JP5136368B2 - Transporter charging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transporter charging system capable of charging a capacitor-type storage battery of a transporter at high speed while the transporter is moving.

Conventionally, a transport machine for transporting articles has been used in factories and the like. This conveyance machine is provided with a storage battery and a motor, drives a motor using the electromotive force of a storage battery, and moves. As the storage battery, for example, a lead storage battery is used. When the transporter is moved, the amount of electricity stored in the storage battery is reduced, so that it is necessary to charge it appropriately.
In order to charge the storage battery, for example, the following method is adopted. That is, a stop point of the transport device is provided in the factory, the transport device is completely stopped at this stop point, the storage battery is connected to the charger, and the storage battery is charged.

  However, the time during which the conveyor can be stopped is often limited, and charging cannot be performed for a long time. Therefore, an automatic power feeding device that automatically charges a storage battery while the transporter is moving has been proposed (Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP-A-6-351103 JP-A-6-315206

  On the other hand, instead of using a lead storage battery as a storage battery, a carrier using a capacitor storage battery such as an electric double layer capacitor has been proposed. Since the capacitor-type storage battery has a high charging speed, it can be charged using a short time during which the conveyor is stopped.

However, the time during which the transporter can be stopped is often as short as about 15 seconds, for example. In order to charge the capacitor-type storage battery in this short time, it is necessary to pass a large current. When a large current is passed, the capacitor type storage battery tends to deteriorate. Therefore, there is a demand for a carrier charging system that can extend the charging time of the capacitor-type storage battery mounted on the carrier and thereby reduce the charging current.
Moreover, when charging a capacitor-type storage battery, a spark may be generated between the electrodes. This spark causes the problem of electrode wear. Therefore, there is a demand for a transporter charging system in which sparks are not easily generated and electrodes are not easily consumed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and even when the stop time of the transport device is limited, the charging time of the capacitor-type storage battery mounted on the transport device can be increased, and the electrode It is an object of the present invention to provide a transporter charging system that is less prone to sparks.

The present invention is a transporter charging system for charging a storage battery of a transporter with a charger,
The carrier includes a capacitor-type storage battery made of a capacitor, and a carrier-side connection terminal that is electrically connected to an electrode of the capacitor-type storage battery.
The charger includes a charger-side connection terminal configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from the carrier-side connection terminal of the carrier,
The carrier is configured to be able to pass through a predetermined charging path,
The charger side connection terminal is slidable along a slide path adjacent to the charging path, waits at a standby position determined on the slide path, and enters the charging path at the standby position. Engaging with the transporting device, sliding along with the transporting device while maintaining the engaged state, and disengaging from the transporting device at a separation position defined on the slide path. Configured to return to the standby position,
While the charger side connection terminal goes from the standby position to the separation position, the charger side connection terminal and the transporter side connection terminal are connected, and the capacitor-type storage battery is charged. After the completion of charging of the capacitor-type storage battery, the charger side connection terminal and the transporter side connection terminal are configured to be disconnected,
One connection terminal of the transporter side connection terminal and the charger side connection terminal is formed as a laminate in which a pair of conductive members are stacked via an insulating member, and the other connection terminal is a pair of electrode pins. And is configured to make electrical connection between the electrode pin and the conductive member by sandwiching the laminate by applying a predetermined force between the tips of the pair of electrode pins,
The transport device includes an engaging portion formed to protrude, and when the charging device enters the charging path, the engaging portion abuts on the engaged portion of the charger side connection terminal that stands by at the standby position. The electrode pin and the laminated body are formed so that the electrode pin and the laminated body can be connected in a state where the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other. And
When the transporter enters the charging path, the charger side connection terminal is synchronized with the transporter without being driven by itself due to the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. The carrier charging system is configured to start sliding and detect the sliding movement of the charger-side connection terminal to electrically connect the electrode pin and the conductive member. 1).

  Next, the effects of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, the charger is provided with a charger side connection terminal, and the carrier is provided with a carrier side connection terminal. The charger side connection terminal is connected to the transporter side connection terminal, and slides as the transporter moves while charging the capacitor-type storage battery. Therefore, compared with the case where it charges only while the conveyance machine has stopped, the charging time of the capacitor-type storage battery can be lengthened. As a result, the charging current can be reduced, and deterioration of the capacitor-type storage battery can be suppressed.

  Further, one connection terminal of the charger side connection terminal and the transporter side connection terminal is made of the laminate, and the other connection terminal is made of a pair of electrode pins arranged to face each other. And a laminated body is clamped by predetermined pressure between the front-end | tip of this pair of electrode pin. If it does in this way, even when a comparatively big electric current flows by charging a capacitor type storage battery, it will become difficult to generate | occur | produce a spark between a charger side connection terminal and a conveyance machine side connection terminal. Therefore, consumption of the electrode terminal can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the stop time of the transport device is limited, the charge time of the capacitor-type storage battery mounted on the transport device can be lengthened, and the transport device charging system is less likely to cause sparks on the electrodes. Can be provided.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will be described.
According to the present invention (Claim 1) , the transport device includes an engaging portion that is formed to protrude, and when entering the charging path, the transporting device has an engaged portion of the charger-side connection terminal that waits at the standby position. The electrode pin and the laminate so that the electrode pin and the laminate can be connected in a state in which the engagement portion abuts and engages and the engaged portion and the engagement portion are engaged. formation positions of the can that have been established respectively.
Therefore , only by the transporter entering the charging path, the transporter and the charger side connection terminal are automatically engaged, and electrical connection between the electrode pin and the laminate can be performed.

Further, the charger includes a spring member, by the urging force of the spring member, it is preferable that the charger-side connection terminal is configured to return to the standby position from the separation position (claim 2).
In this case, after the charger-side connection terminal is disengaged from the transporter, the charger-side connection terminal is automatically returned from the separation position to the standby position using the biasing force of the spring member. Can do. Therefore, the structure of the charger can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which the motor is returned using a motor or the like.

The charger includes a cam groove and a cam follower fitted in the cam groove. The engaged portion is attached to the cam follower, and the engaged portion becomes closer to the separation position as the separation position is approached. it is preferable that the cam groove is formed so as to spaced from the engaging portion (claim 3).
In this case, it is possible to simply configure a structure in which the engaged portion automatically disengages from the engaging portion of the transfer device when the transfer device advances and the charger side connection terminal approaches the separation position. it can.

Further, the electrode pin is preferably configured to sandwich the laminate with a force of 50 kgf or more during charging (claim 4 ).
In this case, since the laminate is sandwiched between the electrode pins with a strong force, it is difficult for sparks to occur between the laminate and the electrode pins. Thereby, the consumption by the spark of a laminated body and an electrode pin can be suppressed.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said electrode pin is comprised so that replacement | exchange is possible (Claim 5 ).
In this case, even when the electrode pin is consumed due to sparking, it can be replaced. In addition, it is preferable that an electrode pin is made into the shape compatible with the electrode for welding of the spot welding machine used in a factory. Since these parts are consumables, the types of parts to be stored can be reduced by providing compatibility.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said conveyance machine is an automatic guided vehicle (AGV: Automatic Guided Vehicle) which moves unmanned along the driving | running route predetermined in the factory.
In this case, since charging can be performed automatically on the travel route, it is possible to operate the automatic guided vehicle without any work performed by a factory worker.

Example 1
A carrier charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This example is a transporter charging system 1 that charges a storage battery of the transporter 20 with a charger 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the transporter 20 includes a capacitor-type storage battery 21 made of a capacitor and a transporter-side connection terminal 2 that conducts to the electrodes 21 a and 21 b of the capacitor-type storage battery 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the charger 30 includes a charger-side connection terminal 3 configured to be connected to and disconnected from the transporter-side connection terminal 2 of the transporter 20.
The transporter 20 is configured to be able to pass through a predetermined charging path 7.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the charger side connection terminal 3 is slidable along a slide path 33 adjacent to the charging path 7. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the charger side connection terminal 3 waits at a standby position A defined on the slide path 33 and engages with the transporter 20 that has entered the charging path 7 at the standby position A. Match. As shown in FIG. 6, the charger side connection terminal 3 slides side by side with the transport device 20 while maintaining the engaged state. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the charger side connection terminal 3 is configured to be disengaged from the transporter 20 at the separation position B defined on the slide path 33 and to return to the standby position A. Yes.
As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, while the charger side connection terminal 3 goes from the standby position A toward the separation position B, the charger side connection terminal 3 and the transporter side connection terminal 2 are connected, and the capacitor type The storage battery 21 is charged, and after the charging of the capacitor-type storage battery 21 is completed, the connection between the charger side connection terminal 3 and the transporter side connection terminal 2 is performed.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one connection terminal of the transporter side connection terminal 2 and the charger side connection terminal 3 is a laminate in which a pair of conductive members 25 a and 25 b are laminated via an insulating member 26. It is formed as a body 24. The other connection terminal includes a pair of electrode pins 31 and 32, and sandwiches the laminate 24 between the tips of the pair of electrode pins 31 and 32 by applying a predetermined force to the electrode pins 31 and 32. It is configured to make electrical connection with the conductive members 25a and 25b.

  In this example, the laminate 24 is used as the transporter side connection terminal 2 and the electrode pins 31 and 32 are used as the charger side connection terminal 3, but these may be reversed. Further, the force with which the electrode pins 31 and 32 hold the laminate 24 is set to be 50 kgf or more, for example. Furthermore, the electrode pins 31 and 32 can be replaced when worn.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the transporter 20 includes an engaging portion 23 that is formed to protrude laterally. The engaging portion 23 includes a horizontal portion 23a and a vertical portion 23b extending upward from the tip of the horizontal portion 23a. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when entering the charging path 7, the engaging portion 23 comes into contact with and engages with the engaged portion 39 (charging side pin) of the charger side connection terminal 3 waiting at the standby position A. To do. Further, as illustrated, the electrode pins 31, 32 and the laminated body 24 can be connected in a state where the engaged portion 39 (charging side pin) and the engaging portion 23 are engaged. 32 and the formation position of the laminated body 24 are defined respectively.
In addition, a capacitor-type storage battery 21 made of a capacitor and a lead storage battery 22 are mounted on the carrier 1. The capacitor type storage battery 21 is an electric double layer capacitor. The conveyor 1 is an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) that moves unmanned along a predetermined traveling route in a factory.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the charger side connection terminal 3 is configured such that the electrode pins 31 and 32 are rotated around the rotation shaft 38. More specifically, the electrode pins 31 and 32 are opened and closed by an actuator (not shown), and the electrode pins 31 and 32 are opened (see FIG. 2). It can be opened and closed between the closed state (see FIG. 3) in contact with the two conductive members 25a and 25b. The electrode pins 31 and 32 are connected to a DC power source 36 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the charger side connection terminal 3 stands by at the standby position A with the electrode pins 31 and 32 opened. As shown in FIG. 5, when the transporter 20 enters the charging path 7, the engaging part 23 of the transporter 20 is engaged with the engaged part 39 and starts moving in synchronization. Thereafter, movement of the charger side connection terminal 3 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the actuator is operated to close the electrode pins 31 and 32. Thereby, connection with the electrode pins 31 and 32 and the conveyance machine side connection terminal 2 is performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a spring member 37 is attached to the charger side connection terminal 3. As the transporter 20 moves, the charger side connection terminal 3 moves to the separation position B against the urging force of the spring member 37.
As shown in FIG. 6, the transporter 20 is stopped at a middle position C in the charging path 7. This stop time is, for example, about 15 seconds. The capacitor-type storage battery 21 is charged during this stop time.

  On the other hand, the charger 30 includes a cam groove 8, and a cam follower 34 ′ (see FIG. 11) moves in the cam groove 8. As shown in FIG. 6, the cam groove 8 includes a horizontal portion 8 a that is horizontal to the traveling surface of the transporter 20, and an inclined portion 8 b that extends upward from the horizontal portion 8 a. When the transporter 20 advances and the charger side connection terminal 3 approaches the inclined portion 8b, the operation of the actuator described above is finished, and the electrode pins 31 and 32 are opened. As shown in FIG. 7, the cam follower 34 ′ enters the inclined portion 8 b, and the position of the cam follower 34 ′ and the engaged portion 39 connected to the cam follower 34 ′ is relatively shifted upward as the transporter 20 further advances. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the engagement state between the engagement portion 23 and the engaged portion 39 is released at the separation position B. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9, the charger side connection terminal 3 returns to the standby position A by the urging force of the spring member 37.

FIG. 10 shows a circuit diagram of the conveyor 20. As illustrated, the carrier 20 includes a capacitor-type storage battery 21, a lead storage battery 22, a motor 4, a changeover switch 6, and a changeover control unit 5. The conductive members 25a and 25b of the transporter side connection terminal 2 are electrically connected to the electrodes 21a and 21b of the capacitor type storage battery 21, and the capacitor type storage battery 21 is charged by the current supplied from the electrode pins 31 and 32. Moreover, in this example, the capacitor type storage battery 21 is used as the main power source of the carrier 20, and the lead storage battery 22 is used as the auxiliary power source. Normally, the motor 4 is driven using the capacitor-type storage battery 21, and when the amount of power stored in the capacitor-type storage battery 21 decreases, the battery is switched to the lead storage battery.
More specifically, the change-over switch 6 includes a main-side relay 61 and an auxiliary-side relay 62, and the change-over control unit 5 includes electronic parts such as an OP amplifier and a variable resistor. When the capacitor-type storage battery 21 is sufficiently charged, the main relay 61 is turned on and the auxiliary relay 62 is turned off. When the amount of power stored in the capacitor-type storage battery 21 decreases and the voltage decreases, the main relay 61 is turned off and the auxiliary relay 62 is turned on.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the charger 30 includes a cam groove 8 and a cam follower 34 ′ that moves in the cam groove 8, and the engaged portion 39 is connected to the cam follower 34 ′. The engaged portion 39 is supported by a spring 35. The engaged portion 39 can move up and down within a predetermined range in the vertical direction.

Next, the effect of the carrier charging system of this example will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, in the transporter charging system 1 of this example, the charger 30 is provided with the charger-side connection terminal 3, and the transporter 20 is provided with the transporter-side connection terminal 2. The charger side connection terminal 3 is connected to the transporter side connection terminal 2 and slides as the transporter 20 moves while charging the capacitor-type storage battery 21. Therefore, compared with the case where it charges only while the conveyance machine 20 has stopped, the charging time of the capacitor type storage battery 21 can be lengthened. As a result, the charging current can be reduced, and deterioration of the capacitor-type storage battery 21 can be suppressed.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the transfer machine 20 is stopped at a midway position C for about 15 seconds, and the total charging time including the charging time during movement is about 30 seconds. Yes. Thus, when the carrier charging system 1 of this example is used, the charging time of the capacitor-type storage battery 21 can be significantly increased.

  Also, one connection terminal of the charger side connection terminal 3 and the transporter side connection terminal 2 is composed of the laminate 24, and the other connection terminal is composed of a pair of electrode pins 31 and 32. Then, the laminate 24 is sandwiched between the tips of the pair of electrode pins 31 and 32 with a predetermined pressure. If it does in this way, even when a comparatively big electric current flows by charging the capacitor | condenser type storage battery 21, it will become difficult to generate | occur | produce a spark between the charger side connection terminal 3 and the conveyance machine side connection terminal 2. FIG. Therefore, consumption of the electrode terminal can be suppressed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the transport machine 20 includes an engaging portion 23 formed to protrude, and when entering the charging path 7, the engaged portion 39 of the charger-side connection terminal 3 that stands by at the standby position A. The electrode pins 31 and 32 and the laminate 24 can be connected in a state where the engaging portion 23 comes into contact with and engages, and the engaged portion 39 and the engaging portion 23 are engaged. The formation positions of 31 and 32 and the laminated body 24 are respectively determined. Thereby, just by the transporter 20 entering the charging path 7, the transporter 20 and the charger side connection terminal 3 are automatically engaged, and the electrode pins 31 and 32 and the laminate 24 are electrically connected. It becomes possible.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the charger 30 includes a spring member 37, and the charger side connection terminal 3 returns from the separation position B to the standby position A by the urging force of the spring member 37. Yes.
In this way, after the charger side connection terminal 3 is disengaged from the transport device 20, the charger side connection terminal 3 is automatically moved from the separation position B to the standby position A using the biasing force of the spring member 37. You can return to Therefore, the structure of the charger 30 can be simplified as compared with a configuration in which the motor is returned using, for example, a motor.

As shown in FIG. 7, the charger 30 includes a cam groove 8 and a cam follower 34 ′ (see FIG. 11) fitted in the cam groove 8, and an engaged portion 39 is attached to the cam follower 34 ′. The cam groove 8 is formed so that the engaged portion 39 is separated from the engaging portion 23 of the transporter 20 as it approaches the separation position B.
If it does in this way, when the conveyance machine 20 advances and the charger side connection terminal 3 approaches the separation position B, the structure in which the charger side connection terminal 3 is automatically disengaged from the conveyance machine 20 is simply configured. be able to.

Moreover, the electrode pins 31 and 32 are comprised so that the laminated body 24 may be clamped with the force of 50 kgf or more at the time of charge.
If it does in this way, since the laminated body 24 is clamped with the strong force by the electrode pins 31 and 32, it will become difficult to generate | occur | produce a spark between the laminated body 24 and the electrode pins 31 and 32. FIG. Thereby, the consumption by the spark of the laminated body 24 and the electrode pins 31 and 32 can be suppressed.

The electrode pins 31 and 32 are configured to be exchangeable.
In this way, even when the electrode pins 31 and 32 are consumed due to sparking, they can be replaced. In addition, it is preferable to make the electrode pins 31 and 32 into a shape compatible with the welding electrode of the spot welding machine used in a factory. Since these parts are consumables, the types of parts to be stored can be reduced by providing compatibility.

The carrier 20 is an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) that moves unmanned along a predetermined travel route in the factory.
If it does in this way, since it can charge automatically on a driving | running route, it will become possible to operate an automatic guided vehicle even if the worker of a factory does not do anything.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the stop time of the transport device 20 is limited, the charge time of the capacitor-type storage battery 21 mounted on the transport device 20 can be increased, and the electrode is less prone to spark. The machine charging system 1 can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transport machine in the first embodiment. The side view in the open state of the charger side connection terminal in Example 1. FIG. The side view in the state in which the conveyance machine side connection terminal and charger side connection terminal in Example 1 connected. The perspective view of the state in which the charger side connection terminal is waiting in a standby position in Example 1. FIG. The perspective view in the state in which the charger side connection terminal in Example 1 was engaged with the conveyance machine. The perspective view in the middle in which the charger side connection terminal in Example 1 is moving along with the conveyance machine. The perspective view in the state by which the charger side connection terminal in Example 1 was disengaged from the conveyance machine side connection terminal. The principal part enlarged view of FIG. The perspective view in the state in which the charger side connection terminal in Example 1 returned to the standby position. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a transport machine according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing of the charger side connection terminal in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 11.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transfer machine charging system 2 Transfer machine side connection terminal 20 Transfer machine 21 Capacitor-type storage battery 23 Engagement part 24 Laminated body 3 Charger side connection terminal 30 Charger 31, 32 Electrode pin 33 Slide path 34 'Cam follower 39 Engaged part 8 Cam groove

Claims (5)

A transporter charging system for charging a storage battery of a transporter with a charger,
The carrier includes a capacitor-type storage battery made of a capacitor, and a carrier-side connection terminal that is electrically connected to an electrode of the capacitor-type storage battery.
The charger includes a charger-side connection terminal configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from the carrier-side connection terminal of the carrier,
The carrier is configured to be able to pass through a predetermined charging path,
The charger side connection terminal is slidable along a slide path adjacent to the charging path, waits at a standby position determined on the slide path, and enters the charging path at the standby position. Engaging with the transporting device, sliding along with the transporting device while maintaining the engaged state, and disengaging from the transporting device at a separation position defined on the slide path. Configured to return to the standby position,
While the charger side connection terminal goes from the standby position to the separation position, the charger side connection terminal and the transporter side connection terminal are connected, and the capacitor-type storage battery is charged. After the completion of charging of the capacitor-type storage battery, the charger side connection terminal and the transporter side connection terminal are configured to be disconnected,
One connection terminal of the transporter side connection terminal and the charger side connection terminal is formed as a laminate in which a pair of conductive members are stacked via an insulating member, and the other connection terminal is a pair of electrode pins. And is configured to make electrical connection between the electrode pin and the conductive member by sandwiching the laminate by applying a predetermined force between the tips of the pair of electrode pins,
The transport device includes an engaging portion formed to protrude, and when the charging device enters the charging path, the engaging portion abuts on the engaged portion of the charger side connection terminal that stands by at the standby position. The electrode pin and the laminated body are formed so that the electrode pin and the laminated body can be connected in a state where the engaged portion and the engaging portion are engaged with each other. And
When the transporter enters the charging path, the charger side connection terminal is synchronized with the transporter without being driven by itself due to the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. It begins to slides, conveyor charging system characterized by being configured to perform an electrical connection between the electrode pins and the conductive member to detect the sliding movement of the charger-side connection terminals.   2. The transport according to claim 1, wherein the charger includes a spring member, and the charger side connection terminal is returned from the separation position to the standby position by an urging force of the spring member. Machine charging system.   3. The battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the charger includes a cam groove and a cam follower fitted in the cam groove, and the engaged portion is attached to the cam follower, and the covered portion becomes closer to the separation position. The transporting device charging system, wherein the cam groove is formed so that the engaging portion is separated from the engaging portion of the transporting device.   4. The transporter charging system according to claim 1, wherein the electrode pin is configured to sandwich the laminated body with a force of 50 kgf or more during charging.   5. The transporter charging system according to claim 1, wherein the electrode pin is configured to be replaceable.

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