JP2014151997A - Transportation line apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transportation line apparatus equipped with a spiral spring derive type transportation carriage.SOLUTION: A transportation line apparatus 1 of the invention comprises a first unit 2 at the upstream side, a second unit 4 at the downstream side and a transportation carriage 3 which reciprocates between those. A spiral spring 321a of the transportation carriage 3 is wound up by utilizing the power of a first rotation part 222 which the first unit 2 comprises when the transportation carriage 3 returns back to the first unit 2. The power source of the first rotation part 222 is a spiral spring 221a too, and the spiral spring 221a is wound up by an external force. The transportation carriage 3 reciprocates between the first unit 2 and the second unit 4 by utilizing the elastic energy stored in the spiral spring 321a. Switching of the direction of travel of the transportation carriage 3 is implemented by operation of switching transmission parts 35, 36 when a first indication part 27 which the first unit 2 comprises contacts the transportation carriage 3 and when a second indication part 43 which the second unit 4 comprises contacts the transportation carriage 3, respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transfer line device including a mainspring drive type transfer carriage.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a production line of an automobile factory or the like, an assembly part such as a vehicle part is transported using an automatic guided vehicle. As this type of transport cart, for example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) driven by an electric motor is known. In addition to the electric motor for traveling, various devices such as a battery that supplies electric power to the electric motor and a control device that controls driving of the electric motor are mounted on the automatic conveyance carriage.

  Moreover, as shown in Patent Document 1, an automatic conveyance cart that can reciprocate without using an electric motor in a line for conveying conveyance parts (workpieces) such as an automatic transmission is known. The automatic conveyance cart of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a forward drive force can be obtained by driving a rack and pinion mechanism by the weight of a conveyance component. Furthermore, the automatic conveyance vehicle of patent document 1 is equipped with the structure which can store the energy (elastic energy) by compressing the spring (elastic body) provided in the said mounting stand with the dead weight of the said conveyance components. With this configuration, the rack and pinion mechanism is driven in the reverse direction by using the repulsive force of the spring obtained when the conveying component is removed from the mounting table, thereby obtaining the backward driving force.

  Moreover, as shown in Patent Document 2, an automatic conveyance cart that uses a mainspring spring as an auxiliary power source is known. In the automatic transport cart of Patent Document 2, the main drive wheel is driven by using electric power from a battery mounted as a main power source during normal traveling, but when starting from a stopped state, the mainspring spring is The auxiliary drive wheel is driven using elastic force.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-331052 JP 2011-201339 A

  In the above-described electric automatic conveyance cart, maintenance management such as maintenance of each device such as a battery is troublesome, which is a problem. Moreover, since a large output is required for the electric motor depending on the weight of the conveyance component, an increase in power consumption in the automatic conveyance cart is also a problem.

  In the automatic transport cart of Patent Document 1, the parts that can be transported are limited to heavy objects (heavy objects) such as an automatic transmission. For example, when the conveyance parts are relatively light, the automatic conveyance carriage cannot obtain sufficient forward driving force and backward driving force, and therefore the distance that can be conveyed becomes very short. In addition, the automatic conveyance cart of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the size in the vertical direction increases due to the structure.

  In the automatic conveyance cart of Patent Document 2, a mainspring is used as a part of the power source, but the main power source is a battery. Patent Document 2 does not describe a technique in which a transport cart that uses only a mainspring spring without using a battery reciprocates a transport line.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transport line device including a mainspring-driven transport cart that transports components using only the elastic force of the mainspring spring as a power source.

  The conveyance line device according to the present invention includes a first unit disposed on the upstream side, a second unit disposed on the downstream side, and a reciprocating motion between them, and an outward path from the upstream side toward the downstream side. A transfer line device including a transfer carriage for transferring an article, wherein the first unit is a first mainspring spring, and is rotated by an external force to wind up the first mainspring spring, whereby elastic energy is supplied to the first mainspring spring. And a first rotating part that reversely rotates when the first mainspring spring is released, an output part that outputs power when the first rotating part rotates reversely, and a contact with the conveyance carriage that has returned to the upstream side A first instructing unit that instructs the transport cart to switch the traveling direction, and the second unit contacts the transport cart that has arrived downstream to switch the traveling direction. A second instructing unit for instructing the carriage, wherein the conveying cart is connected to the output unit at the time of return, the mounting unit on which the article is mounted, the second mainspring spring, and the first rotating unit; The second mainspring spring is wound up by rotating using power to store elastic energy in the second mainspring spring, and the second rotation section rotates in reverse when the second mainspring spring is released, and the second A wheel that is driven using power during reverse rotation of the rotating unit, and transmits the power of the second rotating unit to the wheel, and contacts the second indicating unit when contacting the first indicating unit. And a switching transmission section for switching the rotation direction of the power transmitted to the wheel.

  The conveyance line device according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, so that the conveyance carriage moves back and forth between the first unit and the second unit while changing the direction using only the elastic force of the first mainspring spring as a power source. be able to.

  In the transport line device, the first unit allows a first ratchet wheel provided coaxially with the first rotating unit, and the first rotating unit to rotate in a direction in which the first mainspring spring is wound up. However, the first pawl latched to the first pawl to prevent reverse rotation and the returned carriage are in contact with each other and actuated, and are latched to the first pawl. Release means that operates to release the first pawl and allows reverse rotation of the first rotating part, and the transport carriage contacts the release means when returning to operate the release means It may have a release actuating part.

  The conveyance line device is provided with the above-described configuration, so that the first rotation unit is prevented from rotating in the reverse direction other than when the conveyance carriage returns. Reverse rotation is allowed. Therefore, elastic energy can be reliably stored in the first mainspring spring of the first unit, and the power of the first rotating portion can be output to the transport cart when the transport cart returns.

  In the transport line device, the first unit is attached to the first main body frame portion, the first placement table on which the article is placed, and the first main body frame portion so as to be swingable and returned. The transport carriage is operated in contact with the first carriage, and the first carriage is lifted from a substantially horizontal state to an inclined state that is lowered from the upstream side to the downstream side. A swinging part that slides the article toward the part, and the transport carriage contacts the swinging part at the time of return so that the swinging part is lifted up to the inclined state. You may have a rocking | fluctuation operation part to act | operate.

  By having the above-described configuration, the transport line device can receive the article to be transported from the first unit when the transport carriage returns to the first unit.

  In the transport line device, the first unit has a first fixing hook for holding the returned transport cart, and the transport cart is configured so that the placement unit can move the article by its own weight. A first movable hook that inclines so as to descend from the upstream side to the downstream side and engages in a releasable state with respect to the first fixed hook at the time of return; and projects upward from the placement surface of the placement portion And the first lever portion pushed down by the article moving on the mounting portion and the first fixed hook are released when the first lever portion is pushed down. You may have a 1st connection part which connects between 1 lever part and the said 1st movable hook.

  The said conveyance line apparatus is equipped with the said structure, Utilizing the said goods which move by the dead weight on the said mounting part of the said conveyance trolley, Utilizing a said 1st fixed hook and a said 1st movable hook The first unit and the transport carriage that are connected to each other can be separated.

  In the conveyance line device, the conveyance carriage is locked to the article on the placement unit in a state of protruding upward from the placement surface of the placement unit, and when the carriage arrives at the second unit. A locking portion that descends so as to retreat below the placement surface of the placement portion, and the second unit contacts the transport carriage that has arrived and is below the placement surface of the placement portion. It may have a lock release instructing section for lowering the lock portion so as to retract and releasing the lock with the article.

  The conveyance line device has the above-described configuration, so that when the conveyance carriage arrives at the second unit, the engagement portion that engages the article on the placement table before the conveyance carriage is the front. Since it descend | falls so that it may retract | save below the mounting surface of a mounting table, the said article | item can move to a said 2nd unit from the mounting table before the said conveyance trolley by self-weight.

  In the transport line device, the transport carriage has a second fixed hook for holding the second unit when the transport cart arrives at the second unit, and the second unit has the article placed thereon, A second mounting table inclined so as to descend from the upstream side to the downstream side so that the article can move under its own weight, and a second engagement base that is releasably engaged with the second fixed hook when the transport carriage arrives. Two movable hooks, a second lever portion that includes a portion that protrudes upward from the mounting surface of the second mounting table, and that is pushed down by the article moving on the second mounting table, and the second lever portion includes: You may have a 2nd connection part which connects between the said 2nd lever part and the said 2nd movable hook so that engagement with the said 2nd fixed hook may be cancelled | released.

  The transport line device has the above-described configuration, and uses the second fixed hook and the second movable hook by using the article that moves by its own weight on the second mounting table of the second unit. Thus, the transport cart and the second unit connected to each other can be separated.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a conveyance line apparatus provided with the mainspring drive type conveyance trolley which conveys components only by the elastic force of a mainspring spring as a motive power source can be provided.

Explanatory drawing which shows the whole side cross-sectional structure of a conveyance line apparatus. Enlarged view of the upstream feed side device shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing showing the planar configuration of the upstream feed side device Explanatory drawing of the power transmission part with the clutch part connected to the external drive shaft Explanatory drawing of the power transmission part with the clutch part separated from the external drive shaft Explanatory drawing of the state when the reverse rotation prevention mechanism provided in the upstream feed side device is viewed from the upstream side Enlarged view of the transport cart shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane composition of a conveyance cart Explanatory drawing which shows the state which looked at the reverse rotation prevention mechanism with which a conveyance trolley is provided from the upstream. Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the pawl and the pawl when the transport cart is moving forward Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the nail | claw and a nail | claw wheel at the time of neutral of a transmission part Explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a pawl and a claw wheel at the time of reverse of a conveyance trolley Explanatory drawing which shows the state which looked at the stopper means provided in the conveyance trolley from the downstream side Explanatory drawing which shows the state engaged with the fixed hook of an upstream sending side apparatus, while the movable hook of a conveyance trolley rock | fluctuates Enlarged view of the downstream receiving device shown in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the planar structure of a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the planar structure of the upstream feed side apparatus in the state in which the mainspring spring is wound up on the roll body by the power of the external drive shaft Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the upstream feed side apparatus in a state where the mainspring spring is wound up on the roll body and the external drive shaft is separated from the clutch portion of the power transmission portion Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state in which a conveyance trolley approaches an upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state in which a conveyance trolley approaches an upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state with which the conveyance trolley was connected to the upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the other side cross-section structure of the state with which the conveyance trolley was connected to the upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state with which the conveyance trolley was connected to the upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state from which a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from an upstream sending apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state which advances a forward path after a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from an upstream sending apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the other side cross-sectional structure of the state which advances a forward path, after a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from an upstream sending apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state which advances a forward path after a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from an upstream sending side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of a state which a conveyance trolley approaches a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state in which a conveyance trolley approaches a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the other plane structure in the state in which a conveyance trolley approaches a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state with which the conveyance trolley was connected to the downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state with which the conveyance trolley was connected to the downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the other plane structure in the state in which the conveyance trolley was connected to the downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state from which a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the plane structure of the state from which a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from a downstream receiving side apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the side cross-section structure of the state which retracts a return path after a conveyance trolley is cut | disconnected from a downstream receiving side apparatus.

[Conveyance line device 1]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, each part of the configuration unnecessary for explanation may be omitted. In the present embodiment, the conveyance line device 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall side cross-sectional configuration of the transport line device 1. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration (side cross-sectional configuration) of the transfer line device 1 viewed from the side (left side). The conveyance line device 1 constitutes a part of a line (manufacturing line) for manufacturing automobile parts and the like, and a box (an example of an article) 6 in which a workpiece (part) is accommodated is disposed from the upstream side of the line. It is configured to transport toward the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 1, the transport line device 1 is mainly composed of an upstream feed device (first unit) 2 disposed on the upstream side and a downstream receiver device (second unit) disposed on the downstream side. 4) and a transport carriage 3 that transports the box 6 (6a, 6b) on the forward path from the upstream side to the downstream side while reciprocating between them. The downstream receiving side device (second unit) 4 is disposed so as to face the upstream feeding side device 2 in a separated state. Further, the transport line device 1 includes a guide rail 5 that is disposed between the upstream sending side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4 and that provides a traveling track of the transport carriage 3. In addition, the right side of FIG. 1 is an upstream side, and the left side is a downstream side.

  The transport line device 1 is a device that transports two boxes 6 (6a, 6b) placed on the upstream feed side device 2 to the downstream receiving side device 4 one by one using the transport carriage 3. . As will be described later, the transport carriage 3 is a mainspring drive type and has a structure that does not use a battery as a power source. Further, the transport carriage 3 is configured so as to automatically reciprocate between the upstream sending side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4 by mechanical operation without borrowing electric power or manpower. ing. In the present specification, the case where the transport carriage 3 heads from the upstream sending device 2 to the downstream receiving device 4 is referred to as “outward path”, and conversely, the transport cart 3 moves from the downstream receiving device 4 to the upstream sending device 2. The direction to go is called “return”. Further, in the present specification, the case where the transport carriage 3 travels on the forward path is expressed as “forward”, and conversely, the case where the transport truck 3 travels on the return path may be expressed as “reverse”. Moreover, the horizontal direction in the conveyance line apparatus 1 is based on the case where the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in principle.

  The transport line device 1 of the present embodiment is configured so that when the transport cart 3 reciprocates once between the upstream feed side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4, one box 6 is moved from the upstream feed side device 2 to the downstream receiving side device. Transport to 4. That is, in order for the transport carriage 3 to transport all the two boxes 6 on the upstream feed side device 2 to the downstream receiving side device 4, the transport cart 3 moves between the upstream feed side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4. There will be two round trips. Hereinafter, each structure of the conveyance line apparatus 1 is demonstrated in detail.

(Upstream feed device 2)
The upstream feed side device 2 is mainly disposed above the main body 21, the main body 21 disposed on the floor surface, the storage / output means 22 disposed below the main body 21. A mounting table 23 is provided. 2 is an enlarged view of the upstream feed apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view (partially omitted) of the upstream feed apparatus 2. As shown in FIG.

<Main body 21>
The main body portion 21 mainly includes a plate-like base portion 211 disposed on the floor surface and a frame portion 212 made of a skeleton standing on the base portion 211.

<Stockpile / Output 22>
The stockpiling / output means 22 mainly includes a spring balancer 221 containing a mainspring spring (first mainspring spring) 221a, a roll body (first rotating portion) 222, and an output portion 223.

  The storage / output unit 22 is a unit that stores elastic energy in the mainspring spring 221a and outputs power for winding up another mainspring spring (described later) included in the transport carriage 3 by using the elastic energy. The spring balancer 221 provided in the stockpiling / output means 22 has a wire wound around the drum in the case, a built-in spring urged in the winding direction, etc., and the tensile force on the wire has a predetermined value. If it exceeds, the wire is extended from the case against the urging force of the spring, and if the tensile force falls below a predetermined value, the wire is rewound into the case by the urging force of the spring. In the present embodiment, the wire built in the spring balancer 221 is referred to as a mainspring spring 221a. As the spring balancer 221, for example, a commercial product with a capacity of 8 kg is used. The spring balancer 221 is attached to a frame portion (support) 212 c that is erected on the base portion 211.

  Roll body 222 is formed of a substantially cylindrical member. One end of a mainspring spring (wire) 221 a built in the spring balancer 221 is fixed to the roll body 222. In addition, a spiral groove portion used for winding the mainspring spring 221 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roll body 222. The roll body 222 is formed on a main shaft 224 disposed along the front-rear direction of the upstream feed side device 2. In addition, let the direction where the upstream feed side apparatus 2 faces a downstream side be the front, and let the reverse direction be a back.

  The main shaft 224 is rotatably supported by an upstream bearing portion 225 and a downstream bearing portion 226, and the roll body 222 is configured to rotate together with the main shaft 224. A first gear 227 having a diameter larger than that of the roll body 222 is disposed on the downstream side of the roll body 222. The first gear 227 is attached to the main shaft 224.

  The roll body 222 is rotated using an external force in a direction to wind up the mainspring spring 221a in order to store elastic energy in the mainspring spring 221a. Further, the roll body 222 rotates in the reverse direction (that is, rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction) when the mainspring 221a in which elastic energy is stored is released. In the case of this embodiment, when the mainspring 221a is wound up, the roll body 222 rotates counterclockwise when the main shaft 224 is viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side. As an external force for winding the mainspring spring 221a, power obtained from existing equipment (for example, a conveyor belt of a belt conveyor device) disposed around the transport line device 1 is used. In the case of this embodiment, the power of the external drive shaft 60 that rotates in conjunction with the conveyor belt is used to wind up the mainspring spring 221a. The external drive shaft 60 rotates clockwise when the external drive shaft 60 is viewed from the left side to the right side of the upstream feed side device 2.

  A power transmission unit 7 having a clutch mechanism is interposed between the external drive shaft 60 and the roll body 222. Here, first, the power transmission unit 7 will be described.

  The power transmission unit 7 includes a first relay shaft 71 disposed along the left-right direction of the upstream feed side device 2 and a second relay shaft 72 disposed parallel to the main shaft 224. The first relay shaft 71 is pivotally supported by two bearing portions 711 and 712 in a rotatable state. The two bearing portions 711 and 712 are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction of the upstream feed side device 2. A first relay bevel gear 713 is attached to a substantially central portion of the first relay shaft 71. Then, one end of the first relay shaft 71 disposed on the left side of the upstream feed side device 2 is slidable on the first relay shaft 71, and is connected to the connection portion 61 at the tip of the external drive shaft 60. A clutch portion 714 that can be connected and disconnected is provided. The clutch portion 714 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is attached so as to cover the one end of the first relay shaft 71.

  A keyway along the axial direction is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the clutch portion 714. On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface at the one end of the first relay shaft 71, a ridge that can slide along the key groove is provided. The clutch portion 714 can slide on the first relay shaft 71 by moving along the key groove while the protruding portion engages. Further, when the clutch part 714 is connected to the external drive shaft 60, the power from the external drive shaft 60 is transmitted to the first relay shaft 71 via the clutch part 714. When the clutch portion 714 is connected to the connection portion 61 of the external drive shaft 60 and the power of the external drive shaft 60 is transmitted to the first relay shaft 71, the first relay shaft 71 causes the first relay shaft 71 to move. When viewed from the left side to the right side of the upstream feed side device 2, it rotates clockwise as with the external drive shaft 60.

  Connection of the clutch portion 714 to the external drive shaft 60 and disconnection of the clutch portion 714 from the external drive shaft 60 are performed using the switching means 73. The switching means 73 includes an arm portion 73a that sandwiches the cylindrical clutch portion 714 from the vertical direction, and a rod-shaped lever portion 73b connected to the arm portion 73a. The switching means 73 is driven by using a moving body that moves by the rotation of the second relay shaft 72 as will be described later.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the switching means 73 is generally L-shaped, and the arm portion 73a and the lever portion 73b are substantially orthogonal to each other. The switching means 73 is configured to rotate around the fulcrum 73c when a force is applied to the lever portion 73b. On the outer peripheral surface of the clutch part 714, a groove part 714a for fitting the arm part 73a is formed. The groove portion 714a is provided so as to go around the outside of the clutch portion 714. The principle that the clutch unit 714 moves using the switching unit 73 will be described later.

  The second relay shaft 72 is rotatably supported by two bearing portions 721 and 722. The two bearing portions 721 and 722 are arranged in parallel along the front-rear direction of the upstream feed side device 2. An upstream second relay bevel gear 723 that meshes with the first relay bevel gear 713 described above is attached to one end on the upstream side of the second relay shaft 72. A downstream second relay gear 724 that meshes with the first gear 227 described above is attached to the other downstream end of the second relay shaft 72. When power from the external drive shaft 60 is transmitted to the second relay shaft 72, the second relay shaft 72 rotates clockwise when the second relay shaft 72 is viewed from the upstream side to the downstream side. To do.

  A screw portion (male screw portion) 725 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the second relay shaft 72 near the upstream second relay bevel gear 723. A substantially cylindrical moving body 726 having a screw portion (female screw portion) that is screwed with the screw portion 725 on the inner peripheral surface is attached to the second relay shaft 72. The moving body 726 is configured to move on the second relay shaft 72 according to the rotation of the second relay shaft 72. The moving body 726 is configured to move forward or backward depending on the rotation direction of the second relay shaft 72. The moving body 726 is used for operating the switching means 73.

  The moving body 726 includes a substantially cylindrical moving main body 726a having a hole through which the second relay shaft 72 is passed. A screw portion (female screw portion) to be screwed with the screw portion (male screw portion) 725 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the moving main body portion 726a. In addition, two protrusions 726b and 726c are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the moving main body 726a. One projection 726b is arranged on the upstream side of the cylindrical moving main body 726a, and the other projection 726c is arranged on the downstream side thereof. The two protrusions 726b and 726c are both arranged on the left side of the upstream feed side device 2. A lower regulating portion 727 is disposed below each projecting portion 726b, 726c (on the base portion 211 side). In addition, an upper regulating portion (not shown) is arranged above each projection 726b, 726c (on the mounting table 23 side).

  The upper restricting portion and the lower restricting portion 727 are provided in the main body portion 21 so as to face each other while maintaining a gap in the vertical direction (vertical direction). And each protrusion part 726b, 726c of the mobile body 726 is inserted into the gap formed between the upper restriction part and the lower restriction part 727. That is, each of the protrusions 726b and 726c is generally sandwiched between the upper restriction portion and the lower restriction portion 727. Since the protrusions 726b and 726c interfere with the upper restricting portion or the lower restricting portion 727 when the second relay shaft 72 rotates, the movement of the protrusions 726b and 726c in the rotation direction is restricted. Is prevented from rotating together with the second relay shaft 72. As a result, it is possible to move forward or backward along the axial direction on the second relay shaft 72 on which the moving body 726 rotates.

  In addition, a predetermined gap is provided between the upstream protrusion 726b and the downstream protrusion 726c. And the edge part of the lever part 73b of the switching means 73 mentioned above is distribute | arranged to this clearance gap. For example, when the power from the external drive shaft 60 is transmitted and the second relay shaft 72 rotates (clockwise rotation) (that is, when the clutch portion 714 is connected to the connection portion 61 of the external drive shaft 60). The moving body 726 moves so as to advance from the upstream side to the downstream side. In this case, the upstream protrusion 726b also moves forward with the moving body 726 moving forward, and the protrusion 726b pushes the end of the lever 73b forward (downstream). Then, the switching means 73 rotates about the fulcrum 73c, and the arm portion 73b moves the clutch portion 714 along the first relay shaft 71 while pushing the clutch portion 714 away from the external drive shaft 60. become.

  On the other hand, when the second relay shaft 72 rotates in the reverse direction (rotates counterclockwise), the moving body 726 moves to move backward from the downstream side to the upstream side. In this case, the projecting portion 726c on the downstream side also retracts along with the moving body 726 that retreats, and the projecting portion 726c pushes the end portion of the lever portion 73b toward the rear (upstream side). Then, the switching means 73 rotates about the fulcrum 73c, and the arm portion 73b moves the clutch portion 714 along the first relay shaft 71 while pushing the clutch portion 714 closer to the external drive shaft 60. become.

  In the case of this embodiment, in the power transmission unit 7, the clutch unit 714 is connected to the connection portion 61 of the external drive shaft 60 until the roll body 222 winds up the mainspring spring 221 a and the elastic energy necessary for the mainspring spring 221 a is stored. In addition, after the elastic energy necessary for the mainspring spring 221 a is stored, the clutch portion 714 is configured to be disconnected from the connection portion 61 of the external drive shaft 60. That is, the connecting operation of the clutch unit 714 to the external drive shaft 60 is performed using the power of the roll body 222 when the mainspring spring 221a is released. Further, the separating operation of the clutch portion 714 with respect to the external drive shaft 60 is performed by using the power of the roll body 222 when the mainspring spring 221a is wound up.

  The stockpiling / output means 22 allows the roll body 222 to rotate in the direction of winding the mainspring spring 221a, but prevents the roll body 222 from rotating reversely due to the release of the mainspring spring 221a. (Ratchet mechanism) 228 is provided. The reverse rotation prevention mechanism 228 includes a claw wheel (first claw wheel) 228a attached to the main shaft 224 side, and a claw (first claw) 228b that engages with the claw wheel 228a. The catching claw 228b stands substantially along the vertical direction (vertical direction) and is provided so as to be swingable about the shaft portion 228c.

  The stockpiling / output means 22 is provided with a releasing means 229, and when the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2, the releasing means 229 is operated to stop the pawl 228b and the pawl wheel 228a. The engagement is configured to be released. That is, in the state where the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2, the reverse rotation preventer mechanism 228 does not operate, and the roll body 222 rotates in reverse (that is, the roll body 222 rotates by releasing the mainspring spring 221a). )can do. When the release means 229 is activated, the stop claw 228b is pressed by the release means 229, and the stop claw 228b swings away from the claw wheel 228a around the shaft portion 228c, and the engagement between the stop claw 228b and the claw wheel 228a. The match is resolved. The pawl 228b is biased toward the claw wheel 228a. Therefore, in a state where the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2, the release means 229 presses the stop pawl 228b away from the pawl wheel 228a against the urging force of the stop pawl 228b. When the transport carriage 3 is separated from the upstream feed side device 2, the biasing force of the catching pawl 228b becomes larger than the force of the release means 229 pressing the catching pawl 228b. The reverse rotation prevention of the roll body 222 is resumed by the engagement.

  The release means 229 is constituted by a link mechanism. Specifically, a part of the transport carriage 3 (a release operation unit 300 to be described later) is in contact with the lever unit 229a that rotates about the shaft unit 229d, and one end of the shaft with respect to the lever unit 229a. A bar-like connecting portion 229b connected via the shaft, and a shaft that is connected to the other end of the connecting portion 229b via the shaft portion and rotates around the other shaft portion 229e to press the stop pawl 228b. Part 229c.

  The output part 223 is a part that outputs the power obtained by the reverse rotation of the roll body 222 by releasing the mainspring spring 221a to the transport carriage 3 side. Using the power output from the output unit 223, the transport carriage 3 winds up the mainspring spring provided as a power source. The output unit 223 extends downstream from the main shaft 224 and is configured to rotate together with the main shaft 224 (roll body 222). The output part 223 includes a connecting part 223 a connected to the transport carriage 3 side, and a shaft-like relay part 223 b that relays the connecting part 223 a and the main shaft 224. A universal joint (universal joint) is interposed in the relay portion 223b. The output part 223 is fixed on the base part 211 by the shaft-like relay part 223b being pivotally supported by the bearing part 223c in a rotatable state. Moreover, the connection part 223a is provided with the floating structure supported by the spring arrange | positioned along the axial direction. The output unit 223 is connected to a predetermined part (described later) on the other side of the conveyance carriage 3 when the conveyance carriage 3 returns to the upstream sending device 2. In addition, if the conveyance trolley 3 leaves | separates from the upstream sending apparatus 2, the connection with the output part 223 and the predetermined part of the other party will be cancelled | released.

<Mounting table 23>
The mounting table 23 is a part on which the box 6 is mounted. The mounting table 23 is disposed on the upstream side and is fixed to the frame unit (main body frame unit) 212 of the main body unit 21. The mounting table 23 is disposed on the downstream side and is disposed on the frame unit 212 of the main body unit 21. It comprises a swinging mounting base (first mounting base) 25 attached so as to be swingable. The fixed mounting table 24 is provided on the frame portion 24b so that the plurality of rollers 24a are arranged in parallel so as to be inclined so as to descend from the upstream side to the downstream side. Each roller 24a spans the frame portion 24b in the left-right direction in a rotatable state. When the box 6 is placed on the mounting table 23, the box 6 can move from the upstream side to the downstream side by its own weight.

  The swing mounting table 25 includes a frame portion 25b and a plurality of rollers 25a arranged in parallel in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame portion 25b. The swing mounting table 25 can swing back and forth through a frame-shaped swinging portion 26 with respect to a rod-shaped frame portion 212b that extends across the frame portion 212 in the left-right direction on the downstream side. It is attached in a state. However, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the swinging mounting table 25 has a mounting surface formed by the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 25a arranged in parallel when the transport carriage 3 is separated from the upstream feed side device 2. It is set to be substantially horizontal. Below the swing mounting table 25, a frame portion 212 a is provided that extends in the left-right direction for supporting the swing mounting table 25. Therefore, the swinging mounting table 25 is supported by the frame portion 212a, so that the mounting surface can be maintained substantially horizontal in a state in which the transport carriage 3 is separated from the upstream feeding side device 2.

  In addition, when the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2, the placement surface of the swing placement table 25 is inclined so as to descend from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The transport carriage 3 is provided with a swing operation unit 30 (described later), and when the swing unit 26 is pushed by the swing operation unit 30, the swing unit 26 swings backward (upstream). To do. As a result, the swing mounting table 25 is lifted as the swinging portion 26 swings, and the mounting surface changes from a substantially horizontal state to an inclined state. The swinging portion 26 is mainly a portion 26a that is swingably attached to the frame 212b, a portion 26b that supports the swinging mounting base 25, and a portion that extends downward, and the swinging operation portion of the transport carriage 3. 30 to be pushed backward by 30. When the swing mounting table 25 is lifted, the box 6 placed on the swing mounting table 25 moves downward along the mounting surface inclined by its own weight. And the box 6 will be sent out on the mounting part 33 (after-mentioned) of the conveyance trolley 3 connected to the upstream sending side apparatus 2. FIG. A frame portion 212d extending in the vertical direction is disposed in front (downstream side) of the box 6 placed on the swing mounting table 25. Therefore, even if the box 6 (6a) on the swinging mounting table 25 is pushed forward by the box 6 (6b) on the stationary mounting table 24, the end of the frame portion 212d moves the box 6a forward (downstream). Since it supports, it is prevented that the box 6a slides down from the rocking mounting base 25 toward the downstream side.

  The upstream feed apparatus 2 further includes a first instruction unit 27 for instructing the transport carriage 3 to switch the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3 in contact with the transport carriage 3 returned to the upstream feed apparatus 2. Yes. The first instruction unit 27 has a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to a base 271 standing on the base unit 211. The rear end of the first indicator 27 is fixed to the base 271 so that the tip of the first indicator 27 faces the downstream side. In addition, the upstream feed device 2 includes a fixed hook (first fixed hook) 28 for holding the transport carriage 3 returned to the upstream feed device 2. The fixed hook 28 is fixed to a base portion 281 standing on the base portion 211. The fixed hook 28 is fixed to the base 281 such that the tip portion faces the downstream side.

(Transport cart 3)
Next, each configuration of the transport carriage 3 will be described. The transport carriage 3 mainly includes a main body portion 31, a driving means 32, and a placement portion 33.

<Main body 31>
The main body 31 mainly includes a chassis portion 311 on which the driving means 32 is mounted, and a frame portion 312 made of a frame that stands on the chassis portion 311 and supports the mounting portion 33.

<Driving means 32>
The driving means 32 is a part that moves the transport carriage 3 so that the transport carriage 3 moves forward or backward. The drive means 32 mainly includes a spring balancer 321 incorporating a mainspring spring (second mainspring spring) 321a, a roll body (second rotating portion) 322, a wheel 34 that is driven by obtaining power from the roll body 322, and a wheel. 34 includes a transmission unit 35 that transmits power to 34, and a switching unit 36 that switches the rotation direction of the power transmitted to the wheels 34.

  The spring balancer 321 has the same configuration as that of the upstream feed side device 2 described above, and the wire built in the spring balancer 321 is referred to as a mainspring spring 321a. Note that, as the spring balancer 321 of the transport carriage 3, for example, a commercial product with a capacity of 3 kg is used. Note that the spring energy of the mainspring spring 221a for the upstream feed side device 2 is set larger than that of the mainspring spring 321a for the transport carriage 3. Further, the spring balancer 321 is attached to a frame portion (post) 313 that is erected on the chassis portion 311.

  The roll body 322 is formed of a substantially columnar member. The roll body 322 has one end of a mainspring (wire) 321a built in the spring balancer 321 described above fixed thereto. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the roll body 322, a spiral groove portion used for winding the mainspring spring 321a is formed. The roll body 322 is formed on a main shaft 324 disposed along the front-rear direction of the transport carriage 3. The direction in which the transport carriage 3 faces the downstream side is defined as the front, and the direction facing the upstream side, on the contrary, is defined as the rear.

  The main shaft 324 is rotatably supported by an upstream bearing portion 325 and a downstream bearing portion 326, and the roll body 322 is fixed so as to rotate together with the main shaft 324. A second gear 327 having a diameter larger than that of the roll body 322 is disposed on the upstream side of the roll body 322. The second gear 327 is attached to the main shaft 324 via a so-called one-way clutch mechanism. In addition, a connecting portion 328 that is connected to the output portion 223 included in the upstream feed side device 2 is provided at the upstream end portion of the main shaft 324. The connecting portion 328 is connected to the connecting portion 223a of the output portion 223 that is the counterpart when the transport carriage 3 returns to the upstream feed side device 2.

  When the connecting portion 328 is connected to the counterpart connecting portion 223 a, the power of the roll body 222 of the upstream feed side device 2 is transmitted to the roll body 322 of the transport carriage 3. And the roll body 322 is rotated in the direction which winds up the mainspring spring 321a using the power of the roll body 222 of the upstream feed side device 2. In the case of this embodiment, when the mainspring 321a is wound up, the roll body 322 rotates clockwise when the main shaft 324 is viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side. As described above, when the roll body 322 rotates using the power supplied from the upstream feed side device 2, elastic energy is stored in the mainspring spring 321 a that is the power source of the transport carriage 3. The mainspring spring 321a stores at least elastic energy that can be reciprocated between the upstream sending device 2 and the downstream receiving device 4 at least once. Further, the roll body 322 rotates in the reverse direction (that is, rotates in the direction opposite to the winding direction) when the mainspring 321a in which elastic energy is stored is released.

  A reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 that prevents the rotation (reverse rotation) of the main shaft 324 (roll body 322) is provided at the upstream end of the main shaft 324. Details of the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 will be described later.

  The wheels 34 are disposed in the chassis portion 311 so that the conveyance carriage 3 can move forward or backward using the power obtained from the roll body 322. The wheels 34 rotate along a pair of guide rails 5 arranged in parallel with each other between the upstream sending side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4. The wheels 34 are attached to both ends of an axle 341 disposed in the left-right direction, and the left and right wheels 34 rotate along the guide rails 5 respectively.

  As the wheels 34, wheels disposed on the front side (downstream side) (hereinafter may be referred to as front wheels 34 a) and wheels disposed on the rear side (upstream side) (hereinafter referred to as rear wheels 34 b). There is.) In addition to the wheels 34, the axle 341 is provided with a bevel gear 342 necessary for power transmission from the roll body 322. In some cases, the axle 341 of the front wheel 34a is represented as the axle 341a, and the axle 341 of the rear wheel 34b is represented as the axle 34b. In some cases, the bevel gear 342 of the front wheel 34a is represented as a bevel gear 342a, and the bevel gear 342 of the rear wheel 34b is represented as a bevel gear 342b.

  When the transport carriage 3 of the present embodiment moves forward (that is, when traveling from the upstream side toward the downstream side), the power from the roll body 322 is transmitted only to the rear wheel 34b. In this specification, the direction in which the wheels 34 rotate so that the transport carriage 3 moves forward is sometimes referred to as “forward rotation”, and the direction in which the wheels 34 rotate so as to move backward is sometimes referred to as “reverse rotation”. When the transport carriage 3 moves forward, the power from the roll body 322 is not transmitted to the front wheel 34a, and the front wheel 34a is in a rotatable state. Therefore, the front wheel 34a rotates forward according to the rear wheel 34b that rotates normally.

  On the other hand, when the transport carriage 3 moves backward (that is, when traveling from the downstream side toward the upstream side), the power from the roll body 322 is transmitted only to the front wheels 34a. At this time, the power from the roll body 322 is not transmitted to the rear wheel 34b, and the rear wheel 34b is in a rotatable state. Therefore, the rear wheel 34b rotates in reverse according to the rotating front wheel 34a.

  The transmission portion (drive shaft) 35 transmits the power obtained from the roll body 322 that rotates when the mainspring spring 321 a is released to the wheels 34. The transmission portion 35 is provided at a substantially center of the shaft portion 35a, a shaft portion 35a disposed along the front-rear direction, two bearing portions 35b and 35c that support the shaft portion 35a in a rotatable state. In addition, a relay gear 35d that meshes with the second gear 327 is provided. The transmission portion 35 further includes a downstream second bevel gear 35e that is provided at a downstream end (tip) of the shaft portion 35a and meshes with the bevel gear 342a of the front wheel 34a, and an upstream end of the shaft portion 35a. An upstream second bevel gear 35f is provided at the portion (rear end) and meshes with the bevel gear 342b of the rear wheel 34b.

  The shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 is pivotally supported by two bearing portions 35b and 35c so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The bearing portions 35 b and 35 c are erected on the chassis portion 311. Only one of the two bevel gears 35 e and 35 f provided in the transmission unit 35 is configured to mesh with the bevel gear 342 of the wheel 34. When the transport carriage 3 moves forward, the upstream second bevel gear 35f of the transmission unit 35 meshes with the bevel gear 342b of the rear wheel 34b. It is comprised so that it may mesh with. That is, the wheel 34 to which the transmission unit 35 transmits power from the roll body 322 differs between when the transport carriage 3 moves forward and when it moves backward. The relay gear 35d provided in the transmission unit 35 is always in mesh with the second gear 327.

  In order to move forward, when the transmission part 35 transmits the power from the roll body 322 to the rear wheel 34b, the shaft part 35a of the transmission part 35 slides backward. On the other hand, in order to move backward, when the transmission part 35 transmits the power from the roll body 322 to the front wheel 34a, the shaft part 35a of the transmission part 35 slides forward. Such movement of the shaft portion 35 a is performed using the switching portion 36.

  The switching unit 36 is means for switching a transmission destination (wheel 34) to which the transmission unit 35 transmits power from the roll body 322. That is, the switching unit 36 is means for switching the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3. In the present specification, the transmission unit 35 and the switching unit 36 may be collectively referred to as a switching transmission unit. The switching unit 36 includes a rod-like slide body 361 that extends in the front-rear direction and is arranged in parallel with the shaft portion 35 a of the transmission unit 35. The slide body 361 is supported by two support portions 368 and 369 erected on the chassis portion 311 so as to be slidable along the front-rear direction. One support portion 368 is disposed in the vicinity of the end (tip) 361 a on the downstream side of the slide body 361. The other support portion 369 is disposed near the upstream end portion (rear end) 361 b of the slide body 361.

  An attachment body 362 is fixed in the middle of the slide body 361. One end of a long seesaw portion 366 is attached to the attachment body 362 via a shaft portion 363. The seesaw portion 366 is a member that performs a so-called seesaw motion with a shaft portion 364 erected on the chassis portion 311 as a fulcrum. The other end of the seesaw portion 366 is attached to an attachment body 367 fixed to the shaft portion 35 a of the transmission portion 35 via the shaft portion 365. The distance between the shaft portion 363 (power point) and the shaft portion 364 (fulcrum) disposed on the slide body 361 side of the switching portion 36 is the shaft portion disposed on the shaft portion 35a side of the transmission portion 35. It is set to be longer than the distance between 365 (action point) and the shaft portion 364 (fulcrum).

  When the rear end 361b of the slide body 361 is pushed downstream by the rod-shaped first indicator 27 provided in the upstream feed side device 2 when the transport carriage 3 returns, the slide body 361 moves toward the downstream side. Then, the seesaw portion 366 performs a seesaw motion with the shaft portion 364 as a fulcrum, and the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 is moved to the upstream side (rear side) using the so-called lever principle. As a result, the transmission unit 35 is switched to transmit power to the rear wheel 34b.

  On the other hand, when the leading end 361a of the slide body 361 is pushed upstream by a rod-shaped second indicating portion (described later) provided in the downstream receiving side device 4 when the transport carriage 3 arrives, the slide body 361 is located upstream. Move towards. Then, the seesaw portion 366 performs a seesaw motion with the shaft portion 364 as a fulcrum, and the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 is moved to the downstream side (forward) using the so-called lever principle. As a result, the transmission unit 35 is switched to transmit power to the front wheel 34a.

  When the upstream second bevel gear 35f and the downstream second bevel gear 35e included in the transmission unit 35 are not meshed with the bevel gear 342 of the wheel 34 (so-called neutral), the mainspring 321a is released. A reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 is provided so that the roll body 322 does not rotate in the direction. Here, the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 will be described.

  The reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 includes a claw wheel (second claw wheel) 371 attached to the main shaft 324 and a claw (second claw) 372 that engages with the claw wheel 371. The catch pawl 372 is configured to be rotatable (swingable) with a shaft portion 374 disposed in the front-rear direction as a fulcrum. A cam follower (roller follower) 373 is attached to the lower end of the pawl 372, and the cam follower 373 is placed on the attachment body 367 fixed to the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 in the front-rear direction. A cam surface 375 is provided. The upstream portion 375b and the downstream portion 375a of the cam surface 375 are both flat. On the other hand, the central portion 375c of the cam surface 375 is in a state of being recessed from the upstream portion 375b and the downstream portion 375a. When the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 slides in the front-rear direction, the cam surface 375 also slides in the front-rear direction in the same manner as the shaft portion 35a. Then, the cam follower 373 provided at the lower end of the stop pawl 372 travels in the front-rear direction along the cam surface 373 and moves up and down in the vertical direction. That is, the pawl 372 swings with the shaft portion 374 as a fulcrum so as to approach the pawl wheel 371 or move away from the pawl wheel 371 when the transmission unit 35 slides in the front-rear direction. Note that the shaft portion 374 is fixed to a rod-like support member 376 standing on the chassis portion 311.

  For example, when power is transmitted to the rear wheel 34b to drive the transport carriage 3 forward, the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 is moved (retracted) to the upstream side. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the cam follower 373 is disposed in the flat downstream portion 375 a in front of the cam surface 375, and the stop pawl 372 is separated from the claw wheel 371. Further, when power is transmitted to the front wheels 34a to drive the transport carriage 3 backward, the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35 is moved (advanced) downstream. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the cam follower 373 is disposed on the flat upstream portion 375 b behind the cam surface 375, and the pawl 372 is separated from the claw wheel 371.

  On the other hand, when the transmission part 35 is neutral, the position of the shaft part 35a of the transmission part 35 is the position of the shaft part 35a when the transport carriage 3 moves forward and the position of the shaft part 35a when the transfer carriage 3 moves backward. In the middle. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the cam follower is disposed in a recessed central portion 375 c at the center of the cam surface 375. In this case, the pawl 372 is in the state of being engaged with the claw wheel 371 so as to approach the claw wheel 371 and prevent the roll body 322 from rotating backward. Thus, when the transmission part 35 is neutral, the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 37 operates so that the roll body 322 does not rotate in the direction in which the mainspring spring 321a is released.

  Next, the operation of the second gear 327 attached to the main shaft 324 via the one-way clutch mechanism will be described. When the roll body 322 included in the driving unit 32 winds up the mainspring spring 321a, the second gear 327 is in mesh with the relay gear 35d provided on the shaft portion 35a of the transmission portion 35. In this case, the roll body 322 rotates clockwise when the roll body 322 is viewed from the upstream side toward the downstream side. On the other hand, the second gear 327 is in a substantially stationary state when the roll body 322 winds up the mainspring 321a. That is, at this time, the second gear 327 rotates in the reverse direction relative to the roll body 322 on the main shaft 324 while meshing with the relay gear 35d. Therefore, the second gear 327 prevents the power of the roll body 322 that rotates when winding the mainspring spring 321a from being transmitted so as to drive the wheels 34.

<Placement unit 33>
The mounting portion 33 is a portion that receives the box 6 sent from the swinging mounting base 25 when the transport carriage 3 returns to the upstream sending side device 2 and places the received box 6 thereon. The mounting portion 33 is supported by the frame portion 312 as described above. The mounting portion 33 is provided on the frame portion 33b so that a plurality of rollers 33a are arranged in parallel so as to be inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side. Each roller 33a spans the frame 33b in the left-right direction in a rotatable state. A mounting surface 33c formed by the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 33a arranged in parallel is inclined so as to descend from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Therefore, when the box is placed on the placement portion 33, the box 6 can move from the upstream side to the downstream side by its own weight.

  Stopper means 38 for stopping the moving box 6 is provided on the downstream side (front side) of the mounting portion 33. The stopper means 38 includes a locking rocking body 38c including a locking projection 38a that can be rocked in the vertical direction and locked to the box 6 with a shaft portion 38b arranged along the front-rear direction as a fulcrum. A push-up swinging body 38e including a push-up portion 38d that pushes up the moving body 38c from below.

  The locking rocking body 38c has an L shape as a whole and is arranged along the left-right direction. When the locking rocking body 38 c is not pushed up by the push-up rocking body 38 e, the locking protrusion 38 a at one end protrudes above the mounting surface 33 c of the mounting portion 33. On the other hand, when the push-up rocking body 38e is pushed up, the locking convex portion 38a is retracted below the placement surface 33c of the placement portion 33. That is, the latching convex portion 38a is configured to be lifted and lowered so that it can protrude or retract from the placement surface 33c by the rocking of the latching rocking body 38c.

  The push-up oscillating body 38e is attached in a swingable manner to a frame portion 312a that extends in the left-right direction in the vicinity of the downstream side of the placement portion 33. The push-up oscillating body 38e includes a portion having a shape extending downward from the frame portion 312a while being inclined so as to approach the downstream side. The push-up rocker 38e is provided with a push-up portion 38d that rocks with the push-up rocker 38e. The push-up portion 38d has a shape extending downward from the frame portion 312a while being inclined so as to approach the upstream side. Further, the push-up portion 38d is in contact with the end portion of the locking rocking body 38c (the end portion on the opposite side of the locking projection 38a) from below. When the push-up rocking body 38e rocks toward the upstream side, the push-up part 38d lifts the end of the locking rocking body 38c. Then, the locking rocking body 38c swings so that the locking projection 38a is lowered with the shaft portion 38b as a fulcrum. The push-up rocking body 38e is pressed and rocked by contact with predetermined means (described later) provided in the downstream receiving side device 4. When the pressure on the push-up rocking body 38e is released, the push-up rocking body 38e is swung toward the downstream side by its own weight, and the locking projection 38a is returned to the state protruding above the placement surface 33c.

<Moving hook 39>
The transport carriage 3 further includes a movable hook (first movable hook) 39 that is engaged with the fixed hook 28 provided in the upstream feed side device 2 when returning to the upstream feed side device 2. The movable hook 39 is configured to be swingable in the vertical direction with a shaft portion 39a disposed in the horizontal direction as a fulcrum. In addition, the movable hook 39 protrudes straight toward the upstream side when not engaged with the counterpart side. The movable hook 39 is biased upward by its own weight balance, and when engaged with the fixed hook 28 on the other side, the movable hook 39 swings downward with the shaft portion 39a as a fulcrum and moves so as to approach the fixed hook 28 side. it can. In other embodiments, the movable hook 39 may be biased upward by a spring or the like.

  The movable hook 39 is also configured to operate in accordance with the movement of the box 6 passing over the mounting table 33 using a link mechanism. A lever portion (first lever portion) 39g is provided in the middle of the placement portion 33 in the front-rear direction so as to protrude from the placement surface 33c. The lever portion 39g is fixed to one end side of the elongated lever body portion 39f. The lever main body portion 39f swings with the shaft portion 39e fixed to the frame portion 33b of the placement portion 33 as a fulcrum. One end of an elongated connecting rod 39c is attached to the other end of the lever main body 39f via a shaft 39d. The other end of the connecting rod 39c is attached to the movable hook 39 via a shaft portion 39b.

  Since the movable hook 39 is connected to such a link mechanism, when the lever portion 39g is pushed downward by the weight of the box 6, the shaft (hook) is released so that the engagement (coupling) with the fixed hook 28 is released. It can be swung downward with the portion 39a as a fulcrum. Since the movable hook 39 is biased upward as described above, when the box 6 is removed from the lever portion 39g, the movable hook 39 is in the original state (a state in which the movable hook 39 is straightly projected toward the upstream side). Return to.

<Fixing hook 391>
Furthermore, the transport carriage 3 is provided with a fixing hook (second fixing hook) 391 for connecting the transport carriage 3 arriving at the downstream receiving side device 4 to the downstream receiving side device 4. The fixing hook 391 is fixed to a base portion 391 a that is erected on the chassis portion 311. The fixed hook 391 is fixed to the base 391a so that the tip portion faces the downstream side.

<Oscillation actuator 30>
Further, the transport cart 3 is provided with a swing operation unit 30. The swing operation unit 30 includes a swing unit 26 for supporting the swing mounting table 25 provided in the upstream feed side device 2 when the transport carriage 3 returns to the upstream side (upstream feed side device 2). It is means for pressing toward the rear (upstream side). The swing operation part 30 is formed in an elongated rod shape as a whole, and is attached to a frame part 312b disposed along the left-right direction at the rear (upstream side) of the transport carriage 3. The swing operation part 30 is arranged straight along the front-rear direction so that the tip faces the upstream side. In order to lift the swing mounting table 25 in a state of being tilted forward, the swing operation unit 30 is attached to the frame portion 312b so that the bar-like portion 26c extending downward in the swing unit 26 can be pressed rearward. It is attached.

<Release operating unit 300>
Furthermore, the transfer carriage 3 is provided with a release operation unit 300. When the transport carriage 3 returns to the upstream side (upstream feed side device 2), the release operation unit 300 contacts (presses) the release means 229 provided in the upstream feed side device 2 to operate the release means 229. And means for setting so that the power of the roll body 222 (power when the mainspring spring 221a is released) can be output to the transport carriage 3. The release actuating part 300 has an elongated rod shape as a whole, and is attached to a frame part 312b arranged along the left-right direction, like the swing actuating part 30 described above. The release operation unit 300 is arranged straight along the front-rear direction so that the tip faces the upstream side. The release operation part 300 is attached to the frame part 312b so that the lever part 229a of the release means 229 can be pressed rearward. When the release operation part 300 presses the lever part 229a backward when the transport carriage 3 returns, the link mechanism of the release means 229 is operated, and the engagement between the pawl 228b and the pawl wheel 228a is released.

(Downstream receiving device 4)
Next, each configuration of the downstream receiving side device 4 will be described. The downstream receiving side device 4 mainly includes a main body portion 41, a mounting table 42, a second instruction portion 43, a lock release instruction portion 44, and a movable hook 45.

<Main body 41>
The main body portion 41 mainly includes a plate-like base portion 411 disposed on the floor surface, and a frame portion 412 made of a frame standing on the base portion 411.

<Place 42>
The mounting table (second mounting table) 42 is a part that receives the box 6 sent from the transporting carriage 3 when the transporting carriage 3 arrives at the downstream receiving side device 4 and places the received box 6 thereon. The mounting table 42 is supported by the frame portion 412. The mounting portion 42 is provided on the frame portion 42b so that a plurality of rollers 42a are arranged in parallel so as to be inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side. Each roller 42a spans the frame portion 42b in the left-right direction in a rotatable state. The mounting surface formed by the circumferential surfaces of the rollers 42a arranged in parallel is inclined so as to descend from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Therefore, when a box is placed on the mounting table 42, the box 6 can move from the upstream side to the downstream side by its own weight. Stopper means (not shown) is provided on the downstream side of the mounting table 42, and the box 6 stops by hitting the stopper means.

<Second instruction unit 43>
The second instruction unit 43 contacts the transport carriage 3 (specifically, the downstream end 361 a of the slide body 361) that has arrived at the downstream receiving side device 4, and transports the switching of the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3. This is for instructing the carriage 3. The second instruction part 43 has a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to a base part 43 a erected on the base part 411. The rear end of the second indicator 43 is fixed to the base 43a so that the tip of the second indicator 43 faces the upstream side.

<Lock release instruction unit 44>
When the transport carriage 3 arrives at the downstream receiving side device 4, the lock release instructing section 44 presses the push-up rocking body 38 e included in the transport carriage 3 toward the upstream side in order to operate the stopper means 38. Means for rocking (pushing in). When the push-up rocking body 38e is rocked, the above-described locking rocking body 38c rocks in conjunction with the rocking protrusion 38a for locking the box 6 on the mounting portion 33. It is evacuated below. That is, when the lock release instructing portion 44 presses the push-up swinging body 38e, the lock convex portion 38a is retracted, and the box 6 on the placement portion 33 moves downstream.

  In the state where the transport carriage 3 arrives at the downstream receiving side device 4 and is connected, when the locking projection 38a is retracted downward and the box 6 moves downstream as described above, the box 6 is moved to the downstream receiving side. It moves onto the mounting table 42 of the apparatus 4. The lock release instructing portion 44 has a bar shape extending from the frame portion 212 erected on the base portion 411 toward the upstream side.

<Moveable hook 45>
The movable hook (second movable hook) 45 is a means for connecting the transport carriage 3 arriving at the downstream receiving side device 4 to the downstream receiving side device 4. Engaged with the fixed hook 391. The operating principle of the movable hook 45 is basically the same as that of the movable hook 39 provided in the transport carriage 3. That is, the movable hook 45 is configured to be swingable in the vertical direction with the shaft portion 45a disposed in the left-right direction as a fulcrum. Moreover, the movable hook 45 has a shape protruding straight toward the upstream side when not engaged with the counterpart side. The movable hook 45 is urged upward by its own weight balance so that, when engaged with the fixed hook 391 on the other side, even if it swings downward with the shaft portion 45a as a fulcrum, it approaches the fixed hook 391 side. Can move. In other embodiments, the movable hook 45 may be biased upward by a spring or the like.

  The movable hook 45 is configured to operate in accordance with the movement of the box 6 passing on the mounting table 42 using a link mechanism. A lever part (second lever part) 45g is provided in the middle of the mounting table 42 in the front-rear direction so as to protrude from the mounting surface. The lever portion 45g is fixed to one end side of the elongated lever main body portion 45f. The lever main body 45f swings about a shaft 45e fixed to the frame 45b of the mounting table 42 as a fulcrum. One end of an elongated connecting rod 45c is attached to the other end of the lever main body 45f via a shaft 45d. The other end of the connecting rod 45c is attached to the movable hook 45 via a shaft portion 45b.

  Since the movable hook 45 is connected to such a link mechanism, when the lever portion 45g is pushed downward by the weight of the box 6, the shaft (the coupling) is released so that the engagement (coupling) with the fixed hook 391 is released. It can be swung downward with the portion 45a as a fulcrum. Since the movable hook 45 is biased upward as described above, when the box 6 is removed from the lever portion 45g, the movable hook 45 is in its original state (a state in which the movable hook 45 is straightly projected toward the upstream side). Return to.

(Operation of the conveyance line device 1)
Next, a series of operations in which the transport line device 1 transports the box 6 from the upstream side to the downstream side will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, two boxes 6 (6 a, 6 b) are placed on the mounting table 23 of the upstream feed side device 2, and the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2. The operation from the conveyance line device 1 in a state before being connected to (before returning) will be described.

<Winding of the mainspring 221a>
In the conveyance line device 1 in the state shown in FIG. 1, the mainspring spring 221 a is wound up in the upstream feed side device 2 in order to store elastic energy in the mainspring spring 221 a. The mainspring spring 221a is wound up within the time until the transport carriage 3 returns to the upstream feed side device 2. That is, in the transfer line device 1, the winding of the mainspring spring 221 a is completed before the transfer carriage 3 makes one reciprocation and returns to the upstream feed side device 2. In the conveyance line device 1 in the state shown in FIG. 1, the winding of the mainspring spring 221a is completed before the conveyance carriage 3 enters the first reciprocation (before being connected to the upstream feed side device 2).

  The winding of the mainspring spring 221a in the upstream feed side device 2 is performed using the power of the external drive shaft 60 as described above. The power from the external drive shaft 60 is input from the clutch unit 714, and the mainspring spring 221 a is wound around the roll body 222 using the input power. In the upstream feed side device 2 in a state before the transport carriage 3 enters the first reciprocation, the position of the clutch portion 714 is connected to the external drive shaft 60 in advance as shown in FIG. Is set. Once the mainspring spring 221a is wound up on the roll body 222, the connecting operation of the clutch portion 714 to the external drive shaft 60 is performed using the power of the roll body 222 when the mainspring spring 221a is released as described above. Is called.

  When the mainspring 221a is wound up by the roll body 222 and a predetermined elastic energy is stored in the mainspring spring 221a (energy necessary for reciprocating the transport carriage 3 once), the roll body at the time of winding up the mainspring spring 221a. Using the power of 222, the moving body 726 of the power transmission unit 7 operates so as to move forward, and the switching unit 73 operates to disconnect the clutch unit 714 from the external drive shaft 60 (see FIG. 18). In this way, the winding operation of the mainspring spring 221a by the roll body 222 is completed.

  The upstream feed side device 2 waits until the conveyance carriage 3 is connected (returned) with the elastic energy stored in the mainspring spring 221a as described above.

<Connection between upstream feed side device 2 and transport carriage 3 (return of transport carriage 3)>
The transport carriage 3 before entering the first round-trip is brought close to the upstream feed side device 2 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, and is moved to the upstream feed side device 2 as shown in FIGS. 21, 22, and 23. When connected, the transport line device 1 performs the following operations (A) to (E).

(A) Connection between the movable hook 39 of the transport carriage 3 and the fixed hook 28 of the upstream feed side device 2 When the transport cart 3 approaches the upstream feed side device 2 and returns, the movable hook 3 is actuated to the fixed hook 28. Engage. As a result, the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2 (see FIGS. 21, 23, etc.).

(B) Connection between the connecting portion 328 of the transport carriage 3 and the output portion 223 of the upstream feed side device 2 When the transport carriage 3 approaches the upstream feed side device 2, the connecting portion 328 and the output portion 223 are connected to each other, and the mainspring. The power of the roll body 222 that rotates when the spring 221a is released can be transmitted to the roll body 322 on the transport carriage 3 side (see FIGS. 21 to 23).

  The power of the roll body 222 of the upstream feed side device 2 is transmitted to the conveyance carriage 3 side after the release means 229 is actuated (after the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 228 is released) as shown in (C) described later. The

  Further, as shown in (A), the connection between the connecting portion 328 and the output portion 223 is at least during the time when the movable hook 39 and the fixed hook 28 are connected (that is, the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device). 2) while being tied to 2).

(C) Operation of the release means 229 of the upstream feed side device 2 by the release operation part 300 of the transport carriage 3 When the transport carriage 3 approaches the upstream feed side apparatus 2 and returns, the release action part 300 turns the lever portion 229a of the release means 229. Push backwards. Then, the link mechanism connected to the lever portion 229a is operated, and the engagement between the catching claw 228b and the claw wheel 228a in the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 228 is released. As a result, the roll body 222 is allowed to rotate by releasing the mainspring spring 221 a, the rotation of the roll body 222 is transmitted to the counterpart roll body 322, and the mainspring spring 321 a of the transport carriage 3 is moved by the roll body 322. Rolled up.

(D) Instruction for switching the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3 by the first instruction section 27 of the upstream feed apparatus 2 When the transport carriage 3 approaches the upstream feed apparatus 2 and returns, the first instruction section 27 is provided in the transport carriage 3. The rear end 361b of the slide body 361 is pushed forward (downstream) to instruct switching of the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3 for the forward path. Then, as the slide body 361 moves forward, the transmission portion (drive shaft) 35 moves rearward (upstream), and the upstream second bevel gear 35f of the transmission portion 35 moves to the rear wheel 34b. Meshed with the bevel gear 342b (see FIG. 23, etc.). As a result, the power of the roll body 322 is transmitted to the rear wheel 34b.

  As shown in (A) above, while the movable hook 39 of the transport carriage 3 is connected to the fixed hook 28 of the upstream feed side device 2, the transport carriage 3 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2. It is stopped in a state where it is connected.

(E) Operation of the swinging portion 26 of the upstream feed-side device 2 by the swinging operation portion 30 of the transport carriage 3 (delivery of the box 6 between the upstream feed-side device 2 and the transport cart 3)
When the transport carriage 3 approaches the upstream feed side device 2 and returns, the swing operation unit 30 pushes the portion 26c extending below the swing unit 26 toward the rear (upstream side). Then, the oscillating portion 26 oscillates (rotates) rearward about the frame 212b, and the oscillating mounting table 25 on which the box 6a supported by the oscillating portion 26 is placed is lifted (FIG. 20, FIG. 20). 23 etc.). Then, the mounting surface of the swinging mounting table 25 and the mounting surface 33c on the transport carriage 3 side form a continuous inclined surface. As a result, the box 6a on the swing mounting table 25 moves toward the downstream side by its own weight, and is transferred onto the mounting table 33 of the transport carriage 3.

  When the box 6a on the swing mounting table 25 moves to the downstream side, the box 6b that has been supported by the box 6a until then (downstream side) tries to move from the fixed mounting table 24 to the downstream side. However, as shown in FIG. 21 and the like, the box 6b on the fixed mounting table 24 has a shape in which the front (downstream side) is supported by the end portion 25c of the swinging mounting table 25 in a lifted state. That is, in the transfer line device 1, it is possible to prevent two boxes 6 from being continuously sent out from the upstream feed side device 2 to the transfer carriage 3. The upper end portion of the frame portion 212d disposed in front of the swing mounting table 25 is set so as to be disposed below the mounting surface of the swing mounting table 25 in a lifted state. Further, the upper end portion of the frame portion 212d is set so as not to protrude upward from the placement surface of the placement portion 33 of the transport carriage 3.

<Departure of the transport cart 3 (disconnection from the upstream feed device 2)>
When the box 6a that has been transferred onto the mounting portion 33 of the transport carriage 3 moves further downstream on the mounting surface 33c, the lever portion 39g is pushed down by the weight of the box 6a. Then, the movable hook 39 connected to the lever portion 39g via the link mechanism is operated, and the connection (engagement) between the movable hook 39 and the fixed hook 28 is canceled (see FIG. 24 and the like). As a result, the transport carriage 3 that has been connected to the upstream feed side device 2 until then is disconnected from the upstream feed side device 2, and the transport cart 3 advances toward the downstream receiving side device 4 to leave the forward path ( (See FIGS. 25, 26, 27, etc.)

  When the transport carriage 3 starts and leaves from the upstream feed side device 2, the connection between the connecting portion 328 and the output portion 223 shown in (B) is canceled in addition to the connection in (A). Further, when the transport carriage 3 starts and leaves from the upstream feed side device 2, the pushing of the release operation unit 300 shown in (C) with respect to the release means 229 is eliminated. As a result, the engagement between the pawl 228b and the pawl wheel 228a in the reverse rotation prevention mechanism 228 is resumed. Further, when the transport carriage 3 starts and leaves from the upstream feed side device 2, the pushing of the swing portion 26 by the swing operation portion 30 shown in (E) is canceled. As a result, the oscillating mounting table 25 that has been lifted is lowered and returned to a state supported by the frame 212a disposed below.

  The transport carriage 3 starting from the upstream feed side device 2 moves forward with the mainspring spring 221a as power. If the box 6a on the mounting portion 33 moves to the downstream side of the mounting portion 33 while the transport carriage 3 is moving forward, as shown in FIGS. The movement is stopped by the locking projection 38a.

<Connection between the downstream feed side device 4 and the transport carriage 3 (arrival of the transport carriage 3)>
The transport carriage 3 moving forward is approached to the downstream receiving side device 4 as shown in FIGS. 28, 29 and 30, and as shown in FIGS. 31, 32 and 33, the transport carriage 3 is It arrives at the downstream receiving side device 4 and is connected. When the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4, the following operations (F) to (H) are performed in the transport line device 1.

(F) Connection between the fixed hook 391 of the transport carriage 3 and the movable hook 45 of the downstream receiving device 4 When the transport cart 3 approaches the downstream receiving device 4 and arrives, the movable hook 45 is actuated to the fixed hook 391. Engage. As a result, the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream feed side device 4 (see FIGS. 31, 32, 33, etc.).

  Note that, as shown in (F), while the fixed hook 391 of the transport carriage 3 is connected to the movable hook 45 of the downstream receiving side device 4, the transporting cart 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4. It is stopped in a state where it is connected.

  Further, in a state where the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4, at least the elastic energy that can move in the return path remains in the mainspring spring 321 a of the transport carriage 3.

  Further, in a state where the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4, the mounting surface 33 c in the mounting portion 33 of the transporting carriage 3 and the mounting surface in the mounting base 42 of the downstream receiving side device 4. Is a continuous inclined surface.

(G) Operation of the stopper means 38 of the transport carriage 3 by the locking release instruction section 44 of the downstream receiving side apparatus 4 (delivery of the box 6 between the downstream receiving side apparatus 4 and the transport carriage 3)
When the transport carriage 3 approaches and arrives at the downstream receiving side device 2, the lock release instructing unit 44 pushes the push-up rocking body 38 e included in the transport carriage 3 toward the upstream side (rear). Then, the push-up rocking body 38e rocks, the locking rocking body 38c rocks, and the locking projection 38a of the stopper means 38 is retracted below the mounting surface 33c of the mounting part 33. As a result, the box 6 (6 a) on the placement unit 33 moves to the downstream side by its own weight and transfers onto the placement table 42 of the downstream receiving side device 4. In this way, the box 6 is delivered to the downstream receiving side device 4 when the transport cart 3 arrives. The delivery of the box 6 is performed while the movable hook 45 and the fixed hook 391 shown in (F) are connected (that is, the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4). While).

(H) The direction of travel direction switching of the transport carriage 3 by the second instruction section 43 of the downstream receiving apparatus 4 When the transport carriage 3 approaches the downstream receiving apparatus 4 and arrives, the second instruction section 43 is provided in the transport carriage 3. The front end 361b of the slide body 361 is pushed rearward (upstream) to instruct switching of the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3 for the return path. Then, as the slide body 361 moves rearward, the transmission part (drive shaft) 35 moves toward the front (downstream side), and the downstream second bevel gear 35e of the transmission part 35 moves to the front wheel 34a. It meshes with the bevel gear 342a. As a result, the power of the roll body 322 is transmitted to the front wheel 34a.

<Departure of the return carriage 3>
When the box 6a transferred onto the mounting table 42 of the downstream receiving side apparatus 4 moves further on the mounting surface toward the downstream side, the lever portion 45g is pushed down by the weight of the box 6a. Then, the movable hook 45 connected to the lever portion 45g via the link mechanism is activated, and the connection (engagement) between the movable hook 45 and the fixed hook 391 is canceled (see FIG. 34). As a result, the transport carriage 3 that has been connected to the downstream receiving side device 4 until then is disconnected from the downstream receiving side device 4, and the transporting cart 3 advances toward the upstream sending side device 2 and leaves the return path ( 34 and 35).

  When the transport carriage 3 starts and leaves the downstream receiving side device 4, the push-up rocking body 38e is not pushed by the locking release instructing portion 44 shown in (G) other than the connection in (F). The As a result, the locking projection 38a of the stopper means 38 that has been retracted below the placement surface is again projected upward from the placement surface.

  As shown in FIG. 36, when the box 6a that pushes down the lever portion 45g moves further downstream on the mounting table 42 of the downstream receiving side device 4, the box 6a is removed from the lever portion 45g. The movable hook 45 returns to the original state (a state in which the movable hook 45 protrudes straight toward the upstream side). The box 6a that has reached the downstream side of the downstream receiving device 4 is stopped by a frame portion 412b that is disposed along the left-right direction on the downstream side of the downstream receiving device 4.

<End of first round trip>
As described above, the transport carriage 3 that starts from the downstream receiving side device 4 and moves backward toward the upstream feeding side device 2 returns to the upstream feeding side device 2 and ends the first round trip.

<Second round trip>
The transport cart 3 that has returned to the upstream feed side device 2 is connected to the upstream feed side device 2, and the operations (A) to (E) are performed again as in the first round trip. Thereafter, the transport carriage 3 departs from the second round trip, and thereafter, similarly to the first round trip, the transport carriage 3 arrives at the downstream receiving side device 4 and receives the second box 6 (6b) downstream. Delivered to the side device 4. The operations (F) to (G) and the like are performed again in a state where the transport carriage 3 is connected to the downstream receiving side device 4, and the transport cart 3 returns to the upstream sending side device 2 again.

  The transport line device 1 is driven by the above-described operation so that the box 6 (two boxes 6a and 6b in the case of the present embodiment) mounted on the upstream feed side device 2 is not driven by a battery or the like as a power source. It can be transported to the downstream receiving side device 4 using the transport cart 3 of the type.

  It should be noted that after the box 6 is transferred from the swing mounting table 25 to the transport carriage 3 and the swing mounting table 25 returns to a substantially horizontal state, another box 6 is added onto the fixed mounting table 24. At the same time, if at least the downstream box 6 is appropriately removed from the mounting table 42 of the downstream receiving side device 4, the transport line device 1 uses the movement of the transport cart 3 to move from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The boxes 6 can be automatically carried one after another.

  As described above, in the transport line device 1 of the present embodiment, the transport cart 3 transports the box 6 (parts) from the upstream feeding side device 2 to the downstream receiving side device 4 using only the elastic force of the mainspring spring 321a as a power source. It is possible to return from the downstream receiving side device 4 to the upstream sending side device 2.

  In the transfer line device 1 of the present embodiment, the mainspring spring 321a of the transfer carriage 3 is configured to be wound up by using the elastic force of the mainspring spring 221a included in the upstream feed side device 2. That is, the upstream feed side device 2 can store power for driving the transport carriage 3 in the form of elastic energy. Therefore, there is no problem of spontaneous discharge in the battery, such as maintenance of the power source (mainspring spring 321a) of the transport carriage 3 and the power source (spring spring 221a) of the upstream feed side device 2 that supplies energy to the transport carriage 3. Maintenance management is also easy.

  In addition, by appropriately setting the capacity (elastic force) of the mainspring spring 221a of the upstream feed side device 2 and the capacity (elastic force) of the mainspring spring 321a of the transport carriage 3, the transport line device 1 of the present embodiment is It is possible to deal with articles (conveyance objects) of various weights. That is, the conveyance line device of the present invention can cope with conveyance of articles of various weights, and has a high degree of freedom in that respect.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the upstream feed side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4 are arranged so as to face each other, and the transport carriage 3 is configured to move linearly between them. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. In another embodiment, a non-linear guide rail such as an arcuate guide rail is disposed between the upstream sending side device 2 and the downstream receiving side device 4 so that the transport carriage 3 can be used as such. It is also possible to reciprocate between them along a guide rail.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the mainspring spring 221a of the upstream feed side device 2 is wound up using the power of the external drive shaft 60 that rotates in conjunction with the conveyor belt. The external drive shaft 60 may be rotated, or other power transmission means other than the power transmission unit 7 is provided in the stockpiling / output means 22, and manual or other power is used via the power transmission means And it is good also as a structure which winds up the said mainspring spring 221a.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance line apparatus, 2 ... Upstream feed side apparatus (1st unit), 21 ... Main-body part of an upstream feed side apparatus, 22 ... Stockpiling / output means, 221a ... Mainspring spring (1st mainspring spring), 222 ... Roll body (First rotating part) 223 ... output part, 228 ... reverse rotation prevention mechanism, 228a ... claw wheel, 228b ... stop claw, 229 ... release means, 23 ... mounting table, 24 ... fixed mounting table, 25 ... swing mounting Mounting base, 26 ... Oscillating part, 27 ... first indicating part, 28 ... fixing hook, 3 ... conveying carriage, 31 ... main body part of conveying carriage, 32 ... driving means, 321a ... mainspring spring (second mainspring spring), 322 ... Roll body (second rotating part) 33 ... Placement part, 34 ... Wheel, 35 ... Transmission part, 36 ... Switching part, 37 ... Reverse rotation prevention mechanism, 38 ... Stopper means, 39 ... Movable hook, 391 ... Fixed Hook, 30 ... swinging operation part, 300 ... Removal operation unit, 4 ... downstream receiving side device (second unit), 41 ... main body part of downstream receiving side device, 42 ... mounting table, 43 ... second indicating unit, 44 ... locking release instructing unit, 45 ... movable hook 5 ... guide rail, 6 ... box (conveyed goods)

Claims (6)

A first unit disposed on the upstream side, a second unit disposed on the downstream side, and a transport carriage that reciprocates between these units and transports articles on the forward path from the upstream side toward the downstream side. A transfer line device,
The first unit is:
A first mainspring spring, a first rotating portion that rotates by an external force and winds up the first mainspring spring to store elastic energy in the first mainspring spring and reversely rotates when the first mainspring spring is released; An output unit that outputs power at the time of reverse rotation of the first rotating unit; and a first instruction unit that contacts the transport carriage returned to the upstream side and instructs the transport cart to switch the traveling direction. ,
The second unit is
A second instruction unit that contacts the transport carriage that has arrived downstream and instructs the transport cart to switch the traveling direction;
The transport carriage is
A placement portion on which the article is placed, a second mainspring spring, and the second mainspring spring is wound up by rotating using the power of the first rotation portion connected to the output portion when returning. The second mainspring spring stores elastic energy, the second rotating portion that reversely rotates when the second mainspring spring is released, the wheel that is driven by using the power when the second rotating portion rotates reversely, and A switching transmission unit that transmits the power of the second rotation unit to a wheel and that switches the rotation direction of the power transmitted to the wheel when contacting the first instruction unit and when contacting the second instruction unit. A conveyance line device characterized by comprising: The first unit is:
A first ratchet wheel provided coaxially with the first rotating part; and the first rotating part to allow the first rotating part to rotate in a direction to wind up the first mainspring spring, while preventing reverse rotation. The first pawl latched by the first pawl wheel and the returned carriage carriage are operated in contact with each other, and the first pawl latched by the first pawl wheel is operated to be released. Release means for allowing reverse rotation of the first rotating part,
The transport carriage is
The transport line device according to claim 1, further comprising a release operation unit that contacts the release unit and operates the release unit when returning. The first unit is:
The first main body frame portion, the first mounting table on which the article is placed, and the first main body frame portion are swingably attached, and the returned carriage is in contact with each other to operate. An oscillating portion that operates so that one mounting table is lifted from a substantially horizontal state to an inclined state that descends from the upstream side to the downstream side, and slides the article toward the mounting unit of the returned carriage And
The transport carriage is
The conveyance line device according to claim 1, further comprising a swing operation unit that operates the swing unit so that the first mounting table is lifted to the tilted state by contacting the swing unit when returning. The first unit is:
A first fixing hook for holding the transport carriage that has returned;
The transport carriage is
The placing portion is inclined so as to descend from the upstream side to the downstream side so that the article can move under its own weight,
A first movable hook engaged in a releasable state with respect to the first fixed hook at the time of return; and a portion protruding upward from the placement surface of the placement portion; and moving the placement portion Between the first lever portion and the first movable hook so that the engagement between the first lever portion pushed down by the article and the first fixed hook is released when the first lever portion is pushed down. The conveyance line apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 which has the 1st connection part which connects. The transport carriage is
Locked to the article on the mounting unit in a state of protruding upward from the mounting surface of the mounting unit, and retracted below the mounting surface of the mounting unit when arriving at the second unit Has a locking part that descends to
The second unit is
An unlocking instructing section for lowering the locking section so as to come into contact with the transported carriage that has arrived and to be retracted below the mounting surface of the mounting section to release the locking with the article. The conveyance line device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The transport carriage is
A second fixing hook for securing the second unit when arriving at the second unit;
The second unit is
A state in which the article is placed and can be released with respect to the second fixed hook upon arrival of the transport carriage when the article is loaded, and the article is inclined so that the article can move under its own weight. A second movable hook that is engaged with the second movable hook, and a second lever portion that is pushed down by the article that moves on the second mounting table, and includes a portion that protrudes upward from the mounting surface of the second mounting table. And a second connecting portion that connects the second lever portion and the second movable hook so that the engagement with the second fixed hook is released when the second lever portion is pushed down. The conveyance line apparatus as described in any one of claim | item 1 -5.

Images