JP2021195190A - Workpiece conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

To convey a workpiece efficiently while temporarily storing the workpiece when necessary.SOLUTION: A workpiece conveyance system includes a conveyance conveyor that conveys a plurality of workpieces from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to the downstream side, a branch conveyor that is connected to the conveyance conveyor to branch off, an accumulation device that is connected to the branch conveyor and is capable of accumulating the plurality of workpieces conveyed on the branch conveyor, and an exit conveyor that is connected to the conveyor and the accumulation device and conveys the plurality of workpieces discharged from the accumulation device and the plurality of workpieces conveyed by the conveyance conveyor to the downstream side in the conveyance direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a work transfer system.

For example, in a line for manufacturing a beverage product, a transfer system is used in which workpieces such as containers filled with beverages are aligned and continuously conveyed. Such a transport system transports the container, for example, between a plurality of steps for filling the container with a beverage. Such a transfer system may be provided with an accumulator device for temporarily storing the work in case a trouble occurs in the device on the post-process side.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a transfer conveyor is provided between a feeding mechanism on the upstream side and a discharging mechanism on the downstream side. In this configuration, a plurality of gutter-shaped buckets on which a plurality of bottles (work) are mounted are mounted side by side on the transfer conveyor.

Further, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration including trays provided in a plurality of stages in a vertical direction and a manipulator for mounting a plurality of products on a conveyor on the trays.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-288721 U.S. Pat. No. 10,537989

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a transfer conveyor for storing a plurality of workpieces is provided between the feeding mechanism on the upstream side and the discharging mechanism on the downstream side. Therefore, the work always goes through the transfer conveyor. In such a configuration, the work is temporarily stored only when necessary, such as when a trouble occurs in the device on the post-process side, and normally, the work cannot be conveyed without passing through the transfer conveyor.

Further, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, when it is not necessary to temporarily store the work, the work can be conveyed on the conveyor as it is without being transferred to the tray. However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 2, the position where the work is mounted from the conveyor to the tray and the position where the work is mounted from the tray to the conveyor are common. Therefore, the work of mounting the work from the conveyor to the tray and the work of mounting the work from the tray to the conveyor cannot be performed in parallel. As a result, the work may not be transported efficiently.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a work transfer system capable of temporarily storing a work when necessary while efficiently transporting the work.

In order to solve the above problems, the work transfer system according to the present disclosure is connected to a transfer conveyor that conveys a plurality of works from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transfer direction so as to branch to the transfer conveyor. The branch conveyor is connected to the transfer conveyor and the accumulator capable of accumulating a plurality of the workpieces conveyed by the branch conveyor, and the transfer conveyor and the accumulator are connected to the accumulator and discharged from the accumulator. The work is provided with a plurality of the works and an outlet conveyor for transporting the plurality of the workpieces conveyed by the transfer conveyor to the downstream side in the transfer direction.

According to the work transfer system of the present disclosure, the work can be temporarily stored when necessary while efficiently transporting the work.

It is a top view seen from the vertical direction which shows the schematic structure of the work transfer system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of the merging device of the work transfer system seen from the vertical direction. It is a top view seen from the vertical direction which shows the schematic structure of the accumulator of the work transfer system. It is an elevation view which saw the said accumulator device from the input part side in the 1st direction. It is a side view seen from the downstream side in the transport direction of the accumulator. It is a perspective view which shows the bucket used in the said accumulator. It is a figure which shows the loading operation of the work in the loading part of the accumulator. It is a figure which shows the discharge operation of the work in the discharge part of the accumulator. It is a figure which shows the flow of the work when the work is transferred without passing through an accumulator in the work transfer system.

Hereinafter, a mode for implementing the work transfer system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment.

(Configuration of work transfer system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the work transfer system 1 includes a conveyor unit 2 and an accumulator device 3. The work transfer system 1 transports a work 100 such as a bottle filled with a beverage from a front-end process to a back-end process, for example, in a beverage production line. In the following description, the flow direction of the work 100 transferred from the front-end process to the back-end process by the work transfer system 1 is referred to as a transfer direction Dt. In the transport direction Dt, the front-end process side with respect to the work transfer system 1 is the upstream side Dt1 of the transport direction Dt. Further, in the transport direction Dt, the post-process side with respect to the work transport system 1 is the downstream side Dt2 of the transport direction Dt. Normally, the work transfer system 1 continuously conveys a plurality of works 100 from the upstream side Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2 in a state where a plurality of works 100 are arranged in the transfer direction Dt on the conveyor unit 2 generated later. In the work transfer system 1, when another device (not shown) of Dt2 on the downstream side of the transfer direction Dt stops its operation for some reason, the work transfer system 1 sequentially transfers a plurality of works 100 from the upstream side Dt1 of the transfer direction Dt. , Accumulate (temporarily store) in the accumulator device 3. When the operation of the other device of Dt2 on the downstream side of the transport direction Dt is restarted, the work transfer system 1 sequentially discharges the plurality of works 100 stored in the accumulator device 3 from the accumulator device 3 and causes the conveyor unit 2 to sequentially discharge the plurality of works 100. It is conveyed toward another device of Dt2 on the downstream side. In the present embodiment, the work transfer system 1 includes two accumulators 3.

(Conveyor section configuration)
The conveyor unit 2 includes a transfer conveyor 21, a branch conveyor 22, a distribution device 25, a merging device 26, and an outlet conveyor 28. The conveyor unit 2 conveys a plurality of works 100 in an upright state (upright state) so that the central axis of the work 100 extends in the vertical direction Dv.

The transfer conveyor 21 extends from another device of the upstream side Dt1 in the transfer direction Dt toward the merging device 26 of the downstream side Dt2. The conveyor 21 transports a plurality of works 100 in a line in a row in the transport direction Dt from the upstream side Dt1 in the transport direction Dt toward the downstream side Dt2. In this embodiment, the conveyor 21 extends so as to pass between the two accumulators 3.

The branch conveyor 22 is connected to the transfer conveyor 21 via a distribution device 25 so as to branch. In this embodiment, two branch conveyors 22 are arranged. Each branch conveyor 22 extends from the conveyor 21 towards a separate accumulator 3. The branch conveyor 22 conveys a plurality of works 100 from the upstream side Dt1 in the transfer direction Dt to the downstream side Dt2 toward the accumulator device 3 from the middle of the transfer conveyor 21.

The distribution device 25 is arranged at the connection portion between the transfer conveyor 21 and the branch conveyor 22. That is, the distribution device 25 is arranged in the middle of the conveyor 21. The distribution device 25 sends the conveyed work 100 to either the transfer conveyor 21 or the branch conveyor 22. Specifically, the distribution device 25 selects whether to convey the conveyed work 100 as it is on the transfer conveyor 21 or on any of the branch conveyors 22, and switches the distribution destination of the work 100. .. In the present embodiment, since the two branch conveyors 22 are arranged, the distribution device 25 distributes the work 100 to the two branch conveyors 22 in order when the work 100 is distributed to the branch conveyor 22. The distribution destination of the work 100 in the distribution device 25 is controlled by a control device (not shown) that controls the operation of the work transfer system 1. In the distribution device 25, the distribution destination of the work 100 is automatically switched to the work transfer system 1 according to the operating state of another device of the downstream side Dt2 under the control of the control device. Specifically, the distribution device 25 sends the work 100 to the branch conveyor 22 when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt from the accumulator 3 stops. Further, the distribution device 25 sends the work 100 to the transfer conveyor 21 as it is when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 in the transfer direction Dt from the accumulator device 3 is operating.

The merging device 26 is arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the transport direction Dt with respect to the transport conveyor 21 and the two accumulator devices 3. The merging device 26 merges the work 100 transported by the transport conveyor 21 with the work 100 discharged from the accumulator 3 and transports the work 100 to the outlet conveyor 28. In the present embodiment, the merging device 26 is connected to two of the discharge unit side conveyors 24 of the accumulator 3 described later and a transfer conveyor 21 arranged between the two discharge unit side conveyors 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the merging device 26 includes a lower conveyor 261 and a pair of guide conveyors 262.

The lower conveyor 261 supports the plurality of conveyed workpieces 100 from below in the vertical direction Dv (direction orthogonal to the transport direction Dt and orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 2). The lower conveyor 261 transports a plurality of works 100 from the upstream side Dt1 in the transport direction Dt to the downstream side Dt2. The end of the upstream side Dt1 of the lower conveyor 261 in the transport direction Dt is connected to the two discharge section side conveyors 24 and one conveyor 21. The lower conveyor 261 includes a plurality of unit conveyors 263. Each unit conveyor 263 extends in the transport direction Dt. The plurality of unit conveyors 263 are arranged side by side in the width direction Dw orthogonal to (intersecting) the vertical direction Dv and the transport direction Dt. The plurality of unit conveyors 263 can individually adjust the transfer speed of the work 100. As a result, in the lower conveyor 261 it is possible to convey the work 100 conveyed by the transfer conveyor 21 and the work 100 delivered from the discharge section side conveyor 24 at different transfer speeds.

The guide conveyor 262 supports the work 100 from the width direction Dw and conveys the work 100 from the upstream side Dt1 in the conveying direction Dt to the downstream side Dt2. The guide conveyor 262 is arranged above the vertical Dv with respect to the lower conveyor 261. The guide conveyors 262 are arranged on both sides of the width direction Dw when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. The guide conveyor 262 is inclined and extends so as to intersect the transport direction Dt when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. Specifically, the pair of guide conveyors 262 approach each other toward the center of the width direction Dw in the lower conveyor 261 as they approach from the upstream side Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. It is arranged at an angle to. In each guide conveyor 262, the end portion of the upstream side Dt1 in the transport direction Dt is arranged outside the width direction Dw with respect to the discharge portion side conveyor 24.

Each guide conveyor 262 has an upstream roller 2621 arranged at the end of the upstream Dt1 in the transport direction Dt, a downstream roller 2622 arranged at the end of the downstream Dt2 in the transport direction Dt, and an upstream roller 2621. It is provided with an endless belt 2623 wound between the and downstream rollers 2622. The upstream roller 2621 and the downstream roller 2622 are rotationally driven around a rotation axis orthogonal to the upper surface of the lower conveyor 261. A plurality of pads 2624 capable of absorbing impact are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 2623. The plurality of pads 2624 are arranged at intervals in the transport direction Dt with respect to the surface of the belt 2623. The plurality of pads 2624 are made of a material that generates a certain level of frictional force when in contact with the outer surface of the work 100 that is conveyed on the lower conveyor 261 in an upright state. The pad 2624 may not be fixed to the belt 2623 if the impact when the work 100 comes into contact with the belt 2623 does not affect the work 100.

In such a merging device 26, the feed rate of the lower conveyor 261 is set to be higher than the feed rate of the guide conveyor 262. As a result, the work 100 comes into contact with the guide conveyor 262 with respect to the work 100 transported to the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt on the lower conveyor 261. A backward frictional force F is generated. Due to this frictional force F, a force that presses the work 100 on the upstream side Dt1 of the transport direction Dt acts.

The outlet conveyor 28 is indirectly connected to the transport conveyor 21 and the accumulator 3 via the merging device 26. Specifically, the outlet conveyor 28 is arranged so as to be continuous with the merging device 26 on the downstream side Dt2 of the transport direction Dt. The outlet conveyor 28 is connected to the end of Dt2 on the downstream side of the merging device 26. The outlet conveyor 28 is arranged so as to extend from between the ends of the downstream side Dt2 of the pair of guide conveyors 262 arranged on both sides of the widthwise Dw of the merging device 26 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. .. The outlet conveyor 28 extends continuously toward the other device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 with respect to the work transfer system 1.

The transport speed of the work 100 in the outlet conveyor 28 is higher than the transport speed at Dt1 on the upstream side of the transport direction Dt than the merging device 26. Specifically, the transfer speed of the outlet conveyor 28 is higher than the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 21 and the two discharge section side conveyors 24. As a result, the transport speed of the work 100 delivered from the merging device 26 to the outlet conveyor 28 increases, so that the work 100 may stay at the portion where the work 100 is delivered from the merging device 26 to the outlet conveyor 28. It can be suppressed.

(Configuration of accumulator)
The accumulator 3 is capable of accumulating the work 100 conveyed on the branch conveyor 22. The accumulator 3 can accommodate a plurality of works 100. In this embodiment, one accumulator 3 is arranged for one branch conveyor 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the accumulator 3 includes an input unit side conveyor 23, a discharge unit side conveyor 24, and an accumulator main body 31. In the accumulator 3, the work 100 is conveyed in the order of the input portion side conveyor 23, the accumulator main body 31, and the discharge portion side conveyor 24 in only one direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the input section side conveyor 23 is connected to the end portion of the downstream side Dt2 of the branch conveyor 22. The charging section side conveyor 23 is connected to the loading section 32 of the accumulator main body 31, which will be described later. The charging section side conveyor 23 is arranged at intervals in the first direction Dm with respect to the transport conveyor 21. In the present embodiment, the first direction Dm is the width direction Dw. The charging section side conveyor 23 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the accumulator main body 31 and the transport conveyor 21. The charging section side conveyor 23 is arranged in parallel with the transport conveyor 21. In the present embodiment, the loading section side conveyor 23 is arranged at a position close to the loading section 32 of the accumulator main body 31. A total of two input section side conveyors 23 of the two accumulator main bodies 31 are arranged further outside in the first direction Dm with respect to the two accumulator main bodies 31 arranged on both sides of the transfer conveyor 21. Has been done.

The charging section side conveyor 23 extends in the second direction Ds intersecting the first direction Dm. The second direction Ds in the present implementation direction is the transport direction Dt. A plurality of works 100 conveyed by the branch conveyor 22 are conveyed to each loading unit side conveyor 23 in a state of being aligned in a single row (single row) in the second direction Ds. The loading section side conveyor 23 slows down the transfer speed of the plurality of works 100. The transfer speed of the charging section side conveyor 23 is smaller than the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 21. The loading section side conveyor 23 stops the plurality of works 100 in an aligned state at a position facing the accumulator main body 31 in the first direction Dm. The loading section side conveyor 23 may include a stopper mechanism (not shown) for stopping the work 100 in order to load the work 100 into the accumulator main body 31. In this way, each charging unit side conveyor 23 conveys a plurality of works 100 to be charged into the accumulator main body 31. The transfer speed of the input section side conveyor 23 may be the same as the transfer speed of the transfer conveyor 21.

The discharge section side conveyor 24 is connected to the outlet conveyor 28 via a merging device 26. The discharge section side conveyor 24 is connected to the discharge section 33 of the accumulator main body 31, which will be described later. The discharge section side conveyor 24 is arranged at a position opposite to the input section side conveyor 23 (a position close to the transfer conveyor 21) with the accumulator main body 31 interposed therebetween in the first direction Dm. The discharge section side conveyor 24 extends in the second direction Ds so as to be parallel to the input section side conveyor 23. The discharge unit side conveyor 24 conveys the plurality of works 100 discharged from the accumulator main body 31 in a state of being aligned in a single row (single row) in the second direction Ds. The discharge unit side conveyor 24 accelerates and conveys the plurality of works 100 toward the downstream side Dt2 in the transfer direction Dt. The transport speed of the discharge section side conveyor 24 is higher than the transport speed of the input section side conveyor 23.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the accumulator main body 31 can be accumulated in a state where a plurality of work 100s are arranged in the first direction Dm, the second direction Ds, and the vertical direction Dv. The accumulator main body 31 of the present embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The accumulator main body 31 includes a loading section 32, a discharging section 33, a bucket 40, a storage conveyor 34, a return conveyor 35, a loading section side elevator 36, a discharging section side elevator 37, and a loading section side transfer machine. 38 and a discharge unit side transfer machine 39 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the charging unit 32 is a region in the accumulator main body 31 where a plurality of workpieces 100 to be accumulated are charged in an aligned state. The charging section 32 is indirectly connected to the branch conveyor 22 via the loading section side conveyor 23. The charging section 32 is a region in the accumulator main body 31 that is close to the loading section side conveyor 23 on the side of the first direction Dm and near the center of the vertical direction Dv. In the charging section 32, the plurality of works 100 arranged in a row in the second direction Ds move to the first direction Dm, so that the plurality of works 100 are collectively moved from the loading section side conveyor 23 to the accumulator main body 31. It is said that it can be put in.

The discharge unit 33 is a region in the accumulator main body 31 where a plurality of accumulated works 100 are discharged as they are in an aligned state. The discharge unit 33 is indirectly connected to the outlet conveyor 28 via the discharge unit side conveyor 24 and the merging device 26. The charging section 32 and the discharging section 33 are arranged at positions separated from each other in the first direction Dm. Specifically, the discharge unit 33 is located on the opposite side of the first direction Dm with respect to the charging unit 32 in the accumulator main body 31. That is, the discharge unit 33 is a region of the accumulator main body 31 on the side of the first direction Dm near the discharge unit side conveyor 24 and near the center of the vertical direction Dv. In the discharge unit 33, the plurality of works 100 that have been accumulated in the state of being lined up in the second direction Ds in the accumulator main body 31 move to the first direction Dm, so that the plurality of works 100 are discharged from the accumulator main body 31. It is possible to discharge all at once to the side conveyor 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the accumulator main body 31 uses a bucket 40 to accommodate a plurality of works 100. The bucket 40 extends in the second direction Ds so that the plurality of works 100 can be accommodated in a state of being aligned in the second direction Ds. In the accumulator main body 31, the plurality of works 100 are housed together with the bucket 40 while being housed in the bucket 40.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the bucket 40 integrally includes a bucket bottom portion 41, a bucket wall portion 42, and a leg portion 43. The bucket bottom 41 can support the bottom of the work 100 from below the vertical Dv in a state where a plurality of works 100 are aligned in the second direction Ds. The bucket bottom 41 is formed in the shape of a long flat plate in the second direction Ds. The bucket bottom 41 is inclined so as to go downward in the vertical direction Dv from the input portion 32 in the first direction Dm toward the discharge portion 33.

The bucket wall portion 42 is capable of supporting the side portion of the work 100 from the discharge portion 33 side of the first direction Dm in a state where a plurality of work 100s are aligned in the second direction Ds. The bucket wall portion 42 extends above the vertical Dv from the end of the bucket bottom 41 near the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm. The bucket wall portion 42 is formed in a long flat plate shape in the second direction Ds. The bucket wall portion 42 is inclined and extends toward the discharge portion 33 toward the upper side of the vertical Dv. Further, the bucket wall portion 42 is formed with a slit (opening) 44 extending linearly in the second direction Ds. The slit 44 is formed in a size that allows the first pusher 363, which will be described later, to pass through. The slit 44 is not limited to a shape extending linearly in the second direction Ds, and may be formed as a plurality of holes formed at intervals in the second direction Ds.

The leg portion 43 is formed at the end of the bucket bottom portion 41 near the loading portion 32 in the first direction Dm. The leg portion 43 extends from the bottom portion 41 of the bucket so as to project downward in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the leg portion 43 extends toward the opposite side of the vertical Dv at a position opposite to the bucket wall portion 42 in the first direction Dm with respect to the bucket bottom portion 41.

In such a bucket 40, the corner portion formed by the bucket bottom portion 41 and the bucket wall portion 42 and the tip of the leg portion 43 are brought into contact with the storage conveyor 34 described later, so that the bucket bottom portion 41 and the bucket wall portion 42 are brought into contact with each other. The tilted posture is maintained.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage conveyor 34 can mount a plurality of buckets 40 accommodating a plurality of works 100. The storage conveyor 34 can transfer the bucket 40 from the input unit 32 to the discharge unit 33. In the storage conveyor 34, a plurality of buckets 40 can be mounted side by side in the first direction Dm. The storage conveyor 34 extends along the first direction Dm. The storage conveyors 34 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the second direction Ds. That is, the pair of storage conveyors 34 support both ends of the bucket 40 in the second direction Ds from below. The storage conveyor 34 of the present embodiment includes a first stopper 341 and a first conveyor belt 342.

The first stopper 341 regulates the movement of the bucket 40 toward the discharge unit 33 in the first direction Dm. Specifically, the first stopper 341 hinders the progress of the bucket 40 so as not to advance from the position where the first stopper 341 is arranged in the first direction Dm. The first stopper 341 is arranged at a position closer to the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm. The first stopper 341 is arranged above the end portion of the first conveyor belt 342 near the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm.

The first conveyor belt 342 is an endless belt for a free flow conveyor that is circulated and driven by a drive source (not shown). The first conveyor belt 342 moves the bucket 40 mounted on the support surface (the surface facing upward in the vertical direction Dv) from the charging section 32 to the discharging section 33 in the first direction Dm. The first conveyor belt 342 can continue the circulation drive even when the movement of the bucket 40 toward the discharge portion 33 is restricted by the first stopper 341.

The return conveyor 35 can mount a plurality of empty buckets 40 on which the work 100 is not mounted at all. The return conveyor 35 can transfer the bucket 40 from the discharge unit 33 toward the input unit 32 in the direction opposite to that of the storage conveyor 34. The return conveyor 35 can mount a plurality of buckets 40 side by side in the first direction Dm. The return conveyor 35 is arranged at intervals in the vertical direction Dv with respect to the storage conveyor 34. The return conveyor 35 of the present embodiment includes a second stopper 351 and a second conveyor belt 352.

The second stopper 351 regulates the movement of the bucket 40 toward the charging portion 32 in the first direction Dm. Specifically, the second stopper 351 hinders the progress of the bucket 40 so as not to advance from the position where the second stopper 351 is arranged in the first direction Dm. The second stopper 351 is arranged at a position closer to the charging portion 32 in the first direction Dm. The second stopper 351 is arranged above the end portion of the second conveyor belt 352 near the loading portion 32 in the first direction Dm.

The second conveyor belt 352 is an endless belt for a free flow conveyor that is circulated and driven by a drive source (not shown). The second conveyor belt 352 moves the bucket 40 mounted on the support surface (the surface facing upward in the vertical direction Dv) from the discharge unit 33 to the input unit 32 in the first direction Dm. That is, the second conveyor belt 352 is driven in the direction opposite to that of the first conveyor belt 342. The second conveyor belt 352 can continue the circulation drive even when the movement of the bucket 40 toward the charging portion 32 is restricted by the second stopper 351.

In the present embodiment, the storage conveyor 34 is arranged above the vertical Dv with respect to the return conveyor 35. In the present embodiment, the pair of storage conveyors 34 are arranged, for example, in three stages at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. The return conveyor 35 is provided with, for example, two stages at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. All return conveyors 35 are located below the vertical Dv with respect to all storage conveyors 34. The number of stages of the return conveyor 35 is smaller than the number of stages of the storage conveyor 34.

The return conveyor 35 is not necessarily limited to being arranged in a plurality of stages. Of the storage conveyor 34 and the return conveyor 35, at least the storage conveyor 34 may be installed in a plurality of stages. Further, the number of stages of the return conveyor 35 is not limited to being smaller than the number of stages of the storage conveyor 34, and may be the same number.

The loading section side elevator 36 is arranged in the accumulator main body 31 so as to face the loading section 32. The loading section side elevator 36 raises and lowers the bucket 40 in the vertical direction Dv so as to pass through the loading section 32 between the storage conveyor 34 and the return conveyor 35. In the present embodiment, the loading unit side elevator 36 conveys the bucket 40 only toward the upper side of the vertical Dv. Specifically, the loading section elevator 36 moves the bucket 40 received from the return conveyor 35 upward in the vertical direction Dv and delivers it to the storage conveyor 34. The loading section-side elevator 36 of the present embodiment includes a first lifter chain 361, a first support plate 362, a first pusher 363, and a third pusher 364.

The first lifter chain 361 is cyclically driven by a drive source (not shown). The first lifter chains 361 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the second direction Ds so as to sandwich the bucket 40 from the outside of the second direction Ds when viewed from the first direction Dm.

A plurality of first support plates 362 are fixed to the first lifter chain 361 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction Dv. The first support plate 362 moves in the vertical direction Dv as the first lifter chain 361 is driven. The first support plate 362 can support both ends of the bucket 40 in the second direction Ds from below the vertical direction Dv. When the bucket 40 is supported by the first support plate 362, the loading section-side elevator 36 conveys the bucket 40 upward in the vertical direction Dv.

The first pusher 363 is arranged at a position corresponding to the storage conveyor 34 of each stage in the vertical direction Dv. That is, one set of the first pushers 363 is arranged for each stage of the storage conveyor 34. The first pusher 363 is capable of pushing the bucket 40 supported by the first support plate 362 toward the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm. The bucket 40 is pushed from the first support plate 362 to the storage conveyor 34 by being pushed by the first pusher 363.

The third pusher 364 is arranged at a position corresponding to the return conveyor 35 of each stage in the vertical direction Dv. That is, one set of the third pusher 364 is arranged for the return conveyor 35 of each stage. The third pusher 364 is capable of pushing the empty bucket 40 supported by the second conveyor belt 352 toward the charging portion 32 in the first direction Dm. The bucket 40 is pushed by the third pusher 364 and is moved from the top of the return conveyor 35 onto the first support plate 362.

The discharge unit side elevator 37 is arranged in the accumulator main body 31 so as to face the discharge unit 33. The discharge unit side elevator 37 raises and lowers the bucket 40 in the vertical direction Dv so as to pass through the discharge unit 33 between the storage conveyor 34 and the return conveyor 35. In the present embodiment, the discharge unit side elevator 37 conveys the bucket 40 only downward in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the discharge unit side elevator 37 conveys the bucket 40 in the direction opposite to the input unit side elevator 36 in the vertical direction Dv. Specifically, the discharge unit-side elevator 37 moves the bucket 40 received from the storage conveyor 34 downward in the vertical direction Dv and delivers it to the return conveyor 35. The discharge section-side elevator 37 of the present embodiment includes a second lifter chain 371, a second support plate 372, a second pusher 373, and a fourth pusher 374.

The second lifter chain 371 is cyclically driven by a drive source (not shown). The second lifter chain 371 is driven in the opposite direction to the first lifter chain 361. The second lifter chains 371 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the second direction Ds so as to sandwich the bucket 40 from the outside of the second direction Ds when viewed from the first direction Dm. in short. The second lifter chain 371 is arranged at a position overlapping with the first lifter chain 361 when viewed from the first direction Dm.

A plurality of second support plates 372 are fixed to the second lifter chain 371 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction Dv. The second support plate 372 moves in the vertical direction Dv as the second lifter chain 371 is driven. The second support plate 372 can support both ends of the bucket 40 in the second direction Ds from below the vertical direction Dv. When the bucket 40 is supported by the second support plate 372, the discharge unit side elevator 37 conveys the bucket 40 downward in the vertical direction Dv.

The second pusher 373 is arranged at a position corresponding to the return conveyor 35 of each stage in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the second pusher 373 is arranged in pairs with respect to the return conveyor 35 of each stage. The second pusher 373 is capable of pushing the bucket 40 supported by the second support plate 372 toward the charging portion 32 in the first direction Dm. The bucket 40 is pushed by the second pusher 373 and moved from above the second support plate 372 onto the return conveyor 35.

The fourth pusher 374 is arranged at a position corresponding to the storage conveyor 34 of each stage in the vertical direction Dv. That is, the fourth pusher 374 is arranged in pairs with respect to the storage conveyor 34 of each stage. The fourth pusher 374 is capable of pushing the bucket 40 supported by the first conveyor belt 342 toward the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm. The bucket 40 is pushed from the storage conveyor 34 onto the second support plate 372 by being pushed by the fourth pusher 374.

The loading unit side transfer machine 38 is arranged on the opposite side of the charging device main body 31 with the charging unit side conveyor 23 interposed therebetween in the first direction Dm. The loading section-side transfer machine 38 collectively transfers the plurality of works 100 from the loading section-side conveyor 23 to the bucket 40 held by the loading section-side elevator 36 in a state of being aligned. Specifically, the loading unit side transfer machine 38 pushes out a plurality of works 100 in a state of being aligned in a row in the second direction Ds on the loading unit side conveyor 23 toward the discharging unit 33 in the first direction Dm. Move it. At that time, the loading unit side transfer machine 38 presses a plurality of workpieces 100 in an upright posture (upright posture) so that the central axis extends in the vertical direction Dv on the loading unit side conveyor 23 in the first direction Dm. And tilt it so that the central axis is tilted with respect to the vertical direction Dv and the first direction Dm. As shown in FIG. 5, the charging section-side transfer machine 38 of the present embodiment includes a loading section-side pusher 381 and a loading section-side electric cylinder 383.

As shown in FIG. 3, the charging portion side pusher 381 is formed in a plate shape extending in the second direction Ds so as to be connected to a plurality of charging portion side electric cylinders 383. The pushing portion side pusher 381 forms a surface orthogonal to the first direction Dm. The charging section-side pusher 381 is moved back and forth in the first direction Dm with respect to the work 100 on the loading section-side conveyor 23 by the plurality of charging section-side electric cylinders 383.

As shown in FIG. 5, the discharge unit side transfer machine 39 is arranged on the opposite side of the accumulator main body 31 with the discharge unit side conveyor 24 interposed therebetween in the first direction Dm. The discharge unit side transfer machine 39 collectively transfers the plurality of works 100 from the bucket 40 to the discharge unit side conveyor 24 in a state of being aligned. Specifically, the discharge unit side transfer machine 39 holds a plurality of works 100 housed in a bucket 40 conveyed on the storage conveyor 34 in a row in the second direction Ds in the first direction Dm. It is pushed out and moved toward the input portion 32 of. At that time, the discharge unit side transfer machine 39 presses the plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in an inclined state in the first direction Dm and stands up so that the central axis extends in the vertical direction Dv. The discharge unit side transfer machine 39 of the present embodiment includes a discharge unit side pusher (pusher) 391, a receiving member 392, a discharge unit side electric cylinder 393, and a receiving member electric cylinder 394.

As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge unit side pusher 391 is formed in a plate shape extending in the second direction Ds so as to be connected to a plurality of discharge unit side electric cylinders 393. The discharge portion side pusher 391 is formed in a size that allows it to pass through the slit 44. The discharge portion side pusher 391 forms a surface orthogonal to the first direction Dm. The discharge unit side pusher 391 passes through the slit 44 with respect to the work 100 housed in the bucket 40 arranged at the end of the storage conveyor 34 in the first direction Dm by the plurality of discharge unit side electric cylinders 393. It is advanced and retreated to the first direction Dm. As a result, the discharge unit side pusher 391 presses the plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in an inclined state toward the input unit 32 side in the first direction Dm through the slit 44. The receiving member 392 is arranged on the opposite side of the discharge section side pusher 391 with the discharge section side conveyor 24 interposed therebetween in the first direction Dm. The receiving member 392 is capable of receiving a plurality of works 100 pressed by the pusher 391 on the discharge portion side. The receiving member 392 of the present embodiment is formed in a plate shape extending in the second direction Ds so as to be connected to the receiving member electric cylinder 394. The receiving member 392 is plate-shaped and forms a surface orthogonal to the first direction Dm. The receiving member 392 extends in the second direction Ds corresponding to the shape of the pusher 391 on the discharge portion side. The receiving member 392 moves forward and backward in the first direction Dm in conjunction with the discharge portion side pusher 391. The receiving member 392 is moved toward the discharge portion side pusher 391 by the plurality of receiving member electric cylinders 394. As a result, the receiving member 392, together with the discharger side pusher 391, sandwiches the work 100 in the first direction Dm, so that the work 100 is moved to the discharger side conveyor 24 in a state where the work 100 cannot be moved in the first direction Dm. Let me.

(Explanation of the operation of the work transfer system)
Next, the operation when the work 100 is conveyed by the work transfer system 1 as described above will be described. First, a case where other devices arranged on the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt with respect to the work transfer system 1 are operating normally without stopping will be described. In this case, in the work transfer system 1, the work 100 that has been transferred to the transfer conveyor 21 is conveyed by the transfer conveyor 21 as it is without being distributed to the branch conveyor 22 by the distribution device 25, as shown in FIG. .. The plurality of works 100 that have passed through the branch conveyor 22 are sent to the merging device 26 by the transfer conveyor 21. The work 100 sent to the merging device 26 is conveyed on the lower conveyor 261 toward the outlet conveyor 28. In this case, the plurality of works 100 are conveyed to the outlet conveyor 28 without passing through the accumulator 3.

Next, a case where another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt with respect to the work transfer system 1 is stopped for some reason will be described. In this case, in the work transfer system 1, the work 100 conveyed by the transfer conveyor 21 is distributed to the branch conveyor 22 by the distribution device 25 as shown in FIG. That is, the work 100 is not sent to the region of the conveyor 21 on the downstream side Dt2 with respect to the distribution device 25 at all. The distribution device 25 distributes the work 100 to the two branch conveyors 22 in order. The distribution device 25 may, for example, distribute the work 100 alternately between the one branch conveyor 22 and the other branch conveyor 22 according to the number of works 100 accommodated in the bucket 40.

The work 100 distributed to the branch conveyor 22 is arranged in a row on the branch conveyor 22 in the second direction Ds which is the transport direction Dt, and is input from the branch conveyor 22 as shown by an arrow M1 in FIG. It is conveyed to the side conveyor 23. In this way, the work 100 is charged into the accumulator 3 from the branch conveyor 22.

In the accumulator 3, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of works 100 are conveyed to the charging section 32 in a decelerated state by the loading section side conveyor 23 in a state of being aligned in the second direction Ds. The plurality of works 100 stopped at the loading section 32 are transferred to the bucket 40 by the loading section side transfer machine 38. As shown in FIG. 7, in the loading section side transfer machine 38, the loading section side pusher 381 is moved in the first direction Dm by the loading section side electric cylinder 383. As a result, the plurality of works 100 aligned on the loading section side conveyor 23 are pushed by the loading section side pusher 381 and collectively transferred to the bucket 40 held by the loading section side elevator 36. At this time, since the bottom portion 41 of the bucket 40 is inclined, as shown by the arrow M2 in FIG. 7, the plurality of works 100 transferred to the bucket 40 are moved from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction Dv. It is in an inclined state so as to approach the discharge unit 33. The plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 are stably supported in an inclined state by being supported from below by the bucket bottom 41 and the bucket wall 42. In this way, a plurality of works 100 are housed in the bucket 40 at the charging unit 32 of the accumulator main body 31.

When a plurality of works 100 are loaded into the bucket 40 from the loading unit 32, the first lifter chain 361 is driven. As a result, the bucket 40 supported by the first support plate 362 is conveyed above the vertical Dv by the loading section elevator 36 as shown by the arrow M3 in FIG. The loading unit side elevator 36 raises the bucket 40 to the storage conveyor 34 in a predetermined stage. After that, as shown by the arrow M4 in FIG. 5, the bucket 40 supported by the first support plate 362 is pushed toward the discharge portion 33 in the first direction Dm by the first pusher 363 and moved onto the first conveyor belt 342. To be posted. In this way, the bucket 40 is mounted on the end portion of the first conveyor belt 342 near the loading portion 32 by the loading section side elevator 36.

In the storage conveyor 34, the bucket 40 mounted on the first conveyor belt 342 is sequentially transferred from the charging section 32 toward the discharging section 33 in the first direction Dm. The bucket 40 mounted on the first conveyor belt 342 is conveyed to the end of the first conveyor belt 342 near the discharge portion 33. By sequentially repeating the above operations, a plurality of buckets 40 accommodating the work 100 are sequentially mounted on the storage conveyor 34. As a result, the previously mounted bucket 40 is conveyed on the first conveyor belt 342 toward the discharge unit 33 in the first direction Dm. After that, the buckets 40 are sequentially mounted on the first conveyor belt 342, so that the initially mounted bucket 40 is conveyed to the end near the discharge portion 33 of the first conveyor belt 342. The bucket 40 conveyed to the end of the first conveyor belt 342 near the discharge portion 33 comes into contact with the first stopper 341. As a result, the bucket 40 is immovable before the first stopper 341 in the first direction Dm. As a result, in the storage conveyor 34, the buckets 40 on which the work 100 is placed are mounted on the first conveyor belt 342 side by side in the first direction Dm.

Further, when the buckets 40 reach a predetermined number and become fully loaded in the storage conveyor 34 of one stage, the buckets 40 to be charged after that are stored in the storage conveyor 34 of another stage by the elevator 36 on the charging portion side. Will be installed in. As a result, a large number of works 100 are accumulated in the accumulator device 3.

Next, with a large number of works 100 being accumulated by the accumulator device 3, the other devices arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the transport direction Dt with respect to the work transfer system 1 were released from stopping, and the operation was resumed. The case will be described. In this case, the work transfer system 1 sequentially dispenses the work 100 from the plurality of buckets 40 stored in the accumulator 3. Here, the bucket 40 is dispensed in order from the bucket 40 previously accommodated in the plurality of buckets 40.

For this, the first stopper 341 is released. After that, the bucket 40 on which the work 100 is placed is pushed by the fourth pusher 374. As a result, as shown by the arrow M5 in FIG. 5, the bucket 40 on the first conveyor belt 342 is moved so as to be pushed out and sent to the discharge unit side elevator 37. In the discharge unit side elevator 37, the bucket 40 is supported on the second support plate 372. In this way, the discharge unit side elevator 37 receives the bucket 40 from the storage conveyor 34. When the bucket 40 is delivered onto the second support plate 372, the second lifter chain 371 is driven. As a result, the bucket 40 supported by the second support plate 372 is conveyed below the vertical Dv by the discharge unit side elevator 37 as shown by the arrow M6 in FIG. The discharge section-side elevator 37 lowers the bucket 40 to the discharge section 33 at the same height as the discharge section-side conveyor 24.

In the discharge unit 33, the discharge unit side pusher 391 is moved in the first direction Dm by the discharge unit side electric cylinder 393. The discharge portion side pusher 391 passes through the slit 44 and collectively pushes out a plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in a state of being inclined toward the charging portion in the first direction Dm. As a result, as shown by the arrow M7 in FIG. 8, the plurality of works 100 are pressed by the discharge portion side pusher 391 and their postures are changed so as to stand up. As the posture is changed, the receiving member electric cylinder 394 moves the receiving member 392 in the first direction Dm so as to approach the pusher 391 on the discharge portion side. As a result, the plurality of works 100 are sandwiched between the discharge portion side pusher 391 and the receiving member 392 in an upright posture. In this state, the plurality of works 100 are moved onto the discharge unit side conveyor 24. As a result, the plurality of works 100 stand on the discharger side conveyor 24 in a stable posture so that the central axis extends in the vertical direction Dv.

In this way, the plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 are discharged from the discharge section 33 onto the discharge section side conveyor 24. Further, the plurality of works 100 are collectively discharged from the bucket 40 onto the discharge section side conveyor 24. As a result, among the plurality of works 100 accumulating in the accumulator 3, the work 100 first accommodated is discharged onto the discharge unit side conveyor 24 in order. In the discharge section side conveyor 24, the plurality of works 100 are accelerated toward the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt and are discharged to the merging device 26 as shown by the arrow M8 in FIG.

On the other hand, the bucket 40 that has been emptied by discharging the plurality of works 100 by the discharge unit 33 is conveyed below the vertical Dv by the discharge unit side elevator 37 as shown by the arrow M9 in FIG. In the elevator 37 on the discharge portion side, the elevator 37 is conveyed downward in the vertical direction Dv while being supported by the second support plate 372 of the empty bucket 40. In the discharge unit side elevator 37, when the bucket 40 is lowered to the height of the return conveyor 35 in a predetermined stage, the bucket wall portion 42 is loaded in the first direction Dm by the second pusher 373 as shown by the arrow M10 in FIG. Push towards section 32 to transfer the empty bucket 40 onto the second conveyor belt 352. In this way, the bucket 40 is mounted on the end portion of the second conveyor belt 352 near the discharge portion 33 by the discharge portion side elevator 37.

In the return conveyor 35, the empty bucket 40 mounted on the second conveyor belt 352 is sequentially transferred from the discharge unit 33 toward the charging unit 32 in the first direction Dm. By sequentially repeating the above operations, a plurality of empty buckets 40 are sequentially mounted on the return conveyor 35. As a result, the bucket 40 is conveyed on the second conveyor belt 352 toward the charging section 32 in the first direction Dm. After that, the buckets 40 are sequentially mounted on the second conveyor belt 352, so that the initially mounted bucket 40 is conveyed to the end near the loading portion 32 of the second conveyor belt 352. The bucket 40 conveyed to the end of the second conveyor belt 352 near the loading portion 32 comes into contact with the second stopper 351. As a result, the bucket 40 is immovable before the second stopper 351 in the first direction Dm. As a result, in the return conveyor 35, the empty buckets 40 are mounted on the second conveyor belt 352 side by side in the first direction Dm.

The empty bucket 40 in contact with the second stopper 351 is dispensed to the loading section-side elevator 36 as needed. Specifically, the second stopper 351 is released. After that, the bucket 40 is pushed by the third pusher 364. As a result, the bucket 40 on the second conveyor belt 352 is moved so as to be pushed out and sent to the loading section side elevator 36. In the throw-in side elevator 36, the bucket 40 is supported on the first support plate 362. The empty bucket 40 supported by the first support plate 362 is raised to the loading section 32, and a plurality of newly loaded workpieces 100 are accommodated.

Further, when the buckets 40 reach a predetermined number and become full in the return conveyor 35 of one stage, the empty buckets 40 to be thrown in after that are returned to the other stages by the elevator 37 on the discharge unit side. It is mounted on the conveyor 35.

Further, in the return conveyors 35 of all stages, when the empty buckets 40 reach a predetermined number and become full, the empty buckets 40 are transferred from the end near the loading portion 32 of the second conveyor belt 352. It may be conveyed to the first conveyor belt 342 which has a vacancy on the upper stage side by the loading unit side elevator 36 and stored on the second conveyor belt 352.

The work 100 discharged from the discharge unit side conveyor 24 as described above is sent to the merging device 26. As shown in FIG. 2, in the merging device 26, the plurality of works 100 discharged from the discharge unit side conveyor 24 are kept in a line in a row on the lower conveyor 261 from the upstream side Dt1 in the transport direction Dt. It is sent to the downstream side Dt2. At this time, the plurality of works 100 are guided toward the central portion in the width direction Dw by the guide conveyor 262. As a result, the work 100 on the lower conveyor 261 has moved to a position closer to the center of the width direction Dw when it has moved to the end of the downstream side Dt2 of the merging device 26. In this state, the plurality of works 100 are sent to the outlet conveyor 28. By the outlet conveyor 28, the plurality of works 100 are conveyed to the work transfer system 1 toward other devices arranged on the downstream side Dt2 in the transfer direction Dt.

(Action effect)
In the work transfer system 1 having the above configuration, the work 100 is charged into the accumulator 3 via the branch conveyor 22 that branches from the transfer conveyor 21. That is, when accumulating the work 100, the branch conveyor 22 is used instead of the transfer conveyor 21. Therefore, when accumulation is required, the work 100 can be sent to the accumulator device 3 by the branch conveyor 22 to be accumulated and then conveyed to the outlet conveyor 28 without using the conveyor 21. Further, when there is no need for accumulating, the work 100 can be conveyed to the outlet conveyor 28 without accumulating on the conveyor 21. Therefore, the work 100 can be accumulated without interfering with the transfer of the work 100 on the transfer conveyor 21. In this way, the work 100 can be temporarily stored when necessary while efficiently transporting the work 100.

Further, the distribution device 25 can distribute the transferred work 100 to the branch conveyor 22 or to the transfer conveyor 21 as it is. Therefore, the work 100 can be effectively transported according to the need for accumulation.

Further, the distribution device 25 sends the work 100 to the branch conveyor 22 when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 is stopped. As a result, the accumulator 3 can accumulate a plurality of works 100. Therefore, when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 is stopped, it is possible to prevent the plurality of works 100 from being stuck on the conveyor 21. Further, the distribution device 25 conveys the work 100 to the outlet conveyor 28 by the transfer conveyor 21 as it is without sending the work 100 to the accumulator device 3 when other devices arranged on the downstream side Dt2 are not stopped. Can be done. Therefore, when accumulation is not required, the work 100 can be efficiently transported to the downstream Dt2.

Further, the work 100 discharged from the accumulator 3 is sent to the outlet conveyor 28 via the merging device 26. Further, the work 100 which has been conveyed to the conveyor 21 without being sent to the accumulator 3 is also sent to the outlet conveyor 28 via the merging device 26. Therefore, both the accumulated work 100 and the unaccumulated work 100 can finally be conveyed to the same outlet conveyor 28. Therefore, both the accumulated work 100 and the unaccumulated work 100 can be transported without changing the transport destination.

Further, the merging device 26 supports the work 100 from below the vertical direction Dv by the lower conveyor 261 and supports the work 100 from the width direction Dw by the guide conveyor 262, and is downstream from the upstream side Dt1 in the transport direction Dt. The work 100 is sent to the side Dt2. Therefore, the work 100 can be changed in the direction of being conveyed toward the outlet conveyor 28 while being supported from the two directions of the vertical direction Dv and the width direction Dw. Therefore, it is possible to change the transport direction while transporting the work 100 in a stable posture toward one outlet conveyor 28 arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the merging device 26. As a result, the work 100 sent from the discharge section side conveyor 24 can be smoothly guided toward the outlet conveyor 28.

Further, the feed rate of the lower conveyor 261 is higher than the feed rate of the guide conveyor 262. As a result, a frictional force F is generated when the work 100 comes into contact with the guide conveyor 262 with respect to the work 100 conveyed on the lower conveyor 261 to the downstream side Dt2 in the conveying direction Dt. Due to this frictional force F, a force that presses the work 100 on the upstream side Dt1 of the transport direction Dt acts. As a result, the arrangement of the plurality of works 100 transported in a row on the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt can be suppressed from being disturbed. Therefore, the work 100 can be smoothly guided toward the outlet conveyor 28 in a more stable posture.

Further, the work transfer system 1 is provided with a plurality of sets (two in the present embodiment) of the accumulator devices 3, so that the storage amount of the work 100 is increased. Further, one branch conveyor 22 is arranged so as to correspond to one accumulator 3. Therefore, the work 100 can be conveyed to the accumulator 3 on one side and the accumulator 3 on the other side of the conveyor 21 by using separate branch conveyors 22. Therefore, the work 100 can be efficiently conveyed to each of the accumulators 3 regardless of the accumulator state of another accumulator 3. As a result, the plurality of accumulators 3 can be effectively used, and the accumulator efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the accumulator 3 having the above configuration, the work 100 loaded from the loading section side conveyor 23 is loaded into the bucket 40 in a row in the loading section 32. The bucket 40 in which the works 100 are housed in a row is mounted on the storage conveyor 34 by the loading unit side elevator 36. The storage conveyor 34, while mounting a plurality of buckets 40, sequentially transfers the buckets 40 from the charging section 32 toward the discharging section 33 in the first direction Dm. When the bucket 40 is discharged from the discharge section 33, the bucket 40 delivered from the storage conveyor 34 to the discharge section side elevator 37 is moved to the discharge section 33 by the discharge section side elevator 37. The plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in a row are discharged as they are from the discharge unit 33 in a state of being aligned. In this way, in the accumulator 3, a plurality of works 100 can be accumulated in the accumulator main body 31.

Further, the plurality of accommodated workpieces 100 are discharged, and the empty bucket 40 is conveyed to the return conveyor 35 by the discharge unit side elevator 37. The conveyed empty bucket 40 is sequentially transferred from the discharge unit 33 toward the input unit 32 in the first direction Dm by the return conveyor 35. After that, the empty bucket 40 is conveyed to the loading section 32 by the loading section side elevator 36, and a plurality of newly loaded workpieces 100 are accommodated. In this way, the accumulator 3 can accumulate a plurality of works 100 while moving the plurality of buckets 40 so as to circulate.

Further, when accumulating, the accumulator main body 31 can accommodate the plurality of works 100 in each of the plurality of buckets 40 while keeping them aligned. Therefore, the loading of the work 100 in the loading unit 32 and the discharging of the work 100 in the discharging unit 33 can be performed simultaneously in parallel for each of the different buckets 40. Further, the plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in an aligned state are discharged from the bucket 40 in the aligned state in the discharge unit 33. That is, so-called first-in first-out can be realized for the accumulator main body 31. As a result, it is possible to manage the transport order of the work 100 and improve the traceability of the work 100. As a result, the work 100 can be efficiently accumulated and discharged in the order of accumulation.

Further, the plurality of works 100 conveyed in a state of being aligned in the second direction Ds by the loading section side conveyor 23 are directly transferred to the bucket 40 by the loading section side transfer machine 38. As a result, the loading unit 32 can accommodate the plurality of works 100 in the bucket 40 in a state of being arranged in the order in which they have been transported. Further, from the bucket 40 conveyed from the storage conveyor 34 to the discharge unit 33 by the discharge unit side elevator 37 by the discharge unit side transfer machine 39, the work 100 is transferred to the discharge unit side conveyor 24 in a state of being aligned. Can be placed. As a result, the plurality of works 100 are carried out to the discharge section side conveyor 24 while being housed in the bucket 40. Therefore, the work 100 can be efficiently discharged to the discharge unit side conveyor 24 in the order in which the input unit side conveyor 23 is conveyed.

Further, the bucket 40 supports the bottom portion of the work 100 by the bucket bottom portion 41, and supports the side portion of the work 100 on the discharge portion 33 side by the bucket wall portion 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work 100 from tipping over while the work 100 is being conveyed by the bucket 40 toward the discharge unit 33 on the first conveyor belt 342.

Further, in the bucket 40, the bucket bottom 41 is inclined with respect to the bucket wall 42 so as to extend above the vertical Dv and toward the input portion 32 in the first direction Dm. Therefore, in the bucket 40, the plurality of works 100 are accommodated in a state in which the top thereof is inclined toward the discharge portion 33 with respect to the bottom portion. As a result, the work 100 can be stabilized when the work 100 is conveyed to the discharge unit 33, which is the transfer destination of the storage conveyor 34. As a result, it is possible to prevent the work 100 from tipping over while being conveyed on the first conveyor belt 342 toward the discharge unit 33.

Further, in the loading section side transfer machine 38, the plurality of works 100 on the loading section side conveyor 23 are tilted toward the discharging section 33 by the loading section side pusher 381 and loaded into the bucket 40. As a result, the plurality of works 100 can be accommodated in the bucket 40 so as to collapse. Therefore, it is possible to bring the work 100 into a state of being supported by the bucket wall portion 42 with high accuracy.

Further, in the discharge section side transfer machine 39, a plurality of works 100 housed in the bucket 40 in an inclined state are pressed to stand up and transferred to the discharge section side conveyor 24. Therefore, the plurality of workpieces 100 that have been accumulated in an inclined state can be discharged from the accumulator 3 in an upright state.

Further, the discharge portion side pusher 391 presses the plurality of works 100 in the first direction Dm through the slit 44 formed in the bucket wall portion 42. As a result, the plurality of works 100 can be smoothly raised from the bucket 40 and discharged without being hindered by the bucket wall portion 42 that supports the inclined work 100.

Further, when the plurality of works 100 are erected by the pusher 391 on the discharge portion side, the plurality of erected works 100 are received by the member 392. Then, the work 100 is sandwiched between the discharge unit side pusher 391 and the receiving member 392, and is transferred to the discharge unit side conveyor 24. This prevents the plurality of works 100 from falling to the opposite side as they are when they are transferred to the discharge section side conveyor 24, and the works 100 can be stably transferred.

Further, the storage conveyors 34 are installed in a plurality of stages at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the number of buckets 40 in which a plurality of works 100 accommodated in the accumulator main body 31 can be accommodated can be increased. Further, the return conveyors 35 are also installed in a plurality of stages at intervals in the vertical direction Dv. As a result, the number of empty buckets 40 accommodated in the accumulator main body 31 can be increased. The number of stages of the return conveyor 35 is smaller than the number of stages of the storage conveyor 34. By reducing the number of stages of the return conveyor 35, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the accumulator main body 31 without reducing the accumulator capacity.

Further, in the accumulator 3, the input unit 32 and the discharge unit 33 are arranged apart from each other in the first direction Dm. Therefore, the input of the work 100 to the accumulator 3 and the discharge of the work 100 from the accumulator 3 are not hindered from each other. That is, the work 100 can be loaded and discharged at the same time, and the work 100 can be efficiently loaded and discharged.

(Other variants)
In the above embodiment, two accumulators 3 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. The accumulator 3 may be provided so that only one unit or three or more units are arranged in parallel.

Further, the installation position when installing the plurality of accumulators 3 is the outside in the width direction (position far from the conveyor 21) across the conveyor 21 as in the two accumulators 3 of the present embodiment. The installation position is not limited to such that the loading unit side conveyor 23 is arranged in the container. Each charging section side conveyor 23 may be arranged at a position closer to the transfer conveyor 21 with respect to the accumulator device 3. In this case, the discharge section side conveyor 24 may be arranged on the outer side in the width direction with the transport conveyor 21 interposed therebetween. Further, the arrangement of the input section side conveyor 23 and the discharge section side conveyor 24 may be the same for all the accumulators 3.

Further, the loading and unloading of the work 100 to the plurality of accumulators 3 may be switched to another accumulator 3 after all the works 100 are loaded and ejected to one accumulator 3. Further, after the work 100 of one bucket 40 of one accumulator 3 is loaded or ejected, it may be switched to one bucket 40 of another accumulator 3. That is, the loading and unloading of the work 100 to the plurality of accumulators 3 may be focused on only one of them, or may be performed alternately.

Further, the storage conveyor 34 is not limited to a structure in which a plurality of storage conveyors 34 are arranged apart from each other in the second direction Ds. The storage conveyor 34 may be, for example, one wide conveyor extending so as to widely spread in the second direction Ds.

Further, the first conveyor belt 342 and the second conveyor belt 352 are not limited to endless belts as long as they can be circulated and driven. The first conveyor belt 342 and the second conveyor belt 352 may be, for example, a chain conveyor.

Further, the receiving member 392 is not limited to a structure that advances and retreats in the first direction Dm as in the present embodiment. The receiving member 392 may have a structure fixed in an immovable state as long as it has a structure capable of receiving a plurality of works 100.

Further, the structure of the accumulator 3 is not limited to the structure for accumulating the work 100 in multiple stages as in the present embodiment. For example, the accumulator 3 may have a structure to which an accumulator conveyor is applied.

<Additional Notes>
The work transfer system 1 according to the embodiment is grasped as follows, for example.

(1) The work transfer system 1 according to the first aspect branches to a transfer conveyor 21 that conveys a plurality of works 100 from the upstream side Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2 in the transfer direction Dt, and the transfer conveyor 21. The branch conveyor 22 thus connected, the accumulator 3 which is connected to the branch conveyor 22 and can accumulate a plurality of the works 100 which are conveyed by the branch conveyor 22, the transfer conveyor 21 and the accumulator 3 With the outlet conveyor 28, which is connected to the accumulator and conveys the plurality of works 100 discharged from the accumulator 3 and the plurality of the works 100 conveyed by the transfer conveyor 21 to Dt2 on the downstream side in the transfer direction Dt. , Equipped with.

In the work transfer system 1, the work 100 is charged into the accumulator 3 via the branch conveyor 22 that branches from the transfer conveyor 21. That is, when accumulating the work 100, the branch conveyor 22 is used instead of the transfer conveyor 21. Therefore, when accumulation is required, the work 100 can be sent to the accumulator device 3 by the branch conveyor 22 to be accumulated and then conveyed to the outlet conveyor 28 without using the conveyor 21. Further, when there is no need for accumulating, the work 100 can be conveyed to the outlet conveyor 28 without accumulating on the conveyor 21. Therefore, the work 100 can be accumulated without interfering with the transfer of the work 100 on the transfer conveyor 21. In this way, the work 100 can be temporarily stored when necessary while efficiently transporting the work 100.

(2) The work transfer system 1 according to the second aspect is the work transfer system 1 of (1), and the work transferred by being arranged at a connection portion between the transfer conveyor 21 and the branch conveyor 22. A distribution device 25 for sending 100 to one of the transfer conveyor 21 and the branch conveyor 22 may be further provided.

As a result, the conveyed work 100 can be sent to the branch conveyor 22 or conveyed to the conveyor 21 as it is, or can be sorted. Therefore, the work 100 can be effectively transported according to the need for accumulation.

(3) The work transfer system 1 according to the third aspect is the work transfer system 1 of (2), and the distribution device 25 is arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the transfer direction Dt from the accumulator device 3. When the other device is stopped, the work 100 is sent to the branch conveyor 22, and when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the transfer direction Dt from the accumulator 3 is operating, the transfer is performed. The work 100 may be sent to the conveyor 21.

As a result, it is possible to prevent a plurality of works 100 from being stuck on the conveyor 21 when another device arranged on the downstream side Dt2 is stopped. Further, when the accumulator is not required, the work 100 can be efficiently transported to the downstream Dt2.

(4) The work transfer system 1 according to the fourth aspect is any one of the work transfer systems 1 from (1) to (3), and is arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the accumulator 3 and is the accumulator. Further, a merging device 26 may be further provided which merges the plurality of works 100 discharged from 3 and the plurality of the works 100 transported by the transport conveyor 21 and transports them to the outlet conveyor 28.

As a result, the work 100 discharged from the accumulator 3 is sent to the outlet conveyor 28 via the merging device 26. Further, the work 100 which has been conveyed to the conveyor 21 without being sent to the accumulator 3 is also sent to the outlet conveyor 28 via the merging device 26. Therefore, both the accumulated work 100 and the unaccumulated work 100 can finally be conveyed to the same outlet conveyor 28. Therefore, both the accumulated work 100 and the unaccumulated work 100 can be transported without changing the transport destination.

(5) The work transfer system 1 according to the fifth aspect is the work transfer system 1 of (4), and the merging device 26 supports the work 100 from below the vertical direction Dv, and the transfer direction Dt. The lower conveyor 261 that conveys the work 100 from the upstream side Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2, and the work 100 are supported from the width direction Dw that intersects the vertical direction Dv and the transfer direction Dt, and is upstream of the transfer direction Dt. Even if the work 100 is transported from Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2 and is provided with a guide conveyor 262 that extends at an angle so as to intersect the transport direction Dt when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. good.

As a result, the lower conveyor 261 supports the work 100 from below the vertical direction Dv, while the guide conveyor 262 supports the work 100 from the width direction Dw, and the work is supported from the upstream side Dt1 to the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt. I'm sending 100. Therefore, the work 100 can be changed in the direction of being conveyed toward the outlet conveyor 28 while being supported from the two directions of the vertical direction Dv and the width direction Dw. Therefore, it is possible to change the transport direction while transporting the work 100 in a stable posture toward one outlet conveyor 28 arranged on the downstream side Dt2 of the merging device 26. As a result, the work 100 sent from the accumulator 3 can be smoothly guided toward the outlet conveyor 28.

(6) The work transfer system 1 according to the sixth aspect is the work transfer system 1 of (5), and the feed rate of the lower conveyor may be higher than the feed rate of the guide conveyor.

As a result, a frictional force F is generated when the work 100 comes into contact with the guide conveyor 262 with respect to the work 100 conveyed on the lower conveyor 261 to the downstream side Dt2 in the conveying direction Dt. Due to this frictional force F, a force that presses the work 100 on the upstream side Dt1 of the transport direction Dt acts. As a result, it is possible to prevent the arrangement of the plurality of works 100 transported to the downstream side Dt2 in the transport direction Dt from being disturbed. Therefore, the work 100 can be smoothly guided toward the outlet conveyor 28 in a more stable posture.

(7) The work transfer system 1 according to the seventh aspect is the work transfer system 1 according to any one of (1) to (6), and the accumulator 3 is connected to the branch conveyor 22 and the work. The charging section 32 into which the 100 is loaded and the discharging section 33 connected to the outlet conveyor 28 and discharging the work 100 may be arranged at positions separated from each other.

As a result, the loading of the work 100 into the accumulator 3 and the discharge of the work 100 from the accumulator 3 are not hindered from each other. That is, the work 100 can be loaded and discharged at the same time, and the work 100 can be efficiently loaded and discharged.

1 ... Work transfer system 2 ... Conveyor section 3 ... Accumulation device 5 ... Control device 21 ... Conveyor conveyor 22 ... Branch conveyor 23 ... Input section side conveyor 24 ... Discharge section side conveyor 25 ... Distributor 26 ... Merging device 261 ... Lower conveyor 262 ... Guide conveyor 2621 ... Upstream roller 2622 ... Downstream roller 2623 ... Belt 2624 ... Pad 263 ... Unit conveyor 28 ... Outlet conveyor 31 ... Accumulator body 32 ... Input section 33 ... Discharge section 34 ... Storage conveyor 341 ... First stopper 342 ... First conveyor belt 35 ... Return conveyor 351 ... Second stopper 352 ... Second conveyor belt 36 ... Input section side lifter 361 ... First lifter chain 362 ... First support plate 363 ... First pusher 364 ... Third pusher 37 ... Discharge section side lift 371 ... Second lifter chain 372 ... Second support plate 373 ... Second pusher 374 ... Fourth pusher 38 ... Insertion section side transfer machine 381 ... Insertion section side pusher 383 ... Insertion section side electric cylinder 39 ... Discharge Part-side transfer machine 391 ... Discharge-side pusher 392 ... Receiving member 393 ... Discharging-side electric cylinder 394 ... Receiving member Electric cylinder 40 ... Bucket 41 ... Bucket bottom 42 ... Bucket wall 43 ... Leg 44 ... Slit (opening) )
100 ... Work Dm ... First direction Ds ... Second direction Dt ... Transport direction Dt1 ... Upstream side Dt2 ... Downstream side Dv ... Vertical direction Dw ... Width direction F ... Friction force

Claims (7)

A conveyor that transports multiple workpieces from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction,
A branch conveyor connected so as to branch to the transfer conveyor,
An accumulator that is connected to the branch conveyor and is capable of accumulating a plurality of the workpieces conveyed on the branch conveyor.
With an outlet conveyor connected to the transfer conveyor and the accumulator, the plurality of works discharged from the accumulator and the plurality of the works conveyed by the transfer conveyor are conveyed downstream in the transfer direction. , A workpiece transfer system. The work transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising a distribution device arranged at a connection portion between the transfer conveyor and the branch conveyor and sending the transferred work to one of the transfer conveyor and the branch conveyor. The distribution device is
When another device arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the accumulator device is stopped, the work is sent to the branch conveyor and the work is sent to the branch conveyor.
The work transfer system according to claim 2, wherein the work is sent to the transfer conveyor when another device arranged on the downstream side in the transfer direction from the accumulator device is in operation. A claim further comprising a merging device arranged on the downstream side of the accumulator, merging the plurality of works discharged from the accumulator and the plurality of the works transported by the transport conveyor and transporting them to the outlet conveyor. The work transfer system according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The merging device is
A lower conveyor that supports the work from below in the vertical direction and transports the work from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction.
The work is supported from the vertical direction and the width direction intersecting the transport direction, and the work is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction. The work transfer system according to claim 4, further comprising a guide conveyor that is inclined and extended so as to intersect. The work transfer system according to claim 5, wherein the feed rate of the lower conveyor is higher than the feed rate of the guide conveyor. According to claim 1, the accumulator is arranged at a position where an charging unit connected to the branch conveyor to load the work and a discharging unit connected to the outlet conveyor to discharge the work are arranged at positions separated from each other. The work transfer system according to any one of 6.

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