JP2004196542A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a conveying vehicle to continuously pass without delivering/receiving a workpiece between a horizontal conveying part and an inclined conveying part. <P>SOLUTION: An annular chain 30 for the horizontal conveying is circularly driven in a horizontal conveying part 16. An annular chain 62 for the inclined conveying is circularly driven in the inclined conveying part 18. The annular chain 62 for the inclined conveying is set to be a convex chevron by the inclined part upper guide 74 supporting the upper side part of the annular chain 62 for the inclined conveying from below, and the inclined part lower guide 76 supporting the lower side part from below. A lateral tooth sprocket 146 meshing with the annular chain 62 for the inclined conveying is provided at the vicinity of the tip of a connection conveying vehicle 12. In the inclined conveying part 18, the connection conveying vehicle 12 is conveyed by the lateral tooth sprocket 146 meshed with the annular chain 62 for the inclined conveying. The connection conveying vehicle 12 is continuously conveyed along the rail 28 of the horizontal conveying part 16 and the rail 60 of the inclined conveying part 18. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport system that transports a workpiece by a transport vehicle, and more particularly, to a transport system that has an upward gradient and / or a downward gradient in a transport path that transports a workpiece.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when there are a plurality of processes for processing a work in a factory, a processing facility is provided for each process, and these processing facilities are often arranged in a straight line. In order to transfer a work between these processing facilities, a work transfer system is used. The transfer system is configured linearly along a plurality of processing facilities.
[0003]
As a transfer system for transferring a work in a straight line, for example, a conveyor system can be mentioned.
[0004]
In addition, a technique has been proposed in which linear motors are continuously arranged in a transport path, a magnet is provided in the transport vehicle, and the transport vehicle is transported using the electromagnetic attraction of the linear motor and the magnet (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2536799
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the direction crossing the transport system, the transport system becomes an obstacle, and traffic of a person or a forklift is blocked. If a person or a forklift or the like needs to go to the opposite side of the transport system, it will go to the end of the transport system, go around this end and move to the required destination. In particular, when the entire length of the transport system is long, the distance of detour is long, and the efficiency of moving people and forklifts in the factory is reduced. In order to smoothly move a person, a forklift, and the like, it is preferable to provide a part of the transport system at a high place so that a person, a forklift, and the like can pass below the high place.
[0007]
In order to set a part of the transport system at a high place, a special configuration for transferring a work between a high place and another low place is required. For example, an elevator structure for vertical transfer that connects high and low points is required, which complicates the system configuration, increases the number of processes that can be called an auxiliary process of work transfer, and lowers the transfer speed. Things are triggered.
[0008]
In order to solve these inconveniences, in a work transfer system, a low point and a high point are connected by a graded road without a step, and the transfer between the low point and the high point is continuously performed. Just fine. Thus, as a technique for continuously transporting between a low place and a high place, for example, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be cited.
[0009]
However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a special actuator called a linear motor is required, and the transport system becomes complicated and expensive. Further, since the linear motor is not generally used, the number of parts to be distributed is extremely small, which is inconvenient for maintenance.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, there is no need to transfer the work between the horizontal transport unit and the gradient transport unit, it is possible for the transport vehicle to pass continuously, It is another object of the present invention to provide a transport system having a simple structure.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A transport system according to the present invention is a transport system including a transport vehicle that transports a work and a transport unit that transports the transport vehicle, wherein the transport unit includes a plurality of horizontal transports that transport the transport vehicle in a substantially horizontal direction. And a gradient transport unit that connects between the two horizontal transport units, the gradient transport unit is disposed near one end, and a drive sprocket for gradient transport that rotates under the action of a drive unit; , A rotatable gradient transport driven sprocket, a gradient transport drive chain and a gradient transport annular chain meshed with and driven by the gradient transport driven sprocket, and the gradient transport annular chain. A slope portion that sets both the upper portion that applies a driving force to the carrier and the lower portion that is guided in a direction opposite to the upper portion from below to a convex shape. The transport vehicle has a gradient transport sprocket that meshes with the gradient transport annular chain at a position near the leading end in the transport direction, and after being sent out from the horizontal transport unit, the transport vehicle has the gradient transport sprocket. The sprocket and the chain mesh with each other, and are conveyed by the inclined conveying annular chain along the shape of the inclined portion guide.
[0012]
In this way, by engaging the gradient transport sprocket of the transport vehicle with the gradient transport chain supported by the gradient section guide, there is no need to transfer work between the horizontal transport section and the gradient transport section, and the transport vehicle can be used. It is possible to provide a transport system that can continuously pass and has a simple structure. In the gradient transport section, the transport vehicle is transported along an upwardly convex mountain-shaped path along the gradient section guide. A space formed on the lower surface of the gradient transport section allows a person or a forklift to pass therethrough.
[0013]
In this case, at least two of the transport vehicles are connected in the front-rear direction, and the transport vehicles may be connected to each other by a connection portion that can swing up and down or can be elastically deformed. In this way, the number of workpieces to be loaded can be increased or decreased according to the number of transport vehicles, and the portion between the horizontal transport portion and the gradient transport portion, and the portion where the inclination angle changes in the gradient transport portion, can be smoothly changed. Can pass through.
[0014]
Further, the horizontal transport section is disposed near one end and is driven by a drive section for rotating a horizontal transport drive sprocket, and is disposed near the other end and is a rotatable horizontal transport driven sprocket; and The transport drive sprocket and the horizontal transport driven sprocket mesh with each other and are circulated and driven, and have a gradient transport annular chain and a horizontal transport annular chain at different positions in the width direction, and the transport vehicle is At a position near the rear end, there is a delivery sprocket located above the horizontal transport annular chain in a state where there is no external force, and the delivery sprocket is attached to the horizontal transport portion with the movement of the transport vehicle. It is good to be pushed down by the delivery cam plate provided, and to mesh with the horizontal conveying annular chain. In this way, by engaging the delivery sprocket with the horizontal transport annular chain, the transport vehicle can be pushed up to the uphill portion of the gradient transport section against its own weight.
[0015]
The delivery sprocket is provided on a rearmost carrier, and can be pushed down via a pressure receiving portion that directly receives a pressing force from the delivery cam plate and a compressible elastic body that is linked to the pressure receiving portion. You may.
[0016]
As described above, when the delivery sprocket is pushed down through the pressure receiving portion and the elastic body, even when the phase of the delivery sprocket and the phase of the horizontal transportation annular chain are not matched, the teeth of the delivery sprocket are in the horizontal transportation annular shape. The breakage can be prevented without forcibly pressing the chain roller of the chain.
[0017]
The transport vehicle has a descending sprocket located at a position near the rear end, in the state where there is no external force, above the gradient transport annular chain, and the descending sprocket moves with the transport vehicle, It is preferable to be pushed down by a descending cam plate provided in a descending slope portion of the gradient conveying section and to mesh with the gradient conveying annular chain. As described above, when the transport vehicle descends along the gradient at the descending gradient portion in the gradient transport section, the descending sprocket is engaged with the gradient transport annular chain. Thereby, even after the gradient transport sprocket is separated from the gradient transport annular chain, it is possible to prevent the transport vehicle from sliding down due to its own weight in the downward gradient portion of the gradient transport unit.
[0018]
The descending sprocket is provided on a rearmost carrier, and is pushed down through a pressure receiving portion that directly receives a pressing force from the descending cam plate and an elastic body that is linked to the pressure receiving portion and is compressible. It is good to do. As described above, when the descending sprocket is pushed down via the pressure receiving portion and the elastic body, even when the phase of the descending sprocket and the phase of the gradient conveying annular chain do not match, the teeth of the descending sprocket are inclined. The breakage can be prevented without forcibly pressing the chain roller of the chain.
[0019]
Of course, the delivery sprocket and the descending sprocket may be provided at positions near the rear end of a single vehicle.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a transport system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a transport system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a coupled transport vehicle 12 capable of transporting a work, and a transport unit 14 that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and forms a transport path. Have.
[0022]
First, the transport unit 14 will be described.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 14 has a function of transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 rightward in the upper part of FIG. 2 and transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 leftward in the lower part of FIG. 2. The transport unit 14 has a function of reversing the transport direction of the coupled transport vehicle 12 at the left and right ends. A plurality of connected transport vehicles 12 can be transported simultaneously.
[0024]
In the transport section 14, the mechanism for transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 to the right and the mechanism for transporting it to the left are basically the same mechanism. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the coupled transport vehicle 12 The mechanism for transporting the vehicle in the right direction will be described, and a detailed description of the function of transporting the connected transport vehicle 12 in the left direction will be omitted. In the following description, the up-down direction in FIG. Further, the side near the center line C of the transport system 10 is defined as the inside, and the direction away from the center line C is defined as the outside.
[0025]
Returning to FIG. 1, the transport unit 14 includes a plurality of horizontal transport units 16 that transport the connected transport vehicle 12 in a substantially horizontal left-right direction, a gradient transport unit 18 that connects the horizontal transport units 16, and a connected transport vehicle 12. Reversing section 20 for reversing the transport direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the transport direction), horizontal transport section 16, gradient transport section 18, a plurality of columns 22 supporting direction reversal section 20, horizontal transport section 16, gradient transport section And a cover 24 covering substantially the entire surface of the direction reversing part 20. The horizontal transport section 16 and the gradient transport section 18 are connected by a connecting plate 66 (see FIG. 3).
[0026]
The transport unit 14 has a transport vehicle stopping mechanism (not shown) for stopping the coupled transport vehicle 12, and a station for transferring a work to the coupled transport vehicle 12 is provided near the transport vehicle stop mechanism. 26 are provided. The cover 24 has an opening at the front portion of the station 26, through which work between the coupled carrier 12 and the station 26 is exchanged. The station 26 cooperates with a processing machine (not shown) for processing the work, transfers the unprocessed work to the processing machine, and mounts the processed work on the coupled transport vehicle 12.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal transport unit 16 includes a rail 28 that supports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and guides the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the transported direction, and a horizontal transport ring that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 rightward. It has a chain 30 and a motor 32 as a drive unit of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30. The motor 32 also serves as a driving force source for a horizontal transport annular chain 33 (see FIG. 5) that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 leftward. Note that illustration of the cover 24 is omitted in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a side view from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2) for convenience of explanation. The same applies to FIGS. 7, 10 and 11 described later.
[0028]
The rail 28 has a long plate shape having a width d (see FIG. 6) and a height h (see FIG. 7), and extends over the entire length of the horizontal transport unit 16. The upper and lower surfaces of the rail 28 are set horizontally.
[0029]
The horizontal transport unit 16 includes a bevel gear mechanism 34 connected to a motor 32, a drive sprocket (horizontal transport drive sprocket) 36 that circulates and drives the horizontal transport annular chain 30 under the action of the bevel gear mechanism 34, A driven sprocket (horizontal driven driven sprocket) 38 that is driven to rotate in response to the circulating drive of the horizontal transport annular chain 30; When viewed from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2), the driving sprocket 36 rotates the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 clockwise.
[0030]
The horizontal transfer annular chain 30 is disposed slightly inside the rail 28, and the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 and the rail 28 are parallel in the width direction (see FIG. 5).
[0031]
The rotation axis of the motor 32 is set to be vertical. The rotation of the rotation axis of the motor 32 is converted by 90 degrees by the bevel gear mechanism 34, and the rotation is performed on a vertical plane. Therefore, the driving sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38 rotate on a vertical plane. The driving sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38 are set at the same height.
[0032]
Further, the horizontal transport portion 16 is an upper portion of the horizontal transport annular chain 30 that applies a driving force to the connected transport vehicle 12 and supports a chain roller 30a (see FIG. 5) of the horizontal transport annular chain 30 from below. It has a guide 40 and a horizontal lower guide 42 which supports the chain roller 30a of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 from below at the lower part. The horizontal portion upper guide 40, the horizontal portion lower guide 42, and the rail 28 are connected by a support member 44 (see FIG. 6).
[0033]
The horizontal upper guide 40 supports the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 over substantially the entire length between the driving sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38, and the upper portion of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 is kept horizontal.
[0034]
The horizontal lower guide 42 supports the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 between the driving sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38 over substantially the entire length except for a predetermined section close to the driving sprocket 36. A tension mechanism including three small sprockets 46, 48, 50, a link 52 and a screw mechanism 54 is provided between the driving sprocket 36 and the horizontal lower guide 42. This tension mechanism can adjust the slack or tension of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 by adjusting the screw mechanism 54.
[0035]
The plurality of horizontal transport sections 16 have basically the same structure, but a portion connected to the gradient transport section 18 has a cam plate (a delivery cam plate) slightly opposite to the transport direction with respect to an end portion. 56 are provided. The cam plate 56 extends along the transport direction. The lower surface of the cam plate 56 includes an inclined surface 56a extending so as to be displaced obliquely downward in the transport direction, and a parallel surface 56b continuous from the inclined surface 56a and parallel to the rail 28.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the gradient transport section 18 has a bilaterally symmetrically upwardly convex mountain shape except for a part, and a person or a forklift or the like is provided below a central portion of the gradient transport section 18. The height which can move in and out is secured.
[0037]
The gradient transport unit 18 includes a rail 60 that supports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and guides the transport direction of the coupled transport vehicle 12, a gradient transport annular chain 62 that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12, and a gradient transport annular chain 62. And a motor 64 as a driving unit. The motor 64 is a dedicated drive unit for the right-angled gradient transfer annular chain 62, and another motor 65 is used for leftward transfer. The rail 60 has the same width d (see FIG. 6) and height h (see FIG. 7) as the rail 28 in the horizontal transport section 16. The rail 28 and the rail 60 are connected by a connecting plate 66.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal transport circular chain 30 and the gradient transport circular chain 62 are disposed at different positions in the width direction, and the gradient transport circular chain 62 is set inside the width w of the horizontal transport circular chain 30. ing.
[0039]
Returning to FIG. 4, of the rails 60, the slope introduction part 60 a having a rising slope has an arc shape with a relatively small slope rising toward the center, and is connected so as to be continuous with the end of the rail 28 of the horizontal transport part 16. Have been. The central portion 60b of the rail 60 has a relatively large arc shape that is convex upward. The inclination introducing part 60a and the central part 60b are connected by a constant inclination part 60c having a constant inclination value and an ascending inclination. The rail 60 has a left-right symmetrical shape, and the central portion 60b is connected to a constant downward slope 60d having a constant slope value. The constant inclined portion 60d is connected to a relatively small arc-shaped inclined introduction portion 60e. The inclined introduction portions 60a and 60e have the same shape, and the constant inclined portions 60c and 60d have the same shape.
[0040]
The gradient transport section 18 includes a bevel gear mechanism (not shown) connected to a motor 64, a driving sprocket (gradient transport driving sprocket) 70 that circulates and drives the gradient transport annular chain 62 under the action of the bevel gear mechanism. , A driven sprocket (a driven sprocket for gradient conveyance) 72 that is driven and rotated in response to the circulation drive of the annular chain 62 for gradient conveyance. The bevel gear mechanism connected to the motor 64 has the same structure as the bevel gear mechanism 68 connected to the motor 65 (see FIG. 5). When viewed from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2), the driving sprocket 70 rotates the inclined conveying annular chain 62 clockwise, and conveys the coupled conveying vehicle 12 rightward. The driving sprocket 70 is provided near the connection between the inclined introduction portion 60e and the constant inclined portion 60d. The driven sprocket 72 is provided near the connecting portion between the inclined introduction portion 60a and the constant inclined portion 60c.
[0041]
The rotation axis of the motor 64 is set perpendicular to the transport direction, and the rotation of the rotation axis of the motor 64 is turned 90 ° by the bevel gear mechanism, and is rotated on a vertical plane. Therefore, the driving sprocket 70 and the driven sprocket 72 rotate on a vertical plane.
[0042]
Further, the gradient transport section 18 includes a gradient section upper guide (gradient section guide) 74 that supports a chain roller 62 a (see FIG. 5) on the upper portion of the gradient transport annular chain 62 from below, and a lower section of the gradient transport annular chain 62. A slope portion lower guide (gradient portion guide) 76 for supporting the side portion of the chain roller 62a from below.
[0043]
The upper slope section guide 74 and the lower slope section guide 76 have a shape substantially along the upper surface and the lower surface of the rail 60, respectively, and the annular slope conveying chain 62 is guided by the upper slope section guide 74 and the lower slope guide 76 to move upward. This results in a circulating operation in a convex mountain shape.
[0044]
The delivery portion 72a of the driven sprocket 72 that sends out the gradient conveying annular chain 62 is located slightly below the upper surface of the rail 60, and the lateral tooth sprocket 146 (to be described later) that enters substantially along the upper surface of the rail 60. ) Is introduced smoothly.
[0045]
The position of the shaft center of the driven sprocket 72 can be adjusted by the tension mechanism 78, and the slack or tension of the gradient conveying annular chain 62 can be adjusted.
[0046]
A cam plate (a descending cam plate) 80 is provided in the descending gradient section of the gradient transport section 18. The cam plate 80 extends along the transport direction. The lower surface of the cam plate 80 includes an inclined surface 80a extending so as to be displaced obliquely downward in the transport direction, and a parallel surface 80b continuous from the inclined surface 80a and parallel to the rail 60. The cam plate 81 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 has the same shape as the cam plate 80, and is used when the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported to the left.
[0047]
Next, the connected transport vehicle 12 will be described.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 1, the coupled transport vehicle 12 includes four transport vehicles in order from the transport direction, that is, a first transport vehicle 100, a second transport vehicle 102, a third transport vehicle 104, a fourth transport vehicle 106, It comprises three connecting rods 108 (connecting parts) connecting between the first to fourth transport vehicles 100, 102, 104, 106. In this way, by configuring the coupled transport vehicle 12 with a plurality of transport vehicles, the number of loaded workpieces can be increased according to the number of transport vehicles. The number of carriers may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the number of loaded works.
[0049]
As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the first transport vehicle 100 includes a base plate 110 which is a basic part, and an attaching / detaching mechanism unit 114 provided outside the base plate 110 for attaching and detaching a work such as a connecting rod 112. And two upper rollers 116 that can roll in the transport direction while contacting the upper surface of the rail 28 (or the rail 60), and are provided vertically below each of the two upper rollers 116 (at the time of horizontal transport). It has two lower rollers 118 that can roll in the transport direction while contacting the lower surface.
[0050]
The two upper rollers 116 are each supported by a front shaft 120 and a rear shaft 122 (see FIG. 9) extending inward from a relatively upper portion of the base plate 110. The two lower rollers 118 are respectively supported by two lower shafts 124 extending inward from relatively lower portions of the base plate 110.
[0051]
The first transport vehicle 100 includes a driving force transmitting portion 126 that receives a driving force from the horizontal transport circular chain 30 and the gradient transport annular chain 62, a collision buffer 128 provided at the forefront, and a rear end provided at the rear end. And a joint 130 connected to the connecting rod 108.
[0052]
The driving force transmission unit 126 is supported by the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 122 together with the upper roller 116. The joint 130 is a ball joint (or a universal joint or the like) that can swing the connecting rod 108 in any direction of left and right and up and down. The joint 130 may use, for example, an elastic body that can be elastically deformed in up, down, left, and right directions. The joint 130 allows the first to fourth transport vehicles 100, 102, 104, and 106 to tilt in the up-down direction in the gradient transport unit 18 and to rotate the direction reversing unit 20 in a horizontal plane. .
[0053]
Further, the first transport vehicle 100 is provided with two upper rollers 132 used for the brake operation in the station 26 and the direction inversion operation in the direction inversion unit 20. Two lower rollers 134 are provided vertically below the upper rollers 132, and the lower rollers 134 are used when the direction reversing unit 20 performs a direction reversing operation. On the inner surface of the base plate 110, a stopper 138 used for a stop operation at the station 26 is provided.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 9, the driving force transmission unit 126 fits from below into a gap between the frame 140 in which two parallel horizontal plates 140a and 140b are connected by an upper plate 140c, and the horizontal plates 140a and 140b. A chain pressing plate 142, two springs 144 for pressing the chain pressing plate 142 downward with respect to the frame 140, and a lateral tooth sprocket (gradient conveyance) provided in contact with the inside of the frame 140 (front side in FIG. 9). 146).
[0055]
The lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 has an arc shape on both front and rear sides, and is a smooth surface continuous with the front surface and the rear surface. On the upper surface of the chain pressing plate 142, two U-shaped grooves 142a crossing in the width direction are formed, and the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 122 of the base plate 110 are fitted into the two U-shaped grooves 142a. Further, two bottomed holes 142b are provided between the two U-shaped grooves 142a. The diameter of each of the two holes 142b is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 144. The depth of the two holes 142b is smaller than the natural length of the spring 144 (meaning the length in the absence of external force). At a substantially central portion of the side surface of the chain pressing plate 142, a slightly vertically long hole 142c is provided which crosses in the width direction. The width of the chain pressing plate 142 is set to be slightly smaller than the width d (see FIG. 6) of the chain roller 30a of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30.
[0056]
The two horizontally long plates 140a and 140b of the frame 140 are provided with a hole 140d into which the front shaft 120 fits and a hole 140e into which the rear shaft 122 fits. A small hole 140f to which the retaining pin 148 is fixed is provided substantially at the center of the two horizontally long plates 140a and 140b. The retaining pin 148 is fitted into the two small holes 140f and the long hole 142c of the chain pressing plate 142 disposed therebetween, and the chain pressing plate 142 is connected to each of the long hole 142c and the retaining pin 148. Vertical movement is possible according to the dimensional difference in the vertical direction.
[0057]
Of the two horizontal plates 140a and 140b, a small hole 140g into which the fixing pin 150 is fitted is provided between the small hole 140f and the hole 140d on the side surface of the inner (front side in FIG. 9) horizontal plate 140a. ing.
[0058]
A hole 146a into which the front shaft 120 fits is provided at a slightly forward portion on the side surface of the lateral tooth sprocket 146, and a small hole 146b into which the fixing pin 150 fits is provided at a slightly rear portion.
[0059]
When assembling the driving force transmission unit 126, first, the springs 144 are inserted into the two holes 142b of the chain pressing plate 142, respectively. Next, the chain pressing plate 142 is fitted to the frame 140 so that the positions of the small holes 140f and the long holes 142c are aligned. At this time, since the upper surface of the spring 144 contacts the lower surface of the upper surface plate of the frame 140, the chain pressing plate 142 is fitted to the frame 140 while compressing the spring 144. After fitting the chain pressing plate 142 to the frame 140, the retaining pin 148 is passed through the small hole 140f and the long hole 142c while the spring 144 is compressed. The retaining pin 148 and the small hole 140f are fixed by press fitting. When the force for fitting the chain pressing plate 142 and the frame 140 is released, the chain pressing plate 142 is pushed downward with respect to the frame 140 by the elastic force of the spring 144, and the elongate hole 142 c and the retaining pin 148 are removed. It is displaced downward according to the vertical dimension difference. At this time, the positions of the holes 140d and 140e are aligned with the position of the U-shaped groove 142a.
[0060]
Next, after fitting the upper roller 116 and the spacer 152 to the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 122, respectively, the holes 140d and 140e of the frame 140 and the U-shaped groove 142a of the chain pressing plate 142 are fitted. The front shaft 120 is further fitted with a hole 146 a of the lateral sprocket 146. Further, the fixing pin 150 is pressed into a hole formed by combining the small hole 146b of the lateral tooth sprocket 146 and the small hole 140f of the horizontally long plate 140a.
[0061]
Next, the two bolts 154 are screwed and fixed to screw holes 120a and 122a provided at the respective distal ends of the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 122.
[0062]
In this manner, the driving force transmission unit 126 is assembled and fixed to the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 122 extending from the base plate 110. Note that the width between the lateral tooth sprocket 146 and the chain pressing plate 142 in the driving force transmission unit 126 is set to the width w. This width w is the same as the width w (see FIGS. 5 and 8) of the difference in arrangement between the horizontal transport circular chain 30 and the gradient transport circular chain 62 in the width direction.
[0063]
When the connecting transport vehicle 12 is attached to the horizontal transport unit 16, the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 in the driving force transmission unit 126 comes into contact with the chain roller 30 a of the horizontal transport annular chain 30. The spring 144 is slightly compressed, and the chain pressing plate 142 and the upper guide 40 sandwich the chain roller 30a of the horizontal transport circular chain 30. When the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 is driven to circulate, the chain roller 30a rolls on the upper surface of the horizontal portion upper guide 40. The chain pressing plate 142 receives a force from the upper surface of the chain roller 30a and moves according to the so-called roller principle. In this way, the connected transport vehicle 12 is transported. At this time, with reference to the upper surface of the horizontal portion upper guide 40, the speed of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 corresponds to the radius of the chain roller 30a, and the speed of the chain pressing plate 142 corresponds to the diameter of the chain roller 30a. Therefore, from the ratio between the radius and the diameter, the speed of the chain pressing plate 142, that is, the speed of the connecting transport vehicle 12 is twice the speed of the horizontal transport annular chain 30.
[0064]
In the gradient transport section 18, the connected transport vehicle 12 is transported by the gradient transport annular chain 62 because the lateral tooth sprocket 146 meshes with the gradient transport annular chain 62.
[0065]
Furthermore, since the rail 28 (or the rail 60) is sandwiched between the upper roller 116 and the lower roller 118 in both the horizontal transport unit 16 and the gradient transport unit 18, the connecting transport vehicle 12 is connected to the rail 28 (or the rail 60). Retained securely.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 10, the second transport vehicle 102 and the third transport vehicle 104 have substantially the same structure as the first transport vehicle 100. The difference is that the sprocket 146 does not exist and the stopper 138 does not exist. A joint 130 is provided at the head of the second carrier 102 and the third carrier 104 in place of the collision buffer 128. This joint 130 is the same as that provided at the rear end, and is connected to the connecting rod 108. Parts having the same structure as the first carrier 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0067]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fourth transport vehicle 106 has substantially the same structure as the first transport vehicle 100, and has a collision buffer 128 provided rearward as compared to the first transport vehicle 100. In that the joint 130 is provided in the front, the driving force transmitting unit 156 is provided instead of the driving force transmitting unit 126, and the stopper 138 is not provided. Parts having the same structure as the first carrier 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0068]
The driving force transmission unit 156 provided in the fourth transport vehicle 106 will be described.
[0069]
As shown in FIG. 13, the driving force transmission unit 156 is provided on the inside of the horizontally long plate 158 (front side in FIG. 13) with a slightly thick front, and the driving force transmission unit 156 is supported by the front shaft 120. The moving plate 160, a spring 162 for pressing the rocking plate 160 upward against the horizontally long plate 158, a shaft 164 fitted in a hole 160 a provided at the rear of the rocking plate 160, and rocking by the shaft 164. A small frame 166 pivotally supported together with the plate 160, two springs (elastic bodies) 168 for pressing the small frame 166 downward against the swinging plate 160, and the cam plate 56 or 80 (see FIG. 1). And a roller (pressure receiving section) 170 pressed downward.
[0070]
The horizontally long plate 158 is provided with a hole 158a into which the front shaft 120 fits and a hole 158b into which the rear shaft 123 of the base plate 110 fits. The rear shaft 123 is provided at a position corresponding to the rear shaft 122 (see FIG. 9) in the first transport vehicle 100, and is shorter than the rear shaft 122. The hole 158b has an inner portion having a slightly larger diameter and a portion having a slightly smaller outer diameter, and has a step in the radial direction. Further, a bottomed hole 158c is provided substantially at the center of the upper surface of the horizontally long plate 158. The diameter of the hole 158c is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 162, and the depth of the hole 158c is smaller than the natural length of the spring 162.
[0071]
The swing plate 160 has a hole 160b in which the front shaft 120 is fitted relatively forward, and a hole 160a in which the shaft 164 is fitted relatively rearward. The lower surface slightly forward of the hole 160a is provided with a concave portion 160c having a shape crossing in the width direction, and the lower surface of the concave portion 160c is provided with two holes 160d having a ceiling surface. A spring 168 is inserted into each of the two holes 160d. The diameter of each of the two holes 160d is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 168, and the depth of each of the two holes 160d is smaller than the natural length of the spring 168. Near the center of the upper surface of the swing plate 160, a small plate 174 extending in the direction of the horizontally long plate 158 is attached by two screws 175.
[0072]
The small frame body 166 includes two side plates 166a that are slightly longer in the front than the center in the overall length, a bottom plate 166b that connects approximately half of the lower front of the two side plates 166a, and an inner bottom surface of the bottom plate 166b (see FIG. 13 has a transverse sprocket (downward sprocket) 166c provided on the near side (downward side in FIG. 13) and a transverse tooth sprocket (delivery sprocket) 166d provided outside the lower surface of the bottom plate 166b. The two side plates 166a are set parallel to each other. The lateral sprockets 166c and 166d are set parallel to each other, and the width of the lateral sprocket 166c and the lateral sprocket 166d is set to a width w. This width w is the same as the width w (see FIG. 5) of the difference in arrangement between the horizontal transport annular chain 30 and the gradient transport annular chain 62 in the width direction. The lateral tooth sprocket 166d has a shape that meshes with the horizontal transport annular chain 30, and the horizontal tooth sprocket 166c has a shape that meshes with the gradient transport annular chain 62.
[0073]
Two small holes 166e into which the two fixing pins 176 are press-fitted are provided at portions of the two side plates 166a, which are located forward of the center and slightly longer in the upward direction. The fixing pin 176 is press-fitted in a state where the swing plate 160 and the small frame body 166 are combined, and is set so as to pass through the upper surface of the swing plate 160 and connect the two side plates 166a.
[0074]
When assembling the driving force transmission unit 156, first, the upper roller 116 and the spacer 177 are fitted to the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 123, respectively, and then the holes 158a and 158b of the horizontally long plate 158 are fitted. The bolt 178 is screwed into a screw hole 123 a provided at the tip of the rear shaft 123 and fixed. Since the head of the bolt 178 fits in a relatively large diameter portion of the hole 158b, the head of the bolt 178 does not protrude from the side surface of the horizontally long plate 158. As the bolt 178, a hexagon socket head bolt or the like may be used.
[0075]
Next, after each of the springs 168 is inserted into the two holes 160d of the swinging plate 160, the bottom plate 166b of the small frame body 166 is fitted into the concave portion 160c. At this time, since the lower surface of the spring 168 contacts the upper surface of the bottom plate 166b of the small frame 166, the small frame 166 is fitted into the swing plate 160 while compressing the spring 168. After the small frame 166 is fitted on the swinging plate 160, the fixing pin 176 is pressed into the small hole 166e while the spring 168 is compressed. The fixing pin 176 is set so as to pass through the upper surface of the swing plate 160 and connect the two side plates 166a.
[0076]
Next, while the spring 168 is compressed, the hole 160a of the rocking plate 160 is aligned with the hole 166f of the small frame body 166, and the shaft 164 is fitted into the hole in which the hole 160a and the hole 166f are continuously formed. . At this time, the roller 170 is fitted on the shaft 164 in advance, and the roller 170 is arranged inside the small frame 166.
[0077]
When the force for fitting the small frame 166 and the rocking plate 160 is released, the small frame 166 is pushed downward with respect to the rocking plate 160 by the elastic force of the spring 168, and the fixing pin 176 is moved to the rocking plate. It swings around the shaft 164 until it comes into contact with the upper surface of the shaft 160.
[0078]
Further, the small plate 174 is attached to the upper surface of the swing plate 160 with the screw 175, and the spring 162 is inserted into the hole 158c of the horizontally long plate 158. Then, the front shaft 120 is inserted into the hole 160b of the swing plate 160. Since the lower surface of the small plate 174 is elastically supported by the spring 162, the horizontally long plate 158 and the rocking plate 160 are not parallel, and the rocking plate 160 is set to have a slight upward slope toward the rear.
[0079]
Next, the bolt 180 is screwed into a screw hole 120a provided at the tip of the front shaft 120 and fixed.
[0080]
In this way, the driving force transmission unit 156 is assembled and fixed to the front shaft 120 and the rear shaft 123 extending from the base plate 110.
[0081]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 is attached to the transport section, the drive force transmitting section 156 does not come into contact with the horizontal transport annular chain 30 during horizontal transport, and therefore does not receive the drive force. In other words, as described later, when the roller 170 is not pressed by the cam plate 56 or 80, the fourth transport vehicle 106 having the driving force transmission unit 156 does not travel by itself but is connected to the connecting rod 108 by the third transport vehicle 104. Will be towed through.
[0082]
Next, a procedure in which the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported by the transport unit 14 in the transport system 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.
[0083]
The motor 32 of the horizontal transport unit 16 and the motor 64 of the gradient transport unit 18 are rotating at predetermined constant speeds. Under the rotation of the motor 32 and the motor 64, the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 and the gradient transfer annular chain 62 are driven in an annular manner. When viewed from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2), the horizontal transport annular chain 30 and the gradient transport annular chain 62 are each driven in a clockwise circular fashion.
[0084]
In the horizontal transport unit 16, the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 of the first to third transport vehicles 100, 102, and 104 among the coupled transport vehicles 12 presses the chain roller 30 a by the elastic force of the spring 144. (See FIG. 6). Since the chain rollers 30a of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 are rolling on the upper surface of the horizontal portion upper guide 40, the chain pressing plate 142 is transferred in the horizontal direction by the principle of rollers. As a result, the first to third transport vehicles 100, 102, 104 are transported rightward, and the fourth transport vehicle 106 connected to the third transport vehicle 104 by the connecting rod 108 is towed.
[0085]
At this time, since the chain pressing plate 142 is sufficiently long compared to the pitch of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30, that is, the mutual distance between the chain rollers 30a, the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 always has a plurality of chain rollers 30a. Therefore, vibration synchronized with the chain roller 30a does not easily occur. Further, since the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 has a circular arc shape at the front end in the transport direction, the chain roller 30a is smoothly introduced into the gap between the chain pressing plate 142 and the horizontal portion upper guide 40.
[0086]
Next, when the leading portion of the coupled transport vehicle 12, that is, the first transport vehicle 100 approaches the gradient transport section 18, the rollers 170 of the fourth transport vehicle 106 contact the inclined surface 56a, which is the lower surface of the end of the cam plate 56. Touch The roller 170 is pushed down along the inclined surface 56a along with the conveyance of the connecting conveyance vehicle 12, reaches the parallel surface 56b, and the amount of press-down is kept constant (see FIG. 12).
[0087]
The roller 170 receives the pressing force from the cam plate 56 to compress the spring 162 of the driving force transmission unit 156 (see FIG. 13), and swings the swinging plate 160 about the front shaft 120. Push down.
[0088]
When the swinging plate 160 is pushed down, the small frame 166 is also pushed down at the same time, and the horizontal sprocket 166d provided on the lower surface of the small frame 166 meshes with the horizontal transfer annular chain 30.
[0089]
By the way, at this time, the phases of the teeth of the lateral tooth sprocket 166d and the horizontal transport annular chain 30 do not always match. When the phases of the teeth of the lateral tooth sprocket 166d and the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 do not match, the lateral tooth sprocket 166d approaches almost vertically to the horizontal conveying annular chain 30, so that the teeth of the lateral tooth sprocket 166d are displaced. The top portion rides on the chain roller 30a of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30. In this case, since the spring 168 is compressed, the teeth of the lateral tooth sprocket 166d do not forcibly press the chain roller 30a, and the lateral tooth sprocket 166d, the chain roller 30a, the cam plate 56, and the like do not break.
[0090]
At the beginning when the small frame body 166 is pushed down, the phases of the teeth of the horizontal tooth sprocket 166d and the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 do not match, and the horizontal tooth sprocket 166d rides on the chain roller 30a. With the transport of the tread 12, the sprocket 166d is in phase with nature and meshes with the horizontal transport annular chain 30.
[0091]
Next, the first transport vehicle 100 passes beside the driving sprocket 36, and the chain pressing plate 142 of the first transport vehicle 100 is separated from the horizontal transport annular chain 30. Therefore, the first transport vehicle 100 does not receive the driving force, and is pushed out of the second transport vehicle 102 by the connecting rod 108 to continue the transport. Thereafter, the second transport vehicle 102 and the third transport vehicle 104 are sequentially separated from the horizontal transport annular chain 30 and are pushed out by the fourth transport vehicle 106.
[0092]
At this time, since the lateral sprocket 166d of the fourth transport vehicle 106 is engaged with the horizontal transport annular chain 30, the fourth transport vehicle 106 receives the driving force from the horizontal transport annular chain 30, and The three transport vehicles 100, 102, and 104 are extruded and transported.
[0093]
The first to third transport vehicles 100, 102, and 104 start rising along the inclined introduction portion 60a. At this time, the connected transport vehicle 12 resists its own weight. However, since the lateral tooth sprocket 166d of the fourth transport vehicle 106 and the horizontal transport annular chain 30 mesh with each other, the connected transport vehicle 12 is surely secured. The inclination introduction part 60a can be raised. At this time, since the first to fourth transport vehicles 100, 102, 104, and 106 are connected via the joint 130 that can swing up and down, the coupled transport vehicle 12 moves along the inclined introduction portion 60a. Transported smoothly.
[0094]
Further, the first transport vehicle 100 moves from the inclined introduction section 60a to the constant inclined section 60c. At this time, since the delivery portion 72a (see FIG. 3) of the driven sprocket 72 is located slightly below the upper surface of the rail 60, the lateral tooth sprocket 146 of the first transport vehicle 100 uses the inclined transport annular chain 62. Engages obliquely. Since the lateral tooth sprocket 146 approaches the inclined conveying annular chain 62 obliquely, the phases thereof are automatically aligned, and the lateral tooth sprocket 146 and the inclined conveying annular chain 62 can be reliably engaged.
[0095]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the lateral sprocket 146 meshes with the inclined conveying annular chain 62 (or shortly thereafter), the roller 170 of the fourth conveying vehicle 106 passes through the end of the cam plate 56. The roller 170 is separated from the cam plate 56. The roller 170, the swing plate 160 and the small frame 166 are released from the pressing force received from the cam plate 56, and return upward by the elastic force of the spring 162. As a result, the lateral tooth sprocket 166d is separated from the horizontal transfer annular chain 30.
[0096]
After the horizontal tooth sprocket 166d and the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 are separated from each other, the horizontal tooth sprocket 146 is pulled up by the gradient transfer annular chain 62. Therefore, the second to fourth carriers 102, 104, 106 are towed by the first carrier 100.
[0097]
At this time, since the connected transport vehicle 12 is securely supported by the rails 60 by the upper roller 116 and the lower roller 118, the transport of the connected transport vehicle 12 is possible even when the constant inclined portion 60c is steeply inclined. That is, when the lateral tooth sprocket 146, the gradient conveying annular chain 62, the connecting rod 108, and the like have sufficient strength and the motor 64 has sufficient driving force, the constant inclined portion 60c is set in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. It is also possible.
[0098]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 enters the gradient transport unit 18 from the horizontal transport unit 16, it is needless to say that the work of attaching / detaching the work and transferring the work is not required.
[0099]
Thereafter, the connected transport vehicle 12 passes through the constant slope 60c with the upward slope and the central part 60b, and enters the constant slope 60d with the downward slope. In the downward slope 60d, the lateral sprocket 146 meshes with the gradient transport annular chain 62, so that the coupled transport vehicle 12 is prevented from sliding down due to its own weight.
[0100]
Next, before the first transport vehicle 100 reaches the junction of the downward slope constant inclined portion 60d and the inclined introduction portion 60e, that is, before reaching the end of the inclined portion upper guide 74, the rollers 170 of the fourth transport vehicle 106 are moved. Abuts against the end of the cam plate 80, that is, the inclined surface 80a.
[0101]
The roller 170 is pushed down by the inclined surface 80a and the parallel surface 80b of the cam plate 80 as the connected transport vehicle 12 advances. The operation at this time is the same as the above-described operation, that is, the operation in which the roller 170 is pressed down by the cam plate 56. When the roller 170 is pushed down, the lateral tooth sprocket 166c meshes with the gradient conveying annular chain 62. At this time, if the phases of the lateral tooth sprocket 166c and the gradient conveying annular chain 62 do not match, the spring 168 is compressed, and the teeth of the lateral tooth sprocket 166c forcibly press the chain roller 62a (see FIG. 5). The sprocket 166c, the chain roller 62a, the cam plate 80, and the like are not damaged. In this case, the phase coincides naturally with the transport of the coupled transport vehicle 12, and the lateral sprocket 166c meshes with the gradient transport annular chain 62.
[0102]
Next, the first transport vehicle 100 passes beside the driving sprocket 70 and enters the location of the downwardly inclined introduction section 60e. At this time, the lateral tooth sprocket 146 of the first transport vehicle 100 is separated from the gradient transport annular chain 62. At this time, since the lateral tooth sprocket 166c of the fourth transport vehicle 106 meshes with the gradient transport annular chain 62, the linked transport vehicle 12 is prevented from sliding down.
[0103]
By providing a one-way clutch in a gear reduction unit (not shown) of the motor 64, it is possible to prevent the connected transport vehicle 12 from slipping down even when the power is accidentally shut off.
[0104]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the connected transport vehicle 12 passes through the gradient transport section 18 and enters the horizontal transport section 16 connected thereto. In the horizontal transport section 16, the first transport vehicle 100 enters the position of the horizontal section upper guide 40, and the chain roller 30 a (see FIG. 5) of the horizontal transport annular chain 30 is connected to the horizontal section upper guide 40 and the first transport section. It is sandwiched by the chain pressing plate 142 of the vehicle 100. Since the front of the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 142 has an arc shape, the horizontal transfer annular chain 30 is smoothly introduced. Thereafter, the first transport vehicle 100 is transported by receiving a force from the horizontal transport annular chain 30. Eventually, the chain pressing plate 142 of the second transport vehicle 102 also reaches the horizontal portion upper guide 40, and the second transport vehicle 102 also receives a transport force by the horizontal transport annular chain 30.
[0105]
Next, the roller 170 of the fourth transport vehicle 106 passes through the end of the cam plate 80, and the roller 170 is separated from the cam plate 80. The roller 170, the swinging plate 160, and the small frame 166 are released from the pressing force received from the cam plate 80, and return upward by the elastic force of the spring 162 (see FIG. 11). As a result, the lateral tooth sprocket 166c is separated from the inclined conveying annular chain 62. The fourth transport vehicle 106 tends to slide down by its own weight. At this time, since the chain pressing plate 142 of at least the first transport vehicle 100 is pressing the horizontal transport annular chain 30, the fourth transport vehicle 106 is connected by the frictional force. 12 are supported. Therefore, the speed of the connected transport vehicle 12 is not unnecessarily increased.
[0106]
Thereafter, all of the connected transport vehicles 12, including the fourth transport vehicle 106, enter the horizontal transport unit 16, and the connected transport vehicles 12 are moved from the chain pressing plates 142 of the first to third transport vehicles 100, 102, 104. The conveyance can be continued by the received force.
[0107]
As described above, according to the transport system 10 according to the present embodiment, the horizontal transport sprocket 146 of the first transport vehicle 100 is meshed with the gradient transport annular chain 62 supported by the gradient upper guide 74, thereby enabling horizontal transport. The connected transport vehicle 12 can continuously pass between the section 16 and the gradient transport section 18. There is no need to attach or detach the work between the horizontal transport unit 16 and the gradient transport unit 18. Also, at this time, by transporting the lateral tooth sprocket 166d of the fourth transport vehicle 106 while meshing with the horizontal transport annular chain 30, the front portion of the coupled transport vehicle 12 is surely moved to the uphill portion of the gradient transport portion 18. Can push up.
[0108]
Since the horizontal sprocket 166c of the fourth transport vehicle 106 is engaged with the annular chain 62 for the gradient conveyance even after the horizontal tooth sprocket 146 separates from the annular chain 62 for the gradient conveyance in the downward gradient section of the gradient transportation unit 18, In addition, the connected transport vehicle 12 does not slide down.
[0109]
The drive mechanism in the transfer system 10 includes inexpensive and general-purpose components such as a motor 32, a motor 64, a drive sprocket 36, a drive sprocket 70, a driven sprocket 38, a driven sprocket 72, a horizontal transfer annular chain 30, and a gradient transfer annular chain 62. Can be configured by
[0110]
The only moving parts in the coupled transport vehicle 12 are passive parts that receive force from other parts such as the upper roller 116, the lower roller 118, the roller 170, the spring 162, and the spring 168. There is no need for piping and wiring connected to the actuator.
[0111]
Further, since the gradient transport section 18 has an upwardly convex mountain shape, a space is provided below the center of the gradient transport section 18 so that a person or a forklift can pass therethrough.
[0112]
In the above-described embodiment, the rail 60 in the gradient transport unit 18 has been described as having an arc shape whose central portion is upwardly convex. The gradient transport section 18 may have a shape of only one of an upward gradient and a downward gradient, or a shape combining these gradients and a horizontal portion.
[0113]
The transport system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can adopt various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0114]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the transfer system according to the present invention, it is not necessary to transfer a work between the horizontal transfer unit and the gradient transfer unit, and it is possible to achieve an effect of continuously passing the transfer vehicle. it can.
[0115]
Further, the transport system according to the present invention uses relatively inexpensive and general components such as a motor, a sprocket, and a chain, and can realize a transport system having a simple structure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially omitted side view of a transport system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a partially omitted plan view of the transport system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a joint portion between a horizontal transport unit and a gradient transport unit as viewed from a center line of the transport system.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a part of a horizontal transport unit and a gradient transport unit.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan sectional view of a joining portion between a horizontal transport unit and a gradient transport unit.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a rail, a horizontal portion upper guide, a horizontal portion lower guide, and a first carrier.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the first carrier as viewed from a position of a center line of the carrier system.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first carrier.
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a driving force transmission unit of the first carrier.
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the second carrier as viewed from the position of the center line of the carrier system.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a fourth carrier as viewed from a position of a center line of the carrier system.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth carrier.
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a driving force transmission unit of a fourth carrier.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Conveying system 12 ... Consolidated carrier
14: transport section 16: horizontal transport section
18 Gradient transport unit 20 Direction reversal unit
28, 60: Rail 30: Horizontal chain for horizontal transfer
30a, 62a: Chain roller 32, 64, 65: Motor
36, 70: driving sprocket 38, 72: driven sprocket
40: Horizontal section upper guide 42: Horizontal section lower guide
56, 80: cam plate 60a, 60e: inclined introduction portion
60b: central part 60c, 60d: constant inclined part
62 ... Circular chain for gradient transport 74 ... Gradient upper guide
76… Gradient lower part guide
100, 102, 104, 106 ... transportation vehicles
108: connecting rod 116: upper roller
118: Lower roller 126, 156: Driving force transmission unit
146, 166c, 166d ... Horizontal tooth sprocket
170 ... roller

Claims (6)

A transport vehicle that transports the work,
A transport unit that transports the transport vehicle,
In the transport system having
A plurality of horizontal transport units that transport the transport vehicle in a substantially horizontal direction,
A gradient transport unit connecting between the two horizontal transport units;
Including
The gradient transport unit is disposed near one end, and a gradient transport drive sprocket that rotates under the action of the drive unit.
A driven sprocket, which is arranged near the other end and is rotatable for gradient conveyance,
An annular chain for gradient conveyance driven and circulated in mesh with the gradient conveyance drive sprocket and the gradient conveyance driven sprocket,
A gradient that supports both the upper portion of the gradient transport annular chain that applies a driving force to the transport vehicle and the lower portion that is guided in the opposite direction to the upper portion from below to set the shape to an upwardly convex shape. Department guide,
Including
The transport vehicle,
At a position near the head in the transport direction, a gradient transport sprocket that meshes with the gradient transport annular chain,
After being sent out from the horizontal transport section, the gradient transport sprocket meshes with the chain, and is transported by the gradient transport annular chain along the shape of the gradient section guide. . The transport system according to claim 1,
The carrier has at least two vehicles connected in the front-rear direction,
The transport system is characterized in that the transport vehicles are connected to each other by a connecting portion that can swing up and down or that is elastically deformable. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2,
The horizontal transport unit is disposed near one end, a horizontal transport drive sprocket that rotates under the action of the drive unit,
A rotatable horizontal transfer driven sprocket arranged near the other end,
The horizontal transport driving chain and the horizontal transport driven sprocket mesh with each other and are circulated and driven, and the horizontal transport annular chain having a different position from the gradient transport annular chain in the width direction;
Has,
The transport vehicle,
At a position near the rear end, having a delivery sprocket located at the top of the horizontal transfer annular chain in a state where there is no external force,
The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery sprocket is pushed down by a delivery cam plate provided in the horizontal transport unit as the transport vehicle moves, and meshes with the horizontal transport annular chain. The transport system according to claim 3,
A pressure receiving portion that directly receives a pressing force from the delivery cam plate,
A compressible elastic body linked to the pressure receiving portion,
A transfer system characterized in that the transfer system is depressed through a press. In the transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The transport vehicle,
At a position near the rear end, there is a descending sprocket located at the top of the gradient conveying annular chain in a state where there is no external force,
The transport system is characterized in that the descending sprocket is pushed down by a descending cam plate provided in a descending slope section of the slope transport section as the transport vehicle moves, and meshes with the slope transport annular chain. . The transport system according to claim 5,
The descending sprocket is a pressure receiving portion that directly receives a pressing force from the descending cam plate,
A compressible elastic body linked to the pressure receiving portion,
A transfer system characterized in that the transfer system is depressed through a press.

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