JP2002338035A - Device for conveying article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for conveying articles that is hardly restrained for a using place. SOLUTION: This device 1 for conveying articles comprises conveyance means 6 formed by plural zones Z aligned in a conveying direction X. Each zone Z is formed by a motor roller 7, a free roller 8 and a transmission body 9. A driver base plate 11 capable of controlling the motor roller 7 is provided to each zone Z, and the driver base plates 11 of the adjoining zones Z are communicably connected with each other. A push button switch 13 for setting the zone Z concerned at a carrying-in station for carrying in the articles or a carrying-out station for carrying out the articles is provided to each zone Z.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article conveying apparatus provided with conveying means constituted by a plurality of zones.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional article conveying apparatus is provided with, for example, conveying means constituted by a plurality of zones arranged in the conveying direction, and each zone includes, for example, a motor roller and a free roller integrally connected by an endless body. It is composed of

Further, control means such as a driver board is provided for each zone, and the control means controls a motor roller of its own zone in response to a signal from another control means of an adjacent zone. .

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional article transport apparatus cannot respond to, for example, a request for carrying in an article to a desired zone or a request for taking out an article from a desired zone. There is a problem in that it cannot be used in facilities or the like that require it, and the location of use is easily restricted.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an article conveying apparatus which is hardly restricted with respect to a place of use.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of zones arranged in a conveying direction, conveying means for conveying an article, and an adjacent zone provided for each of the zones. Control means for controlling its own zone in response to a signal from the apparatus, and operating means provided for each of the zones and for setting its own zone to a carry-in station for carrying in articles, comprising: When the carrying-in station is set by the operation of the means, the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with the zone one upstream of the carrying-in station being the most downstream under the control of the control means.

In this configuration, when the carry-in station is set by operating the operation means, the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with one zone upstream of the carry-in station being the lowermost stream under the control of the control means. Therefore, by setting a desired zone in the carry-in station, it is possible to respond to a request for carrying in articles to the desired zone, and the use location is less likely to be restricted as compared with the conventional configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of zones arranged in a conveying direction, conveying means for conveying an article, and a signal provided from each of the adjacent zones. Control means for controlling the own zone in accordance therewith, and operating means provided for each of the zones and for setting the own zone as a take-out station for taking out articles. When a station is set, articles are sequentially stored upstream with the takeout station being the most downstream under the control of the control means.

In this configuration, when a take-out station is set by operating the operation means, articles are sequentially accumulated upstream with the take-out station being the most downstream under the control of the control means. By setting the take-out station, it is possible to respond to an article take-out request from a desired zone, and the use location is less likely to be restricted as compared with the conventional configuration.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of zones arranged in a conveying direction, conveying means for conveying an article, and a signal provided from each of the adjacent zones. Control means for controlling its own zone in accordance with, and operating means provided for each of the zones and for setting its own zone to a carry-in station for carrying in articles or a take-out station for taking out articles, When the carrying-in station is set by operating the operating means, the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with the zone one upstream of the carrying-in station being the most downstream under the control of the control means, and the operation of the operating means is performed. When the take-out station is set by the control unit, the articles are directed to the upstream with the take-out station being the most downstream under the control of the control means. It is intended to be sequentially accumulated Te.

In this configuration, a desired zone can be set at the carry-in station or at the take-out station, so that a request for carrying in an article to a desired zone and a request for taking out an article from a desired zone can be made. It is possible to cope with it, and it is more difficult to restrict the place of use as compared with the conventional configuration.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article conveying apparatus.
4. The article transporting device according to any one of the items 3 to 3, further comprising a control unit that controls a control unit corresponding to the set zone so that the articles are paid out simultaneously from a preset set zone.

In this configuration, by controlling the control means corresponding to the set zone by the control unit, it is possible to pay out articles from the preset set zone all at once.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article conveying apparatus.
In the article transport apparatus according to any one of the above-described items 4, each zone includes at least a motor roller controlled by the control means, and by controlling the motor roller by the control means, for example, an article can be appropriately transported. It is possible to accumulate.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of an embodiment of the article conveying apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an article conveying apparatus, which includes a roller-type accumulate conveyor 2 which is a conveyor. The accumulate conveyor 2 includes an upstream device 3 such as a conveyor and a conveyor. And the like downstream devices 4.

Then, the accumulation late conveyor 2
It has a pair of elongated frames 5 and 5 which face each other with a predetermined distance therebetween.

A transport means 6 capable of transporting the article W, which is a work, in a mounted state in the transport direction X is provided between the two frames 5. Is formed by a zone Z, which is a driving and transporting area.

Each of the zones Z includes, for example, one motor roller 7 which is a DC brushless motor built-in roller,
A plurality of, for example, two free rollers 8 and a transmission body 9 such as an endless body that connects the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 to each other and rotates synchronously.

The accumulate rate conveyor 2 includes a driver board 11 which is a motor roller control board as control means provided for each zone Z and connected to the corresponding motor roller 7 corresponding to each zone Z. ing.

Each of the driver boards 11 is composed of hardware such as a CPU and software such as a program. For example, a driver section for mainly controlling the speed of the motor roller 7 and controlling the rotation of the motor roller 7 are provided. It has a conveyor control unit to perform, a connector for communication with the adjacent driver board 11, a serial communication port, an external sensor signal input terminal, a conveyor manual operation terminal block, and the like.

The adjacent driver boards 11 are communicably connected via a communication line so that predetermined signals can be exchanged.

Each of the driver boards 11 is connected to a photoelectric switch 12 as an optical sensor as a detecting means for detecting the presence of an article, which is provided for each zone Z in correspondence with each zone Z. .

The photoelectric switch 12 detects the presence or absence of the article W on its own zone Z. When the detection light is incident on the article W, the photoelectric switch 12 is turned on and outputs a detection signal of "load on" to its own. The detection signal is output to the driver board 11 in the zone Z, and when the detection light does not hit the article W, the detection light is turned off, and the detection signal of “offload” is output to the driver board 11 in the zone Z. The photoelectric switch 12 is arranged, for example, at a position near the motor roller 7.

Further, each driver board 11 is connected to a push button switch 13 as an operating means provided for each zone Z in correspondence with each zone Z.

The push button switch 13 has its own zone Z
For example, a single switch for carrying in and taking out an article for setting a loading station for taking in an article or an unloading station for taking out an article, and setting its own zone Z to a loading station or an unloading station by an on / off operation.・ The setting can be released.

The push button switch 13 is mounted, for example, at a position corresponding to its own zone Z on the outer surface of the frame 5. Further, a push button indicator light 14 which is turned on when the push button switch 13 is turned on is connected to the driver board 11.

On the other hand, each driver board 11 is provided with a dip switch section 16 as setting means. The DIP switch section 16 has, for example, a DIP switch for setting a carry-in of an article and a DIP switch for setting a take-out of an article.

The dip switch section 16 includes a rotation direction setting dip switch for setting the rotation direction of the motor roller 7, a manual continuous rotation setting dip switch for operating the motor roller 7 by a switch (not shown), and a motor roller 7. It has a DIP switch for automatic start setting that activates the motor roller 7 when rotated by an external force.

Further, the dip switch section 16 includes a number setting dip switch for setting a number, for example, 1 to 100, a soft start setting dip switch for setting the soft start / stop of the motor roller 7,
Dip switch for independent operation / interlocking setting of motor roller 7, motor roller 7 after set time after delivery of article W
And a dip switch for setting a transit time for stopping the operation.

Note that the transit time setting DIP switch is used to check whether the driver board 11 is off-load or not.
Is set. By setting an appropriate set time according to the distance L between the boundary of the adjacent zone Z and the position of the photoelectric switch 12, it is possible to prevent the article from stopping over the adjacent zone.

Each driver board 11 is provided with an internal volume 18 for setting the rotation speed of the motor roller 7 when the single operation is set or for finely adjusting the rotation speed of the motor roller 7 when the interlock setting is set. Have been.

Further, each driver board 11, the upstream device 3
And a communication board 20 as a master board as a control unit capable of controlling the driver board 11, the upstream equipment 3 and the downstream equipment 4, respectively.
Are communicably connected via a communication line such as a serial communication line.

The communication board 20 has a CPU
For example, a block payout setting DIP switch 21 as a setting unit is provided.
Note that predetermined signals such as operation, stop, tip dispensing, and abnormality release are input to the communication board 20, and predetermined signals such as full, abnormal, and carry-in permission are output from the communication board 20. .

Each driver board 11 and communication board 20 are connected to a power source 23, for example,
Connected to volt DC power supply.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

First, the flow of the article loading / unloading setting process in the zone Z of the driver board 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The driver board 11 determines whether the push-button switch 13 for carrying in and taking out the article is on or off (step 1).

If it is determined that the push button switch 13 is on, it is determined whether both the article carry-in setting dip switch and the article take-out setting dip switch are on at the same time (step 2). ).

If it is determined that both DIP switches are not on at the same time, it is determined whether the article carrying in setting DIP switch is on or off (step 3).

When the driver board 11 determines that the article carry-in setting dip switch is on, the driver board 11 turns on the carry-in setting flag (step 4), and determines that the article carry-in setting dip switch is off. Then, the carry-in setting flag is turned off (step 5).

The driver board 11 determines whether the article removal setting DIP switch is on or off (step 6). When it is determined that the article removal setting DIP switch is on, the removal setting flag is turned on (step 7), and when it is determined that the article removal setting DIP switch is off, the removal setting flag is turned off. (Step 8).

On the other hand, in step 1, the push button switch 13
Is determined to be in the OFF state, or when it is determined in step 2 that both DIP switches are simultaneously ON, the carry-in setting flag and the take-out setting flag are set to the OFF state (step 9).

Next, the driver board in the uppermost zone Z
The operation of 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 3, the flow of the process of confirming the presence of the article W in the own zone Z by the driver board 11 in the most upstream zone Z will be described. Note that signals are exchanged between the driver board 11 and the upstream device 3 via the communication board 20.

The driver board 11 determines whether the photoelectric switch 12 of its own zone Z is on or off based on the detection signal (step 11).

When it is determined that the photoelectric switch 12 is in the off state, the loading-off confirmation timer means 17 of its own zone Z
Is started (step 12).

The driver board 11 determines whether or not the unloading off confirmation timer means 17 has timed out,
It is determined whether a preset set time has been reached (step 13).

When it is determined that the time-of-arrival-off confirmation timer means 17 has timed out, the inventory flag, which is the article inventory information of its own zone Z, is turned off (step 14). It recognizes that there is no W.

The driver board 11 determines whether the carry-in setting flag of its own zone Z is on or off (step 15).

When it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is off, a control signal of "acceptable output on" is output to the upstream device 3 (step 16), and then the control signal is sent to the driver board 11 in the adjacent downstream zone Z. A control signal of "payout request off" is output (step 17). If it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is in the on state, the control unit does not output the control signal of “acceptable output on” to the upstream device 3 and outputs the “payout request” to the driver board 11 in the adjacent downstream zone Z. The control signal of "OFF" is output.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 11 that the photoelectric switch 12 is in the ON state, the presence / absence confirmation timer means 17 in its own zone Z is cleared (step 18). The load flag is turned on (step 19), and it is recognized that the article W is present in the own zone Z.

Then, the driver board 11 is connected to the upstream device 3
After outputting the control signal of "acceptable output off" (step 20), it is determined whether the extraction setting flag of the own zone Z is on or off (step 2).
1).

If it is determined that the take-out setting flag is off, the driver board in the adjacent downstream zone Z is
A control signal of "payout request ON" is output to 11 (step 22).

Next, the flow of the process of receiving the article W from the upstream device 3 to the own zone Z by the driver board 11 in the most upstream zone Z will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The driver board 11 in the most upstream zone Z confirms whether the control signal (payout request signal) from the upstream device 3 is an "payout request on" signal or an "payout request off" signal. Then, it is determined whether there is a payout request from the upstream device 3 (step 31).

When the control signal is "payout request ON" and it is determined that the payout request from the upstream device 3 is "present", it is determined whether the carry-in setting flag of the own zone Z is ON or OFF. (Step 32).

When it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is in the off state, it is determined whether the in-stock flag of the own zone Z is in the on state or in the off state (step 33).

When the driver board 11 determines that the presence flag is in the off state, it supplies power to the motor roller 7 in its own zone Z to drive and rotate the motor roller 7 (step 34).

If it is determined that the loading flag of the own zone Z is turned on (step 35), the power supply to the motor roller 7 is stopped, and the motor roller 7 of the own zone Z is stopped (step 36). ).

As described above, for example, only when the uppermost stream zone Z is not set as the carry-in station for carrying in the articles and there is no article W in the uppermost stream zone Z, the payout request from the upstream equipment 3 is accepted. Thus, the article W is received in the uppermost zone Z.

Next, the operation of the driver substrate 11 in the intermediate zone Z, that is, the zone Z other than the uppermost stream zone Z and the lowermost zone Z will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the flow of the process of confirming the presence of an article W in the own zone Z by the driver board 11 in the intermediate zone Z will be described.

The driver board 11 is driven based on the detection signal.
Whether the photoelectric switch 12 of the own zone Z is in the ON state,
It is determined whether it is in the off state (step 41).

If it is determined that the photoelectric switch 12 is in the off state, the presence / absence-off confirmation timer means 17 of its own zone Z is determined.
Is started (step 42).

The driver board 11 determines whether or not the unloading off timer 17 has timed out.
It is determined whether or not a preset set time has been reached (step 43).

When it is determined that the time-of-arrival-off confirmation timer means 17 has timed out, the inventory flag, which is the article inventory information of its own zone Z, is turned off (step 44). It recognizes that there is no W.

The driver board 11 determines whether the carry-in setting flag of its own zone Z is on or off (step 45).

If it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is in the off state, a control signal of "acceptable output on" is output to the driver board 11 in the adjacent upstream zone Z (step 46), and then the adjacent downstream Z Driver board 11 in zone Z
A control signal of "payment request off" is output to the controller (step 47).

When it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is in the on state, the control signal of "acceptable output on" is not output to the driver board 11 of the adjacent upstream zone Z, and the control signal of the adjacent downstream is not output. A control signal of “payout request off” is output to the driver board 11 in the zone Z.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 41 that the photoelectric switch 12 is in the ON state, the presence / absence-off confirmation timer means 17 of the own zone Z is cleared (step 48), and then the presence of the own zone Z is cleared. The load flag is turned on (step 49), and it is recognized that the article W is present in the own zone Z.

Then, the driver board 11 sends an “acceptable output off” to the driver board 11 in the adjacent upstream zone Z.
After outputting the control signal (step 50), it is determined whether the extraction setting flag of the own zone Z is on or off (step 51).

If it is determined that the extraction setting flag is in the off state, the driver board in the adjacent downstream zone Z is determined.
A control signal of "payout request ON" is output to 11 (step 52). "Payout request on" to this downstream zone Z
The signal is output only when the presence flag is on, and is not output to the downstream zone Z when the presence flag is off and it is recognized that there is no article W in the own zone Z.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the flow of the process of receiving the article W into the own zone Z by the driver board 11 in the intermediate zone Z will be described.

The driver board 11 checks whether the control signal (payout request signal) from the driver board 11 in the adjacent upstream zone Z is a "payout request on" signal or an "payout request off" signal. Thus, it is determined whether there is a payout request from the driver board 11 adjacent to the upstream (step 61).

If the control signal is “payout request ON” and it is determined that the payout request from the driver board 11 adjacent upstream is “present”, the carry-in setting flag of the own zone Z is ON or OFF. It is determined whether there is (Step 62).

When it is determined that the carry-in setting flag is in the off state, it is determined whether the in-stock flag of the own zone Z is in the on state or in the off state (step 63).

When the driver board 11 determines that the presence flag is in the OFF state, it supplies power to the motor roller 7 in its own zone Z to drive and rotate the motor roller 7 (step 64).

When it is determined that the loading flag of the own zone Z is turned on (step 65), the power supply to the motor roller 7 is stopped, and the motor roller 7 of the own zone Z is stopped (step 66). ).

As described above, for example, only when the own zone Z is not set as the carry-in station for carrying in the article and there is no article W in the own zone Z, the driver board of the adjacent upstream zone Z is set. In response to the payout request from 11, the motor roller 7 in the own zone Z rotates, and the article W is received in the own zone Z. The motor roller 7 in the payout zone Z is rotating until the whole article W enters the receiving zone Z.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the flow of the process of paying out the article W from the own zone Z by the driver board 11 in the intermediate zone Z will be described.

The driver board 11 determines whether the control signal (acceptance instruction signal) from the driver board 11 in the adjacent downstream zone Z is an "acceptance output on" signal or an "acceptance output off" signal. Is checked, it is determined whether there is an instruction to accept from the driver board 11 adjacent downstream (step 71).

If the control signal is "acceptable output on" and it is determined that the acceptability instruction from the driver board 11 adjacent downstream is "present", the take-out setting flag of the own zone Z is on or off. It is determined whether it is in the state (step 72).

When it is determined that the take-out setting flag is in the off state, it is determined whether the in-stock flag in the zone Z is on or off (step 73).

When the driver board 11 determines that the presence flag is in the ON state, it supplies power to the motor roller 7 in its own zone Z to drive and rotate the motor roller 7 (step 74).

If it is determined that the loading flag of the zone Z is turned off (step 75), the power supply to the motor roller 7 is stopped, and the motor roller 7 of the zone Z is stopped (step 76). ).

As described above, for example, only when the user's own zone Z is not set as the article taking-out station and there is an article W in the user's own zone Z, the driver board of the adjacent downstream zone Z is used. In response to the acceptability instruction from 11, the motor roller 7 rotates, and the article W is paid out from its own zone Z.

Here, for example, when the push button switch 13 is not turned on by the operator and neither the carry-in station nor the take-out station is set, the article W is carried into the zone Z at the most upstream position. I do.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (c), the article W is delivered to the predetermined zone Z of the transport means 6 by the payout processing and the receiving processing under the control of the driver board 11.
Is transported in the transport direction X. At this time, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 only in the zone Z necessary for conveying the article W rotate. In the zone Z that does not contribute to the transport of the article W, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 are stopped.

Then, as shown in FIG.
When stopping in a certain zone Z, for example, the fourth zone Z counted from the most upstream, the subsequent articles W carried into the most upstream zone Z are as shown in FIGS. 8 (e) to 8 (g). ,
It is transported to the third zone Z and stops on the third zone Z without colliding with the stopped article W. As described above, by controlling the driver substrate 11, the articles W are sequentially accumulated without the adjacent articles W colliding with each other, and the accumulation function is realized.

Further, for example, the operator turns on the push button switch 13 to set a desired zone Z, for example, the third zone Z counted from the uppermost stream, as a carry-in area which is a carry-in station for carrying goods. In this case, it is assumed that the articles W are sequentially carried into the uppermost zone Z.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c), by controlling the driver substrate 11, the adjacent articles W do not collide with each other and are sequentially moved upstream from the zone Z which is one upstream of the loading station. The articles W are accumulated (stopped) toward the upstream, that is, the articles W are sequentially accumulated upstream with the zone Z, which is one upstream of the loading station, as the lowest zone Z, and the accumulation function is realized. That is, the first article W stops on the second zone Z, and the second article W stops on the most upstream zone Z which is the first zone Z. For this reason, for example, the worker is in the third zone Z
The article W can be carried into the carry-in station.

When the article W is manually carried into the carry-in station, the carried-in article W is
As shown in (d) and (e), it is transported downstream from the loading station.

When the operator turns off the push button switch 13 to cancel the setting of the carry-in station, the carry-in station returns to the normal zone Z as shown in FIG. The articles W are sequentially conveyed. At this time, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 only in the zone Z necessary for conveying the article W rotate. In the zone Z that does not contribute to the transport of the article W, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 are stopped.

Further, for example, the operator turns on the push button switch 13 to set a desired zone Z, for example, the third zone Z counted from the uppermost stream, as a take-out area which is a take-out station for taking out articles. In this case, it is assumed that the articles W are sequentially carried into the uppermost zone Z.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the adjacent article W is controlled by the control of the driver substrate 11.
Without colliding with each other, the articles W are accumulated (stopped) sequentially from the extraction station toward the upstream, that is, the articles W are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with the extraction station being the lowest zone Z, and the accumulation function is realized. .

That is, the first article W stops on the removal station which is the third zone Z, the second article W stops on the second zone Z, and the third article W 1
It stops on the zone Z which is the most upstream zone, which is the zone Z.
For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG.
Can be taken out.

When the article W is manually taken out of the take-out station, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), every time the article W is taken out of the accumulation late conveyor 2 from the take-out station, the article W is placed on the take-out station. Are supplied.

When the operator turns off the push button switch 13 to cancel the setting of the unloading station, the unloading station returns to the normal zone Z and accumulates as shown in FIG. 10 (g). The articles W are sequentially conveyed. At this time, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 only in the zone Z necessary for conveying the article W rotate. In the zone Z that does not contribute to the transport of the article W, the motor roller 7 and the free roller 8 are stopped.

Next, with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 11, the flow of the process of paying out the article W from the own zone Z to the downstream equipment 4 by the driver board 11 in the lowermost zone Z will be described. The exchange of signals between the driver board 11 and the downstream device 4 is performed by a communication board.
Made through 20.

The driver board 11 in the lowermost zone Z checks whether the control signal (acceptance instruction signal) from the downstream device 4 is an "acceptable output on" signal or an "acceptable output off" signal. By doing so, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to accept from the downstream device 4 (step 81).

If the control signal is “acceptable output on” and it is determined that the acceptability instruction from the downstream device 4 is “present”, the block payout setting DIP switch 21 of the communication board 20 is turned on or off. Is determined (step 82).

If it is determined that the block payout setting dip switch 21 is in the off state, it is determined whether the in-stock flag in the zone Z is on or off (step 83).

When the driver board 11 determines that the loading flag of its own zone Z is on, it supplies power to the motor roller 7 of its own zone Z to drive and rotate the motor roller 7 (step 84). . When it is determined that the loading flag of the own zone Z has been turned off (step 85), the power supply to the motor roller 7 is stopped, and the motor roller 7 of the own zone Z is stopped (step 86). Thus, for example, when the block payout setting dip switch 21 is off and the block payout function is not set, the articles W are paid out one by one to the downstream equipment 4 by the normal transport operation.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 82 that the block payout setting DIP switch 21 is on, the set zone Z which is a plurality of zones Z set in advance, for example, all the zones constituting the transport means 6, Each driver board 11 of Z is a communication board
20 and all the motor rollers 7 in the set zone Z are simultaneously driven and rotated (step 8).
7). Due to the simultaneous drive rotation of the motor rollers 7 in the set zone, the articles W stored in the set zone Z are simultaneously delivered to the downstream device 4 in the state of one block.

Then, the motor roller 7 stops with the loading flag off in order from the most upstream zone Z in the set zone Z, and the process shifts to a receiving process from the upstream zone Z (step 88). And the driver board in the lowermost zone Z
If the step 11 judges that the acceptability instruction from the downstream device 4 is “none” (step 89), the process proceeds to the step 85.

According to the above embodiment, the driver board 11 in each zone Z is provided with a programmable conveyor control function capable of realizing an accumulation function and the like. Expensive control device for collectively controlling the components can be eliminated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Also, the adjacent driver board
Since data can be transferred between the 11 units, setting, changing, monitoring, and the like of operation data can be easily performed.

Further, since the push button switch 13 for setting the own zone to the carry-in station or the take-out station is connected to the driver board 11 of each zone Z, the push operation of the push button switch 13 of the desired zone Z is performed. A desired zone can be easily set at the loading station or at the unloading station. Therefore, it is possible to respond to each of a request for carrying in an article to a desired zone and a request for taking out an article from a desired zone, and it is possible to make it more difficult to restrict the place of use as compared with the conventional configuration. For example, a carry-in conveyor, a take-out conveyor, and the like can be connected to the accumulate late conveyor 2 as necessary, depending on the equipment that handles the article W.

Further, since the communication board 20 having the block payout setting DIP switch 21 is provided, the block payout function can be set by the block payout setting DIP switch 21 and the articles stored in the set zone Z can be set. W can be paid out all at once in the state of one block, and the processing capacity can be improved.

When the driver board 11 recognizes that there is no article W in its own zone Z, the driver board 11 does not output a control signal of “payout request ON” to the downstream zone Z, Driving of the zone Z that does not contribute to conveyance can be prevented, and energy saving can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the loading station and the unloading station can be set by operating the operation means such as the push button switch 13. However, for example, only the loading station can be set by operating the operation means. A configuration that can be set or a configuration that can set only the unloading station by operating the operation means may be adopted.

Further, the block payout function may be set not by the block payout setting dip switch 21 but by, for example, a personal computer or the like connected to each driver board 11.

Further, the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the article W in the zone Z is not limited to the photoelectric switch 12 which is an external sensor, but may be, for example, a hall sensor built in the motor roller 7 or the like. The detection means constituted by the Hall sensor or the like may detect the presence or absence of the article W based on an external force which is a load acting on the roller outer tube of the motor roller 7 from the article W. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the detection signal from the detection unit is directly output to the control unit in the zone one upstream.

Further, the push button switch 13 is not limited to a switch for both carrying in and taking out an article. For example, a switch for setting a carry-in station for carrying in an article and a switch for setting a take-out station for taking out an article are provided. And a dedicated switch may be provided separately.

[0115]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the loading station is set by operating the operating means,
Under the control of the control means, the articles are sequentially accumulated upstream with the zone one upstream of the loading station being the most downstream, so that by setting the desired zone to the loading station, the article loading request to the desired zone can be made. It is possible to cope with it, and it is less likely to be restricted as to the place of use as compared with the conventional configuration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a take-out station is set by operating the operating means, the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with the take-out station being the most downstream under the control of the control means. By setting a desired zone in the take-out station, it is possible to respond to an article take-out request from the desired zone, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on the place of use as compared with the conventional configuration.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a desired zone can be set at the carry-in station or at the take-out station, so that an article carry-in request to a desired zone and an article take-out from a desired zone can be made. Each of the requirements can be met, and thus the location of use can be made much less restrictive than in the conventional configuration.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the control section controls the control means corresponding to the set zone, whereby
Articles can be paid out all at once from a preset set zone.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by controlling the motor roller by the control means, for example, articles can be properly conveyed or accumulated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an article conveying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver board of the article transporting device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver board in a most upstream zone of the article transporting device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver board in an uppermost stream zone of the article transport device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver substrate in an intermediate zone of the article transport device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver substrate in an intermediate zone of the article transport device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of a driver board in an intermediate zone of the article transport device.

FIGS. 8A to 8G are explanatory diagrams of the operation of normal conveyance.

FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (f) are explanatory diagrams of the operation at the time of setting the loading station and canceling the setting.

FIG. 10 (a) to (g) are extraction station settings,
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the operation when setting is released.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driver board of the article transporting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 article transfer device 6 transfer means 7 motor roller 11 driver board as control means 13 push button switch as operation means 20 communication board as control unit W article X transfer direction Z zone

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F027 AA03 CA01 DA04 DA12 DA14 EA01 FA12 3F081 AA01 BD11 CC12 EA09 EA10 FB01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A transport unit configured by a plurality of zones arranged in a transport direction for transporting an article, and provided for each of the zones, and controls its own zone in accordance with a signal from an adjacent zone. Control means, provided for each of the zones, comprising operating means for setting its own zone as a carry-in station for carrying in articles, and when the carry-in station is set by operation of the operating means An article transport apparatus characterized in that, under the control of the control means, articles are sequentially accumulated upstream with the zone upstream of the loading station being the most downstream zone. 2. A transport unit configured by a plurality of zones arranged in the transport direction and configured to transport an article, and provided in each of the zones, and controls its own zone in accordance with a signal from an adjacent zone. Control means, provided for each of the zones, comprising operating means for setting its own zone as a take-out station for taking out articles, when the take-out station is set by operating the operating means An article transport apparatus characterized in that, under the control of the control means, articles are sequentially accumulated upstream with the takeout station being the most downstream. 3. A transporting means configured by a plurality of zones arranged in the transporting direction and transporting articles, and provided in each of the zones, and controls its own zone in response to a signal from a neighboring zone. Control means, provided for each of the zones, and operating means for setting its own zone as a carry-in station for carrying goods in or a take-out station for taking out goods, the carry-in station being operated by operating the operating means Is set, the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with one upstream zone of the loading station being the lowest stream under the control of the control means, and the unloading station is set by the operation of the operation means. In this case, it is characterized in that the articles are sequentially accumulated toward the upstream with the unloading station being the most downstream under the control of the control means. Article carrying apparatus according to. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls a control unit corresponding to the set zone so that articles are simultaneously paid out from a preset set zone. An article transport device according to claim 1. 5. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each zone includes at least a motor roller controlled by a control unit.