JP2004323221A - Article carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article carrying device capable of increasing productivity by further increasing carrying speed. <P>SOLUTION: This article carrying device comprises a long frame 1 having an article carrying passage 2 formed therein along the longitudinal direction, a traveling member 3 having a portion along the article carrying passage 2 of the frame 1 and rotating endlessly, and a carrying member 4 rotatably fitted to the traveling member 3 at a proper position and partly facing the inside of the article carrying passage 2. The carrying member 4 comprises a pair of lock parts 4b on an arc line about the rotating axis 3a thereof, and the traveling member 3 comprises a support body 3b installed between the pair of lock parts 4b and allowed to abut on the lock parts 4b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to, for example, an article transport apparatus for supplying a fixed amount of articles to a packaging apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As an article transporting apparatus that transports each article in a predetermined direction at a predetermined interval, those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are known. The article conveying apparatus includes a long frame 1 having an article conveying path 2 formed in a longitudinal direction, and a traveling member (here, an endless rotating member having a portion along the article conveying path 2 of the frame 1). , A chain) 3, and a plurality of transport members (here, elements) 4,... Which are rotatably mounted at appropriate positions on the traveling member 3.
[0003]
The traveling member 3 is configured such that the portion is disposed near the article conveying path 2, and the conveying members 4,... Connected to the traveling member 3 partially project into the article conveying path 2. As the traveling member 3 rotates endlessly, the articles P input to the upstream side of the article transport path 2 are transported to the downstream side of the article transport path 2 while being locked by the transport member 4. I have.
[0004]
The frame 1 is obtained by combining a plurality of metal plates appropriately pressed, and includes a seating surface 1a on which the article P is seated, and an interval perpendicular to the seating surface 1a and corresponding to the width of the article P. And a pair of side surfaces 1b, 1b. The seating surface 1a and the pair of side surfaces 1b, 1b constitute an article transport path 2 capable of restricting unnecessary rotation of the article P during transport.
[0005]
A first rail 5 and a second rail 6 are attached to the frame 1 along the article transport path 2. The traveling member 3 is seated on the first rail 5, and the transport member is placed on the second rail 6. 4 (here, a bearing rotatably attached to the transport member 4) 4a is seated (rolled), whereby the traveling stability of the traveling member 3 and the transport member 4 in the article transport path 2 is achieved. ing.
[0006]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 4, the transport member 4 is rotatably supported by the traveling member 3 by a shaft 3a (here, an extended link pin of the chain 3) projecting from the traveling member 3. The rotation of the transport member 4 is restricted to a predetermined angle range by a support (here, an extended link pin of the chain 3) 3b protruding from the traveling member 3, which is located on the forward side of the shaft 3a. It is supposed to be.
[0007]
Then, referring to FIG. 4A showing a portion where the conveying member 4 separates from the article conveying path 2, first, the conveying member 4 is in a normal posture in the article conveying path 2 (A in the figure), When leaving the article conveying path 2, the descent is started by a direction changing member (here, a sprocket, which is also a drive transmitting member that applies a driving force to the traveling member 3) 7. The tip of the second rail 6 has a circular arc surface having a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the direction changing member 7, and as long as the rolling member (bearing) 4a is in contact therewith (solid line B in the figure), the conveyance is performed. The member 4 is kept in the normal position.
[0008]
Thereafter, when the contact between the rolling member 4a and the rail 6 is released with the lowering of the transport member 4, the transport member 4 falls downward around the shaft 3a due to the balance of the center of gravity. (Counterclockwise in the figure). At this time, the transport member 4 is not yet restrained by the support 3b, but by the time the shaft 3a comes out of the direction changing member 7 (C in the figure), the support 3b wraps below the transport member 4. , Supported by the support 3b.
[0009]
On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 4B showing a portion where the transport member 4 enters the article transport path 2, the transport is performed shortly before the transport member 4 reaches the direction changing member 8 (D in the figure). A part of the member 4 comes into contact with the contact member 9 fixed to the frame 1, and the transport member 4 rotates about the shaft 3a (clockwise in the drawing).
[0010]
Then, the transport member 4 (E in the figure) released from the restraint of the support 3b comes into sliding contact with the circular guide body 8a provided coaxially with the direction changing member 8 (F in the figure), and further moves with the movement. When it comes into sliding contact with the rail 6 and then completely enters the article transport path 2, it returns to the normal posture.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-described conventional article transport device, two problems may occur. The first point is that when the transport member 4 is separated from the article transport path 2, it does not rotate in the normal direction (the reverse direction to the transport direction) due to its inertia force, but rotates in the opposite direction (the transport direction). (Indicated by the two-dot chain line B in the figure) in this case, the transporting member 4 is likely to push out the article P in the transport direction, so that the transport speed of the article P is temporarily but temporarily disturbed. .
[0012]
The second point is that the transport member 4 does not come into contact with the contact member 9 depending on the degree of the swing of the traveling member 3, so that the transport member 4 reaches the direction changing member 8 in a state where the transport member 4 does not rotate. This poses a problem that not only does it interfere with the direction changing member 8 and becomes inoperable, but also the transport member 4 may be damaged.
[0013]
The above two problems become more remarkable because the higher the rotation speed of the traveling member 3 is, the larger the inertial force or the greater the swing of the traveling member 3 is. Therefore, according to the conventional article conveying apparatus, the rotation speed of the traveling member 3 cannot be extremely increased, and therefore, there is a limit in increasing the conveying speed of the article P.
[0014]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an article conveying apparatus capable of further increasing the conveying speed and improving the productivity.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an article transport apparatus according to the present invention includes a long frame 1 having an article transport path 2 formed in a longitudinal direction, and a portion of the frame 1 along the article transport path 2. In the article transport apparatus, the transport member includes a traveling member 3 that rotates endlessly, and a transport member 4 that is rotatably attached to an appropriate position of the travel member 3 and partially projects into the article transport path 2. The member 4 has a pair of locking portions 4b on an arc line centered on the rotation shaft 3a, and the traveling member 3 is interposed between the pair of locking portions 4b and is in contact with each locking portion 4b. It is characterized by comprising a support 3b that can be contacted.
[0016]
According to the article transport apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, the articles placed in the article transport path 2 are transported downstream by the transport member 4 moving along the article transport path 2 of the frame 1. When the transport member 4 separates from the article transport path 2 and changes direction, an inertial force is urged by deceleration in the transport direction, but the transport direction is increased by one of the locking portions 4b contacting the support 3b. The rotation to is reliably regulated. In addition, the conveying member 4 is configured to automatically rotate with the center of gravity shifted rearward at a position short enough to change the direction so as to enter the article conveying path 2.
[0017]
Further, the article conveying apparatus according to the present invention can adopt a configuration in which the conveying member 4 is formed with an arc groove 4b about the rotation shaft 3a and into which the support 3b can be inserted. According to the article transport device having such a configuration, since the support 3b and the arc groove 4b do not interfere with each other, the rotation of the transport member 4 with respect to the support 3b is allowed, but each end of the support 3b and the arc groove 4b is allowed. Abuts on the rotation angle range. That is, both ends of the arc groove 4b become a pair of locking portions 4b.
[0018]
In the article conveying apparatus according to the present invention, the traveling member 3 is the chain 3, the rotating shaft 3a of the conveying member 4 is the link pin 3a of the chain 3, and the support 3b is conveyed to the link pin 3a. A configuration in which the link pins 3b are adjacent on the downstream side in the direction can be adopted. By doing so, a simple configuration with a small number of components can be realized.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the article conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described. However, the point that the article conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the conventional one is the conveying member 4 and the support 3b, and the rest is the same. Therefore, only different points will be described.
[0020]
The first point is that the support 3b is located on the rear side of the shaft 3a, and the second is that an arc groove 4b centered on the shaft 3a is formed in the conveying member 4, and The point is that the support 3b is inserted into the arc groove 4b. Accordingly, the rotation of the transport member 4 is allowed within an angle range until the support 3b comes into contact with each end of the arc groove 4b.
[0021]
The arc groove 4b is formed over an angle range of about 90 degrees, and the support 3b is in contact with one end of the arc groove 4b when the conveying member 4 is in the normal posture.
[0022]
The operation of the article transport apparatus having such a configuration will be described first with reference to FIG. 1A showing a portion where the transport member 4 separates from the article transport path 2. It is in a posture (A in the figure), and when it departs from the article transport path 2, the descent member 7 starts descending. At this time, an inertial force acts on the transport member 4, but the transport member 4 does not rotate in the transport direction due to the support 3b abutting on one end of the arc groove 4b.
[0023]
Thereafter, when the contact between the rolling member 4a and the rail 6 is released with the lowering of the transport member 4, the transport member 4 falls downward around the shaft 3a due to the balance of the center of gravity. (Counterclockwise in the figure). At this point, the transport member 4 is in a state where the support 3b is in contact with the other end of the arc groove 4b and is supported by the support 3b (C in the figure).
[0024]
On the other hand, with reference to FIG. 1 (b) showing a portion where the conveying member 4 enters the article conveying path 2, the shaft member 3a is positioned shortly before the shaft 3a reaches the direction changing member 8 (D in the figure). Since the inclination of the line connecting the support 3a and the support 3b becomes larger than before, the transport member 4 rotates about the shaft 3a due to the balance of the center of gravity (clockwise in the figure).
[0025]
Then, the conveying member 4 completes the rotation completely until the shaft 3a reaches the direction changing member 8 (E in the drawing), and slides on the circular guide 8a provided coaxially with the direction changing member 8 ( (F) in the figure, and further, slides into contact with the rail 6 as it moves, and thereafter, when it completely enters the article transport path 2, it returns to the normal posture.
[0026]
As described above, according to the article transport device according to the present embodiment, even if the rotation speed of the traveling member 3 is increased, the transport member 4 rotates in an undesired direction due to the inertial force at the time of separating from the article transport path 2. Since the transfer member 4 does not enter the direction changing member 8 in an undesired posture, the transfer speed can be further increased, and the productivity can be improved.
[0027]
It should be noted that the article transporting device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0028]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the shaft 3a and the support 3b are adjacent to each other, but the shaft 3a and the support 3b may be separated from each other with a longer interval.
[0029]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the support 3b is located on the rear side of the shaft 3a, but may be located on the forward side as in the related art. In this case, it is necessary to change the arrangement position of the arc groove 4b.
[0030]
Further, in the above embodiment, the support 3b is inserted into the arc groove 4b. However, the locking portion may be a protruding piece projecting from the side surface of the transport member 4. Good.
[0031]
Further, in the above embodiment, the rolling member 4a is provided for running stability and for adjusting the center of gravity, but this is not essential.
[0032]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, a chain is used as the traveling member 3, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a belt.
[0033]
In addition, since a predetermined inclination angle of the traveling member 3 in this portion is required so that the conveying member 4 rotates sufficiently before entering the direction changing member 8, it is preferable to adjust the angle by inserting a tensioner.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the article conveying device according to the present invention, even if the rotation speed of the traveling member is increased, the conveying member does not rotate in an undesired direction due to the inertial force at the time of separating from the article conveying path, and the conveying member is not rotated. Since it does not enter the article transport path in an undesired posture, the transport speed can be further increased, and the productivity can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of an article conveying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) shows a downstream side of an article conveying path, and (b) shows an upstream side of the article conveying path.
FIG. 2 is an overall side view of the article transport device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of a conventional article conveying apparatus, wherein (a) shows a downstream side of the article conveying path, and (b) shows an upstream side of the article conveying path.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Frame 2 Article transport path 3 Traveling member (chain)
3a Shaft (link pin)
3b Support (link pin)
4 Transport member (element)
4a Part (bearing)
4b Circular grooves 5, 6 Rails 7, 8 Turning member (sprocket)
8a circular guide body P article

Claims (3)

A long frame (1) having an article conveying path (2) formed along the longitudinal direction, and a traveling member (1) having a portion along the article conveying path (2) of the frame (1) and endlessly rotating ( 3) and a transport member (4) rotatably mounted at an appropriate position on the traveling member (3) and partially protruding into the article transport path (2). The member (4) includes a pair of locking portions (4b) on an arc line centered on the rotation axis (3a), and the traveling member (3) is provided between the pair of locking portions (4b). An article transport device comprising a support (3b) interposed and capable of abutting on each locking portion (4b). The article conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying member (4) is formed with an arc-shaped groove (4b) centered on the rotation axis (3a) and into which the support (3b) can be inserted. The running member (3) is a chain (3), the rotating shaft (3a) of the transport member (4) is a link pin (3a) of the chain (3), and the support (3b) is The article transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the link pin (3a) is a link pin (3b) adjacent to the link pin on the downstream side in the transport direction.

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