JP7754065B2 - Pallet Cleaning Device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a cleaning device for pallets used for transporting cargo, etc.

Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning device that cleans items such as pallets used for transporting cargo.

Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 6-52973

However, conventional technologies such as those described above require a large amount of space to install the equipment.

One aspect of the present invention aims to reduce the space required to install the device.

In order to solve the above problems, a pallet cleaning device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of forks, a fork moving mechanism for moving the forks, a receiving unit for inserting the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by moving the pallet in a first horizontal direction, a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit for cleaning the pallet held by the forks, and a transport unit for removing the forks from the insertion openings by moving the pallet, which has been cleaned by the cleaning unit and moved while held by the forks, in the first horizontal direction.

One aspect of the present disclosure makes it possible to reduce the space required to install the device.

1 shows a schematic side view of a pallet cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a pallet. 1 shows a partial schematic top view of a pallet cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 illustrates a schematic side view of a fork movement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a fork movement mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of region VI in FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of region VII in FIG. 4.

[Embodiment]
Before describing the pallet cleaning device according to the present disclosure, a pallet to be cleaned and dried by the pallet cleaning device will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a pallet P.

A pallet P is a transport device used to transport goods loaded on the pallet P. For example, a pallet P can be lifted by the forks of a forklift and transported by the forklift. A pallet P has, for example, an upper deck board TD, a lower deck board BD, and a connection portion C.

Pallet P has an insertion opening E on each side, which is an opening surrounded by an upper deck board TD, a lower deck board BD, and a connecting portion C. By inserting the forks of a forklift into the insertion opening E, pallet P can be transported by a forklift.

<Configuration of Pallet Cleaning Device>
A pallet cleaning apparatus 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. In the drawings, the direction perpendicular to the ground (installation surface) is the Z-axis direction, and the upward direction is the Z-axis positive direction. The direction in which the pallet P travels in the receiving section 20, which will be described later, is the X-axis positive direction (first horizontal direction). The X-axis positive direction is sometimes referred to as the forward direction, and the X-axis negative direction is sometimes referred to as the backward direction. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis. The Y-axis direction is sometimes referred to as the lateral direction. The Y-axis positive direction is sometimes referred to as the leftward direction, and the Y-axis negative direction is sometimes referred to as the rightward direction.

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of the pallet cleaning device 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows a schematic partial top view of the pallet cleaning device 100 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pallet cleaning device 100 includes a receiving section 20, a cleaning section 40, a drying section 60, a transport section (conveyor 81), and an unloading module 90. The pallet cleaning device 100 also includes a first fork moving mechanism 30X and a second fork moving mechanism 30Y, each equipped with a fork 10 that can be inserted into the insertion slot E of the pallet P.

The pallet cleaning device 100 is a device that cleans and dries the pallet P while transporting it using the conveyor 21, first fork movement mechanism 30X, conveyor 81 (transport unit), and second fork movement mechanism 30Y provided in the receiving unit 20. The pallet cleaning device 100 can clean the pallet P at high pressure.

The pallet cleaning device 100 may be housed almost entirely in a housing C, as shown in Figure 1. The side view in Figure 1 and the top view in Figure 3 show the side and top of the housing C in a see-through state, and only the outline of the housing C is shown. The housing C has an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the pallet stack group PG to pass through. The housing C prevents cleaning liquid, water, etc. from splashing to the outside when the pallets P are cleaned and dried.

The pallet cleaning device 100 may be equipped with a control unit (not shown) that is configured with a processor such as a CPU that controls each component. The pallet cleaning device 100 may also be equipped with an operation unit (not shown) that is operated by a user to clean the pallet P through that operation. Each component of the pallet cleaning device 100 will be described in detail below.

(Acceptance Department)
The receiving unit 20 moves a pallet stack group PG, which is made up of multiple stacked pallets P, horizontally to insert the forks 10 into the insertion openings E on the side of each pallet P. At least a portion of the forks 10 attached to a first fork moving mechanism 30X, which will be described later, is located in the receiving unit 20.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the receiving section 20 is equipped with a conveyor 21. The conveyor 21 transports the pallet stack PG, which has been carried by a forklift and placed on the conveyor 21, in the X-axis direction. This allows the forks 10 attached to the first fork moving mechanism 30X to be inserted into the insertion opening E on the front side of each pallet P. The vertical spacing of the forks 10 in the receiving section 20 is adjusted so that the forks 10 can be inserted into the insertion opening E of each pallet P in the pallet stack PG.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the receiving unit 20 may be equipped with a side cleaning unit 22 that cleans the side surfaces of the pallet P. The side cleaning unit 22 has a nozzle that sprays liquid toward the side surfaces of the pallet P. By having this nozzle in the receiving unit 20, the side surfaces of the pallet P can be cleaned in the receiving unit 20.

More specifically, the side cleaning unit 22 can be provided on the transport path of the conveyor 21 in the receiving unit 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the side cleaning unit 22 includes a rail 221 and a pair of nozzles 222R and 222L for spraying liquid (cleaning liquid). The rail 221 is fixed to, for example, the housing C, and serves as a guide rail for moving the shafts 224R and 224L in the Y-axis direction. The shafts 224R and 224L support the nozzles 222R and 222L and also function as the rotation axis for the nozzles 222R and 222L.

As shown in FIG. 3, nozzle 222R is a nozzle that can move back and forth between position NP1 near the center of rail 221 and position NP2 near the end in the negative Y-axis direction by movement of shaft 224R along rail 221. Nozzle 222L is a nozzle that can move back and forth between position NP1 near the center of rail 221 and position NP2 near the end in the positive Y-axis direction by movement of shaft 224L along rail 221.

Nozzles 222R and 222L have, for example, a cylindrical shape and are fixed to shafts 224R and 224L that extend downward from rail 221. Nozzles 222R and 222L extend in the Z-axis direction and can rotate around shafts 224R and 224L. Nozzles 222R and 222L have multiple injection ports 223 arranged along the extension direction. The number of injection ports 223 each nozzle has is not particularly limited, but may be 10, for example. High-pressure liquid can be injected from each injection port 223.

Nozzles 222R and 222L move from position NP1 to position NP2, respectively, while the pallet stack PG moves near the side cleaning section 22, cleaning the front side of the pallet stack PG being transported by the conveyor 21. Alternatively, nozzles 222R and 222L may clean the front side of the pallet stack PG while moving from position NP1 to position NP2, respectively, while the pallet stack PG is stopped in a position close to the side cleaning section 22. While moving from position NP1 to position NP2, the spray direction of the cleaning liquid from nozzles 222R and 222L is the negative direction of the X-axis. Note that in Figure 3, the arrows shown adjacent to nozzles 222R and 222L indicate the direction in which the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle outlet 223 of each nozzle.

When nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L move to position NP2, nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L rotate around axis 224R and axis 224L, respectively, changing the spray direction. This rotation causes the spray direction of cleaning liquid from nozzle 222R to be the positive direction of the Y axis, and the spray direction of cleaning liquid from nozzle 222L to be the negative direction of the Y axis. When nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L are located at position NP2, the distance between nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L is longer than the length of one side of pallet P. As pallet stack group PG passes between nozzle 222R and nozzle 222L, which are spraying liquid, the lateral surfaces of pallet stack group PG are cleaned.

When the rear end of the pallet cleaning group PG passes the nozzle position, nozzles 222R and 222L change their spray direction to the X-axis direction by rotating around axes 224R and 224L. With their spray direction changed, nozzles 222R and 222L clean the rear side of the pallet stack group PG as they move from position NP2 to position NP1, respectively.

By providing the side cleaning unit 22 configured as described above, the pallet cleaning device 100 can clean all sides of the pallet P while the pallet stack group PG is moving in the receiving unit 20.

(First fork moving mechanism 30X, second fork moving mechanism 30Y)
The pallet cleaning device 100 has two fork moving mechanisms with the same basic configuration. A part of the first fork moving mechanism 30X is located in the receiving section 20, and moves the pallet P transported by the conveyor 21 to the conveyor 81. The second fork moving mechanism 30Y functions as part of the unloading module 90, and moves the pallet P transported by the conveyor 81 to the unloading section (conveyor 92) described below.

In the following, the common configuration of the first fork moving mechanism 30X and the second fork moving mechanism 30Y will be described using the collective term "fork moving mechanism 30" to refer to the first fork moving mechanism 30X and the second fork moving mechanism 30Y.

The fork moving mechanism 30 moves multiple forks 10. The detailed configuration of the fork moving mechanism 30 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the fork moving mechanism 30. Figure 5 is a schematic top view of the fork moving mechanism 30. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of region VI in Figure 5. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of region VII in Figure 4. Please note that for simplicity, only the components necessary for explanation are shown in each figure.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fork movement mechanism 30 has at least one pair of endless chains 31A and 31B suspended in the vertical direction, and a plurality of plate members 32 arranged between the endless chains 31A and 31B.

In the fork movement mechanism 30 of this embodiment, one endless chain 31A is composed of two endless chains 311 and 312 of the same length, which are arranged and connected so that they overlap when viewed from the side. Similarly, the other endless chain 31B is composed of two endless chains 313 and 314 of the same length, which are arranged and connected so that they overlap when viewed from the side. This configuration improves the strength of each endless chain 31A, 31B. Note that endless chains 31A and 31B are also arranged so that they overlap when viewed from the side.

As shown in Figure 4, in the fork movement mechanism 30, the endless chains 31A and 31B are arranged so that the track surface of each endless chain 31A and 31B is parallel to the XZ plane. Each endless chain 31A and 31B is suspended in the vertical direction. The endless chain 31A and the endless chain 31B are suspended on sprockets arranged above and below. The endless chains 31A and 31B rotate with a track surface perpendicular to the axis of the sprocket by rotating at least one of the sprockets arranged above and below using a motor (not shown).

During the cleaning process by the pallet cleaning device 100, each of the endless chains 31A and 31B rotates in one direction. More specifically, each of the endless chains 31A and 31B of the fork movement mechanism 30 rotates in one direction, clockwise, when the fork movement mechanism 30 is viewed in the positive direction of the Y axis.

Each endless chain 31A, 31B is composed of a first straight section closer to the receiving section 20, an upper turning section located at the top, a second straight section located opposite the first straight section, and a lower turning section located at the bottom. Each endless chain engages with a sprocket at the upper turning section and the lower turning section.

The plate members 32 are fixed to the links 310 that make up each of the endless chains 31A and 31B. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plate members 32 can be fixed to the links 310 via an attachment 331 that connects to the links 310 of the endless chain 31A and a connecting member 332 that adjusts the mounting position of the plate members 32. The attachment 331 and the connecting member 332 can be fixed together with a screw 333, and the connecting member 332 and the plate members 32 can be fixed together with a screw 334.

The plate member 32 is a plate member that is long in the horizontal direction. The direction perpendicular to the main surface 32A of the plate member 32 is parallel to the track surfaces of the endless chains 31A and 31B. Two forks 10 are fixed to the main surface 32A of the plate member 32 so that they are vertical and facing outward.

As shown in Figure 7, a spacer 101 may be provided at the connection between the fork 10 and the plate member 32 to ensure a distance between the pallet P and the endless chains 31A and 31B when the fork 10 is inserted into the insertion opening E of the pallet P.

The fork moving mechanism 30 has a first moving section 321 that moves the forks 10 upward. The first straight sections of each of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the first moving section 321. The fork moving mechanism 30 has a first turning section 322 that is continuous with the first moving section 321 and changes the direction of movement of the forks 10. The upper turning sections of each of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the first turning section 322. The fork moving mechanism 30 has a second moving section 323 that is continuous with the first turning section 322 and moves the forks 10 downward. The second straight sections of each of the endless chains 31A and 31B are located on the second moving section 323.

The first fork moving mechanism 30X includes a first moving unit (first moving unit 321) that moves the fork 10 upward, a turning unit (first turning unit 322) that is connected to the first moving unit and changes the direction of movement of the fork 10, and a second moving unit (second moving unit 323) that is connected to the turning unit and moves the fork 10 downward.

The second fork moving mechanism 30Y includes a third moving unit (first moving unit 321) that moves the fork 10 upward, a second turning unit (first turning unit 322) that is connected to the first moving unit and changes the direction of movement of the fork 10, and a fourth moving unit (second moving unit 323) that is connected to the second turning unit and moves the fork 10 downward.

At least a portion of the fork 10 located in the first moving section 321 of the first fork moving mechanism 30X is located in the receiving section 20. At least a portion of the fork 10 located in the front half of the first turning section 322 is located in the cleaning section 40, which will be described later. The front half of the first turning section 322 is the portion of the first turning section 322 located on the first moving section 321 side.

(Cleaning section 40)
The cleaning unit 40 uses a liquid to clean the pallet P transported from the receiving unit 20 by the fork moving mechanism 30 and the forks 10. The liquid may be, for example, tap water or a cleaning liquid such as shampoo. The cleaning unit 40 is located above the receiving unit 20. In FIGS. 1 and 3 , the pallet P is shown as being positioned at position PP1 after moving from the first moving unit 321 of the fork moving mechanism 30 to the first turning unit 322 and inserting the forks 10 in an inclined state relative to the ground, as indicated by a two-dot chain line. At the first turning unit 322, the endless chains 31A and 31B turn along the sprockets, increasing the distance between the tips of the forks 10. As a result, the pallet P located at position PP1 is vertically separated from the other pallets P. The cleaning unit 40 cleans the pallet P located at position PP1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the cleaning unit 40 includes a nozzle support unit 41 and a guide rail 42 that extends in the Y-axis direction and guides the movement of the nozzle support unit 41. The guide rail 42 may be fixed to the housing C. When viewed from the Y-axis direction, the nozzle support unit 41 has a U-shape that surrounds the upper and lower surfaces of the pallet P located at position PP1 and the side surface located opposite the fork movement mechanism 30. The nozzle support unit 41 is provided with an upper nozzle 43, a lower nozzle 44, and a side nozzle 45. High-pressure liquid can be sprayed from each nozzle.

The nozzle support part 41 has an elongated shape extending in the X-axis direction when viewed from above. The upper nozzles 43 are nozzles for cleaning the upper surface of the pallet P, and multiple upper nozzles 43 may be arranged longitudinally on the ceiling surface of the nozzle support part 41. The lower nozzles 44 are nozzles for cleaning the underside of the pallet P, and multiple lower nozzles 44 may be arranged longitudinally on the bottom surface of the nozzle support part 41. The side nozzles 45 are nozzles for cleaning the side of the pallet P located opposite the fork movement mechanism 30, and at least one side nozzle 45 may be arranged on the inner surface (bottom of the U-shape) of the nozzle support part 41. The side nozzles 45 are of an optional configuration. For example, if the pallet cleaning device 100 is equipped with the side cleaning part 22, the four side surfaces of the pallet P are cleaned in the side cleaning part 22, and therefore there is no need to provide side nozzles 45.

As shown in Figure 3, the nozzle support part 41, when viewed from above, can move back and forth between position WP1, which is to the left of the movement area of the pallet P, and position WP2, which is to the right. In the cleaning part 40, the nozzle support part 41 moves between positions WP1 and WP2 while spraying liquid from each nozzle, thereby cleaning the pallet P located at position PP1.

In addition to the components described above, the cleaning unit 40 also includes a liquid tank (not shown) and a liquid path from the liquid tank to each nozzle. A liquid receiving unit 70 is also provided below the cleaning unit 40, and the liquid receiving unit 70 may be connected to a sewer system or the like.

(Transportation section (conveyor 81))
The conveyor 81 is an example of a transport unit that moves the pallet P, which has been cleaned in the cleaning unit 40 and held and moved by the forks 10, in the X-axis direction (first horizontal direction), thereby detaching the forks 10 from the insertion opening E. The conveyor 81 receives the pallet P supported by the forks 10 located on the second moving unit 323 of the first fork moving mechanism 30X, and moves it in the X-axis direction, thereby detaching the pallet P from the forks 10 provided on the first fork moving mechanism 30X. The conveyor 81 further moves the pallet P detached from the forks 10 in the X-axis direction, thereby inserting the forks 10 provided on the second fork moving mechanism 30Y into the insertion opening E on the side of the pallet P.

(Drying section)
The drying unit 60 dries the pallet P that has been washed in the washing unit 40. The drying unit 60 is disposed at a position horizontal to the washing unit 40. In other words, the drying unit 60 dries the pallet P at a position roughly at the same height as the washing unit 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drying section 60 includes a first drying section 610, a second drying section 620, and a third drying section 630. The first drying section 610 is equipped with a blower 611 that blows air toward the interior of the pallet P. At least a portion of the forks 10 fixed to the plate member 32 in the rear half of the first turning section 322 of the first fork movement mechanism 30X is located in the first drying section 610. The rear half of the first turning section 322 is the portion of the first turning section 322 that is located on the second movement section 323 side. The first drying section 610 may be equipped with one or more nozzles whose position and angle are adjusted to appropriately blow air into the interior of the pallet P located in the first drying section 610. Air is blown to the nozzles via pipes connecting the blower 611 to the nozzles. These nozzles and pipes are omitted from FIG. 1.

In Figure 1, a pallet P that has been moved to the rear half of the first turning section 322 of the fork moving mechanism 30 and into which the forks 10 have been inserted while tilted relative to the ground is shown using a two-dot chain line as a pallet P positioned at position PP2. At the first turning section 322, the spacing between the tips of the forks 10 increases, so the pallet P positioned at position PP2 is vertically spaced apart from the other pallets P. The drying section 60 dries the pallet P positioned at position PP2.

The second drying section 620 is equipped with a blower 621 that blows air toward the surface of the pallet P transported by the conveyor 81. The second drying section 620 is equipped with an upper surface blowing nozzle 621A that is connected to the blower and sprays gas toward the upper surface of the pallet P, and a lower surface blowing nozzle 621B that sprays gas toward the lower surface of the pallet P. The upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B are positioned on either side of the pallet P on the conveyor 81. The upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B may also be arranged alternately along the X-axis direction. This configuration allows liquid to be efficiently removed from the upper and lower surfaces of the pallet P. Air is blown to the upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B via pipes that connect the blower 621 to the upper surface blowing nozzle 621A and the lower surface blowing nozzle 621B, respectively.

The third drying section 630 includes a hot air dryer 632 that uses hot air to dry the pallets P transported by the conveyor 81. The hot air dryer 632 includes a drying chamber 632A into which heated air is introduced, and a heating device 632B that heats the air. The drying chamber 632A may include a blower 631 for promoting the circulation of heated air within the drying chamber 632A. The heating device 632B is located below the drying chamber 632A. The heating device 632B may be a boiler that uses kerosene or gas, or may be a heat pump. Using a heat pump can contribute to reducing _CO2 emissions.

(Export Module 90)
The pallet cleaning device 100 is equipped with an unloading module 90 that includes a stacking unit 91 that stacks pallets P held by the forks 10 to form a pallet stack group PG, and an unloading unit (conveyor 92) that moves the pallet stack group PG horizontally to unload it. By providing the pallet cleaning device 100 with the unloading module 90 configured as described above, the pallets P can be unloaded as the pallet stack group PG.

The discharge module 90 includes a second fork movement mechanism 30Y and a second receiving section 93 that inserts the forks 10 into the insertion openings E on the side of the pallet P being transported by the conveyor 81.

Forks 10 located in the first moving section 321 or the front half of the first turning section 322 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are located in the second receiving section 93. Forks 10 located in the second moving section 323 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are located in the stacking section 91. By having the second moving section 323 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y located in the stacking section 91, the pallets P can be organized into a pallet stack group PG.

The pallet cleaning device 100 may further include a camera 94 that captures an image of the pallet P after cleaning. By including the camera 94, the pallet cleaning device 100 can inspect the pallet P after cleaning. In this embodiment, the camera 94 is located above the first turning section 322 of the second fork movement mechanism 30Y and can capture an image of the surface of the pallet P supported by the forks 10 in the first turning section 322. In the first turning section 322, the pallet P is spaced apart vertically from the other pallets P, making it possible to capture an image of the surface of the pallet P while the pallet P is in an upright position.

The pallet cleaning device 100 may be equipped with multiple camera devices 94. For example, it may be equipped with a camera device 94 that captures images of the top surface of a pallet P located in the front half of the first turning section 322, and a camera device 94 that captures images of the bottom surface of a pallet P located in the rear half of the first turning section 322. The positions of the camera devices 94 are not limited to the above positions. For example, they may be located at any position in the drying section 60.

(Pallet cleaning and drying process)
The process of cleaning and drying pallets P using the pallet cleaning device 100 can be briefly explained as follows, with reference to Figure 1. Pallet stacks PG transported to the receiving section 20 by a forklift or the like are moved horizontally (in the positive direction of the X-axis) by the conveyor 21 toward the first fork moving mechanism 30X. During this movement, the sides of the pallet stacks PG are cleaned by the side surface cleaning unit 22. After the sides have been cleaned by the side surface cleaning unit 22, the pallet stacks PG move further, and the forks 10 attached to the first fork moving mechanism 30X are inserted into the insertion openings E on the front side of each pallet P.

When the forks 10 are inserted into the insertion opening E of the pallet P, the first fork movement mechanism 30X starts the forward rotation of the endless chain 31, moving the forks 10. As a result, the pallet P with the forks 10 inserted moves upward.

The washing unit 40 is located above the receiving unit 20, and pallets P that have reached the washing unit 40 and are separated from the other pallets are washed individually in the washing unit 40. Pallets P waiting to be washed are located below the washing unit 40. Therefore, pallets P waiting to be washed can be pre-washed using the liquid used for washing in the washing unit 40. As a result, pallets P other than the topmost pallet P do not need to be pre-washed in the washing unit 40, or the washing time can be shortened. This achieves water-saving effects.

Pallets P washed in the washing section 40 are turned upright in the first turning section 322, allowing water to drain naturally to a certain extent. Furthermore, in the first drying section 610, gas is sprayed toward the inside of the pallet P, further reducing the amount of liquid remaining inside the pallet P.

After moving from the first turning section 322 to the second moving section 323, the pallet P is detached from the forks 10 and moves in the X-axis direction as the conveyor 81 operates. While placed on the conveyor 81 and moving, the pallet P passes through the second drying section 620 and the third drying section 630. In the second drying section 620, moisture is removed from the surface of the pallet P. In the third drying section 630, a hot air drying device 632 dries any remaining moisture from the pallet P.

After drying in the drying section 60, the pallet P is further moved in the X-axis direction by the conveyor 81. As a result, the forks 10 attached to the second fork moving mechanism 30Y are inserted into the insertion opening E of the pallet P in the second receiving section 93. The pallet P is moved by the rotational movement of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y, and both sides of the pallet P are photographed by the photographing device 94 at the position of the first turning section 322 of the second fork moving mechanism 30Y.

The pallets P are then stacked in the stacking section 91 to form a pallet stack group PG.

The pallet stack group PG is detached from the forks 10 attached to the second fork moving mechanism 30Y by the operation of the conveyor 92, and is then transported out of the pallet cleaning device 100 by the forklift FL.

〔summary〕
(1) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device comprising: a plurality of forks; a fork moving mechanism for moving the forks; a receiving unit for inserting the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by moving the pallet in a first horizontal direction; a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit for cleaning the pallet held by the forks; and a transport unit for detaching the forks from the insertion openings by moving the pallet that has been cleaned in the cleaning unit and moved while held by the forks in the first horizontal direction.

By locating the cleaning section above the receiving section, the space above can be used effectively. This allows for space savings when installing the equipment. Furthermore, by locating the cleaning section above the receiving section, pallets awaiting cleaning as they are moved from the receiving section to the cleaning section are pre-cleaned with the liquid used for cleaning in the cleaning section, thereby saving on the amount of liquid used for cleaning. Furthermore, because the direction of transport into the equipment is the same as the direction of transport from the cleaning section, continuous, highly efficient processing is possible.

(2) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of aspect 1 above, further comprising a drying unit that dries the pallet cleaned in the cleaning unit.

By equipping the pallet cleaning device with a drying section, the pallet can be cleaned and dried within the pallet cleaning device.

(3) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 2 above, in which the drying unit includes a first drying unit that is positioned horizontally from the cleaning unit and is equipped with a blower that blows air toward the inside of the pallet.

This configuration allows the inside of the pallet to be drained after cleaning.

(4) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 2 or 3 above, in which the drying unit includes a second drying unit equipped with a blower that blows air toward the surface of the pallet being transported by the transport unit.

This configuration allows the surface of the pallet to be drained after cleaning.

(5) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to any one of aspects 2 to 4 above, wherein the drying unit includes a third drying unit equipped with a hot air drying device that uses hot air to dry the pallet transported by the transport unit.

This configuration allows the interior and surface of the pallet to be dried efficiently after cleaning.

(6) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 5 above, in which the hot air drying device includes a drying chamber into which heated air is introduced and a heating device that heats the air, and the heating device is located below the drying chamber.

This configuration allows for effective use of the area below the drying chamber, thereby reducing the overall space required for the device.

(7) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to any one of aspects 1 to 6 above, wherein the fork movement mechanism includes a first movement unit that moves the forks upward, a turning unit that is continuous with the first movement unit and changes the movement direction of the forks, and a second movement unit that is continuous with the turning unit and moves the forks downward.

The first moving section moves the forks holding the pallets upward, allowing for the use of the space above. The turning section also allows for the pallets to be spaced apart as they move continuously, making it easy to clean them in the spaced-apart position.

(8) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 8 of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of aspect 7 above, in which the forks on the first moving section are positioned in the receiving section.

This configuration allows the fork movement mechanism to hold the pallet to be cleaned in the receiving area.

(9) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of aspect 7 or 8 above, in which the forks in the turning section are located in the cleaning section.

At the turning point, the continuously moving pallets are spaced apart, making them easy to clean.

(10) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to any one of aspects 1 to 9 above, which includes an unloading module that includes a stacking unit that stacks the pallets held by the forks to form a pallet stack, and an unloading unit that moves the pallet stack horizontally and unloads it.

This configuration allows the pallets to be transported as a stack.

(11) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 11 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to aspect 10 above, wherein the discharge module further includes a second receiving unit that inserts the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet by the transport unit moving the pallet in the first horizontal direction, and a second fork moving mechanism that moves the forks inserted into the pallet in the second receiving unit, the second fork moving mechanism including a third moving unit that moves the forks upward, a second turning unit that is continuous with the third moving unit and changes the movement direction of the multiple forks, and a fourth moving unit that is continuous with the second turning unit and moves the multiple forks downward, and the forks on the fourth moving unit are located in the stacking unit.

The discharge module can be realized using a second fork movement mechanism that has the same configuration as the fork movement mechanism. This significantly reduces manufacturing costs.

(12) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 12 of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of aspect 11 above, in which the forks located on the third moving section or the second turning section are located in the second receiving section.

This configuration allows the second fork movement mechanism to hold the pallet to be cleaned in the second receiving section.

(13) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 13 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device according to any one of aspects 1 to 12 above, further comprising a photographing device that photographs the pallet after cleaning.

With this configuration, the imaging device installed inside the pallet washing machine can obtain information necessary for inspection, such as cracks, damage, and areas that have not been washed on the pallet. By taking images inside the pallet washing machine, where the pallets are automatically moving, the efficiency of the inspection process can be significantly improved.

(14) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 14 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any one of aspects 11 to 13 above, further comprising a photographing device that photographs the pallet after cleaning, the photographing device being located above the second turning section.

This configuration allows you to photograph both the top and bottom of the pallet.

(15) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 15 of the present disclosure is a pallet cleaning device in any of aspects 11 to 14 above, wherein the fork movement mechanism comprises at least one pair of endless chains suspended in the vertical direction, and a horizontally long plate member disposed between at least one pair of the endless chains, the plate member being fixed to the links constituting each of the endless chains, the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the plate member being perpendicular to the track within the track plane of the endless chain, and the forks being fixed to the plate member so that they are perpendicular to the main surface and facing outward.

By using this configuration for the fork movement mechanism, the pallets can be moved individually to the cleaning section located above the receiving section. Furthermore, each pallet P can be moved continuously from the cleaning section to the drying section located horizontally.

(16) A pallet cleaning device according to aspect 16 of the present disclosure is the pallet cleaning device of aspect 15 above, in which the endless chain rotates in one direction.

This configuration allows the fork movement mechanism to be operated with simple control.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

100: Pallet cleaning device 10: Fork 20: Receiving section 22: Side cleaning section 222L/222R: Nozzle 30X: First fork moving mechanism 30Y: Second fork moving mechanism 31: Endless chain 32: Plate member 321: First moving section 322: First turning section 323: Second moving section 40: Cleaning section 50: Standby section 60: Drying section 81: Conveyor (transport section)
90... Carry-out module 610... First drying section 620... Second drying section 630... Third drying section 632... Hot air drying device 632A... Drying chamber 632B... Heating device 611, 621, 631... Blower P... Pallet

Claims (16)

Multiple forks and
a fork moving mechanism that moves the forks;
a receiving section that moves the pallet in a first horizontal direction to insert the forks into insertion openings on the sides of the pallet;
a cleaning unit disposed above the receiving unit and configured to clean the pallet held by the forks;
A pallet cleaning device comprising: a conveying unit that moves the pallet, which has been cleaned in the cleaning unit and held and moved by the forks, in the first horizontal direction, thereby detaching the forks from the insertion opening. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a drying unit that dries the pallet cleaned in the cleaning unit. The pallet cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the drying unit includes a first drying unit positioned horizontally from the cleaning unit and equipped with a blower that blows air toward the inside of the pallet. The pallet cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the drying unit includes a second drying unit equipped with a blower that blows air toward the surface of the pallet being transported by the transport unit. The pallet cleaning device of claim 2, wherein the drying unit includes a third drying unit equipped with a hot air drying device that uses hot air to dry the pallet transported by the transport unit. The pallet cleaning device described in claim 5, wherein the hot air drying device includes a drying chamber into which heated air is introduced and a heating device that heats the air, the heating device being located below the drying chamber. The fork moving mechanism includes a first moving unit that moves the fork upward;
a turning section that is continuous with the first moving section and changes the moving direction of the fork;
The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second moving unit that is continuous with the turning unit and moves the forks downward. A pallet cleaning device as described in claim 7, wherein the forks in the first moving section are located in the receiving section. A pallet cleaning device as described in claim 7, wherein the forks in the turning section are located in the cleaning section. a stacking unit that stacks the pallets held by the forks to form a pallet stack;
The pallet cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: an unloading module including: an unloading section that moves the stack of pallets in a horizontal direction and unloads the stack of pallets. The discharge module further comprises:
a second receiving unit that inserts the forks into insertion openings on the side surfaces of the pallet by the conveying unit moving the pallet in the first horizontal direction;
a second fork moving mechanism that moves the forks inserted into the pallet in the second receiving section,
The second fork moving mechanism is
a third moving unit that moves the fork upward;
a second turning section that is continuous with the third moving section and changes the moving direction of the plurality of forks;
a fourth moving section that is continuous with the second turning section and moves the plurality of forks downward,
The pallet cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the forks in the fourth moving section are located in the stacking section. The pallet cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein the forks in the third moving section or the second turning section are located in the second receiving section. The pallet cleaning device of claim 1 further comprises a photographing device for photographing the pallet after cleaning. Further, a photographing device is provided for photographing the pallet after cleaning,
The pallet cleaning device according to claim 11 , wherein the photographing device is located above the second turning section. The fork moving mechanism includes:
At least one pair of endless chains suspended in the vertical direction,
a plate member that is long in the horizontal direction and is provided across at least one pair of the endless chains, the plate member being fixed to each of the links that make up the endless chains, and the direction perpendicular to the main surface of the plate member being a direction perpendicular to the track in the track plane of the endless chain;
The pallet cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the forks are fixed to the plate member so as to be perpendicular to the main surface and point outward. A pallet cleaning device as described in claim 15, wherein the endless chain rotates in one direction.