JP2006248748A - Conveying material distribution structure of conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve conveying efficiency by reducing useless time to be required to distribute the conveyed material. <P>SOLUTION: A moving body 6E is provided to move for reciprocation in a direction crossing a conveying route R. The moving body 6E is provided with a distributing mechanism 6 to move the conveyed material 1, which is taken into the conveying route R and conveyed along the conveying route R, in a direction crossing the conveying route R in approach and to pass the conveyed material 1 through in a direction along the conveying route R, displacing from the conveying route R, in return. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport object distribution structure of a transport device configured to distribute a transport object transported along a transport path in a direction crossing the transport path.

As the transported material distribution structure of the transport device as described above, the belt is operated by an air cylinder between the belt conveyor arranged on the upper side in the transport direction and the roller conveyor arranged in two rows on the lower side in the transport direction. A downward U-shaped sorting guide that is driven to swing and swing is provided in a posture for guiding the seedling box conveyed by the conveyor toward the one roller conveyor and a posture for guiding the seedling box toward the other roller conveyor, In addition, it is provided with a seedling box sensor for detecting the arrival of the seedling box at the end of each roller conveyor and a distribution guide sensor for detecting the switching of the distribution guide to the supply posture for each roller conveyor. The seedling box is directed to one roller conveyor by the distribution guide that is switched to the distribution posture for one roller conveyor. When the arrival at the terminal end of the roller conveyor is detected by the nursery box sensor, the air cylinder is operated to switch the distribution guide to the distribution posture with respect to the other roller conveyor. When detected by a sensor, there is a configuration in which the air cylinder is stopped and the next nursery box is guided toward the other roller conveyor by a sorting guide (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Publication No.7-114608

  According to the above configuration, the posture of the sorting guide cannot be switched until the nursery box reaches the end of one roller conveyor, and the next nursery box until the posture of the sorting guide is switched. Cannot be conveyed toward the other roller conveyor.

  That is, there is a lot of wasted time required for distributing the seedling boxes, and there is room for improvement in improving the conveyance efficiency.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the dead time required for the distribution of the conveyed product and to improve the conveyance efficiency.

  In the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, a moving body that reciprocates in a direction intersecting the transport path is provided, and the mobile body enters the transport path and follows the transport path in the forward path. A distribution mechanism configured to move the transported object in a direction intersecting the transport path and to pass the transported object in a direction along the transport path by deviating from the transport path on the return path. Equipped.

  According to this configuration, in the forward path of the moving body that reciprocates in the direction crossing the transport path, the transported object can be delivered in the direction crossing the transport path by the action of the mobile body, and the return path of the mobile body Then, regardless of the movement of the moving body, the conveyed product can be delivered in the direction along the conveyance path.

  In other words, in distributing the transported object along the transport path into the direction along the transport path and the direction intersecting the transport path, for example, the moving body is independent of the forward path and the return path. In order to avoid interference between the moving body and the transported object on the return path, as in the case where it is configured to enter the transport path of the transported object, the transport of the transported object is temporarily stopped on the return path of the moving object. Even without intermittent conveyance of an object, the conveyed object can be distributed in each direction without causing interference between the moving body and the conveyed object on the return path while continuing the continuous conveyance of the conveyed object.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the dead time required when distributing the conveyed product in the direction crossing the direction along the conveyance path, and as a result, the conveyance efficiency can be improved.

  In the invention according to claim 2 of the present invention, in the invention according to claim 1, the distribution mechanism has an operating position where the moving body enters the transport path and a retract position which deviates from the transport path. A first cylinder that reciprocates in the vertical direction and a second cylinder that reciprocates the moving body in a direction that intersects the transport path on a plane together with the first cylinder are provided.

  According to this configuration, in general, the moving distance of the moving body between the operating position and the retracted position is a moving body that is required to move the transported object transported along the transport path in a direction intersecting the transport path. Therefore, since the first cylinder is smaller than the second cylinder, the small first cylinder and the moving body are moved by the large second cylinder. As a result, compared with the case where the large second cylinder and the moving body are moved by the small first cylinder, the moving body is made smoother while suppressing the increase in the size of the cylinder to be used. Can be moved to.

  Therefore, the conveyance efficiency can be improved while avoiding the increase in the size of the apparatus and the increase in cost due to the increase in the size of the cylinder.

  In the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, the moving body is allowed to move in the direction along the transport path of the transported object in the forward path. Equipped with a plurality of rollers.

  According to this configuration, the transported object moves in the direction crossing the transport direction by the action of the moving body in the forward path of the mobile body, while being transported in the direction along the transport path and in the transport direction by the plurality of rollers. By receiving the guiding action in the direction along the direction, the movement is smoothly performed in the direction along the conveyance direction.

  Therefore, the transported object can be moved in the direction intersecting the transport path without impairing the transporting action in the direction along the transport path for the transported object, and as a result, the transport efficiency can be further improved.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall plan view of a transfer device A used when loading a plurality of seedling boxes (an example of a transfer object) 1 onto a greening carriage 2 in a seedling facility for intensively growing planted seedlings for rice transplanters. FIG. 3 shows the entire front side, and FIG. 3 shows the entire side surface. This transfer device A is a stay that temporarily holds the seedling box 1 in the transfer path R of the seedling box 1 to align it vertically and horizontally. And a loading part A2 for receiving the seedling boxes 1 arranged vertically and horizontally from the staying part A1 and loading them on the greening cart 2.

  The seedling box 1 transported by the transport device A is after the sowing treatment in which floor soil supply, irrigation, sowing, and covering soil supply are performed by a seeding device (not shown), and its longitudinal direction is front-rear. It is carried in from the seeding device through the belt conveyance type relay conveyance device 3 in the forward and backward orientation.

  The greening carriage 2 is erected on a rectangular base frame 2C provided with a pair of left and right caster wheels 2A and a fixed rolling wheel 2B, four corners of the base frame 2C and left and right front and rear intermediate portions, and upper ends thereof are It is opposed by six struts 2E connected by corresponding upper and lower upper frames 2D and a plurality of shelf boards 2F laid across the left and right struts 2E with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The front and rear shelf plates 2F can support the two nursery boxes 1 in the front-and-rear orientation in a state where they are arranged side by side, and are configured so that four seedling boxes 1 can be loaded in a state of being arranged vertically and horizontally on each shelf, It is conveyed and guided to a predetermined loading position by a cart supply device 4 arranged opposite to the conveying device A.

  The relay conveying device 3 is configured to continuously convey the plurality of seedling boxes 1 from the seeding device toward the staying portion A1 in an aligned state in a line in the front-rear direction, and at the end of the conveying path R1 The height position is set so as to be positioned at an approximately vertical middle position of the greening carriage 2.

  The cart supply device 4 includes an endless transport chain 4A having a large number of transport protrusions 4a that engage with a passive plate 2G that is suspended from the base frame 2C of the greening cart 2, and an electric transport motor that drives the endless transport chain 4A. 4B and a pair of left and right guide rails 4C for guiding the left and right caster wheels 2A and the fixed rolling wheel 2B of the greening carriage 2 to the predetermined loading position of the empty greening carriage 2 supplied to the standby position The greening cart 2 that is transported and the seedling boxes 1 are loaded on all the shelves is sent out from a predetermined loading position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the staying part A <b> 1 distributes the seedling boxes 1 into two rows in the transport mechanism 5 formed wide and capable of transporting the seedling boxes 1 in two rows, and the transport path R <b> 2 of the transport mechanism 5. The distribution mechanism 6, the holding mechanism 7 that allows the seedling box 1 to stay at the end of the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 5, the control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the distribution mechanism 6 and the holding mechanism 7, etc. And the seedling boxes 1 transported in one row by the relay transport device 3 are arranged in two rows.

  The transport mechanism 5 includes a base 5A formed so that its transport height position is the same height as the transport end position of the relay transport apparatus 3, a drive roller 5B disposed at the transport end portion of the base 5A, a base 5A includes a driven roller 5C provided at the conveyance start end, an endless belt 5D stretched between the driving roller 5B and the driven roller 5C, and an electric conveyance motor 5E that drives the driving roller 5B. The seedling box 1 is transported at a speed slightly faster than the transport speed by the apparatus 3, and the seedling box 1 carried in by the relay transport apparatus 3 is transported toward the loading part A <b> 2 while being separated from the subsequent seedling box 1. Is configured to do.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the distribution mechanism 6 includes a support frame 6 </ b> A provided at a substantially intermediate position in the upper conveyance direction of the base 5 </ b> A of the conveyance mechanism 5, and a plane along the conveyance path R <b> 2 of the conveyance mechanism 5. A guide rod 6B supported so as to be movable in an orthogonal direction above, a support plate 6C fixed to one end of the guide rod 6B in a posture along the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5, and extending downward toward the support plate 6C. The first cylinder 6D supported in the posture to be moved, the moving body 6E that reciprocates in the vertical direction by the operation of the first cylinder 6D, and the moving body 6E perpendicular to the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 together with the first cylinder 6D on a plane. A second cylinder 6F that reciprocates in the direction, a stroke sensor (not shown) that detects an operation stroke of the second cylinder 6F, and the arrival of the seedling box 1 to the movable position. Position sensor (not shown), is configured to include a like.

  The moving body 6E has four rollers 6b arranged at predetermined intervals in a direction along the conveyance path R2 of the conveyance mechanism 5 on the movement frame 6a arranged in a posture along the conveyance path R2 of the conveyance mechanism 5. It is configured to be suspended so as to be able to rotate around the center, and the operation position of the four rollers 6b entering the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 by the operation of the first cylinder 6D, and the four rollers 6b are the transport mechanism 5 And a retreat position that deviates upward from the transport path R2. And the length of the moving body 6E in the direction along the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 is set to a length that is half or more of the front-rear length of the seedling box 1 and shorter than the front-rear length.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, and 7, the holding mechanism 7 includes a first frame 7 </ b> A arranged on the lower side in the transport direction on the base 5 </ b> A of the transport mechanism 5, and a base 5 </ b> A of the transport mechanism 5. A pair of second frames 7B arranged at the lower end in the transport direction on the upper side, and a stopper 7C supported by these second frames 7B so as to be capable of opening and closing and swinging around a horizontal axis that crosses the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 An open / close cylinder 7D installed over the support frame 7A and the operation arm 7a of the stopper 7C for opening / closing the stopper 7C, and an alignment for detecting the vertical and horizontal alignment state of the four seedling boxes 1 on the lower side in the transport direction of the transport mechanism 5 A sensor (not shown), a carry-out sensor (not shown) for detecting the completion of carrying-out of the four seedling boxes 1 arranged from the carrying mechanism 5, and a seedling box with the carrying force of the carrying mechanism 5 acting on the seedling box 1 1 And it is configured to include riding upper member 7E, and to rise take the end of the transport direction downstream side.

  The stopper 7C is configured to receive and hold the seedling box 1 transported by the transport mechanism 5 by a spring plate 7c that is suspended from the free end portion of the swinging member 7b supported by the second frame 7B. The shock generated when receiving the seedling box 1 transported by the transport mechanism 5 is absorbed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, the climbing member 7 </ b> E is a round bar steel material arranged in a posture perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport mechanism 5 between the transport terminal portion of the transport mechanism 5 and the stopper 7 </ b> C. The height is set so that the height position of the climbing action portion 7d is higher than the height position of the conveying surface 5a of the endless belt 5D acting on the bottom surface 1a of the seedling box 1 and the climbing action. The lower side in the conveyance direction of the seedling box 1 riding on the part 7 d is separated from the endless belt 5 </ b> D which is a conveyance action unit of the conveyance mechanism 5.

  The control unit controls the operation of the distribution mechanism 6 and the holding mechanism 7 as described below, so that a plurality of seedling boxes 1 that are continuously transported in a line-up in a line-up in a front-and-back orientation by the relay transport device 3 are transferred to the control unit. It rearranges into a row | line | column, and it is comprised so that it may carry out to loading part A2 every time the four seedling boxes 1 are arranged vertically and horizontally by this rearrangement.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, when the longest state of the second cylinder 6F is detected by the stroke sensor, the control unit determines that the moving body 6E has returned to the movement start end position, and operates the first cylinder 6D to extend. Then, the moving body 6E is lowered to the operating position where each roller 6b enters the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5.

  In a state where the moving body 6E is lowered at the movement start end position, when the position sensor detects that the seedling box 1 has reached the movable position by the distribution mechanism 6, the second cylinder 6F is contracted to move the moving body 6E. By moving toward the movement end position, the nursery box 1 transported along the transport route R1 of the relay transport device 3 by the transport mechanism 5 is moved in the transfer direction (greening cart) positioned on the extension line of the transport route R1. 2) The transfer mechanism 5 is moved by the rollers 6b of the moving body 6E so as to be guided to the transfer lower transfer path R2b arranged on the lower side in the transfer direction relative to the transfer upper transfer path R2a on the upper side. They are drawn in a direction that intersects the transport path R2.

  In this pulling operation, when the shortest state of the second cylinder 6F is detected by the stroke sensor, it is determined that the moving body 6E has reached the movement end position and the seedling box 1 has been guided to the lower transfer route R2b. The cylinder 6D is contracted to move the moving body 6E to the retracted position where each roller 6b is removed from the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5, and then the longest state of the second cylinder 6F is detected by the stroke sensor. Until the first cylinder 6D is extended, the moving body 6E is moved back toward the movement start end position.

  In this return movement, when the position sensor detects that the seedling box 1 has reached the movable position by the distribution mechanism 6, the return movement is continued and the transfer mechanism 5 moves to the transfer route R <b> 1 of the relay transfer device 3. The nursery box 1 transported along is passed toward the transfer upper transport path R2a located on the extension line of the transport path R1.

  That is, the odd-numbered seedling raising box 1 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 5 is guided by the moving body 6E toward the lower transfer conveyance path R2b, and the even-numbered nursery box 1 is passed toward the transfer upper conveyance path R2a. .

  When the vertical and horizontal alignment states of the four seedling boxes 1 are detected by the alignment sensor, the retracting position for allowing the stopper 7C to pass through the seedling box 1 transported by the transport mechanism 5 by contracting the open / close cylinder 7D. By switching to, the four raising seedling boxes 1 are carried out toward the loading section A2 in a state where they are aligned vertically and horizontally by the carrying action of the carrying mechanism 5, and then the completion of carrying out of the four raising seedling boxes 1 is detected by the carrying out sensor. Then, the open / close cylinder 7D is extended, and the stopper 7C is switched to the action position for receiving the seedling box 1 conveyed by the conveying mechanism 5, so that the four seedling boxes 1 are aligned vertically and horizontally. It stays on the lower side in the transport direction of the transport mechanism 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 12, the loading unit A <b> 2 has a transport mechanism 8 that transports the four seedling boxes 1 transported from the staying unit A <b> 1 toward a predetermined loading position in a state of being aligned vertically and horizontally. The raising and lowering mechanism 9 for raising and lowering the conveying mechanism 8 from the receiving position for receiving the seedling box 1 from the conveying mechanism 5 of the staying part A1 and the respective shelf height positions, and the four seedling boxes 1 positioned on the conveying surface of the conveying mechanism 8 Each of the terraces of the greening carriage 2, including a transfer mechanism 10 that pushes the transfer toward the transfer target shelf at once, a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of each mechanism 8 to 10, and the like. The four seedling boxes 1 are loaded in a state of being aligned vertically and horizontally.

  The transport mechanism 8 includes a base frame 8A provided with a pair of supported parts 8a that are supported by the elevating mechanism 9 so as to be movable up and down, guide rollers 8B equipped with a pair of upper and lower parts so as to be freely rotatable on the supported parts 8a, an electric type And an endless conveyor belt 8C driven by the operation of a conveyor motor (not shown), a position sensor (not shown) for detecting the arrival of the four seedling boxes 1 at the loading position, and the like. Yes.

  The elevating mechanism 9 includes a base frame 9A erected at a predetermined loading position, a guide rail 9B for guiding a corresponding guide roller 8B in the vertical direction, a pair of drive sprockets 9C disposed on the upper part of the base frame 9A, and a base frame 9A. A pair of driven sprockets 9D arranged in the lower part, a drive chain 9E having both ends connected to corresponding supported parts 8a of the transport mechanism 8 in a state of being turned over the corresponding drive sprocket 9C and driven sprocket 9D, and each drive sprocket An electric lifting motor 9F that drives 9C at the same speed in the same direction, and a height sensor that makes it possible to detect the receiving position of the transport mechanism 8 and the arrival at each shelf position by the control unit. ing.

  The receiving position of the transport mechanism 8 is set to a height position at which the nursery box 1 can be transferred to the shelf at the upper and lower intermediate positions in the greening cart 2.

  The transfer mechanism 10 is transported from the base frame 8A of the transport mechanism 8 toward the greening carriage 2 at the loading position, and transported by the transport mechanism 8 to an intermediate position in the transport direction of the transport mechanism 8 in the base frame 8A. The support frame 10B supported in a posture along the transfer direction perpendicular to the direction, the rodless cylinder 10C connected in a posture along the transfer direction to the lower surface of the support frame 10B, and the transfer direction by the operation of the rodless cylinder 10C Of the first pusher 10D that moves back and forth, the operation cylinder 10E equipped in the first pusher 10D, the second pusher 10F that is moved in and out in the transfer direction by the operation of the operation cylinder 10E, and the first pusher 10D. A completion sensor for detecting the arrival at the transfer completion position, a standby sensor for detecting the arrival of the first pusher 10D at the transfer standby position, and the seedling box 1 to the guide area of the transfer guide 10A And it is configured to include guide sensor for detecting the arrival, and the like.

  The transfer guide 10A includes three guide plates 10a and 10b for guiding each seedling box 1 pushed out toward the greening carriage 2 by the first pusher 10D to an appropriate transfer position in the front-rear direction of the greening carriage 2. 10c is erected.

  The first pushing tool 10D has a bifurcated shape at the working end side to avoid interference with the support column 2E erected at the front and rear intermediate portion of the greening carriage 2 during the transfer operation, and at the lower end of the transfer direction. The four raising seedling boxes 1 aligned vertically and horizontally on the transport surface of the transport mechanism 8 are formed to have a pair of extrusion surfaces 10d that press from the upper side in the transfer direction, and each of these extrusion surfaces 10d. The length in the direction along the transport direction of the transport mechanism 8 is set to a length that does not interfere with the guide plates 10a, 10b, and 10c.

  The second pusher 10F is formed in a bifurcated shape that avoids interference with the guide plate 10b located in the middle during the transfer operation, and is transported by the transport mechanism 8 at the lower end in the transfer direction. A pair of extrusion rods 10e that press from the upper side in the transfer direction against the connecting end side of the two seedling boxes 1 located on the upper side in the transfer direction among the four seedling boxes 1 aligned vertically and horizontally on the surface. Equipped with a posture along the transfer direction.

  The control unit controls the operations of the transport mechanism 8 and the lifting mechanism 9 as shown below, so that the seedling box 1 carried by the transport mechanism 5 of the staying part A1 is placed at a predetermined loading position. It is comprised so that it may load on each shelf level of 2 in the order of the transfer set beforehand.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 12-15, when the arrival to the loading position of the four seedling boxes 1 is detected by the position sensor, the control unit stops the transport by the transport mechanism 8 and The nursery box 1 is stopped at the loading position, the shelf position to be transferred is determined based on the number of arrival detections, the lifting motor 9F is operated, and the transport mechanism 8 together with the four seedling boxes 1 is received. And move up and down toward the shelf position to be transferred.

  In the lifting operation, when the arrival of the transport mechanism 8 to the transfer target shelf position is detected based on the detection from the height sensor, the lift motor 9F is stopped to move the transfer mechanism 8 to the transfer target shelf position. After the stop, the operation cylinder 10E is extended, and the pair of push rods 10e of the second pusher 10F protrude from the push faces 10d of the first pusher 10D to the lower side in the transfer direction. By doing so, the four seedling boxes 1 lined up in the state of being vertically and horizontally aligned on the transport surface of the transport mechanism 8 are pressed from the upper side in the transfer direction by the push rods 10e, and the four seedling boxes 1 are transported. The first pusher 10D is moved by moving the rodless cylinder 10C to a V-shape that is farther away toward the lower side of the transfer direction at the connecting end of the seedling boxes 1 that are continuous along the transport direction of the mechanism 8, and then moving the rodless cylinder 10C. Under transfer direction The four V-shaped seedling boxes 1 are pressed from the upper side in the transfer direction by the pair of extruding surfaces 10d of the first pusher 10D, and the seedlings on the lower side in the transfer direction are pressed by the pressing. When it is detected based on the detection of the guide sensor that the box 1 has reached the guide area of the transfer guide 10A, the operation cylinder 10E is contracted to cause the pair of push rods 10e of the second push tool 10F to move to the first push Retract from the seedling box 1 to the upper side of the transfer direction 10d of the pusher 10D and move away from the seedling box 1, and move the four seedling boxes 1 while being guided by the transfer guide 10A by pressing with the first pusher 10D. Transfer to the target shelf.

  In the transfer operation, when arrival of the first pusher 10D to the transfer completion position is detected by the completion sensor, it is determined that the transfer of the four seedling boxes 1 to the transfer target shelf is completed. Then, the rodless cylinder 10C is retracted to move the first pusher 10D together with the second pusher 10F toward the transfer standby position, and when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the movement, the first pusher 10D and the 2nd extrusion tool 10F are judged to have left | separated from the greening trolley 2, the raising / lowering motor 9F is operated, and the conveyance mechanism 8 is raised / lowered toward the receiving position from the shelf position of a transfer object.

  When the standby sensor detects that the first pusher 10D reaches the transfer standby position, the rodless cylinder 10C is stopped, and the first pusher 10D is moved to the transfer standby position together with the second pusher 10F. When the arrival of the transport mechanism 8 to the receiving position is detected based on the detection from the height sensor, the elevating motor 9F is stopped to cause the transport mechanism 8 to wait at the receiving position. Based on the arrival detection of the first pusher 10D to the transfer standby position by the detection and the arrival detection of the conveyance mechanism 8 based on the detection from the height sensor, the conveyance by the conveyance mechanism 8 is resumed, The carrying of the seedling box 1 from the staying part A1 is enabled.

  When the completion of loading of the seedling boxes 1 to all the shelves by the above operation is detected based on the number of arrival detections of the position sensor, the transport motor 4B of the cart supply device 4 is operated to The greening cart 2 in which the seedling box 1 has been loaded is sent out from a predetermined loading position, and the empty greening cart 2 positioned at the standby position is transported to the predetermined loading position.

  As described above, in the staying part A1 of the transport apparatus A, the transport mechanism 5 transports the seedling box 1 supplied by the relay transport apparatus 3 at a slightly higher speed than the transport speed of the relay transport apparatus 3, The continuous seedling box 1 can be separated from the subsequent seedling box 1 while continuing the continuous supply of the seedling box 1 to the staying part A1 by the continuous transport of the relay transport device 3, and thus the seedling box can be intermittently transported by the relay transport device 3 When the seedling box 1 is guided to the transfer lower transport path R2b by the distribution mechanism 6 while avoiding a decrease in transport efficiency that may be caused when intermittently supplying 1 to the staying part A1, the succeeding to the seedling box 1 Insufficient guidance and disturbance of the transport posture due to the continuous seedling box 1 can be prevented, so that each seedling box 1 can be appropriately distributed to the transfer upper transfer path R2a and the transfer lower transfer path R2b.

  In addition, the length of the moving body 6E in the direction along the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 is set to a length that is at least half the front and rear length of the seedling box 1 and shorter than the front and rear length. Disturbance in the transport posture of the seedling box 1 that is more likely to be caused when the length of the moving body 6E is set to be shorter than half of the front and rear length of the seedling box 1 by guiding the seedling box 1 by the body 6E. Interference with the subsequent seedling box 1 in the forward path that can be performed in a stable and stable state and is likely to be caused when the length of the moving body 6E is set to be longer than the front and rear length of the seedling box 1 Can be avoided.

  In addition, by guiding the nursery box 1 to the lower transfer route R2b of the nursery box 1 by the moving body 6E of the distribution mechanism 6, while the transport of the seedling box 1 by the transport mechanism 5 is continued, by the transport mechanism 5 at the time of the guidance Contact between the nursery box 1 being guided and the subsequent nursery box 1 that may occur when the feeding of the nursery box 1 is temporarily blocked by a stopper or the like can be avoided. Increase the transport distance of the seedling box 1 between the relay transport device 3 and the distribution mechanism 6, which is necessary to avoid even in the configuration in which the transport of the seedling box 1 is stopped at the time of guidance, or transport The structure in which the transport speed of the mechanism 5 is significantly faster than the transport speed of the relay transport device 3 can be eliminated, and as a result, the overall size of the apparatus and the transport efficiency due to the longer transport distance of the seedling box 1 can be obtained. Prevents decline In addition, the soil or seeds in the seedling box 1 or the seeds ups and downs in the seedling box 1 due to an impact generated when the seedling box 1 is received by the stopper 7C that increases as the transport speed by the transport mechanism 5 increases. Thus, it is possible to prevent the induction failure of the seedling box 1 and the disturbance of the conveying posture caused by the contact between the seedling box 1 being guided and the subsequent seedling box 1.

  Furthermore, in distributing each seedling box 1 to the transfer upper transfer path R2a and the transfer lower transfer path R2b in the staying part A1, the moving body 6E of the distribution mechanism 6 moves from the movement start end position to the movement end position. In the forward path, each roller 6b is positioned at an operating position where the roller 6b enters the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 and guides the seedling box 1 to the lower transfer path R2b, and from the movement end position toward the movement start position. In the return path, each roller 6b is positioned at a retracted position that is removed from the transport path R2 of the transport mechanism 5 and passes the seedling box 1 toward the transfer upper transport path R2a, whereby the moving body 6E is moved to the end of movement. While returning from the position to the movement start end position, the transport of the seedling box 1 by the transport mechanism 5 can be continued, and as a result, the moving body 6E is maintained in the operating position even in the return path. Intermittent transport of the seedling box 1 such as temporarily stopping the transport of the seedling box 1 by the transport mechanism 5 until the moving body 6E returns from the movement end position to the movement start end position, which is necessary when configured, can be eliminated. Thus, it is possible to avoid a decrease in conveyance efficiency due to the intermittent conveyance. Further, in order to avoid a decrease in the transport efficiency, the transport speed of the transport mechanism 5 is increased, or the travel speed of the mobile body 6E is increased as in the case where the mobile body 6E is located at the operating position on the return path. Therefore, it is not necessary to adopt a configuration such as, and thus, the seedling raising due to the impact generated when the nursery box 1 is received by the stopper 7C that is increased by the increase in the conveyance speed, or the increase in the guiding speed by the moving body 6E It is possible to avoid dirt and seeds in the box 1.

  In addition, the seedling box 1 by the transport mechanism 5 during the guidance to the lower transfer path R2b is performed by guiding the seedling box 1 to the lower transfer path R2b by the four rollers 6b provided in the moving body 6E. As a result, the transfer efficiency in the staying part A1 is further improved, and the transfer of the seedling box 1 being guided to the transfer lower transfer path R2b is not smoothly performed. It is possible to avoid inferior guidance and disturbance of the transport posture due to contact with the subsequent seedling box 1 that may occur.

  Then, the seedling box 1 that reaches the conveyance end portion of the conveyance mechanism 5 by the conveyance action of the conveyance mechanism 5 is received and held by the spring plate 7c of the stopper 7C, so that an impact generated at the time of reception by the stopper 7C is absorbed. In addition, before receiving, the lower end in the transport direction rides on the riding member 7E by the transport force of the transport mechanism 5 acting on the bottom surface 1a of the seedling box 1, and the lower side in the transport direction is By separating from the endless belt 5D of the transport mechanism 5, the contact state of the bottom surface 1a with respect to the transport surface 5a of the transport mechanism 5 is switched from the surface contact state to the line contact state, and transport of the transport mechanism 5 acting on the bottom surface 1a is performed. As a result, the impact is reduced when the stopper 7C receives the shock, so that the shock absorption when the stopper 7C receives the shock is further reduced. In addition, since the transport force of the transport mechanism 5 acting on the bottom surface 1a is reduced, the transport force of the transport mechanism 5 acting on the seedling box 1 in the receiving holding state by the stopper 7C and the transport thereof. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of vibration due to the repulsive force of the spring plate 7c against the force. As a result, the soil and seeds are offset in the seedling box 1 due to the impact and vibration, and the seeds are up and down. Can be prevented.

  On the other hand, in the loading unit A2, the receiving position of the transport mechanism 8 is set to a height position at which the nursery box 1 can be transferred to the shelf at the upper and lower intermediate positions in the greening cart 2, so that the other height The maximum time required for the up-and-down conveyance of the conveyance mechanism 8 is shorter than that in the case where the conveyance mechanism 8 is set, and the feeding seedling box 1 can be efficiently loaded onto the shelf stage to be transferred, thereby improving the conveyance efficiency. The loading of the seedling box 1 onto the shelf to be transferred can be completed within the time required for rearranging the seedling box 1 in the staying part A1.

  In short, the transport device A, in its staying part A1, sequentially separates a plurality of seedling boxes 1 that are continuously transported in a line-up in an aligned state by the relay transport device 3 from the succeeding seedling boxes 1 in succession. Rearranged into two rows, stays at the transfer end position, and with this stay, each time the four seedling boxes 1 are aligned vertically and horizontally, they are quickly and appropriately transferred to the loading section A2. In addition, in the loading section A2, each time the four seedling boxes 1 are carried in a state where they are aligned vertically and horizontally on the basis of the preset transfer order, the four seedling boxes 1 are placed at the loading position. Efficient loading and transporting is carried out, such as moving up and down to the transfer target shelf position in the greening cart 2 and transferring the transfer target shelf to an appropriate state at once. When the up / down distance is maximum, the rearrangement conveyance in the staying part A1 is completed, and the loading / unloading in the loading part A2 is completed at the same time. At the same time as the rearrangement conveyance is completed, the nursery box 1 can be carried from the staying part A1 to the loading part A2, so that the nursery box 1 can be efficiently and satisfactorily loaded onto the greening cart 2.

[Another Example]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
[1] The transport device A may be used in a production line or a seeding line other than the seedling raising facility.

[2] The transported object 1 transported by the transport device A is, for example, an empty seedling box 1 before sowing treatment, a seedling box 1 after germination, a seedling box 1 after greening, or a pot seedling (plug (Seedling) A seedling tray for breeding, etc., or other than for seedling raising, for example, a parts box or a manufactured part may be used.

[3] The distribution mechanism 6 includes a moving body 6E that reciprocates in the vertical direction intersecting the transport path R, and the mobile body 6E enters the transport path R along the transport path R in its forward path. The transported object 1 is moved upwardly intersecting the transport path R, and on the return path, the transported object 1 is separated from the transport path R and passes in the direction along the transport path R. May be.

[4] As the distribution mechanism 6, a movable body 6E is provided at the free end of a swing arm that swings and moves in a direction intersecting the transport path R, and the movable body 6E is driven by the swing drive of the swing arm. It may be configured to reciprocate in a direction intersecting the transport path R.

[5] As the distribution mechanism 6, a movable body 6E is provided on the outer peripheral surface of an endless belt that rotates in a direction intersecting the conveyance path R, and the movable body 6E is connected to the conveyance path R by the rotation of the endless belt. While reciprocating in the crossing direction, in the forward path, the moving body 6E enters the transport path R and moves the transported object 1 transported along the transport path R in the direction crossing the transport path R. In the return path, the moving body 6E may be configured to be separated from the transport path R and pass the transported object 1 in the direction along the transport path R.

  In this configuration, the moving body 6E can be switched between the operating position and the retracted position by the actuator that drives the endless belt, and an actuator dedicated to switching the position of the moving body 6E can be eliminated.

[6] The distribution mechanism 6 is configured such that the moving object 6E is moved in the direction intersecting the conveyance path R by the extension operation of the second cylinder 6F. It may be.

[7] As the distribution mechanism 6, the second cylinder 6F is extended to move the moving body 6E back and forth in a direction intersecting the transport path R on the plane, and the first cylinder 6D is extended to The moving body 6E may be configured to reciprocate in the vertical direction together with the cylinder 6F.

[8] The distribution mechanism 6 is configured to transport the transported object 1 along the transport direction by a roller-type transport mechanism configured by arranging a plurality of transport rollers in the transport direction R in parallel. Alternatively, the transported object 1 is transported along the transport direction by a transport mechanism of a latch transport system configured by including a latch member on an endless belt or an endless chain rotating in the transport direction R. It may be a thing.

[9] The distribution mechanism 6 may be configured to move two or more transported objects 1 all at once in a direction intersecting the transport path R by the movement of the moving body 6E in the forward path.

[10] As the distribution mechanism 6, the quantity of the conveyed product 1 that moves in the direction intersecting the conveyance path R by the movement of the moving body 6E in the forward path, and the direction along the conveyance path R in the movement of the moving body 6E in the return path It may be configured such that the quantity of the transported objects 1 passing through is different.

[11] The moving body 6E is a swing type that swings in a direction crossing the transport direction R and returns to its working position where it enters the transport path R, and in the forward path, the swing due to contact with the transported object 1 occurs. The movement may be prevented, and the return path may be configured to be allowed to swing due to contact with the conveyed product 1.

  In this configuration, the moving body 6E can be switched between the operating position and the retracted position by the transported object 1 transported along the transporting direction R, and an actuator dedicated to position switching of the moving body 6E can be eliminated.

[12] The moving body 6E may be configured to include a guide rod whose posture is set in a direction along the transport path R instead of the plurality of rollers 6b.

Plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport device Front view showing the overall configuration of the transport device Side view showing the overall configuration of the transport device Longitudinal side view showing the structure of the retention part Longitudinal rear view of main part showing operation of distribution mechanism Longitudinal side view of main part showing operation of holding mechanism Front view of main parts showing configuration of holding mechanism Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the guidance state of the first nursery box in the distribution mechanism Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the passing state of the second nursery box in the distribution mechanism Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the guidance state of the third nursery box in the distribution mechanism Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the passing state of the fourth nursery box in the distribution mechanism Longitudinal front view of the main part showing the configuration of the loading section Cross-sectional plan view of the main part showing the state of bringing the seedling box into the loading section Cross-sectional front view of the main part showing the initial transfer state of the transfer mechanism Cross-sectional front view of the main part showing the transfer completion state of the transfer mechanism

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyed object 6 Distribution mechanism 6D 1st cylinder 6E Moving body 6F 2nd cylinder 6b Roller R Conveyance path

Claims (3)

  A moving body that reciprocates in a direction that intersects the conveyance path, and in the forward path, the moving body enters the conveyance path and crosses the conveyance object that is conveyed along the conveyance path with the conveyance path. And a transporting object distribution structure of a transporting device equipped with a distribution mechanism configured to pass the transported object in a direction along the transporting path in the return path.   A first cylinder that causes the distribution mechanism to reciprocate up and down in a vertical direction over an operating position where the moving body enters the transport path and a retracted position that deviates from the transport path, and the mobile body together with the first cylinder and the transport path. The conveyed product distribution structure of the conveying apparatus of Claim 1 provided with the 2nd cylinder reciprocated to the direction which cross | intersects on a plane.   The transported object distribution structure of the transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the moving body is equipped with a plurality of rollers that allow the transported object in the forward path to move in a direction along the transport path.

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