JP2727911B2 - Pallet transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pick-up operation for separating a case loaded on a pallet from a pallet at a distribution center, a shipping center, and the like. The present invention relates to a pallet conveying device for performing the operation at a low cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In distribution centers or shipping centers, pallets for loading cases or products (hereinafter, referred to as "cases") are used, and a picking operation for separating the loaded cases from the pallets (hereinafter, "picking"). )) And efficiently carry out the work of unloading empty pallets left after picking.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional pallet transfer device for performing the above operation. As shown in FIG. 9, the upstream conveyor 3 and the downstream conveyor 4 are provided horizontally on the same line. The downstream side conveyor 4 is configured to be able to move up and down by an elevator 10 driven by an electric mechanism or a hydraulic mechanism (not shown). Further, below the upstream conveyor 3, a lower conveyor 11 is provided. In the upstream conveyor 3, the downstream conveyor 4, and the lower conveyor 11, for example, a roller conveyor,
A chain conveyor or the like is used.

A pallet 2 on which a case 1 is loaded by a forklift or a stacker crane (not shown) (hereinafter, a pallet on which a case is loaded is referred to as a "pallet 21 with a case") is sequentially transferred to an upstream conveyor 3
Will be carried over. Next, by driving the upstream conveyor 3 and the downstream conveyor 4, the pallet 21 with case is
It is transported onto the downstream conveyor 4 which has been raised to the same height as the upstream conveyor 3. Next, the case 1 is separated (picked) from the pallet 2 on the downstream side conveyor 4. Next, the downstream conveyor 4 is lowered to the same height as the lower conveyor 11, and then the downstream conveyor 4 and the lower conveyor 11 are driven to transfer the remaining empty pallets 2 onto the lower conveyor 11. . Next, the downstream conveyor 4 is raised again, and waits for the next pallet 21 with case to be transferred to the picking side. The pallet 2 on the lower conveyor 11 is carried out by a forklift or the like (not shown). Hereinafter, the above steps are repeated (hereinafter, referred to as “prior art”).

[0005]

In the prior art,
It has the following problems. In order to carry out an empty pallet 2, it is necessary to raise and lower the downstream conveyor 4 each time picking is performed, and these work times increase the time required for the entire work and the cycle time. Also, this downstream conveyor 4
It is necessary to install a hydraulic mechanism or an electric mechanism for raising and lowering the robot.

[0006] Upstream conveyor 3, downstream conveyor 4
All of the lower conveyor 11 and the lower conveyor 11 must be of a drive type, and the downstream conveyor 4 must have a mechanism capable of normal rotation and reverse rotation.

In order to provide a conveyor conveyor on the lower conveyor 11 and convey an empty pallet 2 on the conveyor,
It is necessary to further provide a device such as a lifting mechanism.

[0008] In addition, the installation cost of the mechanism used for the above is required, and the cost is increased.

Since the downstream conveyor 4 moves up and down, safety considerations are required.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, to simplify the device configuration and operation, to improve safety, and to reduce the cycle time and cost. Is to provide.

[0011]

An apparatus according to the present invention includes an upstream chain conveyor provided substantially horizontally, and an upstream chain conveyor located downstream of the upstream chain conveyor in close proximity to the same line as the upstream chain conveyor. Provided parallel 2 can be tilted so that the upstream side is lowered with the downstream end as a fulcrum.
A downstream chain conveyor including a chain of books, and provided below the downstream chain conveyor, fixedly and immovably fixed at a predetermined angle in the same direction as the inclination direction when the downstream chain conveyor is inclined, A frame and a frame that can be inserted between the chains of the downstream chain conveyor.
A downstream free roller device comprising a plurality of free rollers provided on the frame, and a downstream free roller device which is provided below the upstream chain conveyor and can be tilted so that the downstream end rises with the upstream end as a fulcrum. , A frame and a plurality of frames provided in the frame
An upstream free roller device comprising a number of free rollers ;
A drive source for inclining the downstream chain conveyor and the upstream free roller device , which is joined to the upstream end of the downstream chain conveyor and the downstream end of the upstream free roller device via a link mechanism. When the upstream free roller device is tilted, the upper surface of the upstream free roller device is connected to the downstream free roller.
The present invention is characterized in that it forms the same plane as the upper surface of the apparatus , and that the downstream end of the upstream free roller device and the upstream end of the downstream free roller device are close to each other.

[0012]

The downstream conveyor is provided so as to be tiltable so that the upstream side is lowered with the downstream end as a fulcrum. Further, below the downstream chain conveyor, a downstream free roller device that is inclined by a predetermined angle in the same direction as the inclination direction when the downstream chain conveyor is inclined is fixedly provided. The downstream free roller device is formed to have a width that can be inserted between two parallel chains of the downstream chain conveyor. When the downstream chain conveyor is inclined, the upper end surface of each roller of the downstream free roller device is set to project slightly above the upper surface of the downstream chain conveyor. Below the upstream chain conveyor, there is provided an upstream free roller device that can be tilted so that the downstream side rises with the upstream end as a fulcrum.
The upper surface of the downstream-side free rollers device and the same angle inclined upstream free roller device forms a top surface flush with the downstream side free roller device. At the time of this inclination, the downstream end of the upstream free roller device and the upstream end of the downstream free roller device are so close that an empty pallet does not fall.

When the pallet with case is transferred onto the downstream conveyor and the picking is completed, the upstream free roller device is inclined, and the downstream conveyor is inclined to insert the downstream free roller device between the two chains. I do. As a result, the empty pallet smoothly moves onto the downstream free roller device . Furthermore, pallets riding on the downstream side free roller device on the possess smoothly on the upstream side free roller apparatus from the downstream side free roller device by gravity.

After the empty pallet transferred to the upstream free roller device is carried out from the place, and the inclined downstream conveyor and the upstream free roller device are returned to the original horizontal position, the next case is immediately provided. You can pick pallets.

As described above, the transport of the empty pallets after the picking is performed only by the tilting operation of the downstream conveyor and the upstream free roller device , and this operation is performed by the downstream conveyor and the upstream conveyor. Side free roller
Since the operation can be performed only by the pneumatic cylinder connected to the apparatus via the link mechanism, the apparatus configuration and operation are simplified, and the working time is also reduced.

Since the downstream conveyor is not provided with an elevating mechanism as shown in the prior art, and furthermore, an empty pallet is transferred using gravity, a free roller device which does not require a roller driving source can be used. The configuration is simplified and the installation cost can be reduced.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 7 are side views for explaining the steps of the first embodiment.

The upstream chain conveyor 3 is provided horizontally. Downstream of the upstream chain conveyor 3, a downstream chain conveyor 4 is provided in close proximity to the same line as the upstream chain conveyor 3 (hereinafter, the upstream chain conveyor is referred to as an "upstream conveyor", Is referred to as “downstream conveyor”). Downstream conveyor 4
Is supported so as to be tiltable with its downstream end 4b as a fulcrum so that the upstream side is lowered. 12 is each pillar.

Below the downstream conveyor 4, a frame and
And a downstream free roller device 5 composed of a plurality of free rollers provided on the frame body is fixed immovably by inclining at a predetermined angle in the same direction as the inclining direction when the downstream conveyor 4 inclines. Is provided. Further, the downstream free roller device 5 is formed so that the width thereof can be inserted between the two chains on both sides of the downstream conveyor 4. Further, when the downstream conveyor 4 is inclined, the upper end surface of each roller of the downstream free roller device 5 is set so as to project slightly above the upper surface 4a of the downstream conveyor 4.

Below the upstream conveyor 3, a frame and
And an upstream free roller device 6 comprising a plurality of free rollers provided on the frame . The upstream free roller device 6 is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable so that the downstream side rises with its upstream end 6b as a fulcrum. When the upstream free roller device 6 is tilted, the upstream free roller device 6
And the upper surface 5a of the downstream free roller device 5 are set so as to be flush with each other, and the downstream end 6c and the upstream end 5b of the downstream free roller device 5 are set close to each other. It is necessary to select an optimum value of the inclination angle of the upstream free roller device 6 and the downstream free roller device 5 from 5 to 15 ° depending on the material of the pallet.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a pneumatic cylinder joined to the upstream end 4 c of the downstream conveyor 4 and the downstream end 6 c of the upstream free roller device 6 via a link mechanism 9. By driving the pneumatic cylinder 8, the downstream conveyor 4 and the upstream free roller device 6 can be inclined. An electric motor may be used instead of the pneumatic cylinder.

The frame 61-2 of the upstream free roller device 6
At the location, a groove 62 protruding downward is provided. At the location where the groove 62 is provided, an upstream free roller device is provided.
No free roller is provided for the device 6. Departure
In the frame of the light pallet transfer device, a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pallet 2, that is, both sides of the downstream conveyor 4 are provided.
A transport chain conveyor (hereinafter referred to as “transport conveyor”) 7 including two chains 71 parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the two chains is provided horizontally. The two chains 71 are arranged in the groove 62 . Transfer chain con
The bear 7 is provided with an upstream free roller in the groove 62.
A position that does not contact the frame at the bottom of the groove 62 when the device 6 is inclined.
On the other hand, when the upstream free roller device 6 is in a horizontal state,
Protrudes from the upper end of the groove 62 and is an upstream free roller device 6
It is located at a position where it contacts the lower surface of the upper pallet 2.
You. Due to the action of the groove 62, the chain 71 is not affected by the tilting movement of the upstream free roller device 6. The pallet 2 can be carried out in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the pallet by the conveyor 7.

Next, in Example 1, the steps of the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A pallet 21 with a case transferred by a forklift or a stacker crane (not shown) is placed on the upstream side conveyor 3 (see FIG. 2).

The upstream conveyor 3 and the downstream conveyor 4 are driven to transfer the pallet with case 21 from the upstream to the downstream conveyor 4 (see FIG. 3).

The picking operation is performed on the downstream conveyor 4. At the same time, during the picking operation, the pallet with case 21 to be picked next is placed on the upstream conveyor 3 (see FIG. 4).

After the completion of the picking operation, the pneumatic cylinder 8 is driven to incline the downstream conveyor 4 and the upstream free roller device 6 (see FIG. 5).

Since the upper end surface of each roller of the downstream free roller device 5 protrudes above the upper surface 4 a of the downstream conveyor 4, the empty pallet 2 smoothly moves from the downstream conveyor 4 onto the downstream free roller device 5. Transfer to Furthermore, the pallet 2 which possessed on the downstream side free roller device 5 is smoothly Noriutsuri moves by gravity from the downstream side free roller device 5 to the upstream side free rollers 6 (see FIG. 6).

When the empty pallet 2 moves on the upstream free roller device 6 and arrives on the conveyor 7, a limit switch (not shown) operates, a cam mechanism automatically operates, and the inclined downstream conveyor 4 And the upstream free roller device 6 returns to horizontal again. (See FIG. 7).

The pallet 2 on the upstream free roller device 6 is further unloaded from this place by the action of the conveyor 7 (see FIG. 7).

The next pallet 21 with a case is transferred from the upstream conveyor 3 to the downstream conveyor 4, and the above operation is repeated (see FIG. 7).

Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that the transport conveyor 7 is not provided in the upstream free roller device 6.

Accordingly, in the first embodiment,
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. And the empty pallet 2 on the upstream free roller device 6
It is carried out of the place by a forklift or the like (not shown).

The next pallet 21 with a case is transferred from the upstream conveyor 3 to the downstream conveyor 4, and the above-described operation is repeated.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the number of power sources such as electric machines is reduced, operation can be simplified, safety can be improved, and cycle time can be reduced.
The cost can be reduced, and an industrially useful effect can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a process of Example 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the process of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional pallet transfer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 2 Pallet 21 Pallet with case 3 Upstream conveyor 4 Downstream conveyor 4a Upper surface 4b Downstream end 4c Upstream end 5 Downstream free roller device 5a Upper surface 5b Upstream end 6 Upstream free roller device 6a Upper surface 6b Upstream end 6c Downstream end 61 Frame 62 Groove 7 Conveyor 71 Chain 8 Pneumatic cylinder 9 Link mechanism 10 Elevating table 11 Lower conveyor 12 Support.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An upstream chain conveyor provided substantially horizontally, and an upstream chain fulcrum provided at a downstream end of the upstream chain conveyor on the same line as the upstream chain conveyor. A downstream chain conveyor having two parallel chains that can be inclined so that the side is lowered, and a predetermined angle inclined below the downstream chain conveyor in the same direction as the inclination direction when the downstream chain conveyor is inclined. Frame fixedly and fixedly provided, which can be inserted between the chains of the downstream chain conveyor .
And a plurality of free rollers provided on the frame.
A downstream free roller device, and a frame body or the like provided below the upstream chain conveyor and capable of inclining so that the downstream side rises with the upstream end as a fulcrum .
And an upstream free roller device comprising a plurality of free rollers provided on the frame body, and an upstream end of the downstream chain conveyor and a downstream end of the upstream free roller device joined via a link mechanism. A drive source for inclining the downstream chain conveyor and the upstream free roller device , wherein when the upstream free roller device is inclined, the upper surface of the upstream free roller device is the downstream free roller. pallet conveying apparatus characterized by the upstream end proximate the downstream end and the downstream free roller device of the upstream free roller device to form a top surface flush with the roller device <br/>. 2. The frame of the upstream free roller device.
Is provided with a plurality of grooves projecting downward,
The frame of the pallet transport device has the downstream chain
Orthogonal to the two chains of the conveyor
Pallet with multiple chains in the direction
A feed chain conveyor is provided in the groove, and
One, the transport chain conveyor, in the groove,
When the upstream free roller device is tilted,
On the other hand, at the position where it does not contact the frame, the upstream side free
When the roller device is horizontal, it protrudes from the upper end of the groove.
To contact the lower surface of the pallet on the upstream free roller device.
The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is arranged at a touching position.