JP6331883B2 - Plate-shaped material transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a plate-like object transporting apparatus that joins and conveys double-row plate-like objects (for example, glass panels) in a single line.

  In a glass panel production line, a single large glass panel may be divided to produce a plurality of glass panels. For example, when a rectangular large glass panel is divided into two at the vertical and horizontal central portions, the four divided glass panels are conveyed in two rows along the main row L1 and the sub row L2 {FIG. )reference}. In this way, if post-processes such as finishing and inspection are carried out while transporting a plurality of divided glass panels in multiple rows, it is necessary to install a finishing device and an inspection device in each row. Soaring.

  In view of this, a transport apparatus is known that transports a plate-like object such as a glass panel that is transported in a double row by joining it in a single row. An example of such a transport device is shown in FIG. The conveying device 100 includes an upstream conveyor 110 that conveys glass panels in two rows, a downstream conveyor 120 that conveys glass panels in one row, and a merging conveyor 130 provided therebetween. The merging conveyor 130 includes a main row merging conveyor 131 provided on the main row L1 (lower row in the drawing) and a sub-row merging conveyor 132 provided on the sub row L2 (upper row in the drawing). Become. The merging conveyor 130 is provided with a transfer 140 for transferring a glass panel from the main row merging conveyor 131 to the sub row merging conveyor 132. For example, the transfer 140 can be moved upward and downward from the conveyance surfaces of the merging conveyors 131 and 132, and lifts the glass panel from below to convey it in the width direction (downward in the figure).

The conveyance of the glass panel by the above conveying device is performed according to the following procedure.
(1) The glass panels α and β of the upstream conveyor 110 are respectively carried into the main row joining conveyor 131 and the sub row joining conveyor 132 of the joining conveyor 130 {see FIG. 6B}.
(2) The glass panel α of the main row joining conveyor 131 is carried out to the downstream conveyor 120 {see FIG. 6C}.
(3) The transfer panel 140 lifts the glass panel β of the sub-row merging conveyor 132 from below, conveys it in the width direction (lower in the figure), and transfers it to the main merging conveyor 131. {See FIG. 6 (d)}.
(4) The glass panel β is carried out from the main merging conveyor 131 to the downstream conveyor 120 {see FIG. 6 (e)}.
By repeating the above procedure, the double-row glass panels conveyed by the upstream conveyor 110 are joined in a single row and conveyed by the downstream conveyor 120.

  Further, in Patent Document 1 below, a plate-like shape in which a shift roller conveyor that is movable in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is provided between an upstream conveyor (double row conveying roller conveyor) and a downstream conveyor (unloading roller conveyor). An article transport device is shown. In this conveying apparatus, after carrying a plate-shaped object into the shift roller conveyor, the plate-shaped object is obliquely moved by moving the shift roller conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction while conveying the plate-shaped object downstream in the conveying direction. Transport in the direction and carry out to the downstream conveyor.

JP 2004-26538 A

  However, in the transport apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 6, in order to avoid the interference between the glass panel α and the glass panel β or the transfer 140, until the glass panel α is unloaded from the main row joining conveyor 131 to the downstream conveyor 120, It is not possible to transfer the glass panel β from the sub-row merge conveyor 132 to the main-row merge conveyor 131 {see FIG. 6C}. Further, while the glass panel β is being transferred from the sub-row merging conveyor 132 to the main merging conveyor 131 by the transfer 140, the glass panel α carried into the downstream conveyor 120 is conveyed to the downstream side. When β is transferred from the main merging conveyor 131 to the downstream conveyor 120, the glass panel α is already transported to the downstream side by a predetermined distance {see FIG. 6 (d)}. For this reason, the conveyance direction pitch P of the glass panels (alpha) and (beta) on the downstream conveyor 120 becomes large {refer FIG.6 (e)}.

  For example, if the downstream conveyor 120 is stopped while the glass panel β is being conveyed in the width direction by the transfer 140, the glass panel α on the downstream conveyor 120 is not conveyed downstream during this time. The conveyance direction pitch P can be reduced. However, in this case, since it is necessary to stop the downstream conveyor 120 every time the glass panel β is transported in the width direction by the transfer 140, the transport efficiency is reduced.

  Even in the transport apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, while the plate-like object is transported in the oblique direction by the shift roller conveyor, the same problem as described above occurs because the transport by the downstream conveyor is performed.

  In view of the above circumstances, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that in a transport apparatus that transports a double row of plate-like objects by joining them in a single row, without reducing the transport efficiency, It is to reduce the conveyance direction pitch of the plate-like object.

  In order to solve the above problems, the plate-like object conveying device of the present invention includes an upstream conveying unit that conveys a plate-like object in a double row along a main row and a sub-row, and a plate-like object along the main row. Downstream conveying unit that conveys the sheet in a single row, and the upstream conveying unit and the downstream conveying unit. The downstream conveying unit joins the double-row plate-like objects carried from the upstream conveying unit into a single row. A plate-like object conveying device including a merging and conveying unit carried out to a section, wherein the merging and conveying unit includes a main row merging and conveying unit provided on the main row and a sub-row provided on the sub row. A row merging and conveying unit; and an aerial conveying unit configured to hold and lift the plate-like object carried into the sub-row merging and conveying unit from above and transfer the plate-like object to the main row merging and conveying unit.

  According to the above plate-like material conveying device, the plate-like material (β) and the main-line merging and conveying portion are transported by lifting and conveying the plate-like material (β) on the sub-row merging and conveying portion by the aerial conveying means. Interference with the plate-like object (α) can be avoided. In addition, since the aerial conveyance means is arranged above the plate-like object (β) by holding and lifting the plate-like object (β) from above by the aerial conveyance means, the plate-like object held by the aerial conveyance means Even when (β) passes above the other plate-like object (α), interference between the air conveying means and the plate-like object (α) can be avoided. As described above, the plate-like object (β) held by the aerial conveying means can be conveyed from the sub-row merging and conveying unit to the main-line merging and conveying unit without worrying about interference with the plate-like object (α). Therefore, the plate-like object (β) can be arranged immediately upstream of the plate-like object (α) without stopping the conveyance of the plate-like object by the downstream conveyance unit. Thereby, the conveyance direction pitch between the plate-shaped objects (α, β) joined in a single row can be reduced.

  In the above-described plate-like object conveying device, for example, the main row merging and conveying part is provided on the downstream side of the sub-line merging and conveying part, and the plate-like object held by the aerial conveying means is directed toward the downstream side. It can be conveyed in an oblique direction inclined to the row side. In this case, since the plate-like object (β) held by the aerial conveyance means is conveyed not only in the width direction but also downstream in the conveyance direction, the plate-like object (β) is a plate-like object on the main row merge conveyance unit. Following (α), it is possible to reduce the conveyance direction interval between both plate-like objects (α, β).

  In the above plate-like material conveying device, for example, the aerial conveying means holding the plate-like object (β) is placed on standby above the main row merging and conveying unit, and the holding by the aerial conveying means is released at a predetermined timing. The plate-like object can be placed on the main row merging and conveying unit. In this case, the conveyance direction pitch between the plate-like object (β) and the plate-like object (α) on the downstream side thereof can be easily adjusted by adjusting the timing for releasing the holding by the air conveyance means.

  Moreover, in said plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus, the plate-shaped object ((alpha)) carried in from the said upstream conveyance part to the said main line confluence | merging conveyance part is faster than the plate-shaped object (beta) downstream from it. It can convey to a downstream side and can reduce these conveyance direction pitches. In this case, the plate-like object (α) and the plate-like object (β) on the downstream side thereof are adjusted by adjusting the conveying speed and conveying time of the plate-like object (α) conveyed at high speed by the main row confluence conveying unit. The pitch in the transport direction can be easily adjusted.

  In said plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus, when the conveyance speed of the plate-shaped object by the said downstream conveyance part and the said main row confluence | merging conveyance part is always the same, these can be comprised with an integral conveyor.

  In the above plate-like object conveying device, for example, the main-line merging and conveying part and the sub-line merging and conveying part are provided at the same position in the main-line conveying direction, and the plate-like object held by the aerial conveying means is It can be transported in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. In this case, since the length in the conveyance direction of the merging conveyance unit can be shortened, the facility space can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the plate-shaped object conveyance device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the conveyance direction pitch of the single-row plate-shaped objects after merging without reducing the conveyance efficiency.

It is a top view of the plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(h) is a top view which shows an example of the conveyance procedure using the said plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus. (A)-(h) is a top view which shows the other example of the conveyance procedure using the said plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus. (A)-(h) is a top view which shows the further another example of the conveyance procedure using the said plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus. (A)-(f) is a top view which shows an example of the conveyance procedure using the plate-shaped object conveying apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. (A)-(e) is a top view which shows the conveyance procedure using the conventional plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A plate-like object conveying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 conveys a plate-like object (for example, a glass panel) conveyed in a double row by joining it in a single row. Specifically, the plate-shaped material conveying apparatus 1 includes an upstream conveyor 10 as an upstream conveying unit that conveys a plate-shaped material in a double row along the main row L1 and the sub-row L2, and a plate-shaped material along the main row L1. The downstream conveyor 20 as a downstream conveyance part which conveys this by a single row, and the confluence | merging conveyance part 30 provided between the upstream conveyor 10 and the downstream conveyor 20 are provided. In the present embodiment, the main row L1 and the sub-row L2 are parallel straight lines, and one row is provided for each.

  In the following description, the conveyance direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) of the main row L1 is referred to as “conveyance direction”, and the horizontal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) orthogonal to the conveyance direction is referred to as “width direction”. Of the double-row plate-like objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor 10, the plate-like object on the main row L1 is referred to as α, and the plate-like object on the sub-row L2 is referred to as β. In the present embodiment, the plate-like objects α and β are formed by dividing a large rectangular plate-like object into four parts (divided vertically and horizontally into two parts), and each has a rectangular shape.

  The upstream conveyor 10 conveys two rows of plate-like objects along the main row L1 and the sub row L2 all at once to the downstream side. The upstream conveyor 10 is configured by, for example, a belt conveyor, and double-row plate-like objects α and β are placed on the upper surface of one belt. In the illustrated example, on the upper surface of the upstream conveyor 10, the plate-like objects α and β in each row L <b> 1 and L <b> 2 are arranged in the width direction.

  The downstream conveyor 20 is configured by a belt conveyor, for example. The downstream conveyor 20 extends to a post-processing step (not shown) in which a finishing device and an inspection device are arranged, and finishes and inspects the plate-like objects α and β conveyed by the downstream conveyor 20 in a single row. Etc. are post-processed.

  The merging / conveying unit 30 merges the double-row plate-like objects α and β carried from the upstream conveyor 10 into a single row and carries them out to the downstream conveyor 20. Specifically, the merging and conveying unit 30 includes a main row merging conveyor 31 as a main row merging and conveying unit provided on the main row L1, and a sub-row merging as a sub-row merging and conveying unit provided on the sub-row L2. It has the conveyor 32 and the aerial conveyance means 33 which lifts and conveys a plate-shaped object. In the illustrated example, the main row joining conveyor 31 includes an upstream main row joining conveyor 31a provided at the same position as the sub row joining conveyor 32 in the transport direction, and a downstream side of the upstream main row joining conveyor 31a (i.e., the sub row joining conveyor 31a). A downstream main row joining conveyor 31b provided on the downstream side of the row joining conveyor 32). The main row joining conveyors 31a and 31b and the sub row joining conveyor 32 are constituted by, for example, belt conveyors.

  The downstream main row merging conveyor 31b is provided with a buffering means for reducing the impact for placing the plate-like object. In the present embodiment, a fluid supply device (not shown) is provided as a buffering means, and a work mounting surface of the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b is provided by a fluid (for example, water or air) supplied from the fluid supply device. By forming the fluid film on the (upper surface), the impact applied to the plate-like object placed on this surface is alleviated. The buffer means is not limited to the fluid supply device, and for example, the buffer means may be configured by forming a work mounting surface of the main merging conveyor 31b with a soft material (for example, rubber).

  The aerial conveyance unit 33 includes a holding unit 33a that holds a plate-like object, and a drive unit 33b that moves the holding unit 33a in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The holding part 33a holds the plate-like object from above. In the present embodiment, the holding part 33a includes an adsorption holding unit that sucks and holds the upper surface of the plate-like object. The suction holding means is provided at a position for sucking a plurality of places on the upper surface of each plate-like object, preferably three or more places not in the same straight line. In this manner, by holding the upper surface of the plate-like object by suction, the plate-like object placed on the belt conveyor can be lifted from the belt conveyor without being damaged. In the drawing, in order to make it easy to understand whether or not the holding portion 33a holds (sucks) the plate-like object, the suction holding means of the holding portion 33a is shown in a pseudo manner by an arm. That is, when the arm of the holding portion 33a is holding the plate-like object in the illustrated example, the holding portion 33a is in a state of holding the plate-like object by suction (hereinafter referred to as holding state), and the arm of the holding portion 33a is plate-like. When the object is released, the holding part 33a does not attract and hold the plate-like object (hereinafter referred to as a non-holding state).

  If the upper surface of the plate-like object is sucked and held by the suction holding means of the holding portion 33a, there is a possibility that a suction mark by the suction holding means may remain on the upper surface of the plate-like object. For example, if a water supply means for supplying water to the adsorbing part for the plate-like object by the holding part 33a is provided, it is possible to make it difficult for an adsorption mark to remain on the upper surface of the plate-like object.

  Each of the above conveyors (upstream conveyor 10, downstream conveyor 20, main row merging conveyors 31a and 31b, and sub-row merging conveyor 32) and aerial conveying means 33 are connected to a control unit (not shown), and each has a predetermined speed and timing. Driven.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for conveying a plate-like object using the plate-like object conveying apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 2 (a), the plate-like object placed on the upstream main row joining conveyor 31a is α0, and the plate-like objects upstream from this are α1, α2,. And Further, a plate-like object placed on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 is β0, and plate-like objects on the upstream side from this are β1, β2,. Moreover, the number in () shown adjacent to each conveyor has shown the conveyance speed (cm / s) of each conveyor.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the main merging conveyors 31a and 31b are driven at the same speed as the downstream conveyor 20 (for example, 20 cm / s), and the plate-like object α0 and the downstream side thereof. The plate-like material is conveyed downstream. When the plate-like object α0 is carried out from the upstream main row joining conveyor 31a, the driving of the upstream main row joining conveyor 31a is stopped {see FIG. 2 (c)}. In addition, while the conveyance by the plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus 1 is performed, the downstream conveyor 20 is always driven at a constant speed.

  In this way, while transporting the plate-like object α0 to the downstream side, the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33 is moved from above the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b to above the secondary row joining conveyor 32 {FIG. 2 (c). reference}. Then, the upper surface of the plate-like object β0 on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 is sucked and held by the holding portion 33a and lifted {see FIG. 2 (d)}. 2 to 5, the plate-like object that is lifted by the holding portion 33 a and is in the air is given a dot.

  Thus, when the plate-like object β0 is lifted from the sub-row merging conveyor 32 and the plate-like object α0 is carried out from the upstream main merging conveyor 31a, the upstream conveyor 10, the upstream main merging conveyor 31a, The row joining conveyor 32 is driven at a higher speed (for example, 80 cm / s) than the downstream conveyor 20 {see FIG. 2 (e)}. When the plate-like objects α1 and β1 are carried out from the upstream conveyor 10, the upstream conveyor 10 is stopped {see FIG. 2 (f)}. Further, when the plate-like objects α1 and β1 are arranged at predetermined positions on the upstream main row joining conveyor 31 and the sub row joining conveyor 32, the upstream main row joining conveyor 31a and the sub row joining conveyor 32 are stopped { See FIG. 2 (g)}.

  In this way, while the plate-like objects α0, α1, β1, etc. are being conveyed downstream, the plate-like object β0 held by the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33 is conveyed toward the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b. {Refer to FIG. 2 (e) to (g)}. In the present embodiment, the plate-like object β0 is conveyed by the aerial conveying means 33 in an oblique direction inclined toward the main row L1 toward the downstream side. In the illustrated example, the plate-like object β0 held by the holding unit 33a is conveyed along a straight line connecting the sub-row merging conveyor 32 and the downstream main merging conveyor 31b, and above the downstream main merging conveyor 31b. {See FIG. 2 (e) to (g)}. Thus, when the plate-like object α0 passes below the plate-like object β0 waiting in the air, the holding of the plate-like object β0 by the holding portion 33a is released at a predetermined timing, and the downstream main drive driven at a low speed is released. A plate-like object β0 is placed on the line joining conveyor 31b {see FIG. 2 (h)}. Specifically, when the conveyance direction pitch P between the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object β0 reaches a predetermined value, the holding by the holding unit 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33 is released. At this time, although the plate-like object β0 falls freely from a predetermined height, in this embodiment, the main row joining conveyor 31b is constituted by a belt conveyor, and water supplied from the water supply device is provided on the upper surface of the belt. Since the water film is formed by this, the impact at the time of dropping is relieved and the damage to the plate-like object β0 is avoided. By repeating the above steps, the sub-row plate-like objects β0, β1,... Are arranged between the main-row plate-like objects α0, α1, thereby joining the double-row plate-like objects into a single row. And then carried out to the downstream conveyor 20.

  In this way, the plate-like object β0 on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 is lifted by the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33 and conveyed to the downstream main-line merging conveyor 31b, thereby conveying the plate-like object β0 and the downstream conveyed in the air. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the plate-like object α0 on the main row joining conveyor 31b on the side interferes. Further, by holding the plate-like object β0 from above by the holding part 33a, the holding part 33a is arranged above the plate-like object β0, so that the plate-like object β0 held by the holding part 33a is replaced with the plate-like object α0. Even when passing above, the interference between the holding portion 33a and the plate-like object α0 can be avoided. As described above, the plate-like object β0 on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 can be arranged above the downstream main row merging conveyor 31b without worrying about interference with the plate-like object α0. β0 can be placed immediately upstream of the plate-like object α0. At this time, since it is not necessary to stop the downstream conveyor 20, the conveyance direction pitch between the plate-like objects α and β joined in a single row can be reduced without lowering the conveyance efficiency.

  In addition, as described above, the plate-like object β held by the holding unit 33a of the aerial conveying means 33 is held on the downstream side main merging conveyor 31b and the plate-like object β is adsorbed by the holding unit 33a. By adjusting the timing for releasing the holding, it is possible to adjust the transport direction pitch between the plate-like object β placed on the main merging conveyor 31b and the plate-like objects α, β on the downstream side thereof.

  Moreover, when delivering a plate-shaped object between adjacent conveyors, the conveyance speed of these conveyors is made constant. Thereby, sliding with a plate-shaped object and a conveyor is avoided, and a plate-shaped object can be delivered smoothly.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Hereinafter, although other embodiment of this invention is described, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which has the function similar to said embodiment, and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 3 shows another example of the procedure for transporting a plate-shaped object using the above-described plate-shaped object transporting device 1. In this embodiment, first, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the downstream conveyor 20 and the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b are driven at a low speed, and the downstream side of the plate-like object α0 is plate-like. Transport the goods downstream. And if a plate-shaped object is carried out from the downstream main line merge conveyor 31b, the main line merge conveyor 31a, 31b will be driven at high speed, and plate-shaped object (alpha) 0 will be conveyed downstream {FIG.3 (c)-( e) See}. When the conveyance direction pitch between the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object β reaches a predetermined value, the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b is switched to low speed operation, and the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object on the downstream side thereof are switched. It is conveyed downstream at an equal pitch.

  In this way, while the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object on the downstream side are being conveyed downstream, the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveying means 33 is moved above the sub-row merging conveyor 32, and the sub-row merging conveyor The upper surface of the plate-like object β0 on 32 is picked up and lifted {see FIG. 3 (d)}. Then, the plate-like object β0 held by the holding part 33a is conveyed to the upper side of the downstream main row merging conveyor 31b and waits at this position {see FIGS. 3 (e) to 3 (g)}. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3C to 3E, the plate-like object α0 is conveyed at a higher speed than the plate-like object on the downstream side by the main-line merging conveyors 31a and 31b, These conveyance direction pitches are shortened. Therefore, the conveyance direction of the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object on the downstream side thereof is adjusted by adjusting the conveyance speed of the plate-like object α0 at this time and the timing for switching the conveyance speed of the plate-like object α0 from high speed to low speed. The pitch can be set arbitrarily. On the other hand, as described above, the pitch in the conveyance direction between the plate-like object β0 and the plate-like object α0 on the downstream side thereof is adjusted by adjusting the timing for releasing the holding of the plate-like object β0 by the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33. Can be adjusted. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily change the transport direction pitch of the plate-like objects α and β joined in a single row.

  FIG. 4 shows still another example of a plate-shaped material conveyance procedure using the above-described plate-shaped material conveyance device 1. The present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that the main row merging conveyors 31a and 31b and the downstream conveyor 20 are always driven at a constant speed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the main merging conveyors 31a and 31b and the downstream conveyor 20 are driven at a low speed, and the plate-like object α0 mounted on these and the downstream plate are provided. The state is conveyed downstream. Then, when the conveyance direction interval between the plate-like object α0 and the plate-like object α1 becomes a predetermined distance (twice the conveyance direction pitch of the plate-like object on the downstream conveyor 20), the upstream conveyor 10 is changed to the downstream conveyor 20 or the like. Driving at the same speed, the plate-like objects α1 and β1 are respectively transferred onto the upstream main merging conveyor 31a and the auxiliary merging conveyor 32 {see FIGS. 4 (e) to 4 (g)}. At this time, the plate-like objects α0 and α1 are conveyed while maintaining a predetermined interval.

  While the plate-like object α0 and the like are being conveyed downstream in this way, the plate-like object β0 on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 is sucked and held by the holding portion 33a of the aerial conveyance means 33 {see FIG. 4 (c). }, It conveys toward the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b {see FIGS. 4D to 4G}. When the plate-like object β0 held by the holding part 33a is arranged at the center in the carrying direction of the plate-like objects α0, α1 conveyed at a predetermined interval on the main row conveyance path L1, the plate shape by the holding part 33a is arranged. The holding of the object β0 is released, and the plate-like object β0 is placed on the downstream main row joining conveyor 31b {see FIG. 4 (h)}.

  According to this embodiment, since it is not necessary to drive each conveyor at high speed, less energy is required to drive each conveyor. Further, in the illustrated example, the main row joining conveyors 31a and 31b and the downstream conveyor 20 are configured by separate conveyors, but since these are all driven at a constant speed, they can also be configured by an integral conveyor. .

  FIG. 5 shows a plate-like object conveying apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. This plate-shaped object conveying apparatus is configured by a conveyor C in which a main row merging and conveying part and a downstream conveying part are integrated. That is, the upstream end portion of the conveyor C functions as the main row joining and conveying unit 31, and the downstream side portion functions as the downstream conveying unit 20. The main merging / conveying section 31 is provided at the same position as the sub-row merging conveyor 32 in the conveying direction.

  This plate-like object conveying device is different from the above-described embodiment in that the plate-like object β is conveyed in the width direction by the aerial conveying means 33. Specifically, first, all the conveyors are driven, and all the plate-like objects mounted on the conveyors are conveyed to the downstream side {see FIGS. 5B and 5C}. Then, when the plate-like objects α1 and β1 are transferred onto the main row joining and conveying unit 31 (upstream end of the conveyor C) and the sub row joining conveyor 32, respectively, the upstream conveyor 10 and the sub row joining conveyor 32 are stopped {FIG. 5 (d)}. After that, while conveying the plate-like object α1 and the plate-like object on the downstream side thereof on the conveyor C to the downstream side, the holding part 33a of the aerial conveying means 33 sucks and holds the upper surface of the plate-like object β1 and lifts it. It is conveyed in the direction {refer to FIG. When the plate-like object α1 is conveyed to a predetermined position, the holding of the plate-like object β1 by the holding unit 33a is released, and the plate-like object β1 is placed on the main row joining and conveying unit 31 {FIG. reference}.

  In this embodiment, since the plate-like object β on the sub-row merging conveyor 32 is conveyed in the width direction, the downstream main-row merging conveyor provided in the above embodiment becomes unnecessary, so that the merging and conveying unit It is possible to reduce the equipment space by shortening the length in the conveying direction.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the double-row plate-like objects α and β are collectively conveyed by the upstream conveyor 10 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upstream conveyor 10 is used for the plate-like objects α in the main row L1. The conveyor may be divided into a conveyor that conveys the plate-like objects β in the sub-row L2, and may be independently conveyed.

  Moreover, although the case where each conveyor was a belt conveyor was shown in the above embodiment, it may be not only a belt conveyor but a roller conveyor, for example.

  Moreover, although the case where the sub-row L2 was provided in one row was shown in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more sub-rows L2 may be provided. In this case, if the number of the aerial conveyance means 33 is the same as the number of the sub-rows L2, the conveyance can be performed efficiently.

1 Plate-like Material Transfer Device 10 Upstream Conveyor (Upstream Conveying Unit)
20 Downstream conveyor (downstream transport section)
30 merging / conveying section 31 main line merging conveyor (main merging / conveying section)
31a Upstream main row joining conveyor 31b Downstream main row joining conveyor 32 Subrow joining conveyor (subrow joining and conveying section)
33 Air transport means 33a Holding portion L1 Main row L2 Sub row P Transport direction pitch α, β Plate

Claims (6)

An upstream conveyance unit that conveys a plate-like object in a double row along a main row and a sub-row, a downstream conveyance unit that conveys a plate-like material in a single row along the main row, the upstream conveyance unit, and the downstream conveyance A plate-like object conveying device provided with a merging and conveying unit that merges the double-row plate-like objects carried in from the upstream conveying part into a single row and carries them out to the downstream conveying part. ,
The merging / conveying section includes a main row merging / conveying section provided on the main row, a sub-row merging / conveying section provided on the sub-row, and a plate-like object carried into the sub-row merging / conveying portion. A plate-like object conveying apparatus comprising: an aerial conveying means that holds and lifts from above and transfers to the main row merging and conveying unit.   The main row merging / conveying section is provided downstream of the sub-row merging / conveying section, and the plate-like object held by the aerial conveying means is conveyed in an oblique direction inclined toward the main row toward the downstream side. Item 2. The plate-like object conveying apparatus according to Item 1.   The aerial conveying means holding the plate-like material is put on standby above the main row merging / conveying section, the holding by the aerial conveying means is released at a predetermined timing, and the plate-like object is placed on the main merging / merging / conveying section. The plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 to set.   The plate-like objects carried into the main row merging and conveying section from the upstream conveying section are conveyed to the downstream side at a higher speed than the plate-like objects on the downstream side, and the pitch in the conveying direction is reduced. 4. The plate-like object conveying device according to any one of 3 above.   The plate-shaped object conveyance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 which comprised the said downstream conveyance part and the said main row confluence | merging conveyance part with the integral conveyor. The main row merging / conveying section and the sub-row merging / conveying section are provided at the same position in the conveying direction of the main row, and the plate-like object held by the aerial conveying means is conveyed in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Item 2. The plate-like object conveying apparatus according to Item 1 .

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