JP2022083192A - Transportation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To increase a capacity of a transportation system that transports packages on a tray.SOLUTION: In a transportation system 1, when a tray transportation conveyor 7 moves a tray 3 and a package W stored in the tray 3 to a package transportation conveyor 11 side, a projection member base drive apparatus 17 causes a projection member base 13 to rise to a position where a projection member 15 projects above the tray 3 at a position where the tray transportation conveyor 7 does not overlap with the package transportation conveyor 11 in plan view to separate the package W from the tray 3, then moves the projection member base 13 to the package transportation conveyor 11 side. Furthermore, the projection member base drive apparatus 17 causes the projection member base 13 to lower to a position where the projection member 15 separates below the tray 3 at a position where the tray transportation conveyor 7 overlaps with the package transportation conveyor 11 in plan view to pass the package W to the package transportation conveyor 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a transport system, particularly a transport system in which a load is placed on a tray and transported.

Conventionally, there is known a transfer system that enables transportation by a conveyor and automatic warehouse storage by placing an unstable (or small) product that is difficult to transfer on a general conveyor on a tray and transporting the product.
A warehouse system for taking out a load in a container by a robot is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2006/059677

In a transport system in which a load is placed on a tray and transported, the load needs to be loaded and unloaded horizontally and stably with respect to the tray.
In the past, luggage was manually loaded and unloaded on the tray. Moreover, even if it was automatic, the operation of loading and unloading the luggage was started after the tray was stopped once. Therefore, it was difficult to improve the capacity of the transport system.

An object of the present invention is to enhance the ability of a transport system for transporting luggage on a tray.

Hereinafter, a plurality of aspects will be described as means for solving the problem. These aspects can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

The transport system according to the seemingly present invention includes a tray transport conveyor, a projecting member stand, a luggage transport conveyor, and a projecting member stand drive device.
The tray transport conveyor has a plurality of through holes on the bottom surface and transports a tray that can store luggage.
The projecting member base is provided with a plurality of projecting members on the upper portion that pass through the through holes of the tray.
In the luggage transport conveyor, a plurality of strips are arranged in parallel above the tray transport conveyor and so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
In the projecting member stand drive device, when the tray transfer conveyor moves the tray and the load stored in the tray to the load transfer conveyor side, the projecting member is placed at a position where the tray transfer conveyor and the load transfer conveyor do not overlap in a plan view. The load is separated from the tray by raising the projecting member stand to a position where it passes through the through hole of the tray and protrudes above the tray, and then the projecting member stand is moved to the load transfer conveyor side. Further, the projecting member stand drive device delivers the load to the baggage transport conveyor by lowering the projecting member stand to a position where the projecting member is separated below the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the load transfer conveyor overlap in a plan view.
In this system, the load in the tray is separated from the tray by being lifted from the tray by the ascending projecting members while being transported by the tray transport conveyor, and then the load is transported by the descending projecting members. Delivered to the conveyor. That is, since the load can be unloaded from the tray to the load transfer conveyor while transporting the tray, the transport capacity of the transport system is increased.

A plurality of projecting member stands may be provided. The projecting member pedestal drive device has an endless drive member including movement in the return direction, and a plurality of projecting member pedestals may be collectively moved in the transport direction by driving the endless drive member.
In this transfer system, since a plurality of projecting member stands are moved by the endless drive member, the transfer capacity of the transfer system is increased.

The projecting member pedestal drive device may always drive the endless drive member.
The transport system may further include a controller that adjusts the timing of the tray transport conveyor to deliver the tray and the load to the protruding member ascending position.
In this transport system, the projecting member pedestal drive device is constantly moving in the transport direction, and the tray transport conveyor timely carries the tray and the load to the projecting member rising position.

The transport system may further include a support member that supports the load in the width direction as the projecting member lifts the load from the tray.
In this system, for example, when a load leaning against the wall of a tray is lifted, the load is supported by a support member.

The transport system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a tray transport conveyor, a projecting member stand, a luggage transport conveyor, and a projecting member stand drive device.
The tray transport conveyor has a plurality of through holes on the bottom surface and transports trays for storing luggage.
The projecting member base is provided with a plurality of projecting members on the upper portion that pass through the through holes of the tray.
In the luggage transport conveyor, a plurality of strips are arranged in parallel above the tray transport conveyor and so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
The protruding member pedestal drive unit provides a tray transport conveyor and a luggage transport conveyor when the load conveyor transports the load to the end side of the load transfer conveyor and the tray transport conveyor transports the tray to the same side as the load. By raising the projecting member stand to the position where the projecting member receives the load at the overlapping position in the plan view, the baggage is further delivered from the baggage transport conveyor through the through hole of the tray, and then the projecting member stand is transferred to the baggage transport conveyor. Move away from the end of the. Further, the projecting member pedestal drive device lowers the projecting member pedestal to a position where the projecting member retracts to the lower side of the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the load transfer conveyor do not overlap in a plan view, thereby lowering the load onto the tray.
In this system, the cargo in the tray is separated from the luggage carrier by being lifted from the luggage carrier by the ascending protrusions while being conveyed by the luggage conveyor, and then the descending protrusions. It is delivered to the tray by the member. That is, since the load can be unloaded from the luggage transport conveyor to the tray while transporting the tray, the transport capacity of the transport system is increased.

The transport system may further include a guide for adjusting the widthwise position of the cargo on the cargo transport conveyor.
In this transport system, the luggage is placed exactly on the tray.

The through hole of the tray may be an elongated hole long in the transport direction.
In this transport system, even if the relative speed between the projecting member and the tray fluctuates slightly while the projecting member is fitted in the through hole of the tray, the projecting member is unlikely to interfere with other parts of the tray.

In the transport system according to the present invention, the transport capacity is high.

The schematic plan view of the transfer system of 1st Embodiment. Schematic plan view of a tray conveyor and a luggage conveyor. Schematic plan view of the take-out device. Schematic side view of the transport system. Schematic side view of the transport system. A block diagram showing a control configuration of a transport system. The flowchart which shows the baggage loading timing control operation of a tray transport conveyor. The schematic plan view of the transfer system of the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. The schematic plan view of the transfer system of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic plan view of the transfer system of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the tray of the tray transport conveyor and the cargo transport conveyor, and the carry-in timing control operation of a load. The schematic plan view of the modification of the 2nd Embodiment.

1. 1. 1st Embodiment (1) Basic configuration of transport system The transport system 1 of the 1st embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the transport system of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a tray conveyor and a luggage conveyor. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the take-out device. 4 and 5 are schematic side views of the transport system.
The transport system 1 is a device that separates the baggage W on the tray 3 from the tray 3 and then enables the baggage W to carry the baggage W alone. The left-right direction in FIG. 1 is the transport direction of the luggage W (arrow X). Further, the paper surface orthogonal direction in FIG. 1 is the width direction (arrow Y) orthogonal to the first direction. The vertical direction is indicated by the arrow Z.
In the first embodiment, the left side of FIG. 1 is the upstream side in the transport direction, and the right side of FIG. 1 is the downstream side in the transport direction.

The transport system 1 has a tray transport conveyor 7. The tray transfer conveyor 7 is a device for carrying the tray 3 into the take-out device 9 (described later). The tray conveyor 7 has a pair of belt conveyors 7a extending in the conveyor direction.
For example, the tray transport conveyor 7 carries out the tray 3 on which the cargo W is placed from the automated warehouse (not shown), and then delivers the cargo W to the luggage transport conveyor 11 (described later) in the transport system 1, and then the automated warehouse. Return the tray 3 to.

The transport system 1 has a take-out device 9. The take-out device 9 is a device that takes out the luggage W from the tray 3 and delivers it to the luggage transport conveyor 11 (described later).
The take-out device 9 is installed below the tray transport conveyor 7, and has a vertically movable projecting member 15 (described later) arranged in a plurality of rows in parallel along the transport direction of the tray 3 and at predetermined intervals from each other. ..

The transport system 1 has a cargo transport conveyor 11. The luggage transport conveyor 11 is a device for delivering and carrying out the luggage W in the transport system 1. The cargo transport conveyor 11 has a large number of conveyor belts 11a arranged in parallel along the transport direction and at predetermined intervals from each other. The spacing in the width direction of the large number of conveyor belts 11a is set wider than the diameter of the projecting member 15 (described later).
The cargo transport conveyor 11 is arranged on the downstream side in the transport direction of the take-out device 9 above the tray transport conveyor 7 and at a position where the transport regions overlap in a plan view. Specifically, the transport direction upstream side portion of the cargo transport conveyor 11 overlaps with the transport direction downstream side portion of the take-out device 9, that is, is located above. The end of the cargo transport conveyor 11 on the upstream side in the transport direction is located on the upstream side in the transport direction with respect to the end on the downstream side in the transport direction of the take-out device 9. With the above configuration, the upstream portion of the luggage transport conveyor 11 in the transport direction can receive the cargo W moving together with the tray 3 from the take-out device 9 (described later).

(2) Tray The tray 3 has an open upper portion and is a container for accommodating the luggage W. As shown in FIG. 2, the tray 3 has a rectangular shape having a bottom surface 3a and walls 3b on four sides.
A large number of through holes 3c (an example of through holes) penetrating in the vertical direction are formed on the bottom surface 3a. The through hole 3c extends long in the transport direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the through holes 3c are formed over the entire bottom surface 3a, and are formed in a total of 15 holes, 3 in the transport direction and 5 in the width direction.

(3) Extraction device The extraction device 9 has a plurality of (three) projecting member bases 13. The projecting member base 13 is a table for floating the luggage W in the tray 3. A plurality of projecting members 15 that pass through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 are provided on the upper portion. The projecting member 15 is arranged corresponding to the position of the through hole 3c of the tray 3 positioned at a predetermined position, and has a width shorter than that of the through hole 3c. The protruding member 15 can be raised and lowered as described later, and its tip is located below the tray 3 in the lowered position, and penetrates the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and protrudes above the tray 3 in the raised position. The luggage placed in the tray 3 can be lifted above the tray 3.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, two projecting members 15 are provided so as to be inserted side by side in the transport direction into one through hole 3c.
More specifically, the projecting member 15 is a cylindrical pin-shaped member.

As shown in FIG. 4, the take-out device 9 has a projecting member pedestal drive device 17. The projecting member pedestal drive device 17 has a first conveyor device 21 and a second conveyor device 23.
The first conveyor device 21 has a first chain drive device 25 that forms a trapezoidal transport path having a short upper side in a side view, and a motor (not shown) and a drive structure (not shown) that drive the first chain drive device 25. There is. The second conveyor device 23 has a second chain drive device 27 that forms a trapezoidal transport path having a short upper side in a side view, and a motor (not shown) and a drive structure (not shown) that drive the second chain drive device 27. There is. The first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 circulate clockwise in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Specifically, the hypotenuse 25a on the upstream side in the transport direction of the first chain drive device 25 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the hypotenuse 27a on the upstream side in the transport direction of the second chain drive device 27. Further, the hypotenuse 25b on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first chain drive device 25 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the hypotenuse 27b on the downstream side in the transport direction of the second chain drive device 27.
The hypotenuses 25a and 27a on the upstream side in the transport direction extend upward from below the tray transport conveyor 7 to a position slightly below the transport surface of the tray transport conveyor 7 and on the downstream side in the transport direction. Further, the hypotenuses 25a and 27a on the upstream side in the transport direction are separated from the upstream end 11b in the transport direction of the cargo transport conveyor 11 on the upstream side in the transport direction. With the above configuration, the projecting member base 13 moves the projecting member 15 upward of the tray transport conveyor 7 when the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 move upward on the upstream side hypotenuses 25a and 27a in the transport direction. It can be projected upward from the transport surface.
The hypotenuses 25b and 27b on the downstream side in the transport direction extend downward from a position slightly below the transport surface of the tray transport conveyor 7 and on the downstream side in the transport direction. Further, the hypotenuses 25b and 27b on the downstream side in the transport direction are located at positions slightly shifted to the downstream side in the transport direction from the upstream end 11b in the transport direction of the cargo transport conveyor 11. Further, the portion on the downstream side in the transport direction (the portion connected to the hypotenuses 25b and 27b on the downstream side in the transport direction) of the upper horizontal moving portion of the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 is the transport of the luggage transport conveyor 11. It is at the same position in the transport direction as the upstream end 11b in the direction. With the above configuration, when the projecting member base 13 moves downward on the hypotenuses 25b and 27b on the downstream side in the transport direction of the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27, the projecting member 15 is moved to the tray transport conveyor 7. It can be retracted downward from the transport surface.

The second chain drive device 27 is arranged so as to be offset to the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the first chain drive device 25. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first chain drive device 25 has a pair of first chains 25c arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second chain drive device 27 has a pair of second chains 27c arranged apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The pair of second chains 27c are arranged close to the outside of the first chain 25c in the second direction.
The downstream end of the projecting member base 13 in the transport direction is connected to the pair of second chains 27c of the second chain drive device 27, and the upstream end of the projecting member base 13 in the transport direction is a pair of the first chain drive device 25. It is connected to the first chain 25c. As a result, the projecting member base 13 performs the following circulation movement.
That is, the projecting member base 13 rises on the upstream side in the transport direction of the take-out device 9 (specifically, diagonally rises to the downstream side in the transport direction), and remains horizontally in the ascending position in the intermediate region in the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction. It moves, descends on the downstream side in the transport direction (specifically, diagonally descends to the downstream side in the transport direction), and moves horizontally to the upstream side in the transport direction while remaining in the descending position in the intermediate region in the transport direction.

(4) Basic operation for separating the load from the tray When the protrusion member base 13 rises as described above, the tray transfer conveyor 7 and the load transfer conveyor 11 project at a position where they do not overlap in a plan view, as shown in the left side portion of FIG. The member 15 receives the load W through the through hole 3c of the tray 3. Further, the projecting member base 13 moves to the downstream side in the transport direction. In the above operation, the projecting member base 13 is moving below the tray transfer conveyor 7 at the same speed as the tray 3. Therefore, the luggage W moves above the tray 3 at the same speed. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the luggage W is in a state of being lifted higher than the luggage transport conveyor 11, and when the projecting member base 13 descends at a position close to the luggage transport conveyor 11, the luggage W is thereby lifted. It is delivered to the luggage transport conveyor 11. In the above operation, specifically, the protruding member 15 retracts downward through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 at a position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the load transport conveyor 11 overlap in a plan view. Further, during the above operation, the projecting member 15 descends through the width direction of a large number of conveyor belts 11a of the cargo transport conveyor 11.
When the projecting member base 13 moves downstream in the transport direction, the projecting member 15 enters between the conveyor belts 11a and then descends as shown on the right side of FIG.

In the above operation, the load W in the tray 3 is separated from the tray 3 by being lifted from the tray 3 by a plurality of rising protruding members 15 while being conveyed by the tray transport conveyor 7, and then descends. It is delivered to the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the plurality of projecting members 15. That is, since the load W can be lowered from the tray 3 to the load transfer conveyor 11 while the load W is being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased.

As described above, the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 are endless drive members, and perform an operation of moving a plurality of projecting member bases 13 to the downstream side in the transport direction and then returning them to the upstream side in the transport direction. conduct. Further, the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 collectively move a plurality of projecting member bases 13 in the transport direction. Therefore, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased.
Further, since the through hole 3c of the tray 3 extends long in the transport direction, even if the speeds of the projecting member 15 and the tray 3 are slightly different while the projecting member 15 is fitted in the through hole 3c of the tray 3. The protruding member 15 does not interfere with other parts of the tray 3. The above difference in speed is caused by matching the speeds of the projecting member 15 and the tray 3 when the projecting member base 13 rises, so that the projecting member 15 moves faster than the tray 3 in the horizontally moving moving portion. Is.

(5) Control configuration of the transport system The control configuration of the transport system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the transport system. The transport system 1 has a controller 51.
The controller 51 is a computer having a processor (for example, a CPU), a storage device (for example, ROM, RAM, HDD, SSD, etc.) and various interfaces (for example, an A / D converter, a D / A converter, a communication interface, etc.). It is a system. The controller 51 performs various control operations by executing a program stored in the storage unit (corresponding to a part or all of the storage area of the storage device).
The controller 51 may be composed of a single processor, or may be composed of a plurality of independent processors for each control.
Some or all of the functions of each element of the controller 51 may be realized as a program that can be executed by the computer system constituting the controller 51. In addition, a part of the function of each element of the control unit may be configured by a custom IC.

A tray transfer conveyor 7, a take-out device 9, and a luggage transfer conveyor 11 are connected to the controller 51. The controller 51 can control these devices.
Although not shown, the controller 51 is connected to a sensor for detecting the size, shape and position of the tray 3 and the luggage W, a sensor and a switch for detecting the state of each device, and an information input device.
A carry-in enableable state detection sensor 53 is connected to the controller 51. In the carry-in enableable state detection sensor 53, the projecting member base 13 returns to the upstream side in the transport direction, and then the projecting member stand 13 is located at or near the same position as the transport surface of the tray transport conveyor 7 as shown on the left side of FIG. It is a device that detects that it has moved to. The type of the carry-in enableable state detection sensor 53 is not particularly limited, and a photoelectric sensor or a limit switch may be used.

(6) Tray Conveyor Conveyor Luggage Carry-in Timing Control Operation FIG. 7 will be used to explain the baggage carry-in timing control operation of the tray-carrying conveyor 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a load loading timing control operation of the tray transport conveyor.
The control flowchart described below is an example, and each step can be omitted or replaced as necessary. Further, a plurality of steps may be executed at the same time, or some or all of them may be executed in an overlapping manner.
Further, each block of the control flowchart is not limited to a single control operation, and can be replaced with a plurality of control operations represented by a plurality of blocks.
The operation of each device is the result of a command from the control unit to each device, and these are represented by each step of the software application.

In this embodiment, the projecting member pedestal drive device 17 always drives the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27.
The controller 51 adjusts the timing at which the tray transfer conveyor 7 carries the tray 3 and the load W to the projecting member rising position by performing the following control.

In step S1, it is determined whether or not the tray 3 has reached the front position of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S2, the tray transport conveyor 7 stops the operation so that the tray 3 loaded with the load W stops in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transfer conveyor 7 to perform the above operation.
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the carry-in enable state detection sensor 53 is turned on. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the tray transfer conveyor 7 is started to be driven. As a result, the stopped tray 3 starts moving. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transfer conveyor 7 to perform the above operation.
The drive of the tray transfer conveyor 7 is started at the same timing as the position of the projecting member base 13. More specifically, the tray conveyor 7 is divided into a conveyor on the upstream side in the transport direction (not shown) and a conveyor on the downstream side in the transport direction (shown as the tray conveyor 7), and is on the downstream side in the transport direction. When the conveyor performs the above operation, the subsequent tray 3 is stopped on the conveyor on the upstream side in the transport direction. Then, the subsequent tray 3 is subsequently moved to the conveyor on the downstream side in the transport direction and stopped, and the movement is started at the same timing as described above. As a result, when the projecting member base 13 continues to move and rises, the projecting member 15 rises through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and the luggage W can be separated upward from the tray 3.
As a modification of the timing adjustment, the tray may be started to move by arranging a stopper for moving in and out and retracting the stopper at the same timing.

(7) First Modification Example In the first embodiment, the projecting member base 13 is always driven, but it may be stopped if necessary. For example, when the trays 3 loaded with the luggage W flow one after another, the protruding member base driving device 17 always keeps driving the protruding member base 13, but when the tray 3 is not conveyed for a long time, it protrudes. The member base drive device 17 may stop the protruding member base 13.
An example of such a modification will be described below.
When the tray 3 and the luggage W are carried into the take-out device 9, the projecting member base 13 can stop below the tray 3 and stand by.
Then, the tray 3 is sent out to the downstream side in the transport direction by the tray transport conveyor 7, and stops at a predetermined scooping position.

At this time, the tip of the protruding member 15 is located below the bottom surface 3a of the tray 3. Therefore, the protruding member 15 and the tray 3 do not interfere with each other. Further, each through hole 3c of the positioned tray 3 is located above the protruding member 15.
Next, the projecting member base 13 rises, the projecting member 15 penetrates the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and projects upward of the tray 3, and the luggage W in the tray 3 is taken out upward.

(8) Second Modification Example The approach timing of the projecting member base 13 may be adjusted while constantly driving the tray transport conveyor 7.

(9) Third Modified Example A third modified example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the transport system of the third modification of the first embodiment.
The transport system 1 further includes a widthwise support member 41 (an example of the support member). The width direction support member 41 supports the load W in the width direction when the projecting member 15 places the load W on the load transfer conveyor 11. This prevents the luggage W from falling or falling in the width direction.
Specifically, the width direction support member 41 is a pair of plate-shaped members separated in the width direction and extending in the transport direction, and is provided next to a position where the load W is lifted from the tray 3. The width direction support member 41 is arranged slightly outside the width direction from both ends in the width direction of the tray 3. As a result, when the luggage W is lifted from the tray 3, for example, the luggage W leaning against the wall of the tray 3 can be prevented from falling from the tray 3.

2. 2. 2nd Embodiment The transport system 1 of the 1st embodiment also functions as a device for loading the luggage W on the tray 3.
Such an embodiment will be described as a second embodiment with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are schematic plan views of the transport system of the second embodiment. The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but the operation is different, and the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction are also different. In the second embodiment, the left side of FIGS. 9 and 10 is the downstream side in the transport direction, and the right side of FIGS. 9 and 10 is the upstream side in the transport direction.

In the projecting member stand drive device 17, the luggage transport conveyor 11 conveys the luggage W to the end side of the luggage transport conveyor 11 (on the left side in the figure), and the tray transport conveyor 7 conveys the tray 3 to the same side as the luggage W. At that time, by raising the projecting member base 13 to the position where the projecting member 15 receives the load W at the position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the load transport conveyor 11 overlap in a plan view, the projecting member base 13 passes through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and further. The luggage W is delivered from the luggage transport conveyor 11, and then the projecting member base 13 is moved to the side away from the end of the luggage transport conveyor 11 (to the left in the figure). Further, the projecting member pedestal driving device 17 lowers the projecting member pedestal 13 to a position where the projecting member 15 retracts below the tray 3 at a position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the load transfer conveyor 11 do not overlap in a plan view. Lower the luggage W onto the tray 3.

That is, the luggage W in the tray 3 is delivered from the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the plurality of rising protruding members 15 while being conveyed by the luggage transport conveyor 11, and then the tray is delivered by the plurality of protruding members 15 that descend. It is lowered onto 3. Since the luggage W can be lowered from the luggage transport conveyor 11 to the tray 3 while the luggage W is being transported in this way, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased. In this embodiment, the baggage W is delivered to the tray 3 while moving, that is, without stopping as described above.
The tray 3 containing the luggage W is stored in, for example, an automated warehouse (not shown).

The operation of controlling the delivery timing of the tray and the cargo of the tray transport conveyor 7 and the cargo transport conveyor 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of controlling the delivery timing of the tray and the cargo of the tray transport conveyor and the cargo transport conveyor.
In this embodiment, the projecting member pedestal drive device 17 always drives the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27.
The controller 51 adjusts the tray entry timing of the tray transport conveyor 7 and the cargo carry-in timing of the cargo transport conveyor 11 by performing the following controls. In the second embodiment, in the carry-in enableable state detection sensor 53, the projecting member base 13 returns to the upstream side in the transport direction (right side in the figure), and then the projecting member stand 13 is the same as the transport surface of the tray transport conveyor 7. It is a device that detects that it has moved to or near the position.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the tray 3 has reached the front position of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the tray transfer conveyor 7 stops the operation so that the tray 3 stops in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transfer conveyor 7 to perform the above operation.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the luggage W has reached the position in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, the cargo transport conveyor 11 stops its operation so that the cargo W stops in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the cargo transport conveyor 11 to perform the above operation. The order of arrival of the tray 3 and arrival of the luggage W is not limited.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not the carry-in enable state detection sensor 53 is turned on. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the tray transfer conveyor 7 is started to move. As a result, the stopped tray 3 starts moving. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transfer conveyor 7 to perform the above operation. The drive of the tray transfer conveyor 7 is started at the same timing as the position of the projecting member base 13.
In step S17, the cargo transport conveyor 11 starts moving and continues to move thereafter. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the load transfer conveyor 11 to perform the above operation. The movement of the load transfer conveyor 11 is started at the same timing as the projecting member base 13.

As a result, when the projecting member base 13 continues to move and rises, the projecting member 15 rises through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and the luggage W can be received from the luggage transport conveyor 11.
Further, when the projecting member base 13 continues to move and descends, the projecting member 15 descends through the through hole 3c of the tray 3, and the luggage W can be placed on the tray 3.

A modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a modified example of the second embodiment.
In this modification, the transport system 1 further includes a widthwise position adjusting guide 43 (an example of the widthwise position adjusting means). The width direction position adjustment guide 43 is a member that adjusts the width direction position of the load W when the load W is placed on the tray 3 on the tray transport conveyor 7.
Specifically, the width direction position adjusting guide 43 is a pair of plate-shaped members separated in the width direction and extending in the transport direction, and is arranged above the end portion of the cargo transport conveyor 11. The pair of plate-shaped members of the width direction position adjusting guide 43 are diagonally arranged in a plan view so that the width between the two members becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, the cargo W is guided to the intermediate position in the width direction of the cargo transport conveyor 11 by the width direction position adjustment guide 43. As a result, the luggage W is accurately transferred to the tray 3.
The width direction position adjusting means may be, for example, an oblique conveyor.
Further, the width direction position adjusting guide 43 may be provided at the same position as the width direction support member 41 of the first embodiment, so that the width direction position may be corrected immediately before the load W is placed on the projecting member 15.

3. 3. Characteristics of the first embodiment The first embodiment can also be described as follows.
The transport system 1 (an example of a transport system) includes a tray transport conveyor, a projecting member stand, a luggage transport conveyor, and a projecting member stand drive device.
The tray transfer conveyor 7 (an example of a tray transfer conveyor) conveys a tray 3 (an example of a tray) having a plurality of through holes 3c (an example of through holes) on the bottom surface.
The projecting member base 13 (an example of a projecting member table) is provided with a plurality of projecting members 15 (an example of a projecting member) passing through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 at the upper portion.
The cargo transport conveyor 11 (an example of the cargo transport conveyor) has a plurality of rows arranged in parallel above the tray transport conveyor 7 so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
The protrusion member base drive device 17 (an example of the protrusion member base drive device) is a tray transfer conveyor when the tray transfer conveyor 7 moves the load W stored in the tray 3 and the tray 3 to the load transfer conveyor 11 side. The baggage W is separated from the tray 3 by raising the projecting member base 13 to a position where the projecting member 15 protrudes above the tray 3 at a position where the 7 and the load transfer conveyor 11 do not overlap in a plan view, and then the projecting member table 13 is separated. Move to the luggage transport conveyor 11 side. Further, the projecting member pedestal driving device 17 lowers the projecting member pedestal 13 to a position where the projecting member 15 is separated below the tray 3 at a position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the load transfer conveyor 11 overlap each other in a plan view. Is delivered to the luggage transport conveyor 11.

In this system, the load W in the tray 3 is separated from the tray 3 by being lifted from the tray 3 by a plurality of rising protruding members 15 while being conveyed by the tray transport conveyor 7, and then descends. It is delivered to the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the projecting member 15. That is, since the load W can be lowered from the tray 3 to the load transfer conveyor 11 while the load W is being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased.

4. Other Embodiments Although the plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. In particular, the plurality of embodiments and modifications described herein can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

(1) Deformation example of tray The shape of the hole formed in the bottom surface of the tray is not limited to the elongated hole, and may be circular, for example.
(2) Deformation Example of Protruding Member In the first embodiment, two projecting members are inserted in the elongated hole, but a structure in which one projecting member is inserted per hole may be used.
In the first embodiment, the shape of the projecting member is columnar, but the shape of the projecting member may be, for example, an elliptical columnar shape, a prismatic shape, a conical shape, or a truncated cone shape.

(3) Deformation Example of Protruding Member Base Drive Device In the first embodiment, three protruding member bases are provided, but the number is not limited.
In the first embodiment, the projecting member pedestal drive device has a trapezoidal belt, but the projecting member drive device may have a triangular belt having one upper angle.
In the first embodiment, the projecting member pedestal drive device realizes the movement and raising / lowering of luggage by one mechanism, but the projecting member pedestal drive device is provided in the moving device for moving the tray in the transport direction and the moving device. It may be realized in combination with an elevating device that separates the load from the tray by the projecting member by raising and lowering the projecting member stand.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely applied to a transport system in which a load is placed on a tray and transported.

1: Conveyor system 3: Tray 3a: Bottom surface 3b: Wall 3c: Through hole 7: Tray conveyor 9: Extraction device 11: Luggage conveyor 11a: Conveyor belt 13: Projection member base 15: Projection member 17: Projection member base drive Device 21: First conveyor device 23: Second conveyor device 25: First chain drive device 25a: Pair of first chain 27: Second chain drive device 27a: Pair of second chain 41: Width direction position adjustment guide 43: Width direction position adjustment guide 51: Controller W: Luggage

Claims (7)

A tray conveyor that has multiple through holes on the bottom and transports trays that can store luggage,
A projecting member base provided with a plurality of projecting members on the upper portion that pass through the through holes of the tray, and
A load transfer conveyor in which a plurality of rows are arranged in parallel above the tray transfer conveyor and so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
When the tray transfer conveyor moves the tray and the load stored in the tray to the load transfer conveyor side, the projecting member is at a position where the tray transfer conveyor and the load transfer conveyor do not overlap in a plan view. Separates the load from the tray by raising the projecting member stand to a position where the tray passes through the through hole of the tray and protrudes upward from the tray, and then the projecting member stand is moved to the luggage transport conveyor side. By lowering the projecting member stand to a position where the projecting member separates below the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the baggage transport conveyor overlap in a plan view, the baggage is delivered to the baggage transport conveyor. Drive device and
Conveyance system with. A plurality of the protruding member stands are provided, and the protrusion member base is provided.
The protrusion member pedestal drive device has an endless drive member including movement in a return direction, and by driving the endless drive member, a plurality of the protrusion member pedestals are collectively moved, according to claim 1. Described transport system. The projecting member pedestal drive device always drives the endless drive member.
The transport system according to claim 2, further comprising a controller for adjusting the timing at which the tray transport conveyor carries the tray and the load to the projecting member rising position. The transport system according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that supports the load in the width direction when the projecting member lifts the load from the tray. A tray conveyor that has multiple through holes on the bottom and transports trays that can store luggage,
A projecting member base provided with a plurality of projecting members on the upper portion that pass through the through holes of the tray, and
A load transfer conveyor in which a plurality of rows are arranged in parallel above the tray transfer conveyor and so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
When the luggage transport conveyor transports the luggage to the end side of the luggage transport conveyor and the tray transport conveyor transports the tray to the same side as the luggage, the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor. By raising the projecting member stand to a position where the projecting members overlap in a plan view, the projecting member stand is passed through the through hole of the tray, and the load is delivered from the load transfer conveyor, and then. The projecting member stand is moved to a side away from the end of the luggage transport conveyor, and the projecting member protrudes to a position where the projecting member retracts below the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor do not overlap in a plan view. A projecting member pedestal drive device that lowers the luggage onto the tray by lowering the member pedestal.
Conveyance system with. The transport system according to claim 5, further comprising a widthwise position adjusting means for adjusting the widthwise position of the cargo in the cargo transport conveyor. The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the through hole of the tray is an elongated hole long in the transport direction.

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