JP2018076178A - Article take-out device and article conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article input device capable of automatically inputting a conveyed article into a container (storage box) with no breakage or damage, as well as the article input device capable of being used for, for example, automatically inputting an article conveyed on a conveyor line into the storage box, and automatically transferring an article taken out from an entry line and transferring it into a container box on an exit line (for example, a shipping line) between the two conveyance lines.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: An article input device for inputting a conveyed article into a receiving container comprises: a vertically movable support part; and a bottom part for receiving the article. The bottom part comprises an opening/closing mechanism. The opening/closing mechanism inputs the article into the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an article input device and an article conveyance system. For example, an article conveyed on a conveyance line is automatically put into a storage box, and an entry line serving as an article conveyance line between the conveyance lines is used. The present invention relates to an article input device and an article transport system that can be used in a system that automatically moves articles between the lines to, for example, an outgoing line used for shipping.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a distribution system has been known in which a warehouse for storing articles and containers for storing articles (hereinafter referred to as articles) is used to store, store, and appropriately store articles.

  For example, various and various items are stored in a warehouse, items are taken out based on a specified order according to a customer's request, and are collected (contained) in a container (box) and shipped. . At the time of shipment, it is necessary to take out articles and the like stored in a warehouse and transfer the articles to the shipment line via the transfer line. Basically, the movement of the article between the lines is performed through a manpower (operator).

  On the other hand, as a device for paying out the contents of the bucket, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a bucket reversing machine that pays out from a bucket that stores an empty cardboard box after the product is taken out.

  In addition, as a sorting and sorting device, a sorting device that tilts and sorts a tray on which fruits and vegetables etc. that are being transported are tilted is disclosed in Patent Document 2, and a facility that sorts carts on a transport path into collection containers via a chute. Is disclosed in Patent Document 3.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-150943 JP 2010-158645 A JP 2014-148405 A

  In general, there are various types of articles to be moved such as transfer from a storage box that stores articles, and accordingly, manual sorting work is complicated and requires labor. In place of this, as seen in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, it is conceivable to incline and move the tray itself as a device for taking out articles from the tray, etc. A chute is prepared and moved, and a mechanism for preventing a fall is required depending on the object to be stored, which complicates the facility. In addition, when an article is put into a storage container, it is thrown using an inclination, so that the article is not handled in a buffering manner and is not considered for stacked accommodation.

  In addition, as seen in Patent Document 1, even if there is no problem in reversing if it is an empty corrugated cardboard box that takes out the contents by reversing the bucket, it is not limited to fruits and vegetables, but is also damaged in articles such as daily necessities, packaging products, etc. May cause damage.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides an article input device and an article conveyance system capable of automatically placing an article being conveyed into a container (storage box) without being damaged or damaged. In addition, for example, an article conveyed on the conveyance line is automatically put into the storage box, or an article taken out from the entry line between the two conveyance lines is taken out (for example, a shipping line). It is an object of the present invention to provide an article input device and an article transport system that can be applied when transferring to a storage box on the side.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a receiving unit for receiving an article that has been transported, the receiving unit including a bottom on which the article is placed, and the receiving unit or the bottom part is moved up and down. It is characterized by comprising: a support part that supports it, and an opening / closing mechanism that is provided with the receiving part or the bottom part and can open and close the bottom part. That is, an article input device for storing the conveyed article in a receiving container has a support portion that can move up and down and a bottom portion that receives the article, and includes an opening / closing mechanism at the bottom portion, and the opening / closing mechanism holds the article. It is performed to put into the container.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism slides a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism rotationally drives a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the support part moves the receiving part or the bottom part up and down according to information on the article.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the article input device inputs the article into a container conveyed on a conveyance line.

  Further, the present invention is an article loading apparatus for receiving the article from a first line that conveys an article stored in a first container, and throwing the article into a second container on the second line side, A receiving unit for receiving the article that has been conveyed and having a bottom on which the article is placed; a support unit that supports the receiving unit or the bottom so as to be vertically movable; and the receiving unit or It is provided with an opening and closing mechanism provided with the bottom portion and capable of opening and closing the bottom portion. That is, a support unit in which an article input device that receives an article from a first line that conveys an article stored in a first container and puts the article into a second container on the second line side is vertically movable. And a bottom portion that receives the article, and the article is put into the second container by an opening / closing mechanism provided at the bottom portion.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism slides a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism rotationally drives a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.

  Further, in the present invention, the support portion moves the receiving portion or the bottom portion up and down according to the information acquisition result of the article while the article is moving from the first line to the second line side. It is characterized by adjusting the height at which the article is inserted.

  The present invention also provides a first transport line for transporting an article stored in a container, a second transport line for transporting a storage box for storing the article, the first transport line, and the second transport line. Article in which an article is thrown between the first conveyance line and the movement line or between the movement line and the second conveyance line in a system provided with a movement line provided between the conveyance line A feeding device, a receiving unit for receiving the conveyed article, a receiving unit having a bottom on which the article is placed, and a support unit that supports the receiving unit or the bottom so as to be vertically movable And an opening / closing mechanism provided to the receiving part or the bottom part and capable of opening and closing the bottom part.

  In addition, the present invention is realized as an article transport system in which a plurality of the article input devices are provided in the second transport line.

  Further, the present invention is characterized by further comprising a plurality of movement lines for conveying and moving the article between the first conveyance line and the second conveyance line, corresponding to the article input device. To do.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of article input devices provided in the second transport line operate simultaneously in parallel.

  According to the present invention, the conveyed article can be automatically put into a container (such as a storage box). In addition, according to the present invention, since an article can be automatically placed in a container (such as a storage box), the movement of the article between the conveyance lines can be automated, and the efficiency of the system can be improved. In addition, parallel processing, sorting processing, and the like can be performed without manpower. In addition, by detecting in advance the information on the articles being conveyed, it is possible to put in the storage box or the like taking into account the buffer.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to automate operations such as selecting and transferring articles between transport lines for transporting articles, and grouping articles in order units. In addition, by providing a plurality of movement lines on the transport line, it is possible to move the article at a plurality of locations in parallel and to improve efficiency. Further, with parallel processing, a plurality of articles can be automatically stored in a single container (box) or the like, so that further efficiency can be achieved.

It is a figure explaining the example of the arrangement configuration of the article | item throwing-in apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a lineblock diagram of the article input device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structural example of the bottom part in the structure of the article | item introduction apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 2, and is a figure explaining the state which the bottom part closed. It is a figure explaining the state which the bottom part shown to FIG. 3A opened. It is a figure explaining another structural example of the bottom part in the structure of the article | item introduction apparatus of this invention shown in FIG. 2, and is a figure explaining the structure which a bottom part rotates and opens and closes. It is a figure explaining the example of arrangement | positioning structure of the article | item taking-out apparatus provided in the conveyance line (entry line) side upstream of the conveyance line which supplies articles | goods to the article | item input apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the article | item taking-out apparatus arrange | positioned in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other example of the article | item taking-out apparatus arrange | positioned in FIG. It is the block diagram which looked at the whole of the automatic movement system between the conveyance lines to which the article | item throwing-in apparatus of this invention was applied from diagonally upward. It is the block diagram seen from the back of the automatic movement system between the conveyance lines shown to FIG. 8A. It is a figure explaining other examples of line composition used as an entrance / exit conveyance line of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a configuration example including a plurality of article input devices corresponding to movement lines provided at a plurality of locations in the automatic movement system shown in FIG. is there. It is a figure explaining the transfer (movement) between the conveyance lines of the articles | goods taken out from the warehouse as an example explaining the background of this invention.

  First, an example of the background of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10 for the transfer (movement) between the conveyance lines of an article in relation to the incoming line and the outgoing line (for example, a shipping line). In FIG. 10, 100 shows an example of a warehouse used in a physical distribution system, 101 shows an entry / exit line for goods and the like, and 102 shows a transport line connected to the entry / exit line. Reference numeral 103 denotes a conveyance line connected to the entry / exit line, for example, an entry line for taking out articles in order units. Reference numeral 104 denotes a transfer line as an output line (shipment line) for inputting a predetermined article from the input line 103 into a container (box) or the like. Here, arrow lines a and b indicate the traveling directions of the incoming line 103 and outgoing line 104, respectively.

  An operator or the like is arranged between the entry line 103 and the exit line 104, takes out an article stored in a container (also referred to as a container or a tray) 105 moving on the transfer line 103, and moves on the exit line 104. It is transferred to the incoming container (container, shipping box, etc.) 106. That is, according to a predetermined order (for example, an instruction for each delivery destination of an article), an operator manually transfers the article from the entry line to the exit line between the lines. Unless otherwise specified, the term “conveyance line” or “conveyance device” is used in the same meaning (hereinafter the same).

  The present invention focuses on an article loading device that automatically loads an article moving on a conveyance line into a container 106 without human intervention. The present invention can be applied to the movement of articles to the outgoing line as well as to the automatic movement of articles between the outgoing lines. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the article as referred to in the present invention is not limited to a specific article, and may be any article that is generally handled as a single unit. Hereinafter, it is referred to as an article or an article, and there is no particular notice. Should not be construed as limited.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement configuration of an article input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the conveyance line 12 is comprised from a conveyor etc., and is used for the conveyance movement of articles | goods. Here, the article 13 that has moved on the conveying line 12 as indicated by the arrow c1 is loaded and stored in the storage box 11 in the storage unit 1 as indicated by the arrow c2. The article input device of the present invention is placed in the storage unit 1.

  When the article 13 is put into and stored in the storage box 11 or the like, a buffer mechanism is provided depending on the size, depth, etc. of the storage box 11 based on the shape, size, weight, height difference, etc. of the article 13. Is also considered. Therefore, the article input device not only simply inputs the article 13 into the storage box 11, but also acquires the article information such as the shape, size, weight, height difference, etc. of the article as the article information. Can also be controlled. FIG. 1 shows an example in which height detection mechanisms 141 and 142 for detecting the height are provided as article information of the article 13 passing on the transport line 12. The height of the article 13 conveyed by the height detection mechanisms 141 and 142 may be detected to adjust the input height of an article input device (described later) of the input unit 1. In the example shown in the drawing, the transmitted light is detected by a sensor as the height detection mechanism. However, the detected light may be detected by an image recognition mechanism or the like that detects reflected light or images the shape of an article. Good. Alternatively, the information on the article to be conveyed may be received and acquired from a higher-level device (system).

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an article input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As for the relationship with FIG. 1, although the article input device itself is not shown in FIG. 1, the article input device 2 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the basic configuration of the article loading device 2 for loading the article 13 into the storage box 11 includes a support portion 23 that can move up and down as indicated by an arrow d at the top, and a main body 21 fixed to the support portion 23. The bottom portion 22 is configured. The bottom portion 22 is a portion for receiving the article 13 being conveyed into the receiving storage box 11 and may be any mechanism that holds (supports) and opens the article 13. An example of the opening / closing mechanism will be described later, such as a rotating mechanism and a sliding-type opening / closing mechanism.

  A storage box 11 is placed below the article input device 2. When the article 13 is conveyed from the conveyance line 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow c, the article input device 2 is moved to a predetermined position and receives the article 13 and puts it into the storage box 11 below. The article loading device 2 receives the detection information from the height detection mechanisms 141 and 142 shown in FIG. Further, a slidable guide plate 25 may be provided at the lower part of the conveying line 12 as indicated by an arrow c3, and the article may be guided and assisted when the article 13 is moved to the article input device 2. When the article input device 2 is applied to a movement system that moves articles between the entry line and the exit line, the transport line 12 is used as a movement line that connects the entry line and the exit line. It's okay. This application example will be described later.

  3A and 3B show a configuration example of the bottom in the configuration of the article input device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A shows a state in which the bottom is closed, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the bottom is open. . The bottom portion may be a plate-like one and is also referred to as a bottom plate (the same applies hereinafter).

  In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the baseplate support part 31 is provided in the side part of an article | item throwing-in apparatus main body. A guide rail 331 and a guide rail 332 are attached as bottom plate attachment members below the bottom plate support 31. The bottom plate 321 and the bottom plate 322 are attached to guide rails 331 and 332, respectively, and are slidable on both sides. In the state shown in FIG. 3A, the articles 13 to be thrown in are received by the bottom plates 321 and 322, the bottom plates 321 and 322 are moved in the directions of the arrows d1 and d2, and the articles 13 are stored in a storage box (not shown). ), And moves the bottom plates 321 and 322 to the original state as indicated by the arrow d3 and arrow d4 shown in FIG. 3B. The bottom plate support 31 may be attached to the main body 21 of the article input device 2 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of the bottom in the configuration of the article input device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, and is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which the bottom rotates and opens and closes.

  4 is different from the configuration of the bottom plate illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B in that the bottom plate is rotated and opened and closed.

  In FIG. 4, a bottom plate attachment member 431 and a bottom plate attachment member 432 are arranged below a bottom plate support portion 41 provided on the side of the article input device main body, and the bottom plate 421 and the bottom plate 422 are rotated by the attachment members 431 and 432, respectively. Installed as possible.

  The bottom plates 421 and 422 are rotatable as indicated by arrow lines d5 and d6, respectively, and in the initial state, the bottom plates are flat. When the article 13 is loaded, the article is received by the two bottom plates 421 and 422 in the flat state. Subsequently, when the article 13 is stored in a lower storage box (not shown), the center of each of the bottom plates 421 and 422 is rotationally driven to drop the article into the storage box. By returning the bottom plates 421 and 422 to their original positions, the next article is received.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement configuration of the article take-out device provided on the conveyance line (entry line) side upstream of the conveyance line that supplies articles to the article input device of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, a conveyance line (for example, an entry line) 14 is configured by a conveyor or the like, and conveys an article 13 accommodated in a container (tray, box-like body) 15 in the conveyance direction a. On the other hand, as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyance line (also referred to as a movement line) 12 connected to the article input device 2 of the present invention is used to change the destination (conveyance direction) of the article 13. Therefore, among the articles sent on the transport line 14, the taken-out predetermined article is transported in the transport direction c.

  Here, the article take-out device is positioned by taking out and moving (transferring) the article 13 from the container 15, and is provided at a position 5 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the illustrated example of FIG. This article take-out apparatus takes out a predetermined (designated) article 13 from the container 15 on the conveyance line 14 and transfers it to the conveyance line 12 as described in a specific embodiment below.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining an example of the article take-out device arranged in FIG. 6, the article take-out device 6 shown in FIG. 6 is arranged at a position corresponding to the position (5) although the article take-out device itself is not shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, as the article take-out device 6 that takes out the articles stored in the containers on the transfer line onto the transfer line 12, in the illustrated example, the state including the transfer stand is rotated from the initial state indicated by the broken line to take out the articles. It is shown with a solid line. That is, the apparatus configuration indicated by the solid line indicates a state where the article is taken out, and the state before or during the operation is indicated by a broken line / dotted line.

  In FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the article take-out device 6 includes a mounting table (conveying table) 61 that holds a container (tray, box-like body, etc.) 15 and a lid that covers the article etc. 13 from above the container 15 (as an inclined plate). 62 also works). In FIG. 5, the mounting table 61 corresponds to the conveying table at the article take-out position (5) of the conveying line 14. Further, the lid 62 can be rotated by a turning shaft (rotating shaft) 631 of the connecting portion 63. A pedestal (rotary pedestal) 64 is provided below the mounting table (conveying table) 61, and the mounting table (conveying table) 61 and the lid part 62 are connected by a connecting part 63. The lid 62 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 631 of the connecting portion 63. In addition, the container 15 on the mounting table (conveying table) 61 has a fixed support portion 611 and a fixed supporting portion 612 on both sides thereof rotated by a rotating shaft 613 and a rotating shaft 614 (not shown), respectively. ) 61 is fixedly supported.

  The state of the article take-out apparatus 6 shown in FIG. 6 is that the container 15 on the mounting table (conveying table) 61 is rotated on both sides by the fixed support portions 611 and 612 by the rotation shafts 613 and 614 (not shown), respectively. The state is shown in a state where it is rotationally driven in a state of being fixedly supported by the mounting table (conveying table) 61. Further, the lid portion 62 covers the container 15 and / or the entire article 13 from above so that the article 13 accommodated in the container 15 does not jump out, and together with the pedestal 64 and the mounting table (conveying table) 61, the rotating shaft 641 is provided. In this state, the cover 62 is rotated downward about the rotation shaft 631, and the article 13 is taken out with the inner surface as an inclined surface. With reference to FIG. 6, the operation of taking out an article in the article take-out device 6 will be described below.

  In FIG. 6, the overall operation of the article take-out device 6 will be described in the order of arrows a1 to a5.

(A1) The process of fixing the container of the mounting table and covering the lid.
In the initial state indicated by the dotted line / broken line, when the container 15 storing the article 13 is placed (conveyed) on the placing table (conveying table) 61, the fixed support portions 611 and 612 are arranged on the shafts 613, Rotating by 614 (not shown) and supporting the container 15, the lid part 62 pivots so as to cover the container 62 and / or the upper part of the article 13 by the pivot shaft 631.

(A2) A step of turning the mounting table.
With the lid 62 covering the container 15 and / or the article 13 in the container from above, the mounting table (conveying table) 61 is swung by the swivel shaft 641. In the drawing, a state in which the mounting table (conveying table) 61 is turned to a predetermined position is indicated by a solid line.

(A3) A step of turning the lid to make an inclination.
When the mounting table (conveying table) 61 turns to a predetermined position (predetermined angle), the lid 22 is turned to open. The lid 62 may be automatically opened by its own weight. In the drawing, the article 13 accommodated in the container 15 is shown in the same manner as the initial position, but moves to the lid 62 side as the mounting table (conveying table) 61 turns.

(A4) A step in which the lid portion acts as an inclined plate to take out the article.
When the lid 62 is pivotally driven and reaches the position indicated by the solid line in the figure, it acts as an inclined plate. The article 13 is moved and taken out along the inclined plate (lid portion) 62. In the illustrated example, the article 13 is taken out onto the transport line (movement line) 12.

(A5) A step of turning the mounting table to return it to the original state.
After the article is taken out and moved, the mounting table (conveying table) 61 is returned to the original position by the turning shaft 641 of the base 64.

  The fixed support portions 611 and 612 of the mounting table (conveying table) 61 are removed (rotated), and the container 15 becomes free. If the mounting table (conveying table) 61 is provided on the conveying line 14 as shown in FIG. 5, the empty container 15 is sent in the downstream direction and waits for the next container to be conveyed. It will be in a standby state. The lid portion 62 may be simply a flat plate shape, but may be provided with a side plate so as not to drop the article or the like from both sides.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory view for explaining another example of the article take-out device arranged in FIG. 7 is different from the article take-out apparatus described in FIG. 6 in that the placing table (conveying table) and the lid can be independently turned. In FIG. 7, the initial state of the article take-out device and the state after the turn are shown by solid lines.

  In FIG. 7, as the basic configuration of the article take-out device, as in the previous embodiment, a placing table (conveying table) 71 that holds a container (tray, box-like body, etc.) 15 and a container 15 and / or from above the container 15. Or it comprises a lid part (which also acts as an inclined plate) 72 covering the article 13 or the like. A pedestal (rotating pedestal) 74 is provided below the mounting table (conveying table) 71, and the mounting table (conveying table) 71 can be turned together with the pedestal 74 about the turning shaft 741 of the pedestal 74. The lid portion 72 is attached to the turning shaft 741 of the pedestal 74 by the connecting portion 73 and can turn independently of the turning of the pedestal 74 about the turning shaft 741.

  In FIG. 7, a support portion 711 and a support portion 712 that fix and support the container 15 are provided on a mounting table (transport table on the transport line) 71 so as to be rotatable about a shaft 713 and a shaft 714, respectively. The lid portion 72 and the connecting portion 73 are attached so as to be rotatable on a rotating shaft 731 and are configured to cover the container 15 and / or the article 13 accommodated in the container 15 from above. Moreover, the lid | cover part 72 functions as an inclination board which forms the inclination at the time of taking out articles | goods similarly to previous embodiment.

  Arrows a1 to a6 shown in FIG. 7 indicate each operation, and each operation process is as follows.

(A1) The process which fixes the container of a mounting base and covers it with a cover part.
In the initial state, when the container 15 storing the article 13 is placed (conveyed) on the placing table (conveying table) 71, the fixed support portions 711 and 712 are rotated by the shafts 713 and 714 and the container 15. The lid 72 pivots so as to cover the container 15 and / or the upper part of the article 13 by the pivot shaft 731.

(A2) A step of turning the mounting table.
With the lid 52 covering the container 15 and / or the article 13 in the container from above, the mounting table (conveying table) 71 is swung by the swivel shaft 741. In the drawing, a solid line indicates a state in which the mounting table (conveying table) 71 is turned to a predetermined position. In the illustrated example, a case where the state is reversed from the initial state is shown.

(A3) A step of turning the lid to make an inclination.
When the mounting table (conveying table) 71 is turned to a predetermined position (reverse position or predetermined angle), the lid 72 is turned to a predetermined angle and opened. The inside of the lid portion 72 is an inclined surface.

(A4) A step in which the lid portion acts as an inclined plate to take out the article.
The lid 72 is driven to rotate and acts as an inclined plate at a position indicated by a solid line on the lower side in the figure. The article 13 is moved and taken out along the inclined plate (lid portion) 72. In the illustrated example, the article 13 is taken out onto the transport line (movement line) 12.

  In the state where the article 13 has moved to the lid 72 side, the mounting table (conveying table) 71 is not necessary. That is, while the article 13 is moving on the inclined plate 52, the mounting table (conveying table) 71 may return to its original position. This embodiment focuses on this parallel operation. Although indicated together with arrows a5 / a6, this indicates that each operates independently, and the process will be described below as (a5) and (a6).

(A5) A step of turning the mounting table to return it to the original state.
While the article 13 moves to the inclined plate (lid portion) 72 and moves on the inclined surface, the mounting table (conveying table) 71 is returned to the original position by the turning shaft 741 of the base 74. The fixed support portions 711 and 712 of the mounting table (conveying table) 71 are removed (rotated), and the container 15 becomes free. That is, it becomes possible to take a measure for the next article to be taken out.

  At this time, the inclined plate (lid portion) 72 may still maintain the state.

(A6) A step of turning the inclined plate (lid portion) back to the original state.
When the article 13 moves on the inclined plate (lid portion) 72 and rides on the transport line (moving line) 12 in the illustrated example, the inclined plate (lid portion) 72 is returned to the original position by the pivot shaft 741 of the base 74. . The lid portion 72 may be simply a flat plate shape, but may be provided with a side plate so as not to drop the article or the like from both sides.

  8A and 8B show a configuration of an automatic movement system between transfer lines to which the article input device of the present invention is applied. FIG. 8A is a configuration diagram of the entire system as viewed obliquely from above, and FIG. It is the block diagram which looked at the movement system shown from back.

  8A and 8B, the conveyance line 14 is an incoming line, and the conveyance line 16 is an outgoing line. Further, a transfer line (moving line) 12 for moving articles between the lines is provided between the input line 14 and the output line 16. Here, the article input device of the present invention is provided at a connection portion between the movement line 12 and the output line 16. This connecting portion is indicated by a dot-dash line circle 1 (2). The dotted line circle 1 (2) indicates the position of the article input device described above with reference to FIG. 1, and specifically, the item input device 2 described with reference to FIG. In addition, the article take-out device described above is provided at the connection portion between the entry line 14 and the movement line 12. This connecting portion is shown as a dot-dash circle 5. This dot-and-dash line circle 5 has the same relationship as the position 5 described with reference to FIG. 5, and the article take-out device described with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG.

  8A and 8B, when a predetermined container 15 transported on the entry line 14 comes to the position of the transport base (mounting base) of the article take-out device 5, a lid portion is formed from above the transport stand of the article take-out device 5. Covers the container 15 and / or the article 13 in the container, and rotates the entire conveying table by a predetermined angle. In the example of illustration, the state which the articles | goods 13 take out to the movement line 12 is shown by making the cover part into an inclination board. The taken-out article is stored in the storage box 11 conveyed on the output line 16 side via the moving line 12. The article is stored in the storage box using the article input device 1 (2) of the present invention described above. In addition, the arrow line a in the figure, the arrow line b, and the arrow line c have shown the moving direction of each conveyance line.

  In addition, although the thing arrange | positioned linearly as a conveyance line is shown in figure, it is not restricted to these linear forms as a line form, For example, the example using the example of rotational form line forms, such as circular, is used. Shown in FIG. 8C.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating another example of the line configuration used as the input / output transport line of the present invention in a plan view. 8C is different from FIG. 8A in that a circular rotation format is used as the transport line.

  In FIG. 8C, the basic configuration is configured such that an input-side transfer line (input line) a11, an output-side transfer line (output line) b1, and a movement line c12 are arranged between the lines. In the illustrated example, the output line b1 is a circular turntable, and the turntable is divided into predetermined parts, and a container and / or an article is placed on the turntable and moved. Further, an article take-out device (not shown) is arranged between the entry line a11 and the movement line c12, and an article input device (not shown) is arranged between the movement line c12 and the exit line b1. In addition, it may replace with the movement line c12, and may be arrange | positioned as an article taking-out and / or throwing-in apparatus c12. The arrow line aa, arrow line cc, and arrow line bb in the figure indicate the transport direction of the transport line. As in the previous embodiment, the container a10 containing the article a13 conveyed on the entry line aa is transferred to the movement line c12 at the article take-out position a12, and the storage box at the entry position b12 of the exit line b1 The article a13 is put into the (container) b10. In the illustrated example, the incoming line a11 is a linear conveying line and the outgoing line b1 is a rotational conveying line. However, these line configurations may be reversed. That is, the input line a11 may be a rotation type, and the output line b1 may be each linear conveyance line. Further, both the incoming line a11 and the outgoing line b1 may have a system configuration in which they are rotated.

  Moreover, in FIG. 8C, articles | goods etc. may be conveyed from the direction shown by arrow aaa, and it may be variously modified about a conveyance direction, an article | item taking-out position, an article | item taking-in position, etc.

  As described above, the conveyance line (incoming line, outgoing line, moving line, etc.) is not limited to those in which the line form is arranged in a straight line. The present invention may be applied to a rotational line form. Moreover, it is not restricted to the line arrange | positioned planarly, What was arrange | positioned in three-dimensional form may be sufficient. That is, the line may form a movement path for carrying in, carrying out, moving, etc. articles and the like. The same applies to the following.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration provided with a plurality of movement lines in the automatic movement system shown in FIG. 8A, related to the conveyance lines to which the article input device of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 9, an article take-out device 5 a, an article take-out device 5 b, and an article take-out device 5 c are arranged at the important points on the entry line 14 side as indicated by a one-dot chain line, and a container 15 that is conveyed onto the conveyance line 14. The article 13 accommodated therein is taken out as appropriate.

  Each of the article take-out devices 5a, 5b, and 5c is provided with a movement line 121, a movement line 122, and a movement line 123 that convey articles to the exit line 16 side. In each movement line 121, 122, 123, the taken-out article is transported and moved in the direction of the arrow c1, arrow c2, and arrow c3. The article input device 1 (2) a, the item input device 1 (2) b of the present invention, as indicated by a dot-and-dash circle at the main line on the output line 16 side corresponding to each moving line 121, 122, 123, An article input device 1 (2) c is arranged. As described above, the articles carried by the respective moving lines 121, 122, 123 use the article throwing apparatus 1 (2) a, the article throwing apparatus 1 (2) b, and the article throwing apparatus 1 (2) c. Done. It is put into each storage box on the outlet line side by an article input device or the like. Note that the plurality of article input devices and the movement lines may be simultaneously operated in parallel, and may be operated synchronously or asynchronously.

  In addition, as a conveyance line described above, a first line through which containers or the like containing articles are conveyed, and this as an input line, the articles are taken out from the containers or the like and another storage container (container such as a storage box) ) Is transported as the second line, this may be the outgoing line, or the moving line may be the second line, and is not limited to these terms themselves.

  Moreover, between this entry / exit line, the thing provided with the movement line and the thing connected directly by the article | item taking-out apparatus and / or the article | item throwing-in apparatus without providing a movement line between the entry / exit lines may be used.

  Further, the movement of the article between the entry / exit lines may be such that one article is stored in a storage box or the like, or a plurality of articles are also stored in one storage box or the like.

  Moreover, the movement of the articles between the entry / exit lines may be processed in parallel at a plurality of locations, or may be used when a plurality of articles are stored in a single storage box or the like.

  In addition, as described above, the conveyance line (incoming line, outgoing line, moving line, etc.) is not limited to the line form that is arranged in a straight line, but the meandering line form, circular form, etc. It may be applied to the line form of the rotation type. Moreover, it is not restricted to the line arrange | positioned planarly, What was arrange | positioned in three-dimensional form may be sufficient. That is, the line may form a movement path for carrying in, carrying out, moving, etc. articles and the like.

  Further, the article input device may be one that moves up and down in accordance with the presence or absence of an article in the storage box in response to the input of the article. Further, as the article input device, the article may be once received and input into a container (box) or the like by a rotation mechanism.

  Also, the article take-out device uses a lid that holds the article as a slope (inclined plate), extends with a slope type, and rotates a mechanism that holds the container of the entry line and a lid mechanism that supports the article. May be synchronized or unsynchronized.

  In each of the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings, drive control, timing control, etc. of each device and each device in a transport line (entry line, outgoing line, moving line), article take-out device, article input device, etc. are not shown. This is done by the control device. Accordingly, it is possible to centrally perform timing adjustments such as standby and re-operation of related equipment when moving articles in and out of the line.

  In addition, it is not limited to the terms such as the entry line, the exit line, and the movement line described in each of the above-described embodiments, and may be a conveyance device that conveys an article, simply referred to as a conveyance path or a line. For example, a rotating mechanism such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor can be used, or an inclined plate or the like may be used in some cases.

  In addition, a container for storing articles may be referred to as a storage container, a storage box, a tray, a container (box), a folding container, or the like, or simply a box or a container. The name is not limited. In the above description, the entrance side is used separately from the container and the exit side for convenience, such as a storage box. However, the present invention is not limited to this and is simply referred to as the first container and the second container. May be.

  Each embodiment described above is illustrated for understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment but is defined by the description of the scope of claims. Further, unless it departs from the technical idea of the present invention, those equivalent to the configurations described in the claims are also included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the conveyed articles can be automatically put into a container or the like without being damaged or damaged, and operations such as collecting the articles in order units can be automated. It can be applied to a logistics system to achieve great economic effects.

1. Storage unit (article input device)
11 ... Container (storage box)
12, c12 ... transport line (moving line)
13 ... Article 14, a11 ... Conveyance line (entry line)
141, 142 ... Height detection mechanism 15 ... Container 16, b1 ... Conveyance line (out line)
2 ... Article input device 21 ... Main body 22, 321, 322, 421, 422 ... Bottom (bottom plate)
23 ... support part 25 ... guide plates 31, 41 ... bottom plate support parts 331, 332 ... guide rails 431, 432 ... bottom plate attachment members 61, 71 ... mounting table (conveying table)
611, 612, 711, 712 ... support portions 613, 614, 713, 714 ... rotating shafts 62, 72 ... lid portions (inclined plates)
63, 73 ... connecting portions 631, 641, 731, 741 ... rotating shaft (swivel axis)
64, 74 ... pedestal

Claims (13)

A receiving unit for receiving the conveyed article, the receiving unit comprising a bottom on which the article is placed;
A support part for supporting the receiving part or the bottom part so as to be movable up and down;
An article input device comprising: the receiving portion or the bottom portion; and an opening / closing mechanism capable of opening and closing the bottom portion.   The article opening device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism slides and moves a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.   The article opening device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing mechanism rotationally drives a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.   The article loading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support part moves the receiving part or the bottom part up and down according to information on the article.   The article input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article input device inputs the article into a container conveyed on a conveyance line. An article input device that receives the article from a first line that conveys an article stored in a first container and inputs the article into a second container on the second line side,
A receiving unit for receiving the article that has been conveyed, the receiving unit comprising a bottom on which the article is placed;
A support part for supporting the receiving part or the bottom part so as to be movable up and down;
An article input device comprising: an opening / closing mechanism provided to the receiving part or the bottom part and capable of opening and closing the bottom part.   The article opening device according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing mechanism slides a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.   The article opening device according to claim 6, wherein the opening / closing mechanism rotationally drives a bottom plate constituting the bottom portion.   The support portion is configured to move the receiving portion or the bottom portion up and down according to the information acquisition result of the article during the movement of the article from the first line to the second line side. The article input device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the article is adjusted. Between the 1st conveyance line which conveys the article stored in the container, the 2nd conveyance line which conveys the storage box which stores the article, and between the 1st conveyance line and the 2nd conveyance line In the system including a movement line provided, an article input device that inputs an article between the first conveyance line and the movement line or between the movement line and the second conveyance line,
A receiving unit for receiving the article that has been conveyed, the receiving unit comprising a bottom on which the article is placed;
A support part for supporting the receiving part or the bottom part so as to be movable up and down;
An article input device comprising: an opening / closing mechanism provided to the receiving part or the bottom part and capable of opening and closing the bottom part.   11. An article transport system, wherein a plurality of the article input devices according to claim 6 are provided in the second transport line.   12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of movement lines that convey and move the article between the first conveyance line and the second conveyance line corresponding to the article input device. Goods transport system.   The article conveyance system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of article input devices provided in the second conveyance line operate simultaneously in parallel.

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