JP2009190800A - Roller conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a roller conveyor capable of safely conveying precision components without imparting any impact or the like even when they are sensitive for impact or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The roller conveyor comprises a plurality of rollers 12, a plurality of motors 14 provided on each roller 12 to turn each roller 12, and a control means 30 for controlling the operation of each motor 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a roller conveyor for conveying a conveyed product.

  Conventionally, there are various types of roller conveyors for conveying articles. Generally, there is one motor that rotationally drives a plurality of rollers, and any one or more of the plurality of rollers are driven to rotate from the motor via an endless member such as a chain. There are many.

In such a conventional roller conveyor, a stopper that protrudes on the conveyance path is provided, and the conveyed object is brought into contact with the stopper by protruding the stopper using an air cylinder or a solenoid. In this way, by protruding the stopper on the conveyance path, when it is not desired to convey the conveyed product to the downstream side, the conveyed item is stopped by the protruding stopper, and when the conveyed item is flowed to the downstream side, the stopper It is possible to control the conveyance of the conveyed product so that the conveyed product can be freely conveyed by retracting.
However, when the conveyance control is performed by the stopper, there is a problem that it is impossible to convey a precision component or the like that is vulnerable to an impact because the conveyed object comes into contact with the stopper.

  Furthermore, in the conventional roller conveyor as described above, since the number of rollers driven by one motor cannot be changed, it is not possible to perform precise control even if an attempt is made to convey a plurality of types of conveyed items having different lengths. There is.

On the other hand, a roller conveyor has been already disclosed in which several rollers are used as one drive unit, a motor is provided for each drive unit, and rotational drive control is performed for each drive unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
According to the roller conveyor of this patent document 1, since the drive control of the motor can be executed for each of the drive units to be controlled, the conveyance control can be performed precisely.
That is, as described above, without providing a stopper or the like that directly blocks the movement of the conveyed product, the conveyance speed of the conveyed item can be increased in another section (drive unit) on the roller conveyor than other sections. By slowing down, it is possible to provide a roller conveyor provided with a so-called accumulation function for temporarily storing a conveyed product on the roller conveyor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-51371 A

In the roller conveyor disclosed in Patent Document 1, a motor is arranged for each of a plurality of rollers, and precise control such as accumulation operation is possible. However, in a region straddling one drive unit, rapid acceleration / deceleration occurs if the rotational speed of the roller is different for each drive unit. Such a rapid acceleration / deceleration may cause an impact on a conveyed product, and there is a problem in that, when a precision component or the like that is vulnerable to an impact is conveyed, the conveyed product may be adversely affected.
In addition, acceleration / deceleration caused by the difference in roller rotation speed for each drive unit can be solved by inserting a large number of drive units so that the roller rotation speed gradually changes. The cost may also increase.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a roller conveyor that can be safely conveyed without giving an impact or the like even if it is a precision part sensitive to the impact or the like. .

The roller conveyor according to the present invention comprises a plurality of rollers, a plurality of driving means provided for each of the rollers, and each of the rollers being driven to rotate, and a control means capable of controlling the operation of each driving means. It is characterized by doing.
By adopting this configuration, it is possible to easily change the length of the entire roller conveyor. In addition, since control such as rotation and stop can be executed for each roller, even a precision component that is vulnerable to shock can be safely transported without giving as much acceleration and deceleration as possible.

Moreover, it is good also as comprising the some detection means which detects the presence or absence of a conveyed product for every said roller.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of a conveyance object for each roller, and it is possible to execute precise conveyance control.

Furthermore, the drive means may be a motor, and the detection means may detect the presence or absence of a conveyed product by detecting a load of the motor.
According to this configuration, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor for detecting a conveyed product, it is not necessary to increase the number of parts, and space can be saved.

Further, the driving means adjacent in the transport direction of the transported object are alternately disposed at a right end position and a left end position of the roller in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object. Also good.
According to this configuration, since the position of the driving means is staggered even when the width of the driving means is wider than the width of the roller in the conveyance direction, the driving means becomes an obstacle. It is possible to prevent the situation that the interval between the rollers has to be widened.

The control unit may include a unit control unit provided for each driving unit and a general control unit that performs overall control of the plurality of unit control units.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of rollers can be functionally controlled by the overall control unit, even a precision component or the like can be stably conveyed without giving an impact or the like.

  According to the roller conveyor according to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the length of the entire roller conveyor, and it is possible to execute control such as rotation and stop for each roller. For this reason, it is possible to safely transport even a precision component that is low in cost and weak against impact.

First, the whole structure of the roller conveyor concerning this invention is demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a roller conveyor in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the roller conveyor according to the present embodiment as viewed from the conveyance direction of the conveyed product. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the roller conveyor in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the roller conveyor in the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view of the roller conveyor according to the present embodiment as viewed from a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyed object.
In the present embodiment, a roller conveyor having a short conveyance extension is described for convenience of explanation. However, the conveyance extension of a conveyance object in the actual roller conveyor 100 can be set to an arbitrary conveyance extension.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roller conveyor 100 in the present embodiment is provided with one motor 14 for driving the roller body 12 for each roller body 12.
An anti-slip cover 12 </ b> A is attached to the surface of the roller body 12. The cover 12A is not fixed to the roller body 12, but is inserted rotatably. For this reason, when the conveyed product 200 is placed on the roller body 12, the cover 12A is brought into close contact with the roller body 12 due to the weight of the conveyed product 200, the rotational force of the roller body 12 is transmitted to the cover 12A, and the cover 12A rotates. Then, the conveyed product 200 is conveyed.

Further, a control unit 30 that controls the rotational drive of the motor 14 is provided for each of the motors 14. The control unit 30 has a function of executing drive current output control for the motor 14, and it is only necessary to adopt a control method suitable for the type of the motor 14.
For example, when a stepping motor is employed as the motor 14, the control unit 30 includes a stepping motor drive controller IC and a power amplifier.

The control unit 30 is connected to an overall control unit 33 that performs overall control of the operation of the entire roller conveyor 100.
The overall control unit 33 can generally employ a sequencer or the like. Specifically, the overall control unit 33 includes a CPU and a memory, and the CPU operates based on a control program stored in advance in the memory and an operation state of each control unit 30 input to the overall control unit 33. Thus, a control signal can be output to each control unit 30.

The roller conveyor 100 of this embodiment is provided with two sets of roller bodies 12 and motors 14 as one unit. This unit is configured by holding two roller bodies 12, 12 and motors 14, 14 which are driving means for individually rotating the roller bodies 12, held by a holding frame 16.
The configuration of the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which two roller bodies 12 and two motors 14 are unitized as described above.

The holding frame 16 includes a plate portion 16A that holds the motor 14, a side wall portion 16B that rotatably holds both left and right ends of the roller body 12, and an upper surface cover 16C.
As shown in FIG. 2, the plate portion 16A is formed in a flat plate, and the side wall portion 16B and the upper surface cover 16C are each formed in an L-shaped cross section. Both end edges of the plate portion 16A are screwed in a state of being sandwiched between an upper surface of a unit frame 110A (described later) and a lower surface of the side wall portion 16B.
The roller body 12 is rotatably mounted on the side wall portion 16B. The top cover 16C is fixed to the side wall portion 16B by screws.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the motors 14, 14 held by the plate portion 16 </ b> A are arranged alternately on the right end portion and the left end portion of each roller body 12 along the extending direction of the conveyance path. Yes. By adopting such an arrangement of the motors 14, the interval between the roller bodies 12 can be reduced, and the roller conveyor unit 10 can be easily downsized. The arrangement interval in the axial direction of the roller bodies 12 of the motors 14 adjacent to each other in the conveyance direction of the conveyance object 200 (a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyance object 200) may be at least the width dimension of the motor 14.

  The output shafts of the motors 14 are arranged so as to face the front end side of the roller body 12. A pulley 26 is attached to the tip of the output shaft. A pulley 28 is also provided at the tip of the roller body 12, and the driving force from the motor 14 is wound between the pulley 28 of the rotating shaft of the roller body 12 and the pulley 26 of the output shaft of the motor 14. Is transmitted by the endless rubber belt 40. The rubber belt 40 preferably has a round cross section.

The plurality of roller conveyor units 10 are arranged in series along the conveyance direction on the main body frame 110 assembled in a form that matches the conveyance direction of the conveyed product 200.
In the present embodiment, after the roller conveyor unit 10 is placed on the main body frame 110 formed in a linear shape, the roller conveyor 100 is constructed by screwing portions that are in contact with each other. With this configuration, the roller conveyor unit 10 can be attached to and detached from the roller conveyor 100 very easily.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body frame 110 is formed in a height dimension that can accommodate the motor 14 and the controller 30 of the roller conveyor unit 10 in the internal space of the main body frame 110. The main body frame 110 in this embodiment is constructed by connecting unit frames 110A having joint portions that can be connected to each other. By adopting the form in which the main body frame 110 is constructed by the unit frame 110A in this way, a wide variety of main body frames 110 can be constructed by combining the unit frames 110A having various shapes, and an inexpensive and multifunctional roller. A conveyor 100 can be provided.

  In addition, a fixing tool 22 for fixing the guide member 20 at an upper position than the upper surface position of the roller body 12 is erected on the upper surface cover 16 </ b> C of the support frame 16. The guide member 20 can be disposed so as to project to the upper position of the roller body 12 in accordance with the dimensions of the conveyed product 200 by appropriately changing the shape of the guide member 20 and the shape of the fixture 22. It is preferable to provide a cushioning material on the inner wall surface of the guide member 20. When the transport speed of the transported object 200 is sufficiently low, or when it is guaranteed that the transported object 200 is transported without departing from the transport surface of the roller conveyor 100, the guide member 20 is disposed. Of course, it can be omitted.

  Thus, since the roller conveyor unit 10 has a simple configuration in which the roller body 12 and the motor 14 are integrally attached to the support frame 16, the roller conveyor 100 can be easily attached to and detached from the main body frame 110. In addition, since the roller conveyor unit 10 has a short extension with respect to the entire conveyance path, even if the roller conveyor 100 is broken, it is only necessary to replace the roller conveyor unit 10 of the broken part. The time required for the recovery is short, and an unexpected stagnation of the conveyed product 200 can be prevented as much as possible.

Further, at least one detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a conveyed product on each roller body 12 is provided for each roller body 12.
As an example of the detection means, a method of directly detecting a conveyed product passing over the roller body 12 can be employed.
For example, the optical sensor 18 includes a light irradiating means for irradiating light from one side wall portion 16B to the other side wall portion 16B and a light receiving means for receiving light emitted from the light irradiating means to the other side wall portion 16B. May be. According to the optical sensor 18, it can be determined that the conveyed product 200 does not exist when the light receiving unit detects light, and that the conveyed product 200 exists when the light receiving unit does not detect light. .

  As another example of the detection means, the control unit 30 may be realized by detecting the load of the motor 14. That is, if the conveyed product 200 exists in each roller body 12, the current value for driving the motor changes as compared with the case where the conveyed product 200 does not exist. The control unit 30 always detects this motor drive current, and can determine that the conveyed product 200 exists when the value of the drive current is large, and does not exist when the value of the drive current is small. In addition, when detecting the presence or absence of a conveyed product by the load of the motor 14 in this way, it is preferable to use an AC motor as the motor 14.

Next, the control method of the roller conveyor in this embodiment is demonstrated.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a roller conveyor for a simple explanation of the control method. The control target location is n, the control target location upstream is n-1, and the control target location is downstream. It is assumed that n + 1. And the detection means (sensor) of the conveyance object of a control object location is displayed as S, the motor of a control object location is displayed as M, and a control object location is displayed as U.
The control units 30 are connected to each other adjacent to each other, and are connected to the overall control unit 33.

FIG. 7 shows the operating conditions of the motor at the control target location.
The left side (A logic) of FIG. 7 shows the operating conditions of the motor at the control target location with reference to the upstream sensor Sn-1 and the motor Mn-1. According to this, if the three conditions that the sensor Sn-1 is ON, the sensor Sn is OFF, and the stop command is not issued to the Un-1 from the overall control unit 33 are satisfied, the Un motor Mn is driven. .
This is because the conveyed product 200 has arrived on the upstream side, but if the conveyed product 200 has not yet arrived on the own roller body and there is no stop command on the upstream side, then the conveyed item 200 is conveyed to the own roller body. This means that since the object 200 arrives, the rotational driving of the own roller body is started.

  The right side (B logic) of FIG. 7 shows the operating conditions of the motor at the location to be controlled with reference to the own sensor Sn and the own motor Mn. According to this, when the sensor Sn is ON and the downstream motor Mn + 1 is stopped, the motor Mn is driven for a certain time and then stopped. Here, the fact that Mn + 1 is stopped is a case where a stop command is issued from the overall control unit 33 on the downstream side as described above, and the conveyed product 200 is to be retained here. That is, after the conveyed product 200 is pulled to its own roller body, it is stopped.

  If the sensor Sn is ON and the downstream motor Mn + 1 has not been driven for a certain period of time, the motor Mn is driven for a certain period and then stopped. Here, the meaning that the downstream motor Mn + 1 is driven for a certain time or more is the same as the case where the motor is driven for a certain time and then stopped as described above, and a stop command is issued from the overall control unit 33 to the downstream side. That is, the conveyed product 200 is retained on the downstream side. For this reason, when the transported object 200 is transported to the downstream side, the transported object 200 retained on the downstream side collides with the transported object 200 sent to the downstream side. After the conveyed product 200 is drawn onto the own roller body, it is stopped.

Further, when the sensor Sn is ON and the downstream motor Mn + 1 has been driven for a certain time or more and a stop command is issued from the overall control unit 33 to the Un, the motor Mn is driven for a certain time and thereafter Stop.
This is because a stop command is issued from the overall control unit 33 to Un, so that the transported object 200 is to be retained here, and the transported object is pulled in and then stopped.

  Furthermore, if the three conditions that the sensor Sn is ON, the downstream motor Mn + 1 is driven for a predetermined time and a stop command is not issued from the general control unit 33 to Un are satisfied at the same time, The motor Mn is driven. By such driving, the conveyed product 200 drawn from the upstream side can be sent to the downstream side.

The control method described above will be described based on the timing charts of FIGS.
FIG. 8 shows a case where there is no stop command from the overall control unit 33, and the conveyed product 200 is continuously conveyed.
When the control unit 30 detects that the upstream sensor Sn-1 is turned on, the control unit 30 controls the motor Mn to be driven (1). This control is based on the A logic in FIG.
Furthermore, when the conveyed product 200 is conveyed to the own roller body and the sensor Sn is turned on, the operation of the control unit 30 is switched to the B logic of FIG. Here, the downstream motor Mn + 1 starts to drive (2).
Since the controller 30 detects that the downstream motor Mn + 1 is not driven for a certain time at this time, the motor 30 is driven so as to stop after being driven for a certain time (3).

  Then, the control unit 30 detects that the downstream motor Mn + 1 has been driven for a certain time or more, thereby stopping the driving stop treatment after the certain time of the own motor Mn has elapsed (4), and the own sensor Sn is turned off. When it is detected that it has become, the driving of its own motor Mn is stopped (5).

Next, based on FIG. 9, a case where a stop command (a command to keep the conveyed object here) is issued from the overall control unit 33 to the own roller body will be described.
When the control unit 30 detects that the upstream sensor Sn-1 is turned on, the control unit 30 controls the motor Mn to be driven (1). This control is based on the A logic in FIG.
Further, even if the conveyed product 200 is conveyed to the own roller body and the sensor Sn is turned ON, the downstream motor Mn + 1 is not driven as long as a stop command is issued to the own roller body (2). In addition, since the conveyed product 200 is conveyed to the own roller body and the sensor Sn is turned on, the operation of the control unit 30 is switched to the B logic of FIG.

  Then, the control unit 30 detects that the downstream motor Mn + 1 is stopped at this time, and thus drives the motor Mn in such a manner that it is stopped after being driven for a certain time (3). After that, since the downstream motor Mn + 1 does not operate, the control unit 30 stops driving the motor Mn after a predetermined time has elapsed (4).

  In the control method as described above, the control unit 30 provided in each roller body 12 is electrically connected to the other control unit 30, and each control is performed while confirming the operation status of the other control unit 30. Each of the units 30 may be implemented, or the overall control unit 33 that performs overall control of the plurality of control units 30 outputs a control signal to each control unit 30 while confirming the operation status of each control unit 30. May be.

  Moreover, although the roller conveyor 100 in the above embodiment demonstrated the form formed in linear form, if the unit frame 110A formed in the curve shape which comprises a curve part is employ | adopted, the roller conveyor which has a curve part will be demonstrated. Of course, it is possible to provide a roller conveyor 100 that circulates the conveyed product 200.

  While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. .

It is a front perspective view of the roller conveyor in this Embodiment. It is the front view which faced the roller conveyor in this Embodiment from the conveyance direction of a conveyed product. It is a bottom view of the roller conveyor in this embodiment. It is a top view of the roller conveyor in this embodiment. It is the front view which faced the roller conveyor in this embodiment from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of a conveyed product. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a roller conveyor. It is a flowchart which shows the operating condition of the motor in a control part. It is a timing chart which shows the operating condition of the motor in a control part when the stop command is not issued. It is a timing chart which shows the operating condition of the motor in a control part when the stop command has been issued.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Roller conveyor unit 12 Roller body 12A Cover 14 Motor 16 Holding frame 16A Plate part 16B Side wall part 16C Upper surface cover 18 Optical sensor 20 Guide member 22 Fixing tool 26, 28 Pulley 30 Control part 33 Overall control part 40 Rubber belt 100 Roller conveyor 110A Unit frame 110 Main body frame 200

Claims (5)

Multiple rollers,
A plurality of driving means provided for each of the rollers, each of which rotates and drives each roller;
A roller conveyor comprising control means capable of controlling the operation of each driving means.   The roller conveyor according to claim 1, further comprising a detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of a conveyed product for each of the rollers. The driving means is a motor;
The roller conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit detects the presence or absence of a conveyed object by detecting a load of the motor.   The drive means adjacent in the transport direction of the transported object are alternately disposed at a right end position and a left end position of the roller in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object. The roller conveyor of any one of Claims 1-3.   The said control means is provided with the unit control part provided for every drive means, and the comprehensive control part which carries out the overall control of several unit control part, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A roller conveyor according to item 1.

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