JP5442513B2

JP5442513B2 - Article conveying device

Info

Publication number: JP5442513B2
Application number: JP2010076965A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 健一松田; 儀幸安竹
Original assignee: 株式会社フジキカイ
Priority date: 2010-03-30
Filing date: 2010-03-30
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-30
Also published as: JP2011207582A

Description

本発明は、無端索条体に設けた複数の仕切り部材の間に物品を受け入れて排出位置まで搬送する物品搬送装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an article conveying apparatus that receives an article between a plurality of partition members provided on an endless cable body and conveys the article to a discharge position.

この種の物品搬送装置として、例えば、特許文献１には、物品の前後を支持する支持部材を備えた物品保持部材を備え、物品保持部材がコンベヤの下方から上方へ旋回する途中に物品の受入位置を設け、その受け入れ位置での各仕切り部材の停止時期に、仕切り部材間に順次物品を受け入れて、物品を搬入する度に搬送コンベヤを間欠移動するよう駆動し、また、受け入れを完了した物品保持部材が受け入れ期間中よりも高速で排出位置へ移動する構成を採用している。そのような構成を採用することで、高速処理化ができて生産性の向上を図ろうとするものとなっている。この仕切り部材は、仕切り面と底面とを備えて、側面視Ｌ字形状となる仕切り部材がチェーンに取付部材を介して連結され、隣り合う各仕切り部材で１個の物品を支持する物品保持空間を画成するよう構成されている。 As this kind of article conveying device, for example, Patent Document 1 includes an article holding member including a support member that supports the front and rear of the article, and accepts the article while the article holding member is swung upward from below the conveyor. A position is provided, and when each partition member at the receiving position is stopped, the articles are sequentially received between the partition members, and the conveyor is driven to intermittently move every time the articles are loaded. A configuration is adopted in which the holding member moves to the discharge position at a higher speed than during the receiving period. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to increase the processing speed and to improve the productivity. The partition member includes a partition surface and a bottom surface, and a partition member having an L shape in side view is connected to the chain via an attachment member, and an article holding space for supporting one article by each adjacent partition member. Is defined.

このような構成の仕切り部材を採用するコンベヤにおいて、搬送する物品の厚みが薄く、各仕切り部材で画成される物品保持空間が狭いと、仕切り部材の高速での間欠移動によって、コンベヤの下方から上方へ旋回する途中で各仕切り部材が搬送方向前後に振れを生じて物品の受け入れ口を塞ぎ、物品を各仕切り部材の間に送り込むことができない。 In a conveyor that employs a partition member having such a configuration, when the article to be transported is thin and the article holding space defined by each partition member is narrow, the partition member is intermittently moved at a high speed from below the conveyor. In the middle of turning upward, each partition member swings back and forth in the transport direction to close the article receiving port, and the article cannot be fed between the partition members.

また、特許文献２に記載された実施形態では、特許文献１と同様の構成に加えチェーンに連結された保持部材の両端に設けたローラをガイドレールで案内する構成を採用することで前述した仕切り部材の振れは抑制することが可能となるが、チェーンの緩みによって特許文献１と同様の問題が生じる。また、ローラがガイドレール上を高速で移動するときの走行音が騒音となって作業環境に悪影響を及ぼし、また、ローラを支持する構成部品などの多くの構成部品が必要となるなどの問題が指摘される。 Moreover, in embodiment described in patent document 2, in addition to the structure similar to patent document 1, the partition mentioned above by employ | adopting the structure which guides the roller provided in the both ends of the holding member connected with the chain with a guide rail. Although it is possible to suppress the deflection of the member, the same problem as in Patent Document 1 occurs due to the looseness of the chain. In addition, there is a problem that the running noise when the roller moves on the guide rail at high speed causes noise and adversely affects the work environment, and that many components such as components supporting the roller are required. be pointed out.

特開２００４−９１１６０号公報JP 2004-91160 A 特開平１１−２０８８４５号公報JP-A-11-208845

このように前記した従来技術においては、隣り合う仕切り部材が接触しないまでも、前記の如く各仕切り部材の振れによって、物品の受け入れ口となる仕切り部材の先端部の間隔が狭まり、各仕切り部材間の物品支持空間への物品の受け入れが阻害されてしまうといった問題などを内在している。 As described above, in the above-described prior art, even when adjacent partition members do not come into contact with each other, as described above, the distance between the front end portions of the partition members serving as the article receiving ports is reduced due to the swing of each partition member. There is a problem that acceptance of articles into the article support space is hindered.

そこで、本発明はこのような問題を解決するためになされたものであり、物品を高速搬送する場合においても、コンベヤの各仕切り部材の前後への振れを抑止し、受入位置において物品を確実に受け入れることが可能な物品搬送装置を提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and even when an article is conveyed at high speed, the swinging of each partition member of the conveyor is prevented from moving back and forth, and the article is reliably received at the receiving position. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article conveyance device that can be received.

請求項１に記載の本発明は、直線走行部Ｌ１と転向部Ｌ２を含む搬送経路を形成する無端索条体１０と、該無端索条体１０の搬送方向に沿って設けられた複数の仕切り部材１１とを有し、前記転向部Ｌ２における受入位置Ｐ１において前記各仕切り部材１１の間に物品Ｗを順次受け入れて、該物品Ｗを直線走行部Ｌ１に設けた排出位置Ｐ２へ向けて搬送する物品搬送装置１であって、前記仕切り部材１１は、無端索条体１０に固着される基部１１ａと、該基部１１ａから立設する支持片１１ｂとを有し、支持片１１ｂは、直線走行部Ｌ１においては、隣り合う他の仕切り部材１１の支持片１１ｂとで物品Ｗの側面を支持し、転向部Ｌ２では、先端がハ字状に拡がった受入空間を形成して前後に並んでいる。前記各仕切り部材１１の基部１１ａは、搬送方向の前後一方面において、搬送方向の前後一方向に向けて突出形成された突出部１１ｃと、搬送方向の前後他方面において、前記突出部１１ｃの突出方向と逆方向に開口するよう凹設された凹部１１ｄとを有し、隣り合う前記仕切り部材１１・１１同士において、一方の仕切り部材１１の前記突出部１１ｃが、他方の仕切り部材１１の前記凹部１１ｄへ収容され、前記無端索条体１０の転向部Ｌ２において、前記突出部１１ｃと前記凹部１１ｄとが上下に重なる方向で、突出部１１ｃの前端部上面が凹部１１ｄの天面に局部的に当接して係合することで、各支持片１１ｂの搬送方向前後への振れを規制するよう構成したことを特徴とする。 The present invention described in claim 1, an endless rope 10 forming the conveying path including a turning portion L2 and straight running portion L1, a plurality of partitions provided along the conveying direction of the endless rope Article 10 The article 11 is received between the partition members 11 at the receiving position P1 in the turning portion L2, and the article W is conveyed toward the discharge position P2 provided in the linear travel portion L1. In the article conveying apparatus 1, the partition member 11 includes a base portion 11a fixed to the endless cable body 10, and a support piece 11b standing from the base portion 11a, and the support piece 11b is a linear traveling portion. In L1, the side surface of the article W is supported by the support pieces 11b of the other adjacent partition members 11, and the turning portion L2 forms a receiving space whose tip is expanded in a letter C shape and is lined up and down. The base 11a of the partition member 11, Oite around one side of the conveying direction, a protrusion 11c that protrudes toward the front and rear direction of the conveying direction, Oite the other surface before and after the conveying direction, said projection A recess 11d that is recessed so as to open in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the portion 11c, and in the adjacent partition members 11 and 11, the protruding portion 11c of one partition member 11 is the other partition member. 11 in the recessed portion 11d, and in the turning portion L2 of the endless strip 10, the protruding portion 11c and the recessed portion 11d are vertically overlapped so that the upper surface of the front end portion of the protruding portion 11c is the top surface of the recessed portion 11d. In this case, the support pieces 11b are configured to be restricted from swinging back and forth in the transport direction by locally contacting and engaging with each other.

これによれば、隣り合う仕切り部材１１・１１の相互で、一方の仕切り部材１１の突出部１１ｃが他方の仕切り部材１１の凹部１１ｄへ収容された状態で複数の各仕切り部材１１・１１・・・が連続して係合していることで、各仕切り部材１１の係合部によって互いに支え合って、各仕切り部材１１が走行時に前後へ振れることがない。しかも、各仕切り部材１１の形状を変更しただけの簡素な構造により前後への振れを防止できる。したがって、案内手段の案内部の走行音などの騒音も発生もない。特に、転向部Ｌ２において、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとが互いに当接して係合することで支え合うので、転向部Ｌ２に設けた受入位置Ｐ１において各仕切り部材１１の前後の振れが抑制される。これにより、物品Ｗを受け入れる隙間が狭まって各区画へ物品Ｗが送り込まれるのが阻害されることがなく、順次供給される複数の物品Ｗを円滑且つ確実に各仕切り部材１１間へ受け入れることができる。 According to this, in the state where the protruding portion 11c of one partition member 11 is accommodated in the recess 11d of the other partition member 11 between the adjacent partition members 11, 11, a plurality of partition members 11, 11,. By being continuously engaged, the engaging portions of the partition members 11 support each other so that the partition members 11 do not swing back and forth during travel. Moreover, it is possible to prevent back-and-forth swinging with a simple structure in which the shape of each partition member 11 is changed. Therefore, there is no noise such as running sound of the guide portion of the guide means. In particular, in the turning portion L2, since the protruding portion 11c and the recessed portion 11d are in contact with each other to support each other, the back and forth swing of each partition member 11 is suppressed at the receiving position P1 provided in the turning portion L2. . Thereby, the clearance gap which receives the articles | goods W becomes narrow, and it does not inhibit that the articles | goods W are sent into each division, but the several articles | goods W supplied sequentially can be received between each partition member 11 smoothly and reliably. it can.

請求項２に記載の本発明は、請求項１に記載の物品搬送装置１において、前記突出部１１ｃは、前記隣り合う仕切り部材１１の凹部１１ｄと当接する部位を曲面で形成したことを特徴とする。これによれば、転向部Ｌ２において突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとが円滑に接触する。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the article conveying apparatus 1 according to the first aspect, the protruding portion 11c is formed by a curved surface at a portion that contacts the concave portion 11d of the adjacent partition member 11. To do. According to this, the protrusion part 11c and the recessed part 11d smoothly contact in the turning part L2.

請求項３に記載の本発明は、請求項１または請求項２に記載の物品搬送装置１において、前記無端索条体１０は無端チェーンであり、該無端チェーン１０の１リンクに、１つの前記仕切り部材１１を着脱可能に配設したことを特徴とする。これによれば、仕切り部材１１の転向部Ｌ２における転向半径を最小に設定することができ、コンパクトな装置とすることが可能となる。また、仕切り部材１１の配設ピッチを狭くして、例えば煎餅やビスケットの如く厚みの薄い物品Ｗに適合した装置を得ることができる。また、着脱自在であれば、メンテナンスに有利である。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the article conveying device 1 according to the first or second aspect, the endless ridge 10 is an endless chain, and one end of the endless chain 10 is linked to the one end. The partition member 11 is detachably disposed. According to this, the turning radius in the turning part L2 of the partition member 11 can be set to the minimum, and a compact device can be obtained. Moreover, the arrangement | positioning pitch of the partition member 11 can be narrowed, and the apparatus suitable for the articles | goods W with thin thickness like a rice cracker or a biscuit can be obtained, for example. Moreover, if it is detachable, it is advantageous for maintenance.

請求項４に記載の本発明は、請求項１または請求項２に記載の物品搬送装置１において、前記無端索条体１０は無端歯付きベルトであり、２つないし１つの歯部３２に対して１つの前記仕切り部材１１を着脱可能に配設したことを特徴とする。これによれば、請求項３と同様の利点に加え、無端索条体１０の走行による騒音が生じることはない。 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the article transporting apparatus 1 according to the first or second aspect, the endless ridge 10 is an endless toothed belt, and two to one tooth portions 32 are provided. One partition member 11 is detachably disposed. According to this, in addition to the same advantage as that of the third aspect, noise due to the travel of the endless cable body 10 does not occur.

請求項５に記載の本発明は、請求項１ないし請求項４のいずれかに記載の物品搬送装置１において、前記無端索条体１０は、前記物品Ｗの搬送経路の左右に並行に設けた第１の索条体１０ａと第２の索条体１０ｂとを備え、該第１の索条体１０ａと第２の索条体１０ｂを、それぞれ個別の駆動手段１４ｒ・１４ｌによって独立して走行するよう構成し、前記第１の索条体１０ａに設けた第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌと、前記第２の索条体１０ｂに設けた第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒとを、前記搬送経路を共有するように搬送方向に前後して位置させ、前記第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌは、前記受入位置Ｐ１で間欠走行して所定個数の前記物品Ｗを前記各物品の受入空間に順次受け入れた後、前記排出位置Ｐ２まで走行する一方、前記第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒが続いて前記受入位置Ｐ１において間欠走行して所定個数の前記物品Ｗを順次受け入れるよう移動する。これによれば、単位時間あたりの物品Ｗの搬送処理量が増大し、生産性を高めることができる。 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the article transporting apparatus 1 according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the endless cords 10 are provided in parallel on the left and right of the transport path of the article W. A first ridge body 10a and a second ridge body 10b are provided, and the first ridge body 10a and the second ridge body 10b travel independently by individual driving means 14r and 14l, respectively. The first partition member group 11l provided on the first strip body 10a and the second partition member group 11r provided on the second strip body 10b After the first partition member group 11l is intermittently traveled at the receiving position P1 and sequentially receives a predetermined number of the articles W in the receiving spaces of the respective articles. , While traveling to the discharge position P2, the second partition portion Intermittently traveling at the receiving position P1 followed by the group 11r moves to sequentially accept the article W of a predetermined number. According to this, the conveyance processing amount of the article W per unit time increases, and the productivity can be improved.

本発明によれば、簡素な構成でありながら、無端索条体の転向部における物品の受入位置で仕切り部材が前後に振れるのを抑止できる。これにより、順次供給されてくる複数の物品を各仕切り部材間へ円滑且つ確実に受け入れることができる。また、物品搬送装置の騒音を高めることがない。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, although it is a simple structure, it can suppress that a partition member shakes back and forth in the acceptance position of the articles | goods in the turning part of an endless strip. Thereby, the several articles | goods supplied sequentially can be received smoothly and reliably between each partition member. Further, the noise of the article conveying device is not increased.

物品搬送装置の平面図である。It is a top view of an article conveyance device. 物品搬送装置の縦断側面図である。It is a vertical side view of an article conveyance apparatus. 物品搬送装置の下流側から見た一部破断概略正面図である。It is the partially broken schematic front view seen from the downstream of the article conveyance apparatus. 仕切り部材の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a partition member. 転向部の側面図である。It is a side view of a turning part. 無端索条体の変形例を示す要部拡大側面図である。It is a principal part enlarged side view which shows the modification of an endless cord. 仕切り部材の変形例１を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification 1 of a partition member. 仕切り部材の変形例２を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification 2 of a partition member. 仕切り部材の変形例３を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification 3 of a partition member.

（実施例）
先ず、物品搬送装置の基本的構成について概説する。なお、本発明の物品搬送装置は、直線走行部と転向部とを含む搬送経路を形成する無端索条体と、該無端策条体に並設されて搬送経路上を走行する複数の仕切り部材とを有するものであって、これら基本的構成は下記で説明する実施形態に限定されず、公知の装置を広く使用することができる。 (Example)
First, the basic configuration of the article transport device will be outlined. In addition, the article conveying apparatus of the present invention includes an endless cord forming a conveying path including a straight traveling portion and a turning portion, and a plurality of partition members that run along the conveying path in parallel with the endless measure. These basic configurations are not limited to the embodiments described below, and a wide range of known devices can be used.

図１〜３に示すように、物品搬送装置１は、直線走行部Ｌ１と転向部Ｌ２とを含む搬送経路に巻き掛けられた無端索条体としてのチェーン１０と、当該チェーン１０の搬送方向に沿って設けられ搬送経路上を走行する複数の仕切り部材１１とを有する。チェーン１０は、上流側に配された駆動スプロケット１２と下流側に配された従動スプロケット１３との間に巻き掛けられている。チェーン１０が各スプロケット１２・１３に巻き掛けられる部分が転向部Ｌ２となり、上下流の転向部Ｌ２・Ｌ２の間が上下の直線走行部Ｌ１・Ｌ１となる。駆動スプロケット１２は、サーボモータ１４によって回転駆動される。符号１５は、サイドカバーである。後述の受入位置Ｐ１から排出位置Ｐ２にかけて物品Ｗの載置面を漸次増高する案内レール２０が、搬送経路に沿って設けられている。チェーン１０の各リンク１７は、リンクプレートの上部に折り曲げ形成された取付片１８を備え、各取付片１８に仕切り部材１１が取付ネジ１９によって着脱可能に固着されている。 As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the article conveying apparatus 1 includes a chain 10 as an endless cord wound around a conveying path including a straight traveling portion L <b> 1 and a turning portion L <b> 2, and a conveying direction of the chain 10. And a plurality of partition members 11 that travel along the transport path. The chain 10 is wound around a drive sprocket 12 disposed on the upstream side and a driven sprocket 13 disposed on the downstream side. A portion where the chain 10 is wound around each of the sprockets 12 and 13 is a turning portion L2, and a portion between the upstream and downstream turning portions L2 and L2 is an upper and lower linear traveling portion L1 and L1. The drive sprocket 12 is rotationally driven by a servo motor 14. Reference numeral 15 denotes a side cover. A guide rail 20 is provided along the transport path for gradually increasing the placement surface of the article W from a receiving position P1 to a discharge position P2 described later. Each link 17 of the chain 10 includes an attachment piece 18 formed by bending at the top of the link plate, and the partition member 11 is detachably fixed to each attachment piece 18 with an attachment screw 19.

物品搬送装置１には、これに隣設されたベルトコンベアなどからなる供給コンベア３０によって、煎餅やビスケット、その他の薄肉厚の物品Ｗが順次供給されてくる。供給コンベア３０の先端は物品搬送装置１における上流側の転向部Ｌ２に臨んでおり、当該転向部Ｌ２にある受入位置Ｐ１において、物品Ｗが各仕切り部材１１で画成される受入空間に順次受け入れられる。受入位置Ｐ１におけるチェーン１０の移動は、１枚の物品Ｗが１つの受入空間に順次送り込まれるタイミングで停止するよう間欠走行する。仕切り部材群の全ての受入空間にそれぞれ１枚の物品Ｗが受け入れられると、各物品Ｗの前後が各仕切り部材１１によって支持され、転向部Ｌ２を経た直線走行部Ｌ１の排出位置Ｐ２まで連続走行する。各物品Ｗは、転向部Ｌ２を越えた直線走行部Ｌ１において案内レール２０によって徐々に各仕切り部材１１の上方へ突出するように持ち上げられる。そして、直線走行部Ｌ１の終端部にある排出位置Ｐ２へ到達すると、図示していない排出プッシャによって、仕切り部材群の全ての物品Ｗを一括して直線走行部Ｌ１の一側方へ押し出す。全ての物品Ｗが排出されると、チェーン１０及び仕切り部材１１は、再度高速で受入位置Ｐ１まで連続走行する。このように、チェーン１０が間欠走行することで、所定枚数の物品の受け入れ、搬送、排出が繰り返される。 The article conveying device 1 is sequentially supplied with rice crackers, biscuits, and other thin articles W by a supply conveyor 30 including a belt conveyor provided adjacent thereto. The leading end of the supply conveyor 30 faces the upstream turning portion L2 in the article transport device 1, and the articles W are sequentially received in the receiving spaces defined by the partition members 11 at the receiving position P1 in the turning portion L2. It is done. The movement of the chain 10 at the receiving position P1 travels intermittently so as to stop at the timing when one article W is sequentially fed into one receiving space. When one article W is received in each receiving space of the partition member group, the front and back of each article W are supported by each partition member 11 and continuously travel to the discharge position P2 of the linear travel part L1 through the turning part L2. To do. Each article W is lifted so as to gradually protrude above each partition member 11 by the guide rail 20 in the straight traveling portion L1 beyond the turning portion L2. Then, when reaching the discharge position P2 at the terminal end of the straight traveling portion L1, all articles W in the partition member group are pushed out to one side of the straight traveling portion L1 by a discharge pusher (not shown). When all the articles W are discharged, the chain 10 and the partition member 11 continuously travel to the receiving position P1 again at a high speed. In this way, the chain 10 intermittently travels, so that a predetermined number of articles are repeatedly received, transported, and discharged.

チェーン１０は、搬送経路の左右に第１のチェーン１０ａと第２のチェーン１０ｂが並行に設けられており、各チェーン１０ａ・１０ｂが巻き掛けられた駆動スプロケット１２・１２の各々に、個別で連結されたサーボモータ１４ｌ・１４ｒで、各チェーン１０ａ・１０ｂが独立して走行するよう駆動制御される。そして、第１のチェーン１０ａと第２のチェーン１０ｂの双方に、それぞれ同数の仕切り部材１１が設けられている。そのうえで、第１のチェーン１０ａに設けられた第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌと、第２のチェーン１０ｂに設けられた第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒとは、搬送経路を共有しながら搬送方向に前後して位置している。 The chain 10 has a first chain 10a and a second chain 10b provided in parallel on the left and right sides of the transport path, and is individually connected to each of the drive sprockets 12 and 12 around which the chains 10a and 10b are wound. The servomotors 14l and 14r are driven and controlled so that the chains 10a and 10b travel independently. The same number of partition members 11 are provided on both the first chain 10a and the second chain 10b. In addition, the first partition member group 11l provided in the first chain 10a and the second partition member group 11r provided in the second chain 10b move back and forth in the transport direction while sharing the transport path. Is located.

前述の如く第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌが受入位置Ｐ１で物品Ｗを順次受け入れ排出位置Ｐ２まで走行すると共に、第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒが続いて第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌと同様にして受入位置Ｐ１に所定枚数の物品Ｗを第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒの各受入空間に順次受け入れる。このように、第１の仕切り部材群１１ｌと第２の仕切り部材群１１ｒで交互に受け入れ、搬送、排出が行われることで、単位時間あたりの搬送処理量が増大される。 As described above, the first partition member group 11l sequentially receives the articles W at the receiving position P1 and travels to the discharge position P2, and the second partition member group 11r subsequently receives the same as the first partition member group 11l. A predetermined number of articles W are sequentially received in the respective receiving spaces of the second partition member group 11r at the position P1. As described above, the first partition member group 11l and the second partition member group 11r alternately receive, transport, and discharge, thereby increasing the transport processing amount per unit time.

次に、仕切り部材１１について説明する。仕切り部材１１は、合成樹脂製であって、図４に示すように、チェーン１０にネジ留めしてチェーン１０に固着される基部１１ａと、基部１１ａから上方へ立設する板状の支持片１１ｂとを有する。雌ネジ孔２５は、基部１１ａの下面左右二箇所に設けられている。支持片１１ｂは、隣り合う他の仕切り部材１１とによって物品Ｗの受入空間を区画する。また、直線走行部Ｌ１においては、隣り合う他の仕切り部材１１の支持片１１ｂとで物品Ｗの前後両側面を支持する。支持片１１ｂは、基部１１ａの前後方向の長さより短寸で形成され、受入空間の底面は基部１１ａによって区画される。基部１１ａと支持片１１ｂとは、左右方向へ位置ズレした位置関係にある。仕切り部材１１は、左右のチェーン１０ａ・１０ｂへそれぞれ支持片１１ｂが搬送経路の搬送ライン中心に合致するように基部１１ａから一側方に突出した状態で位置決めされて固着される。これにより、左右のチェーン１０ａ・１０ｂに設けられた第１・第２の仕切り部材群１１ｌ・１１ｒが、１つの搬送経路を走行するよう位置付けることができる（図３参照）。 Next, the partition member 11 will be described. The partition member 11 is made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 4, a base portion 11a screwed to the chain 10 and fixed to the chain 10, and a plate-like support piece 11b erected upward from the base portion 11a. And have. The female screw holes 25 are provided at two locations on the left and right sides of the bottom surface of the base portion 11a. The support piece 11b partitions a receiving space for the article W with another adjacent partition member 11. Further, in the straight traveling portion L1, the front and rear side surfaces of the article W are supported by the support pieces 11b of the other adjacent partition members 11. The support piece 11b is formed shorter than the length of the base portion 11a in the front-rear direction, and the bottom surface of the receiving space is partitioned by the base portion 11a. The base 11a and the support piece 11b are in a positional relationship shifted in the left-right direction. The partition member 11 is positioned and fixed to the left and right chains 10a and 10b in a state where the support piece 11b protrudes one side from the base portion 11a so as to coincide with the center of the transport line of the transport path. Accordingly, the first and second partition member groups 11l and 11r provided on the left and right chains 10a and 10b can be positioned so as to travel along one transport path (see FIG. 3).

基部１１ａには、搬送方向の前後一方面（本実施例では前面）から水平に突出形成された突出部１１ｃと、搬送方向の前後他方面（本実施例では後面）に凹設された凹部１１ｄとを有する。突出部１１ｃ及び凹部１１ｄは、基部１１ａの下端部に形成されており、同じ高さ位置にある。突出部１１ｃの突出寸法と凹部１１ｄの凹み寸法はほぼ同一である。突出部１１ｃの先端部上面は、円弧状に形成された曲面となっている。仕切り部材１１は、合成樹脂に特定されるものではなく、例えばアルミニウムやステンレス等の材質も採用し得る。なお、合成樹脂を採用する場合では、耐摩耗性の高い超硬分子ポリエチレンなどのエンジニアリングプラスチックによって形成することが好ましい。 The base 11a has a protruding portion 11c that is formed to protrude horizontally from the front and rear one surface in the transport direction (front surface in this embodiment), and a recess 11d that is recessed in the other front and rear surface in the transport direction (rear surface in this embodiment) And have. The protrusion part 11c and the recessed part 11d are formed in the lower end part of the base part 11a, and are in the same height position. The protruding dimension of the protruding part 11c and the recessed dimension of the recessed part 11d are substantially the same. The upper surface of the tip of the protruding portion 11c is a curved surface formed in an arc shape. The partition member 11 is not limited to a synthetic resin, and a material such as aluminum or stainless steel can also be used. In the case where a synthetic resin is used, it is preferably formed of an engineering plastic such as a superhard molecular polyethylene having high wear resistance.

このような仕切り部材１１をチェーン１０の各リンク１７に固着して搬送方向へ設け、図５に示すように、隣り合う仕切り部材１１・１１同士において、一方（後方）の仕切り部材１１の突出部１１ｃが、他方（前方）の仕切り部材１１の凹部１１ｄへ収容される。それによりチェーン１０が各スプロケット１２・１３に巻き掛けられた転向部Ｌ２及び各転向部Ｌ２を結ぶ直線走行部Ｌ１において、突出部１１ｃの上面と凹部１１ｄの天面とが、上下方向（内外方向）で互いに重なることで、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとが当接して係合する。これにより各仕切り部材１１は、隣り合う前後の仕切り部材１１・１１によって互いに二点で支え合うように支持されることで、各仕切り部材１１の支持片１１ｂは前後へ振れることが規制される。

Such a partition member 11 is fixed to each link 17 of the chain 10 and provided in the transport direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portion of one (rear) partition member 11 between the adjacent partition members 11 and 11. 11 c is accommodated in the recess 11 d of the other (front) partition member 11. As a result, in the turning portion L2 around which the chain 10 is wound around the sprockets 12 and 13 and the linear travel portion L1 connecting the turning portions L2, the upper surface of the protruding portion 11c and the top surface of the recess 11d are in the vertical direction (inward and outward directions ), The protrusion 11c and the recess 11d come into contact with each other and engage with each other. As a result, the partition members 11 are supported by the adjacent front and rear partition members 11 and 11 so as to support each other at two points, thereby restricting the support pieces 11b of the partition members 11 from swinging back and forth.

直線走行部Ｌ１では、各仕切り部材１１が密に並んでいる。このとき、各支持片１１ｂで画成される受入空間は、物品Ｗより僅かに広い幅に設定されている。これにより、直線走行部Ｌ１においては、各仕切り部材１１の支持片１１ｂによって各物品Ｗの前後面が支持されて搬送される。なお、各仕切り部材１１が直線走行部Ｌ１にあるとき、各仕切り部材１１の基部１１ａの前後面同士、及び突出部１１ｃの先端面と該先端面に対向する凹部１１ｄの奥面とは接触しておらず、一定のクリアランスが形成される。これにより、各仕切り部材１１のチェーン１０への組み付け精度や使用環境の温度差などで生じるチェーンの伸縮をクリアランスによって許容することができる。 In the straight traveling part L1, the partition members 11 are arranged closely. At this time, the receiving space defined by each support piece 11 b is set to be slightly wider than the article W. Thereby, in the straight traveling part L1, the front and back surfaces of each article W are supported and conveyed by the support pieces 11b of the partition members 11. When each partition member 11 is in the straight traveling portion L1, the front and rear surfaces of the base portion 11a of each partition member 11, and the front end surface of the projecting portion 11c and the rear surface of the recess 11d facing the front end surface are in contact. A certain clearance is formed. Thereby, the expansion and contraction of the chain caused by the assembly accuracy of each partition member 11 to the chain 10 or the temperature difference of the use environment can be allowed by the clearance.

一方、各仕切り部材１１が転向部Ｌ２にあるとき、搬送経路の曲率半径に応じた角度で各仕切り部材１１における支持片１１ｂの先端がハ字状に拡がった受入空間となって並んでいる。このとき、各突出部１１ｃの前端部上面が、凹部１１ｄの天面に局部的に当接し、またその当接面が曲面となっていることで、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとが円滑に摺動しながら互いの当接状態が維持されると共に、転向部Ｌ２におけるチェーン１０の巻き掛け円弧に沿ってチェーン１０が走行し、転向部Ｌ２においてチェーン１０がばたついたりするなど、チェーン１０の走行に障害が生ずるようなことはない。なお、先頭の仕切り部材１１の突出部１１ｃは、前記凹部１１ｄと略同一の凹部が形成されたストッパ２６によって押さえられている。 On the other hand, when each partition member 11 is in the turning portion L2, the front end of the support piece 11b in each partition member 11 is arranged in a receiving space that is expanded in a letter C shape at an angle corresponding to the radius of curvature of the transport path. At this time, the upper surface of the front end portion of each protrusion 11c is locally in contact with the top surface of the recess 11d, and the contact surface is a curved surface, so that the protrusion 11c and the recess 11d slide smoothly. The chain 10 travels along the winding arc of the chain 10 in the turning portion L2 and the chain 10 flutters in the turning portion L2. There will be no obstacles to driving. The protrusion 11c of the leading partition member 11 is pressed by a stopper 26 having a recess substantially the same as the recess 11d.

（変形例）
上記実施例では、無端索条体としてチェーンを使用したが、図６に示すように、無端索条体として歯付ベルト３１を使用することもできる。歯付ベルト３１の内面には、複数の歯３２が等間隔で並設されている。この場合、歯付ベルト３１の外面には、仕切り部材１１を固定するための台座３３を上方へ突出形成しておく。台座３３は、一連の突出部として形成することもできるが、転向部Ｌ２の曲面に対応し易いことから個々独立して突出形成することが好ましい。個々の台座３３には、１つの仕切り部材１１が上方から取付ネジ１９によって固定される。独立した台座３３は、少なくとも２つの歯３２に対して１つ形成する。好ましくは、図６に示すように１つの歯３２に対して１つ形成する。すなわち、２つないし１つの歯３２に対して１つの仕切り部材１１を固定する。 (Modification)
In the said Example, although the chain was used as an endless cable body, as shown in FIG. 6, the toothed belt 31 can also be used as an endless cable body. A plurality of teeth 32 are arranged at equal intervals on the inner surface of the toothed belt 31. In this case, a pedestal 33 for fixing the partition member 11 is formed on the outer surface of the toothed belt 31 so as to protrude upward. The pedestal 33 can be formed as a series of protrusions, but it is preferable that the pedestals 33 protrude independently from each other because they easily correspond to the curved surface of the turning portion L2. One partition member 11 is fixed to each pedestal 33 by a mounting screw 19 from above. One independent pedestal 33 is formed for at least two teeth 32. Preferably, one is formed for each tooth 32 as shown in FIG. That is, one partition member 11 is fixed to two or one tooth 32.

また、各仕切り部材１１の凹部１１ｄの天面は、転向部Ｌ２の曲面に沿って傾斜させておくことが好ましい。これにより、ベルト３１のような軟質の無体索条体１０においても、転向部Ｌ２において、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとの係合状態を確実に維持することができる。その他は実施例と同様なので、同じ部材（部位）に同じ符号を付してその説明を省略する。 Moreover, it is preferable to incline the top | upper surface of the recessed part 11d of each partition member 11 along the curved surface of the turning part L2. As a result, even in the soft intangible strip 10 like the belt 31, the turning portion L2 can reliably maintain the engaged state between the protruding portion 11c and the recessed portion 11d. Others are the same as in the embodiment, so the same members (parts) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

仕切り部材の形状は、上記実施例や変形例に限らず、本発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲でその他種々の変形が可能である。例えば図７に示す変形例１のように、突出部１１ｃの上面を支持片１１ｂの根元から続く曲面とする一方、凹部１１ｄの天面も曲面とすることもできる。これによれば、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとが曲面同士で常に局部的な当接状態となるので、転向部Ｌ２においてより円滑に摺動できる。また、図８に示す変形例２のように、突出部１１ｃ及び凹部１１ｄを鉤型形状に形成することもできる。この場合も、突出部１１ｃの先端は曲面としておく。これによれば、突出部１１ｃと凹部１１ｄとがジョイント状態となるので、転向部Ｌ２において突出部１１ｃが凹部１１ｄから抜け外れることが確実に防止される。さらには、図９に示す変形例３のように、突出部１１ｃ及び凹部１１ｄを基部１１ａの上下中間部に形成することもできる。これによれば、突出部１１ｃの上下両面が凹部１１ｄと当接支持されるので、直線走行部Ｌ１における支持片１１ｂの前後への振れをより減少させることができる。 The shape of the partition member is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, as in Modification 1 shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the protruding portion 11c can be a curved surface continuing from the base of the support piece 11b, and the top surface of the recess 11d can also be a curved surface. According to this, since the protrusion part 11c and the recessed part 11d will always be in a local contact state between curved surfaces, it can slide more smoothly in the turning part L2. Moreover, the protrusion part 11c and the recessed part 11d can also be formed in a bowl shape like the modification 2 shown in FIG. Also in this case, the tip of the protruding portion 11c is a curved surface. According to this, since the protrusion part 11c and the recessed part 11d will be in a joint state, it will be reliably prevented that the protrusion part 11c comes off from the recessed part 11d in the turning part L2. Furthermore, as in Modification 3 shown in FIG. 9, the protruding portion 11c and the recessed portion 11d can be formed in the upper and lower intermediate portions of the base portion 11a. According to this, since the upper and lower surfaces of the protruding portion 11c are in contact with and supported by the concave portion 11d, it is possible to further reduce the deflection of the support piece 11b in the linear travel portion L1 from front to back.

１物品搬送装置
１０チェーン
１１仕切り部材
１１ａ基部
１１ｂ支持片
１１ｃ突出部
１１ｄ凹部
１２駆動スプロケット
１３従動スプロケット
１４サーボモータ
１８取付片
２０案内レール
２６ストッパ
３０供給コンベア
３１歯付ベルト
３３台座
Ｌ１直線走行部
Ｌ２転向部
Ｐ１受入位置
Ｐ２排出位置
Ｗ物品

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article conveying apparatus 10 Chain 11 Partition member 11a Base 11b Supporting piece 11c Protruding part 11d Recess 12 Driving sprocket 13 Driven sprocket 14 Servo motor 18 Mounting piece 20 Guide rail 26 Stopper 30 Supplying conveyor 31 Toothed belt 33 Base L1 Linear traveling part L2 Turning part P1 receiving position P2 discharging position W article

Claims

直線走行部と転向部を含む搬送経路を形成する無端索条体と、該無端索条体の搬送方向に沿って設けられた複数の仕切り部材を有し、前記転向部における受入位置において前記各仕切り部材の間に物品を順次受け入れて、該物品を前記直線走行部に設けた排出位置へ向けて搬送する物品搬送装置であって、
前記仕切り部材は、前記無端索条体に固着される基部と、該基部から立設する支持片とを有し、
前記支持片は、前記直線走行部においては、隣り合う他の仕切り部材の支持片とで物品の側面を支持し、前記転向部では、先端がハ字状に拡がった受入空間を形成しており、
前記各仕切り部材の基部は、搬送方向の前後一方面において、搬送方向の前後一方向に向けて突出形成された突出部と、搬送方向の前後他方面において、前記突出部の突出方向と逆方向に開口するよう凹設された凹部とを有し、
隣り合う前記仕切り部材同士において、一方の仕切り部材の前記突出部が、他方の仕切り部材の前記凹部へ収容され、
前記無端索条体の転向部において、前記突出部と前記凹部とが上下に重なる方向で、突出部の前端部上面が凹部の天面に局部的に当接して係合することで、前記各支持片の搬送方向前後への振れを規制するよう構成したことを特徴とする、物品搬送装置。 An endless ridge that forms a conveyance path including a straight traveling portion and a turning portion; and a plurality of partition members provided along a conveying direction of the endless ridge, and each of the above-described receiving positions at the turning portion An article conveying apparatus that sequentially receives articles between partition members and conveys the articles toward a discharge position provided in the linear traveling unit,
The partition member has a base portion fixed to the endless cable body, and a support piece standing from the base portion,
The support piece supports a side surface of the article with a support piece of another adjacent partition member in the linear traveling portion, and the turning portion forms a receiving space whose tip is expanded in a C shape. ,
The base of each partition member has a protruding portion formed to protrude in one front and rear direction in the conveying direction on one front and rear surface in the conveying direction, and a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the protruding portion in the other front and rear surface in the conveying direction And a recess recessed to open to
In the adjacent partition members, the protruding portion of one partition member is housed in the recess of the other partition member,
In the turning portion of the endless cord, in the direction in which the protrusion and the recess overlap in the vertical direction, the upper surface of the front end of the protrusion is locally abutted and engaged with the top surface of the recess, An article transporting apparatus configured to regulate swinging of the support piece in the front-rear direction of the transporting direction.

前記突出部は、前記隣り合う仕切り部材の凹部と当接する部位を曲面で形成したことを特徴とする、請求項１に記載の物品搬送装置。 The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is formed by a curved surface at a portion that comes into contact with the concave portion of the adjacent partition member.

前記無端索条体は無端チェーンであり、
該無端チェーンの１リンクに、１つの前記仕切り部材を着脱可能に配設したことを特徴とする、請求項１または請求項２に記載の物品搬送装置。 The endless cord is an endless chain;
3. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one partition member is detachably disposed on one link of the endless chain.

前記無端索条体は無端歯付きベルトであり、
２つないし１つの歯部に対して１つの前記仕切り部材を着脱可能に配設したことを特徴とする、請求項１または請求項２に記載の物品搬送装置。 The endless cord is an endless toothed belt;
The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one partition member is detachably disposed with respect to two or one tooth portion.

前記無端索条体は、前記物品の搬送経路の左右に並行に設けた第１の索条体と第２の索条体とを備え、
該第１の索条体と第２の索条体を、それぞれ個別の駆動手段によって独立して走行するよう構成し、
前記第１の索条体に設けた第１の仕切り部材群と、前記第２の索条体に設けた第２の仕切り部材群とを、前記搬送経路を共有するように搬送方向に前後して位置させ、
前記第１の仕切り部材群は、前記受入位置で間欠走行して所定個数の前記物品を前記各物品の受入空間に順次受け入れた後、前記排出位置まで走行する一方、前記第２の仕切り部材群が続いて前記受入位置において間欠走行して所定個数の前記物品を順次受け入れるよう移動する、請求項１ないし請求項４のいずれかに記載の物品搬送装置。 The endless striated body includes a first striated body and a second striated body provided in parallel on the left and right of the conveyance path of the article,
The first striated body and the second striated body are configured to travel independently by individual driving means,
The first partition member group provided on the first strip body and the second partition member group provided on the second strip body are moved back and forth in the transport direction so as to share the transport path. Position
The first partition member group intermittently travels at the receiving position and sequentially receives a predetermined number of the articles in the receiving space of each article, and then travels to the discharge position, while the second partition member group The article conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the article conveying device is moved intermittently at the receiving position so as to sequentially receive a predetermined number of the articles.