JP3204167B2 - Capsule for linear motor type capsule type traveling 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 linear motor type capsule traveling device for transporting goods by using a pipeline formed of a linear tube.
The present invention also relates to a capsule structure that can be efficiently and rapidly conveyed at a curved portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “bend portion”) of a pipeline, similarly to a straight portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a distribution system for transporting various goods such as parcels and garbage, a pipeline transportation system in which a capsule runs in a pipeline using a linear tube composed of a pipe having an excitation coil attached thereto has been attracting attention. Have been. In this system, a capsule loaded with goods is run in a pipeline laid between a plurality of points, such as between a distribution center and a distribution center, and transported to a destination.

As a prior art of such a capsule pipeline transportation system, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-103005 discloses a linear motor type capsule traveling device (hereinafter referred to as "prior art 1"). In the prior art 1, a permanent magnet is attached to a wheel attached to the front and rear of the capsule on a center side (a luggage loading unit side) of the wheel of the capsule with respect to the wheel. In order to increase the efficiency of the linear motor, the permanent magnet is arranged as close as possible to the exciting coil wound on the pipe of the linear tube. In this configuration, there is no problem as long as it is limited to running on a straight section of the pipeline,
When the bend travels, there is a problem that the permanent magnet and the capsule body may come into contact with the inner wall of the pipe of the pipeline and become unable to travel.

[0004]

In the prior art 1, the permanent magnet is positioned at the center of the body of the capsule, that is, at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the wheel, with respect to the wheels attached to the front and rear of the capsule as described above. Is attached. In order to increase the efficiency of the linear motor, the permanent magnet needs to be as close as possible to the exciting coil wound on the pipe in the pipeline. However, if the permanent magnet is brought closer to the inner wall of the conduit by means of making the capsule body thicker, that portion contacts the inner wall of the conduit when the capsule passes through the bend, so that the radius of curvature of the bend is increased. This is disadvantageous in terms of installation space and facility construction costs. On the other hand, if the body of the capsule is made thinner so that it can run on the bend portion, the permanent magnet becomes farther from the coil, and the efficiency of the linear motor deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a capsule for a linear motor type capsule type traveling device capable of solving the above-mentioned problems and improving the traveling performance of a bend portion without impairing the efficiency of the linear motor. is there.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A pipe made of a non-magnetic material, and a pipe made of a linear tube formed by an exciting coil whose polarity can be converted, which is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the pipe; A capsule capable of storing luggage in a body to which wheels and a permanent magnet are attached, wherein the capsule in which luggage is stored in the body is electromagnetically generated by the excitation coil and the permanent magnet, through the wheel. A capsule for a linear motor-type capsule-type traveling device that travels in the linear tube and conveys the luggage, wherein the capsule is provided with the wheels before and after a body thereof, and the permanent magnet is mounted on the wheel. The permanent magnet and the wheel attached as described above are mounted at the same position as the position where the Those having features that are movable in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the cells.

[Action] By mounting the permanent magnet at the wheel position of the capsule at the same position as the wheel, the total length of the capsule can be shortened as compared with providing the permanent magnet near the center of the capsule, and the radius of curvature of the bend portion can be reduced. Can be smaller.

In the wheel section, the wheel is mounted on the body of the capsule via a bearing base, and the bearing base has a suspension structure that can be extended and contracted by an elastic body such as a spring or rubber. Attach a permanent magnet through the core. As a result, the wheel and the permanent magnet are integrally pressed by the elastic body from the inside toward the outside, and are movable in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the capsule.

A non-magnetic material is used for the material of the wheel, bearing stand, spring and bracket. However, the bracket can be made of a magnetic material when it also functions as a core.

The permanent magnets are arranged at predetermined intervals before and after the capsule, for example, 2.5 times the interval between the exciting coils on the outer peripheral surface of the pipe.
It is obvious from the driving principle of the linear motor that the permanent magnets may be arranged at the predetermined interval even when a plurality of capsules are connected.

As described above, if the wheel portion and the permanent magnet are integrally mounted at the same position, the effect obtained by a single capsule can be applied to a plurality of connected capsules as they are.

[0012]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the entire configuration of a linear motor type capsule traveling apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the drawings, 1 is the capsule of the present invention, 2 is a wheel, 3a and 3b are permanent magnets, 4 is an exciting coil, 5 is a linear tube, 6 is a non-magnetic pipe, 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes an iron plate. The linear tube 5 includes a cylindrical pipe 6 made of a nonmagnetic material (for example, SUS304 or the like) and having a circular cross section, and the coil 4 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 6 at a predetermined interval. An iron plate 26 is wound around the linear tube 5. The body of the capsule 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a circular cross section. Luggage can be stored in the trunk. Wheels are provided before and after the body of the capsule 1, and a plurality of wheels 2 are provided on the wheel in the circumferential direction of the body so that the contact surface with the linear tube 5 slightly protrudes from the body. The axle is arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction of the capsule 1. And, in the front and rear wheel portions of the body portion where the wheels 2 are disposed, at the same position as the position where the wheels 2 are provided,
Permanent magnets 3a and 3b are mounted separately in the circumferential direction of the body. And the front and rear permanent magnets 3a and 3b
Is attached at a predetermined interval, for example, at least 2.5 times the interval between the coils 4.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the wheel portion of the capsule according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the drawing,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a permanent magnet, 7 denotes a core, 8 denotes a bracket, 9 denotes a bearing stand, 10 denotes a spring, and 27 denotes a base. Capsule 1
The front and rear wheel portions are provided with a plurality of, for example, five front and rear wheels 2 equally divided in the circumferential direction. Each of the wheels 2 is rotatably mounted on a bearing stand 9 of the capsule 1 by a bearing (not shown). The bearing stand 9 includes a base 27
The capsule 1 and the pipe 6 are pushed from inside to outside by a predetermined pressing force by the expansion and contraction of the spring 10 fixed to the
, That is, a suspension that is extendable and contractible in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the capsule 1, whereby the wheels 2 can also move in the same direction. In addition to the spring 10, another elastic body such as rubber can be used. The permanent magnet 3 is attached to a core 7 made of a magnetic material (for example, SS400). The core 7 is attached to a bearing base 9 via a bracket 8. Thus, the magnet 3 can be moved integrally with the wheel 2 by expanding and contracting the spring 10 in the radial direction of the body of the capsule 1, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the capsule 1. Since the permanent magnet 3 expands and contracts integrally with the wheel 2,
Even if the linear tube 5 is deformed, it hardly comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tube 5, and the permanent magnet 3 can be brought closer to the inner peripheral surface (that is, the coil) of the linear tube 5, thereby increasing the efficiency of the linear motor. Can be.

The wheel 2 comprises an aluminum frame and a rubber wound around the frame,
The bracket 8, the bearing stand 9, the spring 10, and the bearing (not shown) are all made of SUS304.

For example, when the diameter (inner diameter) of the pipe 6 is 600 m
m, the thickness of the pipe 6 is 5 mm, the body diameter (outer diameter) of the capsule 1 is 500 mm, and the capsule length of the capsule 1 is 1500
In the standard specified in mm, the mounting distance of the permanent magnet 3 from the inner peripheral surface of the linear tube 5 (pipe 6) is determined in consideration of the manufacturing accuracy (plate thickness and flatness) of the tube 5. 5mm
Can be set to about. Further, it is sufficient that the stroke of the spring 10 is about 10 mm.

A plurality of capsules 1 constructed as described above can be connected and used. FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram showing a driving method of the linear motor. In the drawing, 11 is a sensor, 12 is a section, 13 is a polyphase cable, 14
Denotes a switch, 15 denotes a linear drive device, and 16 denotes a logic circuit. The linear tube 5 is configured by winding the exciting coils 4 around the pipe 6 at equal intervals. Coils 4, 4
A sensor 11 for position detection, which includes a proximity sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like, is attached between them. The linear tube 5 is divided into a plurality of sections 12, and the sections 12 are wired in parallel from a polyphase cable 13 for a drive power supply via a switch 14 composed of a power transistor or the like for each section 12. The wiring of the coil 4 in the section 12
Each phase is connected in series (series), and it is a polyphase star connection that connects terminals. Also, a sensor 11 for position detection
Are also connected in series for each phase, and divided into two by branch circuits. One is amplified to the linear drive 15, and
On the other hand, a signal compiled for each section 12 by the OR logic circuit 16 is sent to the linear drive device 15 and the switch 14 to detect which section 12 the capsule 1 is in. In other words, as long as the capsule 1 is detected by the sensor 11, the switch 14 is electrically connected to receive the signal and the current flows, but when the capsule 1 is removed from the section 12, the power is turned off. This may be performed by attaching sensors to the entrance and exit of the section 12 and turning on / off the linear drive power supply of the linear drive device 15. The linear tube 5 protects the coil 4 and magnetically shields it by winding an iron plate 26 (see FIG. 1).

The position of the capsule 1 in the linear tube 5 is detected by the sensor 11, and the exciting coil 4 is attracted to the permanent magnet 3a of the capsule 1 and the polarity thereof is changed so as to be repelled after passing through the multi-phase. An electric current is applied to the cable 13. Further, a current is similarly applied so as to be attracted to the permanent magnet 3b with a delay of a half cycle and become repelled after passing. By repeating this, a uniform thrust can be given in a certain direction. This allows the capsule 1 to run.

The running control of the capsule 1 can be externally controlled by supplying a current to the exciting coil 4. The speed of the capsule 1 is controlled by calculating from the interval of the position sensor 11 and the detection interval, and controlling the supply current by PWM (pulse width modulation).

In the thus constructed linear motor type capsule traveling apparatus, the passing property of the bend portion of the capsule of the present invention is determined by the following equation. ^{√ {R 2 - (L /} 2) 2}> {d / 2 + (N-0.5)
D = t｝ R = ND · D where D: Pipe diameter R: Pipe radius of curvature L: Capsule length d: Capsule body diameter t: Pipe thickness N: Multiple Pipe diameter (inner diameter) is 600 mm, pipe thickness is 5 mm,
Capsule body diameter (outer diameter) is 500mm, capsule length is 15
If it is set to 00 mm, the radius of curvature of the pipe that can pass can be obtained from the above equation, and N = 11.

On the other hand, in the case of the prior art 1 in which the permanent magnet and the wheel are separately provided, N> 15 because the capsule length is increased by the sum of the front and rear wheel widths (for example, 300 mm), and the radius is 2400 mm or more. Is the difference.

Under the above conditions (the pipe diameter is 600 mm, the pipe wall thickness is 5 mm, the capsule body diameter is 500 mm, and the capsule length is 1500 mm), the state of the capsule of the present invention passing through the bend portion is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows the passing state of the above-described conventional capsule through the bend portion. As shown in FIG. 4, in the conventional type, since the load-bearing portion side of the capsule 1 of the permanent magnet 3 contacts the inner wall of the linear tube 5, the radius of curvature needs to be considerably larger than in the case of the present invention shown in FIG. is there.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a linear motor type capsule traveling apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the drawing, 17 is a capsule of the present invention, 18 is a wheel, 19a and 19b are permanent magnets,
Reference numeral 20 denotes an excitation coil, 21 denotes a nonmagnetic pipe, 22 denotes a linear tube, 23 denotes a bracket, 24 denotes a bearing stand, and 25 denotes a spring. The linear tube 22 includes a pipe 21 having a rectangular cross section made of a non-magnetic material (such as SUS304);
Coil 20 wound around the outer peripheral surface of pipe 21 at a predetermined interval
It is composed of The body of the capsule 17 is formed in the shape of a rectangular tube having a rectangular cross section. Luggage can be stored in the trunk. Wheels are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the body of the capsule 17, and a plurality of wheels 18 are provided on the wheel.
Are arranged so that the contact surface with the linear tube 22 protrudes slightly from the side surface of the trunk portion, and the axle is orthogonal to the traveling direction of the capsule 17. Permanent magnets 19a and 19b are divided at the same positions as the positions where the wheels 18 are provided on each of the front and rear wheel portions on which the wheels 18 are provided, and the surfaces thereof are linearly shaped in a rectangular cross section. The permanent magnets 19a and 19b are attached so as to face in parallel with each of the four inner peripheral surfaces of the tube 22 and have a predetermined interval, for example, at least 2.5 times the interval between the coils 20. Attached.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view showing a wheel portion of the capsule according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing,
19 is a permanent magnet, 23 is a bracket, 24 is a bearing stand, 2
5 is a spring, 28 is a base. A total of six wheels 18 are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the capsule 17, two at the top and bottom and two at the left and right.
Each of the wheels 18 is rotatably mounted on a bearing stand 24 on the front and rear surfaces of the capsule 17 by a bearing (not shown). The bearing stand 24 is provided with a suspension which is pushed from the inside by expansion and contraction of a spring 25 fixed to the base 28 and is stretchable in a direction perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of the pipe 21, that is, a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the capsule 17. This allows the wheels 18 to move in the same direction. Permanent magnet 1
9 is attached to a bearing stand 24 via a bracket 23 made of a magnetic material (for example, SS400) and also serving as a core. Thus, the permanent magnet 19 is
8 and is movable by expansion and contraction of a spring 25 in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the capsule 17.

The wheel 18 is made of an aluminum frame and rubber wound around the frame, and the bearing stand 24, the spring 25, and the bearing (not shown) are all made of SUS304.

The mounting distance of the permanent magnet 19 from the inner peripheral surface of the linear tube 22 (pipe 21) is
Although it is determined in consideration of the manufacturing accuracy (plate thickness and flatness) of No. 2, since it can be expanded and contracted by the spring 25, it can be set to about 5 mm as in the first embodiment. It is sufficient that the stroke of the spring 25 is about 10 mm.

The driving method of the linear motor described in the second embodiment is the same as the driving method described in the first embodiment, and a plurality of capsules 17 configured as described above can be used in combination.

As described above, according to the present invention, by forming a capsule having a rectangular cross section even for a rear tube having a rectangular cross section, the bendability as described in the first embodiment can be realized. be able to.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following useful effects can be obtained.

Since the wheel and the permanent magnet are integrally provided at the same position, the capsule length is shortened, and the radius of curvature of the bend portion can be reduced. Since it is not necessary to bring the permanent magnet close to the inner peripheral surface of the linear tube, the capsule does not become large and the radius of curvature of the bend portion can be reduced.

By reducing the radius of curvature of the bend, installation space and equipment construction costs can be reduced. Since the permanent magnet moves integrally with the wheel in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the capsule, it is less affected by the deformation of the linear tube, and the permanent magnet can be brought closer to the inner peripheral surface of the linear tube (that is, the coil). The efficiency of the linear motor can be increased.

By reducing the overall length of the capsule, the weight of the capsule is reduced, and extra luggage can be stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the entire configuration of a linear motor type capsule traveling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a wheel portion of the capsule for the linear motor capsule type traveling apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a passing state of a capsule for a linear motor type capsule traveling device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention through a bend portion;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a passing state of a conventional linear motor type capsule type traveling device capsule through a bend portion.

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating a section control method in the transfer line according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an entire configuration of a linear motor type capsule traveling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a wheel portion of a capsule for a linear motor type capsule traveling device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Capsule 2: Wheels 3, 3a, 3b: Permanent magnet 4: Excitation coil 5: Linear tube 6: Pipe 7: Core 8: Bracket 9: Bearing stand 10: Spring 11: Sensor 12: Section 13: Multi-phase cable 14 : Switch 15: Linear drive 16: Logic circuit 17: Capsule 18: Wheels 19, 19a, 19b: Permanent magnet 20: Excitation coil 21: Pipe 22: Linear tube 23: Bracket 24: Bearing stand 25: Spring 26: Iron plate 27: Base 28: Base

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-67326 (JP, A) JP-A-3-103005 (JP, A) JP-A-6-276619 (JP, A) (58) Fields studied (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60L 13/03 H02K 41/02

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A linear tube comprising a pipe made of a non-magnetic material, and an exciting coil whose polarity can be converted and which is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe at predetermined intervals over the entire length of the pipe. And a capsule capable of storing luggage in a body to which wheels and a permanent magnet are attached, and the capsule in which luggage is stored in the body is formed by an electromagnetic force generated by the excitation coil and the permanent magnet. ,
In a capsule for a linear motor type capsule type traveling device that travels through the linear tube through the linear tube and conveys the luggage, the capsule is provided with the wheels before and after a body thereof, and the permanent The magnet is attached at the same position as the position where the wheel is provided, and the permanent magnet and the wheel attached as described above are integrally formed in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the capsule. A capsule for a linear motor type capsule traveling device, wherein the capsule is movable.