JP2009137753A - Diverging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a diverging device capable of responding to change in a layout etc. of a carrying passage and enabling easy maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: This diverging system 1 makes trays T carried on the carrying passage 2 diverge to flow racks 11 provided intersecting with the carrying passage 2. The carrying passage 2 is provided with a conveyor 3 for carrying the trays T and with push-out devices 20 provided separately from and independently of the conveyor 3 and selectively pushing out the trays T carried on the carrying passage 2 to the flow racks 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a branching device that is provided in an automatic warehouse, a factory, or the like, and branches a transported object transported along a transport path to a second transport path provided to intersect the transport path.

  As a branching device that divides a transported item such as a cardboard box or a plastic case, which is transported on a transport route such as a conveyor type installed in an automatic warehouse or factory, into a second transport route that intersects the transport route, and sorts it. For example, a branching device (a shoe sorter) described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 is known.

The branching device described in the above document moves the shoe integrated with the conveyor that transports the transported object in a predetermined branching position on the conveyor path by moving the shoe in the width direction of the conveyor and extruding the lower side surface of the transported object. It is the structure which branches a conveyed product to the conveyance path of a side from a conveyor.
JP 2006-327816 A Japanese Patent No. 2887029

  However, since the branching device having the above configuration is a configuration in which a conveyor that is a transport mechanism and a shoe that pushes a transported object are integrated, for example, when changing the layout of a transport route in an automatic warehouse or factory, It is difficult to change the design of the branch position where the shoe moves, the speed at which the shoe moves, the speed at which the shoe moves, and the number of shoes to be added. In addition, when a part of the shoe is damaged, the entire conveyor must be stopped and repaired, which has a problem of greatly affecting the transport system during maintenance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a branching device that can cope with a change in the layout of the transport path and the like and is easy to maintain.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a branching device that branches a transported object transported along a transport path to a second transport path provided to intersect the transport path, wherein the transport path is And an extruding device that includes a transport mechanism for transporting the transported material, is provided separately from the transport mechanism and selectively pushes the transported material transported through the transport path to the second transport path. Adopting a configuration comprising
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, since the extrusion device is not integrated with the transport mechanism and is independent / separated, it is possible to easily change or increase the position where the extrusion device is provided. . Also, if the extrusion device to be repaired is removed and replaced with a new extrusion device during maintenance, it is possible to eliminate the need to stop the transport mechanism.

Moreover, in this invention, the said extrusion apparatus has an extrusion part contact | abutted with the said conveyance thing, the said conveyance thing conveyed by the said conveyance mechanism and the said extrusion part are made to contact | abut, and it is based on the said conveyance mechanism. A configuration is adopted in which the conveyed product is pushed out while sliding in the conveying direction.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the conveyed product can be efficiently branched without stopping the conveyance of the conveyed product by the conveyance mechanism.

Moreover, in this invention, the said extrusion part employ | adopts the structure that the contact surface contact | abutted with the said conveyed product is formed with an oil-containing resin material.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the abutment surface is formed of an oil-impregnated resin material, whereby sliding between the extruded portion and the conveyed product in the conveying direction can be performed smoothly.

Moreover, in this invention, the said extrusion part employ | adopts the structure that the wheel part provided in the contact surface contact | abutted with the said conveyed product so that rotation is possible in the direction which slides with the said conveyed product is employ | adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, by providing a wheel portion such as a free roller on the contact surface, sliding between the extrusion portion and the conveyed product in the conveyance direction can be performed smoothly.

In the present invention, the entrance of the second transport path facing the transport path is configured such that the front side in the transport direction is provided with a diameter gradually increasing toward the transport path.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, it is possible to easily introduce the conveyed object pushed out while sliding into the second conveying path.

Moreover, in this invention, the said extrusion part employ | adopts the structure that it is provided on the winding part which turns toward the said 2nd conveyance path | route.
By employ | adopting such a structure, in this invention, extrusion is performed when the extrusion part provided on the winding part rotates.

In the present invention, a plurality of the extruding units are provided on the winding unit, and when the first extruding unit completes a branching operation for extruding the conveyed product, a second extruding unit different from the first extruding unit is provided. A configuration is adopted in which the portion is provided so as to be positioned at the start position of the branching operation.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, after the extruding unit finishes the branching operation, another extruding unit waits at the start position of the next branching operation, and continuously branches the conveyed product. Therefore, the efficiency of the branching operation can be improved.

Further, in the present invention, the second transport path is provided on both sides of the transport path, the winding portion is rotated in the first rotation direction, and is pushed out to one second transport path, A configuration is adopted in which the winding unit is rotated in a second rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction and has a control device that pushes it out to the other second transport path.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the conveyed product can be branched in two directions at the same point.

In the present invention, a configuration is adopted in which a plurality of the extruding devices are arranged side by side and the conveyed product is pushed out in synchronization with the plurality of extruding devices.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, a plurality of extruding apparatuses cooperate to branch even a conveyed product having a large weight or size.

According to the present invention, there is provided a branching device for branching a transported object transported along a transport path to a second transport path provided to intersect the transport path, wherein the transport path transports the transported object. A structure is provided that includes a transport mechanism, and is provided with an extruding device that is provided separately and independently from the transport mechanism, and selectively pushes the transported material transported through the transport path to the second transport path. Accordingly, since the extrusion device and the transport mechanism are not integrated and are independent and separated, it is possible to easily change or increase the position where the extrusion device is provided. Also, if the extrusion device to be repaired is removed and replaced with a new extrusion device during maintenance, it is possible to eliminate the need to stop the transport mechanism.
Therefore, the present invention has an effect of providing a branching device that can cope with a change in the layout or the like of the conveyance path and can be easily maintained.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each member is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a branching system (branching device) 1 provided in an automatic warehouse or factory. FIG. 2 is a front view of the branch system 1 in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the branching system 1 includes a transport path 2 for transporting a box-shaped tray (conveyed material) T containing articles, and a flow rack (second transport) provided so as to intersect the transport path 2. Path) 11, an extrusion apparatus 20 that branches the tray T conveyed on the conveyance path 2 to the flow rack 11, and a control apparatus (not shown) that controls the entire system.

In FIG. 1, the conveyance path 2 is a conveyance path that linearly extends downward in the drawing, and the bottom surface is constituted by a conveyor (conveyance mechanism) 3 that conveys the tray T.
The conveyor 3 includes a pair of endless chains 4 provided on both sides in the width direction of the transport path 2 and plate-shaped slats 5 that are horizontally placed between the chains 4 and arranged in parallel in the length direction. It is a so-called slat conveyor constructed. The conveyor 3 is configured to run endlessly in the length direction (downward direction in the drawing (conveying direction) in FIG. 1) by a driving mechanism (not shown) and convey the tray T placed on the slat 5. Yes.
The transported tray T is provided with identification information such as a barcode or an IC tag, and a sensor (not shown) that reads the identification information is provided at a predetermined position on the transport path 2. The sensor reading information is transmitted to a control device (not shown).

The flow rack 11 is connected to the conveyor 3 in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and is configured as a unit shelf extending in the orthogonal direction and arranged in a plurality of rows in the conveyance direction and a plurality of stages in the height direction. (See FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the flow rack 11 is provided with an entrance 15 facing the transport path 2 with a diameter gradually increasing toward the transport path 2 on the front side in the transport direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow rack 11 is inclined at a predetermined angle in the loading direction of the tray T loaded from the inlet 15.
In addition, the conveyor 3 and the extrusion device 20 described later are also disposed so as to correspond to each stage of the flow rack 11 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flow rack 11 includes an iron plate 15 a that supports the conveyor tray T from below at the entrance 15, and a pair of rails 12 a and 12 b that support the conveyor tray T from below behind the entrance 15. It has composition which has.

The iron plate 15 a is a metallic plate member that forms the floor surface of the entrance 15, and is configured such that one end on the enlarged diameter side is connected to the conveying surface of the conveyor 3 at substantially the same height.
The rail 12a and the rail 12b are connected to the other end of the plate member 15a, and are provided in parallel in the width direction at a predetermined interval. The rails 12a and 12b are provided with a plurality of rollers 14 at a predetermined interval in the length direction so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the width direction so as to assist in sliding in the inclined direction due to the weight of the tray T. It has a configuration that can be.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of extrusion apparatuses 20 are provided so as to correspond to the inlets 15 of the flow racks 11, have a width substantially the same as the width of the inlets 15, and are substantially the same as the width of the conveyor 3. Has a length of Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the extrusion device 20 is supported by the support member 20 a at a predetermined height on the conveyor 3 and separated and independent from the conveyor 3.
The support member 20a is connected to a frame (not shown) inside the conveyor 3 from the side, but the installation location can be changed as appropriate. For example, the extrusion device 20 is suspended from the ceiling of an automatic warehouse or factory. The structure which supports may be sufficient. Further, the support member 20a may have a mechanism for adjusting the height at which the extrusion device 20 is supported.

Next, the configuration of the extrusion apparatus 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3A shows a plan view of the extrusion device 20.
FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
The extrusion device 20 includes an exterior frame 21 that forms an exterior of the extrusion device 20, and an extrusion mechanism 30 that is provided in the exterior frame 21 and pushes the tray T to the flow rack 11.
In the following description, the length direction of the extrusion device 20 may be described as the X direction, the width direction as the Y direction, and the height direction as the Z direction.

  The exterior frame 21 has a rectangular shape in plan view shown in FIG. 3 (a), and has a rectangular housing shape with an open bottom surface as shown in FIG. 3 (b). Further, the outer surface of the exterior frame 21 on the −X direction side is configured to be connected to the support member 20a (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the extrusion mechanism 30 includes a pair of endless chains (winding portions) 31 that run in the X direction and are provided in parallel on both sides of the exterior frame 21 in the Y direction, and the chain 31. It has a hook (extrusion part) 32 laid horizontally between them, and as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the chain 31 is rotated and the hook 32 pushes out the side surface of the tray T.

  The pair of chains 31 are respectively provided on the inner side surfaces on both sides in the width direction of the exterior frame 21. Specifically, the chain 31 is horizontally on the rotation shaft 33 on the + X direction side of the exterior frame 21 and horizontally on the rotation shaft 34 on the −X direction side. It will be erected.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the rotation shaft 33 is inserted in the width direction at the + X direction side end portion of the exterior frame 21 and is configured to be rotatably supported around an axis extending in the width direction. Yes. Further, the rotary shaft 33 is integrally provided with a sprocket 33 a that meshes with the chain 31 on the + Y direction side and a sprocket 33 b that meshes with the chain 31 on the −Y direction side.

The rotating shaft 34 has the same configuration as the rotating shaft 33, and is provided so as to be inserted in the width direction at the −X direction side end portion of the exterior frame 21, and a sprocket 34 a that meshes with the chain 31 on the + Y direction side, and It has a sprocket 34b that meshes with the chain 31 on the -Y direction side. Further, the rotation shaft 34 is connected to the motor 35 at the end portion on the −Y direction side, and rotates around the axis extending in the Y direction by the rotation drive of the motor 35 to synchronize the chain 31 arranged in parallel. It is configured to run around.
The rotating shaft 33 and the rotating shaft 34 are arranged in parallel to each other. The pair of chains 31 are each guided by a chain guide 36 between the rotary shaft 33 and the rotary shaft 34, and are configured to be prevented from bending.

  The hook 32 is connected to an attachment (not shown) provided on the inner side surface of the chain 31, and is horizontally mounted so as to be orthogonal to the running direction of the chain 31. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the hook 32 extends in a direction perpendicular to the running surface on the chain 31 to a position where it comes into contact with the upper part of the side surface of the tray T when the chain 31 runs. . Further, the hook 32 is formed of a friction member such as an oil-impregnated nylon or Teflon (registered trademark) whose contact surface 32 a with the tray T has a smaller coefficient of friction than the metal material or the like that forms the hook 32. Two hooks 32 are provided on the chain 31 and are separated from each other at a predetermined interval.

Next, the operation of the branching system 1 that branches the tray T from the transport path 2 to the flow rack 11 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the branching system 1 and explaining the operation of the extrusion device 20.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the information on the IC tag is read by the sensor in the process of transporting the tray T along the transport path 2. The sensor transmits the read information to a control device (not shown), and the control device selects / determines whether the tray T is accommodated in any one of a plurality of flow racks 11 based on the read information. . Then, the control device drives the extrusion device 20 corresponding to the determined flow rack 11.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, the extrusion device 20 makes the hook 32 stand by on the opposite side where the flow rack 11 in the width direction of the conveyor 3 is provided (start position).

  Under the control of the control device, the extrusion device 20 measures the timing at which the hook 32 is operated from the position where the information on the tray T is read by the sensor and the conveyance speed at which the tray T of the conveyor 3 is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 4A, the extrusion device 20 drives the motor 35 at the timing when the tray T reaches the enlarged portion of the inlet 15 of the flow rack 11.

As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the extrusion device 20 causes the hook 32 to contact the side surface of the tray T by rotating the lower surface of the chain 31 in the X direction by driving the motor 35. 3 in the width direction (width direction on the side where the flow rack 11 is provided).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 4B, the tray T is pushed out while being transported on the conveyor 3 in the transport direction. Accordingly, the tray T is pushed out obliquely with respect to the carrying direction at the entrance 15 by the combination of the force in the carrying direction and the pushing in the width direction. It does not turn in an oblique direction, and even after being pushed out, it smoothly reaches the flow rack 11 while maintaining the posture during conveyance. Moreover, since the tray T maintains the said attitude | position, even if it is a case where the conveyance pitch space | interval with the other tray T is small, interference between trays T can be avoided during conveyance.
The extrusion device 20 performs a branching operation to push the tray T while sliding it in the conveyance direction with the contact surface 32a of the hook 32. However, since the contact surface 32a is formed of a low friction member, The sliding is facilitated and the extrusion is performed smoothly.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the tray T is introduced into the flow rack 11 when the hook 32 moves by the width of the conveyor 3, and is transported in the inclined direction of the flow rack 11 by its own weight. Become.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the tray T has a speed at which the tip of the hook 32 is linearly moved at a portion wound around the rotary shaft 33 pushed out by the tip of the hook 32 at the time of the last extrusion by the extrusion device 20. Rotating motion accelerates and pushes out at high speed. Therefore, when the tray T is pushed out for the last time, the tray T can be slid out vigorously, and can be slid on the iron plate 15a to reach the rails 12a and 12b having the rollers 14.

  Then, when the branching operation is performed, the extrusion device 20 moves the chain 31 approximately half a round, so that the other hook 32 is positioned at the start position in order to push out the tray T to be conveyed next. The chain 31 is caused to run for a short distance to prepare for the next branching operation.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the branch system 1 branches the tray T transported along the transport path 2 to the flow rack 11 provided so as to intersect the transport path 2. A configuration is provided that includes a conveyor 3 that transports the tray T, and is provided with an extrusion device 20 that is provided separately and independently from the conveyor 3 and selectively pushes the tray T transported on the transport path 2 to the flow rack 11. By adopting, since the extrusion device 20 and the conveyor 3 are not integrated and are independent and separated, it is possible to easily change or increase the position where the extrusion device 20 is provided. Further, if the extrusion device 20 to be repaired is removed and replaced with a new extrusion device 20 during maintenance, the necessity of stopping the conveyor 3 can be eliminated.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a branching system 1 that can cope with a change in the layout of the transport route and the like and can be easily maintained.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the extrusion apparatus 20 has the hook 32 which contact | abuts with the tray T, the tray T and the hook 32 which are conveyed by the conveyor 3 are contacted, and in the conveyance direction by the conveyor 3, By adopting a configuration in which the tray T is pushed out while being slid, the tray T can be efficiently branched without stopping the conveyance of the tray T by the conveyor 3.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the hook 32 is configured such that the contact surface 32a that contacts the tray T is formed of an oil-impregnated resin material, so that the hook 32 and the tray T slide in the transport direction. Can be performed smoothly.

  In the present embodiment, the entrance 15 facing the transport path 2 of the flow rack 11 is slid by adopting a configuration in which the front side in the transport direction is provided with a diameter gradually increasing toward the transport path 2. Thus, the tray T pushed out can be easily introduced into the flow rack 11.

In the present embodiment, the hook 32 is provided on the chain 31 that rotates toward the flow rack 11, so that the hook 32 provided on the chain 31 rotates to push out. Is done. Further, since the hook 32 is provided on the chain 31, the tray T can be pushed out at a high speed by utilizing the fact that the tip of the hook 32 changes from a linear motion to a rotational motion when the tray T is finally pushed out. Become. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the clogging of the tray T on the bottom surface of the iron plate 15a or the like where the friction is large.
In addition, in the entrance 15 having a bottom surface on which a free roller is provided instead of the iron plate 15a, when the tray T is pushed out at the timing when the free roller is stopped, the payout speed of the tray T is increased to rotate the free roller. Although it may be slightly lowered, the effect of increasing the speed of the tray T at the time of the last extrusion of the tray T can also prevent the interference with the tray T to be extruded next.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of hooks 32 are provided on the chain 31, and when the first hook 32 completes the branching operation of pushing out the tray T, the second hook 32 different from the first hook 32 is provided. By adopting a configuration in which the tray T is provided so as to be positioned at the start position of the branching operation, the tray T can be continuously branched, and the efficiency of the branching operation can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring drawings, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the contact surface 32a is formed of an oil-impregnated resin material to facilitate sliding in the transport direction. However, the present invention has a configuration in which the abutting surface 32a has a wheel portion such as a free roller that is rotatably provided in the sliding direction with the tray T, so that the sliding is smooth. good. Further, it may be used in combination with an oil-containing resin material.

  Further, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the flow racks 11 are provided on both sides of the conveyance path 2, and the chain 31 is moved in the first rotational direction (FIG. ) To the left of the flow rack 11, and the chain 31 is rotated in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction (the right direction in FIG. 6B). The structure pushed out to the other flow rack 11 may be sufficient. By adopting such a configuration, the tray T can be branched in two directions at the same point. In this case, it is preferable to provide contact surfaces 32a formed of an oil-containing resin material on both surfaces of the hook 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention may have a configuration in which a plurality of extrusion devices 20 are arranged side by side and the trays T are extruded in synchronization with the plurality of extrusion devices 20. By adopting such a configuration, the plurality of extrusion devices 20 cooperate to allow the tray T having a large weight or size to be branched.

  In the present invention, in order to further enhance the effect of increasing the speed of the tray T at the time of the last extrusion, the hook 32 is designed to have a longer length, or the sprocket 33b having a larger radius is replaced, or the motor is replaced. Means such as changing the inverter frequency of 35 to increase the rotation speed may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the second transport path is described as the flow rack 11, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration, and a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like can be used instead of the flow rack 11. The structure which arrange | positions may be sufficient. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to design a horizontal conveyance path without a gradient or a conveyance path with a higher gradient.

It is a top view of the branch system in embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the branch system in embodiment of this invention. It is the top view and AA cross section of the extrusion apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the extrusion apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the extrusion apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is the top view and front view of a branch system in another embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the branch system in another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Branch system (branch apparatus), 2 ... Conveyance path, 3 ... Conveyor (conveyance mechanism), 11 ... Flow rack (2nd conveyance path), 15 ... Entrance, 20 ... Extrusion apparatus, 31 ... Chain (winding part) 32 ... Hook (extrusion part), 32a ... Contact surface, T ... Tray (conveyed material)

Claims (9)

A branching device for branching a transported object transported along a transport path to a second transport path provided crossing the transport path;
The transport path includes a transport mechanism for transporting the transported object,
A branching device provided with an extruding device that is provided separately and independently from the transport mechanism and selectively pushes the transported material transported through the transport path to the second transport path. The extruding device has an extruding part that comes into contact with the conveyed product,
2. The branch according to claim 1, wherein the transported object transported by the transporting mechanism is brought into contact with the extruding unit to push out the transported material while sliding in the transporting direction of the transporting mechanism. apparatus.   The branching device according to claim 2, wherein an abutting surface of the extruding portion that abuts on the conveyed product is formed of an oil-containing resin material.   4. The branch according to claim 2, wherein the push-out portion has a wheel portion that is provided on a contact surface that contacts the conveyed product so as to be rotatable in a sliding direction with respect to the conveyed product. apparatus.   5. The entrance of the second transport path facing the transport path is provided such that the front side in the transport direction gradually increases in diameter toward the transport path. A branching device according to claim 1.   The branching device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the extrusion unit is provided on a winding unit that rotates toward the second conveyance path.   A plurality of the extruding units are provided on the winding unit, and when the first extruding unit completes the branching operation of pushing out the conveyed product, a second extruding unit different from the first extruding unit performs the branching operation. The branching device according to claim 6, wherein the branching device is provided to be positioned at a start position.   The second transport path is provided on both sides of the transport path, and the winding unit is rotated in the first rotation direction and pushed out to one second transport path, and the winding unit is rotated. The branching device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a control device that rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the direction and pushes it out to the other second transport path. The branching device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the extrusion devices are arranged side by side, and the conveyed product is pushed out in synchronization with the plurality of the extrusion devices.

Images