JPH10291640A - Conveying direction turning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate branching transfer of articles, by transferring articles conveyed from specific number of bring-in conveyers to positions of specific number of carrying-out conveyers using rotation of a turntable, and by guiding the articles onto carrying-out conveyers at a given position on the turntable using a movable carrying-out guide which independently rotates. SOLUTION: Around a turntable 1 which rotates in the constant direction, at least one of bring-in conveyers 2A-2D and two or more carrying-out conveyers 3A-3D are arranged in the cross shape. A movable carrying-out guide 4 which rotates independently of the turntable 1 and stops at a given position is placed on the turntable 1 coaxially with the turntable 1. Articles A which are conveyed from the bring-in conveyers 2A-2D onto the turntable 1 are transferred to the ends of the carrying-out conveyers 3A-3D. In addition, the movable carrying-out guide 4 guides the articles A onto desired carrying-out conveyers 3A-3D at a given position on the turntable 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer direction changing device for switching the transfer direction of a conveyed object such as a container or a tray, and more particularly to a transfer direction changing device provided with a turntable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a transport system using a transport conveyor, it is often necessary to change the transport direction of a transported object by 90 degrees or U-turn (180 degrees).
For this reason, various transport direction changing devices have been used conventionally.

FIG. 8A shows an example of a transfer direction changing device for 90 ° turning. The transfer direction changing device includes a carry-in conveyor B and a carry-out conveyor C.
And a turntable D is provided between them, and the conveyed goods A carried by the conveyor B are placed on the turntable D,
The transported object A is transferred onto the unloading conveyor C by rotating the turntable D (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 57-15511).
No. 8).

FIG. 8B shows an example of a transfer direction changing device for making a U-turn of a transferred object. In this transfer direction changing device, transfer conveyors E and F for transferring in opposite directions are arranged side by side in parallel with each other, and a turntable G is disposed at the end of both conveyors E and F. The conveyed object A is placed on the turntable G and transferred to an adjacent conveyor F (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-258961).

[0005] Further, in the case where the transport path is orthogonal to the cross, a transport direction changing device having a configuration shown in FIG. 9 has been considered. That is, four carry-in conveyors H and four carry-out conveyors I are arranged in a cross shape, and four turntables J are installed therein. The turntable J is rotated 90 ° and provided on the turntable J. In combination with the transfer in the forward and reverse directions by the conveyor K, it is possible to change the transfer direction including the U-turn of the transfer object.

[0006]

When the conveyed goods conveyed from the carry-in conveyor are sorted and transferred to a plurality of carry-out conveyors, the conveyor is set on the turntable as shown in FIG. It is necessary to combine the rotation of the conveyor with the transfer operation in the forward and reverse directions by the conveyor, and thus there is a disadvantage that the apparatus becomes complicated and large.
Further, when the U-turn of the conveyed material and the turning in the other direction are required, it is necessary to operate a combination of a plurality of turntables with a conveyor as shown in the example of FIG. 9, so that complicated operation control is required. Becomes In addition, unless the turntable with a conveyor transports the conveyed goods in the same direction, it is necessary to keep the next conveyed goods on the carry-in conveyor until the turntable with the conveyer returns to the conveyed goods receiving position. There is a disadvantage that the transport efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transport direction changing apparatus having a simple structure which can easily cope with branch transport and U-turn transport of a transported object.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is arranged between each end of at least one carry-in conveyor and two or more carry-out conveyors and rotates in a certain direction. A turntable that is provided coaxially with the turntable, and a movable discharge guide that rotates independently on the turntable and stops at a predetermined position.

According to the above construction, the conveyed goods carried on the turntable from the carry-in conveyor can be carried to the position of the carry-out conveyor by rotation of the turntable, and the movable carry-out guide which rotates independently of the turntable. Guides the conveyed object onto the unloading conveyor at a predetermined position on the turntable, so that the direction of the conveyed object can be easily changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the transfer direction changing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a transfer means for movably supporting a conveyed material between an end of the carry-in and carry-out conveyor and the turntable. It is characterized by having been done.

According to the above construction, at the time of loading and unloading of the conveyed article, the transfer means provided between the end of the loading and unloading conveyer and the turntable is used to move the conveyed article between the loading and unloading conveyer and the turntable. Can be smoothly delivered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the transport direction changing device according to the second aspect, the transfer means has a rotatable ball or a slippery support plate for supporting the transported object so as to be movable in an arbitrary direction. It is characterized by.

According to the above configuration, the transfer of the conveyed goods between the carry-in and carry-out conveyor and the turntable can be smoothly performed with a simple structure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the transport direction changing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a transported object to be transported from the carry-in conveyor between the carry-in conveyor and the turntable is provided. It is characterized in that a carry-in guide that guides the side surface portion and guides it on the turntable is provided.

According to the above construction, the side surface of the conveyed article carried from the carry-in conveyor onto the turntable is guided by the carry-in guide, so that the carried article can be smoothly carried in.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the transport direction changing device according to the fourth aspect is arranged so that a conveyed article from the carry-in conveyor passes before another carry-out conveyor and is carried on the turntable. Wherein the carry-in guide is switchable between a guide position that guides a side portion of the conveyed object by blocking the front of the other carry-out conveyor and a release position that releases the front of the other carry-out conveyor. I do.

According to the above configuration, the carry-in guide is switched between the guide position and the release position to be displaced, so that carry-in from the carry-in conveyor onto the turntable and carry-out from the turntable to another carry-out conveyor are performed smoothly. As a result, it is possible to provide a transport direction changing device that can smoothly change the direction of a conveyed product in an arbitrary direction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the transport direction changing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the carry-in conveyor and the carry-out conveyor are provided in a pair and are arranged side by side with each other. A pair of carry-in and carry-out conveyors are arranged substantially in a cross shape around the turntable.

According to the above configuration, even if a conveyed object is conveyed from any of the four carry-in conveyors, the conveyed material is transferred to a desired one of the four carry-out conveyors via one turntable. It can be transferred, so go straight (0 °), 90 °, 180 ° (U-turn) and 27
A transport direction changing device capable of changing the direction by 0 ° can be provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the transport direction changing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the carry-in conveyor and the carry-out conveyor are provided in a pair and are arranged side by side with each other. The paired carry-in and carry-out conveyors are arranged in a substantially T-shape or a substantially Y-shape around the turntable.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a transport direction changing device that can change the direction of a conveyed product in three directions including a U-turn through one turntable.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the transport direction changing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the detector detects a transported object near an end of the carry-in conveyor and around the turntable, respectively. Is provided.

According to the above arrangement, the conveyed material conveyed to the end by the carry-in conveyor can be detected by the detector near the end of the carry-in conveyor, and the conveyed material conveyed by the turntable can be detected. Since the position can be detected by the detector around the turntable,
The movable discharge guide can be efficiently driven and controlled based on the detection signals of these detectors. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently carry the conveyed goods carried by the carry-in conveyor to the turntable and carry it out to a desired carry conveyor. Further, in a transfer direction changing device having a carry-in guide which can be switched and displaced, the carry-in guide can be switched at a good timing by a signal of a detector near the end of the carry-in conveyor and a detector around the turntable. The conveyed goods conveyed by the conveyer can be efficiently carried into the turntable and can be carried out onto a desired carry-out conveyor without any trouble.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0025]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 1, in the transport direction changing apparatus of this embodiment, four carry-in conveyors 2 </ b> A to 2 </ b> D around a turntable 1 rotating in a certain direction.
And the four carry-out conveyors 3A to 3D are arranged one by one in a cross shape. That is, the loading conveyor 2
The carry-out conveyor 3A paired with the conveyor A is disposed upstream of the carry-in conveyor 2A in the rotational movement of the turntable 1, and the carry-in and carry-out conveyor 2A,
The loading and unloading conveyors 2C and 3C facing 3A are
An unloading conveyor 3C is located on an extension of the infeed conveyor 2A with the turntable 1 interposed therebetween to constitute a straight-ahead conveyor,
And the unloading conveyor 3A on the extension of the infeed conveyor 2C.
Are arranged so as to constitute a straight traveling conveyor in the reverse direction. The loading and unloading conveyors 2B and 3B and the loading and unloading conveyors 2D and 3D have the same arrangement and configuration as described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the turntable 1, a movable carry-out guide 4 which rotates independently of the turntable 1 and stops at a predetermined position is provided coaxially with the turntable 1. I have. In FIG. 2, M1 is a drive motor for driving the turntable 1 to rotate, and M2 is a drive motor for driving the movable carry-out guide 4 to rotate.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a conveyed object A is located between the turntable 1 and the ends of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D and the carry-out conveyors 3A to 3D.
Is provided. The illustrated transfer means 5 has a plurality of rotatable balls 5a for supporting the transported object A movably in an arbitrary direction on a pedestal (not shown), but the transported object A can be moved in an arbitrary direction. It may have a support plate which is easy to support.

Further, in this embodiment, the side surfaces of the articles A to be carried in from the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D are guided between the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D and the turntable 1 to guide them on the turntable 1. Are provided.

In this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 1, a conveyed article A carried into the turntable 1 from the carry-in conveyor 2A passes in front of the carry-out conveyor 3B, and is moved from the carry-in conveyor 2B to the turntable 1 The conveyed goods carried in above pass in front of the unloading conveyor 3C, the conveyed goods carried in from the carry-in conveyor 2C on the turntable 1 pass in front of the unloading conveyor 3D, and come in on the turntable 1 from the carry-in conveyor 2D. Since the carry-in and carry-out conveyors are arranged so that the carried goods pass in front of the carry-out conveyor 3A, as shown in FIG. 3, each carry-in guide 6A to 6D is connected to the corresponding carry-out conveyor 3A to 3D. A guide position P1 for guiding the side of the conveyed object A while blocking the front.
And a release position P for releasing the front of the unloading conveyors 3A to 3D.
2 and can be displaced. Loading guides 6A to 6D
An air cylinder device, an electric motor, or the like can be used as an actuator for driving the displacement of the air cylinder.

The carry-in guide 6A (6B to 6B) shown in FIG.
6D) shows the guide position P1 and the release position P about the axis S.
2 can be rotationally displaced, but the loading guide 6A
(6B to 6D) may be switched between the guide position P1 and the release position P2 by vertically moving or horizontally moving by the actuator M3 as shown in FIGS.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, detectors 7A to 7D for detecting the conveyed articles A are provided near the ends of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D, respectively. Are provided around detectors 8A to 8D for detecting that the transported object A has passed in front of the unloading conveyors 3A to 3D. Loading conveyor 2A-2
The detectors 7A to 7D installed near the end of D preferably read bar code information or an ID code such as a label provided on the side surface of the conveyed article A to determine the traveling direction of the conveyed article. Be composed.

In the transport direction changing device having the above structure,
The conveyed goods A carried into the turntable 1 from the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D can be carried to the end positions of the carry-out conveyors 3A to 3D by rotation of the turntable 1, and rotate independently of the turntable 1. The movable unloading guide 4 moves the transported object A at a predetermined position on the turntable 1.
Can be guided onto desired carry-out conveyors 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D, so that the direction of the transported object A can be easily changed.

FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e) show the transfer of the transported object A from the loading conveyor 2A to the unloading conveyors 3A to 3D.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the transported object A transported on the carry-in conveyor 2A is moved onto the unloading conveyor 3C and made to travel straight, as shown in FIG. 2A, the carry-in guide 6B is driven by the carry-out conveyor 3B based on the detection signal of the detector 7A.
Is moved to a release position where only the carry-in guide 6C releases the path to the carry-out conveyor 3C. The movable discharge guide 4 has its tip rotated to a position on the downstream side of the discharge conveyor 3C in the rotation direction of the turntable 1, and the movable discharge guide 4 is rotated.
Is stopped at a position parallel to the unloading direction of the conveyed article A from the turntable 1 toward the unloading conveyor 3C. Therefore, the carry-in guide 6B is placed on the end of the carry-in conveyor 2A.
The goods A mounted on the turntable 1 along
The turntable 1 is conveyed to the position of the unloading conveyor 3C by the rotation of the turntable 1, and then the conveyed object A is ejected from the turntable 1 while sliding along the movable unloading guide 4 by the rotation force of the turntable 1, and is passed through the transfer means 5. And transferred onto the carry-out conveyor 3C.

Further, when the transported object A transported on the carry-in conveyor 2A is transferred to the unloading conveyor 3D to change the direction by 90 °, the transported object A is carried in as shown in FIG. When reaching the end of the conveyor 2A, only the carry-in guide 6D that blocks the front of the carry-out conveyor 3D moves to the release position based on the detection signal of the detector 7A, and the movable carry-out guide 4
Is a position where the tip is rotated to a position on the downstream side of the unloading conveyor 3D in the rotation direction of the turntable 1, and the movable unloading guide 4 is parallel to the unloading direction of the conveyed article A from the turntable 1 toward the unloading conveyor 3D. Stopped at Therefore, the conveyed goods A mounted on the turntable 1 along the carry-in guide 6B from the end of the carry-in conveyor 2A are moved by the rotation of the turntable 1 to the carry-out conveyor 3A.
D is conveyed to the position of D. Thereafter, the conveyed object A is discharged from the turntable 1 while sliding along the movable discharge guide 4 by the rotational force of the turntable 1, and is transferred to the discharge conveyor 3D via the transfer means 5. Passed.

When the transported object A transported on the carry-in conveyor 2A is transferred to the unloading conveyor 3A to change the direction by 180 °, as shown in FIG.
Arrives at the end of the carry-in conveyor 2A, the detector 7A
Based on the detection signal, only the carry-in guide 6A that blocks the front of the carry-out conveyor 3A moves to the release position, and the tip of the movable carry-out guide 4 rotates to a position downstream of the carry-out conveyor 3A in the rotation direction of the turntable 1. The movable unloading guide 4 is moved from the turntable 1 to the unloading conveyor 3A.
Is stopped at a position parallel to the unloading direction of the conveyed article A toward. Therefore, the conveyed object A mounted on the turntable 1 along the carry-in guide 6B from the end of the conveyer 2A is conveyed to the position of the conveyer 3A by the rotation of the turntable 1, and then the conveyed object A is turned. The paper is discharged from the turntable 1 while sliding along the movable carry-out guide 4 by the rotation force of the table 1, and is transferred to the carry-out conveyor 3 </ b> A via the transfer means 5.

Further, when the transported object A transported on the carry-in conveyor 2A is transferred to the unloading conveyor 3B to change the direction by 270 °, the transported object A is carried in as shown in FIG. When reaching the end of the conveyor 2A, at least the carry-in guide 6B based on the detection signal of the detector 7A
Is placed at a guide position that blocks the front of the carry-out conveyor 3B, and the movable carry-out guide 4 waits at a position that does not obstruct the carry-in of the conveyed object A from the carry-in conveyor 2A onto the turntable 1. The conveyed material A is turned from the unloading conveyor 2A to the turntable 1.
When moving up, the detector 8B located downstream of the unloading conveyor 3B around the turntable 1 turns the turntable 1
Since the upper transported object A is detected, as shown in FIG. 4E, the unloading conveyor 3B is detected based on the detection signal of the detector 8B.
Is moved to the release position, the movable discharge guide 4 is rotated to a position downstream of the discharge conveyor 3B in the rotation direction of the turntable 1, and the movable discharge guide 4 is turned. It is stopped at a position parallel to the unloading direction of the transported article A from the table 1 to the unloading conveyor 3B. Therefore, the conveyed object A mounted on the turntable 1 from the carry-in conveyor 2A is conveyed to the position of the unloading conveyor 3B by the rotation of the turntable 1, and thereafter the conveyed object A is moved by the movable unloading guide 4 by the rotational force of the turntable 1. Along the turntable 1 and transferred to the unloading conveyor 3B via the transfer means 5.

As described above, in this embodiment, even if the conveyed goods are conveyed from any of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D, they can go straight (0 °), 90 °, 180 ° (U
Turn) and a 270 ° turn.

In the direction change of 0 ° (straight) or 90 ° or 180 ° shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), when the conveyed material is transferred from the same carry-in conveyor to the same carry-out conveyor, the turntable 1 is used. A plurality of articles can be carried in at the same time and continuously carried out to the carry-out conveyor. On the other hand, if the transported object reaches the end of another incoming conveyor while the transported object A is being transported on the turntable 1, or if the transported object having a different unloading route is transported to the end of the same incoming conveyor. When it comes, another conveyed product can be made to stand by on the carry-in conveyor until the transfer from the turntable 1 to the carry-out conveyor is completed. In that case, the carry-in conveyor may be stopped, or a shutter (not shown) for preventing carry-in onto the turntable 1 may be provided at the end of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D.

In the loading control of the transported article A from the four directions, priorities are programmed in advance among the loading conveyors 2A to 2D in the four directions, and the loading process of the transported article A is performed according to the priorities. Is preferred. In that case, the confirmation of the arrival of the conveyed article A and the instruction of the priority are sent to the detectors 7A to 7A
D. In addition, loading conveyor 2
By adjusting the length of the conveyor on the upstream side of A to 2D or the conveying speed thereof, it is possible to adjust the arrival time to the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2D, and thereby control the carry-in in four directions. Therefore, the loading conveyor 2A ~
It is also possible to perform the direction change processing continuously without waiting for the transported object A on 2D.

Although the turntable 1 rotates only in a fixed direction, the carry-in guide 4 is not limited to the one rotating only in the same direction as the turntable 1, but can be moved in the forward and reverse directions so that it can move to the stop position in the shortest time. It may be rotatable.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the transfer direction changing device shown in FIG.
Three incoming conveyors 2A-2C and outgoing conveyors 3A-3
And C are arranged side by side in pairs.
Three pairs of transport conveyors 2A, 3A, 2
B, 3B, 2C, and 3C are arranged in a T-shape or a substantially Y-shape around the turntable 1. Between the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2C and the turntable 1, there are provided carry-in guides 6A to 6C for guiding side surfaces of the conveyed articles A carried from the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2C and guiding them to the turntable 1. Among these carry-in guides 6A to 6C, the carry-in guide 6B blocks the front of the carry-out conveyor 3B and guides the side surface of the conveyed material A from the carry-in conveyor 2A.
It can be switched to a release position where the front of B is released. The other carry-in guides 6A and 6C are the carry-out conveyor 3
A and 3C are fixed around the turntable 1.
Further, each carry-in conveyor 2 is provided around the turntable 1.
Detectors 8A to 8C are provided for detecting that the transported object A has been transferred onto the turntable 1 from A to 2C.

Also in this embodiment, when the transported object A reaches the ends of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2C, the detectors 7A to 7A are used.
The movable unloading guide 4 can be rotated to a predetermined position and stopped based on the detection signal of 7C. In addition, the carry-in guide 6B can perform a switching operation with good timing based on the detection signals of the detectors 7A to 7C or the detectors 8A to 8C, and therefore, the carry-in goods carried from any of the carry-in conveyors 2A to 2C. Can also be transferred to a desired one of the unloading conveyors 3A to 3C to change the direction of the transport path.

Although the illustrated embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to only the above embodiment.
The present invention can be effectively applied if at least one carry-in conveyor and two or more carry-out conveyors are provided.

[0046]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention relates to a turntable which is disposed between each end of at least one carry-in conveyor and two or more carry-out conveyors and rotates in a certain direction; A movable discharge guide which is provided coaxially with the table, rotates independently on the turntable, and stops at a predetermined position, so that the transport direction of the simple configuration can easily realize the branch transport and the U-turn transport of the transported material. A conversion device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transport direction changing device showing an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a four-way loading and unloading system.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the transport direction changing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view of a carry-in guide of the transfer direction changing device shown in FIG. 1;

4 (a) to 4 (e) are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the transport direction changing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transfer direction changing device showing another embodiment when the present invention is applied to a three-way loading and unloading system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of a carry-in guide used in the carrying direction changing device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing another modification of the carrying-in guide used in the carrying direction changing device of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views each showing a conventional two-way turning device.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a conventional four-direction changing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 turntable 2A-2D carry-in conveyor 3A-3D carry-out conveyor 4 movable carry-out guide 5 transfer means 5a rotatable ball 6A-6D carry-in guide 7A-7D detector 8A-8D detector

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A turntable disposed between each end of at least one carry-in conveyor and two or more carry-out conveyors and rotating in a certain direction, provided coaxially with the turntable and independently provided on the turntable. And a movable unloading guide which rotates and stops at a predetermined position. 2. The transfer direction changing device according to claim 1, wherein a transfer means for movably supporting a transferred object is provided between an end portion of the carry-in and carry-out conveyor and the turntable. apparatus. 3. The transfer direction changing device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means includes a rotatable ball or a slippery support plate for supporting the transferred object movably in an arbitrary direction. 4. A carry-in guide between the carry-in conveyor and the turntable, wherein a carry-in guide is provided to guide a side portion of a conveyed material carried in from the carry-in conveyor and to guide the side surface onto a turntable. Item 4. The transfer direction changing device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The transfer direction changing device according to claim 4, wherein the conveyed goods from the carry-in conveyor are arranged so as to pass in front of another carry-out conveyor and carried on the turntable. A transfer direction changing device, which is switchable between a guide position for guiding a side portion of a conveyed object by blocking the front of the another unloading conveyor and a release position for releasing the front of the another unloading conveyor. 6. A carry-in conveyor and a carry-out conveyor are arranged side by side in a pair, and four pairs of carry-in and carry-out conveyors are arranged in a substantially cross shape around the turntable. The transport direction changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 7. A carry-in conveyor and a carry-out conveyor are arranged in a pair and are arranged side by side, and three pairs of carry-in and carry-out conveyors are respectively substantially T-shaped or substantially Y-shaped around the turntable. The transfer direction changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transfer direction changing device is arranged in a shape. 8. The transport direction according to claim 1, wherein detectors for detecting a transported object are provided near an end of the carry-in conveyor and around the turntable, respectively. Conversion device.