JP3084661B2 - Storage device - 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 storing articles, and more particularly to a storage apparatus which can efficiently perform an operation of dispensing or loading articles and increase a storage efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pair of chain sprockets, which make up and down and left and right pairs respectively, are arranged in front and rear, and substrates which can be moved up and down are provided at the left and right positions between the pair of chain sprockets located in front and rear, respectively. Provide a pair of middle chain sprockets vertically adjacent to each other, cross the endless chain around the chain sprocket located on the left, right, up and down, and let the chain located on the lower side be centered on the lower middle chain sprocket, and The upper chain is interposed in the upper middle chain sprocket, and a number of shelves are erected between the left and right chains so as to synchronize and operate in a synchronized manner. A storage device provided with a crab driving device is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-32362).

[0003]

When the storage device is used for a relatively long time, the chain is extended, and the chain sprocket, which is a driving source when the storage device is left as it is, is in a fixed position. Therefore, a phenomenon occurs in which the engagement between the chain and the drive chain sprocket is not smooth. As a result, since the operation of the storage device is not smooth, there is a problem that the position of the chain sprocket in a fixed position must be periodically adjusted.

[0004] In addition, in the storage device known in the prior art,
In order to increase the capacity, the number of pairs of chain sprockets forming a pair may be increased, and the number of pairs of chain sprockets may be increased accordingly.However, the pair of chain sprockets and the pair of chain sprockets forming these pairs may be increased. Increasing the number of sets not only requires a high-power drive source to operate this storage device, but also has the problem that a heavy chain must be used. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional apparatus,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new storage device that is automatically adjusted so that engagement of a chain with a chain sprocket of a driving source is always smooth even if the chain is extended after a relatively long use. It is.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the conventional apparatus, and has been developed in order to operate the apparatus regardless of how many pairs of chain sprockets and pairs of intermediate chain sprockets are increased. A new storage that can be operated with a drive source of the same level as that of the drive motor used in the previously known device, and a chain having the same thickness as that of the previous device can be operated sufficiently. It is intended to provide a device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the storage device of the present invention, a pair of chain sprockets, which are paired up and down and left and right, respectively, are arranged in front and back, and a pair of chain sprockets located in front and back are arranged. A large number of intermediate chain sprockets located vertically above and below are provided, and substrates that can be moved up and down are provided at the left and right positions between the front and rear chain sprockets and between the intermediate chain sprockets, and between the intermediate chain sprockets. Each of them is provided with a pair of middle chain sprockets, and an endless chain is passed over the chain sprockets located on the left, right, up, down, front and back, and the chain located on the lower side is interposed in the lower middle chain sprocket, and also on the upper side With the chain located inside the upper middle chain sprocket, A large number of shelves are erected between the chains to operate synchronously, and a drive source with a brake is provided for some of the chain sprockets constituting the front and rear groups and for any appropriate number of intermediate chain sprockets. The husband who provided the above-mentioned middle chain sprocket
Sensing member for sensing the upper or lower position of each substrate
Corresponding to the sensing action of these sensing members.
It characterized Citea Rukoto to on-off operation of the rake with drive.

[0008] Further, it is characterized in that some of the above and below chain sprockets are displaceably mounted in the up and down direction, and the displaceably mounted chain sprocket is provided with a spring elasticity in the chain extension direction. .

[0009]

In the storage device configured as described above,
When any of the brake-equipped drive sources is actuated, the left and right endless chains circulate in synchronization with the middle chain sprocket stopped, and the shelves provided between the left and right circulate. Therefore, if it operates in this way, shelves are sequentially positioned at the input position and the payout position of the storage device.

[0010] Then, when the brakes of some of the drive sources with brakes in the front and rear chain sprocket sets are operated and the other drive source is operated, the chain of the front and rear chain sprocket sets in which the brake is operating is operated. Since the sprocket does not work, the chain located on the chain sprocket does not work, but the chain chain on the working side works and the chain on the working side moves. Accordingly, the moving force of the chain acts on the middle chain sprocket, and moves the pair of middle chain sprockets in the vertical direction.

In the storage device which operates in this manner, in the storage device of the present invention, some of the chain sprockets positioned vertically are attached so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and the chain sprocket mounted displaceably is attached to the chain sprocket in the chain extension direction. Since the spring elasticity is applied, even if the chain extends, the chain and the chain sprocket always mesh properly, and the chain always circulates smoothly.

Furthermore, the sensing member for sensing the upper limit position or lower limit position of the substrate s husband provided the Chukai chain sprocket provided, a corresponding drive source with a brake actuated on and off in response to the sensing action of these sensing members In such a thing, the chain circulation portion between the drive source with brake and the next drive source with brake is one block,
When any of these brake-equipped drive sources is stopped and the other brake-equipped drive source is operated, only one block of the chain including the activated brake-equipped drive source is circulated. Then, when the sensing member senses the vertical movement limit of the middle chain sprocket in the chain circulating portion of this one block, the drive source of another block that operates according to the sensing of this sensing member is turned on, and the chain circulation of that block is performed. At the same time as the circulation start of the section, the drive source of the chain in the chain circulation section which has been operating so far is turned off. Therefore, even in a storage device having a large number of intermediate chain sprockets, only a part of the chain circulation section will operate.

[0013]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 11 and 11 denote left and right frames provided for constituting the storage space of the storage device of the present invention, and each of the chain sprockets described later is supported inside the respective frames.

In the figure, reference numerals 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d denote upper and lower and left and right chain sprockets located on the front side, and chain sprockets 1b and 1d positioned therebelow.
Are connected by a shaft 12 so as to operate synchronously, and the chain sprockets 1a, 1
c is pivotally supported by the frames 11 and 11, respectively, and the chain sprockets 1a to 1d form a front chain sprocket set. Similarly, on the rear side, two chain sprockets 2a, 2a,
2b, 2c, and 2d are positioned, and the chain sprockets 2b and 2d are respectively connected by shafts, and the chain sprockets 2a to 2d form a rear chain sprocket set.

A large number of intermediate chain sprockets 3a to 3d are provided between these front and rear chain sprocket sets, each of which constitutes a middle chain sprocket set. In the middle chain sprocket set, the lower chain sprockets 3b and 3d are connected by the shaft 12 so as to rotate synchronously, similarly to the front and rear chain sprocket sets.

In the drawing, reference numerals 4 and 4 denote substrates which are vertically movable between a pair of chain sprockets and a pair of intermediate chain sprockets located in front and rear and between left and right pairs of a pair of intermediate chain sprockets. A middle chain sprocket 5 which is paired with the substrate 4 vertically adjacent thereto.
a, 5b, 5c, 5d are provided. The sets of the middle chain sprockets 5a to 5d are arranged one by one between the set of the front and rear chain sprockets and the set of the middle chain sprockets, and between each set of the middle chain sprockets. In the illustrated embodiment, two sets of middle chain sprockets are arranged on one board. However, one set of middle chain sprockets may be arranged on one board, or a plurality of sets may be arranged. May be arranged.

As shown in FIG . 2, the left and right substrates 4 and 4 are connected by a connecting rod 6 so as to operate synchronously.
7 and 7 are guide members fixed to the substrates 4 and 4,
It can be moved up and down along guide rails 8, 8 provided in 1,11. Chain sprockets 1a (1c), 1b (1d), 2a located on the left, right, up, down, front and back
(2c) and 2b (2d) are connected to the endless chain 9 via the intermediate chain sprockets 3a (3c) and 3b (3d).
And the upper chain 9 is connected to the upper middle chain sprocket 5a (5
The chain 9 similarly located at the lower side is interposed in the lower middle chain sprocket 5b (5d).

As is well known, a number of shelves 10 are installed between the left and right endless chains 9 so as to circulate while maintaining a horizontal state. In FIG. 1, the left side is the loading side and the right side is the payout side. Conveyors 13 and 14 are respectively located, and the transported workpiece is transferred from the conveyor to the shelf or from the shelf to the conveyor by the loading device 14 and the delivery device 15, respectively. It is to be put on.

The lower chain sprocket 1b
(1d), 2b (2d), and 3b (3d) are mounted so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and always apply a downward spring pulling force. FIG. 3 shows the configuration. Guide rails 16 and 1 are provided inside each frame 11.
A bearing 17 is supported between the guide rails so as to be vertically movable, and a chain sprocket shaft 12 is supported by the bearing. Then, a rod 18 suspended from the bearing 17 is passed through a flange 19 provided on the frame 11, a spring stopper 20 is provided at a lower end thereof, and a pressure expansion spring 21 is interposed between the flange 19 and the spring stopper 20. .

In the drawing, reference numerals M1 to M5 denote drive motors with brakes as drive sources with brakes. A motor M1 is provided coaxially with a chain sprocket 1d constituting a front group, and a chain constituting a rear group. A motor M5 is provided coaxially with the sprocket 2d. In the illustrated embodiment,
Drive motors with brakes M2 to M4 are provided for every other intermediate chain sprocket 3d, 3d, and a conveyor block is constituted for each of the drive motors with brakes. The drive motor with a brake may be provided at an appropriate number of the intermediate chain sprockets 3d, 3d, and the number may be different. Among these motors, the motors M1 and M5 coaxially provided on the chain sprocket constituting the front and rear sets are preferably those that are driven intermittently for loading and unloading work to be conveyed. On the other hand, it is preferable that the intermediate motors M2 to M4 rotate continuously, and the rotation speed thereof is equal to or higher than that of the motors M1 and M5.

[0021] Chukai chain Yes and the limit switch LS1~LS8 as sensing member for sensing the upper limit position and lower limit position of the substrate supporting the sprockets 5a~5d provided, located in is in the ON state pressed by the respective substrate 4, the substrate 4 Are turned off when they leave.

The relationship between the drive motor and the limit switch, the limit switch located under the just and limit switch located on the upper side of the immediately preceding driving motor is as operable in an OFF state. That is, the drive motor M1 can operate with the limit switch LS2 turned off, the drive motor M2 has the limit switches LS1 and LS4 turned off, and similarly the M3 has the limit switches LS3 and LS6 turned off.
Similarly, for M4, LS5 and LS8 are off, and finally M4
Reference numeral 5 indicates that the LS 7 can be operated in the OFF state.

In the storage device of the present invention as described above,
When some drive motors are activated, the endless chain proceeds in the same manner as in the known device, and the conveyed workpieces are sequentially charged and stored, or the dispensing operation is performed and the chain is extended over time. Even so, the lower chain sprockets 1b (1d) to 3b (3d) can be displaced in the vertical direction, and the chain sprocket is provided with a spring pulling force. Is positioned so as to maintain good engagement.

[0024] Next, operation status of a device provided with a plurality of intermediate chain sprocket 3a~3d shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the situation of FIG. 1, the substrate at the left end or entrance side in the figure is at the upper limit, and the substrate at the right side or exit side is at the lower limit. And the intermediate substrate is at the intermediate position. Therefore, when the device is operated in this state, each motor is turned on and off according to the state of the corresponding limit switch,
Activate the conveyor block on which each motor is located.

[0025] and each medium through chain sprocket 5a~
With all the bases 4 supporting 5d positioned at the upper limit,
In a state in which the transported workpiece is always being sent out from an exit position of the dispensing device 15, the storage amount of the storage device is the smallest, and also in a state in which the transported workpiece is always sent in from the input position, all the substrates are in the lower limit state. If there is, the storage amount of the storage device is the largest.

In order to achieve the state of the largest storage amount, when the drive motor M5 on the outlet side is stopped and the other motor is operated, each substrate operates downward, and all the substrates are moved to the lower limit position. And the operation of each motor stops. When any of the motors is stopped, the conveyor block including that motor does not operate, so that no load is applied to other motors. Therefore, each drive motor only needs to have a drive force for operating only the chain of the block including the motor.

[0027]

As described above, in the apparatus according to the present invention, a number of intermediate chain sprocket sets are provided between the front and rear chain sprocket sets, and in addition to the front and rear chain sprocket sets, the intermediate chain sprockets are provided at appropriate intervals. A drive source with a brake is provided in the chain sprocket set, and a conveyor block including the respective drive sources is formed, and the conveyor of the block is operated by the drive source included in the block, so that a number of intermediate chain sprockets are provided. Even with a storage device having a set, it is sufficient to have a motor and a chain with the output only to operate each block and the thickness of the chain. Therefore, there is a great effect that practical equipment can be provided.

[0028] Further, in the present invention, the displaceable what deviation of the chain sprockets located vertically in the vertical direction,
Since the displaceable chain sprocket is provided with a spring elasticity in the direction of chain extension, even if the chain is extended due to aging or other causes, the engagement between the chain and the chain sprocket is always smooth. This has a great effect that can be adjusted automatically.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating the configuration of a storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the storage device of the present invention as viewed from the entrance side, with a part being omitted.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a main part of the device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a-1d Front chain sprocket 2a-2d Rear chain sprocket 3a-3d Intermediate chain sprocket 4 Substrate 5a-5d Intermediate chain sprocket 6 Linked rod 7 Guide member 8 Guide rail 9 Endless chain 10 Shelf 11 Left and right frame 12 Shaft 13 Conveyor 14 Injection device 15 Discharge device 16 Guide rail 17 Bearing 18 Rod 19 Flange 20 Spring stop 21 Spring M1-M5 Drive motor with brake LS1-LS8 Limit switch

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-56-29945 (JP, A) JP-A-55-11428 (JP, A) JP-A-59-15617 (JP, U) JP-B-59-32362 (JP) , B2) JP 40-16011 (JP, B1) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 1/00-1/20 B65G 17/16 B65G 23/32 B65G 47/28

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of chain sprockets, each paired up and down and left and right, are arranged in front and back, and a number of intermediate chain sprockets are arranged between a pair of chain sprockets located in front and rear, and a chain in front and back is provided. A vertically movable board is provided between the sprocket and the middle chain sprocket and between the middle chain sprockets, and a middle chain sprocket is formed on the board in close proximity to the upper and lower sides, and the left and right upper and lower sides are provided. An endless chain is wrapped around the chain sprocket located in the front and rear, the lower chain is interposed in the lower middle chain sprocket, and the upper chain is also interposed in the upper middle chain sprocket, and the left and right chains are interposed. A number of shelves are erected between them to operate synchronously. A drive source with a brake is provided at some of the chain sprockets constituting the front and rear pairs and at any appropriate number of the intermediate chain sprockets.
And each substrate provided with the above-mentioned intermediate chain sprocket.
Provide a sensing member for sensing the upper limit position or lower limit position of the
With a brake corresponding to the sensing action of these sensing members
Storage device according to claim Citea Rukoto to on-off operation of the drive source. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein some of the chain sprockets positioned above and below are displaceably mounted in the vertical direction, and the displaceably mounted chain sprocket is provided with a spring elasticity in the chain extending direction. The storage device according to claim 1.