JP7583446B2 - Conveyor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device that dispenses containers from a conveying path.

Some conveying devices have a conveying path for containers carrying food and drink, and eject the containers from the conveying path to deliver ordered items to customers or to discard food and drink that has lost its freshness (for example, Patent Document 1). In the conveying device of Patent Document 1, a discharge lever installed on the conveying path pushes the containers from the side to eject them from the conveying path.

JP 2002-120931 A

The conveying device of Patent Document 1 requires a drive mechanism for driving the discharge lever to be provided adjacent to the container conveying path, and space must be secured for the installation of this drive mechanism.

The conveying device of the present invention includes a plurality of belt conveyors, a plurality of first guides, and a first drive mechanism. The plurality of belt conveyors are arranged at intervals in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and convey containers carrying articles together. The plurality of first guides are arranged in positions adjacent to each belt conveyor in the width direction and at different positions in the conveying direction, and the more downstream in the conveying direction they are located, the more they are located on one side in the width direction. The first drive mechanism drives between a protruding state and a retracted state. In the protruding state, the plurality of first guides are protruding above the conveying surface of the belt conveyor, and the containers are discharged from the plurality of belt conveyors to one side by contact between the plurality of first guides and the containers. In the retracted state, the plurality of first guides are retracted to a position below the conveying surface.

A first guide can be arranged on both sides of the width of each belt conveyor. The first drive mechanism can be composed of a first actuator that performs an extension and contraction motion, and a first transmission mechanism that converts the extension and contraction motion of the first actuator into movement of the first guide between the extended state and the retracted state.

In addition to the multiple first guides, multiple second guides can be provided, and in addition to the first drive mechanism, a second drive mechanism can be provided. The multiple second guides are positioned adjacent to each belt conveyor in the width direction and at different positions in the conveying direction, with the more downstream in the conveying direction the more they are positioned on the other side in the width direction. Here, the second drive mechanism drives between a protruding state and a retracted state. In the protruding state, the multiple second guides are protruding above the conveying surface, and the containers are discharged from the multiple belt conveyors to the other side by contact between the multiple second guides and the containers. In the retracted state, the multiple second guides are retracted to a position below the conveying surface.

A second guide can be arranged on both sides of the width of each belt conveyor. The second drive mechanism can be composed of a second actuator that performs an extension and contraction motion, and a second transmission mechanism that converts the extension and contraction motion of the second actuator into movement of the second guide between the extended state and the retracted state.

A stopper and a stopper drive mechanism can be arranged in the waiting area of the conveying device. The waiting area is located upstream in the conveying direction, and is an area where the containers to be conveyed are kept waiting. The stopper can be arranged in a position adjacent to the belt conveyor in the width direction. The stopper drive mechanism drives the stopper between a protruding state and a retracted state. In the protruding state, the stopper protrudes above the conveying surface, and stops the container by contact between the stopper and the container. In the retracted state, the stopper retracts to a position below the conveying surface. Here, multiple stoppers can be provided, and the multiple stoppers can be arranged in the width direction.

According to the present invention, by projecting the multiple first guides above the conveying surface of the belt conveyor, it is possible to dispense the containers conveyed by the multiple belt conveyors. Also, by retracting the multiple first guides to a position below the conveying surface of the belt conveyor, it is possible for the multiple belt conveyors to convey the containers downstream of the multiple first guides. With such a mechanism, there is no need for space to install a drive mechanism for the discharge lever adjacent to the conveying path as in Patent Document 1.

FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control block of the transport device. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the dispensing mechanism on the −Y direction side. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the dispensing mechanism on the +Y direction side. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first driving mechanism for driving a first guide in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a second driving mechanism for driving a second guide in the first embodiment. 4A and 4B are a plan view and a side view of a first guide and a first holding plate in the first embodiment; 5A and 5B are a plan view and a side view of a second guide and a second holding plate in the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between a first driving mechanism and a second driving mechanism in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a waiting area of the conveying device in the second embodiment where plates are kept waiting. 13 is a side view showing a stopper drive mechanism that stops the plate in the waiting area in the second embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a drive mechanism for driving a first guide and a second guide in the third embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing a drive mechanism for driving a first guide and a second guide in a third embodiment, as viewed from the X direction. FIG. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a mechanism for driving a slider in a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a stopper drive mechanism according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the stopper drive mechanism as viewed from the X direction in the fourth embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the stopper drive mechanism in the fourth embodiment.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the conveying device 1. FIG.
The conveying device 1 is installed, for example, in a sushi restaurant, and conveys a plate P on which ordered items such as sushi and drinks are placed to a customer who has placed an order. The plate P narrows toward the bottom. An annular foot Pl is provided on the bottom surface Pb of the plate P, and an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag Pt with a thickness smaller than the height of the foot Pl is attached to the inner area of the foot Pl. The IC tag Pt stores identification information.

A tag incorporating an IC tag Pt may be placed on the plate P. Although the plate P is exemplified as being circular in plan view, suitable for transporting sushi, it may take any suitable planar or three-dimensional shape. Furthermore, the object to be transported by the transport device 1 may be a tray capable of carrying multiple plates, instead of the plate P, or any other vessel capable of carrying items. The transport device 1 may be installed in restaurants such as yakiniku restaurants and set meal restaurants, and may also be used for purposes other than eating and drinking, such as sorting items (transporting vessels carrying items).

The conveying device 1 has a linear conveying path 2. Hereinafter, the conveying direction of the conveying path 2 may be referred to as the X direction, the upstream side of the conveying direction may be referred to as the +X direction, and the downstream side may be referred to as the -X direction. The width direction of the conveying path 2 that is perpendicular to the conveying direction may be referred to as the Y direction, and one side of the width direction may be referred to as the +Y direction, and the other side may be referred to as the -Y direction. The conveying path 2 is a passage for conveying the plate P to the table T described below, and the shape of the conveying path 2 can be appropriately determined depending on the position of the table T.

The conveying path 2 is equipped with belt conveyors 3A to 3C, which are arranged with gaps between them in the Y direction and convey the plate P together. The belt conveyors are numbered 3A, 3B, and 3C, starting from the belt conveyor on the +Y direction side. The widths of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C are the same, and the size of the gaps between the belt conveyors 3A and 3B and between the belt conveyors 3B and 3C are the same. The conveying surfaces (upper surfaces) of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C are located above the road surface 21 of the conveying path 2. The belt conveyors 3A to 3C are located inside the outer circumferential surface of the foot Pl of the plate P in the Y direction. The widths of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C may be different from each other, and the distance between two adjacent belt conveyors in the Y direction may be different from each other.

Tables T and seats S are installed along the transport path 2. The tables T are installed facing each other across the transport path 2 in the Y direction. A roller conveyor RC is installed on the tables T along the transport path 2. The roller conveyor RC has multiple driven rollers RC1 that run along the Y direction and are installed along the transport direction, allowing multiple plates P to be placed on the roller conveyor RC.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control block of the conveying device 1.
An order terminal 101 is installed at each table T. Customers use the order terminal 101 to order food and drink. The order received by the order terminal 101 is output to a computing device 102. The computing device 102 is composed of one computer located inside or outside the store, or multiple computers connected via an appropriate network. The computing device 102 provides an ordering system, and performs store status management, cooking distribution, food and drink arrival notification, order compilation, etc. The computing device 102 communicates with a kitchen terminal 103 and an antenna 104 described later, and controls actuators 51A, 51B in a dispensing mechanism 4 described later. The computing device 102 and the terminals 101, 103 are computers and have communication functions, calculation functions, storage functions, display functions, and input reception functions.

Returning to Figure 1, the upstream end of the conveying path 2 (the right side in Figure 1) is located inside the kitchen. When a customer places an order, the kitchen staff places a plate P with the ordered items on it on the conveying path 2, and the fact that the plate has been placed is input to the kitchen terminal 103. The conveying path 2 conveys the plate P downstream in the conveying direction (the left side in Figure 1).

A discharge mechanism 4 is provided on the conveying path 2 corresponding to each table T. The discharge mechanism 4 discharges plates P from the conveying path 2 (belt conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C) to the table T. The mechanical configuration related to the dispensing of plates P will be described later. An antenna 104 is provided upstream of the discharge mechanism 4 in the conveying direction. The antenna 104 is installed on the conveying path 2 or beside the conveying path 2.

The antenna 104 reads the IC tag Pt on the plate P and outputs the identification information to the computing device 102. When the computing device 102 determines that the plate P carrying the customer's ordered items has been transported to the vicinity of the customer's table T, the dispensing mechanism 4 dispenses the plate P from the transport path 2 to the customer's table T. In this embodiment, since tables T are placed on both sides of the transport path 2 in the Y direction, the computing device 102 determines the direction to dispense the plate P according to the customer's table T. The plate P is discharged onto the roller conveyor RC of the customer's table T. In this way, the plate P carrying the ordered items is discharged onto the roller conveyor RC. The customer removes the plate P from the roller conveyor RC and eats the ordered items placed on the plate P.

The plate P may be dispensed to another conveying path branching off from conveying path 2. Although an example has been described in which an IC tag Pt and an antenna 104 are installed on each plate P as an identification mechanism for identifying the plate P, other variations may be adopted, and other mechanisms may also be used. For example, a plate P equipped with an IC tag Pt may be sent in front of a group of multiple plates P carrying ordered items, so that the following group of plates P are dispensed to the customer in succession. Furthermore, the plate P to be dispensed may be identified by the computing device 102 analyzing an image of the plate P captured by a camera.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the dispensing mechanism 4 located on the −Y direction side of the transport path 2 in the plan view shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, the dispensing mechanisms 4 are arranged in the Y direction in correspondence with the tables T facing each other in the Y direction. First, the dispensing mechanism 4 on the -Y direction side will be described. The tables T on both sides of the transport path 2 in the Y direction may be offset in the transport direction. In this case, the dispensing mechanisms 4 are provided according to the positions of the tables T in the transport direction.

The dispensing mechanism 4 on the -Y direction side includes two first guides 41A, an upstream first guide 42A, a downstream first guide 43A, and an auxiliary discharge device 44. Note that the auxiliary discharge device 44 can be omitted.

The first guide 41A is a pin with a circular cross section, and is located in each gap between the belt conveyors 3A and 3B and between the belt conveyors 3B and 3C. In this embodiment, there are two first guides 41A in order to install three belt conveyors 3A to 3C, but the number of first guides 41A can be set as desired. When installing four belt conveyors, the first guide 41A may be installed in all gaps between the belt conveyors for a total of three, or may not be installed in one gap for a total of two. The cross-sectional shape of the first guide 41A is not limited to a circle, and may be any suitable shape. The number of belt conveyors may be two or more.

Of the two first guides 41A, the one located further downstream on the transport path 2 is located on the -Y direction side. When three or more first guides 41A are arranged, they may be arranged so as to be located on a straight line or on a curved line, and can be arranged in any suitable position.

The first guide 41A moves up and down through a hole provided in the road surface 21 of the conveying path 2. The first guides 41A can transition to a protruding state in which they both protrude above the road surface 21 and above the conveying surfaces of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. The first guides 41A can also transition to a retracted state in which they both are located below the road surface 21, in other words, below the conveying surfaces of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. The first guides 41A transition between the protruding state and the retracted state.

Each first guide 41A is held together by a first holding plate 521A of a first holding member 52A described below, and is driven simultaneously under the control of the computing device 102. Note that each first guide 41A may be driven individually by a separate mechanism.

The first guide 41A is normally in a retracted state and does not prevent the plate P from being transported downstream. The first guide 41A is extended when the plate P carrying the ordered item approaches the table T on the -Y side of the customer. The plate P transported by the belt conveyors 3A to 3C comes into contact with the first guide 41A from the upstream side in order, and the more downstream the first guide 41A is located, the closer it is to the -Y direction, so the plate P can be discharged in the -Y direction from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C and sent to the auxiliary discharge device 44. Here, the first guide 41A can be provided with a roller (not shown) that rotates around an axis in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the first guide 41A, and the plate P can come into contact with this roller.

In this embodiment, to enable smoother dispensing of plates P, an upstream first guide 42A is installed on the +Y side of the belt conveyors 3A-3C, and a downstream first guide 43A is installed on the -Y side. The upstream first guide 42A and the downstream first guide 43A are, for example, pins with a circular cross section. The upstream first guide 42A is located upstream of the multiple first guides 41A in the +Y direction. The downstream first guide 43A is located downstream of the multiple first guides 41A in the -Y direction.

The upstream first guide 42A and the downstream first guide 43A are arranged so as to be positioned in a straight line with the first guide 41A. The upstream first guide 42A and the downstream first guide 43A are driven in the same manner as the first guide 41A, and transition between a protruding state and a retracted state via each hole in the road surface 21. The upstream first guide 42A and the downstream first guide 43A are held together by a first holding plate 521A of a first holding member 52A described below, and are driven simultaneously (simultaneously with the first guide 41A) under the control of the computing device 102, but may be driven individually by separate mechanisms.

By utilizing the upstream first guide 42A and downstream first guide 43A, the dispensing mechanism 4 can guide the plate P over a wider range in the Y direction, allowing the plate P to be dispensed more smoothly from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. Here, the upstream first guide 42A and downstream first guide 43A can be provided with rollers (not shown) that rotate around an axis in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the first guides 42A and 43A, and the plate P can be brought into contact with these rollers.

The auxiliary discharge device 44 is located on the conveying path 2, and on the -Y direction side of the downstream first guide 43A. The auxiliary discharge device 44 sends the plate P dispensed from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C from the conveying path 2 to the destination, and may have any suitable configuration. In this embodiment, the auxiliary discharge device 44 has a drive roller 44a installed with its longitudinal direction aligned with the conveying direction, and drives the drive roller 44a under the control of the computing device 102 to send the plate P dispensed from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C from the conveying path 2 to the roller conveyor RC.

The drive roller 44a does not have to be driven by the control of the computing device 102, and may simply be arranged in a state in which it can rotate freely without receiving a driving force. In this case, when the plate P that has been dispensed from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C by the first guide 41A, the upstream first guide 42A, and the downstream first guide 43A moves onto the drive roller 44a, the drive roller 44a rotates in response to the movement of the plate P.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the dispensing mechanism 4 located on the +Y direction side of the transport path 2 in the plan view shown in FIG.
The +Y direction side dispensing mechanism 4 dispensing plates P from the transport path 2 to the +Y direction side has a similar configuration to the -Y direction side dispensing mechanism 4 in Fig. 3. The +Y direction side dispensing mechanism 4 will be briefly described below. The dispensing mechanism 4 comprises two second guides 41B, an upstream second guide 42B, a downstream second guide 43B, and an auxiliary discharge device 44. Note that the auxiliary discharge device 44 may be omitted.

The second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B are, for example, pins with a circular cross section. Each first guide 41A is aligned with each second guide 41B, the upstream first guide 42A is aligned with the upstream second guide 42B, and the downstream first guide 43A is aligned with the downstream second guide 43B in the Y direction. In other words, the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B are positioned symmetrically with the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A with respect to the center line (belt conveyor 3B) in the width direction of the conveying path 2.

The second guides 41B are located in the +Y direction as they are located downstream, and are held by the second holding plate 521B of the second holding member 52B described later. The second guides 41B transition between a protruding state from the conveying surface of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C and a retracted state where they are located below the conveying surface. The second guides 41B are normally in the retracted state. The second guides 41B are protruding when the plate P carrying the ordered item approaches the table T on the +Y direction side of the ordering customer, and the plate P conveyed by the belt conveyors 3A to 3C is discharged in the +Y direction from the belt conveyors 3A to 3C and the plate P is sent to the auxiliary discharge device 44. Here, the second guides 41B can be provided with rollers (not shown) that rotate around the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the second guides 41B as an axis, and the plate P can be brought into contact with the rollers.

An upstream second guide 42B is installed on the -Y direction side of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C, and a downstream second guide 43B is installed on the +Y direction side. The upstream second guide 42B is located upstream of the multiple second guides 41B on the -Y direction side. The downstream second guide 43B is located downstream of the multiple second guides 41B on the +Y direction side. The second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B are held by a second holding plate 521B, positioned on a straight line, and driven simultaneously up and down by the second holding plate 521B. The second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B transition between a protruding state and a retracted state through each hole in the road surface 21.

The second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B may be driven individually, and their positions may be set appropriately. Here, the upstream second guide 42B and the downstream second guide 43B may be provided with rollers (not shown) that rotate around an axis in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the second guides 42B and 43B, and the plate P may be brought into contact with these rollers.

Figure 5 is a side view showing the first drive mechanism 5A for driving the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A. Figure 5 shows the first drive mechanism 5A when the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A are in a protruding state. Note that Figure 5 shows only one first guide 41A, and does not show the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A that are positioned at different positions in the Y direction relative to this first guide 41A.

The first drive mechanism 5A is installed below the conveying surface (road surface 21 of conveying path 2) of the belt conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C, and moves the first guides 41A, 42A, 43A up and down to transition between the protruding state and the retracted state. The first drive mechanism 5A can be any suitable mechanism, but one example will be described below. The first drive mechanism 5A includes a first actuator 51A, a first holding member 52A, and a first transmission mechanism 53A.

The first actuator 51A expands and contracts in the X direction (transport direction). As the first actuator 51A, for example, a solenoid actuator can be used.
The first holding member 52A has a first holding plate 521A that holds the first guides 41A, 42A, 43A on its upper surface, and a guide pin 522 is provided on the lower surface of the first holding plate 521A. The first holding member 52A also includes a regulating portion 523 into which the guide pin 522 is inserted to regulate the movement direction of the first holding plate 521A in the up-down direction.

The first transmission mechanism 53A converts the expansion and contraction motion of the first actuator 51A into up and down motion and transmits it to the first holding plate 521A of the first holding member 52A, and comprises a first member 531 and a second member 532. The end of the first member 531 in the +X direction (rightward in FIG. 5) is connected to the first actuator 51A. The lower end of the first member 531 is inserted into a key groove 535 extending in the X direction (left and right in FIG. 5), and the movement direction is restricted to the X direction. The first member 531 has a linear slit 533 that extends upward as it proceeds in the -X direction.

The second member 532 has a pin 534 that is inserted into the slit 533. The second member 532 has an end in the -X direction fixed to the first holding plate 521A, and the movement direction is restricted to the up-down direction by the restricting portion 523 via the first holding plate 521A.

When the computing device 102 puts the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A into a protruding state, it contracts the first actuator 51A and moves the first member 531 in the +X direction. The second member 532 moves upward due to the engagement of the slit 533 and the pin 534 and the action of the regulating portion 523, and moves the first holding plate 521A upward. As a result, the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A move upward and protrude.

When the computing device 102 puts the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A into the retracted state, it extends the first actuator 51A and moves the first member 531 in the -X direction. The second member 532 moves downward due to the engagement of the slit 533 and the pin 534 and the action of the regulating portion 523, and moves the first holding plate 521A downward. As a result, the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A move downward and are in the retracted state.

Figure 6 is a side view showing the second drive mechanism 5B for driving the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B. Figure 6 shows the second drive mechanism 5B when the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B are in a protruding state. Note that Figure 6 shows only one second guide 41B, and does not show the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B that are positioned at different positions in the Y direction relative to this second guide 41B. In Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used for components that have the same functions as the components described in Figure 5.

The second drive mechanism 5B is installed below the conveying surface (road surface 21 of conveying path 2) of the belt conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C, and moves the second guides 41B, 42B, 43B up and down to transition between the protruding state and the retracted state. The second drive mechanism 5B can be any suitable mechanism, and one example will be described below. The second drive mechanism 5B includes a second actuator 51B, a second holding member 52B, and a second transmission mechanism 53B.

The second actuator 51B expands and contracts in the X direction (transport direction). As the second actuator 51B, for example, a solenoid actuator can be used.
The second holding member 52B has a second holding plate 521B that holds the second guides 41B, 42B, 43B on its upper surface, and a guide pin 522 is provided on the lower surface of the second holding plate 521B. The second holding member 52B also includes a regulating portion 523 into which the guide pin 522 is inserted to regulate the movement direction of the second holding plate 521B in the up-down direction.

The second transmission mechanism 53B converts the expansion and contraction motion of the second actuator 51B into up and down motion and transmits it to the second holding plate 521B of the second holding member 52B, and comprises a first member 531 and a second member 532. The end of the first member 531 in the +X direction (left direction in FIG. 6) is connected to the second actuator 51B. The lower end of the first member 531 is inserted into a key groove 535 extending in the X direction (left and right direction in FIG. 6), and the movement direction is restricted to the X direction. The first member 531 has a linear slit 533 that extends upward as it proceeds in the +X direction.

The second member 532 has a pin 534 that is inserted into the slit 533. The end of the second member 532 in the +X direction is fixed to the second holding plate 521B, and the movement direction is restricted to the up-down direction by the restricting portion 523 via the second holding plate 521B.

When the computing device 102 puts the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B into a protruding state, it retracts the second actuator 51B and moves the first member 531 in the -X direction. The second member 532 moves upward due to the engagement of the slit 533 and the pin 534 and the action of the regulating portion 523, and moves the second holding plate 521B upward. As a result, the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B move upward and protrude.

When the computing device 102 puts the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B in the retracted state, it extends the second actuator 51B and moves the first member 531 in the +X direction. The second member 532 moves downward due to the engagement of the slit 533 and the pin 534 and the action of the regulating portion 523, and moves the second holding plate 521B downward. As a result, the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B move downward to the retracted state.

Next, the positional relationship between the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B described above will be explained using Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 shows a plan view (a) of the first guides 41A to 43A and the first holding plate 521A, and a side view (b) of the first guides 41A to 43A and the first holding plate 521A. Figure 7(b) also shows the position of the first holding plate 521A when it is in a protruding state, and the position of the first holding plate 521A when it is in a retracted state.

Figure 8 shows a plan view (a) of the second guides 41B to 43B and the second holding plate 521B, and a side view (b) of the second guides 41B to 43B and the second holding plate 521B. Figure 8(b) also shows the position of the second holding plate 521B when it is in a protruding state, and the position of the second holding plate 521B when it is in a retracted state.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first holding plate 521A is formed in a flat plate shape. The first guides 41A to 43A are provided on the upper surface of the first holding plate 521A, and the heights of the first guides 41A to 43A (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 7) are the same.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second holding plate 521B has a recess 521B1 to avoid interference with the first holding plate 521A. As can be seen from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B intersect with each other in a plan view. For this reason, when the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B are moved between the protruding state and the retracted state, it is necessary to prevent the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B from interfering with each other. Therefore, by forming a recess 521B1 in the second holding plate 521B, interference between the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B is avoided.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), the two second guides 41B are provided in the recess 521B1 of the second holding plate 521B, and the height of the second guide 41B (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 8) is greater than the heights of the upstream second guide 42B and the downstream second guide 43B (the length in the vertical direction in FIG. 8). The upper ends of the second guides 41B to 43B are aligned at the same height.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), the first holding plate 521A moves between the protruding state and the retracted state above the recess 521B1 of the second holding plate 521B, which is in the protruding state. The second holding plate 521B also moves downward from the position of the protruding state to the retracted state. This allows the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B to move between the protruding state and the retracted state without interfering with each other.

Figure 9 is a plan view showing the first drive mechanism 5A and the second drive mechanism 5B described above. The first drive mechanism 5A and the second drive mechanism 5B are arranged side by side along the transport direction (X direction) of the transport path 2. The first actuator 51A of the first drive mechanism 5A is arranged at a position furthest from the position where the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B intersect. The second actuator 51B of the second drive mechanism 5B is arranged at a position furthest from the position where the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B intersect.

In this embodiment, the first actuator 51A expands and contracts in the X direction (conveying direction), but the expansion and contraction direction of the first actuator 51A may be a direction different from the X direction (conveying direction). In other words, the expansion and contraction movement of the first actuator 51A may be converted into the movement of the first guides 41A, 42A, and 43A described above.

In addition, in this embodiment, the second actuator 51B expands and contracts in the X direction (conveying direction), but the expansion and contraction direction of the second actuator 51B may be a direction different from the X direction (conveying direction). In other words, the expansion and contraction movement of the second actuator 51B may be converted into the movement of the second guides 41B, 42B, and 43B described above.

In this embodiment, the first guides 41A-43A and the second guides 41B-43B are moved between the extended state and the retracted state, so there is no need to install a mechanism for dispensing the plate P at a position adjacent to the road surface 21 of the conveying path 2.

In this embodiment, the table T is disposed on both sides of the transport path 2 in the Y direction, so the first guides 41A-43A and the second guides 41B-43B are provided, but this is not limited to this. Specifically, if the table T is disposed on one side of the transport path 2 in the Y direction, only the first guides 41A-43A or the second guides 41B-43B can be provided to transport the plate P to this table T.

Second Embodiment
Next, the mechanism at the upstream end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the conveying path 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The plate P carrying the ordered items is placed by the kitchen staff in the waiting area 2A (see FIG. 10) of the conveyor path 2 (belt conveyors 3A, 3B, 3C). The waiting area 2A is an area located closer to the kitchen than the position of the stopper 60 described below, and is an area where the plate P to be conveyed is temporarily placed on hold. The stopper drive mechanism 6 shown in FIG. 11 is disposed below the road surface 21 of the conveyor path 2, and includes a stopper 60, an actuator 61, a holding member 62, and a transmission mechanism 63.

As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, two stoppers 60 are provided, one stopper 60 is located between the belt conveyors 3A and 3B, and the other stopper 60 is located between the belt conveyors 3B and 3C. The two stoppers 60 are lined up in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the plate P (in other words, the moving direction of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C). Each stopper 60 operates between a protruding state in which it protrudes above the conveying surfaces of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C, and a retracted state in which it retracts below the conveying surfaces of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C.

The stopper 60 is a pin with a circular cross section, but the shape of the stopper 60 can be determined as appropriate. The stopper 60 can also be provided with a roller (not shown) that rotates around an axis in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the stopper 60, and the plate P can be brought into contact with this roller.

When the stopper 60 is in a protruding state, the feet Pl of the plate P placed in the waiting area 2A come into contact with the stopper 60, and the plate P can be stopped at this contact position. Here, when the plate P is placed at a position away from the protruding stopper 60, the belt conveyors 3A to 3C can be driven to move the plate P to a position where it comes into contact with the stopper 60. When multiple plates P are placed in the waiting area 2A, the foremost plate P can be stopped at the position of the stopper 60, and the following plates P can be lined up along the belt conveyors 3A to 3C in relation to the foremost plate P.

When the stopper 60 is in the retracted state, the plates P placed in the waiting area 2A are transported toward the table T by the driving of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. When multiple plates P are placed in the waiting area 2A, the multiple plates P are transported toward the table T in a lined-up state by the driving of the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. This allows the plates P of all the items ordered by the customer to be delivered to the ordering customer.

Next, the mechanism for driving the stopper 60 will be described. The actuator 61 expands and contracts in the X direction (the conveying direction). For example, a solenoid actuator can be used as the actuator 61. The holding member 62 includes a holding plate 621 that holds the two stoppers 60 integrally, a guide pin 622 provided on the underside of the holding plate 621, and a regulating portion 623 into which the guide pin 622 is inserted to regulate the movement of the guide pin 622 in the vertical direction.

The transmission mechanism 63 converts the expansion and contraction motion of the actuator 61 into up and down motion and transmits it to the holding plate 621, and comprises a first member 631 and a second member 632. The end of the first member 631 in the +X direction (right direction in FIG. 11) is connected to the actuator 61. The lower end of the first member 631 is inserted into a key groove 635 extending in the X direction (left and right direction in FIG. 11), and the movement direction is restricted to the X direction. A linear slit 633 is formed in the first member 631, which extends upward as it proceeds in the -X direction.

The second member 632 has a pin 634 that is inserted into the slit 633. The end of the second member 632 in the -X direction is fixed to the holding plate 621, and the movement direction is restricted to the up and down direction by the restricting portion 623 via the holding plate 621.

When the computing device 102 puts the stopper 60 in a protruding state, it retracts the actuator 61 and moves the first member 631 in the +X direction. The second member 632 moves upward due to the engagement between the slit 633 and the pin 634 and the action of the regulating portion 623, and moves the holding plate 621 upward. As a result, the stopper 60 moves upward and puts itself in a protruding state.

When the computing device 102 puts the stopper 60 in the retracted state, it extends the actuator 61, moving the first member 631 in the -X direction. The second member 632 moves downward due to the engagement between the slit 633 and the pin 634 and the action of the restricting portion 623, moving the holding plate 621 downward. As a result, the stopper 60 moves downward and is in the retracted state.

In this embodiment, the actuator 61 expands and contracts in the X direction (conveying direction), but the expansion and contraction direction of the actuator 61 may be a direction different from the X direction (conveying direction). In other words, the expansion and contraction movement of the actuator 61 may be converted into the movement of the stopper 60 described above.

In this embodiment, two stoppers 60 are used to stop the plate P on the belt conveyors 3A to 3C, but this is not limited to this. In other words, as long as the plate P can be stopped using the stoppers 60, the number of stoppers 60 can be determined appropriately. For example, even if one stopper 60 is used, the shape of the stopper 60 can be formed into a shape that can stop the plate P.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the stoppers 60 are placed between the belt conveyors 3A and 3B and between the belt conveyors 3B and 3C, but this is not limited to this. In other words, as long as the plate P can be stopped using the stoppers 60, the positions at which the stoppers 60 are placed can be determined appropriately. Here, the positions at which the stoppers 60 are placed need only be positions that do not interfere with the belt conveyors 3A to 3C. For example, the stoppers 60 can be placed on the opposite side of the belt conveyor 3A from the belt conveyor 3B side, or the stoppers 60 can be placed on the opposite side of the belt conveyor 3C from the belt conveyor 3B side.

Third Embodiment
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the mechanism for moving the first guides 41A-43A and the second guides 41B-43B between the protruding state and the retracted state. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Below, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figures 12 to 14.

Figure 12 corresponds to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 13 shows the mechanism for moving the first guides 41A-43A and the second guides 41B-43B as viewed from the X direction. Figure 14 explains the mechanism for driving the rack 76, which will be described later.

The mechanism for moving the first guides 41A-43A between the protruding state and the retracted state and the mechanism for moving the second guides 41B-43B between the protruding state and the retracted state are substantially the same, so the following describes the mechanism for moving the first guides 41A-43A between the protruding state and the retracted state. Here, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same functions in the mechanism for moving the first guides 41A-43A and the mechanism for moving the second guides 41B-43B.

In FIG. 12, the first holding plate 521A is fixed to the drive unit 71. The tip end of the first arm 72 is connected to the drive unit 71, and the base end of the first arm 72 is connected to the shaft portion 73a of the gear 73. The base end of the second arm 74 is connected to the shaft portion 73a of the gear 73, and a weight 75 is attached to the second arm 74. The first arm 72 and the second arm 74 can be moved by the gear 73 rotating around the shaft portion 73a.

The weight 75 is disposed on the shaft portion 73a of the gear 73 opposite the side on which the first holding plate 521A is located, and is used to maintain the first guides 41A to 43A in a protruding state. Note that the weight 75 can be omitted, and in that case, the second arm 74 can also be omitted.

Gear (pinion gear) 73 meshes with rack 76, and gear 73 can be rotated by rack 76 moving in the X direction. The direction of rotation of gear 73 can be changed depending on whether rack 76 moves in the -X direction or +X direction. A slider 77 is connected to rack 76, and slider 77 engages with slide rail 78. Slide rail 78 guides slider 77 in the X direction.

In the state shown in FIG. 12 (the protruding state of the first guide 41A), when the gear 73 is rotated counterclockwise, the first arm 72 moves the first holding plate 521A downward, and the first guide 41A can be moved from the protruding state to the retracted state. On the other hand, when the first guide 41A is in the retracted state, the gear 73 is rotated clockwise, and the first arm 72 moves the first holding plate 521A upward, and the first guide 41A can be moved from the retracted state to the protruding state.

As described in the first embodiment, the first holding plate 521A has the shape shown in FIG. 7, and the second holding plate 521B has the shape shown in FIG. 8, so that the first holding plate 521A and the second holding plate 521B do not interfere with each other. As shown in FIG. 12, the recess 521B1 of the second holding plate 521B is located below the drive unit 71.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the bearing 79 rotatably supports the gear 73 and the arms 72 and 74. The bearing 79 is supported by the holder 80.

Next, the mechanism for moving the rack 76 in the X direction will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Gears 73 and other components shown in Figures 12 and 13 are omitted in Figure 14.

A gear portion 76a that meshes with the above-mentioned gear 73 is formed on the upper surface of the rack 76. A drive portion 81 is connected to one end of the rack 76, and an actuator 82 is connected to the drive portion 81. The actuator 82 can expand and contract in the same manner as the actuators 51A and 51B described in the first embodiment, and a solenoid actuator, for example, can be used as the actuator 82. The actuator 82 is held by a holder 83.

The actuator 82 is operated to move the drive unit 81 in the X direction. Since the rack 76 is connected to the drive unit 81, the rack 76 can also be moved in the X direction. The operation of the actuator 82 is controlled by the computing device 102 (see FIG. 2).

Fourth Embodiment
This embodiment is different from the second embodiment in the mechanism for moving the stopper 60 between the protruding state and the retracted state. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for members having the same functions as those described in the second embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted. Below, the differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 15 to 17.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, two types of stoppers 60A and 60B are used. The pair of stoppers 60A is disposed downstream of the transport path 2, and the pair of stoppers 60B is disposed upstream of the transport path 2. The pair of stoppers 60A is held by a first holding plate 621A, and the pair of stoppers 60B is held by a second holding plate 621B.

The tip of the first arm 91a is connected to the first holding plate 621A, and the tip of the second arm 91b is connected to the second holding plate 621B. The base end of the first arm 91a and the base end of the second arm 91b are connected to the shaft 92a of the gear 92. The bearing 93 rotatably supports the shaft 92a of the gear 92 and the arms 91a and 91b. The bearing 93 is supported by a holder 94.

The gear 92 can move the first arm 91a and the second arm 91b by rotating around the shaft 92a, as shown in FIG. 17. The gear (pinion gear) 92 meshes with a rack 95, and the gear 92 can be rotated by the rack 95 moving in the X direction. The rotation direction of the gear 92 can be changed in response to the rack 95 moving in the -X direction or +X direction.

A drive unit 96 is connected to the rack 95, and a slider 97 is attached to the bottom surface of the drive unit 96. The slider 97 engages with a slide rail 98, which guides the slider 97 in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 16, an actuator 99 is connected to the drive unit 96. Note that the stopper 60A and the first retaining plate 621A are omitted from FIG. 16.

The actuator 99 can expand and contract in the same manner as the actuators 51A and 51B described in the first embodiment, and a solenoid actuator, for example, can be used as the actuator 99. When the actuator 99 expands and contracts, the rack 95 can be moved in the X direction via the drive unit 96. The operation of the actuator 99 is controlled by the computing device 102 (see FIG. 2).

In the state shown in FIG. 17, stopper 60A is in a retracted state, and stopper 60B is in a protruding state. On the other hand, when stopper 60A is in a protruding state, stopper 60B is in a retracted state. In this way, the angles of arms 91a and 91b relative to gear 92 are determined so that when one of stoppers 60A and 60B is in a protruding state, the other of stoppers 60A and 60B is in a retracted state.

When the gear 92 is rotated clockwise in the state shown in FIG. 17 (stopper 60B protruding state), the second arm 91b moves the second holding plate 621B downward, moving the stopper 60B from the protruding state to the retracted state. Also, the first arm 91a moves the first holding plate 621A upward, moving the stopper 60A from the retracted state to the protruding state.

On the other hand, when the stopper 60A is in the protruding state, the gear 92 can be rotated counterclockwise to move the first holding plate 621A downward by the first arm 91a, thereby moving the stopper 60A from the protruding state to the retracted state. Also, the second holding plate 621B can be moved upward by the second arm 91b, thereby moving the stopper 60B from the retracted state to the protruding state.

According to this embodiment, by putting the stopper 60A in a protruding state, the plate P can be brought into contact with the stopper 60A and temporarily waited. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, by putting the stopper 60A in a retracted state and putting the stopper 60B in a protruding state, the plate P on the left side shown in FIG. 17 can be transported to the customer's table T by driving the belt conveyors 3A-3C. Here, the plate P on the right side shown in FIG. 17 comes into contact with the protruding stopper 60B and stops. This allows the plate P to be transported (the left side plate P shown in FIG. 17) to be transported, and the plate P to be stopped (the right side plate P shown in FIG. 17) to remain stopped.

1: conveyor, 3A, 3B, 3C: belt conveyor, 5A: first drive mechanism, 5B: second drive mechanism, 6: stopper drive mechanism, 41A: first guide, 41B: second guide, 42A: upstream first guide, 42B: upstream second guide, 43A: downstream first guide, 43B: downstream second guide, 51A: first actuator, 51B: second actuator, 52A: first holding member, 52B: second holding member, 53A: first transmission mechanism, 53B: second transmission mechanism, 60: stopper, 91: plate, X: conveyance direction, Y: width direction.

Claims (8)

A plurality of belt conveyors arranged at intervals in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction and conveying containers carrying articles together;
A plurality of first guides are disposed at positions adjacent to each of the belt conveyors in the width direction and at different positions in the conveying direction, and the more downstream in the conveying direction the first guides are positioned on one side in the width direction,
A conveying device comprising: a first drive mechanism that drives the multiple first guides between a protruding state in which the multiple first guides protrude above the conveying surface of the belt conveyor, and a retracted state in which the multiple first guides are retracted to a position below the conveying surface by bringing the container into contact with the multiple first guides and moving the multiple belt conveyors along the arrangement direction of the multiple first guides while moving each of the belt conveyors, thereby discharging the container from the multiple belt conveyors to one side, and a retracted state in which the multiple first guides are retracted to a position below the conveying surface. 2. The conveying device according to claim 1,
A conveying device in which the first guides are arranged on both sides of each of the belt conveyors in the width direction. 3. The conveying device according to claim 1,
The first drive mechanism includes:
A first actuator that performs an expansion and contraction motion;
a first transmission mechanism that converts the extension and contraction motion of the first actuator into movement of the first guide between the protruding state and the retracted state. 4. The conveying device according to claim 1,
A plurality of second guides are disposed at positions adjacent to each of the belt conveyors in the width direction, at positions different from each other in the conveying direction, and the more downstream the second guides are in the conveying direction, the more the second guides are positioned on the other side in the width direction;
A conveying device comprising: a second drive mechanism that drives the multiple second guides between a protruding state in which the multiple second guides protrude above the conveying surface and the belt conveyors are moved while bringing the container into contact with the multiple second guides and moving them along the arrangement direction of the multiple second guides , thereby discharging the container from the multiple belt conveyors to the other side, and a retracted state in which the multiple second guides are retracted to a position below the conveying surface. 5. The conveying device according to claim 4,
A conveying device in which the second guides are arranged on both sides of each of the belt conveyors in the width direction. 6. The conveying device according to claim 4 or 5,
The second drive mechanism is
A second actuator that performs an expansion and contraction motion;
a second transmission mechanism that converts the extension and contraction motion of the second actuator into movement of the second guide between the protruding state and the retracted state. 7. The conveying device according to claim 1,
a stopper disposed adjacent to the belt conveyor in the width direction in a waiting area where the container to be conveyed waits, the stopper being located upstream in the conveying direction;
A conveying device comprising a stopper drive mechanism that drives the stopper between a protruding state in which the stopper protrudes above the conveying surface and stops the container by contact between the stopper and the container, and a retracted state in which the stopper is retracted to a position below the conveying surface. 8. The conveying device according to claim 7 ,
The stopper includes a plurality of stoppers,
A conveying device in which the plurality of stoppers are aligned in the width direction.