JP2702621B2 - Lightweight luggage transfer device by self-propelled carriage on rail - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring light loads (10 to 15 kg) placed in a container transferred by a self-propelled carriage on a rail.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, different devices of this kind have already been proposed.

In particular, US Pat. No. 4,015,53
In the first type of device shown in US Pat.
The container is permanently fixed to the self-propelled carriage.

In this case, a movable slider for storing a receiving station is mounted on the carriage. In order for such a device to work properly, the station must be able to permanently utilize a large number of carriages designated therein. The receiving station therefore has to force the carriages back to the delivery station in the shortest time possible. This is a major drawback that results in failure of the equipment if non-compliance with work regulations is followed.

[0005] Of course, with respect to a transfer device driven by a computer, the self-propelled carriage is to be operated in two directions. In this case, the station no longer has a pre-designated carriage. These carriages are parked at different locations in the facility in parking areas provided for the intended purpose. The dispatching station calls the self-propelled carriage with empty containers and dispatches the carriage after loading. The receiving station must unload from the carriage in the shortest time possible and send the carriage back to the area where the carriage with empty containers is parked.

[0006] Thus, in both types of devices, the receiving station becomes saturated very quickly if the carriage is not dispatched and retrieved within a short time. This saturation condition degrades performance and results in rapid device failure.

[0007] In particular, German Patent (DE) 3308778
Another type of device shown in the specification provides a removable container that can be locked to a self-propelled carriage. However, a drawback of this solution is that the user must be able to quickly re-start when the self-propelled carriage enters the station for loading or unloading so that the device can be operated correctly. Must be there to be available for another task. In order to overcome this drawback, GB 2194498 discloses an automatic loading / unloading station in which the container is locked laterally with respect to the carriage with respect to its axis of travel. Proposed. However, such devices require relatively complex and expensive loading / unloading stations.

It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to overcome these disadvantages.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a transfer device of the type described above, comprising at least one self-propelled carriage 11 movable on rails and having detachable means.
And a container C detachable with respect to the attaching / detaching means.
Together but it is locked temporarily configured to be secured, and the automatic loading and / or cargo and loading lines as cormorants so the unloading at the unloading station for self-propelled carriage 11 of such container C Transfer device, wherein the attachment / detachment means has at least one attachment / detachment surface 12.
The attachment / detachment surface 12 is disposed in parallel with the movement axis of the self-propelled carriage 11 , and the attachment / detachment surface 1
2, a detachable surface 1 provided on the container C and having a shape complementary to that of the container 2
In conjunction with the loading or unloading
At the moving center of the container C at the unloading station
Together constitute a relative translational movement by the row of <br/> cracking as self-propelled carriage 11 along the rails horizontal and vertical
And the self-propelled carriage 11 has the container C
Locking means 1 cooperating with fixed locking means 6 formed in
5 wherein the attaching / detaching means and the locking means are connected to each other.
Connection between the self-propelled carriage 11 and the container C
It is characterized in that it is configured to cooperate to obtain .

It is useful that the driving force required for the movement is provided by the self-propelled carriage 11 itself.

In this case, the loading station places the container C in the mounting position, that is, the self-propelled carriage 11 itself is engaged with the detachable surface 1 of the container C by the detachable surface 12 of the self-propelled carriage 11. It has means for positioning at the position where it is stopped.

The unloading station is provided with traction means acting on the container C in the unloading area, and is provided so as to keep it from moving during the unloading process, ie, while the self-propelled carriage 11 performs the above-mentioned unloading movement. .

[0013] Of course, these loading and / or unloading station, leads to the container C to the loading area, or may comprise a sorting device for moving the container C from the unloading area.

[0014]

[Function] A self-propelled carriage at a loading station
A shape that complements the attachment / detachment surface 12 on the attachment / detachment surface 12 of the self-propelled carriage 11 disposed in parallel to the movement axis of the
Along with fitting the detachable surface 1 of the container having
A movable locking means 15 provided on the self-propelled carriage 11,
The container C temporarily fixed to the self-propelled carriage 11 by locking the fixed locking means 6 provided on the container C is transferred on a rail having horizontal and vertical portions together with the self-propelled carriage 11 and unloaded. In the station, the container C is detached from the self-propelled carriage 11 by the relative movement parallel to the movement axis of the self-propelled carriage 11 , the separation is performed at the two attachment / detachment surfaces.

[0015] The traction means of the unloading station keeps the container stationary so as to ensure the relative movement.

In the sorting apparatus, the container is transferred from one station to another station by the sorting apparatus at the loading and / or unloading station.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a container C shown in a perspective view has a longitudinal boss as a detachable surface 1 on each lateral side thereof. These bosses 1 are symmetrically arranged on the top and bottom of the container C. The boss 1 has an inclined surface 2 at each end, and attaches itself to a self-propelled carriage 11 shown in FIG.
It is easy to insert into the slide means which is the removal surface 12 .

The cover 3 of the container C is open at its largest surface and its joint surface is indicated by 4. Container C
Cover 3 is fitted with closure means 5 on one of its smallest surfaces and hinged on the other.

In a variant not shown, the closing means 5
Are simultaneously configured to form a hinge. In this case, the small opposing surface of the container is fitted with hinge closing means 5. And hinge closing means 5 arranged on the facing surface.
, The cover 3 can be opened on one of its facets and the cover can be removed.

In FIG. 2, the self-propelled carriage 11 has
A slide means arranged in parallel with the movement axis XX ′ as the attachment / detachment surface 12 is mounted. The sliding means 12 has at its center a movable locking means 15 which is electrically controlled, which comprises a retractable column which can be engaged in a cavity which is a fixed locking means 6 provided in the container C. The electric or electronic control 17 checks the exact position of the movable locking means 15.

In FIG. 2 , when moving in the direction of the arrow,
It is shown that the slide means 12 of the self-propelled carriage 11 is engaged with the boss 1 of the container C. Movable locking means 15
Locks the carriage 11 to the container when the retractable column is accommodated in the cavity 6 which is a fixed locking means of the container.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the self-propelled carriage 11 taken along A of FIG. 2 (FIG. 4), showing a method in which the movable locking means 15 locks the container C and its boss 1 to each other by the sliding means 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the slide means 12 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section,
The upper ends of the two vertical legs of the character are curved inward.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

Therefore, the detachable surface of the self-propelled carriage 11
, Instead of the sliding means 12 described above, another possible two Rukoto be parallel channel elements 22 and 22 'having a C-shaped with a recess facing, these two parallel
Channel elements 22, 22 ' (the sliding means 12 described above)
The vertical bosses of the container C are configured to be mutually movable by the action of an unillustrated operating mechanism so that the container C can be easily inserted (attached) or removed (removed) from the open position. To the closed position [position shown in FIG.

The parallel channel elements 22, 22 'are shown in FIG.
Move laterally as shown in FIG.
It is rocked as shown in FIG.

The shape of the parallel channel elements 22, 22 ' is such that, in addition to gripping the container C, the container C is efficiently locked on the self-propelled carriage 11, especially during the transition between the two stations. Designed.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of the loading / unloading station provided with the main track 31. The station comprises a loading / unloading track 32 which has a square or other square path and is open at the level of the square or other square corner area thus formed.

This loading / unloading track has, in particular, the following configuration: a first linear length 33 extending parallel to the main track 31, which is self-propelled with or without a container C. A related configuration is provided by a transition point 34 designed to move the carriage 11 from the main track 31 to the first linear track length section 33, or vice versa, from the first linear track length section 33 to the main track 31. A first straight line through a curved portion 36 which is bent to 90 °
Unloading section comprising a second linear track length section 35 connected to one end of the track length section 33, a loading section comprising the following elements in succession: a first straight line via a second curved section 37 Orbit length 33
A third linear track length portion 38 connected to the second end of
A fourth linear trajectory length portion 40 connected to the third linear trajectory length portion 38 by a third curved portion 39, the fourth linear trajectory length portion 40 comprising the first linear trajectory length; It extends parallel to section 33 and has an automatic loading device at its end.

A conveyor 42 is arranged above the second linear track length portion 35 of the unloading section, which is connected to the upper boss 1 of the container C transferred to the unloading area by the self-propelled carriage 11. It is configured to engage.

The self-propelled carriage 11 and the container C is self
When the container C is separated by the backward movement of the traveling carriage 11, the container C is maintained in a state of being suspended on the conveyor 42.
In that case the conveyor 42 is provided with a ramp and the container C can be moved to the storage area by its own weight.

The loading zone 41 associated with the fourth straight track length section 40 of the loading section comprises two successive loading zones Z ₁ , Z ₂ , to which the container C is centered. , Are automatically mounted and locked on the self-propelled carriage 11 according to the method described above.

As is evident, not only the loading station but also the unloading station do not use a complicated sorting device.

However, the present invention does not exclude the use of the sorting device.

[0035] Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the loading station 43 is provided with is more formed into a simple traction hand stage sorting equipment, which leads to a container C in the loading region Z ', It is configured to be positioned. The traction hand stage is movable between the following two positions: the standby position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 8 (receiving container position), a temporary position for positioning the container C to the loading region Z '( In this embodiment, the unloading station comprises a second inclined conveyor 44 behind the conveyor 42 described in connection with FIG.
The lower part of the container C is in contact with this.

The present invention is not limited to the shape of the predetermined attaching / detaching surface.

Therefore, instead of the boss, the container C
Can be a prism (square prism) shaped recess 144,
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a dovetail cross-sectional shape can be provided. In this case , attachment / detachment of the self-propelled carriage 1
The surface is formed by a length of a channel member 45 having a substantially U-shaped cross-section , the base of which is fixed to the carriage 11, and the vertical flange of the channel member 45 is formed by a substantially prism- shaped recess 144. A rib 46 having a shape complementary to the shape is provided.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a particularly useful embodiment of a loading and / or unloading station.

In this embodiment, the loading / unloading area 47 is arranged in a horizontal plane orthogonal to the rail 48. It comprises a platform formed by a belt conveyor 49 extending on each side of the rail 48.

During the unloading process, the mounted body of the self-propelled carriage 11 / container C is moved into the unloading station 47, and the entire surface of the container C is finally brought into contact with the unloading area. The self-propelled carriage 11 is stationary at this position, releases the lock of the container C, moves rearward, and separates itself from the container C. Then, the belt conveyor 49 is operated, and the container C is transferred to the storage area located on the left or right side of the track.

In such a configuration, the container C is loaded by a procedure strictly reverse to the unloading.

[0042]

It is thus apparent that the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems which have heretofore restrained the development of this type of luggage transfer device, using a particularly simple and inexpensive device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of a self-propelled carriage with a device for loading and unloading and locking containers.

FIG. 3 shows a container with a boss and a locking cavity.side
Figure,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the self-propelled carriage taken along a line AA in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a container is mounted on a self-propelled carriage in a modification of the present invention;

6 (A), 6 (B) and 6 (C) show two modified examples of the device for holding a container, FIGS. 5B-B
Line cross section,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a station with a loading and / or unloading area;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modification of the station similar to FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container having a detachable surface having a dovetail cross section and a self-propelled carriage,

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a station that performs loading and unloading functions, showing a process before unloading.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a station that performs loading and unloading functions, showing the end of the unloading process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Container detachable surface (boss) 2 Inclined surface 3 Cover 4 Joining surface 5 Closing means 6 Fixed locking means (vacant space) 11 Self-propelled carriage 12 Carriage removable surface (sliding means) 15 Movable locking means 17 Electric or electronic Controller 22, 22 ′ Parallel channel element 31 Main track 32 Loading / unloading track 33 First straight track length section 34 Transition point 35 Second straight track length section 36 Curved section 37 Second curved section 38 Second section 3 linear track length part 39 third curved part 40 fourth linear track length part 41 loading area 42 conveyor 43 loading station 44 second inclined conveyor 45 channel member 46 rib 47 loading / unloading area 48 rail 49 Belt Conveyor 144 Prism (Square Column) Concave C Container Z ₁ Loading Area

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] At least one self-propelled carriage movable on a rail and a detachable container are temporarily locked.
It has a detachable means for securing, the cargo and the product of the container in the automatic loading and / or unloading station
In the luggage transfer device for carrying down , the attachment / detachment means has at least one attachment / detachment surface provided on the self-propelled carriage, and the attachment / detachment surface extends along a rail.
Parallel to and positioned with the movement axis of the free-running carriage, the detachable surface
But which cooperates with detachable surface provided on the container to complement, attachment and detachment of the container, contact loading and / or unloading
Along the axis of movement of the container at the unloading station.
Is performed by the relative translation of the self-propelled carriage
And the rail has horizontal and vertical portions, and the self-propelled carriage is provided with a fixed member formed on the container.
Movable locking means cooperating with locking means,
The locking means is connected to the self-propelled carriage connected to one another.
Work together to obtain a strong connection between antennas
An apparatus characterized in that: 2. A driving force required for the movement, the self
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is operated by itself.
The described device. Wherein the loading station comprises means for positioning the container in the mounting position, within the positioning means
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detachable surface of the self-propelled carriage is engaged with the detachable surface of the container. 4. The unloading station includes traction means for locking a container provided in the unloading area, and during the movement causing disengagement from a self-propelled carriage .
Device according to claim 1, wherein so as to retain the quiesced state. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detachable surface of the container has a convex shape, and the detachable surface of the self-propelled carriage has a concave shape. Detachable surface of 6. container is formed by the longitudinal direction of the boss of the top and bottom of the lateral side of the container, and removable surface of the free-running <br/> carriage, which has a U-shaped cross-section, U two vertical leg device according to claim 5, wherein is formed by longitudinal sliding means upper end is bent inwardly of the shape. Detachable surface of 7. container has a concave shape, and the self
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detachable surface of the traveling carriage has a convex shape to complement the surface. 8. The concave shape of the detachable surface of the container is a U-shaped 2
U-shaped cross section with two vertical legs curved inward
Of the self-propelled carriage
8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein the attachment / detachment surface has a complementary convex shape . 9. A detachable surface of the self-propelled carriage is formed by two parallel channel elements, and these elements are used for the self-propelled carriage.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the devices are mutually movable by the action of an operating mechanism of the device. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the parallel channel element is movable by shifting or rocking. 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the parallel channel element has a shape for locking the container. 12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unloading station comprises an unloading track, above which a conveyor is arranged such that the container is suspended by its upper part and moved to a storage area. 13. loading station, moves the container to the loading area, and includes a sorting device formed by simple traction means for positioning said container及beauty own
Together so that the binding of Hashiki Yarijji is performed automatically, the traction means is movable temporary location to position a standby position for receiving the following two positions between containers, and the containers in the loading area The device of claim 1. 14. A platform comprising a loading and / or unloading station having a transition area located in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the rail , the transition area being formed by a conveyor which is movable transversely to said rail . The device of claim 1 formed from: