WO2013180004A1

WO2013180004A1 - Conveying device

Info

Publication number: WO2013180004A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/064345
Authority: WO
Inventors: 孝晴鈴木
Original assignee: 株式会社ダイフク
Priority date: 2012-05-29
Filing date: 2013-05-23
Publication date: 2013-12-05
Also published as: CN104349961B; JP5804277B2; IN2014KN02304A; JP2013244916A; CN104349961A

Abstract

A conveying device in which linking means (17) for linking together longitudinally adjacent traveling objects for conveyance each comprise: a member (18) to be engaged which protrudes upward from one traveling object (1) for conveyance; and a mobile engaging member (19) supported on another traveling object (1) for conveyance so as to be capable of swinging up and down, and having an engaging part that fits, from above, with the member (18) to be engaged; the mobile engaging member (19) being capable of swinging from an operational position of being engaged with the member (18) to be engaged, past a non-engaged position of being detached upward from the member (18) to be engaged, to a non-operational position facing the opposite direction; and the mobile engaging member (19) being switched to the non-operational position in a storage area where the traveling objects (1) for conveyance can be stored in a state of matching up front to back.

Description

Transport device

The present invention relates to a transport apparatus that can transport a transport traveling body traveling on a fixed travel route in a specific area in a state where a plurality of transport bodies are connected.

As this type of transport device, as described in Patent Document 1, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the transport traveling body supported so as to be able to travel on a certain travel route are adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. Connecting means for connecting to the transport traveling body, and the connecting means is connected to the projecting engagement member protruding upward from one transport traveling body and the other transport traveling body vertically. 2. Description of the Related Art A conveying device is known that includes a movable coupling member for connection that is pivotally supported and includes an engaging portion that is fitted to the engaged member for connection from above on the lower side of the free end. ing. In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the connecting movable engaging member and the connecting engaged member in the connecting means automatically engage when the front and rear transport traveling bodies approach each other. A connection means capable of automatic engagement is employed. On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, when the front and rear transport traveling bodies approach each other, the tip of the connecting movable engaging member in the connecting means and the mating engaged member for connection only touch each other. A connecting means having a configuration in which the connecting movable engaging member is engaged with a mating coupled member to be coupled, and a mating coupling engaging member. A configuration that can be switched alternatively to a tilt non-acting posture that does not engage with the combined member is shown.

JP 2004-9899 A (Patent No. 4065925) JP 2006-117079 A (Patent No. 4065926)

When the connection means capable of automatic engagement described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, there is no need for means for switching the posture of the connection movable engagement member in order to connect the front and rear transport traveling bodies. When the transport traveling bodies are stored in abutting state with each other in the area, the connecting means work and the transport traveling bodies adjacent to each other in the front and rear are connected. Accordingly, it becomes impossible to send out the respective transporting traveling bodies from the storage area at intervals. In this case, if the connecting means described in Patent Document 2 is adopted, the connecting movable engaging member of each transport traveling body entering the storage area is switched to the tilt non-acting posture, so that the existence of the connecting means exists. Regardless of whether or not each of the transport traveling bodies can be stored in a state of abutting each other. On the other hand, not only a separate part such as a spring is required as an alternative switching holding means for selectively switching the holding movable engagement member between the positive acting posture and the tilt non-acting posture, but also a positive one. Since the angle between the orientation acting posture and the tilt non-acting posture is small, the holding function is weakened due to deterioration or wear of the constituent members of the alternative switching holding means, and the posture of the connecting movable engaging member unexpectedly with a slight impact The trouble that it will change occurs.

The present invention proposes a conveying apparatus that can solve the above-described conventional problems, and the conveying apparatus according to the first invention is intended to facilitate understanding of the relationship with the embodiments described later. When the reference numerals used in the description of the embodiment are attached with parentheses, the front and rear ends of the transport traveling body (1) supported so as to be able to travel on a certain travel route are A connecting means (17) for connecting to another transport traveling body (1) adjacent to the first transport traveling body (1), the connecting means (17) projecting upward from one transport traveling body (1). Connected to the connecting engagement member (18) and the other transporting traveling body (1) so as to be swingable up and down, and on the lower side of the free end portion above the engaging member for connection (18). A connecting movable engaging member (19) provided with an engaging portion (19a) fitted from the connecting movable engaging member (19). Swing from the forward acting posture that engages with the engaged member (18) to the opposite non-working posture in the opposite direction beyond the non-engaging posture separated from the engaged member for connection (18). In the storage area (S), the movable movable member for connection (19) is switched to the reverse non-acting posture so that each transporting traveling body (1) can be stored in a front-to-back butt state. ing.

When carrying out the first invention, the storage area (S) is provided in front of the connected travel area (C) for traveling a plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) in a connected state. At the exit of (S), the movable engagement member (19) for connection in the reverse non-acting posture in the connection means (17) between the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) waiting at the exit is directed forward. It is possible to provide connection switching means (28) for switching to the operating posture and switching the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) to the connected state. In this case, the connecting movable engaging member (19) is provided with an operated portion (24) protruding laterally, and the connecting switching means (28) acts on the operated portion (24). Thus, the connecting movable engagement member (19) can be structured to include the rotating lever (31) that swings from the reverse non-acting posture to the posture exceeding the standing posture toward the positive acting posture.

Further, at the exit of the connected travel area (C), a movable movable engagement member (19) having a forward acting posture in a connection means (17) between the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) in a connected state. ) Is switched to the reverse non-acting posture, and connection release switching means (27) for releasing the connection of the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) can be provided. In this case, the connection movable engagement member (19) is provided with an operated portion (24) protruding laterally, and the connection release switching means (27) is connected to the operated portion (24). It is possible to have a structure with a rotating lever (29) that acts to swing the connecting movable engagement member (19) from the normal acting posture to the posture that exceeds the standing posture to the opposite non-acting posture side. .

Next, the transport device according to the second invention will be described.The transport device according to the second invention is provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the transport traveling body (1) supported so as to be able to travel on a certain travel route. And a connecting means (17) for connecting to another conveying traveling body (1) adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, and the connecting means (17) protrudes upward from one conveying traveling body (1). A projecting engagement member for connection (18) that is pivotally supported by the other transport traveling body (1) so as to swing up and down, and is connected to the engagement member for connection (18) below the free end. In the transport device comprising the connecting movable engaging member (19) provided with the engaging portion (19a) fitted from above, the connecting movable engaging member (19) is the connecting engaged member. (18) is configured to be swingable from a positive acting posture engaged with the connecting engaged member (18) to a non-engaging posture disengaged upward from the connecting engaged member (18). Is a positive work Projected upward on the free end of the movable body (35) pivotally supported on the transport traveling body (1) so as to be swingable back and forth between the posture and the reverse non-acting posture in the opposite direction. Only when the movable body (35) is in the forward acting posture, the movable engaging member (19) for connection is configured to be detachable from the engaged member for connection (18), and the storage area (S ), The connecting movable engaging member (19) is in a forward acting posture, and only the movable body (35) is switched to a reverse non-acting posture so that each transporting traveling body (1) is in a front-to-back butt state. It can be stored.

When carrying out the second invention, the storage area (S) is provided in front of the connected travel area (C) for traveling a plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) in a connected state, and this storage area (S ) At the exit of the connecting movable engaging member (19) in the positive acting posture in the connecting means (17) between the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) moving forward from the outlet. In this state, the movable body (35) in the connection means (17) is switched from the reverse non-acting posture to the normal acting posture, and then the non-engaging posture of the connecting movable engaging member (19) is forwarded. It is possible to provide connection switching means (46) for returning the orientation action posture to switch the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) to a connected state. In this case, the connecting movable engaging member (19) and the movable body (35) are provided with operated portions (24, 36) protruding laterally, and the connecting switching means (46) A guide rail (43) for switching the connecting movable engaging member (19) from the forward acting posture to the non-engaging posture for a certain interval via the operated portion (24) of the connecting movable engaging member (19). ) And the actuated portion (36) of the movable body (35) to swing the movable body (35) from a reverse non-acting posture to a posture exceeding the standing posture to the positive acting posture side. It can be set as the structure provided with the rotation lever (44).

Further, at the exit of the connected travel area (C), a movable movable engagement member (19) in a forward acting posture in the connection means (17) between the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1) in a connected state. ) Is switched to the non-engaging position, and then the movable body (35) in the connecting means (17) is switched from the normal acting position to the reverse non-acting position, and then the coupling movable engagement in the non-engaging position is performed. It is possible to provide connection release switching means (39) for returning the member (19) to the forward acting posture and releasing the connection of the plurality of transport traveling bodies (1). In this case, the connection movable engagement member (19) and the movable body (35) are provided with operated portions (24, 36) protruding laterally, and the connection release switching means (39) A guide rail (37) for switching the connecting movable engaging member (19) from the forward acting posture to the non-engaging posture for a certain interval via the operated portion (24) of the connecting movable engaging member (19). ) And the actuated portion (36) of the movable body (35) to swing the movable body (35) from a normal acting posture to a posture in which the standing posture exceeds the reverse non-acting posture side. It can be set as the structure provided with the rotation lever (38).

In the transport device according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the connected travel area set in the fixed travel route of the transport traveling body, a plurality of transport travel bodies are connected by a connecting means between the transport travel bodies, and a plurality of transport travel bodies are connected. A single carrier traveling body can be used for transportation as one long transportation traveling body. Therefore, when a friction drive system is adopted in which the friction drive roller is pressed against a continuous friction surface provided over the entire length of the transport traveling body to propel the transport travel body, the total length (friction of each transport travel body is determined. Friction at intervals equal to the total length of one long transport traveling body constituted by connecting a plurality of transport traveling bodies, without arranging a large number of friction drive rollers at intervals equal to the total length of the surface) By simply disposing the drive roller, it is possible to propel and drive all the transporting traveling bodies, and the cost of the entire friction drive means can be greatly reduced. In addition, in the travel route other than the connection travel area, the connection means is switched by switching the connecting movable engaging member in the connection means between the transport traveling bodies from the normal acting posture to the opposite non-acting posture in the opposite direction. In exactly the same manner as the transfer device using the transfer traveling body having no transfer, in the storage area and the boost drive area, the front and rear transfer traveling bodies can be simply brought into a front-rear butting state instead of being connected to each other.

As described above, depending on the area in the travel route, a plurality of transport traveling bodies are connected and integrated by the connecting means, and the front and rear transport traveling is similar to a transport traveling body having no connecting means. The bodies can be used in a state in which the bodies are not connected to each other but can simply be brought into contact with each other. However, according to the configuration according to the first aspect, the connection means constituting the connection means between the transporting traveling bodies The movable engagement member is opposite to the opposite direction beyond the non-engagement posture in which the movable engagement member is disengaged upward from the engagement member to be engaged from the positive action posture in which the movable engagement member is engaged with the other engagement member. Since the movable engaging member for connection can be automatically held by gravity between the forward acting posture and the reverse non-acting posture, the movable engaging member for connection can be automatically held by the gravity. Special means such as springs Is not required. Moreover, as long as it does not swing against gravity until the intermediate neutral position between both postures exceeds the opposite side, the connecting movable engaging member is surely placed in either the forward acting posture or the reverse non-acting posture. Can be held. Accordingly, the connecting movable engaging member can be implemented at a low cost by a very simple structure in which the movable movable member for connection is pivotally supported within a range of about 180 degrees in the front and rear directions by a horizontal support shaft. In addition, there is no such a degree that rattling occurs due to wear of the shaft support portion, and the posture of the connecting movable engaging member does not change unexpectedly, and the expected action cannot be expected.

Also, in the transport device according to the second invention, the same effect as the effect obtained in the first invention is obtained, but the same as the movable engaging member for connection of the connecting means in the first invention. The operation for switching the connection means to the connection release state is also required for the connection member, but the connection movable engagement member is When the connection means is switched to the disconnected state, it is only necessary to switch to the non-engagement posture separated upward from the engaged member for connection.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which the front and rear transport traveling bodies are connected by connecting means in the embodiment of the first invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the connecting means in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the connecting movable engaging member side of FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the connection release switching means for the connection means in the embodiment divided into a rotary lever and its drive means. FIG. 6 is a side view showing the connection switching means for the connection means in the embodiment divided into a rotary lever and its drive means. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing a connection zone between the storage area and the connected travel area. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a connection zone between the connected travel area and the individual travel area at regular intervals, and a connection zone between the individual travel area and the storage area at regular intervals. FIG. 9A is a side view of the main part showing the adjacent state of the front and rear conveying traveling bodies in a state in which the connecting movable engaging member of the connecting means in the embodiment in the above-described embodiment is in the forward acting posture, and FIG. It is a side view of the principal part which shows the adjoining state of the traveling body for conveyance before and behind in the state which the movable engaging member for connection of a means exists in a reverse direction non-action posture. FIG. 10 is a side view of the main part showing the connected state of the connecting means according to the embodiment of the second invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view of an essential part of the connecting means according to the embodiment divided into a connecting movable engaging member side and a connecting engaged member side. FIG. 12 is a side view of the main part showing a state in which the connecting movable engaging member of the connecting means in the embodiment is switched to the non-engaging posture by the guide rail. FIG. 13 is a side view of the main part showing a state in which the engaged member for connection of the connecting means in the embodiment is switched from the forward acting posture to the opposite non-acting posture by the rotating lever. FIG. 14 is a side view of the main part showing the adjacent state of the transport traveling body before and after the connection means in the released state in the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side view of the main part showing a state when the connecting means is switched from the adjacent state of the front and rear conveying traveling bodies shown in FIG. 14 to the connected state.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the first invention will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport traveling body, and the transport traveling body 1 in this embodiment is supported by three trolleys 2 to 4 arranged in the front-rear direction. And a transported object support base 6 supported by a pair of front and

rear trolleys

3 and 4 above the load bar 5. The load bar 5 is provided at a position immediately before the vertical support shaft on the central trolley 3 and the horizontal swing joint portions 7 to 9 around the vertical support shaft supported on each of the trolleys 2 to 4 so as to freely swing back and forth. And a head load bar unit 5a that protrudes forward from the head trolley 2 and includes five load bar units 5a to 5e coupled by the joint units 7 to 10. Is configured to engage with a connecting plate 2a that is mounted on the front trolley 2 and extends forward, and is configured to have the same direction as the front trolley 2 and protrudes rearward from the rear end trolley 4. The load bar single unit 5e is configured to engage with a connecting plate 4a attached on the rear end trolley 4 and extending rearward, and to have the same direction as the rear end trolley 4.

Each of the trolleys 2 to 4 has basically the same structure, and is fitted into a pair of left and right groove-shaped guide rails 11 constituting the travel path of the transport traveling body 1 as shown in FIGS. A pair of left and right support rollers 12 that roll around a horizontal support shaft and a pair of front and rear rollers that fit between the upper sides of a pair of left and right groove-shaped guide rails 11 and swing around a vertical support shaft. The anti-sway guide roller 13 is provided. A pair of front and

rear dogs

16a and 16b for engaging with the pusher 15 of the chain conveyor 14 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 are provided on the lower side of the central trolley 3 that supports the front end portion of the conveyed product support base 6. Is provided. The pair of front and

rear dogs

16a and 16b are well known in the art and are provided for propelling and driving the transport traveling body 1 by the pusher 15 of the chain conveyor 14. Therefore, the description of the structure and operation thereof is omitted.

The transporting traveling body 1 configured as described above is provided with connecting means 17 for connecting to the transporting traveling body 1 having the same structure adjacent to the front and rear. The connecting means 17 includes a connecting engaged member 18 attached to the front end of the transport traveling body 1, that is, the front end of the leading load bar unit 5a, and the rear end of the transport traveling body 1. The rear end load bar unit 5e includes a movable connecting member 19 for connection attached to the upper side of the rear end portion. The engaged member 18 for connection is comprised by the roller rotatably supported around the vertical spindle 20 protrudingly provided by the front end part upper side of the front load bar single-piece | unit 5a.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the connecting movable engaging member 19 includes a horizontal support shaft in the left-right direction between a pair of left and right bearing plate portions 21 protruding above the rear end portion of the rear end load bar unit 5e. 22 is constituted by an arm member supported so as to be swingable back and forth. When the connecting movable engagement member 19 is in a forward acting posture extending horizontally rearward, the rear end load bar unit 5e It is configured to be received by a bolt-use receiving tool 23 that protrudes upward so that its height can be adjusted, and its forward acting posture is held by gravity. The connecting movable engaging member 19 is formed with a recessed engaging portion 19a that opens downward when in the forward acting posture. Further, the connecting movable engaging member 19 is laterally laterally at a position directly above the recessed engaging portion 19a. An operated portion 24 comprising a roller rotatably supported is provided at the tip of a horizontal support shaft 24a projecting from the head. The connecting movable engaging member 19 configured as described above is lifted against the gravity from the forward acting posture and turned forward to a position exceeding the standing posture standing right above the horizontal support shaft 22. As a result, the reverse automatically acting posture that is automatically turned downward by gravity and received on the upper surface of the rear end load bar unit 5e as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The posture is switched to a reverse non-action posture opposite to the posture, and the reverse non-action posture is held by gravity.

As described above, the transporting device configured as described above includes a pair of front and rear dogs 16a, in which the central trolley 3 includes the pusher 15 of the chain conveyor 14 provided along the travel path of the transport traveling body 1. By engaging between 16b, the transport traveling body 1 can be propelled and driven along the travel path. In this embodiment, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 4, the transport traveling body 1 The conveying traveling body 1 is propelled and driven by a motor-driven friction drive wheel 26 that is in pressure contact with a friction drive surface 25 constituted by one side of the load bar 5 continuous over the entire length of 1. Although not shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4, it is also known to use a backup roller that sandwiches the load bar 5 with the friction drive wheel 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the travel path of the transport traveling body 1, a connection for switching the connecting movable engagement member 19 in the forward acting posture that lies in the backward direction to the reverse non-acting posture in the opposite direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the switching means for release 27 and the switching means for connection for switching the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the reverse non-acting posture lying forward to the forward acting posture lying backward. 28 is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connection release switching means 27 includes a rotation lever 29 and a drive means 30 for the rotation lever 29. The rotary lever 29 is pivotally supported at the base by a horizontal support shaft 29a in the left-right direction, and is horizontally supported below the movement path of the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the forward acting posture. It is configured to be swingable back and forth around the horizontal support shaft 29a between a standby posture that extends horizontally rearward from the shaft 29a and an acted posture that is turned upright by a predetermined angle with respect to the standby posture. The drive means 30 includes an operation lever 30a extending downward from the horizontal support shaft 29a and a cylinder unit 30b that pushes and pulls the operation lever 30a. The connection release switching means 27 configured as described above is such that when the rotary lever 29 is in the standby position, the rotary lever 29 and the drive means 30 as a whole move along the travel path. In addition, it is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the object to be transported loaded on the object support base 6 of the transporting traveling body 1.

According to the connection release switching means 27 having the above-described configuration, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, the connection release position in the forward acting posture on the transport traveling body 1 side is located in the upper region of the rotary lever 29 in the standby posture. When the operated portion 24 of the movable engagement member 19 enters, the cylinder unit 30b of the driving means 30 moves forward, and the rotation lever 29 is rotated upward and forward via the operation lever 30a and the horizontal support shaft 29a. The rotating lever 29 rotates the connecting movable engaging member 19 upward and forward via the operated portion 24. Then, when the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the forward acting posture rotates to a position exceeding the position of standing up right above the horizontal support shaft 22 to the front, it is gravity thereafter, and the reverse shown by the phantom line in FIG. It turns to the orientation non-acting posture and is received by the upper surface of the rear end load bar single body 5e of the transport traveling body 1 and stably held. The rotary lever 29 in the acted posture, which is erected forward by a predetermined angle with respect to the standby posture, is the operation target for which the connecting movable engagement member 19 must be switched from the forward acting posture to the reverse non-acting posture. Before the connecting means 17 arrives, the cylinder unit 30b of the driving means 30 is moved back and forth to return to the original standby posture.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connection switching means 28 is composed of a rotating lever 31 and a driving means 32 for the rotating lever 31. The rotary lever 31 is pivotally supported at its base by a horizontal support shaft 31a in the left-right direction, and its distal end intersects the movement path of the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the reverse non-acting posture. Thus, it is swingable up and down around the horizontal support shaft 31a between a standby posture that hangs downward from the horizontal support shaft 31a and an applied posture that is rotated rearward and upward by a predetermined angle with respect to the standby posture. The driving means 32 includes an operation lever 32a extending upward from the horizontal support shaft 31a and a cylinder unit 32b that pushes and pulls the operation lever 32a. The connection switching means 28 configured in this way is configured such that when the rotary lever 31 is in the acted posture, the rotary lever 31 and the drive means 32 as a whole move along the travel path. In addition, it is disposed at a position where it does not interfere with the object to be transported loaded on the object support base 6 of the transporting traveling body 1.

According to the connection switching means 28 having the above configuration, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, the connection movable in the reverse non-acting posture on the transport traveling body 1 side to the position immediately before the rotary lever 31 in the standby posture. When the operated portion 24 of the engaging member 19 arrives, the cylinder unit 32b of the driving means 32 is moved back and forth, and the rotating lever 31 is rotated upward and rearward via the operating lever 32a and the horizontal support shaft 31a. The rotating lever 31 rotates the connecting movable engaging member 19 upward and rearward via the operated portion 24. Then, when the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the reverse non-acting posture is rotated to a position beyond the posture of standing up right above the horizontal support shaft 22 to the rear, it is then gravity, and is indicated by a virtual line in FIG. It is tilted to the forward acting posture and is received by the receiver 23 and is stably held. The rotary lever 31 in the acted posture rotated upward and rearward by a predetermined angle with respect to the standby posture is the operation target for which the connecting movable engaging member 19 must be switched from the reverse non-acting posture to the normal acting posture. Before the connecting means 17 reaches, the cylinder unit 32b of the driving means 32 is moved forward to return to the original standby posture.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a storage area S, a connected travel area C, and individual travel areas Y at regular intervals are set in the travel route by friction driving of the transport traveling body 1. In the illustrated layout, the connected travel area C is connected to the lower side of the storage area S, and the individual travel areas Y are connected to the lower side of the connected travel area C at regular intervals. In order to connect a plurality of transport traveling bodies 1 that travel in a connected state in the connected traveling area C of the next stage, in the illustrated example, two transport traveling bodies 1 are connected to the exit of the storage area S. Connection switching means 28A and 28B are provided side by side, and connected to the exit of the connection travel area C in order to individually enter each transport travel body 1 into the individual travel area Y at regular intervals at the next stage. Two connection release switching means 27A and 27B for releasing the connection between the carrier transporting bodies 1 are provided. Further, as is well known in the art, the friction drive wheels 26 shown in FIG. 4 are provided in the storage area S and the individual travel areas Y at regular intervals, and the total length of the transport traveling body 1 (the total length of the load bar 5) = R1. In the connected traveling area C, the friction drive wheels 26 are arranged at a distance L3 substantially equal to the total length (the total length of the load bar 5 × 3) = R3 of the three connected transport traveling bodies 1 in the connected traveling area C. It is arranged.

Note that the storage area S in which the friction drive wheels 26 are arranged at an interval L1 that is substantially equal to the total length R1 of the transport traveling body 1 includes the transport traveling bodies 1 in a state where the load bars 5 are adjacent to each other. The storage area S can be used as a continuous individual traveling area that travels at a constant speed. However, as the storage area S, each transport traveling body 1 is stored in the storage area S by one friction drive wheel 26 arranged on the entrance side. In the storage area S, in the storage area S, the transporting body 1 on the front side is pushed back by the last transporting body 1 sent into the storage area S, and a predetermined number of transports are carried in the storage area S. The traveling body 1 is stored, and the next traveling area from the leading transportation body 1 with one friction drive wheel 26 disposed at the exit of the storage area S is stored. May be of sequentially sends out configuration. The following description is based on the storage area S in which the friction drive wheels 26 are disposed at a distance L1 substantially equal to the entire length of the transport traveling body 1, as shown in FIGS.

When the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the connecting means 17 of each transporting traveling body 1 sent into the storage area S is in the forward acting posture as shown in FIG. 9A, the transporting traveling body 1 immediately after The connecting engaged member 18 in the connecting means 17 collides with the rear end face of the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the connecting means 17 of the immediately preceding transport traveling body 1, so that the connecting engaged member 18 and the connecting engaged member 18 are connected. There is a risk of damaging the movable engagement member 19. Accordingly, in each transport traveling body 1 sent to the storage area S, the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the connecting means 17 is switched to the reverse non-acting posture as shown in FIG. 9B. As a result, in the storage area S, each transport traveling body 1 travels and stops in a state where the front and rear ends of the load bar 5 face each other.

As described above, the transport traveling bodies 1 in the storage area S that are stopped in a state where the front and rear ends of the load bar 5 are in contact with each other are connected by the connecting means 17 three by three, and the next connected traveling area C 7, as shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 7, the connection switching means corresponding to the two connection means 17 between the three transporting traveling bodies 1 that are continuously stopped at the predetermined position at the exit of the storage area S. 28A and 28B are provided side by side. In a state where three vehicles are connected at a predetermined position at the exit of the storage area S and the transport traveling body 1 is on standby, as shown in FIG. By rotating the rotation lever 31 of 28B from the standby posture to the applied posture, the movable connecting portion for connection of the two connection means 17 between the three traveling units 1 that are stopped and waiting in series. 19 is switched from the reverse non-acting posture to the forward acting posture, and the coupling engagement of the coupling means 17 in the transport traveling body 1 located immediately after the recessed engagement portion 19a of each coupling movable engagement member 19 is performed. The member 18 is fitted from above, and the connecting movable engaging member 19 and the connecting engaged member 18 are engaged with each other. In this state, each friction drive wheel 26 in the storage area S is rotationally driven, and the first three transport traveling bodies 1 connected by the connecting means 17, that is, the connected transport traveling body 1 </ b> A are stored in the storage area S. To the next connected travel area C. After the connected transport traveling body 1A is sent out from the storage area S, if the subsequent fourth transport traveling body 1 reaches the predetermined exit position of the storage area S, each friction drive wheel 26 is stopped. Then, the propulsion drive of the transport traveling body 1 in the storage area S is stopped. If the switching means 28A, 28B for connection perform the operation | movement which returns the rotation lever 31 from the acted attitude | position to the stand-by position just before the connection means 17 between the following three conveyance traveling bodies 1 arrives at the position. good.

As described above, the connected transport traveling bodies 1A sent out from the storage area S travel with a certain distance D between the connected transport traveling bodies 1A. Propulsion driven by the wheel 26. When the connected transport traveling body 1A reaches the predetermined exit position of the connected travel area C as shown in FIG. 8, the connected transport traveling body 1A is temporarily stopped or in the continuous travel drive state, the connection release switching means. 27A and 27B perform a connection release operation. In other words, at the exit of the connected travel area C, a required number of friction drive wheels 26 are spaced apart so that the three transport travel bodies 1 of the connected transport travel body 1A that have reached a predetermined position can be sent out separately. Switching means 27A for connection release corresponding to the two connecting means 17 between the transporting traveling bodies 1 of the connecting transporting traveling body 1A which are arranged at L1 and reach the predetermined exit position of the connecting traveling area C. 27B is attached. Accordingly, when the connected transport traveling body 1A reaches the predetermined exit position of the connected travel area C, the rotation lever 29 in the standby position in each of the connection release switching means 27A, 27B is switched to the applied posture, and the connected transport The connecting movable engaging member 19 in the two connecting means 17 between the transporting traveling bodies 1 of the traveling body 1A is switched from the forward acting posture to the reverse non-acting posture. As a result, since the connection between the three transport traveling bodies 1 of the connection transport traveling body 1A is released, the three transport traveling bodies 1 forming the connection transport traveling body 1A in this state The friction drive wheels 26 can be sent out from the connected traveling area C separately.

Each transporting traveling body 1 sent from the connected traveling area C to the individual traveling area Y at regular intervals in the next stage is arranged at an interval L1 from the leading traveling traveling body 1 to the individual traveling area Y at regular intervals. The friction drive wheels 26 are sequentially propelled and driven by the friction drive wheels 26. Here, the rotational speeds of the friction drive wheels 26 arranged in the individual travel area Y at regular intervals are arranged in the connected travel area C. By setting the rotational speed higher than the rotational speed of the friction drive wheels 26, the transport traveling bodies 1 travel independently with a certain distance D secured between the transport traveling bodies 1. It can be made.

Each transporting traveling body 1 sent from the individual traveling area Y to the next storage area S at regular intervals is taken over by the friction drive wheels 26 arranged at an interval L in the storage area S and is stored in the storage area S. Although it is sent to the exit of the area S, when the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the connecting means 17 of each transport traveling body 1 sent into the storage area S is already sent into the individual traveling area Y at regular intervals. Since the posture is switched to the reverse non-acting posture, the rotational speed of the friction drive wheel 26 disposed in the storage area S is set to a low speed, and as shown in FIG. The load bars 5 are adjacent to each other and can be driven at a low speed so that no gap is generated between the transporting traveling bodies 1.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the engaged member 18 for connection of the connecting means 17 is also configured to be switchable between an operating position and a non-operating position. That is, the front end portion of the transport traveling body 1, that is, the left and right pair of bearing plate portions 33 protruding above the front end load bar unit 5a is movable in a swingable manner around the horizontal support shaft 34 in the left-right direction. When the body 35 is pivotally supported and the movable body 35 is in the forward acting posture supported forward on the front end load bar unit 5a with respect to the horizontal support shaft 34, the above-mentioned engaged engagement for connection A member 18 is provided. A bearing plate portion 35a is connected to the distal end portion of the movable body 35 on the opposite side to the side where the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 is located. The operated portion 36 is constituted by a roller that is pivotally supported through the horizontal support shaft 36a.

According to the above configuration, when the movable body 35 is in the forward acting posture, the engaged member 18 for connection is in the working position, and the movable body 35 faces rearward with respect to the horizontal support shaft 34 and the front end load bar unit 5a. When it is in the reverse non-acting posture supported above, the engaged member for connection 18 is in the non-acting position. When switching the engaged member 18 for connection in the operating position to the non-operating position, the movable body 35 in the positive operating posture is moved backward to a position exceeding the posture of standing up right above the horizontal support shaft 34. By rotating, the movable body 35 is rotated rearward and downward by gravity to be in a reverse non-operation posture, and the coupling engaged member 18 is switched to the non-operation position. Of course, since the movable body 35 in the forward acting posture and the movable body 35 in the reverse non-acting posture are automatically held in the posture by gravity, the movable body 35 is between the acting position and the non-acting position. Will never switch unexpectedly. In this configuration, the connection of the connection means 17 in the immediately preceding transport traveling body 1 is performed only when the movable body 35 is in the forward-facing forward acting posture and the coupling engaged member 18 is held in the operational position. The movable movable member 19 can be fitted to the engaged member 18 for connection, and the front and rear transport traveling bodies 1 can be connected.

In the second embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 10, the connecting movable engaging member 19 in the forward acting posture is engaged with the engaged member 18 on the movable body 35 in the forward acting posture. When the connection is released from the connected state, the connection release switching means 39 including the guide rail 37 shown in FIG. 12 and the rotation lever 38 shown in FIG. 13 is used. The guide rail 37 of the switching means 39 for releasing the connection pushes up the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 of the connecting means 17 in the connected state by using the travel of the transport traveling body 1, and The movable movable member 19 is switched to a non-engaged posture in which the movable movable member 19 is detached upward from the coupled member 18 and the state is held in a certain section. The connecting movable engaging member 19 switched to the non-engaging position by the guide rail 37 rotates the connecting engaged member 18 in a state where the front and rear transporting traveling bodies 1 face each other with the load bars 5. The trajectory, that is, the moving trajectory of the connecting member 18 when the movable body 35 in the forward acting posture rotates to the reverse non-acting posture deviates upward and forward.

As shown in FIG. 13, the rotation lever 38 of the disconnection switching means 39 has a downward standby position in which the tip is positioned in the movement path of the operated portion 36 provided in the movable body 35, and a predetermined angle of rotation upward and backward. This is pivotally supported by a horizontal support shaft 40 in the left-right direction so as to be swingable up and down with respect to the operated posture, and is switched by a driving means 41. The drive means 41 is constituted by an operation lever 42a extending from the horizontal support shaft 40 and a cylinder unit 42b for pushing and pulling the operation lever 42a. When the rotation lever 38 of the connection release switching means 39 configured as described above is in an actuated posture rotated by a predetermined angle rearward and upward around the horizontal support shaft 40, the rotation lever of the connection release switching means 39 is 38 and the drive means 41 are disposed at a position where they do not interfere with the transporting traveling body 1 that moves along the travel path and the transported object loaded on the transported object support base 6 of the transporting traveling body 1. Has been. Further, as is apparent from the configuration described above, the guide rail 37 and the rotation lever 38 are arranged in a distributed manner on both the left and right sides of the moving path of the load bar 5 of the transport traveling body 1, and thus interfere with each other. I don't get along.

According to the connection release switching means 39 configured as described above, when the two transport traveling bodies 1 connected to each other by the connection means 17 pass the position of the connection release switching means 39, first, the guide rail 37 Acts on the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19, and the connecting movable engaging member 19 is switched from the forward acting posture to the non-engaging posture as the transport traveling body 1 travels. The connection movable engagement member 19 is released upward from the connection engaged member 18 of the rear traveling traveling body 1 and the connection is released. On the other hand, the rotation lever 38 is switched from the actuated posture to the standby posture, and immediately after the connecting movable engagement member 19 is switched to the non-engagement posture as described above, the rotation lever 38 is switched from the standby posture to the actuated posture. Is rotated upward by a predetermined angle until the operated portion 36 of the movable body 35 in the forward acting posture of the rear transport traveling body 1 is pushed upward and rearward, and the movable body 35 is moved to the horizontal support shaft 34. Rotate to a position that exceeds the posture of standing up right above the rear. As a result, the movable body 35 rotates by gravity to the opposite non-acting posture in the opposite direction, and accordingly, the connecting engaged member 18 is switched from the operating position to the non-operating position. After this, the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 moves forward from the guide rail 37, swings downward again due to gravity, and returns to the forward acting posture supported by the receiver 23. As shown in FIG. 14, the engaged member 18 for connection of the rear traveling traveling body 1 has already been switched from the operating position to the non-operating position, and thus returned to the normal operating posture. The connecting movable engaging member 19 and the connecting engaged member 18 of the rear traveling traveling body 1 are not engaged with each other. Of course, the connecting movable engaging member 19 that has returned to the forward acting posture is not in contact with any of the rear traveling body 1.

As shown in FIG. 14, if the connecting means 17 is in the disconnected state, the transporting traveling body 1 can be stored in a state where the load bars 5 are brought into contact with each other. In addition, in this manner, the transporting traveling bodies 1 can be propelled by the friction drive wheels 26 in a state where the load bars 5 are in contact with each other or adjacent to each other.

Next, when the connection means 17 is switched from the connection release state shown in FIG. 14 to the connection state, the connection switching means comprising the guide rail 43, the rotation lever 44 and the drive means 45 of the rotation lever 44, as shown in FIG. 46 is used. The guide rail 43 of the connection switching means 46 has the same structure and performs the same action as the guide rail 37 of the connection release switching means 39 described above. Further, the rotating lever 44 of the connecting switching means 46 is provided with a horizontal support shaft in the horizontal direction so as to freely swing up and down between a standby posture extending horizontally rearward and an applied posture rotated upward by a predetermined angle. It is supported by a shaft 47 and is switched by a driving means 45. The driving means 45 is constituted by an operation lever 48a extending from the horizontal support shaft 47 and a cylinder unit 48b for pushing and pulling the operation lever 48a. When the rotation lever 44 of the connection switching means 46 configured in this manner is in a standby posture extending horizontally rearward from the horizontal support shaft 47, the entire connection switching means 46 is along the travel path. The transport traveling body 1 that moves in a moving manner and the transported object loaded on the transported object support base 6 of the transport traveling body 1 are disposed at positions that do not interfere with each other. Further, as is apparent from the configuration described above, the guide rail 43 and the rotation lever 44 are arranged in a distributed manner on both the left and right sides of the moving path of the load bar 5 of the transport traveling body 1, and thus interfere with each other. I don't get along.

According to the connection switching means 46 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 14, the front and rear transporting traveling bodies 1 are in a continuous state adjacent to each other, but the connection means 17 is in a disconnected state. When the two front and rear transporting traveling bodies 1 are not connected to each other and pass through the position of the connecting switching means 46, the guide rail 43 first acts on the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19. As the transport traveling body 1 travels, the connecting movable engaging member 19 is switched from the forward acting posture to the non-engaging posture. On the other hand, the rotary lever 44 is switched from the actuated posture to the standby posture, and immediately after the connecting movable engagement member 19 is switched to the non-engagement posture as described above, the rotary lever 44 is switched from the standby posture to the actuated posture. Is rotated upward by a predetermined angle until the operated portion 36 of the movable body 35 in the reverse non-acting posture of the rear traveling traveling body 1 is pushed upward and forward, and the movable body 35 is moved to the horizontal support shaft. It pivots to a position that exceeds the posture of standing up right above 34. As a result, the movable body 35 is rotated to the forward acting posture by gravity, and accordingly, the coupling engaged member 18 is switched from the non-acting position to the acting position. After this, the operated portion 24 of the connecting movable engaging member 19 is moved forward from the guide rail 43, and again swings downward due to gravity to return to the forward acting posture supported by the receiver 23. As shown in FIG. 10, the movable movable engagement for connection which has returned to the forward acting posture with respect to the engaged member 18 for connection of the rear transport traveling body 1 which has already been switched from the non-operation position to the operation position. The member 19 will automatically engage.

The connecting movable engaging member 19 in the second embodiment does not reverse from the forward acting posture to the reverse non-acting posture, but is disengaged upward from the connecting engaged member 18. Therefore, the swing range around the horizontal support shaft 22 is limited so as not to swing beyond the non-engagement posture to the reverse orientation. desirable.

Also in the second embodiment configured as described above, the connection release switching means 39 and the connection switching means 46 are provided as appropriate, and the transport traveling body 1 has a layout as shown in FIGS. The travel route can be configured.

The transport device of the present invention can particularly transport the friction travel-driven transporting bodies in a connected state, or release the connection and travel individually, and use the transporting traveling bodies as connecting means. It can be utilized as a transport device that can enable storage and running in a continuous state without being affected by each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyance body 2-4 Trolley 5 Load bar 6 Conveyed object support stand 11 Groove-shaped guide rail 17 Connection means 18 Engagement member 19 Connection movable engagement member 19a Recessed

engagement part

22,24a, 29a, 31a, 34, 36a, 40 Horizontal support shaft 23

Receiver

24, 36 Operated portion 25 Friction drive surface 26

Friction drive wheel

27, 27A, 27B, 39 Connection release switching means 28, 28A, 28B, 46 Connection Switching means 29, 31, 38, 44 Rotating

lever

30, 32, 41, 45 Driving means 30b, 32b, 42b, 48b Cylinder unit 35

Movable body

37, 43 Guide rail S Storage area C Linked travel area Y Individual travel at regular intervals area

Claims

A connecting means for connecting to the front and rear end portions of the transport traveling body supported so as to be able to travel on a certain travel route is connected to another transport traveling body in a state adjacent to the front and rear. A projecting engagement member that protrudes upward from one conveyance traveling body, and is pivotally supported by the other conveyance traveling body so as to swing up and down, and the coupling engagement member below the free end portion. In the transport device including a connecting movable engaging member having an engaging portion that fits from above with the coupling member, the connecting movable engaging member is forwardly engaged with the engaged member for connection. It is configured to be able to swing from an acting posture to a reverse non-acting posture in the opposite direction beyond the non-engaging posture separated upward from the engaged member for connection. Switch to the above non-acting posture in the opposite direction, and make each transport traveling body butt In is configured to allow the storage, transport device.
The storage area is provided in front of a connected traveling area where a plurality of transport traveling bodies travel in a connected state, and an exit of the storage area is provided between the plurality of transport traveling bodies waiting at the exit. 2. A connecting switching means for switching the plurality of transporting traveling bodies to a connected state by switching the connecting movable engaging member in the reverse non-acting posture in the connecting means to the forward acting posture is provided. The conveying apparatus as described in.
The connecting movable engaging member is provided with an operated portion protruding laterally, and the switching means for connecting acts on the operated portion to move the connecting movable engaging member in a reverse non-acting posture. The conveyance device according to claim 2, further comprising a rotation lever that swings the standing posture to a posture that exceeds the standing posture toward the positive acting posture.
At the exit of the connected travel area, the connecting movable engagement member in the forward acting posture in the connecting means between the plurality of transport traveling bodies in the connected state is switched to the reverse non-acting posture. The transport device according to claim 2, further comprising a connection release switching means for releasing the connection of the transport traveling body.
The connection movable engagement member is provided with an operated portion that protrudes laterally, and the connection release switching means acts on the operated portion to move the connection movable engagement member in a forward acting posture. The conveyance device according to claim 4, further comprising a rotation lever that swings the standing posture to a posture that exceeds the standing posture to the opposite non-working posture side.
A connecting means for connecting to the front and rear end portions of the transport traveling body supported so as to be able to travel on a certain travel route is connected to another transport traveling body in a state adjacent to the front and rear. A projecting engagement member that protrudes upward from one conveyance traveling body, and is pivotally supported by the other conveyance traveling body so as to swing up and down, and the coupling engagement member below the free end portion. In the transport device including a connecting movable engaging member having an engaging portion that fits from above with the coupling member, the connecting movable engaging member is forwardly engaged with the engaged member for connection. It is configured to be swingable from an action posture to a non-engagement posture separated upward from the engaged member for connection, and the engaged member for connection is a reverse non-action that is opposite to the forward action posture. Up and down on the free end of the movable body that is pivotally supported on the transport traveling body so that it can swing back and forth between the posture The connecting movable engaging member is configured to be detachable with respect to the connecting engaged member only when the movable body is in the forward acting posture. The transporting device is configured such that the connecting movable engaging member has a forward acting posture, and only the movable body is switched to a reverse non-acting posture so that each transporting traveling body can be stored in a front-to-back butt state.
The storage area is provided in front of a connected travel area in which a plurality of transport traveling bodies travel in a connected state, and the plurality of transport traveling bodies moving forward from the exit are provided at the exit of the storage area. In the state where the connecting movable engaging member in the forward acting posture in the connecting means between is switched to the non-engaging posture, the movable body in the connecting means is switched from the reverse non-acting posture to the positive acting posture, and then the non-engaging posture. The transport apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a connection switching unit configured to return the movable movable member for connection in the engagement posture to a forward acting posture and switch the plurality of transport traveling bodies to a connected state.
The movable movable member for connection and the movable body are provided with an operated portion that protrudes laterally, and the connection switching means is connected via the operated portion of the movable movable engagement member for connection. The movable engagement member is moved from the positive acting posture to the non-engaging posture for a certain interval, and the movable body is moved from the reverse non-acting posture by acting on the operated portion of the movable body. The transport apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a rotation lever that swings to a posture that exceeds the forward acting posture side.
At the outlet of the connected traveling area, the connecting movable engaging member in the forward acting posture in the connecting means between the plurality of transporting traveling bodies in the connected state is switched to the non-engaging posture, and then the connecting means The movable body is switched from the forward acting posture to the reverse non-acting posture, and then the connecting movable engaging member in the non-engaging posture is returned to the forward acting posture to connect the plurality of transport traveling bodies. The transfer device according to claim 7, wherein switching means for releasing the connection is provided.
The connection movable engagement member and the movable body are provided with an operated portion protruding laterally, and the connection release switching means is connected via the operated portion of the connection movable engagement member. A guide rail that switches the connecting movable engaging member from the positive acting posture to the non-engaging posture for a certain interval, and the movable member acting on the operated portion of the movable body to reverse the standing posture from the positive acting posture. The transport device according to claim 9, further comprising a rotation lever that swings to a posture exceeding the direction non-acting posture.