図１に示す物品整列搬送装置１００は、キャップ１をキャップ締め機に供給したり、各種物品を自動組立機に供給することに用いられる。物品整列搬送装置１００は、キャップ１を供給して搬送する物品搬送装置１０の下流側に物品整列装置４０を設置し、物品整列装置４０の排出側に物品払出コンベア装置８０を設置し、物品払出コンベア装置８０に不良品排出リターン装置９０を付帯させている。物品整列搬送装置１００は、物品整列装置４０の排出方向に対して物品払出コンベア装置８０の払出方向を直交配置しているが、物品整列装置４０の排出方向と物品払出コンベア装置８０の払出方向を同一方向にし、これを１列に集約したり、複数列にしても良い。
The article aligning and conveying apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used for supplying the cap 1 to a cap fastening machine and supplying various articles to an automatic assembly machine. The article aligning / conveying apparatus 100 is provided with an article aligning apparatus 40 on the downstream side of the article conveying apparatus 10 that supplies and conveys the cap 1, and an article dispensing conveyor apparatus 80 is disposed on the discharge side of the article aligning apparatus 40, A defective product discharge return device 90 is attached to the conveyor device 80. In the article aligning and conveying apparatus 100, the discharging direction of the article dispensing conveyor device 80 is orthogonal to the discharging direction of the article aligning device 40, but the discharging direction of the article aligning device 40 and the discharging direction of the article discharging conveyor device 80 are set. The same direction may be used, and this may be integrated into one column or may be made into a plurality of columns.
物品搬送装置１０と物品整列装置４０は、後に詳述するが、物品１を一定の整列姿勢（キャップ１の天面側を下位とする姿勢）に整列して物品払出コンベア装置８０に排出する。
As will be described in detail later, the article transporting apparatus 10 and the article aligning apparatus 40 align the articles 1 in a certain alignment attitude (an attitude in which the top side of the cap 1 is the lower position) and discharge the articles 1 to the article delivery conveyor apparatus 80.
物品払出コンベア装置８０は、物品整列装置４０の排出側に設けられ、物品整列装置４０の排出方向に直交配置される第１ベルトコンベア８１と、第１ベルトコンベア８１の下部に配置される第２ベルトコンベア８２と、第１ベルトコンベア８１と第２ベルトコンベア８２の間に配置される上下反転シュート８３を有して構成される。第１ベルトコンベア８１は駆動部８１Ａにより駆動され、物品位置規制ガイド８１Ｂ、上下反転シュート８３への渡りプレート８１Ｃを備える。第２ベルトコンベア８２は駆動部８２Ａにより駆動され、物品位置規制ガイド８２Ｂ、最終渡りプレート８２Ｃを備える。第１ベルトコンベア８１は正逆方向に切替運転可能にされ、左右２方向に物品を排出することもできる。上下反転シュート８３は物品１に応じて交換され、物品１を所望の方向に反転させるが、物品１の目標整列方向によっては不使用とし、その場合は第１ベルトコンベア８１から払出す。
The article delivery conveyor device 80 is provided on the discharge side of the article alignment device 40, and a first belt conveyor 81 arranged orthogonal to the discharge direction of the article alignment device 40 and a second belt arranged below the first belt conveyor 81. The belt conveyor 82 is configured to have an upside down chute 83 disposed between the first belt conveyor 81 and the second belt conveyor 82. The first belt conveyor 81 is driven by a drive unit 81 </ b> A and includes an article position regulation guide 81 </ b> B and a transition plate 81 </ b> C to the upside down chute 83. The second belt conveyor 82 is driven by a driving unit 82A and includes an article position regulation guide 82B and a final transition plate 82C. The first belt conveyor 81 can be switched in forward and reverse directions, and can discharge articles in two left and right directions. The upside-down reversing chute 83 is exchanged according to the article 1 and inverts the article 1 in a desired direction. However, depending on the target alignment direction of the article 1, it is not used.
第１ベルトコンベア８１から払出す場合と、第２ベルトコンベア８２から払出す場合とではその高さが異なるため、装置全体を昇降させる装置を備えることが好ましい。
Since the height differs between the case of paying out from the first belt conveyor 81 and the case of paying out from the second belt conveyor 82, it is preferable to provide a device for raising and lowering the entire device.
不良品排出リターン装置９０は、不良品検出センサ９１、不良品排出装置９２、不良品排出シュート９３、エアエジェクタ９４、リターン用フレキシブルタイプチューブ９５を有して構成される。不良品検出センサ９１は物品払出コンベア装置８０の例えば第１ベルトコンベア８１により搬送中の物品１の姿勢が目標整列姿勢にあるか否かを検出する。不良品検出センサ９１はレーザ式高さ検出器にて構成できるが、画像センサ等を用いることもできる。不良品排出装置９２は、不良品検出センサ９１により整列不良と認められた物品１を物品払出コンベア装置８０の側傍の不良品排出シュート９３に排出する。不良品排出装置９２は高圧エア吹出し装置にて構成できるが、エアシリンダ等の機械式装置等を用いることもできる。不良品排出シュート９３に排出された不良物品１は、エアエジェクタ９４により吸引された後に圧送され、リターン用フレキシブルタイプチューブ９５を介して物品搬送装置１０の最上流に戻される。エアエジェクタ９４は圧縮エアを供給されると、細孔又はスリットから吹出される高速エアがエジェクタ内面に流れ、入口側には吸引力、出口側には圧送力が発生する。リターン用フレキシブルタイプチューブ９５はベルトコンベアに代えることもできる。
The defective product discharge return device 90 includes a defective product detection sensor 91, a defective product discharge device 92, a defective product discharge chute 93, an air ejector 94, and a return flexible type tube 95. The defective product detection sensor 91 detects whether the posture of the article 1 being conveyed by, for example, the first belt conveyor 81 of the article dispensing conveyor device 80 is in the target alignment attitude. The defective product detection sensor 91 can be configured by a laser height detector, but an image sensor or the like can also be used. The defective product discharge device 92 discharges the articles 1 recognized as defective in alignment by the defective product detection sensor 91 to a defective product discharge chute 93 on the side of the article delivery conveyor device 80. The defective product discharging device 92 can be configured by a high-pressure air blowing device, but a mechanical device such as an air cylinder can also be used. The defective article 1 discharged to the defective article discharge chute 93 is sucked by the air ejector 94 and then pumped and returned to the uppermost stream of the article conveying apparatus 10 via the return flexible type tube 95. When compressed air is supplied to the air ejector 94, high-speed air blown from the pores or slits flows to the inner surface of the ejector, and suction force is generated on the inlet side and pressure feeding force is generated on the outlet side. The return flexible type tube 95 can be replaced with a belt conveyor.
以下、物品搬送装置１０について説明する。
物品搬送装置１０は、図２〜図４に示す如く、架台１１の一端側から他端側に向かう方向を物品搬送方向とし、その一端側に入口シュート１２を設け、入口シュート１２の裏面に搬送力を高めるためのバイブレータ１３を装備してある。
Hereinafter, the article conveying apparatus 10 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the article transporting apparatus 10 sets the direction from one end side to the other end side of the gantry 11 as the article transporting direction, and provides an inlet chute 12 on one end side thereof and transports it to the back surface of the inlet chute 12 It is equipped with a vibrator 13 for increasing power.
物品搬送装置１０は、架台１１に設けた支持部材１４に複数の固定床２０を支持する。物品搬送装置１０は、複数の固定床２０の各個の床面２１を互いに搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配（水平に対する角度θ、下流側に向けて下りが正、上りが負の値：例えば5〜35度）（図５）をなすように配置している。このとき、各固定床２０の床面２１は、それ自体でも、搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配をなすように傾斜した斜面とされている。固定床２０にバイブレータを装備し、搬送力を高めても良い。
The article conveyance device 10 supports a plurality of fixed floors 20 on a support member 14 provided on the gantry 11. The article conveyance device 10 has a downward gradient (an angle θ with respect to the horizontal, a downward value is positive toward the downstream side, and an upward value is negative) with the individual floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. For example, it is arranged to form 5 to 35 degrees) (FIG. 5). At this time, the floor surface 21 of each fixed floor 20 itself is a slope inclined so as to form a downward slope toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The fixed floor 20 may be equipped with a vibrator to increase the conveying force.
物品搬送装置１０は、架台１１に支持した昇降駆動装置１５に左右のサイドガイド板１６を連結し、架台１１に支持したスライド軸１７にサイドガイド板１６に固定してあるスライド部１８をスライド自在に嵌合している。また、架台１１とスライド部１８の間には、衝撃緩和ダンパ１９を介装している。左右のサイドガイド板１６は、入口シュート１２と固定床２０の巾方向の両側に配置されるとともに、複数の移動床３０を挟んで備える。複数の移動床３０の各個を各固定床２０に対し搬送方向の側傍（本実施例では上流側の側傍）に隣接配置する。固定床２０と移動床３０は一定の間隔を介して搬送方向に沿って交互に配置されるものになる。物品搬送装置１０は、昇降駆動装置１５により、サイドガイド板１６及び移動床３０の昇降動作を繰り返す（移動床３０を昇降駆動装置１５に直に連結し、サイドガイド板１６は必ずしも昇降させる必要はない）。即ち、各移動床３０を同時にそれらの床面３１が隣接する固定床２０の床面２１に対する上位（図５（Ａ））と下位（図５（Ｂ））に位置付ける昇降動作を繰り返す。
The article conveying device 10 connects the left and right side guide plates 16 to the lifting drive device 15 supported on the gantry 11, and can freely slide the slide portion 18 fixed to the side guide plate 16 on the slide shaft 17 supported on the gantry 11. Is fitted. Further, an impact relaxation damper 19 is interposed between the gantry 11 and the slide portion 18. The left and right side guide plates 16 are arranged on both sides of the entrance chute 12 and the fixed floor 20 in the width direction, and are provided with a plurality of movable floors 30 interposed therebetween. Each of the plurality of moving floors 30 is arranged adjacent to each fixed floor 20 on the side in the transport direction (in the present embodiment, on the side on the upstream side). The fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30 are alternately arranged along the transport direction with a constant interval. The article conveying apparatus 10 repeats the raising / lowering operation of the side guide plate 16 and the moving floor 30 by the raising / lowering driving device 15 (the moving floor 30 is directly connected to the raising / lowering driving device 15 and the side guide plate 16 does not necessarily have to be raised / lowered. Absent). That is, the raising / lowering operation of positioning each moving floor 30 at the same time (FIG. 5 (A)) and lower (FIG. 5 (B)) with respect to the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 adjacent to the floor 31 is repeated.
各移動床３０の床面３１は、上位において固定床２０の床面２１より上に突出し、下位において固定床２０の床面２１より下に没入する。本発明における「没入」とは、移動床３０が固定床２０の下方に位置することをいい、具体的には、移動床３０全体が完全に固定床２０の床面２１より下方に位置する完全に没入した場合は勿論、移動床３０の床面３１が下位状態で固定床２０の床面２１とほぼ同一位置で停止した場合も含まれる。「ほぼ同一位置での停止」とは、図６（Ａ）に示すように、複数の固定床２０の床面２１の最下部を結ぶ線に対して各移動床３０の床面３１の下位状態における最高部を結ぶ線との高さ差ｙが0〜＋5mm、もしくは、ｙが図９に示す物品の最小寸法ａの2〜10％のいずれかになるように位置することをいう。尚、図６（Ｂ）は、ｙ＝約0mmで、移動床３０の床面３１が下位状態において固定床２０の床面２１とほぼ同一位置となった状態を示す。尚、図６（Ｃ）は、ｙがマイナス値となり、移動床３０の床面３１が下位状態において固定床２０の床面２１に完全に没入した状態を示す。
The floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 protrudes above the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 at the upper level and immerses below the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 at the lower level. “Immersion” in the present invention means that the moving floor 30 is located below the fixed floor 20. Specifically, the entire moving floor 30 is completely located below the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20. Of course, the case where the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 stops at substantially the same position as the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 is also included. “Stop at substantially the same position” means a lower state of the floor surface 31 of each movable floor 30 with respect to a line connecting the lowest portions of the floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 as shown in FIG. The height difference y with respect to the line connecting the highest portions in the region is 0 to +5 mm, or y is 2 to 10% of the minimum dimension a of the article shown in FIG. FIG. 6B shows a state in which y = about 0 mm and the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is substantially in the same position as the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 in the lower state. FIG. 6C shows a state where y is a negative value and the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is completely immersed in the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 in the lower state.
上位に位置付けられた各移動床３０の床面３１を搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配（水平に対する角度θ：例えば5〜35度）をなすように配置する。このとき、各移動床３０の床面３１は、それ自体でも、搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配をなすように傾斜した斜面とされている（図５）。
It arrange | positions so that the floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 located in the upper direction may make a downward slope (angle (theta): for example, 5-35 degree | times with respect to horizontal) toward the downstream of a conveyance direction. At this time, the floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 is itself an inclined surface inclined so as to form a downward gradient toward the downstream side in the transport direction (FIG. 5).
この移動床配置についての角度θ（θ1）は、固定床配置についての角度θ（θ2）とほぼ同一に一致させたほうが物品搬送時の物品挙動が安定して好ましい。θの値は、物品と固定床２０や移動床３０との摩擦状態によって適宜調整される。一例として、ポリプロピレン、ポリエチレン、ポリスチレン、ＡＢＳ等の樹脂製キャップやアルミ製等の金属製キャップ等の物品を、(a)表面を一般的な機械加工にて仕上げたステンレス製やアルミ製等の金属製の固定床２０や移動床３０、(b)表面を一般的な機械加工にて仕上げたポリアセタールやポリ塩化ビニル等の樹脂製の固定床２０や移動床３０、(c)更にこれらの表面に滑り性の良いテープ材を貼った固定床２０や移動床３０にて搬送する場合の角度θは、好ましくは8〜25度、更に好ましくは12度〜20度にすると良い。尚、移動床配置についての角度θ1と、固定床配置についての角度θ2を異なるものとすれば、上流と下流での移動挙動を変化させることも可能である。
It is preferable that the angle θ (θ1) for the moving floor arrangement is substantially the same as the angle θ (θ2) for the fixed floor arrangement because the article behavior at the time of article conveyance is stable. The value of θ is appropriately adjusted depending on the friction state between the article and the fixed floor 20 or the movable floor 30. As an example, articles such as resin caps such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and ABS, and metal caps such as aluminum, (a) metals such as stainless steel and aluminum whose surface is finished by general machining Fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 made of resin, (b) Fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 made of resin such as polyacetal and polyvinyl chloride whose surface is finished by general machining, (c) Furthermore, on these surfaces The angle θ in the case of transporting on the fixed floor 20 or the movable floor 30 to which a tape material with good slipping property is applied is preferably 8 to 25 degrees, more preferably 12 to 20 degrees. If the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement is different from the angle θ2 for the fixed floor arrangement, the movement behavior in the upstream and downstream can be changed.
移動床配置及び固定床配置が水平に対する角度θ、固定床２０の床面２１が水平に対する角度α、移動床３０の床面３１が水平に対する角度βの関係を図７に示す。
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the moving floor arrangement and the fixed floor arrangement with respect to the horizontal angle θ, the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 with respect to the horizontal angle α, and the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 with respect to the horizontal angle β.
第１の形態として、一般的な各角度の関係を図７（Ａ）に示す。固定床２０の床面２１が水平に対する角度αは、移動床配置についての角度θ1に対し、−5〜＋15度程度と、ほぼ同等もしくは僅かに大きく設定される。これは、固定床２０の床面２１において物品を下流の移動床３０の床面３１へゆっくりと安定的に搬送させるためである。仮に物品が自ら滑ることのない角度であっても、上流からの他物品に押されて搬送される。次に、移動床３０の床面３１が水平に対する角度βは、固定床２０の床面２１が水平に対する角度αに対し、＋1〜＋25度程度と大きく設定される。これは、移動床３０の床面３１が突出中に、確実に物品を下流の固定床２０の床面２１へと搬送させるためである。
As a first embodiment, a general relationship between angles is shown in FIG. The angle α of the fixed floor 20 with respect to the horizontal of the floor surface 21 is set to be approximately −5 to +15 degrees, which is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the angle θ1 with respect to the moving floor arrangement. This is because the articles are slowly and stably conveyed on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 to the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 downstream. Even if the article does not slip by itself, it is pushed and conveyed by another article from upstream. Next, the angle β with respect to the horizontal of the floor 31 of the movable floor 30 is set to be as large as about +1 to +25 degrees with respect to the angle α with respect to the horizontal of the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20. This is because the articles are reliably conveyed to the floor surface 21 of the fixed bed 20 downstream while the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is protruding.
第２の形態として、物品を特にスムースに搬送させたい際の各角度の関係を図７（Ｂ）に示す。固定床２０の床面２１が水平に対する角度αは、移動床配置についての角度θ1と概同一に設定される。更に、移動床３０の床面３１が水平に対する角度βも、移動床配置についての角度θ1と概同一に設定される。これは、移動床３０の床面３１が没入時に、物品をガタつかせることなくスムースに下流の固定床２０の床面２１へ確実に搬送させるためである。従って、移動床３０の没入位置は、図７（Ｃ）に示すように、移動床３０の床面３１が固定床２０の床面２１に対して没入せず、固定床２０の床面２１と移動床３０の床面３１が概直線関係をなすことができる位置、もしくは移動床３０の床面３１が、0.5〜3mm程度極僅かに没入する位置（不図示）とすることが好ましい。
As a second form, FIG. 7B shows a relationship between angles when an article is particularly smoothly conveyed. The angle α with respect to the horizontal of the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 is set to be approximately the same as the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement. Furthermore, the angle β with respect to the horizontal of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is also set to be approximately the same as the angle θ1 for the moving floor arrangement. This is because when the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is immersed, the articles are smoothly transported to the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 downstream without being rattled. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7C, the immersion position of the movable floor 30 is such that the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30 does not immerse into the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20, and the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 It is preferable that the position is such that the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 can form a substantially linear relationship, or the position (not shown) where the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 slightly immerses about 0.5 to 3 mm.
昇降駆動装置１５は、昇降速度や昇降ストロークを変更制御できる電動シリンダを用いることができる。昇降駆動装置１５は、電動モータの回転を直線運動に変換する機構、又は空圧シリンダ等でも良い。
The elevating drive device 15 can use an electric cylinder capable of changing and controlling the elevating speed and elevating stroke. The elevating drive device 15 may be a mechanism that converts the rotation of the electric motor into a linear motion, a pneumatic cylinder, or the like.
図８の物品搬送装置１０では、複数の固定床２０の床面２１を互いに下り勾配をなすように配置するとともに、複数の移動床３０の床面３１も互いに下り勾配をなすように配置したものであり、相隣る移動床３０のピッチｐより小寸法の物品１（図８（Ａ））も、大寸法の物品１（図８（Ｂ））も、各移動床３０の昇降動作の繰り返しにより搬送される。即ち、移動床３０の上昇により、移動床３０の床面３１が固定床２０の床面２１上にある物品１を突き上げると、移動床３０の床面３１自体の傾斜が物品１に下流側への搬送力を付与する。搬送力を付与された物品１は、移動床３０の下降により、下流側の搬送方向に沿って下り勾配をなす固定床２０の床面２１上に移載され、固定床２０の床面２１自体の傾斜、更には複数の互いに搬送方向に沿って下り勾配をなす固定床２０の床面２１相互の傾斜に載って滑り、下流側へと搬送される。固定床２０の床面２１の傾斜に載って滑る過程で、図８（Ｃ）に示す如く、下流側の固定床２０に引っ掛かっても、移動床３０の次の上昇により固定床２０から突き上げられ、下流側へと搬送される。
In the article conveying apparatus 10 of FIG. 8, the floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 are arranged so as to have a downward slope, and the floor surfaces 31 of the plurality of movable floors 30 are also arranged so as to have a downward slope. Both the article 1 (FIG. 8 (A)) smaller in size than the pitch p of the adjacent movable floors 30 and the article 1 (FIG. 8 (B)) larger in size repeat the raising / lowering operation of each movable floor 30. It is conveyed by. That is, when the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 pushes up the article 1 on the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20 due to the rising of the moving floor 30, the inclination of the floor 31 itself of the moving floor 30 moves downstream in the article 1. The conveyance force of is given. The article 1 to which the conveyance force is applied is transferred onto the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 that has a downward gradient along the downstream conveyance direction due to the lowering of the moving floor 30, and the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 itself. Are further slid on the slopes of the floor surfaces 21 of the fixed floor 20 having a downward slope along the transport direction, and are transported downstream. In the process of sliding on the slope of the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20, as shown in FIG. 8C, even if it is caught on the downstream fixed floor 20, it is pushed up from the fixed floor 20 by the next rise of the moving floor 30. And conveyed downstream.
従って、物品搬送装置１０にあっては、固定床２０と移動床３０が搬送方向に沿って交互に隣接配置され、しかもそれらの床面２１、３１が互いに搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配をなすように配置されるものであり、物品１の寸法形状や投入姿勢に関係なく、あらゆる物品１を固定床２０の床面２１に載せ、移動床３０の床面３１により突き上げ、上述(a)の搬送動作を行ない、概ね一定量ずつ排出できる。
Accordingly, in the article transporting apparatus 10, the fixed floor 20 and the moving floor 30 are alternately arranged adjacent to each other along the transport direction, and the floor surfaces 21 and 31 are inclined downward toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Regardless of the size and shape of the article 1 and the throwing posture, any article 1 is placed on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 and pushed up by the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30. ) Can be carried out and discharged almost at a constant rate.
物品搬送装置１０は、移動床３０の昇降動作の１サイクル（最下降位置〜最上昇位置〜最下降位置の１サイクル）において、移動床３０の床面３１が隣接する固定床２０の床面２１より上に突出している時間割合を、該固定床２０の床面２１より下に没入している時間割合より小さく制御することができる。これにより、物品１を移動床３０の床面３１より突き上げている時間より、物品１を固定床２０の床面２１に載せて滑らせる時間のほうが長くなり、物品１の排出量を増加できる。
The article conveyance device 10 is configured such that the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 adjacent to the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is one cycle of the lifting and lowering operation of the moving floor 30 (one cycle from the lowest position to the highest position to the lowest position). The time ratio protruding above can be controlled to be smaller than the time ratio immersing below the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20. As a result, the time during which the article 1 is slid on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 is longer than the time during which the article 1 is pushed up from the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30, and the discharge amount of the article 1 can be increased.
尚、移動床３０の上昇加速度が大きい場合には、移動床３０の床面３１が物品１に及ぼす突き上げ力が大きく、ひいては移動床３０の床面３１の傾斜が物品１に及ぼす搬送力が大きくなり、物品１の排出量を増加できる。
In addition, when the rising acceleration of the moving floor 30 is large, the push-up force exerted on the article 1 by the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is large, and as a result, the conveying force exerted on the article 1 by the inclination of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is large. Thus, the discharge amount of the article 1 can be increased.
また、物品搬送装置１０は、移動床３０の昇降動作の１サイクルにおいて、移動床３０の床面３１が隣接する固定床２０の床面２１より上に突出している時間割合を、該固定床２０の床面２１より下に没入している時間割合より大きく制御することもできる。これにより、物品１を移動床３０の床面３１により突き上げている時間より、物品１を固定床２０の床面２１に載せて滑らせる時間のほうが短くなり、物品１の排出量を低減できる。
In addition, the article transporting apparatus 10 determines the time ratio in which the floor surface 31 of the movable floor 30 protrudes above the floor surface 21 of the adjacent fixed floor 20 in one cycle of the lifting and lowering operation of the movable floor 30 to the fixed floor 20. It is also possible to control to be greater than the time ratio of being immersed below the floor 21 of the floor. As a result, the time during which the article 1 is slid on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 is shorter than the time during which the article 1 is pushed up by the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30, and the discharge amount of the article 1 can be reduced.
尚、移動床３０の上昇加速度が小さい場合には、移動床３０の床面３１が物品１に及ぼす突き上げ力が小さく、ひいては移動床３０の床面３１の傾斜が物品１に及ぼす搬送力が小さくなり、物品１の排出量を低減できる。
When the rising acceleration of the moving floor 30 is small, the push-up force exerted on the article 1 by the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is small, and consequently the conveying force exerted on the article 1 by the inclination of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 is small. Thus, the discharge amount of the article 1 can be reduced.
また、移動床３０の上昇時速度の最大値は、搬送物品の重さや固定床配置角度や移動床配置角度θ等によって、所望の速度で安定搬送できるように適宜調整される。一例として、重量4〜10ｇ程度の物品１としてのキャップをθ＝15度で搬送する際における移動床３０の上昇時速度は、好ましくは、50〜300mm/sec。更に好ましくは、100〜200mm/secである。
Moreover, the maximum value of the moving speed of the moving bed 30 is adjusted as appropriate so that it can be stably conveyed at a desired speed according to the weight of the conveyed article, the fixed floor arrangement angle, the moving floor arrangement angle θ, and the like. As an example, the moving speed of the moving bed 30 when the cap as the article 1 having a weight of about 4 to 10 g is conveyed at θ = 15 degrees is preferably 50 to 300 mm / sec. More preferably, it is 100-200 mm / sec.
上記好適値より小さいと、物品１に充分な搬送力を与えることが困難となり、上記好適値より大きいと、物品１の搬送速度も大きくなりすぎて、安定した搬送が不可能となる。
If the value is smaller than the preferred value, it is difficult to give a sufficient conveying force to the article 1. If the value is larger than the preferred value, the conveying speed of the article 1 becomes too high and stable conveyance becomes impossible.
次に、物品１の形態と物品搬送装置１０による当該物品１の搬送性の関係について説明する。物品搬送装置１０の搬送対象物品１として、図９に示す如く、円形キャップ１Ａ、楕円形キャップ１Ｂを考慮するとき、円形キャップ１Ａの最小寸法ａを高さｈとし、楕円形キャップ１Ｂの最小寸法ａを楕円短径ｅとする。図９の円形キャップ、楕円キャップにおいては、ｈ、ｅが最小となる形状例であるが、もちろん円形キャップにおいて円の直径のほうがｈよりも小さくなる場合もあるし、楕円キャップにおいてキャップ高さのほうがｅよりも小さくなる場合もある。以下の説明はこれら物品１の最小寸法を基準とした説明である。
Next, the relationship between the form of the article 1 and the transportability of the article 1 by the article conveying apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when considering the circular cap 1A and the elliptical cap 1B as the articles 1 to be transported by the article transporting apparatus 10, the minimum dimension a of the circular cap 1A is set to the height h, and the minimum dimension of the elliptical cap 1B. Let a be the ellipse minor axis e. In the circular cap and the elliptical cap of FIG. 9, h and e are examples of shapes that are minimum. Of course, in the circular cap, the diameter of the circle may be smaller than h. May be smaller than e. The following description is based on the minimum dimensions of these articles 1.
(1)物品搬送装置１０による円形キャップ１Ａ（楕円形キャップ１Ｂも概ね同じ）の搬送性（図１０）
(1) Conveyability of the circular cap 1A (the elliptical cap 1B is substantially the same) by the article conveying device 10 (FIG. 10)
円形キャップ１Ａの良好な搬送性を確保するためには、相隣る移動床３０の間隔ｘを、円形キャップ１Ａの最小寸法ａ（ｈ、ｅ）の0.3〜2.0倍、より好ましくは0.4〜1.5倍とするのが良い（図１０（Ａ））。相隣る移動床３０の間隔ｘが上記好適値より過大になると、移動床３０が円形キャップ１Ａを突き上げず、搬送できない（図１０（Ｂ））。尚、1.0倍を超える範囲でも、上記好適値内であれば、上流からの物品１に押されることで搬送は可能である。
In order to ensure good transportability of the circular cap 1A, the distance x between the adjacent moving beds 30 is set to 0.3 to 2.0 times, more preferably 0.4 to 1.5 times the minimum dimension a (h, e) of the circular cap 1A. It is better to double (FIG. 10A). If the distance x between the adjacent moving floors 30 becomes larger than the above preferred value, the moving floor 30 does not push up the circular cap 1A and cannot be transported (FIG. 10B). Even in the range exceeding 1.0 times, if it is within the above preferable value, it can be conveyed by being pushed by the article 1 from the upstream.
相隣る移動床３０の間隔ｘが上記好適値より過小になると、固定床２０や移動床３０が円形キャップ１Ａの搬送に対する適度な障害物にならず、円形キャップ１Ａは固定床２０の床面２１と移動床３０の床面３１の上を転がり続けて適度に一旦停止せしめられることがなく、安定排出できない円形キャップ１Ａの比率が高くなる（図１０（Ｃ）、（Ｄ））。
If the distance x between the adjacent moving floors 30 is less than the above preferred value, the fixed floor 20 and the moving floor 30 do not become an appropriate obstacle for the conveyance of the circular cap 1A, and the circular cap 1A is the floor surface of the fixed floor 20. 21 and the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 continue to roll and are not stopped properly, and the ratio of the circular cap 1A that cannot be stably discharged increases (FIGS. 10C and 10D).
円形キャップ１Ａの良好搬送を確保するためには、複数の固定床２０の床面２１を互いに結ぶ線と、複数の移動床３０の最上昇位置にある床面３１を互いに結ぶ線のレベル差ｄを、円形キャップ１Ａの最小寸法ａの0.3〜3.0倍、より好ましくは0.5〜2.5倍とするのが良い。
In order to ensure good conveyance of the circular cap 1A, the level difference d between the line connecting the floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 and the line connecting the floor surfaces 31 at the highest rising positions of the plurality of movable floors 30 to each other. Is 0.3 to 3.0 times the minimum dimension a of the circular cap 1A, more preferably 0.5 to 2.5 times.
上記好適値より小さいと搬送力が不充分であり、上記好適値より大きいと搬送力が強すぎて安定的な搬送が困難となる。
If it is smaller than the above preferred value, the carrying force is insufficient, and if it is larger than the above preferred value, the carrying force is too strong and it is difficult to carry out stable carrying.
(2)物品搬送装置１０による円形キャップ１Ａ（楕円形キャップ１Ｂも概ね同じ）の整列性（図１１）
(2) Alignment of the circular cap 1A (the elliptical cap 1B is substantially the same) by the article conveying device 10 (FIG. 11)
有天面の円形キャップ１Ａは、重心側（天面側）が下位となるように整列されて排出される。
The circular caps 1 </ b> A having the top surface are aligned and discharged so that the center of gravity side (top surface side) is the lower side.
図１１において、固定床２０または移動床３０と円形キャップ１Ａの接触部に描かれた点は回転中心ｒであり、移動床３０に描かれた上向きの矢印の終点は、回転力の作用点ｆである。
In FIG. 11, the point drawn at the contact portion between the fixed floor 20 or the moving floor 30 and the circular cap 1A is the rotation center r, and the end point of the upward arrow drawn on the moving floor 30 is the action point f of the rotational force. It is.
移動床３０が最上昇位置にあるとき（図１１（Ａ））が、円形キャップ１Ａの整列のための回転開始起点となる。
When the movable floor 30 is at the highest position (FIG. 11A), the rotation start point for alignment of the circular caps 1A becomes a starting point.
移動床３０が下降中（図１１（Ｂ））、円形キャップ１Ａは移動しつつ下流への搬送力が付与される。
While the moving floor 30 is descending (FIG. 11 (B)), the circular cap 1A moves and is given a downstream conveying force.
移動床３０が最下降位置にあるとき（図１１（Ｃ））、円形キャップ１Ａの回転中心ｒは固定床２０の頂点にあり、回転力の作用点ｆは移動床３０の頂点にある。円形キャップ１Ａには下流への搬送力が働いているため、僅かな回転力で回転できる。
When the moving floor 30 is in the lowest lowered position (FIG. 11C), the rotational center r of the circular cap 1A is at the apex of the fixed floor 20, and the point of action f of the rotational force is at the apex of the moving floor 30. Since the circular cap 1A has a downstream conveying force, it can be rotated with a slight rotational force.
移動床３０が上昇中（図１１（Ｄ））、円形キャップ１Ａは回転移動しつつ、円形キャップ１Ａの回転中心ｒは下流の移動床３０の頂点に移動し、回転力の作用点ｆは同一の移動床３０上で下流側に移動する。
While the moving bed 30 is rising (FIG. 11D), the circular cap 1A rotates and the rotation center r of the circular cap 1A moves to the apex of the moving bed 30 downstream, and the point of action f of the rotational force is the same. Move downstream on the moving bed 30.
移動床３０が最上昇位置にあるとき（図１１（Ｅ））、円形キャップ１Ａの重心側の天面が下方となるように回転した後、回転は停止し、安定姿勢になる。
When the movable floor 30 is at the highest position (FIG. 11E), the rotation stops so that the top surface on the center of gravity side of the circular cap 1A is downward, and then the rotation stops and the posture becomes stable.
移動床３０が下降中（図１１（Ｆ））、円形キャップ１Ａは固定床２０上で滑り移動し、回転しない。即ち、円形キャップ１Ａの回転移動により、円形キャップ１Ａの重心側を下方とする整列がなされた。
While the moving floor 30 is descending (FIG. 11 (F)), the circular cap 1A slides on the fixed floor 20 and does not rotate. In other words, the circular cap 1A was rotated and moved so that the center of gravity of the circular cap 1A was on the lower side.
円形キャップ１Ａの良好な重心側を下方とする整列性を確保するためには、複数の固定床２０の床面２１を互いに結ぶ線と、複数の移動床３０の最上昇位置にある床面３１を互いに結ぶ線のレベル差ｄを、円形キャップ１Ａの最小寸法ａの0.2〜1.7倍、より好ましくは0.3〜1.2倍とするのが良い。
In order to ensure the alignment with the center of gravity of the circular cap 1A facing downward, the line connecting the floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20 and the floor surface 31 at the highest rise position of the plurality of movable floors 30 are provided. The level difference d between the lines connecting the two is preferably 0.2 to 1.7 times, more preferably 0.3 to 1.2 times the minimum dimension a of the circular cap 1A.
上記好適値より小さいと回転力や搬送力が不充分であり、上記好適値より大きいと回転力が強すぎて重心側を下方とする整列が困難となる。
If it is smaller than the above-mentioned preferred value, the rotational force and the conveying force are insufficient, and if it is larger than the preferred value, the rotational force is too strong and it is difficult to align the center of gravity downward.
物品搬送装置１０は、図１１に示す如く、円形キャップ１Ａを搬送し、かつ円形キャップ１Ａの重心側を下方とする整列状態で排出できる。尚、ここでは、円形キャップ１Ａの重心側を下方とする整列状態で排出できることについて説明したが、楕円形キャップ１Ｂでも同様の整列が可能である。更に、四角形や長楕円等の円形以外のキャップ、箱の蓋のような桶形状、円形の桶形状の物品等、重心の偏りを有す物品においても重心側を下方とする整列が可能である。
As shown in FIG. 11, the article transporting apparatus 10 can transport the circular cap 1A and discharge it in an aligned state in which the center of gravity side of the circular cap 1A is downward. In addition, although it demonstrated that it can discharge in the alignment state which makes the gravity center side of the circular cap 1A below here, the same alignment is also possible for the elliptical cap 1B. Furthermore, it is possible to align the center of gravity side downward in an article having a bias in the center of gravity, such as a cap other than a circle such as a rectangle or an ellipse, a bowl shape like a box lid, or a round bowl-shaped article. .
次に、物品整列装置４０について説明する。
物品整列装置４０は、図１、図１３に示す如く、固定床５０と移動床６０と排出シュート７０を、物品搬送装置１０に続く搬送方向の下流側に向けて順に配置してある。本実施例では、物品搬送装置１０における最下流の固定床２０、移動床３０を、物品整列装置４０における固定床５０、移動床６０として用いることとした。但し、物品整列装置４０の固定床５０、移動床６０は、物品搬送装置１０の固定床２０、移動床３０と独立に構成し、移動床６０を独立の昇降駆動装置により昇降させても良い。
Next, the article alignment apparatus 40 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the article alignment device 40 has a fixed floor 50, a moving floor 60, and a discharge chute 70 arranged in order toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction following the article conveyance device 10. In this embodiment, the most downstream fixed floor 20 and moving floor 30 in the article transporting apparatus 10 are used as the fixed floor 50 and moving floor 60 in the article aligning apparatus 40. However, the fixed floor 50 and the movable floor 60 of the article alignment apparatus 40 may be configured independently of the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30 of the article transport apparatus 10, and the movable floor 60 may be moved up and down by an independent lift driving device.
物品整列装置４０は、固定床５０の床面５１（固定床２０の床面２１）を搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配をなすように配置している。また、物品整列装置４０は、移動床６０を固定床５０に対し搬送方向の下流側に配置するとともに、移動床６０をその床面６１（移動床３０の床面３１）が固定床５０の床面５１（固定床２０の床面２１）に対する上位と下位に位置付ける昇降動作を繰り返し、上位に位置付けされた移動床６０の床面６１を搬送方向の下流側に向けて下り勾配をなすように配置している。また、物品整列装置４０は、移動床６０の搬送方向の下流側で、固定床５０の床面５１より低位となる位置に排出シュート７０を配置している。
The article alignment device 40 is arranged so as to form a downward gradient with the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 (the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20) directed toward the downstream side in the transport direction. In addition, the article alignment device 40 arranges the moving floor 60 on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the fixed floor 50, and the floor 61 of the moving floor 60 (the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30) is the floor of the fixed floor 50. The raising / lowering operation positioned at the upper and lower positions with respect to the surface 51 (the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20) is repeated, and the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60 positioned at the upper position is arranged to form a downward gradient toward the downstream side in the transport direction. is doing. Further, the article alignment device 40 has a discharge chute 70 disposed at a position lower than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the moving floor 60.
物品整列装置４０は、移動床６０にエア吹出し装置６２を設けてある。移動床６０は、図１４、図１５に示す如く、床面６１を備える本体６０Ａと、本体６０Ａの下流側面を形成する側板６０Ｂをボルト６３により固定して一体にしたものであり、本体６０Ａと側板６０Ｂの間にエア室６４を形成し、加圧エア供給管６５をエア室６４に連通する。移動床６０は、本体６０Ａと側板６０Ｂが排出シュート７０に臨む側に開口する下流向けエア吹出し口６６を備えるとともに、本体６０Ａが固定床５０に臨む側に開口する上流向けエア吹出し口６７を備え、これらのエア吹出し口６６、６７をエア室６４に連通させている。尚、本発明では、移動床６０が下流向けエア吹出し口６６だけを備え、上流向け吹出し口６７を備えないものでも良い。
The article alignment device 40 is provided with an air blowing device 62 on the moving floor 60. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the movable floor 60 is formed by integrally fixing a main body 60A having a floor surface 61 and a side plate 60B forming a downstream side surface of the main body 60A with bolts 63. An air chamber 64 is formed between the side plates 60 </ b> B, and a pressurized air supply pipe 65 is communicated with the air chamber 64. The movable floor 60 includes a downstream air outlet 66 that opens to the side where the main body 60A and the side plate 60B face the discharge chute 70, and an upstream air outlet 67 that opens to the side where the main body 60A faces the fixed floor 50. These air outlets 66 and 67 are communicated with the air chamber 64. In the present invention, the moving floor 60 may include only the downstream air outlet 66 and may not include the upstream outlet 67.
移動床６０の下流向けエア吹出し口６６は、本実施例では、移動床６０を構成する本体６０Ａと側板６０Ｂの相対する縁が互いに区画し、床面６１の斜面の下縁に沿うスリット状となっており、そのクリアランスは0.1〜2.0mmとすることで、長手方向に均一にエア供給が可能となる。本体６０Ａと側板６０Ｂにより下流向けエア吹出し口６６を形成することでクリアランスの微調整が可能である。下流向けエア吹出し口６６を細孔としても良いが、その際、孔間隔は物品最大サイズの0.2〜0.5倍程度としたほうが、確実に物品に作用できるので好ましい。その直径としては0.2〜2.0mm程度が好ましい。孔間隔が広いと物品１に斜めにエアが作用し、隣接した物品間で衝突が生じ、動きが不安定になる。下流向けエア吹出し口６６からのエア吹出し方向は、概ね水平方向としたほうが、移動床６０の上昇時のみ物品１を排出シュート７０側の排出方向に作用できるため好ましい。更に好ましくは、下流向けエア吹出し口６６からのエア吹出し方向は、排出シュート７０と並行する向きにまで下方に向けると良い（不図示）。下方に向けると、エア吹出し方向と物品１の滑り落ち方向がほぼ一致するため、排出シュート７０上で物品１はより一層安定する。供給エア圧力は0.05MPa〜0.8MPa程度で、物品１が安定して排出できる速度に適宜調整される。下流向けエア吹出し口６６の上昇時のみエアを吹出す制御を加えれば、エア消費量を節約することも可能である。移動床６０において、加圧エア供給管６５が接続されるエア供給部は２ヶ所以上、エア室６４の体積は大きいほど、下流向けエア吹出し口６６のスリット深さＳ1が長いほど、下流向けエア吹出し口６６から移動床６０の全域に渡ってほぼ同じ強さのエアを吹出すことができる。移動床６０が上下動の中間位置〜最上昇位置で、下流向けエア吹出し口６６は排出シュート７０の入側（排出シュート７０の最上端部で物品１を物品整列装置４０から受け入れる部分）高さレベルを一定高さまでこえなければならない。移動床６０の最上昇位置における、排出シュート７０の入り側高さから下流向けエア吹出し口６６までの距離は、物品１の高さｈの0.1〜1.0倍程度が好ましく、特に好ましくは、0.1〜0.6倍とすると物品１の高さ方向の中央部にエアが作用するので、物品１は安定的に排出シュート上を滑り落ちる。
In the present embodiment, the air outlet 66 for the downstream of the moving floor 60 is formed in a slit shape along the lower edge of the slope of the floor surface 61, with the opposing edges of the main body 60 </ b> A and the side plate 60 </ b> B constituting the moving floor 60 partitioned from each other. The clearance is 0.1 to 2.0 mm, so that air can be supplied uniformly in the longitudinal direction. The clearance can be finely adjusted by forming the downstream air outlet 66 by the main body 60A and the side plate 60B. The downstream air outlet 66 may be a fine hole, but in that case, it is preferable that the hole interval is about 0.2 to 0.5 times the maximum size of the article because it can act on the article with certainty. The diameter is preferably about 0.2 to 2.0 mm. If the hole interval is wide, air acts obliquely on the article 1 and a collision occurs between adjacent articles, resulting in unstable movement. It is preferable that the air blowing direction from the downstream air blowing port 66 is substantially horizontal because the article 1 can act in the discharge direction on the discharge chute 70 side only when the moving bed 60 is raised. More preferably, the air blowing direction from the downstream air blowing port 66 may be directed downward to a direction parallel to the discharge chute 70 (not shown). When directed downward, the air blowing direction and the sliding-down direction of the article 1 substantially coincide with each other, so that the article 1 is further stabilized on the discharge chute 70. The supply air pressure is about 0.05 MPa to 0.8 MPa, and is appropriately adjusted to a speed at which the article 1 can be discharged stably. If control for blowing out air only when the downstream air blowing port 66 is raised, air consumption can be saved. In the moving bed 60, there are two or more air supply units to which the pressurized air supply pipes 65 are connected, the larger the volume of the air chamber 64, the longer the slit depth S1 of the downstream air outlet 66, and Air of almost the same strength can be blown out from the blowout opening 66 over the entire area of the moving floor 60. When the moving floor 60 is in the middle position to the highest position in the vertical movement, the downstream air outlet 66 is on the entry side of the discharge chute 70 (the portion at which the article 1 is received from the article alignment device 40 at the uppermost end of the discharge chute 70). The level must be exceeded to a certain height. The distance from the entrance side height of the discharge chute 70 to the downstream air outlet 66 at the most elevated position of the moving floor 60 is preferably about 0.1 to 1.0 times the height h of the article 1, and particularly preferably 0.1 to 1.0. If it is 0.6 times, air acts on the center of the article 1 in the height direction, and the article 1 stably slides down on the discharge chute.
移動床６０の上流向けエア吹出し口６７は、本実施例では、本体６０Ａに穿設され、床面６１の斜面の上縁に沿う複数個の細孔状となっており、直径としては0.2〜2.0mm程度が好ましい。また、相隣る上流向けエア吹出し口６７の孔間隔は物品最大サイズの0.2〜0.5倍程度としたほうが、確実に物品に作用できるので好ましい。上流向けエア吹出し口６７をスリット状としても良く、その際クリアランスは0.1〜2.0mmが好ましい。上流向けエア吹出し口６７からのエア吹出し方向は水平よりも上方に向けるほうが、物品１に作用し易いので好ましい。供給エア圧力は0.05MPa〜0.8MPa程度で、物品１が安定して反転できるように適宜調整される。移動床６０が上下動の最上昇位置〜最下降位置の全範囲で、上流向けエア吹出し口６７は固定床５０の床面５１と同等以下に位置する。
In the present embodiment, the upstream air outlet 67 of the movable floor 60 is formed in the main body 60A and has a plurality of pores along the upper edge of the slope of the floor surface 61. The diameter is 0.2 to About 2.0 mm is preferable. Further, it is preferable that the interval between the adjacent upstream air outlets 67 is about 0.2 to 0.5 times the maximum size of the article because it can surely act on the article. The upstream air outlet 67 may be slit-shaped, and the clearance is preferably 0.1 to 2.0 mm. It is preferable that the air blowing direction from the upstream air blowing port 67 is directed upward rather than horizontally because it is easy to act on the article 1. The supply air pressure is about 0.05 MPa to 0.8 MPa, and is appropriately adjusted so that the article 1 can be stably reversed. The upstream air outlet 67 is located at the same level or lower than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 in the entire range from the highest rising position to the lowest moving position of the movable floor 60.
(A)物品整列装置４０によるキャップ１の高速排出性について説明する（図１７〜図２０）。
(A) The high-speed discharge property of the cap 1 by the article alignment device 40 will be described (FIGS. 17 to 20).
(1)上流側の物品搬送装置１０により、重心側の天面が下方となるように整列されて搬送されてきた物品１は、移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より上位に位置付けながら下降する下降中（図１７）、移動床６０により止められて固定床５０の床面５１上にある。上流向けエア吹出し口６７からの吹出しエアは、固定床５０と移動床６０の間隙から上向きに流出するものの、物品１の外周をすり抜け、物品１に作用しない。
(1) The article 1 that has been conveyed by the article conveying apparatus 10 on the upstream side so that the top surface on the center of gravity side is positioned downward is transferred by the movable floor 60 to the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50. While descending while being positioned higher (FIG. 17), it is stopped by the moving floor 60 and is on the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50. Air blown out from the upstream air outlet 67 flows upward from the gap between the fixed floor 50 and the movable floor 60, but passes through the outer periphery of the article 1 and does not act on the article 1.
(2)移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より下位に位置付ける最下降時（図１８）、物品１は上述(1)の整列姿勢のまま、固定床５０の床面５１から移動床６０の床面６１まで滑り落ちる。
(2) When the moving floor 60 is in its lowest position where the floor surface 61 is positioned lower than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 (FIG. 18), the article 1 remains in the aligned posture as described in (1) above. Slide from 51 to the floor 61 of the moving floor 60.
(3)移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より上位に位置付ける上昇中（図１９）、移動床６０の床面６１が排出シュート７０の入側高さレベルをこえると、物品１は移動床６０の床面６１から排出シュート７０に滑り込む。
(3) When the moving floor 60 is moving up so that its floor surface 61 is positioned higher than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 (FIG. 19), the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60 exceeds the entry-side height level of the discharge chute 70. The article 1 slides into the discharge chute 70 from the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60.
(4)移動床６０が最上昇位置まで更に上昇するとき（図２０）、下流向けエア吹出し口６６が排出シュート７０の入側高さレベルをこえると、下流向けエア吹出し口６６からの吹出しエアが排出シュート７０上の物品１に当たり、物品１を排出シュート７０から物品払出コンベア装置８０に向けて高速排出する。移動床６０が上下する度に物品１は排出シュート７０に払い出されるが、速やかに物品払出コンベア装置８０の側に物品１を搬送しないと、排出シュート７０上で物品１が移動床６０の次回上昇によって排出シュートに払い出された物品１と干渉し、詰まるおそれがある。従って、移動床６０の昇降サイクルが短い高速運転においては、物品１を高速で排出することが必要になる。
(4) When the moving bed 60 further rises to the highest position (FIG. 20), when the downstream air outlet 66 exceeds the entrance-side height level of the discharge chute 70, the air blown from the downstream air outlet 66 Hits the article 1 on the discharge chute 70 and discharges the article 1 from the discharge chute 70 toward the article delivery conveyor device 80 at high speed. Each time the moving floor 60 moves up and down, the article 1 is paid out to the discharge chute 70. However, if the article 1 is not conveyed promptly to the article discharge conveyor device 80, the article 1 rises next time on the discharge chute 70 on the moving floor 60. May interfere with the article 1 delivered to the discharge chute and become clogged. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge the article 1 at a high speed in a high-speed operation in which the moving up / down cycle of the moving floor 60 is short.
(B)物品１が目標整列姿勢を付与されていないとき（重心側の天面が上方に位置する）、物品整列装置４０は物品１を以下の如くに整列しつつ、高速排出する（図２１〜図２４）。
(B) When the article 1 is not given the target alignment posture (the top surface on the center of gravity side is positioned above), the article alignment device 40 discharges the article 1 at a high speed while aligning the articles 1 as follows (FIG. 21). To FIG. 24).
(1)上流側の物品搬送装置１０により、重心側の天面が上方となるように整列されて搬送されてきた物品１は、移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より上位に位置付けながら下降する下降中（図２１）、移動床６０により止められて固定床５０の床面５１上にある。上流向けエア吹出し口６７からの吹出しエアは、固定床５０と移動床６０の間隙から上向きに流出するものの、物品１の外周をすり抜け、物品１に作用しない。
(1) The article 1 that has been conveyed by the article conveying apparatus 10 on the upstream side so that the top surface on the center of gravity side is positioned upward is moved by the movable floor 60 to the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50. While descending while being positioned higher (FIG. 21), it is stopped by the moving floor 60 and is on the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50. Air blown out from the upstream air outlet 67 flows upward from the gap between the fixed floor 50 and the movable floor 60, but passes through the outer periphery of the article 1 and does not act on the article 1.
(2)移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より下位に位置付ける最下降時（図２２）、物品１が上述(1)の姿勢で、固定床５０の床面５１から移動床６０の床面６１に滑り落ちるものの、上流向けエア吹出し口６７からの吹出しエアが物品１の内周凹部に作用し、物品１は前方に倒れ易くなる。
(2) When the moving floor 60 is in the lowest position where the floor surface 61 is positioned lower than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 (FIG. 22), the article 1 is in the posture of (1) described above and from the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50. Although it slides down on the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60, the blown air from the upstream air blowing port 67 acts on the inner peripheral recess of the article 1, and the article 1 is likely to fall forward.
(3)移動床６０がその床面６１を固定床５０の床面５１より上位に位置付ける上昇中（図２３）、移動床６０の床面６１が排出シュート７０の入側高さレベルをこえると、物品１は上述(2)の上流向けエア吹出し口６７からの吹出しエアの作用を受け、移動床６０の床面６１から前方に倒れて排出シュート７０に滑り込み、排出シュート７０上での物品１の姿勢は重心側の天面を下方とする目標整列姿勢になる。
(3) When the moving floor 60 is moving up so that its floor surface 61 is positioned higher than the floor surface 51 of the fixed floor 50 (FIG. 23), the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60 exceeds the entry-side height level of the discharge chute 70. The article 1 is subjected to the action of the air blown from the upstream air outlet 67 in the above (2), falls forward from the floor surface 61 of the moving floor 60 and slides into the discharge chute 70, and the article 1 on the discharge chute 70. Is the target alignment posture with the top on the center of gravity side downward.
(4)移動床６０が最上昇位置まで更に上昇するとき（図２４）、下流向けエア吹出し口６６が排出シュート７０の入側高さレベルをこえると、下流向けエア吹出し口６６からの吹出しエアが排出シュート７０上の物品１に当たり、物品１を排出シュート７０から物品払出コンベア装置８０に向けて高速排出する。移動床６０が上下する度に物品１は排出シュート７０に払い出されるが、速やかに物品払出コンベア装置８０の側に物品１を搬送しないと、排出シュート７０上で物品１が移動床６０の次回上昇によって排出シュートに払い出された物品１と干渉し、詰るおそれがある。従って、移動床６０の昇降サイクルが短い高速運転においては、物品１を高速で排出することが必要になる。
(4) When the moving floor 60 further rises to the highest position (FIG. 24), when the downstream air outlet 66 exceeds the entrance-side height level of the discharge chute 70, the air blown from the downstream air outlet 66 Hits the article 1 on the discharge chute 70 and discharges the article 1 from the discharge chute 70 toward the article delivery conveyor device 80 at high speed. Each time the moving floor 60 moves up and down, the article 1 is paid out to the discharge chute 70. However, if the article 1 is not conveyed promptly to the article discharge conveyor device 80, the article 1 rises next time on the discharge chute 70 on the moving floor 60. May interfere with the article 1 delivered to the discharge chute and clog. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge the article 1 at a high speed in a high-speed operation in which the moving up / down cycle of the moving floor 60 is short.
物品整列搬送装置１００によれば、物品整列装置４０の上述(A)、(B)の高速排出性、整列性により、キャップ１の天面を確実に下向きにして高速排出できる。
According to the article alignment / conveyance apparatus 100, the high-speed discharge and alignment of the article alignment apparatus 40 described above in (A) and (B) can ensure high-speed discharge with the top surface of the cap 1 facing down.
図２５の物品整列搬送装置１００が図１３の物品整列搬送装置１００と異なる点は、物品搬送装置１０を構成する全ての移動床３０又は一部の移動床３０にエア吹出し装置３２を設けたことにある。エア吹出し装置３２は、物品整列装置４０のエア吹出し装置６２と同様に構成され、エア室３４、加圧エア供給管３５、下流向けエア吹出し口３６、上流向けエア吹出し口３７を有する。移動床３０の下流向けエア吹出し口３６は、当該移動床３０の床面３１の斜面の下縁に沿うスリット状（複数個の細孔状でも可）をなし、該移動床３０の下流側の固定床２０に臨む側に開口する。移動床３０の上流向けエア吹出し口３７は、当該移動床３０の床面３１の斜面の上縁に沿う複数個の細孔状（スリット状でも可）をなし、該移動床３０の上流側の固定床２０に臨む側に開口する。
25 is different from the article alignment / conveyance apparatus 100 in FIG. 13 in that the air blowing devices 32 are provided on all or some of the movable floors 30 constituting the article conveyance apparatus 10. It is in. The air blowing device 32 is configured in the same manner as the air blowing device 62 of the article alignment device 40, and includes an air chamber 34, a pressurized air supply pipe 35, a downstream air blowing port 36, and an upstream air blowing port 37. The downstream air outlet 36 of the moving bed 30 has a slit shape (may be a plurality of pores) along the lower edge of the slope of the floor surface 31 of the moving bed 30, and is located downstream of the moving bed 30. Open to the side facing the fixed floor 20. The upstream air outlet 37 of the moving floor 30 has a plurality of fine pores (or may be slit-shaped) along the upper edge of the slope of the floor 31 of the moving floor 30, and is located upstream of the moving floor 30. Open to the side facing the fixed floor 20.
物品搬送装置１０の移動床３０に設けたエア吹出し装置３２による物品１の高速排出性について説明する。
The high-speed discharge property of the article 1 by the air blowing device 32 provided on the moving floor 30 of the article conveying apparatus 10 will be described.
(1)重心側の天面が下方となって搬送されてきたキャップ１は、移動床３０がその床面３１を上流側の固定床２０の床面２１より上位に位置付けながら下降する下降中、移動床３０により止められて上流側の固定床２０の床面２１上にある。上流向けエア吹出し口３７からの吹出しエアは、固定床２０と移動床３０の間隙から上向きに流出するものの、キャップ１の外周をすり抜け、キャップ１に作用しない。
(1) The cap 1 which has been transported with the top surface on the center of gravity side downward is being lowered while the movable floor 30 is positioned while the floor surface 31 is positioned higher than the floor surface 21 of the upstream fixed floor 20, It is stopped by the moving floor 30 and is on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 on the upstream side. The air blown from the upstream air blowing port 37 flows upward from the gap between the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30, but passes through the outer periphery of the cap 1 and does not act on the cap 1.
(2)移動床３０がその床面３１を上流側の固定床２０の床面２１より下位に位置付ける最下降時、キャップ１は上述(1)の整列姿勢のまま、上流側の固定床２０の床面２１から移動床３０の床面３１まで滑り落ちる。
(2) When the moving floor 30 is in the lowest position where the floor surface 31 is positioned below the floor surface 21 of the upstream fixed floor 20, the cap 1 remains in the above-mentioned alignment posture (1) and the upstream fixed floor 20 It slides down from the floor surface 21 to the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30.
(3)移動床３０がその床面３１を上流側の固定床２０の床面２１より上位に位置付ける上昇中、移動床３０の床面３１が下流側の固定床２０の入側高さレベルをこえると、キャップ１は移動床３０の床面３１から下流側の固定床２０の床面２１に滑り込む。
(3) While the moving floor 30 is rising so that the floor surface 31 is positioned higher than the floor surface 21 of the upstream fixed floor 20, the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 is set to the entry side height level of the downstream fixed floor 20. When this happens, the cap 1 slides from the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 into the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 on the downstream side.
(4)移動床３０が最上昇位置まで更に上昇するとき、下流向けエア吹出し口３６が下流側の固定床２０の入側高さレベルをこえると、下流向けエア吹出し口３６からの吹出しエアが下流側の固定床２０上のキャップ１に当たり、キャップ１を高速搬送する。
(4) When the moving floor 30 further rises to the highest position, if the downstream air outlet 36 exceeds the entrance-side height level of the downstream fixed floor 20, the air blown from the downstream air outlet 36 is The cap 1 hits the cap 1 on the downstream fixed bed 20 and is conveyed at high speed.
物品搬送装置１０の移動床３０に設けたエア吹出し装置３２によるキャップ１の整列性について説明する。
The alignment of the cap 1 by the air blowing device 32 provided on the moving floor 30 of the article conveying apparatus 10 will be described.
(1)重心側の天面が上方となって搬送されてきたキャップ１は、移動床３０がその床面３１を上流側の固定床２０の床面２１より上位に位置付けながら下降する下降中、移動床３０により止められて上流側の固定床２０の床面２１上にある。上流向けエア吹出し口３７からの吹出しエアは、固定床２０と移動床３０の間隙から上向きに流出するものの、キャップ１の外周をすり抜け、キャップ１に作用しない。
(1) The cap 1 that has been conveyed with the top surface on the center of gravity side facing upward is being lowered while the moving floor 30 is positioned with its floor surface 31 positioned higher than the floor surface 21 of the upstream fixed floor 20, It is stopped by the moving floor 30 and is on the floor surface 21 of the fixed floor 20 on the upstream side. The air blown from the upstream air blowing port 37 flows upward from the gap between the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30, but passes through the outer periphery of the cap 1 and does not act on the cap 1.
(2)移動床３０がその床面３１を上流側の固定床２０の床面２１より下位に位置付ける最下降時、キャップ１が上述(1)の姿勢で、上流側の固定床２０の床面２１から移動床３０の床面３１に滑り落ちるものの、上流向けエア吹出し口３７からの吹出しエアが物品１の内周凹部に作用し、物品１は前方に倒れ易くなる。
(2) When the movable floor 30 is in the lowest position where the floor surface 31 is positioned lower than the floor surface 21 of the upstream fixed floor 20, the cap 1 is in the above-described position (1) and the floor surface of the upstream fixed floor 20 Although the air slides from 21 to the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30, the air blown from the upstream air blow-off port 37 acts on the inner peripheral recess of the article 1, and the article 1 is likely to fall forward.
(3)移動床３０がその床面３１を固定床２０の床面２１より上位に位置付ける上昇中、移動床３０の床面３１が下流側の固定床２０の入側高さレベルをこえると、キャップ１は上述(2)の上流向けエア吹出し口３７からの吹出しエアの作用を受け、移動床３０の床面３１から前方に倒れて下流側の固定床２０に滑り込み、下流側の固定床２０上でのキャップ１の姿勢は重心側の天面を下方とする目標整列姿勢になる。
(3) If the floor 31 of the moving floor 30 exceeds the entrance-side height level of the downstream fixed floor 20 while the moving floor 30 is moving up to position the floor 31 higher than the floor 21 of the fixed floor 20, The cap 1 receives the action of the air blown from the upstream air outlet 37 described in (2) above, falls forward from the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30 and slides into the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side, and the fixed bed 20 on the downstream side. The posture of the cap 1 above is a target alignment posture with the top surface on the center of gravity side downward.
(4)移動床３０が最上昇位置まで更に上昇するとき、下流向けエア吹出し口３６が下流側の固定床２０の入側高さレベルをこえると、下流向けエア吹出し口３６からの吹出しエアが下流側の固定床２０上のキャップ１に当たり、キャップ１を高速搬送する。
(4) When the moving floor 30 further rises to the highest position, if the downstream air outlet 36 exceeds the entrance-side height level of the downstream fixed floor 20, the air blown from the downstream air outlet 36 is The cap 1 hits the cap 1 on the downstream fixed bed 20 and is conveyed at high speed.
図２５の物品整列搬送装置１００において、キャップ１の搬送量を多くしたいときには、下流向けエア吹出し口３６の吹出し量を多くする。
In the article aligning and conveying apparatus 100 of FIG. 25, when it is desired to increase the conveying amount of the cap 1, the amount of air blown from the downstream air outlet 36 is increased.
図２６の物品整列搬送装置１００が図１３の物品整列搬送装置１００と異なる点は、物品搬送装置１０を構成する全ての移動床３０又は一部の移動床３０に、エア吹出し装置３８を付帯させたことにある。エア吹出し装置３８は、移動床３０が上流側の固定床２０に臨む側で、該固定床２０の下部に設置され、それらの固定床２０と移動床３０の間隙から上向きにエアを吹出す。エア吹出し装置３８は、移動床３０の床面３１の斜面の上縁に沿う複数個の細孔状（スリット状でも可）吹出し口を備える。エア吹出し装置３８は、図２５のエア吹出し装置３２の上流向けエア吹出し口３７と同一の作用を果たす。
26 differs from the article alignment / conveyance device 100 of FIG. 13 in that an air blowing device 38 is attached to all or a part of the movable floors 30 constituting the article conveyance device 10. That is. The air blowing device 38 is installed on the lower side of the fixed floor 20 on the side where the moving floor 30 faces the fixed floor 20 on the upstream side, and blows air upward from the gap between the fixed floor 20 and the moving floor 30. The air blowing device 38 includes a plurality of pore-like (or slit-like) blowout openings along the upper edge of the slope of the floor surface 31 of the moving floor 30. The air blowing device 38 performs the same function as the upstream air blowing port 37 of the air blowing device 32 of FIG.
図２７の物品整列搬送装置１００が図１３の物品整列搬送装置１００と異なる点は、物品搬送装置１０を構成する固定床２０、移動床３０について、複数の固定床２０の各個の床面２１を互いに搬送方向の下流側に向けて水平配置し、上位に位置付けされた各移動床３０の床面３１を互いに搬送方向の下流側に向けて水平配置したことにある。
27 is different from the article alignment / conveyance apparatus 100 of FIG. 13 in that the fixed floor 20 and the movable floor 30 constituting the article conveyance apparatus 10 are provided with individual floor surfaces 21 of the plurality of fixed floors 20. In other words, the floor surfaces 31 of the respective movable floors 30 that are horizontally disposed toward the downstream side in the transport direction and that are positioned at the upper level are horizontally disposed toward the downstream side in the transport direction.
本発明は、説明した図９の円形キャップ１Ａや楕円キャップ１Ｂ以外の、四角形状、多角形状、球形状等のキャップ、箱の蓋のような桶形状、円形の桶形状の物品等、その他の重心の偏りを有する物品を扱うことも可能であり、キャップのみには制約されない。また上流向けエア吹出し口３７による作用は、特にキャップや桶形状物品等の凹部を有す物品に対して有効である。
The present invention is not limited to the circular cap 1A and the elliptical cap 1B of FIG. 9 described above, but has a rectangular shape, a polygonal shape, a spherical shape, etc. It is also possible to handle an article having a bias in the center of gravity, and it is not limited only to the cap. The action of the upstream air outlet 37 is particularly effective for an article having a recess such as a cap or a bowl-shaped article.
