JP4900651B2

JP4900651B2 - Goods stacking device

Info

Publication number: JP4900651B2
Application number: JP2005335578A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 洋介丸岡; 武則坂田; 哲也樋口; 直人高橋
Original assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Current assignee: Okura Yusoki KK
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2005-11-21
Publication date: 2012-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-21
Also published as: JP2007137622A

Description

本発明は、効率良く積付け作業ができる物品群積付け装置に関するものである。 The present invention relates to an article group stacking apparatus that can efficiently perform stacking operations.

従来、例えば物品群形成手段からケース群等の物品群を受け入れて搬送方向に搬送する駆動ローラコンベヤと、積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能になっており受取位置に位置した状態で駆動ローラコンベヤの下降により物品群を受け取って支持しこの支持した物品群を積付け位置への水平移動により駆動ローラコンベヤの搬送方向と直交する方向に搬送する支持手段と、支持手段が積付け位置から受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群の水平移動を規制するガイド装置とを備えた物品群積付け装置が知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
特開２００４−５９２８１号公報 Conventionally, for example, a drive roller conveyor that receives an article group such as a case group from the article group forming means and conveys the article group in the conveying direction, and is horizontally movable between the loading position and the receiving position, and is located at the receiving position. The support means for receiving and supporting the article group by lowering the drive roller conveyor and conveying the supported article group in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the drive roller conveyor by horizontal movement to the loading position, and the support means are stacked. 2. Description of the Related Art An article group stacking device including a guide device that regulates horizontal movement of an article group when moving horizontally from a position to a receiving position is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-59281 A

しかしながら、上記従来の物品群積付け装置では、物品群を支持手段の積付け位置への水平移動によって駆動ローラコンベヤの搬送方向と直交する方向に搬送するため、物品群を支持した支持手段が積付け位置に到達する前に駆動ローラコンベヤによる次の物品群の受入を開始できないという問題がある。 However, in the conventional article group stacking apparatus, the article group is transported in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the drive roller conveyor by the horizontal movement of the support means to the loading position, so that the support means that supports the article group is loaded. There is a problem that it is not possible to start receiving the next group of articles by the drive roller conveyor before reaching the attachment position.

本発明は、このような点に鑑みなされたもので、物品群を支持した支持手段が積付け位置に到達する前に搬送手段による次の物品群の受入を開始でき、効率良く積付け作業ができる物品群積付け装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can start the reception of the next group of articles by the transport unit before the support unit that supports the group of articles reaches the stacking position, so that the loading operation can be performed efficiently. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article group stacking device that can be used.

請求項１記載の物品群積付け装置は、複数の物品を搬送しながら所定の整列パターンに整列して物品群を形成する物品群形成手段と、この物品群形成手段と同じ高さの上位置と前記物品群形成手段より低い高さの下位置との間で昇降可能となっており、前記物品群形成手段から所定の整列パターンに整列された物品群を受け入れ、この受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する搬送手段と、積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっており、前記受取位置に位置した状態で前記搬送手段の前記上位置から前記下位置への下降により物品群を受け取って支持し、この支持した物品群を前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動により前記搬送方向と同一の方向に搬送する支持手段と、この支持手段が前記積付け位置から前記受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群の水平移動を規制する規制手段と、前記搬送手段の搬送終端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる終端部昇降駆動手段とを備え、前記支持手段の前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動による物品群の搬送途中において、前記搬送手段は、搬送始端部が前記上位置に位置しかつ搬送終端部が前記下位置に位置した傾斜状態で、前記物品群形成手段から次の物品群を受け入れるものである。 The article group stacking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an article group forming means for forming an article group by aligning in a predetermined alignment pattern while conveying a plurality of articles, and an upper position at the same height as the article group forming means And a lower position lower than the article group forming means , and accepts an article group aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern from the article group forming means and transports the accepted article group The conveying means that conveys in the direction, and is horizontally movable between the loading position and the receiving position, and the article is moved by the lowering of the conveying means from the upper position to the lower position while being positioned at the receiving position. Receiving and supporting the group, and supporting means for conveying the supported article group in the same direction as the conveying direction by horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position; and the supporting means from the loading position to the Pickup position And a regulating means and the termination section elevation driving means for raising and lowering the transfer terminal end portion of the conveying means between said on position and said lower position for restricting the horizontal movement of the group of articles in the case of horizontal movement, the said support means In the middle of transporting the group of articles by horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position, the transport means is in an inclined state in which the transport start end is positioned at the upper position and the transport end is positioned at the lower position. The next article group is received from the article group forming means .

請求項２記載の物品群積付け装置は、請求項１記載の物品群積付け装置において、搬送手段は、物品群形成手段から物品群を受け入れこの受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する昇降可能な複数列のチェーンコンベヤを有し、支持手段は、隣合う前記チェーンコンベヤ間に配設され積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっている複数列の支持板を有するものである。 The group of articles stowage device 請 Motomeko 2 wherein, in the group of articles stowage apparatus of claim 1 Symbol placing, conveyance means accepts an article group from the group of articles forming means for conveying the accepted article group in the transport direction A plurality of chain conveyors that can be moved up and down, and the support means includes a plurality of support plates that are disposed between the chain conveyors adjacent to each other and are horizontally movable between a loading position and a receiving position. Is.

請求項３記載の物品群積付け装置は、複数の物品を搬送しながら所定の整列パターンに整列して物品群を形成する物品群形成手段と、この物品群形成手段と同じ高さの上位置と前記物品群形成手段より低い高さの下位置との間で昇降可能となっており、前記物品群形成手段から所定の整列パターンに整列された物品群を受け入れ、この受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する搬送手段と、積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっており、前記受取位置に位置した状態で前記搬送手段の前記上位置から前記下位置への下降により物品群を受け取って支持し、この支持した物品群を前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動により前記搬送方向と同一の方向に搬送する支持手段と、この支持手段が前記積付け位置から前記受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群の水平移動を規制する規制手段と、前記搬送手段の搬送始端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる始端部昇降駆動手段と、前記搬送手段の搬送終端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる終端部昇降駆動手段とを備え、前記支持手段の前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動による物品群の搬送途中において、前記搬送手段は、前記始端部昇降駆動手段の作動によって搬送始端部が前記上位置に位置しかつ搬送終端部が前記下位置に位置した傾斜状態となって、前記物品群形成手段から次の物品群を受け入れるものである。The article group stacking apparatus according to claim 3 is an article group forming unit that forms an article group by aligning in a predetermined alignment pattern while conveying a plurality of articles, and an upper position that is the same height as the article group forming unit. And a lower position lower than the article group forming means, and accepts an article group aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern from the article group forming means and transports the accepted article group The conveying means that conveys in the direction, and is horizontally movable between the loading position and the receiving position, and the article is moved by the lowering of the conveying means from the upper position to the lower position while being positioned at the receiving position. Receiving and supporting the group, and supporting means for conveying the supported article group in the same direction as the conveying direction by horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position; and the supporting means from the loading position to the Pickup position Restricting means for restricting the horizontal movement of the article group when horizontally moving, a starting end raising / lowering driving means for raising and lowering the conveying start end of the conveying means between the upper position and the lower position, and a conveying terminal end of the conveying means And a terminal end raising / lowering drive means for raising and lowering the upper and lower positions between the upper position and the lower position, and in the middle of conveying the article group by horizontal movement of the support means from the receiving position to the loading position, By the operation of the start end raising / lowering drive means, the conveyance start end portion is located at the upper position and the conveyance end portion is located at the lower position, and the next article group is received from the article group forming means. is there.

請求項４記載の物品群積付け装置は、請求項３記載の物品群積付け装置において、第１物品群有無検知手段である搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサと、第２物品群有無検知手段である搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサとを備え、前記支持手段にて搬送途中の物品群が前記搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサの対向位置を通過すると、始端部昇降駆動手段が作動して搬送手段の搬送始端部のみが上位置まで上昇し、前記搬送手段が傾斜状態となり、物品群が前記搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサの対向位置を通過すると、終端部昇降駆動手段が作動して前記搬送手段の搬送終端部のみが前記上位置まで上昇し、前記搬送手段が水平状態に復帰するものである。The article group stacking apparatus according to claim 4 is the article group stacking apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conveyance start end raising timing sensor as the first article group presence / absence detection means and the second article group presence / absence detection means. A conveyance end portion raising timing sensor, and when a group of articles being conveyed by the support means passes a position opposed to the conveyance start end portion raising timing sensor, the start end raising / lowering driving means is activated to start the conveyance start end portion of the conveyance means. When the conveying means is inclined, and the group of articles passes through the position opposite to the conveying termination part ascent timing sensor, the terminal end raising / lowering driving means is activated and only the conveying terminal part of the conveying means is operated. Rises to the upper position, and the conveying means returns to a horizontal state.

請求項１に係る発明によれば、物品群を支持手段の積付け位置への水平移動によって搬送手段の搬送方向と同一の方向に搬送するため、物品群を支持した支持手段が積付け位置に到達する前に搬送手段による次の物品群の受入を開始でき、効率良く積付け作業ができる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the article group is conveyed in the same direction as the conveying direction of the conveying means by the horizontal movement of the supporting means to the loading position, the supporting means supporting the article group is at the loading position. Prior to arrival, acceptance of the next group of articles by the conveying means can be started, and efficient loading work can be performed.

請求項２に係る発明によれば、複数列のチェーンコンベヤにて物品群を搬送方向に適切に搬送でき、複数列の支持板にて物品群を支持して搬送方向と同一の方向に適切に搬送できる。 According to the invention of 請 Motomeko 2, it can be properly conveyed in the conveying direction group of articles in a plurality of rows of chain conveyor, suitable in the same direction as the conveying direction and supports the group of articles in a plurality of rows of supporting plates Can be transported.

本発明の物品群積付け装置の一実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。 An embodiment of an article group stacking apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１ないし図４において、１は物品群積付け装置で、この物品群積付け装置１は、略直方体状の複数の物品A1、例えばケースから所定の整列パターンの物品群Ａ、例えばケース群を形成し、この形成した物品群Ａを昇降するパレットＰ上に順次段積みするケース用パレタイザである。 1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes an article group stacking device. The article group stacking device 1 includes a plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped articles A1, for example, an article group A having a predetermined alignment pattern such as a case group. It is a case palletizer that is formed and sequentially stacks the formed article group A on a pallet P that moves up and down.

なお、図１から明らかなように、この物品群積付け装置１は、平面視で一直線状をなす直線ライン構造のものである。 As is apparent from FIG. 1, the article group stacking apparatus 1 has a straight line structure that forms a straight line in a plan view.

物品群積付け装置１は、物品A1を搬送するローラコンベヤ等の物品搬送手段２と、物品搬送手段２から順次供給される複数の物品A1を搬送しながら所定の整列パターンに整列して物品群Ａを形成する物品群形成手段３とを備えている。 The article group stacking apparatus 1 arranges an article group in a predetermined alignment pattern while conveying an article conveying means 2 such as a roller conveyor for conveying the article A1 and a plurality of articles A1 sequentially supplied from the article conveying means 2. And an article group forming means 3 for forming A.

物品群形成手段３は、搬送始端側から搬送終端側に向って順に一直線状に並んで位置する方向転換部４、整列パターン形成部５、第１ローラコンベヤ部６、第２ローラコンベヤ部７および物品群形成部８にて構成されている。物品群形成部８は、所定の整列パターンの物品群Ａに仕上げるためのもので、物品群Ａを搬送する水平状の２列の搬送部であるローラコンベヤ９と、ローラコンベヤ９上の物品群Ａの側面に対して接離する水平回動可能な一対の物品群形成板10とを有している。 The article group forming means 3 includes a direction changing unit 4, an alignment pattern forming unit 5, a first roller conveyor unit 6, a second roller conveyor unit 7, which are arranged in a straight line in order from the conveyance start end side to the conveyance end side. An article group forming unit 8 is used. The article group forming unit 8 is for finishing the article group A in a predetermined alignment pattern. The article group forming unit 8 is a roller conveyor 9 that is a two-row horizontal conveyance unit that conveys the article group A, and the article group on the roller conveyor 9. And a pair of horizontally rotatable article group forming plates 10 that are in contact with and apart from the side surface of A.

物品群積付け装置１は、図３および図４に示されるように、物品群形成手段３の物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９から所定の整列パターン物品群Ａを受け入れこの受け入れた物品群Ａを搬送方向Ｘに搬送する昇降可能な搬送手段11を備えている。 As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the article group stacking apparatus 1 receives a predetermined alignment pattern article group A from the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8 of the article group forming means 3. Is provided with a transporting means 11 capable of moving up and down.

搬送手段11は、例えば搬送手段11の搬送方向Ｘに沿って互いに平行に配設された長手状の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12を有している。複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12は、物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９と同じ高さの上位置と物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９より低い高さの下位置との間で昇降可能となっている。すなわち例えば複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送始端部を上位置および下位置間で一斉に昇降させるシリンダ等の始端部昇降駆動手段13と複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送終端部を上位置および下位置間で一斉に昇降させるシリンダ等の終端部昇降駆動手段14とがそれぞれ設けられている。そして、図７に示されるように、複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12は、その搬送始端部が上位置に位置しかつその搬送終端部が下位置に位置した前下りの傾斜状態で、物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９から物品群Ａを受け入れて搬送方向Ｘに搬送する。 The transport unit 11 includes, for example, a plurality of longitudinal chain conveyors 12 arranged in parallel with each other along the transport direction X of the transport unit 11. The plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 can be moved up and down between an upper position that is the same height as the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8 and a lower position that is lower than the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8. Yes. That is, for example, the starting end raising / lowering driving means 13 such as a cylinder for raising and lowering the conveying start end portions of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 at the same time between the upper position and the lower position and the conveying end portions of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 at the upper and lower positions. Terminal end raising / lowering drive means 14 such as a cylinder for raising and lowering all at once is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 are in the forward and downward inclined state in which the conveyance start end portion is located at the upper position and the conveyance end portion is located at the lower position. The article group A is received from the eight roller conveyors 9 and conveyed in the conveying direction X.

各チェーンコンベヤ12は、互いに離間対向する搬送始端側スプロケット16および搬送終端側スプロケット17を有し、搬送始端側スプロケット16および搬送終端側スプロケット17には無端搬送体であるチェーン18が掛け渡されている。チェーン18はモータ等の駆動手段であるチェーン駆動手段19からの動力に基づいて回転し、チェーン18の往路部がキャリアチェーンレール20上をこのキャリアチェーンレール20に沿って走行し、この走行する往路部にて物品群Ａが物品群ストッパ15に接触するまで搬送される。 Each chain conveyor 12 has a transport start side sprocket 16 and a transport end side sprocket 17 that are spaced apart from each other, and a chain 18 that is an endless transport body is stretched over the transport start side sprocket 16 and the transport end side sprocket 17. Yes. The chain 18 rotates based on the power from the chain drive means 19 that is a drive means such as a motor, and the forward path portion of the chain 18 travels on the carrier chain rail 20 along the carrier chain rail 20, and this forward path travels. The product group A is conveyed until the product group A comes into contact with the product group stopper 15.

物品群積付け装置１は、積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっており受取位置に位置した状態で搬送手段11の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の相対的な下降により物品群Ａをチェーンコンベヤ12から受け取って下方から支持しこの支持した物品群Ａを受取位置から積付け位置への前進水平移動により搬送方向Ｘと平面視で同一の方向に搬送する支持手段21を備えている。なお、受取位置はチェーンコンベヤ12の上位置とチェーンコンベヤ12の下位置との間の位置であり、積付け位置はパレットＰの上方位置である。 The article group stacking device 1 can move horizontally between the loading position and the receiving position, and the article group is placed by the relative lowering of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 of the conveying means 11 while being in the receiving position. Supporting means 21 is provided which receives A from the chain conveyor 12 and supports it from below, and transports the supported article group A in the same direction as the transporting direction X by a forward horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position. Yes. The receiving position is a position between the upper position of the chain conveyor 12 and the lower position of the chain conveyor 12, and the loading position is an upper position of the pallet P.

支持手段21は、例えば隣合うチェーンコンベヤ12間に搬送方向Ｘに沿って互いに平行に配設され積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動する長手状の複数列の支持板22を有している。 The support means 21 includes, for example, a plurality of longitudinal support plates 22 that are arranged parallel to each other along the conveyance direction X between adjacent chain conveyors 12 and move horizontally between the loading position and the receiving position. ing.

支持板22の先端部には前下り傾斜状の引掛り防止用の傾斜プレート23が取り付けられ、傾斜プレート23には案内レール24上を走行する案内ガイド25が取り付けられている。支持板22の基端部にはベアリング走行レール26上を走行するベアリング27が取り付けられている。また、装置フレーム30には、互いに離間対向する対をなすプーリ31が設けられ、対をなすプーリ31には無端体であるタイミングベルト32が掛け渡されている。タイミングベルト32はモータ等の駆動手段であるベルト駆動手段33からの動力に基づいて回転し、このタイミングベルト32の回転により複数列の支持板22が積付け位置および受取位置間で一斉に水平移動する。 At the tip of the support plate 22 is attached a tilting plate 23 having a forward and downward inclined shape for preventing catching, and a guide guide 25 running on the guide rail 24 is attached to the inclined plate 23. A bearing 27 that travels on the bearing travel rail 26 is attached to the base end portion of the support plate 22. Further, the apparatus frame 30 is provided with a pair of pulleys 31 that are spaced apart from each other, and a timing belt 32 that is an endless body is stretched around the pair of pulleys 31. The timing belt 32 rotates based on power from a belt driving means 33 which is a driving means such as a motor, and the rotation of the timing belt 32 horizontally moves a plurality of rows of support plates 22 between the loading position and the receiving position. To do.

物品群積付け装置１は、支持手段21の複数列の支持板22が積付け位置から受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群Ａの水平移動を規制する規制手段である背面ストッパ41を備えている。背面ストッパ41は水平方向の支軸42を中心として回動可能に設けられ、背面ストッパ41はシリンダ等の駆動手段である背面ストッパ駆動手段43からの動力に基づいて支軸42を中心として規制位置および退避位置間で回動する。背面ストッパ41は規制位置に位置した状態で物品群Ａの背面と接触して物品群Ａの背面位置を規制する。この背面ストッパ41による規制位置は、背面ストッパ用調整ハンドル44の操作により調整可能となっている。 The article group stacking device 1 includes a back stopper 41 that is a restricting means for restricting the horizontal movement of the article group A when the plurality of rows of support plates 22 of the support means 21 horizontally move from the loading position to the receiving position. Yes. The back stopper 41 is provided so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 42 in the horizontal direction, and the back stopper 41 is a regulated position about the support shaft 42 based on the power from the back stopper drive means 43 which is a drive means such as a cylinder. And rotate between retracted positions. The back stopper 41 contacts the back surface of the article group A in a state where the back stopper 41 is located at the restriction position, and restricts the back position of the article group A. The restriction position by the back stopper 41 can be adjusted by operating the back stopper adjustment handle 44.

また、物品群積付け装置１は、物品群Ａの正面と接触して物品群Ａの正面位置を規制する正面ストッパ46と、物品群Ａの側面と接触して物品群Ａの側面位置を規制する左右の側面ストッパ47とを備えている。側面ストッパ47は、複数列の支持板22の移動方向と直交する方向に水平移動可能で、シリンダ等の駆動手段である側面ストッパ駆動手段48からの動力に基づいて規制位置および退避位置間で水平移動する。正面ストッパ46による規制位置は、正面ストッパ用調整ハンドル49の操作により調整可能となっており、側面ストッパ47による規制位置は、側面ストッパ用調整ハンドル50の操作により調整可能となっている。なお、正面ストッパ46、左右の側面ストッパ47および背面ストッパ41にて、物品群Ａの積付け時にパレットＰ上またはパレットＰ上に既に積み付けられた物品群Ａ上に向けて物品群Ａの落下を案内する物品群四面外周ガイド手段40が構成されている。 Further, the article group stacking device 1 regulates the side position of the article group A by contacting the front side of the article group A and the front stopper 46 that regulates the front position of the article group A by contacting the front side of the article group A. Left and right side stoppers 47 are provided. The side stopper 47 is horizontally movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the plurality of rows of support plates 22, and is horizontally between the restricting position and the retracted position based on the power from the side stopper driving means 48 that is a driving means such as a cylinder. Moving. The restriction position by the front stopper 46 can be adjusted by operating the front stopper adjustment handle 49, and the restriction position by the side stopper 47 can be adjusted by operating the side stopper adjustment handle 50. The article group A is dropped onto the pallet P or the article group A already stacked on the pallet P when the article group A is stacked by the front stopper 46, the left and right side stoppers 47, and the rear stopper 41. The article group four-surface outer periphery guide means 40 is configured to guide the item.

さらに、物品群積付け装置１は、図３に示されるように、光電センサ等からなる第１物品群有無検知手段である搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサ51と、光電センサ等からなる第２物品群有無検知手段である搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサ52とを備えている。 Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the article group stacking device 1 includes a conveyance start end rising timing sensor 51 that is a first article group presence / absence detecting unit including a photoelectric sensor, and a second article group including a photoelectric sensor. And a conveyance end part raising timing sensor 52 which is presence / absence detection means.

また、図２に示されるように、物品群Ａが順次段積みされるパレットＰはエレベータフォーク53上に載置され、エレベータフォーク53の上流にはエレベータフォーク53に対して空のパレットＰを搬入するパレット搬入コンベヤ54が配設され、エレベータフォーク53の下流には物品群Ａが段積みされたパレットＰをエレベータフォーク53から搬出するパレット搬出コンベヤ55が配設されている。 As shown in FIG. 2, the pallet P on which the articles A are sequentially stacked is placed on the elevator fork 53, and an empty pallet P is carried into the elevator fork 53 upstream of the elevator fork 53. A pallet carry-in conveyor 54 is disposed downstream of the elevator fork 53. A pallet carry-out conveyor 55 is disposed downstream from the elevator fork 53.

次に、上記物品群積付け装置１の動作を説明する。 Next, the operation of the article group stacking apparatus 1 will be described.

図５（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すように、物品群形成手段３により所定の整列パターンに整列された物品群Ａは、ローラコンベヤ９上から水平状態の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12のチェーン18の往路部上に乗り移り、このチェーン18の往路部にて搬送方向Ｘへ搬送され、物品群ストッパ15との接触により停止し、所望位置に位置決めされる。 As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the article group A aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern by the article group forming means 3 is a chain 18 of a plurality of chain conveyors 12 in a horizontal state from above the roller conveyor 9. Is transferred in the transport direction X by the forward path portion of the chain 18, stops by contact with the article group stopper 15, and is positioned at a desired position.

この複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12のチェーン18の回転による物品群Ａの搬送時には、複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12のチェーン18の往路部が物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９と同じ高さの上位置に位置し、複数列の支持板22はチェーンコンベヤ12のチェーン18の往路部より下方の受取位置で隣合うチェーンコンベヤ12間に位置する。 When the article group A is conveyed by the rotation of the chain 18 of the plurality of chain conveyors 12, the forward path portion of the chain 18 of the plurality of chain conveyors 12 is at the same height as the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8. The plurality of rows of support plates 22 are positioned between adjacent chain conveyors 12 at a receiving position below the forward path portion of the chain 18 of the chain conveyor 12.

その後、図６（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すように、始端部昇降駆動手段13および終端部昇降駆動手段14の作動により複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12全体が下位置まで支持板22に対して相対的に下降し、これら複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12全体の相対的な下降により複数列の支持板22が受取位置に位置した状態でチェーンコンベヤ12から物品群Ａを受け取って支持する。 Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 are moved relative to the support plate 22 to the lower position by the operation of the starting end raising / lowering driving means 13 and the terminal end raising / lowering driving means 14. The articles A are received from the chain conveyor 12 and supported in a state where the support plates 22 of the plurality of rows are positioned at the receiving position by the relative lowering of the entire chain conveyor 12 of the plurality of rows.

次いで、図７（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すように、背面ストッパ41および側面ストッパ47が退避位置に位置した状態で、複数列の支持板22が受取位置から積付け位置に向って水平移動することにより、物品群Ａがチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送方向Ｘと同一の方向へ搬送される。 Next, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, with the back stopper 41 and the side stopper 47 positioned at the retracted position, the plurality of rows of support plates 22 move horizontally from the receiving position toward the loading position. By doing so, the article group A is conveyed in the same direction as the conveying direction X of the chain conveyor 12.

この複数列の支持板22の前進水平移動による物品群Ａの搬送途中において、物品群Ａが搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサ51の対向位置を通過すると、その搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサ51からの信号により始端部昇降駆動手段13が作動して複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送始端部のみが物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９と同じ高さの上位置まで上昇し、後続の次の物品群Ａがローラコンベヤ９上からその前下り傾斜状態の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12のチェーン18の往路部上に段差なく乗り移る。 When the article group A passes the position opposite to the conveyance start end rise timing sensor 51 during the conveyance of the article group A by the horizontal movement of the support plates 22 in the plurality of rows, a signal from the conveyance start end rise timing sensor 51 The start end raising / lowering driving means 13 is operated, and only the transfer start end portions of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 are raised to the upper position at the same height as the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming portion 8, and the subsequent next article group A is Transfer from the roller conveyor 9 onto the forward path of the chain 18 of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 in the forward and downward inclined state without any step.

図８（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すように、物品群Ａが搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサ52の対向位置を通過した時点で、その搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサ52からの信号により終端部昇降駆動手段14が作動して複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送終端部のみが物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９と同じ高さの上位置まで上昇し、複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12がもとの水平状態に復帰する。 As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the article group A passes the position opposite the conveyance end portion raising timing sensor 52, the end portion raising / lowering drive is performed by a signal from the conveyance end portion raising timing sensor 52. The means 14 is actuated so that only the conveying end of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 rises to an upper position at the same height as the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming section 8, and the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 are in their original horizontal state. Return to.

そして、複数列の支持板22が積付け位置に到着し、複数列の支持板22上の物品群Ａの正面が正面ストッパ46と接触した後、背面ストッパ41が規制位置まで回動して複数列の支持板22上の物品群Ａの背面と接触するとともに、側面ストッパ47が規制位置まで水平移動して複数列の支持板22上の物品群Ａの側面と接触する。 Then, after the plurality of rows of support plates 22 arrive at the loading position and the front surface of the article group A on the plurality of rows of support plates 22 comes into contact with the front stopper 46, the back stopper 41 rotates to the restricting position and the plurality of rows. While contacting the back surface of the article group A on the support plate 22 in the row, the side stopper 47 moves horizontally to the restriction position and contacts the side surface of the article group A on the support plate 22 in the plurality of rows.

その後、図９（ａ）および（ｂ）に示すように、複数列の支持板22が積付け位置から受取位置に水平移動、つまり複数列の支持板22がチェーンコンベヤ12側の受取位置に復帰すると、物品群Ａが物品群四面外周ガイド手段40を構成する正面ストッパ46、左右の側面ストッパ47および背面ストッパ41にて案内されつつ若干落下し、パレットＰ上またはパレットＰ上に既に積み付けられた最上位の物品群Ａ上に載置される。このような動作の繰返しにより複数の物品群ＡがパレットＰ上に順次積み付けられる。積付け作業が完了したものはパレット搬出コンベヤ55にて搬出され、その一方、空のパレットＰがエレベータフォーク53に対して搬入される。 Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9 (a) and (b), the horizontal movement to the receiving position a support plate 22 of the plurality of rows from the stowed position, i.e. returning the support plate 22 of the plurality of rows in the receiving position of the chain conveyor 12 side Then, the article group A slightly falls while being guided by the front stopper 46, the left and right side stoppers 47, and the rear stopper 41 constituting the article group four-surface outer periphery guide means 40, and is already stacked on the pallet P or the pallet P. Is placed on the uppermost article group A. A plurality of article groups A are sequentially stacked on the pallet P by repeating such operations. What has been loaded is unloaded by the pallet unloading conveyor 55, while an empty pallet P is unloaded into the elevator fork 53.

そして、物品群積付け装置１によれば、物品群Ａを支持手段21の複数列の支持板22の積付け位置への水平移動によって搬送手段11の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送方向Ｘと同一の方向に搬送するため、物品群Ａを支持した複数列の支持板22が積付け位置に到達する前に複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12による次の物品群Ａの受入を開始でき、効率良く積付け作業ができる。 Then, according to the article group stacking apparatus 1, the article group A is moved horizontally to the loading position of the support plates 22 of the plurality of rows of the support means 21, and the conveyance direction X of the chain conveyors 12 of the plurality of rows of the conveyance means 11 is set. In order to convey in the same direction, the reception of the next article group A by the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 can be started before the plurality of rows of support plates 22 supporting the article group A reach the loading position, and efficient loading. Can be attached.

すなわち例えば物品群Ａを支持した複数列の支持板22の積付け位置への水平移動の開始と略同時に、次の物品群Ａを複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12にて物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９から受け入れることができるため、物品群Ａのタクト時間を短縮でき、効率良く積付け作業を行うことができる。 That is, for example, substantially simultaneously with the start of horizontal movement of the plurality of rows of support plates 22 supporting the article group A to the loading position, the next article group A is transferred to the roller conveyor of the article group forming unit 8 by the plural rows of chain conveyors 12. 9, the tact time of the article group A can be shortened, and the loading operation can be performed efficiently.

しかも、搬送手段11の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12と複数列の支持板22との組合せによって物品群積付け装置１全体を一直線上のレイアウトに構成でき、余分な設置スペースをとらず、シンプルでコンパクトな装置にすることができる。 In addition, the entire product group stacking device 1 can be configured in a straight line layout by combining a plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 and a plurality of rows of support plates 22 of the transport means 11, and does not take up extra installation space and is simple and compact. Device.

また、搬送手段11の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12が所望の傾斜状態となって物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９から物品群Ａを受け入れるため、物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９の搬送終端部と複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12の搬送始端部との間には段差がなく、所望の傾斜状態の複数列のチェーンコンベヤ12にて物品群Ａを円滑に受け入れることができる。 In addition, since the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 of the conveying means 11 are in a desired inclined state and receive the article group A from the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8, the conveying end part of the roller conveyor 9 of the article group forming unit 8 There is no level difference between the first and second conveyors of the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12, and the group of articles A can be smoothly received by the plurality of rows of chain conveyors 12 in a desired inclined state.

なお、例えば所定の整列パターンの物品群Ａを物品群形成部８のローラコンベヤ９から受け入れて搬送方向Ｘに搬送する昇降可能な搬送手段11は、軸方向が支持板22の長手方向である移動方向に対して直交する方向に一致する複数の幅狭のローラコンベヤを有するもの等でもよい。 Incidentally, a vertically movable conveying means 11 for conveying to the conveying direction X receives from the roller conveyor 9 of the group of articles A in the predetermined alignment pattern if example embodiment the group of articles forming portion 8 axially is a longitudinal direction of the supporting plate 22 It may have a plurality of narrow roller conveyors that coincide with a direction orthogonal to the moving direction .

本発明の物品群積付け装置の一実施の形態を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the goods group stacking apparatus of this invention. 同上物品群積付け装置の側面図である。It is a side view of an article group loading apparatus same as the above. 同上物品群積付け装置の部分平面図である。It is a partial top view of an article group loading apparatus same as the above. 同上物品群積付け装置の部分側面図である。It is a partial side view of an article group loading apparatus same as the above. 同上物品群積付け装置の動作説明図である。It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of an article group loading apparatus same as the above. 図５に続く動作説明図である。FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram following FIG. 5. 図６に続く動作説明図である。It is operation | movement explanatory drawing following FIG. 図７に続く動作説明図である。FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram following FIG. 7. 図８に続く動作説明図である。FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram following FIG. 8.

１物品群積付け装置
３物品群形成手段
11 搬送手段
12 チェーンコンベヤ
13 始端部昇降駆動手段
14 終端部昇降駆動手段
21 支持手段
22 支持板
41 規制手段である背面ストッパ
51 搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサ
52 搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサ
Ａ物品群
A1 物品
Ｘ搬送方向 1 article group stacking device 3 article group forming means
11 Transport means
12 Chain conveyor
13 Starting / lowering drive means
14 Termination drive mechanism
21 Support means
22 Support plate
41 Back stopper as a restricting means
51 Transport start edge rise timing sensor
52 Conveyance end part rise timing sensor A
A1 Goods X Transport direction

Claims

複数の物品を搬送しながら所定の整列パターンに整列して物品群を形成する物品群形成手段と、
この物品群形成手段と同じ高さの上位置と前記物品群形成手段より低い高さの下位置との間で昇降可能となっており、前記物品群形成手段から所定の整列パターンに整列された物品群を受け入れ、この受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する搬送手段と、
積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっており、前記受取位置に位置した状態で前記搬送手段の前記上位置から前記下位置への下降により物品群を受け取って支持し、この支持した物品群を前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動により前記搬送方向と同一の方向に搬送する支持手段と、
この支持手段が前記積付け位置から前記受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群の水平移動を規制する規制手段と、
前記搬送手段の搬送終端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる終端部昇降駆動手段とを備え、
前記支持手段の前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動による物品群の搬送途中において、前記搬送手段は、搬送始端部が前記上位置に位置しかつ搬送終端部が前記下位置に位置した傾斜状態で、前記物品群形成手段から次の物品群を受け入れる
ことを特徴とする物品群積付け装置。 Article group forming means for forming an article group by aligning in a predetermined alignment pattern while conveying a plurality of articles;
It is possible to move up and down between an upper position that is the same height as the article group forming means and a lower position that is lower than the article group forming means, and is aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern from the article group forming means . A transport means for receiving the group of articles and transporting the received group of articles in the transport direction;
The horizontal movement is possible between the loading position and the receiving position, and the article group is received and supported by the lowering of the conveying means from the upper position to the lower position while being positioned at the receiving position. Support means for transporting the supported group of articles in the same direction as the transport direction by horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position;
Restriction means for restricting horizontal movement of the group of articles when the support means moves horizontally from the loading position to the receiving position ;
A terminal end raising / lowering driving means for raising and lowering the conveying terminal end of the conveying means between the upper position and the lower position;
During the transportation of the group of articles by the horizontal movement of the support means from the receiving position to the loading position, the transport means has a transport start end position located at the upper position and a transport end position located at the lower position. An article group stacking apparatus for receiving a next article group from the article group forming means in an inclined state .

搬送手段は、物品群形成手段から物品群を受け入れこの受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する昇降可能な複数列のチェーンコンベヤを有し、
支持手段は、隣合う前記チェーンコンベヤ間に配設され積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっている複数列の支持板を有する
ことを特徴とする請求項１記載の物品群積付け装置。 The conveying means includes a plurality of chain conveyors that can be moved up and down to receive the article group from the article group forming means and convey the received article group in the conveying direction.
Support means, article of claim 1 Symbol mounting and having a support plate a plurality of rows which is the horizontally movable between adjacent said disposed between the chain conveyor stowed position and the receiving position Group stacking device.

複数の物品を搬送しながら所定の整列パターンに整列して物品群を形成する物品群形成手段と、Article group forming means for forming an article group by aligning in a predetermined alignment pattern while conveying a plurality of articles;
この物品群形成手段と同じ高さの上位置と前記物品群形成手段より低い高さの下位置との間で昇降可能となっており、前記物品群形成手段から所定の整列パターンに整列された物品群を受け入れ、この受け入れた物品群を搬送方向に搬送する搬送手段と、It is possible to move up and down between an upper position that is the same height as the article group forming means and a lower position that is lower than the article group forming means, and is aligned in a predetermined alignment pattern from the article group forming means. A transport means for receiving the group of articles and transporting the received group of articles in the transport direction;
積付け位置と受取位置との間で水平移動可能となっており、前記受取位置に位置した状態で前記搬送手段の前記上位置から前記下位置への下降により物品群を受け取って支持し、この支持した物品群を前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動により前記搬送方向と同一の方向に搬送する支持手段と、The horizontal movement is possible between the loading position and the receiving position, and the article group is received and supported by the lowering of the conveying means from the upper position to the lower position while being positioned at the receiving position. Support means for transporting the supported group of articles in the same direction as the transport direction by horizontal movement from the receiving position to the loading position;
この支持手段が前記積付け位置から前記受取位置に水平移動する場合に物品群の水平移動を規制する規制手段と、Restriction means for restricting horizontal movement of the group of articles when the support means moves horizontally from the loading position to the receiving position;
前記搬送手段の搬送始端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる始端部昇降駆動手段と、Starting end raising / lowering driving means for raising and lowering the conveying start end of the conveying means between the upper position and the lower position;
前記搬送手段の搬送終端部を前記上位置および前記下位置間で昇降させる終端部昇降駆動手段とを備え、A terminal end raising / lowering driving means for raising and lowering the conveying terminal end of the conveying means between the upper position and the lower position;
前記支持手段の前記受取位置から前記積付け位置への水平移動による物品群の搬送途中において、前記搬送手段は、前記始端部昇降駆動手段の作動によって搬送始端部が前記上位置に位置しかつ搬送終端部が前記下位置に位置した傾斜状態となって、前記物品群形成手段から次の物品群を受け入れるDuring the transportation of the group of articles by the horizontal movement of the support means from the receiving position to the loading position, the transport means has the transport start end positioned at the upper position and is transported by the operation of the start end lifting / lowering drive means. The end part is in an inclined state located at the lower position, and the next article group is received from the article group forming means.
ことを特徴とする物品群積付け装置。An article group stacking apparatus characterized by the above.

第１物品群有無検知手段である搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサと、A conveyance start end raising timing sensor which is a first article group presence / absence detection means;
第２物品群有無検知手段である搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサとを備え、A conveyance termination part raising timing sensor which is a second article group presence / absence detection means,
前記支持手段にて搬送途中の物品群が前記搬送始端部上昇タイミングセンサの対向位置を通過すると、始端部昇降駆動手段が作動して搬送手段の搬送始端部のみが上位置まで上昇し、前記搬送手段が傾斜状態となり、When an article group in the middle of conveyance by the support means passes a position opposite to the conveyance start end raising timing sensor, the start end raising / lowering drive means is activated to raise only the conveyance start end of the conveyance means to the upper position. Means are in a tilted state,
物品群が前記搬送終端部上昇タイミングセンサの対向位置を通過すると、終端部昇降駆動手段が作動して前記搬送手段の搬送終端部のみが前記上位置まで上昇し、前記搬送手段が水平状態に復帰するWhen the article group passes through the position opposite to the conveyance end portion raising timing sensor, the end portion raising / lowering driving means is activated, and only the conveyance end portion of the conveyance means is raised to the upper position, and the conveyance means returns to the horizontal state. Do
ことを特徴とする請求項３記載の物品群積付け装置。The article group stacking apparatus according to claim 3.