JPH0747411B2 - Goods sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting conveyor, and between an operating position which is disposed on the side of the sorting conveyor and projects above the sorting conveyor and a non-operating position which is retracted to the side of the sorting conveyor. An article sorting apparatus provided with a diverter that swivels in such a manner that the article conveyed by the sorting conveyor is dispensed to the other side of the sorting conveyor when the diverter swivels from its non-operating position to its operating position, particularly at the time of article dispensing. It relates to reducing the impact of a diverter on an article.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a plan view of a part of a conventional article sorting apparatus of this type, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of one diverter. In FIG. Sorting conveyors 4 for conveying in the direction of 1 are, for example, loading conveyors on which an operator places articles 2 unloaded from a truck (not shown). Articles 2 placed on the loading conveyors 4 are sequentially sorted by the sorting conveyor 1 Transferred to.

Reference numeral 5 is a diverter which is arranged along the sorting conveyor 1 on its side and can rotate about its pivotal shaft 501, 6 is a chute arranged facing each diverter 5, and 7 is a feeding conveyor. This is a keyboard for inputting the sorting destination by the number of the chute 6 each time the article 2 is placed on the item 4.

Reference numeral 8 is a drive motor with a speed reducer for driving the diverter 5 to cause the diverter 5 to rotate, and 9 is a drive motor for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 to the diverter 5 to cause the diverter 5 to rotate. The arm 10 is a link whose one end is coupled to the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 so as to rotate together with the output shaft 801.
Is pivotally supported at the other end of the link 10 by a pivot shaft 11, and the other end is pivotally supported at one end of the diverter 5 by a pivot shaft 502.

When the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 makes one revolution, the one end of the first arm 9 makes one revolution about the output shaft 801 at a constant radius determined by the length of the link 10, and this movement causes The diverter 5 is drawn to the side of the sorting conveyor 1 as shown by the solid line (here, "retracted to the side" does not mean that the diverter 5 is completely separated from the sorting conveyor 1 to the side, Partly on the sorting conveyor 5 does not mean that it is not excluded, but simply means a position that does not hit the article 2) Operation that obliquely projects from the non-operating position onto the sorting conveyor 1 as indicated by the phantom line Axis 5 to position
The vehicle turns around 01, and then returns from the operating position to the non-operating position and stops.

Next, the operation will be described. The worker places the articles 2 unloaded from a truck or the like on the input conveyor 4, and at the same time, inputs the sorting destination on the keyboard 7 with the number of the chute 6. The article 2 is a sorting conveyor 1
After the transfer, the drive motor 8 of the diverter 5 provided facing the chute 6 starts rotating when the position to start delivering to the sorting chute 6 is reached, and the diverter 5 is moved from its non-operating position. The article 2 conveyed by the sorting conveyor 1 at this time is swung to the operating position, and is discharged to the chute 6 on the other side by the diverter 5. The drive motor 8 also rotates thereafter, its output shaft 801 rotates exactly once, the rotation is stopped when the diverter 5 returns to the non-operating position, and it stands by in preparation for the next dispensing.

[0007]

The conventional article sorting apparatus having the swivel diverter is constructed as described above, and the movement of the diverter from the non-operating position to the operating position is relative to the article conveying direction by the sorting conveyor. Since the diverter has a motion component in the opposite direction, a large impact is given to the article when the diverter hits the article, and there is a problem that the article is damaged.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to reducing the impact on the article when the diverter hits the article.
A second arm, one end of which is pivotally supported on the stationary portion, is provided with the other end to carry the pivot shaft of the diverter, one end of which is rotated by a drive motor about a certain rotation axis, and the other end of which is the second arm. A third arm pivotally supported with respect to the second arm by the third arm while the diverter pivots from the non-operating position to the operating position, the other end of which is the article of the sorting conveyor. It is configured to swing so as to move in the transport direction.

[0009]

In the article sorting apparatus configured as described above, when the diverter turns from the non-operating position to the operating position, the diverter is entirely displaced in the article transporting direction of the sorting conveyor. Has less or no motion component in the opposite direction.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.
The same parts as those of the conventional one are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 12 is a second arm provided in a pair of upper and lower sides, one end of which is attached to a pivot shaft 14 rotatably supported by bearings 15 and 16 supported by a stationary portion 13. It is fixed and carries a pivot shaft 501 of the diverter 5 at the other end. Reference numeral 17 denotes a link whose one end is fixed to the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8, and 18 is a link 1 by means of a pivot shaft 19 whose one end is fixed to the link 17.
7 is a third arm pivotally supported on the other end of the third arm 18, and the other end of the third arm 18 is connected to the second arm 1 by a pivot shaft 20.
It is pivotally supported by 2.

Reference numeral 21 is a link whose one end is fixed to the pivot shaft 19, and the other end of the link 21 is pivotally supported by one end of the first arm 9 by a pivot shaft 22. Then, the first arm 9 is connected to the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 via the link 21 and the link 17 fixed to each other by the pivot shaft 19, and rotates about the output shaft 801 at a constant radius. The third arm 18 rotates about the output shaft 801 at a constant radius determined by the length of the link 17. The other end of the first arm 9 is pivotally supported on the rear end of the diverter 5 by a pivot shaft 502. Reference numeral 23 is a support body that supports the pivot shaft 24 coaxially with the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8, and 25 is a link whose one end is fixed to the pivot shaft 24 and the other end is fixed to the pivot shaft 22. is there. Then, the first arm 9 and the third arm 18 are respectively connected to the output shaft 8 of the drive motor 8 by the support portion 23 and the pivot shaft 24.
It is surely supported so that it can rotate around 01.
In FIG. 1, the support portion 23, the pivot shaft 24, and the link 2
5 is omitted in the figure.

Next, the operation will be described. 1 and 2 show a state in which the diverter 5 is in the non-operating position. From this state, the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 is moved to the arrow 2
When the rotation is started in the direction of 6, the third arm 18 swings the second arm 12 clockwise around the pivot shaft 14. As a result, the diverter 5 is moved in the direction of the arrow 3 as a whole, that is, in the article conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 1.

On the other hand, during this time, the first arm 9 turns the diverter 5 counterclockwise about the pivot shaft 501, that is, from the non-operating position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 to the operating position 5A shown by the phantom line. In other words, while the diverter 5 pivots from the non-operating position to the operating position, the diverter 5 is entirely moved in the article conveying direction 3 of the sorting conveyor 1. After that, when the pivot shaft 19 further rotates in the direction of the arrow 26, the diverter 5 is eventually moved in the direction opposite to the article conveying direction 3 as a whole, and is swung back from the operating position to the non-operating position, where it is driven. Output shaft 80 of motor 8
No. 1 rotates exactly once and stops.

Thus, while the diverter 5 pivots from the non-operating position to the operating position, the pivot shaft 20 is pivoted about the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8 by a distance close to the diameter about which the pivot shaft 19 rotates and also pivots. The support shaft 501 is further moved in the article transport direction 3, and therefore, the diverter 5 is moved in the article transport direction 3 as a whole to the operating position 5A, as compared with the case where the pivot shaft 501 does not move as in the conventional one. Reach On the other hand, in the conventional case, the diverter 5 only swivels around the stationary pivot shaft 501, and therefore the operating position is as indicated by 5B even at the same swiveling angle.

As is clear from comparison between the positions 5A and 5B, the position 5A has less return than the position 5B in the direction opposite to the article conveying direction 3, and thus the article 2 has a smaller return amount.
The impact given to the article 2 when hitting is small.

The movement of the diverter 5 during one rotation of the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8, that is, during one operation cycle is as shown in FIG. 3, and the movement from A to H is performed every 45 ° rotation of the output shaft 801. The positions occupied by the respective parts are shown in order.
Also from FIG. 3, as described above, the return of the diverter 5 in the direction opposite to the article transport direction 3 is small, and the movement distance in the turning direction from the non-operating position to the operating position is smaller than that of the conventional one. You will understand.

By the way, the above-mentioned mechanism can be appropriately designed by those skilled in the art. An example of the designing method will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

The position of the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8, the position of the pivot shaft 14, the positions of the pivot shaft 20 and the pivot shaft 501 on the second arm 12, the swing angle α of the second arm 12, The overall azimuth of the swing angle α is specified within a certain range according to various conditions such as the installation location of the article sorting apparatus and design restrictions. FIG. 4 is selected and shown in the range for the time being. Points P1 and P3 are pivot shafts 501 at the swing start position of the second arm 12 (corresponding to the non-operating position of the diverter 5). The points P2 and P4 respectively indicate the center positions of the pivot points 20, and the pivot shaft 501 at the swing end position (corresponding to the operating position of the diverter 5).
The position of the center of 20 is shown, respectively.

Next, the length r of the link 17 and the length L2 of the third arm 18 will be determined using FIG. 5 is shown in FIG.
A line segment X connecting the points P3 and P4 and the center of the output shaft 801
1 and X2 are drawn, and the locus of the pivot shaft 19 is drawn with a circle having a radius r appropriately selected with the output shaft 801 as the center. When the length of the line segment X1 is D1 and the length of the line segment X2 is D2, there is a relationship of D1 = L2 + r ... (1) D2 = L2-r. Here, D1 and D2 are obtained by actual measurement,
By substituting these into the above equations (1) and (2) and solving this simultaneous equation, L2 and r can be obtained.

Next, starting from FIG. 4, the diverter 5
The angle γ of the portion 504 between the pivot shafts 501 and 502 with respect to the portion 503 between the tip of the pivot shaft 501 and the pivot shaft 501 is obtained. Since the turning angle β of the diverter 5 when the pivot shaft 501 moves to the point P2 is specified in a certain range, this is selected in the specified range for the time being. Also, the part 5
The length L3 of 03 is the width and angle β of the sorting conveyor 1.
Etc., the length L4 of the portion 504 is appropriately set with respect to this length L3.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, L3, L4 and β are first entered in FIG. At this stage, since the angle γ has not been decided, the portion 504 is drawn by a virtual line,
For the time being, the angle γ is appropriately selected and drawn with a symbol C. Next, circles having a radius L4 are drawn around the points P1 and P2, respectively, and then tangents X3 and X4 that pass through the center of the output shaft 801 and contact the pivot shaft 14 side are drawn. Furthermore, from points P1 and P2, perpendicular lines X5 and X to tangent lines X3 and X4, respectively.
Subtract 6. At this time, when the pivot shaft 501 is located at the point P1, the center position of the pivot shaft 502 of the diverter 5 is the perpendicular line X5.
C is set so that the central position of the pivot shaft 502 when located at the point P2 is located on the upstream side with respect to the article transport direction 3 and is located on the downstream side with respect to the perpendicular line X6 with respect to the article transport direction 3.

Next, in order to make the drawing easier to see, only parts 503, 504, points P1, P2, the output shaft 801, and an arc of radius L4 centering on points P1, P2 are taken out and drawn in FIG. . Furthermore, the pivot shaft 501 has a point P on it.
A line segment X7 passing through the center of the pivot shaft 502 when it is located at 1 and the center of the pivot shaft 502 when the pivot shaft 501 is located at the point P2 is drawn. Then, the portions 504 drawn by imaginary lines are rotated in the same direction by the same angle δ so that the line segment X7 comes to the position passing through the center of the output shaft 801 as shown by the line segment X8. As a result, the angle formed by the portion 504 and the portion 503 drawn by the solid line reached is γ.

As described above, the rotation of the portion 504 by the angle δ so that the line segment X7 is located at the position passing through the center of the output shaft 801 as shown by the line segment X8 is performed by the pivot shaft 502. While reciprocating about axis 501, part 504
In the structure in which the tangents at each point on the trajectory drawn by the pivot shaft 502 with respect to the above-mentioned set length L4 are oriented in the direction passing through the output shaft 801 as averagely as possible, that is, at each point on the trajectory. This is because the first arm 9 is oriented so as to be as tangential to the locus as possible and the angle γ with which the diverter 5 can be driven as efficiently and smoothly as possible is determined.

Finally, the length R of the link 25 will be described with reference to FIG.
Then, the length L5 of the first arm 9 is obtained. Assuming that the distance between the center of the pivot shaft 502 and the center of the output shaft 801 at the position of the point P1 is D3, and that at the position of the point P2 is D4, the following is provided between D3, D4, L5 and R: I have a relationship. Unnecessary lines are erased in FIG. D3 = L5 + R (3) D4 = L5-R (4) Here, D3 and D4 are obtained by actual measurement, and these are substituted into the equations (3) and (4) to solve this simultaneous equation.
And R can be determined.

From the above, the finally required dimensions and angles, that is, the lengths L1 to L5 of the arms, the lengths r and R of the links, the motor position, and the angles α, β, γ, and the angle α.
Since the overall azimuth and the positions of the pivots 14 and 20 have been determined, the entire mechanism can be drawn as a single drawing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, is it necessary to create a locus diagram of the diverter 5 and satisfy the movement of each part of the diverter 5?
Alternatively, check whether the movement of the links and arms described above is reasonable. If there is something you are not satisfied with,
The design may be redone several times by slightly changing each dimension and angle, changing the position of the drive motor 8, or reversing the rotation direction.

In the above embodiment, the link mechanisms 17, 21, 9, 18, 12 are directly connected to the output shaft 801 of the drive motor 8, but the installation location of the drive motor 8 is restricted or the structure is restricted. When there is a demand for the above, a rotary shaft is separately provided at an appropriate position as required, and the rotary shaft is rotationally driven by the output shaft 801, and the link mechanism is connected to the rotary shaft to connect the link mechanism. The mechanism may be operated. Further, although the embodiment in which the pivot shafts 501 and 20 are individually provided is shown, it is also possible to configure the common pivot shafts 501 and 20 (hence, 501 and 20 are located at the same position). it can. Furthermore, the drive motor 8
Shows an example in which it is installed on the downstream side of the second arm 12 when viewed in the article transport direction, but a structure may be installed on the upstream side.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, while the diverter pivots from the non-operating position to the operating position, the diverter moves in the article conveying direction of the sorting conveyor as a whole, and thus the articles are conveyed. The effect of reducing the impact on the article when hit is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of an article sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a locus of movement of a diverter in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a first stage of a method for designing a drive mechanism for an article sorting apparatus, in particular a diverter, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the next step of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the next step of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the next step of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the next step of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a part of the conventional article sorting apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the vicinity of one diverter in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Sorting Conveyor 2 Article 3 Article Conveying Direction 5 Divertor 501 Pivot Shaft 502 Pivot Shaft 8 Drive Motor 9 First Arm 12 Second Arm 13 Stationary Part 14 Pivot Shaft 18 Third Arm 20 Pivot Shaft

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sorting conveyor for placing and transporting articles to be sorted, a diverter disposed on the side of the sorting conveyor and capable of swiveling around a pivot, and the swiveling motion by driving the diverter. A driving motor for rotating the driving motor, one end of which is rotated about a certain rotation axis by the driving motor and the other end of which is pivotally supported by one end of the diverter, and the operating position in which the diverter is projected onto the sorting conveyor when the driving motor is rotated. And a non-operating position retracted to the side of the sorting conveyor, the first arm pivoting about the pivot shaft is provided, and the sorting is performed when the diverter is pivoted from the non-operating position to the operating position. In the article sorting device that dispenses the articles conveyed by the conveyor to the other side of this sorting conveyor, one end is A second arm pivotally supported by the stationary portion and the other end carrying the pivot shaft of the diverter, one end of which is rotated about the rotation axis by the drive motor and the other end of which is pivoted with respect to the second arm. A supported third arm is provided which, during rotation of the diverter from the non-operating position to the operating position by the first arm, causes the second arm and the other end thereof to An article sorting apparatus characterized in that the article sorting apparatus is swung so as to move in the article transporting direction of the sorting conveyor.