JPH0717267B2 - Goods sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an article sorting apparatus, and more particularly to a sorting conveyor that transports articles in a predetermined transport direction along a predetermined transport path, and a sorting conveyor along the sorting conveyor. It relates to an improvement of the chute in which the chute is arranged laterally and inclined downwards from the sorting conveyor and receives articles discharged to the lateral side from the sorting conveyor.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the article sorting apparatus of this type, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the article sorting apparatus of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the operation and problems of the article sorting apparatus. In the figure, (1) is a sorting conveyor, and the one shown is composed of a belt conveyor, and conveys the article (2) in a predetermined conveying direction (3) along a predetermined conveying path. To do. (4) is a swivel type diverter provided along the sorting conveyor (1), and is located on the sorting conveyor (1) as shown by the non-actuated positions and solid lines in FIGS. 7 and 9 in solid lines. It can be swung between the operating position and the operating position. (5)
Is a chute arranged on the side of the sorting conveyor (1) facing each diverter (4), (6) is a loading conveyor for transferring the articles of the sorting conveyor (1),
Reference numeral (7) is a keyboard for inputting the sorting destination of the article (2) to the chute (5) by number, and the chute (5) includes a main body (501) for lowering the article (2) and an article (2). It is composed of a pair of left and right side walls (502) and (503) that prevent falling and is provided so as to be inclined downward from the sorting conveyor (1). (504) is a stopper for the article (2) provided at the lower end of the chute (5).

Next, the operation will be described. For example, the worker sequentially places the articles (2) unloaded from the truck on the loading conveyor (6) and inputs the sorting destination of the articles (2) on the keyboard (7) by the number of the chute (5). .
The input sorting destination is a computer (not shown)
Memorized in. When the article (2) is transferred from the loading conveyor (6) to the sorting conveyor (1) and reaches the payout position to the chute (5) corresponding to the sorting destination stored in the computer, the article (2) faces the chute (5). The diverter (4) swung to pay the articles (2) to the side of the sorting conveyor (1) (the side opposite to the diverter (4)) as indicated by the arrow (8) in FIG. put out. And
The chute (5) receives the article (2) thus dispensed. Then, the article (2) received by the chute (5) descends to the lower end of the chute (5) while being prevented from falling by the side walls (502), (503), and undergoes the next handling work.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

As described above, the chute (5) lowers the article (2) delivered from the sorting conveyor (1) to the lower end thereof, but the article (2) is conveyed by the sorting conveyor (1) when it is delivered. Since it has a velocity component in the direction (3), a particularly heavy article slides diagonally forward as indicated by an arrow (9) in FIG. 9 due to inertia, and the side wall (502) in front of the conveying direction (3). There is a problem in that not only the article (2) is damaged by the collision with but also the side wall (502) of the chute (5) is damaged. Also, in order to prevent such a collision, a new problem arises in that the width of the chute (5) must be increased.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the conventional ones, and it is possible to sort even heavy articles without increasing the width of the chute and significantly increasing the cost of the chute. An object of the present invention is to provide an article sorting apparatus that does not collide with the side wall of a chute when discharged from a conveyor, or can reduce the collision even if it collides.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the article sorting apparatus of the present invention uses a roller conveyor as a chute, and at least a part of the rollers of the roller conveyor is located at an upstream side portion as viewed in the transport direction of the sorting conveyor and is made of metal. And a second shaft formed on the downstream side of the first axial portion and having an elastic body whose surface has a friction coefficient larger than that of the metal surface of the first axial portion. The roller which has a directional portion and is located farther from the sorting conveyor has the upstream end in the transport direction of the second axial portion located on the downstream side in the transport direction.

[Action]

In the article sorting apparatus configured as described above, the velocity component of the articles discharged from the sorting conveyor toward the lower end of the roller conveyor is not weakened much because the roller rotates (accelerated depending on the inclination). The article that is about to slip past the downstream edge of the roller conveyor in the transport direction contacts the surface of the second axial portion and has a large coefficient of friction on the surface of the second axial portion as well as the second axial portion. The elastic body of the part elastically deforms due to the weight of the article, so that the velocity component in the article conveying direction of the sorting conveyor is weakened and the article is braked in the conveying direction. Also,
The farther the roller is from the sorting conveyor, the more the upstream end of the second axial portion in the transport direction is located on the downstream side in the transport direction, so that the axial dimension of the second axial portion is maintained while maintaining the braking effect. Can be made smaller.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a second axial portion of a roller for explaining the action of the second axial portion of the roller shown in FIG. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view, and the same portions as those of the conventional one are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, (5A) is a conventional chute (5)
The roller conveyor (501A) used as is a series of rollers forming a part of the main body (501), and is supported by the shaft (505) so as to be freely rotatable. It constitutes the main part. And the roller (501A) on the side close to this sorting conveyor (1)
(Eight rollers in this embodiment) are the first axial portion (508) and the first axial portion (508) located at the upstream side in the conveying direction (3) of the sorting conveyor (1). 508)
And a second axial portion (507) located downstream of the. Incidentally, (506) is the upstream end of the second axial portion (507) as seen in the transport direction (3). The roller (not shown) on the side closer to the lower end of the roller conveyor (5A) may be a conventional normal roller entirely formed of the same material. Such a conventional ordinary roller is wholly formed of a metal such as iron or aluminum, and the roller (501A) is also formed of a metal similar to the conventional one in the first axial portion (508). Axial part of (50
The configuration of 7) is different from the conventional one. That is, the surface of the second axial portion (507) has an elastic body (51) such as urethane rubber having a larger friction coefficient than the metal surface of the first axial portion (508).
0).

Further, the first axial portion (508) and the second axial portion (507) are each formed by separate rollers having substantially the same diameter. Further, the roller (501A) farther from the sorting conveyor (1) has a smaller axial dimension of the second axial portion (507), so that the second axial portion (50
The upstream end (506) of the transportation direction 7) is located downstream when viewed in the transportation direction (3).

Then, the second axial portion (507) is moved in the transport direction (3).
By arranging it on the downstream side of the first axial portion (508), and forming the surface thereof with an elastic body (510) having a friction coefficient larger than that of the metal surface of the first axial portion (508). , Sorting conveyor (1) to roller conveyor (5
When the article (2) delivered to A) tries to slide axially forward of the roller (501A) over the side wall (502) on the roller conveyor (5A) as shown by an arrow (9) in FIG. 9, The article (2) will inevitably pass over the elastic body (510) of the second axial portion (507) before hitting the side wall (502) and contact the surface of the elastic body (510). By doing
Due to the axial braking, the velocity component in the transport direction (3) is weakened. Further, when the article (2) rides on the elastic body (510), the upper portion of the elastic body (510) contacting the article (2) is deformed flat as shown in FIG. 2 due to the weight of the article (2). As a result, braking against slipping of the article (2) in the transport direction (3) is further strengthened. Moreover, the deformation of the elastic body (510) increases as the weight of the article increases, and the braking force on the article (2) increases. Therefore, in the case of the conventional chute (5), the article (2) that tries to slip over the downstream side edge of the roller conveyor (5A), that is, the side wall (502) is conveyed on the roller (501A) in the present invention. Slide in the direction (3) to move the elastic body (51
The transport direction (3) of the article (2) by contacting with (0)
Since the velocity component of is weakened, roller conveyor (5A)
Even if the width of the article (2) is not increased, it descends as shown by the arrow (10) in FIG. 1 to avoid the collision with the side wall (502), and even if the collision occurs, the collision is small, so that the article (2) Breakage and damage to the side wall (502) are prevented. However, if it is a lightweight article, it may drop without contacting the elastic body (510) as indicated by the arrow (11). The elastic body (51
0) brakes the article (2) in the transport direction (3), but for the velocity component toward the lower end of the roller conveyor (5A), since the roller (501A) rotates, the article (2) is elastic ( It descends toward the lower end of the roller conveyor (5A) without being obstructed by 510). This means that a roller conveyor (5A) is used as the chute, and if a flat chute is used as the chute and an elastic body is provided on a part of the surface of the chute, the lower end of the chute is generated by the elastic body. A great amount of braking is exerted until the descending motion of the article toward, and the article (2) does not descend satisfactorily to the lower end of the chute. Further, when the collision with the side wall (502) is avoided as described above, or when the center of gravity of the article (2) descends while remaining on the roller conveyor (5A) even without the side wall (502). , Or if another roller conveyor (5A) is installed adjacent to the roller conveyor (5A) and the probability is low, the roller conveyor (5A) may jump out to the side. It is necessary to check it later.)
2) may be omitted. In that case, the side wall (503) on the upstream side in the transport direction is originally not as important as the side wall (502) on the downstream side, and therefore the side wall (503) may be omitted as well. However, it is necessary to support the roller (501A) by an appropriate means. The material of the elastic body (510) is more expensive than iron, aluminum, etc., but the elastic body (510)
Only a part of the roller (501A) in the axial direction is provided, and the cost increase can be suppressed to the minimum. Further, since the second axial portion (507) is formed so as to have substantially the same diameter as the first axial portion (508), the first axial portion (508) and the second axial portion (508) have the same diameter. The transfer of the article (2) to the part (507) is smoothly performed, and the article (2) is transferred at the time of transfer.
Will not fall or be damaged. In FIG. 2, reference numeral (509) denotes a metal core portion that supports the elastic body (510).

If the friction coefficient of the second axial portion (507) is to be increased, the metal surface of this portion may be roughened by satin finish, knurling, etc. However, during use, clogging occurs due to dust or oily substances, the braking effect cannot be expected, and there is no braking effect caused by the deformation of the article (2) due to the weight of the article (2) like the elastic body (510). Not at all.

Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, as described above, the roller (501A) farther from the sorting conveyor (1) has a smaller axial dimension of the second axial portion (507), so that the second axial direction is reduced. The upstream end (506) of the portion (507) in the transport direction is located on the downstream side when viewed in the transport direction (3). That is, the descending path of the article (2) on the roller conveyor (5A) is almost as shown by the arrow (10), and the farther from the sorting conveyor (1), the side wall (502) in front of the conveying direction (3). In view of the fact that the elastic body (510) is close to the vehicle and the elastic body (510) is expensive, only the part that substantially contributes to the braking is configured by the roller provided with the elastic body (510), and the price is maintained while maintaining the braking effect. Is being reduced.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a second axial portion (507).
As shown in FIG. 1, the roller (501A) whose upstream end (506) viewed in the transport direction (3) is farther from the sorting conveyor (1) is located on the downstream side in the transport direction (3). But the length of the second axial portion (507) is constant (same) for each roller (501A), and the farther the roller (501A) is from the sorting conveyor (1), the more The difference is that the position of the second axial portion (507) in the roller (501A) is shifted to the downstream side in the transport direction (3). That is, since the descending path of the article is as shown by the arrow (10), the roller (501A) close to the sorting conveyor (1),
The downstream portion when viewed in the transport direction (3) does not substantially contribute to the braking of the article (2), and this portion is elastic (51
It aims to further reduce the price by omitting 0). Moreover, since the axial length of the second axial portion (507), and hence the elastic body (510), is constant, the formation of the second axial portion (507) is simple. Therefore, the price can be further reduced. In this embodiment, the first axial portion (508) and the second axial portion (507) are integrally formed, but they are formed as separate rollers as shown in FIG. Is also good. In addition, in FIG.
1B) shows a conventional ordinary roller which does not have an elastic body (510) and is entirely made of iron or aluminum.

By the way, the axial length of the second axial portion (507) and the position where it is provided differ from case to case. That is, the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor (1), the elastic body (51
It depends on various factors such as the material of 0), the size and weight of the article to be handled, the friction coefficient of the bottom of the article, or the width of the roller conveyor (5A). In short, the article (2)
May be prevented from colliding with the side wall (502), or may be collided if the impact is small, it may be determined in consideration of the above-mentioned various factors. Generally, it is considered to be decided by the solid line. Further, a roller (501A) provided with an elastic body (510)
In the same manner, the number of the rollers and which roller the elastic body (510) is provided on will be determined. That is, the elastic body (510) only needs to be provided on the rollers at the necessary number and position for braking the article (2), and the other rollers are the same as the conventional ones over the entire length in the axial direction. It is sufficient to use the one formed in.

An example of a roller (501A) comprising a first axial portion (508) and a second axial portion (507) that can be used in the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 in an axial sectional view. This roller (501A) has a first axial portion (508) and a second axial portion (507) formed within one roller, and the second axial portion (507) is shown in the figure. So that the first axial part (5
08), the friction coefficient from the core (509) and the metal surface of the first axial portion (508) formed integrally with this but with a smaller diameter than the first axial portion (508). Has a large diameter and has substantially the same diameter as the first axial portion (508) and an elastic body (510) provided on the core portion (509).

Another example of a roller (501A) comprising a first axial portion (508) and a second axial portion (507) that can be used in the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 in an axial sectional view. There is. This roller (501A) differs from the roller (501A) of FIG. 4 in that the elastic body (510) is provided on the core portion (509) having the same diameter as the first axial portion (508). Second axial part (50
According to this configuration, since the core portion (509) does not need to have a smaller diameter than the first axial portion (508) in terms of the formation of 7), the manufacturing is simple and inexpensive. It should be noted that the upstream end (506) side portion of the elastic body (510) is provided with a slope so that the article (2) does not catch on the elastic body (510) and fall.

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view showing still another example of the roller (501A) including the first axial portion (508) and the second axial portion (507) which can be used in the present invention. It is shown.
The rollers (501A) in FIGS. 4 and 5 both have a hollow structure for weight reduction, but those in FIG. 6 have a solid structure so that the elastic body (510) can have a large thickness. It is the one. By doing so, the weight of the roller (501A) becomes large and the amount of material of the elastic body (510) required becomes large, so that it becomes expensive, but the elastic body (510) when the article (2) rides on it. Deformation amount (deformation described in FIG. 2)
Is increased, and the braking effect on the article (2) is increased.

It should be noted that any one of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
In any of the rollers (501A) shown in FIGS. 6 to 6, the first axial portion (508) and the second axial portion (50)
Whether 7) and (5) are formed by separate rollers or formed in a single roller may be appropriately selected according to requirements.
However, if formed by separate rollers, the core (509) of the second axial portion (507) will be different from the first axial portion (508), as in FIGS. 4 and 6. Eliminates the hassle of integrally forming the diameter. In addition, the elastic body (51
0) can be attached by winding a band of preformed elastic body (510), baking and fixing it by adhesion, or after inserting the roller in the mold and injecting the liquid elastic body into the mold. , A method of solidifying is considered as a general method,
Other fixing means may be used. In addition, the elastic body (51
The material of 0) is not limited to urethane rubber, and other suitable elastic body may be used. Further, as the diverter for delivering the article (2) to the roller conveyor (5A), in addition to the type in which the article (2) is swung to knock the article (2) as shown in the embodiment, the article (2) is simply struck. A type in which a large number of carriers are connected endlessly, such as the type described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-113027, is used instead of the belt conveyor as the sorting conveyor (1). , Each carrier is formed of a belt driven in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor, and when the predetermined carrier reaches the sorting destination roller conveyor (5A), the belt is driven to convey the article thereon. To the roller conveyor (5A) or a carrier that can be tilted, and this plate tilts when it reaches the sorting destination roller conveyor (5A). There is also one in which the articles on the roller conveyor (5A) are delivered to the roller conveyor (5A), but the present invention is not limited by the type of the diverter.

Finally, a preferred use example of the present invention will be described. That is, even if the articles are delivered to the same roller conveyor (5A),
Depending on its type, the roller conveyor (5A) is selectively paid out to the front half or the rear half when viewed in the transport direction (3). Distinguish small (or light) articles into the front half of the roller conveyor (5A), large (or heavy) articles into the rear half, and so on, so that smaller (or smaller) articles on the same roller conveyor (5A) are dispensed. Roller conveyor (5A), which avoids collision between light and large (or heavy) articles and facilitates handling of sorted articles.
The articles delivered to the rear half are subjected to axial braking by the second axial portion (507) of the roller (5A), and thus descend on the roller conveyor (5A) without exceeding the rear half. Therefore, even if the width of the roller conveyor (5A) is not increased, articles of different sizes (or weights) can be delivered to different parts in the width direction. As means for changing the payout position in this way, a method of making the operation timing of the diverter (4) early for a small (or light) article and delaying it for a large (or heavy) article, and a method of diverter (4) Although the operation timing is the same, there is a method such that the article loading position on the sorting conveyor (1) is set such that a large (or heavy) article is located downstream of a small (or light) article in the transport direction (3). Conceivable.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, a roller conveyor is used as a chute, and the roller has a first axial portion made of metal and an elastic surface having a friction coefficient larger than that of the metal surface of the first axial portion. It is formed by a body and the second axial part is arranged downstream of the first axial part when viewed in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor, so that the width of the roller conveyor is not increased and the cost of the chute is significantly increased. Collision between the article and the side wall of the roller conveyor is avoided without raising, or the impact at that time is reduced even if it collides, damage to the article and damage to the side wall is prevented, and further, the collision is completely prevented. If it is avoided, or if the center of gravity of the article drops without a side wall and remains on the roller conveyor, or if the probability is low, then the article is a roller conveyor. The effect that the side wall can be omitted in the case where it is possible to jump out to the side has the effect that the roller is farther from the sorting conveyor, and the axial dimension of the second axial portion is made smaller. By locating the upstream end of the second axial portion in the transport direction on the downstream side in the transport direction, it is possible to reduce the price of the roller while maintaining the braking effect on the article.

In addition, the axial dimension of the second axial portion is constant for each roller, and the position of the second axial portion in each roller is shifted toward the downstream side in the transport direction as the roller is farther from the sorting conveyor. The price can be further reduced.

Further, by forming the first axial direction portion and the second axial direction portion by separate rollers, it is possible to easily manufacture a roller composed of these both axial direction portions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an article sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a roller for explaining the action of a second axial portion, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part of an article sorting apparatus according to another embodiment, FIGS. 4 to 6 are axial sectional views showing different configurations of rollers usable in the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a conventional article sorting apparatus. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the article sorting apparatus of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation and problems of the conventional article sorting apparatus. In the figure, (1) is a sorting conveyor, (2) is an article, (3) is a conveying direction, (5A) is a roller conveyor,
(501A) is a roller, (507) is a second axial portion of the roller (501A), (506) is an upstream end thereof, (508) is a first axial portion, and (510) is an elastic body. . In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sorting conveyor for transporting articles in a predetermined transporting direction along a predetermined transporting path, and a sorting conveyor, which is arranged laterally of the sorting conveyor and inclined downward from the sorting conveyor. In an article sorting apparatus having a chute for receiving the articles delivered to one side, a roller conveyor is used as the chute, and at least a part of the rollers of the roller conveyor are located at an upstream side portion when viewed in the transport direction, and metal And a second shaft formed on the downstream side of the first axial portion and having an elastic body whose surface has a friction coefficient larger than that of the metal surface of the first axial portion. A roller that has a directional portion and is further away from the sorting conveyor, the axial dimension of the second axial portion is reduced An article sorting apparatus characterized in that an upstream side end of the axial direction portion in the transport direction is located on a downstream side in the transport direction. 2. A sorting conveyor for transporting articles in a predetermined transporting direction along a predetermined transporting path, and a side of the sorting conveyor, and a slanting downward direction from the sorting conveyor. In an article sorting apparatus having a chute for receiving the articles delivered to one side, a roller conveyor is used as the chute, and at least a part of the rollers of the roller conveyor are located at an upstream side portion when viewed in the transport direction, and metal And a second shaft formed on the downstream side of the first axial portion and having an elastic body whose surface has a friction coefficient larger than that of the metal surface of the first axial portion. The second axial portion has a constant axial dimension for each roller and is spaced apart from the sorting conveyor. The apparatus for sorting articles is characterized in that the position of the second axial portion of each roller is shifted toward the downstream side in the transport direction. 3. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first axial portion and the second axial portion are formed by separate rollers.