JP2015146886A - Food service system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a food service system capable of supporting and conveying a conveyance object in a desired attitude in non-contact therewith, having a simple configuration and exerting no adverse effects such as magnetism on customers.SOLUTION: The food service system for conveying a placement member on which conveyance objects are placed to convey the conveyance objects to a destination, includes: a conveyance plate for guiding the placement member; a gas supply part for supplying the placement member with a compressed gas; and control means for controlling the supply of the compressed gas from a gas supply part. The control means controls such that the compressed gas supplied from the gas supply part acts as floating force that causes the placement member to float from the conveyance plate in the vertical direction in non-contact therewith and propulsion force for conveying the placement member vertically floating from the conveyance plate in the conveyance direction, in non-contact therewith.

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution system installed on a floor of a store and transported to a customer in order to provide the customer with a transport object such as food and drink.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a distribution system that is installed in a non-rotating store and provides food and drinks such as sushi to customers is used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a crescent chain conveyor as a layout system. The crescent chain conveyor includes a half-moon-shaped slat on which food and drink can be placed, a chain part that rotatably connects the slats, a rail part that slidably supports the lower surface of the slats and defines a conveyance path, and a chain And a motor having a gear that can mesh with the portion. The rotational force from the motor is transmitted to the chain portion through the gears, and the slats on which food and drink are placed run along the transport path.

  However, since the layout system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to rotate the chain by meshing the gear and the chain portion, cleanliness, quietness, and maintainability that can prevent dust generation are further improved. It ’s difficult. Therefore, in order to improve cleanliness, quietness, and maintainability, it is conceivable to use a transport device that can float and transport a placing member on which food or drink is placed by gas or magnetism.

  In a technical field different from that of the present invention, a conveying device for levitating and conveying an object to be conveyed by gas or magnetism is disclosed. For example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a transport device that floats and supports a transport target object by ejecting pressurized air in a processing step or the like of a large glass substrate. In order to move the conveyance object in the conveyance direction, the pressure of the pressurized air to the upstream end of the conveyance object in the conveyance direction is maintained higher than the pressure of the pressurized air to the downstream end of the conveyance direction. Thus, the conveyance object is tilted forward in the conveyance direction, and the conveyance object is moved in the conveyance direction.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which an air levitation conveying plate is levitated and conveyed by a linear motor, that is, magnetic force.

JP 2006-218183 A JP 2004-182378 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-282842 JP 2006-218183 A

  However, since the conveyance systems disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are configured to provide a pressure difference between the upstream end and the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the conveyance target, the conveyance target relates to the conveyance direction. Tilted. When the transport system having such a configuration is applied to a food and drink distribution system, the container placed on the transported mounting member may be tilted, the food or drink in the container may overflow, or the container itself may fall over. is there.

  In addition, in the conveyance device using the linear motor disclosed in Patent Document 4, the configuration of the device itself is complicated, such as installing a guide rail to control the flying height of the loaded mounting member, The magnetic field generated by the linear motor may adversely affect the pacemaker or magnetic card owned by the customer. Thus, it is difficult to apply the conventional transport devices disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 4 to the layout system of the present invention.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement system that can support and convey a conveyance object in a desired posture in a non-contact manner and has a simple configuration and does not adversely affect a customer.

  The arrangement system of the present invention for solving the above problems is a distribution system that conveys a placement member on which a conveyance object is placed and conveys the conveyance object to a destination. A plate, a gas supply unit that supplies compressed gas to the mounting member, and a control unit that controls supply of compressed gas from the gas supply unit, wherein the control unit is supplied from the gas supply unit. Levitation force that causes the mounting member to float in the vertical direction from the transport plate in a non-contact manner by the compressed gas, and transports the mounting member that floats in the vertical direction from the transport plate in a non-contact manner in the transport direction. It controls so that it may act as a driving force.

  In the arrangement system of the present invention, the transport plate has a levitation jet hole array having buoyant jet holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  In the arrangement system according to the present invention, the transport plate includes a propulsion jet hole array having propulsion jet holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.

  The propulsion ejection holes of the propulsion ejection hole array of the catering system of the present invention are formed at an inclination angle θ within a predetermined angle range.

  In the arrangement system of the present invention, the transport plate has a standby stopper, and the standby stopper acts as a guide member when the placement member is transported in a second transport direction different from the transport direction. Features.

  In the catering system of the present invention, the transport plate in the transport direction is composed of a single plate.

  The distribution system of the present invention has a branch unit in a second transport direction different from the transport direction, and the transport plates of the branch unit are separated from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second transport direction. It has a branch levitation jet hole array having a buoyancy jet hole.

  The distribution system of the present invention has a branch unit in a second transport direction different from the transport direction, and the transport plates of the branch unit are separated from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second transport direction. It is characterized by having a branch propulsion ejection hole array having propulsion ejection holes.

  In the arrangement system of the present invention, the gas supply unit supplies the compressed gas independently to each of the levitation jet hole, the propulsion jet hole, the branch levitation jet hole, and the branch propulsion jet hole. Features.

  The control means of the layout system of the present invention is characterized in that when the conveyance of the mounting member is stopped, the amount of compressed gas ejected is gradually reduced and controlled.

  In the arrangement system according to the present invention, when the control unit transports the mounting member in the transport direction, the mounting member floats from the transport plate with a levitation force that lifts the mounting member from the transport plate. It controls so that it may act before the propulsion force which conveys to a conveyance direction.

  In the arrangement system of the present invention, when the control unit stops transporting the mounting member in the transport direction, the propulsive force for transporting the mounting member that has floated from the transport plate in the transport direction is described above. Control is performed so that the placing member stops before the levitation force that levitates the carrier plate.

  In the arrangement system of the present invention, when the control unit conveys the mounting member in the second conveyance direction different from the conveyance direction via the branch unit, the branch levitation jet holes spaced apart from each other; In addition, control is performed so that only the compressed gas ejected from the branch propulsion ejection holes is supplied to the mounting member.

  The food and drink of the present invention means foods and drinks eaten by humans, and includes foods such as sushi and drinks such as soup, tea, and soft drinks.

According to the catering system of the present invention, it is used to lift the mounting member in which food and drink are placed in the vertical direction and to propel the placing member in the transport direction. With a simple configuration in which the buoyant holes are respectively formed on the transport plate, the placing member on which the food or drink is placed can be lifted by the compressed gas and transported in the transport direction.
Further, according to the layout system, the mounting member can be transported without forming a magnetic field, so that the influence of the magnetic field on the customer can be eliminated.

It is a top view of the layout system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged plan view of the branch unit shown to Fig.1 (a). It is an expansion perspective view of the branch unit shown in FIG.1 (b). It is a front view of the layout system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the layout system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view of a layout system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line A-A ′ of FIG. It is the partially broken figure which fractured | ruptured a part of conveyance board of the layout system shown to Fig.1 (a), (b). It is sectional drawing of the conveyance board along the conveyance direction for demonstrating the jetting hole for a levitation | floating shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the control system of the layout system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the ejection amount of the compressed gas of the layout system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the layout process of a layout system. It is a flowchart which shows the layout process of a layout system.

[Caching system]
Hereinafter, an embodiment to which a layout system of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig.1 (a) is a top view of the layout system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention, FIG.1 (b) is an enlarged plan view of the branch unit U3 shown to Fig.1 (a), FIG.1 (c) is 1A is an enlarged perspective view of the branch unit U3, FIG. 2 is a front view of the layout system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the layout system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a perspective view of the layout system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 6 is FIG. It is the partially broken figure which fractured | ruptured a part of conveyance board 5 of the layout system 1 shown to (b), (c). FIG. 7 shows a state of the transport plate 5 along the transport direction for explaining the spray hole lane 10 composed of the floating spray hole 7 and the propulsion spray hole 9 shown in FIGS. 1 (a), (b), and (c). 8 is a block diagram of a control system of the layout system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 (a), 1 (b) and 1 (c). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the amount of compressed gas ejected from the ascending ejection hole 7 and the propulsion ejection hole 9 of the layout system 1.

  In the following description, the conveyance direction C means the direction in which the mounting member 3 (see FIG. 4) is conveyed (direction of the conveyance units U1 to U5), and means the left direction toward the paper surface of FIG. . Further, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” indicate the relative positional relationship between members in the conveyance direction C. For example, the fact that one member is located on the upstream side of the other member means that the one member is on the right side with respect to the other member in the conveyance direction C in FIG. That is, when viewed from the transport unit U5, the transport unit U1 side is the upstream side.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the catering system 1 is a device for transporting food and drink to a customer's table in a store that provides sushi. The arrangement system 1 of this embodiment is a structure which supports and conveys the mounting member 3 (refer FIG. 7) by which food / drink is mounted in non-contact, and mainly the conveyance board 5 which guides the mounting member 3, and The gas supply part 21 (refer FIG. 2) which supplies compressed gas to the mounting member 3 and the control means 113 (refer FIG. 8) which controls supply of the compressed gas from the gas supply part 21 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting member 3 is a substantially rectangular tray having a bottom surface 3 a, and is loaded with food and drink on the top surface and is floated and transported on the transport plate 5 by compressed gas. The dimension of the bottom surface 3a is a dimension W3 with respect to the width direction W and a dimension L3 with respect to the conveyance direction C. Consists of few smooth surfaces.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transport plate 5 is secondly formed by a support member that combines an L-shaped support member 15 in the left-right direction from the left and right upper end portions of the housing 13 and an L-shaped second support member 15 a that is turned sideways. It is latched so that it can be hung from the member of the upper surface part of the supporting member 15a. The upper surface portion 5a of the conveyance plate 5 narrowed to the width W2 serves as a path through which the mounting member 3 is transferred between the ends of the second support member 15a that supports the left and right sides of the conveyance plate 5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, ejection hole lanes 10 </ b> R and 10 </ b> L (a levitation ejection hole 7 and a propulsion ejection hole 9) through which compressed gas applied from the air tank 21 to the placement member 3 is ejected are provided in the transport plate 5. The center line O of the levitation jet hole 7 extends in the vertical direction V, and the center line O of the propulsion jet hole 9 extends at a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction V. Further, the angle α formed by the center line O with respect to the transport direction C is an acute angle.

  In the catering system 1 according to the present embodiment, the transport path P is configured by the transport plate 5 of a plurality of catering units Um (m is a natural number of 1 to 5), and the catering unit Um is along the transport direction C. And transport units U1, U2, U4, U5 and a branch unit U3. The branch unit U3 can sort the mounting member 3 in a branch direction D or d orthogonal to the transport direction C. Furthermore, the final destination of the mounting member 3 is the right unit URm or the left unit ULm connected to the branch unit U3. The right unit URm extends in the branch direction D orthogonal to the transport direction C, and the left unit ULm extends in the branch direction d orthogonal to the transport direction C.

  For the convenience of describing the control system of the layout system 1, a table ID (N, n) is assigned to the right unit URm and the left unit ULm. The table ID N is assigned the same number as m of the branch unit Um to which the right unit URm or the left unit ULm is connected. For example, 3 is assigned to each of the right unit URm and the left unit ULm connected to the branch unit U3. Further, as the table ID n, when viewing the branch unit U3 in the transport direction C, “1” is assigned to the right unit UR3 arranged on the right side, and “2” is assigned to the left unit UL3. Accordingly, the table ID (3, 1) is assigned to the right unit UR3, and the table ID (3, 2) is assigned to the left unit UL3.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transport plate 5 is provided with ejection holes symmetrically when viewed in the transport direction C. The floating ejection hole 7 and the propulsion ejection hole 9 are through holes that have the same diameter and penetrate in the thickness direction of the transport plate 5. In the present invention, the distance between the levitation jet hole 7 and the propulsion jet hole 9 is 20 mm, the maximum load of the mounting member 3 is 5 kg, and the diameter is preferably 0.5 to 0.7 mm. The interval and diameter may be changed depending on the maximum load. Further, with respect to the width direction W (direction perpendicular to the transport direction C) of the transport plate 5, the propulsion ejection holes 9 are arranged on the side surface portion 5 b (see FIG. 3) that is opposed to the levitation ejection holes 7 in the width direction W. It is arranged in the near part. In addition, in the plan view of the transport plate 5, the levitation jet holes 7 and the propulsion jet holes 9 and the propulsion jet holes 9 are arranged at equal intervals in the transport direction C so that the centers are aligned in a straight line. A plurality of ejection holes 9 are formed, a plurality of levitation ejection holes 7 constitute a levitation ejection hole array, and a plurality of propulsion ejection holes 9 constitute a blast ejection hole array. Further, with respect to the conveyance direction C, two ejection hole lanes 10L and 10R each including a pair of the levitation ejection hole array and the propulsion ejection hole array are arranged symmetrically. As viewed in the traveling direction C, the ejection hole lane 10R arranged on the right side has the levitation ejection hole 7 on the left side and the propulsion ejection hole 9 on the right side, and the ejection hole lane 10L arranged on the left side has the levitation ejection lane 10L. The hole 7 is on the right side and the propelling ejection hole 9 is on the left side. That is, when viewed from the longitudinal center line of the conveying plate 5, the row of the pair of floating ejection holes 7 is disposed on the inner side and the row of the pair of propulsion ejection holes 9 is disposed on the outer side. In the present invention, the interval between the two ejection hole lanes 10 is preferably 120 to 150 mm, but the interval between the ejection hole lanes may be changed depending on the maximum load of the mounting member 3.
Further, the transport plate 5 is composed of a single plate that communicates with the plurality of transport units U1 to U5, and the placement member 3 is stiffened by eliminating the joints on the transport plate 5 between the transport units Um. It can be transported without any problems.

  The configuration of the ejection hole lane 10 in which the propelling ejection hole 9 is disposed relatively close to the side surface portion 5b of the conveying plate 5 and the levitation ejection hole 7 is disposed relatively far from the side surface portion 5b is as follows. The distance between the bottom surface 3a (see FIG. 3) of the mounting member 3 and the upper surface 5a of the conveying plate 5 (the posture of the mounting member 3) tends to be kept constant while the mounting member 3 is floating. This is based on the knowledge of the inventors. In addition, the length dimension of the width direction W3 of the bottom face 3a of the mounting member 3 is dimensioned so as to substantially cover the transport path P.

  Moreover, although the example which uses the two ejection hole lanes 10 was shown, it should just be comprised by the several ejection hole lane 10 without being limited to two. When an article is placed unevenly on the mounting member 3, the single ejection hole lane 10 tilts the mounting member 3 without being able to float horizontally, but includes two or more ejection hole lanes 10. And the mounting member 3 can be stably floated horizontally.

  Further, when viewed in the transport direction C, the ejection hole lane 10 </ b> R communicates with one common air chamber 17 (see FIG. 2), and the ejection hole lane 10 </ b> L communicates with the other common air chamber 17. An air tank 21, which is a compressed gas supply source, communicates with the common air chamber 17 via a gas supply pipe 19. The gas supply pipe 19 branches in the middle and communicates with each common air chamber 17 that is an internal space of the sub tank 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sub tank 16 (common air chamber 17) has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. A branch pipe 23 is connected to the lower surface of the sub tank 16 and the upper surface of the sub tank 16 is used to float the transport plate 5. A through hole 18 communicating with the ejection hole 7 and the propulsion ejection hole 9 is provided. Furthermore, the common air chamber 17 is separated into two small chambers 18A and 18B by a partition wall 16a extending in the transport direction C. One small chamber 18 </ b> A communicates with the propelling ejection hole 9, and the other small chamber 18 </ b> B communicates with the floating ejection hole 7. The compressed gas introduced into the small chambers 18A and 18B of the sub tank 16 from the branch pipe 23 is ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L (the floating ejection hole 7 and the propulsion ejection hole 9) through the through hole 18 on the upper surface. Accordingly, the compressed gas in the air tank 21 is ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L via the gas supply pipe 19 and the small chambers 18A and 18B, and acts on the mounting member 3. The branch pipe 23 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 131 (see FIG. 3). The electromagnetic valve 131 receives a drive signal from the control unit 113, opens and closes the branch pipe 23, and adjusts the flow rate of the compressed gas supplied to the small chambers 18A and 18B of each sub tank 16.

  Furthermore, each of the layout units U1 to U5 is provided with one sub tank 16 on the left and right when viewed in the transport direction C. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas supply pipe connected to the air tank 21 is branched into four branch pipes 23 and a width direction W in the transport direction C, and each branch pipe is connected to the sub tank 16 at equal intervals. Further, the branch pipe 23 is also connected to two sub tanks 16 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction W of the layout units U1 to U5 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, by adjusting the solenoid valve 131 (see FIG. 3), the flow rate of the compressed gas ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the layout units U1 to U5 can be adjusted, and the floating ejection hole 7 can be adjusted. The flow rate of the compressed gas to be ejected and the flow rate of the compressed gas to be ejected from the propelling ejection hole 9 can be controlled independently of each other.

  The transport path P defined by the upper surface 5a of the transport plate 5 shown in FIG. 1B extends substantially horizontally, and as shown in FIG. 5, the center line O passing through the center of the levitation jet hole 7 is It extends in the vertical direction V. On the other hand, the center line O passing through the center of the propelling ejection hole 9 is inclined toward the downstream side in the transport direction C by a predetermined inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction V. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ is 10 degrees. In addition, when inventors etc. earnestly researched, the dimension and weight of the food / beverage put on the mounting member 3, the dimension and weight of the mounting member 3, the conveyance speed of the mounting member 3, and the ejection hole 9 for ejection are discharged. The inclination angle θ is preferably selected between 5 degrees and 15 degrees in consideration of the flow rate of compressed gas. When the inclination angle θ is smaller than 5 degrees, the force component related to the conveyance direction C tends to fail to obtain a desired transfer speed of the mounting member 3, and when it is larger than 15 degrees, the propulsive force is relative. This is because, when the placement member 3 is transported, the container for food or drink falls from the placement member 3 or the food or drink falls down.

  Furthermore, each layout unit Um has a passage sensor USm (m is a natural number of 1 to 5) for determining whether or not the placement member 3 passing through the transport path P has reached or has passed the layout unit. ). As the sensor USm, a photoelectric sensor or the like is used, but the type of sensor to be used is not particularly limited. A signal from the photoelectric sensor or the like is transmitted to the control unit 113.

[Branch unit]
Next, the branch unit U3 of the layout unit Um will be described with reference to FIGS. The catering system 1 of the present embodiment includes a single branch unit U3 for branching from the traveling direction C to the left and right units UR3 or UL3. The branch unit U3 is provided with two pairs of ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L (the floating ejection hole 7 and the propulsion ejection hole 9) that are separated in the width direction W in the transportation plate 5 in the same manner as the transportation unit U1 described above.

  The conveying plate 5 is divided into a plurality of regions in which a plurality of ejection holes are gathered for each ejection direction of the compressed gas. Regions 56L, 56R, 57L, and 57R with branching and floating injection holes, regions 59R, 59L, 60R, and 60L with branching propulsion holes for transferring the placement member 3 to the right unit UR3 and the left unit UL3 Is provided.

  Further, as the ejection holes, there are provided branching and floating ejection holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L and branching propulsion ejection holes 79R, 79L, 81R, 81L for transferring the mounting member 3 to the right unit UR3 and the left unit UL3. . Moreover, it includes branch levitation jet holes 73R, 73L and branch propulsion jet holes 74R, 74L in cooperation with the right unit UR3 and the left unit UL3. These branch levitation jet holes and branch propulsion jet holes are through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the transport plate 5.

  The branch propulsion ejection hole 79R disposed in the region 59R, the branch propulsion ejection hole 81R disposed in the region 60R, the branch levitation ejection hole 77R disposed in the region 56R, and the branch levitation ejection hole disposed in the region 57R. 78R is used to move the mounting member 3 to the right unit UR3. Further, the branch propulsion ejection holes 79L disposed in the region 59L, the branch propulsion ejection holes 81L disposed in the region 60L, and the branch levitation ejection holes 77L and 57L disposed in the region 56L. The ejection hole 78L is used for transferring the placement member 3 to the left unit UL3.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the center line O passing through the center of the branch propulsion ejection hole 79R (also 81R) forms an inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction V. Further, the angle α formed with respect to the center line O and the branch direction D is an acute angle. Therefore, when the compressed gas ejected from the branch propulsion ejection holes 79R (the same applies to 81R) acts on the placement member 3, the placement member 3 is transferred in the branch direction D.

  On the other hand, the center line O passing through the center of the branch propulsion ejection hole 79L (the same applies to 81L) forms an inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction V. Further, an angle α formed with respect to the center line O and the branch direction d is an acute angle. Therefore, when the compressed gas ejected from the branch propulsion ejection holes 79L (the same applies to 81L) acts on the placement member 3, the placement member 3 is transferred in the branch direction d.

  Since the center line passing through the centers of the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L extends in the vertical direction, the compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L vertically moves the mounting member. Act to float in the direction

Further, the common air chamber 68R is separated into small chambers 68U, 68M, and 68D by a partition wall 311R. The branch propulsion ejection hole 79R disposed in the region 59R communicates with the small chambers 68U and 68D, the branch levitation ejection hole 77R disposed in the region 56R communicates with the small chamber 68M, and compressed gas is ejected through the branch propulsion ejection holes. 79R and the branching and floating ejection holes 77R are supplied independently.
Similarly, the common air chamber 68L is separated into small chambers 68U, 68M, and 68D by a partition wall 311L. The branch propulsion ejection holes 79L disposed in the region 59L communicate with the small chambers 68U and 68D, the branch levitation ejection holes 77L disposed in the region 56L communicate with the small chamber 68M, and compressed gas is ejected through the branch propulsion ejection holes. 79L and the branch levitation jet holes 77L are supplied independently.

Further, the common air chamber 67R is separated into small chambers 67U, 67M, and 67D by a partition wall 313R. The branch propulsion ejection hole 81R communicates with the small chambers 67U and 67D, the branch levitation ejection hole 78R communicates with the small chamber 67M, and the compressed gas is independent of each of the branch propulsion ejection hole 81R and the branch levitation ejection hole 78R. Supplied.
Similarly, the common air chamber 67L is separated into small chambers 67U, 67M, and 68D by a partition wall 313L. The branch propulsion ejection holes 81L communicate with the small chambers 67U and 67D, the branch levitation ejection holes 78L communicate with 67M, and the compressed gas is independent of the branch propulsion ejection holes 81L and the branch levitation ejection holes 78L. Supplied.

  The common air chambers 117R, 117L, 118R, and 118L described above have the same configuration as the common air chamber 17 that is the internal space of the sub tank 16 described above, as shown in FIG. The common air chamber is an internal space that is independent of each other of the sub tank 16 that is disposed below the transport plate 5 of the branch unit U3. Further, the common air chambers 117R and 117L are separated into two small chambers 117A and 117B having substantially the same volume by partition walls 112a and 112a extending in the transport direction D. One small chamber 117A, 117A communicates with the propelling ejection holes 74L, 74R, respectively, and the other small chamber 117B, 117B communicates with the floating ejection holes 73L, 73R, respectively.

  Similarly, the common air chambers 118R and 118L are separated into two small chambers 118A and 118B by partition walls 120a and 1220a extending in the transport direction d. One small chamber 118A communicates with the propelling ejection holes 74L and 74R, and the other small chamber 118B communicates with the floating ejection holes 73L and 73R. The small chambers 117 </ b> A, 117 </ b> B, 118 </ b> A, 118 </ b> B are supplied with compressed gas via a gas supply pipe 19 communicating with the air tank 21 and a branch pipe 23 branched from the gas supply pipe 19. Since the solenoid valve 132 is mounted so that each branch pipe 23 can be opened and closed, the flow rate of the compressed gas supplied to each small chamber 117A, 117B, 118A, 118B can be adjusted independently.

  Further, the branch unit U3 includes a branch stopper 80R (STR3) on the opposite end 5c side and 80L (STL3) on the 5d side in the width direction W of the branch unit U3. As shown in FIG. 5, the two branch stoppers 80R and 80L are connected to elevating cylinders 73R and 73L which are elevating means, and can be moved up and down in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. In the state where both branch stoppers 80R and 80L are raised, the widthwise dimension W2 (shown in FIG. 1A) between the branch stoppers 80R and 80L is approximately the same as the widthwise dimension W3 of the mounting member 3. Has been. Therefore, in the state where the branch stoppers 80R and 80L are operated, the transfer of the placement member 3 in the width direction W is restricted when passing over the transport plate 5 of the branch unit U3.

  Further, the branch unit U3 includes standby stoppers STF3 and STB3 on the upstream side and the downstream side of the regions 59R and 59L, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the standby stopper STF <b> 3 disposed on the upstream side includes two plate-like stopper members 70 and 72 that are connected to each other, and an elevating cylinder 74 </ b> F that is connected to the stopper members 70 and 72. Therefore, the stopper members 70 and 72 can be transferred between a raised position that protrudes so as to block the conveyance path P on the conveyance plate 5 and a lowered position that retreats below the conveyance plate 5 of the conveyance plate 5. The stopper member 70 disposed on the upstream side is used for restricting the placement member 3 from further downstream.

  The standby stopper STB3 includes a single plate-like stopper member 76 and an elevating cylinder 74B connected to the stopper member 76. Further, a dimension L1 (shown in FIG. 1B) related to the conveyance direction C between the stopper member 76 of the standby stopper STB3 and the stopper member 72 of the standby stopper STF3 is the bottom surface 3a of the mounting member 3 related to the conveyance direction C. The positional relationship is substantially the same as the dimension L3 (shown in FIG. 4). Therefore, when the standby stoppers STF3 and STB3 are operated to the raised position, the transfer of the mounting member 3 is restricted between the stopper members 72 and 76 in the transport direction C (and the direction facing the transport direction). Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the regions 71R, 71L, 72R, 72L in the vicinity of the side surface portions 5b, 5c facing the width direction W of the transport plate 5 are moved in the UR3, UL3 direction, respectively. Branch levitation jet holes 73R, 73L and branch propulsion jet holes 74R, 74L.

The branch levitation jet holes 73R and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L formed in the regions 71R and 72R in the vicinity of the end portion 5c of the transport plate 5 are respectively provided in the small chambers 117A, 117B, 117A, and 117B. The compressed gas is supplied from the small chambers 117A, 117B, 117A, and 117B to the branch floating jet holes 73R and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L.
Similarly, the branch levitation jet holes 73R and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L formed in the respective regions 71L and 72L in the vicinity of the end portion 5d of the transport plate 5 are small chambers 118A, 118B, and 118A, respectively. , 118B, compressed gas is supplied from the small chambers 118A, 118B, 118A, 118B to the branch levitation jet holes 73R, 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R, 74L.

[Right unit / Left unit]
The right unit UR3 is connected to the branch unit U3, is orthogonal to the transport direction C, and extends rightward (branch direction D) when viewed in the transport direction C. On the other hand, the left unit UL3 is connected to the branch unit U3, is orthogonal to the transport direction C, and extends to the left (branch direction d) when viewed in the transport direction C.

  The right unit UR3 and the left unit UL3 are different only in the extending direction and have the same configuration and shape, and therefore the right unit UR3 will be described. The right unit UR3 includes a branch levitation jet hole 73L and a branch propulsion jet hole 74L arranged in the region 102L of the transport plate 5R, and a branch levitation jet hole 73R and a branch propulsion jet hole 74R arranged in the region 102R. With. Further, the branch levitation jet hole 73L and the branch propulsion jet hole 74L in the region 102L communicate with the small chambers 117B and 117A constituting the common air chamber 117L, respectively.

  Note that the small chambers 117B and 117A communicate with the branch levitation jet hole 73L and the branch propulsion jet hole 74L provided in the region 71R of the branch unit U3 described above. That is, the branch levitation jet hole 73L of the branch unit U3 and the branch levitation jet hole 73L of the right unit UR3 communicate with the same small chamber 117B. Further, the branch propulsion ejection hole 74L of the branch unit U3 and the branch propulsion ejection hole 74L of the right unit UR3 communicate with the same small chamber 117A.

  Similarly, the branch levitation ejection holes 73R disposed in the region 102R of the transport plate 5R communicate with the small chamber 117B, and the branch propulsion ejection holes 74R disposed in the region 102R of the transport plate 5R communicate with the small chamber 117A. ing. That is, the small chamber 117B also communicates with the branch levitation ejection hole 73R provided in the region 71L of the branch unit U3 described above, and the branch propulsion provided in the region 71L of the branch unit U3 described above communicates with the small chamber 117A. The ejection hole 74L is also configured to communicate.

  In addition, an air tank 21 is connected to the small chambers 117A and 117B via a gas supply pipe (not shown in FIG. 2), and compressed gas is supplied from the air tank 21 to the small chambers 117A and 117B. It acts on the mounting member 3 through the hole 73R and the branching propulsion ejection hole 74R. That is, the flow rate, timing, and the like of the compressed gas acting on the placement member 3 from the branching and floating ejection holes 73R and the branching propulsion ejection holes 74R can be controlled independently.

  Further, the shape and configuration of the branching and floating ejection holes 73R and the branching propulsion ejection holes 74R are the same as the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L (the floating ejection holes 7 and the propulsion ejection holes 9) of the transport unit U1. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5B to 5C, the center line O passing through the center of the levitation jet hole 73R extends in the vertical direction, and the center line O of the branch propulsion jet hole 74R is set in the vertical direction V. Is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ. Further, an angle α formed by the center O with respect to the branch direction D forms an acute angle. The inclination angle θ is inclined from the end side where the right unit UR3 is in contact with the transport unit U3 to the end side which is not in contact with the transport unit U3.

  Similarly, the center line O passing through the centers of the levitation jet holes 73R and 74L provided in the left unit UL3 extends in the vertical direction, and the center lines O of the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L are predetermined with respect to the vertical direction V. It is inclined at an inclination angle θ. Further, the angle α formed by the center O with respect to the branch direction d forms an acute angle. The inclination angle θ is inclined from the end side where the left unit UL3 is in contact with the transport unit U3 to the end side where it is not in contact with the transport unit U3.

[Control system]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the control system of the layout system 1 of the present embodiment. The control system includes a control unit 113 configured by a microcomputer or a sequencer, a storage device 114, a display device 115, and an input device 116, and includes an electromagnetic valve 131, a starting belt conveyor 141, a lifting cylinder 135, standby stoppers STB3 and STF3. The branch stoppers 80R and 80L are electrically connected to the passage sensors US1 to US4, USR3 and USL3 which are detection means, and each component is controlled. The control unit 113 controls the operation of the layout system 1 at a predetermined timing based on an instruction from the operator input from the input device 116. As long as the input device 116 is a device that can be input by an operator, a push button type, a keyboard type, a touch panel type, or a switch type can be used, and is not particularly limited.

[Starting belt conveyor]
As shown in FIG. 4, the starting belt conveyor 141 includes a pair of endless belts 143 and 144 for easily transporting the placing member 3 and driving rolling elements 145 and 146 around which the endless belts 143 and 144 are wound. And driven rolling elements 147 and 148, and drive motors (not shown) for rotating the driving rolling elements 145 and 146. The endless belts 143 and 144 are arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction C of the transport unit U1, and when the drive motor is actuated by a command signal from the control unit 113, the endless belts 143 and 144 rotate. The placing member 3 placed on the endless belts 143 and 144 is transferred to the transport unit U1 by the endless belts 143 and 144.

[Compressed gas ejection control]
FIG. 9 shows the floating ejection hole 7 (73R, 73L, 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L) and the propelling ejection hole 9 (74R, 74L, 79R, 79L, 81R, 81L) when the mounting member 3 is transferred. The amount of compressed gas ejected from the nozzle is shown. When the transfer of the mounting member 3 is started, first, the ejection of the compressed gas from the levitation ejection hole 7 is started (t0). When the ejection amount of the compressed gas from the levitation jet hole 7 reaches a predetermined ejection amount A at which the mounting member 3 reaches a predetermined levitation height, ejection of the compressed gas from the propulsion ejection hole 9 is started (t1). . Here, it is preferable to determine the ejection amount A so that the flying height of the mounting member 3 from the conveying plate 5 is 20 to 30 microns.

  Then, the placement member 3 starts to move immediately before the propelling ejection hole 9 reaches the predetermined ejection amount A, and when the ejection is stabilized at the predetermined ejection amount A, the transfer speed is stabilized (t2). For the sake of explanation, the "amount of ejection from the levitation orifice" and the "amount of ejection from the ejection orifice" are set to the same ejection amount A, but "the amount of ejection from the levitation orifice" ≤ "ejection of the ejection orifice" When the ejection amount is determined so as to be “amount”, the placement member 3 can be smoothly transferred, which is preferable. Needless to say, the “amount of ejection of the levitation ejection hole” and the “amount of ejection of the propulsion ejection hole” may be changed according to the load of the mounting member 3 and the transfer speed.

  When stopping the transfer of the mounting member 3, first, the amount of compressed gas ejected from the propelling ejection hole 9 is reduced (t 3). Next, the reduction of the amount of compressed gas jetted from the levitation jetting hole 7 is started (t4). In the case of stopping, the amount of compressed gas discharged from the levitation jet hole 7 may be reduced before the amount of compressed gas jetted from the propelling jet hole 9 becomes zero. The decrease in the amount of compressed gas ejected from the ascending ejection hole 7 may be started after the amount of ejection becomes zero.

  From time t3 to time t5, the transfer speed of the mounting member 3 is decelerated in proportion to the decrease in the amount of compressed gas ejected from the propelling ejection hole 9, stops at the amount of compressed gas ejected from the propelling ejection hole 9 and rises. (T5). Then, from time t4 to t6, the flying height of the mounting member 3 gradually decreases in proportion to the decrease in the amount of compressed gas ejected from the ascending ejection hole 7, and the amount of compressed gas ejected from the ascending ejection hole 7 becomes smaller. Immediately before reaching 0, the bottom surface 3a of the mounting member 3 comes into contact with the transport plate 5, and the mounting member 3 is completely stopped when the ejection amount is 0 (t6).

[Caching process of the catering system]
The layout process in the layout system 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 1 (a), FIG. 8, FIG. 10 (a), and (b). FIGS. 10A and 10B are flowcharts showing the layout process of the layout system 1. In addition, in the following description, the destination which the mounting member 3 in which food and drink are mounted transfers is demonstrated as the right unit UR3 of table ID (3, 1).

  Each of the layout units constituting the layout system 1 is assigned in the order of U1, U2, U3,... From the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path P. The table ID is represented by (N, n), where N is a number N assigned to the branch unit UN to which the right unit URN or the left unit ULN that is the table is connected. Further, n gives 1 to the right unit URN arranged on the right side when the branch unit UN is viewed in the conveyance direction C, and 2 to the left unit ULN arranged on the left side. For example, if the table ID is (3, 2), it means the left unit UL3 connected to the branch unit U3 and arranged on the left side.

  First, the operator places the placing member 3 on which the food and drink are placed on the pair of endless belts 143 and 144 of the starting belt conveyor 141 (step S1). Next, the operator inputs a desired table ID (N, n) using the input device 116 while looking at the display device 115 (step S2). Here, the table ID (3, 1) is input. When the operator's input work is completed, the pair of endless belts 143 and 144 are rotated at a predetermined conveying speed by the rotation of the driving motor of the starting belt conveyor 141 according to the driving signal from the control unit 113 (step S3). The placing member 3 is transferred onto the transport plate 5 of the transport unit U1. Further, the initial value 1 is input to the position calculation counter (M, m) provided in the control unit 113 (step S4).

  In the next step S5, it is determined whether or not the layout unit Um is a branch unit. Currently, since m is 1, the serving unit Um is the transport unit U1. Step S6, which is a subsequent process of step S5, will be described later.

  Next, the control part 113 operates the layout unit Um (step S7). Since M is set to 1 in step S4, the transport unit U1 operates, and the compressed gas is ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L (step S7). The placing member 3 on the transport plate 5 of the unit U1 starts to be transferred in the transport direction C in a state where the mounting member 3 floats a predetermined distance from the upper surface 5a of the transport plate 5.

  When the placement member 3 reaches the passage sensor US1 and the entire placement member 3 (length L3) passes the passage sensor US1, position information of the placement member 3 is transmitted from the passage sensor US1 to the control unit 113. The The control unit 113 determines that the placement member 3 has passed the passage sensor US1 (step S8). When the passing sensor US1 determines that the mounting member 3 has the passing sensor US1 (Yes in step S8), the process proceeds to the next step S9.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not m of the position calculation counter is 1 in order to determine whether or not the placement member 3 is in the layout unit U1.
When m is 1, it judges that the mounting member 3 exists in the layout unit U1, and transfers to step S10 (it is Yes at step S9). Here, since m is set to 1 in step S4, the process proceeds to step S10 (Yes in step S9), and the starting belt conveyor 141 is stopped.

  On the other hand, if m is not 1 (No in step S9), it is determined that the placement member 3 has not yet reached the layout unit U1, and the process proceeds to step S11. The ejection of the compressed gas from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the transport unit U (m-1) located on the downstream side of the layout unit Um on which the placement member 3 is placed is stopped (step S11).

  Further, in step S12, the control unit 113 determines whether or not the layout unit Um is a branch unit. In addition, since the position of the branch unit is determined in advance when the layout system 1 is installed, whether or not the layout unit Um is a branch unit is determined by referring to information stored in the storage device 114. Done. Here, since m is 1, the arrangement unit Um to be discriminated is the transport unit U1 and not the branch unit. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S15 (No in step S12).

  On the other hand, for example, when m is 3, the determination unit Um is determined to be the branch unit U3, and the process proceeds to step S13 (Yes in step S12). Step S13 will be described later.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the layout unit Um disposed on the downstream side of the transport unit U1 where the placement member 3 exists is a branch unit. Here, since m is 1, the layout unit Um to be determined is the transport unit U2. Therefore, it is determined that the unit is not a branch unit, and the process proceeds to step S22 (No in step S15).

  On the other hand, in step S15, when the arrangement unit Um to be determined is, for example, m is 2 and the branch unit U3, the process proceeds to the next step S16 (Yes in step S15).

  If No in step S15, the position calculation counter is updated in steps S22 and S23. Specifically, 1 is added to the current M (step S22), and 1 is added to the current m (step S23). Here, since the current M and m are 1, the updated M and m are 2.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S5. Since the current m is 2, the layout unit Um becomes the transport unit U2 and is determined not to be a branch unit (No in step S5). Accordingly, the process proceeds to step S7. Since m is 2 this time, the transport unit U2 is operated, and the compressed gas is ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L (step S7). At this time, since the transport unit U1 on the upstream side of the transport unit U2 is also operating, the placing member 3 is transferred to the transport unit U2. Further, it is determined whether or not the placement member 3 has moved downstream in the transport direction C and has reached the passage sensor US2 (step S8).

  When it is determined that the placement member 3 has reached the predetermined position of the transport unit U2, the process proceeds to step S9 (Yes in step S8). If it is determined that the mounting member 3 has not reached, the process waits until it is determined that the mounting member 3 has arrived (No in step S8).

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not m of the position calculation counter is 1 in order to determine whether or not the placement member 3 is in the layout unit U1. Since m is currently set to 2 in the previous step S22, the process proceeds to step S11 (No in step S9), and the operation of the layout unit U (m-1) is stopped. That is, the ejection of the compressed air in the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the transport unit U1 arranged on the upstream side is stopped (step S11). In addition, the control for stopping the compressed air ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L in step S11 is performed as described in [Compressed gas ejection control].

Next, in step S12, it is determined again whether or not the layout unit Um is a branch unit. Since the current m is 2, the determination unit Um is determined to be the transport unit U2, and the process proceeds to step S15 (No in step S12).
In step S15, since the current m is 2, the layout unit Um connected to the downstream side of the transport unit U2 is determined as the branch unit U3 with m = 3 (Yes in step S15).

Next, in step S16, whether or not another placement member 3 is present in the branch unit U3 is determined by the control unit 113 based on information acquired from the passage sensor US3.
If another mounting member 3 does not exist in the branch unit U3 (No in Step S16), the process proceeds to update of the position calculation counter in Step S22 and Step S23.

  If another placement member 3 is present in the branch unit U3 (Yes in step S16), the placement member 3 present in the transport unit U2 and another placement member 3 present in the branch unit U3. Standby stopper STF (m + 1) is actuated in order to prevent the two from colliding with each other. That is, since m is 2, the standby stopper STF3 is activated, and the stopper members 70 and 72 protrude in the vertical direction so as to block the transport path P, and the mounting member 3 is not intended to be downstream of the layout unit U2. The movement is restricted (step S17).

  Then, in the next step S18, the ejection of compressed air in the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the unit U2 (m is 2) is stopped, and the mounting member 3 comes into contact with the stopper member 70 on the conveying plate 5 of the unit U2. Ground to a position where it will not. In step S18, the control of stopping the compressed air ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L is performed as described in [Compressed gas ejection control].

  In this state, in step S19, it is determined whether or not the preceding placement member 3 existing in the branch unit U3 has been transferred to any of the right unit UR3, the left unit UL3, or the next transport unit U4. , USL3 or information acquired from the passage sensor US4.

  If it is determined that the preceding placement member 3 has not been transferred to any of the right unit UR3, the left unit UL3, or the transport unit U4 (No in step S19), the process waits until it is determined that the transfer has been transferred.

  When it is determined that the preceding placement member 3 has been transferred to any of the right unit UR3, the left unit UL3, or the transport unit U4 (Yes in Step S19), the process proceeds to Step S20, and the stopper STF3 described above is The stopper members 70 and 72 are released to the lowered position (step S20). That is, the mounting member 3 can be transferred from the unit U2 to the branch unit U3.

  When the process proceeds to the next step S21, ejection of compressed air in the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the transport unit U2 is started by the drive signal from the control unit 113, the mounting member 3 is lifted, and the downstream direction of the transport direction C is branched. Preparation for transfer to the unit U3 is made (step S21). In step S21, the control for ejecting the compressed air from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L is performed as described in the above [Control of ejecting compressed gas].

  Then, the process proceeds to step S22 and step S23, and the position calculation counter is updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the current M (step S22), and 1 is added to the current m (step S23). Here, since the current M and m are 2, the updated M and m are 3.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S5 described above. This time, since m is 3, the serving unit Um is determined to be the branch unit U3. In this case (Yes in step S5), the branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 are operated to the raised position (step S6). The branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 function as a guide for stopping the transfer in the width direction W when the mounting member 3 passes through the branch unit U3.

  Then, the process proceeds to step S7. Since m is 3, compressed gas is ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L of the branch unit U3 (step S7). At this time, since the transport unit U2 on the upstream side of the branch unit U3 is also operating, the placing member 3 is transferred to the branch unit U3. Note that the control of the compressed air ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L in step S7 is performed as described in the above [Compressed gas ejection control].

  Next, it is determined whether or not the mounting member 3 is transported downstream in the transport direction C and passes the passage sensor US3 (step S8). When it is determined that the placement member 3 has reached the predetermined position of the transport unit U3, the process proceeds to step S9 (Yes in step S8). If it is determined that the mounting member 3 has not reached, the process waits until it is determined that the mounting member 3 has arrived (No in step S8).

  Next, since m is 3 in step S9, the process proceeds to step S11 (No in step S9). The operation of the unit U (m−1), that is, the transport unit U2 is stopped (step S11).

Next, in step S12, U3 is determined as a branch unit U3 because m is 3, and the process proceeds to step S13 (Yes in step S12).
In step S13, it is determined whether or not N constituting the table ID of the transport destination matches M. Here, N = 3 input in step S2, and the position calculation counter is set to M = 3 in step S22, so N and M are equal. Accordingly, the control unit 113 assumes that the table ID (3, 1) as the arrival place is approached, and proceeds to step S31 to branch the mounting member 3 at U3 (Yes in step S13).
If it is determined that N and M are not equal, the process proceeds to step S22 to transfer the mounting member 3 to the downstream branch unit Um (No in step S13).

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not the placement member 3 has reached the passage sensor USm of the branch unit Um. Here, since m is 3, whether or not the placement member 3 has reached the passage sensor US3 is determined by the passage sensor US3. When the mounting member 3 has reached the passage sensor US3, the process proceeds to the next step S32 (Yes in step S31).

  In step S32, the operation of the branch unit U3 is stopped by the control unit 113. That is, the ejection of the compressed gas from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L is stopped, and the mounting member 3 is grounded on the transport path P of the branch unit U3 (step S32). The control of stopping the compressed air ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R, 10L in step S32 is performed as described in the above [Compressed gas ejection control].

  Further, in step S33, the standby stoppers STF3 and STB3 and the branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 of the branch unit U3 are operated, and the standby stoppers STF3 and STB3 regulate the transfer of the mounting member 3 in the transport direction C and the opposite direction. Then, the transfer in the width direction W is restricted by the branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 (step S33). In step S5, when the branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 are activated and set to the raised position, it goes without saying that the branch stoppers STR3 and STL3 are maintained in the raised position in step S33.

  Note that the standby stoppers STF3 and STB3 are used for positioning the mounting member 3. In other words, the amount of compressed gas ejected from the ejection hole lanes 10R and 10L so that the moving mounting member 3 stops at a position on the transport plate 5 where it does not collide with the stopper members 70 and 76, The ejection timing is controlled. This is to prevent food and beverages placed on the placement member 3 from dropping due to a collision between the placement member 3 and the stopper members 70 and 76.

  Next, in step S34, based on the table ID (3, 1) that is the arrival place, it is determined whether the placement member 3 is transferred to the right unit UR3 or the left unit UL3. Since n is 1, it is determined that it is transferred to the right unit UR3 (Yes in step S34). On the other hand, when n is 2, since the placing member 3 is transferred to the left unit ULm, the process proceeds to step S46 (No in step S34).

  In the next step S35, the standby stopper STR3 is released. That is, the path to the right unit UR3 that is the table ID (3, 1) to which the placement member 3 is transferred is opened.

  In step S36, the branch unit U3 is operated to transfer the mounting member 3 to the right unit UR3, and compressed gas is emitted from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79R, 81R. Is ejected (step S36).

Further, compressed gas is ejected from the branch levitation jet holes 73R and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L of the right unit UR3 (step S37). That is, the electromagnetic valves 131 and 132 are opened so that the compressed gas is supplied only to the common air chambers 67R, 68R, 117R, and 117L. As described above, in step S37, the mounting member 3 floating on the branch unit U3 obtains a biasing force in the right direction and is transferred to the right unit UR3 (branch direction D). At this time, the stopper member 72 of the standby stopper STF3 and the stopper member 76 of STB3 perform a guide function when the mounting member 3 is transferred in the width direction W.
In steps S36 and S37, the control for ejecting the compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L, 73R, 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79L, 81R, 74R, 74L is performed as described above [Compressed gas. The ejection control is performed as described above.

  Then, based on information from the passage sensor SUR3 arranged in the right unit UR3, it is determined whether or not the placement member 3 has reached a predetermined position (step S38). If it is determined in step S38 that the mounting member 3 has reached the predetermined position of the right unit UR3, the process proceeds to step S39 (Yes in step S38).

  In step S39, the operation of the branch unit U3 is stopped, and the injection of compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79L, 81R is stopped (step S39).

  Further, in step S40, the ejection of the compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 73R and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L of the right unit UR3 is stopped (step S40). In steps S39 and S40, the control for stopping the compressed gas ejected from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L, 73R, and 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79L, 81R, 74R, and 74L is performed as described above [ This is performed as described in [Control of ejecting compressed gas].

  Finally, in step S41, the standby stoppers STF3, STB3, STL3 of the branch unit U3 are released and lowered, and the arrangement process of the placement member 3 to the table ID (3, 1) is completed.

  In the layout process to the table ID (3, 2), the layout is performed to the left unit UL3. In this case, up to step S34 is the same process as described above. In this case, since n is 2, the process proceeds from step S34 to step S46 (No in step S34).

Then, the standby stopper STL3 is released (step S46). That is, the path to the left unit UL3, which is the table ID (3, 2) to which the placement member 3 is transferred, is opened. Further, the branch unit U3 is operated, and compressed gas is ejected from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79L, 81L (step S47).
That is, the electromagnetic valves 131 and 132 are opened so that the compressed gas is supplied only to the common air chambers 67L, 68L, 118R, and 118L.

Further, the compressed gas is ejected from the branch levitation ejection holes 73R (region 103R), 73L (region 103L) and the branch propulsion ejection holes 74R (region 103R), 74L (region 103L) of the left unit UL3 (step S48). .
In steps S47 and S48, the control for injecting the compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L, 73R, 73L and the branch propulsion jet holes 79R, 81L, 74R, 74L is performed as described in [Compressed Gas]. The ejection control is performed as described above.

  At this time, the mounting member 3 floating on the branch unit U3 is transferred to the left unit UL3 (branch direction d) with an urging force in the left direction. At this time, the stopper member 72 of the standby stopper STF3 and the stopper member 76 of the STB3 perform a guide function for transferring the placement member 3.

  Further, based on information from the passage sensor SUL3 arranged in the left unit UL3, it is determined whether or not the placement member 3 has reached a predetermined position (step S49). When it is determined that the placement member 3 has reached the predetermined position of the left unit UL3, the process proceeds to step S50.

  Next, the operation of the branch unit U3 is stopped, and the jets from the branch propulsion jet holes 79R and 81L and the branch levitation jet holes 77R and 77L are stopped (step S50). Further, in step S51, the ejection of the compressed gas from the branch levitation jet holes 73L and 73R and the branch propulsion jet holes 74R and 74L of the left unit UL3 is stopped (step S51). It should be noted that in steps S50 and S51, the control for stopping the compressed gas ejected from the branch levitation jet holes 77R, 77L, 73L, 73R and the branch propulsion jet holes 79R, 81L, 74R, 74L is performed as described above. Control] is performed as described above.

  Finally, the standby stoppers STF3, STB3, STR3 of the branch unit U3 are released and lowered, and the arrangement process of the mounting member 3 to the table ID (3, 2) is completed (step S52).

  In the above description, when it is determined in step S16 that there is no placement member 3 preceding the branch unit U (m + 1) (No in step S16), the process returns to steps S22 and S20, as described above. 1 is added to M and m of the position calculation counter.

  In the arrangement system 1 of the above embodiment, the placing member 3 is contacted and supported by the starting belt conveyor 141 and introduced into the conveyance path P. However, the starting belt conveyor 141 may be omitted. is there. In this case, the operator directly places the mounting member 3 on the upper surface 5a of the transport plate 5 of the transport unit U1, and thereafter, as described above, the layout system 1 is operated to support the mounting member 3 in a non-contact manner. It becomes the composition to serve.

  The catering system 1 of the present embodiment is configured to include a single branch unit U3, but a configuration including a plurality of branch units is also possible. Further, the branching directions D and d of the branching unit are directions orthogonal to the transport direction C, but it goes without saying that the branching directions D and d can be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the number of transport units can be changed as appropriate.

  In addition, the sub tanks of the layout units U1 to U5 are configured to communicate with the pair of levitation jet hole rows and the propulsion jet hole rows, but the sub tanks are different for the levitation jet hole rows and the propulsion jet hole rows. It is also possible to prepare such that the timing of jetting from the levitation jet hole row and the propulsion jet hole row and the flow rate of the jetted compressed gas are separately controlled. In this case, after the compressed gas is first lifted by acting on the mounting member from the buoyant jet hole, the compressed gas is applied to the mounting plate from the propelling jet hole and transferred in the transport direction C. It is also possible to do. In addition, the ejection amount from the levitation ejection hole and the ejection amount from the propulsion ejection hole can be adjusted independently of each other.

  In the present embodiment, the compressed gas is supplied to each sub tank 16 from a single air tank, but it is also possible to connect an independent compressed gas source to each sub tank.

  In addition, as compressed gas, pressurized gas, such as nonflammable gas, such as nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, and air can be utilized.

[Other Examples]
In the above description, the invention has been described in which the compressed gas is ejected from the buoyant ejection hole 7 and floated by the mounting member 3, and the compressed gas is ejected from the propelling ejection hole 9 to transport the mounting member 3. Instead of using the ejection holes 7, the layout system 1 may be configured by only the propulsion ejection hole array having the propulsion ejection holes 9.

  The present invention can be embodied in many forms without departing from its essential characteristics. Therefore, it is needless to say that the above-described embodiment is exclusively for description and does not limit the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bar arrangement system 3 Mounting member 5 Conveying plate 7 Levitation ejection hole 9 Propulsion ejection hole 10, 10R, 10L Ejection hole lane 13 Housing | casing 16 Sub tank 17, 67R, 67L, 68R, 68L,
117R, 117L, 118R, 118L Common air chambers 18A, 18B, 67U, 67M, 67D, 68U,
68M, 68D, 117A, 117B, 118A, 118B Small chamber 19 Gas supply pipe 21 Air tank 23 Branch pipe 131, 132 Solenoid valve 73R, 73L, 77R, 77L, 78R, 78L Branch levitation jet holes 74R, 74L, 79R, 79L, 81R, 81L Branch propulsion ejection port P Transport path STF3, STB3 Standby stopper STR3, STL3 Branch stopper U1, U2, U3, U4, U5 Transport unit (layout unit)
U3 branch unit (layout unit)
UR3 Right unit UL3 Left unit US1, US2, US3, US4, US5 Passing sensor D, d Branching direction W Width direction C Conveying direction

Claims (13)

In the layout system for transporting the placing member on which the transport object is placed and transporting the transport object to the destination,
A conveying plate for guiding the mounting member,
A gas supply unit for supplying compressed gas to the mounting member;
Control means for controlling the supply of compressed gas from the gas supply unit,
The control means is levitated by the compressed gas supplied from the gas supply unit and levitated in a non-contact manner in the vertical direction from the conveyance plate and a levitating force that causes the placement member to float in a vertical direction from the conveyance plate in a non-contact manner. A catering system, wherein the placement member is controlled to act as a driving force for transporting the placing member in a transport direction in a non-contact manner.   The catering system according to claim 1, wherein the transport plate has a levitation jet hole array having buoyant jet holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.   2. The laying system according to claim 1, wherein the transport plate has a propulsion ejection hole array having propulsion ejection holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction.   4. The laying system according to claim 3, wherein the propulsion ejection holes of the propulsion ejection hole array are formed with an inclination angle θ within a predetermined angle range.   The said conveyance board has a standby stopper, This standby stopper acts as a guide member in the case of conveying the said mounting member to the 2nd conveyance direction different from the said conveyance direction. The catering system according to claim 1.   The catering system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transport plate in the transport direction is configured by a single plate.   A branch having a branch unit in a second transport direction different from the transport direction, and a transport plate of the branch unit having branch levitation jet holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second transport direction The laying system according to claim 1, further comprising an array of buoyant jet holes.   A branch having a branch unit in a second transport direction different from the transport direction, and a transport plate of the branch unit having branch propulsion ejection holes spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the second transport direction 2. The laying system according to claim 1, further comprising a propelling ejection hole array.   The gas supply unit supplies compressed gas independently to each of the levitation jet hole, the propulsion jet hole, the branch levitation jet hole, and the branch propulsion jet hole. The catering system according to any one of claims 7 and 8.   10. The laying system according to claim 1, wherein when the conveyance of the mounting member is stopped, the control unit gradually controls the ejection amount of the compressed gas. .   The control means, when transporting the mounting member in the transport direction, propagating a lifting force that lifts the mounting member from the transport plate in the transport direction, transports the mounting member floated from the transport plate in the transport direction. It controls so that it may act before force, The catering system of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned.   When the control unit stops transporting the mounting member in the transport direction, the control unit transmits a propulsive force for transporting the mounting member that has floated from the transport plate in the transport direction. The arrangement system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein control is performed so as to stop before the levitation force for levitation.   The control means, when transporting the mounting member in the second transport direction different from the transport direction via the branch unit, the branch levitation jet holes and the branch propulsion jet holes that are spaced apart from each other, The arrangement system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein only the compressed gas ejected from the container is controlled to be supplied to the mounting member.

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