JP4576926B2 - Junction equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a merging facility that is used to join and transport, for example, an empty box or a real box-shaped object that has been transported by a plurality of upper-side transport devices to a single lower-side transport device.

Conventionally, the following configuration is provided as this type. That is, the merging device that merges the articles from the carry-in conveyor causes the shoes and side belt conveyors to act on the side surfaces of the articles while conveying the articles by the conveyor, and then guides the articles to the center of the conveyor and then unloads them. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-26490 (page 1-2, FIGS. 1, 6, and 9)

  However, according to the above-described conventional configuration, since the article is carried out in a guiding posture in which a shoe or the like is applied to the side of the article, depending on the shape and state of the article, the article may be caught on the shoe or the like when being carried out, Carrying out is not performed smoothly, or the posture of the carried out article is disturbed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a merging facility that can always carry out smoothly without being caught or disturbed in posture.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the merging facility according to claim 1 of the present invention is configured such that a transported object transported by a plurality of upper transport devices provided in a direction transverse to the transport direction is a single lower side. A merging facility for merging with a conveying device, and a centering device for moving an object to be conveyed to a central portion in a lateral direction is provided between the upper-side conveying device and the lower-side conveying device. A conveyor section, a pair of movable bodies arranged below the roller conveyor section so as to be movable in the lateral direction, a laterally-pressing body provided on each of the movable bodies so as to be movable up and down, and both movable bodies approaching and separating from each other. The drive unit includes a pair of drive units, and a pair of the drive units is provided corresponding to both moving bodies. The two drive units are endless rotating bodies arranged so as to generate a horizontal upper path and a lower path. Have this And one location and lateral pushing of the endless rotary body is connected relatively rotatably, the endless rotary body by synchronously drive the two driving unit, both lateral pushing body, between the rollers of the roller conveyor section in a spaced apart limit portion Projecting from the conveying surface through this, and moving closer to each other in this protruding state, retreating from the conveying surface at the access limit part, and then moving away from each other in this retracted state . The present invention is characterized in that the object to be conveyed is configured to be carried into the centering zone .

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the object to be conveyed can be carried into the roller conveyor portion of the centering device from any of the upper-side conveying devices. Then, by driving both drive units synchronously and rotating the endless rotating body, the both lateral pushing bodies projecting from the conveying surface through the rollers at the separation limit portion are moved upward while moving both moving bodies close to each other. By moving close together in the path , the laterally pressed body can be brought into contact with the side surface of the object to be conveyed, and the object to be conveyed can be laterally moved toward the center on the roller group. As a result, the object to be conveyed can be moved to the center portion so as to face the lower conveyance device.

  Then, by retracting both laterally pushed bodies from the conveying surface, the object to be conveyed that has been centered can be sent out and conveyed by the roller conveyor unit, and the object to be conveyed is received by the lower-side conveying device and conveyed to the lower side. Can do. At that time, both the laterally pushed bodies are retracted from the transport surface, so that the delivery of the transported object can be performed without being caught by the laterally pushed body and without being disturbed in the posture of the transported object. .

At the same time as the feeding and transporting, the next object to be transported can be carried into the roller conveyor portion of the centering device. At that time, both the laterally pushed bodies are moved away from each other in the lower movement path while retracted from the transport surface. Therefore, the next object to be conveyed can be carried into the centering zone without any trouble. By such an operation, an object to be transported that has been transported by a plurality of upper transport devices provided in a direction transverse to the transport direction can be joined to a single lower transport device.

In the merging facility according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 1 described above, the endless rotating body is provided with a pair in the transport direction so as to be synchronously driven, The pusher is connected to the pusher so as to be relatively rotatable.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the laterally pressing body can be stably moved laterally by connecting both ends in the transport direction to the endless rotating body.
Furthermore, the merging facility according to claim 3 of the present invention is the configuration according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an object to be transported from the upper transport device is placed between the upper transport device and the lower transport device. A plurality of receivable intermediate transport devices and a centering device capable of receiving a transported object from the intermediate transport device are provided, and the upper transport device is configured to cut a transported object from its downstream end. The intermediate conveying device is configured to handle the objects to be conveyed one by one, and the centering device has an upstream portion formed in a standby zone, and a downstream portion provided with both laterally pressed bodies. It is formed in the centering zone, and the standby zone is configured to be able to accept the object to be conveyed from the intermediate conveying device group and to be able to carry out the object to be conveyed to the centering zone side. It is obtained by it said.

Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, the object to be conveyed cut out from any one of the upper-side conveying devices is received by the corresponding intermediate conveying device, and the object to be conveyed from the intermediate conveying device is carried into the standby zone of the centering device. Can do. Next, after the object to be conveyed in the standby zone is conveyed to the centering zone by the roller conveyor unit, it can be opposed to the upstream end of the lower-side conveying device by moving the centering in the centering zone.

In addition, the merging facility according to claim 4 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , the upper-side transport device is a pair in the lateral direction. .
Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the objects to be conveyed that have been conveyed by the pair of upper-side conveyance devices can be joined to a single lower-side conveyance device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the object to be conveyed can be carried into the roller conveyor portion of the centering device from any of the upper-side conveying devices. Then, by driving both drive units synchronously and rotating the endless rotating body, the both lateral pushing bodies projecting from the conveying surface through the rollers at the separation limit portion are moved upward while moving both moving bodies close to each other. By moving closer together in the path , the laterally pressed body can be brought into contact with the side surface of the object to be conveyed, and the object to be conveyed can be laterally pushed and moved toward the center on the roller group. As a result, the object to be conveyed can be moved to the center portion so as to face the lower conveyance device.

  Then, by retracting both laterally pushing bodies from the transport surface, the transported object that has been moved in the centering direction can be sent out and transported by the roller conveyor unit, and the transported object can be received by the lower-side transport device and transported to the lower hand. . At that time, both the laterally pushed bodies are retracted from the transport surface, so that the delivery of the transported object is not caught by the laterally pressed body, and the posture of the transported object that has been transported is not disturbed. It can always be done smoothly.

At the same time as the feeding and transporting, the next object to be transported can be carried into the roller conveyor portion of the centering device, and at that time, both the laterally pushed bodies are moved away from each other in the lower movement path while being retracted from the transport surface. As a result, the next object to be conveyed can be carried into the centering zone without any trouble , and both laterally pressed bodies can be returned . That is, it is possible to efficiently carry in the next object to be conveyed at the time of separation movement (return movement) of both laterally pressed bodies, so that high performance can be exhibited at a low operating speed, and stability can be increased. By such an operation, an object to be transported that has been transported by a plurality of upper transport devices provided in a direction transverse to the transport direction can be joined to a single lower transport device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention described above, the laterally pressing body can always perform the laterally pressing movement stably by connecting both ends in the transport direction to the endless rotating body.
Further, according to claim 3 of the present invention described above, the object to be conveyed cut out from any one of the upper-side conveying devices is received by the corresponding intermediate conveying device, and the object to be conveyed from the intermediate conveying device is put on standby by the centering device. Can be brought into the zone. Next, the object to be transported in the standby zone is transported to the centering zone by the roller conveyor unit, and then moved to the centering zone in this centering zone, so that it can face the upstream end of the lower transport device.

Moreover, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention described above, the objects to be conveyed conveyed by the pair of upper conveyance devices can be joined to a single lower conveyance device.

[Embodiment 1]
Below, Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. 1-9 as the state employ | adopted for the merge conveyance of a box-shaped body.

  1 and 2, a box-like body (an example of an object to be transported) 1 transported by a plurality of upper-side transport devices 10A and 10B provided in a lateral direction B with respect to the transport direction A is transported by a single lower-side transport. The merging equipment to be merged with the apparatus 110 is composed of the upper conveyance apparatuses 10A and 10B, the intermediate conveyance apparatuses 30A and 30B, the centering apparatus 50, and the lower conveyance apparatus 110 from the upper (upstream) to the lower (downstream). It is comprised by arrange | positioning in this order.

  The upper-side transport devices 10A and 10B are a pair arranged side by side in the lateral direction B, and each have a roller conveyor type. That is, a pair of conveyor frames 12A and 12B are disposed in the lateral direction B on the leg members (machine frames) 11A and 11B, and are positioned at a number of locations in the conveying direction A between the two conveyor frames 12A and 12B. Rollers 13A and 13B are provided so as to be freely rotatable.

  Conveyor driving means 15A and 15B are disposed between the conveyor frames 12A and 12B of the upper-side transport devices 10A and 10B. That is, under the rollers 13A and 13B, reversal guide wheel bodies 16A and 16B are disposed at both ends of the conveyor frames 12A and 12B, respectively, and between the reversing guide wheel bodies 16A and 16B, Positioned below the group of rollers 13A and 13B is a group of pressing guide wheels 17A and 17B.

  Drive unit frames 18A and 18B are provided between the lower portions of both conveyor frames 12A and 12B. Motors 19A and 19B with a speed reducer are mounted on the drive unit frames 18A and 18B, and from the motors 19A and 19B side. Driving wheel bodies 20A and 20B are provided on the output shaft. Further, near the motors 19A and 19B, a pair of reversing guide wheels 21A and 21B are provided on the conveyor frames 12A and 12B side.

  Endless rotating bodies 22A and 22B made up of an endless belt for driving and the like are hung from above over both the reversing guide wheel bodies 16A and 16B and the pressing guide wheel bodies 17A and 17B, and the rollers 13A and 13B. The group is configured so as to be freely contactable from below, and is configured so that rotational power is transmitted by the contact. Furthermore, after being hung on both reversing guide wheel bodies 21A and 21B, it is configured to be applied to the driving wheel bodies 20A and 20B, so that turning power is applied. That is, the rollers 13A and 13B are configured so as to be driven to rotate by contacting the endless rotating bodies 22A and 22B of the conveyor driving means 15A and 15B from below.

  At the downstream end (terminal portion) in the transport direction A, stopper means 23A and 23B are provided that can move in and out in the vertical direction. Therefore, the upper-side transport devices 10A and 10B are configured to be capable of storage transport of the box-shaped body group by transporting the stopper means 23A and 23B in the protruding posture, and downstream of the stopper means 23A and 23B by retreating the stopper means 23A and 23B. The box-shaped body 1 is configured to be cut out from the end. Note that cutout detection means 24A and 24B are provided at the downstream end portion.

  An example of the conveyor driving means 15A, 15B is configured by the above 16A, 16B to 22A, 22B, and the like, and an example of the upper transport device 10A, 10B is configured by 11A, 11B to 24A, 24B.

  The intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B are of a belt conveyor type, and a pair of conveyor frames 32A and 32B are disposed in the lateral direction B on leg members (machine frames) 31A and 31B. Reversing guide wheel bodies 33A and 33B and tension guide wheel bodies 34A and 34B are disposed at both ends in the transport direction A, respectively. Box-shaped drive unit frames 35A and 35B are provided between the lower portions of both conveyor frames 32A and 32B, and motors 36A and 36B with speed reducers are mounted on the drive unit frames 35A and 35B, and the motors 36A and 36B side. Are provided with driving wheels 37A and 37B. Further, near the motors 36A, 36B, the conveyor frames 32A, 32B are provided with a pair of reversing guide wheels 38A, 38B, at least one of which can be adjusted in position.

  The endless belts 39A and 39B are hung from the upper side over both reversing guide wheel bodies 33A and 33B, and are hung from the lower tension guide wheel bodies 34A and 34B from the lower side, and further, both reversing guide wheel bodies 38A and 38B. After being hung on, it is hung on the driving wheels 37A and 37B, so that turning force is applied. Note that delivery detection means 40A and 40B are provided at the downstream end portion.

The above 31A, 31B to 40A, 40B, etc. constitute an example of intermediate transport devices 30A, 30B that receive the box-like body 1 from the upper transport devices 10A, 10B and can be sent out to the centering device 50. Here the intermediate conveying device 30A, 30B is configured to be able to handle the box-shaped body 1 one by one, whereby the endless belt 39A, the conveyor width _{W 2} corresponding to the width of 39B, the upper side carrying device 10A, It is set in the same way as the conveyor width W ₁ of 10B. The conveyor frames 32A and 32B of the intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B may be common and integrated with the conveyor frames 12A and 12B of the upper-side transfer devices 10A and 10B.

  1 to 7, the centering device 50 moves the box-like body 1 to the central portion in the lateral direction B. The upstream portion is formed in the standby zone WZ and the downstream portion is the centering zone. It is formed in SZ. The standby zone WZ is configured to accept the box-like body 1 from the intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B and to carry the received box-like body 1 to the centering zone SZ side.

  The centering device 50 includes a roller conveyor unit 51, a pair of moving bodies 81A and 81B arranged below the roller conveyor unit 51 so as to be movable in the lateral direction B, and the moving units 81A and 81B. It is comprised from the drive parts 91A and 91B etc. which move the horizontal pushing bodies 85A and 85B provided freely, and both the moving bodies 81A and 81B to approach and separate each other.

  That is, the frame main body 52 of the roller conveyor unit 51 is configured by a pair of conveyor frames 53 in the lateral direction B and a connection frame 54 provided between the lower portions of the two conveyor frames 53, and between the lower portions of the conveyor frames 53. In addition, leg members (machine frames) 55 are connected to a plurality of locations in the transport direction A. Between the two conveyor frames 53, rollers 56 are provided so as to be freely rotatable at a plurality of locations in the transport direction A, and a transport surface 57 is formed by the upper surface of the group of these rollers 56.

  A conveyor driving means 60 is disposed in the frame main body 52. In other words, reversal guide wheel bodies 61 are provided at both ends in the conveying direction A below the roller 56 group, and the reversing guide wheel bodies 61 are positioned below the roller 56 group to be unit. A base 58 is disposed. On the unit base 58, an accumulator unit 70 is provided corresponding to both zones WZ and SZ, and a brake unit 75 is disposed on the side of the accumulator unit 70 as a pair.

  A box-shaped drive unit frame 62 is provided between the lower portions of both conveyor frames 33, and a motor 63 with a speed reducer is mounted on the drive unit frame 62, and a driving wheel 64 is provided on the output shaft of the motor 63. Is provided. Further, a pair of reversing guide wheel bodies 65 are provided on the drive unit frame 62 side near the motor 63, and one tension guide wheel body 66 whose position is adjustable is provided.

  An endless rotating body 67 composed of a driving endless belt or the like is hung from above on both the reversing guide wheels 61 and both the accumulator units 70, and is configured to contact the roller 56 group from below. At the same time, the rotational power is transmitted by the contact. Further, it is hung on the lower guide wheel body 68 group from above, and after being hung on the reversing guide wheel body 65 and the tension guide wheel body 66, it is hung on the driving wheel body 64, thereby providing rotational power. It is configured to be. That is, most of the rollers 56 are configured to be driven and rotated by the endless rotating body 67 of the conveyor driving means 60 coming into contact with the lower side. An example of the conveyor driving means 60 is configured by the above 61-68 and the like.

  In each of the zones WZ and SZ, the accumulator unit 70 for connecting and disconnecting the conveyor driving means 60 to the roller 56 group is disposed. These accumulator units 70 are provided between an elevating guide means 71 provided between the unit base 58, an elevating frame 72 guided by the elevating guide means 71, and between the unit base 58 and the elevating frame 72. The lifting / lowering air actuator 73 and upper guide wheels 74 provided at a plurality of locations in the transport direction A of the lifting frame 72 are configured. The upper guide wheel bodies 74 are configured to be able to contact the endless rotating body 67 from below.

  Here, a pair of elevating guide means 71 is disposed in the front and rear along the conveying direction A, and a pair (a plurality) of air actuators 73 are positioned inside the elevating guide means 71 and are disposed in the front and rear along the conveying direction A. It is arranged. An example of the accumulator unit 70 is configured by the above 71 to 74 and the like.

  The brake units 75 that abut against and separate from the group of rollers 56 are arranged in pairs on the unit base 58 side along the respective accumulator units 70. That is, the brake unit 75 disposed for each of the zones WZ and SZ in the transport direction A includes a lift body 77 guided by a lift guide means 76 provided between the unit base 58 and the unit base. 58 and an elevating air actuator 78 provided between the elevating body 77 and a brake member 79 provided on the elevating body 77 and operable (contactable) from below on the roller 56 group. It is composed of Here, the brake member 79 is formed in a rectangular block shape by rubber, for example.

  A pair of the lifting guide means 76 is disposed in the front and rear direction along the conveying direction A, and a pair (a plurality) of the air actuators 78 are positioned inside the lifting guide means 76 and disposed in the front and rear direction along the conveying direction A. It is installed. An example of the brake unit 75 is configured by the above 76-79 and the like.

  The air actuator 73 of the accumulator unit 70 and the air actuator 78 of the brake unit 75 are reversibly acted on the roller 56 group by the switching operation of the valve unit 59 provided on the unit base 58. It is configured.

  In the centering zone SZ, a box-shaped centering portion frame 80 is provided between the lower portions of the conveyor frames 53, and a pair of the moving bodies 81A and 81B are disposed on the centering portion frame 80 side so as to be movable in the lateral direction B. Has been. That is, guide shafts (linear shafts) 82 along the lateral direction B are provided at two locations in the transport direction A within the centering unit frame 80, and guided bodies (linear bushes) 83A and 83B are provided on the guide shafts 82, respectively. The flat plate-like moving bodies 81A and 81B that are movable in the lateral direction B by being supported and guided through are provided.

  The movable bodies 81A and 81B are respectively provided with laterally pushing bodies 85A and 85B that can be raised and lowered. That is, vertical guide cylinders 84A and 84B are provided at both ends in the transport direction A of both moving bodies 81A and 81B. The laterally pushing bodies 85A and 85B are link plate-like lifting plates 86A and 86B positioned along the conveying direction A, and are suspended from both ends of the lifting plates 86A and 86B and can be raised and lowered to the guide cylinders 84A and 84B. The guide rods 87A and 87B are inserted into the upper and lower plates 86A and 86B, and centering bars 88A and 88B are erected.

  At this time, the centering bars 88A and 88B are rod-shaped, and five (plural) are erected so as to be positioned between the rollers 56, respectively. When the ascending / descending stroke of the laterally pushing bodies 85A and 85B is raised, the centering bars 88A and 88B are projected from the conveying surface 57 through the rollers 56 of the roller conveyor 51, and when lowered, the centering bars 88A and 88B are conveyed. It is set to retreat from the surface 57.

  Drive units 91A and 91B are provided to move both moving bodies 81A and 81B closer to and away from each other, and the centering bars 88A and 88B of both lateral pressing bodies 85A and 85B are driven by the drive units 91A and 91B. At the origin, the roller 56 protrudes from the conveying surface 57 through the rollers 56 of the roller conveyor 51, moves close to each other in this protruding state, retreats with respect to the conveying surface 57 at the approaching limit portion, and then separates from each other in this retracted state. It is configured to move.

  That is, the drive portions 91A and 91B are provided (a pair) corresponding to both the moving bodies 81A and 81B, respectively, and the pair of holding frames 92A and 92B are connected to the centering portion frame 80 in the transport direction A. Drive shafts 93A and 93B along the transport direction A are rotatably provided near the central portion in the lateral direction B of the holding frames 92A and 92B. Further, idler wheel bodies 95A and 95B are provided on the outer side of the holding frames 92A and 92B and on the upper part thereof via take-up mechanisms 94A and 94B. Drive wheel bodies 96A and 96B are provided at both end portions of the drive shafts 93A and 93B in a state of being opposed to each other.

  Endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B made of a chain, for example, are wound around the opposed driving wheel bodies 96A and 96B and idler wheel bodies 95A and 95B. That is, a pair of endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B are provided in both the drive portions 91A and 91B in the transport direction A so that they can be driven synchronously. At this time, there is a step between the upper idler wheels 95A and 95B and the lower drive wheel bodies 96A and 96B. At this time, the drive wheel bodies 96A and 96B are driven from the inner positions of the idler wheel bodies 95A and 95B. The guide members 98A and 98B are provided over the upper positions of the two and the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B are supported and guided in a sliding manner so that the step is absorbed.

  As a result, the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B reach the drive wheel bodies 96A and 96B from the horizontal upper movement path a in the lateral direction B supported and guided by the guide members 98A and 98B and the inner ends of the guide members 98A and 98B. A drooping movement path b, a lower movement path c slightly rising in the lateral direction B from the driving wheel bodies 96A, 96B to the idler wheel bodies 95A, 95B, and an ascending movement path by reversal guidance of the idler wheel bodies 95A, 95B. It arrange | positions so that d may arise.

  And one each of the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B provided as a pair that can be driven synchronously and the lower end portions of the corresponding guide rods 87A and 87B of the lateral pushing bodies 85A and 85B are connected along the conveying direction A. The pins 99A and 99B are connected so as to be relatively rotatable.

  Servo motors 100A and 100B are attached to the center portion of the centering portion frame 80, and the output shafts 101A and 101B and the drive shafts 93A and 93B of the servo motors 100A and 100B are, for example, a chain-type winding interlock device 102A. , 102B.

  In addition, upper-hand occupancy detection means 103 is provided at a downstream end portion of the standby zone WZ, and lower-hand occupancy detection means 104 is provided at an intermediate portion of the centering zone SZ. Further, origin detection means 105A and 105B and limit detection means 106A and 106B are provided corresponding to the movement range limits of the moving bodies 81A and 81B.

The above 51-106A, 106B etc. comprise an example of the centering apparatus 50 which moves the box-shaped body 1 received from the said intermediate conveyance apparatus 30A, 30B to the center part of the horizontal direction B. Here conveyor width Wa of the centering device 50, the intermediate conveying device 30A, more than twice the conveyor width _{W 2} of 30B, i.e., Wa> 2W ₂ is set to, the Te following intermediate conveying device 30A , 30B, the box-like body 1 can be received in a state of being offset in any of the lateral directions B.

  The lower-side transport device 110 is of a roller conveyor type, and a pair of conveyor frames 112 are disposed in a lateral direction B on a leg member (machine frame) 111, and between the two conveyor frames 112 in the transport direction A. Rollers 113 are provided so as to be freely slidable in many places. A conveyor driving means 115 is disposed between the conveyor frames 112.

  In other words, reversal guide ring bodies 116 are disposed at both ends on the conveyor frame 112 side below the roller 113 group, and the reversal guide ring bodies 116 are positioned below the roller 113 group. A group of pressing guide wheels 117 is arranged. A drive unit frame 118 is provided between the lower portions of both conveyor frames 112. A motor 119 with a speed reducer is mounted on the drive unit frame 118, and a driving wheel 120 is provided on the output shaft from the motor 119 side. Is provided. Further, near the motor 119, a pair of reversing guide wheels 121 and the like are provided on the conveyor frame 112 side.

  An endless rotating body 122 made up of an endless belt for driving or the like is hung from above both the reversing guide wheel 116 and the pressing guide wheel 117 group so as to be able to contact the roller 113 group from below. It is comprised so that rotational power may be transmitted by the contact | abutting. Further, after being hung on the both reversing guide wheel body 121, it is hung on the driving wheel body 120 so that turning force is applied. That is, the roller 113 group is configured to be capable of being driven to rotate by contacting the endless rotating body 122 of the conveyor driving means 115 from below.

The above-described 116 to 122 and the like constitute an example of the conveyor driving means 115, and 111 to 122 and the like constitute an example of the lower-side transport device 110 that can receive the box-like body 1 centered by the centering device 50. Here the conveyor width of the downstream side conveyance unit 110 _{W 3,} the intermediate conveying device 30A, are set in the same way as such 30B conveyor width _{W 2} of the. The lower-side transport device 110 is disposed in a state where the center of the conveyor width is aligned with the center of the conveyor width of the centering device 50.

Each detection means 24A, 24B, 40A, 40B, 103, 104, 105A, 105B, 106A, 106B has, for example, a photoelectric tube format.
Hereinafter, the merging action in the first embodiment will be described.

In the following, there are two types of box-like bodies to be merged having different vertical heights, and as shown mainly in FIGS. 8 and 9, a large box-like body 1A ₁ conveyed by the upper-side conveying device 10A. To 1A _n and small box-like bodies 1B _{1 to} 1B _n conveyed by the upper-side conveyance device 10B.

  When performing the merging operation, the upper conveyor devices 10A and 10B and the lower conveyor device 110 are driven, and the roller conveyor 51 of the centering device 50 is driven. That is, in the upper transport devices 10A and 10B and the lower transport device 110, the driving wheels 20A, 20B, and 120 are rotated by the motors 19A, 19B, and 119, whereby the endless rotating bodies 22A, 22B, and 122 are moved. The rollers 13A, 13B, and 113 are rotated to convey and rotate.

  Further, in the roller conveyor section 51 of the centering device 50, the endless rotating body 67 is rotated by rotationally driving the driving wheel body 64 by the motor 63 of the conveyor driving means 60. At this time, both the accumulator units 70 are in a non-operating state and both the brake units 75 are in an operating state with respect to the roller 56 group, and thus the roller 56 group is not rotating. The intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B are in a non-driven state.

In the driving state as described above, the box-like bodies 1A _{1 to} 1A _n and 1B _{1 to} 1B _n are sequentially put into the upstream ends of the upper-side transport devices 10A and 10B. In the upper transport apparatuses 10A and 10B, the endless rotating bodies 22A and 22B are rotated to rotate and rotate the rollers 13A and 13B, and thus the box-shaped body 1A thrown on the rollers 13A and 13B is loaded. _{1 to} 1A _n and 1B _{1 to} 1B _n can be conveyed downstream. At that time, the stopper means 23A and 23B at the downstream end are projected and moved, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8A, the leading box-like bodies 1A ₁ and 1B ₁ are moved to the stopper means 23A and 23B. And the subsequent box-like bodies 1A ₂ , 1B ₂ can be brought into contact with the leading box-like bodies 1A ₁ , 1B ₁ and stopped so that the box-like bodies 1A _{1 to} 1A _n can be stopped. , 1B _{1 to} 1B _n group can be in a storage state.

The leading box-like bodies 1A ₁ , 1B ₁ that are stopped in contact with the stopper means 23A, 23B are detected by the cut-out detection means 24A, 24B, and at this time, the intermediate conveying devices 30A, 30B are empty. When the delivery detection means 40A and 40B are not detected, the intermediate conveying devices 30A and 30B rotate and drive the endless belts 39A and 39B by rotating the driving wheels 37A and 37B by the motors 36A and 36B. Stopper means 23A and 23B are moved back and forth.

Thereby, the top box-like bodies 1A ₁ and 1B ₁ are cut out and conveyed by the upper-side conveyance devices 10A and 10B, and the cut-out top box-like bodies 1A ₁ and 1B ₁ are received by the intermediate conveyance devices 30A and 30B. Can be transported. Then, when the cutting of the box-like bodies 1A ₁ , 1B ₁ by the upper-side transport devices 10A, 10B is completed, the stopper means 23A, 23B is caused to project, so that the next box-like bodies 1A ₂ , 1B ₂ are moved to the stopper means. It is stopped by 23A and 23B. Further, the leading box-like bodies 1A ₁ and 1B ₁ transported by the intermediate transport devices 30A and 30B are detected and moved by the delivery detection means 40A and 40B, so that the driving of the motors 36A and 36B is stopped and the endless belt 39A is stopped. , 39B is stopped. Thereby, as shown in the imaginary line A in FIG. 2 and (b) in FIG. 8, one box-like body 1 </ b> A ₁ , 1 </ b> B ₁ can be stopped in the intermediate transfer devices 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B, respectively.

From this state, the intended merging conveyance is performed. That is, in the intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B, _{one of} the box-like bodies 1A ₁ and 1B _{1 to} be sent out next is determined. The intermediate conveying apparatus on the side which is determined, for example, by driving the motor 36A of the intermediate conveyance unit 30A, performs the conveyance of the box-like body 1A ₁ by the endless belt 39A. At this time, in the standby zone WZ of the centering device 50, the accumulating unit 70 is acted on the roller 56 group and the brake unit 75 is deactivated by the switching operation of the valve unit 59.

Thus, receiving a box-like body 1A ₁ fed from the intermediate conveying device 30A in shape offset on one side of the waiting zone WZ, it may carry at the location of the receiving side. At this time, when the centering zone SZ is insufficient, i.e. the centering zone SZ is or in load presence, when the centering bars 88A, 88B is in projecting with respect to the conveying surface 57, the box-like body 1A ₁ good load presence Based on the detection by the detection means 103, the valve unit 59 is switched and operated to deactivate the accumulator unit 70 and activate the brake unit 75 to the group of rollers 56. Accordingly imaginary line Loya in FIG 2, solid lines and in FIG. 4, as shown in (c) of FIG. 8, may stop the box-like body 1A ₁ which has been conveyed by the downstream end portion of the standby zone WZ.

Further, when the centering zone SZ is sufficient, that is, there is no box-like body in the centering zone SZ, and the centering bars 88A and 88B retreat with respect to the transport surface 57 and are moving on the lower movement path c ( Or a box-like body when moving up the ascending movement path d (see FIG. 6), or ascending the ascending movement path d and projecting from the conveying surface 57 and stopping at the outer end of the upper movement path a. Regardless of the detection of 1A ₁ by the superior load detection means 103, in both zones WZ and SZ, the accumulator unit 70 is activated and the brake unit 75 is deactivated.

Therefore, the box-shaped body 1A ₁ that has been transported in the standby zone WZ can be subsequently transported in the centering zone SZ, and the lower load detection means 104 detects the box-shaped body 1A ₁ on the centering zone SZ. Thus, the valve unit 59 corresponding to the centering zone SZ is switched and operated to deactivate the accumulator unit 70 and activate the brake unit 75 to the group of rollers 56. Thus, as shown in (a) in solid lines and 9 of Figure 2 and the phantom line C and 6 in Figure 4, and can stop the box-like body 1A ₁ which has been conveyed at a predetermined position of the centering zone SZ.

At that time, by the box-shaped body 1A ₁ passes through the portion of the well load presence detector 103, by driving the motor 36B of the other side intermediate transfer apparatus 30B, for conveying by the endless belt 39B. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), it receives the box-shaped body 1B ₁ fed from the intermediate conveying device 30B in shape offset on the other side of the waiting zone WZ, may carry at the location of the receiving side. Further, in this case one side of the intermediate transfer apparatus 30A, which accepts the following box-shaped body 1A ₂ cut out from the upstream side conveyance unit 10A.

Centering is performed on the box-like body 1A ₁ has been stopped at a predetermined position of the centering zone SZ, as described above. That is, the centering bars 88A and 88B are temporarily stopped at the outer positions by detecting the moving bodies 81A and 81B by the origin detection means 105A and 105B. Then, when the detection signals from both the origin detection means 105A and 105B and the detection signal from the lower load detection means 104 are input, both the servomotors 100A and 100B are driven synchronously to rotate the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B. .

Thus, as the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B rotate, the connecting pins 99A and 99B first move upward in the upward movement path d, and the centering bars 88A and 88B protrude from the transport surface 57 to move the upper movement path a. It is located at the outer edge. Next, the connecting pins 99A and 99B move toward the center of the upper moving path a, and the centering bars 88A and 88B protruding from the transport surface 57 are moved in directions approaching each other. Thus, the centering bar 88A on one side surface of the box-like body 1A ₁ that is stopped at the position of one side offset of the centering zone SZ in contact, the box-like body 1A _1, on the roller 56 group Move sideways to the center. At that time, the laterally pushing bodies 85A and 85B are connected to the endless rotating bodies 97A and 97B on both sides in the transport direction A, so that the laterally pushing movement can be performed stably.

The connecting pin 99A, 99B is the lateral pushing movement by reaching the center end of the upper movement path a is stopped, when the box-like body 1A ₁ when has inertia movement, the centering bar 88B approaching moving from the opposite side The opposite side surface comes into contact with the plate to prevent further inertial movement. Thus, as shown in (b) of the virtual line and 9 of Figure 6, the box-like body 1A ₁ by centering moved to the central portion of the centering zone SZ, capable of facing the upstream end of the downstream side conveyance unit 110. In this case, the box-shaped body 1B ₁ fed from the intermediate conveying device 30B is transported in the form offset on the other side of the waiting zone WZ, can stop at the downstream end portion of the standby zone WZ. Also, the other side of the intermediate transfer apparatus 30B, which accepts the following box-shaped body 1B ₂ cut out from the upstream side conveyance unit 10B.

As described above, the connecting pins 99A and 99B that have reached the center end of the upper moving path a move downward in the drooping moving path b, so that the centering bars 88A and 88B are moved to the transport surface 57 as shown in FIGS. Retreat from. At that time the centering bars 88A, 88B is that a state sinking beneath in a standing state may Nyudo retreat without being caught in a box-like body 1A ₁ side.

At this time, the limit detection means 106A and 106B detect the moving bodies 81A and 81B that have reached the center end of the upper moving path a, so that the accumulator unit 70 is operated and the brakes are applied in both zones WZ and SZ. The unit 75 is deactivated. Thus, as shown in (c) of the virtual line and 9 of the virtual line d and 5 in FIG. 2, it conveys feeding a box-like body 1A ₁ which has centered moved to the central portion of the centering zone SZ, this box The body 1A ₁ can be received by the lower transport device 110 and transported to the lower hand.

Both the centering bar 88A in time, that is made to retracts from the conveying surface 57 to 88B, the feed conveyor is box-shaped body 1A _1, the centering bar 88A, no caught by 88B, also the box-shaped body 1A taken out of The posture of ₁ is not disturbed and can always be performed smoothly.

At the same time, the box-like body 1B ₁ that has been received at the other end position of the standby zone WZ is removed from the standby zone WZ as shown in the phantom line in FIG. 5, the phantom line in FIG. It can be carried out and carried into the centering zone SZ. Centering bar 88A in its, 88B may perform the backward movement path c with room access from the conveying surface 57 that has moved to the outside, carried to the centering zone SZ of the box-like body 1B ₁ are without any hindrance . That is, both centering bars 88A, the next loading of the box-shaped body 1B ₁ when moved away of 88B (return movement) performed efficiently, resulting exert high capacity at a low operating speed Te than, becomes high stability . Further, at this time, the box-like body 1A ₂ sent out from the intermediate transfer device 30A can be received in a side-by-side manner on one side of the standby zone WZ and can be transferred at the position on the receiving side.

By the operation as described above, the upstream side conveyance unit 10A provided in pairs in the transverse direction B to the transport direction A, the box-shaped body _1A 1 _{to 1A} n which has been conveyed by _10B, the 1B 1 ~1B _n, singular It can join the lower-side transport device 110. Box-shaped body _1A which is merged into the downstream side conveying device 110 during its ₁ ~1A _n, 1B 1 ~1B n may carry supported by the rollers 113 group to the downstream side.

Note confluence, the upstream side conveyance unit 10A, the box-shaped body _1A 1 _{to 1A} n which has been conveyed by _10B, the 1B 1 ~1B _n, not necessarily performed alternately, upper side conveying device 10A, one from the 10B You may make it merge continuously.
[Embodiment 2]
Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the first embodiment described above, the transverse direction B to the pair provided with upper side conveying device 10A, box-shaped body has been conveyed by 10B _1A 1 _{to 1A n,} the 1B 1 ~1B _n to the transport direction A, the singular Although the form which makes the lower side conveyance apparatus 110 merge is shown, the form etc. in which the upper side conveyance apparatus was provided in 3 or more may be sufficient. In other words, in FIG. 10, a confluence facility comprising three upper transfer devices 10A, 10B, and 10C and corresponding intermediate transfer devices 30A, 30B, and 30C is provided.

According to the second embodiment, receives the box-shaped body 1C ₁ fed from the center of the intermediate conveying device 30C at the center of the waiting zone WZ, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10, is conveyed in the waiting zone WZ obtain. Then, a box-like body 1C ₁ which has been conveyed in the waiting zone WZ, are transported by a centering zone SZ Subsequently, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10 may be stopped at a predetermined position of the centering zone SZ. At this time, the predetermined position is a position facing the lower conveyance device 110.

In the first and second embodiments described above, box-like bodies 1A _{1 to} 1A _n , 1B _{1 to} 1B _n , and 1C _{1 to} 1C _n are shown as the objects to be transported, which are articles, parcels, books It may be a conveyed object such as.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, a form in which the intermediate transfer devices 30A, 30B, and 30C and the centering device 50 are provided between the upper transfer devices 10A, 10B, and 10C and the lower transfer device 110 is shown. However, this may be a form in which the intermediate transfer devices 30A, 30B, and 30C are omitted.

1 shows Embodiment 1 of the present invention and is a partially cutaway plan view of a merge facility. FIG. It is a partially cutaway side view of the merge facility. It is a partial notch top view of the centering apparatus part in the same confluence | merging equipment. It is a partially cutaway side view at the time of centering of the centering apparatus part in the same merging equipment. It is a partially notched side view at the time of the non-centering of the centering apparatus part in the same junction equipment. It is a partially notched front view at the time of centering of the centering apparatus part in the same junction equipment. It is a partially notched front view at the time of the non-centering of the centering apparatus part in the same joint equipment. It is a schematic plan view explaining the confluence | merging effect | action in the same confluence | merging equipment. It is a schematic plan view explaining the confluence | merging effect | action in the same confluence | merging equipment. It is a schematic plan view which shows Embodiment 2 of this invention and demonstrates the confluence | merging action in a confluence | merging facility.

Explanation of symbols

1 Box-shaped body (conveyed object)
1A _{1 to} 1A _n Large box-shaped body (conveyed object)
1B _{1 to} 1B _n Small box-shaped body (conveyed object)
1C _{1 to} 1C _n box-shaped body (conveyed object)
10A Upper-side transport device 10B Upper-side transport device 10C Upper-side transport device 13A Roller 13B Roller 15A Conveyor drive means 15B Conveyor drive means 23A Stopper means 23B Stopper means 24A Cutout detection means 24B Cutout detection means 24C Cutout detection means 30A Intermediate transport apparatus 30B Intermediate conveyance device 30C Intermediate conveyance device 40A Delivery detection means 40B Delivery detection means 40C Delivery detection means 50 Centering device 51 Roller conveyor section 56 Roller 57 Conveyance surface 59 Valve unit 60 Conveyor drive means 67 Endless rotating body 70 Accumulation unit 75 Brake unit 81A Movement Body 81B Moving body 82 Guide shaft 84A Guide cylinder 84B Guide cylinder 85A Side pushing body 85B Side pushing body 86A Lift plate 86B Lift plate 87A Guide rod 87 B Guide rod 88A Centering bar 88B Centering bar 91A Drive unit 91B Drive unit 97A Endless rotating body 97B Endless rotating body 99A Connection pin 99B Connection pin 103 Upper load detection means 104 Lower hand load detection means 105A Origin detection means 105B Origin detection means 106A Limit detection means 106B Limit detection means 110 Lower-side transport device 113 Roller 115 Conveyor drive means A Transport direction B Lateral direction WZ Standby zone SZ Centering zone a Upper movement path b Drooping movement path c Lower movement path d Upward movement path W ₁ Conveyor width W of upper-side transfer devices 10A and 10B ₂ Conveyor width Wα of intermediate transfer devices 30A and 30B Conveyor width W of centering device 50 ₃ Conveyor width of lower-side transfer device 110

Claims (4)

A merging facility for merging the objects to be conveyed that have been conveyed by a plurality of upper-side conveying devices in a direction transverse to the conveying direction into a single lower-side conveying device, the upper-side conveying device and the lower-side conveying device; A centering device for moving the object to be conveyed to the central portion in the horizontal direction is provided between the roller conveyor unit and the roller conveyor unit, and the centering device is disposed so as to be movable in the horizontal direction below the roller conveyor unit. The movable body includes a pair of moving bodies, a laterally-pressing body provided on the movable bodies so as to be movable up and down, and a drive unit that moves the movable bodies toward and away from each other. The both drive units have an endless rotating body arranged so that a horizontal upper movement path and a lower movement path are generated. One end of the endless rotating body and the lateral pusher can be rotated relative to each other. Connected to both drive By By driving the endless rotary bodies synchronization, both side push body projects from the conveying surface through between the rollers of the roller conveyor section in a spaced apart limit portion, close kinematic together while the projecting, the conveying surface in proximity limit portion In this joining facility, the equipment is configured to move away from each other in this retracted state, and to carry the next object to be conveyed into the centering zone when moving away . The endless rotating body is provided with a pair in the conveying direction so as to be synchronously driven , and each one of the endless rotating bodies and the laterally pressing body are connected so as to be relatively rotatable. Junction equipment. Between the upper-side transport device and the lower-side transport device, a plurality of intermediate transport devices that can receive the object to be transported from the upper-side transport device, and a centering device that can receive the object to be transported from this intermediate transport device The upper transport device is configured to cut out a transported object from its downstream end, the intermediate transport device is configured to handle the transported object one by one, and the centering device is The upstream side portion is formed in a standby zone, and the downstream side portion is formed in a centering zone in which both lateral pushers are arranged, and the standby zone can receive an object to be transported from an intermediate transport device group. 3. The merge facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the received transported object is configured to be carried out to the centering zone side . The merge facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper-side transport device is a pair in a lateral direction .

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