JP5486288B2 - Article conveying device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an article conveying apparatus for accumulating and conveying articles.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are various apparatuses for conveying articles. For example, a conveying apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is known. The transport apparatus of Patent Document 1 is configured to transport an article in a first direction after transporting an article in the first direction using two conveyors having different transport directions. Moreover, the conveying apparatus of patent document 2 is comprised so that the direction of articles | goods can be changed during conveyance of a conveyance conveyor.

JP 2001-171833 A JP 2002-193434 A

  By the way, in the conveyance apparatus of patent documents 1, 2, it is comprised on the assumption that an article will be conveyed one by one, but in the conveyance field of an article, conveying after accumulating a plurality of articles is performed. In some cases, the transfer apparatus disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cannot be applied at such a transfer site. Also, the work of collecting articles by an operator requires a lot of labor and is inefficient.

  Moreover, in the conveyance apparatus of patent document 1, 2, the special power source for driving a conveyor is needed, and energy is consumed for conveyance work. In particular, as in Patent Document 1, when an article is conveyed in a certain direction (first direction) and then conveyed in a different direction (second direction), at least two conveyors must be driven. A lot of energy is consumed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the labor of the operator when the articles are collected and the conveyance direction is changed halfway and conveyed to the destination. It is intended to reduce the energy consumption and reduce the energy consumption so that it can be efficiently conveyed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention uses a link mechanism that enables the article to be conveyed by its own weight using the first and second conveying means that descend and incline, and further links the first and second conveying means. Thus, it is possible to switch the transport direction while accumulating articles in the middle of transport.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first stacking unit that stacks articles to be transported, a second stacking unit that stacks the articles, and is provided downstream of the first stacking unit in the transport direction. And a third stacker that stacks the articles, and is configured to transport the articles to a destination while stacking the articles in the first to third stackers. And
A first conveying unit configured to support the article of the first stacking unit and to be inclined downward from the first stacking unit to the second stacking unit, and to transport the article in a single row; and the second stacking unit Is formed so as to be inclined downward from the second stacking unit to the third stacking unit and to extend in a direction intersecting the transporting direction by the first transporting unit. And a link mechanism for linking the first transport means and the second transport means and switching the support of the article from the first transport means to the second transport means, The first conveying means and the upstream side of the second conveying means are arranged to overlap with each other in the second stacking unit, and the link mechanism is configured such that a predetermined number of articles are received by the first conveying means. When the article is conveyed to the second stacking unit, the article is As is supported by the feed means, it is characterized in that it is configured so as to coordinate the said first conveying means and said second conveying means.

  According to this configuration, since the first transport unit is inclined downward, the articles in the first stacking unit are transported by the first transport unit to the second stacking unit by its own weight. When a predetermined number of articles are conveyed to the second accumulating unit and accumulated, the articles in the second accumulating unit are supported by the second conveying unit by the linkage of the link mechanism. Thereby, the conveyance direction of an article | item is switched. And since the 2nd conveyance means inclines downward, the articles | goods of a 2nd stacking part are conveyed by a 2nd transport means to a 3rd stacking part by dead weight.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the second transport unit includes a downstream transport unit disposed in the third stacking unit, and a movable mechanism that moves the downstream transport unit upstream. The third stacking unit is configured such that articles are stacked in two rows in the width direction, and is higher on the both sides in the parallel direction of the articles in the third stacking unit than the installation surface on which the article transport device is installed, And each support part for supporting the above-mentioned article in a part lower than the support position by the above-mentioned downstream conveyance means is provided, and the above-mentioned support part is configured to support the lower part of the article from the outside in the parallel direction. It is characterized by being.

  According to this configuration, in the third stacking unit, a predetermined gap is formed between the installation surface and the article. When, for example, a pallet is inserted into this gap and the downstream conveying means is pushed upstream in the conveying direction by this pallet, the downstream conveying means is moved upstream by the movable mechanism. When the downstream transport unit moves to the upstream side, the articles in the third stacking unit supported by the downstream transport unit are supported by the support unit of the third stacking unit from the side. Then, when the pallet is raised by, for example, a lift to support the article supported by the support portion, the article is supported by the pallet. This pallet makes it possible to pay out the articles in the third stacking unit at a time.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first conveying means that inclines downward from the first accumulating section toward the second accumulating section, and the third accumulating section that is inclined downward in the direction intersecting the conveying direction of the first conveying means. The second conveying means extending to the position allows the articles to be conveyed to the destination by the weight of the articles while accumulating the articles. Further, when the predetermined number of articles are conveyed to the second stacking unit, the first conveying means and the second conveying means are linked by the link mechanism so that the articles are supported by the second conveying means. The conveyance direction can be switched on the way. As a result, it is possible to reduce the labor and energy consumption of the operator and efficiently transport the product to the target location when the articles are stacked and transported to the target location while switching the conveyance direction. .

  According to the second invention, the downstream conveying means of the second conveying means is disposed in the third stacking section, and the downstream transporting means can be moved to the upstream side by the movable mechanism. Since the article is supported from the side at a higher position, the pallet or the like is inserted into the gap between the installation surface and the article so that the article in the third stacking unit can be dispensed at once using the pallet or the like. Can increase the efficiency of the payout operation.

It is a top view of an article conveyance device. It is a side view which shows the state of the secondary stacking part of the state before the storage box of a primary stacking part descend | falls. It is the schematic which shows the positional relationship of each roller conveyor of the state before articles | goods accumulate | store in a secondary stacking | stacking part. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 in a state where articles are accumulated in the secondary accumulation unit. It is a perspective view of a final accumulation part. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a state where the storage box of the primary stacking unit is lowered. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a state where the first set of storage boxes is prevented from moving downstream by a stopper mechanism. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a state where the second set of storage boxes stacked in the primary stacking unit is lowered. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a state where a second set of storage boxes releases the stopper mechanism. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 in a state in which the primary downstream roller conveyor swings downward. FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state in which a second set of storage boxes is stacked in a secondary stacking unit. FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where the first set and the second set of storage boxes are conveyed to the final stacking unit. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where the third set and the fourth set of storage boxes are conveyed to the final stacking unit. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 in a state where the first to fourth sets of storage boxes are conveyed to the final stacking unit. It is the figure which looked at the final accumulation part from which the 1-4th accommodation box was conveyed from the downstream (dispensing side). FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 in a state where a pallet is inserted below a storage box accumulated in a final accumulation unit. FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 in a state in which a pallet is inserted below the storage boxes accumulated in the final accumulation unit. FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15 in a state in which a pallet is inserted below the storage boxes accumulated in the final accumulation unit. FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15 in a state where the pallet is raised and the storage box is supported by the pallet.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature, and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article conveying apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article conveying apparatus 1 is configured to convey articles to a destination while accumulating the articles. For example, the article conveying apparatus 1 is on the ground or floor surface (installation surface G shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 15, etc.) of various factories and work places. is set up. In this embodiment, the article is a storage box A (shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and the like) in which automobile parts and the like are stored.

  In addition, the goods which can be conveyed are not restricted to the storage box A, For example, components may be sufficient and various packaging members etc. may be sufficient.

  The article conveying apparatus 1 includes a primary stacking unit (first stacking unit) 11 that stacks the storage boxes A, and a secondary stacking unit (second stacking unit) that is provided on the downstream side of the primary stacking unit 11 and stacks the storage boxes A. ) 12 and a final stacking unit (third stacking unit) 13 that is provided downstream of the secondary stacking unit 12 and stacks the storage box A. Furthermore, the article conveying apparatus 1 includes a primary roller conveyor 4 and a secondary roller conveyor 5. Then, after the storage boxes A accumulated in the primary accumulation unit 11 are conveyed to the secondary accumulation unit 12 by the primary roller conveyor 4 and accumulated, the conveyance direction is switched to the final accumulation unit 13 by the secondary roller conveyor 5. It is transported and accumulated.

  On the side of the primary stacking unit 11, a work table B for inspecting components housed in the housing box A is installed. An operator Y works in front of the work table B. Further, a work roller conveyor for placing a working container A (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1) on the upstream side of the primary stacker 11 (upstream in the transport direction of the container A). C is installed. The work roller conveyor C is disposed on the side of the worker Y and higher than the installation surface G, for example, around the waist of the worker Y. The work roller conveyor C is a well-known one that includes a plurality of rollers and a member that rotatably supports these rollers at intervals in the horizontal direction, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The conveyance direction of the work roller conveyor C is the left direction in FIG. The work roller conveyor C may be omitted.

  As shown also in FIG. 2, the primary stacking unit 11 includes a primary upstream roller conveyor 20 configured in the same manner as the work roller conveyor C, and a support base 21 that supports the primary upstream roller conveyor 20. . The primary upstream roller conveyor 20 constitutes the upstream side of the primary roller conveyor 4. The conveyance direction of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is the same as the conveyance direction of the work roller conveyor C. The storage box A placed on the work roller conveyor C can be conveyed to the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 by the work roller conveyor C. The primary upstream roller conveyor is configured to convey the storage boxes A in a single row (one row). Further, the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is formed so as to incline downward toward the secondary stacking unit 12 so that the downstream roller is lower than the upstream roller. This degree of inclination is set to such an extent that the storage box A naturally flows downstream with its own weight. This eliminates the need for a special power source.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support base 21 includes four columns 22 arranged so as to surround the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 and a lifting device 23 that lifts and lowers the primary upstream roller conveyor 20.

  The elevating device 23 is configured so that the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is positioned at substantially the same height as the work roller conveyor C (ascending position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7), and approximately the same height as the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 described later. It is comprised so that it can move between the position (lowering position shown in FIG.6 and FIG.8).

  A weight 26 is connected to the lifting device 23 via a wire 25. A pulley 28 (shown in FIG. 1) around which the wire 25 is wound is provided on the upper portion of the column 22. The gravity of the weight 26 acts in the direction in which the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is raised. The weight of the weight 26 raises the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 when the storage box A is not placed on the primary upstream roller conveyor 20, and the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 when the storage box A is placed. It is set so that it cannot be raised.

  The support 21 of the primary stacking unit 11 has a stopper (not shown) that prevents the storage box A on the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 from flowing downstream (secondary stacking unit 12 side). Is provided. This stopper can be released by the operation of the operator Y.

  In the primary stacking unit 11, four storage boxes A are stacked and stacked. When stacking the storage boxes A, the operator Y may sequentially stack the storage boxes A, for example, using a device (not shown) that lifts the storage boxes A on the primary upstream roller conveyor 20. The storage box A may be slid under the lifted storage box A so as to be slid.

  The storage boxes A are all the same, have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and open upward. The lower surface of the storage box A is formed with a fitting portion that fits into the opening of the storage box A below the storage box A, so that the stacked storage boxes A are less likely to collapse.

  The number of storage boxes A to be stacked is not limited to four, and can be any number.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary stacking unit 12 is attached with the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31, and the conveyors 30, 31 configured in the same manner as the work roller conveyor C. A link mechanism for linking the mounting frame 32, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 and the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 and switching the support of the storage box A from the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 to the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31. 35. The primary downstream roller conveyor 30 constitutes the downstream side of the primary roller conveyor 4. The secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 constitutes the upstream side of the secondary roller conveyor 5.

  The conveyance direction of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is the same direction as that of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20, and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is configured to convey the storage boxes A in a single row. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, two sets of storage boxes A are stacked on the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 in a state of being arranged in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment frame 32 extends in the transport direction of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. On the downstream side of the mounting frame 32, a conveyor support base 37 for supporting the downstream side of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is provided so as to protrude upward. Further, on the upstream side of the mounting frame 32, an arm support base 38 for supporting an arm 40 described later is provided so as to protrude upward.

  The downstream side of the frame 30a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is supported to be swingable with respect to the upper portion of the conveyor support base 37 via a support shaft extending in the horizontal direction. This support shaft extends in substantially the same direction as the rotation shaft of the rollers 30b constituting the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. Therefore, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings around the support shaft so that the upstream side swings in the vertical direction.

  The arm 40 is formed in a substantially U-shape that opens upward, and an intermediate portion thereof is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the arm support base 38 via a support shaft that is substantially parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. ing. Accordingly, when one end of the arm 40 moves downward, the arm 40 swings around the support shaft so that the other end moves upward.

  As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the arm 40 is positioned so as to contact the lower surface of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the other end of the arm 40 is positioned so as to come into contact with the upstream end of the frame 30a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 from below. Therefore, when the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is lowered to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 6, the arm 40 swings so that one end of the arm 40 is pushed down and the other end is raised. The upstream side of the downstream roller conveyor 30 is pushed upward, and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings upward around the support shaft.

  The link mechanism 35 includes a lower link 41 connected to the attachment frame 32, an upper link 42 connected to the frame 30 a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, and a control link 43 that operates these links 41, 42. I have.

  The lower link 41 is supported such that the lower end portion thereof is swingable with respect to a longitudinal intermediate portion of the mounting frame 32 by a support shaft substantially parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. The upper end of the upper link 42 is supported so as to be swingable by a support shaft that is substantially parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 with respect to the longitudinal intermediate portion of the frame 30 a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. . The lower end portion of the upper link 42 and the upper end portion of the lower link 41 are connected so as to be swingable by a support shaft. That is, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is connected to the mounting frame 32 by the upper link 42 and the lower link 41, and the amount of swinging upward of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is determined by the upper link 42 and the lower link. 41 is limited. The upper link 42 and the lower link 41 are always urged by a spring or the like so as to have a posture extending substantially vertically.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the upper link 42 and the lower link 41 are in a posture extending substantially vertically, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is supported by the upper link 41 and the lower link 42, and the primary downstream roller The conveyor 30 is held in a state of swinging upward. At this time, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is positioned such that the upstream side is positioned at substantially the same height as the downstream side of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20, and the downstream side is positioned below the upstream side. Accordingly, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is provided so as to extend while being inclined downward. The inclination degree is substantially the same as the inclination degree of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20.

  The control link 43 includes a horizontal member 43a connected to the lower portion of the upper link 42 and extending substantially horizontally, and a vertical member 43b connected to the horizontal member 43a and extending upward. The horizontal member 43 a extends from the upper link 42 to the downstream side of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. The horizontal member 43 a is connected to the upper link 42 by a support shaft parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. The vertical member 43b is connected to the frame 30a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 by a support shaft that is substantially parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 at the middle in the vertical direction. The upper part of the vertical member 43 b protrudes upward from the upper surface of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. The lower part of the vertical member 43b is slidably connected to the end of the horizontal member 43a by a support shaft that is substantially parallel to the support shaft of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the upper link 42 and the lower link 41 are in a posture extending substantially vertically, the upper portion of the vertical member 43 b of the control link 43 is positioned so as to face the upstream side of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the upper part of the vertical member 43b of the control link 43 is pushed toward the downstream side, the horizontal member 43a moves to the upstream side, whereby the lower part of the upper link 42 moves to the upstream side. When pressed, the upper link 42 and the lower link 41 are in a tilted posture, and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings so that the upstream side thereof moves downward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is provided with a stopper mechanism 50 for stopping the first set of storage boxes A at a predetermined position. The stopper mechanism 50 includes a plate member 50a connected to the frame 30a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, and a pressing portion 50b arranged so as to be pressed by the second set of storage boxes A.

  The plate material 50a is disposed below the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 and extends along the transport direction. The upstream side of the plate member 50a is supported so as to be swingable with respect to the frame 30a of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 by a support shaft extending in the horizontal direction. The downstream side of the plate member 50a is formed so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, and the lower part of the first set of storage boxes A is hooked. Accordingly, the first set of storage boxes A stops before contacting the control link 43.

  The pressing part 50b is fixed to the intermediate part of the plate member 50a and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. A roller that rotates in the same direction as the roller 30b of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is attached to the upper end of the pressing portion 50b. Further, the intermediate portion of the plate member 50a is constantly urged upward by a spring 50c. The pressing part 50b is located upstream from the first set of storage boxes A in the stopped state, and is not pressed by the first set of storage boxes A in the stopped state.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the second set of storage boxes A presses the pressing portion 50b, the plate material 50a swings downward, so that the first set of storage boxes A has 2 as shown in FIG. It flows to the downstream side together with the container box A of the set.

  The secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 can transport the storage boxes A in a state in which two rows of storage boxes A are arranged in the width direction when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the roller 31b of the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 is located below the upper end of the roller 30b of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 in a state of swinging upward, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the roller is positioned above the upper end of the roller 30b of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 in a state of swinging downward. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings upward, the storage box A indicated by the phantom line in the drawing is supported by the rollers 30b of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, As shown in FIG. 4, the storage box A is supported by the rollers 31 b of the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 in a state where the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings downward.

  The secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 extends while being inclined downward toward the final stacking unit 13 so that the downstream side is positioned below the upstream side. The degree of inclination is set to be substantially the same as that of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the final stacking unit 13 includes two secondary fixed roller conveyors 55, three secondary movable roller conveyors 56, and a surrounding member 58 that surrounds the stacked storage box A. The secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 constitutes an intermediate portion in the transport direction of the secondary roller conveyor 5. The secondary movable roller conveyor 56 constitutes the downstream side of the secondary roller conveyor 5. The secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 and the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 are configured to be able to transport the storage boxes A in a state where they are arranged in the two-row width direction when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. The enclosing member 58 is a combination of prisms, and in this interior, two storage boxes A are stacked in two rows in the width direction (left and right direction) and two rows in the depth direction. ing. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, on the left side of the surrounding member 58, the left side support member (support) that supports the lower end portion of the storage box A located at the bottom of the left side row from the left side (outward in the parallel direction). Part) 59 is provided. On the right side of the enclosure member 58, a right support member (support portion) 60 that supports the lower end portion of the storage box A located at the bottom of the right row from the right side (outward in the parallel direction) is provided. The left and right support members 59 and 60 extend in the transport direction and come into contact with the lower surface of the storage box A from below.

  Further, the left and right support members 59 and 60 are disposed higher than the installation surface G, and a predetermined gap is formed between the left and right support members 59 and 60 and the installation surface G. It has become. The size of the gap is set to such an extent that the pallet P placed on the hand lift H (partly shown in FIGS. 18 and 19) can be inserted. As will be described later, the storage boxes A accumulated in the final accumulation unit 13 can be placed on the pallet P and paid out.

  Although not shown, the enclosure member 58 is provided with a stopper for preventing the collected storage box A from dropping off to the downstream side. This stopper can be operated and released by the operator Y.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 is fixed to the installation surface G with an interval in the width direction, and is formed to extend in the same direction as the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31. The upstream side of the secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 has substantially the same height as the downstream side of the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31. The secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 extends while being inclined downward so that the downstream side is positioned below the upstream side.

  The secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is disposed inside the enclosure member 58 and includes a wheel (movable mechanism) 61 for moving to the upstream side. The wheel 61 rolls on the installation surface G.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is placed between the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 so as not to interfere with the secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 when moved to the upstream side. Arranged to enter. Moreover, the secondary movable roller conveyors 56 and 56 located in the width direction both sides among the secondary movable roller conveyors 56 are narrower than the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 located in the center.

  The upper end of the roller 56b of the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is positioned so as to support the storage box A at a position higher than the position where the storage box A is supported by the left and right support members 59, 60. In other words, the left and right support members 59 and 60 support the storage box A at a site that is higher than the installation surface G and lower than the support position by the roller 56b. Therefore, the storage boxes A accumulated in the final accumulation unit 13 are once supported by the secondary movable roller conveyor 56.

  The secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is always urged toward the downstream side.

  Next, the case where the storage box A is conveyed using the article conveying apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 is set to the raised position. Then, the worker Y places the storage box A on the work roller conveyor C as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 1 and stores the components in the storage box A. When a predetermined amount of components are stored in the storage box A, the storage box A is transported to the primary stacking unit 11 by the work roller conveyor C. At this time, since the work roller conveyor C is inclined downward toward the downstream side, the storage box A flows downstream due to its own weight. Therefore, the drive source of the work roller conveyor C is unnecessary.

  In the primary stacking unit 11, four storage boxes A are stacked on the primary upstream roller conveyor 20. When four storage boxes A are stacked, the operator Y operates the lifting device 23 to lower the storage box A together with the primary upstream roller conveyor 20. And although not shown in figure, the stopper which has stopped the movement to the downstream of the storage box A is cancelled | released.

  When the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 descends, as shown in FIG. 6, one end of the arm 40 is pushed downward, the arm 40 swings, and the other end moves upward. Thereby, the upstream side of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is pushed upward, and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings upward. When the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings upward, the upper link 42 and the lower link 41 of the link mechanism 35 are extended substantially vertically, and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 is supported by these links 41, 42.

  In the state where the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings upward, the upstream side of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 and the downstream side of the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 are substantially the same height, and the storage box A is the primary upstream Transfer from the side roller conveyor 20 to the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. Since the primary upstream roller conveyor 20 and the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 are inclined downward toward the downstream side, the containing box A flows by its own weight even without a drive source.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the first set of storage boxes A flows through the primary downstream roller conveyor 30, the first set of storage boxes A comes into contact with the upper part of the plate member 50 a of the stopper mechanism 50 and is caught before it comes into contact with the control link 43. Stop.

  Next, when the storage boxes A are stacked in the primary stacking unit 11 in the same manner as described above, the stacked storage boxes A are conveyed by the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 as the second set of storage boxes A (FIG. 8). reference). As shown in FIG. 11, the second set of storage boxes A abuts against the first set of storage boxes A and presses the pressing portion 50b of the stopper mechanism 50 downward as shown in FIG. When the pressing portion 50b is pressed, the plate member 50a of the stopper mechanism 50 is lowered, the first set of storage boxes A flows downstream, and the second set of storage boxes A flows in the same manner.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the first set of storage boxes A contacts the vertical member 43 b of the control link 43, the horizontal member 43 a pushes and swings the upper link 42 and the lower link 41. As the upper link 42 and the lower link 41 swing, the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 supported by the links 41 and 42 swings downward. In the state where the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings downward, the upper end of the roller 31b of the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 is positioned above the roller 30b of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the first set and the second set of storage boxes A supported by the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 are supported by the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31. That is, the roller conveyor to be supported is switched, and the transport direction is switched.

  In addition, you may provide the urging | biasing apparatus (not shown) for pushing the 1st set and the 2nd set of storage boxes A supported by the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 toward the downstream side. For example, the urging device includes a link mechanism so as to interlock with the downward swing of the primary downstream roller conveyor 30. When the primary downstream roller conveyor 30 swings downward, the first set and the second set It is preferable that the eye storage box A is configured to be pushed toward the downstream side of the secondary roller conveyor 5 by a pushing member or the like.

  The storage box A supported by the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 flows due to the weight of the storage box A even if there is no drive source because the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 is inclined downward. The first set and the second set of storage boxes A are sequentially transferred from the secondary upstream roller conveyor 31 to the secondary fixed roller conveyor 55 and the secondary movable roller conveyor 56, and are conveyed to the final stacking unit 13 as shown in FIG. Is done.

  Thereafter, the third and fourth storage boxes A are conveyed to the final stacker 13 as shown in FIG. 13 through the primary stacker 11 and the secondary stacker 12 as described above. As shown in FIG. 14, in the final stacking unit 13, a total of 16 storage boxes A are stacked. These storage boxes A are in a state of being placed on the secondary movable roller conveyor 56.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the operator Y inserts the pallet P placed on the handlift H between the lowermost storage box A and the installation surface G. By the insertion operation of the pallet P, the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is pushed upstream as shown in FIGS. When the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 moves to the upstream side, as shown in FIG. 18, the lowermost left storage box A is supported by the left support member 59, and the lowermost right storage box A is supported by the right side. Supported by the member 60. In this state, the storage box A is tilted so that the upper left storage box A and the right storage box A are displaced toward the center, and the upper left and right storage boxes A come into contact with each other. The stacked state of the boxes A is maintained.

  After the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is moved upstream, when the pallet P is raised by the hand lift H as shown in FIG. 19, the lowermost storage box A is supported by the pallet P. The height of the pallet P is set such that the storage box A is separated upward from the left and right support members 59 and 60. Then, when the operator Y pulls the hand lift H forward, all the storage boxes A are paid out from the final stacking unit 13 in a state where they are placed on the pallet P.

  As described above, according to the article transporting apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the primary roller conveyor 4 is inclined downward, so that the storage box A of the primary stacking unit 11 can be transported to the secondary stacking unit 12 by its own weight. . When the storage box A is transported to the secondary stacking unit 12 and stacked, the storage box A is supported by the secondary roller conveyor 5 by the link mechanism 35, and the transport direction of the storage box A is switched. Since the secondary roller conveyor 5 is inclined downward, the storage box A can be conveyed to the final stacking unit 13 by its own weight. Thereby, the storage box A can be efficiently transported while reducing the labor of the operator Y and reducing energy consumption.

  Further, in the final stacking unit 13, the secondary movable roller conveyor 56 is movable to the upstream side, and the storage box A is supported from the outside in the parallel direction at a position higher than the installation surface G. By inserting into the gap between the installation surface G and the storage box A, the storage box A of the final stacking unit 13 can be paid out at a time, and the efficiency of the payout work can be increased.

  In the above-described embodiment, a roller conveyor is used as the transport unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any transport unit that can flow the storage box A downstream by its own weight may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the transport direction of the storage box A is changed by approximately 90 ° in a plan view. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upstream transport direction and the downstream transport direction cross each other at an angle. Relationship may be.

  As described above, the article transporting apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, for example, when transporting a storage box that contains components.

1 Article Conveying Device 11 Primary Stacking Unit (First Stacking Unit)
12 Secondary stacking unit (second stacking unit)
13 Final stacking unit (third stacking unit)
4 Primary roller conveyor (first transport means)
5 Secondary roller conveyor (second transport means)
35 Link mechanism 55 Secondary fixed roller conveyor 56 Secondary movable roller conveyor (downstream conveying means)
59 Left support member (support part)
60 Right support member (support part)
61 wheels (movable mechanism)
A Storage box (article)
H Handlift P Pallet Y Worker

Claims (2)

A first stacking unit for stacking articles to be conveyed;
A second stacking unit that is provided downstream of the first stacking unit in the transport direction and stacks the articles;
A third stacking unit that is provided downstream of the second stacking unit in the transport direction and stacks the articles;
An article conveying apparatus configured to convey the article to a destination while being accumulated in the first to third accumulation units,
A first transport unit configured to support the articles of the first stacking unit and to be inclined downward from the first stacking unit to the second stacking unit, and transport the articles in a single row;
The article is formed so as to support the article of the second stacking unit, to be inclined downward from the second stacking unit to the third stacking unit, and to extend in a direction intersecting the transporting direction by the first transporting unit. A second conveying means for conveying the two-rows;
A link mechanism for linking the first conveying means and the second conveying means and switching the support of the article from the first conveying means to the second conveying means;
The first conveying means and the upstream side of the second conveying means are arranged to overlap in the second stacking unit,
The link mechanism includes the first conveying means and the first conveying means so that when the predetermined number of articles are conveyed to the second stacking unit by the first conveying means, the articles are supported by the second conveying means. An article conveying apparatus configured to link the second conveying means. The article conveying device according to claim 1,
The second transport unit includes a downstream transport unit disposed in the third stacking unit, and a movable mechanism that moves the downstream transport unit upstream.
The third stacking unit is configured such that articles are stacked in two rows in the width direction,
For supporting the article at a portion higher than the installation surface on which the article conveying device is installed and lower than the support position by the downstream conveying means on both sides in the parallel direction of the article in the third stacking unit. Each support is provided,
The article transporting apparatus, wherein the support part is configured to support a lower part of the article from outside in the parallel direction.

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