with the pivot shaft 701 as a center. It is turned. Each diverter 7 is in its non-operation position substantially parallel to the conveying direction 3, that is, substantially parallel to the side edge of the sorting conveyor 1, and is a payout surface for discharging the article 2 to the opposing chute 6 when the diverter 7 is operated. 702.

[0004] Reference numeral 8 denotes an article which is provided immediately upstream of the sorting conveyor 1 in alignment with the sorting conveyor 1 as viewed in the conveying direction 3 and conveys the articles 2 received from the input conveyor 4 in the conveying direction 3 toward the sorting conveyor 1 and in the conveying direction. 3 is a device for shifting the article 2 to a desired side, and in the case of the drawing, the diverter 7 is provided on the right side of the sorting conveyor 1, so that the article 2 moves to the right as viewed in the transport direction 3. It is biased (the reason will be described later).

[0005] The article shifting device 8 transports the articles 2 in the conveying direction 3 of the sorting conveyor 1 and shifts the articles 2 to the right side. And a guide device 802 having a vertical guide surface 801 facing the article on the drive roller conveyor 800 erected on the right side of the conveyor 800.

[0006] The drive roller conveyor 800 transports a series of rollers 803 that are each driven to rotate in the direction of transporting the article 2 in the transport direction 3 by transporting the roller end on the side where the article 2 is to be shifted from the roller end on the opposite side. It is arranged to be shifted backward as viewed in the direction 3. In the case of FIG. 12, the guide device 802 comprises a belt conveyor 804 erected in the vertical direction in parallel with the transport direction 3, and faces the article 2 on the drive roller conveyor 800 in the forward direction of the article 2, that is, the transport. The forward traveling portion 805 traveling in the direction 3 constitutes a guide surface 801 of the guide device 802. 806 is a roller 803
807 is a free roller provided in a dead space caused by arranging the belt 804 obliquely.
Pulleys at both ends

Next, the operation will be described. The operator places the articles 2 unloaded from a truck or the like on the input conveyor 4 and also inputs the sorting destination to the keyboard 5 with the number of the chute 6. When the article 2 is transferred from the input conveyor 4 to the drive roller conveyor 800, the article 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction 3 and at the same time is shifted to the right as viewed in the conveying direction 3 by the above-described inclined arrangement of the rollers 803. While being in contact with the guide surface 801 of the device 802 and being prevented from dropping from the driving roller conveyor 800, the sheet is conveyed as it is in the conveying direction 3 and moves to the right edge of the sorting conveyor 1. When the article 2 reaches the starting position for dispensing to the sorting chute 6, a drive motor (not shown) of a diverter 7 provided opposite to the chute 6 is controlled by a control device (not shown).
, The diverter 7 is turned from its inoperative position to its operating position, and at this time, the articles 2 conveyed by the sorting conveyor 1 are discharged to the chute 6 on the other side.

As described above, the article shifting device 8 has a function of shifting the articles 2 to the diverter 7 side on the sorting conveyor 1. By doing so, when the diverter 7 hits the articles 2, 2 to minimize the impact given to the article 2 and to eliminate or suppress the damage given to the article 2.

In order to reduce the impact of the diverter 7 on the article 2 in this way, the article shifting apparatus 8 also has an article attitude control function described below.

That is, referring to FIG. 13, a rectangular article 2 (A indicates a rear right corner, and B indicates a front right corner) in plan view is shown on a feeding conveyor 4 as shown in FIG. When it is placed on the sorting conveyor 1 in the posture as it is, the dispensing surface 702 of the diverter 7 at the time of dispensing to the chute 6 has a right front corner of the article 2. B, there is a possibility that a large impact is applied to the corner B to cause damage. However, when the above-described article biasing device 8 is used, the article 2 is transported in the transport direction 3 as shown by 2A and 2B, and at the same time, is biased toward the guide surface 801 of the guide device 802 to abut on the guide surface 801. After that, the one-side surface 201 of the article comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801 as shown by 2C due to the biasing force of the roller 803.

[0011] By such attitude control, the article 201 has a side surface 201 on which the dispensing surface 702 of the diverter 7 is in the non-operation position.
The transfer surface 702 of the diverter 7 is transferred to the sorting conveyor 1 while being substantially parallel to the side surface 201 of the article 2.
The article 2 is paid out to the chute 6 substantially in face-to-face contact. This also reduces the impact of the dispensing surface 702 on the article 2 and reduces the possibility of damaging the article 2.

As described above, the article shifting apparatus 8 of the above-mentioned type to which the present invention is directed has the effect that the diverter 7 gives to the article 2 at the time of dispensing by the article shifting function and the accompanying article attitude control function. Such a function of shifting the article and the function of controlling the attitude of the article are performed by the diverter 7.
An ink jet printer is arranged on one side of a predetermined place in the conveyance path of the article so as to face one side of the article, and various numbers, symbols, characters, etc. are printed on the one side of the article. It is also useful when reading a barcode printed on one side of an article with a barcode reader (for example, if the one side of the article is not directly facing an ink jet printer or a barcode reader, it may be useful). Or cannot read barcodes). Further, the above two functions can be obtained even when the guide device 802 is not a belt conveyor 804 but a simple stationary guide wall.

[0013]

However, there are many problems in plan view.
Depending on the posture when the rectangular article is transferred to the article
In some cases, the article attitude control function described above does not work.
This is a rectangular object in plan view with reference to FIGS.
The case of a product will be described. In these figures, article 2 is a bell
Shows the state of contact with the guide surface 801 of the conveyor 804
FIG. 14 is a longitudinal front corner B of the article, and FIG.
Shows a state in which the hand direction rear corner A is in contact with the guide surface 801
You. O is the center of gravity of the article 2, and F is the roller 803 (see FIG.
(Not shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 for simplicity of surface)
From the thrust at right angles to this, F₁Is promotion
The force F in the direction parallel to the guide surface 801, F₂Is a component
F₁, Perpendicular to the guide surface 801
Direct component force, N is component force F₂Is the reaction force against, μ is the guide
The surface 801, that is, the forward running portion 805 and the article in contact therewith
The coefficient of friction between the two corners A and B, α, is
Is the angle between the line OB and the longer side 201 of the article 2,
In the case of FIG. 15, the line OA and the shorter side surface 202 of the article 2
Is the guide surface 8 of the belt conveyor 804.
01 and the angle between the side surfaces 201 and 202, a is a point
Distance between A, B and point 0 in the direction parallel to guide surface 801
Separation, b is relative to the guide surface 801 between point 0 and points A and B
The vertical distance, V_pIs flat on the guide surface 801 of the article 2.
Velocity component in the line direction, V_bIs the guide surface 801 and thus the front
5 shows the speed of the traveling section 805. M is reaction force N and friction force μN
And the rotational moment about the center of gravity O
And the direction of the arrow is forward rotation. Thus, μN is a point
Friction of article 2 from guide surface 801 in A and B
Show force, V_b> V_pIn the case of, this frictional force μN
As shown, it acts in the forward direction of the forward running section 805,
V_b<V_pIn the case of_b= V _pPlace
In this case, μN = 0.

In FIG. 14, (a) is φ + α <90.
°, (b) φ + α = 90 °, (c) φ + α> 90 °
In FIG. 15, (a) shows that φ + α> 90.
°, (b) φ + α = 90 °, (c) φ + α <90 °
Are shown below.

In FIG. 14, when V _b > V _p , FIG.
In FIG. 4 (a), since the corner B is located in front of the center of gravity O when viewed in the forward direction, the rotational moment M is M = −Na−μNb =
−N (a + μb), and a rotational moment in the reverse direction is generated. In the case of FIG. 14B, a = 0 and M = −
μNb, and a rotational moment in the reverse direction also occurs. In the case of FIG. 14 (c), since the corner B is located behind the center of gravity O, M = Na−μNb = N (a−μb). When a> μb, the normal rotation direction and a <μb In this case, a rotational moment in the reverse direction is generated, but when a = μb, M = 0 and no rotational moment is generated.

When the rotational moment as described above is generated, the article 2 is rotated around the center of gravity O in the direction of the rotational moment and the posture is controlled, and one side surface 201 or 202 of the article 2 is parallel to the guide surface 801. It becomes Fig. 14
As shown in (c), φ + α> 90 °, and when the article 2 comes into contact with the guide surface 801 in the relation of a = μb, no rotational moment is generated. Therefore, the article 2 is shown in FIG. The transfer to the sorting conveyor 1 is performed with the posture shown in FIG.

[0017] Although is described for the case of _V b> _{V p,} article 2 in the case of V b = _{V p} and the guide surface 8
01, that is, there is no speed difference between the
= 0, M = -Na in the case of FIG. 14 (a), and the rotational moment in the reverse direction is obtained.
In the case of (1), M = Na and a rotational moment in the normal rotation direction is generated, and the attitude control of the article 2 is performed in the same manner as described above. However, in the case of FIG. So M =
0, and no attitude control is performed.

Next, V_b<V_pBut in this case
The above frictional force μN is V _b> V_pWhat is the case
Since they act in the opposite direction, in the case of FIG.
N (μb-a), M = μNb in the case of FIG.
In the case of FIG. 14C, M = N (a + μb).
14 (a), when a = μb, M = 0
The posture control of the article 2 is not performed.

Referring to FIGS. 14 (a), (b) and (c),
V_b> V_p, V_b= V_p, V_b<V _pAbout each case
The state of generation of the rotational moment M by the article shifting device 8
Table 1 describes the situation and the attitude control of articles.
Show it. In Table 1, in the column of direction,
"Reverse" means that the direction of the rotational moment M is the reverse direction (counterclockwise
"Positive" means forward rotation (clockwise)
That "stop" means that the rotational moment is 0 and the article 2
Indicates no rotation.

[Table 1]

Referring now to FIG. 15, this figure shows that the longitudinal rear corner A of the article 2 is the guide surface 801 as described above.
Shows the state of contact with. In FIG. 15, (a) shows φ +
α> 90 °, (b) φ + α = 90 °, (c) φ + α
<90 ° is shown. In these cases, the state of generation of the rotational moment M and the state of control of the posture of the article by the article biasing device 8 are obvious without need to be explained again, and only the results are shown in Table 2. In addition, a polygon other than a rectangle in a plan view (for example, a triangle,
For pentagonal articles), attitude control is Na and μNb.
It is easily understood that the attitude control function may not work as described above.

[Table 2]

As can be seen from Tables 1 and 2, when the article has a rectangular shape in plan view, FIGS.
(C) and 15 (a), (b), in any of (c), in the relative velocity of the relationship between _{V b} and _{V p,}
In the case indicated by "stop", that is, there is a case where the rotational moment M about the center of gravity O is not generated, the attitude of the article is not controlled, and the article moves onto the sorting conveyor 1 with the illustrated attitude. And, in reality, the article is generally unpackaged, but especially when it is packaged, it is not rigid, and the corners of the article may be rounded or flat from the beginning, The corners are rounded or flattened during handling, transportation, and other various operations, and the corners A,
B and the guide surface 801 of the guide device 802 (FIGS.
5, the contact with the forward running portion 805) is not a complete line contact, so that not only when φ is at a certain angle, but also over a certain angle range around that angle, Even when the rotational moment M is generated, the article may not rotate, that is, the posture may not be controlled.

As described above, in the conventional article shifting apparatus, when the article is polygonal in plan view, the attitude is not controlled so that one side of the article is substantially parallel to the transport direction 3. In some cases, the article is transported to a downstream device, for example, a sorting conveyor, an ink jet printer, a bar code reader, or the like in the same posture, and the corners of the article are damaged by the diverter dispensing operation in the sorting conveyor. Or the side of the article is inclined with respect to the ink jet printer, so that numbers, symbols, characters, etc. are not printed clearly, or the barcode reader cannot read the barcode pre-printed on the article properly. In addition, there has been a problem that work on articles by the downstream device cannot be performed satisfactorily.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional article shifting apparatus, and has a polygonal article in plan view, one side of which faces the guide surface and is substantially parallel to the article transport direction. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article shifting device that can send out an article to a transport conveyor in a state.

[0024]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to an upstream side of a conveyor for conveying a polygonal article in a predetermined conveying direction in a state where a polygonal article is shifted to a desired side in plan view. An article biasing device arranged to drive the article forward toward the transport conveyor and to bias the article to the desired side, wherein a series of rollers are opposed to the roller end on the side where the article is to be biased. A drive roller conveyor arranged rearwardly shifted from the roller end of the side in the conveying direction of the article, and a drive roller conveyor provided on the side of the drive roller conveyor on which the above-mentioned approach is to be performed. And a guide device having a vertical guide surface facing the guide device, wherein the guide surface of the guide device is located at the most downstream side in the transport direction and transports the article in the transport direction. And an inclined portion positioned upstream of the unloading portion and positioned at an angle to the unloading portion in plan view. .

It is preferable that the upstream end of the inclined portion as viewed in the transport direction is displaced toward the article approaching side from the downstream end.

It is preferable that the angle formed by the inclined portion of the guide surface with respect to the carry-out portion is 5 ° to 15 °.

[0027] Further, the guide device is constituted by a belt conveyor which is erected in a vertical direction, and the guide surface of the belt conveyor is located opposite to the article and is driven in the forward direction of the article. Can be formed by

The inclined portion and the carry-out portion of the guide surface can be formed by separate traveling portions of a belt conveyor.

The inclined portion and the carry-out portion of the guide surface may be formed by a forward traveling portion of one belt conveyor.

When the guide device comprises a stationary guide wall, the guide surface may be formed by a surface of the guide wall facing the article.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8A denotes an article shifter corresponding to 8 in FIG. 12, which is composed of drive roller conveyors 800A and 800B corresponding to 800 in FIG. 12 and guide devices 802A and 802B corresponding to the guide device 802 in FIG. The driving roller conveyors 800A and 800B are arranged in the conveying direction 3 of the sorting conveyor 1 in FIG.
Rollers 803A, 803 provided at an angle in the same manner as
Free rollers 806A and 806B corresponding to B and 806
It is composed of Guide devices 802A, 802B
12, similarly to the guide device 802 of FIG. 12, has forward running portions 805A and 805B that are driven in the forward direction of the articles to form vertical guide surfaces 801A and 801B, and bias the articles on the drive roller conveyors 800A and 800B. A belt conveyor 804A vertically erected on the side to be tried,
804B. Drive roller conveyor 80
OB is such that the inlet end adjacent to the outlet of the input conveyor 4 is closer than the outlet end adjacent to the inlet end of the drive roller conveyor 800A.
It is formed in a parallelogram so as to be displaced to the direction of moving the article, that is, to the right. 807A is a pulley at both ends of the belt conveyor 804A, and 807B is a pulley at both ends of the belt conveyor 804B.

The structure of the drive roller conveyor 800A is the same as that of the drive roller conveyor 800 shown in FIG. 12, but the drive roller conveyor 800B has a frame formed in a parallelogram shape, and a roller 803B is disposed therein. The belt conveyor 804A of the guide device 802A is similar to the case of FIG.
Having a guide surface 801A made of
A is located at the most downstream side when viewed in the transport direction 3 and is positioned parallel to the transport direction 3 and guide devices 802A, 802B
And carries out the article 2 in the carrying direction 3. Belt conveyor 804 of guide device 802B
B is a linear portion of the guide surface 801B (pulley 807B).
A linear portion (the pulley 8) of the guide surface 801A of the belt conveyor 804A of the guide device 802A is excluded.
07A) (except for the part around 07A), the upstream end (the end on the side of the input conveyor 4) viewed in the transport direction 3 is displaced from the downstream end toward the one side of the article so as to form an angle β in plan view. The guide surface 801 </ b> B is provided with a guide device 802.
A, 802B constitute an inclined portion.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in these figures, the rollers 803A and 803B are simply indicated by oblique lines for clarity. FIG. 2 shows a rectangular article 2 in a plan view, the attitude of which is controlled by a drive roller conveyor 800B and a guide device 802B, and one side surface 201 of the article 2 has a guide device 8 as shown in 2D.
The state 2D, 2E, and 2F are shown over time in a state in which the guide device 802B exits the guide device 802B in a state of face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801B (inclined portion) of 02B and moves to the guide surface 801A (unloading portion) of the guide device 802A. ing.

That is, as shown in 2D, when the article 2 moves to the guide device 802A with one side surface 201 in face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801B, the biasing force received from the roller 803A gradually increases, and the article 2 moves from 2D. 2E, the center of gravity moves on the roller 803A, and the roller 8
The one side surface 201 is pressed against the guide surface 801A (unloading portion) of the guide device 802A as shown by 2F due to the biasing force by 03A, and comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A, and the posture is thus controlled. Guide device 8
It is carried out in the transport direction 3 from 02A. At this time, since the angle between the guide surface 801B and the guide surface 801A is larger than 180 °, the article smoothly moves to the guide surface 801A of the belt conveyor 804A without colliding around the pulley 807A. In addition, since two belt conveyors 804A and 804B are used, each of the belt conveyors 804A and 804B is lightweight and small.
Another advantage is that the workability of the assembly work is good.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between V _b > V _p in FIG.
In the state of (c), that is, φ + α> 90 °, and in the relationship of a = μb (see also Table 1), the article 2 is driven by the drive roller conveyor 800B and the guide device 80.
2G, 2H, 2 show a state in which the vehicle moves from the drive roller conveyor 800B to 800A without receiving the posture control by 2B, that is, a state in which the vehicle moves from the guide surface 801B to 801A.
Indicated over time by I.

That is, when the article 2 reaches the pulley 807B of the guide device 802B in the state shown by 2G,
The corner portion B progresses in an arc shape around the pulley 807B over an angle θ ₁ , and thereafter, the driving roller conveyor 800B
Is moved along the straight line 808 by the propulsive force F of the roller 803B, and then the pulley 807A of the guide device 802A.
The periphery of the proceeds through an angle theta ₂ to the arc-shaped, the process proceeds to the beginning of the straight portion of the guide surface 801A of the belt conveyor 804A as shown in 2H.

Thus, the corner B of the article 2 is
Over corners theta ₁ around the B, then moves in an arc over an angle theta ₂ around the pulleys 807A after traveling on a straight line 808. As described above, the angle φ (see FIGS. 14 and 15) formed by one side surface 201 of the article 2 with respect to the guide surfaces 801B and 801A while moving in an arc shape gradually changes. Is not controlled over a certain range of φ, and the corner B is
B, 807A around the belt conveyor 804B, 804A
In FIG. 2H, the inclination angle of the one side surface 201 with respect to the transport direction 3 is the same as 2G, assuming that the posture control is not performed during this period. As for 2G, angles the one side surface 201 with respect to the guide surface 801B are denoted by phi _1.

The angle of the one side surface 201 when the corner B of the article 2 contacts against the straight portion of the guide surface 801A of the belt conveyor 804A as shown in 2H with respect to the guide surface 801A is indicated by phi ₂ This angle φ ₂ is φ ₂ = φ ₁ −β (β is a linear portion of the guide surface 801 </ _b > B as described above with respect to the angle φ _{1 at 2} G).
A), the distance a with respect to the reaction force N acting on the corner B is 2 G on the left side of the center of gravity O, but 2H is on the right side. Therefore, the rotational moment M about the center of gravity O is 2G, whereas M = N (a-μb) = 0 in 2G.
At H, −N (a + μb) ≠ 0, and a rotational moment M in the reverse direction (counterclockwise) is generated.

Due to the rotational moment M, the article 2 rotates counterclockwise around the center of gravity O, and while moving in the transport direction 3 on the drive roller conveyor 800A, the one side surface 201 is guided as shown by 2I. When the guide device 802A comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A, the guide device 802A leaves the guide device 802A in a state parallel to the transport direction 3, and the intended purpose is achieved.

[0040] Note that the state has been described that the angle phi ₁ is not subjected to attitude control in a ≒ .mu.b within certain angular range around in this state as in 2G in the state of FIG. 3 in the example described above is a = .mu.b attitude control on the relationship a ≒ .mu.b for the even transition from the drive roller conveyor 800B to 800A there angle phi is changed by β from phi ₁ to phi ₂ that described above with collapse as well as the drive roller conveyors 800A In response, the state becomes 2I in FIG.

[0041] While still in the above example was when in V _b> V _p at a rate conditions phi + alpha of> 90 ° a = .mu.b posture, in any stop under the conditions shown in Table 1 and Table 2 It is clear that the above-mentioned change in the angle β breaks the stopping condition. That _is, FIG on V b = _{V p} becomes a speed conditions the drive roller conveyor 800B 14
(B) state, ie φ ₁ + α = 90 ° a = if it had been a not receiving attitude control for 0, which when possess the drive roller conveyor _{800A φ 2 + α = φ 1} -β + α
<90 ° (the state of FIG. 14A) and the distance a
Is generated on the right side of the center of gravity O, and a rotational moment M of −Na is generated, and the article 2 rotates counterclockwise to
(See FIG. 3) comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A.

Further explanation will be made just in case.
_V b _{<V p} and the article 2 in the posture of a = .mu.b is the the article 2 in contact with the guide surface 801B proceeds to the guide surface 801A as it posture in on the guide surface 801A phi ₂ = phi ₁ −β, the one side surface 201 approaches the guide surface 801A, and the distance a increases, while the distance b decreases. As a result, the relationship of a = μb is broken and a> μb, and a rotational moment in the reverse direction is generated.
The article 2 rotates counterclockwise until the one side surface 201 comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A.

Next, the case of FIG. 15 will be described.
For Figure 15 _{(b), V} b> V _p at a = .mu.b posture article 2 the guide surface 801B from the guide surface 801A proceeds to the φ ₂ = φ ₁ -β next to the, whereas a smaller, b is It becomes larger, a <μb, and a rotational moment in the reverse direction is generated, so that the article 2 rotates counterclockwise and one side surface 202 comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A.

In the case of FIG. 15B, the article 2
V_b= V_pPosture even if it comes into contact with the guide surface 801B in the case of
Not controlled, but soon after moving to guide surface 801A
Φ ₂= Φ₁−β <90 ° and the distance a is right of the center of gravity O
And a rotational moment in the reverse direction of -Na occurs.
Thus, the article 2 rotates counterclockwise.

[0045] Figure 15 for the case of (c) is an article 2 is not subjected to attitude control even in contact with the guide surface 801B when the .mu.b = a, the process proceeds to the guide surface 801A phi ₂ =
φ ₁ −β, the distance a increases while the distance b
Becomes smaller, a> μb is established, a rotational moment in the reverse direction is generated, and the article 2 rotates counterclockwise.

As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when the angle β is formed in the direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, ie, when the belt conveyor 804B is moved in the conveying direction 3 of the guide surface 801B.
Viewed if the upstream end is provided displaced to an article biased side from the downstream side end, the angle phi ₂ is the guide surface one side 201, 202 of the article with respect to the guide surface 801A 801B
14 is smaller than the angle φ ₁ by an angle β, and the article 2 rotates counterclockwise in both cases of FIGS. 14 and 15, and one side surface 201 (in the case of FIG. 14) and 202 (in the case of FIG. 15). Are carried out from the driving roller conveyor 800A in a state where the surface of the sheet comes in face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A and becomes parallel to the conveyance direction 3.

Here, the degree of the angle β is determined by the shape of the target article 2 (distances a and b are different depending on the object 2) and the guide surface 801 (801A, 801B) of the guide device 802 (802A, 802B). Of the slope (801
B) and the difference in the coefficient of friction between the carry-out portion (801A) and _Vb
Since different case by case according to the relative speed or the like various factors of V _p and, in fact, would be determined by experimentation by changing these factors various, but generally 5 ° to Preferably, it is 15 °. That is, when the angle β is 5
°, the article 2 is driven by the drive roller conveyor 800B.
From the contact with the guide surface 801B to the contact with the guide surface 801A, the posture control function may not be exhibited due to the flattening of the corners A and B of the article 2. When the property increases and β increases, the component force F ₂ when the article 2 hits the inclined portion of the guide surface is increased.
Increases, the reaction force N increases, and the impact given to the article increases. However, if β is larger than 15 °, this tendency becomes remarkable, and not only the possibility of damaging the article increases, but also the posture. This is because, although the control function is sufficiently exhibited, the amount of the drive roller conveyor 800B protruding in the lateral direction from the drive roller conveyor 800A increases, which is not preferable in terms of layout.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that a driving roller conveyor 800 and a guide device 802 are provided.
Are configured as one unit. That is, in this embodiment as well, the guide device 802 comprises a single belt conveyor 804 as in the prior art, but pulleys 807 and 80 at both ends.
7, an intermediate pulley 807C is provided, and a guide surface 80 constituted by a forward traveling portion 805 of the belt conveyor 804 is provided.
1, the middle pulley 807C and the front end pulley 807
(The part on the side of the sorting conveyor 1) 801C is made to be an unloading part by making it parallel to the conveying direction 3 and a pulley 8 at the rear end.
07 (the one on the input conveyor 4 side) and the intermediate pulley 807
C as a slanted portion, and
1C is positioned at an angle β in a plan view similarly to the embodiment of FIG. Note that the guide device 802 is supported from above the drive roller conveyor 800 in this embodiment.

The attitude control function in this embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 3, but in this case, there is no gap between the pulleys 807B and 807A as in FIG. Since there is a continuous transition from the guide surface 801D to the guide surface 801C, there is an advantage that the posture control is performed extremely smoothly. Guide device 8
02 is configured as one unit, so that there is also an advantage that the number of parts can be reduced.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 4 only in that the guide device 802 is formed of a stationary guide wall, and the guide surface 801 is located parallel to the transport direction 3 and constitutes an unloading portion. 801C and a guide surface 801 which is located on the upstream side of the guide surface 801C and forms an inclined portion with respect to the guide surface 801C at an angle β in plan view similarly to the embodiment of FIGS.
D.

In this embodiment, since V _b = 0, it corresponds to the case of V _b <V _{p in} Tables 1 and 2, and accordingly, FIG.
In both (a) and FIG. 15 (c), the article 2 is a
= Μb, and is conveyed on the drive roller conveyor 800 while being in contact with the guide surface 801D,
When the article 2 moves onto the guide surface 801C, the attitude of the article 2 is controlled, and the attitude control function is the same as that in FIG. In this embodiment, since the guide device 802 is a mere stationary wall, the guide device 802 only needs to be bent so as to form an angle β at the center, and has no movable parts. There are advantages such as.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that the belt conveyor 804 is different from the belt conveyor 804A.
The direction of inclination of B is opposite to that of FIG.
4B has its guide surface 801B as the belt conveyor 804A.
This is a point that the upstream end as viewed in the transport direction 3 is displaced from the downstream end toward the article close side so as to form an angle β in plan view with respect to the guide surface 801A.

In this embodiment, the article is a guide surface 801B.
When shifting from the (inclined portion) to the guide surface 801A (portion portion), φ ₂ = φ ₁ + β (φ ₂ = in the embodiment of FIG. 1).
φ ₁ −β), and when it moves to the guide surface 801 </ b> A, a rotational moment M is generated that rotates the article clockwise about its center of gravity O (rotates it counterclockwise in the embodiment of FIG. 1). I do.

For example, under the speed relationship of V _b > V _p , FIG.
If the article comes into contact with the guide surface 801B in the state of (c), that is, in the state of φ + α> 90 ° and in the relation of a = μb, the article is not subjected to the posture control by the drive roller conveyor 800B and the guide device 802B. However,
When shifting to the guide surface 801A in this state, φ ₂ = φ ₁ +
β, a becomes larger, b becomes smaller, and a> μ
b and the rotational moment M in the normal rotation direction, ie, clockwise.
Occurs and one side surface 202 of the article comes into face-to-face contact with the guide surface 801A.

[0055] Further just in case _explaining, V b = when a state of FIG. 14 (b) on the guide surface 801B in at _{V p,} the rotation moment M Na becomes clockwise shifting to the guide surface 801A is generated _{and, V} b _{<V p,} if a state of FIG. 14 (a) on the guide surface 801B at a = .mu.b,
When moving to the guide surface 801A, a becomes smaller and b becomes larger, so that a <μb, and a clockwise rotational moment M of N (μb−a) is generated.

[0056] _{Furthermore, V b>} V _p, in relation to a = .mu.b 1
In the state of FIG. 5 (a), when shifting to the guide surface 801A, a> μb is satisfied, and a clockwise rotation moment M of N (a−μb) is generated, and _Vb = _Vp and FIG.
In the case of (b), a clockwise rotational moment M of Na is generated on the guide surface 801A, and _Vb <V
_{When p} and μb = a are in the state of FIG.
On the guide surface 801A, μb> a, and N (μb−
a) A clockwise rotational moment M is generated.

In this embodiment, since the angle between the guide surface 801B and the guide surface 801A is smaller than 180 °, when the article moves from the guide surface 801B to the guide surface 801A, it hits the periphery of the pulley 807A and is pulled from the pulley 807B. Although there is a disadvantage that the transition to 807A is less smooth than the embodiment of FIG. 1, the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be preferable to the embodiment of FIG. Even if the sixth embodiment is used, there is no problem.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that the driving roller conveyor 800B and the guide device 80
6B is displaced as a whole from the embodiment shown in FIG.
07B to the pulley 8 of the drive roller conveyor 800A.
The point that the pulley 807A is displaced inward in the width direction of the drive roller conveyor 800A from the pulley 807A adjacent to the pulley 807B, in other words, the pulley 807A is retracted from the pulley 807B in the width direction of the drive roller conveyor 800A.

As a result, when the article moves from the guide surface 801B to the guide surface 801A, the collision against the pulley 807A is made shallower, that is, the guide surface 801B is made to hit as close as possible the linear portion of the guide surface 801A or directly to the linear portion. FIG. 6 shows the transfer of the article from the surface to the guide surface 801A.
Can be made smoother than the embodiment.

Further, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that an 800
A point is that a drive roller conveyor 800C similar to A and a guide device 802C similar to the guide device 802A are provided in parallel with the transport direction 3, respectively.

Thus, the article moves from the guide surface 801C of the guide device 802C to the guide surface 8 of the guide device 802B.
The opportunity to receive the posture control is given twice when shifting to 01B and when shifting from the guide surface 801B to the guide surface 801A of the guide device 802A. Therefore, the guide surface 801 remains in a state of abutting against the guide surface 801C in any state shown in FIG. 14 or FIG.
B, and even if the attitude control is not performed for some reason, it can be expected that the attitude is controlled by the shift from the guide surface 801B to the guide surface 801A. This brings about an effect that the reliability of the attitude control of the entire shifting device 8A is increased.

In the embodiment described above, each of the article shifting devices 8A is used in combination with the sorting conveyor 1, but the application is not limited to this. One example is shown in FIG. That is, in FIG. 9, reference numeral 8A denotes an article shifting device of the type shown in FIG. 1, 9 denotes a belt conveyor constituting the conveyor in the present invention, and 10 denotes a right side of the belt conveyor 9 when viewed in the conveying direction 3, ie, an article piece. This is an ink jet printer provided on the side of the article shifter 8A, which is located just upstream of the inkjet printer 8A.

The article exiting the article shifting apparatus 8A is shifted to the right as viewed in the conveying direction 3 and one side thereof is substantially parallel to the conveying direction 3, so that the ink jet printer 10 is close to the one side of the article. As a result, numbers, characters, symbols, etc. can be satisfactorily printed on the one side. When a barcode reader is installed instead of the inkjet printer 10, the barcode can be read accurately.

FIG. 10 shows another use example of the article shifting apparatus 8A of the present invention. In the case of FIG. 10, chutes 6 are provided on both sides of the sorting conveyor 1, so that articles are sorted on both sides of the sorting conveyor 1. Reference numeral 11 denotes a centering conveyor, which is provided with rollers 10 so that articles can be brought to the center of the centering conveyor 11 on both left and right sides.
1 is provided to be inclined with respect to the transport direction 3. 8A
Is an article shifting apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 4, and 8B is an article shifting apparatus which is formed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the article shifting apparatus 8A and shifts articles to the left as viewed in the transport direction 3. .
Numeral 12 denotes a middle conveyor 11 and article aligning devices 8A and 8B.
The articles to be dispensed to the right chute 6 as viewed in the transport direction 3 are sent to the left-side article shifter 8B, and the articles to be dispensed to the left chute 6 are the right For this purpose, a sorting roller 121 that can turn left and right as viewed in the transport direction 3 is provided.

Thus, the articles placed at random positions on the loading conveyor 4 are centered toward the center by the centering conveyor 11 and transferred to the sorting conveyor 12. This sorting conveyor 12 is a control device (not shown)
The distribution roller 121 is rotated left and right based on the control signal from the controller, and when an article to be dispensed arrives at the left chute 6, the article is sent to the right article unloading device 8 </ b> A and the article to be dispensed to the right chute 6. Is sent out to the left-side article shifting device 8B.

The articles sent to the right-hand article shift conveyor 8A are shifted to the right in the same manner as described in the previous embodiment, and one side of the guide device 802A is parallel to the transport direction 3. In this state, it is fed along the right edge of the sorting conveyor 1 and is discharged by the right diverter 7 to the left chute 6 opposed thereto. Conversely, the article sent to the left-side article shifting device 8B is shifted to the left and sent along the left edge of the sorting conveyor 1 in a state where one side surface of the guide device 802B side is parallel to the transport direction 3. The diverter 7 on the left side pays out the chutes 6 on the right side facing the diverter 7. Also in this case, the article shifting devices 8A and 8B shift the article to a desired side to reduce the impact of the diverter 7 on the article at the time of dispensing.

FIG. 11 shows still another example of use of the article shifting apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 11, 8C, 8D,
8E is an article shifting device according to the present invention,
8C and 8D are the same as 8A in FIGS.
E is the same as 8B in FIG. 10; the article shifting apparatuses 8C and 8D shift the article to the right as viewed in the transport direction 3, respectively, and the article shifting apparatus 8E shifts the article to the left as viewed in the transport direction 3. It is a thing to approach.

1A is a primary sorting conveyor, and 1B and 1C are secondary sorting conveyors, respectively.
B is provided with a chute 6 on the left side when viewed in the transport direction 3, and the secondary sorting conveyor 1C is provided with a chute 6 on the right side. A diverter 7A is provided on the right side of the primary sorting conveyor 1A so as to face the article shifting apparatus 8D, and a diverter 7B is opposed to the article shifting apparatus 8E. Further, a diverter 7C is provided on the right side of the secondary sorting conveyor 1B so as to face the left chute 6, and a diverter 7D is provided on the left side of the secondary sorting conveyor 1C so as to face the right chute 6.

The articles placed on the loading conveyor 4 are moved by the article shifter 8C to the right side, that is, on the side close to the diverter 7A, 7B, with one side of the guide device 802 side in the transport direction 3 of the primary sorting conveyor 1A. When the articles to be sent to the secondary sorting conveyor 1B arrive by a control signal from a control device (not shown), the diverter 7A operates to operate the diverter 7A. The articles are sent to the article sorting apparatus 8D, and when an article to be sent to the secondary sorting conveyor 1C arrives, the diverter 7B operates to send the articles to the article sorting apparatus 8E.

The article sent to the article shifting apparatus 8D is moved to the right side, that is, the side close to the diverter 7C.
One side of the 02 side is the transport direction 3 of the secondary sorting conveyor 1B
Secondary sorting conveyor 1B
And is delivered to the opposing chute 6 by one of the diverters 7C (other diverters are out of the range of the drawing) provided on the right side thereof by a control signal from the control device. The articles sent to the article shifting apparatus 8E are shifted to the left side, that is, the side close to the diverter 7D, with one side face being parallel to the transport direction 3 of the article shifting apparatus 8E, and sent to the secondary sorting conveyor 1C. , A diverter 7D or one of the diverters following the diverter 7D.

As described above, in this case as well, the article shifting devices 8C, 8D and 8E all move the article to the desired side, that is, the side close to the diverter 7A, 7B or 7C, 7D in this example. Are separated from each other so as to be substantially parallel to the dispensing surface of each diverter.
A, 1B and 1C, diverters 7A to 7D
Impact on the article during the dispensing operation is reduced.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, as in the embodiment of FIG.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a configuration in which 1B is inclined in a direction opposite to that of FIG.
The embodiment in which the positions of the adjacent pulleys 807A and 807B are shifted as in the embodiment of FIG. 7 can also be adopted in the embodiments of FIGS. In that case,
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the pulley at the upstream end of the guide device 802A is retracted from the pulley at the downstream end of the guide device 802B in the direction of moving the articles, and the pulley at the upstream end of the guide device 802B is moved to the downstream end of the guide device 802C. It will be retracted from the pulley in the direction of moving the article. Further, a configuration in which a guide device 802C is further provided on the upstream side of the guide device 802B forming the inclined portion as in the embodiment of FIG.
It can be adopted also in the embodiment of FIG. Further, the guide devices 802A and 802B in the embodiment of FIG. 6 may be constituted by stationary guide walls as in the embodiment of FIG.

Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to a rectangular article in plan view, there is no difference in that the rotational moment M is generated by Na and Nμb even with other polygons. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the attitude control is performed in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, although the article targeted by the present invention has been described as being polygonal in plan view, even if non-polygonal articles (for example, circular in plan view) are mixed with polygonal articles, the article for polygonal articles can be used. The attitude control function of the present invention will not be affected.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, an unloading portion which is located at the most downstream side when the guide surface of the guide device is viewed in the transport direction of the article, and which unloads the article in the transport direction,
With a simple configuration of being located upstream of the carry-out portion and having an inclined portion positioned at an angle with respect to the carry-out portion in a plan view, a polygonal article in a plan view has a desired shape. An advantage is obtained in that an article shifting apparatus is provided which can send out the sheet while the one side is substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the article while being shifted to the side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of an article sorting apparatus having an example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the embodiment, showing an operation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

3 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the embodiment, showing an operation different from that of FIG. 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an example according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an example according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an example according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an example according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a usage example different from FIG. 1 of the article shifting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another usage example different from FIG. 1 of the article shifting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing still another example of use of the article shifting apparatus of the present invention which is different from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a part of an article sorting apparatus provided with a conventional article shifting apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the operation of the article shifting apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining a problem of the conventional article shifting apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a problem of the conventional article shifting apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Sorting conveyor (conveyor) 2 Article 201, 202 One side of article 3 Transport direction 8, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E Article shifting apparatus 800, 800A, 800B, 800C Drive roller conveyor 801 Guide surface 801A, 801C Guide surface (portion portion) 801B, 801D Guide surface (inclined portion) 802, 802A, 802B, 802C Guide device 803, 803A, 803B Roller 804, 804A, 804B Belt conveyor 805, 805A, 805B Forward traveling Part β Angle formed by the inclined part with respect to the carry-out part

Continued on front page F term (reference) 3F025 BA02 BB01 BC10 3F033 BB01 BB12 BC03 3F081 AA01 BC01 BD15 BE04 CC12 DA02 DA11

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An article, which is arranged upstream of a conveyor that conveys a polygonal article in a predetermined conveyance direction in a state where the article is deviated to a desired side in a plan view, and drives the article forward toward the conveyance conveyor. And a biasing device for biasing the article to the desired side, wherein a series of rollers are shifted rearward from the roller end on the side where the article is to be biased toward the conveying direction of the article from the roller end on the opposite side. And a guide device that is provided on the side of the drive roller conveyor that is to be shifted and that has a vertical guide surface facing an article on the drive roller conveyor. In the article shifting device, the guide surface of the guide device is located on the most downstream side in the transport direction, and is located at an unloading portion for unloading the article in the transport direction, and is located upstream of the unloading portion. And an inclined portion positioned at an angle in plan view with respect to the carry-out portion of the article. 2. The article shifting device according to claim 1, wherein an upstream end of the inclined portion as viewed in the transport direction is displaced toward an article shifting side from a downstream end. 3. The article shifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle formed by the inclined portion of the guide surface with respect to the carry-out portion is 5 ° to 15 °. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide device comprises a vertically conveyed belt conveyor, and said guide surface comprises a forward traveling portion of said belt conveyor which is driven in a forward direction of articles. Item 1 aligning device. 5. The article shifting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inclined portion and the carry-out portion of the guide surface are respectively formed by a separate traveling section of a belt conveyor. 6. The article shifting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inclined portion and the carry-out portion of the guide surface comprise a forward traveling portion of one belt conveyor. 7. The article shifting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide device comprises a stationary guide wall which stands upright in a vertical direction, and said guide surface comprises a surface of said guide wall facing an article. apparatus.