JP2018203511A - Sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a conveyed object retained in a retaining part of a discharge chute from being full, and prevent lowering of a working efficiency of makeup work and damage to the conveyed object by stacking of the retained conveyed object.SOLUTION: A sorting system includes a deceleration conveyance conveyor which conveys a conveyed object sorted from a conveyance route, a plurality of discharge chutes including at least a first discharge chute having a retaining part that retains the conveyed object conveyed by the deceleration conveyance conveyor on its tip, and a second discharge chute which is provided below the first discharge chute and has a retaining part that retains the conveyed object conveyed by the deceleration conveyance conveyor on its tip, and a vertical branching device which discharges the conveyed object to any one discharge chute out of the plurality of discharge chutes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting system that is used in a distribution center or the like and sorts and ships received articles (conveyed items). In particular, the present invention relates to a sorting system that is devised at a make-up work location that packs and re-ships transported goods to a destination after automatic sorting.

  Articles (conveyed items) that arrive at the distribution center are unloaded from transportation means such as trucks, and placed on a conveyor (input unit) that constitutes an automatic sorting mechanism by an operator to form an endless route. In the process of being transported on the transport route by the transport conveyor, among the multiple payout chutes provided on the side of the transport route, the target payout chute has a cross belt sorter provided on the route transport conveyor and the side of the route transport conveyor. It is automatically sorted by a sorting mechanism such as a diverter. The conveyed product sorted into the target payout chute is retained in the region at the tip of the payout chute. The transported goods staying in the region of the tip portion of the dispensing chute (hereinafter referred to as the staying portion) are picked up for each destination by the worker and accumulated in a car cart, and then a delivery vehicle or a freighter which is a transportation means such as a truck. To be shipped from the distribution center. The staying portion of the payout chute is also referred to as a make-up region because the operator picks the transported material staying in the tip region and accumulates it on the car cart (make-up operation).

  The above-described makeup work needs to sort the transported items having the same delivery area from the transported items staying in the staying portion of the payout chute, and it is necessary to efficiently accumulate the selected transported items in the car cart. Combining various sizes and shapes of goods to be loaded so that there is no empty space, making up work is time consuming. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the ability to sort a payout chute has been improved in response to an increase in the transport speed of transported objects and a speed-up of a sorting mechanism in a transport line that forms an endless route. However, in the makeup work, it is still accumulated manually in the car cart, and the speed is not increased. Therefore, the staying portion of the payout chute is likely to be filled with the transported goods sorted into the payout chute. For example, selecting a transported product having the same delivery area from a full transported product is a cumbersome task of checking labels while pushing the stacked transported product, and takes time. In addition, since the transported goods sorted into the payout chutes are transported goods having different sizes and weights, for example, among the transported goods staying on the payout chute, light transported goods and small transported goods are crushed into heavy transported goods. There is a high possibility of damage.

  Therefore, the size of the staying part of the payout chute is secured by extending the horizontal part of the rear stage of the slope, which is a gravity conveyor, and a large number of workers are arranged with a large space on the side of the staying part. It is conceivable that the transported material staying in the staying portion of the payout chute is less likely to become full by allowing it to be simultaneously accumulated on the cart (see Patent Document 1). In addition to this, in order to prevent the transported material staying in the staying portion of the payout chute from becoming full, a circle provided with the transported material staying in the staying portion of the payout chute on the outer peripheral portion of the staying portion of the payout chute It has been proposed to add a staying part that can move in a circle by transferring it to a conveyor (see Patent Document 2). By adopting such a configuration, the work efficiency of the makeup work is not lowered, and the area where the sorted transported goods are retained is secured, so that the transported goods can be damaged due to the stacking of the transported goods. Can be prevented.

Japanese Patent No. 4294773 JP 09-216722 A

  However, the number and length of payout chutes installed on the transfer line depends on the site area of the distribution center. In many distribution centers, the size of the staying portion of the payout chutes and the adjacent payout chutes. There is a fact that a large space cannot be secured. Therefore, it is difficult to introduce solutions such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prevent a reduction in the work efficiency of the makeup work due to the transported goods staying in the staying portion of the payout chute becoming full.

  The present invention prevents the transported material staying in the staying portion of the payout chute from becoming full, and prevents the work efficiency from being reduced in the makeup work and preventing the transported material from being damaged due to the stacking of the staying transported material. An object is to provide a sorting system which can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a sorting system according to the present invention has a speed-reduction conveyor that transports a transported product sorted from a transport route, and a stay portion that retains the transported product transported by the speed-reducing transport conveyor. A first payout chute having a portion, a second payout chute provided below the first payout chute and having a staying portion at a tip portion for retaining the conveyed product conveyed by the speed reduction conveyor, A plurality of payout chutes including at least one of the plurality of payout chutes, and a vertical branching device for paying out the conveyed product to any payout chute of the plurality of payout chutes.

  In addition, a plurality of transport carts equipped with a cross sorter conveyor are connected, a sorting conveyor that travels along the transport route, a feeding conveyor that feeds the transported material toward the sorting conveyor, and the transported material that is sent out by the feeding conveyor. A weighing conveyor for detecting the weight, wherein the vertical branching device removes the conveyed product from the first dispensing chute or the second dispensing based on the weight of the conveyed product measured by the weighing conveyor. It is characterized by performing an operation of sending to a chute.

  In addition, a plurality of transport carts equipped with a cross sorter conveyor are connected, and a sorting conveyor that travels along the transport route, a feeding conveyor that feeds the transported material toward the sorting conveyor, and the transported material that is sent out by the feeding conveyor And a receiver for receiving the accompanying supplementary information, wherein the vertical branching device performs a branching operation on a payout chute for delivering the transported object based on the supplementary information of the transported object received by the receiver. It is characterized by switching.

  The vertical branching device is provided on the downstream side of the first oscillating conveyor, the first oscillating conveyor having an oscillating fulcrum in the vicinity of the upstream end of the deceleration conveying conveyor, and the first dispensing chute A second swing conveyor having a swing fulcrum in the vicinity of the upstream end of the second and a third swing conveyor provided below the second swing conveyor and having a swing support in the vicinity of the upstream end of the second payout chute A first branching state in which the swinging conveyor, the transport surface in the first swinging conveyor, and the transporting surface in the second swinging conveyor are in the same horizontal plane, and transporting in the first swinging conveyor And the transfer surface of the third oscillating conveyor is the same inclined surface, and the second oscillating conveyor is connected to the transfer surface of the third oscillating conveyor in conjunction with the third oscillating conveyor. Between the second branching state inclined to the same inclined surface as , Characterized by having a a rocking mechanism for rocking each rocking conveyors.

  The swing mechanism includes a rotating member disposed above the free end of the first swing conveyor and the second swing conveyor, and both end portions of the first swing conveyor and the first swing conveyor. A transmission member having a central portion wound around the rotating member in a state of being fixed to the free end side of the two oscillating conveyors, a driving unit for rotating the rotating member, and the free of the second oscillating conveyor It has a 1st connection member which connects an end and the free end of the said 3rd rocking conveyor, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The plurality of payout chutes include a third payout chute disposed below the first payout chute and at a position different from the second payout chute, and the vertical branching device includes: A fourth oscillating conveyor is provided below the second oscillating conveyor and at a position different from the third oscillating conveyor, with the vicinity of the upstream end of the third payout chute as an oscillating fulcrum. In the swing mechanism, in addition to the first branch state and the second branch state, the transport surface of the first swing conveyor and the transport surface of the fourth swing conveyor are the same. Each oscillating conveyor is oscillated so as to be in a third branched state that becomes an inclined surface.

  In this case, it is preferable that the swing mechanism further includes a second connecting member that connects a free end of the second swing conveyor and a free end of the fourth swing conveyor.

  According to the present invention, the conveyed product staying in the staying portion of the payout chute is prevented from becoming full, and the work efficiency of the makeup work is reduced and the conveyed product is prevented from being damaged due to the stacking of the accumulated conveyed product. be able to.

It is a top view which shows an example of the sorting system provided in a distribution center. It is a side view which shows one structure of a discharge part. It is a side view which shows one structure of a vertical branch apparatus. It is a side view which shows the positional relationship of each rocking conveyor of the hydraulic branching apparatus in a 1st branch state. It is a side view which shows the positional relationship of each rocking conveyor of the hydraulic branching apparatus in a 2nd branch state. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on the switching of the branch state in a vertical branch apparatus. It is a side view which illustrates the composition at the time of paying out a conveyed product to three payout chutes using two vertical branching devices. It is a side view which illustrates the composition of the perpendicular branching device which pays out a conveyed product to three payout chutes.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a sorting system. The sorting system 10 of this embodiment is used in a distribution center or the like. The sorting system 10 includes an input unit 15, a sorting conveyor 16, and a discharging unit 17. The input unit 15 includes an input conveyor 21, a weighing conveyor 22, a merging conveyor 23, and the like.

  The input conveyor 21 is a conveyor on which articles (hereinafter referred to as conveyed items) 100 that have arrived at the distribution center are placed by an operator's manual work and conveyed toward the sorting conveyor 16.

  As an example, the weighing conveyor 22 detects the conveyed product 100 sent from the input conveyor 21 by a sensor (not shown) arranged on the upstream side, and then conveys the conveyed product 100 by a scale (not shown) provided on the conveyor. The weight of the conveyed product 100 is weighed while it is being measured. Then, in response to detecting that the conveyed product 100 has been sent out to the merging conveyor 23 disposed on the downstream side by a sensor (not shown) disposed on the downstream side, the weighing of the conveyed product 100 is stopped. In addition, the data measured with the scale which the measurement conveyor 22 has is output to PLC mentioned later.

  The merge conveyor 23 sends the conveyed product 100 to the sorting conveyor 16. The merging conveyor 23 is provided with a gate 23 a on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyed product 100. The gate 23 a includes, for example, a barcode reader that reads a barcode printed on a feed attached to the transported object 100 or a reader that reads an RF (Radio Frequency) tag attached to the transported object 100.

  The sorting conveyor 16 travels a number of transport carts 25 connected in a loop shape (endless shape) along a loop-shaped transport route. The sorting conveyor 16 is driven by a driving device 26 installed at a predetermined position on the transport route and between a pair of travel rails. An example of the drive device 26 is a friction drive type drive device. The friction drive type driving device 26 includes a pair of friction belts that are pressed against both side surfaces of the beam-shaped link of the transport carriage, and a plurality of pressing members that press the forward sides of the pair of friction belts to the side surfaces of the beam-shaped links of the transport cart. It is a drive device which has a pair of motor with a reduction gear provided with respect to each of a friction roller and a pair of friction belts.

  The sorting conveyor 16 travels a number of transport carts 25 connected endlessly in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 (A direction in FIG. 1). In the process in which each transport carriage 25 moves in the direction A in FIG. 1, the transported article 100 is fed from the merging conveyor 23 and placed on the cross sorter conveyor unit of the corresponding transport carriage 25. The transport carriage 25 moves in the direction A in FIG. 1 even after the article 100 is placed. When the transport carriage 25 on which the transported article 100 is placed moves to a predetermined payout position, the cross sorter conveyor unit is driven to send the transported article 100 from the transport carriage 25 to the discharge unit 17. In FIG. 1, the case where the discharge part 17 is provided in three places is shown as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge unit 17 includes discharge conveyors 31 and 32, a vertical branch device 33, and payout chutes 34 and 35 each having two upper and lower stages. The discharge conveyors 31 and 32 convey the conveyed product 100 fed from the cross sorter conveyor unit of the conveyance carriage 25 toward the vertical branch device 33. The discharge conveyors 31 and 32 convey the conveyance object 100 sent from the cross sorter conveyor unit of the conveyance carriage 25 while reducing the conveyance speed. Here, the discharge conveyors 31 and 32 are disposed so that the conveyor surfaces of the conveyors are on the same horizontal plane as the conveyor surface of the cross sorter conveyor unit of the conveyor cart 25.

  The vertical branch device 33 is disposed on the gantry 36. The vertical branching device 33 is a device that sends the conveyed product 100 to either one of the payout chutes 34 and 35 that are arranged on the downstream side of the vertical branching device 33. A specific configuration of the vertical branch device 33 will be described later.

  Of the upper and lower two-stage payout chutes 34, 35, the payout chute 34 located at the upper stage receives the conveyed product 100 sent out from the vertical branch device 33 when the vertical branch device 33 is in the first branch state, The conveyed product 100 is paid out. As shown in FIG. 2, the installation surface of each transport carriage 25 of the sorting conveyor 16 (in other words, the transport surface of each transport carriage 25) is higher than the staying portion 34 a of the payout chute 34 and the staying portion 35 a of the payout chute 35. It is installed at a position, for example, at the height of the operator's chest. Accordingly, the payout chutes 34 and 35 have a structure inclined downward toward each staying portion. Thereby, for example, the conveyed product 100 paid out to the payout chute 34 moves along the payout chute 34 that is inclined downward, and stays in a stay portion 34 a provided at the tip portion of the payout chute 34. Similarly, for example, the conveyed product 100 that is paid out to the payout chute 35 moves along the payout chute 35 that is inclined downward, and stays in a stay portion 35 a provided at the tip portion of the payout chute 35.

  Note that the interval between the payout chute 34 and the payout chute 35 and the interval between the staying portion 34a and the staying portion 35a are such that the sorted transported material 100 can be paid out by each payout chute, and the transported material 100 can be used during picking work. It is set so that the label or the like of the conveyed product 100 on the staying portion 34a and the staying portion 35a can be looked over at an interval that can be taken out.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the vertical branch device 33 is a device that branches (sorts and conveys) the conveyed product 100 in the vertical direction. The vertical branching device 33 is disposed on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the conveyed product 100, and includes a first swinging conveyor 41 that is pivotally supported on the machine frame with the upstream end as a swinging fulcrum, and a first swinging conveyor. 41, a second swinging conveyor 42 that is pivotally supported by the machine frame with the downstream end as a swinging fulcrum, and is disposed below the second swinging conveyor 42 and has a downstream end. A third swing conveyor 43 that is pivotally supported on the machine frame with the portion as a swing fulcrum. Hereinafter, in each oscillating conveyor, the free end portion on the opposite side to the end portion serving as the oscillating fulcrum is referred to as an oscillating end portion. Among these oscillating conveyors, the first oscillating conveyor 41 and the second oscillating conveyor 42 are arranged at the upper part of the machine frame 44, and the third oscillating conveyor 43 is arranged at the lower part of the machine frame 44.

  The first swing conveyor 41 includes a drive pulley 45, a driven pulley 46, an endless belt 47, and a servo motor 48. The driving pulley 45 and the driven pulley 46 are arranged so that the apexes of the pulleys are located on the same horizontal plane, and the endless belt 47 is wound around these pulleys. Reference numerals 49 and 50 denote tension pulleys that apply tension to the endless belt 47 on the return side of the endless belt 47. Both ends of the rotation shaft 45a of the drive pulley 45 are supported by bearing members 51 fixed to the machine frame 44, for example. One end of the rotation shaft 45 a of the drive pulley 45 is fitted into a hollow shaft (not shown) of the servo motor 48. Therefore, the first swing conveyor 41 can rotate with respect to the machine frame 44 around the rotation shaft 45 a of the drive pulley 45. Further, the first swing conveyor 41 has a bracket 52 for fixing the other end of a transmission member 83 to be described later, below the swing end. Reference numeral 53 denotes a side cover for preventing the conveyed product 100 from jumping out.

  The second swing conveyor 42 includes a drive pulley 56, a driven pulley 57, an endless belt 58, and a servo motor 59. The drive pulley 56 and the driven pulley 57 are arranged so that the apexes of the pulleys are located on the same horizontal plane, and the endless belt 58 is wound around these pulleys. Reference numerals 60 and 61 denote tension pulleys that apply tension to the endless belt 58 on the return side of the endless belt 58. Both ends of the rotating shaft 56a of the drive pulley 56 are supported by bearing members 62 fixed to the machine frame 44, for example. One end of the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56 is fitted into a hollow shaft of the servo motor 59. Therefore, the second swing conveyor 42 rotates around the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56 with respect to the machine frame 44. The second oscillating conveyor 42 has a bracket 63 for fixing one end of a transmission member 83 to be described later and a connecting rod for connecting the second oscillating conveyor 42 and the third oscillating conveyor 43 to the lower part of the oscillating end. A bracket 64 that pivotally supports 84 is provided. Reference numeral 65 denotes a side cover for preventing the conveyed product 100 from jumping out.

  The third swing conveyor 43 includes a drive pulley 71, a driven pulley 72, an endless belt 73, and a servo motor 74. The driving pulley 71 and the driven pulley 72 are arranged so that the vertices of the pulleys are positioned on the same horizontal plane, and the endless belt 73 is wound around these pulleys. Reference numerals 75 and 76 denote tension pulleys that apply tension to the endless belt 73 on the return side of the endless belt 73. Both ends of the rotation shaft 71a of the drive pulley 71 are supported by a bearing member 77 fixed to the machine frame 44, for example. One end of the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71 is fitted into a hollow shaft of the servo motor 74. Therefore, the third swing conveyor 43 rotates about the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71 with respect to the machine frame 44. The third swing conveyor 43 has a bracket 78 that pivotally supports a connecting rod 84 that connects the second swing conveyor 42 and the third swing conveyor 43. Reference numeral 79 denotes a side cover for preventing the conveyed product 100 from jumping out.

  The vertical branching device 33 includes a swing mechanism 80 that swings the first swing conveyor 41, the second swing conveyor 42, and the third swing conveyor 43 described above simultaneously. The swing mechanism 80 includes a servo motor 81, a drive sprocket 82, a transmission member 83, and a connecting rod 84. The drive sprocket 82 is fixed to the drive shaft 81a of the servo motor 81, and the transmission member 83 is wound around the outer peripheral portion. The drive sprocket 82 changes the feed amount of both ends of the transmission member 83 during rotation.

  The transmission member 83 is, for example, a chain. One end of the transmission member 83 is fixed to a bracket 52 provided below the swing end of the first swing conveyor 41. Further, the other end portion of the transmission member 83 is fixed to a bracket 63 provided below the swing end portion of the second swing conveyor 42. When the vertical branching device 33 is in a first branching state, which will be described later, the transmission member 83 has a conveying surface for the endless belt 47 in the first oscillating conveyor 41 and a conveying surface for the endless belt 58 in the second oscillating conveyor 42. Is set to a length that becomes a horizontal plane.

  The connecting rod 84 connects a bracket 64 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 and a bracket 78 provided at the swing end of the third swing conveyor 43. Reference numeral 85 denotes an upper machine casing for fixing and holding the servo motor 81.

  The vertical branching device 33 described above includes a first branching state (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) in which the conveyed product 100 sent to the first swing conveyor 41 is sent to the second swing conveyor 42, and the first swing conveyor. It is switched between the second branch state (see FIG. 5) in which the conveyed product 100 sent to 41 is sent to the third swing conveyor 43.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the vertical branching device 33 is in the first branching state, the conveying surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 is held in a horizontal state. The transport surface of the endless belt 58 included in the second swing conveyor 42 and the transport surface of the endless belt 73 included in the third swing conveyor 43 are also horizontal in the same manner as the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41. Kept in a state. At this time, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 and the transport surface of the endless belt 58 included in the second swing conveyor 42 are included in the same horizontal plane.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the vertical branch device 33 is in the second branch state, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 of the first swing conveyor 41 is lowered from the fixed end side toward the swing end portion side. It is in an inclined state. At this time, the transport surface of the endless belt 58 included in the second swing conveyor 42 is inclined downward from the swing end toward the fixed end. Further, the transport surface of the endless belt 73 included in the third swing conveyor 43 is inclined downward from the swing end toward the fixed end. At this time, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 and the transport surface of the endless belt 73 included in the third swing conveyor 43 are included in the same inclined surface.

  Next, switching of the branch state of the vertical branch device 33 will be described. First, the case where the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the first branch state to the second branch state will be described. When the branching state of the vertical branching device 33 is switched, the servo motor 81 is driven and the driving sprocket 82 rotates in the direction B in FIG. When the drive sprocket 82 rotates in the direction B in FIG. 4, one end fixed to the bracket 63 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 out of both ends of the transmission member 83 wound around the drive sprocket 82. The part is drawn toward the drive sprocket 82, and the other end fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the swing end of the first swing conveyor 41 is fed out from the drive sprocket 82. Therefore, on one end side fixed to the bracket 63 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42, the feeding amount of the transmission member 83 from the drive sprocket 82 is shortened, while the swing of the first swing conveyor 41 is shortened. At the other end fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the moving end, the feeding amount of the transmission member 83 from the drive sprocket 82 becomes longer.

  As described above, in the first swing conveyor 41, the rotation shaft 45 a of the drive pulley 45 is pivotally supported by the bearing member 51 provided in the machine casing 44. At the other end fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the rocking end of the first rocking conveyor 41, the amount of the transmission member 83 fed from the drive sprocket 82 becomes long. Therefore, the swinging end of the first swing conveyor 41 rotates downward (in the direction C in FIG. 4) around the rotation shaft 45a of the drive pulley 45.

  In the second swing conveyor 42, the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56 is pivotally supported by a bearing member 62 provided in the machine frame 44. On one end side that is fixed to a bracket 63 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42, the feed amount of the transmission member 83 from the drive sprocket 82 is shortened. Therefore, the second oscillating conveyor 42 has the oscillating end pivoted upward (in the direction D in FIG. 4) about the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56.

  In the third swing conveyor 43, the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71 is pivotally supported by a bearing member 77 provided in the machine frame 44. At the same time, the swing end of the third swing conveyor 43 is connected to the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 by the connecting rod 84. Accordingly, when the second swing conveyor 42 pivots upward about the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56, the third swing conveyor 43 swings about the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71. Is rotated upward (in the direction E in FIG. 4).

  When each swing conveyor rotates and the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the first branch state to the second branch state, the drive of the servo motor 81 is stopped and the rotation of the drive sprocket 82 is stopped. At this time, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 and the transport surface of the endless belt 73 included in the third swing conveyor 43 are included in the same inclined surface.

  A case where the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the second branch state to the first branch state will be described. When switching the branching state of the vertical branching device 33, the servo motor 81 is driven, and the drive sprocket 82 rotates in the direction F in FIG. When the drive sprocket 85 rotates in the direction F in FIG. 5, the other end of the transmission member 83 wound around the drive sprocket 82 is fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the swing end of the first swing conveyor 41. The end is drawn toward the drive sprocket 82, and one end fixed to the bracket 63 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 is fed out from the drive sprocket 82.

  Therefore, on the other end side fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the swing end of the first swing conveyor 41, the feeding amount of the transmission member 83 from the drive sprocket 82 is shortened, while the second swing conveyor 42 At one end portion fixed to the bracket 63 provided at the swing end, the amount of feeding of the transmission member 83 from the drive sprocket 82 becomes longer.

  As described above, in the first swing conveyor 41, the rotation shaft 45 a of the drive pulley 45 is pivotally supported by the bearing member 51 provided in the machine casing 44. The other end of the transmission member 83 fixed to the bracket 52 provided at the swing end of the first swing conveyor 41 is drawn toward the drive sprocket 82, so that the first swing conveyor 41 is connected to the drive pulley 45. The swing end rotates upward (in the G direction in FIG. 5) about the rotation shaft 45a.

  In the second swing conveyor 42, the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56 is pivotally supported by a bearing member 62 provided in the machine frame 44. Since one end portion of the transmission member 83 fixed to the bracket 63 provided at the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 is fed out from the drive sprocket 82, the second swing conveyor 42 moves the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56. The swing end pivots downward (in the H direction in FIG. 5) as the center.

  In the third swing conveyor 43, the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71 is pivotally supported by a bearing member 77 provided in the machine frame 44. At the same time, the swing end of the third swing conveyor 43 is connected to the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 by the connecting rod 84. Therefore, when the swing end side of the second swing conveyor 42 is rotated downward about the rotation shaft 56 a of the drive pulley 56, the second swing conveyor 42 is swung about the rotation shaft 71 a of the drive pulley 71. Rotates downward (in the direction I in FIG. 5).

  When each oscillating conveyor is rotated and the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the second branch state to the first branch state, the drive of the servo motor 81 is stopped and the rotation of the drive sprocket 82 is stopped. At this time, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 and the transport surface of the endless belt 58 included in the second swing conveyor 42 are the same horizontal plane.

  In the above description, when switching the vertical branch device 33 from the first branch state to the second branch state, or when switching the vertical branch device 33 from the second branch state to the first branch state, Although the timing for stopping the servo motor 81 is not described, the servo motor 81 may be stopped based on the drive time or drive amount of the motor, or each swing conveyor at the time of the first branching state. A sensor for detecting the position and the position of each swinging conveyor when the second branch state is set may be provided, and the servo motor 81 may be stopped in response to a detection signal from each sensor.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration relating to switching of the branch state in the vertical branch device 33. Sorting system 10 is controlled by PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) 86 provided on the ground side. The PLC 86 transmits / receives data to / from a servo amplifier (not shown) of a drive motor of a cross sorter conveyor unit included in the transport carriage 25 of the sorting conveyor 16. In addition, the PLC 86 receives a detection signal from the weighing conveyor 22 or the barcode reader 87 and transmits / receives data to / from the host communication device 88. The host communication device 88, for example, includes weight data obtained by measuring each transported object 100 by the weighing conveyor 22, data such as destinations and types symbolized as detection signals from the bar code reader 87 of each transported object 100, and the like. A database 89 is provided which stores the cargo 89 in association with a load symbol of the transported object 100. In the database 89, table data that summarizes the weight of the transported object 100 and the branching state of the vertical branch device 33, and transport Table data that summarizes the delivery area of the object 100 and the branching state of the vertical branching device 33 is also stored.

  The PLC 86 receives the detection signal from the weighing conveyor 22, writes it in the database 89 of the host communication device 88, and refers to the read data as an instruction signal indicating the branching state of the vertical branch device 33. To the servo amplifier 90 of the discharge unit 17. In response to this, the servo amplifier 90 drives the servo motor 81 as necessary to switch the branch state of the vertical branch device 33 between the first branch state and the second branch state. The procedure for switching the vertical branch device 33 between the first branch state and the second branch state according to the weight of the transported object 100 is as follows.

  When the weight of the conveyed product 100 to be conveyed is, for example, 2 kg or less, the PLC 86 outputs an instruction signal indicating that the vertical branch device 33 is switched to the first branch state to the servo amplifier 90. When the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state, the servo amplifier 90 does not drive the servo motor 81. As a result, the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state. On the other hand, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state, the servo amplifier 90 drives the servo motor 81. Therefore, the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the second branch state to the first branch state.

  When the weight of the conveyed product 100 to be conveyed exceeds, for example, 2 kg, the PLC 86 outputs an instruction signal indicating that the vertical branch device 33 is switched to the second branch state to the servo amplifier 90. When the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state, the servo amplifier 90 drives the servo motor 81. As a result, the vertical branch device 33 is switched from the first branch state to the second branch state. On the other hand, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state, the servo amplifier 90 does not drive the servo motor 81. Therefore, the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state.

  Thus, for example, the transported object 100 having a weight of 2 kg or less is paid out to the payout chute 34 positioned above the payout chutes 34 and 35 in the upper and lower two stages. On the other hand, for example, the conveyed product 100 whose weight exceeds 2 kg is paid out to the payout chute 35 located below. The branching state of the vertical branching device 33 is switched between the transported object 100 having a weight of 2 kg or less and the transported object 100 having a weight exceeding 2 kg. The weight of the transported object 100 is as described above. For example, the branching state of the vertical branching device 33 can be switched between the transported object 100 having a weight of 5 kg or less and the transported object 100 having a weight exceeding 5 kg, for example. In short, the amount of each transported object 100 to be retained in the upper and lower two-stage dispensing chutes 34 and 35 depending on the sorting frequency, the volume thereof, etc. If the distribution fits well, the weight threshold may be changed.

  The procedure for switching the branching state of the vertical branching device 33 between the first branching state and the second branching state in accordance with the delivery area of the transported object 100 to be transported is as follows. Here, in order to sort the delivery areas, as many discharge units 17 as possible are installed. However, depending on the absolute size of the distribution center site, a plurality of delivery areas close to one discharge unit 17 may be assigned. There are circumstances that exist.

  Here, the case where the area A and the area B are allocated to one discharge unit 17 will be examined. For example, when the delivery area of the conveyed product 100 to be conveyed is area A, the PLC 86 outputs an instruction signal indicating that the vertical branch device 33 is switched to the first branch state to the servo amplifier of the vertical branch device 33. Here, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state, the servo amplifier 90 does not drive the servo motor 81. As a result, the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state. On the other hand, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state, the servo amplifier 90 drives the servo motor 81. Accordingly, the vertical branch device 33 switches from the second branch state to the first branch state.

  When the delivery area of the conveyed product 100 to be conveyed is not the area A but the area B, the PLC 86 sends an instruction signal indicating that the vertical branch device 33 is switched to the second branch state to the servo amplifier 90 of the vertical branch device 33. Output. Here, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state, the servo amplifier 90 drives the servo motor 81. Accordingly, the vertical branch device 33 switches from the first branch state to the second branch state. On the other hand, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state, the servo amplifier 90 does not drive the servo motor 81. As a result, the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state.

  Therefore, the transported object 100 whose delivery area is area A is paid out to the payout chute 34 positioned above the upper and lower two-stage payout chutes 34, 35, and the transported object 100 whose delivery area is area B is It is paid out to the payout chute 35 located below.

  As described above, in the sorting system 10 according to the present embodiment, the delivered articles 100 are arranged in two upper and lower payout chutes 34 and 35 according to the weight of the conveyed article 100 or the delivery area of the conveyed article 100. By paying out to either one of these, it is possible to secure the area of the staying portions 34a and 35a provided at the tip portion of the payout chute, such as damage due to the accumulation of the conveyed product 100 staying in the staying portions 34a and 35a. The occurrence of logistics accidents can be suppressed. In addition, by discharging the conveyed product 100 to each of the payout chutes 34 and 35 provided in the upper and lower two stages, the phenomenon that the conveyed product is stacked in the stay portions 34a and 35a is eliminated. Therefore, the transported object 100 in which the worker stays in the staying portions 34a and 35a can be easily picked for each area even if a plurality of areas are assigned to one discharge portion 17, so that the work efficiency in the makeup work is improved. It is possible to suppress the decrease.

  In the sorting system of the present embodiment, the branching state of the vertical branch device 33 is switched between the first branching state and the second branching state based on the weight of the transported object 100 and the delivery area of the transported object 100. However, the rate at which the transported object 100 stays in the staying portion of each payout chute (in other words, the rate at which the transported object 100 occupies the staying portion of each payout chute) is managed, and transported toward the payout chute where the rate is low. It is also possible to switch the vertical branch device 33 between the first branch state and the second branch state so as to pay out the object 100.

  In this embodiment, the case where the vertical branching device 33 is provided between the discharge conveyor 32 and the upper and lower two-stage payout chutes 34 and 35 is described. However, the number of vertical branching devices disposed in the discharge unit 17 is not necessarily limited to one, and a plurality of vertical branching devices 33 may be disposed to dispose three or more upper and lower payout chutes. is there. As shown in FIG. 7A, on the downstream side of the vertical branching device 33, a payout chute 101 extending in the horizontal direction (in this case, it can also be a conveyor) and a payout inclined downward toward the downstream side. A chute 102 is provided. A vertical branching device 33 'is disposed downstream of the payout chute 101 extending in the horizontal direction. On the downstream side of the vertical branching device 33 ′, upper and lower two-stage payout chutes 103 and 104 that are inclined downwardly downstream are provided. In this way, when a plurality of vertical branching devices are arranged, the conveyed product is paid out to the payout chute 103 when both the vertical branching device 33 and the vertical branching device 33 ′ are held in the first branching state. When the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state, the conveyed product is paid out to the payout chute 102. When the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state and both the vertical branch devices 33 ′ are held in the second branch state, the conveyed product is paid out to the payout chute 104.

  In addition to this, as shown in FIG. 7B, payout chutes 106 and 107 extending in the horizontal direction are provided on the downstream side of the vertical branching device 33. A vertical branching device 33 ″ is disposed downstream of the payout chute 107 extending in the horizontal direction. Downwardly inclined payout chutes 108 and 109 are provided downstream of the vertical branching device 33 ″. A payout chute 110 that is inclined downward is further provided on the downstream side of the payout chute 106. When a plurality of vertical branch devices are arranged in this way, the conveyed product is paid out to the pay-out chute 106 when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the first branch state. Further, when the vertical branch device 33 is held in the second branch state and the vertical branch device 33 ″ is held in the first branch state, the conveyed product is paid out to the payout chute 108. The vertical branch device 33 and the vertical branch device 33 When both branching devices 33 ″ are held in the second branch state, the conveyed product is paid out to the payout chute 109.

  In the sorting system of the present embodiment, a discharge unit having payout chutes provided in two upper and lower stages is described. However, the form of the payout chute need not be limited to upper and lower two stages, and may be, for example, upper and lower three stages. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), a plurality of the vertical branch devices 33 shown in the present embodiment may be arranged in the discharge unit 17, or switched between three branch states. It is also possible to arrange a vertical branching device capable of

  In this way, when the payout chutes are arranged in three upper and lower stages, for example, the stay portion of the lower payout chutes is set to a height that is about the knee position of the worker, the heavy transported object 100 is discharged, and the middle payout chute The staying part is set to the height of the worker's belly position, the weight is medium and a relatively large transported object 100 is discharged, the staying part of the upper discharge chute is set to the height of the worker's shoulder position, and the weight is light. By paying out a relatively small transported object 100, it is possible to efficiently accumulate in the car cart.

  In addition, when the payout chutes are arranged in three upper and lower tiers, for example, even when the delivery area of the conveyed product is assigned to either the area A or the area B, the weight and the delivery area are mixed and paid out. Can be performed. For example, the transported object 100 to be delivered to the lower delivery chute is mixed with area A and area B, and the transported article 100 delivered to the middle delivery chute is a medium to light weight area A. In addition, it is also possible to assign the transported object 100 to be paid out to the upper payout chute from the weight to the area B or the like.

  Hereinafter, the vertical branch device 120 that can be switched in three branch states will be described. The vertical branch device 120 that can be switched in three branch states and the vertical branch device 33 that is switched in the two branch states described above are provided between the second swing conveyor 42 and the third swing conveyor 43. 4 oscillating conveyors are arranged, and the oscillating end portion of the fourth oscillating conveyor and the oscillating end portion of the second oscillating conveyor 42 are connected by a connecting rod. In the following, only the differences between the vertical branching device that can be switched in three branch states and the vertical branching device that is switched in two branch states will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the first swing conveyor 41, the second swing conveyor 42, and the third swing conveyor 43, the vertical branch device 120 includes the second swing conveyor 42 and the third swing conveyor in the vertical direction. A fourth oscillating conveyor 121 is provided between the oscillating conveyor 43 and pivotally supported on the machine frame 44 with the downstream end as an oscillating fulcrum.

  The fourth swing conveyor 121 includes a drive pulley 122, a driven pulley 123, an endless belt 124, and a servo motor 125. The driving pulley 122 and the driven pulley 123 are arranged so that the vertices of the pulleys are located on the same horizontal plane, and the endless belt 124 is wound around these pulleys. Reference numerals 126 and 127 are tension pulleys that apply tension to the endless belt 124 on the return side of the endless belt 124. Both ends of the rotating shaft 122a of the driving pulley 122 are supported by bearing members 128 fixed to the machine frame 44, for example. One end of the rotating shaft 122a of the drive pulley 122 is fitted into a hollow shaft (not shown) of the servo motor 125. Therefore, the fourth oscillating conveyor 121 can rotate with respect to the machine frame 44 around the rotation shaft 122 a of the drive pulley 122. The fourth swing conveyor 121 includes a bracket 130 that pivotally supports a connecting rod 135 that connects the second swing conveyor 42 and the fourth swing conveyor 121. Reference numeral 131 denotes a side cover for preventing the conveyed product 100 from jumping out.

  The swing mechanism 140 includes a connecting rod 135 in addition to the servo motor 81, the drive sprocket 82, the transmission member 83, and the connecting rod 84. The connecting rod 135 is a member that connects the swing end of the second swing conveyor 42 and the swing end of the fourth swing conveyor 121.

  The vertical branching device 120 has a first branch state in which the conveyed product 100 sent to the first oscillating conveyor 41 is sent to the second oscillating conveyor 42, and the conveyed product 100 sent to the first oscillating conveyor 41 is third. It is switched between the second branch state to be sent to the swing conveyor 43 and the third branch state to send the conveyed product 100 sent to the first swing conveyor 41 to the fourth swing conveyor 121.

  When the vertical branching device 120 is in the first branching state, the transport surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first swing conveyor 41 and the transport surface of the endless belt 58 included in the second swing conveyor 42 are on the same horizontal plane. It will be included. In this state, the conveyed product 100 is paid out to the payout chute 141 located in the uppermost stage among the payout chutes 141, 142, and 143 in the upper and lower three stages.

  When the vertical branching device 120 is in the second branching state, the first to fourth swing conveyors are each inclined. In these inclined oscillating conveyors, the conveying surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first oscillating conveyor 41 and the conveying surface of the endless belt 58 included in the third oscillating conveyor 43 are included in the same inclined surface. Become. In this state, the conveyed product 100 is paid out to the payout chute 142 located at the lowermost stage among the upper and lower payout chutes.

  When the vertical branching device 120 is in the third branching state, the first to fourth swing conveyors are each inclined. The tilt angle of each swing conveyor when the vertical branch device 120 is in the third branch state is set smaller than the tilt angle of each swing conveyor when the vertical branch device 120 is in the second branch state. Is done. In these inclined oscillating conveyors, the conveying surface of the endless belt 47 included in the first oscillating conveyor 41 and the conveying surface of the endless belt 124 included in the fourth oscillating conveyor 121 are included in the same inclined surface. Become. In this state, the conveyed product 100 is paid out to the payout chute 143 located in the middle stage among the upper and lower payout chutes.

  Even when the vertical branching device 120 having such a configuration is used, the branching state of the vertical branching device is switched based on the weight of the transported object 100 to be transported, the delivery area of the transported object 100, etc. The conveyed product 100 is paid out to one of the payout chutes. Therefore, in the sorting system according to the present embodiment, the received conveyed product 100 is discharged to each of the dispensing chutes provided in the upper and lower three stages according to the weight of the conveyed product 100 or the delivery area of the conveyed product 100. Thus, it is possible to secure the area of the staying portion provided in the payout chute and to prevent the occurrence of physical distribution accidents such as breakage due to the accumulation of the conveyed product 100 staying in the staying portion of each payout chute. Further, by discharging the transported object 100 to each of the payout chutes provided in the upper and lower three stages, it becomes easier for the operator to pick the transported object 100 retained in the staying portion of each payout chute. It becomes possible to suppress a decrease in work efficiency in the staying section.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sorting system, 21 ... Input conveyor, 22 ... Metering conveyor, 16 ... Sorting conveyor, 25 ... Conveying cart, 31, 32 ... Discharge conveyor, 33, 120 ... Vertical branching device, 34, 35, 95, 96, 102, 103, 104, 106, 108, 109, 141, 142, 143... Discharge chute, 41... First swing conveyor, 42. ... Servo motor, 82 ... Drive sprocket, 83 ... Transmission member, 84, 129 ... Connecting rod, 87 ... Bar code reader, 121 ... Fourth swing conveyor

Claims (7)

A decelerating conveyor that conveys the goods sorted from the conveying route;
A first payout chute having a staying portion for retaining the conveyed product conveyed by the decelerating transfer conveyor at a distal end thereof, and the transfer provided by the decelerating transfer conveyor provided below the first payout chute A plurality of payout chutes including at least a second payout chute having a staying portion that retains an object at a tip portion;
A vertical branching device that pays out the conveyed product to one of the plurality of payout chutes;
Sorting system characterized by having The sorting system according to claim 1,
A plurality of transport carts equipped with a cross sorter conveyor are connected, and a sorting conveyor that travels along the transport route;
An input conveyor for feeding the conveyed products toward the sorting conveyor;
A weighing conveyor for detecting the weight of the conveyed product sent out by the input conveyor;
Have
The vertical branching device performs an operation of sending the conveyed product to the first dispensing chute or the second dispensing chute based on the weight of the conveyed product measured by the weighing conveyor. Sorting system. The sorting system according to claim 1,
A plurality of transport carts equipped with a cross sorter conveyor are connected, and a sorting conveyor that travels along the transport route;
An input conveyor for feeding the conveyed products toward the sorting conveyor;
A receiver for receiving incidental information attached to the conveyed product sent out by the input conveyor;
Have
The vertical branching device switches a payout chute for sending out the transported object by a branching operation based on incidental information of the transported object received by the receiver. In the sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The vertical branch device is:
A first oscillating conveyor having an oscillating fulcrum near the upstream end of the decelerating conveyor;
A second oscillating conveyor provided on the downstream side of the first oscillating conveyor and having an oscillating fulcrum in the vicinity of the upstream end of the first payout chute;
A third oscillating conveyor provided below the second oscillating conveyor and having an oscillating fulcrum near the upstream end of the second payout chute;
A first branching state in which a conveying surface in the first oscillating conveyor and a conveying surface in the second oscillating conveyor are in the same horizontal plane; a conveying surface in the first oscillating conveyor; The transfer surface of the third oscillating conveyor is the same inclined surface, and the second oscillating conveyor is interlocked with the third oscillating conveyor so that the second inclined conveyor is the same as the conveying surface of the third oscillating conveyor. A swing mechanism for swinging each swing conveyor between a second branching state inclined to
A sorting system characterized by comprising: The sorting system according to claim 4,
The swing mechanism is
A rotating member disposed above free end sides of the first swing conveyor and the second swing conveyor;
A transmission member having a central portion wound around the rotating member in a state where both ends are fixed to the free end sides of the first swing conveyor and the second swing conveyor,
A drive unit for rotating the rotating member;
A first connecting member that connects a free end of the second oscillating conveyor and a free end of the third oscillating conveyor;
A sorting system characterized by comprising: The sorting system according to claim 5,
The plurality of payout chutes have a third payout chute disposed below the first payout chute and at a position different from the second payout chute,
The vertical branch device is provided below the second rocking conveyor and at a position different from the third rocking conveyor, and has a rocking fulcrum near the upstream end of the third payout chute. 4 swing conveyors,
In the swing mechanism, in addition to the first branch state and the second branch state, the transport surface in the first swing conveyor and the transport surface in the fourth swing conveyor have the same inclination. A sorting system characterized in that each oscillating conveyor is oscillated so as to be in a third branched state as a surface. The sorting system according to claim 6,
2. The sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the swing mechanism further includes a second connecting member that connects a free end of the second swing conveyor and a free end of the fourth swing conveyor.

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