JP2008110858A - Carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To scrap a conveyer for a return path, in a carrying device equipped with a plurality of conveyers, and carrying a carrying object from a conveyer on the upstream side to a conveyer on the downstream side. <P>SOLUTION: In this carrying device, a carrying object P is mounted on upper belt parts 120 and 220 located on the upper side within carrying endless belts 12 and 22, and the carrying object P is carried from a main conveyer 1 on the upstream side to a main conveyer 2 on the downstream side. The carrying device is provided with a sub-conveyer 5 carrying the carrying object P carried by being mounted on a lower belt part 221 positioned on the lower side within the carrying endless belt 22 of the main conveyer 2 on the downstream side to a lower belt part 121 positioned on the lower side within the carrying endless belt 22 of the main conveyer 1 on the upstream side by bypassing pulleys 10 and 21. Thereby, the lower belts 121 and 221 of the main conveyers 1 and 2 can be used for a return path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that includes a plurality of conveyors and that transports an object to be transported from an upstream conveyor to a downstream conveyor.

  A conventional conveying apparatus using a pallet uses an outward conveyor for conveying a pallet on which a workpiece is placed and a backward conveyor for returning an empty pallet. Further, in the case of a long line, both forward and return routes are supported by connecting a plurality of conveyors. Furthermore, in order to avoid complication of the structure, each conveyor is provided with a drive motor.

  However, since the conventional transport device uses a forward conveyor and a backward conveyor, there is a problem that a large space is required for both the horizontal circulation type and the vertical circulation type.

  In addition, since each conveyor is provided with a drive motor, there is a problem that the cost is high and it cannot contribute to energy saving.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention aims to make it possible to abolish the return path conveyor in a transport apparatus that includes a plurality of conveyors and that transports objects from an upstream conveyor to a downstream conveyor. To do.

  In the present invention, a plurality of main conveyors (1, 2) are provided, and an object (P) to be conveyed is placed on an upper belt portion (120, 220) located on the upper side of the endless belts (12, 22) for conveyance. In the transport device in which the object to be transported (P) is transported from the upstream main conveyor (1) to the downstream main conveyor (2), the transport endless belt (22) of the downstream main conveyor (2) Among the endless belts (22) for transporting the upstream main conveyor (1), the transported object (P) transported on the lower belt portion (221) positioned on the lower side is placed on the lower side. A sub-conveyor (5) that detours and conveys the pulleys (10, 21) is provided on the lower belt portion (121) that is positioned.

  As described above, the pulley (10, 21), which becomes an obstacle when the object (P) is conveyed by the lower belt portion (121, 221), is detoured by the sub-conveyor (5). The lower belt portions (121, 221) of (1, 2) can be used for the return path, and the return path conveyor can be eliminated. Therefore, cost reduction and energy saving can be achieved.

  In this case, the sub-conveyor (5) guided the conveyed object (P) that has been carried on the lower belt portion (221) of the downstream main conveyor (2) to the sub-conveyor (5). A guide (53) for guiding to the lower belt portion (121) of the main conveyor (1) on the upstream side can be provided later.

  In this case, the automatic movement of the conveyed object (P) is smoother with a simpler configuration than when the pulley (10, 21) is bypassed by taking in and out the conveyed object (P) with a cylinder or an electric actuator. Transport is possible.

  Moreover, the driving force transmission means (6) which transmits the driving force transmitted to the main conveyor (2) to a sub conveyor (5) can be provided.

  In this way, since driving means for the sub-conveyor (5) is unnecessary, further cost reduction and energy saving can be achieved.

  Further, the conveying endless belt (22) and the driving endless belt (62) of the driving force transmitting means (6) are both timing belts, and the teeth of the conveying endless belt (22) and the teeth of the transmitting endless belt (62) are used. The driving force can be transmitted by the meshing. In this way, the driving force can be reliably transmitted.

  The driving force can be transmitted by the frictional force between the conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62) of the driving force transmitting means (6). At that time, the conveying endless belt (22) The transmission endless belt (62) can be brought into close contact with the plate (70) biased by the spring (73).

  In this way, the transmission driving force can be adjusted by adjusting the spring force.

  The driving force can be transmitted by the frictional force between the conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62) of the driving force transmitting means (6). At that time, the conveying endless belt (22) The transmission endless belt (62) can be brought into close contact with the tension pulley (81).

  In this way, the transmission driving force can be adjusted by adjusting the pressing force of the tension pulley (81).

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in a claim and this column shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the transport apparatus according to the first embodiment, and shows a part of the sub-conveyor in order to clearly show the driving force transmission mechanism. 2 is a perspective view of the conveying device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a driving force transmission mechanism and a sub-conveyor, FIG. 4 is a front view showing details of the vicinity of the driving force transmission mechanism, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows a line.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport device includes two main conveyors 1 and 2 for transporting a pallet P as an object to be transported, and driving means for driving the two main conveyors 1 and 2. The electric motors 3 and 4 are provided.

  In the first main conveyor 1, a first driving pulley 10 and a first driven pulley 11 are arranged apart from each other, and a first conveying endless belt 12 is wound around the first driving pulley 10 and the first driven pulley 11. The rotating shafts of the first drive pulley 10 and the first driven pulley 11 are horizontal, and the horizontal portion of the first conveying endless belt 12 is positioned up and down. Hereinafter, of the horizontal portions of the first conveying endless belt 12, a portion located on the upper side is referred to as a first upper belt portion 120, and a portion located on the lower side is referred to as a first lower belt portion 121. A first electric motor 3 is connected to the first driving pulley 10, and the first electric driving pulley 10 is driven by the first electric motor 3, and consequently the first conveying endless belt 12 is driven.

  The second main conveyor 2 has the same configuration as that of the first main conveyor 1, and includes a second drive pulley 20, a second driven pulley 21, and a second conveyance endless belt 22. Of the horizontal parts of the second conveying endless belt 22, the part located on the upper side is called the second upper belt part 220, and the part located on the lower side is called the second lower belt part 221. The second drive pulley 20 is connected to the second electric motor 4, and the second electric motor 4 drives the second drive pulley 20, and thus the second conveying endless belt 22 is driven.

  The two main conveyors 1 and 2 are arranged in series, and a pallet P on which a workpiece (not shown) is placed is used for the first main belt 120 by using the first upper belt portion 120 and the second upper belt portion 220. The first pallet P is transported from the conveyor 1 to the second main conveyor 2 side, while the empty pallet P is transferred from the second main conveyor 2 to the first using the first lower belt portion 121 and the second lower belt portion 221. It returns to the main conveyor 1 side.

  Incidentally, when the conveyance of the pallet P on which the workpiece is placed is the forward path, the end on the opposite side to the second main conveyor 2 (the first driven pulley 11 side) in the first upper belt portion 120 is the forward path start point, The end of the upper belt 220 opposite to the first main conveyor 1 (the second drive pulley 20 side) is the forward path end point. A forward path stopper 23 that prevents the movement of the pallet P is disposed at the forward path end point.

  Further, when the empty pallet P is transported on the return path, the end of the second lower belt portion 221 opposite to the first main conveyor 1 (on the second drive pulley 20 side) is the return path start point, and the first lower belt The end of the side belt 121 opposite to the second main conveyor 2 (the first driven pulley 11 side) is the return path end point. A return path stopper 13 that prevents the movement of the pallet P is disposed at the return path end point.

  The conveying device conveys the empty pallet P, which has been carried on the second lower belt portion 221, to the first lower belt portion 121, bypassing the first driving pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21. Sub conveyor 5 is provided. The sub-conveyor 5 is disposed on the side of the first drive pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21.

  In the sub-conveyor 5, two pulleys 50 and 51 are arranged apart from each other, and the rotation axes of the pulleys 50 and 51 are horizontal, and a bypass endless belt 52 is wound around the pulleys 50 and 51. ing. One pulley 50 is adapted to transmit a driving force via a driving force transmission mechanism 6 (details will be described later) as a driving force transmission means. As a result, one pulley 50 is driven, and consequently the bypass endless belt 52 is driven.

  The sub-conveyor 5 includes two plate-like guides 53 that regulate the movement path of the empty pallet P. These guides 53 are arranged in parallel, the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction is located on the bypass endless belt 52, one end extends to the second lower belt portion 221 and the other end is the first lower belt portion. 121 extends to above. The guides 53 guide the pallet P carried on the second lower belt portion 221 onto the bypass endless belt 52, and the first drive pulley 10 is further driven by the bypass endless belt 52. The pallet P that has been conveyed around the second driven pulley 21 is guided onto the first lower belt portion 121.

  The driving force transmission mechanism 6 will be described mainly based on FIGS. 4 and 5. The driving force transmission mechanism 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the second driven pulley 21 and below the second lower belt portion 221.

  In the driving force transmission mechanism 6, two pulleys 60, 61 are arranged apart from each other, and the respective rotation shafts of the pulleys 60, 61 are horizontal, and a transmission endless belt 62 is connected to the pulleys 60, 61. It is rolled up. One pulley 60 is connected to one pulley 50 of the sub-conveyor 5. Specifically, the rotating shafts of both pulleys 50 and 60 are common.

  The transmission endless belt 62 uses a timing belt. Of the first conveying endless belt 12 and the second conveying endless belt 22, at least the second conveying endless belt 22 uses a timing belt. The driving force of the second electric motor 4 is transmitted from the second conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62 by meshing the teeth of the second conveying endless belt 22 with the teeth of the transmitting endless belt 62. The second conveying endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62 are clamped by a belt holding member 63 having a U-shaped cross section in order to ensure meshing of teeth.

  As described above, since one pulley 60 of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 is connected to one pulley 50 of the sub-conveyor 5, the driving force of the second electric motor 4 is transmitted from the transmission endless belt 62 to the driving force. The mechanism 6 is transmitted to the bypass endless belt 52 via one pulley 60 and one pulley 50 of the sub-conveyor 5.

  The operation of the transport device of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  When the electric motors 3 and 4 are energized, the first electric motor 3 drives the first conveying endless belt 12 via the first driving pulley 10 and the second electric motor 4 drives the second conveying pulley 20 via the second driving pulley 20. The endless belt 22 is driven. Further, the driving force of the second electric motor 4 is transmitted to the sub-conveyor 5 via the driving force transmission mechanism 6, and the bypass endless belt 52 is driven.

  Then, when the pallet P is moved to the forward path starting point in the first upper belt portion 120, the work is placed on the pallet P. The pallet P on which the workpiece is placed is transported from the forward path start point to the forward path end point by the first upper belt portion 120 and the second upper belt portion 220, and the workpiece is taken out from the pallet P during this transport.

  The pallet P which has become empty is stopped by the forward path stopper 23 at the forward path end point. The stopped pallet P is chucked by a loader (air cylinder, electric actuator, etc.) or a robot (not shown), and is moved onto the second lower belt portion 221 by a side slide → down → side slide operation.

  The pallet P conveyed by the second lower belt portion 221 is guided onto the bypass endless belt 52 by the guide 53, and further, the first drive pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21 are guided by the bypass endless belt 52. The pallet P detoured and conveyed is guided onto the first lower belt part 121 by the guide 53.

  The pallet P is conveyed to the return path end point by the first lower belt portion 121 and stopped by the return path stopper 13 at the return path end point. The stopped pallet P is chucked by a loader (air cylinder, electric actuator, etc.) or a robot (not shown), and is moved again onto the first upper belt portion 120 by a lateral slide → lift → lateral slide operation.

  The conveying device of the present embodiment is configured so that the first driving pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21 that become obstacles when conveying the pallet P by the first lower belt portion 121 and the second lower belt portion 221 are connected to the sub-conveyor 5. Therefore, the first lower belt portion 121 and the second lower belt portion 221 of the main conveyors 1 and 2 can be used for the return path, and the return path conveyor can be eliminated. Therefore, cost reduction and energy saving can be achieved.

  Further, in order to bypass the first drive pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21 by the sub-conveyor 5, the pallet P is put in and out by a cylinder, an electric actuator or the like to bypass the first drive pulley 10 and the second driven pulley 21. The pallet P can be smoothly and automatically transported with a simple configuration.

  Further, since the driving force of the second electric motor 4 of the second main conveyor 2 is transmitted to the sub-conveyor 5 via the driving force transmission mechanism 6, no driving means for the sub-conveyor is required, and the cost is further reduced. In addition, energy saving can be achieved.

  Further, both the second conveying endless belt 22 of the second main conveyor 2 and the transmitting endless belt 62 of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 use timing belts, so that the driving force can be reliably transmitted.

  Further, since the second endless belt 22 for conveyance and the endless belt 62 for transmission are sandwiched by the belt holding member 63, the meshing of both teeth can be ensured.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the vicinity of the driving force transmission mechanism of the transport apparatus according to the second embodiment. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the second endless belt 22 of the second main conveyor 2 and the endless belt 62 for transmission of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 are both used as timing belts, and the teeth of the second endless belt 22 and the endless for transmission are used. The driving force of the second electric motor 4 is transmitted from the second conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62 by meshing the teeth of the belt 62. In the present embodiment, however, the second main conveyor 2 is connected to the second main conveyor 2. Both the endless belt 22 for conveyance and the endless belt 62 for transmission of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 are flat belts, and the driving force of the second electric motor 4 is increased by the frictional force between the second endless belt 22 for conveyance and the endless belt 62 for transmission. 2 Transmission from the conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, both the second conveying endless belt 22 of the second main conveyor 2 and the transmitting endless belt 62 of the driving force transmitting mechanism 6 are flat belts. The second conveyance endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62 are sandwiched between a belt pressing plate 70 and a belt receiving plate 71.

  The belt pressing plate 70 is slidably held by two pins 72 and is urged toward the belt receiving plate 71 by a spring 73. The pin 72 is fixed to the fixed plate 74, and the spring 73 is disposed between the belt pressing plate 70 and the fixed plate 74.

  In the transport apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the second transport endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62 are pressed against the belt receiving plate 71 by the spring 73 via the belt presser plate 70 to be used for the second transport. A large frictional force is obtained between the endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62.

  Accordingly, the driving force of the second electric motor 4 is reliably transmitted from the second conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62, and the driving force is further sub-conveyor 5 (FIG. 1) as in the first embodiment. ).

  By adjusting the urging force of the spring 73, it is possible to adjust the frictional force between the second conveying endless belt 22 and the transmitting endless belt 62, and hence the transmission driving force.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a front view showing the vicinity of the driving force transmission mechanism of the transport apparatus according to the third embodiment. The same or equivalent parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the second conveying endless belt 22 of the second main conveyor 2 and the transmitting endless belt 62 of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 are both flat belts, and the second conveying endless belt is used. The driving force of the second electric motor 4 is transmitted from the second conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62 by the frictional force between the endless belt 22 and the transmitting endless belt 62.

  As shown in FIG. 7, both the second conveying endless belt 22 of the second main conveyor 2 and the transmitting endless belt 62 of the driving force transmission mechanism 6 are flat belts. The second conveyance endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62 are sandwiched between a sub-conveyor drive pulley 80 that is in contact with the transmission endless belt 62 and two tension pulleys 81 that are in contact with the second conveyance endless belt 22.

  In the transport device of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the second transport endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62 are in close contact with each other by receiving a pressing force in the direction of arrow B by the tension pulley 81. A large frictional force is generated between the endless belt 22 and the transmission endless belt 62.

  Accordingly, the driving force of the second electric motor 4 is reliably transmitted from the second conveying endless belt 22 to the transmitting endless belt 62, and the driving force is further sub-conveyor 5 (FIG. 1) as in the first embodiment. ).

  By adjusting the pressing force by the tension pulley 81, it is possible to adjust the frictional force between the second conveying endless belt 22 and the transmitting endless belt 62, and hence the transmission driving force.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which two main conveyors 1 and 2 are used has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a transfer device that uses three or more main conveyors.

It is a front view of the conveyance apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conveying apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view of the driving force transmission mechanism and sub-conveyor of FIG. It is a front view which shows the detail of the driving force transmission mechanism vicinity of FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a front view which shows the driving force transmission mechanism vicinity of the conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the driving force transmission mechanism vicinity of the conveying apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Main conveyor, 5 ... Sub conveyor 10, 11, 20, 21 ... Pulley, 12, 22 ... Endless belt for conveyance, 120, 220 ... Upper belt part, 121, 221 ... Lower belt part.

Claims (7)

A plurality of main conveyors (1, 2) around which two endless belts (12, 22) are wound around two pulleys (10, 11, 20, 21) arranged apart from each other are provided. 12, 22), an object to be conveyed (P) is placed on the upper belt portion (120, 220) located on the upper side, and the object to be conveyed (P) is located downstream from the main conveyor (1) on the upstream side. In the transport device transported to the main conveyor (2),
Of the endless belt (22) for conveyance of the downstream main conveyor (2), the object to be conveyed (P) conveyed on the lower belt portion (221) positioned on the lower side is transferred to the upstream side. A sub-conveyor (5) that detours and conveys the pulleys (10, 21) to the lower belt portion (121) located on the lower side of the endless belt (22) for conveyance of the main conveyor (1) on the side is provided. A conveying apparatus characterized by that. The sub-conveyor (5) guides the conveyed object (P) that has been carried on the lower belt portion (221) of the downstream main conveyor (2) to the sub-conveyor (5). 1. The transport apparatus according to 1, further comprising a guide (53) that guides to the lower belt portion (121) of the upstream main conveyor (1) after the operation. Drive means (4) for driving the main conveyor (2);
The driving force transmitting means (6) for transmitting the driving force transmitted from the driving means (4) to the main conveyor (2) to the sub-conveyor (5) is provided. Transport device. The driving force transmission means (6) includes a transmission endless belt (62) wound around pulleys (60, 61) disposed at both ends,
The conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62) are both timing belts, and driving force is generated by meshing the teeth of the conveying endless belt (22) with the teeth of the transmitting endless belt (62). The transfer device according to claim 3, wherein: is transmitted. The driving force transmission means (6) includes a transmission endless belt (62) wound around pulleys (60, 61) disposed at both ends,
The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein a driving force is transmitted by a frictional force between the conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62). The conveying device according to claim 5, wherein the conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62) are brought into close contact with a plate (70) biased by a spring (73). . The conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the conveying endless belt (22) and the transmitting endless belt (62) are brought into close contact with a tension pulley (81).

Images