JP4295010B2 - Gravity fluid shelf device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a transported object such as a transport container is caused to slide on a downwardly inclined flow shelf by the action of gravity, and a receiving side shelf that is a front end side portion of the flow shelf is disposed at a lower side. Technical field of gravity-type fluidized shelf equipment that is configured to be able to switch to a square shape between the discharge path inclined forward and downward in the direction, and can receive and discharge conveyed objects in a first-in first-out manner. Belonging to.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, in the food industry topping line, various gravity-type fluidized shelf devices are arranged along the line, and each food necessary for serving is stored in a transport container etc. Gravity-type fluidized shelf device makes it easy for the operator to take out the food, one after another by gravity, supplies the food without excess and deficiency, and the empty transport container is also quickly discharged by the action of gravity to serve A line configuration that does not cause problems such as interruptions is adopted and is preferably implemented.
[0003]
Conventionally, the gravity-type fluidized shelf apparatus used for the above-mentioned uses is described, for example in the following patent document 1, and is well-known.
The known gravity-type fluidized shelf apparatus is a rail type for handling pallets, and the rail for gravity-transporting the pallets is composed of a storage rail, a command picking (receiving) rail, and an empty pallet return rail. The (receiving) rail is tilted up and down in a U-shape so as to be alternately connected to the storage rail and the return rail of the empty pallet, so that the front end position, which is the intersection of both rails, is supported to be tilted to the apparatus frame. ing.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-193827
[Problems to be solved by the present invention]
In the known gravity type fluidized shelf device, the storage rail is configured to swing in the vertical direction like a seesaw while being supported so as to be able to tilt at the intermediate point thereof, and in the same manner as in the negative inclined state for accepting the entry of the pallet. It is configured to repeat the positive inclination state in which the pallet is sent to the command picking (accepting) rail, and is provided with storage rail operation means that drives as such.
On the other hand, the command picking (accepting) rail also receives a pallet entry from the storage rail and supports it until the end of its use purpose, and a negative inclination that discharges the used pallet to the return rail. It is a structure which repeats an inclination state by a dogleg-shaped operation | movement, and is provided with the picking rail operation means which drives like that.
[0006]
Therefore, the user needs to operate the storage rail operation means and the picking rail operation means in a definite order in an orderly manner, which is not only troublesome, but if the operation procedure is incorrect, for example, There is a risk of an accident where the pallet on the storage rail jumps out towards the command picking rail. In particular, when the command picking (accepting) rail is in a negative inclination state that discharges the pallet to the return rail, if the above accident occurs, the pallet is suddenly discharged to the return rail and the purpose of picking cannot be achieved. It will be.
[0007]
Of course, the known gravity fluidized shelf device is also described as including a restricting means (shroud) for preventing an accident as described above and a stopping means for stopping the movement of the pallet. It is difficult to expect that accidents such as those described above can be completely prevented. And since the user's psychology is psychologically suppressed by using it with care so as not to make a mistake in the operation procedure, the progress of the work is difficult to expect and the work efficiency is poor.
Further, on the side where the pallet is fed to the storage rail, it is necessary to send the pallet one by one while checking the progress of the pallet on the storage rail and on the command picking (accepting) rail.
Eventually, there are some disadvantages that lead to a reduction in total work efficiency and increased costs.
[0008]
The object of the present invention is to provide a tilting mechanism for tilting the receiving side shelf for receiving the object to be transported into the service position to the forward downward inclination so as to be connected to the lower discharge path, and simultaneously supplying the object to be transported behind the tilting mechanism. As a configuration that interlocks the side shelf with a tilting mechanism that tilts the object to be transported on the same shelf up to an angle that prevents the vehicle from inadvertently sliding forward, the operation by the user only needs to be performed once (one touch). An object of the present invention is to provide a gravity-type fluidized shelf device that is completely prevented from accidentally causing the object to be transported forward, and that is easy to use and safe, and that can be expected to improve work efficiency.
[0009]
The next object of the present invention is to provide a gravity-type fluidized shelf device which does not require a limiting means and a stopping means as in the prior art and is simple in structure and inexpensive.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for solving the above-described problems of the prior art, a gravity-type fluidized shelf device according to the invention of claim 1 is:
The transported object W such as a transport container is slid on the flow shelf with the forward downward inclination θ by the action of gravity, and the receiving side shelf 2 which is the front end side portion of the flow shelf is placed in the reverse direction of the lower stage. In the gravity-type fluidized shelf device which is configured to be able to switch to a U-shape between the discharge path 15 which is inclined downward to the front and configured to receive and discharge the conveyed object W in series.
The receiving side shelf 2 has a length for accommodating at least one transported object W, and the intersection position 23 for switching the flow shelf to the character shape at the front end of the receiving side shelf 2 is tilted up and down in the apparatus frame 1. Supported as possible,
The rear supply side shelves 3 except the receiving side shelves 2 are supported by the apparatus frame 1 so that the rear end position 25 can tilt in the vertical direction,
The receiving side shelf 2 is supported, and is lowered in a dogleg shape from the position A connected to the supply side shelf 3 to the reverse front downward inclined position B connected to the lower discharge passage 15, and returns to the original position A again. The tilting mechanism to be returned is a vertical guide plate 8 integrally provided on the side of the receiving side shelf 2 on the roller 6 of the rotating plate 4 installed on the apparatus frame 1 at the side position of the receiving side shelf 2. The lower edge on the near side from the intersection position 23 is supported, and the roller 6 is configured to have the highest position of the rotating plate 4 as the starting point of rotation ,
From the position A where the supply side shelf 3 is supported and connected to the receiving side shelf 2 , the conveyed object W on the same shelf rises to a forward rising slope of an angle α where it does not slide due to its gravitational action. The tilting mechanism for returning to position A is a vertical mechanism provided integrally with the roller 7 of the rotating plate 5 installed on the apparatus frame 1 at the side position of the supply side shelf 3 on the side of the supply side shelf 3. The lower edge on the front side of the guide plate 9 from the rear end position 25 is supported, and the roller 7 is configured to rotate from the lateral position on the rotating plate 5 toward the highest position,
The two tilting mechanisms each of the rotating plates 4 and 5 means Ru synchronously rotated by connecting and driving means for rotating one of the rotary plate 4 by a predetermined rotational angle, as well as based on the rotating plate 4 and 5 comprising a restoring force means for rotating return to the position, characterized in that it is a structure that allows the discharge and receiving of the transported article W in a series of operations.
[0012]
The invention described in claim 2 is the gravity fluidized shelf apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Driving means for rotating the rotary plate 4 of the hand by a constant rotation angle, characterized in that it is a foot bar 13 of foot-linked at the same rotary plate 4 and the actuating bar 11.
[0013]
The invention described in claim 3 is the gravity fluidized shelf apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Driving means for rotating the rotary plate 4 of the hand by a constant rotation angle, characterized in that it is a rotary motor or such linear drive type actuator of a pneumatic cylinder.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Below, embodiment of the gravity-type fluid shelf apparatus which concerns on the invention described in Claims 1-3 is described with description of drawing.
The gravity-type fluidized shelf apparatus of the present invention also slides the transported object W such as a transporting container on the fluidized shelf set at a forward downward inclination (angle θ = about 5 °) in a forward direction by the action of the gravity. And, the receiving side shelf 2 which is the front end side portion of the flow shelf is configured to be switchable to a so-called square shape between the discharge passage 15 which is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction of the lower stage, It is the structure which performs the receipt and discharge | emission of the to-be-conveyed object W in series by a first-in first-out system.
In the case of the illustrated example, the upper flow shelves are configured as a roller conveyor in which a plurality of rotatable rollers 20 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals, but this is not restrictive. A flow path having an appropriate structure is designed according to the properties, shape, etc. of the article to be transported W. Each of the rollers 20 is rotatably supported by a bearing member 22 having both end portions attached to a girder constituting a shelf (FIG. 1). In the case of the illustrated example, the lower discharge path 15 is configured as a slide rail with a plurality of pipes, but may be configured and implemented like an upper roller conveyor.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, the receiving side shelf 2 has at least one transported object W (if the transported object W is small and the user's hand is sufficiently accessible, two or more It is configured to be long enough to accommodate a plurality. The article to be transported W that has arrived at the receiving side shelf 2 is used as it is. This receiving side shelf 2 is connected to the shaft member 24 of the apparatus frame 1 by the hinge member (hinge joint) 23 in the vertical direction at the intersection position where the front end (left end in FIG. Character-shaped tilting is supported.
On the other hand, the rear supply side shelf 3 excluding the receiving side shelf 2 has a rear end position (base end portion) that is tilted in the vertical direction on the shaft member of the apparatus frame 1 by a hinge member (hinge joint) 25. Is supported. The supply object W is supplied to the supply side shelves 3 from the right side of FIG.
[0016]
From the position A (see FIG. 3) connected to the receiving side shelves 2 from below and connected to the supply side shelves 3 and a series of forward downward inclinations (angle θ) as shown in FIG. In the case of the illustrated example, the receiving side shelf as a tilting mechanism that lowers to a tilted position B (see FIG. 4) connected to the discharge path 15 that is inclined downward to the original position A and returns to the original position A again. A rotating plate 4 is installed on the device frame 1 at the outer position on both sides (or only one side). The rotating plate 4 is installed in such a manner that its rotating shaft 40 is supported by a bearing member 42 on horizontal beam members 41 on both sides of the apparatus frame 1. The roller 6 is mounted in position on the outer peripheral circle near the rotary plate 4, this roller 6, the lower edge of the receiving-side shelf passage 2 of the vertical guide plate is provided integrally with the side 8 that is supported.
That is, when the rotating plate 4 is at the rotational position where the roller 6 is at the highest position as shown in FIG. 3, the receiving side shelf 2 maintains a position A connected to the supply side shelf 3 in a series of forward and downward inclinations. . As the rotary plate 4 rotates clockwise from the position A and the position of the roller 6 is lowered, the receiving side shelf 2 tilts forward downward about the hinge member (hinge joint) 23 as a center. do. Then, the roller 6 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4 (about 100 ° in rotation angle), and the receiving side shelf path 2 is connected to the discharge path 15 that is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction (rightward). B. Of course, when the rotating plate 4 is reversed to return the roller 6 to the original highest position again, the receiving side shelf 2 is restored to the position A connected to the supply side shelf 3 in a series of forward and downward slopes. .
[0017]
On the other hand, from the position A (see FIG. 3) that supports the supply-side shelf 3 and is connected to the receiving-side shelf 2, the conveyed object W on the shelf does not slide due to the gravity action α (α = In the case of the illustrated example, the rotating plate 5 is also installed as a tilting mechanism that raises to the front rising inclination position C (see FIG. 4) of about 2 ° and returns to the original position A again. The rotating plate 5 is also supported by a bearing member 52 on a device frame 1 at an outer position on both sides (or only on one side) of the supply side shelf 3 and a rotating shaft 50 supported by a vertical member 51 of the device frame 1. is set up. The roller 7 is attached to the position of the outer circumference near the rotary plate 5, this roller 7, the lower edge of the supply-side rack channel 3 of the vertical guide plate is provided integrally with the side 9 is that are supported.
That is, when the rotary plate 5 is in the substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 3, the supply-side shelf 3 maintains the position A connected to the receiving-side shelf 2 in a series of forward and downward inclinations. As the rotary plate 5 rotates clockwise from the position A and the position of the roller 7 rises, the supply side shelf 3 rises around the hinge member (hinge joint) 25 on the proximal end side. Tilt. When the roller 7 reaches the highest position shown in FIG. 4, the supply-side shelf 3 is raised to a position C having a forward rising inclination of an angle α at which the conveyed object W on the shelf does not slide forward due to the gravity action. The Of course, when the rotating plate 5 reverses and the roller 7 is returned to the original lateral position, the supply side shelves 3 are restored again to the position A connected to the receiving side shelves 2 and a series of forward and downward slopes.
[0018]
In the illustrated example, the rollers 6 and 7 are grooved rollers having semicircular grooves 6a and 7a at the center of the outer peripheral surface, as shown in FIGS. On the other hand, the guide plates 8 and 9 have a semicircular lower edge that slides into the semicircular grooves 6a and 7a, but this is not restrictive. The outer peripheral surfaces of the rollers 6 and 7 may have a simple cylindrical shape, and the lower edges of the guide plates 8 and 9 may be simply slid on the outer peripheral surface. Alternatively, it is possible to use a roller with a flange that prevents the guide plates 8 and 9 from being removed.
[0019]
Next, in the case of the present invention, there is provided means for connecting the rotary plates 4 and 5 of the two tilt mechanisms and driving them synchronously.
Specifically, first, as a means for connecting and rotating the two rotating plates 4 and 5 in the illustrated example, a link bar 10 for connecting the rotating plates 4 and 5 is installed. As described in detail in FIG. 3, the link bar 10 is connected to each rotary plate 4 in a state where the roller 6 of the rotary plate 4 is positioned at the highest position and the roller 7 of the rotary plate 5 is positioned horizontally and horizontally. , 5 on the circles 4a, 5a of the same diameter, and the rotation angle position of about 100 ° clockwise with the zero point on the vertical line passing through the center of each of the rotary plates 4, 5, respectively. It is connected with. In other words, the rotary plates 4 and 5, their rotary shafts 40 and 50, and the link bar 10 constitute a kind of parallelogram link mechanism, and the rotary plates 4 and 5 are the same in the same direction via the link bar 10. The rotation angle is synchronized with each other.
The position of the pin 19 that is fixed to the right end of the link bar 10 is a position where the right end of the link bar 10 just stops under the rotation shaft 50 when the rotation angle of the rotating plate 5 is zero as shown in FIG. is there. On the contrary, the position of the pin 18 that has fixed the left end of the link bar 10 is such that when the rotating plate 4 is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle (about 100 °) from the zero point as shown in FIG. The position just hits the rotating shaft 40 and stops.
[0020]
Then, as the driving means for rotating the rotary plate 4 described above by a predetermined rotation angle, in the case of the illustrated example, foot bar 13 linked foot expressions that have been installed in the rotary plate 4 and the actuating bar 11.
When the rotating plate 4 is at the zero point as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting position of the rotating plate 4 and the operating bar 11 is slightly larger than the circle 4a in which the pin 18 that fixes the left end of the link bar 10 is positioned. On the line of the concentric circle 4b having the diameter, the pin 18 is connected at a position approximately vertically above the pin 18 by the pin 17.
On the other hand, the foot-operated foot bar 13 is connected to the lower part of the apparatus frame 1 so that the base end portion can be moved up and down by a pin 30 and the lower end portion of the operating bar 11 is connected by a pin 31 at a position near the free end. . In other words, the user steps on the free end of the foot bar 13 with his / her foot and pushes it down by the so-called lever action.
In the illustrated example, the lower end of the rotating plate 4 is fixed to the position of the pin 30 as a restoring force means for reversely returning the rotating plate 4 and the rotating plate 5 connected by the link bar 10 to the original zero point position. The upper end of the tension spring 12 is fastened to a position 33 on the circumference in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the rotating plate 4 and about 150 ° opposite to the position of the pin 18 fastened to the left end of the link bar 10. ing.
[0021]
Therefore, when the user has used the transported object W in the normal state of FIG. 3, the user pushes down the free end of the foot bar 13 once by the predetermined stroke with the foot. As a result, the rotating plate 4 pulled by the operating bar 11 and the rotating plate 5 connected by the link bar 10 both rotate in the clockwise direction by a predetermined rotation angle (about 100 °) to the state shown in FIG. Thus, the left end of the link bar 10 hits the lower side of the rotating shaft 40 and becomes a dead end.
In short, as described above, according to the displacement in which the rotating plate 4 rotates clockwise and the position of the roller 6 descends, the receiving side shelf 2 is moved from the position A connected to the supply side shelf 3 to the right. The position B connecting to the discharge path 15 is tilted by tilting forward and downward. For this reason, the to-be-conveyed object W ′ that has been used slides down the receiving side shelf 2 due to the gravitational action, and is removed to a predetermined position outside the apparatus through the discharge passage 15.
A guide plate 34 is provided on the link bar 10 so as to reliably guide the movement of the transported object W ′ moving down from the receiving side shelf path 2 to the discharge path 15 (see FIG. 6). ).
[0022]
On the other hand, from the position A connected to the receiving side shelves 2 and a series of forward and downward slopes, the supply side shelving 3 is The left end rises around the proximal end hinge member (hinge joint) 25, and the conveyed object W on the supply side shelf 3 has an angle α (about 2 °) that does not slide forward due to its gravity. The position C is a front rising slope. Therefore, the conveyed object W on the supply side shelf 3 is surely stopped so as not to accidentally jump forward.
[0023]
As described above, when the user pushes down the foot bar 13 to a certain stroke and releases his / her foot, the tension spring 12 as a restoring force means which is pulled by the clockwise rotation of the rotating plate 4 and stores the force is used as the rotating plate. 4 and, consequently, the rotating plate 5 is also rotated so as to forcibly return counterclockwise, and is returned to the original zero point position shown in FIG. When the rotating plate 5 returns to the original rotation angle zero point position, the right end of the link bar 10 hits the lower side of the rotating shaft 50 at the same time, resulting in a dead end. Then, since the supply side shelves 3 and the receiving side shelves 2 are connected in series in the state of the initial downward slope (angle θ = about 5 °), the front row to be conveyed on the supply side shelves 3 is transported. At least one item W is transferred to the receiving side shelf 2. At the same time, the plurality of conveyed objects W on the supply side shelf 3 are also moved forward by at least one in the forward-pressed state.
[0024]
Since it depends on the above, the driving means for rotating the rotating plate 4 by a certain rotation angle is not limited to the mechanism using the foot-operated foot bar 13 described above.
The operation bar 11 is driven by a rotation type motor (hydraulic or pneumatic motor, electric motor, etc.) that directly rotates the rotary plate 4 (rotational reciprocating drive), or a linear drive type actuator such as a pneumatic cylinder. Can be carried out by pushing or pulling, or by directly driving the rotating plate 4 instead of the operation bar 11.
[0025]
The means for synchronizing the two rotating plates 4 and 5 is not limited to the connecting mechanism using the link bar 10 described above. The circles 4a and 5a having the same diameter may be configured by sprocket wheels or pulleys and connected by a chain or a belt. The tension spring 12 as the restoring force means can also be implemented by a torsion coil spring wound around the rotating shaft 40 of the rotating plate 4.
[0026]
In the illustrated embodiment, the device frame 1 is shown as being assembled with a synthetic resin adhesive-coated steel pipe and a joint, but this is not restrictive. Depending on the application, a metal material may be used. Reference numeral 14 denotes a caster of the device frame 1.
[0027]
[Effects of the present invention]
The gravity-type fluidized shelf device according to the first to third aspects of the present invention is configured to discharge the transported object W ′ used on the receiving side shelf 2 by operating one drive means (foot bar 13) to the discharge passage 15. At the same time, the supply side shelf 3 can be tilted to a forward rising inclination at an angle at which the transported object W does not slide forward , and the operation is performed as a simple one-time operation . fear of erroneous operation is not, and excellent ease of use rather high safety, it can be expected to improve and thus work efficiency.
[0028]
Further, the gravity-type fluidized shelf device of the present invention does not require any restricting means and stopping means (stoppers) that are indispensable in the prior art, so that the structure is simple and can be provided at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a gravity-type fluidized shelf device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the upper part of the apparatus with a half-cut flow shelf.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged central cross-sectional view showing a normal state in which a receiving side shelf and a supply side shelf are connected in series.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged central cross-sectional view showing a state in which the receiving side shelf is connected to the discharge passage and the supply side shelf is lifted forward.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 3;
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus frame W Conveyed object W 'Used conveyed object 2 Reception side shelf 3 Supply side shelf 15 Discharge path 23 Hinge member 25 Hinge member 4 Rotating plate (tilting mechanism)
6 Roller 8 Guide plate 5 Rotating plate (Tilt mechanism)
7 Roller 9 Guide plate 10 Link bar (connecting means)
13 Foot bar (drive means)
12 Tension spring (restoring force means)

Claims (3)

The object to be transported such as a transport container is slid on the downwardly inclined flow shelf by the action of gravity, and the receiving side shelf which is the front end side portion of the flow shelf is lowered in the opposite direction of the lower stage. In a gravity flow shelf device that is configured to be able to switch to a square shape between an inclined discharge path and to receive and discharge a series of objects to be conveyed,
The receiving side shelf has a length that accommodates at least one article to be conveyed, and is supported by the apparatus frame so as to be able to tilt in the vertical direction at the intersection position for switching the flow shelf to the character shape at the front end. And
The rear supply side shelves excluding the receiving side shelves are supported so that the rear end position thereof can be tilted up and down on the apparatus frame,
A tilting mechanism that supports the receiving side shelf and descends in a U shape from a position connected to the supply side shelf to a reverse forward downward inclined position connected to the lower discharge path, and returns to the original position again . Supports the lower edge of the front side of the intersection of the vertical guide plate that is integrally provided on the side of the receiving side shelf on the roller of the rotating plate installed on the device frame at the side of the receiving side shelf The roller is configured to have the highest position of the rotating plate as the starting point of rotation ,
Tilt that supports the supply-side shelf and rises to a forward rising slope at an angle at which the conveyed object on the shelf does not slide due to the gravity action from the position connected to the receiving-side shelf, and returns to the original position again. The mechanism is located on the roller of the rotating plate installed on the apparatus frame at the side of the supply side shelf, and is located on the front side of the rear end position of the vertical guide plate integrally provided on the side of the supply side shelf. The lower edge is supported, and the roller is configured to rotate from the lateral position on the rotating plate toward the highest position,
The two tilting mechanism unit Ru is rotated synchronously by connecting each of said rotary plate, and driving means for rotating the one rotating plate by a predetermined angle of rotation, as well as restoring force for rotating returning the rotating plate to the original position comprising means, characterized in that it is a structure that allows the discharge and acceptance of the consignment in a series of operations, gravity flow shelving system. Drive means for rotating the rotary plate of the hand by a constant rotation angle, characterized in that it is a foot bar of foot-linked with operating bar and the rotating plate, gravity flow shelving system according to claim 1 . Drive means for rotating the rotary plate of the hand by a constant rotation angle, characterized in that it is a rotary motor or such linear drive type actuator of a pneumatic cylinder, gravity flow, as set forth in claim 1 Shelf equipment.

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