JP6451540B2 - Conveying apparatus, conveying method of conveyed object, and conveying equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that transports a transported body along a transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path, a transport method of the transported body using the transport device, and the The present invention relates to a transport facility provided with a transport device.

  In a conventional transport facility, the transported body is transported at a high speed, the transported body is temporarily stopped at a predetermined stop position, a predetermined process is performed on the transported body, and then the transported body is raised again. There is a conveying device that accelerates and conveys. For example, a recording information update device (laser beam generator [marker and eraser]) that writes information on or erases written information on a rewritable label attached to a transport container (conveyed body) is placed on the side of the transport device. In the transport facility (for example, Patent Document 1), the transport container is transported at a high speed, and the transport container is temporarily stopped at a stop position corresponding to the record information update device, and the record information is written in the record information update device. After erasing is completed, the transport container is again accelerated at high speed and transported.

  In such a transport facility, the time when the transported body is stopped from the high-speed transport state and the high-speed transport state from the stopped state by high acceleration or high deceleration of the transported body at positions before and after the stop position. It is necessary to shorten the time. On the other hand, in order to accurately perform processing by the recording information updating device or the like at the stop position, it is necessary to sufficiently stop and position the transported body at the stop position.

Japanese Patent No. 4790355

  However, in such a transport facility, the transported body being transported at a high speed is decelerated at high speed and stopped at the stop position. Therefore, the acceleration (decelerated transport) generated in the transported body during the decelerated transport by the transport device. In some cases, the object to be conveyed cannot be conveyed following the acceleration G). For this reason, there are cases where the transported body rattles at the stop position or warps in the reverse direction of the transport direction, and the stop and positioning at the stop position cannot be sufficiently performed.

  Further, in such a transport facility, since the transported body is accelerated at a high speed in order to bring the transported body in a stopped state into a high-speed transport state in a short time, the transported body slides on the transport surface of the transport device, In some cases, the object to be conveyed cannot be conveyed following the acceleration (acceleration G at the time of accelerated conveyance) generated in the object to be conveyed during accelerated conveyance by the conveyance device. Therefore, on the contrary, it takes time until the transported object in the stopped state is brought into the high-speed transport state.

  Therefore, the present invention can sufficiently stop and position at a predetermined stop position on the transport path, and can shorten the time required for the transported body to be in the high-speed transport state from the stopped state. It aims at providing a conveyance method and conveyance equipment.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.

In other words, the transport apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a transport apparatus that transports the transported body along the transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path. A positioning unit that positions the transported body at the stop position, and the positioning unit positions the transported body when the transported body is decelerated and also performs the positioning of the transported body when the transported body is accelerated. The upstream side surface with respect to the transport direction of the transport body is pushed out.
In the above configuration, the positioning unit performs both the positioning of the transported body and the pushing out of the transported body in the transport direction.

The invention according to claim 2 is the transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit is a standby position before positioning the transported object and a stationary position for positioning the transported object. Is provided so as to be movable corresponding to the transport of the transported object to the stop position, and pushes the transported object in the transport direction when moving from the stationary position to the standby position. is there.
In the above configuration, when the positioning unit moves (returns) from the stationary position to the standby position, the object to be conveyed is pushed in the conveying direction.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 is the transfer device according to claim 2, wherein the positioning portion is formed by a flap-like rotating body, and rotates the rotating body from the stationary position to the standby position. Thus, the object to be transported is pushed out in the transport direction.
In the above configuration, the object to be transported is pushed out in the transport direction by the rotational force of the flap-shaped rotating body.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 is the conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning unit is configured to move the positioning body from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the conveyed body. The positioning operation and the extrusion operation are performed.
In the above configuration, the transported body is positioned and extruded from the upstream side in the transport direction of the transported body.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 5 is the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning unit conveys the object to be conveyed when the object to be conveyed is decelerated. A downstream positioning member for positioning from the downstream side in the direction and an upstream positioning member for positioning from the upstream side in the transport direction of the transported body, and the upstream positioning member is The object to be transported is pushed out in the transport direction.

  In the above configuration, the transported body is positioned by the upstream positioning member and the downstream positioning member when the transported body is decelerated, and the transported body is pushed out by the upstream positioning member when the transported body is accelerated.

Furthermore, the transport method of the transport object according to claim 6 is performed by a transport device that transports the transport object along the transport path and stops the transport object at a predetermined stop position on the transport path. A method for transporting a transported body, the positioning unit provided in the transport device for positioning the transported body at the stop position positions the transported body when the transported body is decelerated, Extruding the upstream side surface with respect to the transport direction of the transported body during acceleration of the transported body.
In the above configuration, the positioning unit performs both the positioning of the transported body and the pushing out of the transported body in the transport direction.

Furthermore, the transport facility according to claim 7 includes a transport facility that transports the transported body along the transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path. The transport apparatus includes a positioning unit that positions the transported body at the stop position, and the positioning unit positions the transported body when the transported body is decelerated, and The upstream side surface with respect to the transport direction of the transported body is pushed out when the transport body is accelerated.
In the above configuration, the positioning unit of the transport device performs both the positioning of the transported body and the extrusion of the transported body in the transport direction.

According to the transfer device, the transfer method of the transfer object, and the transfer facility of the present invention, the positioning unit that positions the transfer object directly extrudes the transfer object in the transfer direction. The stop and positioning at the stop position can be sufficiently performed, and the transferred object can be efficiently transferred from the stopped state to the high-speed transfer state in a short time.
Since the positioning unit combines the positioning of the transported body and the extrusion of the transported body in the transport direction, it is not necessary to provide a separate means for assisting acceleration of the transported body. Therefore, the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

It is a plane layout view of the sorting equipment according to the present invention. (A) is a perspective view of a delivery container used in the sorting facility according to the present invention, (b) is a perspective view when the delivery container is folded, and (c) is a perspective view when the delivery container is folded. (D) is a front view of the rewritable label affixed to the delivery container. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the sorting equipment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the conveyance apparatus of the marker vicinity in the sorting equipment which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of the conveyance apparatus of the marker vicinity in the sorting equipment which concerns on this invention. It is a side view of the conveyance apparatus of the marker vicinity in the sorting equipment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view of the conveyance apparatus of the marker vicinity in the sorting equipment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of the positioning part of the conveying apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the conveying apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a side surface schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the positioning part of the conveying apparatus which concerns on this invention.

The sorting equipment 1 (an example of “transport equipment”) including the transport apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described. In addition, this invention is not limited to the sorting equipment 1 shown below.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sorting facility 1 is a facility that sorts and ships articles to a delivery container 2 (an example of a “conveyed object”).
The delivery container 2 is a container that can store articles, and is configured by a folding container (Oricon). In addition, the container which concerns on this invention is not limited to a folding container (Oricon), What is necessary is just a container which can accommodate articles | goods.
As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the delivery container 2 has a rewritable label 3 attached to its side surface. The rewritable label 3 is a seal-like reversible recording medium that has a reversible recording layer whose state changes reversibly and can write and erase information 95 by changing the state of the reversible recording layer. . The rewritable label 3 is not limited to a seal-like reversible recording medium, and has a reversible recording layer whose state changes reversibly, and information can be obtained by changing the state of the reversible recording layer. For example, a plate-like reversible recording medium may be used as long as it is a reversible recording medium capable of writing and erasing 95.
In addition, a fixed barcode 90 for identifying the delivery container 2 itself is attached to the side surface of the delivery container 2. The fixed barcode 90 is a unique identifier assigned to each delivery container 2 and can be identified by reading with a barcode reader 73 or 83 described later.
Furthermore, as shown to Fig.2 (a), the delivery container 2 is provided with the display part 91 which displays the sticking position (attachment position) of the rewritable label 3 in the half of one side of the upper end part. In the display unit 91, the upper edge portion of the surface of the delivery container 2 where the rewritable label 3 is affixed is formed in a strip shape with a color different from the color of the delivery container 2. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the delivery container 2 is configured to be foldable. Before sorting the articles, the surface 2a to which the rewritable label 3 is attached is inside as shown in FIG. 2 (c). It is conveyed in a folded state. Therefore, when the delivery container 2 is folded, it cannot be instantaneously identified on which surface the rewritable label 3 is attached. Therefore, by providing the display unit 91 at the upper end portion of the delivery container 2, the application position (attachment position) of the rewritable label 3 can be instantly identified when the delivery container 2 is folded. The display unit 91 is not limited to the color of the upper end portion of the delivery container 2 formed in a strip shape with a different color, and may be a system that can instantly identify the application position (attachment position) of the rewritable label 3. For example, an identifier such as a label or a mark may be attached to the upper end portion of the surface to which the rewritable label 3 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting facility 1 includes a transport device 10 for transporting the delivery container 2, a container loading area 8 for feeding the delivery container 2 into the transport device 10, and a sorting area 6 for sorting articles. And an inspection / shipment area 7 for inspecting and shipping the sorted articles.
In the sorting facility 1, the areas are arranged in the order of a container loading area 8, a sorting area 6, and an inspection / shipping area 7 along a transport path 11 in the transport device 10. And the delivery container 2 is comprised so that each area may be conveyed in order.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10 is provided between a container loading area 8 and an inspection / shipping area 7 via a sorting area 6. The transport apparatus 10 is formed by branch transport paths 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, 11 e, and 11 f that are branched into a plurality of upstream transport paths 11 for a plurality of sorting areas 6. That is, in the sorting facility 1, the delivery containers 2 transported from the branch transport paths 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, 11 e, and 11 f branched into a plurality are merged in the transport path 11 on the upstream side of the sort area 6. Are transferred to one of the sorting areas 6.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container loading area 8 is an area provided on the upstream side of the transport apparatus 10 (an area located on the upstream side with respect to the sorting area 6). In the container loading area 8, there are provided a stage separating machine 81 for separating the stacked delivery containers 2 one by one and a container assembling machine 82 for assembling the folded delivery containers 2.
An erasing machine 5 for erasing information 95 written on the rewritable label 3 provided in the delivery container 2 is provided in the container loading area 8 and on the side of the transport device 10 downstream of the container assembling machine 82. It has been. That is, the erasing machine 5 is provided in the transport path 11 on the upstream side with respect to the sorting area 6. The erasing machine 5 erases the information 95 described on the rewritable label 3 by scanning the rewritable label 3 with a laser beam. One or a plurality of erasing machines 5 are provided in each of the branch conveyance paths 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f obtained by branching the upstream conveyance path 11 with respect to the sorting area 6. By providing the eraser 5 in each of the branch conveyance paths 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f, even if a certain eraser 5 is stopped due to a failure, the information 95 can be erased by another eraser 5, Articles can be sorted without deteriorating the conveying capacity of the delivery container 2 to the sorting area 6. In addition, since the erasing machines 5 can be arranged according to the conveyance capacity of the delivery container 2 to the sorting area 6, the number of erasing machines 5 installed can be minimized.
Further, a first bar code reader 83 is provided in the container loading area 8 and on the side of the transport device 10 on the downstream side of the erasing machine 5. The first barcode reader 83 is provided so as to be able to read a fixed barcode 90 and a barcode 96 described later. Further, a color sensor 85 is provided on the side of the transport device 10 on the downstream side of the first barcode reader 83. The color sensor 85 detects the color of the delivery container 2. The scanning range of the color sensor 85 is the delivery container 2 and the rewritable label 3 attached to the delivery container 2. If the color sensor 85 is turned on during scanning of the color sensor 85, it can be determined that the color sensor 85 has identified the color of the delivery container 2. Further, if the color sensor 85 is turned off during scanning by the color sensor 85, it can be determined that the color sensor 85 has identified the color of the rewritable label 3. The time during which the color sensor 85 is turned off during the scanning of the color sensor 85 is a fixed time as long as the rewritable label 3 is properly attached to the delivery container 2. Therefore, when the color sensor 85 is OFF for a predetermined time, it is determined that the rewritable label 3 is attached to the delivery container 2, and when the color sensor 85 is OFF for a time shorter than the predetermined time, the delivery is performed. It is determined that the rewritable label 3 is peeled off from the container 2 (the rewritable label 3 has not been attached to the delivery container 2 from the beginning).

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting area 6 is an area provided on the downstream side of the container charging area 8, and a plurality (two areas in FIG. 1) are provided in the sorting equipment 1. In the sorting area 6, a transport line 66 that circulates and transports the delivery container 2 and a storage shelf 65 that stores articles to be put into the delivery container 2 transported by the transport line 66 are provided. In the sorting area 6, a plurality of storage shelves 65 are arranged along the transport line 66.
Further, a load height detection device 67 is provided on the downstream side (exit side) of the sorting area 6. The load height detection device 67 is provided above the transport device 10 and detects the load height of the delivery container 2 (the height of the article stored in the delivery container 2) after the sorting of the articles is completed in the sorting area 6. A detection sensor (not shown) is provided. Based on the detection result of the load height detection device 67, it is determined whether or not to perform a box increasing operation described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection / shipment area 7 is an area provided on the downstream side of the sorting area 6. In the inspection / shipping area 7, an inspection device 71 for inspecting whether or not a predetermined article has been put into the delivery container 2 and a container loading device for preparing the shipment by stacking the delivery containers 2 that have been inspected. 72.
In addition, a marker 4 for writing information 95 (FIG. 2D) on the rewritable label 3 of the delivery container 2 is provided in the inspection / shipping area 7 and on the side of the transport device 10 upstream of the inspection device 71. It has been. That is, the marker 4 is provided in the transport path 11 on the downstream side with respect to the sorting area 6. The marker 4 writes information 95 on the rewritable label 3 by scanning the rewritable label 3 with laser light.
Furthermore, a second barcode reader 73 is provided in the inspection / shipping area 7 and on the side of the transport device 10 downstream of the marker 4. The second barcode reader 73 is provided so as to be able to read a fixed barcode 90 and a barcode 96 described later.

The marker 4 writes information 95 on the rewritable label 3 as shown in FIG. The information 95 includes, for example, information about the delivery container 2 such as the number of the delivery container 2, the shipping destination of the articles stored in the delivery container 2, the number of the delivery vehicle to be delivered, and the delivery date, and the delivery container 2. For example, information on the goods (item sorting information).
In addition, the marker 4 writes, together with the information 95, a barcode 96 indicating that the marker 4 has properly written the information 95 on the rewritable label 3. That is, the marker 4 writes an identifier for confirming writing (printing) of the information 95 to the rewritable label 3. The barcode 96 is a known identifier that represents a numerical value or a character by the thickness of a striped line, and is configured to be readable by the barcode readers 73 and 83 (identifier reading unit).
Since the barcode 96 is written on the rewritable label 3 together with the information 95, the second barcode reader 73 reads the barcode 96 to simultaneously confirm that the information 95 is properly written on the rewritable label 3. (If the second barcode reader 73 does not read the barcode 96, it can be confirmed that the information 95 is not properly written on the rewritable label 3 (writing failure)).
Further, the barcode 96 is erased from the rewritable label 3 by the erasing machine 5. Therefore, the first barcode reader 83 does not read the barcode 96 on the rewritable label 3 processed by the erasing machine 5, thereby confirming that the information 95 is properly erased from the rewritable label 3. (When the first barcode reader 83 reads the barcode 96, it can be confirmed that the information 95 has not been properly erased from the rewritable label 3 (erase failure)).

Further, the barcode 96 is configured to be associated with information 95 written on the rewritable label 3. That is, by reading the barcode 96 with the second barcode reader 73, the content of the information 95 written on the rewritable label 3 together with the barcode 96 can be confirmed.
Furthermore, the barcode 96 is configured to be associated with the fixed barcode 90. That is, by reading the barcode 96 with the second barcode reader 73, whether or not the information 95 is appropriately written on the rewritable label 3 and the contents of the information 95 written on the rewritable label 3 are determined. 2 can be identified and confirmed.

As described above, the barcode 96 is a means for confirming that the predetermined information 95 is written on the rewritable label 3, and a means for confirming that the information 95 is erased from the rewritable label 3. 2 and a means for confirming the contents of the information 95 written on the rewritable label 3.
The identifier according to the present invention is not limited to the barcode 96, and may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) if the marker 4 is an identifier that can be written on the rewritable label 3 together with the information 95. It does not matter. Further, the bar code 96 is not particularly limited as long as the bar code 96 is on the rewritable label 3 and does not hinder the display of the information 95. From the viewpoint of accurately confirming the writing of the information 95 on the rewritable label 3. The barcode 96 is preferably written on the rewritable label 3 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the delivery container 2. Further, the bar code 96 is desirably written in a direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the transport direction of the delivery container 2 from the viewpoint of reading by the second bar code reader 73.

Next, the control configuration of the sorting equipment 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the sorting facility 1 is controlled by an overall controller 80 that controls the entire sorting facility 1. The overall controller 80 is connected to the area controllers 6A, 7A, 8A and the transport apparatus controller 10A in the area via the hub 86.
The overall controller 80 transmits the control signal to each device in the areas 6, 7, 8 via the area controllers 6A, 7A, 8A in the areas 6, 7, 8 to thereby each device in the areas 6, 7, 8 To control. The overall controller 80 controls the transport apparatus 10 by transmitting a control signal to the transport apparatus controller 10A. Further, the overall controller 80 analyzes the detection data detected in the areas 6, 7, 8 and the transfer device 10, and based on the result of the detected detection data, each device and transfer device in the areas 6, 7, 8 10 is controlled. Further, the overall controller 80 stores the information 95 and the information of the fixed barcode 90 (information unique to the delivery container 2) in a state linked to the information of the barcode 96. Therefore, the information 95 and the information of the fixed barcode 90 (information unique to the delivery container 2) can be retrieved by reading the barcode 96 with a barcode reader at the time of shipment or after shipment.

The transport device 10 is provided with a transport device controller 10 </ b> A that controls the transport device 10. The transport device controller 10A includes a drive unit 10a that drives the transport device 10 via the hub 10c, a display unit 10b that displays various information on the transport device 10, and the delivery container 2 before and after the marker 4 or the eraser 5. The first sensor 61 and the second sensor 62 that detect passage are connected.
In the container loading area 8, a container loading area controller 8A for controlling each device in the container loading area 8 is provided. The container loading area controller 8A is connected to the corrugating machine 81, the container assembling machine 82, the erasing machine 5, the first barcode reader 83, the warning alarm device 84, and the color sensor 85 via the hub 8a. Has been.
The sorting area 6 is provided with a sorting area controller 6A for controlling each device in the sorting area 6. The sorting area controller 6A is connected to a storage shelf 65, a transport line 66, and a load height detection device 67 via a hub 6a.
The inspection / shipping area 7 is provided with an inspection / shipping area controller 7A for controlling each device in the inspection / shipping area 7. The inspection / shipment area controller 7A is connected to an inspection device 71, a container loading device 72, a marker 4, a second barcode reader 73, and a warning alarm device 74 via a hub 7a.

Next, the operation in the sorting facility 1 will be described.
In the sorting facility 1, the delivery container 2 thrown in the container throwing area 8 is transported to the sorting area 6 by the transport device 10. Then, the articles to be sorted are put into the delivery container 2 transported to the sorting area 6 and are transported as they are to the inspection / shipping area 7 by the transport device 10 and delivered to customers.
In the container loading area 8, the delivery containers 2 that are folded and stacked are separated one by one by the corrugating machine 81. Then, the delivery containers 2 that are separated one by one are assembled by the container assembly machine 82 so that the articles can be accommodated therein.
The delivery container 2 assembled by the container assembling machine 82 is conveyed at high speed to the erasing machine 5, decelerated at a high speed before the erasing machine 5, and temporarily stopped at a predetermined stop position T. Then, after the information 95 written on the rewritable label 3 is erased by the erasing machine 5, the delivery container 2 is transported at a high acceleration again. At this time, the rewritable label 3 and the fixed barcode 90 of the delivery container 2 are read by the first barcode reader 83. Then, the overall controller 80 determines whether or not the information 95 on the rewritable label 3 has been erased by the eraser 5 based on the reading result of the first barcode reader 83.

The delivery container 2 from which the information 95 on the rewritable label 3 has been erased by the eraser 5 is conveyed to the conveyance line 66. In the sorting area 6, the worker N arranged along the transport line 66 picks a predetermined article from the storage shelf 65 based on the article request information of the delivery destination, and puts the picked article into the predetermined delivery container 2. By sorting, articles are sorted.
The delivery container 2 in which the sorting of the articles is completed passes through the load height detection device 67, and it is determined whether or not the delivery container 2 is filled with the sorted articles. When the detection sensor of the load height detection device 67 detects an article in the delivery container 2, it is determined that the delivery container 2 is full of sorted articles. Then, the worker N puts the empty delivery container 2 into the transport apparatus 10 (performs a box expansion operation), and sorts the articles in the delivery container 2 that are full into the filled empty delivery container 2. When the detection sensor of the load height detection device 67 does not detect the article in the delivery container 2, the delivery container 2 is conveyed to the inspection / shipping area 7 as it is.
The delivery container 2 in which the sorting of the articles has been completed is conveyed to the marker 4 at a high speed, decelerated at a high speed before the marker 4, and temporarily stopped at a predetermined stop position T. Then, after the information 95 and the barcode 96 are written on the rewritable label 3 by the marker 4, the delivery container 2 is transported at a high acceleration again. At this time, the fixed barcode 90 and the barcode 96 on the delivery container 2 are read by the second barcode reader 73. Then, the overall controller 80 determines whether information 95 has been written on the rewritable label 3 by the marker 4 based on the reading result of the second barcode reader 73.
The delivery container 2 in which the information 95 is written by the marker 4 is conveyed to the inspection device 71, and the inspection of the article is performed. Then, the delivery container 2 determined by the inspection device 71 that a predetermined article has been put in is transported to the container stacking device 72 and stacked to prepare for shipment.

Next, the configuration of the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the marker 4 will be described. Note that the following configuration is the same for the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the erasing machine 5, and thus the description of the configuration of the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the erasing machine 5 is omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveying device 10 provided in the vicinity of the marker 4 is constituted by a two-belt conveyor 12. That is, the transport device 10 is configured by arranging two (a pair) belts at both ends in the width direction of the transport path 11. The conveying apparatus 10 is configured by arranging a plurality of two-belt belt conveyors 12 in series. The driving of the plurality of two-belt belt conveyors 12 is controlled independently. Moreover, the conveyance apparatus 10 provided in the marker 4 vicinity is comprised by the three independent 2 item | stripes belt conveyors 12A, 12B, and 12C. The double belt conveyors 12A, 12B, and 12C are located upstream of the transport path 11 in the order of the double belt conveyor 12A, the double belt conveyor 12B, and the double belt conveyor 12C with reference to the stop position T before the marker 4. Are arranged in series. Here, the stop position T is a position where the delivery container 2 is stopped so that the rewritable label 3 of the delivery container 2 faces the laser beam scanning portion of the marker 4. That is, the stop position T is an optimum stop position of the delivery container 2 for a processing device such as the marker 4 to perform a predetermined process on the delivery container 2.

The double belt conveyor 12 </ b> A is provided at a position facing the marker 4. That is, the double belt conveyor 12A is provided at the stop position T. The double belt conveyor 12A is a conveyor that stops the delivery container 2 conveyed from the upstream double belt conveyor 12B at a stop position T before the marker 4 and accelerates and conveys it again after the processing of the marker 4.
The double belt conveyors 12B and 12C are provided in series on the upstream side of the double belt conveyor 12A. The double belt conveyors 12B and 12C are conveyors for temporarily stopping the upstream delivery container 2 and waiting in front of the stop position T when the delivery container 2 is present on the double belt conveyor 12A.

Here, the operation of the double belt conveyors 12A, 12B, and 12C will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the delivery container 2 is waiting on the two-belt belt conveyors 12B, 12C and the two-belt belt conveyor 12 on the upstream side of the two-belt belt conveyor 12C, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the two delivery containers 2 waiting on the double belt conveyors 12B and 12C are simultaneously transported to the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 9C, when information 95 is written on the rewritable label 3 of the delivery container 2 where the marker 4 is stopped on the double belt conveyor 12A, the upstream side of the double belt conveyor 12C is recorded. The delivery container 2 waiting on the double belt conveyor 12 is conveyed to the double belt conveyor 12B. As shown in FIG. 9D, when the writing of the information 95 to the delivery container 2 by the marker 4 is completed, the delivery container 2 stopped on the double belt conveyor 12A is accelerated and conveyed downstream. At the same time, the two delivery containers 2 waiting on the double belt conveyors 12B and 12C are simultaneously conveyed to the downstream side. As described above, in the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the marker 4, the two delivery containers 2 waiting on the double belt conveyors 12B and 12C are simultaneously transported to the downstream side and stopped on the double belt conveyor 12A. The marker 4 writes information 95 on the rewritable label 3 of the container 2.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the stop position T is provided with a positioning portion 20 for positioning the delivery container 2 in front of the marker 4.
The positioning part 20 is a part for positioning the delivery container 2 on the transport device 10 so that the rewritable label 3 of the delivery container 2 faces the laser light scanning part of the marker 4. The positioning unit 20 is provided between the two belts in the two-belt conveyor 12A. By providing the positioning unit 20 between the two belts in the two-belt conveyor 12A, the delivery container 2 can be positioned without hindering the processing operation of the marker 4 provided on the side of the conveying device 10. The positioning unit 20 mainly includes a movable stopper 21 (an example of a “downstream side positioning member”) and a rotary pusher 22 (an example of an “upstream side positioning member”). The movable stopper 21 and the rotary pusher 22 are arranged at an interval at which the delivery container 2 stopped at the stop position T can be pinched with the stop position T as the center.

  The movable stopper 21 is a part that positions the delivery container 2 on the downstream side (front side) in the transport direction when the delivery container 2 stops at the stop position T. The movable stopper 21 is provided between the two belts in the two-belt belt conveyor 12A. The movable stopper 21 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction between the belts of the double belt conveyor 12A. The movable stopper 21 may be provided between the two belts in the two-belt conveyors 12B and 12C. In this case, the movable stopper 21 positions the delivery container 2 stopped on the two-belt conveyors 12B and 12C on the downstream side (front side) in the transport direction.

The movable stopper 21 includes a front positioning portion 23 that positions the delivery container 2 and a support portion 24 that supports the front positioning portion 23.
The front positioning portion 23 is a portion configured by a plate-like member extending in the width direction of the transport path in the transport device 10. One end of the front positioning portion 23 (the end on the downstream side in the conveyance direction) is bent upward (in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface H of the two-belt belt conveyor 12A), and the conveyance surface H of the two-belt belt conveyor 12A. It is provided so that it can protrude.
The support part 24 is a part provided by the lower part of the front positioning part 23, and the member comprised by the member which supports the front positioning part 23 from the downward direction. The support portion 24 is connected to first driving means 51 such as an air cylinder, and moves in the vertical direction by the driving of the first driving means 51.
When the support portion 24 moves upward in the movable stopper 21, the front positioning portion 23 protrudes upward from between the belts of the double belt conveyor 12 </ b> A with respect to the conveyance surface H of the double belt conveyor 12 </ b> A. The movable stopper 21 positions the downstream side (front side) of the delivery container 2 in the transport direction by causing the bent portion of the front positioning portion 23 to contact the downstream side (front side) of the delivery container 2 in the transport direction. In addition, the movable stopper 21 is moved downstream in the transport direction of the delivery container 2 by moving the support portion 24 downward and the front positioning portion 23 moving downward with respect to the transport surface H of the double belt conveyor 12A. Release the positioning on the front side.

The rotary pusher 22 is a member that positions the delivery container 2 on the upstream side (rear side) in the transport direction when the delivery container 2 stops at the stop position T. The rotary pusher 22 is provided between the belts of the double belt conveyor 12A. The rotary pusher 22 may be provided between the two belts in the two-belt conveyors 12B and 12C. In this case, the rotary pusher 22 performs positioning on the upstream side (rear side) in the transport direction of the delivery container 2 stopped on the double belt conveyors 12B and 12C.
The rotary pusher 22 is configured by a flap-shaped rotating body. Specifically, the rotary pusher 22 includes a rear positioning unit 25 that positions the delivery container 2 and a rotating unit 26 that rotates the rear positioning unit 25.
The rear positioning portion 25 is a portion that is radially formed around the rotation shaft 27 in the rotation portion 26. The rear positioning portions 25 are provided at a plurality of locations (three locations in FIG. 6) of the rotating shaft 27 at substantially equal intervals. The rear positioning unit 25 includes a plate-like member 28 that extends in the width direction of the conveyance path 11 in the conveyance device 10, and a support arm 29 that supports the plate-like member 28.
When the delivery container 2 is positioned, the plate-like member 28 contacts the upstream (rear) side surface in the transport direction of the delivery container 2.
One end of the support arm 29 is connected to the rotating shaft 27, and the other end is connected to the plate-like member 28.
The rotating portion 26 is provided below the conveying surface H of the two-belt conveyor 12A, and includes a rotating shaft 27 that rotates the plurality of rear positioning portions 25, and a bearing that rotatably supports the rotating shaft 27. The The rotating shaft 27 is connected to second driving means 52 constituted by a driving belt operated by a servo motor, and is rotated in the same direction as the transport direction of the delivery container 2 by the driving of the second driving means 52.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the rotary pusher 22, when the rotary shaft 27 rotates in the same direction as the transport direction of the delivery container 2, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 moves to the rear standby position A (the “standby position”). From one example) to the stationary position B where the delivery container 2 is positioned. When the writing of the information 95 with the marker 4 is completed, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 further rotates to the front standby position C (an example of “standby position”). That is, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 rotates in a stepwise manner from the rear standby position A (an example of “standby position”) to the front standby position C.
Here, the rear standby position A means that when the delivery container 2 stops at the stop position T, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 is located behind the upstream side surface (rear side surface) of the delivery container 2 and The position where the front-end | tip part of the plate-shaped member 28 of the back positioning part 25 becomes below with respect to the conveyance surface H of 12 A belt conveyor 12A. That is, the rear standby position A refers to a position where the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 does not contact the delivery container 2 that is decelerated and conveyed to the stop position T.
Further, the front standby position C means that when the delivery container 2 stops at the stop position T, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 is located in front of the upstream side surface (rear side surface) of the delivery container 2 and the rear side. It refers to the position where the tip of the plate-like member 28 of the positioning portion 25 is below the transport surface H of the double belt conveyor 12A. That is, the front standby position C is a position where the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 does not come into contact with the delivery container 2 that is accelerated from the stop position T.
Furthermore, the stationary position B means that when the delivery container 2 is stopped at the stop position T, the tip portion of the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 protrudes upward with respect to the transport surface H of the double belt conveyor 12A, And the position which can contact | abut to the conveyance direction upstream (back side) side surface of the delivery container 2 is said.
The plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 at the front standby position C is moved from below to the rear standby position A with respect to the transport surface H of the two-belt conveyor 12A by intermittently rotating the rotary shaft 27. Return.

In the positioning unit 20, the delivery container 2 is positioned by the movable stopper 21 and the rotary pusher 22 contacting or approaching the delivery container 2 stopped at the stop position T. Specifically, the delivery container 2 is positioned downstream in the transport direction at the stop position T by bringing the front positioning portion 23 of the movable stopper 21 into contact with or close to the side surface on the downstream side in the transport direction of the delivery container 2. On the other hand, by bringing the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 of the rotary pusher 22 into contact with or close to the upstream side surface in the transport direction of the delivery container 2 at the stationary position B, the delivery container at the stop position T is obtained. Positioning on the upstream side in the transport direction is performed. Thus, in the positioning unit 20, the delivery container 2 stopped at the stop position T is sandwiched between the movable stopper 21 and the rotary pusher 22, thereby positioning the delivery container 2 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction. I do.
Further, in the positioning unit 20, the movable stopper 21 is moved downward with respect to the conveying surface H of the two-belt conveyor 12A, and the rotary pusher 22 is moved from the stationary position B to the front standby position C. Is pushed out in the transport direction. Specifically, the front positioning portion 23 of the movable stopper 21 is moved downward with respect to the transport surface H of the double belt conveyor 12A. Then, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 of the rotary pusher 22 at the stationary position B is rotationally moved to the front standby position C. Thereby, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 pushes the upstream side surface (rear side surface) of the delivery container 2 in the transport direction. That is, the delivery container 2 is pushed out in the transport direction by the rotational force of the rear positioning unit 25. For this reason, accelerated conveyance in the conveyance direction of the delivery container 2 is assisted by the rotation of the rear positioning unit 25, and the delivery container 2 can be shifted to the high-speed conveyance state in a shorter time.
As described above, the rotary pusher 22 of the positioning unit 20 has a function of positioning the delivery container 2 and also has a function of pushing the delivery container 2 in the transport direction.

Next, operation | movement of the positioning part 20 of the conveying apparatus 10 in the marker 4 vicinity is demonstrated. The following operations are the same in the positioning unit 20 of the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the erasing machine 5, and thus the description of the operation of the positioning unit 20 of the transport device 10 in the vicinity of the erasing machine 5 is omitted. Further, the operation of the positioning unit 20 of the transport device 10 is controlled by the overall controller 80 via the transport device controller 10A.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the delivery container 2 is transported toward the stop position T in front of the marker 4, and when the first sensor 61 detects the passage of the delivery container 2 as shown in FIG. 10B. The rotating shaft 27 is rotated by the driving of the second driving means 52. As a result, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 waiting at the rear standby position A rotates following the conveyance of the delivery container 2. Here, the first sensor 61 is a sensor that is provided on the upstream side of the rotary pusher 22 in the positioning unit 20 in the transport direction and detects the passage of the delivery container 2. When the first sensor 61 detects the passage of the delivery container 2, the overall controller 80 determines that the delivery container 2 is in the vicinity of the rotary pusher 22.
As shown in FIG. 10C, when the delivery container 2 is stopped at the stop position T by stopping the driving of the double belt conveyor 12A at the stop position T, the front positioning portion 23 of the movable stopper 21 and the rotary The delivery container 2 is positioned by the rear positioning portion 25 of the pusher 22. When positioning of the delivery container 2 is completed, the marker 4 writes information 95 on the rewritable label 3 attached to the delivery container 2. As shown in FIG. 10D, when the writing of the information 95 by the marker 4 is completed, the front positioning portion 23 of the movable stopper 21 is moved downward by the driving of the first driving means 51. Then, when the double belt conveyor 12A at the stop position T starts driving, the delivery container 2 is accelerated and conveyed. At this time, the rotation shaft 27 is rotated by the driving of the second driving means 52, and the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 at the stationary position B rotates following the conveyance of the delivery container 2. Thereby, the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 pushes out the delivery container 2. That is, the rotational movement of the rear positioning unit 25 assists the accelerated conveyance of the delivery container 2. As shown in FIG. 10E, when the plate-like member 28 of the rear positioning portion 25 rotates and moves to the front standby position C, the rotation of the rotary shaft 27 stops due to the stop of the driving of the second driving means 52, and the rear The plate-like member 28 of the positioning unit 25 stops at the front standby position C. Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), when the second sensor 62 detects the passage of the delivery container 2, the front positioning portion 23 of the movable stopper 21 is moved upward by the driving of the first driving means 51. Here, the second sensor 62 is a sensor that is provided above the movable stopper 21 and detects the passage of the delivery container 2. When the second sensor 62 detects the passage of the delivery container 2, the overall controller 80 determines that the delivery container 2 has passed over the movable stopper 21.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the positioning unit 20 that positions the delivery container 2 directly pushes the delivery container 2 in the transport direction, so that the delivery container 2 is stopped at the stop position T. The positioning can be performed sufficiently and the delivery container 2 can be efficiently transferred from the stopped state to the high-speed transport state in a short time.
Further, since the positioning unit 20 serves both for positioning the delivery container 2 and pushing the delivery container 2 in the transport direction, it is not necessary to provide a means for assisting acceleration of the delivery container 2 separately. Therefore, the apparatus configuration can be simplified.
Furthermore, since the delivery container 2 is pushed out by the rotational force of the rotary pusher 22 that is a flap-like rotating body, the delivery container 2 can be efficiently transferred from the stopped state to the accelerated conveyance state.
Furthermore, since the delivery container 2 is positioned and pushed out from the upstream side in the transport direction of the delivery container 2, the swing of the delivery container 2 to the upstream side in the transport direction is suppressed and the delivery container 2 is positioned efficiently. Can do.
Furthermore, since the positioning is performed from the upstream side (rear side in the transport direction) and the downstream side (front side in the transport direction) of the delivery container 2 by the movable stopper 21 and the rotary pusher 22, the positioning accuracy of the delivery container 2 can be improved. . In addition, it is possible to prevent the delivery container 2 from shaking to the upstream side and the downstream side when stopped.

In the present embodiment, the positioning unit 20 of the transport device 10 includes the movable stopper 21 and the rotary pusher 22, but is not limited thereto, and the belt friction coefficient is high friction or When the two-belt belt conveyor 12 having a medium friction level is used and the delivery container 2 is stopped at the stop position T without being shifted to the downstream side in the conveying direction only by stopping the operation of the two-belt belt conveyor 12, the conveying device 10 The positioning unit 20 may be constituted by only the rotary pusher 22.
In the present embodiment, the rotary pusher 22 of the positioning unit 20 is provided between the two belts of the two-belt conveyor 12A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the delivery container 2 is decelerated (stopped). ) At the same time, the delivery container 2 can be positioned and the delivery container 2 can be pushed out in the transport direction when the delivery container 2 is accelerated. It may be provided on the side of the path) or above the double belt conveyor 12A.
Furthermore, in this Embodiment, although the conveying apparatus 10 is comprised by the 2 belt conveyor 12A, it is not limited to this, If it is the structure which can arrange | position the rotary pusher 22 of the positioning part 20, For example, you may comprise with a 1 belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, etc.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the rear positioning portion 25 of the rotary pusher 22 is stopped at three points of the front standby position C, the rear standby position A, and the stationary position B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the rear positioning unit 25 can position and push out the delivery container 2 without disturbing the transport of the delivery container 2, the standby position is set to the front standby position C only or the rear standby position A only, or standby. You may stop only in the stationary position B, without providing a position.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the rear positioning portions 25 of the rotary pusher 22 are provided at a plurality of locations on the rotary shaft 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the delivery container 2 can be positioned and pushed out. If there is, the rear positioning portion 25 of the rotary pusher 22 may be provided at one location of the rotary shaft 27.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the transport device 10 provided with the positioning unit 20 is the transport device 10 provided in the vicinity of the marker 4 and the erasing machine 5, but is not limited to this. Any transfer device may be used as long as it is used in equipment that needs to perform deceleration stop and acceleration transfer on the path 11.

1 Sorting equipment (transport equipment)
2 Delivery container (conveyed body)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Conveyance apparatus 11 Conveyance path 20 Positioning part 21 Movable stopper (downstream positioning member)
22 Rotary pusher (upstream positioning member)
A Back standby position (standby position)
B Rest position C Front standby position (standby position)
T Stop position

Claims (7)

A transport device that transports a transported body along a transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path,
A positioning unit that positions the transported body at the stop position;
The positioning device positions the transported body when the transported body is decelerated, and pushes the upstream side surface in the transport direction of the transported body when the transported body is accelerated. The positioning part is
Provided to be movable between a standby position before positioning the transported body and a stationary position for positioning the transported body corresponding to the transport of the transported body to the stop position. ,
The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport target is pushed in a transport direction when moving from the stationary position to the standby position. The positioning part is
Formed by a flap-like rotating body,
The transport apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transported body is pushed out in a transport direction by rotating the rotating body from the stationary position to the standby position. The said positioning part performs the positioning operation | movement and the pushing-out operation | movement of the said to-be-conveyed body from the conveyance direction upstream of the to-be-conveyed body. The conveying apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The positioning part is
When the transported body decelerates,
A downstream positioning member for positioning from the downstream side of the transported body in the transport direction;
An upstream positioning member for positioning from the upstream side of the transported body in the transport direction;
With
The said upstream positioning member pushes out the said to-be-conveyed body in a conveyance direction at the time of the acceleration of the said to-be-conveyed body. The conveying apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4. A method for transporting a transported body by a transport device that transports the transported body along a transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path,
A positioning unit that is provided in the transport device and positions the transported body at the stop position positions the transported body when the transported body is decelerated and also performs the transported process when the transported body is accelerated. transfer method of the carrier, characterized in that push the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the body. A transport facility including a transport device that transports a transported body along a transport path and stops the transported body at a predetermined stop position on the transport path,
The transport apparatus includes a positioning unit that positions the transported body at the stop position,
The said positioning part positions the said to-be-conveyed body at the time of the deceleration of the said to-be-conveyed body, and pushes the upstream side surface with respect to the conveyance direction of the said to-be-conveyed body at the time of the acceleration of the said to-be-conveyed body.

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