JP2586049B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] The present invention relates to a transport device that travels after connecting a branch section existing on a transport section and a transport path on an extension of the transport section when the transport body travels. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device capable of preventing danger due to runaway of a body and damage to a transport body, comprising: a transport path having a branch portion; at least one transport body traveling on the transport path; Carrier sequence 1
Transport control means for controlling the travel of each carrier, wherein the transport control means, when a transport command to run the transport body is issued, a command travel section in which the transported commanded transport body travels and Determining means for selecting the presence or absence of a branch in the transport path on the extension of the command travel section; and branching is connected in a direction in which the transporting body can travel when the branch is present by the determination by the determining means. Branch control means for checking whether or not there is a connection, and connecting the branch if not connected, so that the transport body is made to travel after the branch section is connected by the branch control means.

[Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a transfer device using a linear motor or the like used in a transfer system for cash or the like in a financial institution or the like, and particularly to a transfer device in which, when a carrier travels, a branch portion existing on a travel rail is connected before traveling. It concerns the device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a linear motor transfer device has been employed in an automatic depositing and dispensing system for automatically dispensing and automatically storing cash, etc. handled at a counter in a financial institution, etc., and the cash or a check, etc., can be transferred at a high speed to a cashier position away from the counter. Transaction processing methods have been put into practical use.

In addition, point-of-sale information management (Point Of S
For example, a linear motor transfer device that carries out transaction processing by mounting a price tag, cash, a credit card, or the like of a product on a carrier in a carrier or the like and transporting it to a place distant from a sales floor is employed.

In such a transport device, a traveling rail having a branch point in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction is used, and when an abnormality such as a power failure occurs, the carrier jumps out of the rail or breaks at a branch point where the carrier is not connected. Therefore, there is a need for a method that can prevent such an accident.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 exemplifies a main part of a transfer device using a linear motor. Station control for controlling the stop / start of the carrier 2a in the traveling rail 1, the carrier 2a traveling on the traveling rail 1, the stations 3a, 3b,. Units 4a, 4b,..., A transport control unit 5 for controlling the transport of the carrier 2a, and
It comprises a system control unit 6 for instructing the transfer of 2a.

The traveling rail 1 is provided with a branching portion 10a that is switched and connected to the transport controller 5, and as shown in FIG. 6A, the switching rail 1a can be switched in the directions a and b. When switched to the a direction, the carrier 2a travels in the horizontal direction, and when switched to the b direction, travels in the vertical direction. Although not shown, even when there is a plurality of carriers 2a and it is necessary to convey each of them substantially simultaneously, simultaneous conveyance is not performed,
The transport is controlled one by one. At this time, the non-traveling carrier 2a does not hinder the traveling of the traveling carrier 2a,
Retreat from the running rail 1.

As shown in FIG. 6 (b), stators 11a, 11b,... Are arranged on the running rail 1 as primary iron cores having a magnetic field generating coil (not shown) at predetermined intervals of the running rail 1, for example.
They are arranged at 1m intervals. Further, end dampers 12a, 12b,... Are provided at the end of the traveling rail 1.

As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the carrier 2a is composed of a storage box 21 for storing loaded items such as cash and slips to be conveyed, running wheels 22, and a secondary-side conductor plate 23. Stator 1
1a is the secondary side conductor plate 23 when the carrier 2a is in that position.
Are arranged to face each other with a gap left and right.

Therefore, the carrier 2a runs by the thrust by the interaction between the traveling magnetic field generated by energizing the magnetic field generating coil and the eddy current induced in the secondary-side conductor plate 23 provided on the carrier 2a. For example, the carrier 2a that has received a thrust at the position of the stator 11a travels by inertia and
At the position of 11b, it is conveyed to be accelerated again by the thrust and run.

Therefore, from the system control unit 6, for example, the station 3a
When the travel command of the carrier 2a from the station to the station 3c is sent, the transport control unit 5 uses the transport path sensing unit 50 to detect the travel rail 1a from the sense information of each station and the stator.
After confirming the state of the branching section 10a, by referring to the traveling pattern file 51 filed with the existence of the branching section 10a in the command traveling section, if the branching section 10a exists, the connection state of the branching section 10a is confirmed and the connection is established. If not, it is connected to the traveling side, in this case, the switching rail 1a is switched in the direction a, and then the station controller 4a, 4c is instructed to transport the carrier 2a. FIG. 6 (d) shows a branch control method corresponding to the example of the transport layout shown in FIG. 6 (b).

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above-described conventional method, the switching connection control of the branch unit is performed only for the traveling section of the carrier. That is, the switching connection control is performed only when the carrier passes through the branch portion. Therefore, even if the branching portion exists on the extension line outside the traveling section of the carrier, the carrier does not pass through, and thus the switching connection control is not performed. This is not a problem under normal operating conditions.However, if an abnormal condition such as a power failure due to a power failure occurs, the carrier may run away and jump out of the running rail, or the carrier may be damaged. There is.

In addition, when the wiring is mistaken in the electrical work of the building where the transfer device is installed, etc., the linear motor uses a three-phase power supply, so the carrier runs in the opposite direction and an accident similarly occurs There is a problem that there is a possibility.

If there is no branch in the traveling section of the carrier, the terminal damper prevents the carrier from jumping out of the traveling rail and breakage of the carrier in the event of an abnormality such as power failure, but the power is cut off during traveling in the section including the branch. In the occurrence of an abnormality such as the above, in the transfer device, the end damper alone is not sufficient.

That is, in the branch control method of FIG.
In the traveling patterns of No. 16 to No. 16, Carriers 2a are traveling without branch control in Nos. 1, 5, 11, and 14. First, in the case of Nos. However, although it is not related to the carrier protection on the b side, it is unclear where the carrier 2a has traveled when an abnormal situation such as a power failure occurs.

In the case of No. 11, if the switching rail 1a is on the b side, when a similar abnormal situation occurs during the traveling of the carrier 2a, the carrier
After colliding with the terminal damper 12b, 2a travels in the opposite direction by reaction and reaches the branch portion 10a. At this time, the switching rail 1a is b
Because it is on the side, the carrier 2a may derail.

In the case of No. 14, if the switching rail 1a is on the b side, the carrier 2a may collide with the branching portion 10a at high speed or derail when an abnormal situation occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device capable of preventing a danger due to runaway of a carrier and breakage of the carrier when a power supply abnormality occurs.

[Means for solving the problem]

 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a branch provided on the transport path, 2 denotes at least one transport body that travels on the transport path, and 52 denotes a transport control unit that issues a transport command to travel the transport body 2. At the time, the discriminating means for selecting the presence or absence of the branching section 10 in the command traveling section where the transported body 2 instructed to carry and the transport path on the extension of the command traveling section is provided. 53 is provided in the transport control means. When the branching section 10 is present by the determination by 52, it is confirmed whether or not the branching section 10 is connected in a direction in which the carrier 2 can travel,
Branch control means for connecting if not connected.

A transport device comprising transport control means for controlling the traveling of the transport bodies 2 one by one and the connection of the branch portions 10 necessary for the travel, and after the branch portions 10 are connected by the branch control means 53, The carrier 2 is configured to travel.

[Action]

When a transfer command for the carrier 2 is issued, the determination means 52
It is determined whether or not the branching section 10 exists on the transport section along which the vehicle travels and on the extension of the travel section.

As a result of the determination, when there is the branch unit 10, the branch control unit 53 checks whether or not the branch unit 10 is connected, and if not, connects the branch unit 10.

Thus, by causing the transporting body 2 to travel after the connection of the branching unit 10, an abnormal state such as a power failure occurs, and even if the transporting body 2 runs out of control over the traveled section, the transporting at the branching unit 10 is performed. Derailment of the body 2 can be prevented, and breakage of the transport body 2 can be prevented.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same reference numerals indicate the same objects throughout the drawings.
In FIG. 2, those corresponding to FIG. 1 are shown surrounded by alternate long and short dash lines.

As shown in the main block diagram of FIG.
Includes a transport path sensing unit 50, a traveling pattern file 51a, a determination unit 52a, and a branch control unit 53a.

The traveling pattern file 51a indicates whether or not the branching portion 10a exists in the traveling direction and the opposite direction instructed from the current position of the carrier 2a, that is, whether or not the branching portion 10a is on an extension line in front / rear of the traveling instruction section. Whether it is in the filed memory.

When the traveling command of the carrier 2a is sent from the system control unit 6 to the transport control unit 5a, the determination unit 51a refers to the traveling pattern file 51a and refers to the traveling rail 1 of the carrier 2a.
Determine whether the branch 10a exists in the traveling direction and the opposite direction from the current position above, that is, whether the branch 10a is present in the commanded traveling section and on the front and rear extension lines outside and outside the traveling section. I do.

The branch control unit 53a checks whether or not the branch unit 10a is connected when the branch unit 10a is present as a result of the determination by the determination unit 52a, and connects the branch unit 10a if it is not connected. That is,
Even if an abnormal state such as a power failure occurs and the carrier 2a runs away, the connection is controlled in a direction such that collision does not occur in the branch portion 10a. Therefore, in the traveling patterns No. 1 to No. 16 of the branch control shown in FIG.
Four branch controls will be added. FIG. 3 shows the branch control. The other points are the same as those of the conventional branch control. Further, when a plurality of carriers 2a are present, as described in the conventional example, since the carriers are sequentially conveyed one by one without simultaneous conveyance, the branching control is also performed one by one.

Having such a configuration and function, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, move carrier 2a from station 3a to station
When a command to convey to 3c is sent, the conveyance control unit 5 checks the state of the traveling rail 1 based on the sense information of each station and the stator by the conveyance path state sensing unit 50,
The discriminating unit 52a refers to the traveling pattern file 51a and refers to the traveling rail 1 in the traveling direction and the opposite direction in which the carrier 2a is commanded.
It is determined whether or not the branch portion 10a exists above.

As a result of the determination, if there is no branch 10a, the carrier 2a
Is commanded.

As a result of the determination, when the branch unit 10a is present, the branch control unit 53a
Checks whether or not the branching section 10a is connected, and if not, connects.

After the connection of the branching unit 10a, the transport control unit 5a instructs the traveling of the carrier 2a (a start command to the station control unit 4a and a stop command to the station control unit 4c).

The station control section 4a starts the carrier 2a.

When the traveling is completed and the carrier 2a stops, the station control unit 4c notifies the transport control unit 5a, and a travel completion notification is transmitted from the transport control unit 5a to the system control unit 6.

In this way, when the travel command is issued, the traveling section and the front / rear branching portion 10a of the traveling section are connected and controlled prior to traveling, and then the carrier 2a starts. In the case of 1,5, the switching rail 1a of the branch portion 10a
Is connected in either the horizontal or vertical direction,
The runaway carrier 2a travels in either direction without colliding or derailing with the branching section 10a, but the rule is to switch the switching rail 1a to the a direction, and where the carrier 2a is when an abnormal condition occurs. When searching for, the direction can be narrowed if the branching direction is clear.

In the case of No. 11, it is possible to prevent the carrier 2a from colliding with the terminal damper 12b, rebounding, traveling, and derailing at the branch portion 10a when an abnormal state occurs.

In the case of No. 14, when an abnormal situation occurs, carrier 2a
Can be prevented from colliding and derailing with the branch portion 10a at high speed.

Therefore, even if an abnormal state such as a power failure occurs during the traveling of the carrier 2a, and the carrier 2a runs away due to inertia,
The accident of jumping out of the running rail or being damaged at 10a is eliminated. Further, even if the connection is mistaken in the electric work of a building or the like in which the transport device is installed and the carrier 2a runs in the opposite direction, an accident can be similarly prevented.

The above example shows the branch 10 in the carrier traveling direction and the opposite direction.
Although the example in which the branch control of a is performed has been described, a considerable effect can be obtained as a method of performing branch control only in the traveling direction by omitting the opposite direction.

Further, the case of the transfer device using the linear motor has been described, but the present invention can be applied commonly to the transfer device in which the branching portion is switched and controlled.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when the branching section exists on the commanded traveling section of the carrier and the extension line before and after the commanded traveling section,
The transport unit can run after connecting the branch, so when an abnormality such as a power failure occurs, or when the power supply is connected incorrectly due to construction, etc., the carrier will run away forward or backward, and will be transported at the branch. It is possible to prevent the body from jumping out of the traveling rail or to be damaged, and to increase the reliability of the transport device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of branch control in the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the embodiment, FIG. Is a block diagram showing a conventional example, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the conventional example. In the figure, 1 is a traveling rail, 1a is a switching rail, 2 is a carrier, 2a is a carrier, 5 is a transport control unit, 10 and 10a are branching units, 51 and 51a are traveling pattern files, 52 is a determination unit, and 52a is a discriminating unit. The determination unit, 53 indicates a branch control unit, and 53a indicates a branch control unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Kashiwazaki 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside of Fujitsu Limited (56) References (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transport path having a branching section, at least one transporting body traveling on the transporting path, and a transporting section controlling the traveling of one transporting body in sequence and the connection of the branching section required for the traveling. A transport device comprising: a command traveling section in which the transported body is instructed to travel when a transport command to travel the transport body is issued, and an extension of the command traveling section. Determining means for determining the presence or absence of a branch in the transport path on the line; and determining whether or not the branch is connected in a direction in which the transporting body can travel when the branch is present by the determination by the determining means. And a branching control means for making a connection if the connection is not established, and causing the carrier to travel after the branching part is connected by the branching control means. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determining means determines whether or not said branching section exists in a transport path on an extension of a direction opposite to a traveling direction of said transport body.
The transfer device according to Item.