JP5598543B2 - Transfer device and transfer method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transfer device that transfers a load to a rack or the like that holds the load.

  Conventionally, in order to transfer a load between a rack for holding the load and a transfer carriage for transferring the load, the transfer carriage is provided with a load transfer device.

  As a method of transferring the load between the first mounting place and the second mounting place, a fork method for picking up and transferring the load with a fork, and moving the load with a pickup belt. Pickup belt method for transferring, clamp method for holding and transferring on both sides of the baggage, and push-pull method for transferring the baggage by pushing and pulling the baggage with the claws provided on the extendable arm Etc. can be illustrated.

  In addition, various techniques for such a transfer device to safely transfer a package are also disclosed.

  For example, according to Patent Document 1, when placing a load on a shelf, the slide fork is controlled so that the load is placed at a position near the front end of the shelf. Thereby, the certainty of confirmation of the presence or absence of the luggage | load about the said shelf by the optical sensor with which the front-end | tip of the slide fork was equipped can be improved.

JP-A-5-208708

  As described above, there are various transfer methods employed in the transfer device, and each method requires a technique for safe and efficient transfer of a package according to the method.

  For example, in the case of the transfer device employing the above-described push-pull method, the load transfer efficiency can be improved by increasing the arm extension speed.

  When the transfer device takes in the load, the arm in the extended state is contracted, and a claw provided at the tip of the arm is brought into contact with the rear end of the load. For this reason, when the arm is contracted, it is desired that the claw is brought into contact with the rear end of the load at a low speed so as not to damage the load. Further, in order to perform such an operation, it is necessary to accurately detect the rear end of the load to be taken in.

  Therefore, in such a transfer device, for example, a detector such as a photoelectric sensor for detecting the rear end of the load is provided on the arm in order to detect the rear end of the load. In addition, the rear end of the load is detected by this detector while the arm is extended for taking in the load.

  In the transfer device, when the arm is contracted, the arm contraction speed is reduced immediately before the claw comes into contact with the rear end of the load based on the detection result by the detector, so that the claw is lowered at a low speed. Touch to the end.

  However, as described above, the arm is extended at a high speed in order to improve the load transfer efficiency. Therefore, the detector detects the rear end of the load while moving forward at high speed.

  In this case, a delay due to the response time to the input of the detector and the processing time of the controller that performs arithmetic processing occurs in the output value from the detector, so that an error that cannot be ignored occurs in the detection result by the detector. There is a case. For this reason, a problem arises in the operation control in the transfer apparatus.

  For example, the deceleration start timing of the contraction speed of the arm at the time of taking in the load is determined according to the rear end position of the load based on the detection result by the detector. Therefore, there is a possibility that the claw may come into contact with the baggage in a state where the movement speed of the claw has not dropped to a safe rate for the baggage.

  Of course, in order to prevent the occurrence of such a problem, it is conceivable that the arms are both expanded and contracted at a low speed, but this is not realistic because it reduces the load transfer efficiency.

  In consideration of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention provides a transfer device and a transfer method capable of taking a load with a claw provided at the tip of an arm, and transferring the load safely and efficiently. An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device and a transfer method that can be transferred.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, in the transfer device according to one aspect of the present invention, the claw provided at the distal end portion of the arm is placed at the first placement location after the arm that expands and contracts is extended. A transfer device capable of taking the load into a second placement place by abutting against the rear end of the load and shrinking the arm, the controller for controlling the operation of the arm, and the arm And a detector capable of detecting a rear end of the load, and when the controller takes the load into the second placement place, (a) the arm moves the first speed by a predetermined distance. After the extension of the arm, the extension speed of the arm is changed to a second speed lower than the first speed, and (b) after the extension speed of the arm is changed to the second speed, the detector Based on the detection result of the rear end of the package Te, by stopping the extension of the arm to position said pawl rearward than the rear end of the cargo.

  According to this configuration, when the load is taken in, the arm can be extended at a high speed, and the extension speed of the arm can be changed to a low speed in the middle. Further, after the extension of the arm changes to a low speed, the rear end of the load can be detected by the detector.

  Therefore, according to the transfer device of this aspect, the arm is efficiently extended and the rear end of the load can be detected with high accuracy.

  In addition, since the extension of the arm is stopped from the state where the extension speed of the arm is low, the extension of the arm can be stopped in a state where the distance between the claw and the rear end of the load is very short. That is, it is possible to minimize the extension amount of the arm for taking in the load.

  Thus, according to the transfer apparatus of this aspect, a load can be transferred efficiently and safely.

  In the transfer device according to an aspect of the present invention, the controller may position the claw rearward of the rear end of the load, and then (c) retract the arm at a third speed, A claw is moved closer to the rear end of the load, and (d) the arm contraction speed is a fourth speed higher than the third speed after the claw contacts the rear end of the load. The operation of the arm may be controlled.

  According to this structure, the nail | claw for taking in a load can be made to contact | abut to the rear end of a load at low speed, and a load can be taken in at high speed after that.

  Further, as described above, the extension of the arm is stopped in a state where the distance between the claw and the rear end of the load is very short. Therefore, even if the claw is moved toward the rear end of the load at a low speed, the period during which the arm contracts at a low speed is very short, and the efficiency of the entire transfer operation is not reduced. Further, when the arm is contracted, it is not necessary to perform complicated control such as contracting at high speed first and decelerating immediately before the claw comes into contact with the load.

  In the transfer device according to one aspect of the present invention, when the controller stops the extension of the arm, the controller detects the rear end of the load, and then detects the nail of the transfer device. The extension of the arm may be stopped while the arm is extended by a distance corresponding to the position and the position of the detector.

  According to this configuration, the distance between the rear end of the load and the claw when the extension of the arm is stopped is constant regardless of the depth size of the load. Thereby, the control for shrinking the arm thereafter is made common and easy regardless of the depth size of the load to be taken in.

  Further, in the transfer device according to one aspect of the present invention, the controller may be configured such that after the claw is positioned behind the rear end of the load, a distance corresponding to the position of the claw and the position of the detector. The claw may be moved closer to the rear end of the load by contracting the arm at the third speed by the predetermined distance.

  According to this configuration, when a plurality of packages having different depth dimensions are sequentially taken in, the arm is always contracted by a certain amount after the completion of the arm extension operation, so that the claw can be safely approached to each package. be able to.

  That is, when the arm is contracted, it is not necessary to perform different control according to the depth dimensions of the individual luggage, and it is possible to transfer the luggage safely and efficiently with simple control.

  Moreover, this invention is realizable as a conveyance trolley provided with the transfer apparatus which concerns on one of the said aspects.

  Moreover, the transfer method according to one aspect of the present invention is a transfer method executed by the transfer device according to any one of the above aspects, and when the luggage is taken into the second placement place, After extending the arm at a first speed by a predetermined distance, the extension speed of the arm was changed to a second speed lower than the first speed, and the extension speed of the arm was changed to the second speed. Later, based on the detection result of the rear end of the load by the detector, the extension of the arm is stopped, so that the claw is positioned behind the rear end of the load.

  The present invention can also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute each process included in the transfer method, and as a recording medium on which the program is recorded. The program can be distributed via a transmission medium such as the Internet or a recording medium such as a DVD.

  According to the present invention, there are a transfer device and a transfer method capable of taking a load with a claw provided at a tip portion of an arm, and a transfer device capable of transferring a load efficiently and safely, and A transfer method can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration outline of a transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the transfer device according to the embodiment places a load on a rack. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the transfer device according to the embodiment takes in a package. FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to a control system of the operation of the transfer apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an extension operation of the arm when the transfer device in the embodiment takes in a load. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the extension speed of the arm in the load taking-in operation by the transfer device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of contracting the arm when the transfer device according to the embodiment takes in a load. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the contraction speed of the arm in the load taking-in operation by the transfer device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case where the transfer device according to the embodiment transfers a load in both directions of expansion and contraction of the arm.

  A transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration outline of a transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The transfer apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an arm 110, a claw 102 provided at the tip of the arm 110, a detector 105 provided in the arm 110, and a controller 108 that controls the operation of the arm 110. Prepare.

  In the present embodiment, the transfer device 100 is installed on a transport carriage 150 that travels on a travel path 160 that is configured by two rails installed in parallel. In other words, the transfer device 100 moves the transport carriage 150 along the traveling path 160, so that the load on each of a plurality of shelves included in a rack (not shown in FIG. 1) arranged in front of the transport carriage 150 is obtained. Can be transferred.

  Moreover, the transfer apparatus 100 is provided with the two arms 110, and these are arrange | positioned at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). These arms 110 are provided with a claw 103 at the rear end in addition to the claw 102 at the front end.

  The claw 102 at the front end and the claw 103 at the rear end can each move out of the arm 110 by rotating about a rotation axis parallel to the Y-axis direction.

  The arm 110 includes a top portion 111, a middle portion 112, and a base portion 113, and a telescopic structure is configured by these. That is, when the middle part 112 is slid with respect to the base part 113 by a driving device (not shown), the top part 111 slides so as to protrude with respect to the middle part 112 in conjunction with the operation. . Thereby, the arm 110 extends as a whole.

  Further, when the extended arm 110 is contracted, if the drive unit is slid so as to store the middle part 112 with respect to the base part 113, the top part 111 is also accommodated with respect to the middle part 112 in conjunction with the operation. Slide. Thereby, the extended arm 110 is contracted.

  The operation of the arm 110 that expands and contracts in this way is controlled by the controller 108 as described above. The controller 108 is realized by, for example, a computer including an interface for inputting / outputting information, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing a control program, a memory, and the like.

  The controller 108 may be provided in the transport carriage 150 together with the arm 110, and may be provided in a communication device connected to the transport carriage 150 via a wired or wireless network, for example.

  The detector 105 is a device that detects a load transferred by the transfer device 100, and is realized by, for example, a photoelectric sensor. Specifically, the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load when the transfer device 100 takes the load.

  The controller 108 controls the operation of the arm 110 based on the detection result by the detector 105. Specific control contents by the controller 108 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Next, the basic operation of the transfer apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Since the two arms 110 perform the same operation, only one arm 110 will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment places a load on the rack 300.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 110 is extended with the claw 103 at the rear end of the arm 110 protruding in the direction of the luggage 200. As a result, the luggage 200 placed on the transport carriage 150 is pushed out to the shelves included in the rack 300.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment takes in a package.

  As shown in FIG. 3, after the arm 110 is extended until the claw 102 at the tip of the arm 110 is positioned behind the rear end of the luggage 200 (the lower end of the luggage 200 in FIG. 3), the claw 102 Projected in the direction of the luggage 200.

  In this state, the arm 110 is contracted. As a result, the luggage 200 is taken from the shelf (first transfer location) of the rack 300 to a predetermined location (second transfer location) on the transport carriage 150 while the claw 102 is brought into contact with the rear end of the luggage 200. Can do.

  In addition, such a method of hooking and taking in a claw at the rear end of the load is also called a rear hook method.

  When the transfer device 100 takes in the luggage 200 by such an operation, the operation of the arm 110 is controlled using the detection result of the detector 105 as described above.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to a control system for the operation of the transfer apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

  In the transfer apparatus 100, the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load to be taken in and notifies the controller 108 of the detection result. Specifically, when the arm 110 extends for taking in the load, the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load.

  The controller 108 stops the extension of the arm 110 based on the detection result notified from the detector 105.

  Further, the controller 108 reduces the extension speed of the arm 110 while the arm 110 is extended, and causes the detector 105 to detect the rear end of the load with the extension speed reduced.

  As described above, the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment is characterized by the operation control of the arm 110 by the controller 108. Therefore, the operation control of the arm 110 by the controller 108 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an extension operation of the arm 110 when the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment takes in a load.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the transfer apparatus 100, a rear end detection area that is an area for detecting the rear end of the luggage 200 is defined.

  Specifically, the range of the rear end position of each of the plurality of loads is determined using the maximum value and the minimum value of the depth dimensions (the length of the load in the Y-axis direction) of the plurality of loads to be taken in by the transfer device 100. Calculated.

  As a result, the range from the position indicated as “rear end position Min” to the position indicated as “rear end position Max” in FIG. 5 is a range in which the rear end positions of the plurality of loads are distributed. The edge detection area is determined.

  Note that each of the plurality of packages to be taken in by the transfer device 100 is placed with reference to the front end of the shelf on which each is placed. That is, the distance between each of the plurality of packages and the front end of the shelf is constant. Therefore, the rear end detection area can be determined only by the depth dimensions of the plurality of loads to be taken in by the transfer device 100.

  Further, the distance between each luggage and the front end of the shelf may not be constant. In this case, for example, if the distance between each luggage and the front edge of the shelf is acquired and stored when the luggage is placed on the shelf, for example, the stored distance and the depth dimension of each luggage Thus, the rear end detection area can be determined.

  In addition, the position indicated as “rear end position Min” is more specifically in front of the rear end of the load having the smallest depth dimension among the plurality of loads to be transferred by the transfer device 100 (loading direction). Is set to be Thereby, even when a package having a minimum depth dimension is taken in, the rear end of the package is reliably detected.

  Further, the rear end detection area may be calculated from the acquired information, for example, by the controller 108 acquiring information such as the depth dimension of each of the plurality of packages to be taken in by the transfer device 100.

  Further, the controller 108 may acquire information indicating the rear end detection area generated in advance via, for example, a network.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the detector 105 includes a projector 105b that emits light and a light receiver 105a that detects the light emitted from the projector 105b. The detector 105 is arranged at the tip of the arm 110 so that the optical axis is orthogonal to the expansion / contraction direction (Y-axis direction) of the arm 110, that is, parallel to the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, detector 105 is arranged on the near side of claw 102 (the upper side in FIG. 5) and in the vicinity of claw 102.

  Therefore, when the luggage 200 is placed on the rack 300 as shown in FIG. 5 and the arm 110 is extended from the contracted state, the light from the projector 105b is once blocked by the luggage 200, and thereafter The light receiver 105a detects light from the projector 105b. Thereby, the rear end of the luggage 200 is detected by the detector 105.

  The controller 108 of the transfer apparatus 100 extends the arm 110 at a high speed until the detector 105 enters the rear end detection area thus defined, and then extends the arm 110 at a low speed.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 108 extends the arm 110 at a first speed by a predetermined distance (L1). Thereafter, the controller 108 changes the extension speed of the arm 110 to a second speed that is lower than the first speed.

  Thereafter, the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load 200 at a timing when the arm 110 extending at a low second speed extends by L2. Specifically, the light receiver 105a detects light from the projector 105b that has been blocked by the luggage 200 until then.

  The detector 105 transmits a signal indicating the detection result to the controller 108. The controller 108 stops the extension of the arm 110 based on the detection result.

  As a result, the extension of the arm 110 stops in the state where the detector 105 has detected the rear end of the luggage 200 and has been extended by L3. That is, in a state where the distance between the rear end of the luggage 200 and the claw 102 is L3, the extension of the arm 110 is stopped.

  Specifically, L3 is a distance according to the position of the claw 102 and the position of the detector 105. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the detector 105 is disposed in front of the nail 102 (upward in FIG. 5). That is, the detector 105 is arranged so as to confirm whether or not the luggage 200 exists in front of the nail 102.

  Therefore, when the light receiver 105a detects the light from the projector 105b while the arm 110 is extending, the claw 102 surely passes the rear end position of the luggage 200.

  Therefore, the controller 108 performs stop control according to the speed pattern of the arm 110 so that the extension of the arm 110 stops in the shortest time, for example. Specifically, a predetermined control signal for stopping the arm 110 extending at the second speed safely and in the shortest time is transmitted to the drive device that drives the arm 110.

  Further, if the detector 105 is provided so as to detect the presence / absence of the baggage 200 behind the claw 102 (downward in FIG. 5), the claw is detected when the detector 105 detects the rear end of the baggage 200. 102 does not pass the rear end position of the luggage 200.

  Therefore, after the predetermined time corresponding to the second speed has elapsed from when the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load 200, the controller 108 is configured so that the arm 110 stops extending in the shortest time, for example. Stop control according to the speed pattern.

  In short, the controller 108 controls the operation of the arm 110 so that the extension of the arm 110 stops in the shortest time from the timing when the claw 102 passes the rear end position of the luggage 200.

  As a result, L3 is a distance corresponding to the position of the claw 102 and the position of the detector 105 in the transfer apparatus 100, and is constant regardless of the depth dimension of the load to be loaded.

  As described above, the controller 108 according to the embodiment is configured so that the arm 110 has a distance corresponding to the position of the claw 102 and the position of the detector 105 in the transfer device 100 after the detector 105 detects the rear end of the load 200. In the state where the arm 110 is extended, the extension of the arm 110 is stopped.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the detector 105 is disposed in the vicinity of the claw 102. For this reason, the light detection position of the detector 105 may not exactly match the position of the front surface of the claw 102 (the surface in contact with the rear end of the luggage 200).

  However, even in such a case, if the distance in the Y-axis direction between these positions is negligibly small, the detection timing of light by the light receiver 105a of the detector 105 indicates that the nail 102 has the load 200. It can be assumed that the timing has passed through the rear end position. That is, L3 can be assumed to be the distance between the rear end of the luggage 200 and the claw 102 in a state where the arm 110 has been extended.

  Further, for example, a correction according to the distance in the Y-axis direction between the light detection position of the detector 105 and the position of the front surface of the claw 102 is added to the actual L3, and the corrected L3 is added to the rear of the luggage 200. The distance between the end and the nail 102 may be handled.

  For example, it is assumed that the detector 105 is disposed in front of the nail 102 and the distance in the Y-axis direction between the light detection position of the detector 105 and the front surface of the nail 102 is Mmm. Further, it is assumed that the arm 110 extends and stops by L3 = N mm after the detector 105 detects the rear end of the luggage 200.

  In this case, (N + M) mm can be treated as L3 after correction (the distance between the rear end of the luggage 200 and the claw 102).

  A change in the extension speed of the arm 110 when the arm 110 is extended will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the extension speed of the arm 110 in the load taking-in operation by the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows a graph showing a change in the extension speed of each arm 110 when a take-in operation is performed on three loads having different depth dimensions.

  As shown in these graphs, for any load, the controller 108 first extends the arm 110 by the first speed (V1) by L1. This V1 is, for example, the maximum extension speed (empty maximum speed) of the arm 110 when there is no load on the load.

  Specifically, the controller 108 extends the arm 110 at a predetermined acceleration, and causes the extension speed to reach V1.

  Thereafter, the controller 108 decelerates the extension of the arm 110 so that the extension speed becomes the second speed (V2) when the extension distance of the arm 110 becomes L1. This V2 is set to a speed (detection speed) that does not substantially hinder the detection accuracy of the detector 105 even when the response delay of the detector 105 is taken into consideration.

  As described above, the controller 108 extends the arm 110 by L1 at the empty maximum speed V1, and then changes the extension speed of the arm 110 to the detection speed V2 lower than V1.

  After the extension speed of the arm 110 is changed to the detection speed V2 by such control, the rear end of the load is accurately detected by the detector 105.

  When the rear end of the load is detected by the detector 105, the controller 108 that has acquired the detection result controls the arm 110 so that the arm 110 stops extending in the shortest time. Thereby, the extension of the arm 110 is decelerated and stopped.

  As described above, the controller 108 changes the extension speed of the arm 110 to V2, and then stops the extension of the arm 110 based on the detection result of the rear end of the load by the detector 105. Position it behind the rear edge of the luggage.

  As described above, when the transfer device 100 takes in a load, the same control is applied to the arm 110 regardless of the depth size of the load. Only the detection timing of the rear end of the load by the detector 105 is different depending on the depth size of the load.

  Therefore, as shown in the graphs of FIG. 6, only the distance L2 at which the arm 110 extends at a low speed V2 differs depending on the size of the depth of the load, and the distance L3 from when the rear end of the load is detected until it stops. Is constant regardless of the depth dimension of the load.

  In the transfer device 100, after the arm 110 is extended by such control, the claw 102 is protruded in the direction of the load and the arm 110 is contracted to take the load into the transport carriage 150.

  The operation control of the arm 110 when the arm 110 is contracted in the transfer apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of contracting the arm 110 when the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment takes in a load.

  The controller 108 of the transfer device 100 contracts the arm 110 after positioning the claw 102 behind the rear end of the luggage 200. As a result, the claw 102 comes into contact with the rear end of the luggage 200.

  Specifically, the controller 108 causes the claw 102 to approach the rear end of the luggage 200 by contracting the arm 110 at a low third speed.

  Further, as described above, in the state where the arm 110 has been extended, the distance between the claw 102 and the rear end of the luggage 200 is L3. Therefore, the controller 108 contracts the arm 110 by the third speed by L3. The controller 108 may contract the arm 110 at the third speed by L3 after the above correction.

  Thus, the claw 102 comes into contact with the rear end of the luggage 200 by contracting the arm 110 by L3. Alternatively, up to the vicinity of the rear end of the luggage 200 (a position where the claw 102 and the rear end of the luggage 200 are close enough to prevent the claw 102 from damaging the luggage 200 even if the arm 110 is subsequently contracted). The nail 102 moves.

  Thereafter, the controller 108 controls the operation of the arm 110 so that the contraction speed of the arm 110 becomes a fourth speed higher than the third speed after the claw 102 contacts the rear end of the luggage 200. As a result, the controller 108 contracts the arm 110 by L4.

  As a result, the luggage 200 placed on the rack 300 is taken into the transport cart 150.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the contraction speed of the arm 110 in the load taking-in operation by the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 8, as in FIG. 6, a graph showing the change in the contraction speed of each arm 110 when performing the take-in operation for three loads having different depth dimensions is shown.

  As shown in these graphs, for any load, the controller 108 causes the arm 110 to contract at the third speed (V3) by L3. This V3 is a low speed (contact speed) that does not damage the load even when the claw 102 contacts the load.

  Here, as described above, L3 is constant regardless of the depth dimension of the luggage. Therefore, the controller 108 performs control to shrink the arm 110 by L3 without considering the depth dimension of the load to be taken in in the control when the claw 102 is brought close to the load. Further, the speed at this time is the low contact speed V3 as described above, and the claw 102 does not damage the load.

  Further, L3 is a braking distance when the extension speed of the arm 110 changes from the low detection speed V2 to zero as shown in FIG. That is, L3 is a very short distance, and even when the arm 110 is contracted at the low contact speed V3, the time required for contracting by L3 is very short.

  It should be noted that the distance by which the arm 110 is contracted at the contact speed V3 may not exactly match L3.

  Specifically, when the arm 110 is contracted when taking the load, the arm 110 may be contracted at the contact speed V3 by a predetermined distance of L3 or more. Further, as to how far the arm 110 is retracted from L3, the response speed of the detector 105 or the distance between the claw 102 and the rear end of the load and the measured value of the difference from L3 are used. Just decide.

  Thereafter, the controller 108 controls the operation of the arm 110 so that the arm 110 contracts at the high-speed fourth speed (V4). This V4 is, for example, the maximum extension speed (actual load maximum speed) of the arm 110 when there is a load on the load.

  Further, the controller 108 contracts the arm 110 by a distance L4 necessary for moving the load to the transport carriage 150. As a result, the load 200 with the claw 102 in contact is taken into the transport cart 150 at the actual load maximum speed V4.

  Note that L4 is obtained, for example, using the rear end position of the load acquired by the controller 108 during the extension operation of the arm 110 shown in FIG. In this case, for example, L4 = L1 + L2.

  Further, the controller 108 may set a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the depth dimension of the package that has been acquired in advance as L4.

  As described above, when the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment takes in the load, the arm 110 is first extended by the empty maximum speed V1 that is high by L1, and after the detector 105 enters the rear end detection area. The arm 110 is controlled so that the extension speed becomes the low detection speed V2.

  Thereby, both the efficiency of the extension operation of the arm 110 and the high accuracy of the detection of the load to be taken in are achieved.

  In the transfer device 100, the distance between the rear end of the load and the claw 102 is a distance L3 (including the corrected L3, the same applies hereinafter) according to the position of the claw 102 and the position of the detector 105. Then, the extension of the arm 110 is stopped.

  In other words, the distance between the rear end of the load and the claw 102 is always L3 regardless of the depth size of the load to be loaded, and L3 is substantially the same as the braking distance at the time of low-speed extension. It is a short distance.

  Thereafter, the transfer device 100 causes the claw 102 to approach the rear end of the load by contracting the arm 110 at the low contact speed V3, and then changes the contraction speed of the arm 110 to the high actual load maximum speed V4. The package is taken into the transport cart 150.

  Thereby, the impact at the time of contact of the nail | claw 102 and the rear end of a load at the time of taking in a load is relieved, and breakage of a load is prevented.

  L3 is a very short distance as described above. Therefore, the time required to shorten the arm 110 by L3 is very short. Further, for example, complicated control is not required in which the arm 110 is first contracted at a high speed and then changed to a low speed when the claw 102 approaches the rear end of the load.

  Further, after the arm 110 is contracted by L3, the contraction speed of the arm 110 is increased to the actual load maximum speed V4. That is, it is possible to take in a high-speed baggage without substantially damaging the baggage.

  As described above, according to the transfer device 100 of the embodiment, a load can be transferred efficiently and safely.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the transfer device 100 transfers the load only in one of the expansion / contraction directions (Y-axis direction) of the arm 110.

  However, when the arm 110 can extend not only in the front but also in the rear, the transfer device 100 may transfer the load with respect to both the expansion and contraction directions of the arm 110.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case where the transfer device 100 according to the embodiment transfers a load in both directions in which the arm 110 extends and contracts.

  In FIG. 9, a rack 300 and a rack 301 are arranged with the transfer apparatus 100 interposed therebetween.

  Further, in the transfer apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 9, a detector 105 is also provided in the vicinity of the claw 103 at the rear end of the arm 110.

  That is, the transfer device 100 shown in FIG. 9 can transfer the load 200 to the rear rack 301 (upward in FIG. 9).

  Specifically, when the luggage 200 on the transport carriage 150 is placed on the rack 301, the claw 102 at the tip of the arm 110 functions as an element that pushes the luggage 200. Further, when taking in the luggage 200 placed on the rack 301, the claw 103 at the rear end of the arm 110 functions as an element for taking in the luggage 200.

  Further, similarly to the operation control for the arm 110 described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the operation control of the arm 110 based on the detection result of the detector 105 in the vicinity of the claw 103 is performed by the controller 108.

  That is, the transfer device 100 can efficiently and safely transfer the luggage 200 to the rear rack 301.

  In the present embodiment, the transfer device 100 is installed on the transport carriage 150 that moves along the travel path 160. However, the transfer apparatus 100 may be installed on other types of carts.

  The transfer apparatus 100 may be provided in an automatic guided vehicle that does not have a specific traveling track, for example. In addition, the transfer device 100 may be provided in a lifting platform of a stacker crane that carries and transfers a load in an automatic warehouse, for example.

  In other words, the transfer device 100 only needs to be placed in a facility that requires a load transfer function and allows a method of taking in the load with the claw 102 provided at the tip of the arm 110. The type is not limited to a specific type.

  In addition, the transfer device 100 is provided with a pair of left and right arms 110. However, as long as at least one arm 110 is provided, the load can be safely and efficiently transferred depending on the size of the load to be handled. .

  Moreover, in the transfer apparatus 100, the arm 110 may be provided so that the arm 110 may advance above or below the load. In other words, the transfer device 100 employs a method in which the claw 102 of the arm 110 is hooked on the rear end of the load, and the position at which the claw 102 is hooked on the load is not the right or left end of the load. Also good.

  Further, when the arm 110 is contracted for taking in a load, the transfer device 100 may change the contraction speed from V3 to V4 according to the detection result from the detector 105, for example.

  Specifically, when the detector 105 is arranged on the front side and in the vicinity of the claw 102 as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, when the extended arm 110 is contracted, the detector 105 The rear end of the load is detected at a timing immediately before coming into contact with the rear end of the load.

  By receiving the detection result, the controller 108 controls the operation of the arm 110 so that the contraction speed of the arm 110 changes from V3 to V4.

  By doing so, the package can be taken in efficiently without substantially damaging the package.

  Further, in this way, a detector for controlling the contraction operation of the arm 110 may be provided separately from the above-described detector 105.

  Furthermore, the another detector may be a contact detector that detects contact between the claw 102 and the load. In this case, the control for changing the contraction speed of the arm 110 from V3 to V4 is started after the contact between the claw 102 and the load. However, even in this case, since the claw 102 contacts the rear end of the load at a low contact speed V3, the load can be safely and efficiently transferred.

  Further, the arm 110 has a top portion 111, a middle portion 112, and a base portion 113, and a telescopic structure is configured by these. However, the structure for expansion and contraction is not limited to a specific structure as long as the arm 110 can be expanded and contracted in the load transfer direction.

  In addition, the arm 110 may extend and contract in the load transfer direction by rotating instead of linearly expanding and contracting in the load transfer direction.

  The detector 105 may be realized by a sensor of a type other than the photoelectric sensor. That is, as long as the rear end of the load to be captured can be detected, the detection method employed by the detector 105 may be a method using sound or a method using video analysis, and is not limited to a specific method.

  The transfer device and the transfer method of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Unless it deviates from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in the present embodiment, or forms constructed by combining a plurality of the above-described constituent elements are within the scope of the present invention. include.

  The transfer device of the present invention is a transfer device that can take in a load with a claw provided at the tip of an arm, and can transfer the load efficiently and safely. Therefore, the present invention is useful as a transfer device provided in a transport cart that transports packages in factories and distribution warehouses, a transfer method for transferring packages in distribution warehouses, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Transfer apparatus 102, 103 Claw 105 Detector 105a Light receiver 105b Light projector 108 Controller 110 Arm 111 Top part 112 Middle part 113 Base part 150 Conveying cart 160 Traveling path 200 Luggage 300, 301 Rack

Claims (5)

After extending the arm that expands and contracts, the claw provided at the tip of the arm is brought into contact with the rear end of the load to be taken out of a plurality of types of loads placed at the first placement location, and the arm Is a transfer device capable of taking the luggage into the second placement location by shrinking,
A controller for controlling the operation of the arm;
A detector provided on the arm and capable of detecting a rear end of each of the plurality of types of loads;
When the controller takes each of the plurality of types of luggage into the second placement location, (a) the arm is set at a predetermined distance and is common to the plurality of types of luggage. After extending at a first speed by a predetermined distance to be used, the extension speed of the arm is changed to a second speed lower than the first speed, and (b) the extension speed of the arm is changed to the second speed. After the change, the extension of the arm is stopped based on the detection result of the rear end of the load by the detector moving at the second speed together with the arm, so that the claw is moved to the rear end of the load. A transfer device that is positioned behind. (C) the controller moves the claw closer to the rear end of the load by retracting the arm at a third speed after the claw is positioned behind the rear end of the load; The transfer according to claim 1, wherein the arm is controlled so that a contraction speed of the arm becomes a fourth speed higher than the third speed after the claw contacts a rear end of the load. apparatus. When the controller stops the extension of the arm, the detector detects the rear end of the load, and then the controller moves the distance corresponding to the position of the claw and the position of the detector in the transfer device. The transfer device according to claim 2, wherein extension of the arm is stopped in a state where the arm is extended. The controller, after positioning the claw behind the rear end of the luggage, at the third speed at a predetermined distance equal to or more than a distance according to the position of the claw and the position of the detector. The transfer device according to claim 3, wherein the claw is moved closer to a rear end of the load by contracting an arm. After extending the arm that expands and contracts, the claw provided at the tip of the arm is brought into contact with the rear end of the load to be taken out of a plurality of types of loads placed at the first placement location, and the arm A transfer method executed by a transfer device capable of taking the load into the second placement location by shrinking
The transfer device includes a detector provided on the arm and capable of detecting a rear end of each of the plurality of types of loads.
The transfer method is:
When each of the plurality of types of luggage is taken into the second placement location, the arm is set to a predetermined distance that is set in advance and a predetermined distance that is commonly used for the plurality of types of luggage. After extending at one speed, the extension speed of the arm is changed to a second speed that is slower than the first speed,
After changing the extension speed of the arm to the second speed, the extension of the arm is stopped based on the detection result of the rear end of the load by the detector moving with the arm at the second speed. Thus, the claw is positioned behind the rear end of the luggage.

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