JP2002029618A - Link frame connection mechanism in tray type article conveyance device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a link frame connection mechanism of a tray type article conveyance device capable of stably and securely realizing bending conveyance even if vertical bending and horizontal bending coexist in a conveyance path, achieving conveyance layout having a high degree of design freedom and being continuous with a conveyance area at a high position and a low position, reducing a space of a conveyance work area, and reducing the number of parts and construction burden. SOLUTION: Many link frames 13 on which trays 11 for conveyance articles are mounted are connected through a joint block 14, a vertical shaft hole 14a fixing one end part of the link frame 13 on a shaft and a horizontal shaft hole 14b fixing the other end part of the link frame 13' adjacent to and following the link frame 13 on the shaft are provided apart from each other, a guide roller 17 is supported in an upper end part of a longitudinal pin 15 for connection inserted into the vertical shaft hole 14a, and a U-shaped running block 19 in which a pair of right and left running rollers 18 are held in both end side wall parts 19a is supported in a lower end part of the longitudinal pin 15 for connection so as to turn horizontally and freely in order to realize bending conveyance stably and securely.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a tray-type article transport apparatus for transporting articles on a plurality of article trays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a tray-type article conveying apparatus in which a plurality of trays for conveying articles on which articles to be conveyed are placed are connected, for example, there is a tray-type article conveying apparatus as shown in FIG. This tray-type article transport device is mounted on a carriage A2 such that a transport article tray A1 on which articles to be transported are placed can be tilted to the side in the transport direction according to the sorting destination. The front and rear portions of the carriage A2 are provided with four wheels A3, A3, A3, and A3 traveling on traveling rails installed along the transport path and rolling prevention on traveling on guide rails. Four side rollers A
4, A4, A4, and A4 are respectively attached.
At a middle position between the wheel A3 to which the carriage A2 is mounted and the side roller A4, there is provided a connecting joint rod A5 that allows only horizontal bent articles to be conveyed. It has a so-called connecting mechanism for connecting the adjacent carriages A2. Further, a reaction plate A6 horizontally receiving a driving force in the transport direction from a primary coil (not shown) of a linear motor disposed along the transport path is provided horizontally below the carriage A2.
At the upper part, a tray support A7 for a transported article supported so as to be tiltable to the side in the transport direction, and a tray support A for the transported article
An index plate A8 for tilting the side 7 is attached. The transported article tray A1 on which the transported articles are placed is attached to the transported article tray support A7.

In such a tray-type article conveying apparatus, a tray for conveying articles is controlled by the operation control of a well-known tilting operation member (not shown) in which the index plate A8 is fixed at a desired sorting position on the conveying path. The support A7 is tilted and the conveyed articles on the conveyed article tray A1 are released to a side chute provided at a desired sorting position to sort the conveyed articles.

[0004]

However, in the conventional tray-type article transport apparatus as described above, the wheels A3 are provided at the front and rear portions of the carriage A2 to which the transport article tray A1 is attached. Joint rod A5 that allows only horizontal bent articles to be transported
Are arranged, and the article mounting surface of the article tray A1 for conveyance is in a conveyance state parallel to the conveyance path surface. Therefore, the conveyance tray is generally used in a conveyance path having a substantially horizontal horizontal curve. Since the joint rod A5 is not provided with a mechanism for vertically rotating a vertical bend, the present invention can be applied to a vertically bent transport path in which a transport path of a conveyed article is linearly or vertically inclined in a vertical direction. I ca n’t,
When the transport sorting work is performed between the low-level transport area and the high-level transport area, it is necessary to lay out independent tray-type article transport devices in the low-level transport area and the high-level transport area. ,in short,
There has been a problem that the transfer route form, the transfer work, the transfer work space, and the like are significantly restricted.

[0005] In the conventional tray-type article conveying apparatus as described above, as shown in FIG.
Since four wheels A3, A3, A3, A3 and four side rollers A4, A4, A4, A4 are respectively attached to 2, the number of parts for rolling and running the carriage A2 increases. And four wheels attached to the carriage A2, or four wheels
In order for the four side rollers to evenly share the load on the conveyed article, there is a problem that assembling accuracy is required to arrange the four wheels or the four side rollers in the same contact plane. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and to stably and reliably bend and convey even a conveying path in which a vertical bend and a horizontal bend coexist. An object of the present invention is to provide a link frame connecting mechanism of a tray-type article transfer device that can achieve a transfer layout continuous with a position transfer area and a space saving of a transfer work area, and further reduce the number of parts and a work load. .

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a link frame connecting mechanism for a tray-type article conveying apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a number of link frames on which a conveying article tray is mounted are moved in a conveying direction via an articulated block. In a link frame coupling mechanism of a tray-type article transport device that is rotatably connected to a roller and travels on a transport path where a vertical bend and a horizontal bend coexist, one end of the link frame is axially mounted on the joint block. A vertical shaft hole and a horizontal shaft hole which is adjacent to the link frame and axially attaches the other end of the subsequent link frame are spaced apart and penetrate therethrough, and an upper end portion of a connecting vertical pin inserted into the vertical shaft hole. Has a guide roller that rolls on the side of the transport guide rail, and
A U-shaped traveling block in which a pair of left and right traveling rollers that roll and travel on the traveling surface of the transport rail are supported on both side walls is rotatably supported at the lower end of the connecting vertical pin so as to be horizontally rotatable. Thus, the above problem has been solved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the pair of right and left traveling rollers are provided at both ends of the tray for the conveyed articles. The above problem is further solved by being disposed immediately below.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a link type frame connecting mechanism for a tray-type article conveying apparatus, wherein the tray for conveying articles is provided in a lateral direction in a conveying direction. The above problem is further solved by being mounted on the link frame via the carriage in a support state in which the support frame can be tilted.

Here, the "vertical bend" in the present invention means a transport state in which the transport path of the transported article is vertically or linearly or curvedly inclined.
The “horizontal bending” in the present invention means a transport state in which the transport path of the transported article is bent in the horizontal direction in a horizontal plane.

In the link frame connecting mechanism of the tray-type article conveying device according to the first to third aspects, a link driving system for moving a pair of right and left running rollers on the running surface of the conveying rail is used. A linear drive system, such as a vertical or horizontal horizontal reaction plate that receives the driving force in the transport direction from the primary coil of the linear motor placed along the transport path, Any of the trolley drive systems that receive the traveling drive force from the traction force of the transport chains arranged along may be employed.

[0012] The transported article trays of the present invention are provided so as to be freely attachable to the link frame via a carriage by known fixing means, and are provided in large numbers along the respective sorting positions of the transport path. By the interlocking of the known tilting movement means and the driven means mounted on the carriage, it is possible to tilt to the side in the transport direction.

[0013]

In the present invention, the transported article tray is always used regardless of whether the transport path is a horizontally curved transport path, a vertically curved transport path inclined forward or downward, or a combined transport path. Run smoothly.

That is, a number of link frames on which a tray for articles to be conveyed is mounted are rotatably connected in the conveying direction via articulated blocks, and the articulated blocks have vertical shaft holes through which one ends of the link frames are mounted. And a horizontal shaft hole for adjoining the other end of the succeeding link frame adjacent to the link frame is provided so as to be spaced apart therefrom. And the link frame is indirectly connected, so that the relative bending of the link frame in the transport path having a horizontal or vertical bend is smooth.

Further, a U-shaped traveling block is rotatably supported at the lower end of a connecting vertical pin inserted into a vertical shaft hole of the joint block, so that the U-shaped traveling block can be moved horizontally or vertically. Since the direct effects of the relative bending state of the link frame can be avoided,
A pair of left and right traveling rollers supported on the V-shaped traveling block travel stably and reliably.

Since the pair of left and right running rollers are disposed immediately below both sides of the transported article tray, the transported article tray maintains a stable transport state without swaying left and right when transporting the article. In addition, when the tray for conveying articles is tilted and sorted, an unbalanced load is not generated in the left-right width direction of the link frame connecting mechanism, and a stable supporting state of the tray for conveying articles is exhibited.

Further, since the transported article trays are mounted on the link frame via the carriage in a supporting state in which the trays can be tilted laterally in the transport direction, a large number of trays are provided along the sorting position of the transport path. The transported articles placed on the transported article tray are sorted and transported to a predetermined sorting position by interlocking the known tilting movement means and the driven means mounted on the carriage.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 6 show a link frame connecting mechanism 10 of a tray-type article conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the link frame coupling mechanism shown in FIG. 1 excluding a tray for conveyed articles, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of the link frame coupling mechanism. 5 is a perspective view of the joint block in the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a U-shaped traveling block in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the link frame connecting mechanism of the tray-type article conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as "the link frame connecting mechanism of the present embodiment").
Numeral 10 is guided by a transport guide rail R2 arranged in parallel with the transport rail R1 forming a transport path while traveling.

First, in the link frame connecting mechanism 10 of this embodiment, a transport article tray 11 on which articles are loaded is supported by a carriage 12, and the bottom of the carriage 12 is linked by fixing means comprising a well-known bolt and nut. It is detachably mounted on the upper surface of the frame 13. A large number of link frames 13 to which such a transportable article tray 11 is mounted are connected via a joint block 14 so as to be rotatable in the transport direction, thereby forming a series of coupling mechanisms.

The connection mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG.
The joint block 14 has one end of an overhang formed on the link frame 13 connected to the connecting vertical pin 1.
Vertical shaft hole 14a that is pivotally mounted about the center 5 so that it can rotate horizontally.
And a horizontal shaft hole 14b for vertically pivoting the other end of the forked shape formed in the link frame 13 'adjacent to the link frame 13 so as to be vertically rotatable about the connecting horizontal pin 16. It is penetrated apart.

As shown in FIG. 5, a connecting vertical pin 15 is inserted into the vertical shaft hole 14a of the joint block 14.
A guide roller 17 for rolling on the side wall surface of the transport guide rail R2 is rotatably supported at the upper end of the transfer guide rail R2, and a U-shaped traveling as shown in FIG. A block 19 is supported. That is, a pair of left and right running rollers 18 and 18 that roll and run on the running surface of the transport rail R1 are mounted on the lower end of the connecting vertical pin 15 at the lower end side wall portions 19a and 19a, respectively. The central portion 19b is supported so as to be horizontally rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of left and right running rollers 18, 18 are disposed immediately below both sides of the transported article tray 11, thereby stabilizing the transported article tray 11 during article transport. The transported state is maintained, and the transported article tray 11 exhibits a stable support state when the transported article tray 11 is tilted and sorted.

In the link frame connecting mechanism 10 of the present embodiment obtained as described above, a number of link frames 13 on which the trays 11 for conveyed articles are mounted are connected via joint blocks 14 so as to be rotatable in the conveying direction. Thus, the roller can travel on a transport path in which a vertical curve and a horizontal curve coexist.

It should be noted that the transported article tray 11 in this embodiment includes a plurality of well-known tilting operation means K provided along the respective sorting positions of the transport path and the carriage 12.
By interlocking with the driven means 12a mounted on the camera, it can be tilted laterally in the transport direction.

In the present embodiment, a pair of left and right traveling rollers 18, 18 is arranged along the transport path below the link frame 13 as a traveling drive system for traveling on the traveling surface of the transport rail R1 (not shown). A) A linear drive system is adopted in which a reaction plate 20 which receives a traveling drive force in the transport direction from a primary coil of a linear motor is provided horizontally in a horizontal direction.

As described above, the link frame coupling mechanism 10 of this embodiment avoids the direct influence of the relative bending state of the link frames 13, 13 on the transport path of the horizontal or vertical bend, and The pair of left and right traveling rollers 18, 18 supported on the character-shaped traveling block 19 can travel stably and reliably, and the transported article tray 11 does not swing left and right during article transport, and maintains a stable transport state. However, a stable support state of the transported article tray 11 can be exhibited without generating an eccentric load in the left-right width direction of the link frame coupling mechanism when the transported article tray 11 is tilted and sorted.

Therefore, the link frame coupling mechanism 10 of this embodiment can stably and reliably bend and convey even in the conveyance path where the vertical and horizontal bends coexist, and is continuous with the conveyance area at the high position and the low position. The effects are enormous, for example, it is possible to achieve a transport layout with a high degree of design freedom and to save space in the transport work area, and also to reduce the number of parts and the construction burden.

[0029]

As described above, the present invention includes a link frame connecting mechanism in which a number of link frames on which a tray for conveyed articles is mounted are rotatably connected in the conveying direction via articulated blocks. Accordingly, the following specific effects can be obtained.

That is, a number of link frames on which a tray for articles to be conveyed is mounted are rotatably connected in the conveying direction via articulated blocks, and the articulated blocks have vertical shaft holes through which one ends of the link frames are mounted. And a horizontal shaft hole which is adjacent to the link frame and axially connects the other end of the succeeding link frame is spaced apart therethrough, so that the link frames are indirectly connected via the joint block. Since the relative bending of the link frame is smooth and the conveyed article tray runs smoothly, there is no need to lay out independent link frame connections in the upper and lower conveyance areas, and the space between the high position and the low position is not required. It is possible to easily lay out the transfer path that can continuously circulate and transfer, and to save space in the transfer work area. It can be formed.

The U-shaped traveling block is horizontally rotatably supported at the lower end of a connecting vertical pin inserted into the vertical shaft hole of the joint block, so that the left and right bearings are supported on the U-shaped traveling block. Since the pair of traveling rollers travels stably and reliably while avoiding the direct influence of the relative bending state of the link frame in the transport path of the horizontal bending or the vertical bending, particularly, in the transport path of the horizontal bending, the transported article is used. Of the four wheels on the carriage for uniformly and load-sharing the traveling rail required in the conventional tray-type article conveying device, while stably and reliably conveying the conveying article tray on which the sheet is placed. It is possible to avoid the assembling accuracy, and to reduce the assembling accuracy and the work load for assembling.

In addition, the traveling rollers are supported on the U-shaped traveling block, so that four wheels per transported article tray required in the conventional tray-type article transporting device are reduced to two wheels per transported article tray. It is possible to reduce the number of running rollers, simplify the bearing mechanism, and reduce the number of parts involved.

Since the pair of left and right running rollers are disposed immediately below both sides of the transported article tray, the transported article tray is maintained in a stable transport state without swaying left and right when transporting the article. As well as
Since there is no uneven load in the left and right width direction of the link frame connecting mechanism during the tilting sorting of the conveyed article trays, there is no uneven wear on the traveling rollers and the conveying rails, so that a highly durable device mechanism is exhibited. .

Further, a large number of the trays for the conveyed articles are attached to the link frame via the carriage in a supporting state in which the trays for the conveyed articles can be tilted laterally in the conveying direction, so that a large number of the trays are provided along the sorting position of the conveying path. The well-known tilting movement means and the driven means mounted on the carriage work in tandem to ensure that the conveyed articles placed on the conveyed article tray are sorted and conveyed to a predetermined sorting position. The burden of sorting the placed articles is significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a link frame coupling mechanism of a tray-type article transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the link frame coupling mechanism shown in FIG. 1 excluding a transported article tray;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a link frame coupling mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a joint block according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a U-shaped traveling block in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a conventional tray-type article transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Link frame connecting mechanism of tray-type article transport device 11 Tray for transported articles 12 Carriage 12a Follower means 13, 13 'Link frame 14 ····· Joint block 14a ···· Vertical shaft hole 14b ···· Horizontal shaft hole 15 ····· Vertical pin 16 for connection 16 ···· Horizontal pin 17 for connection 17 Guide guide roller 18 ····· Running roller 19 ······ U-shaped running block 19a ····· Both end side walls 19b ····· Central suspension part 20 ····· Reaction plate R1 ············· Rail R2 ······························· Inclining operation means A1 ····· Tray for carrying articles A2 ····· Carriage A3 ······ Wheel A4 ······ side Over La A5 · · · · · connected joint rod A6 · · · · · conveyed article tray support A7 · · · · · reaction plate A8 · · · · · index plate

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A tray-type article transporter in which a plurality of link frames on which a tray for transported articles is mounted are rotatably connected in the transport direction via an articulated block, and the roller travels on a transport path in which a vertical curve and a horizontal curve coexist. In the link frame coupling mechanism of the device, the joint block has a vertical shaft hole for pivotally attaching one end of the link frame, and a horizontal shaft for pivotally attaching the other end of a link frame adjacent to the link frame. A guide roller that rolls on the side wall surface of the transport guide rail is supported at the upper end of a connecting vertical pin inserted through the vertical shaft hole. At the lower end of the vertical pin, a U-shaped traveling block in which a pair of left and right traveling rollers that roll and travel on the traveling surface of the transport rail are supported on both side walls is rotatably supported. Link frame connection mechanism of the tray-type product transport apparatus according to claim. 2. The link frame coupling mechanism for a tray-type article conveying device according to claim 1, wherein said pair of left and right running rollers are disposed immediately below both side ends of the conveying article tray. 3. The transport article tray is mounted on a link frame via a carriage in a support state in which the tray can be tilted laterally in the transport direction.
A link frame connecting mechanism for a tray-type article transport device according to claim 2.