JP4601590B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus that transports an article placed on a forward path.

  For example, in a production line for articles such as beverage cans and food cans, articles are conveyed by a conveyor or the like between devices that perform a plurality of production steps. At this time, if the device located on the downstream side of the conveyor stops, it is necessary to stop the conveyor because articles cannot be put into the device, and the production line stops accordingly, resulting in a decrease in manufacturing efficiency. There is an inconvenience. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the articles discharged from the upstream apparatus that is in operation are retained and stopped without stopping the conveyor, but there are disadvantages such as the articles coming into contact with each other and being damaged.

  Therefore, conventionally, a conveyor that can change the length of the conveyance path from the entrance to the exit is known (see Patent Document 1 below). This conveyor is provided with a movable gantry that is movable relative to a fixed gantry including an inlet pulley and an outlet pulley. A pair of pulleys are coaxially and rotatably supported on the movable base.

  An endless conveyance belt is stretched around each pulley. The transport belt has a forward path from the inlet pulley to the outlet pulley via one pulley of the movable frame, and this forward path is the transport path. Further, the conveyance belt is folded back by the folding pulley from the outlet pulley over the movable frame, and is returned to the inlet pulley through the one pulley of the movable frame and folded by the folding pulley.

  The exit pulley is rotationally driven by a drive motor, and the transport belt is rotated endlessly by this drive motor. The movable gantry includes a driving device, and is moved in the approaching direction or the separation direction with respect to the fixed gantry by the driving device. Further, a shutter for stopping the delivery of the article is provided on the outlet pulley side.

And when the article is thrown in from the entrance side while the shutter on the exit side is closed and the article is fully loaded on the transport path, the movable platform is only half the diameter of the article every time one article is put in. Moved away from the fixed base. Thereby, a conveyance path | route is extended and many articles | goods can be stored. When the shutter on the exit side is opened, the movable frame moves in a direction approaching the fixed frame, and the article is sent out while shortening the conveyance path. In this way, the length of the conveyance path can be changed so that the articles are always fully loaded on the conveyance path from the entrance to the outlet of the conveyor. Therefore, according to the stoppage of the upstream or downstream apparatus, Storage and delivery can be performed, and a reduction in manufacturing efficiency of the article can be prevented.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-286552

  However, in the above-described conventional conveyor, since it is necessary to synchronize the conveyance speed of the article (that is, the rotation speed of the conveyance belt) and the movement speed of the movable frame, the control is not only complicated, but also the conveyance There is an inconvenience that it is difficult to accurately match the quantity of articles stored on the path with the length of the transport path.

  Further, the pair of pulleys of the movable frame are moved coaxially and integrally with the movable frame, and the conveyance belt is arranged so that both the forward path side and the return path side of the conveyance belt are stretched over each pulley of the movable frame. It is necessary to bend in multiple places. For this reason, not only is the load applied to the conveyor belt relatively large, but there is an inconvenience that the apparatus configuration is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of such inconveniences, and can easily obtain a transport path length corresponding to the number of articles to be stored as a simple control without reducing manufacturing efficiency of articles to be transported. Moreover, it is an object to provide a transport device that can reduce the load applied to the transport belt, has a simple structure, and is compact.

  In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a first drive pulley that is rotatable, a first drive means that rotationally drives the first drive pulley, and a first gap between the first drive pulley and the first drive pulley. A rotatable second driving pulley, a second driving means for rotationally driving the second driving pulley, and a first moving member that is horizontally movable in a direction in which the driving pulley approaches and separates from both driving pulleys. A first movable pulley rotatably supported by the first moving member, a second moving member movable in parallel with the first moving member below the first moving member, and rotating to the second moving member A freely movable second movable pulley, a holding pulley provided on the opposite side of both driving pulleys via both moving members, and spanning the holding pulley, one end being connected to the first moving member and The other end of the first moving member is connected to the second moving member. A traction belt that moves the second moving member in a relative direction, and a period between the first drive pulley and the first movable pulley to reach the second drive pulley, the article is placed on the forward path and conveyed. And a continuous belt extending from the second drive pulley to the first drive pulley via the second movable pulley as a return path. When one driving means stops driving the first driving pulley, the first moving member moves in a direction approaching both driving pulleys and the second moving member moves in a direction separating from both driving pulleys, When the forward path length is shortened and the second driving means stops driving the second driving pulley, the second moving member moves in a direction approaching both driving pulleys and the first moving member moves away from both driving pulleys. Transport in the direction Wherein the outward length of the belt is extended.

  According to the present invention, when the first moving member is in a position approaching both drive pulleys and the second moving member is in a position separated from both drive pulleys, the forward length of the transport belt is shortened. Articles can be conveyed by the outward path. When the number of articles on the forward path is increased from this state, the driving of the first driving pulley by the first driving means is maintained, and the driving of the second driving pulley by the second driving means is stopped. When the first drive pulley rotates while the second drive pulley is stopped, tension is applied to the return belt-side conveyance belt between the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley, and the second drive pulley passes through the second movable pulley. The second moving member is pulled and moved in a direction approaching both drive pulleys. As a result, the first moving member moves relative to the second moving member via the traction belt (that is, the direction away from the two driving pulleys), and the first driving pulley and the second driving via the first movable pulley. The conveyor belt on the forward path side with the pulley extends. In this way, the articles are fed into the forward path while the forward-side conveyance belt is extended, and the number of articles on the forward path can be increased, so that a large number of articles can be stored on the forward path.

  Further, when the number of articles on the forward path is decreased from the state where the forward path length of the transport belt is extended, the second drive pulley is driven by the second drive means, and the first drive pulley of the first drive means is driven. Stop driving. When the second drive pulley rotates while the first drive pulley is stopped, tension is applied to the transport belt on the forward path between the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley, and the first drive pulley passes through the first movable pulley. The first moving member is pulled and moved in a direction approaching both drive pulleys. As a result, the second moving member moves in a direction away from both drive pulleys via the traction belt, and the forward belt on the forward path between the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley passes through the first movable pulley. Shortened. Thus, since the articles on the forward path are sent out while the transport belt on the forward path is shortened, a large number of articles stored on the forward path can be smoothly sent out downstream.

  As described above, since the length of the forward path can be expanded and contracted only by stopping either one of the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley, the control and control of the article are very easy and accurate. It can be carried out. In addition, since the conveyor belt is only stretched between both drive pulleys and both movable pulleys, there are few bent portions of the conveyor belt, the device configuration is simple and compact, and the load applied to the conveyor belt Can also be made relatively small.

  In the present invention, the traction belt is formed in an endless shape and is stretched between the holding pulley and another holding pulley provided on the first and second drive pulleys, and the first moving member is pulled. The second moving member is connected to the forward path side of the belt, and the second moving member is connected to the return path side of the traction belt so that the first moving member and the second moving member move in a relative direction. . Accordingly, the first moving member and the second moving member can be reliably moved in the relative direction between the pair of holding pulleys via the endless traction belt.

  At this time, the other holding pulley (that is, the holding pulley provided on the first and second driving pulleys side) is connected to the first driving means and the second driving means. A differential gear mechanism, wherein when the first drive means and the second drive means are driving the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley, the holding pulley is stopped, and the first drive means When stopped, the holding pulley is driven in the same rotational direction as the second driving pulley, and when the second driving means is stopped, the holding pulley is driven in the same rotational direction as the first driving pulley.

  According to the present invention, a differential gear mechanism is provided on the holding pulley provided on the first and second drive pulley sides so that the drive force is transmitted from the first drive means and the second drive means. In addition, the rotation of the traction belt can be driven via the holding pulley in synchronization with the stop of one of the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley, and thereby accuracy can be achieved without complicating the control. Both moving members can be moved well and reliably. In addition, since the tension applied to the transport belt on the forward path side and the return path side when the first drive pulley and the second drive pulley are stopped can be reduced, the load applied to the transport belt is further reduced, and both moving members Can be moved smoothly.

  In addition, the conveyance belt in this invention should just be a thing in which articles | goods can be mounted and formed in endless form, For example, the thing with which several plate-shaped elements called a top chain were connected is included. . Each drive pulley in the present invention can be selected to have a shape corresponding to the conveyor belt. For example, when the top chain is used as the conveyor belt, each drive pulley is engaged with the sprocket engaged with the top chain. Adopt as a pulley.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing a conveying device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view showing the main part of the conveying device of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is an explanatory sectional view of a moving member, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the dynamic gear mechanism, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the conveyor belt, and FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the conveyor device of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 1 of the present embodiment is provided in a part of a production line that manufactures an article W such as a food container, and is directed toward an inlet conveyor 2 that transports the article W from the upstream side and the downstream side. And the outlet conveyor 3 that conveys the article W.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport device 1 of the present embodiment includes a rotatable first drive pulley 4 provided on the inlet side, and a rotatable second drive pulley 5 provided on the outlet side. Yes. The first drive pulley 4 is rotationally driven via a first drive belt 7 by a first drive motor 6 (first drive means). The second drive pulley 5 is rotationally driven via a second drive belt 9 by a second drive motor 8 (second drive means). The rotation shaft 10 of the first drive pulley 4 and the rotation shaft 11 of the second drive pulley 5 are located on the same axis, but are rotatable in different directions. The rotary shafts 10 and 11 and the drive motors 6 and 8 are supported by a frame (not shown).

  An endless traction belt 12 is provided along the position between the drive pulleys 4 and 5. The traction belt 12 is stretched between a first holding pulley 13 disposed between the drive motors 6 and 8 and a second holding pulley 14 provided at a predetermined distance from the first holding pulley 13. Has been. The first holding pulley 13 includes a differential gear mechanism 15, and the differential gear mechanism 15 is connected to the first drive motor 6 and the second drive motor 8.

  A first moving member 16 is connected to the upper path (outward path) of the traction belt 12, and a second moving member 17 is connected to the lower path (return path) of the traction belt 12. A first transfer disk 18 (first movable pulley) is rotatably supported by the first moving member 16, and a second transfer disk 19 (second movable pulley) is rotatably supported by the second moving member 17. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first moving member 16 is slidably supported between a pair of first rail members 20 extending in parallel with each other along the traction belt 12. Similarly, the second moving member 17 is slidably supported between a pair of second rail members 21 extending parallel to each other along the traction belt 12 at a position below the first rail members 20. Yes. The first moving member 16 and the second moving member 17 are connected to the traction belt 12 so as to move relative to each other as the traction belt 12 rotates.

  An endless conveyance belt 22 is stretched around the first drive pulley 4, the second drive pulley 5, the first transfer disk 18, and the second transfer disk 19. That is, the transport belt 22 travels from the first drive pulley 4 via the first transfer disk 18 to the second drive pulley 5 and from the second drive pulley 5 via the second transfer disk 19 to the first drive. A return path to the pulley 4 is formed, and the article W is placed and conveyed on the forward path side from the first drive pulley 4 to the second drive pulley 5 via the first transfer disk 18.

  The rotation of the conveyor belt 22 is driven by the rotation of the first drive pulley 4 by the first drive motor 6 and the rotation of the second drive pulley 5 by the second drive motor 8. At this time, the first drive motor 6 rotates the first drive pulley 4 in a direction to take in the article W from the entrance conveyor 2, and the second drive motor 8 sends the second drive pulley 5 in a direction to send the article W to the exit conveyor 3. Rotate. Accordingly, the first drive pulley 4 and the second drive pulley 5 are rotationally driven in directions opposite to each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the differential gear mechanism 15 is connected to a first side gear 24 connected to the rotary shaft 23 of the first drive motor 6 and a rotary shaft 25 of the second drive motor 8 to be connected to the first side gear 24. 24, and a plurality of pinions 27 that mesh between the side gears 24 and 26, and the pinions 27 are rotatable on the inner periphery of the first holding pulley 13. It has a supported configuration. According to this, when the rotation shaft 23 of the first drive motor 6 and the rotation shaft 25 of the second drive motor 8 are rotating in the opposite directions at the same speed (that is, the transport belt 22 rotates over the entire circumference). The pinion 27 rotates in a fixed position between the first side gear 24 and the second side gear 26 and no rotational force is transmitted to the first holding pulley 13 and the traction belt 12 is not rotated. Therefore, the stopped state of the first moving member 16 and the second moving member 17 is maintained. When the rotation shaft 23 of the first drive motor 6 is rotated and the rotation shaft 25 of the second drive motor 8 is stopped, the pinion 27 rotated by the first side gear 24 follows the stopped second side gear 26. The first holding pulley 13 rotates in the same direction as the first drive pulley 4. As a result, the first moving member 16 is moved away from the first drive pulley 4 via the traction belt 12. On the contrary, when the rotation shaft 23 of the second drive motor 8 is rotated and the rotation shaft 25 of the first drive motor 6 is stopped, the first holding pulley 13 rotates in the same direction as the second drive pulley 5. The first moving member 16 is moved in a direction approaching the first drive pulley 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the conveyor belt 22 is a so-called top chain formed in an endless belt shape by connecting a plurality of plate-like elements 28 so as to be swingable. As shown in FIG. It can be bent in the folding direction along the outer circumferences of the pulleys 4 and 5 and can be bent in the horizontal direction along the outer circumferences of the transfer disks 18 and 19. In the present embodiment, sprockets are employed as the drive pulleys 4 and 5 for driving the rotation of the conveyor belt 22 that is the top chain.

  With the above configuration, the transport device 1 according to the present embodiment transports on the forward path from the first drive pulley 4 to the second drive pulley 5 via the first transfer disk 18 as the first transfer disk 18 moves. The distance of the route can be changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, the distance on the forward path side of the transport belt 22 is shortened by keeping the first moving member 16 close to both the drive pulleys 4 and 5.

  In this state, when the storage amount of the articles W on the conveyance path (the number of articles W placed on the outbound conveyance belt 22) is increased, the first drive pulley 4 by the first drive motor 6 is used. And the driving of the second drive pulley 5 by the second drive motor 8 is stopped. As the second drive motor 8 stops, the first holding pulley 13 is rotationally driven in the same direction as the first drive pulley 4 by the differential gear mechanism 15, and the traction belt 12 rotates. When the first holding pulley 13 and the first drive pulley 4 rotate in the same direction, the first moving member 16 moves in a direction away from the drive pulleys 4 and 5 via the traction belt 12. At the same time, the second moving member 17 moves in a direction approaching both the drive pulleys 4 and 5 via the traction belt 12. As a result, the conveyor belt 22 is fed from the return path side to the outbound path side, and the distance on the outbound path side of the conveyor belt 22 is extended as shown in FIG. 6B. At this time, since the second drive pulley 5 is in a stopped state, the articles W are not sent out to the outlet conveyor 3. The article W from 2 is supplied. In this way, a large number of articles W are stored on the extended transport belt 22 on the forward path side while maintaining the interval between the articles W. Then, the second drive motor 8 starts to drive the second drive pulley 5 in a state where the forward-side conveyance belt 22 is extended, so that a large number of articles W are stored on the forward-side conveyance belt 22. The article W can be conveyed from the conveyor 2 to the outlet conveyor 3.

  In addition, when the length of the conveyance path is shortened from the state shown in FIG. 6B to reduce the storage amount of the articles W on the conveyance path as shown in FIG. 6A, the second drive motor 8 Thus, the second drive pulley 5 is driven, and the drive of the first drive pulley 4 by the first drive motor 6 is stopped. As the first drive motor 6 is stopped, the first holding pulley 13 is rotationally driven in the same direction as the second drive pulley 5 by the differential gear mechanism 15, and the first moving member 16 is driven by both the drive pulleys via the traction belt 12. Move in the direction approaching 4,5. At the same time, the second moving member 17 moves in a direction away from the drive pulleys 4 and 5 via the traction belt 12. As a result, the transport belt 22 is pulled from the forward path side to the return path side, and the distance on the forward path side of the transport belt 22 is reduced as shown in FIG. At this time, since the article W stored on the forward-side conveyor belt 22 is sent to the outlet conveyor 3, the article W can be sent to the outlet conveyor 3 without supplying the article W from the inlet conveyor 2.

  In the present embodiment, the differential gear mechanism 15 is provided so that the driving force from the first driving motor 6 and the second driving motor 8 is transmitted to the first holding pulley 13, so that both moving members 16 and 17 can be moved reliably and accurately in synchronism with the stop of one of the first drive pulley 4 and the second drive pulley 5, and the control can be simplified, which is advantageous. Yes.

  On the other hand, for example, when the length of the conveyor belt 22 is relatively short, the differential gear mechanism 15 may not be provided. That is, although not shown in the drawing, the first holding pulley 13 can have the same structure as the second holding pulley 14 and the structure can be further simplified. In this case, the first drive pulley 4 and the second drive are simply driven by maintaining the drive of the first drive pulley 4 by the first drive motor 6 and stopping the drive of the second drive pulley 5 by the second drive motor 8. Tension is applied to the conveyance belt 22 on the return path side to the pulley 5, and the second moving member 17 is pulled and moved in a direction approaching the drive pulleys 4, 5 via the second transfer disk 19. Since the first moving member 16 moves in the relative direction to the second moving member 17 via the traction belt 12, it is possible to increase the storage amount of the articles W by extending the forward conveying belt 22.

  On the other hand, the first drive pulley 4 and the second drive can be maintained simply by maintaining the drive of the second drive pulley 5 by the second drive motor 8 and stopping the drive of the first drive pulley 4 by the first drive motor 6. Tension is applied to the transport belt 22 on the outward path side with respect to the pulley 5, and the first moving member 16 is pulled and moved in the direction approaching both the drive pulleys 4, 5 via the first transfer disk 18. Thereby, the transport belt 22 on the forward path side can be shortened.

  Further, when the differential gear mechanism 15 is not provided, only the second holding pulley 14 is provided without providing the first holding pulley 13, and the first moving member 16 is provided at one end thereof without making the traction belt 12 endless. The second moving member 17 may be connected to the other end. Similarly, since the first moving member 16 moves relative to the second moving member 17 via the traction belt 12, the storage amount of the article W is increased or decreased simply by expanding or contracting the forward-side conveyance belt 22. It becomes possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory top view which shows the conveying apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view illustrating a main part of the transport device according to the embodiment. Explanatory sectional drawing of a moving member. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a differential gear mechanism typically. An explanatory view showing a part of a conveyance belt. Operation | movement explanatory drawing of the principal part of the conveying apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveying device, 4 ... 1st drive pulley, 5 ... 2nd drive pulley, 6 ... 1st drive motor (1st drive means), 8 ... 2nd drive motor (2nd drive means), 12 ... Traction belt, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... 1st holding pulley (holding pulley), 14 ... 2nd holding pulley (other holding pulley), 15 ... differential gear mechanism, 16 ... 1st moving member, 17 ... 2nd moving member, 18 ... 1st transfer Disc (first movable pulley), 19 ... second transfer disc (second movable pulley), 22 ... conveying belt.

Claims (3)

A rotatable first drive pulley, first drive means for rotationally driving the first drive pulley, a rotatable second drive pulley provided adjacent to the first drive pulley at a predetermined interval, and Second driving means for rotationally driving the second driving pulley, a first moving member that is horizontally movable in the direction of approaching and moving away from both driving pulleys from between both driving pulleys, and rotatably supported by the first moving member A first movable pulley, a second movable member that is movable in parallel with the first movable member below the first movable member, a second movable pulley that is rotatably supported by the second movable member, A holding pulley provided on the opposite side of both drive pulleys via a moving member, and spanning the holding pulley, one end connected to the first moving member and the other end connected to the second moving member The first moving member and the second moving member are moved in the relative direction. The article is placed and conveyed on the forward path from the pulling belt and the first drive pulley to the second drive pulley via the first movable pulley, and then continuously from the second drive pulley to the second drive pulley. An endless conveying belt that is stretched between the two driving pulleys or both the movable pulleys with a return path extending from the movable pulley to the first driving pulley;
When the first driving means stops driving the first driving pulley, the first moving member moves in a direction approaching both driving pulleys, and the second moving member moves in a direction separating from both driving pulleys to carry The forward path length of the belt is shortened,
When the second driving means stops driving the second driving pulley, the second moving member moves in a direction approaching both the driving pulleys, and the first moving member moves in a direction separating from both the driving pulleys to carry A conveying device characterized in that the forward length of the belt is extended. The traction belt is formed in an endless shape and is stretched between the holding pulley and another holding pulley provided on the first and second drive pulleys,
The first moving member is connected to the forward path side of the traction belt, and the second moving member is connected to the backward path side of the traction belt so that the first moving member and the second moving member move in the relative direction. The conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The other holding pulley includes a differential gear mechanism connected to the first driving means and the second driving means,
The differential gear mechanism is configured to stop the holding pulley when the first driving means and the second driving means are driving the first driving pulley and the second driving pulley, and to stop the holding pulley when the first driving means is stopped. 3. The conveyance according to claim 2, wherein the holding pulley is driven in the same rotational direction as the second drive pulley, and the holding pulley is driven in the same rotational direction as the first drive pulley when the second drive means stops. apparatus.

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