JP2990938B2 - Hanger conveyor system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hanger conveyor system for transporting articles by suspending them on hangers, and more particularly to a system for improving the workability of loading and unloading articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of hanger conveyor systems have been put to practical use as a hanger conveyor system for hanging and transporting articles such as sewn products on a hanger in a sewing factory or the like (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 62). -201719, JP-A-3-56322 and JP-A-3-56323). The hanger conveyor system described in JP-A-3-56322 and JP-A-3-56323 according to the application of the present applicant connects a plurality of sorting devices for sorting hangers in four directions of front, rear, left and right, and the sorting devices. A plurality of intermediate rail devices, and a plurality of distribution rail devices respectively connected to the plurality of sorting devices and transporting hangers from the sorting device to the sorting device of the sorting source via the work station.

The overall configuration of the hanger conveyor system is set in various patterns in accordance with the number of work steps to be performed on the articles and the number of types of articles to be conveyed. For convenience of design and manufacture, as shown in FIG. , The plurality of sorting devices 14
The plurality of intermediate rail devices 142 and the plurality of distribution rail devices 145 are manufactured as common devices. Therefore, in the entire hanger conveyor system, the transport direction or the circumferential direction of the hanger in a plan view is set in a counterclockwise direction, for example, as indicated by an arrow. Normally, a pair of distribution rail units 143 located on the left and right sides of the sorting device 141 are connected to the sorting device 141 at the upstream end in the transport direction of the hanger conveyor system for charging articles and article materials. The sorting device 141 at the downstream end in the conveying direction of the conveyor system includes:
A pair of distribution rail units 144 located on both left and right sides of the sorting device 141 are connected to take out a finished product. Reference numeral 6 denotes an operator, 7 denotes a work station, 1
43a is an input area, 143b is an input standby area, 14
Reference numeral 4a denotes a take-out area, and 144b denotes a take-out standby area.

[0004]

However, in the hanger conveyor system described in the above-mentioned publication, since the circling directions of the hangers in the pair of left and right loading distribution rail units are both set in the counterclockwise direction, the loading operation is performed. Although the load on itself is not so high, since the moving path E between the pair of left and right input areas is long, 1
Since two input workers 6 cannot cope, two input workers 6 are arranged for a pair of input distribution rail units. The same applies to the take-out distribution rail unit. Since the moving path F extending between the take-out areas is long, two take-out workers 6 are arranged. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a hanger conveyor system that can improve the workability of loading and unloading articles.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hanger conveyor system wherein articles are conveyed through hangers for suspending articles. And a plurality of sorting devices for receiving and holding the hanger and distributing it in another direction, and a plurality of distributing devices arranged between the distributing devices for transporting the hanger from the distributing device to another distributing device. An intermediate rail unit, and a plurality of distribution rail units respectively connected to the plurality of sorting devices and for transferring hangers from the sorting device to the sorting device of the sorting source via the work station. Direction at least one of the sorting device located at the upstream end and the sorting device located at the downstream end, and a pair located at both sides of the sorting device. The distribution rail unit linked, are configured to be opposite to the direction the circumferential direction of the hanger in the pair of dispensing rail unit to each other.

[0006]

In the hanger conveyor system according to the first aspect, when an article is thrown into the hanger supported by the throw-in distribution rail unit located on the upstream end side in the article transport direction, the hanger is transported to the sorting device. Then, it is distributed by the distribution device, transported to another distribution device by the intermediate rail unit, distributed by the distribution device, transported to the distribution rail unit of the work station of the next process, and performs work on the article at the work station. After that, the hanger suspending the article returns to the sorting device. In the same manner as described above, only the installed units are sequentially transported to the work station of the next process by the intermediate rail unit and the distribution rail unit, and finally, the distribution for removal on the downstream end side in the transport direction of the article. The article is conveyed to the rail unit and removed from the hanger. Thereafter, the empty hangers are sequentially conveyed by the sorting device and the intermediate rail unit, and are again transferred to the original distribution rail unit for charging.

Here, a pair of distribution rail units located on both sides of the distribution device are connected to at least one of the distribution device located at the upstream end in the article conveying direction and the distribution device located at the downstream end. Since the circling directions of the hangers in the rail units are configured to be opposite to each other, the pair of distribution rail units can be set in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the sorting device. The workability of loading and unloading can be improved.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This hanger conveyor system uses a hanger 8 (see FIG. 10) as a carrier in a sewing processing factory.
(See FIG. 13 to FIG. 13) for transporting various workpieces (work cloth pieces, semi-finished products, and finished products) together with the hanger 8. As shown in FIG. 1, in the hanger conveyor system HC, a plurality of sorting devices 1 are arranged in series at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of intermediate rail units 2 are bridged between each pair of sorting devices 1. Are located in A pair of work input distribution rail units 3 are connected to the left and right sides of the sorting device 1 at the upstream end in the work transfer direction, and a pair of work take-out distribution rails are connected to the left and right sides of the sorting device 1 at the downstream end in the work transfer direction. Unit 4
Are connected. Further, a work distribution rail unit 5 extending to a work station 7 where a worker 6 is arranged is connected to both left and right sides of each sorting device 1 in the middle of the transport path. And these hanger conveyor systems HC
Are provided with a large number of hangers 8 (see FIG. 3). In the following description, upstream and downstream will be defined based on the work transfer direction.

The plurality of sorting devices 1 have the same structure, the plurality of intermediate rail units 2 also have the same structure, and a pair of input distribution rail units 3 (3A, 3A).
B) has a symmetrical structure, and the pair of take-out distribution rail units 4 (4A, 4B) has a symmetrical structure.
The plurality of work distribution rail units 5 have the same structure. Therefore, the transport direction of the hanger 8 in the hanger conveyor system HC is basically a counterclockwise direction in plan view as shown by a plurality of arrows, but as shown in FIG. The transport direction of the hanger 8 in the distribution rail unit 3A and the left distribution rail unit 4B on the left side is clockwise.

Next, a specific configuration of the sorting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Each sorting device 1
As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the device has a completely unitized structure so as to be a single independent device, and is provided with a column 10 standing on the floor. As shown in FIG. 6, a mounting shaft member 11 is fixed to an upper end of the column 10, and a support plate 12 is fixed to an upper end of the mounting shaft member 11. A distributing mechanism 13 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft member 11.
The third body member 14 is driven to rotate by a servomotor 17 via a timing belt 15 and a timing pulley 16. The servo motor 17 is mounted on the support plate 12 and has a drive pulley 17a fixed to a motor shaft.
Between the belt and the timing pulley 16
Is stretched.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distributing mechanism 13 includes eight distributing arms 1 which are horizontally arranged in a radial direction at 45 ° intervals and are fixed to the main body member 14 at the base end.
9 and the distribution arm 19 is provided between the intermediate rail unit 2 and the distribution rail units 3, 4, 5.
11 is attached to each of the distribution arms 19.
(See FIG. 3) is formed. A movable arm 20 having a slit 20a similar to the slit 19a is pin-coupled to the distal end of each distribution arm 19 at the outer end thereof. The movable arm 20 is connected to the outlet 25b of the intermediate rail unit 2 and the distribution rail unit 3 In order to introduce the hanger 8 by the weight of the hanger 8 from the outlets 99b of 4 and 5, the hanger 8 is arranged to be inclined downward toward the inner end side. Furthermore, the distribution arm 1
9, an air cylinder 18 is fixedly disposed on the column 10. The rod of the air cylinder 18 is extended so that the movable arm 20 is inclined downward toward the outer end as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 6. By tilting the movable arm 20
The hanger 8 is sent out from its own weight to the entrance 25a of the intermediate rail unit 2 and the entrance 99a of the distribution rail units 3, 4, and 5.

The sorting device 1 includes an intermediate rail unit 2
From the outlet 25b of the distributing rail unit or the outlet 99b of the distribution rail units 3 to 5, a set of the distributing arm 19 and the movable arm 2
After receiving the hanger 8 at 0, the distributing mechanism 13 is rotated by a commanded angle (an integer multiple of 45 °) to thereby provide a set of the distributing arm 19 and the movable arm 20.
To the entrance 99 of the distribution rail unit 3 to 5 on either side.
a, or by extending the rod of the corresponding air cylinder 18 to raise the movable arm 20 and supply the hanger 8 to any one of the inlets.

Next, a specific configuration of the intermediate rail unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. Each intermediate rail unit 2 has an independent one as shown in FIGS.
FIG. 12 shows a structure in which a pair of left and right support frames 24 are provided long in parallel.
As shown in (1), support pieces 77 are arranged and fixed on the lower surface of each of the support frames 24 at a plurality of locations. Left and right support frames 2
Below the 4, a rectangular support fitting 79 formed by bending a plate material so as to be parallel to the support frame 24,
A plurality of the support pieces 77 are fixed to the support frame 24 with two bolts 78 at intervals. As shown in FIG. 12, an opening 79a that allows the hanger rod 51 to pass through the hanger rod 51 is formed in each support fitting 79.

Along the inside of the plurality of support fittings 79,
2 supported at the same level as the outer end of the movable arm 20
The strip rails 25 (25A, 25B) are disposed at intervals equal to the width of the opening 79a. In addition, rail 2
5, as shown in FIG. 4, both ends are bent inward, and three sprockets 26 having a vertical axis are provided at the upstream end of the bent portion. At the downstream end, three sprockets 2 having a vertical axis are provided.
7 are provided. The six sprockets 26, 2
The endless chain 28 (moving body) mounted on the right side (upper side in FIG. 4) of the inner rail 25A and the left side inner rail 2
It is arranged in the horizontal plane at a predetermined height higher than the rail 25 and slightly inside along the 5A. Further, a chain guide mechanism 29 for guiding the chain 28 is attached to the inside of the plurality of support fittings 79, as shown in FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right supporting frames 24 are connected by a plurality of connecting frames 34, and the supporting frames 24 and the connecting frames 34 have a ladder shape. In addition, support frame 24
3 and 7, between the connecting frames 34 at one end thereof.
As shown in FIG. 8, a chain 28 is passed through a central tensioner sprocket 26a of the sprocket 26.
Is provided with a tension mechanism 30 for adjusting the tension. On the other hand, between the connecting frame 34 at the other end of the support frame 24, as shown in FIGS.
7 is provided with a drive motor 31 (drive means) for driving the center drive sprocket 27a. As shown in FIGS. 5, 14, and 16, a support mechanism 79 at a position corresponding to a downstream portion of the rail 25 corresponding to the support frame 24 on the right side (upper side in FIG. 2) in the chain rotation direction is provided with a stop mechanism. 32 and a detector 33 are mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, the support bracket 7 is located at a position corresponding to a downstream portion of the rail 25 corresponding to the left support frame 24 in the chain rotation direction.
9 is provided with a stop mechanism 32 and a detector 33 similar to those described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, two support frames 34a are provided between the connection frames 34 at both ends of the support frame 24, and a support piece 77 is fixed to the support frames 34a. Like the support frame 24, 2
The support bracket 79 is fixed to the support frame 34 by the bolts 78.
a. Thereby, the bent portion of the rail 25 is held. The upstream end portions of the pair of support frames 24 include:
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution rail unit 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the support plate 12 of the sorting device 1 to which the distribution rail unit 3 is connected.
The lower end portions of the pair of supporting frames 24 are similarly attached to the upper surface of the support plate 12 of the sorting device 1 to which the pair of supporting frames 24 are connected, by being disassembled and fixed by a plurality of bolts with the supporting frames 96 of 4 and 5 interposed therebetween. The distributing rail units 3, 4, 5 are fixed so as to be disassembled by a plurality of bolts with the supporting frames 96 interposed therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 4, the entrance 25a of the right rail 25 (upper side in FIG. 2) and the exit 25b of the left rail 25 facing the entrance 25a are adjacent to each other in the sorting device 1. In order to connect to the movable arm 20 with a small gap, the opening angle between them is bent toward the approaching side so as to form an angle of 45 °.
And the entrance 25a of the left rail 25, as shown in FIG. 5, the opening angle between them is set to 4 so as to connect to a pair of adjacent movable arms 20 of the sorting device 1 with a small gap.
It is bent toward the approach side so as to form 5 °. The sprocket 27 and the drive motor 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6. The three sprockets 27 are mounted on a bracket 37 fixed to the downstream ends of a pair of support frames 24, One driving sprocket 27a is disposed upstream of the other two sprockets 27 by a predetermined distance, and the driving position of the driving sprocket 27a is shifted upstream so that the driving motor 31 is driven by the intermediate rail unit 2 Can be fixed to the pair of supporting frames 24.

The sprocket 26 and the tension mechanism 3
Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the left and right sprockets 26 among the three sprockets 26 are fixed to a pair of connecting frames 34 by bolts or screws as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the tensioner sprocket 26a at the center is mounted on the bracket 38 downstream of the two left and right sprockets 26 so as to be movable in the workpiece transfer direction. ing. That is, the shaft member 39 of the tensioner sprocket 26a is
As shown in FIG. 8, a slide member 41 is provided at the upper end of the shaft member 39, and the tensioner sprocket 26a is configured to be movable by a predetermined distance in the workpiece transfer direction within the range of the slit 40. It is. still,
During the use of the hanger conveyor system HC, the drive motor 31 is constantly driven to rotate in the same direction, and the chain 28 moves around in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The tension mechanism 30 has a structure in which the tensioner sprocket 26a is movably supported and, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of guide members 48 are provided on a bracket 38 at predetermined intervals in parallel. Have been. The guide member 48 guides the slide member 41 (tensioner sprocket 26a).
As shown in FIG. 8, the slide member 41 is provided with four guide rollers 49, and the slide member 41 can be moved along the guide member 48 by the guide rollers 49. Further, on the downstream side of the guide member 48, a lower guide wheel 43 is rotatably supported by a support piece 48a fixed to the upper surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, a frame 42 is provided upright on the pair of connecting frames 34, and a guide wheel 44 with a one-way clutch and an upper guide wheel 45 are supported on the frame 42.

A chain member 47 having one end fixed to the slide member 41 is guided by three guide wheels 43, 44 and 45, and a weight 46 is fixed to the other end as shown in FIG. I have. For this reason, the tension of the chain 28 can be maintained constant by constantly urging the tensioner sprocket 26a in the downstream direction via the chain member 47 by the constant gravity acting on the weight 46. Thus, the three sprockets 26 and the tension mechanism 30 could be mounted on the pair of support frames 24 of the intermediate rail unit 2 via the pair of connection frames 34.

Here, the chain guide mechanism 29, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33 of the intermediate rail unit 2 are described.
Before describing the structure, a specific structure of the hanger 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. Each hanger 8 has
As shown in FIG. 12, a hanger rod 51 extending vertically downward from the center of the carrier body 50 is provided, and an engagement disc 52 made of a sprocket that engages the chain 28 from outside is provided on the upper end of the carrier body 50. Is provided. Further, a friction clutch mechanism 53 as shown in FIG. 13 is formed and arranged between the carrier body 50 and the engagement disc 52. As shown in FIG. 3, a work holding portion 54 capable of holding a plurality of works is provided below the hanger rod 51. Note that the hanger 8 has basically a symmetric structure in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

As shown in FIG. 11, the carrier body 5
0 is formed to be elongated in the transport direction.
Rolling rollers 56 that roll on the rail 25 via a shaft member 55 are provided on both left and right sides of the center in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 12, the pair of left and right shaft members 55 protrude outside of the rolling rollers 56 by a predetermined length, and a sleeve 57 is rotatably fitted to the shaft members 55. Also, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, both ends of the carrier body 50 are located slightly above the upper surface of the rail 25 and are positioned on the rail 25 when the hanger 8 swings in the transport direction. A swing regulating wheel 58 that contacts the upper surface and regulates the swing of the hanger 8 is provided.

Further, at the lower part of the carrier body 50, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, a pair of vertical bosses 5 are provided at predetermined positions from the hanger rod 51 to the upstream side and the downstream side.
9 are projectingly provided between the pair of rails 25, and guide rollers 60 are respectively mounted on the vertical bosses 59 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and the carrier body 50 is formed by the guide rollers 60 and the pair of rails 25. Restricts rotation around the vertical axis. As shown in FIG. 11, rubber members 61 for cushioning are fixed to both ends of the carrier body 50 with screws 62, and the rubber members 6 of the hanger 8 which are conveyed adjacent to each other.
The distance between the hanger rods 51 is maintained at a predetermined distance by contact between the hanger rods 51. Therefore, the hanger 8 is movable along the rails 25 by rolling the pair of rolling rollers 56 on the pair of rails 25.

FIG. 13 shows the friction clutch mechanism 53.
With reference to FIG. 4, a vertical cylindrical hole 67 is formed in the boss 66 at the upper end of the carrier body 50 in the longitudinal direction, and the boss 66 is inserted through the metal 68 into the center of the engaging disc 52. A vertical shaft member 69 that rotatably supports the engaging disk 52 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 67 and screwed to the carrier body 50. A clutch plate 70 made of an oil-impregnated resin is mounted on both upper and lower surfaces of the engaging disk 52. Further, both clutch plates 70 are externally fitted to the shaft member 69, and the convex portions 52a on both upper and lower surfaces of the engaging disk 52 are provided. Are fitted into the corresponding small holes of the clutch plate 70 so that the engaging disc 52 and the two clutch plates 70 cannot rotate relative to each other. A washer 71 is mounted between the lower clutch plate 70 and the upper end of the boss 66, and the upper clutch plate 70 and the head 69 of the shaft member 69.
The engaging disc 52 and the pair of clutch plates 70 are resiliently sandwiched between the pair of washers 71 by the clutch spring 72 externally mounted on the shaft member 69 in the cylindrical hole 67. I have.

Since an appropriate frictional force acts between the upper and lower clutch plates 70 and the washers 71 by the elastic force of the clutch spring 72, the movement of the hanger 8 in the chain circling direction is not restricted. Even if the transport driving force from the nip acts on the engaging disk 52, the engaging disk 52 does not rotate relative to the carrier body 50, and the hanger 8 moves on the rail 25 integrally with the chain 28. Also,
When the movement of the hanger 8 is prevented by the stop mechanism 32 described later, a slip occurs between the upper and lower pairs of clutch plates 70 and washers 71, and the engaging disk 52 rotates relative to the carriage body 50, and the hanger 8 Are kept stopped.

As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of engaging teeth 52a (engaging portions) meshing with the chain 28 are formed on the engaging disc 52 at an equal pitch on the circumference thereof. Also,
In the plane portion of the engaging disc 52, eleven bit slits 73 for generating a reference pulse are provided at 12 equally-divided positions on the circumference, and the bit slit 73 is not formed in the 12 equally-divided positions on the circumference. One point is the origin position. Further, the engaging disc 52
Inside the bit slit 73 in the plane portion of
Eleven through holes 74 are formed on the radiation connecting the rotation center of the engagement disk 52 and the bit slit 73, and a closing plate 75 for closing the through holes 74 is provided differently for each hanger 8. I have. Therefore, the hanger 8 can be made of 2 11 −1 = 2047 types. The hanger 8 thus configured is stopped by a stop mechanism 32 to be described later, and the detector 33 to be described later is driven by these bit slits 73, while the engaging disk 52 is rotating clockwise in FIG. The position of the through hole 74 and the closing plate 75 is detected, and a detection signal such as an identification code for identifying the type (number) of the hanger 8 is output.

Next, the chain guide mechanism 29, the stop mechanism 32, and the detector 33 of the intermediate rail unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS. The chain guide mechanism 29 is configured as shown in FIG. 12. A guide member 80 made of a synthetic resin made of an integrated component or a plurality of components for guiding the inner portion of the chain 28 is provided on the inner portion of the support bracket 79. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12, a guide member 81 made of synthetic resin or an integral part or a plurality of parts for guiding the bottom of the chain 28 is disposed along the obliquely upper part of each inner rail 25A. Have been.
Although the guide members 80 and 81 are not arranged above the bent portion of the rail 25 as shown in FIG. 4, they may be arranged continuously. These guide strips 80, 8
1 is integrally fixed together with the attachments 82 and 83 by screws 84, and the attachments 82 and 83 are fixed to the support metal 79 by screws (not shown).

Here, in order to prevent the engaging disk 52 from coming off the chain 28 due to the swinging of the hanger 8 in the left-right direction, as shown in FIG.
A swing regulating member 8 composed of an integral part or a plurality of parts having an L-shaped cross section extending along the guide strip 81 and the rail 25.
5 are provided. The swing regulating member 85 is fixed by the screw 84 so as to be in contact with the guide strip 81. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the swing regulating member 85 is disposed along the entire length of the inner rail 25A. Have been. The restricting portion 85a, which is the tip of the swing restricting member 85, is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the hanger 8 is provided in a state of approaching the upper end of the shaft member 55 and the sleeve 57 (corresponding to the protrusion member 86) projecting inward from the carrier body 50 with a slight gap. . Therefore, when the hanger rod 51 slightly swings inward (clockwise in FIG. 12), the projection member 86 abuts on the regulating portion 85a from below, and the swing of the hanger 8 is regulated. In addition, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. 12, it is also possible to provide a swing regulating member 85i corresponding to the outer projecting member 86 along the outer rail 25B.

Next, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33
2 and 5, and FIGS. 14 to 16, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33 are connected to the rail 2
5 is disposed inside the support fitting 79 on the upstream side in the chain circulating direction with respect to the support fitting 79 provided at the outlet 25b of the outlet 5 and is supported by the support frame 24 via the support fitting 79. As shown in FIG. 16, a fixing plate 88 is fixed to the inner upper surface of the support bracket 79 by bolts 87, and the fixing plate 88 is fixed to the fixing plate 88 as shown in FIG.
A support shaft 89 to which the locking arm 90 is connected by a bent portion is attached with a stepped screw.
9 can be rotated. The locking arm 90 is provided on the shaft member 6 protruding from the upper end of the carrier body 50 of the hanger 8.
The head 69a is locked from the downstream side in the rotation direction of the chain 28, and is horizontally swingable between a locking position shown by a solid line and a retracted position shown by a virtual line in FIG.

Further, a torsion spring 91 for urging the locking arm 90 to the locking position is wound around the support shaft 89.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the holding plate 7 is provided on the outer upper surface of the support fitting 79 by the bolt 87.
9a, an air cylinder 92 is provided. The air cylinder 92 is in contact with the side surface of the contact arm portion 92c of the locking arm 90. When the piston 92a is projected against the torsion spring 91, Lock the arm 90 to the support shaft 89
To the retreat position with the center as the center. The contact arm 92
The contact portion 92b on the end face c is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. Usually, the locking arm 90 is arranged at the locking position. A V-shaped locking portion 90 for locking the head 69a of the shaft member 69 is provided at the tip of the locking arm 90.
a is formed, and the shaft member 6 is formed by the V-shaped locking portion 90a.
9 is locked without shifting in the left-right direction.

The mounting bracket 79 at a position corresponding to the engaging disk 52 of the hanger 8 stopped by the stop mechanism 32
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, a photointerrupter 33 having two sets of light-emitting units and light-receiving units
A detector 33 is formed from a and 33b. The photo interrupter 33a is arranged at a position facing the bit slit 73, and detects the origin position and the position of the bit slit 73 based on the rotation speed of the chain 28, that is, the rotation speed of the engagement disk 52. In addition, the photo interrupter 33
b is disposed at a position facing the through hole 74 and the closing plate 75, detects the through hole 74 or the closing plate 75 based on the position data of the bit slit 73 of the photo interrupter 33a, and outputs the data to a control unit (not shown). To supply. Then, the control unit identifies the type (number) of the hanger 8 based on data from the photo interrupters 33a and 33b, and detects that the hanger 8 is locked by the stop mechanism 32.

In this way, the number of the hanger 8 is identified by the detector 33, and the sorting arm 19 of the sorting device 1 and the outlet 25b of the rail 25 are arranged as shown in FIG.
And the rod 92a of the air cylinder 92
Is projected. This causes the locking arm 90 to rotate to the retracted position about the support shaft 89 against the torsion spring 91. Then, the locking of the hanger 8 by the locking arm 90 is released, and the hanger 8 moves toward the outlet 25 b of the rail 25 (in the direction of arrow A) by the rotation of the chain 28. At this time, since the locking arm 90 is located at the retracted position, the following hanger 8 is formed by the arc-shaped end face of the contact portion 90b of the locking arm 90, so that the head 6
9a is locked, the hanger 8 is not transported continuously, and the hanger 8 is surely stopped one by one. Then, when the piston 92a of the air cylinder 92 is retracted, the locking arm 90 is rotated to the locking position by the torsion spring 91. With this rotation, the head 69a of the shaft member 69 of the succeeding hanger 8 slides on the arcuate end face of the contact portion 90b of the locking arm 90, and the subsequent hanger 8 moves.
Is smoothly transported, the shaft member 69 is locked by the V-shaped locking portion 90a, and the hanger 8 is locked. At this time, since the rubber member 61 of the subsequent hanger 8 is in contact with the rubber member 61 of the hanger 8 being locked,
Also not conveyed.

Next, the work distribution rail unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 17. FIG.
Each distribution rail unit 5 for work is, as shown in FIG.
It has a structure completely unitized so as to be one independent device, and U-shaped supporting frames 96 in plan view are arranged in parallel at intervals. On the lower surface of the support frame 96, support pieces 97 are arranged and fixed at a plurality of locations. Below the support frame 96, each support piece 97 and two support rods 98 are used.
A pair of rails 99 (99A, 99A) having a substantially U shape in plan view
B) is fixed. As shown in FIG. 17, a rail dividing mechanism 102 for removing the hanger 8 from the distribution rail unit 5 is provided in the middle of the pair of rails 99 on the upstream side in the work transport direction. Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, a stop mechanism 100 for stocking the hanger 8 for sewing work is provided at a downstream portion of the curved portion of the pair of rails 99 in the work transfer direction.
Is provided. Further, a lift mechanism 101 for lifting the hanger 8 by a predetermined height is provided on the pair of rails 99 downstream of the stop mechanism 100.
And, on the slightly upstream portion of the exit portion 99b of the rail 99,
A timing stopper mechanism 130 for determining the timing of returning the hanger 8 to the sorting device 1 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the support frame 96 is fixed to the support plate 12 of the sorting device 1 by a bolt (not shown) so as to be disassembled. The entrance 99a and the exit 99b of the rail 99 are at the same height as the outer end of the movable arm 20 of the sorting device 1 and are connected to a pair of adjacent movable arms 20 of the sorting device 1 with a slight gap. As a result, the angle is bent toward each other so that the opening angle between them is 45 °. The rail 99 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the rail cutting mechanism 10 is moved from the entrance 99a.
2 and the lift mechanism 101 passing through the stop mechanism 100
To a lower end portion of the first member (e.g., an inclination angle of 2 to 5 degrees). Further, the rail 99 is connected to the lift mechanism 101.
From the upper end portion to the outlet portion 99b through the timing stopper mechanism 130, as in the case described above.

In the stop mechanism 100, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, an air cylinder 103 is provided upright on a support plate 105, and one end of a locking arm 104 rotatably supported by the support plate 105 has one end.
3 is fixed to the rod by a stepped screw. Also,
When the rod of the air cylinder 103 is extended, the locking arm 104 rotates to lock the projecting member 86 of the hanger 8. Further, a first sensor (not shown) is attached to the support plate 105, and the first sensor determines whether or not the hanger 8 is stopped by the stop mechanism 100.

Next, the lift mechanism 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. In the work distribution rail unit 5, as shown in FIG. It is formed so as to be gently inclined toward the side, and is configured to be conveyed and driven by the own weight of the hanger 8 and its work. Further, since the entrance portion 99a and the exit portion 99b of the rail 99 have the same height level, To send the hanger 8 to the exit 99b, the hanger 8
Must be lifted by the lift mechanism 101 to a predetermined height. For this reason, the outlet 99b of the pair of rails 99
As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of lift rails 107 inclined upward toward the downstream side in the transport direction are provided on the slightly upstream portion.
Is provided.

A second sensor (not shown) is provided upstream (in the lowermost position) of the pair of lift rails 107 in the transport direction. It is determined whether or not it exists at the lowermost position. Further, a swing arm 108 is rotatably disposed inside the inner lift rail 107, and the base end of the swing arm 108 is swung to the inner lift rail 107 by a stepped screw member 109. It is pivoted freely. Further, at the tip of the swing arm 108, an engaging portion 108a is formed on the hanger 8 which can be engaged from below with a projecting member 86 (corresponding to an engaging member) projecting inward of the inner rail 99A. I have. The lowermost position of the pair of lift rails 107 is a hanger 8 for performing a sewing operation.
Is the stop position.

The inside of the swing arm 108 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, an air cylinder 110 (corresponding to a drive cylinder) is provided, and the base end of the cylinder body of the air cylinder 110 is pivotally attached to the inner lift rail 107 by a horizontal pin 111. , Air cylinder 1
A connector 112 fixed to the tip of the ten rods 110a
Is connected to a bracket portion 108b at the upper end of the base end portion of the swing arm 108 by a horizontal pin 113. When the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 is completely retracted, the swing arm 108 is at the swing lower limit position (the position shown in FIG. 19), and the engaging portion 108a does not protrude from the upper surface of the rail 99. Retreat, and air cylinder 11
When the 0 rod 110a is extended, the engaging portion 108a pushes up the projection member 86 inside the carrier body 50 of the hanger 8 and swings upward by about 90 degrees (the position shown in FIG. 20). become. As described above, the swing arm 108 is swung upward by the air cylinder 110 to push up the inner protrusion member 86, so that the hanger 8 is moved from the lower end position of the lift rail 107 to the lift rail 10.
7 can be lifted to the upper end position.

Further, when returning the swing arm 108 from the swing upper limit position to the swing lower limit position, the swing arm 108
The stopper arm 114 for preventing the engaging portion 108a of the hanger 8 from interfering with the projection member 86 of the subsequent hanger 8 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 20, it is disposed between the inner lift rail 107 and the swing arm 108. The base end of the stopper arm 114 is pivotally attached to the inner lift rail 107 by a stepped screw 115 so as to be swingable, and the tip end of the stopper arm 114 is provided with a rolling roller 56 of the subsequent hanger 8. Lift rail 10 inside
A locking portion 114a is formed to lock a portion (also corresponding to an engagement member) projecting slightly inward from the lower side from the downstream side, and the stopper arm 114 is stretched between the stopper arm 114 and the lift rail 107. The tension spring 116 is urged in the upward swing direction.

The stopper arm 114 has the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), a pin member 117 that can be engaged with the lower end of the engaging portion 108a of the swing arm 108 is protrudingly provided. When the swing arm 108 is located at the swing lower limit position, the swing arm 108 pushes the pin member 117 downward, so that the stopper arm 114 does not protrude above the upper surface of the rail 99 (see FIG. 19). Position),
Further, while the swing arm 108 is moving upward from the swing lower limit position, the stopper arm 114 is not pushed downward by the swing arm 108, so that the tension spring 1
With the urging force of 16, the rocker swings up to the locking position (the position shown in FIG. 20), and the position is regulated by the cushioning member 119 fitted on the pin 118 protruding from the lift rail 107.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the stopper arm 114 is at the locking position, the rolling roller 56 of the succeeding hanger 8 is positioned at a position slightly upstream of the lower end position of the lift rail 107. When the swing arm 108 returns to the lower swing limit position, the engaging portion 108a of the swing arm 108 There is no interference with the projection member 86. When the swing arm 108 returns to the swing lower limit position, the stopper arm 114 is switched to the retracted position by the swing arm 108, and the subsequent hanger 8 is lifted because the lift rail 107 is inclined. To the lower end position (sewing standby position of the hanger 8). When a lift button (not shown) is pressed, the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 is extended, and the hanger 8 is lifted by the swing arm 108. At this time, the pair of rolling rollers 56 is connected to the pair of lift rails 1.
07, the carrier body 50 is lifted while maintaining a horizontal state.
Downstream half and a pair of swing regulating wheels 58 attached thereto.
Moves between the pair of lift rails 107.

The timing stopper mechanism 130 is disposed between the upper end position of the lift rail 107 and the exit 99b of the rail 99, and
It has the same configuration as 00. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in the timing stopper mechanism 130, one end of the locking arm 134 is connected to the rod of the air cylinder 133 erected, and the distribution arm 19 of the distribution device 1 and the exit of the rail 99 are connected. When the portion 99b is not aligned on a straight line, the protrusion member 86 of the hanger 8 is locked by the locking arm 134. Further, the timing stopper mechanism 130 is also provided with a third sensor (not shown) for determining whether or not the hanger 8 exists at that position.

Next, the rail dividing mechanism 102 will be described. As shown in FIG. 17, the rail dividing mechanism 102 is provided on the outer rail 99B at a position slightly downstream of the entrance 99a of the rail 99. A predetermined length portion of the rail 99B is formed on the dividing rail 120,
As shown in FIG. 22, the dividing rail 120 is formed to have a half width of the rail 99B. Also, the dividing rail 120
21 is connected movably in the transport direction by a stepped screw 123 inserted into a long hole 122 formed in the narrow rail portion 121 of the rail 99B, as shown in FIG.
Further, a metal piece 124 is fixed to the downstream end of the dividing rail 120, a U-shaped notch 125 is formed at the end of the rail 99B on the downstream side of the dividing rail 120, and a screw 126 with a knob having a knob 126a is a U-shaped notch. The distal end portion is inserted into a screw hole of the metal piece 124.

During normal work transfer, the dividing rail 12
0 is held in the state shown in the figure, and since the screw 126 with the knob is fastened, the rail 99B is in a continuous state without being divided. However, when any hanger 8 needs to be removed, Loosen the screw with knob 126,
By moving the dividing rail 120 to the upstream side (the direction of arrow B), the dividing rail 120 is switched to the downward state as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 21, and the pair of the carrier main body 50 is separated from the dividing point of the rail 99B. By removing the vertical boss 59 and the swing regulating wheel 60, the hanger 8 can be removed. After the removal, the dividing rail 120 is restored to the illustrated state.

Next, the input distribution rail unit 3 and the take-out distribution rail unit 4 will be described. The left input distribution rail unit 3B is basically composed of the support frame 96 and the work distribution rail unit 5 in the work distribution rail unit 5. Although the horizontal length of the parallel portion of the pair of rails 99 is enlarged, as shown in FIG. 1, the stopper mechanism 100 is located upstream of the curved portion of the rail 99 (on the side of the intermediate rail unit 2 in FIG. 1). ). Further, the timing stopper mechanism 130 is disposed near the outlet 99b of the rail 99. Further, the timing stopper mechanism 13
0 and a lift mechanism 101, a holding mechanism (not shown) for holding a plurality of hangers 8 at a predetermined interval is provided to facilitate mounting of a work on the hanger 8; A fourth sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence / absence of the hanger 8 closest to the mechanism 101 is provided near the lift mechanism 101. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the input distribution rail unit 3A on the right has a left-right symmetrical structure with the distribution rail unit 3B on the left centering on the distribution device 1, as shown in FIG. A detailed description of these input distribution rail units 3A and 3B will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the right take-out distribution rail unit 4A basically has the length in the left-right direction of the parallel portion of the support frame 96 and the pair of rails 99 in the work distribution rail unit 5. However, the stop mechanism 100 is disposed on the intermediate rail unit 2 side of the rail 99, similarly to the left-side distributing rail unit 3B. Similarly, the timing stopper mechanism 130 is also disposed near the outlet 99b of the rail 99. The left take-out distribution rail unit 4B has a symmetric structure with the right take-out distribution rail unit 4A, like the input distribution rail unit 3. These input distribution rail units 4A,
Detailed description of 4B is omitted.

A pair of left and right input distribution rail units 3
The reason why the A and 3B are symmetrical is that as shown in FIG. 1, the input worker 6 linearly reciprocates left and right as shown by the arrow C, while distributing these input distribution rail units 3A and 3B. This is because the work can be efficiently put into the large number of hangers 8 of 3B. Further, the pair of left and right take-out distribution rail units 4A and 4B is formed to be symmetrical in structure, as shown in FIG. However, this is because the work of the finished product can be efficiently removed from the large number of hangers 8 of the take-out distribution rail units 4A and 4B.

Next, the hanger conveyor system HC
Briefly describing the control system, first, the servo motors 17 and the air cylinders 18 of the plurality of
And the air cylinder 92 of the motor 31 and the stop mechanism 32 of the plurality of intermediate rail units 2, and the air cylinder 11 of the lift mechanism 101 of the plurality of distribution rail units 3 to 5.
A control unit for controlling 0 and the like is provided. The detectors 33 of the plurality of intermediate rail units 2
Is supplied to a control unit, to which a keyboard, a CRT display, and a printer are connected. The air cylinder 103 of the stop mechanism 100 of each of the distribution rail units 3 to 5 is operated by the operator 6 via a foot switch or the like. In the control unit, a control program for controlling the various devices to be controlled and data of the transport path of each hanger 8 associated with the identification code of each hanger 8 are input in advance, or from a host computer (not shown). The data is transferred, and the control unit is configured to control the transport path of each hanger 8 by controlling various control target devices based on the detection signal from the detector 33.

Hereinafter, the hanger conveyor system HC
The operation of will be described. First, in the loading distribution rail unit 3, a plurality of empty hangers 8 are circulated to the arrow C side as indicated by the arrow while waiting, and the worker 6 stops the work on the empty hangers 8 in order. Each of the hangers 8 flows to the sorting device 1 at the most upstream portion, is sorted by the sorting device 1, and is supplied to the intermediate rail unit 2 on the downstream side and is conveyed. If the identification code of the hanger 8 is detected by the detector 33 during the conveyance, the next sorting device 1 is controlled based on the detection signal, and the sorting device 1 controls the two work distribution rail units 5 and the next intermediate device. Sorted to any of the rail units 2.

The hanger 8 is used as the work distribution rail unit 5
In the case where the hanger 8 is distributed, the hanger 8 moves by its own weight while standing by along the rail 99 of the distribution rail unit 5, the work is removed from the hanger 8 at the work station, and a predetermined sewing operation is performed, and thereafter, The work is again stopped by the hanger 8, and the hanger 8 is supplied to the sorting device 1 and sorted in the same manner as described above. Then, in the same manner, the hanger 8 is sequentially transported to the downstream side via a plurality of work stations, and finally transported to the take-out distribution rail unit 4 and along the rail 99 of the take-out distribution rail unit 4. While waiting, the work flows to the arrow D side as indicated by the arrow, and the unloading worker removes the completed or unfinished product from the hanger 8. afterwards,
The empty hanger 8 is conveyed to the upstream side via the plurality of sorting devices 1 and the plurality of intermediate rail units 2 and returned to the loading distribution rail unit 3 again.

In this hanger conveyor system HC, as shown in FIG. 1, the pair of loading distribution rail units 3 are configured to be symmetrical and the transport directions for transporting the hanger 8 are set to be opposite to each other. The input areas of the pair of input distribution rail units 3A and 3B can be linearly arranged. The empty hanger 8 from which the sewing operation has been completed and the finished product has been removed is, for example, the timing stopper mechanism 1 of the right take-out distribution rail unit 4A.
When the locking by 30 is released, it is sent to the sorting device 1 from the outlet 99b, and the sorting device 1 rotates 225 degrees counterclockwise to send the empty hanger 8 to the intermediate rail unit 2. The empty hanger 8 sent to the intermediate rail unit 2 is moved around the chain 28 so that the outlet 25
b, and moves to the next sorting device 1. Then
The sorting device 1 rotates 135 degrees counterclockwise, and the empty hanger 8 is sent to the next intermediate rail unit 2.

In this way, the empty hanger 8 is sent to the intermediate rail unit 2 closest to the input distribution rail unit 3 shown in FIG. 1 and moves to the last sorting device 1. This last sorting device 1 is
After rotating by 70 degrees, the empty hanger 8 is sent to the entrance 99a of the right distribution rail unit 3A. Then, the empty hanger 8 sent to the right input distribution rail unit 3A is stopped by the stop mechanism 100 due to the inclination of the rail 99.
Is locked by. The locked empty hanger 8 is
When the fourth sensor determines that there is no hanger 8 at a position facing each sensor, the stop mechanism 10
0 is released, the lift mechanism 101 moves to the lower end position of the lift mechanism 101, and is lifted upward by the lift mechanism 101. The lifted empty hanger 8 is held at a predetermined interval by a holding mechanism, and the leading empty hanger 8 is locked by the timing stopper mechanism 130.
Then, the subsequent empty hanger 8 is stopped at a predetermined interval by the holding mechanism.

As described above, the position of the work device of the distribution rail unit 3A for inputting on the right side, that is, the arrow C in FIG.
A predetermined number of empty hangers 8 stop at a position facing the area. Similarly, an empty hanger 8 is also provided at the mounting position of the input distribution rail unit 3B on the left side.
Stop at predetermined intervals. Accordingly, the moving path (moving range) of the input operator is shortened, the work efficiency of the input operation is remarkably improved, and one input operator can sufficiently cope. The same is true for the take-out distribution rail unit 4. Since the take-out areas of the take-out distribution rail units 4A and 4B can be arranged linearly, the moving path of the take-out operator is shortened, and the work efficiency of the take-out work is reduced. Is remarkably improved, and one take-out operator can sufficiently cope with the problem. When the work is mounted on a plurality of hangers 8 of one of the input distribution rail units 3 and a hanger delivery switch (not shown) is pressed, the lock by the timing stopper mechanism 130 is released, and the hanger 8 is set to one.
It is distributed to the mounting 1 one by one in order. At this time, the hanger 8 no longer exists at a position facing the fourth sensor, so that the lock of the hanger 8 by the stop mechanism 100 is released.

In the above embodiment, the distribution rail units 3 to 5 are configured to be conveyed by their own weight. However, these distribution rail units 3 to 5 are provided with the same chain drive system as that of the intermediate rail unit 2. In this case, the circumferential direction of the chain in the pair of left and right input distribution rail units 3 is set in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Further, the configuration of the hanger 8 and each of the units 2 to 5 in the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. In addition, the distribution rail unit 3 for loading and the distribution rail unit 4 for unloading may be reduced in length in the left-right direction to the same extent as the distribution rail unit 5 if necessary. The overall configuration of the hanger conveyor system HC is, as shown in FIG. 23, a plurality of sorting devices 1, a plurality of intermediate rail units 2, a pair of input distribution rail units 3, and a pair of unloading distribution rails. The unit 4 and a plurality of work distribution rail units 5 can be appropriately combined to form various types of hanger conveyor systems.

[0055]

As described above in detail, according to the hanger conveyor system of the first aspect, the sorting device is provided at least one of the sorting device located at the upstream end and the sorting device located at the downstream end in the article conveying direction. By connecting a pair of distribution rail units located on both sides of the pair of distribution rail units so that the circling directions of the hangers in the pair of distribution rail units are opposite to each other, the pair of distribution rail units can be distributed to the sorting device. Since the symmetrical arrangement can be set, the movement path of the worker can be shortened, and the workability of loading and unloading articles can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration plan view of a hanger conveyor system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a distribution device, an intermediate rail unit, and a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sorting device and an intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a distribution device, a part of an intermediate rail unit, and a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a main part of a sorting device and an intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view of the tensioner device.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rail and the like of an intermediate rail unit, a chain, and a hanger.

FIG. 11 is a side view of rails and the like of an intermediate rail unit, and main parts of a chain and a hanger.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 2 including a hanger;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part of a hanger, a chain guide mechanism, and a rail.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a stop mechanism of the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a hanger and a stop mechanism of the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 2 including a hanger;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the work distribution rail unit (as viewed from arrow 17 in FIG. 2).

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a lift mechanism of the work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the lift mechanism of the work distribution rail unit before the lift.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the lift mechanism of the work distribution rail unit after lift.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a rail dividing mechanism of the work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a rail dividing mechanism of the work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of the entire configuration of a hanger conveyor system according to a modification.

FIG. 24 is an overall configuration plan view of a hanger conveyor system according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 HC hanger conveyor system 1 sorting device 2 intermediate rail unit 3 distribution rail unit for input 4 distribution rail unit for unloading 5 distribution rail unit for work 8 hanger

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hanger conveyor system configured to convey articles via hangers for suspending articles, wherein a plurality of hanger conveyors are arranged at intervals to receive and hold the hangers and distribute them in different directions. And a plurality of intermediate rail units disposed between the sorting devices, for transferring hangers from the sorting device to other sorting devices, and each of the intermediate rail units connected to the plurality of sorting devices. A plurality of distribution rail units for transporting the hangers to the distribution device of the distribution source via the work station; and at least one of the distribution device located at the upstream end and the distribution device located at the downstream end in the transport direction of the article. Connecting a pair of distribution rail units located on both sides of the sorting device; Hanger conveyor system characterized by being configured such that the opposite directions to the circumferential direction of the hanger in and. 2. The hanger conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate rail unit and the pair of distribution rail units are arranged at substantially right angles, and a sorting device is arranged at an intersection thereof.