JP5102993B2 - Article conveying device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article transport apparatus including a transport unit that vibrates in a transport direction and a vertical direction in order to transport an article. In particular, the article conveyance provided with a plurality of vibration imparting sections each including a first cam mechanism for vibrating the conveyance section in the conveyance direction and a second cam mechanism for vibrating the conveyance section in the vertical direction. Relates to the device.

  In order to convey an article, a conveyance unit that vibrates in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction, a first cam mechanism that vibrates the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction, and a second that vibrates the conveyance unit in the vertical direction An article conveying apparatus having a vibration applying unit having a cam mechanism is already known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). The conveyance unit is a device for forming a conveyance path when conveying an article, and an article placed on the conveyance unit (more precisely, a conveyance surface provided at the upper end of the conveyance unit) When the transport unit vibrates, it is transported along the transport path.

In addition, some article conveying apparatuses include a plurality of vibration applying units. In such a case, the plurality of vibration applying units cooperate to vibrate the transport unit, whereby the article moves on the transport unit.
JP 2006-124111 A

  By the way, in order to appropriately convey the article, it is necessary to synchronize the vibration applying operation performed by each of the plurality of vibration applying units. Here, for example, when adjusting the vibration speed (that is, the vibration frequency of the vibration) for each of the plurality of vibration applying units in order to change the conveyance speed of the article, for each vibration applying unit, There is a possibility that the timing at which each vibration applying unit applies vibration is shifted. As a result, vibration from each vibration unit is not properly transmitted to the conveyance unit, and it becomes difficult for the article conveyance device to convey the article appropriately.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, The place made into the objective is to implement | achieve the articles | goods conveying apparatus which can convey articles | goods more appropriately.

The main aspect of the present invention is to vibrate the conveyance unit that vibrates in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction, the first cam mechanism that vibrates the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction, and the conveyance unit in the vertical direction in order to convey the article. a second cam mechanism for causing, with a, an input shaft rotatable for driving the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism, a plurality of vibration applying unit, the input shaft is one A plurality of vibration applying portions in which the number of vibrations in the transport direction and the number of vibrations in the vertical direction of vibration applied during rotation are equal between the vibration applying units, and the plurality of vibration applying units By rotating each input shaft so that the number of rotations per unit time of each input shaft becomes equal, the conveyance direction and the vertical direction of vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units In the direction The frequency, and a single driving source that makes equally between the vibration applying unit, a product transport apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

 At least the following will be made clear by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

In order to convey the article, a conveyance unit that vibrates in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction, a first cam mechanism that vibrates the conveyance unit in the conveyance direction, and a second that vibrates the conveyance unit in the vertical direction. An article conveying apparatus comprising a plurality of vibration applying units having a cam mechanism and a single drive source for driving each of the plurality of vibration applying units.
With such an article transport device, it is possible to transport the article more appropriately.

Moreover, the vibration frequency in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction of the vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units may be equal between the vibration applying units.
In such a configuration, when each of the plurality of vibration applying units is driven by a single drive source, the vibration applying operation of each vibration applying unit is synchronized, and the article is more appropriately conveyed. It becomes possible.

Further, each of the plurality of vibration applying portions drives a housing for housing the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism, and drives the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism. An output shaft that is rotatably supported by the housing, and an output unit that is supported by the housing so as to vibrate in the transport direction and the vertical direction. The output unit fixedly supports the transport unit on the output unit. And the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism may vibrate the output unit and the transport unit integrally.
In such a case, the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism vibrate the transport unit via the output unit. Here, since the conveyance unit is fixed to the output unit, vibration generated by the cooperation of the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism is appropriately applied to the conveyance unit via the output unit. Is transmitted to.

The rotatable first cam provided in the first cam mechanism and the rotatable second cam provided in the second cam mechanism are both supported by the input shaft, and are integrated with the input shaft. It is good also as rotating.
In such a case, the rotation of the first cam and the rotation of the second cam can be easily synchronized, and a vibration is applied to the transport unit so as to transport the article placed on the transport unit more easily. It becomes possible.

  Further, the first cam included in each of the plurality of vibration applying units is configured such that the amplitude of the vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units is equal between the vibration applying units. A cam profile may be provided.

  The conveyance speed of the article at each position of the conveyance unit depends on the amplitude in the conveyance direction of the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit. Therefore, when the amplitude of the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit in the transport direction is equal between the vibration applying units, it is easy to make the transport speed uniform. As a result, conveyance unevenness that occurs when the conveyance speed becomes uneven at each position of the conveyance unit is suppressed.

  The second cam of each of the plurality of vibration applying units has a cam profile in which the amplitude in the vertical direction of vibration applied by the plurality of vibration applying units is equal between the vibration applying units. It is good also as having.

  The conveyance speed also depends on the amplitude in the vertical direction of vibration applied by each vibration applying unit. Therefore, when the amplitude in the vertical direction of vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units is equal between the vibration applying units, the conveyance unevenness is suppressed. Furthermore, since the vertical phase is easily matched at each position of the transport unit, the transport path formed by the transport unit is not undulated, and the article can be transported appropriately.

  The transport unit includes a plurality of transport tables arranged in parallel in the transport direction, and a gap is formed between the transport tables adjacent to each other. On the other hand, it is good also as the said vibration provision part being installed.

  By synchronizing the vibration applying operations of the respective vibration applying units, the required width of the gap can be set short. As a result, the delivery of the article between the transport tables is appropriately performed, and the effect of the present invention becomes more significant.

Further, the plurality of transfer tables may be arranged in parallel so as to form an oval path in the transfer direction.
In this case, it is possible to ensure a relatively long transport distance while minimizing the installation space of the transport unit. For this reason, it becomes possible to carry out processing and inspection of the article in the article transport section.

  Moreover, the said conveyance part is a rectangular shaped conveyance stand where the longitudinal direction is along the said conveyance direction, and said several vibration provision part is located in a line in the longitudinal direction of the said conveyance stand. Also good.

  When the conveyance unit is a rectangular conveyance table, it is necessary to provide a plurality of vibration units in order to prevent bending occurring in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the effect of the present invention becomes more significant. In addition, when the vibration imparting operation of each vibration imparting unit is deviated, the conveyance table is fluttered, and it is difficult to appropriately convey the article. For this reason, when each of the plurality of vibration applying units is driven by a single drive source, fluttering of the transport table is also suppressed.

Moreover, the said conveyance part is a rectangular conveyance stand in which the transversal direction is along the said conveyance direction, The said several vibration provision part is located in a line in the longitudinal direction of the said conveyance stand. It is good.
Also in such a case, since it is necessary to provide a plurality of vibrating portions for the purpose of preventing the bending of the transport table, the effect of the present invention becomes more significant. In addition, as described above, each of the plurality of vibration applying units is driven by a single drive source, thereby suppressing fluttering of the transport table. Furthermore, since the conveyance unit is a conveyance table that is wide in the conveyance direction, a large amount of articles are conveyed at a time when the conveyance unit vibrates in a state in which the vibration applying operations of the vibration applying units are synchronized. It becomes possible.

=== About Configuration Example of Article Conveying Device ===
First, a configuration example of the article conveyance device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the article conveying apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the article transport apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 10, a rotary feeder 100 and a linear feeder 200 as examples of a vibration applying unit, and a drive motor 300 as a single drive source. . That is, the article transport apparatus 1 includes a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) vibration applying units. And in this goods conveyance apparatus 1, when the conveyance part 10 vibrates the articles | goods W mounted on the said conveyance part 10 (more specifically, the conveyance surface located in the upper end of the conveyance part 10). Then, the sheet is conveyed in a state where it is aligned in a predetermined conveyance direction (the arrow direction with symbols F1 and F2 in FIG. 1). That is, the said conveyance part 10 forms the conveyance path | route of the articles | goods W, and the articles | goods W are conveyed along the said conveyance path | route. And in this Embodiment, the relative slip phenomenon with respect to the said conveyance part 10 of the said article W which generate | occur | produces when the said conveyance part 10 vibrates in the conveyance direction and the perpendicular direction is utilized for conveyance of the said article W. Yes. The article W is a general term for objects to be conveyed by the article conveying apparatus 1 including machine parts and tablet medicines. Below, each component of the article conveyance apparatus 1 is demonstrated.

<< About Conveying Unit 10 >>
Next, the transport unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The conveyance part 10 which concerns on this Embodiment is comprised from the bowl-shaped 1st conveyance stand 12 and the linear 2nd conveyance stand 14, as shown in FIG. That is, the transport unit 10 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of transport tables. The first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14 are arranged in the transport direction of the article W, and the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14 are integrated to form the article W. Is formed.

  Specifically, the first transport table 12 forms a transport path for transporting the articles W in the circumferential direction of the first transport table 12 from the bottom of the first transport table 12 upward. ing. In other words, the transport path by the first transport platform 12 is a transport path whose transport direction is regulated in a spiral manner (hereinafter referred to as a spiral transport path). On the other hand, the 2nd conveyance stand 14 forms the path | route (henceforth a linear conveyance path | route) by which the conveyance direction was regulated linearly. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the said 1st conveyance stand 12 and the said 2nd conveyance stand 14 are arrange | positioned so that the 2nd conveyance stand 14 may follow the tangential direction of the circumference of the 1st conveyance stand 12. As shown in FIG. . The end of the spiral transport path and the start end of the linear transport path are aligned in the transport direction, and the article W transported to the end of the spiral transport path is received by the start end of the linear transport path. It will be passed. The end portion of the spiral conveyance path and the linear conveyance path are along the horizontal direction.

  Further, the rotary feeder 100 is installed below the first transport table 12, and the linear feeder 200 is installed below the second transport table 14. The first transport table 12 vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction by vibration applied from the rotary feeder 100, and the second transport table 14 vibrates in vibration direction applied from the linear feeder 200, respectively. Become. In other words, the conveyance unit 10 vibrates in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction by the cooperation of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200. Here, the conveying direction in the first conveying table 12 is the circumferential direction of the first conveying table 12 (that is, the circumferential direction of the spiral conveying path, the direction V1 described above). Further, the vibration in the transport direction in the first transport table 12 means that the reciprocating motion is made in the circumferential direction in a plane intersecting the vertical direction, that is, in a horizontal plane. On the other hand, the transport direction in the second transport table 14 is the longitudinal direction of the second transport table 14 (that is, the direction along the linear transport path, the direction V2 described above). Moreover, the vibration of the conveyance direction in the 2nd conveyance stand 14 also means reciprocating in the said longitudinal direction within a horizontal surface.

  In the transport unit 10 configured as described above, the article W is stored at the bottom of the first transport table 12 before the article transport device 1 is activated. When the article conveying apparatus 1 is activated, the first conveying table 12 vibrates in the conveying direction and the vertical direction, whereby the article W moves on the first conveying table 12 in a state of being aligned along the spiral conveying path. Moving. The article W delivered from the spiral conveyance path to the linear conveyance path (that is, the article W delivered from the first conveyance table 12 to the second conveyance table 14) is transferred to the second conveyance table 14. Vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction, and moves on the second transport table 14 in a state of being aligned along the linear transport path.

  In this sense, the article conveying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an article conveying apparatus that includes a conveying unit that forms a spiral conveying path, and an article conveying apparatus that includes a conveying unit that forms a linear conveying path. It can be said that these are combined.

  In addition, there is a gap between the conveyance direction front end of the first conveyance table 12 (that is, the end of the spiral conveyance path) and the conveyance direction end of the second conveyance table 14 (that is, the start end of the linear conveyance path). As shown in FIG. 1, a gap S is formed. The gap S is provided in order to avoid collision between the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14 during vibration. Then, the article W conveyed to the front end in the conveyance direction of the first conveyance table 12 passes through the gap S and moves to the second conveyance table 14. In the present embodiment, the width of the gap S in the transport direction is determined in consideration of the thermal expansion and inertia of the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14.

<< About Rotary Feeder 100 >>
Next, a configuration example and an operation example of the rotary feeder 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  2 to 6 are views showing the internal structure of the rotary feeder 100. FIG. 2 is a HH cross section in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a II cross section in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a peripheral view of the turret 122, and FIG. 5 is a JJ cross section in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a KK cross section in FIG. 2 to 6, the cut surface is hatched, and FIG. 4 shows a partially different cross section for convenience. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a modified example of the lift arm 154, and corresponds to FIG. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150. FIG. 8A is a state of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150 before the input shaft 110 rotates. FIG. 8B shows a state where the input shaft 110 rotates and the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150 are driven. FIG. 9 is an example of a timing chart relating to vibration applied by the rotary feeder 100, and a diagram (upper diagram) showing displacement in the transport direction of the first transport platform 12 during one rotation of the input shaft 110, and the input shaft 110. The figure (lower figure) which shows the displacement in the perpendicular direction of the 1st conveyance stand 12 during 1 rotation is shown, respectively. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the motion trajectory of the first transport table 12 when the first transport table 12 vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the relative slip phenomenon of the article W. FIG. 2 to 7 and 10, the vertical direction (that is, the vertical direction) of the rotary feeder 100 is indicated by arrows. In FIG. 8, the axial direction and the vertical direction of the input shaft 110 are indicated by arrows. In FIG. 11, the conveyance direction and the vertical direction in the first conveyance table 12 are indicated by arrows.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary feeder 100 includes an input shaft 110, an output unit 120, a housing 130, a first cam mechanism 140, and a second cam mechanism 150.

  The housing 130 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing for accommodating a first cam mechanism 140 and a second cam mechanism 150 described later. The housing 130 is provided below the first transport table 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, a truncated cone-shaped pedestal portion 132 is provided on the bottom surface inside the housing 130. Further, the housing 130 includes a columnar support shaft 134 that is erected vertically at the center of the pedestal portion 132. Then, the upper end portion of the support shaft 134 penetrates the ceiling wall of the housing 130 and protrudes out of the housing 130 as shown in FIG.

  The input shaft 110 is rotatably supported by the housing 130 via a pair of bearings 131. As shown in FIG. 5, the input shaft 110 is provided in the vicinity of a turret 122 described later. Further, one end of the input shaft 110 in the axial direction protrudes out of the housing 130 as shown in FIG. The protruding portion is connected to the drive motor 300 via a shaft coupling 302) described later. When the drive motor 300 rotates, the input shaft 110 rotates around the central axis of the input shaft 110.

  The output unit 120 is supported on a support shaft 134 provided in the housing 130 so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the support shaft 134 and to be capable of reciprocating in the axial direction of the support shaft 134 (that is, the vertical direction). It is a thing. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the output portion includes a cylindrical turret 122 supported by the support shaft 134 by fitting the support shaft 134 therein, and an upper end portion of the turret 122. And a fixed disc-shaped first carrier mounting plate 124.

  The turret 122 can rotate relative to the support shaft 134 around the central axis of the support shaft 134 and can reciprocate relative to the axial direction of the support shaft 134. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the turret 122 has a small diameter portion 122a and a large diameter portion 122b having different outer diameters, and in the axial direction of the turret 122 (that is, the axial direction of the support shaft 134), The small diameter part 122a is adjacent to the upper end part of the large diameter part 122b. And the upper end part of the small diameter part 122a of the turret 122 penetrates the ceiling wall of the housing 130, and protrudes out of the housing 130. A step portion 122c, which is an annular plane orthogonal to the axis of the turret 122, is formed at the boundary portion between the small diameter portion 122a and the large diameter portion 122b of the turret 122, and the step portion 122c will be described later. The swing arm 146 that is a component of the first cam mechanism 140 is fixed. Further, a lift arm 154 that is a component of the second cam mechanism 35 described later is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 122b of the turret 122.

  The first transfer table mounting plate 124 fixedly supports the first transfer table 12 on the first transfer table mounting plate 124. That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the first transport table 12 is in contact with the bottom surface of the first transport table 12 and the ceiling surface of the first transport table mounting plate 124. It is bolted to 124. Further, the first transport base mounting plate 124 is bolted to the upper end surface of the small diameter portion 122 a of the turret 122. As a result, the turret 122, the first transport base mounting plate 124, and the first transport base 12 are integrally rotated around the central axis of the support shaft 134 or in the axial direction of the support shaft 134. It will reciprocate. Here, the rotation direction when the turret 122, the first transport table mounting plate 124, and the first transport table 12 rotate integrally is the circumferential direction of the first transport table 12, that is, the first This coincides with the conveyance direction on the conveyance table 12. The axial direction of the support shaft 134 coincides with the vertical direction. Accordingly, the output unit 120 can vibrate integrally with the first transport table 12 in the transport direction and the vertical direction of the first transport table 12 via the support shaft 134. (To be more precise, it is supported by the support shaft 134 of the housing 130).

  The first cam mechanism 140 is for vibrating the first transport table 12 and the output unit 120 in the transport direction of the article W on the first transport table 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first cam mechanism 140 includes a first cam 142 that rotates as the input shaft 110 rotates, and a pair of first cams that engage with the first cam 142. One cam follower 144 and a swing arm 146 that swings in cooperation with the first cam 142 and the pair of first cam followers 144 are provided.

  The first cam 142 is a cylindrical rib cam and is supported at the axial center of the input shaft 110. When the input shaft 110 rotates, the first cam 142 rotates integrally with the input shaft 110. Further, rib-like cam surfaces 142a and 142b are formed on both end surfaces in the axial direction of the first cam 142 over the entire circumference. The cam surfaces 142a and 142b are curved in the axial direction of the input shaft 110. The cam surface 142a is formed on one end surface in the axial direction, and the cam surface 142b is formed on the other end surface in the axial direction. Are curved surfaces of the same shape. Such shapes of the cam surfaces 142 a and 142 b represent the cam profile of the first cam 142.

  The pair of first cam followers 144 are in contact with the cam surfaces 142a and 142b with the first cam 142 interposed therebetween. The swing arm 146 is a substantially rectangular member that is a follower of the first cam 142, and includes the pair of first cam followers 144 at one end in the longitudinal direction thereof. The one end in the longitudinal direction is opposed to the first cam 142 at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and the pair of first cam followers 144 are respectively disposed in the vertical direction at the one end in the longitudinal direction. It is supported so that it can rotate around the axis along. The interval between the first cam followers 144 is adjusted so that the peripheral surfaces of the pair of first cam followers 144 are always in contact with the cam surfaces 142a and 142b of the first cam 142 so as to allow rolling. Further, the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the swing arm 146 has a fitting hole for fitting the small diameter portion 122a of the turret 122 at the center of the other end portion in the longitudinal direction. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the swing arm 146 is bolted to the step 122c of the turret 122 with the small diameter portion 122a fitted in the fitting hole.

  In the first cam mechanism 140 configured in this way, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the input shaft 110 rotates, the first cam 142 rotates integrally with the input shaft 110, and a pair of first cam followers 144 rolls while maintaining contact with the cam surfaces 142a and 142b. At this time, the swing arm 146 swings in the direction along the axial direction of the input shaft 110 in accordance with the curved surface shape of the cam surfaces 142a and 142b. Then, when the swing of the swing arm 146 is transmitted to the turret 122 that fixes the swing arm 146, the turret 122 rotates around the support shaft 134 integrally with the swing arm 146. (That is, the reciprocating motion of the swing arm 146 in the axial direction is converted into the rotational motion of the turret 122). The turret 122 rotates around the support shaft 134 integrally with the first transfer table mounting plate 124, so that the first transfer table 12 fixed to the first transfer table mounting plate 124 also supports the support. It will rotate about the shaft 134. Here, the rotation direction of the first conveyance table 12 coincides with the circumferential direction of the first conveyance table 12, that is, the conveyance direction of the article W on the first conveyance table 12. Accordingly, the first cam mechanism 140 integrally vibrates (reciprocates) the output unit 120 and the first transport table 12 in the transport direction (in other words, the first cam mechanism 140 is This will cause vibration in the transport direction). In addition, since the rotation range in the rotation operation of the turret 122 is sufficiently small, the rotation operation (in other words, vibration in the transfer direction of the first transfer table 12) is a linear reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the input shaft 110. It can be considered. Therefore, in the following description, the vibration in the transport direction by the first cam mechanism 140 provided in the rotary feeder 100 will be described as vibration in the axial direction of the input shaft 110. However, the direction of vibration by the first cam mechanism 140 is not limited to the transport direction. For example, the direction of the vibration may have a component other than the transport direction (for example, a component in the vertical direction or a component in a direction crossing the transport direction and the vertical direction).

  The second cam mechanism 150 is for vibrating the first transport table 12 and the output unit 120 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the second cam mechanism 150 includes a pair of second cams 152 that rotate as the input shaft 110 rotates, and a pair of lift arms 154 that engage with the second cam 152. And have.

  Each of the pair of second cams 152 is a substantially triangular plate cam having a cam surface 152 a formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and is supported outside the support position of the first cam 142 of the input shaft 110. When the input shaft 110 rotates, the pair of second cams 152 rotate integrally with the input shaft 110. The cam surface 152 a is a flat peripheral surface with respect to the axial direction of the input shaft 110, and the shape of the cam surface 152 a represents the cam profile of the second cam 152.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of lift arms 154 are plate members in which one end in the longitudinal direction of the lift arm 154 is formed in a lateral U shape. Each lift arm 154 engages with each second cam 152 by always contacting the inner surface of the portion formed in the lateral U shape with the cam surface 152a of each second cam 152. That is, each lift arm 154 is provided with the second cam follower 154a on the inner surface of the portion formed in the transverse U shape at one end in the longitudinal direction. Further, the other longitudinal ends of the pair of lift arms 154 are bolted to the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 122b of the turret 122 so that the pair of lift arms 154 are parallel to each other. The second cam follower 154a (that is, the upper surface and the lower surface of the inner surface of the laterally U-shaped portion) is a flat surface with respect to the axial direction of the input shaft 110. It is possible to always contact with the cam surface 152a of 152.

  In the second cam mechanism 150 configured as described above, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the input shaft 110 rotates, the pair of second cams 152 rotate integrally with the input shaft 110. Each of the pair of lift arms 154 is in accordance with the shape of the cam surface of the second cam 152 while maintaining the contact state with the cam surface 152a provided to each second cam 152 in which the second cam follower 154a is rotated. Move up and down in the vertical direction. Further, when the vertical movement of the pair of lift arms 154 is transmitted to the turret 122 that fixes the lift arms 154, the turret 122 is integrated with the pair of lift arms 154 in the axial direction of the support shaft 134 ( That is, it moves up and down in the vertical direction). Then, as the turret 122 reciprocates in the vertical direction integrally with the first transfer table mounting plate 124, the first transfer table 12 fixed to the first transfer table mounting plate 124 also moves up and down in the vertical direction. To come. Accordingly, the second cam mechanism 150 integrally vibrates (vertically moves) the output unit 120 and the first carrier 12 in the vertical direction. That is, the second cam mechanism 150 generates vibration in the vertical direction, but the direction of vibration by the second cam mechanism 150 is not limited to the vertical direction. For example, the direction of the vibration may have a component other than the vertical direction (for example, a component in the axial direction of the input shaft 110).

  By the way, when the turret 122 rotates around the central axis of the support shaft 134 by driving the first cam mechanism 140, the pair of lift arms 154 has the second cam follower 154 a and the cam surface 152 a of the second cam 152. While maintaining the contact state, the second cam 152 moves relatively straight in the axial direction of the input shaft 110 (see FIG. 8B). This is because both the cam surface 152 a of the second cam 152 and the second cam follower 154 a have a flat surface with respect to the axial direction of the input shaft 110. Therefore, the rotation operation of the output unit 120 by the first cam mechanism 140 (that is, the vibration of the output unit 120 in the transport direction) obstructs the vertical operation of the output unit 120 by the second cam mechanism 150. There is nothing.

  On the other hand, when the turret 122 moves up and down in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the support shaft 134 by the drive of the second cam mechanism 150, the swing arm 146 has the peripheral surface of the pair of first cam followers 144 as the first cam follower. While maintaining contact with the cam surfaces 142a and 142b of 142, the first cam 142 moves relative to the vertical direction (see FIG. 8B). For this reason, the up-and-down movement of the output unit 120 by the second cam mechanism 150 does not hinder the turning operation of the output unit 120 by the first cam mechanism 140.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output unit 120 and the first transport table 12 can vibrate simultaneously in both the transport direction and the vertical direction. In other words, the output unit 120 and the first transport table 12 vibrate in the combined direction of the transport direction and the vertical direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the composite direction).

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the longitudinal end of the lift arm 154 is formed in a lateral U shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a lift arm (hereinafter, referred to as another lift arm 155) in which one end portion in the longitudinal direction is formed in a substantially L shape may be used. When the other lift arm 155 is used, a biasing member 156 such as a spring is interposed between the upper end of the other longitudinal end of the other lift arm 155 and the ceiling wall of the housing 130. I will let you. The second cam follower 155a (that is, the surface of the other lift arm 155 facing the second cam 152) formed at one end in the longitudinal direction of the other lift arm 155 by the biasing force of the biasing member 156. Is always in pressure contact with the cam surface 152a of the second cam 152. As a result, like the lift arm 154, the other lift arms 155 move up and down in the vertical direction.

  Next, an operation example of the rotary feeder 100 configured as described above will be described.

  When the input shaft 110 rotates with the activation of the drive motor 300, the first cam 142 and the pair of second cams 152 rotate together with the input shaft 110, and the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150. Is driven. Then, by the cooperation of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150, the first transport table 12 vibrates in the synthesis direction integrally with the output unit 120. More specifically, the first transport table 12 vibrates integrally with the output unit 120 in the synthesis direction, thereby providing a point A (the position of the first transport table 12 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10). It reciprocates between B point (the position of the 1st conveyance stand 12 shown as a continuous line in FIG. 10). Note that point B is downstream of point A in the transport direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the width of the vibration in the transport direction applied by the first cam mechanism 140 is the length indicated by the symbol W1, and the width of the vibration in the transport direction applied by the second cam mechanism 150 is This is the length indicated by the symbol W2. Here, since the drive of the first cam mechanism 140 and the drive of the second cam mechanism 150 are synchronized, the first transport base 12 is moved by a distance of a length W1 from the point A to the downstream side in the transport direction. When it has moved, it reaches a position away from the point A by a distance of a length W2 upward in the vertical direction. In other words, the position Ax of the point A in the transport direction and the position Bx of the point B in the transport direction are separated by a distance of length W1, and the position Ay in the vertical direction of the point A and the position Bx in the vertical direction of the point B The position By is separated by a distance of length W2.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotary feeder 100 is moved a plurality of times (in this embodiment, 3 times in each of the conveyance direction and the vertical direction while the input shaft 110 rotates once. Times), and the period of vibration in the conveying direction is equal to the period of vibration in the vertical direction. Here, the period of vibration means the rotation angle of the input shaft 110 when it reciprocates once in the transport direction or the vertical direction. Therefore, the period of vibration in the synthesis direction is also equal to the period of vibration in the transport direction and the period of vibration in the vertical direction. In other words, the number of vibrations (that is, the number of reciprocations between point A and point B) applied by the rotary feeder 100 during one rotation of the input shaft 110 is three.

  And when the 1st conveyance stand 12 reciprocates between A point and B point, the relative slip phenomenon of the articles | goods W mounted in this 1st conveyance stand 12 arises in the said conveyance direction. The mechanism of occurrence of the relative slip phenomenon is already known, and the article W is divided into a case where the first carrier 12 moves from the point A toward the point B and a case where the first carrier 12 moves from the point B toward the point A. This is due to the difference in working inertia and friction.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the time required for the first carrier 12 to move from point A to point B is the time required for moving from point B to point A. It is longer than time. That is, the acceleration when going forward in the transport direction is small, while the acceleration when going backward in the transport direction is large. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11A in FIG. 11, when the first transport table 12 moves from the point A to the point B, the inertial force that acts on the article W toward the upstream side in the transport direction is It becomes small and it is suppressed that the said article W slips relatively with respect to the said 1st conveyance stand 12. FIG. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the first transport table 12 moves from the point B to the point A, the inertial force acting on the article W so as to go downstream in the transport direction becomes large. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, relative slip of the article W is induced.

  Further, during the movement from the point A to the point B, the upward acceleration in the vertical direction of the first carrier 12 is increased. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11A, the frictional force acting on the article W increases, so that the relative slip is further suppressed. On the other hand, when moving from the point B to the point A, the descending acceleration in the vertical direction of the first carriage 12 is increased. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11B, the frictional force acting on the article W is reduced, so that the relative slip of the article W is promoted.

  Due to such a relative slip phenomenon, the article W is directed toward the downstream side in the transport direction on the first transport base 12. Regarding the vibration applied by the rotary feeder 100, the vibration widths W1 and W2 in the transport direction and the vertical direction and the number of vibrations during one rotation of the input shaft 110 are the cam surfaces 142a and 142b of the first cam 142. And the shape of the cam surface 152a of the second cam 152 (that is, the cam profile). In other words, the cam profiles of the first cam 142 and the second cam 152 are adjusted so that the article W slides relative to the first transport table 12 toward the downstream side in the transport direction.

<< About Linear Feeder 200 >>
Next, a configuration example and an operation example of the linear feeder 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

 12 and 13 are diagrams showing the internal structure of the linear feeder 200. FIG. 12 shows the LL cross section in FIG. 1, and FIG. 13 shows the MM cross section in FIG. 12 and 13, the cut surface is hatched, and FIG. 12 partially shows a cross section different from the LL cross section for convenience. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the vertical reciprocation of the lift table 256, FIG. 14A is a diagram when the lift table 256 reaches the top dead center, and FIG. 14B is the bottom diagram of the lift table 256. It is a figure when a point is reached. FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the relationship between the operation of the first cam mechanism 240 and the operation of the second cam mechanism 250. 15A is a view for explaining that the first cam mechanism 240 does not hinder the vibration in the vertical direction of the output unit 220, and FIG. 15B is a diagram showing that the second cam mechanism 250 is used by the output unit 220. It is a figure for demonstrating not disturbing the vibration of a conveyance direction. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the motion trajectory of the second transport table 14 when the second transport table 14 vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction. 12 and 15, the vertical direction (that is, the vertical direction) of the linear feeder 200 is indicated by arrows. Further, in FIG. 14, the vertical direction and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction of the input shaft 210 (hereinafter, referred to as the left-right direction for convenience) are indicated by arrows. In FIG. 16, the vertical direction and the conveyance direction in the linear feeder 200 are indicated by arrows. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about what has the structure same as the component of the rotary feeder 100 mentioned above among each component of the linear feeder 200. FIG.

 As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the linear feeder 200 includes an input shaft 210, an output unit 220, a housing 230, a first cam mechanism 240, and a second cam mechanism 250, similar to the rotary feeder 100. I have.

 The housing 230 is provided below the second carriage 14 and, like the housing 130 of the rotary feeder 100, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing that houses a first cam mechanism 240 and a second cam mechanism 250 described later therein. Is the body. In addition, a substantially rectangular opening is provided in the ceiling wall of the housing 230.

 The input shaft 210 has the same configuration as the input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100.

  The output unit 220 is a rectangular plate member that is disposed at a position that closes the opening provided in the ceiling wall of the housing 230 and is slightly smaller than the opening. The output unit 220 is supported at the upper end of the housing 130 so as to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction of the input shaft 210 and in the vertical direction. The output unit 220 supports and fixes the second transport table 14 in a state where the ceiling surface of the output unit 220 and the bottom surface of the second transport table 14 are in contact with each other. That is, in the linear feeder 200, the output unit 220 exhibits the same function as that of the first transport base mounting plate 124 of the rotary feeder 100.

  The first cam mechanism 240 is for vibrating the second transport table 14 and the output unit 220 in the transport direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first cam mechanism 240 includes a pair of first cams 242 that rotate as the input shaft 210 rotates and a pair of the first cams 142 that engage with each other. And a first cam follower 244.

  The first cam 242 has the same configuration as the first cam 142 of the rotary feeder 100, is supported at the axial center of the input shaft 210, and can rotate integrally with the input shaft 210.

  The pair of first cam followers 244 also has the same configuration as the first cam follower 244 of the rotary feeder 100 and is directly supported by the bottom of the output unit 220.

  In the first cam mechanism 240 configured as described above, when the input shaft 210 rotates, the first cam 242 rotates integrally with the input shaft 210, and the pair of first cam followers 244 are in contact with the cam surfaces 142a and 142b. Roll while maintaining At this time, the output unit 220 reciprocates integrally with the second carriage 14 in the axial direction of the input shaft 210 in accordance with the curved surfaces of the cam surfaces 242a and 242b. Here, the second transport table 14 is fixed to the output unit 220 so that the transport direction of the article W on the second transport table 14 and the axial direction of the input shaft 210 are along each other. For this reason, the first cam mechanism 240 integrally vibrates (reciprocates) the output unit 220 and the second transport table 14 in the transport direction (in other words, the first cam mechanism 240 has Vibration in the transport direction is generated). In the following description, the vibration in the transport direction by the first cam mechanism 240 provided in the linear feeder 200 will be described as vibration in the axial direction of the input shaft 210. However, the direction of vibration by the first cam mechanism 240 is not limited to the transport direction. For example, the direction of the vibration may have a component other than the transport direction (for example, a component in the vertical direction).

  The second cam mechanism 250 is for vibrating the second transport table 14 and the output unit 220 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second cam mechanism 250 includes a pair of second cams 252 that rotate with the rotation of the input shaft 210, and second cam followers 254 that engage with the second cams 252. The second cam follower 254 includes a pair of lift tables 256 that move up and down in the vertical direction, and a guide member 258 that guides the lift tables 256 to move up and down in the vertical direction.

  Each of the pair of second cams 252 is a cylindrical groove cam in which an annular groove 252a is formed on a surface facing the lift table 256 (hereinafter referred to as an opposing surface), and the first cam 242 of the input shaft 210 is formed. It is supported outside the support position. When the input shaft 210 rotates, the pair of second cams 252 rotate integrally with the input shaft 210. Further, the annular groove 252a is formed on the facing surface of each second cam 252 so as to surround the input shaft 210, and the inner peripheral surface of the annular groove 252a forms a cam surface. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the annular groove 252a represents the cam profile of the second cam 252. The inner peripheral surface of the annular groove 252a is a flat peripheral surface with respect to the axial direction of the input shaft 210.

  The second cam follower 254 has the same configuration as the first cam follower 244. The second cam follower 254 is rotatably supported at the lower end of each lift base 256 in a state where the rotation axis of the second cam follower 254 is along the axial direction of the input shaft 210. The second cam follower 254 is engaged with the annular groove 252a in a state where the outer peripheral surface thereof is always in contact with the inner peripheral surface (that is, the cam surface) of the annular groove 252a.

  Each of the pair of lift bases 256 is a follower of the second cam 252 and is a rectangular parallelepiped member attached to the lower end of the output unit 220. And this lift stand 256 is each provided in the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the said housing 230 (Namely, the direction along the said conveyance direction of the housing 230), as shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, both end surfaces of the lift table 256 in the left-right direction form flat surfaces with respect to the axial direction and the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the guide member 258 is a rectangular parallelepiped member provided between the end surface of the lift base 256 in the left-right direction and the inner wall surface of the housing 230. A surface of the guide member 258 facing the end surface of each lift base 256 is a flat surface with respect to the axial direction and the vertical direction of the input shaft 210. Each lift base 256 moves up and down along the surface of the guide member 258 facing the end face of each lift base 256. That is, each lift table 256 moves on a two-dimensional plane composed of the axial direction and the vertical direction of the input shaft 210 by the guide member 258. In other words, the movement of each lift platform 256 in the left-right direction is restricted by the guide member 258. A gap is provided between the lift table 256 and the guide member 258, and an oil film is formed in the gap to lubricate the operation of the lift table 256.

  In the second cam mechanism 250 configured as described above, when the input shaft 210 rotates, the pair of second cams 252 rotate integrally with the input shaft 210, and with the rotation of each second cam 252, The second cam follower 254 rolls on the inner peripheral surface of the annular groove 252a of the second cam 252. The second cam follower 254 moves up and down in the vertical direction according to the shape of the annular groove 252a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the pair of lift platforms 256 including the second cam follower 254 move up and down in the vertical direction while being restricted from moving in the left and right directions by the guide member 258, respectively. It becomes like this. As a result, as a result of the output unit 220 to which the pair of lift tables 256 are attached moving up and down, the second transport table 14 fixed to the output unit 220 also moves up and down in the vertical direction. That is, the second cam mechanism 250 integrally vibrates (vertically moves) the output unit 220 and the second carriage 14 in the vertical direction. In other words, the second cam mechanism 250 generates vibration in the vertical direction, but the direction of vibration by the second cam mechanism 250 is not limited to the vertical direction. For example, the direction of vibration may have a component other than the vertical direction (for example, the component in the transport direction or the component in the left-right direction).

  By the way, when the output unit 220 reciprocates in the transport direction by driving the first cam mechanism 240, the second cam follower 254 provided in the lift base 256 also moves in the transport direction. That is, the second cam follower 254 maintains the state in which the second cam follower 254 is engaged with the annular groove 252a (in other words, the second cam follower 254 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the annular groove 252a, that is, the cam surface. While maintaining this state), each of the second cams 252 travels relatively straight in the transport direction (see FIG. 15A). Thereby, the reciprocating operation of the output unit 220 by the first cam mechanism 240 in the transport direction does not hinder the vertical operation of the output unit 220 by the second cam mechanism 250.

  On the other hand, when the output unit 220 moves up and down in the vertical direction by driving the second cam mechanism 250, the pair of first cam followers 244 maintain the contact state with the cam surfaces 242 a and 242 b of the first cam 242. It moves relative to the first cam 242 in the vertical direction (see FIG. 15B). As a result, the vertical movement of the output unit 220 by the second cam mechanism 250 does not hinder the reciprocating operation of the output unit 220 in the transport direction by the first cam mechanism 240.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output unit 220 and the second transport table 14 can vibrate simultaneously in both the transport direction and the vertical direction. In other words, the output unit 120 and the second transport table 14 can vibrate in a combined direction of the transport direction and the vertical direction (hereinafter simply referred to as a composite direction).

  Next, an operation example of the linear feeder 200 configured as described above will be described.

  In the linear feeder 200 as well, as with the rotary feeder 100, when the input shaft 210 rotates as the drive motor 300 starts, the first cam mechanism 240 and the second cam mechanism 250 are driven. In addition, due to the cooperation of the first cam mechanism 240 and the second cam mechanism 250, the second transport table 14 vibrates in the synthesis direction integrally with the output unit 220. More specifically, the second transport table 14 vibrates integrally with the output unit 220 in the synthesis direction, thereby providing a point C (the position of the second transport table 14 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 16). It reciprocates between point D (the position of the 2nd conveyance stand 14 shown as a continuous line in FIG. 16). Note that point D is located downstream of point C in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the width of the vibration in the conveyance direction applied by the first cam mechanism 240 is the length indicated by the symbol W1, and the width of the vibration in the conveyance direction applied by the second cam mechanism 250 is This is the length indicated by the symbol W2. That is, in each of the conveyance direction and the vertical direction, the width of vibration applied by the linear feeder 200 is equal to the width of vibration applied by the rotary feeder 100.

  Further, since the driving of the first cam mechanism 240 and the driving of the second cam mechanism 250 are synchronized, the second transport table 14 moves from the point C to the downstream side in the transport direction by a distance of a length W1. When it does, it reaches the position away from the point C by the distance of the length W2 upward in the vertical direction. In other words, the position Cx of the point C in the transport direction and the position Dx of the point D in the transport direction are separated by a distance of length W1, and the position Cy in the vertical direction of the point C and the position Cx in the vertical direction of the point D The position Dy is separated by a distance of length W2.

  Furthermore, a vibration timing chart (not shown) provided by the linear feeder 200 is substantially the same as the vibration timing chart provided by the rotary feeder 100. That is, also in the linear feeder 200, the period of vibration in the conveyance direction is equal to the period of vibration in the vertical direction. Then, the number of vibrations of the vibration in the composite direction applied by the linear feeder 200 during one rotation of the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 (that is, the number of reciprocations between the point C and the point D), and the rotary feeder The number of vibrations of the vibration in the composite direction applied by the rotary feeder 100 during one rotation of the 100 input shafts 110 is equal to 3 in the present embodiment.

  Then, as the second transport table 14 reciprocates between the point C and the point D, the article W placed on the second transport table 14 is moved to the second position by the relative slip phenomenon in the transport direction. It goes on the transport table 14 toward the downstream side in the transport direction. The generation principle of the relative slip phenomenon is as described above. Regarding the vibration applied by the linear feeder 200, the vibration widths W1 and W2 in the transport direction and the vertical direction and the number of vibrations during one rotation of the input shaft 210 are the cam surface 142a of the first cam 242, 142b and the shape of the annular groove 252a of the second cam 252 (that is, the cam profile).

  Furthermore, as described above, the width of vibration applied by the linear feeder 200 is equal to the width of vibration applied by the rotary feeder 100 in each of the transport direction and the vertical direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the cam profiles of the first cams 142 and 242 provided in each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 have the same amplitude in the transport direction between the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200. It has been adjusted to be. Similarly, the cam profiles of the second cams 152 and 252 provided in each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 are also adjusted so that the amplitudes in the vertical direction are equal. Here, the amplitude means a half value of the width of the vibration (in other words, the reciprocating distance of the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14 in each of the transport direction and the vertical direction).

<< About Drive Motor 300 >>
The drive motor 300 is a motor for driving each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 (specifically, for driving the input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100 and the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 to rotate). . That is, in the present embodiment, the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 use the drive motor 300 as a common drive source. The input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100 and the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 are connected to the drive shaft of the drive motor 300 via a shaft coupling 302 and a belt transmission device 304. More specifically, the input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100 is directly connected to the drive shaft of the drive motor 300 via the shaft coupling 302. The input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100 includes a pulley 304 a, and the pulley 304 a that forms a pair with the pulley 304 a is provided on the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200. A belt is stretched between the pair of pulleys 304a (in other words, a belt transmission device 304 is provided to transmit the driving force from the driving motor 300 to the linear feeder 200).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to transmit a driving force from the single driving motor 300 to each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200. In the present embodiment, each of the pair of pulleys 304a has the same diameter. For this reason, the rotational speed per unit time is equal for each of the input shafts 110 and 210 of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200. Further, as described above, the number of vibrations in the combined direction applied while the input shafts 110 and 210 make one rotation between the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 is equal. Therefore, the vibration frequency (the number of vibrations per unit time) in the synthesis direction provided by each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 is equal between the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200.

  However, regarding the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200, the configuration for equalizing the vibration frequencies in the synthesis direction is not limited to the above configuration. For example, between the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200, when the frequency of the vibration in the composite direction applied while the input shafts 110 and 210 rotate once is different, the diameter of the pair of pulleys 304a is The ratio (that is, the reduction ratio) may be adjusted. As a specific example, while the input shafts 110 and 210 make one rotation, the number of vibrations in the composite direction applied by the rotary feeder 100 is 3, and the vibration in the composite direction applied by the linear feeder 200. A case where the number of vibrations is four will be described. In such a case, if the diameter of the pulley 304a provided on the input shaft 110 side of the rotary feeder 100 is designed to be 3/4 times the diameter of the pulley 304a provided on the input shaft 210 side of the linear feeder 200, the rotary The frequency of the vibration in the composite direction applied by each of the feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 becomes equal.

=== Regarding the Effectiveness of the Article Conveying Device According to this Embodiment ===
As described above, the article transport apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the transport unit 10 that vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction and the first transport unit 10 that vibrates the transport unit 10 in the transport direction in order to transport the articles. A rotary feeder 100 and a linear feeder 200 as a vibration applying unit having a one cam mechanism and a second cam mechanism for vibrating the conveying unit 10 in the vertical direction, and each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 is driven. And a single drive motor 300. In the article conveying apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the vibration applying operation of the rotary feeder 100 and the vibration applying operation of the linear feeder 200 can be more easily synchronized. Below, the effectiveness of the article conveyance apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated.

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of article conveying apparatuses that place an article W on a vibrating conveyance unit and convey the article W in the conveyance direction using a relative slip phenomenon of the article W with respect to the conveyance unit have been proposed. Some of the article conveying apparatuses include a plurality of vibration applying units for applying vibration to the conveying unit, as described in the background art section.

 By the way, as the vibration applying unit, an electromagnetic type vibration applying unit that applies the vibration using an electromagnet, a cam type vibration applying unit that applies the vibration using a cam mechanism, and the like are generally known. Yes.

 Here, in the article conveyance device provided with a plurality of electromagnetic vibration applying units, the driving frequency of the electromagnet provided in each vibration applying unit must be adjusted so that the conveying unit appropriately vibrates. However, adjustment of the drive frequency requires time and it is difficult to match the timing at which each vibration applying unit applies vibration. For this reason, when the drive frequency is adjusted again for the purpose of changing the conveyance speed or the like of the article conveyance device, a great amount of time and labor are required.

  On the other hand, in an article conveying apparatus provided with a plurality of cam-type vibration applying portions, vibrations according to the shape of the cam provided in each vibration applying portion (that is, cam profile) are applied. There is no need to adjust the driving frequency in the vibration applying unit. It is also possible to change the conveyance speed of the article conveyance device by a relatively simple operation (for example, adjustment of the rotation speed of the input shaft per unit time). However, even if it is a cam-type vibration provision part, when the said vibration provision part is provided with two or more, it is necessary to synchronize the vibration provision operation | movement of each vibration provision part.

  Here, regarding the vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units, if the frequency of the vibration is adjusted for each vibration applying unit, the timing at which each vibration applying unit applies the vibration may be shifted. As a result, since the vibration applied by the plurality of vibration applying units is transmitted to the conveying unit 10 in a disturbed state, the article W placed on the conveying unit 10 may not be appropriately conveyed. . In particular, when the transport unit includes a plurality of transport tables arranged in parallel in the transport direction and a gap S is formed between the transport tables adjacent to each other (for example, see FIG. 1), The problem becomes more prominent. More specifically, when the frequency is individually adjusted for the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit, the gap S is relatively long assuming that the timing at which each vibration applying unit applies the vibration is shifted. Had a width. In such a gap S, it is possible to avoid a collision between the transfer tables when a deviation occurs in the vibration applying operation of each vibration applying unit. The width of the gap S may increase excessively due to vibration. As a result, the article W cannot pass through the gap S, the article W falls into the gap S, and in some cases, the article W may be clogged and the conveyance of the article W may stop.

  On the other hand, in the article conveying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a single drive motor 300 is provided to drive the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200. That is, since the input shaft 110 of the rotary feeder 100 and the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 are rotated by a common drive source, the vibration applying operation of the rotary feeder 100 and the vibration applying operation of the linear feeder 200 are more easily performed. It becomes easy to synchronize. In this embodiment, since the frequency of the vibration in the composite direction applied by the rotary feeder 100 is equal to the frequency of the vibration in the composite direction applied by the linear feeder 200, the timing of the vibration applying operation is accurately matched. It becomes possible.

  As a result, in order to adjust the conveyance speed of the article W, when adjusting the vibration frequency of each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200, the rotation number of the drive motor 300 is adjusted. Thus, it becomes possible to adjust each frequency at a time. As a result, since the vibration applying operation is reliably synchronized between the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200, the timing at which each vibration applying unit applies the vibration is not shifted, and the conveyance speed can be adjusted more easily. Become.

  Further, even when the gap S is formed between the transport tables, since it is not necessary to consider the deviation that occurs in the vibration applying operation of each vibration applying unit, the width of the gap S is reduced and the gap S is reduced. Thus, the proper conveyance of the article W is realized without the article W falling into the middle. Furthermore, when the amplitudes of the vibrations applied by the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 are equal in the transport direction and the vertical direction, the width of the gap S can be minimized.

  As described above, the vibration applying operation of the rotary feeder 100 and the vibration applying operation of the linear feeder 200 can be more easily synchronized. As a result, the article transporting apparatus 1 transports the article W more appropriately. become.

=== Regarding Configuration of Other Article Conveying Device ===
In the above embodiment, the article conveying apparatus 1 including the conveying unit 10 including the first conveying table 12 that forms the spiral conveying path and the second conveying table 14 that forms the linear conveying path has been described. In such an article conveying apparatus 1, the article W moved on the first conveying table 12 is transferred to the second conveying table 14 and conveyed in the second conveying table 14 in a linearly aligned state. It is conveyed to the direction end. In particular, since the alignment of the articles W is better when moving on the second transfer table 14 than when moving on the first transfer table 12, the article transfer apparatus having such a transfer unit 10 is provided. 1 can provide the articles W appropriately aligned.

  However, the configuration of the article conveying apparatus is not limited to the above-described embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the present example), and other configuration examples are also conceivable. In this section, another configuration example (that is, a first modification to a fifth modification) of the article transporting device will be described. In each modification, the vibration applying unit (that is, the rotary feeder 100 or the linear feeder 200) has substantially the same configuration as the vibration applying unit according to the present example, and performs the same vibration applying operation. The description is omitted. In addition, regarding the vibration in the synthesis direction applied by each vibration applying unit, the frequency of the vibration and the amplitude in the transport direction and the vertical direction are equal between the vibration applying units.

<<< About First Modification >>>
First, a configuration example of the article conveyance device 2 according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 2 according to the first modification.

  The article conveyance device 2 according to the first modification includes a conveyance unit 10 having a plurality of conveyance tables arranged in the conveyance direction, as in the present example. If it demonstrates concretely, the conveyance part 10 which concerns on a 1st modification is provided with two each of the bowl-shaped 1st conveyance stand 12 and the linear 2nd conveyance stand 14, respectively, and it shows in FIG. As described above, these transport tables are arranged side by side so as to form an elliptical transport path (also referred to as an oval track) in the transport direction. In the following, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, of the two first transport tables 12, the one on the upstream side in the transport path is referred to as the first transport table 12 on the upstream side and the one on the further downstream side. It will be referred to as a downstream first conveyance platform 12. Similarly, of the two second transfer tables 14, the more upstream side is referred to as an upstream second transfer table 14, and the more downstream side is referred to as a downstream second transfer table 14. Further, a gap S is provided between the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14 as in the present example. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the downstream second transport table 14 is provided with an article take-out portion 14 a for taking out the article W out of the transport unit 10 at the end in the transport direction of the second transport table 14. It has been. The article take-out unit 14 a forms a conveyance path that is refracted with respect to the conveyance direction of the second conveyance table 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a guide wall 12a for guiding the article W to the bottom of the downstream first transport table 12 is provided in the transport path formed by the first transport table 12 on the downstream side. It has been.

  A rotary feeder 100 and a linear feeder 200 as vibration imparting units are installed under each conveyance table. More specifically, a rotary feeder 100 is installed below each first transport table 12, and a linear feeder 200 is installed below each second transport table 14. As in the present example, a single drive motor 300 for driving the plurality of vibration applying units (that is, the two rotary feeders 100 and the two linear feeders 200) is provided, and the drive motors are provided. The driving force from 300 is transmitted to each vibration applying unit via the belt transmission device 304. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 17, the two rotary feeders 100 include a common shaft 306 as a common input shaft. That is, the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150 provided in each of the two rotary feeders 100 are supported on both ends of the common shaft 306 in the axial direction. The common shaft 306 supports three pulleys 304a. The pulley 304a is provided in the drive motor 300, and the input shaft 210 is provided in each of the two linear feeders 200. The pulley 304a is paired, and a belt is stretched between the pair of pulleys 304a.

  In the article conveying apparatus 2 according to the first modified example configured as described above, the article W stored in the bottom of the upstream first conveying table 12 by the activation of the drive motor 300 causes the upstream first conveying to be performed. It is transported along a spiral transport path formed by the table 12. Then, the article W that has reached the end of the spiral conveyance path is transferred to the upstream second conveyance platform 14 and moves along the linear conveyance pathway formed by the upstream second conveyance platform 14. Then, the article W that has reached the end of the linear conveyance path is delivered to the first conveyance table 12 on the downstream side, then collides with the guide wall 12a, and the first conveyance table 12 on the downstream side. It is forcibly dropped to the bottom. Here, a flat article W such as a tablet is reversed when it falls to the bottom of the first transport table 12 on the downstream side. Then, the inverted article W moves along the spiral conveyance path formed by the downstream first conveyance table 12 and reaches the end of the spiral conveyance path, and then the downstream second conveyance table 14. Is passed on. Further, the article W that has moved along the linear conveyance path formed by the second conveyance stage 14 on the downstream side and has reached the end of the article take-out section 14a is taken out by the article take-out section 14a, and the next work process is performed. Is passed on.

  As described above, the article conveyance device 2 according to the first modification has a longer conveyance distance than the article conveyance device 1 of the present example. Then, it is possible to secure a sufficient time for the article W to be on the transport unit 10 as the transport path is extended. As a result, various work processes such as a processing process and an inspection process of the article W can be provided during the conveyance of the article W. In addition, since a conveyance path | route is oval shape, the installation space of the conveyance part 10 is reduced rather than the case where the linear conveyance path | route extended only in the conveyance direction is provided.

  Further, when the inspection of the article W is performed while the article W is being transported, the article W is turned upside down while being transported, so that it is possible to inspect both the front side and the back side. In this modification, the guide wall 12a is provided in the conveyance path formed by the downstream first conveyance table 12, and the article W is dropped when the article W is dropped on the bottom of the downstream first conveyance table 12. It was decided to reverse the front and back. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an article reversing mechanism (not shown) is provided in the transport path, and the article reversing mechanism does not drop the article W onto the bottom of the first transport table 12 on the downstream side. It is also possible to reverse the front and back. In such a case, the article W can be reversed more reliably. In addition, the conveyance order of the article W when inspecting the front side of the article W matches the conveyance order when inspecting the back side. In this manner, the configuration in which the article W is inspected while the order of conveyance of the article W is matched before and after the front and back are reversed is particularly effective for the inspection work for validation in a pharmaceutical production factory or the like.

<<< About the second modification >>>
In the first modified example, the article take-out portion 14a is provided at the end of the transport path. However, for example, when the article take-out section 14a is not provided and a circulation type transport path as shown in FIG. The second modified example) is also conceivable. FIG. 18 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 3 according to the second modification. Below, the article conveyance apparatus 3 which concerns on a 2nd modification is demonstrated.

 In the article conveyance device 3 according to the second modification, the article W stored at the bottom of the first conveyance table 12 on the upstream side is conveyed from the bottom so as to go around the circulation type conveyance path. The article W returned to the upstream first transport table 12 collides with a guide wall 12a provided in the transport path formed by the upstream first transport table 12, and the upstream first transport table 12 It falls to the bottom part of one conveyance stand 12, and comes to be conveyed on the said circulation type path | route again. Note that the article W is transported along the outer periphery of the first transport table 12 on the downstream side without falling on the bottom of the first transport table 12 (in other words, on the first transport table 12 on the downstream side (in other words, in other words). For example, the downstream first conveyance platform 12 forms an arcuate conveyance path).

 The article conveyance device 3 according to the second modification can implement circulation conveyance of the article W, and it becomes easier to repeatedly perform the inspection work on the article W of the same lot. More specifically, in order to repeatedly inspect the articles W of the same lot in the article transporting apparatus 2 according to the first modification, after taking out the article W from the article take-out unit 14a, the article W is again removed. , It must be supplied onto the transport unit 10 (more precisely, to the bottom of the first transport platform 12 on the upstream side). On the other hand, in the article conveyance device 3 according to the second modified example, since the article W circulates in the conveyance path, it is possible to omit the trouble of taking out the article W and supplying it again onto the conveyance unit 10. . For this reason, it is easier to repeatedly perform the inspection work.

<<< Third Modification >>>
In the present example, the first modified example, and the second modified example, the transport unit 10 includes a plurality of transport tables, and the plurality of transport tables are arranged in parallel in the transport direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a case where a single transport table is provided as the transport unit 10 is also conceivable. As the single transfer table, a rectangular transfer table in which the longitudinal direction of the transfer table is along the transfer direction may be used (hereinafter, third embodiment). Below, the article conveyance apparatus 4 which concerns on a 3rd modification is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 4 according to a third modification. In FIG. 19, the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the third transport table 16 are indicated by arrows.

  In the article conveying apparatus 4 according to the third modification, the conveying unit 10 is the third conveying table 16 as a rectangular conveying table whose longitudinal direction is along the conveying direction, as described above. In addition, two linear feeders 200 are provided as a plurality of vibration applying units below the third transport table 16. The two linear feeders 200 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the third transport table 16 (that is, the transport direction of the article W on the third transport table 16). More specifically, the input shaft 210 provided in each of the two linear feeders 200 and the rotation shaft of the drive motor 300 are arranged coaxially along the longitudinal direction of the third carriage 16. Has been placed. For ease of explanation, in the following description, of the two linear feeders 200, the one on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the third transport table 16 is the linear feeder 200 on the one end side and the other end side is the other side. One side is referred to as a linear feeder 200 on the other end side.

  Also in this modified example, the two linear feeders 200 are driven by a single drive motor 300 as in the present example. The linear feeder 200 on one end side is provided with an input shaft 210 passing through the housing 230. As shown in FIG. 19, one axial end of the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 on the one end side is connected to the drive motor 300 via the shaft coupling 302, and the other axial end is connected to the shaft coupling 302. Is connected to the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 on the other end side.

  In the article conveying apparatus 4 according to the third modified example configured as described above, when the drive motor 300 is activated, the third conveying table 16 is configured by the cooperation of the two linear feeders 200. Vibrates in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction (more precisely, the combined direction of the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction). Then, the article W placed on the third transport table 16 is transported to the other end side in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the third transport table 16.

  Here, when the transport unit 10 has a plurality of transport tables and the gap S is formed between the transport tables, as described above, each of the plurality of vibration applying units is a single drive. By being driven by the motor 300, the width of the gap S can be reduced. That is, in the case where the gap S is provided between the transport tables, a configuration in which a plurality of vibration applying units are driven by the single drive motor 300 becomes significant.

  On the other hand, in the third modified example, since the transport unit 10 is a single third transport table 16, the gap S is of course not formed, but is caused by bending of the third transport table 16 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, uneven conveyance may occur. That is, if the uniformity of the vibration state cannot be obtained in each part of the third transport table 16, the article transport speed in each part may be uneven, and the article W may not be transported properly. Here, if the two linear feeders 200 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the third transport table 16, the transport unevenness is suppressed, but each of the two linear feeders 200 is subjected to a vibration applying operation. When the deviation occurs, there is a possibility that the third transport table 16 flutters. On the other hand, in the third modification, each of the two linear feeders 200 is driven by a single drive motor 300, so that the vibration applying operations of the two linear feeders 200 are easily synchronized. Therefore, it is possible to more easily suppress the fluttering of the third transport table 16. As a result, it is possible to realize ideal conveyance of the article W. That is, even when the transport unit 10 is the rectangular third transport table 16 whose longitudinal direction is along the transport direction, the configuration of the present invention is significant.

<<< About the fourth modification >>>
In the third modification, the example in which the transport unit 10 is the third transport table 16 whose longitudinal direction is along the transport direction has been described. However, the transport unit 10 is not limited to the shape of the third modification. For example, the case where the conveyance unit 10 is a rectangular conveyance table whose short direction is along the conveyance direction (hereinafter, a fourth modified example) is also conceivable. Below, the article conveyance apparatus 5 which concerns on a 4th modification is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 5 according to the fourth modification. Further, in FIG. 20, the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the fourth carrier 18 are indicated by arrows.

  In the article conveyance device 5 according to the fourth modification, the conveyance unit 10 is the fourth conveyance table 18 as a rectangular conveyance table whose short direction is along the conveyance direction, as described above. Moreover, two linear feeders 200 are provided under the fourth conveyance table 18 as in the third modification, and the two linear feeders 200 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fourth conveyance table 18. It is lined up in a straight line. More specifically, the two linear feeders 200 are arranged at substantially the same position in the short direction of the fourth transport table 18. For ease of explanation, in the following explanation, of the two linear feeders 200, the one on the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the fourth carrier 18 is the linear feeder 200 on the one end side and the other end side is the other side. One side is referred to as a linear feeder 200 on the other end side.

  Also in this modified example, the two linear feeders 200 are driven by a single drive motor 300 as in the present example. Further, the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 on one end side is connected to the drive motor 300 by a shaft coupling 302. A pulley 304a is supported on each of the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 on the one end side and the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 on the other end side, and a belt is stretched between the pulleys 304a. ing.

  In the article conveying apparatus 5 according to the fourth modified example configured as described above, when the drive motor 300 is activated, the fourth conveying table 18 is moved by the cooperation of the two linear feeders 200. In the short direction and the vertical direction (more precisely, the combined direction of the short direction and the vertical direction). Then, the article W placed on the fourth transfer table 18 is transferred to the other end side in the short direction along the short direction of the fourth transfer table 18. And since the 4th conveyance stand 18 has the structure wide with respect to the conveyance direction, the article conveyance apparatus 5 which concerns on a 4th modification has the state which arranged the article W in the longitudinal direction of this 4th conveyance stand 18 Since the article W is conveyed, a large amount of articles W can be conveyed at a time.

  In addition, by arranging the two linear feeders 200 in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the fourth transport table 18, similarly to the third modified example, uneven transport and fluttering of the fourth transport table 18 are suppressed. Therefore, even when the transport unit 10 includes the fourth transport table 18 having a rectangular shape whose short direction is along the transport direction, the configuration of the present invention is significant.

<<< About the fifth modification >>>
In the fourth modification, the case where the transport unit 10 is the fourth transport base 18 that is wide in the transport direction and whose short side direction is along the transport direction has been described. However, a case where the transport unit 10 is a transport base that is wide in the transport direction and whose longitudinal direction is along the transport direction (hereinafter, a fifth modified example) is also conceivable. Below, the article conveyance apparatus 6 which concerns on a 5th modification is demonstrated using FIG.21 and FIG.22. FIG. 21 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 6 according to the fifth modification. FIG. 22 is a view showing a modified example related to the transmission mechanism of the driving force from the driving motor 300 in the article conveying device 6 according to the fifth modified example. In FIGS. 21 and 22, the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the fifth carrier 19 are indicated by arrows.

  In the article conveyance device 6 according to the fifth modification, the conveyance unit 10 is a fifth conveyance table 19 as a rectangular conveyance table that is wide in the conveyance direction and whose longitudinal direction is along the conveyance direction. . In the fifth modification, four linear feeders 200 are respectively installed below the fifth transport table 19. As shown in FIG. 21, two of the four linear feeders 200 are installed on one end side and the other end side in the short direction of the fifth transport table 19. Further, each of the two linear feeders 200 is arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the fifth transport table 19. For ease of explanation, in the following description, the arrangement positions of the four linear feeders 200 are indicated by symbols A to D in FIG. Assume that the feeder 200 is specified (for example, the linear feeder 200 installed at the position of the symbol A is called the linear feeder 200 at the position A).

  In this modification, the linear feeder 200 at position A and the linear feeder 200 at position C are each provided with an input shaft 210 penetrating through the housing 230. Then, one axial end portion of the input shaft 210 included in the linear feeder 200 at the position A is connected to the drive motor 300 by a shaft coupling 302. That is, the input shaft 210 of the linear feeder 200 at the position A and the rotation shaft of the drive motor 300 are aligned on the same axis in the longitudinal direction of the fifth transport table 19. Further, the linear feeder 200 at the position A and the linear feeder 200 at the position C are connected by a pulley 304a supported at one end in the axial direction of the input shaft 210 provided in each, and a belt stretched between the pulleys 304a. Has been. Further, the other axial end portion of the input shaft 210 included in the linear feeder 200 at the position A is connected to the input shaft 210 included in the linear feeder 200 at the position B via the shaft coupling 302. Similarly, the other axial end portion of the input shaft 210 included in the linear feeder 200 at the position C is connected to the input shaft 210 included in the linear feeder 200 at the position B via the shaft coupling 302. Also in the present modification, the four linear feeders 200 are driven by a single drive motor 300 as in the present example.

  In the article conveyance device 6 according to the fifth modified example configured as described above, the fifth conveyance table 19 is configured so that the fifth conveyance table 19 is moved in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction by the cooperation of the four linear feeders 200 ( More precisely, it vibrates in the combined direction of the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. Thereby, the article W placed on the fifth transport table 19 is transported to the other end side in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the fifth transport table 19.

  And the article conveyance apparatus 6 which concerns on a 5th modification can convey a lot of articles W at once, regulating the bending of the said 5th conveyance stand 19 of the longitudinal direction and a transversal direction. Further, similarly to the third modification and the fourth modification, uneven conveyance and fluttering of the fifth conveyance table 19 are also suppressed. That is, the effect of the present invention is significant even when the transport unit 10 is the fifth transport table 19 that is wide in the transport direction and whose longitudinal direction is rectangular along the transport direction. .

  Note that the configuration for transmitting the driving force from the drive motor 300 to each linear feeder 200 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 21, and may be, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. More specifically, the drive shaft 308 connected to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 300 via the shaft coupling 302, and the input shaft 210 provided in each of the linear feeder 200 at the position A and the linear feeder 200 at the position B include a belt. They are connected by a transmission device 304. Further, between the input shaft 210 provided in each of the linear feeder 200 at the position A and the linear feeder 200 at the position C, and between the input shafts 210 provided in each of the linear feeder 200 at the position B and the linear feeder 200 at the position D. Are respectively connected to the belt transmission device 304. With such a configuration, when the drive motor 300 is driven, the drive shaft 308 and the pulley 304a fixed to the drive shaft 308 rotate integrally, and the belt transmission device is driven from the drive motor 300. A driving force is transmitted to the input shaft 210 included in each of the four linear feeders 200 via 304.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As described above, the article transporting apparatus and the like according to the present invention have been described based on the above embodiment. However, the above embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is limited. Not what you want. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents.

  In the above-described embodiment, a description will be given of a case where various transport platforms including the first transport platform 12 and the second transport platform 14 are fixed to the output units 120 and 220 of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200, respectively. did. That is, although the said conveyance stand vibrates integrally with the said output parts 120 and 220, it is not limited to this. For example, although the transport table is mounted on the output units 120 and 220, it may not be fixed to the output units 120 and 220. However, when the vibration of the vibration applying unit is transmitted to the transport table via the output units 120 and 220, the vibration is appropriately transmitted if the transport table is fixed to the output units 120 and 220. The In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the first cams 142 and 242 and the second cams 152 and 252 included in each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 are supported by the input shafts 110 and 210, and the input shafts 110 and 210 When 210 rotates, it rotates integrally, but it is not limited to this. For example, a rotary shaft that supports the first cams 142 and 242 and rotates integrally with the first cams 142 and 242, and supports the second cams 152 and 252 and integrally with the second cams 152 and 252. The rotating shafts that rotate may be different from each other. However, in each feeder, when the first cams 142 and 242 and the second cams 152 and 252 are both supported by the input shafts 110 and 210, the rotation of the first cams 142 and 242 and the second cams 152 and 252 It becomes easy to synchronize rotation. For this reason, it becomes easier for each of the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 to apply vibrations in which the phase in the transport direction and the vertical direction of the transport table shows changes as shown in FIG. That is, vibration that promotes the relative slip phenomenon of the article W is easily applied to the transport table, and as a result, the article W can be transported more appropriately. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

  In the above embodiment, when a plurality of vibration applying units such as the rotary feeder 100 and the linear feeder 200 are provided, the first cams 142 and 242 included in each vibration applying unit are A case has been described in which a cam profile is provided in which the amplitude of the vibration to be applied in the conveyance direction is equal between the vibration applying units. Furthermore, the second cams 152 and 252 included in each vibration applying unit are provided with a cam profile in which the amplitude in the vertical direction of vibration applied by each vibration applying unit is equal between the vibration applying units. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit may have the same amplitude in any one of the conveying direction and the vertical direction between the vibration applying units. In addition, the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit may have different amplitudes between the vibration applying units in both the transport direction and the vertical direction.

  As described above, the conveyance speed of the article W depends on the amplitude of the vibration applied by each vibration applying unit in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction. For this reason, if the amplitude in the conveyance direction and the vertical direction of the vibration applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units is equal between the vibration applying units, a uniform conveying speed can be obtained in each part of the conveying unit 10, It becomes possible to suppress conveyance unevenness.

  In addition, when the transport unit 10 includes a plurality of transport tables (for example, the first transport table 12 and the second transport table 14), and the gap S is formed between the transport tables, the amplitude is equal between the vibration applying units. For example, as described above, the width of the gap S is minimized. That is, if the amplitude is different between the vibration applying portions, it is necessary to consider the difference in amplitude between the vibration applying portions when setting the width of the gap S, whereas the amplitude is between the vibration applying portions. If equal, it is not necessary to consider the difference in amplitude, and the width of the gap S can be minimized.

  In particular, if the amplitude in the vertical direction is equal between the vibration applying units, the phases in the vertical direction in the respective parts of the transport unit 10 are easily matched. For this reason, a waviness (a difference in height is formed in the transport path when a deviation occurs in the phase in the vertical direction in each part of the transport section 10) occurs in the transport path formed by the transport section 10. Therefore, it is possible to convey the article W appropriately. In the above points, the above embodiment is more desirable.

2 is a schematic top view of the article transport device 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the rotary feeder 100, and is a figure which shows the HH cross section in FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the rotary feeder 100, and is a figure which shows the II cross section in FIG. FIG. 2 is a view showing an internal structure of the rotary feeder 100 and is a peripheral view of a turret 122. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the rotary feeder 100, and is a figure which shows the JJ cross section in FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the rotary feeder 100, and is a figure which shows the KK cross section in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the lift arm 154. FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating the state of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150 before the input shaft 110 rotates. 8B shows how the state of the first cam mechanism 140 and the second cam mechanism 150 changes as the input shaft 110 rotates. It is an example of the timing chart regarding the vibration which the rotary feeder 100 provides. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement locus | trajectory of this 1st conveyance stand 12 when the 1st conveyance stand 12 vibrates to a conveyance direction and a perpendicular direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the relative slip phenomenon of the articles | goods W. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the linear feeder 200, and is a figure which shows the LL cross section in FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the linear feeder 200, and has shown the MM cross section in FIG. FIG. 14A is a view for explaining the vertical reciprocation of the lift table 256, FIG. 14A is a view when the lift table 256 reaches the top dead center, and FIG. 14B is a diagram when the lift table 256 reaches the bottom dead center. It is a figure of time. FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram regarding the relationship between the operation of the first cam mechanism 240 and the operation of the second cam mechanism 250, and FIG. 15A illustrates that the first cam mechanism 240 does not hinder the vertical vibration of the output unit 220. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating that the second cam mechanism 250 does not hinder the vibration of the output unit 220 in the transport direction. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement locus | trajectory of this 2nd conveyance stand 14 when the 2nd conveyance stand 14 vibrates to a conveyance direction and a perpendicular direction. It is an upper surface schematic diagram of the article conveyance apparatus 2 which concerns on a 1st modification. It is an upper surface schematic diagram of the article conveyance apparatus 3 which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is an upper surface schematic diagram of the article conveyance apparatus 4 which concerns on a 3rd modification. It is an upper surface schematic diagram of the article conveyance apparatus 5 which concerns on a 4th modification. It is an upper surface schematic diagram of the article conveyance apparatus 6 which concerns on a 5th modification. It is the figure which showed the modification regarding the transmission mechanism of the driving force from the drive motor 300 in the article conveyance apparatus 6 which concerns on a 5th modification.

Explanation of symbols

1 article transport device,
2 article conveying apparatus according to the first modification,
3 article conveyance device according to the second modification,
4 Article conveying apparatus according to the third modification,
5 article conveying apparatus according to the fourth modification,
6 Article conveying apparatus according to the fifth modification,
10 transport section, 12 first transport stand, 12a guide wall,
14 2nd conveyance stand, 14a Article taking-out part,
16 3rd conveyance stand, 18th 4th conveyance stand, 19 5th conveyance stand,
100 rotary feeder, 110 input shaft, 120 output section,
122 turret, 122a small diameter part, 122b large diameter part, 122c stepped part,
124 first carrier mounting plate, 130 housing, 131 bearing,
132 pedestal part, 134 support shaft, 140 first cam mechanism,
142 first cam, 142a, 142b cam surface,
144 First cam follower, 146 swing arm,
150 Second cam mechanism, 152 Second cam, 152a Cam surface,
154 lift arm, 154a second cam follower,
155 Other lift arms, 155a Second cam follower,
156 biasing member, 200 linear feeder,
210 input shaft, 220 output section, 230 housing,
240 1st cam mechanism, 242 1st cam, 242a, 242b Cam surface,
244 1st cam follower, 250 2nd cam mechanism,
252 second cam, 252a annular groove,
254 Second cam follower, 256 lift stand,
258 guide member, 300 drive motor, 302 shaft coupling,
304 belt transmission, 304a pulley,
306 common shaft, 308 drive shaft, W article

Claims (5)

A transport unit that vibrates in the transport direction and the vertical direction to transport the article;
A first cam mechanism for vibrating the transport unit in the transport direction, a second cam mechanism for vibrating the transport unit in the vertical direction, and driving the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism. A plurality of vibration applying portions having a rotatable input shaft ,
A plurality of vibration applying units in which the number of vibrations in the transport direction and the number of vibrations in the vertical direction of vibration applied during one rotation of the input shaft are equal between the vibration applying units;
By rotating each input shaft so that the number of rotations per unit time of each input shaft of the plurality of vibration applying units is equal,
A single drive source that equalizes the vibrations applied by each of the plurality of vibration applying units in the conveying direction and the vertical direction between the vibration applying units ;
An article conveying apparatus comprising: The article conveying device according to claim 1,
The transport unit has a plurality of transport stands arranged in parallel in the transport direction,
A gap is formed between the transport tables adjacent to each other,
The article conveying apparatus, wherein the vibration applying unit is installed for each of the plurality of conveying tables. The article conveying device according to claim 2,
The article conveying apparatus, wherein the plurality of conveying tables are arranged side by side so as to form an oval path in the conveying direction. The article conveying device according to claim 1,
The transport unit is a rectangular transport base whose longitudinal direction is along the transport direction,
The article conveying apparatus, wherein the plurality of vibration applying units are arranged in a straight line in a longitudinal direction of the conveying table. The article conveying device according to claim 1,
The transport unit is a rectangular transport base whose short direction is along the transport direction,
The article conveying apparatus, wherein the plurality of vibration applying units are arranged in a straight line in a longitudinal direction of the conveying table.

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