JP2008063014A - Carrier device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a carrier device capable of carrying a sheet-like object by vacuum suction by using an inexpensive belt without a suction hole. <P>SOLUTION: This carrier device is composed by extending, between a pair of pulleys 10 and 11, an endless belt 1 with a longitudinal groove formed on a surface along a carrying direction to form a carrying region 21 for carrying an object 20. The carrier device is characterized by arranging an air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove of the belt at one end or each of both ends of the carrying region 21. The air suction means is a suction pipe 30, and the suction pipe 30 is preferably arranged at one end or each of both the ends of the carrying region 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance device that conveys a sheet-like conveyance object by vacuum suction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a device equipped with a suction (suction) mechanism as a device for vacuum-sucking and transporting a sheet-like transported article such as newspaper. For example, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the apparatus is generally configured as follows. That is, a suction box having a large number of air inlets is disposed below a belt (a so-called perforated belt) in which a large number of suction holes are formed in the entire region. Next, when the pressure in the box is reduced, the air on the belt surface is sucked into the box through the suction holes of the belt, and a suction force is generated on the belt surface. For this reason, the position of the sheet-like conveyance object mounted on the surface of the belt can be fixed. A conveyance device provided with a suction mechanism is particularly suitable for conveying a sheet-like conveyance object at high speed.

However, since the belt to be used needs to form a large number of suction holes as secondary processing after the belt is created, there is a problem that the cost is increased. Further, when a large number of suction holes are formed in the belt, there is a problem that the rigidity of the belt is lowered.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-157098 JP-A-11-124248

  The subject of this invention is providing the conveying apparatus which can convey a sheet-like conveyed product by vacuum suction using the cheap belt which does not have a suction hole.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present invention formed a conveyance region for conveying a conveyed product by stretching a so-called longitudinal groove belt between a pair of pulleys. When air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove of the belt is provided, a new belt that can transport a sheet-like transported object by vacuum suction using an inexpensive belt that does not have a suction hole. The fact has been found and the present invention has been completed.

That is, the transport apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A transporting device in which a transport region for transporting a transported object is formed by stretching an endless belt having a longitudinal groove on the surface along a transporting direction between a pair of pulleys. A transport apparatus comprising an air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove at one or both ends of the transport region.
(2) The transfer device according to (1), wherein the air suction means is a suction pipe, and the suction pipe is provided at one or both ends of the transfer area.
(3) The transport device according to (2), wherein a suction end of the suction pipe is disposed in a longitudinal groove of the belt at one end or both ends of the transport region or at a position close to the longitudinal groove.
(4) A transport apparatus in which a belt-like endless belt having a longitudinal groove on the surface thereof is stretched between a pair of pulleys to form a transport region for transporting a transported object. An air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove is disposed in the longitudinal groove of the belt in the transport region.
(5) The air suction means is a suction pipe, and a plurality of suction holes or slits are formed in a range in which the air suction means is disposed in a longitudinal groove of a belt in the conveyance region of the suction pipe. Conveying device.

  According to the present invention, since a so-called longitudinal groove belt is used, it is not necessary to form suction holes formed in the belt of the conventional suction mechanism in the belt. Therefore, an increase in belt cost and a decrease in rigidity due to the formation of suction holes in the belt can be suppressed, and an inexpensive belt having no suction holes can be used. In addition, since the vertical groove belt is stretched between a pair of pulleys to form a conveyance region for conveying the conveyed product, air suction means for sucking air in the vertical groove of the belt in the conveyance region is provided. When the air in the longitudinal groove of the belt is sucked by the air sucking means, a suction force can be generated on the belt surface, and the sheet-like transported material placed on the belt surface is transported by vacuum suction. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a transfer device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view showing a belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing a transport apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory view showing the vicinity of the air suction means according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the air suction means according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining the suction force generated on the surface of the belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of another air suction means according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the belt 1 used in the conveyance device of the present embodiment is a so-called vertical groove belt in which a plurality of vertical grooves 2 are provided on the surface along the conveyance direction. Thereby, the increase in the cost of a belt and the fall of rigidity by forming a suction hole in a belt can be suppressed. The overall shape of the belt 1, that is, the width and thickness of the belt 1 may be arbitrarily selected according to the use, and is not particularly limited. Usually, the width of the belt 1 is 20 to 500 mm, and the thickness of the belt 1. Is preferably about 5 to 15 mm.

  As the shape of the longitudinal groove 2, the width W of the longitudinal groove 2 is 2 to 20 mm, preferably 4 to 10 mm, and the depth D of the longitudinal groove 2 is 1 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 10 mm. Pitch) P is 2 to 20 mm, preferably 5 to 10 mm. When the vertical groove 2 is configured in such a shape, it is possible to efficiently prevent the conveyed product from slipping. The number of the longitudinal grooves 2 may be arbitrarily selected according to the overall shape of the belt 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the belt 1 is preferably configured such that the canvas 3 and the resin layer 4 are alternately laminated, and the surface on which the longitudinal groove 2 is provided is constituted by the resin layer 4. Thereby, rigidity can be imparted to the belt 1. In addition, the number of laminated layers is not particularly limited, and is usually 2 to 6 layers, preferably about 2 to 4 layers.

  As the resin layer 4, various known elastic materials that can be used as a belt for conveyance can be used. In the present embodiment, one or two kinds selected from rubber, synthetic resin, and thermoplastic elastomer are used. It is preferable to mold from the above. Examples of the rubber include natural rubber, isoprene rubber, butadiene rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, epichlorohydrin rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, urethane rubber, and H-NBR (hydrogenated nitrile butadiene). Examples of the synthetic resin include polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyester, polyarylate, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, acrylic copolymer, and styrene-acrylic acid. Copolymer, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, chlorinated polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, alkyd resin, polyamide, polysulfone, diallyl phthalate Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include polyester elastomers, polyamide elastomers, polyolefin elastomers, and the like. Particularly, the belt 1 is provided with excellent rigidity. Above, polyurethane which is a synthetic resin is preferable.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the belt 1 is used in an endless shape (loop shape). For example, the endless belt 1 can be obtained as follows. That is, first, while the molten elastic material exemplified above is continuously poured between two rolls arranged at a predetermined gap, the roll is rotated in the same direction to form the belt-shaped resin layer 4. obtain. At this time, one of the two rolls is a roll having a smooth surface, and the other roll is a roll in which convex portions having a shape corresponding to the longitudinal groove 2 are formed along the circumferential direction of the roll. Then, the resin layer 4 provided with the longitudinal groove 2 can be obtained. If both rolls are rolls having a smooth surface, the sheet-like resin layer 4 can be obtained. Next, the resin layers 4 and the canvas 3 are alternately laminated as shown in FIG. In addition, you may integrate using an adhesive agent etc. Next, both end portions of the belt-shaped belt that are laminated and integrated are joined with an adhesive or the like to obtain an endless belt 1.

  The method of manufacturing the endless belt 1 is not limited to the above method. For example, after the resin layer 4 is injection-molded into a predetermined shape and laminated and integrated with the canvas 3, You may manufacture the endless belt 1 by joining both ends.

  Next, the endless belt 1 is stretched between a pair of pulleys, that is, between a driving pulley 10 and a driven pulley 11 as shown in FIG. 21 is formed. Accordingly, when the driving pulley 10 is driven and rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a, the driven pulley 11 is also rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow a according to the rotation of the sheet-like conveyed product 20 placed in the conveying area 21. As a result, the belt 1 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow b, and the sheet-like conveyed product 20 is conveyed.

  Here, in this embodiment, air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 is provided at both ends of the transport region 21. Specifically, the air suction means of the present embodiment is a suction pipe (suction pipe) 30 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and the suction pipes 30 are provided at both ends of the transport region 21 (FIG. 3). reference). Further, the suction end 30a of the suction pipe 30 is disposed in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 at both ends of the transport region 21 (see FIG. 4). Further, the number of suction pipes 30 is the same as the number of the longitudinal grooves 2, and the respective leading end suction ports 30 a of the plurality of suction pipes 30 are disposed in the respective longitudinal grooves 2 at the end of the transport region 21. (See FIG. 5).

  When the suction pipe 30 having the tip suction port 30a arranged as described above is connected to a predetermined vacuum device (not shown) and the vacuum device is in a reduced pressure state, the air in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 causes the suction pipe 30 to flow. Through the vacuum device (in the direction indicated by the arrow c shown in FIGS. 3 to 6). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a suction force (in the direction indicated by the arrow d) is generated on the surface of the belt 1, so that an inexpensive longitudinal groove belt having no suction holes is used to convey the sheet by vacuum suction. The object 20 can be conveyed.

  Examples of the material constituting the suction pipe 30 include inorganic materials such as stainless steel and aluminum, and organic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. In addition, the suction pipe 30 is preferably provided at both ends of the conveyance area 21 in order to reliably vacuum-suck the sheet-like conveyance object 20, but depending on the shape of the sheet-like conveyance object 20 and the length of the conveyance area 21. Alternatively, a configuration provided at one end of the transfer region 21 may be employed.

The position where the tip suction port of the suction pipe 30 is arranged is not limited to the position of the suction port 30a described above, but can suck the air in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 in the transport region 21. Alternatively, the position may be close to the longitudinal groove 2 (see FIG. 7). The shape of the tip suction port is not limited to the shape of the tip suction port 30a. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the tip suction port facing the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 at the end of the transport region 21. It may be 30b.
What is necessary is just to select arbitrarily the pressure reduction degree of a vacuum apparatus according to the shape of the sheet-like conveyance thing 20, and the length of the conveyance area | region 21. FIG.

  Next, another embodiment of the transport apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8A is a schematic explanatory view showing a state in which the air suction means according to the present embodiment is arranged in the longitudinal groove of the belt, and FIG. 8B is a schematic view showing the conveying device according to the present embodiment. It is explanatory drawing. FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cutaway perspective view showing the suction pipe according to the present embodiment. 8 to 10, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent parts as those in the above-described configurations of FIGS. 1 to 7, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the transport device according to the present embodiment is configured to connect a suction pipe 32, which is an air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1, to the longitudinal direction of the belt 1 in the transport region 21. It is arranged in the groove 2. Further, a plurality of suction holes 31 are formed in a range where the suction pipe 32 is disposed in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 in the transport region 21 (see FIG. 10).

  When both ends of the suction pipe 32 arranged as described above are connected to a predetermined vacuum device (not shown) and the vacuum device is brought into a depressurized state, a plurality of air in the longitudinal groove 2 are provided on the surface of the suction pipe. It is sucked into the vacuum device through the suction hole 31. As a result, a suction force is generated on the surface of the belt 1 as in the case of the transport device described above, so that the sheet-like transported object 20 is transported by vacuum suction using an inexpensive longitudinal groove belt having no suction holes. It becomes possible to do.

  The number of the suction holes 31 and the positions where the suction holes 31 are provided are arbitrary from the range in which the air in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 in the transport region 21 can be sucked without reducing the strength of the suction pipe 32. However, in the present embodiment, in order to efficiently suck the air in the longitudinal groove 2, a plurality of areas are arranged in a range arranged in the longitudinal groove 2 of the belt 1 in the conveyance region 21 of the suction pipe 32. The suction hole 31 is formed.

  Further, a slit may be used instead of the suction hole 31. In the case of a slit, it may be a slit that is continuous or discontinuous over at least the entire length of the transport region 21. Further, in order to efficiently suck the air in the vertical groove 2, it is preferable that a slit is formed in a range where the suction pipe 32 is disposed in the vertical groove 2 of the belt 1 in the conveyance region 21.

  The conveying device of the present invention described above is used to convey sheet-like conveyed items such as newspapers and cardboard, for example, and these conveyed items are subjected to vacuum suction using an inexpensive belt having no suction holes. Can be transported.

It is a fracture perspective view showing the belt concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an AA line expanded sectional view of FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the conveying apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial expansion schematic explanatory drawing which shows the air suction means vicinity concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial enlarged plan view which shows the air suction means vicinity concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing for demonstrating the attraction | suction force generate | occur | produced on the surface of the belt concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial enlarged plan view which shows the other air suction means vicinity concerning one Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the state which arrange | positions the air suction means concerning one Embodiment of another conveying apparatus in the vertical groove of a belt, (b) shows the conveying apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing. It is a BB line expanded sectional view of Drawing 8 (b). It is a fracture | rupture perspective view which shows the suction pipe concerning one Embodiment of another conveying apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Belt 2 Vertical groove 3 Canvas 4 Resin layer 10 Drive pulley 11 Driven pulley 20 Sheet-like conveyance thing 21 Conveyance area 30, 32 Suction pipe 30a, 30b Tip suction port 31 Suction hole

Claims (5)

An endless belt having longitudinal grooves on the surface along the conveying direction is stretched between a pair of pulleys to form a conveying region for conveying a conveyed product,
A transporting apparatus comprising air suction means for sucking air in a longitudinal groove of the belt at one or both ends of the transporting region.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air suction means is a suction pipe, and the suction pipe is provided at one or both ends of the transport region.   The transport apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a tip suction port of the suction pipe is arranged in a longitudinal groove of the belt at one end or both ends of the transport region or at a position close to the longitudinal groove. An endless belt having longitudinal grooves on the surface along the conveying direction is stretched between a pair of pulleys to form a conveying region for conveying a conveyed product,
A transporting apparatus, wherein air suction means for sucking air in the longitudinal groove of the belt is disposed in the longitudinal groove of the belt in the transporting region. The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air suction means is a suction pipe, and a plurality of suction holes or slits are formed in a range where the air suction means is disposed in a longitudinal groove of the belt in the transport region of the suction pipe.

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