KR102420964B1 - Article transport facility - Google Patents

Abstract

The conveyor device 1 for transporting articles connects and arranges a plurality of conveyor units 2 along a transport path of the articles, and the control unit of the conveyor unit 2 includes a control device H or an upstream conveyor unit 2B. ) transmits the transport destination information received from the downstream conveyor unit 2C, and the control unit of the branch conveyor unit 6, when the transport destination unit is its own conveyor unit 2A, its own conveyor unit 2A ), and when the transport destination unit is any one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units 2C, the article is delivered to the transport destination unit, and the transport destination unit determines which one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units 2C If not, the communication section and the conveyor section are controlled so as to deliver the article to the prescribed downstream unit 2C'.

Description

Goods transport facility {ARTICLE TRANSPORT FACILITY}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an article transport facility comprising a conveyor device for transporting articles, and a control device for transmitting transport information to the conveyor device.

A conventional example of such an article transport facility is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-124139 (Patent Document 1). The article transport facility of Patent Document 1 includes a conveyor device, the conveyor device includes a main transport conveyor section and a sub transport conveyor section, and the main transport conveyor section is equipped with a conveyor for transport. part is provided. In such a conveyor device, each of the conveyor units is controlled by the control device so that command information is transmitted from the control device to the main conveying conveyor unit or the sub conveying conveyor unit, and the main conveying conveyor unit or the sub conveying conveyor unit is driven based on the command information. is becoming Further, the conveyor device is configured such that, in the conveying part of the main conveying conveyor section, the conveying article can be conveyed to the downstream side of the main conveying conveyor section, and the conveyed article can be passed from the main conveying conveyor to the sub conveying conveyor section.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-124139

When controlling such a conveyor apparatus, when a plurality of conveying conveyor parts exist on a conveying path for conveying articles, the control device transmits instruction information to each of the plurality of conveying and mounting conveyor parts to convey The part of the conveyor for mounting must be controlled. Therefore, the control apparatus may need to transmit conveyance information to a plurality of conveying conveyor parts to convey one article, and the amount of information communicated between the control apparatus and the conveyor unit increases.

Therefore, it is desired to realize an article transport facility capable of suppressing the amount of information communicated between the control device and the conveyor device.

In order to solve the above problem, a characteristic configuration of the article transport facility includes a conveyor device for transporting articles, and a control device for transmitting transport information to the conveyor device,

The conveyor device includes a plurality of conveyor units connected and disposed along a conveying path of an article, and each of the plurality of conveyor units includes a conveyor unit that mounts and conveys an item, a communication unit that can communicate with another adjacent conveyor unit; a communication unit and a control unit for controlling the conveyor unit, wherein the control device places transport destination information indicating a transport destination unit that is the conveyor unit of a transport destination of the article to a transport source of the article transmits to a conveyance source unit which is the conveyor unit, and each of the plurality of conveyor units transmits the goods received from the upstream conveyor unit which is the conveyor unit adjacent to the upstream side of its own conveyor unit, conveying so as to be handed over to a downstream conveyor unit that is the conveyor unit adjacent to the downstream side of the conveyor unit, and the control unit transmits the conveying destination information received from the control device or the upstream conveyor unit to the downstream conveyor unit, , the plurality of conveyor units includes a branching conveyor unit having a plurality of downstream conveyor units, and one of these plurality of downstream conveyor units is set as a prescribed downstream side unit, If the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is the own conveyor unit, the control unit stops the article on the own conveyor unit, and the transfer destination information indicated in the received transfer destination information is configured by the control unit. When the transport destination unit is any one of a plurality of the downstream conveyor units, the transport destination information is transmitted to the transport destination unit, and the article is handed over to the transport destination unit, and is indicated in the received transport destination information. if the transport destination unit is not one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units, the communication unit and the communication unit, so as to transmit the transport destination information to the prescribed downstream unit and deliver the article to the prescribed downstream unit; The point is to control the conveyor unit.

According to these characteristic structures, the control device transmits the transfer destination information indicating the transfer destination unit to the transfer origin unit. The conveyance source unit transmits the conveyance destination information received from the control device to the downstream conveyor unit. Conveyor units other than the transfer origin unit and transfer destination unit transmit transfer destination information received from the upstream conveyor unit unit to the downstream conveyor unit. The transfer destination unit receives transfer destination information from the upstream conveyor unit. In this way, the carrier information received by the carrier unit is sequentially relayed and transmitted from the carrier unit to the carrier unit.

And even when a branch conveyor unit exists in the conveyance path of the article from the conveyance source unit to the conveyance destination unit, one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units of the branch conveyor unit is set as the prescribed downstream unit. When the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is not one of its own conveyor unit and the plurality of downstream conveyor units, the branch conveyor unit transmits transfer destination information to the specified downstream unit, and Hand over the article to the unit on the downstream side of the regulation. Then, the branch conveyor unit transmits the transfer destination information to the transfer destination unit and delivers the article to the transfer destination unit when the transfer destination unit indicated in the transfer destination information is a plurality of downstream conveyor units. In addition, when the transfer destination unit indicated in the transfer destination information is its own conveyor unit, the branch conveyor unit is stopped by its own conveyor unit. By setting a conveyor unit located downstream of the prescribed downstream unit as the transport destination unit, as described above, the article transport information is transmitted to the prescribed downstream unit, and the article is passed to the prescribed downstream unit, whereby the transport destination It is possible to transmit information to the transfer destination unit, and at the same time transfer the article to the transfer destination unit.

In this way, only when the control device transmits the transfer destination information to the transfer origin unit, the conveyor apparatus can transfer the article from the transfer origin unit to the transfer destination unit even when a branch conveyor is present during transfer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress information transmitted and received between the control device and the conveyor device.

1 is a plan view of a conveyor device;
2 is a plan view of the first kind of conveyor unit;
3 is a plan view of the second type conveyor unit;
4 is a plan view of the orbiting conveyor unit;
5 is a plan view of the elevating conveyor unit;
6 is a diagram illustrating communication between a conveyor device and a control device;
7 is a diagram showing the speed pattern of the conveying speed of the article;
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a speed pattern of conveying speed of an article;
9 is a diagram showing the speed pattern of the conveying speed of the article;
10 is a diagram showing a speed pattern when an abnormal unit exists;
11 is a view showing the receivable speed
12 is a view showing the receivable speed and the handing speed
Fig. 13 is a view showing the receivable speed and the handing speed when an abnormal unit exists;
14 is a view showing a state in which an abnormality has occurred in the first type conveyor unit;
15 is a view showing a state in which goods are transported to a new transport destination;

1. Embodiment

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an article transport facility will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 and 6 , the article transport facility includes a conveyor device 1 that transports articles, and a control device H that transmits transport information to the conveyor device 1 . In the conveyor apparatus 1, a plurality of conveyor units 2 are connected and arranged along a conveyance path of an article. In addition, the connection arrangement|positioning represents arranging the goods so that conveyance is possible from one side of the two adjacent conveyor units 2 to the other, and it is not necessary to mechanically connect two adjacent conveyor units.

2 to 5 , as the conveyor unit 2 , there are a type 1 conveyor unit 4 , a type 2 conveyor unit 5 , a turning conveyor unit 6 , and a lifting conveyor unit 7 . . By arranging these conveyor units 2 appropriately, the conveyor apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is comprised. 2 to 5, the first type conveyor unit 4 is a square, the second type conveyor unit 5 is a rectangle, the orbiting conveyor unit 6 is a circle, and the lifting conveyor unit 7 is in a square. represented by a triangle. And the 1st type conveyor unit 4 and the 2nd type conveyor unit 5 correspond to a linear conveyor unit, and the revolving conveyor unit 6 corresponds to a branch conveyor unit.

2 to 5 , each of the conveyor units 2 includes a conveyor unit 10 for loading and conveying articles, and a communication unit 11 capable of communicating with the control device H and other adjacent conveyor units 2 . ), a control unit 12 that controls the conveyor unit 10 and the communication unit 11, and an article detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an article on the conveyor unit 10 of its own conveyor unit 2 A sensor 13 is provided. The communication unit 11 includes a first communication unit 11A capable of communicating with the control device H, and a second communication unit 11B capable of communicating with another adjacent conveyor unit 2 . Each of the conveyor units 2 is provided with both the 1st communication part 11A and the 2nd communication part 11B. In addition, in the case where the control unit 12 continues to detect the same product by the product detection sensor 13 despite a drive command to the conveyor unit 10 , the conveyor unit 2 of its own is determined as having an abnormality. In this way, the control unit 12 has a function as an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of its own conveyor unit 2 . In addition, the conveyor unit 2 is provided with a cutting detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the cutting of the belt provided in the conveyor unit 10 , and this cutting detection sensor is also included in the conveyor unit 2 of its own conveyor unit 2 . functions as an abnormality detection unit that detects abnormalities in

As shown in FIG. 2 , the first type conveyor unit 4 includes the conveyor unit 10 , the communication unit 11 , the control unit 12 , and the article detection sensor 13 described above. The part 14 and the turning part 15 are not provided. The first type conveyor unit 4 is configured to be capable of conveying articles in a straight line by the conveyor unit 10 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the second type conveyor unit 5, like the first type conveyor unit 4 , includes the above-described conveyor unit 10 , communication unit 11 , control unit 12 , and an article detection sensor. Although 13 is provided, the raising/lowering part 14 and the turning part 15 mentioned later are not provided. The conveyor section 10 of the type 1 conveyor unit 4 is longer in the conveying direction than the conveyor section 10 of the type 1 conveyor unit 4 , and the article of the type 2 conveyor unit 5 . The conveyance distance of is longer than the conveyance distance of the type 1 conveyor unit 4 . In the present embodiment, the conveyance distance of the articles of the second type conveyor unit 5 is double the conveyance distance of the first type conveyor unit 4 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the turning conveyor unit 6 moves the conveyor unit 10 up and down in addition to the conveyor unit 10 , the communication unit 11 , the control unit 12 , and the article detection sensor 13 described above. It is provided with the turning part 15 which turns around the axial center along a direction. The turning conveyor unit 6 is configured such that the conveying direction of the article by the conveyor unit 10 can be changed by turning the conveyor unit 10 around a longitudinal axis by the turning unit 15 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the lifting conveyor unit 7 includes, in addition to the conveyor unit 10 , the communication unit 11 , the control unit 12 , and the item detection sensor 13 described above, an elevating unit ( 14) is provided. The lifting unit 14 includes a support 14A for supporting the article from below, and an elevating drive unit (not shown) for raising and lowering the support 14A. Accordingly, the evacuation height located below the article supported by the conveyor unit 10 and the support height for supporting the article at a position higher than the article supported by the conveyor unit 10 are raised and lowered.

In the lifting conveyor unit 7 , by lowering the support 14A to the retracting height, the article can be mounted and transported by the conveyor 10 without interfering with the support 14A. Then, by raising the support body 14A from the retracted height to the support height, the article supported by the conveyor unit 10 can be supported while being lifted from the conveyor unit 10 by the support body 14A. Further, by lowering the support body 14A from the support height to the retraction height, it is possible to put the article supported by the support body 14A on the conveyor unit 10 .

In the conveyor apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the first type conveyor unit 4 , the second type conveyor unit 5 , and the orbiting conveyor unit 6 are connected to the first conveying path R1 and the second conveying path ( The first type conveyor unit 4 is linearly connected along the connection path R3 connecting the first conveying path R1 and the second conveying path R2. are doing As indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 , the conveyor apparatus 1 conveys the article in the first direction X1 along the first conveyance path R1 , and conveys the product in the second direction along the second conveyance path R2 . return the In addition, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the conveyor apparatus 1 conveys along the connection path|route R3 in the 3rd direction Y1 or the 4th direction Y2.

Next, with respect to the conveyance of the article by the conveyor apparatus 1, the part surrounded by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1 is demonstrated as an example.

As shown in FIG. 6 , from the upstream side along the first conveyance path R1 , the revolving conveyor unit 6 , the first type conveyor unit 4 , the revolving conveyor unit 6 , and the second type conveyor unit 5 . ) and the turning conveyor unit 6 are arranged in connection in this order. Moreover, the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 is connected and arrange|positioned in the state adjacent to the 3rd direction Y1 with respect to the turning conveyor unit 6 .

Then, the conveyor apparatus 1 includes, from the upstream side, a turning conveyor unit 6 , a first type conveyor unit 4 , a turning conveyor unit 6 , a second type conveyor unit 5 , and a turning conveyor unit 6 . ) to return the goods in order to receive them sequentially. In addition, the turning conveyor unit 6 is configured to be able to be transported even by the lifting conveyor unit 7 by turning the conveyor unit 10 after receiving it from the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to the upstream side, have.

In this way, each of the plurality of conveyor units 2 transports the article received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the own conveyor unit 2 to the downstream side of the own conveyor unit 2 . It conveys so that it may be passed to the conveyor unit (2). In addition, in the case of the turning conveyor unit 6 adjacent to the lifting conveyor unit 7 in FIG. 6 , the article received from the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to the upstream is transferred to the second adjacent to the downstream side. It is alternatively conveyed to the type 2 conveyor unit (5) or the lifting conveyor unit (7).

Then, the code "2A" is given to the own conveyor unit 2, the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the own conveyor unit 2 is called the upstream conveyor unit 2B, and the The conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side of the conveyor unit 2A may be described as the downstream conveyor unit 2C. That is, in FIG. 6, when the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 adjacent to the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 is made into its own conveyor unit 2A, the 1st adjacent to the upstream side of this turning conveyor unit 6 is made. The vertical conveyor unit 4 becomes the upstream conveyor unit 2B, and the second type conveyor unit 5 and the elevating conveyor unit 7 adjacent to the downstream side of this turning conveyor unit 6 are downstream conveyor units. (2C) becomes. In addition, although the code|symbol is not attached|subjected in FIG. 6, when the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 is made into its own conveyor unit 2A, the revolving conveyor unit 6 adjacent to the upstream of this raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 is attached. It becomes this upstream conveyor unit 2B, and the downstream conveyor unit 2C does not exist.

In this way, in the conveyor unit 2, when either one of the upstream conveyor unit 2B and the downstream conveyor unit 2C does not exist, or the upstream conveyor unit 2B and the downstream conveyor unit 2C A plurality of one or both of them may exist.

In addition, there are a plurality of downstream conveyor units 2C in the turning conveyor unit 6, and one of these plurality of downstream conveyor units 2C is set as the prescribed downstream unit 2C'. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , in the turning conveyor unit 6 adjacent to the lifting conveyor unit 7 , the second type conveyor unit 5 and the lifting conveyor unit 7 as downstream conveyor units 2C are provided. ), the first type conveyor unit 4 among these two conveyor units 2 is set as the prescribed downstream unit 2C'.

The control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 includes speed limit information indicating the speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2 provided with the control unit 12 , and the conveyance speed of the article in the conveyor unit 2 of the own conveyor unit 2 . The change amount information indicating the shiftable amount of change is stored.

As shown in Fig. 7, as the conveying speed of the article in the conveyor unit 2, the first speed (1st), the second speed faster than the first speed (2nd), the third speed faster than the second speed (3rd), and the third speed faster than the third speed The fourth speed (4th) is set. In the present embodiment, the first speed is set to 15 m/min, the second speed is set to 30 m/min, the third speed is set to 45 m/min, and the fourth speed is set to 60 m/min. In addition, the normal time limit speed which is one of the speed limit is the upper limit of the conveyance speed of the goods conveyed by the conveyor unit 2, In this embodiment, 60 m/min like 4 speed, or 30 m/min like 2 speed. set to min.

When the article is stopped on the conveyor unit 10 , the first-class conveyor unit 4 can hand over the article to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side in one speed. In addition. The first-class conveyor unit 4 stops the articles received in the first batch from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side on its own conveyor unit 2, It can pass to the conveyor unit 2, and can pass to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream by increasing to 2 speed. In addition, the first-class conveyor unit 4 decelerates to the first speed and delivers the goods received in the second speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side; It can pass to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream with 2 speed, and it can pass to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream by increasing to 3 speed. In addition, the first type conveyor unit 4 decelerates to the second speed and delivers the goods received in the third speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side; It can be passed to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side with 3 speed, and can be passed to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side by increasing the speed to 4 speed. In addition, the first type conveyor unit 4 delivers the goods received in the fourth speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side in the fourth speed; and 3 It can be decelerated into and passed to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side.

That is, in the first type conveyor unit 4, 60 m/min, which is the speed of the 4th speed, is the normal speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2, and speed limit information indicating the normal speed limit is transmitted to the control unit 12. remembered In addition, in the first type conveyor unit 4, a value indicating the speed of the first speed (“15” which is a value when accelerating from a stop state to the first speed or decelerating from the first speed to a stop state) or the first and second speed A value indicating a speed difference with the speed (“15”, which is a value when accelerating from 1st speed to 2nd speed or decelerating from 2nd speed to 1st speed), etc. It is a variable amount that can be shifted, and change amount information indicating this amount of change is stored in the control unit 12 .

When an article is stopped on the conveyor unit 10, the second type conveyor unit 5 moves the article to the downstream side at any one of the first, second, third, and fourth speeds. It can be handed over to the conveyor unit (2). In addition, the second type conveyor unit 5 receives the article from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side at any one of speed 1, 2, 3, and 4, even when the product is received. can be stopped on its own conveyor unit 2, and can be handed over to the downstream conveyor unit 2C at any of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th speeds.

In the second type conveyor unit 5, 60 m/min, which is the speed of the fourth speed, is the normal speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2, and speed limit information indicating the normal speed limit is stored in the control unit 12, have. In addition, in the second type conveyor unit 5, a value indicating the speed of the 4th speed (“60” which is a value when accelerating from a stop state to the 4th speed or decelerating from the 4th speed to a stop state) etc. In the unit 2 , it is a change amount capable of changing the conveyance speed of the article, and change amount information indicating the change amount is stored in the control unit 12 . In this way, the amount of change of the second type conveyor unit 5 (particularly, in the case of multi-level speed change in the own conveyor unit 2 ) is larger than the amount of change of the first type conveyor unit 4 .

The lifting conveyor unit 7 and the orbiting conveyor unit 6 can hand over the article to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side in one speed when the article is stopped on the conveyor unit 10 . In addition. The lifting conveyor unit 7 and the turning conveyor unit 6 are a conveyor unit adjacent to the downstream side, stopping the articles received from the upstream side conveyor in 1st speed on its own conveyor unit 2, and in 1st speed. It can be passed to (2). Further, the turning conveyor unit 6 and the lifting conveyor unit 7 hand over the articles received in the second batch from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side as the second speed. .

In the turning conveyor unit 6 and the lifting conveyor unit 7, the second speed of 30 m/min is the normal speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2, and the speed limit information indicating the normal speed limit is transmitted to the control unit ( 12) is remembered. In addition, in the turning conveyor unit 6 and the lifting conveyor unit 7, a value indicating the speed of 1st speed (“15” which is a value when accelerating from a stop state to 1st speed or decelerating from 1st speed to a stop state) or A value of 0 (“0”, which is a value in the case of maintaining 2nd speed), etc., is the amount of change that can change the conveying speed of the article in the own conveyor unit 2, and the change amount information indicating the change amount is sent to the control unit 12 remembered In this way, the amount of change of the orbiting conveyor unit 6 or the lifting conveyor unit 7 (in particular, when it is received in 2nd speed) is the amount of change of the first type conveyor unit 4 or the amount of change of the second type conveyor unit 5 . smaller than the amount of change.

The control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 includes the address information of the own conveyor unit 2, the address information of the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the own conveyor unit 2, and the own conveyor Address information of the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side of the unit 2 is stored. Specifically, for example, in the turning conveyor unit 6 adjacent to the lifting conveyor unit 7 in FIG. 6 , the address information of the own conveyor unit 2 and the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side ), the address information of the first type conveyor unit 4, and the address information of the second type conveyor unit 5 and the lifting conveyor unit 7, which are the conveyor units 2 adjacent to the downstream side, are stored. Address information of the other conveyor units 2 is not stored.

In addition, the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 stores, as the speed limit, information indicating an abnormal speed limit that is lower than the normal time limit speed in addition to the normal time limit speed described above. Then, when no abnormality has occurred in the conveyor unit 2 of the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2, the speed limit is set to the normal time limit speed, and the conveyor unit 2 of the control unit 2 is abnormal. When this occurs, the speed limit setting control is executed to set the speed limit to the speed limit in case of abnormality. The control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 executes the speed limit setting control at preset time intervals. And, any control unit 12 of the first type conveyor unit 4, the second type conveyor unit 5, the turning conveyor unit 6, and the lifting conveyor unit 7 sets the speed limit to 0 m/min in case of abnormality. is doing with

The communication unit 11 (the second communication unit 11B) of the conveyor unit 2 is a conveyor unit adjacent to its own conveyor unit 2 among a plurality of conveyor units 2 constituting the conveyor apparatus 1 . (2) It is comprised so that communication is possible only with (the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to an upstream and the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to a downstream side).

The control device H transmits transfer destination information indicating the transfer destination unit 2G that is the conveyor unit 2 of the transfer destination to the transfer origin unit 2S that is the conveyor unit 2 of the transfer destination. This transport destination information includes information specific to the article to be transported to the transport destination unit 2G.

Based on the conveyance information transmitted to the conveyer unit 2S, the conveyer apparatus 1 sends the conveyance source unit 2S, the conveyance destination unit 2G, and the intermediate|middle unit 2M (a conveyance source unit in a conveyance route). Each of the one or a plurality of conveyor units 2] positioned between the 2S and the transfer destination unit 2G transmits and receives information between the adjacent conveyor units 2, and is shown in Figs. As shown in Fig. 10, a speed pattern indicating the conveyance speed of the article when the article is transported from the transport source unit 2S to the transport destination unit 2G is set, and based on this speed pattern, the article is transferred to the transport source It is conveyed from the unit 2S to the conveyance destination unit 2G.

7 shows a speed pattern in the case where only the first type conveyor units 4 are arranged. As shown in Fig. 7, when the conveyor unit 2 is connected and arranged from the transfer source unit 2S to the transfer destination unit 2G, as the article moves away from the transfer source unit 2S, the transfer speed of the article is increased. It goes up one step at a time, and as the article approaches the transfer destination unit 2G, the article transfer speed is lowered one step at a time, and the first-class conveyor unit 4 of the transfer destination unit 2G stops the article.

8 : has shown the speed pattern in the case of arranging the 1st-type conveyor unit 4, the turning conveyor unit 6, and the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7. As shown in FIG. As shown in Fig. 8, when the conveyor unit 2 is connected and arranged from the transport source unit 2S to the transport destination unit 2G, as the article moves away from the transport source unit 2S, the first-class conveyor unit In (4), the conveyance speed of the article is increased one step at a time (the conveyance speed is maintained in the turning conveyor unit 6), and the conveyance of the article in the first type conveyor unit 4 as it approaches the transfer destination unit 2G The speed is lowered one step at a time (the conveying speed is maintained in the turning conveyor unit 6), and the article is stopped at the first type conveyor unit 4 of the conveying destination unit 2G.

9 : has shown the speed pattern in the case where the 1st type conveyor unit 4, the 2nd type conveyor unit 5, and the turning conveyor unit 6 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the conveyor unit 2 is connected and arranged from the transfer source unit 2S to the transfer destination unit 2G, in the second type conveyor unit 5 which is the transfer source unit 2S As the conveyance speed of the article increases to the maximum speed and approaches the conveyance destination unit 2G, it is lowered in two stages at the type 2 conveyor unit 5 and one level at the type 1 conveyor unit 4 [the turning conveyor unit 6 ), the conveying speed is maintained], and the article is stopped at the turning conveyor unit 6 of the conveying destination unit 2G.

Fig. 10 shows a speed pattern when an abnormality occurs in the third type 1 conveyor unit 4 upstream from the transfer destination unit 2G in the case where only the type 1 conveyor units 4 are arranged. . As shown in Fig. 10, when an abnormality occurs in one of the first-class conveyor units 4 and becomes the abnormal unit 2T, as the article moves away from the transport source unit 2S, the transport speed of the article is temporarily reduced. It goes up one layer at a time, and as the product approaches the abnormal unit 2T, the conveying speed of the product is lowered one layer at a time, and the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the abnormal unit 2T stops the product.

Next, the setting of the speed pattern as shown in Figs. 7 to 10 will be described.

The conveyor unit 2 transmits the conveyance destination information to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, when receiving the conveyance destination information from the control device H. In addition, in the case where the conveyor unit 2 receives transport destination information from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side, the transport destination unit 2G indicated by the transport destination information determines that the conveyor unit 2 of the conveyor unit 2 is its own. Otherwise, the transport destination information is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, and when the transport destination unit 2G indicated by the transport destination information is the own conveyor unit 2, the transport destination information is transmitted downstream It is not transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the side.

That is, the control device H is transmitting the transport destination information to the transporter unit 2S, and the transporter unit 2S receives the transport destination information from the control device H.

And the control part 12 of the conveyance source unit 2S transmits the conveyance destination information received from the control apparatus H to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream. The control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M receives this reception because the transfer destination unit 2G indicated by the transfer destination information received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side is not its own conveyor unit 2 . One transfer destination information is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. In addition, when there are a plurality of conveyor units 2 adjacent to the downstream side, the control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M is configured such that the transfer destination unit 2G indicated in the received transfer destination information is adjacent to the downstream side. In the case of any one of the conveyor units 2 that If it is not any of (2), the transport destination information is transmitted to the prescribed downstream unit 2C'. The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G is configured on the downstream side because the transfer destination unit 2G indicated by the transfer destination information received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream is its own conveyor unit 2 . The conveyance destination information is not transmitted to the adjacent conveyor unit 2 .

In this way, the control unit 12 transmits the transfer destination information received from the control device H or the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, thereby providing transfer destination information. are sequentially relayed and transmitted from the carrier unit 2S to the transfer destination unit 2G.

The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G receives a speed corresponding to the change amount indicated by the change amount information of the own conveyor unit 2 according to the transfer destination information received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side. It is set to an acceptable speed, and the receivable speed is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side. Specifically, for example, when the article is stopped on the own conveyor unit 2 and the own conveyor unit 2 is the first type conveyor unit 4, the change amount is "15". is set. The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G sets 15 m/min corresponding to 15 indicated by this change amount as the third set speed of the transfer destination unit 2G. Then, the lower speed (for example, 15 m/min) of this third set speed and the limit speed of the conveyor unit 2 (60 m/min in the case of the normal speed limit) is set to the own conveyor unit ( 2) is set as the receivable speed, and information (for example, information representing the first speed) indicating the receivable speed (for example, 15 m/min) is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side do. In addition, in the case of stopping the article on the own conveyor unit 2, and in the case where the own conveyor unit 2 is the turning conveyor unit 6 or the elevating conveyor unit 7, "15" as the change amount is It is set. In addition, in the case of stopping the article on its own conveyor unit 2 and in the case of the second type conveyor unit 5, "60" is set as the change amount.

The control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M executes the first setting control when conveying the article from the conveyance source unit 2S to the conveyance destination unit 2G. In this first setting control, in order to stop the article in the transfer destination unit 2G, the speed at which the own conveyor unit 2 can receive the article from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side is receivable. The speed is sequentially relayed and transmitted from the transfer destination unit 2G to the upstream conveyor unit 2 to set the respective receivable speeds of the conveyor units 2 .

That is, in the first setting control, each of the conveyor units 2 adds the change amount indicated by the change amount information of its own conveyor unit 2 to the receivable speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. One speed is the first set speed of the own conveyor unit 2, and the lower one of the first set speed and the limit speed of the own conveyor unit 2 can be received by the own conveyor unit 2 The speed is set, and the receivable speed is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side.

Specifically, for example, when the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side receives articles from the 1st to the 4th speed, and the conveyor unit 2 of its own conveyor unit 2 is the first type conveyor unit 4 , In this case, "15" is set as the change amount. The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G indicates the amount of change information of the own conveyor unit 2 in the receivable speed (for example, 15 m/min) received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. Let the speed (for example, 30 m/min) to which the change amount "15" is added be the 1st set speed of the self conveyor unit 2 . Then, the lower speed (for example, 30 m) of the first set speed (for example, 30 m/min) and the speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2 (60 m/min in the case of a normal speed limit) /min) is set as the receivable speed of the own conveyor unit 2, and information indicating the receivable speed (for example, 30 m/min) (for example, information indicating the second speed) is transmitted to the upstream side. It transmits to the adjacent conveyor unit (2).

In addition, in the case where the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side receives the goods from the 1st to 4th speed, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the turning conveyor unit 6 or the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 , "0" is set as the amount of change. In addition, in the case where the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side receives the article from the 1st speed to the 4th speed, and in the case of the 2nd type conveyor unit 5, "60" is set as the change amount.

The control unit 12 of the conveyer unit 2S passes a speed corresponding to the amount of change indicated by the change amount information of the own conveyor unit 2 according to the receivable speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. The speed is set, and the handing speed is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. Specifically, for example, when the conveyance of the article positioned on the own conveyor unit 2 is started, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the first type conveyor unit 4, the amount of change "15" is set as . The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G sets 15 mm/min corresponding to 15 indicated by this change amount as the handing possible speed of the transfer destination unit 2G. Then, the lower speed of the handing possible speed and the receivable speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side is set as the handing speed of the own conveyor unit 2, and information indicating the handing speed ( For example, information indicating speed 1) is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side.

Incidentally, in the case of starting conveyance of the article positioned on the own conveyor unit 2, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the turning conveyor unit 6 or the lifting conveyor unit 7, as the change amount "15" is set. In addition, in the case of starting conveyance of the article positioned on the own conveyor unit 2, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the second type conveyor unit 5, "60" is set as the change amount has been

The control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M executes the second setting control when conveying the article from the conveyance source unit 2S to the conveyance destination unit 2G. In this second setting control, the handing speed, which is the speed at which the own conveyor unit 2 delivers the goods to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, when the conveyance source unit 2S starts conveying the article. , it is control which relay-transmits sequentially from the conveyance source unit 2S to the conveyor unit 2 on the downstream side, and sets each handing speed of the conveyor unit 2 .

That is, in the second setting control, each of the conveyor units 2 adds the change amount indicated by the change amount information of its own conveyor unit 2 from the handing speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side. The speed is the second set speed of the own conveyor unit 2, the second set speed and the receivable speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side and the limit speed of the own conveyor unit 2 Among them, the lowest speed is set as the handing speed of the own conveyor unit 2, and the handing speed is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side.

Specifically, for example, it is a case where goods are received from the first to fourth speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side, and the own conveyor unit 2 is the first type conveyor unit 4 . In this case, "15" is set as the change amount. The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G is a change amount indicated by the change amount information of its own conveyor unit 2 at a handing speed (for example, 15 m/min) received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side. Let the speed (for example, 30 m/min) to which "15" is added be the 2nd set speed of the conveyor unit 2 of self. Then, the second set speed (for example, 30 m/min) and the speed limit of the own conveyor unit 2 (60 m/min in the case of a normal speed limit) and the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side The lowest speed (for example, 30 m/min) among receivable speeds (for example, 45 m/min) is set as the handing speed of the own conveyor unit 2, and the handing speed (for example, 30 m/min) min) (for example, information indicating the second speed) is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side.

In addition, it is a case where the goods are received in 1st speed or 2nd speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the turning conveyor unit 6 or the raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 , "0" is set as the amount of change. In addition, in the case of receiving goods from the first to fourth speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side, and when the own conveyor unit 2 is the second type conveyor unit 5, the change amount is " 60" is set.

In this way, first, the transfer destination information transmitted from the control device H to the transfer origin unit 2S is transmitted from the transfer origin unit 2S to the transfer destination unit 2G via one or a plurality of intermediate units 2M. are sequentially relayed to

Next, information indicating the receivable speed is sequentially relayed and conveyed from the transfer destination unit 2G to the transfer destination unit 2S via one or a plurality of intermediate units 2M. As for the receivable speed, as shown in FIG. 11, the speed which does not exceed the speed limit of the intermediate unit 2M or the speed limit of the transfer destination unit 2G is set. In addition, in FIG. 11, the receivable speed is shown by the solid line.

And the information indicating the handing speed is sequentially relayed and conveyed from the conveyance source unit 2S to the conveyance destination unit 2G via one or a plurality of intermediate units 2M. As for the handing speed, as shown in FIG. 12, the speed which does not exceed the speed limit and receivable speed of the intermediate unit 2M, or the speed limit and receivable speed of the transfer destination unit 2G are set. In addition, in FIG. 12, the receivable speed is shown by the broken line, and the handing speed is shown by the solid line.

The control unit 12 of the conveyance source unit 2S executes conveyance start control. In this conveyance start control, after starting the driving of the conveyor unit 10, the conveyor unit 10 passes the goods to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side at the speed at which the conveyor unit 2 is passed. , controls the conveyor unit 10 of its own conveyor unit 2 .

The control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M executes conveyance control. In this conveyance control, after the conveyor unit 10 is driven at the handing speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to receive the article from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side, the conveyor unit 10 ) is driven at the handing speed of its own conveyor unit 2 to deliver the article to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. In addition, in the conveyance control, when the own conveyor unit 2 is the turning conveyor unit 6 and there are a plurality of conveyor units 2 adjacent to the downstream side, the conveyance destination unit indicated in the received conveyance destination information. When (2G) is any one of the conveyor units 2 adjacent to the downstream side, the transport destination unit 2G indicated in the received transport destination information to deliver the goods to the transport destination unit 2G is If it is not any of the conveyor units 2 adjacent to the downstream side, the conveyor section 10 and the turning section 15 are controlled so as to deliver the article to the specified downstream unit 2C'.

The control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G executes transfer termination control. This conveying end control is performed by driving the conveyor unit 10 at the passing speed received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side to receive the article from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side, and then to the conveyor unit ( Controls the conveyor portion 10 of the own conveyor unit 2 so as to stop the driving of 10) to stop the article on the own conveyor unit.

In this way, the control unit 12 executes the first setting control, the second setting control, and the conveyance control when conveying the article from the conveyance source unit 2S to the conveyance destination unit 2G.

Then, when the transfer destination unit 2G indicated in the received transfer destination information is the own conveyor unit 2 , the control unit 12 of the turning conveyor unit 6 transfers the article to its own conveyor unit 2 . To stop the conveyor unit 10 is controlled. Further, the control unit 12 of the revolving conveyor unit 6 is configured to, when the transfer destination unit 2G indicated in the received transfer destination information is any one of a plurality of adjacent conveyor units 2 on the downstream side, the The communication unit 11 and the conveyor unit 10 are controlled so as to transmit transfer destination information to the transfer destination unit 2G and deliver the article to the transfer destination unit 2G. In addition, when the transfer destination unit 2G indicated in the received transfer destination information is not one of the conveyor units 2 adjacent to the plurality of downstream sides, the control unit 12 of the turning conveyor unit 6 is The communication unit 11 and the conveyor unit 10 are controlled so as to transmit conveyance destination information to the specified downstream unit 2C' and deliver the article to the specified downstream unit 2C'.

In addition, the conveyor unit 2 moves the conveyor unit 10 at a constant speed (the passing speed of the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side) when receiving articles from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side. Receive the goods in the driven state. In addition, the conveyor unit 2 drives the conveyor unit 10 at a constant speed (the handing speed of its own conveyor unit 2) when passing the article to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. hand over the goods

As described above, the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 located on the conveying path executes the control as described above, whereby the speed pattern is set as follows.

That is, first, the conveyor apparatus 1 sequentially transmits the transfer destination information transmitted from the control device H to the transfer origin unit 2S to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, and the transfer destination information is transmitted to the transfer destination unit 2G. Next, the conveyor apparatus 1 sequentially sets the receivable speed from the conveyor unit 2 located on the downstream side as the transfer destination unit 2G receives the transfer destination information. Thereafter, the conveyor device 1 sequentially sets the handing speed from the conveyor unit 2 located on the upstream side, and passes the article to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side at the handing speed. and transports the article to the transport destination unit 2G.

Next, a case where an abnormality occurs in the conveyor unit 2 will be described.

When an abnormality occurs in the own conveyor unit 2, the control unit 12 changes the speed limit from the normal time limit speed to the abnormal time limit speed, and also together with the address information of the own conveyor unit 2 Abnormality occurrence information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the own conveyor unit 2 is transmitted to the control device H.

In this embodiment, the speed limit in case of abnormality is set to 0 m/min. Therefore, when the speed limit is set to the speed limit in case of abnormality, in the intermediate unit 2M, the speed limit is lower than the first set speed, and in the transfer destination unit 2G, the speed limit is higher than the third set speed. Therefore, the control unit 12 of the intermediate unit 2M or the control unit 12 of the transfer destination unit 2G sets the speed of the limit speed to the receivable speed in case of abnormality, and the receivable speed (0 m/min) information indicating speed (for example, information indicating speed 0) is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side.

Also, the control unit 12 changes the speed limit to the speed limit in case of abnormality even when the article is stopped on the conveyor unit 2 of the control unit 2 .

When the conveyance source unit 2S receives information indicating the speed 0 as information indicating the receivable speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, since the handing speed is 0 m/min, the conveyance is not started. does not

In addition, when the intermediate unit 2M receives information indicating speed 0 as information indicating the receivable speed from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, The conveyor unit 10 is controlled so that the information indicating the first speed is transmitted as the receivable speed, and the article received from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side is stopped on the conveyor unit 2 of its own.

And, as shown in FIG. 11, if an abnormality occurs in the conveyor unit 2 of its own after transmitting the acceptable speed, the first setting control is performed with the speed limit set to the abnormal speed limit, The receivable speed and handing speed shown in FIG. 13 are set by the conveyor unit 2 located upstream of its own conveyor unit 2 being fixed and performing 1st setting control and 2nd setting control. In addition, in FIG. 13, the receivable speed is shown by the broken line, and the handing speed is shown by the solid line.

In the case where transport destination information is transmitted to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, when information in response to the transport destination information is not transmitted from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side, adjacent to the downstream side judging that an abnormality has occurred in the conveyor unit 2 to Information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side is transmitted to the control device H.

The control device H transmits the abnormality occurrence information transmitted from the abnormal unit 2T which is the conveyor unit 2 in which the abnormality occurred, or the abnormality occurrence information transmitted from the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the upstream side of the abnormal unit 2T. The existence of the abnormal unit 2T and the address of the abnormal unit 2T can be grasped from the information. Therefore, when transmitting the transport destination information to the conveyor apparatus 1, the control device H sets the transport source unit 2S and the transport destination unit 2G so as to be a transport route avoiding the abnormal unit 2T. can

In addition, the control device H, with respect to the transport destination information that has been transmitted to the conveyor apparatus 1, from the transport source unit 2S that transmitted the transport destination information to the transport destination unit 2G indicated by the transport destination information. When the abnormal unit 2T exists in the middle of the conveyance path of , the transmission destination information for which transmission has been completed is canceled, and new conveyance destination information without the abnormal unit 2T on the conveyance path is transmitted.

In this way, the control device H transmits the article indicated by the transport destination information with respect to the transport destination information in which the abnormal unit 2T, which is the conveyor unit 2 that has transmitted the abnormality occurrence information, is located on the transport route. To the conveyor unit 2 located upstream from the abnormal unit 2T on the route, cancellation information for canceling the transport destination information is transmitted, and new transport destination information without the abnormal unit 2T is transmitted on the transport route. do.

The control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 is configured to, based on the detection information of the article detection sensor 13 , receive the transfer destination when the same article continues to exist on the conveyor unit 10 for a set period of time or longer. The information is canceled and request information for requesting new transport destination information is transmitted to the control device H. The control device H transmits, to the conveyor unit 2 on which the request information has been transmitted, new transport destination information serving as a transport route different from the canceled transport destination information.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 14 , when an abnormality occurs in the type 1 conveyor unit 4 and becomes the abnormal unit 2T, a transport destination located downstream of the type 1 conveyor unit 4 The article conveyed to the unit 2G stops on the conveyor unit 2 located on the upstream side of the abnormal unit 2T.

Then, the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 sends the request information to the control unit H when the article stops on the conveyor unit 10 of the conveyor unit 2 for a set time or longer. . The control device H is configured such that, when the conveyor unit 2 that has transmitted the request information is the turning conveyor unit 6, the turning conveyor unit 6 and the conveyor unit 2 that sent the request information are the turning conveyor In the case of not the unit 6, the turning conveyor unit 6 located on the downstream side of the conveyor unit 2 and closest to the conveyor unit 2 is adjacent to the downstream side conveyed with the canceled conveyance information. The conveyer unit 2 sets the conveyance destination unit 2G to transmit conveyance destination information so that it may be conveyed to the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the different downstream side.

That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the turning conveyor unit 6 located upstream from the abnormal unit 2T and closest to the abnormal unit 2T is the first turning conveyor unit 6A, Next, let the turning conveyor unit 6 close to the abnormal unit 2T be the 2nd turning conveyor unit 6B. And for the first turning conveyor unit 6A and the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to its upstream side, the lifting conveyor unit 7 adjacent to the downstream side of the first turning conveyor unit 6A is provided. The transfer destination information set to the transfer destination unit 2G is transmitted. In addition, for the second turning conveyor unit 6B and the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to its upstream side, the lifting conveyor unit 7 adjacent to the downstream side of the second turning conveyor unit 6B is provided. The transfer destination information set to the transfer destination unit 2G is transmitted.

Thereby, the article W1 on the first turning conveyor unit 6A and the article W2 on the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to the upstream side of the first turning conveyor unit 6A are placed on the downstream side of the first turning conveyor unit 6A. It is conveyed to the adjacent raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 . Further, the article W3 on the second turning conveyor unit 6B and the article W4 on the first type conveyor unit 4 adjacent to the upstream side thereof are disposed on the downstream side of the second turning conveyor unit 6B. It is conveyed to the adjacent raising/lowering conveyor unit 7 .

2. Other embodiments

Next, other embodiments of the article transport facility will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, as the conveyor unit 2, the first type conveyor unit 4, the second type conveyor unit 5, the turning conveyor unit 6, and the lifting conveyor unit 7 were provided, As the conveyor unit 2, it is sufficient to have at least the turning conveyor unit 6 among these conveyor units 2, and as the conveyor unit 2, in addition to all or a part of these conveyor units 2, a lifting part ( 14 ) and another type of conveyor unit 2 , such as a conveyor unit 2 provided with a turning part 15 , may be provided.

(2) In the above embodiment, the branch conveyor unit turns the conveyor unit 10 to change the conveying direction of the article, so that the downstream conveyor unit 2C for handing the article can be switched. , as the conveyor unit 10, a first conveyor unit and a second conveyor unit having a conveying direction different from that of the first conveyor unit; By switching to the state supported by the conveyor part, you may make it possible to switch the downstream conveyor unit 2C for handing over an article.

(3) In the above embodiment, the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 sets the handing speed based on the speed limit information and the receivable speed of the conveyor unit 2 adjacent to the downstream side. (H) transmits the speed information to the conveyor unit 2, and the control unit 12 of the conveyor unit 2 may set the speed indicated in the speed information received from the control device H as the passing speed.

(4) In addition, the structure disclosed in each embodiment mentioned above can also be applied in combination with the structure disclosed in another embodiment, unless a contradiction arises. Also regarding other structures, embodiment disclosed in this specification is only a mere illustration in every point. Accordingly, various modifications can be appropriately carried out without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

3. Summary of the above embodiment

Hereinafter, an outline of the article transport facility described above will be described.

The article transport facility includes a conveyor device for transporting articles, and a control device for transmitting transport information to the conveyor device,

The conveyor device includes a plurality of conveyor units connected and disposed along a conveying path of an article, and each of the plurality of conveyor units includes a conveyor unit that mounts and conveys an item, a communication unit that can communicate with another adjacent conveyor unit; a communication unit and a control unit for controlling the conveyor unit, wherein the control device provides transport destination information indicating a transport destination unit that is the conveyor unit of a transport destination of the article, the transport source unit being the conveyor unit located at the transport source of the article and the plurality of the conveyor units each receive an article received from an upstream conveyor unit that is the conveyor unit adjacent to the upstream side of its own conveyor unit, the conveyor unit adjacent to the downstream side of its own conveyor unit conveyed to be passed to a downstream conveyor unit, wherein the control unit transmits the conveying destination information received from the control device or the upstream conveyor unit to a downstream conveyor unit, and to the plurality of conveyor units, the downstream conveyor a branch conveyor unit having a plurality of units is included, one of these plurality of downstream conveyor units is set as a prescribed downstream unit, and the control unit of the branch conveyor unit is configured to include the conveyance indicated in the received conveyance destination information. When the transporting unit is the own conveyor unit, the product is stopped on its own conveyor unit, and the transport destination unit indicated in the received transport destination information is any one of a plurality of the downstream conveyor units. , sending the transport destination information to the transport destination unit, and handing the goods to the transport destination unit, and the transport destination unit indicated in the received transport destination information is not any of the plurality of downstream conveyor units In this case, the communication unit and the conveyor unit are controlled so as to transmit the transport destination information to the specified downstream unit and deliver the article to the specified downstream unit.

According to this configuration, the control device transmits the transfer destination information indicating the transfer destination unit to the transfer origin unit. The conveyance source unit transmits the conveyance destination information received from the control device to the downstream conveyor unit. Conveyor units other than the transfer origin unit and transfer destination unit transmit transfer destination information received from the upstream conveyor unit unit to the downstream conveyor unit. The transfer destination unit receives transfer destination information from the upstream conveyor unit. In this way, the carrier information received by the carrier unit is sequentially relayed and transmitted from the carrier unit to the carrier unit.

And even when a branch conveyor unit exists in the conveyance path of the article from the conveyance source unit to the conveyance destination unit, one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units adjacent to the branch conveyor unit is set as the prescribed downstream unit. When the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is not one of its own conveyor unit and the plurality of downstream conveyor units, the branch conveyor unit transmits transfer destination information to the specified downstream unit, and Hand over the article to the unit on the downstream side of the regulation. Then, the branch conveyor unit transmits the transfer destination information to the transfer destination unit and delivers the article to the transfer destination unit when the transfer destination unit indicated in the transfer destination information is a plurality of downstream conveyor units. In addition, when the transfer destination unit indicated in the transfer destination information is its own conveyor unit, the branch conveyor unit is stopped by its own conveyor unit. By setting a conveyor unit located downstream of the prescribed downstream unit as the transport destination unit, as described above, the article transport information is transmitted to the prescribed downstream unit, and the article is passed to the prescribed downstream unit, whereby the transport destination It is possible to transmit information to the transfer destination unit, and at the same time transfer the article to the transfer destination unit.

In this way, only when the control device transmits the transfer destination information to the transfer origin unit, the conveyor apparatus can transfer the article from the transfer origin unit to the transfer destination unit even when a branch conveyor is present during transfer. Therefore, it is possible to suppress information transmitted and received between the control device and the conveyor device.

Here, the transport destination information includes information specific to the article to be transported, and when the transport destination of the article is changed, the control device transmits information indicating the transport destination unit after the change and information specific to the article to be transported. It is preferable to transmit the transfer destination information including the transfer destination information to the transfer origin unit.

According to this configuration, since the transport destination information includes information specific to the article to be transported, in the case of changing the transport destination of the article, the transport source unit provides information specific to the article stopped on its conveyor unit. And, it can be checked whether or not the unique information of the goods to be conveyed included in the conveyance destination information match.

In addition, each of the plurality of conveyor units includes an abnormality detection unit configured to detect an abnormality of the conveyor unit of its own, and the communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with the control device, and the control unit includes: detection information of the abnormality detection unit based on, transmits abnormality occurrence information to the control device when an abnormality occurs in the conveyor unit of its own, and the control device causes the abnormality unit that is the conveyor unit to which the abnormality occurrence information to be transmitted on the conveyance path With respect to the located transport destination information, cancellation information for canceling the transport destination information is transmitted to the conveyor unit located upstream of the abnormal unit on the transport route of the article indicated by the transport destination information, and further, the transport route It is preferable to transmit the new transfer destination information in which the abnormal unit does not exist.

According to this configuration, when an abnormality occurs in the conveyor unit, the control unit of the conveyor unit transmits abnormality occurrence information to the control device based on the detection information of the abnormality detection unit. The control device can determine that the conveyor unit to which the abnormality occurrence information has been transmitted is an abnormal conveyor, and transmits new transport destination information in which there is no abnormal unit on the transport route. Due to the existence of the abnormal unit, the article whose transport has been blocked on the upstream side is transported by the conveyor device based on the new transport destination information, so that it is possible to avoid the article from being stuck in one place for a long time.

In addition, each of the plurality of conveyor units includes an article detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an article on the conveyor unit of the conveyor unit, and the communication unit is configured to communicate with the control device, and the conveyor unit based on the detection information of the article detection unit, when the same article continues to exist on the conveyor unit for a set period of time or longer, cancels the received transfer destination information, and adds new transfer destination information transmits request information requesting to the control device, and the control device transmits, to the conveyor unit that has transmitted the request information, the new transport destination information, which is a transport route different from the canceled transport destination information. It is preferable to do

According to this configuration, when an article exists on the conveyor unit for a set time or longer, request information for requesting the new transport destination information is transmitted to the control device. The control device transmits new transport destination information that is a different transport route from the previous transport destination information. Articles that have been stagnant on the conveyor unit are conveyed by the conveyor device based on the new conveyance destination information, whereby it is possible to avoid the products from being stagnated in one place for a long time.

[Industrial Applicability]

The technology according to the present disclosure can be used for an article transport device including a conveyor device for transporting articles.

1: Conveyor Device
2: Conveyor unit
2A: own conveyor unit
2B: Upstream Conveyor Unit
2C: Downstream Conveyor Unit
2C': Regulatory Downstream Conveyor Unit
2S: Returner unit
2G: return destination unit
2T: Abnormal units
6: Slewing Conveyor Unit (Branch Conveyor Unit)
10: conveyor unit
11: Ministry of Communications
12: control unit (abnormality detection unit)
13: article detection sensor (article detection unit)
H: control unit

Claims (4)

a conveyor device for transporting goods; and
a control device that transmits conveyance information to the conveyor device;
including,
The conveyor device connects and arranges a plurality of conveyor units along a conveyance path of the article,
Each of the plurality of conveyor units includes a conveyor unit for loading and conveying the article, a communication unit capable of communicating with other adjacent conveyor units, and a control unit for controlling the communication unit and the conveyor unit,
The control device transmits transport destination information indicating a transport destination unit that is the conveyor unit of a transport destination of the article to a transport source unit that is the conveyor unit located at a transport source of the article do,
Each of the plurality of conveyor units is configured to receive an article received from an upstream conveyor unit that is the conveyor unit adjacent to an upstream side of its own conveyor unit, the conveyor unit adjacent to a downstream side of its own conveyor unit, conveyed to be handed to the downstream conveyor unit,
the control unit transmits the conveyance destination information received from the control device or the upstream conveyor unit to the downstream conveyor unit;
a plurality of said conveyor units include a branching conveyor unit having a plurality of said downstream conveyor units, one of said plurality of said downstream conveyor units being set as a prescribed downstream unit;
The control unit of the branch conveyor unit,
If the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is the own conveyor unit, stop the article on the own conveyor unit;
When the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is any one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units adjacent to its own conveyor unit, the transfer destination information is transmitted to the transfer destination unit; In addition, handing the goods to the transfer destination unit,
When the transfer destination unit indicated in the received transfer destination information is not any one of the plurality of downstream conveyor units adjacent to the own conveyor unit, the specified downstream side adjacent to the own conveyor unit transmitting the transport destination information to a unit and controlling the communication unit and the conveyor unit so as to deliver the article to the specified downstream unit;
Goods return equipment. According to claim 1,
In the transport destination information, unique information of the goods to be transported is included;
and the control device transmits, to the transfer origin unit, the transfer destination information including information indicating the transfer destination unit after the change and information specific to the article to be transferred, when the transfer destination of the article is changed. equipment. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
Each of the plurality of conveyor units is provided with an abnormality detection unit for detecting abnormality of the conveyor unit of its own;
The communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with the control device,
The control unit transmits abnormality occurrence information to the control device when an abnormality occurs in the conveyor unit of its own based on the detection information of the abnormality detection unit,
The control device is configured to, with respect to the conveyance destination information in which the abnormal unit, which is the conveyor unit that has transmitted the abnormality occurrence information, is located on the conveyance path, upstream from the abnormal unit on the conveyance path of the article indicated by the conveyance destination information and sending cancellation information for canceling the transport destination information to the conveyor unit located in 3. The method of claim 1 or 2,
each of the plurality of conveyor units includes an article detection unit configured to detect the presence or absence of the article on the conveyor unit of its own conveyor unit;
The communication unit is configured to be able to communicate with the control device,
The control unit of the conveyor unit is configured to, based on the detection information of the product detection unit, cancel the received conveyance destination information if the same product continues to exist on the conveyor unit for a set period of time or longer, and further sending request information requesting transport destination information to the control device;
and the control device transmits, to the conveyor unit that has transmitted the request information, the new transport destination information, which is a transport route different from the canceled transport destination information.

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