JP4935714B2 - Conversion equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conversion facility used, for example, for transferring an article being conveyed on a main conveyance path to a branch conveyance path provided outside the side of the main conveyance path.

  Conventionally, a pair of left and right endless rotating bodies arranged along a main transport path, and a plurality of article supports attached between the endless rotating bodies and having a length in a direction perpendicular to the main transport path As the conversion equipment provided with the article laterally pushing body that is guided by being fitted around the article support, the following configuration is provided.

  That is, a guided body is attached to the lower side of the article laterally pushing body, and a guide device for guiding the guided body is disposed on the main body frame side. The guide device includes a pair of left and right inner movement guide portions that are inclined inward toward the lower side, and a pair of left and right sides that are opposed to the terminal ends of the inner movement guide portions via a switching unit and are inclined outward toward the lower side. It consists of an outside movement guide part. The switching means includes a merging guide part that receives guided bodies from both inner movement guide parts, a branch guide part that guides the guided bodies to both outer movement guide parts, and a bifurcating guide body from the merging guide part. And a switching guide section that distributes to the guide section. The switching guide unit has an upper guide body and a lower guide body, and the upper guide body is switched by a moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path on the article laterally pressing body side. In the latter half, the lower guide body is configured to switch and operate integrally.

  According to this conventional configuration, after the guided body is guided and moved inward by the inner movement guide portion, it is moved to the outer movement guide portion via the switching means, and is guided and moved outward by this outer movement guide portion. By doing so, the article laterally pushing body is moved in the length direction of the article support body to laterally push the article, and thus the article can be discharged to the outside of the main conveyance path. At that time, the switching operation of the switching guide portion can be automatically performed using the moving force on the article support side. That is, for example, when the guided body is guided by the inner movement guide portion on one side on the left and right and moved inward, and then moved to the outer movement guide portion on the other side via the switching guide portion, the switching guide The section switches the upper guide body and the lower guide body to one side. Therefore, the guided body from the inner movement guide part on one side moves to the outer movement guide part on the other side through the merging guide part, the upper guide body, the lower hand guide body, the other side branch guide part, Thus, the article laterally pushing body group can be traversed from one side to the other side in the main transport path.

Also, when the guided body is switched to guide the other side inner movement guide section, when the rearmost guided body from the one side inner movement guide section reaches the lower guide section, the other side The foremost guided body from the inner moving guide part reaches the joining guide part, and the upper guide body can be switched to the other side by the moving force on the article support side from this state. In the latter half of the switching operation of the upper guide body, the lower guide body can be switched as a unit. Therefore, the foremost guided body from the inner guide part on the other side moves to the outer guide part on one side through the merge guide part, the upper guide body, the lower guide body, and the branch guide part on one side. Thus, the article laterally pressed body group can be traversed from the other side to the one side in the main transport path. Thereby, switching can be performed via the upper guide body and the lower guide body while the switching guide length in the switching means can be sufficiently secured by the upper guide body and the lower guide body (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-126250 A (page 1-5, FIG. 1, FIG. 13 to FIG. 15) JP-A-3-205211 (FIG. 3-FIG. 6) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-127650 US Pat. No. 4,971,190 US Pat. No. 5,038,912

  However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, both the upper guide body and the lower guide body are configured to swing both in the left-right direction (horizontal swing), and accordingly, the upper guide body has a large stroke and can be switched and switched instantaneously. Since the rocking speed must be increased, there is a risk of generating noise due to an impact at the time of switching. In addition, when the position of the upper guiding body (position fluctuation) occurs with respect to the merging guide due to insufficient switching or a slight bounce at the time of impact, the guided body is smoothly guided. There will be no.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the stroke can be reduced and the swing speed can be reduced by combining the vertical swing of the upper guide body and the horizontal swing of the lower guide body. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a conversion facility that can always guide the guided body smoothly even if the position of the upper guide body (position fluctuation) occurs.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the conversion equipment according to claim 1 of the present invention is attached to a pair of left and right endless rotating bodies arranged along the main transport path, and a large number of them are attached between these endless rotating bodies, and A conversion facility provided with an article support whose length is perpendicular to the main transport path, and an article laterally pressed body guided by being externally fitted to the article support. A guided body is attached to the lower side of the lateral pusher, and a guide device for guiding the guided body is disposed on the main body frame side. The guide device is a pair of left and right sides inclined inward toward the lower side. And a pair of left and right outer movement guide portions that are opposed to the terminal ends of these inner movement guide portions via switching means and are inclined outward toward the lower side. A merging guide for receiving a guided body from the movement guide; It has a branch guide part that guides the guided body to the both-outside movement guide part, and a switching guide part that distributes the guided body from the merging guide part to both branch guide parts. A pair of swingable left and right upper guide bodies and a single swingable left and right lower guide body are provided, and the both upper guide bodies are moved by a moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path on the side of the article laterally pushing body. The upper guide that pivots upward and reversibly switches and swings between the guide action position linked to the merging guide portion and the non-guide position that swings downward, and the lower guide body guides the lower guide body during the switching swing. It is characterized in that it is configured to be integrally switched so as to be connected to the body and to swing.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the article support group is moved on the main conveyance path by the movement of both endless rotating bodies, thereby conveying the article supplied on the article support group at the start end on the main conveyance path. Can do. Then, after the guided body is guided by the inner movement guide unit and moved inward, the guided body is moved to the outer movement guide unit via the switching means, and is guided by the outer movement guide unit and moved to the outer side. By moving the article laterally pushing body in the length direction of the support body and laterally pushing the article, the article can be discharged out of the side of the main conveyance path.

  At that time, the switching operation of the switching guide unit can be automatically performed by using the moving force on the article laterally pushing body side. That is, for example, when the guided body is guided by the inner movement guide section on one side on the left and right and moved inward, and then moved to the outer movement guide section on the other side via the switching means, the switching guide section The upper-side guide body on one side can be swung upward to the guide action position, and the upper-side guide body on the other side can be swung downward to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body can be swung to one side so as to be connected to the one side upper guide body and the other side outer movement guide portion. Therefore, the guided body from the inner movement guide part on one side moves to the outer movement guide part on the other side through the merge guide part, the upper guide body on one side, the lower guide body, and the branch guide part on the other side. Thus, the article laterally pressed body group can be traversed from one side to the other side in the main transport path.

  When the guided body is switched so as to be guided to the other inner movement guide section, the foremost guided body from the other inner movement guide section reaches the merge guide section, and the article side from this state The upper guide body is reversibly swung up and down by the moving force on the pusher side. That is, the switching guide portion can swing the upper guide body on the other side upward to the guide action position, and can swing the upper guide body on one side downward to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body can be swung to the other side so as to be connected to the upper guide body on the other side and the outer movement guide portion on the one side. Therefore, the guided body from the inner movement guide section on the other side moves to the outer movement guide section on one side through the merge guide section, the upper guide body on the other side, the lower guide body, and the branch guide section on one side. Thus, the article laterally pressed body group can be traversed from the other side to the one side in the main transport path.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the conversion facility according to the first aspect, wherein the switching guide portion is positioned in the merging guide portion and is swingable to the left and right around the upper longitudinal axis. A cam body, a pair of left and right upper guide bodies that can swing up and down around the center axis of the front and rear support shafts, a lower guide body that can swing left and right around the vertical support axis of the lower side, and a cam A first swing interlocking mechanism provided between the body and the upper guide body and a second swing interlocking mechanism provided between the cam body and the lower guide body. It is characterized in that it is swung left and right by the moving force on the push body side, and the upper guide body and the lower guide body are switched and swung in conjunction with the left and right swing of the cam body. .

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, when the guided body is guided inward by the inner movement guide portion on one side and moved to the inner side, and then moved to the outer movement guide portion via the switching means, the switching is performed. The guide portion swings the cam body to the other side around the vertical support shaft axis on the upper side. Then, the upper guide body on the side opposite to the side on which the cam body is swung is swung upwardly around the front / rear support shaft axis via the first rocking interlocking mechanism in conjunction with the rocking to the other side of the cam body. The upper guide body on the side on which the cam body is swung can be swung downward about the front / rear support shaft axis to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body is swung to the side opposite to the side on which the cam body is swung via the second wobbling interlocking mechanism in conjunction with the wobbling to the other side of the cam body, so that the guide action position is reached. While being able to be in a state of being connected to a certain upper guide body, it is possible to be in a state of being connected to the outer movement guide portion on the other side.

  Further, the foremost guided body from the inner movement guide portion on the other side reaches the merging guide portion, and when the article support group moves from this state, it comes into contact with the cam body, and the cam body is moved by the moving force on the article lateral pushing body side. Is pushed to the opposite side (one side), and the cam body is swung to the one side around the vertical support shaft axis on the upper side. By swinging the cam body, the upper guide body is reversibly swung up and down around the front and rear support shafts via the first swing interlocking mechanism. That is, the upper guide body on the other side, which is opposite to the swing side of the cam body, can be swung upwards around the front / rear support shaft axis to the guide action position connected to the merge guide section. The upper-side guide body on one side, which is the oscillating side, can be oscillated downward around the front and rear support shaft axes to be in a non-guide position that is not connected to the merging guide portion. Then, as described above, by swinging the cam body to the left around the upper longitudinal axis, the lower guide body is moved to the lower longitudinal axis through the second oscillation interlocking mechanism. Is swung in the direction opposite to the cam body. That is, the lower guide body can be swung to the other side so as to be connected to the other side upper guide body and the one side outer movement guide portion.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the conversion device according to the second aspect, the first swinging interlocking mechanism is urged to counteract after facilitating reversible vertical swinging of the upper guide body. Means is provided.

  Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, in the state where the one side upper guide body is set to the guide action position and the other side upper guide body is set to the non-guide position, the biasing force to the other side is applied by the biasing means. At the start of the switching movement of the upper switching means by swinging the cam body, the start can be smoothly performed by the repulsive force of the urging means, and the repulsive force is resisted at the end of the switching movement. Can be moved.

  Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the conversion equipment according to the second or third aspect, wherein a support shaft is vertically provided on the lower side of the article laterally pushing body, and a guided body is provided on the support shaft. The cam body is swung left and right by the moving force of the support shaft that has moved to the merging guide section, and the upper guide body and the lower guide body guide the guided body that has moved to the merging guide section. It is characterized by being configured.

  Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the guided body from the inward movement guide portion on one side passes through the merge guide portion, the upper guide body, the lower guide body, and the branch guide portion on the other side to guide the outer movement on the other side. When moving to the section, the guided body that moves the cam body portion can pass without the support shaft being brought into contact with the cam body, so that the posture of the upper guide body or the lower guide body can be maintained. Further, when the guided body is switched to guide to the other side internal movement guide part, when the rearmost guided body from the one side internal movement guide part reaches the lower side guide body part, The to-be-guided body at the foremost end from the inner movement guide portion on the side reaches the joining guide portion and is in a position where its support shaft is brought close to (abuts) the cam body. When moving from this state, the support shaft comes into contact with the cam body, and the cam body is pushed to one side by the moving force of the support shaft, and swings to one side around the upper support shaft axis. become.

  In addition, in the conversion equipment according to claim 5 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 4 described above, when the moved support shaft reaches the end portion of the cam body, the guided body attached to the support shaft is good. It is characterized by being configured to face the guide body.

  Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the guided body can prevent the cam body from rattling due to an impact when the support shaft is detached from the cam body and the upper guide body is displaced.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention described above, by moving the article support group on the main transport path by the movement of both endless rotating bodies, the article supplied on the article support group at the start end is moved on the main transport path. Can be transported by. Then, after the guided body is guided by the inner movement guide unit and moved inward, the guided body is moved to the outer movement guide unit via the switching means, and is guided by the outer movement guide unit and moved to the outer side. By moving the article laterally pushing body in the length direction of the support body and laterally pushing the article, the article can be discharged out of the side of the main conveyance path.

  At that time, the switching operation of the switching guide portion can be automatically performed using the moving force on the article laterally pushing body side. That is, for example, when the guided body is guided by the inner movement guide section on one side on the left and right and moved inward, and then moved to the outer movement guide section on the other side via the switching means, the switching guide section The upper-side guide body on one side can be swung upward to the guide action position, and the upper-side guide body on the other side can be swung downward to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body can be swung to one side to be connected to the one side upper guide body and the other side outer movement guide portion. Therefore, the guided body from the inner movement guide part on one side moves to the outer movement guide part on the other side through the merge guide part, the upper guide body on one side, the lower guide body, and the branch guide part on the other side. Thus, the article laterally pressed body group can be traversed from one side to the other side in the main transport path.

  When the guided body is switched so as to be guided to the other inner movement guide section, the foremost guided body from the other inner movement guide section reaches the merge guide section, and the article side from this state The upper guide can be reversibly swung up and down by the moving force on the pusher side. That is, the switching guide unit can swing the upper guide body on the other side upward to the guide action position, and can swing the upper guide body on one side downward to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body can be swung to the other side so as to be connected to the upper guide body on the other side and the outer movement guide portion on the one side. Therefore, the guided body from the inner movement guide section on the other side moves to the outer movement guide section on one side through the merge guide section, the upper guide body on the other side, the lower guide body, and the branch guide section on one side. Thus, the article laterally pressed body group can be traversed from the other side to the one side in the main transport path.

  At that time, the combination of the reversible vertical swing of the upper guide and the left / right swing of the lower guide allows the swing stroke to be reduced and the swing speed to be slowed down. The noise caused by the noise can be reduced and the noise reduction effect can be improved. In addition, when the position of the upper guiding body (position fluctuation) occurs with respect to the merging guide due to inadequate switching or minute rebounding, it is the left and right when viewed from the upper side (front view). Since it appears as a slight change in angle, the guided body can always be smoothly moved without being affected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention described above, for example, when the guided body is moved inward by being guided by the inner movement guide portion on one side, and then moved to the outer movement guide portion via the switching means. In addition, the switching guide portion swings the cam body to the other side around the longitudinal support shaft axis on the upper side. Then, the upper guide body on the side opposite to the side on which the cam body is swung is swung upwardly around the front / rear support shaft axis via the first rocking interlocking mechanism in conjunction with the rocking to the other side of the cam body. The upper guide body on the side on which the cam body is swung can be swung downward about the front / rear support shaft axis to the non-guide position. Further, the lower guide body is swung to the side opposite to the side on which the cam body is swung via the second wobbling interlocking mechanism in conjunction with the wobbling to the other side of the cam body, so that the guide action position is reached. While being able to be in a state of being connected to a certain upper guide body, it is possible to be in a state of being connected to the outer movement guide portion on the other side.

  Further, the foremost guided body from the inner movement guide portion on the other side reaches the merging guide portion, and when the article support group moves from this state, it comes into contact with the cam body, and the cam body is moved by the moving force on the article lateral pushing body side. Can be pushed to the opposite side (one side), and the cam body can be swung to one side around the vertical shaft axis on the upper side. By swinging the cam body, the upper guide body can be reversibly swung up and down around the front and rear support shafts via the first swing interlocking mechanism. That is, the other side of the cam body on the opposite side to the swing side of the cam body can be swung upwards around the front and rear support shafts to reach the guide action position connected to the merging guide portion. The upper guide body on one side, which is the swinging side, can be swung downward around the front and rear support shaft axes to be in a non-guide position that is not connected to the merging guide portion. Then, as described above, by swinging the cam body to the left around the upper longitudinal axis, the lower guide body is moved to the lower longitudinal axis through the second oscillation interlocking mechanism. Can swing in the direction opposite to the cam body. That is, the lower guide body can be swung to the other side so as to be connected to the other side upper guide body and the one-side outer movement guide portion.

  Accordingly, the cam body can be swung left and right by the moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path on the article lateral pusher side, that is, the moving force on the article lateral pusher side moved to the merging guide portion. At the time of switching and swinging of both upper guide bodies, that is, interlocking with the left and right swing of the cam body via the first swing interlocking mechanism, the both upper guide bodies swing upward and continue to the merging guide portion. The lower guide body can be swung reversibly between the operating position and the non-guide position swung downward, and simultaneously, the lower guide body is moved in conjunction with the left / right swing of the cam body via the second swing interlocking mechanism. Switching operation can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention described above, when the upper guide body on one side is set to the guide action position and the upper guide body on the other side is set to the non-guide position, the biasing means moves the other side to the other side. When the urging force is applied and the cam body is oscillated, the switching operation in the upper switching means can be started smoothly by the repulsive force of the urging means. At the end, stable movement can be performed against the repulsive force.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention described above, the guided body from the inner movement guide portion on one side passes through the merging guide portion, the upper guide body, the lower guide body, and the branch guide portion on the other side. When moving to the outer movement guide portion, the guided body that moves the cam body portion can pass without the support shaft being brought into contact with the cam body, so that the posture of the upper guide body and the lower guide body can be maintained. . Further, when the guided body is switched to guide to the other side internal movement guide part, when the rearmost guided body from the one side internal movement guide part reaches the lower side guide body part, The guided body at the foremost end from the inner movement guide portion on the side reaches the joining guide portion, and the support shaft can be brought into a position close to (abuts) the cam body. When moving from this state, the support shaft comes into contact with the cam body, and the cam body is pushed to one side by the moving force of the support shaft, and swings to one side around the upper support shaft axis. Can do. As described above, the switching operation of the switching guide portion can be performed automatically and smoothly using the moving force of the support shaft.

  In addition, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the guided body can prevent the cam body from rattling due to an impact when the support shaft is detached from the cam body and the upper guide body is about to be displaced. Thus, the guided body can always be moved smoothly.

[Embodiment 1]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
2 to 8, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body frame, which includes frame members 10 and 20 disposed in a pair on both sides, an intermediate frame member 2 for connecting the upper and lower and left and right frame members 10 and 20, and a lower frame. The intermediate frame member 2 is composed of a vertical connecting member 4, a horizontal connecting member 5, and the like.

  The upper frame material 10 is formed of an aluminum molded product so as to have a rectangular cross-section, and an upward standing portion 11 is formed at the center, and a notch-shaped step portion 12 is formed on the outer side of the standing portion 11. Further, an upward groove-like lubricating oil receiving portion 13 is formed inside the upright portion 11. Further, the upper frame member 10 is formed with an outward dovetail groove 14 at the position of the upright portion 11, and an upward dovetail groove 15 at the position of the outer stepped portion 12. A downward ant groove 17 is formed. The upper frame member 10 has an outward guide rail 18 projecting inward from a position slightly below the inner lubricating oil receiving portion 13, and the outward guide rail 18 is an article support (described later). ) For support guidance. Here, a downward dovetail 19 is formed in the forward guide rail portion 18. The lubricating oil receiving portion 13, the dovetail grooves 14 to 17 and 19, the outward guide rail portion 18, and the like are formed over the entire length in the length direction when the upper frame material 10 is molded. An example of the upper frame material 10 is configured by the above 11-19 and the like.

  The lower frame member 20 is formed of an aluminum molded product having a rectangular cross section, and an inner upward dovetail groove 21 and an outer upward dovetail groove 22 are formed at the upper end, and an inner downward dovetail groove 23 and an outer downward face at the lower end. A dovetail groove 24 is formed. Further, the lower frame material 20 is formed with an upward groove-like lubricating oil receiving portion 25 inside the intermediate portion, and a return-side guide rail portion 26 protrudes inward, and the return-side guide rail portion 26 is an article. This is for supporting and guiding the support. Here, a downward dovetail groove 27 is formed in the portion of the return path side guide rail portion 26. Further, an upper end extension 29 is integrally formed so as to be positioned above the step portion 28 formed by the return path side guide rail portion 26 and the like, and thus a lateral guide surface is formed by the inner surface of the upper end extension 29. ing. The dovetail grooves 21 to 24 and 27, the return path side guide rail portion 26, the upper end extension portion 29, and the like are formed over the entire length in the length direction when the lower frame material 20 is molded. An example of the lower frame member 20 is configured by the above 21-29 and the like.

  In the intermediate frame member 2, plate-like nut bodies 6 are positioned in both downward dovetail grooves 16 and 17 of the upper frame member 10, and with respect to the vertical connecting member 4 and the horizontal connecting member 5 of the intermediate frame member 2. The bolt body 7 passed from below is screwed into the nut body 6 and tightened to be integrated with the upper frame material 10, and by using both upward dovetail grooves 21 and 22 of the lower frame material 20, in the same manner as described above. The nut body 6 and the bolt body 7 are integrated with the lower frame material 20. A plurality of intermediate frame members 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the length direction of both frame members 10 and 20. The leg 3 is connected to the lower frame member 20 by the nut member 6 and the bolt member 7 by using the downward dovetail grooves 23 and 24 of the lower frame member 20.

  A left and right driven shaft 30 is rotatably disposed at the start end of the main body frame 1 configured as described above, and a left and right drive shaft 31 is rotatably disposed at the end portion. Here, the driven shaft 30 and the drive shaft 31 are rotatably supported by a pair of left and right support members 32 disposed between the frame members 10 and 20 via bearing devices 33, respectively. The drive device 34 linked to the drive shaft 31 includes an electric motor 35 and a speed reducer 36 integrated with the motor 35, and an output portion of the speed reducer 36 is linked to the drive shaft 31.

  An endless chain (an example of an endless rotating body) 40 is disposed between opposing portions at both ends of the driven shaft 30 and the drive shaft 31 via sprockets (an example of a ring body) 38 and 39. Here, the sprockets 38 and 39 are disposed inside the support member 32 and are connected to the driven shaft 30 and the drive shaft 31. The endless chain 40 includes a link 41 and a connecting pin 42 and is positioned above the lubricating oil receiving portion 13 on the forward path side and positioned in the stepped portion 28 above the lubricating oil receiving portion 25 on the return path side. Yes. A large number of article supports 50 are attached between the left and right endless chains 40. At that time, a long connecting pin 42 formed by protruding inwardly connecting pins at a predetermined pitch in the connecting pin 42 group is used for attaching the article support 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 9, the article support 50 is arranged with the length direction 51 being a direction perpendicular to the main transport path 45, which is the moving direction of both endless chains 40. . The article support 50 includes a flat article placement plate 53 formed with three (a plurality of) protrusions 52 along the length direction 51 on the upper surface in the direction of the main transport path 45, and the article. A pair of leg plates 54 extending in the direction of the main transport path 45 from the lower surface middle portion (back surface middle portion) of the placement plate portion 53 and along the length direction 51, and from the front end of the article placement plate portion 53 The front plate portion 55 that extends downward and rearward, and the rear plate portion 56 that extends downward and forward from the rear end of the article placement plate portion 53 are configured in a mold rail shape. In such a configuration, the lower ends of both leg plate portions 54 are formed in a thick portion by projecting inward, and thus between the both leg plate portions 54 and the lower surface intermediate portion of the article placement plate portion 53. In addition, a groove-shaped guide portion 58 that is open on the opposite side is formed. Note that a groove-like threaded portion 54A that opens downward is formed at the lower end of both leg plate portions 54. An example of the article support 50 is configured by the above 52-58 and the like.

  Side brackets 61 are attached to both ends in the length direction 51 of the article support body 50 thus configured by plugging and the like. These side brackets 61 are made of iron, and are provided with plate-like insertion portions projecting inward at two positions, front and rear, on the inner surface side of the main body portion 62 that is long in the direction of the main conveyance path 45. Further, an inward projecting piece is formed by bending at the middle lower portion of the main body 62. Moreover, the cylindrical body 63 which protrudes outward is attached to one place of the front part on the outer surface side of the side bracket 61 by welding.

  The side bracket 61 formed as described above inserts a pair of insertion portions into a pair of front and rear space portions formed by the article placement plate portion 53 and the front plate portion 55 or the rear plate portion 56 in the article support 50. Then, the bolt body passed from the outside can be attached to both ends of the article support 50 by screwing and coupling to any of the screwing portions 54A. Then, the protruding portions of the long connecting pins 42 from the endless chain 40 side are inserted into the insertion holes on the cylindrical body 63 side from the outside, and the ends of the article support 50 are respectively connected to the side holes. It can be connected to the endless chain 40 via the bracket 61, so that a large number of article supports 50 can be attached between the pair of left and right endless chains 40.

  A rotating body (an example of a guided member, such as a bearing type or a roller type) 64 whose outer peripheral portion is made of urethane is fitted on the cylindrical body 63, and the rotating body 64 is the main body frame 1. The guide rails 18 and 26 on both sides are supported and guided by the upward support surfaces. Further, a side roller (an example of a guided member) 65 whose outer peripheral portion is made of urethane is provided on the projecting piece of the main body 62 so as to be freely rotatable via a vertical axis 66, and these side rollers 65 are arranged on the forward side. Guided by the lateral guide surface of the guide rail portion 18.

  Each article support 50 is provided with an article lateral pusher 70 that is movable and fitted in the longitudinal direction 51 by being externally fitted to and guided by the article support 50. The rectangular cylindrical portion 71 and the upper side pushing action portion 76 are configured. That is, the rectangular cylindrical portion 71 is formed from a flat upper plate 72 facing the article placement plate 53 from above and from the outside to the front plate 55 by extending downward and rearward from the front end of the upper plate 72. A front plate member 73 that faces the rear plate member 74 that extends downward and forward from the rear end of the upper plate member 72 to face the rear plate portion 56 from the outside, and is positioned between the lower ends of the front plate member 73 and the rear plate member 74. The bottom plate material 75 is formed.

  A lateral pushing action portion 76 is provided on the upper surface side (upper side) of the upper plate member 72. That is, the lateral pushing action portion 76 is formed by a top plate member 77 that covers the upper portion of the upper plate member 72, and a lateral push contact member 78 that is detachably attached to both side inclined surfaces of the top plate member 77. Yes. Here, the laterally inclined surface is formed in a trapezoidal plate shape with the inclination angle θ being 30 degrees in plan view, for example, and the laterally pressing contact member 78 is made of a rubber plate or the like, and the laterally pressing contact surface is planarly viewed. In FIG.

  On the upper surface side of the bottom plate member 75, an upward projecting fitted portion 79 fitted between the leg plate portions 54 is continuously provided. Via, it is comprised so that it may guide between the guide parts 58 in the articles | goods support body 50. FIG. Further, on the lower surface on the upper plate member 72 side, three concave groove portions 80 are formed so as to face the convex portion 52 formed on the article placement plate portion 53 of the article support 50 from above. An example of the article laterally pressing body 70 is configured by the above 71 to 80 and the like. The article laterally pressing body 70 is integrally formed of synthetic resin except for the laterally pressing contact member 78.

  A guided body is attached to the lower side of the article laterally pressing body 70 using the fitted portion 79. That is, a roller shaft (an example of a support shaft) 85 is suspended from the center portion of the fitted portion 79 by supporting the upper portion thereof by embedding molding, and a guide roller (guided) is provided below the protruding portion of the roller shaft 85. An example of a body) 86 is mounted so as to be freely rotatable, and thus the guide roller 86 is positioned outside the back surface of the article laterally pressing body 70. At this time, the roller shaft 85 is configured to protrude downward by a predetermined length with respect to the guide roller 86.

  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, a forward guide device (an example of a guide device) 90 that guides the guide roller 86 is disposed on the upper horizontal connecting member 5 in the intermediate frame member 2 of the main body frame 1. In addition, a backward guide device 96 is disposed in the lower horizontal connecting member 5. In the central branch portion, an upper switching means (an example of switching means) 110 on the forward path side and a lower switching means 105 on the backward path side are disposed, and a pair of left and right sorting means 106A, 106B is disposed.

  The forward guide device 90 includes a pair of left and right start end guide portions 91A and 91B provided on both sides of the start end portion, and faces the end of the start end guide portions 91A and 91B via the distributing means 106A and 106B, and A pair of left and right inner movement guide portions 92A and 92B that are inclined inward toward the side, and are opposed to the terminal ends of the inner movement guide portions 92A and 92B via the upper switching means 110, and are inclined outward toward the lower side. A pair of left and right outer guides 93A and 93B, and a pair of left and right end guides 94A and 94B disposed opposite the ends of the outer guides 93A and 93B, respectively. The return path guidance device 96 is opposed to the pair of left and right inner movement guides 97A and 97B inclined inward toward the lower side, and the terminal ends of the inner movement guides 97A and 97B via the lower switching means 105, And it consists of a pair of left and right outer movement guides 98A, 98B inclined outward as the lower side.

  The start end guide portions 91A and 91B and the end guide portions 94A and 94B of the forward path guide device 90 and the outer movement guide portions 98A and 98B of the return path guide device 96 include a bracket 100 fixed to the upper horizontal connecting member 5, It is comprised by the guide body 101 of a pair or one side attached to this bracket 100 in the state which opposes. Here, the guide body 101 is made of an extruded or drawn product of aluminum, a resin product, or the like, and is guided between the guide bodies 101 or between the opposing surfaces of the guide body 101 and the outer movement guide portions 93A, 93B or 98A, 98B. Roller 86 is positioned. The guide body 101 in the terminal guide portions 94A and 94B may have a configuration in which a resin molded member is provided on the guide side of the guide roller 86, or a configuration in which the entire guide body 101 is formed of a resin molded member. .

  Further, the inner movement guide portions 92A and 92B and the outer movement guide portions 93A and 93B of the outward route guide device 90 and the inner movement guide portions 97A and 97B of the backward route guide device 96 are provided with the guide body 101 as a lower horizontal connecting member 5. The guide roller 86 is guided by the side surface of the guide body 101. In order to guide the guide roller 86 at the reversing part at the beginning and end, reverse guide bodies 107 </ b> A, 107 </ b> B, 108 </ b> A, 108 </ b> B that allow the guide roller 86 to be fitted are attached to both shafts 30, 31.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 to 13, and 16, the upper switching means 110 includes a merging guide portion 112 that receives the guide rollers 86 from both the inner movement guide portions 92 </ b> A and 92 </ b> B, and both guide rollers 86. Branch guides 117A and 117B that guide the movement guides 93A and 93B, and a switching guide 121 that distributes the guide roller 86 from the junction guide 112 to the branch guides 117A and 117B are provided. A base plate body 111 serving as a main body of the upper switching means 110 is placed and fixed on the horizontal connecting member 5, and this base plate body 111 has a rectangular plate shape, and a T-shaped through hole is formed in the center portion thereof. A portion 111a is formed. On the base plate 111, members for forming the merge guide portion 112 and the branch guide portions 117A and 117B are fixed.

  In other words, the merging guide portion 112 is provided with the merging guide portion forming member 113, and is fixed on the base plate 111 via the spacer 114 and the fixture 115. The confluence guiding portion forming member 113 is formed with front inclined surfaces 113a and 113b that are gradually narrowed by the inner surfaces of the pair of left and right thick portions. At this time, the start end portions of the front inclined surfaces 113a and 113b are moved inwardly. The guide portions 92A and 92B are provided so as to be continuous with the guide surfaces. As a result, the V-shaped merging guide portion 112 is formed between the front inclined surfaces 113a and 113b of the merging guide portion forming member 113. In the upper portion and the central portion of the merging guide portion forming member 113, distribution guide surfaces 113c and 113d that gradually expand are formed by the outer surface of the thick portion.

  Further, a branch guide portion forming member 118 having rear inclined surfaces 118a and 118b is disposed in the branch guide portions 117A and 117B, and on the base plate body 111 via the spacer 119 and the fixture 120. It is fixed. That is, the branch guide portion forming member 118 is formed with rear inclined surfaces 118a and 118b that gradually expand by both outer side surfaces thereof, and at this time, the end portions of the rear inclined surfaces 118a and 118b are guided by the outer movement guide portions 93A and 93B. It is provided in a state continuous with the surface. As a result, the branch guide portions 117A and 117B are formed on the outer sides of the rear inclined surfaces 118a and 118b of the branch guide portion forming member 118 in a left-right distributed manner.

  The switching guide portion 121 is positioned on the merging guide portion 112 and can swing left and right around the vertical support shaft axis 127 on the upper side, and around the front and rear support shaft shafts 134A and 134B at the intermediate portion. A pair of left and right upper guide bodies 130A and 130B that are reversibly swingable up and down, a single lower guide body 150 that is swingable left and right around the longitudinal support shaft axis 155, a cam body 122, and an upper hand The first swing interlocking mechanism 140 provided between the guide bodies 130A and 130B, the second swing interlocking mechanism 160 provided between the cam body 122 and the lower guide body 150, and the like are configured.

  That is, the cam body 122 is provided in a thick shape on the link portion 123 in the front-rear direction, the arm portion 124 extending at a right angle from the upper side portion of the link portion 123 to the side (left side), and the link portion 123 above. Cam portion 125 and the like. The cam body 122 is arranged in a state where the upper side portion thereof is positioned below the portion of the sorting guide surfaces 113c and 113d, and the upper side portion is attached to the longitudinal support shaft body 126 fixed on the base plate body 111. By being fitted, it is configured to be able to swing left and right around the vertical support shaft axis 127 on the upper side. Both side surfaces of the cam portion 125 are formed as cam surfaces 125a and 125b, where the cam surfaces 125a and 125b are in relation to the front inclined surfaces 113a and 113b of the merging guide portion forming member 113 on which the guide roller 86 is guided. The roller shaft 85 is configured to be in contact with the roller shaft 85.

  At this time, when the cam body 122 (cam portion 125) swings left and right, the cam shafts 125a and 125b make contact with the cam surfaces 125a and 125b. The roller shaft 85 that has passed through and moved on the oscillating side is in contact with the cam surfaces 125a and 125b, and is pushed to the opposite side. That is, the cam body 122 is swung to the left and right around the vertical support shaft axis 127 on the upper side by the moving force in the direction of the main transport path 45 of the roller shaft 85 (the article lateral pressing body 70 side) that has moved. It is configured. In addition, although the cam part 125 is divided | segmented in the left-right direction, the right side is integrally formed with the link part 123, and the left side is applied and integrated, it may be integrally formed, without dividing | segmenting.

  The upper guide bodies 130A and 130B are formed in a reverse L-shaped link shape with resin, and the intermediate corner portion is fixed to the brackets 132A and 132B fixed on the base plate body 111 by the fixtures 131A and 131B. By being connected via the bodies 133A and 133B, it is configured to be swingable up and down around the front and rear support shaft axes 134A and 134B. The upper and lower guide bodies 130A and 130B are swung up and down above the penetrating portion 111a. At that time, the inner surface of the recumbent portion that has become horizontal due to the swiveling upward is inclined to the front of the merging guide portion forming member 113. It is formed in the inclination guide surfaces 130a and 130b continuing to the surfaces 113a and 113b.

  The first swing interlocking mechanism 140 includes link brackets 142A and 142B attached to the lower ends of the vertical hooks of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B via the front and rear direction pins 141A and 141B, and the link brackets 142A and 142A, 142B between the left and right direction links 143, the cam follower 144 provided on the upper surface of the central portion of the left and right direction link 143, and the lower open surface formed at the lower end of the link portion 123 so that the cam follower 144 can be loosely fitted. It is comprised by the recessed part 145 etc. Note that stopper members 146A and 146B for restricting the downward swing limit are provided on both side portions of the link portion 123 above the left-right direction link 143. Here, the stopper members 146A and 146B are formed of a buffer member such as rubber.

  As a result, when the cam body 122 (cam portion 125) swings left and right, the left-right link 143 is connected to the swing direction of the cam body 122 (cam portion 125) via the cam follower 144 loosely fitted in the recess 145. The upper and lower guides 130A and 130B are reversibly swung up and down around the front and rear support shaft axes 134A and 134B through the link brackets 142A and 142B and the front and rear direction pins 141A and 141B. Let

  That is, the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B opposite to the side on which the cam body 122 is swung are swung upwards around the front and rear support shaft axes 134A and 134B, and the inclined guide surfaces 130a and 130b are moved to the merging guide portion. The upper guide bodies 130B and 130A on the side where the cam body 122 is swung can be swung downward around the front and rear support shaft axes 134B and 134A. Thus, the inclined guide surfaces 130b and 130a can be set to a non-guide position that is not connected to the front inclined surfaces 113b and 113a. At that time, the horizontal flanges of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B swung downward are brought into contact with the stopper members 146A and 146B from above, and thus the guide rollers are disposed above the upper guide bodies 130B and 130A swung downward. The space for passing 86 can be secured, and the continuous posture of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B swung upward can be maintained.

  As a result, the cam body 122 is swung left and right by the moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path 45 on the article laterally pushing body 70 side, that is, the moving force of the support shaft 85 that has moved to the merging guide portion 112. In conjunction with the left / right swing through the first swing interlocking mechanism 140, the upper-hand guide bodies 130A and 130B swing upward and connect to the joining guide portion 112, and the non-guide position swings downward. It is configured to reversibly switch to swing.

  A space 149 corresponding to the height of the spacer 119 is formed between the front half portion of the branch guide portion forming member 118 and the base plate body 111, and the lower guide body 150 is utilized using this space 149. Is provided. That is, the lower guide body 150 includes a link portion 151 in the front-rear direction positioned in the space 149, an arm portion 152 extending from the lower side portion of the link portion 151 to the side (left side), and a branch guide portion. The guide member 153 is provided on the upper side of the link portion 151 in a state of being positioned in front of the front end of the forming member 118 and the like. The lower guide body 150 is disposed in a state where the guide portion 153 is positioned on the upper portion of the rear inclined surfaces 118 a and 118 b, and the link portion 151 is attached to the longitudinal support shaft body 154 fixed on the base plate body 111. When the lower side portion is externally fitted, the lower side portion is configured to be swingable left and right around the lower longitudinal support shaft axis 155. Both side surfaces of the guide portion 153 are formed on the guide surfaces 153a and 153b, where the guide surfaces 153a and 153b are positioned at the same level as the rear inclined surfaces 118a and 118b of the branch guide portion forming member 118, thereby 86 is configured to be guided.

  The second swing interlocking mechanism 160 includes arm-like bodies 163 and 164 that are coupled to the free ends of the arm portions 124 and 152 via vertical pins 161 and 162, and the like, and these arm-like bodies 163 and 163. The interlocking length is adjustable by a rod-like body 165 screwed between 164. A stopper body 170 is provided on the base plate body 11 to restrict the left / right swing limit of the lower guide body 150. Here, the stopper body 170 includes a U-shaped bracket 171 fixed on the base plate body 11, a pair of stopper portions 172 provided opposite to the bracket 171, and upper ends of these stopper portions 172. It is comprised from a pair of buffer parts (rubber etc.) 173 etc. which were provided in the mutually opposing state. And the side surface of the link part 151 in the lower guide body 150 is configured to be able to contact the stopper part 172 and the buffer part 173.

  Thus, when the cam body 122 (cam portion 125) swings left and right around the longitudinal support shaft axis 127 by the moving force of the roller shaft 85 that has moved to the merging guide portion 112, the arm portion 124 is obtained. The lower guide body 150 is rotated around the longitudinal support shaft axis 155 on the lower side through the vertical pin 161, the arm-shaped body 163, the rod-shaped body 165, the arm-shaped body 164, the vertical pin 162, and the arm portion 152. Then, the cam body 122 (cam portion 125) is swung left and right in the direction opposite to the swinging direction.

  That is, the lower guide body 150 is swung to the opposite side to the side on which the cam body 122 is swung, and is in a state of being connected (guided) to the front inclined surfaces 113a and 113b of the joining guide portion forming member 113. The guide surfaces 153a and 153b can be connected to the inclined guide surfaces 130a and 130b, and the guide surfaces 153a and 153b in the connected state are rearwardly inclined to the side opposite to the side on which the lower guide body 150 is swung. It can be in a state of being continuous with the surfaces 118a and 118b. At that time, the side surface of the link portion 151 of the lower guide body 150 swinging left and right is brought into contact with the stopper portion 172 and the buffer portion 173 of the stopper body 170 to buffer the left and right swing limit of the lower guide body 150. The lower guide 150 can be switched and swung with less impact (noise) and accurately.

  Accordingly, the cam body 122 is swung left and right by the moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path 45 on the side of the article laterally pressing body 70, that is, the moving force of the support shaft 85 that has moved to the merging guide portion 112. When the two upper hand guide bodies 130A, 130B are switched by the left and right swinging, that is, the lower guide body 150 is switched in conjunction with the left and right swinging of the cam body 122 via the second swing interlocking mechanism 160. Configured to work.

  Then, when the lower guide body 150 is guiding the guide roller 86 of the preceding article lateral pusher 70, the subsequent article lateral pusher 70 switches the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B to operate. As shown, the guided body pitch P corresponding to the pitch of the article support 50 in the direction of the main transport path 45, the positions, shapes (lengths) of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and the lower guide body 150, and the cam body A position 122 and a shape (length) are set. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when the lower guide body 150 is guiding the preceding guide roller 86, the roller shaft 85 supporting the subsequent guide roller 86 is the upper-side longitudinal support shaft. It is configured to be in contact with the cam surfaces 125 a and 125 b of the cam portion 125 slightly below the center 127.

  Moreover, when the moving roller shaft 85 reaches the end portion of the cam portion 125, that is, the end portions of the cam surfaces 125a and 125b, the guide roller 86 attached to the roller shaft 85 is inclined to guide the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B. The relative position between the cam body 122 and the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B, the diameter of the guide roller 86, and the like are set so as to face the surfaces 130a and 130b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 to 16, the first swinging interlocking mechanism 140 urges the upper guide bodies 130 </ b> A and 130 </ b> B to reversibly move up and down and then resists the up and down swinging. Means 180 are provided. That is, the vertical support shaft bodies 126 and 154 are integrally formed with lower pin portions 126a and 154a that protrude downward through the base plate 111, and are externally fitted to these lower pin portions 126a and 154a. In addition, spring holders 181 and 182 that are relatively rotatable around the longitudinal support shaft axes 127 and 155 are provided, and a leaf spring 183 is disposed between the spring holders 181 and 182 with the width thereof set in the vertical direction. A pair of left and right pulley bodies 184A and 184B are provided on the lower surface side of the left and right direction link 143 so as to be freely rotatable via vertical bolt bodies 185A and 185B, and the length of the leaf spring 183 is determined by these pulley bodies 184A and 184B. It is comprised so that the center part of a direction may be clamped. An example of the biasing means 180 is configured by the above-described 181 to 185A, 185B and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper frame member 10 (upper part of the main body frame 1) is provided with an endless chain 40 and a rotating body at a portion where the endless chain 40 is disposed and the forward guide rail portion 18 is formed. A cover body (chain cover) 190 for closing the upper part of 64 is disposed. The cover body 190 is formed in a reverse L-shaped mold rail shape in cross section by a side plate portion and an upper plate portion bent in a right angle from the upper portion of the side plate portion. The cover body 190 is a nut in which a bolt body passed from the outside to the lower end portion of the side plate portion in the state where the side plate portion is in contact with the upright portion 11 from the outside is previously positioned in the outward groove portion 14. By being screwed to the body, the upper frame material 10 can be detachably fixed to the upright portion 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, branch conveyors 196 </ b> A and 196 </ b> B that form branch paths 195 </ b> A and 195 </ b> B that are inclined outward and inferior to the main transport path 45 are provided on both sides of the main body frame 1. These branch conveyors 196A and 196B are configured by supporting a large number of rollers on the conveyor frame. At that time, the conveyor frame and the rollers are positioned in the stepped portion 12 of the upper frame material 10 and covered. It is arranged in a state where it is sufficiently close to the side plate portion of the body 190. The upward dovetail groove 15 or the like of the upper frame material 10 may be used for connection with the branch conveyors 196A and 196B. Reference numeral 200 denotes an article.

Hereinafter, in the first embodiment described above, the conveyance and branching operations of the article 200 will be described.
That is, both endless chains 40 can be moved by operating the electric motor 35 of the drive device 34 and forcibly rotating the sprocket 39 via the drive shaft 31 interlocked with the speed reducer 36. By moving the both endless chains 40, the article support 50 group is supported and guided to the upper support surfaces of the both guide rail portions 18 and 26 via the rotating body 64, and the guide rail portion 18 and the upper end are supported via the side rollers 65. It can move in a stable state by guiding it to the lateral guide surface of the extension portion 29. At this time, the upper end extension 29 is positioned above the rotating body 64 on the return path side, so that the rotating body 64 can be prevented from rising, and thus the article support 50 group does not rattle up and down. Can move in a stable state. As a result, the article support 50 group circulates and moves, so that the article 200 supplied onto the starting article support 50 group can be conveyed on the main conveyance path 45.

  During transport, the movement of the both endless chains 40 in the forward path is performed below the cover body 190 and above the lubricating oil receiver 13, and the movement of the both endless chains 40 in the return path is performed by the upper end extension 29. And above the lubricating oil receiver 25.

  When such conveyance is performed, the article laterally pressing body 70 that moves integrally with the article support 50 group is guided by the guide devices 90 and 96 groups, whereby the article support 50 It reciprocates in the length direction 51 or moves linearly along the main transport path 45 together with the article support 50. At that time, the reciprocating movement of the article laterally pressing body 70 is in a state of being guided by being fitted to the guide portion 58 of the article support body 50 via the fitted portion 79, that is, suitable sliding contact friction occurs. In this state, there is no backlash and the posture (orientation) is not changed greatly, so that it can always be performed stably.

  That is, for example, the guide roller 86 guided to the left start end guide portion 91A is guided in a straight line when the distribution means 106A is in the linear distribution posture, and then travels straight in a state where it does not receive a guide action and then moves to the end guide portion 94A. You will be guided. Thus, the article laterally pressing body 70 does not act on the article 200, and the article 200 is conveyed in a straight line on the main conveyance path 45. The same applies to the opposite side (right side), and the guide roller 86 of the start guide 91B moves from the sorting means 106B to the end guide 94B.

  Further, the guide roller 86 guided to the left-side start end guide portion 91A is tilted inward when the distribution means 106A is in the inclined distribution posture, and is guided inward by the inward movement guide portion 92A. After that, it moves to the outer movement guide part 93B on the right side via the upper switching means 110, and is guided by the outer movement guide part 93B and then moved to the outside, and then guided to the terminal guide part 94B. As a result, the group of article laterally pressing bodies 70 traverses the main transport path 45 while moving in the transport direction, so that the lateral pushing action portion 76 is brought into contact with the article 200 via the laterally pushing contact member 78 on the other side. By laterally acting, the article 200 is branched and moved with respect to the main transport path 45 while changing its direction, and is delivered to the right branch conveyor 196B.

  The same applies to the opposite side, and the guide roller 86 of the start end guide portion 91B is guided by the sorting means 106B, the inner movement guide portion 92B, the upper switching means 110, the outer movement guide portion 93A, and the end guide portion 94A. The laterally pushing action portion 76 of the push body 70 sideways acts on the article 200 via the lateral pushing contact member 78 on one side, and passes the article 200 to the left branch conveyor 196A.

  In this way, the guide roller 86 that has reached the end portions of the end guide portions 94A and 94B is guided by the reverse guide bodies 108A and 108B to be reversed. In the return route guidance device 96, first, it is guided by the inner movement guides 97A, 97B, moved to the center, and then distributed to the left and right by the lower switching means 105, and then moved outward by the guidance of the outer movement guides 98A, 98B. Moved to. After that, after being guided and reversed by the reversal guides 107A and 107B, it is moved to one of the start end guides 91A and 91B.

  As described above, the guide roller 86 is inclined and guided inward by the distributing means 106A and 106B in the inclined distribution posture, and is guided and moved inward by the inner movement guide portions 92A and 92B, and then the upper switching means 110 is moved. To the outer movement guide portions 93B and 93A, and after being guided by the outer movement guide portions 93B and 93A and moved outward, they can be guided by the end guide portions 94B and 94A. The main transport path 45 is traversed while moving in the transport direction. As a result, the lateral pushing action part 76 can be laterally pushed on the article 200, the article 200 can be branched and moved, and distributed to the branch conveyors 196A and 196B.

  At that time, the switching operation of the upper switching means 110 can be automatically performed using the moving force of the roller shaft 85. That is, for example, when the guide roller 86 is guided by the left inner movement guide portion 92A and moved inward and then moved to the outer movement guide portion 93B via the upper switching means 110, the upper switching means 110 is moved. 1, 9 to 13, and 16, the cam body 122 is swung to the right around the upper longitudinal support shaft axis 127. The upper guide body 130A on the opposite side (left side) of the cam body 122 on the opposite side (left side) from the side on which the cam body 122 swings is moved via the first swing interlocking mechanism 140 in conjunction with swinging to the right side of the cam body 122. By swinging upward around the center 134A, the inclined guide surface 130a can be brought into a guide action position continuous with the front inclined surface 113a of the merging guide portion forming member 113, and the cam body 122 on the side on which the cam body 122 is swung (right side). The upper guide body 130B can be swung downward about the front and rear support shaft axis 134B, so that the inclined guide surface 130b can be set to a non-guide position not connected to the front inclined surface 113b.

  Further, the lower guide body 150 is swung to the left side opposite to the side on which the cam body 122 is swung through the second rocking interlocking mechanism 160 in conjunction with the rocking to the right side of the cam body 122. The guide surface 153b can be connected to the inclined guide surface 130a connected to the front inclined surface 113a of the joining guide portion forming member 113, and the connected guide surface 153b can be connected to the rear inclined surface 118b. Can be.

  Therefore, the guide roller 86 from the left inward movement guide portion 92A is linearly continuous through the front inclined surface 113a, the inclined guide surface 130a, the guide surface 153b, and the rear inclined surface 118b, that is, the branch guide portion. 117B is moved to the outward movement guide part 93B, and thus the group of article laterally pressing bodies 70 is traversed from the left side to the right side in the main transport path 45. At this time, the guide roller 86 that moves the cam body 122 can pass without the roller shaft 85 abutting against the cam surface 125a, as shown by an imaginary line A in FIG. As shown, it can pass through the passage space formed above the upper guide body 130B that is swung downward, and the posture of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and the lower guide body 150 can be maintained.

  Further, when the guide roller 86 is switched so as to be guided to the right start end guide portion 91B by the operation of the lower portion switching means 105 and guided from the sorting means 106B to the inner movement guide portion 92B, as shown in FIG. When the rearmost guide roller 86 from the movement guide portion 92A reaches the terminal portion of the lower guide surface 153b of the lower guide body 150, the foremost guide roller 86 from the right inner movement guide portion 92B becomes the merge guide portion. 1, the roller shaft 85 is in a position close to (abuts) the cam surface 125b, as indicated by a solid line B in FIG. When the article support 50 group moves from this state, the roller shaft 85 comes into contact with the cam surface 125b of the cam portion 125, and the moving force of the roller shaft 85 pushes the cam body 122 to the left side. As shown in FIG. 15, the cam body 122 is swung to the left around the upper longitudinal support shaft axis 127.

  By swinging the cam body 122, the left-right direction link 143 is moved to the left in the same direction as the swinging direction of the cam body 122 via the cam follower 144 loosely fitted in the recess 145, so that the link bracket 142A, The upper guide bodies 130A and 130B are reversibly swung up and down around the front and rear support shaft axes 134A and 134B via 142B and the front and rear direction pins 141A and 141B. That is, as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 11, the right upper guide body 130B, which is the opposite side to the swing side of the cam body 122, is swung upwardly around the front and rear support shaft axis 134B, and the inclined guide surface thereof. 130b can be a guide action position connected to the front inclined surface 113b of the merging guide portion forming member 113, and the left upper guide body 130A, which is the side on which the cam body 122 is swung, is lowered around the front and rear support shaft axis 134A. By swinging, the inclined guide surface 130a can be set to a non-guide position that is not connected to the front inclined surface 113a. At that time, the lateral flange portion of the upper guide body 130A swung downward can be brought into contact with the stopper member 146A from above, so that a space for passing the guide roller 86 is formed above the upper guide body 130A swung downward. It can be ensured, and the continuous posture of the upper guide body 130B swung upward can be maintained.

  Further, as described above, by swinging the cam body 122 to the left around the upper longitudinal support shaft axis 127, the arm portion 124, the vertical pin 161, the arm-shaped body 163, the rod-shaped body 165, the arm The lower guide body 150 is swung around the lower longitudinal axis 155 in the opposite direction to the cam body 122 via the shaped body 164, the vertical pin 162, and the arm portion 152. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower guide body 150 is swung to the right side, and the guide surface 153a is moved to the inclined guide surface 130b displaced to the guide action position continuous with the front inclined surface 113b of the merging guide portion forming member 113. The guide surface 153a can be connected to the rear inclined surface 118a. At that time, the side surface of the link portion 151 in the lower guide body 150 can be brought into contact with the stopper portion 172 and the buffer portion 173, and the left and right swing limit of the lower guide body 150 can be regulated while buffering. The rocking can be accurately performed with less impact (noise).

  Accordingly, the cam body 122 is swung left and right by the moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path 45 on the side of the article laterally pressing body 70, that is, the moving force of the support shaft 85 that has moved to the merging guide portion 112. The upper and lower hand guide bodies 130A and 130B are interlocked with the left and right swinging of the two through the first swing interlocking mechanism 140, and the guide action position that swings upward and continues to the merging guide portion 112 and the non-guide position that swings downward. The lower guide body 150 is switched and operated in conjunction with the left and right swinging of the cam body 122 via the second swing interlocking mechanism 160 at the same time. .

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, the frontmost guide roller 86 from the right inner movement guide portion 92B has a linearly continuous front inclined surface 113b, inclined guide surface 126b, guide surface 153a, and rear inclined surface. 113a, that is, through the branch guide portion 117A to the outward movement guide portion 93A, and thus the group of article laterally pressing bodies 70 is traversed from the right side to the left side in the main transport path 45. .

  At that time, the combination of the reversible up-and-down swing of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and the left-right swing of the lower guide body 150 can reduce the respective swing stroke and slow the swing speed. The noise due to the impact at the time of replacement can be reduced to improve the silencing effect. Further, when the position of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B (position fluctuation) with respect to the merging guide portion 112 due to insufficient switching or minute rebounding, the upper ends of the inclined guide surfaces 130a and 130b are improved. Since it appears as a slight change in the left-right angle when viewed from the side (front view), the movement of the guide roller 86 can always be carried out smoothly without any influence.

  As described above, the switching guide length in the upper switching means 110 is sufficiently secured by making the inclined guide surfaces 130a and 130b of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and the lower guide surfaces 150a and 150b of the lower guide body 150 continuous. In addition, switching through the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and the lower guide body 150 can always be performed smoothly.

  Further, the switching movement of the upper switching means 110 is opposed to the vertical swing after the reversible vertical swing of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B is promoted by the biasing means 180 provided in the first swing interlocking mechanism 140. To be done. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 16, the left upper guide body 130A is swung upwardly around the front / rear support shaft axis 134A, and the inclined guide surface 130a is moved to the front inclined surface of the merging guide portion forming member 113. The upper guide body 130B on the right side is swung downward about the front and rear support shaft axis 134B, and the inclined guide surface 130b is moved to the non-guide position not connected to the front inclined surface 113b. In this state, the pair of pulley bodies 184A, 184B move to the right side together with the left / right direction link 143, and the leaf spring 183 is curved and deformed in a convex shape on the right side. Giving movement power.

  Then, when the cam body 122 is swung to the left and the switching operation of the upper switching means 110 is started, the leftward movement of the left and right link 143 can be smoothly started by the elastic repulsive force of the leaf spring 183. At the end of the switching movement, as shown in FIG. 15, the pair of pulley bodies 184A, 184B move to the left side together with the left / right direction link 143, and the leaf spring 183 is bent and deformed in a left-side convex shape. Stable movement against repulsive force can be performed.

In the first embodiment described above, the type in which the forward route guidance device 90 is adopted as the guidance device is shown, but this may be the type in which the backward route guidance device 96 is adopted.
In the first embodiment described above, the cam body 122 is swung by the moving force of the support shaft (roller shaft 85), but this is swung by the moving force of the guided body (guide roller 86). For example, it may be a form that is swung by a moving force of another member from the article laterally pressing body 70 side.

  In the first embodiment described above, the first swinging interlocking mechanism 140 is provided with the biasing means 180 that promotes the reversible vertical swing of the upper guide bodies 130A and 130B and then counters them. This may be a form in which the urging means 180 is omitted.

  In the first embodiment described above, the guided body (guide roller 86) guided by the guide devices 90 and 96 on the main body frame 1 side is provided on the lower side of the article laterally pressing body 70, and the upper portion thereof is the fitted portion 79. The support shaft (roller shaft 85) that is suspended by being embedded and supported in the center of the shaft is attached to the projecting lower portion, but this is integrally suspended from the lower portion of the article laterally pressing body 70. A form in which a guided body is attached to the support shaft may be used.

  In Embodiment 1 described above, an endless chain 40 is used as an endless rotating body, and a long connecting pin formed by projecting a predetermined connecting pin out of a group of connecting pins 42 for connecting between links 41. However, this may be a type in which a protruding portion is formed at a predetermined position of the endless chain 40 or a type in which an endless belt having a protruding portion is formed at a predetermined position. Good.

In the first embodiment described above, the article support 50 is shown in a form that is configured as a mold rail that is open on the lower surface side, but this may be a form that is not open.
In the first embodiment described above, the separate form of the upper frame member 10 and the lower frame member 20 is shown. However, the lower frame member 20 may be a side plate or a side frame.

  In the first embodiment described above, the laterally pressing contact member 78 is attached in a state of being inclined at an inclination angle θ of 30 degrees, but this inclination angle is arbitrarily set.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view of the first embodiment of the present invention, immediately before switching of the upper switching means in the conversion facility. It is a partially cutaway front view of the conversion equipment. It is a partially cutaway front view of the principal part of the conversion equipment. It is a schematic plan view of the conversion equipment. It is a schematic side view of the conversion equipment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the outward route guidance apparatus of the conversion equipment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the return path guidance apparatus of the conversion equipment. It is a schematic side view which shows the guidance apparatus group of the conversion equipment. It is a partially cutaway side view of the upper switching means part in the conversion equipment. It is a vertical front view of the confluence | merging guide part of the upper switching means just before switching in the conversion equipment. It is a vertical front view of the switching guide part of the upper switching means just before switching in the switching equipment. It is a vertical front view of the stopper body part of the upper switching means immediately before switching in the switching equipment. It is a vertical front view of the branch guide part of the upper switching means just before switching in the conversion equipment. It is a partially notched top view in the middle of switching of the upper switching means in the conversion equipment. It is a partially notched top view immediately after switching of the upper switching means in the conversion equipment. It is a cross-sectional plan view just before switching of the upper switching means in the conversion equipment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body frame 10 Upper frame material 20 Lower frame material 34 Drive device 40 Endless chain (endless rotation body)
45 Main transport path 50 Article support body 51 Length direction 53 Article placement plate part 64 Rotating body 65 Side roller 70 Article side pushing body 71 Rectangular cylindrical part 76 Side pushing action part 85 Roller shaft (support shaft)
86 Guide roller (guided body)
90 Outward guidance device (guidance device)
92A Inner movement guide part 92B Inner movement guide part 93A Outer movement guide part 93B Outer movement guide part 96 Return path guidance device 105 Lower switching means 110 Upper switching means (switching means)
111 Base plate 112 Merge guide portion 113 Merge guide portion forming member 113a Front slope surface 113b Front slope surface 117A Branch guide portion 117B Branch guide portion 118 Branch guide portion formation member 118a Rear slope surface 118b Rear slope surface 121 Switching guide portion 122 Cam body 123 Link portion 124 Arm portion 125 Cam portion 125a Cam surface 125b Cam surface 126 Vertical support shaft body 126a Lower pin portion 127 Upper support shaft axis 130A Upper guide body 130a Inclination guide surface 130B Upper guide body 130b Inclination Guide surface 133A Front / rear support shaft body 133B Front / rear support shaft body 134A Front / rear support shaft axis 134B Front / rear support shaft axis 140 First swing interlock mechanism 141A Front / rear direction pin 141B Front / rear direction pin 142A Link bracket 142B Link bracket 143 Left / right direction link 150 Lower guide 151 Link portion 152 Arm portion 153 Guide portion 153a Guide surface 153b Guide surface 154 Longitudinal support shaft body 154a Lower pin portion 155 Lower support shaft axis 160 Second swing interlocking mechanism 165 Rod-like body 180 Energizing means 183 Plate spring 195A Branch path 195B Branch path 196A Branch conveyor 196B Branch conveyor 200 Article

Claims (5)

  A pair of left and right endless rotating bodies disposed along the main conveyance path, a plurality of attachments between the endless rotation bodies, and an article support body whose length direction is orthogonal to the main conveyance path; and This is a conversion facility provided with an article laterally pushing body that is externally fitted to the article support, and a guided body is attached to the lower side of the article laterally pushing body, and the body frame side is A guide device for guiding the guided body is provided, and this guide device is opposed to a pair of left and right inner movement guide portions inclined inward toward the lower side, and a terminal of these inner movement guide portions via a switching means. And a pair of left and right outer movement guide portions inclined outward toward the lower side, and the switching means includes a merging guide portion that receives the guided bodies from both the inner movement guide portions, From the branch guide section that guides to the travel guide section and the merge guide section A switching guide portion that distributes the guided body to the two branch guide portions, and the switching guide portion includes a pair of left and right upper guide bodies that are reversibly swingable up and down, and one lower guide that is swingable left and right. And a non-guide position that swings down both upper guide bodies by a moving force in the direction of the main conveyance path on the side of the article laterally pushing body and swings upward and continues to the merging guide portion. The lower guide body is configured to be switched and swung integrally so as to be connected to the upper guide body that performs the guiding action when the switching is performed. Conversion equipment.   The switching guide part is a cam body that is positioned at the merging guide part and that can swing left and right around the upper longitudinal axis of the upper side, and a pair of left and right that can swing up and down around the front and rear axis of the intermediate part. An upper guide body, a lower guide body that can swing left and right around the lower longitudinal axis, a first swing interlocking mechanism provided between the cam body and the upper guide body, a cam body, And a second swinging interlock mechanism provided between the lower guide body and the cam body. 2. The conversion equipment according to claim 1, wherein the guide body and the lower guide body are configured to be switched to swing.   3. The conversion facility according to claim 2, wherein the first swing interlocking mechanism is provided with a biasing means that promotes reversible vertical swing of the upper guide body and then counters it.   A support shaft is suspended from the lower side of the article laterally pushing body, and a guided body is attached to the support shaft, and the cam body is swung left and right by the moving force of the support shaft that has moved to the merging guide portion. The conversion facility according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper guide body and the lower guide body are configured to guide the guided body that has moved to the junction guide section.   5. The conversion equipment according to claim 4, wherein when the support shaft that has moved reaches the end portion of the cam body, the guided body attached to the support shaft is opposed to the upper guide body. .

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