JPH02182614A - Load conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the cost of controllers provided on the ground side and also enhance the reliability of signal transmission between control means and the controllers provided on the ground side by providing each travelling truck with the control means for diagnosing the timing and direction of conveying of subjects for conveyance. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of travelling trucks each including a classification conveyor 3 and a switching means for switching the phase of its power source to supply electricity to the classification conveyor 3 are assembled to form a group, and one of the trucks among the group is provided with a control means 19 for controlling the switching means of each of the travelling trucks among the group according to classification command signals transmitted from controllers provided on the ground side. Transmission of classification command signals between the control means 19 and the controllers provided on the ground side is accomplished by way of space light transmission means. By the above constitution, the device cost for the ground side can be reduced and also transmission of the signals will not be affected by external conditions so that its reliability can be enhanced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is characterized in that: - An object to be transported on a foot truck is sorted into a plurality of preset positions along the route. The sorting method relates to a load conveying device that dispenses items horizontally and horizontally at different positions.

Conventional technology This type of cargo conveyance device has a tray installed on each cart that can be tilted left and right, and an actuator is installed at each sorting position to tip the tray when the cart passes. A device is known that is configured to eject objects on a tray in the left and right directions when the tray falls over.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, conventional load conveying devices are unsuitable for transporting objects that are sensitive to shocks because they are ejected by overturning the tray, and there is a problem in that noise is generated when the tray overturns. there were. Furthermore, there is a problem in that it is mechanically complex and prone to breakdowns, such as requiring a means to return a tray that has fallen over.

In order to solve this problem, for example,
In the sorting system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 38, a conveyor branching device is invented. In this invention, each scale (receiving plate) is equipped with a roller unit including a motor roller and a free roller, and power is supplied to the motor roller via a current collecting unit from a trolley bar installed at a position for sorting. The motor roller is configured to sort the conveyed objects on the roller section without shuffling or twisting, and the motor roller is configured to switch the phases of the power supply using a magnetic contactor installed between the three-phase power source and the trolley bar to separate the conveyed items from the trolley bar and the current collecting section. The motor is configured to be driven in forward or reverse rotation by being supplied with power through the motor. However, this invention also has the problem that the cost is high because each scale is provided with a current collecting section, and that maintenance of each current collecting section that wears out requires a lot of time and money. Furthermore, since the motor rollers are driven on the ground side (fixed side) by controlling the power supply to the trolley bar, sorting is done at the right time by always knowing the position (trolley bar position) and the positional relationship of the scale. Because of the need for frequent power supply, there was a problem in that the control of the sorting on the ground side was complicated.9 Also, if an abnormality occurred in the control device on the ground side, all sorting operations would have to be stopped, reducing work efficiency. There was also the problem of it getting worse.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a control means for determining the timing and direction of dispensing objects to be transported on the regular trolley, simplifying the control device on the ground side, and also simplifying the control device on the ground side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a load conveying device with improved reliability of signal transmission and reception between a control means and a ground-side control device.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides sorting conveyors that run connected to each other on a fixed travel route and are conveyed in left and right directions with respect to the travel direction, and have a conveyor on the upper surface. The conveyor is equipped with a regular trolley having switching means for switching the power supply phase and supplying power to the conveyor, and a control device on the ground side that forms a command signal for the number and sorting of the regular trolley. A plurality of moving carts are grouped together to form a group, and one of the moving carts in this group is controlled to perform the sorting by #controlling the switching means of each moving cart of the group based on a command signal. The apparatus is characterized in that a means is provided, and the sorting between the control means and the ground-side control device is performed by sending and receiving command signals via a spatial light transmission means.

Operation With the above configuration, the control device on the ground side forms a command signal for sorting consisting of the number and sorting of the regular bogie, and when this sorting command signal is transmitted to the control means via the spatial light transmission means, the control device performs control. For this sorting, the means determines, for example, the forward rotation, reverse rotation, and operation timing of the conveyor of each traveling truck in the group based on the command signal, and controls the switching means for each traveling truck in the group, and each switching means is controlled. A control signal from the means switches the phase of the power supply and supplies power to the conveyor, driving the conveyor in forward or reverse rotation. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use the control device on the ground side to confirm the position of all moving bogies and to judge the timing of the sorting.Therefore, it is no longer necessary to control the actual sorting using the control device on the ground side. Since the tasks are distributed among the row trucks, even if one truck breaks down, the sorting work will continue. Furthermore, since the command signal for sorting is transmitted using a spatial optical transmission means, it is not affected by external magnetic fields, electric fields, etc., and the reliability of signal exchange is improved.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a load conveying device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is connected to each other and travels in direction A on a fixed traveling route, and a conveyor device 3 is used for sorting goods (objects to be conveyed) 2 from above in a direction transverse to the traveling direction A. The cargo 2 is sorted on the regular trolley 1 by the drive of the conveyor device 3, and the loads 2 are opened in the left and right directions with respect to the A direction. It is paid out to chute 4.

The structure of the regular trolley 1 will be explained based on FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sorting conveyor device 3 is composed of a motor roller 5, a driven roller 6, and an endless belt 3A stretched between these rollers 5, 6. 5 rotates the belt 3A to convey the load 2.

Further, the sorting conveyor device 3 is installed on the upper surface of a movable body 7, and the movable body 7 supports the machine frame 8 and travels on a running rail 9 that forms a traveling path with the machine frame 8. It consists of a horizontal axis running roller 10, a vertical axis side roller 11 that supports the running rail 9 from left and right to prevent side vibration, and a roller 12 provided on the side of the machine frame 8.
2 is pushed and moved by rotating along the groove of the screw 13 rotating in the A direction of travel.

Further, the traveling carts 1 are connected to each other by a connecting mechanism 14. Furthermore, the regular bogies 1 form a group of every five, and the leading regular bogie (hereinafter referred to as parent bogie) I in the traveling direction A
As shown in FIG.
A collector 16 is provided which receives power from the book power supply rail 15 for the motor rollers 5 of the sorting conveyor group y13.

Then, power is supplied from the parent truck IA to another traveling truck (hereinafter referred to as a child truck) IB in the group via a wiring line 17 shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control device 18 of the traveling bogie 1 is provided with contactors MCF and MCR that switch the phases of power and supply power to the motor roller 5. The MCF and MCR are controlled by a controller 19 provided in the control device 18 of the parent truck IA, and when the contactor MCF is driven, the motor roller 5 rotates forward to deliver the load 2 to the right, and the contactor MCR is driven. Then, the motor roller 5 rotates in reverse and discharges the load 2 to the left. A control signal from the controller 19 to the child truck IB is transmitted via the wiring line 17, as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the controller 19 and contactors MCF, MC
A constant voltage power supply 20 for R is provided, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the parent bogie IA is provided with an address of the current position installed along the traveling rail 9 as shown in FIG. A sensor 22 for detecting the origin 21 serving as a reference point and an encoder 23 for detecting the traveling distance by the number of revolutions of the traveling roller 10 are provided, and the loader control device 24 and the sorting control device 25 shown in FIG. An optical transceiver 26 is provided for sending and receiving data.

The ground side control device shown in Figure 6, that is, the loader control device! 24, sorting control device 25 and general control device 27
I will explain about it.

The loader control device 24 is a control device that controls a loader conveyor 28 equipped with a charging induction for loading the load 2 onto the moving truck 1. When the load 2 is confirmed on the conveyor 28, the loader control bag T! , 24 connected to the optical transceiver 2
9 and the parent bogie IA via the optical transceiver 26 of the parent bogie 1.
From the controller 19, enter the truck number and the presence/absence of cargo 2 on the five regular trolleys 1 forming the group, and reserve the vacant regular trolley 1. is entered in the controller 19), the truck number and the sorting data of the cargo 2 are formed by the number of the chute 4, and the conveyor 28 is controlled to place the cargo on the reserved regular trolley 1. Load. The sorting data is then transmitted to the general control panel 27.

The general control panel 27 stores data consisting of the load 2 and the number of the chute 4 for the previous sorting, and transmits this data to the loader control device 24, from which the data for the above sorting is transmitted. Then, the sorting data is transmitted from the sorting chute 4 to the sorting control panel 25 that manages the sorting chute 4.

The sorting control panel 25 stores the sorting data transmitted from the general control panel 27 and sends it to the controller of the parent truck IA via the optical transmitter/receiver 30 connected to the sort control panel 25 and the optical transmitter/receiver 26 of the traveling truck 1. The cart number is confirmed from 19, and if the cart number and the cart number of the sorting data match, the sorting data is sent to the optical transceiver 30.26.
The data is sent to the controller 19 of the parent truck IA via.

The controller 19 of the moving truck 1 will be explained in detail below.

The controller 19 controls the trolley numbers of the traveling trolleys 1 forming the group and the "big goods S" from the origin 21 to the chute 4.
The distance traveled from the origin 21 is recognized by inputting and counting the pulse output of the encoder 23.

In addition, the controller 19 stores the presence or absence of a load on the traveling trolleys 1 forming the group, and determines that there is a load by inputting a reservation signal from the loader control device 24 indicating that the cargo 2 will be loaded. contactor MCF or contactor M
Sorting to the CR is determined as if there is no load by outputting a control signal.

Furthermore, the optical transmitter/receiver 30° 26 is connected to the sort control device 25.
When a command signal of the data consisting of the car number and the chute number of the parent cart IA and the four child carts 18 is received via the Call, mileage ML
When the sorting designated by each cart reaches the position of the chute 4, the sorting contactor MCF or contactor MCR outputs a control signal depending on whether the chute 4 is on the left or right.

The operation of the sorting control described above will be explained in order according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b).

First, it is determined whether the origin 21 is detected by the sensor 22 (Step 31). If the origin 21 is detected, the mileage is reset (Step 32). If the origin 21 is not detected, the pulse output of the encoder 23 is counted and the vehicle is driven. The distance i1L is updated (step 33).

Next, from the sorting control panel 25, the traveling trolleys 1 forming the group
Step 34) Check whether the flag F indicating the state in which the command signal is being received is 1. If the flag F is not 1, check whether the command signal of the traveling bogie 1 forming the group is being received. If it has been received, flag F is set to 1 (step 36), and if it has not been received, the process ends. If the flag F is 1 in step 34, then check whether the command signal is for the parent truck IA using the truck number (step 37); if it is the command signal for the parent truck IA, set the parameter n to zero and step 38). ), enters a subroutine to be described later (step 39), and sets C(O) to 1, which indicates that the sorting of regular trolley 1 is completed if there is no command signal.
(Step 40) Next, the first
Check whether the command signal is for the child bogie IB using the bogie number (step 41), and if it is the command signal for the child bogie IB, set the parameter n to 1 (step 42), enter the subroutine (step 43), and check the command signal. If not, G(1) indicating the end of sorting is set to 1 (step 44), and then it is confirmed by the truck number whether it is a command signal for the second child truck IB (step 45). Thereafter, the same operation is performed up to the fourth child bogie IB (steps 46 to 56), and G(n) (n=o to 4) checks whether all the regular bogies 1 in the group have been sorted. Confirm whether all are 1 (step 57), and if sorting is completed, set flag F to zero (step 58), G(n)
(n=o ~ 4) (step 59);
If the sorting is not completed in step 57, it is determined that the sorting is completed.

In the subroutine, first the specified sorting calls the distance S to the chute 4 (step 61), then this distance S, the traveling distance in the case of the parent cart IA (n=o), and the child cart IB (n -1 to 4), check whether the value obtained by subtracting the distance to the parent bogie IA from the traveling distance ML (D represents the distance between the self-propelled bogies 1) matches (step 62);
For the sorting specified as a match, check whether the chute 4 is on the right or left in the running direction, for example, check whether the chute number is an odd or even number (step 63), and if it is on the right Output a forward rotation command signal that turns on the contactor MCF (step 64); in the case of the left, output a reverse rotation command signal that turns on the contactor MCR (step 65); set G (n), which indicates the end of sorting, to 1 (
If they do not match in step 66) and step 62, the process ends. According to the subroutine, an actual control signal is outputted when the target truck 1 reaches the position of the chute 4 for the target sorting, and the load 2 is delivered.

With the above configuration, the traveling trolley 1 is driven by the screw 13 and travels on the traveling rail 9 at a constant speed, and receives power from the power supply rail 15 for the motor roller 5 via the current collector 16 or the wiring line 17. The control device 18 of the roller 5 drives the contactors MCF and MCR according to the control signal sent from the controller 19 of the parent truck IA in response to the command signal from the sort control panel 24, and rotates the motor roller 5 in the forward or reverse direction. , load 2 on belt 7
The specified sort is delivered to chute 4.

By sending a command signal from the sort control panel 25 to the controller 19 in this way, the controller 19 can
The designated sorting allows the cargo 2 to be sorted into the chute 4, and there is no need to control the actual sorting on the ground side, and the ground side control devices 24, 25, and 27 can be configured easily and inexpensively. Furthermore, even if the controller 19 of one parent truck IA breaks down, there is no need to stop all the regular trucks 1, and the normal regular truck 1 can be used to continue sorting. Since the optical transceivers 26, 29, and 30 transmit and receive signals between the traveling trolley 1, the loader control device 24, and the sorting control device 25, the signal transmission and reception is reliable without being affected by the external environment, such as magnetic fields and electric fields. You can increase your sexuality.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the actual sorting work is carried out by confirming the sorting position by the control means provided on the moving cart and driving the switching means to unload the transported objects. Therefore, for sorting on the ground side, it is only necessary to form a command signal consisting of the position and the number of the traveling trolley and transmit it to the control means, and the equipment on the ground side can be configured easily and at low cost. Furthermore, even if the control means for the regular traveling trolleys 1 of -1 fail, there is no need to stop the sorting work, and the sorting work can be continued using the normal regular traveling trolleys, improving work efficiency. can be done. Since signals are exchanged between the control means of the regular bogie and the control device on the ground side via the spatial light transmission means,
The reliability of signal transmission and reception can be improved without being affected by the external environment, such as magnetic fields or electric fields.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a load transfer device showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. The figure is a circuit diagram of the load transfer device, FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram between the regular carriages of the load transfer device, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the load transfer device.
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are flowcharts of the controller of the cargo conveyance device. 1... Regular trolley, 2... Load (transferred object), 3...
Conveyor device for sorting, 4...Chute for sorting, 9.
... Traveling rail (traveling route), 15... Power supply rail,
16... Current collector, 17... Wiring line, 18...
Control device, 19... controller (control means), MC
F, MCR...Contactor (switching hand 1'l), 24
...Loader control device, 25... Sort control device (ground side control device), 26.29°30... Optical transceiver (spatial optical transmission means). Agent Yoshihiro Morimoto 4-...(1 molecule ← No.? Figure 3 Figure 7 (b) Figure 7 (cl)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Travel in a state where they are connected to each other on a fixed travel route,
A running trolley having a sorting conveyor on its upper surface for conveying in the left and right directions with respect to the running direction, and a switching means for switching the phase of a power supply to the conveyor and supplying power to the conveyor, and a sorting command signal consisting of the number of the running trolley and the sorting destination. A control device on the ground side that forms a plurality of traveling bogies to form a group, and one of the traveling bogies in this group is assigned each constant of the group based on the sorting command signal. A load conveying device comprising: a control means for controlling the switching means of the moving truck, and transmitting and receiving the sorting command signal between the control means and the ground-side control device via a spatial light transmission means.