JP3582834B1 - Pallet extraction device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce a space for installation and operation of an apparatus and to shorten a pallet replacement time.
A pallet extracting device includes a table moving mechanism for reciprocating a table on which a loading pallet can be placed between a loading / unloading section and a pallet collecting section, and a table moving mechanism for moving the table to the loading / unloading section. A first stopper 3 that allows the cargo to abut against the pallet collection unit P2 when moving from the pallet to the pallet collection unit P2 and leaves only the cargo in the loading / unloading unit P1, and a support plate 50 that supports the cargo left in the loading / unloading unit P1 from below. Is moved from the standby position to the loading / unloading section P1 by following the movement of the table 20, and then the support mechanism 5 for returning operation from the loading / unloading section P1 to the standby section P3, and the support plate 50 is moved from the loading / unloading section P1 to the standby section. A second stopper 4 is provided to allow the cargo to abut against the cargo when the operation returns to P3 and leave the cargo at the loading / unloading portion P1.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for extracting a pallet from a pallet loaded with pallets (hereinafter referred to as a "loading pallet") or replacing the pallet with another pallet in a factory or a warehouse. The present invention relates to a pallet extracting device used.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pallets have been widely used for transporting a large number of articles or storing them in a warehouse or the like. The load can be moved by a forklift while being placed on a pallet, or loaded on a truck or a container and transported. Pallets are held by each trader, so when transferring cargo from a manufacturer to a wholesaler or from a wholesaler to a retailer, transfer pallets of other companies to their own pallets and return pallets of other companies. ing. In addition, pallets are of various materials and forms, such as wooden and synthetic resin.For example, when storing foods, it is necessary to transfer wooden pallets to synthetic resin pallets from the viewpoint of hygiene. Something has been done.

  Conventionally, the above-mentioned pallet replacement has been performed manually, but such work requires a great deal of labor and time, and is inefficient. There has been proposed a pallet extracting apparatus capable of mechanically performing an operation of replacing the pallet with another pallet (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

Columbia Machine Inc, Welcome to Columbia Machine, Material Handling Div. 'Load Transfer System', [Online], Columbia Machine Inc, [Search January 14, 2004], Internet <http://www.palletizing.com/ ltstation.htm>

  5 (1) to 5 (8) show a configuration of a conventional pallet extracting device and a flow of a pallet exchanging operation using the device. The pallet extracting device includes an apparatus main body 99 and a table 110. The apparatus main body 99 is provided with a pallet collecting mechanism 117 and a stopper 118. The table 110 constitutes a table moving mechanism 111 together with a driving mechanism (not shown) using a motor as a driving source and a guide rail 112 laid in the apparatus main body 99, and the table moves along the guide rail 112. 110 reciprocates. In the drawing, reference numeral 99A denotes an entrance of a table 110 provided at one end of the apparatus main body 99.

  The table 110 is provided with a loading surface 110A on which the loading pallet 100 in which the loading 102 is loaded on the pallet 101 is placed. The stopper 118 is provided at a position directly above the entrance 99A of the apparatus main body 99. After the loading pallet 100 is placed on the loading surface 110A of the table 110, when the table 110 moves toward the apparatus main body 99, the load 102 hits the stopper 118 and is left behind. The table 110 includes a load supporting surface 110B for supporting the left-over load 102. There is a step between the load supporting surface 110B and the loading surface 110A, and the pallet 101 of the loading pallet 110 is pushed by the step 110C and taken into the apparatus main body 99. Therefore, the step 110C is set at a height corresponding to the thickness of the pallet 101.

  The table 110 moves from a position where the entire length is exposed from the apparatus main body 99 (see FIG. 5A) to a position where the entire length enters the apparatus main body 99 (see FIG. 5C). The operation returns to the original position (see FIG. 5 (8)).

  The pallet collection mechanism 117 includes a pallet holding mechanism 114 having four holding claws 116 capable of holding a plurality of pallets 101 in a vertically stacked state, and a pallet holding mechanism 114 on the table 110. And a lifter 115 which pushes up to the height of 114. The holding claws 116 are pushed and opened by the pushed pallet 101 and then closed to engage with the four corner positions on the lower surface of the pallet 101 to hold the pallet 101.

  The table moving mechanism 111 is in a standby state when the entire length of the table 110 is exposed from the apparatus main body 99 (FIG. 5A). In this standby state, the forklift supports the loading pallet 100 and places it on the loading surface 110A of the table 110 (FIG. 5 (2)). Next, the table 110 moves along the guide rail 112 and enters the inside of the apparatus main body 99 through the entrance / exit 99A. During this movement, the load 102 hits the stopper 118 and is left behind, while the pallet 101 is pushed by the step 110C and is sent into the apparatus main body 99. Since the load support surface 110B of the table 110 enters below the load 102 with the movement of the table 110, the load 102 left behind is transferred from the pallet 101 to the load support surface 110B and is supported on the load support surface 110B (FIG. 5 (3)).

  When the pallet 101 is taken into the apparatus main body 99, the lifter 115 of the pallet collecting mechanism 117 pushes the pallet 101 up to the level of the pallet holding mechanism 114. The four holding claws 116 of the pallet holding mechanism 114 are pushed open by the pushed pallet 101 and then closed to engage the lower surface of the pallet 101 to hold the pallet 101 (FIG. 5 (4)). Thereafter, the lifter 115 descends and returns to the original position.

  The pallet 120 replacing the pallet 101 that has been extracted is carried by a forklift. The pallet 120 is supported by the fork 121 of the forklift, and in this state, is positioned below the load supporting surface 110B of the table 110 (FIG. 5 (5)).

Next, the table 110 further moves along the guide rails 112 and enters deep into the apparatus main body 99 (FIG. 5 (6)). During this movement, the load 102 hits the stopper 118 and is left behind. However, since the pallet 120 is located below the table 110, the load 102 left behind with the movement is moved from the load support surface 110B to the pallet 120. And is supported on the pallet 120 (FIG. 5 (7)).
Thus, the loading pallet is carried out by the forklift, and thereafter, the table 110 moves in the opposite direction, returns to the position where the entire length is exposed from the apparatus main body 99, and waits for the next operation (FIG. 5 (8)).

  However, in the conventional pallet extracting apparatus described above, the entire length of the table 110 is exposed from the apparatus main body 99 at the time of standby shown in FIG. 5A, whereas when the pallet replacement shown in FIG. Since the entire length of the table 110 is in the state of entering the inside of the apparatus main body 99, the moving distance of the table 110 required for changing the pallet is long, and the space for installing and operating the apparatus becomes large. . In addition, after the pallet is exchanged, the time required for the pallet exchange becomes longer because the table 110 moves a long distance before returning to the original standby state.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a pallet extracting apparatus which requires a small space for installation and operation of the apparatus and can shorten the time required for pallet replacement.

  A pallet extracting device according to the present invention is for extracting the pallet from a loading pallet loaded on the pallet, and a first table on which the loading pallet can be placed is a first table for loading the pallet. A table moving mechanism for reciprocating between a position and a second position for collecting pallets; and a table installed between the first position and the second position, wherein the table is moved from the first position to the second position. A first stopper that allows the load to abut when moved and leaves only the load at the first position, and a support plate that supports the load left at the first position from below and follows the movement of the table. A support mechanism that moves from the standby position to the first position and then returns from the first position to the standby position; and a support mechanism that is installed between the first position and the standby position and the support plate is in the first position. Those comprising a second stopper which cargo abuts to leave behind cargo in the first position when the return operation to the standby position.

To extract or replace a pallet by the pallet extracting device according to the present invention, first, a loading pallet is placed on a table waiting at the first position, and the table is moved from the first position to the second position. When the table moves, the cargo hits the first stopper and is left at the first position. However, the support plate moves from the standby position to the first position following the movement of the table. The loaded cargo is supported from below by the support plate.
Next, the support plate returns from the first position to the standby position. At the time of this return operation, the load strikes the second stopper and is left at the first position. If the load is supported by the fork of the forklift, the pallet can be extracted from the loading pallet. Further, if the load is supported by another pallet supported by the fork of the forklift, the pallet of the loading pallet can be exchanged.

The pallet extracting device according to the present invention further includes a collection mechanism for collecting the pallet on the table moved from the first position to the second position, in addition to the above configuration.
According to this embodiment, since the pallets extracted from the loading pallets are collected by the collection mechanism, automation and efficiency of the collection operation can be realized.

  In the above-described configuration of the present invention, the recovery mechanism may be of various modes. In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to hold a plurality of pallets in a vertically stacked state above the second position. A pallet holding mechanism having a plurality of holding claws and a lifter for pushing up the pallet on the table to the height of the pallet holding mechanism. The holding claw is pushed and opened by the pushed pallet and then closed to engage with the lower surface of the pallet to hold the pallet. According to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the pallet from which the space above the second position is extracted.

  Also, various types of lifters of the collecting mechanism can be considered. However, if the lifters are installed on a table, it is not necessary to provide a special space for installing the lifters.

  According to the present invention, when the support plate is moved from the standby position to the first position in accordance with the movement of the table, the load left at the first position is supported by the support plate from below, and further, When the support plate is returned from the first position to the standby position, the load on the support plate is left at the first position to complete the removal or replacement of the pallet, so that the space for installation and operation of the apparatus is provided. And the time required for pallet replacement can be shortened.

1 to 3 show a configuration of a pallet extracting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the pallet extracting device when viewed from above, FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the pallet extracting device when viewed from the back, and FIG. 3 shows the appearance when viewed from the right side.
The pallet extracting device in the illustrated example is installed in, for example, a warehouse or a distribution center. The pallet extracting device extracts a pallet of another company (hereinafter, referred to as A) from a loading pallet and owns a pallet (hereinafter, referred to as B). Used to exchange for. The extracted pallet A is collected and returned to the owner of the pallet A.

The pallet extracting device of the present invention can be applied not only to the exchange of pallets of other companies and pallets of the same company, but also to the exchange of all types of pallets, such as the exchange of pallets of different types, the exchange of old and new pallets, and the loading pallets. The present invention is also applicable to a pallet extracting operation in which a pallet is simply extracted.
In addition, the term “pallet” as used herein broadly refers to a member used for carrying, carrying, and storing a load, regardless of its plate shape or material.

  In the illustrated pallet extracting apparatus, a table moving mechanism 2, first and second stoppers 3, 4, a supporting mechanism 5, and a collecting mechanism 6 are respectively provided on a machine base 1 assembled by a plurality of vertical and horizontal frames. It is incorporated. The machine base 1 is provided with a loading / unloading section P1 for loading / unloading a loading pallet with a forklift, and a pallet collecting section P2 for collecting and holding the extracted pallets A. Further, on one side of the machine base 1, a standby section P3 for holding a support plate 50 described later on standby is set.

  The table moving mechanism 2 has a table 20 on which a loading pallet carried by a forklift is placed. The table 20 is moved between a loading / unloading section P1 and a pallet collecting section P2 by two guide rails 21. , 22. The table 20 is formed by framing four frames into a rectangular shape, and a lifter 62, which will be described later, is incorporated in a space in the frames. The lifter 62 projects above the table 20 when ascending, but is located below the upper surface of the table 20 when in the lowered position.

  On the lower surface of the table 20, a roller 23 that rolls on one guide rail 21 and an engaging member 24 that slidably engages with the other guide rail 22 are disposed at both ends. . A drive mechanism 25 for reciprocating the table 20 is disposed below the table 20. The drive mechanism 25 includes a motor 26 as a drive source, a drive sprocket 27 driven by the motor 26, a chain 29 stretched between the drive sprocket 27 and the driven sprocket 28, and the like. The chain 29 is extended along the movement path of the table 20, and both ends of the chain 29 are connected to the table 20. When the table 20 is moved from the loading / unloading section P1 to the pallet collecting section P2 by the drive mechanism 25, the pallet A is extracted.

  A pair of pallet holding frames 7 for vertically moving the pallet A together with the table 20 when the pallet A is removed is vertically attached to one edge of the table 20. The pallet holding frame 7 is set at a height corresponding to the thickness of the pallet A. The pallet holding means for moving the pallet A integrally with the table 20 is not limited to the pallet holding frame 7 of this embodiment. For example, various modes such as a method in which the surface of the table 20 is roughened to increase the friction with the pallet A, and a method in which a claw-shaped member that is engaged with a proper position of the pallet A is provided on the table 20 are adopted. It is possible to do.

  The first stopper 3 acts on the cargo when the table 20 is moved from the loading / unloading portion P1 to the pallet collecting portion P2 when the pallet A is extracted. Only the cargo is loaded when the cargo hits the first stopper 3. Is left in the loading / unloading section P1. The first stopper 3 is located between the loading / unloading section P1 and the pallet collection section P2 and at the height of the load on the machine base 1.

  The support mechanism 5 has a support plate 50 for supporting a load left in the loading / unloading section P1 from below, and reciprocates the supporting plate 50 between the standby section P3 and the loading / unloading section P1. It is to let. The support plate 50 is formed in a thin plate shape, and has an inclined portion 50a formed at one side end for facilitating climbing of a load.

  The support plate 50 is supported in a cantilever state, and the vertical plate 51 and the guide frame 52 are attached along the rear edge so as to project from one end. The vertical plate 51 is supported by a plurality of guide rollers 53 attached to the machine base 1, and the guide frame 52 is slidably engaged with a plurality of support members 54 attached to the machine base 1. Supported.

  A drive mechanism 55 for reciprocating the support plate 50 is disposed below the machine base 1. The driving mechanism 55 includes a motor 56 as a driving source, a driving sprocket 57 driven by the motor 56, a chain 59 stretched between the driving sprocket 57 and a plurality of driven sprockets 58, and the like. The chain 59 is stretched along the movement path of the support plate 50, and both ends of the chain 59 are connected to the support plate 50.

  When the support plate 50 is moved from the standby section P3 to the loading / unloading section P1, the motor 56 of the support mechanism 5 and the motor 26 of the table moving mechanism 2 are operated synchronously so that the support plate 50 follows the table 20. At this time, the pallet A is extracted, and the load is transferred from the pallet A to the support plate 50 and is supported. When the support plate 50 is returned from the loading / unloading section P1 to the standby section P3, the motor 56 of the support mechanism 5 is driven independently. At this time, the support plate 50 is removed from the load.

  The second stopper 4 acts on the cargo when the support plate 50 is returned from the loading / unloading portion P1 to the standby portion P3 when the support plate 50 is withdrawn, and the cargo hits the second stopper 4 to unload the cargo. It is left in the entrance P1. The second stopper 4 is located between the loading / unloading section P1 and the standby section P3 and at the height of the load on the machine base 1.

The collection mechanism 6 collects and holds the pallet A moved from the loading / unloading section P1 to the pallet collection section P2 together with the table 20.
The collection mechanism 6 of this embodiment includes a pallet holding mechanism 60 having four holding claws 61 capable of holding a plurality of pallets A vertically stacked above the pallet collection section P2; And a lifter 62 for pushing up the pallet A of the pallet A to the height of the pallet holding mechanism 60. Each holding claw 61 is pushed and opened by the pushed-up pallet A and then closed, thereby engaging with the lower surface of the pallet A and holding the pallet A.
In this embodiment, the lifter 62 is installed on the table 20, but may be installed on the machine base 1.

A procedure of extracting a pallet A of another company from a loaded pallet and replacing it with a pallet B of the company using the pallet extracting device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-1 to 4-8.
First, the table 20 of the table moving mechanism 2 is set in the loading / unloading section P1, and the support plate 50 of the support mechanism 5 is set in the standby section P3 in a standby state (FIG. 4-1). In this standby state, the forklift supports the loading pallet 9 and places it on the table 20 (FIG. 4-2).

  Next, the drive mechanism 25 of the table moving mechanism 2 is driven to move the table 20 from the loading / unloading section P1 toward the pallet collection section P2, and the drive mechanism 55 of the support mechanism 5 is driven to move the support plate 50 to the table. 20 is moved at the same speed, and is moved from the standby section P3 toward the loading / unloading section P1. During this movement, the cargo 90 on the table 20 abuts the first stopper 3 and is left behind, while the pallet A is pushed by the pallet holding frame 7 and moves integrally with the table 20. In this case, since the support plate 50 follows the movement of the table 20, the load 90 left behind is transferred from the pallet A onto the support plate 50 and is supported from below (FIG. 4-3).

  When the table 20 reaches the pallet collection section P2 and the support plate 50 reaches the load carrying-in / out section P1, a position sensor (not shown) detects this, and the drive mechanisms 25 and 55 stop driving, and the table 20 and the support plate are stopped. 50 stops moving. Next, the lifter 62 of the collection mechanism 6 is lifted to lift the pallet A from the table 20 and push it up to the height of the pallet holding mechanism 60 (FIG. 4-4). Each holding claw 61 of the pallet holding mechanism 60 is pushed open when the pallet A passes, and is closed after passing the pallet A. When the pallet A is already held by the holding claws 61, the pallet A and the pallet A pushed up by the lifter 62 are vertically overlapped. Next, when the lifter 62 descends, only the lifter 62 passes through the pallet holding mechanism 60, and the pallet A is held by the holding claws 61 engaging with the lower surface thereof. Thereafter, the lifter 62 descends to the position of the table 20.

  Next, the pallet B of the company in place of the pallet A of the other company that has been extracted is carried by a forklift. The pallet B is supported by the fork f of the forklift, and in this state, is positioned below the support plate 50 located at the loading / unloading section P1 (FIG. 4-5).

  Next, the drive mechanism 55 of the support mechanism 5 is driven, and the support plate 50 performs a return operation from the load carrying-in / out portion P1 toward the standby portion P3 (FIG. 4-6). At the time of this return operation, the load 90 on the support plate 50 abuts on the second stopper 4 and is left behind at the load carrying-in / out portion P1, but the pallet B is located below the support plate 50, so that the pallet B is moved. The load 90 left behind is transferred from the support plate 50 to the pallet B and is supported (FIG. 4-7). When the support plate 50 reaches the standby portion P3, a position sensor (not shown) detects this, the drive mechanism 55 stops driving, and the support plate 50 stops the return operation. Thus, the operation of replacing the pallet A of another company in the loading pallet 9 with the pallet B of the company is completed.

  Thus, the loading pallet 9 is carried out by the forklift, and thereafter, the driving mechanism 25 of the table moving mechanism 2 is driven to move the table 20 from the pallet collecting section P2 to the loading / unloading section P1. When the table 20 reaches the loading / unloading section P1, a position sensor (not shown) detects this, the drive mechanism 25 stops driving, and the table 20 stops moving (FIG. 4-8). In this state, it waits for the next pallet change operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a top view of the pallet extraction apparatus which is one Example of this invention. It is a rear view of a pallet extraction device. It is a side view of a pallet extraction device. It is a front view showing the procedure of the pallet exchange work using the pallet extracting device. It is a front view showing the procedure of the pallet exchange operation using the conventional pallet extraction device.

Explanation of reference numerals

2 Table moving mechanism 3 First stopper 4 Second stopper 5 Support mechanism 6 Recovery mechanism 9 Loading pallet 20 Table 50 Support plate 60 Pallet holding mechanism 61 Holding claw 62 Lifter 90 Loading A, B pallets

Claims (4)

  A pallet extracting device for extracting a pallet from a loading pallet loaded on a pallet, wherein a pallet on which the loading pallet can be placed and a first position on which the loading pallet is placed are collected. A table moving mechanism for reciprocating between a first position and a second position, and a load installed between the first position and the second position when the table moves from the first position to the second position. A first stopper that causes only the load to be left in the first position by abutment, and a support plate that supports the load left in the first position from below is moved from the standby position to the first stopper. And a support mechanism for returning operation from the first position to the standby position after being moved to the first position, and the support plate installed between the first position and the standby position to return operation from the first position to the standby position. Pallet sampling device comprising a second stopper which cargo strikes against the cargo left behind in the first position in Rutoki.   2. The pallet extracting device according to claim 1, further comprising a collecting mechanism for collecting a pallet on the table moved from the first position to the second position.   The collection mechanism includes a pallet holding mechanism having a plurality of holding claws capable of holding a plurality of pallets in a vertically stacked state above a second position, and a pallet on a table that is higher than the pallet holding mechanism. 3. The pallet extracting device according to claim 2, further comprising a lifter that pushes up the pallet, wherein the holding claw is pushed and opened by the pushed pallet and then closed to engage the lower surface of the pallet to hold the pallet. 4. . The pallet extracting device according to claim 3, wherein the lifter is installed on a table.

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