JP2000264426A - Carrier and carrier unit used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier reducing area, cost, and labor for controlling the carrier, even if the number of sections dividing the carrier passage is increased. SOLUTION: This carrier 10 is provided with a carrier means 13 carrying a mounted load 11 in a prescribed direction, a motor 14 actuating the carrier means 13, and a sensor 15 detecting the presence/absence of the load 11 on the carrier means 13 for every section dividing the carrier in the carrying direction. The carrier 10 is connected to the motor 14 and a sensor 15 for every section and provided with a controller 16 for controlling the rotation drive of the motor 14. The controller 16 converts a detecting signal received from the sensor 15 into a detecting signal of a prescribed form, transmits it to a controller 16 in the adjoining section on the upstream, and receives the detecting signal of the presence/absence of the load from a controller 16 in the adjoining section the downstream. When the controller 16 detects the presence of the load 11 in the adjoining section in the downstream from the received detecting signal, the controller 16 stops the drive of the rotation of the motor 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a load. More specifically, the present invention relates to a transport device that can prevent a collision between packages to be transported.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned transport device includes a transport means such as a belt and a roller for transporting the loaded luggage in a predetermined direction, and a motor for driving the transport means. The load placed on the transfer means is transferred in a predetermined direction. When transporting precision equipment such as a hard disk, the equipment may be damaged or broken due to collision between the equipments. Therefore, it is necessary to transport the equipment so that the equipments do not collide with each other.

FIG. 10 shows a conventional transport device capable of preventing a collision between packages. The transport device (100) is divided into a path through which the load is transported, and each section includes a transport unit (101) for transporting the load placed in the section and a motor for driving the transport unit (101). (102) and luggage (10
A sensor (103) for detecting whether or not 5) is present.
The motors (102) and the sensors (103) of all the sections are connected to one controller (104), and the controllers (104)
The rotational drive or stop of the motor (102) is controlled for each section based on the detection signal from the sensor (103). In the transport device (100) having the above configuration, the control device (104) stops the motor (102) in a certain section when a load (105) is present on a section adjacent to the downstream side of the section. By controlling the motor (102) of the other section in the same manner, it is possible to prevent the presence of two or more packages in one section, thereby preventing the collision of the packages.

[0004]

The transfer device (100)
When a new division is added, a new division motor (10
2) and wiring for connecting the sensor (103) and the control device (104) must be laid, which requires a place, cost and labor for the laying. In particular, the location, cost and effort have increased as the distance between the new section and the control device (104) has increased. Further, the control device (104)
Needs to add an I / O (input / output) port for connecting to an external device. In this case, the control program needs to be modified to correspond to the added I / O port. The cost and labor for (104) increased.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport apparatus which requires less space, cost and labor for transport control than before, even if the number of the sections in the transport path increases.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting a load. The transport device includes a transport unit that transports the loaded package in a predetermined direction for each section of the transport path of the package in the transport direction, a motor that drives the transport unit, and a transport unit that transports the package on the transport unit. It has a sensor for detecting the presence or absence. The transport device includes a controller that is connected to the motor and the sensor for each section and controls the rotational driving of the motor. The controller outputs the detection signal received from the sensor,
A communication unit that converts the signal into a detection signal of a predetermined format, transmits the detection signal to the controller of the section adjacent to the upstream side, and receives a detection signal of the presence or absence of a package from the controller of the section adjacent to the downstream side, and is connected to the communication means. When the communication means detects that there is a baggage in a section adjacent on the downstream side from the detection signal, the control means stops the rotation of the motor.

[0007]

In the transport device having the above-mentioned structure, the controller of each section stops the rotation of the motor when the load is present on the section adjacent to the downstream side and transports the load to the downstream side. To prevent that. Therefore, since there is no more than one package in one section, collision of the packages is prevented.

[0008]

According to the transfer apparatus of the present invention, even when a new section is added, the controller of the added section can realize the above operation only by connecting to the adjacent controller. In comparison, the space, cost and labor for the connection can be reduced. Also, by adding a section, it is not necessary to add a new part to the controller of the other section, so that the controller of the other section can be used without modification.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a transport device (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The transport device (10) is provided with a transport unit (12) for each section obtained by dividing the transport path in the transport direction.
A transport unit (13) for transporting the loaded luggage (11) in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure) is provided above each transport unit (12). A belt,
Known transport means such as rollers can be used. Conveying means (13)
A motor (14) for driving the transport means (13) is provided below the, and the transport means (13) is connected to the motor (14) via a belt, a pulley, and the like. The motor (14) has a single-phase AC
Known motors such as an (AC) motor, a three-phase AC motor, a DC (DC) motor, and a servomotor can be used. A sensor (15) for detecting whether or not a package (11) is present on the transport means (13) is provided on the upper and downstream side of each transport unit (12). Known sensors such as a proximity sensor and a photoelectric sensor can be used as the sensor (15).

Each transport unit (12) has the motor (14)
And a controller (16) that is electrically connected to the sensor (15) and controls the rotational driving of the motor (14). Controller (16)
The controller (1) of the transfer unit (12) (hereinafter, abbreviated as “upstream transfer unit”) adjacent to the upstream side is supplied with an AC voltage, which is a power source of the transfer unit (12), from the outside.
A signal is transmitted to 6), and a signal is received from the controller (16) of the transport unit (12) (hereinafter abbreviated as “downstream transport unit”) adjacent to the downstream side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the controller (16). The sensor receiving device (20) is a sensor (15)
To the power supply, receive the detection signal from the sensor (15),
Converts to a detection signal of a predetermined format and upstream transmission device (22)
Send to The upstream transmission device (22) converts the detection signal from the sensor reception device (20) into a detection signal of a predetermined format, and transmits the signal to the controller (16a) of the upstream transport unit (12). On the other hand, the detection signal transmitted from the controller (16b) of the downstream transport unit (12) is received by the downstream receiving device (23), and the downstream receiving device (23) converts the detection signal into a detection signal of a predetermined format. It is converted and transmitted to a microcomputer (21) (hereinafter abbreviated as "microcomputer"). Specifically, the sensor receiving device (20), the upstream transmitting device (22), and the downstream receiving device (23) use a photocoupler or the like to transmit a signal voltage ( For example, 24V
(Volts)) to a signal voltage (for example, 5 V) used inside the controller (16). The above device
(20), (22) and (23) desirably include a circuit for preventing chattering that occurs when converting the detection signal.

The communication method between the upstream transmitting device (22) and the downstream receiving device (23) and the controllers (16a) and (16b) of the adjacent transport unit (12) is as follows. In addition to wired communication, wireless communication using light or the like can be given. The devices (22) and (23) are provided with components compatible with a communication method to be used.For example, in the case of wired communication, a connector for connecting a cable is provided, and wireless communication using light is performed. In the case of (optical communication), a light emitting diode is provided on the transmitting side and a photodiode is provided on the receiving side.
Wireless communication, compared to wired communication, adjacent controller (16a)
It has the advantage that there is no need to wire a cable to communicate with (16b), but it cannot be used when there is an obstacle between the adjacent controllers (16a) and (16b). Therefore, one or both of the wired communication method and the wireless communication method are used in accordance with the usage mode.

The microcomputer (21) includes a downstream receiving device (23)
To detect the presence or absence of a load on the downstream transport unit (12), and to rotate the motor (14) when there is no load on the transport unit (12), When there is a load, an instruction signal is transmitted to the motor control device (24) so as to stop the motor (14). The motor control device (24) controls power supply to the motor (14) based on an instruction signal from the microcomputer (21).

An AC voltage supplied from the outside is supplied to a motor control device (24) and an AC / DC converter.
(25). The AC / DC converter (25) converts the supplied AC voltage to a DC voltage, and converts the converted DC voltage to the sensor receiving device (20), the upstream transmitting device (22), and the downstream receiving device (23). The power is supplied to the three-terminal regulator (26). The three-terminal regulator (26)
The supplied DC voltage is reduced in pressure to remove the fluctuation component of the voltage, and is supplied to the sensor receiving device (20), the microcomputer (21), the upstream transmitting device (22), and the downstream receiving device (23).

When power is supplied to each transport unit (12) in the transport device (10) having the above configuration, the microcomputer (21) in the controller (16) sends an instruction signal for rotating the motor to the motor control. Send to device (24) and motor control device (24)
Supplies electric power to the motor (14) to rotate the motor (14). Accordingly, the driving of the transport means (13) is started, and the load (11) placed on the transport means (13) is transported in a predetermined direction.

At this time, if a load (11) is placed on the transport means (13) of a certain transport unit (12), the sensor (15)
Sends a luggage ant detection signal to the controller (16),
(16) is a sensor receiving device (20), an upstream transmitting device
The detection signal is transmitted to the controller (16) of the upstream transport unit (12) via (22). In the upstream transfer unit (12),
When the controller (16) receives the luggage ant detection signal by the microcomputer (21) via the downstream receiving device (23), the microcomputer (21) issues an instruction signal to stop the motor to the motor control device ( 24), the motor control device (24) stops the power supply to the motor (14) to stop the rotation of the motor (14), and the driving of the transport means (13) is stopped. Therefore, when there is a package (11) in a certain transport unit (12), the upstream transport unit (12) stops carrying the package (11) to the downstream side.

The transport means of a transport unit (12)
(13) When the luggage (11) placed on top is unloaded, the sensor (1)
5) transmits the detection signal of the pear to the controller (16), and the controller (16) transmits the detection signal to the controller (16) of the upstream transport unit (12) as described above. I do. Upstream transport unit
In (12), when the controller (16) receives the baggage pear detection signal by the microcomputer (21) via the downstream receiving device (23), the microcomputer (21) issues an instruction to rotationally drive the motor. A signal is transmitted to the motor control device (24), and the motor control device (24) resumes power supply to the motor (14) and
The rotation of 4) is restarted, and the driving of the transport means (13) is restarted. Therefore, when the luggage (11) is lost in a certain transportation unit (12), the upstream transportation unit (12) resumes carrying the luggage (11) to the downstream side. As a result, one transport unit (12)
Since there are no two or more packages (11), collision of the packages can be prevented.

In the transfer apparatus (10) of the present embodiment, even when a transfer unit (12) is newly added, the controller (16) of the added transfer unit (12) operates in the adjacent transfer unit.
Since the above operation can be realized only by connecting to the controller (16) of (12), the space, cost and labor for the connection can be reduced as compared with the related art. Also, by adding the transfer unit (12), it is not necessary to add a new part to the controller (16) of the other transfer unit (12). Available without modification. Further, since the transport device (10) of the present embodiment is unitized by the transport unit (12), in the event of a failure, the failed transport unit (12) may be replaced, and recovery from the failure is easy. And easy. Also, since all the transport units (12) used in the present embodiment can have the same configuration,
Easy mass production. Furthermore, the adjacent transport unit (12)
When using optical communication as a communication means,
Since the cable connection between adjacent transport units (12) is not required, only the transport units (12) are lined up,
(10) can be configured, so that assembling of the transfer device (10) and replacement of the transfer unit (12) are facilitated.

It is considered that another transfer device such as an elevator or a traverser is adjacent to the downstream end of the transfer unit (12). In this case, when it is desired to carry in the load from the downstream transport unit (12), the adjacent transporting device transmits a detection signal of the pear to the transport unit (12).
The transport unit (12) at the downstream end can carry out the cargo to the adjacent transport device without causing the cargo to collide. Further, it is desirable that the detection signal transmitted by the upstream transmission device (22) of the controller (16) in the transport unit (12) is a detection signal of a package pear being an active signal. In this case, when communication with the upstream transport unit (12) is interrupted, the upstream transport unit (1
In 2), it is determined that there is a package in the transport unit (12) adjacent on the downstream side, and the driving of the transport unit (13) is stopped to stop the transport of the package. Therefore, maintenance such as repair and replacement of the transport unit (12) can be performed without stopping other transport units (12).

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a transport device (30) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the transport device (30), a transport unit (32) is provided for each section obtained by dividing the transport path in the transport direction.
Above each transport unit (32), a transport means (33) for transporting the loaded luggage (31) in a predetermined direction is provided. Known transport means such as a belt and a roller can be used as the transport means (33). Below the transport means (33), a motor (34) for driving the transport means (33) is provided, and the transport means (33) is connected to the motor (34) via a belt, a pulley, or the like. . In the present embodiment, an AC (alternating current) motor capable of normal and reverse rotation is used as the motor (34). On one side (the right side in the figure) and the other side (the left side in the figure) of the upper part of each transport unit (32), a second unit for detecting whether or not the package (31) is present on the transport unit (33). 1st sensor (35) and 2nd sensor (36)
Are respectively deployed. Known sensors such as a proximity sensor and a photoelectric sensor can be used as the sensors (35) and (36).

Each transport unit (32) has the motor (34)
And electrically connected to the sensor (35) (36) and the motor (34)
A controller (37) for controlling the rotational drive of is provided. Controller
In (37), an AC voltage which is a power source of the transport unit (32) is supplied from the outside, and communicates with the controllers (37) and (37) of the adjacent transport units (32) and (32), respectively.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the controller (37). First and second sensor receiving devices (40)
(41) supplies power to the first and second sensors (35) and (36), receives detection signals from the first and second sensors (35) and (36), respectively, and outputs a detection signal of a predetermined format. Convert to switching circuit
Send to (42). The switching circuit (42) is connected to a microcomputer (4
Based on the instruction signal from 3), one of the detection signals transmitted from the first and second sensor receiving devices (40) and (41) is selected, and the microcomputer (43), the first and second communication devices ( Four
4) Send to (45).

The first communication device (44) converts the detection signal from the switching circuit (42) into a detection signal of a predetermined format, and controls the transport unit (32) adjacent to one side (the right side in the figure). The detection signal is received from the controller (37a) of the transport unit (32), and the received detection signal is converted into a detection signal of a predetermined format and transmitted to the microcomputer (43). Similarly, the second communication device (45) converts the detection signal from the switching circuit (42) into a detection signal of a predetermined format, and controls the transport unit (32) adjacent to the other side (the left side in the figure). The detection signal is received from the controller (37b) of the transport unit (32), and the received detection signal is converted into a detection signal of a predetermined format and transmitted to the microcomputer (43). The sensor receiving device (40) (41) (44) (45)
It is desirable to provide a circuit for preventing chattering that occurs when converting the detection signal. Further, as described above, the communication devices (44) and (45) use one or both of the wired communication method and the wireless communication method in accordance with the usage pattern.

The microcomputer (43) has its own transport unit (32)
Is received from the switching circuit (41), and the detection signals of the adjacent transport units (32) and (32) are received from the first and second communication devices (44) and (45), respectively. The microcomputer (43)
Based on these detection signals, the motor control device (46)
To the motor control device (45),
Based on the control instruction signal from the microcomputer (42), the motor (3
4) control the rotation drive and braking. The control operation of the microcomputer (42), the motor control device (45) and the motor
The internal configuration of (34) will be described later.

The AC voltage supplied from the outside is supplied to a motor control device (46) and an AC / DC converter.
(47). The AC / DC converter (47) converts the supplied AC voltage to a DC voltage and outputs the DC voltage to the sensor receiving device.
(40) and (41) and to the communication devices (44) and (45), and to the three-terminal regulator (48). Three-terminal regulator
(48) reduces the supplied DC voltage and removes the fluctuation component of the voltage, and the sensor receiving devices (40) (41) and the microcomputer (4)
3) and the communication devices (44) and (45).

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the motor control device (46) and the motor (34). In the present embodiment, a single-phase alternating current is used as a power source, and therefore, a condenser motor is used as the motor (34).

In the capacitor motor, one ends of a main winding (50) and an auxiliary winding (51) are connected to each other, and multiple ends are connected to each other via a capacitor (52). When an AC voltage supplied from the outside via the controller (37) is applied to the main winding (50), the auxiliary winding (51) has a different phase from the AC voltage due to the capacitor (52). An AC voltage is applied. As a result, a rotating magnetic field is generated in the motor (34), and the motor (34) rotates. When a DC voltage is applied to the main winding (50) and the auxiliary winding (51), a braking force acts on the motor (34), and
The rotation of (34) can be stopped. Hereinafter, this braking is referred to as “electronic braking”. In addition, it is desirable to use a motor provided with an electromagnetic brake in order to prevent the motor (34) from stopping when transporting the load on the slope and dropping the load. In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic coil (53) is driven at the same time as the stop of the motor, the electromagnetic brake is operated, and the excitation type electromagnetic brake that holds the shaft of the motor is used, but other known electromagnetic brakes are used. May be used. Therefore, in the motor (34) of the present embodiment,
Motor drive terminals (5
4) (55), an electronic brake terminal (56) connected between the auxiliary winding (51) and the capacitor (52), and an electromagnetic brake terminal (57) (58) connected to the end of the electromagnetic coil (53), respectively. ) Is deployed.

The motor control device (46) is provided with input terminals (60) and (61) to which an AC voltage is externally supplied. One input terminal (60) is connected to one motor drive output terminal (62).
And one of the electromagnetic brake output terminals (65). The other input terminal (61) is connected to one end of a motor drive switch (67), an electronic brake drive switch (68), and an electromagnetic brake drive switch (69). The other end of the motor drive switch (67) is connected to the other motor drive output terminal (63). The multi-terminal of the electronic brake drive switch (68) is connected to the other motor drive output terminal (63) via a high voltage diode (70), and the electronic brake output terminal (64) is connected via a high voltage diode (71). ). The electromagnetic brake drive switch (69) is connected to the other electromagnetic brake output terminal (66). The motor drive output terminals (62) and (63), the electronic brake output terminal (64), and the electromagnetic brake output terminals (65) and (66) of the motor control device (46) respectively correspond to the motor drive of the motor (34). The terminals (54) and (55), the electronic brake terminals (56), and the electromagnetic brake terminals (57) and (58) are connected.

Motor drive switch (67), electronic brake drive switch (68) and electromagnetic brake drive switch (69)
Are turned on and off based on a control instruction signal from the microcomputer (43). In the embodiment, the switches (67) (68) (69)
, A solid state relay is used. When rotating the motor, the motor drive switch (67) is turned on, and the electronic brake drive switch (68) and the electromagnetic brake drive switch (69) are turned off. This allows the motor
An AC voltage is supplied to the motor drive terminals (54) and (55) of (34) to rotate the motor (34). When stopping the rotation of the motor, first, when the motor drive switch (67) is turned off, the supply of the AC voltage to the motor drive terminals (54) (55) is stopped, and the rotation drive of the motor (34) is stopped. To stop. Next, when the electronic brake drive switch (68) is turned on, the DC voltage half-wave rectified by the high voltage diodes (70) and (71) is supplied to the motor drive terminal (55) and the electronic brake terminal (56), respectively. A DC voltage is applied to the main winding (50) and the auxiliary winding (51), whereby a braking force acts on the motor (34). When the rotation of the motor stops, the electromagnetic brake drive switch (69)
Is turned on, an AC voltage is supplied to the electromagnetic brake terminals (57) and (58) to operate the electromagnetic brake, and the shaft of the motor (34) is held.

In this embodiment, when the motor (34) rotates forward, the load is transported in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 3, and when the motor (34) rotates reversely, the load is transported in the direction of arrow C in FIG. . In the following description, the control operation when the motor is rotated forward is shown, and the right side of FIG. 3 is “upstream side” and the left side is “downstream side”.
Becomes Therefore, the first sensor (35), the first sensor receiving device (40), and the first communication device (44) are "upstream", and the second sensor (36), the second sensor receiving device (41), and the second The communication device (45) is “downstream”. When the motor is reversed, “upstream side” and “downstream side” are interchanged.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are flowcharts showing the control operation of the microcomputer (43) in the transport device (32) having the above-described configuration. As shown in FIG. 6, when the power is supplied to the transport unit (32), the microcomputer (43) first performs an initial setting.
(S10). Initial settings are based on the transport direction determined by the user, such as upstream, downstream, and motor (3
4) Determining the rotation direction, and causing the switching circuit (42) to select the downstream sensor receiving device (41) based on the determination.

Next, the detection signal from the downstream sensor (36) is received via the downstream sensor receiving device (41) and the switching circuit (42), and the luggage (31) is transferred to its own transport unit (32). Is detected (S11). When a luggage ant is detected, the process proceeds to a main routine. If a pear is detected, there is no luggage (31) on the transport means (33), and the luggage (31) exists on the upstream side of the transport means (33), and the downstream sensor (36) May not be detected. Therefore, when the pear is detected, the motor (34) is driven to rotate (S12), and it is detected again whether or not the luggage (31) is present in its own transport unit (32) (S13). When a luggage ant is detected, the rotation of the motor (34) is stopped (S15),
Proceed to the main routine. If a baggage pear is detected,
Step S13 is repeated until a predetermined time has elapsed since the rotation of the motor (34) in step S12 (S14). If the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that there is no baggage (31) in the transport unit (32), the rotation of the motor (34) is stopped (S15),
Proceed to the main routine.

In the main routine, as shown in FIG. 7A, the upstream transport unit (32) transfers its own transport unit (3).
(2) a loading routine (S20) for loading the luggage (31), and a luggage from the transport unit (32) to the downstream transport unit (32).
It is configured by repeating the unloading routine (S21) for unloading (31). The main routine is forcibly terminated by turning off the power.

As shown in FIG. 8, the carry-in routine first receives a detection signal from the upstream transport unit (32) via the upstream communication device (44), and receives the detection signal from the upstream transport unit (3).
It is detected whether or not a package (31) exists in 2) (S30). If the upstream transport unit (32) detects that there is no package, the process returns to the main routine. When the upstream transport unit (32) detects that a load is present, as described above, it is determined whether or not the load (31) is present in its own transport unit (32) (S3).
1). If the own transport unit (32) detects that a load is present, the process returns to the main routine. Own transport unit (32)
If it is detected that there is no package, the motor (34) is driven to rotate (S32).

Next, as described above, the upstream transport unit
It is detected whether or not the baggage (31) exists in (32), and the process waits until a baggage pear is detected (S33). This means that the upstream transfer unit (32) waits until the carry-out of the package (31) is completed. Next, as described above, it is detected whether or not the baggage (31) exists in its own transport unit (32).
(S34). If a load is detected, the rotation of the motor (34) is stopped (S36), and the process returns to the main routine. If a load is not detected, step S34 is repeated until a predetermined time elapses after the load is detected by the upstream transport unit (32) in step S33 (S35). If the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that there is no luggage (31) in its own transport unit (32), the rotation of the motor (34) is stopped (S36),
Return to the main routine.

As shown in FIG. 9, the unloading routine first receives a detection signal from the downstream transport unit (32) via the downstream communication device (45), and receives the detection signal from the downstream transport unit (3).
It is detected whether or not the luggage (31) exists in 2) (S40). When the downstream transport unit (32) detects that a load is present, the process returns to the main routine. When the downstream transport unit (32) detects that there is no package, as described above, it is detected whether or not the package (31) exists in its own transport unit (32) (S4).
1). If the transport unit (32) detects that there is no package, the process returns to the main routine. Own transport unit (32)
If it is detected that there is a load, the motor (34) is driven to rotate (S42). Next, as described above, it is detected whether or not the baggage (31) is present in its own transport unit (32), and waits until a baggage pear is detected (S43), and further waits for a predetermined period.
(S44). This allows the luggage to be transferred from its own transport unit (32).
It is determined that (31) has been carried out, the rotation of the motor (34) is stopped (S45), and the process returns to the main routine.

The configuration of the main routine shown in FIG. 7A is changed to its own transport unit (32) as shown in FIG. 7B.
It is detected whether or not a package (31) is present in the package (S25), and if no package is detected, the carry-in routine is executed (S2).
6) If a load ant is detected, the above-described unloading routine is executed (S27), and the process returns to step S25. In this case, step S31 in the carry-in routine (FIG. 8) and step S41 in the carry-out routine (FIG. 9) can be omitted.

The transport device (30) of the present embodiment has the same effects as the transport device (10) of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), and further has the following effects. The transport device (3
In (0), each of the transport units (32) drives the motor (34) to rotate the motor (34) when there is a package in the upstream transport unit (32) and there is no package in its own transport unit (32). Loads are carried in from the transport unit (32), and the downstream transport unit
If there is no luggage in (32) and there is luggage in its own transport unit (32), the motor (34) is driven to rotate and unload the luggage to the downstream transport unit (32), in other cases, motor
(34) has been stopped. Therefore, each transport unit (32)
Since the motor (34) is driven to rotate only when carrying out and carrying in, energy can be saved as compared with the carrying unit (12) of the first embodiment.

Further, the transport device (30) of the present embodiment comprises a first
Compared to the transport device (10) of the embodiment, each transport unit (32)
Is performing transmission and reception with the upstream transport unit and the downstream transport unit, the motor (34) of each transport unit (32)
, And the first sensor (35), the first sensor receiving device (40), and the first communication device (44) are moved to the reverse direction (the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 3). The above effect can be realized only by setting the “downstream side” and setting the second sensor (36), the second sensor receiving device (41), and the second communication device (45) to “upstream side”.

The transport units (32) (32) at both ends include:
It is considered that another transport device such as an elevator or a traverser is adjacent to the end side. In this case, the transporting device adjacent to the upstream end is provided with a transmission means for transmitting a detection signal of a load ant to the transport unit (32) when it is desired to carry out the load to the transport unit (32) at the upstream end. Thereby, the transport unit (32) at the upstream end can carry in the cargo from the adjacent transport device without causing collision. Further, in the transport device adjacent to the downstream end, there is provided a transmission means for transmitting a detection signal of a pear to the transport unit (12) when it is desired to load the load from the transport unit (12) at the downstream end. By
The transport unit (12) at the downstream end can carry out the cargo to the adjacent transport device without causing collision.

In the controller (37) of the transport unit (32), the detection signal transmitted by the upstream communication device (44) is:
It is desirable that the detection signal of the pear is an active signal, and the detection signal transmitted by the downstream communication device (45) is that the detection signal of the ant is an active signal. In this case, when the communication with the upstream transport unit (32) is cut off, the upstream transport unit (32) determines that there is a package in the transport unit (32) adjacent on the downstream side, and the transport unit (33) And stop carrying the luggage. When communication with the downstream transport unit (32) is interrupted, the downstream transport unit (3
In 2), it is determined that there is no package in the transport unit (32) adjacent on the upstream side, and the driving of the transport unit (33) is stopped to stop the loading of the package. Therefore, maintenance such as repair and replacement of the transport unit (32) can be performed without stopping other transport units (32).

In this embodiment, each transport unit (3
The controller (37) of (2) has a switching circuit (42) outside the microcomputer (43).
However, it is also possible to perform programming so as to realize the switching function in the microcomputer (43). In this case, the microcomputer (43) receives the detection signals from both the upstream and downstream sensor receiving devices (40) and (41) and transmits the detection signals from the downstream receiving device (40) to the upstream and downstream communication devices. It will be transmitted to the devices (44) and (45). At this time, the upstream sensor (35) can be used as a sensor for detecting the loading of the load (31) from the upstream transport unit (32).

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof.
Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a controller according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a transport device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a controller according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an outline of an internal configuration of a motor control device and a motor according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an initial operation when power is turned on, among control operations of a microcomputer according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are flowcharts showing a main routine among control operations of a microcomputer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a carry-in routine in a control operation of the microcomputer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an unloading routine in the control operation of the microcomputer according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) (30) Transport device (11) (31) Luggage (12) (32) Transport unit (13) (33) Transport means (14) (34) Motor (15) (35) (36) Sensor (16 (37) Controller (21) (43) Microcomputer (22) Upstream transmission device (23) Downstream reception device (24) (46) Motor control device (44) (45) Communication device

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 2, 2000 (200.3.2)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a transporting apparatus comprising: an independent transporting unit including a transporting means, a motor for driving the transporting means, a luggage sensor and a controller arranged in the transporting direction; The controllers are connected by wired or wireless communication means, and there is a baggage in the own unit and there is no baggage in a unit adjacent on the downstream side, and there is no baggage in the own unit and there is no baggage on the upstream side The transport means of both transport units are driven only when it is detected that a package is present in a unit adjacent to the transport unit.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

According to the transfer apparatus of the present invention, even when a new unit is added, the controller of the added unit can realize the above operation only by connecting to the adjacent controller. In comparison, the space, cost and labor for the connection can be reduced. In addition, by adding a unit, it is not necessary to add a new part to the controller of another unit, so that the controller of another unit can be used without modification.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The microcomputer (43) has its own transport unit (3
The detection signal of 2) is received from the switching circuit (42), and the detection signals of the adjacent transport units (32) and (32) are received from the first and second communication devices (44) and (45), respectively. Microcomputer (43)
Based on these detection signals, the motor control device
(46) sends a control instruction signal to the motor control device (45).
Controls the rotational driving and braking of the motor (34) based on the control instruction signal from the microcomputer (42). Microcomputer (42)
And the internal configuration of the motor control device (45) and the motor (34) will be described later.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A transport device for transporting a load, comprising: a transport unit that transports the loaded package in a predetermined direction for each section of a transport path in a transport direction; and a motor that drives the transport unit. A transporting device having a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a package on the transporting means, wherein each section includes a controller connected to the motor and the sensor for controlling the rotational driving of the motor; The vessel is
The detection signal received from the sensor is converted into a detection signal of a predetermined format and transmitted to the controller of the section adjacent to the upstream side, and the detection signal of the presence or absence of a package is received from the controller of the section adjacent to the downstream side. A transport device comprising: a communication unit; and a drive control unit connected to the communication unit, the drive control unit stopping rotation driving of the motor when the presence of a package in a downstream adjacent section is detected based on a detection signal received by the communication unit. . 2. The communication means is means for communicating with a controller in a section adjacent on the upstream side and communicating with a controller in a section adjacent on the downstream side. The drive control means communicates with a detection signal from a sensor. In the case where it is detected from the detection signal received by the means that there is no luggage in the section adjacent to the downstream side and there is luggage in the own section, the case where there is no luggage in the own section and the section adjacent to the upstream side is detected. 2. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is means for rotating the motor only when it is detected that a package is present, and stopping the motor otherwise. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the transport means uses a reversible motor to transport the load in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.
3. The transfer device according to claim 1. 4. Each section is constituted by a transport unit comprising transport means, a motor, a sensor and a controller.
The transport device according to claim 1. 5. A transport unit in a transport device configured by arranging transport units in a line, comprising: transport means for transporting a loaded article in a predetermined direction; a motor for driving the transport means; and the transport means. And a controller connected to the motor and the sensor for controlling the rotational driving of the motor. The controller converts a detection signal received from the sensor into a detection signal of a predetermined format. The communication means is connected to the communication means for transmitting to the controller of the transport unit adjacent on the upstream side and receiving the detection signal of the presence or absence of the package from the controller of the transport unit adjacent on the downstream side, and From the detection signal received by the means,
A transport unit comprising drive control means for stopping rotation of a motor when a load is detected in a transport unit adjacent on the downstream side. 6. The communication means is means for communicating with a controller of a transport unit adjacent on the upstream side and communicating with a controller of a transport unit adjacent on the downstream side, and the drive control means is a detection signal from a sensor. From the detection signal received by the communication means, it is detected that there is no luggage in the transport unit adjacent on the downstream side and there is luggage in the own transport unit, and when there is no luggage in the own transport unit,
6. The transport unit according to claim 5, wherein the transport unit is means for rotating the motor only when it is detected that the transport unit adjacent to the upstream side has a load, and stopping the motor otherwise. 7. The transport means uses a reversible motor to transport the load in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.
The transfer unit according to 1.