JPH03264408A - Vertical storage device for carried article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To store a carrier even at a place other than the straight line part of a chain, by providing a brake mechanism utilizing the attraction force of a magnet in a carrier engaging with the endless chain of a vertical storage device conducting unloading carrying. CONSTITUTION:A sprocket 26 provided on a carrier 19 is engaged with an endless chain 8a constantly rotated in a vertical direction with sprockets 6a and 7a provided on the upper and lower parts of a frame 1. By racing the sprocket 26 using a one-way clutch 28 provided on a sprocket axis 27, a carrier 19 is abutted to locking mechanisms 45a, 45b, and 45c etc. provided on required places to be stopped for permitting storage at the time of vertical lowering, and also the storage at the time of the reverse and rising strokes of the carrier 19 is made possible by restraint due to the attraction of a magnet provided in a falling-prevention mechanism 37. This realizes constitution with the small number of part items and quiet running.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vertical unloading and conveying device installed adjacent to, for example, a high-rise type horizontal rotating rotary rack,
In particular, a vertical storage device for conveyed items that temporarily stores trays received by an automatic extraction device installed in parallel with the outlet of a rotary rack in the middle of the device, and efficiently carries them out to a lower conveyor, etc. Regarding the improvement of

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, automated warehouses that supply processed products and work-in-progress to production lines in a timely manner have become popular as part of FA (factory automation). A rotary rack system is installed that allows trays to be loaded and unloaded.

The trays extracted from the rotary rack are usually sequentially delivered to a horizontal conveyor line and transported to a work station or picking station. In this case, a so-called accumulation section is provided on the conveyor line. Trays are temporarily stopped to shorten the waiting time for one task.

However, providing an accumulation section on a conveyor line to store a large number of trays inevitably leads to an increase in the length of the conveyor line and an increase in the area occupied by the warehouse. Therefore, when it is desired to make effective use of warehouse space, or in a warehouse with a small space, in addition to the above-mentioned accumulation on the conveyor line, a vertical accumulation method using the surplus space above and below the warehouse is required.

Therefore, the applicant of the present application filed the application in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 63-24
In Publication No. 7205, a carrier is engaged with an endless chain that runs endlessly, and while trays received from an upper outlet are carried out to a conveyor from a lower outlet, a plurality of carriers are moved along the chain's ascending and descending trajectory. Temporarily stored in
We are proposing a vertical storage device for conveyed objects that can efficiently convey trays.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the conventional vertical storage device described above, this is to prevent the carrier on which the tray is placed from falling when it descends together with the endless chain.

A one-way clutch mechanism is installed on the sprocket shaft for endless chain winding provided on the carrier.

During the downward stroke, the sprocket shaft is prevented from rotating in one direction.

When such a one-way clutch mechanism is provided, when the carrier moves to an upward stroke, the one-way clutch becomes unlocked and the carrier falls. Therefore, a ratchet is provided on the sprocket shaft to prevent the sprocket from rotating in the opposite direction, and a lock lever that is always urged toward the ratchet by a spring is engaged with the ratchet.

As a result, the number of parts per unit increases, and one manufacturing and assembly process requires many man-hours and time, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

In addition, in order to not only make a metallic sound when the ratchet and lock lever engage and disengage, but also to prevent abrasion of the mutually engaging parts, they are made of expensive materials such as carbide materials and are durable. We need to improve our sexuality.

Furthermore, due to the structure of the lock lever, carriers could only be stored in the vertical straight portion of the chain.

The present invention has been improved in order to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to reduce the number of parts by eliminating ratchets, lock levers, etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a vertical storage device which is capable of storing data in areas other than the above-mentioned areas.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention connects frames (1) (1) that are installed apart from each other to a frame (1).
Sprockets (6a) (6b) (7a) installed above and below
) Sprockets (26) provided on a plurality of carrier bodies (19) on an endless chain (8a) (8b) that is driven by (7b) and constantly runs endlessly in the vertical direction.
(26) were engaged, and the carrier body (19) came into contact with the locking mechanisms (45a), (45b), and (45c) provided at important points in the rotation locus of the endless chains (8a) and (8b), and stopped. When the one-way clutch mechanism (2) provided on the sprocket shaft (27) of the carrier body (19)
8) causes the sprockets (26) (26) to spin idly, disengages the carrier body (19) from the endless chains (8a) and (8b), and removes the carrier bodies (19) that have been running sequentially. ) in a vertical storage device that stores the carrier body ( ) within a predetermined section.
A rotor (41) that can rotate integrally with the sprocket (26) is fitted onto the sprocket shaft (27) in the sprocket shaft (27) in the carrier body (19).
The shaft hole (
The rotor (41) is loosely fitted into the rotor (41) and sucked into at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (41) and the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole (38a) of the casing (38). It is characterized in that a plurality of magnets (40) are provided at predetermined intervals to apply a restraining force in the rotational direction.

In addition, the above-mentioned magnets are permanent magnets (4
0) or an electromagnet is preferred.

[For production]

According to the present invention, unless a torque exceeding the binding force of the magnet (40) is applied to the rotor (41) fitted to the sprocket shaft (27), the carrier body (19) and the endless chain (8a) (8b) is in the engaged state.

Even if the carrier body (19) moves to the upward stroke and the one-way clutch mechanism (28) stops working, there is no fear that the carrier body (19) will fall.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively show a side view and a front view of the entire vertical storage device according to the present invention, in which frames (1) and (1) are erected in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance. The frame (1) (1) is reinforced by horizontally suspending a plurality of stays (2) (2) at predetermined positions above, below, and in the middle.

(3) is a side plate, which is fixed to the open part at the rear (right side in Figure 1) of the frame (1) (1), so that the frame (1) (1) has a U-shape in plan view. There is. A guide rail (4a) for guiding a conveyance device (to be described later) is located near the inner front of each frame (1) and approximately at the center of the frame (1).
4b) are vertically disposed facing each other, one pair each.

At the top and bottom of the frame (1) (1), horizontal pivots (5a) (5b) facing the left and right directions are respectively supported, and the upper pivot (5a) is equipped with a pair of left and right driven sprockets (
6a) and (6b) are rotatably fitted on the outside.

The lower pivot (5b) has each of the above sprockets (6a) (
A pair of left and right drive side sprockets (7a) (7b) vertically opposed to the sprocket 6b) are pivotally mounted.

On the left side of the driven side sprocket (6b) on the pivot (5a), a sprocket (6C) having the same diameter is fixed so as not to rotate, and on the left side of the driving side sprocket (7b) on the lower axis (5b). , a sprocket of the same diameter and size that pairs with the above sprocket (6C) (
7c) is rotatably fitted externally.

Between the upper and lower opposing sprockets (6a) (7a) and (6b) (7b) are endless chains (hereinafter abbreviated as chains) (8a) (8b) for suspending and transferring the conveying device to be described later. ) are strung out so that they run around in an elliptical trajectory.

Also, between the upper and lower sprockets (6c) (7c),
A fixed chain (8c) is wound non-rotatably.

The lower axis (5b) is connected to the drive motor (9) and the reducer (1).
0)) is a driving machine Ji! In (11), the coupling (
12).

The upper pivot (5a) is the chain tensioner (13a)
(13b) so as to be movable up and down, making it possible to adjust slack during tensioning and use of the chains (8a), (8b), and (8c).

Next, the conveying device (15) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

(19) includes side plates (16a) (16b), bottom plate (17a)
), an upper plate (17b), and a front plate (18), and has a backward U-shaped cross section.
The arm body (20) having a U-shape in plan view is provided as follows.

That is, the arm body (20) was fixed to the lower front surface of the front plate (18), as shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lower surface of the bottom plate (17a) is pivotally mounted to an angle-shaped support (21) that is substantially flush with the lower surface of the bottom plate (17a) using two-stage bolts (22), so that the support (21) can rotate vertically.
) is held horizontally by contacting the top surface of the

(23) is the side plate (16a) of the carrier body (19)
A rotation stopper plate (24) is attached to a long groove formed on the circumferential surface of one end (left end side) with a base shaft passing through approximately the center of (16b).
(25) and two upper and lower bolts (25) (25
) by fixing it to the side plate (16a), it is supported by both side plates (16a) (16b) in a non-rotatable manner (see Figure 3.5).

The base shaft (23) in the carrier body (19) has a pair of sprockets (26) on both sides for conveying the carrier body.
) (26) and a pair of one-way clutch mechanisms (28) fitted into both ends of the sprocket shaft (27).
) (28), and are fitted so as to be rotatable only in one direction.

The one-way clutch mechanism (28) is a known mechanical one-way clutch, and although not shown, a large number of cams arranged on the circumferences of the inner and outer rings perform meshing and sliding actions depending on the relative rotation direction of the inner and outer rings. The driving force is transmitted in only one direction.

In this embodiment, when the sprocket (26) and the sprocket shaft (27) rotate clockwise in a side view (in FIG. 4), their rotation is locked, and when they rotate counterclockwise, they spin idly. That's how it is.

The dimension between the sprockets (26) and (26) should be equal to the dimension between the sprockets (6a) (sb) and (7a) (7b) provided above and below the frames (1) (1). be.

(29) is the one-way clutch mechanism (28) on the left side of the left sprocket (26) in base #(23).
) and one-way clutch mechanism with opposite locking direction (
A sprocket having the same diameter and size as the sprocket (26), which is fitted through the sprocket (30) and positioned so as to correspond to the sprockets (6c) (7c) provided above and below the frame (1). There is.

A pair of upper and lower roller shafts (31, 31) are fixed to the upper and lower parts of the left and right side plates (16a, 16b) near the rear, and each roller shaft (31) has a pair of roller shafts (31, 31) fixed thereto. Sprocket (26) (26) and corresponding two idle rollers (32a) (32a), (32b), upper and lower
(32b) and two upper and lower idle rollers (33a) (33a) corresponding to the sprocket (29) are fitted so as to be able to rotate freely once (see FIG. 5).

A guide roller (3
4) is rotatably supported, and each guide roller (34) is connected to a guide rail (4) erected on the frame (1) (1).
a) (4a), (4b) By fitting in (4b) in a transferable manner, the carrier main body (19) can be smoothly and stably raised and lowered.

(35) (35) and (36) (36) are collars (spacers) fitted on the roller shafts (31) between the idle rollers (32a) (32b) and between the idle rollers (32b) (32a), respectively. ).

The chains (8a) (8b) and the fixed chain (8
C) are two idle rollers (3!a), upper and lower, respectively.
(32b) (32a) and sprocket (26) (2
6) (29), as shown in Fig. 4, in a forward U-shape, that is, each sprocket (26) (26
) (29) is wound around half a turn.

Next, a fall prevention mechanism (37) that prevents the carrier body (19) from falling when it rises will be described.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the carrier body (19)
Between the left and right sprockets (26) inside, the casing (38) has a large diameter shaft hole (38a) drilled in the center facing in the axial direction, and the sprocket shaft (27) has a large diameter shaft hole (38a) facing in the axial direction. In addition to aligning and playing persimmons, the front end surface is attached to the front plate (
The shaft holes (39) fixed to the upper and lower roller shafts (31
) Fitted into the collar (35) (35), it is provided in an immovable state.

As shown in detail in FIG. 6, a plurality of long grooves (38b) facing in the axial direction formed at predetermined intervals on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole (38a) are provided with permanent magnets (with alternating polarities). 40)
is embedded.

A sprocket (27) was fitted into the shaft hole (38a). A rotor (41) whose outer diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft hole (38a) is loosely fitted to the sprocket (26) so that it can rotate integrally with the sprocket (26).

As shown in FIG. 6, on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor (41),
The same number of long grooves (42) facing in the axial direction are formed to align with the long grooves (38b) of the casing (38), and each long groove (4
2) is fitted with permanent magnets (40) having alternating polarities, similar to the casing (38).
(See Figure 6).

The rotor (41) normally has each permanent magnet (4
0) is in a restrained state by mutually attracting each permanent magnet (40) of different polarity on the casing (38) side,
Sprocket shaft (27), that is, both sprockets (2
Only when a rotational torque of a predetermined value or more is applied to 6), both one-way clutch mechanisms (28) can rotate in a direction opposite to the locking direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 4).

This prevents the carrier body (19) from falling when it moves to the upward stroke (details will be described later).

The material for the casing (38) and rotor (41) is preferably a non-magnetic material that does not reduce the magnetic force of the magnet (40), and aluminum is used in this embodiment.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conveyance device! (1
The locking mechanism of 5) will be explained.

Stays (43a) (43b) (43c) are installed horizontally at key points in the upper and lower parts of the frame (1) C1), and air cylinders (44a) (44b) are attached to these, respectively.
(44c) is fixed. Air cylinder (44a)
For the rod (44c).

A key-shaped hook (45a) that comes into contact with the lower surface of the carrier body (19) to stop the carrier body (19) from descending.
) (45c) is attached so as to be rotatable back and forth using a link mechanism (not shown).

The rod of the air cylinder (44b) has a carrier body (
The hook (45a) (45a) stops the rise of (19)
A hook (45b) facing opposite to 5e) is attached so as to be rotatable back and forth.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

In the descending stroke of the carrier body (19), the weight of the entire transport device (15) rotates the single sprocket (26) clockwise in side view, and the chains (8a) (8b
) to try to slide down.

However, since the sprocket shaft (27> that is integral with both sprockets (26) is locked from rotating clockwise due to the action of both one-way clutch mechanisms (28) mentioned above, the carrier body (19) Chain (8a
) (8b) and will descend together.

At this time, the sprocket (29) engaged with the fixed chain (8C) is connected to the one-way clutch mechanism (28).
One-way clutch mechanism with opposite locking direction (3
0), the chain merely idles clockwise along the fixed chain.

On the other hand, when the carrier body (19) reverses and moves to the upward stroke, the carrier body (19) rotates the sprocket (26) and sprocket shaft (27) counterclockwise due to its own weight and falls. try to.

At this time, the sprocket shaft (27) attempts to idle due to the reverse action of the one-way clutch mechanism (28), but the fall prevention mechanism (37) fitted onto the sprocket shaft (27)
), a permanent magnet (40) on the rotor (41) side;
Permanent magnet (40) with different polarity on the casing (38> side
The rotor (41) is given a restraining force in the rotational direction due to the suction action of the sprocket shaft (2
7) is prevented from rotating counterclockwise.

As a result, the carrier body (19) is attached to the chain (8a).
Since it is automatically folded, there is no interference with the side plate (3).

Next, the procedure for storing the carrier body (19) will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 1, this device is installed adjacent to an automatic extraction device (not shown) installed in parallel with the exit of a high-rise type rotary rack (not shown), and the automatic extraction device dispenses The tray (C) is.

The pusher (extrusion device 1) (P) automatically places it on the arm (20) of the carrier body (19) waiting above the device.

When the carrier body (19) is to wait above, the air cylinder (44a) is operated to rotate the hook (45a) forward to support the bottom of the carrier body (19) and temporarily stop its descent. let

At this time, due to the action of the one-way clutch mechanism (28), the sprocket (26) is able to idle in the counterclockwise direction, and the sprocket (26) is allowed to rotate idly in the anti-drop mechanism (37).

This is because the chain (8a) (8b) exerts a driving torque that exceeds the magnetic force of the permanent magnet (40) and becomes rotatable.

Both chains (8a) (8b) continue to rotate without stopping.

When a signal indicating completion of transfer of the tray (C) to the arm body (20) is sent from the pusher (P) etc. to the air cylinder (44a), the hook (45a) moves as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure. It rotates backward and comes off from the carrier body (19).

At this time, the carrier body (19) tries to slide down due to the load of the tray (C) and its own weight, but as mentioned above, this is prevented by the one-way clutch mechanism (28), and the chain (8a) ( 8b) and descend together. Usually, the arms of the carrier body (19)
When the tray (20) reaches the conveyor line (L) facing the export exit at the bottom of the device, only the tray (C) is automatically transferred to the conveyor line (L) and transported to a predetermined work station or picking station. be done.

However, if the conveyor line (L) stops or there is a stagnation of work at the work station or picking station, many trays (C) are left on the conveyor or line (L).
), a signal is sent to the air cylinder (44c) to project the hook (45c) into a locked state.

As a result, the carrier main body (19) that has descended is placed in a waiting state above the conveyor line (L) with the tray (C) placed thereon, and the chain (8a)
Only (8b) runs idly.

In this way, as long as the lower hook (45c) is in the locked state, the carrier bodies (19) on which the trays (C) are placed are sequentially advanced one by one as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 1. A predetermined number of hooks (45a) and (45c) are accumulated on the carrier body (19).

At this time, the sprocket (26) of the following carrier body (19) also spins counterclockwise, so the chain (8
a) (8b) can run around without stopping.

When a signal indicating that the work station, conveyor line (L), etc. has started moving normally is sent to the air cylinder (44c), the hook (45c) moves to point 2 lA1/IA in Figure 1.
The trays (C) can be transferred to the conveyor line (L) in succession by retreating as shown and sequentially lowering the carrier bodies (19) that have been stored until then.

Note that the upper hook (45a) is attached to an air cylinder (
When, for example, a photo sensor or a proximity sensor (Sl) provided near 44a) detects that the carrier body (19) on which the tray (C) is placed has descended, it immediately returns to the locked state and rotates, It is designed to prepare for the next empty carrier body (19) to stop.

The workpiece (45b) is to reverse once and stop the empty carrier body (19) rising at - time and transfer it one by one to the stopping position of the hook (45a), and the air cylinder (44b) is , is activated by a signal from the sensor (Sl), and at the same time as the carrier body (19) after transferring the tray (C) descends, the hook (45b) is released to transfer one carrier body (Step 9). do.

After the transfer, the hook (45b) is immediately returned to the locked state upon detection by the sensor (S2).

When the rising carrier body (19) is stopped by the hook (45b), the rotor (41), which had been prevented from rotating by the attractive force of the permanent magnet (40),
The chains (8a) and (8b) are forced to rotate counterclockwise by the driving torque.

When the rotor (41) starts rotating, the carrier body (1
9) tries to slide down along the chains (8a) and (8b), but the sprocket (29) meshing with the fixed chain (8c) immediately engages the one-way clutch mechanism (
The locking action of 30) prevents counterclockwise rotation, so that it is held in contact with the hook (45b).

In this case, the chains (8a) (8b) will continue to run.

Note that the carrier body (19), which is rising sequentially,
As shown in the figure, the carrier body (
19) and is stopped, the same effect as described above prevents it from falling.

As explained above, in the apparatus of the above embodiment, a rotor (41) having permanent magnets (40) of alternating polarities embedded in the outer circumferential surface is fitted onto the sprocket shaft (27), and this rotor ( 41> is loosely fitted into a casing (38) in which permanent magnets (40) of alternating polarity are provided on the inner peripheral surface, and both magnets (40) of different polarity are
Due to the mutual attraction between the two, the sprocket (41), which is integrated with the sprocket shaft (27),
26) so as to restrict its rotation.

Since this is designed to prevent the carrier body (19) from falling when it moves to the upward stroke, there is no need to provide fall prevention means such as a ratchet or lock lever as in the prior art.

As a result, the number of parts can be reduced, and the metallic noise that occurs when the ratchet and lock lever are engaged and disengaged during storage is eliminated, allowing quiet operation.

In addition, conventionally, during the upward stroke of the carrier body (19), the section where it could be stored was limited to the straight section, but as mentioned above, by adopting a drop-sticking mechanism that uses permanent magnets, it is possible to sprocket (6a) (6b) (
7a) It can also be stored in the inverted part of (7b).

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can take various forms.

For example, one or both of the permanent magnets (40) on the casing (38) and rotor (41) side may be electromagnets, and the carrier body (19) may be energized only while it is rising to prevent it from falling. good.

In this way, the load applied to the chains (8a) (8b) can be reduced while the carrier body (19) is being stored.

Further, a permanent magnet (40) (or electromagnet) is provided on either the casing (38) or the rotor (41),
The other may simply be a magnetic material such as an iron core.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, the rotation of the rotor (41) fitted to the sprocket shaft (27) is restrained by the attractive force of the magnet (40), thereby preventing the carrier body (19) from falling during the ascent. There is no need to provide fall prevention means such as a ratchet or lock lever as in the prior art.

As a result, the number of parts is reduced, the number of man-hours required during manufacturing and assembly is reduced, and costs can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the rotation of the rotor (41) can be restrained without contact, not only quiet operation is possible, but also durability is significantly increased.

When the carrier body (19) is stopped by a hook or the like and rotational torque exceeding the attraction force of the magnet (40) is applied to the rotor (41), the rotor (41) automatically rotates and the chain (8a) (8b) and the carrier body (
19), which was previously impossible.

It becomes possible to store the carrier body (19) in areas other than the vertical straight portions of the chains (8a) (8b).

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway side view showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view thereof, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse plane of the carrier main body in Fig. 1 along line m-■. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along the line IV--IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged half-sectional view showing the fitted state of the casing and rotor. (1) Frame (2) Stay (3) Side plate
(4a) (4b) Guide rail (5a
) (5b) Pivot (6a) (6b) Driven sprocket (6c) Sprocket (7a)
(7b) Drive side sprocket (7c) Sprocket
(8a) (ab) Endless chain (8c) Fixed chain (9) Drive motor (10) 11i speed machine (11) Drive mechanism (13a) (13
b) Chain tensioner (15) conveyance device
(16a) (16b) Side plate (17a) Bottom plate
(17b) Top plate (18〉Front plate (1)
9) Carrier body (20) Arm body (21
) Support body (23) Base shaft (24) Stop plate (26) Sprocket (27) Sprocket shaft (28) One-way clutch mechanism (29) Sprocket (30) One-way clutch mechanism (31> Roller shaft (32a) (32b) ( 33a) Idle roller (
34) Guide roller (35) (36) Collar (37) Fall prevention mechanism (38) Casing (3
8a) Shaft hole (38b) Long groove (39) Shaft hole (40) Permanent magnet (41> Rotor
(42) Long groove (44a) (44b) (4
4c) Air cylinder (45a) (45b) (45c
) Hook (locking mechanism) (C) Tray (L
) Conveyor line (P) Butsusha (S,
) (Si) (Si) Sensor Figure 2

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Sprockets installed on multiple carrier bodies are engaged with an endless chain that runs endlessly in the vertical direction between frames installed apart from each other, driven by sprockets installed above and below the frames. When the carrier body comes into contact with a locking mechanism installed at a key point in the rotation locus of the endless chain and stops, the one-way clutch mechanism installed on the sprocket shaft of the carrier body causes the sprocket to idle, and the carrier In a vertical storage device in which a plurality of carrier bodies that have been disengaged from an endless chain are stored in a predetermined section, a sprocket shaft in the carrier body is provided with a sprocket shaft that rotates integrally with the sprocket. At the same time, the rotor is loosely fitted into the shaft hole in the casing fixed to the carrier body, and at least one of the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole of the casing is fitted with the other. 1. A vertical storage device for conveyed objects, characterized in that a plurality of magnets are provided at predetermined intervals to apply a restraining force in the rotational direction to a rotor by attracting the objects. (2) The vertical storage device for conveyed objects according to claim (1), wherein the magnets are permanent magnets having alternating polarities. (3) The vertical storage device for conveyed objects according to claim (1), wherein the magnets are electromagnets having alternating polarities.