JP2019026398A - Pallet exchanging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a pallet exchanging device capable of preventing an undersurface of a cargo from being rubbed in a pallet exchanging work.SOLUTION: A pallet exchanging device 1 includes a first movable table 2 provided with a pallet supporting table 22 for supporting a first pallet P1 and a lifting mechanism 23 for lifting the pallet supporting table 22, a first moving mechanism 3 for reciprocating the first movable table 2 between a pallet exchanging work area and a pallet recovering work area, a second movable table 20 provided with the pallet supporting table 22 for supporting a second pallet P2 and the lifting mechanism 23 for lifting the pallet supporting table 22, a second moving mechanism 30 for reciprocating the second movable table 20 between the exchanging work area and a pallet feeding work area, and a cargo restricting mechanism 4 provided with a pair of holding plates 40 disposed oppositely in an upper position of the exchanging work area and a reciprocating mechanism 41 for reciprocating the respective holding plates 40 to cause them to be close to or separate from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet exchanging method for exchanging a loaded pallet with another pallet in a factory, a warehouse, or the like, and a pallet exchanging apparatus used for carrying out the method.

  In factories and warehouses, pallets are widely used for transporting and stocking loads. The pallet on which the load is loaded is conveyed by a forklift or a roller conveyor, and is loaded on a truck or a container or stocked in a warehouse. Each pallet holds a pallet, and when the load is handed over from the manufacturer to the wholesaler, or handed over from the wholesaler to the retailer, the handed side re-loads the load into its own pallet to another company. Return the pallet. In addition, there are various materials and forms of pallets, such as wooden and synthetic resin. For example, when stocking food, the wooden pallet should be transferred from a wooden pallet to a synthetic resin pallet from the viewpoint of hygiene. There is also.

  Conventionally, the above-described pallet replacement has been performed manually, but this type of work requires a lot of labor and time and is inefficient. Therefore, the applicant has recently proposed a pallet exchanging apparatus that can mechanically exchange the loaded pallet (hereinafter referred to as “first pallet”) with another pallet (hereinafter referred to as “second pallet”). (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  FIGS. 11 (1) and 11 (2) show a part of the process of pallet exchange work by this pallet exchange apparatus. First, the first table 9 is put on standby in the exchange work area S1 for exchanging pallets, and the first pallet P1 loaded with the load C is loaded on the first table 9 (see FIG. 11 (1)). . When the first table 9 moves from the replacement work area S1 toward the collection work area S2 for collecting the first pallet P1, the load support plate 91 follows the first table 9, and the second pallet P2 is moved. Move from the supply work area S3 for supply to the replacement work area S1. During this movement, the load C on the first table 9 abuts against the first stopper 92 and is left behind in the replacement work area S1, and the first pallet P1 moves together with the first table 9 to the collection work area S2. Since the load support plate 91 follows the movement of the first table 9, the load C left behind is transferred from the first pallet P1 onto the load support plate 91 and supported from below.

  Next, the second table 90 on which the second pallet P2 is placed is moved from the supply work area S3 toward the exchange work area S1, and is positioned below the load support plate 91 positioned in the exchange work area S1 ( (See FIG. 11 (2)). When the load support plate 91 is returned from the replacement work area S1 toward the supply work area S3, the load C on the load support plate 91 hits the second stopper 93 and is left behind in the replacement work area S1. Since the second table 90 on which the second pallet P2 is placed is positioned below the support plate 91, the load C left behind is transferred from the load support plate 91 to the second pallet P2 and supported. The pallet exchange is completed by the above series of operations.

Japanese Patent No. 3723819

  In the pallet exchanging apparatus described above, when the first pallet P1 is extracted from the load C and the load C is transferred onto the load support plate 91, the lower surface of the load C is rubbed by the first pallet P1 and the load support plate 91. Furthermore, when the load support plate 91 is extracted from the load C and the load C is transferred onto the second pallet P2, the lower surface of the load C is similarly rubbed by the load support plate 91. In this case, if the load C is made of a flexible material such as a cloth bag, the lower surface of the load C may be damaged or soiled.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problem, and provides a pallet replacement method and a pallet replacement device that do not cause the bottom surface of the load to be rubbed and damaged or soiled in the pallet replacement operation. Objective.

  The pallet exchanging method according to the present invention is a method for exchanging a first pallet loaded with a second pallet, and carrying the first pallet loaded with a work area for exchanging pallets; A step of displacing the first pallet on which the load is loaded in the work area, a step of restraining the load on the first pallet and positioning the load at the restrained height position, and a displacement of the first pallet downward A step of separating the first pallet from the load, a step of unloading the first pallet from the work area, a step of loading the second pallet into the work area, and a step of displacing the second pallet to a height position constraining the load. And a step of unloading the load and placing the load on the second pallet, and a step of displacing the second pallet loaded with the load downward and then unloading the load from the work area. It is intended to be replaced.

  According to the pallet replacement method described above, the first pallet is moved downward while the load on the first pallet is restrained, so that the first pallet is pulled away from the load. It is never done. In addition, after the second pallet is displaced to the height position where the load is restrained, the load is released and the load is placed on the second pallet to replace the second pallet. It will not be damaged or soiled.

  A pallet exchanging apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for exchanging a first pallet loaded with a second pallet, and includes a pallet support table that supports the first pallet and an elevating mechanism that moves the pallet support table up and down. The first movable base, a first moving mechanism for reciprocating the first movable base between an exchange work area for exchanging the pallet and a collection work area for collecting the first pallet, and the second pallet are supported. A second movable base having a pallet support table and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the pallet support table; and a second movable base that reciprocates between the replacement work area and a supply work area for supplying the second pallet. 2 reciprocating movement of the moving mechanism and the pair of holding members and at least one of the holding members arranged to face the upper position of the replacement work area. Approaching the square of the clamping member, and a load restraining mechanism comprising a reciprocating mechanism to separate.

  In the pallet exchanging apparatus having the above-described configuration, the first movable base is made to stand by in the replacement work area, and the first pallet on which the load is loaded is carried onto the pallet support table of the first movable base. After driving the lifting mechanism of the first movable base to displace the first pallet on which the load is loaded together with the pallet support table, the reciprocating mechanism of the load restraining mechanism is driven to bring the pair of clamping members closer to each other. Is held and restrained. The load is localized at the restrained height. When the lifting mechanism of the first movable base is driven and the first pallet is displaced downward together with the pallet support table, the first pallet is pulled away from the load. At this time, the frictional force does not act between the load and the first pallet, and the lower surface of the load is not rubbed.

Next, the first moving mechanism is driven to move the first movable base on which the first pallet is supported on the pallet support table from the replacement work area to the collection work area, and the second moving mechanism is driven to support the pallet. The second movable table on which the second pallet is supported on the table is moved from the supply work area to the replacement work area.
Next, the lift mechanism of the second movable base is driven to displace the second pallet together with the pallet support table to the height position where the load is restrained, and then the reciprocating mechanism of the load restraining mechanism is driven to drive the pair of pairs. When the holding member is separated and the load is released, the load is placed on the second pallet. After the second pallet on which the load is placed is displaced downward together with the pallet support table, the second pallet on which the load is placed is unloaded from the pallet support table of the second movable table.

  In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the clamping member may be in various modes such as a single plate material or a combination of a plurality of frame members. It is a plate made of synthetic resin or synthetic resin, and is a sandwiching plate that is integrally provided with a vertical plate portion and an inclined plate portion that is continuous with the lower end of the vertical plate portion and extends obliquely downward. Note that the sandwiching plate may be composed of only the vertical plate portion, and the outer shape may be any shape such as a square shape or a rectangular shape. In addition, the pair of sandwiching plates can be used in various forms such as a flat surface or a surface having concavities and convexities, and a rubber layer or the like is provided on the surface to increase the frictional force with the load. It is also possible.

  According to the preferred embodiment described above, the side surface of the load is held by the vertical plate portion of the holding member, and the lower surface of the load is supported by the inclined plate portion, so that the load is stably supported and restrained.

  In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second movable bases includes a pallet transport roller conveyor provided on the pallet support table and a roller driving mechanism for driving the roller conveyor in both forward and reverse directions.

According to this embodiment, by driving the roller conveyor by the roller driving mechanism, the first pallet on which the load is placed can be introduced onto the pallet support table of the first movable base, and the second pallet on which the load is placed. The pallet can be derived from the pallet support table of the second movable base.
The pallet support table may be a belt conveyor and a belt driving mechanism, or a chain conveyor and a chain driving mechanism, instead of the roller conveyor and the roller driving mechanism.

  The pallet changer according to the present invention includes a pallet collection mechanism for collecting the first pallet from the pallet support table of the first movable table in the collection work area, and a pallet collection mechanism on the pallet support table of the second movable table in the supply work area. And a pallet supply mechanism for supplying two pallets.

  According to this embodiment, the first pallet can be automatically collected from the pallet support table of the first movable base by the pallet collection mechanism in the collection work area without human intervention. In the supply work area, the second pallet can be automatically supplied onto the pallet support table of the second movable table by the pallet supply mechanism without any manual operation.

  The pallet exchanging apparatus according to the present invention further includes a pallet carrying-in mechanism for carrying the first pallet loaded with the load into the exchange work area, and a pallet carrying-out mechanism for carrying out the second pallet loaded with the load from the exchange work area. ing.

  According to this embodiment, the first pallet on which the load is loaded by driving the pallet carry-in mechanism can be carried onto the pallet support table of the first movable stand waiting in the replacement work area. Further, the second pallet on which the load is loaded by driving the pallet unloading mechanism can be unloaded from the pallet support table of the second movable table located in the replacement work area.

  According to the present invention, there is no possibility that the lower surface of the load is rubbed and damaged or soiled in the pallet replacement operation.

It is a top view of the principal part of the pallet exchange apparatus which is one Example of this invention. It is a front view of the principal part of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a side view of the principal part of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a front view of the pallet collection | recovery mechanism and pallet supply mechanism of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a side view of a pallet collection mechanism. It is a side view of a pallet supply mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a pallet collection | recovery mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a pallet supply mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is principle explanatory drawing which shows the pallet replacement | exchange method of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of the pallet replacement | exchange by the conventional pallet replacement | exchange apparatus.

1 to 3 show a configuration of a main part of the pallet exchanging apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, specifically, a configuration related to the pallet exchanging work in the exchanging work area S1 for pallet exchanging. 1 is a plan view of the main part of the pallet changer 1 as viewed from above, FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part as viewed from the front, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the main part as viewed from the side. It is. Note that FIG. 3 omits illustrations of components that are not directly related to pallet replacement. 4 to 6 to be described later are configurations other than the main part of the pallet exchanging apparatus 1, specifically, a configuration related to the pallet collection work and a pallet supply in the collection work area S2 for collecting the pallet. In the supply work area S3 for carrying out, a configuration related to the pallet supply work is shown.
1 to 6, x indicates a “lateral direction”, y indicates a “front-rear direction”, and z indicates a “vertical direction”.

  The pallet exchanging apparatus 1 in the illustrated example is installed in, for example, a factory, a warehouse, a distribution center, and the like, and is used to implement the pallet exchanging method schematically shown in FIG. In the figure, C is a load, P1 and P2 are pallets on which the load C is placed, and the first pallet P1 on which the load C is placed is removed from the load C by the procedure shown in FIGS. 10 (1) to 10 (6). And replaced with another second pallet P2.

  For example, the first pallet P1 is a pallet used in a factory, and the second pallet P2 is a pallet used for distribution. The pallet exchange device 1 is used for various pallet exchanges. If the first pallet P1 collected by pallet exchange is from another company, it is returned to its owner.

  Here, the “pallet” is used for carrying or stocking the load C on the upper surface, and the shape, size, material, etc. are not limited. The pallet of this embodiment is a typical pallet that is widely used, that is, a structure having a space in which a fork of a forklift can be inserted between a parallel upper plate and a lower plate.

  The load C placed on the pallet may be a single item or may be a plurality of stacked cardboard boxes. The load C in this embodiment is obtained by loading a powder or granule into a flexible cylindrical cloth bag. According to the pallet exchange method and the pallet exchange apparatus 1 of the present invention, the load C The lower surface is not rubbed and damaged or soiled.

FIGS. 10 (1) to (6) show the work procedure of the method for exchanging the first pallet P1 carrying the load C with the second pallet P2.
In the step shown in FIG. 10 (1), the first pallet P1 carrying the load C is carried into the exchange work area S1 for pallet exchange.
In the step shown in FIG. 10 (2), the first pallet P1 on which the load C is placed in the replacement work area S1 is displaced up to a predetermined height position h.
In the step shown in FIG. 10 (3), the load C on the first pallet P1 is restrained by a method such as gripping, and the load C is positioned at the restrained height position h, and then only the first pallet P1 is moved downward. The first pallet P1 is pulled away from the load C.
In the step shown in FIG. 10 (4), the first pallet P1 is unloaded from the replacement work area S1, and the second pallet P2 is loaded into the replacement work area S1.
In the procedure shown in FIG. 10 (5), after the second pallet P2 is displaced to the height position h where the load C is restrained, the restraint of the load C is released and the load C is placed on the second pallet P2.
In the procedure shown in FIG. 10 (6), the second pallet P2 on which the load C is placed is displaced downward. Thereafter, the second pallet P2 on which the load C is placed is unloaded from the replacement work area S1.

  Returning to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pallet exchanging device 1 of this embodiment includes a first movable base 2, a second movable base 20, a first moving mechanism 3, a second movable body 10 on a machine base 10 composed of a plurality of frames. The moving mechanism 30 and the load restraining mechanism 4 are assembled, and the pallet collection mechanism 7 and the pallet supply mechanism 8 shown in FIGS.

  The machine base 10 is long in the lateral direction x, and its central part is the replacement work area S1. When the pallet is replaced, the first movable base 2 is positioned in the replacement work area S1, and is waiting for the first pallet P1 loaded with the load C. When the first movable base 2 stands by in the replacement work area S1, the second movable base 20 stands by in the supply work area S3. While the first pallet P1 is being extracted in the replacement work area S1, the second pallet P2 is supplied onto the second movable platform 20 in the supply work area S3. Since the first movable table 2 and the second movable table 20 have the same configuration, the configuration of the first movable table 2 will be described below, and the second movable table 20 corresponds to the configuration of the first movable table 2. The description is omitted by giving the same reference numerals to the components.

  The pallet carry-in mechanism 6 and the pallet carry-out mechanism 60 are connected to a position where the first movable stand 2 in the replacement work area S1 stands by. The pallet carry-in mechanism 6 is for carrying the first pallet P1 loaded with the load C onto the first movable stand 2 waiting in the replacement work area S1. The pallet unloading mechanism 60 is for unloading the second pallet P2 on which the load C is loaded from the second movable table 20 located in the replacement work area S1.

  In this embodiment, the roller conveyor 61 is used as the pallet carrying-in mechanism 6 and the pallet carrying-out mechanism 60, but a belt conveyor or a chain conveyor can also be used. The roller conveyor 61 has a plurality of rollers 62 arranged at equal intervals along the load carrying direction, and is driven by a roller driving mechanism (not shown). The roller drive mechanism includes a motor as a drive source and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to each roller 62. The pallet carry-in mechanism 6 and the pallet carry-out mechanism 60 are arranged in a straight line with the replacement work area S1 interposed therebetween, but the present invention is not limited to this. In this embodiment, the pallet carry-in mechanism 6 and the pallet carry-out mechanism 60 are provided separately, but may be configured with one pallet carry-in / out mechanism. Furthermore, the loading of the first pallet P1 onto the first movable platform 2 and the unloading of the second pallet P2 from the second movable platform 20 can be performed using a forklift.

  The first movable base 2 is a base 21 on which a pallet support table 22 and an elevating mechanism 23 are mounted. The base 21 and the pallet support table 22 are formed in a rectangular shape by vertical and horizontal frames. Axles (not shown) are provided at both ends of the base 21, and rollers 24 are provided at both ends of each axle. Each roller 24 is supported by a pair of first rails 11 provided in parallel over the entire length of the machine base 1 so as to be freely movable. One axle is driven by a first moving mechanism 3 that uses a motor as a drive source. As a result, the first movable base 2 moves along the first rail 11 between the replacement work area S1 and the recovery work area S2. Move back and forth.

  The second movable base 20 reciprocates between the replacement work area S1 and the supply work area S3 along the same first rail 11. The second moving mechanism 30 that moves the second movable base 20 has the same configuration as that of the first moving mechanism 3, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  The pallet support table 22 is supported horizontally on the base 21 through a pair of front and rear pantograph expansion / contraction mechanisms 25 so as to be movable up and down. At the center of the front and rear surfaces of the base 21, cam mechanisms 26 that constitute the lifting mechanism 23 together with the expansion / contraction mechanism 25 are provided.

  The cam mechanism 26 includes a cam 27 that is pivotally supported on each of the front and rear surfaces of the base 21, and a roller 29 that is pivotally supported on each of the front and rear surfaces of the pallet support table 22 and the outer peripheral surface of each cam 27 contacts the outer peripheral surface. Contains. The eccentric position of the cam 27 is supported by the drive shaft 27a. When the motor 28 drives the drive shaft 27a, each cam 27 rotates and the pallet support table 22 moves up and down. The lifting mechanism 23 is not limited to the one described above as long as the pallet support table 22 can be lifted and lowered in a horizontal posture.

  On the pallet support table 22 are provided a roller conveyor 5 for conveying the pallet and a roller driving mechanism 50 for driving the roller conveyor 5 in both forward and reverse directions. Each roller 51 constituting the roller conveyor 5 can carry in the first pallet P1 carrying the load C from the pallet carry-in mechanism 6 and carry out the second pallet P2 carrying the load C to the pallet carry-out mechanism 60. It is arranged in the direction. The length of the roller conveyor 5 is set to be shorter than the first pallet P1 so that the front and rear ends of the first pallet P1 protrude from the roller conveyor 5, and this protruding portion is an arm 72b of the pallet collecting mechanism 7 described later and the pallet supply. It can be supported by the arm 82 b of the mechanism 8. The roller drive mechanism 50 uses the motor 52 as a drive source, and transmits the rotation of the motor 52 to each roller 51 via a power transmission mechanism such as a chain or a sprocket wheel.

The pallet of the first movable stand 2 is driven by synchronizing the roller conveyor 5 for conveying the pallet and the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet carrying-in mechanism 6 while the first movable stand 2 is waiting in the replacement work area S1. The first pallet P1 with the load C placed on the support table 22 can be automatically loaded.
Further, in the state where the second movable platform 20 is located in the replacement work area S1, the pallet transport roller conveyor 5 and the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet unloading mechanism 60 are driven in synchronism with the same direction as when loading. 2 The second pallet P2 on which the load C is placed can be automatically unloaded from the pallet support table 22 of the movable table 20.

  In the replacement work area S1, a load restraining mechanism 4 for restraining the load C in the pallet replacement work is provided. The load restraining mechanism 4 is disposed facing the upper position of the replacement work area S1, and a reciprocating mechanism 41 for reciprocating the clamping plates 40 as a pair of clamping members to approach and separate each other. And. In this embodiment, each clamping plate 40 is reciprocated, but only one clamping plate 40 may be reciprocated. Each sandwich plate 40 has anti-rust coating applied to both the front and back surfaces of an iron plate, and is bent at the lower end of the vertical plate portion 40a having a substantially square shape and the other vertical plate portion 40a and slanted in the direction of the other sandwich plate 40. An inclined plate portion 40b extending downward is integrally provided.

  The rear surface of each clamping plate 40 is vertically supported by a supporting member 42 formed of a vertical and horizontal frame. The clamping plate 40 can be exchanged according to the size or shape of the load C. On both sides of the lower portion of the support member 42, horizontal leg portions 43 protrude rearward. Slide members 44 are provided at respective positions before and after each leg portion 43, and each slide member 44 is slidably supported on the second rail 12 installed on the machine base 10.

On each leg portion 43, a rack 45 constituting the reciprocating mechanism 41 is attached, and a pinion gear 46 is engaged with each rack 45. Each pinion gear 46 is attached to both ends of a drive shaft 47 that is horizontally supported on the machine base 10. The drive shaft 47 is driven in forward and reverse directions by a motor 48 mounted on the machine base 10. The support member 42 moves forward or backward depending on the rotation direction of the pinion gear 46, and thereby the clamping plate 40 approaches or separates. The reciprocating mechanism 41 is not limited to the above-described configuration using a motor as a drive source, but a cylinder mechanism such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder is used as a drive source, and the clamping plate is directly driven by a piston rod. It may be a thing.
In this embodiment, the movement amount of the sandwiching plate 40, that is, the position to be advanced is set to a predetermined value in accordance with the size of the load C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A pressure sensor or the like may be provided, and the advancement of the clamping plate 40 may be stopped when the detected distance value becomes zero or when the detected pressure value reaches a predetermined threshold value.

  The collection work area S2 and the supply work area S3 are set on a straight line with the replacement work area S1 in the center. In the collection work area S2, a pallet collection mechanism 7 for collecting the first pallet P1 carried by the first movable table 2 from the pallet support table 22 of the first movable table 2 is disposed. In the supply work area S3, a pallet supply mechanism 8 for supplying the second pallet P2 onto the pallet support table 22 of the second movable base 20 is disposed.

4 to 6 show the configurations of the pallet collection mechanism 7 and the pallet supply mechanism 8. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the first movable base 2 is positioned in the recovery work area S2 and the second movable base 20 is positioned in the supply work area S3 for convenience of explanation.
5 and 6 omit illustrations of components not directly related to pallet collection and supply.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pallet collection mechanism 7 includes a pallet holding mechanism 70, first and second guide rails 13 and 14, a pallet support 72, and an elevating mechanism 73. The pallet holding mechanism 70 is configured to be able to hold the recovered first pallet P1 in a stacked state in a plurality of stages in the upper pallet holding space Q in the recovery work area S2. The recovered first pallet P1 is added and held below the lowermost first pallet P1 held by the pallet holding mechanism 70.

  The pallet support 72 is for supporting the recovered first pallet P1 on the first movable stand 2 from below, and can be moved up and down, and the pallet holding space Q and the first movable stand in the standby state. Between the two standby positions. The elevating mechanism 73 moves the pallet support 72 up and down along the first guide rail 13 provided on the fixed frame 15.

  The pallet holding mechanism 70 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) holding claws 71 for holding the first pallet P in the pallet holding space Q in a state where the first pallet P is vertically stacked in a plurality of stages, and each holding claw 71. And a spring (not shown) for biasing in the closing direction. The holding claws 71 are attached to the side wall 101 provided on the machine base 10 so as to support the four corner positions of the first pallet P1. Each holding claw 71 is pushed and opened against the first pallet P1 pushed up by the pallet support 72, and then closed by spring force so that each holding claw 71 is engaged with the first pallet P1, and the first pallet P1 is engaged. Is retained.

  The first guide rail 13 is at least between the pallet holding space Q and the standby position of the first movable base 2, and is fixed to the fixed frame 15 provided at the end of the machine base 1 along the vertical direction. Two are provided. The pallet support 72 includes a base end portion 72a having substantially the same length as the width of the first movable base 2, and a pair of arms 72b extending from both ends of the base end portion 72a along the moving direction of the first movable base 2. 72b. Each arm 72b, 72b has a length capable of supporting the first pallet P1, and is capable of supporting the first pallet P1, specifically, a roller conveyor of the first movable base 2. The interval is set larger than the length of 5 and shorter than the length of the first pallet P1.

  A slide member 72 c is attached to the rear surface of the base end portion 72 a of the pallet support 72. A groove having a T-shaped cross section is formed in the suid member 72c. The rail portion of the first guide rail 13 having a shape corresponding to the groove is engaged in the groove of the slide member 72c, so that the pallet support 72 can slide in the vertical direction along the first guide rail 13. It has become.

  The elevating mechanism 73 includes a chain 74 and a drive device 76 that can cause the chain 74 to travel in the up and down directions. One end of the chain 74 is attached to the base end portion 72a of the pallet support 72, and a balance weight 75 is attached to the other end. The balance weight 75 is slidably supported by the second guide rail 14 provided on the fixed frame 15 along the vertical direction. By this elevating mechanism 73, the pallet support 72 moves up and down while maintaining a horizontal posture. When the pallet support 72 is in a standby state, the pallet support 72 is lowered to a position below the pallet support table 22 of the first movable base 2, and the arms 72 b of the pallet support 72 enter the space outside the rollers 51 at both ends of the roller conveyor 5. .

7 (1) to (6) show the operation of the pallet collection mechanism 7 described above.
In the state of waiting for the recovery of the first pallet P1, the pallet support 72 is in the lowest position, and the pallet support is moved as the first movable base 2 moves from the replacement work area S1 to the recovery work area S2. The arm 72 b of the body 72 enters the space outside the rollers 51 at both ends of the roller conveyor 5 of the first movable base 2.
The first pallet P1 is placed on the first movable base 2, and when the pallet support 72 is raised, the first pallet P1 is supported by the arm 72b of the pallet support 72 and the first pallet P1 is stacked. It rises to the position of the body (FIG. 7 (1)). At this time, the holding claw 71 of the pallet holding mechanism 70 holds the upper plate of the lowermost first pallet P1 of the laminated body.

  Next, the pallet support 72 is slightly raised to set the holding claw 71 in a rotatable state (FIG. 7 (2)), and then the holding claw 71 is opened (FIG. 7 (3)). ), The pallet support 72 is raised by the thickness of the first pallet P1 (FIG. 7 (4)). Next, when the holding claw 71 is closed, the first pallet P1 can be held by the holding claw 71 (FIG. 7 (5)), and the pallet support 72 is lowered to be added to the lowermost stage. The first pallet P1 is held by the holding claw 71 (FIG. 7 (6)).

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the pallet supply mechanism 8 includes a pallet holding mechanism 80, first and second guide rails 16 and 17, a pallet support body 82, and an elevating mechanism 83. The pallet holding mechanism 80 is configured to be able to hold the second pallet P2 to be supplied in a stacked state in a plurality of stages in the pallet holding space R set above in the supply work area S3. is there. The lowermost second pallet P2 can be separated from the upper second pallet P2 to release the holding state.

  The pallet support 82 is for supporting the second pallet P2 to be supplied from below, and can be moved up and down. Between the pallet holding space R and the standby position of the second movable base 20 in the standby state. Located in. The elevating mechanism 83 moves the pallet support 82 up and down along the first guide rail 16 provided on the fixed frame 18 described later.

  The pallet holding mechanism 80 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) holding claws 81 for holding the second pallet P2 in the pallet holding space R in a state where the second pallet P2 is vertically stacked in a plurality of stages, and each holding claw 81. And a drive mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes. The holding claws 81 are attached to the side walls 102 provided on the machine base 1 so as to support the four corner positions of the second pallet P. Each holding claw 81 is pushed and opened against the rising pallet support 82, whereby the lowermost second pallet P2 and the holding claw 81 are disengaged, and the upper pallet P2 is moved to the upper pallet P2. Each holding claw 81 is engaged to hold the second pallet P2.

  The first guide rail 16 is at least between the pallet holding space R and the standby position of the second movable base 20, and is fixed to the fixed frame 18 provided at the end of the machine base 1 to the left and right along the vertical direction. Two are provided. The pallet support 82 includes a base end portion 82a having substantially the same length as the width of the second movable base 20, and a pair of arms 82b extending from both ends of the base end portion 82a along the moving direction of the second movable base 20. 821b.

  Each of the arms 82b and 82b has a length capable of supporting the second pallet P2, and an interval capable of supporting the second pallet P2, specifically, a roller conveyor of the second movable table 20. The interval is set larger than the length of 5 and shorter than the length of the second pallet P2. A slide member 82 c is attached to the rear surface of the base end portion 82 a of the pallet support 82. A groove having a T-shaped cross section is formed in the slide member 82c. The rail portion of the first guide rail 16 having a shape corresponding to the groove is engaged with the groove of the slide member 82c, and thereby the pallet support 82 can slide in the vertical direction along the first guide rail 16. It has become.

  The elevating mechanism 83 includes a chain 84 and a drive device 86 capable of causing the chain 84 to travel in the up and down directions. One end of the chain 84 is attached to the base end portion 82a of the pallet support 82, and a balance weight 85 is attached to the other end. The balance weight 85 is slidably supported by a second guide rail 17 provided on the fixed frame 18 along the vertical direction. By this lifting mechanism 83, the pallet support 82 moves up and down while maintaining a horizontal posture. The pallet support 82 is lowered to a position below the pallet support table 22 of the second movable base 20, and the arms 82 b of the pallet support 82 enter the space outside the rollers 51 at both ends of the roller conveyor 5.

8 (1) to 8 (6) show the operation of the pallet supply mechanism 8 described above.
In order to supply the second pallet P2 to be replaced onto the pallet support table 22 of the second movable platform 20, first, the pallet support 82 is raised to the height of the pallet holding mechanism 80, and the stack of the second pallets P2 is moved. It supports (FIG. 8 (1)). At this time, the holding claw 81 holds the upper plate of the lowermost second pallet P2, and then the pallet support 82 is slightly raised to set the holding claw 81 in a rotatable state ( FIG. 8 (2)).

  Next, after the holding claw 81 is opened by the drive mechanism (FIG. 8 (3)), the pallet support 82 is lowered by the thickness of the second pallet P2 (FIG. 8 (4)). When the holding claw 81 is closed in this state, the second claw 81 from the bottom can be held by the holding claw 81 (FIG. 8 (5)). When the pallet support 82 is lowered, only the lowermost second pallet P2 is supported on the pallet support 82, and the remaining stack of the second pallets P2 is held by the holding claws 81 (FIG. 8 (6)). ). The pallet support 82 is lowered to a position below the pallet support table 22 of the second movable base 20, and the arms 82 b of the pallet support 82 enter the space outside the rollers 51 on both sides of the roller conveyor 5, thereby causing the second pallet. P2 is placed on the second movable base 20.

Next, the flow of pallet exchange work by the pallet exchange apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-1 to 9-4.
Prior to the start of the pallet replacement work, the first movable base 2 is made to stand by in the replacement work area S1 (FIG. 9-1 (1)). At this time, the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet carry-in mechanism 6 and the roller conveyor 5 of the first movable base 2 have the same upper surface. In addition, in the supply work area S3, the second movable platform 20 is waiting for the supply of the second pallet P2.

  Next, when the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet carrying mechanism 6 and the roller conveyor 5 of the first movable base 2 are rotated in the same direction (loading direction), the first pallet P1 on which the load C is loaded becomes the pallet carrying mechanism. 6 on the pallet support table 22 of the first movable stand 2. When a sensor (not shown) detects the loading of the first pallet P1, the synchronously rotating roller conveyors 61 and 50 stop rotating (FIG. 9-1 (2)).

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 23 of the first movable base 2 is driven to displace the first pallet P1 on which the load C is placed together with the pallet support table 22 to a predetermined height position h, the load C becomes a load restraining mechanism. It is located in the middle of the vertical plate portions 40a, 40a of the four opposing clamping plates 40 (FIG. 9-1 (3)). At this time, the leading edge of the inclined plate portion 40b of the sandwiching plate 40 is located at the boundary between the first pallet P1 and the load C.

Next, the reciprocating mechanism 41 of the load restraining mechanism 4 is driven to bring the clamping plates 40 closer, whereby the peripheral surface of the load C is clamped from both sides by the vertical plate portions 40a, 40a, and the inclined plate portions 40b, The bottom surface of the load C is supported by 40b, whereby the load C is restrained and is localized at the restrained height position h (FIG. 9-2 (4)).
On the other hand, in the supply work area S3, the second pallet P2 to be exchanged is supplied onto the pallet support table 22 of the second movable table 20.

  Next, when the lifting mechanism 23 of the first movable base 2 is driven and the first pallet P1 is displaced downward together with the pallet support table 22, the first pallet P1 is pulled away from the load C (FIG. 9-2 (5)). ). In this case, since the frictional force does not act between the load C and the first pallet P1, the lower surface of the load C is not rubbed.

  Next, the first moving mechanism 3 is driven to move the first movable base 2 on which the first pallet P1 is supported on the pallet support table 22 from the replacement work area S1 to the recovery work area S2, and the second moving mechanism. 30 is driven to move the second movable base 20 on which the second pallet P2 is supported on the pallet support table 22 from the supply work area S3 to the replacement work area S1 (FIG. 9-2 (6)).

  Next, the raising / lowering mechanism 23 of the 2nd movable stand 20 is driven, and the 2nd pallet P2 is displaced to the height position h which restrained the load C with the pallet support table 22 (FIG. 9-3 (7)). As a result, the upper surface of the second pallet P2 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the load C, and the load C can be supported by the second pallet P2.

  Next, the reciprocating mechanism 41 of the load restraining mechanism 4 is driven to separate the holding plates 40, 40 to release the restraint of the load C and place the load C on the second pallet P2 (FIG. 9-3 ( 8)). On the other hand, in the collection work area S2, the first pallet P1 is collected from the pallet support table 22 of the first movable platform 2.

  Next, the second pallet P2 on which the load C is placed is displaced downward together with the pallet support table 22 (FIG. 9-3 (9)). At this time, the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet unloading mechanism 60 and the roller conveyor 5 of the second movable base 20 have the same upper surface.

  Next, when the roller conveyor 61 of the pallet unloading mechanism 60 and the roller conveyor 5 of the second movable stand 20 are rotated in the same direction (load unloading direction), the second pallet P2 on which the load C is loaded becomes the first movable. It is unloaded from the pallet support table 22 of the table 2 to the pallet unloading mechanism 60 (FIG. 9-4 (10)). Thereafter, the first moving mechanism 3 is driven to move the first movable base 2 from the recovery work area S2 to the replacement work area S1, and the second moving mechanism 30 is driven to move the second movable base 20 to the replacement work area S1. To the supply work area S3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pallet exchange apparatus 2 1st movable stand 20 2nd movable stand 3 1st moving mechanism 30 2nd moving mechanism 4 Load restraint mechanism 40 Clamping plate 40a Vertical plate part 40b Inclined plate part 5 Roller conveyor 6 Pallet carrying-in mechanism 60 Pallet carrying-out mechanism 7 Pallet collection mechanism 8 Pallet supply mechanism C Load P1 First pallet P2 Second pallet S1 Replacement work area S2 Collection work area S3 Supply work area

The present invention relates to a pallet exchanging apparatus for exchanging a loaded pallet with another pallet in a factory or a warehouse.

This invention was made paying attention to said problem, and it aims at providing the pallet replacement | exchange apparatus which does not have a possibility that the lower surface of a load may be rubbed and damaged by pallet replacement | exchange operation | work.

The present invention is used to implement a pallet exchanging method for exchanging a first pallet loaded with a second pallet . The pallet exchanging method includes a step of carrying a first pallet loaded with a load into a work area for exchanging a pallet, a step of displacing the first pallet loaded with a load in the work area, A step of restraining the load and localizing the load to the restrained height position, a step of displacing the first pallet downward to pull the first pallet away from the load, a second pallet being carried out of the work area and a second A step of bringing the pallet into the work area, a step of displacing the second pallet to a height position where the load is restrained, a step of releasing the restraint of the load and placing the load on the second pallet, and a step of placing the load After the two pallets are displaced downward, the pallet is replaced by sequentially executing the step of unloading from the work area.

It is a top view of the principal part of the pallet exchange apparatus which is one Example of this invention. It is a front view of the principal part of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a side view of the principal part of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a front view of the pallet collection | recovery mechanism and pallet supply mechanism of a pallet exchange apparatus. It is a side view of a pallet collection mechanism. It is a side view of a pallet supply mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a pallet collection | recovery mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of a pallet supply mechanism. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of pallet exchange. It is principle explanatory drawing of the pallet exchange method . It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | work process of the pallet replacement | exchange by the conventional pallet replacement | exchange apparatus.

Claims (6)

  A pallet exchanging method for exchanging a first pallet loaded with a second pallet, the step of carrying the first pallet loaded with a load into a work area for exchanging the pallet, and loading the load in the work area Displacing the first pallet upward; constraining the load on the first pallet; positioning the load at the constrained height; and displacing the first pallet downward to disengage the first pallet from the load. Releasing the first pallet from the work area, bringing the second pallet into the work area, displacing the second pallet to a height position where the load is restrained, and unloading the load. A pallet exchanging method for exchanging a pallet by sequentially executing a step of placing a load on a second pallet and a step of displacing the second pallet on which the load is loaded and then unloading the load from the work area.   A pallet exchanging apparatus for exchanging a first pallet loaded with a second pallet, a pallet support table for supporting the first pallet and a first movable base including a lifting mechanism for moving the pallet support table up and down; A first movement mechanism for reciprocating a movable table between an exchange work area for exchanging pallets and a collection work area for collecting the first pallet; a pallet support table and a pallet support table for supporting the second pallet; A second movable base provided with a lifting mechanism for moving up and down; a second moving mechanism for reciprocating the second movable base between the replacement work area and a supply work area for supplying the second pallet; and the exchange work A pair of sandwiching members arranged opposite to the upper position of the region and at least one sandwiching member to reciprocate and approach the other sandwiching member; Pallet exchange device including a load restraining mechanism comprising a reciprocating mechanism for between.   Each said clamping member is a board | plate material made from a metal or a synthetic resin, Comprising: The vertical board part and the inclination board part which continues to the lower end of a vertical board part, and is extended diagonally downward are integrated. Pallet changer.   3. The pallet according to claim 2, wherein each of the first and second movable platforms includes a pallet transport roller conveyor provided on the pallet support table, and a roller driving mechanism that drives the roller conveyor in both forward and reverse directions. Exchange equipment.   5. The pallet exchanging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a pallet collection mechanism that collects the first pallet from a pallet support table of the first movable base in the collection work area, and a pallet collection mechanism in the supply work area. 2. A pallet exchanging apparatus further comprising a pallet supply mechanism for supplying the second pallet onto the pallet support table of the movable table.   The pallet exchanging apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a pallet carry-in mechanism for carrying the first pallet loaded with the load into the exchange work area, and a second pallet loaded with the load is the exchange work area. A pallet exchanging apparatus further comprising a pallet unloading mechanism for further unloading.