JP7593072B2 - Transport System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying system, in particular to a conveying system that conveys luggage on trays.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a conveying system is known that enables unstable (or small) products that are difficult to convey by a general conveyor to be conveyed by placing them on trays and then enabling them to be conveyed by a conveyor or stored in an automated warehouse.
A warehouse system is known in which a robot removes packages from a container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2006/059677

In a conveying system in which cargo is placed on a tray and conveyed, the cargo needs to be loaded and unloaded from the tray in a horizontal and stable state.
Conventionally, cargo has been loaded and unloaded onto the trays manually. Even in automated systems, the trays must be stopped before cargo can be loaded or unloaded. This makes it difficult to improve the capacity of the transport system.

The object of the present invention is to improve the capabilities of a transport system that transports luggage on trays.

Below, we will explain several aspects as a means to solve the problem. These aspects can be combined as needed.

A transport system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a tray transport conveyor, a protruding member platform, a baggage transport conveyor, and a protruding member platform drive device.
The tray transport conveyor transports trays that have a plurality of through holes on the bottom surface and can store cargo.
The protruding member base has a plurality of protruding members on its upper portion which pass through the through holes in the tray.
Multiple luggage transport conveyors are arranged above the tray transport conveyor in parallel so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
When the tray transport conveyor is moving the trays and the luggage stored in the trays toward the luggage transport conveyor, the protruding member table drive device separates the luggage from the tray by raising the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member passes through the through hole of the tray and protrudes above the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor do not overlap in a plan view, and then moves the protruding member table toward the luggage transport conveyor. Furthermore, the protruding member table drive device delivers the luggage to the luggage transport conveyor by lowering the protruding member table to a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor overlap in a plan view and the protruding member is separated below the tray.
In this system, while being transported by the tray transport conveyor, the luggage in the tray is lifted from the tray by the multiple protruding members that rise, and is separated from the tray, and then handed over to the luggage transport conveyor by the multiple protruding members that descend. In other words, since the luggage can be lowered from the tray onto the luggage transport conveyor while the tray is being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system is increased.

The protruding member stage drive device may have an endless drive member that also moves in the return direction, and the plurality of protruding member stages may be moved collectively in the conveying direction by driving the endless drive member.
In this transport system, the endless drive member moves a plurality of protruding member stages, so that the transport capacity of the transport system is increased.

The projecting member carriage drive may constantly drive the endless drive member.
The transport system may further include a controller that coordinates the timing of the tray transport conveyor delivering the trays and packages to the projection member raised position.
In this transport system, the protruding member platform drive device is constantly moving in the transport direction, and the tray transport conveyor timely transports the tray and the package to the protruding member raised position.

The conveying system may further include a support member for supporting the load in a width direction when the protruding member lifts the load from the tray.
In this system, when a load is lifted, for example leaning against the wall of a tray, the load is supported by a support member.

A transport system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a tray transport conveyor, a protruding member platform, a load transport conveyor, and a protruding member platform drive device.
The tray transport conveyor transports trays that have a plurality of through holes on the bottom surface and that store cargo.
The protruding member base has a plurality of protruding members on its upper portion which pass through the through holes in the tray.
Multiple luggage transport conveyors are arranged above the tray transport conveyor in parallel so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
When the luggage conveyor conveys luggage to the end side of the luggage conveyor and the tray conveyor conveys trays to the same side as the luggage, the protruding member platform drive device raises the protruding member platform to a position where the protruding member receives the luggage at a position where the tray conveyor and the luggage conveyor overlap in a plan view, so that the luggage passes through the through hole of the tray and is further handed over from the luggage conveyor, and then moves the protruding member platform to a side away from the end of the luggage conveyor. Furthermore, the protruding member platform drive device lowers the protruding member platform to a position where the protruding member retracts below the tray at a position where the tray conveyor and the luggage conveyor do not overlap in a plan view, thereby lowering the luggage onto the tray.
In this system, while being transported by the luggage transport conveyor, the luggage in the tray is lifted from the luggage transport conveyor by a plurality of ascending protruding members, whereby it is separated from the luggage transport conveyor, and then handed over to the tray by a plurality of descending protruding members. In other words, since the luggage can be lowered from the luggage transport conveyor onto the tray while the tray is being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system is increased.

The transport system may further include a guide for adjusting the widthwise position of the load on the load transport conveyor.
In this conveying system, packages are accurately placed on trays.

The through hole of the tray may be an elongated hole that is long in the conveying direction.
In this conveying system, even if the relative speed between the protruding member and the tray fluctuates slightly while the protruding member is fitted in the through-hole of the tray, the protruding member is unlikely to interfere with other parts of the tray.

The transport system of the present invention has high transport capacity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a transport system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a tray transport conveyor and a baggage transport conveyor. FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the transport system. 11 is a flowchart showing the cargo carry-in timing control operation of the tray transport conveyor. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a transport system according to a third modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a transport system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a transport system according to a second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing the tray and luggage loading timing control operation of the tray transport conveyor and luggage transport conveyor. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a modified example of the second embodiment.

1. First embodiment (1) Basic configuration of the conveying system A conveying system 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the conveying system of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a tray conveying conveyor and a baggage conveying conveyor. Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a take-out device. Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic side views of the conveying system.
The conveying system 1 is a device that separates a baggage W placed on a tray 3 from the tray 3, and then enables the baggage W to be conveyed by itself. The left-right direction in Fig. 1 is the conveying direction of the baggage W (arrow X). The direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1 is the width direction (arrow Y) perpendicular to the first direction. The vertical direction is indicated by arrow Z.
In the first embodiment, the left side in FIG. 1 is the upstream side in the transport direction, and the right side in FIG. 1 is the downstream side in the transport direction.

The transport system 1 has a tray transport conveyor 7. The tray transport conveyor 7 is a device that transports the trays 3 into a take-out device 9 (described later). The tray transport conveyor 7 has a pair of belt conveyors 7a that extend in the transport direction.
The tray transport conveyor 7, for example, transports a tray 3 carrying luggage W from an automated warehouse (not shown), and then transfers the luggage W to a luggage transport conveyor 11 (described later) in the transport system 1, and then returns the tray 3 to the automated warehouse.

The conveying system 1 includes a take-out device 9. The take-out device 9 is a device that takes out the luggage W from the tray 3 and transfers it to a luggage transport conveyor 11 (described later).
The take-out device 9 is installed below the tray transport conveyor 7 and has multiple rows of liftable protruding members 15 (described later) arranged in parallel along the transport direction of the trays 3 at predetermined intervals from each other.

The transport system 1 has a luggage transport conveyor 11. The luggage transport conveyor 11 is a device that receives and transports luggage W in the transport system 1. The luggage transport conveyor 11 has a number of conveyor belts 11a arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals along the transport direction. The widthwise interval between the multiple conveyor belts 11a is set to be wider than the diameter of a protruding member 15 (described later).
The luggage transport conveyor 11 is disposed downstream in the transport direction of the take-out device 9, above the tray transport conveyor 7, at a position where their transport areas overlap in a plan view. Specifically, the upstream portion of the luggage transport conveyor 11 in the transport direction overlaps with, i.e., is located above, the downstream portion of the take-out device 9 in the transport direction. The upstream end of the luggage transport conveyor 11 in the transport direction is located upstream in the transport direction of the downstream end of the take-out device 9 in the transport direction. With the above configuration, the upstream portion of the luggage transport conveyor 11 in the transport direction can receive luggage W moving together with the tray 3 from the take-out device 9 (described later).

(2) Tray The tray 3 is a container that is open at the top and that accommodates the luggage W. As shown in Fig. 2, the tray 3 is rectangular and has a bottom surface 3a and four walls 3b.
The bottom surface 3a is formed with a large number of through holes 3c (one example of a through hole) penetrating in the vertical direction. The through holes 3c extend long in the conveying direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the through holes 3c are formed over the entire bottom surface 3a, with three in the conveying direction and five in the width direction, totaling 15.

(3) Removal Device The removal device 9 has a plurality of (three) protruding member stands 13. The protruding member stand 13 is a table for lifting the luggage W in the tray 3. It has a plurality of protruding members 15 at the top that pass through the through holes 3c of the tray 3. The protruding members 15 are arranged corresponding to the positions of the through holes 3c of the tray 3 positioned at a predetermined position, and are shorter in width than the through holes 3c. The protruding members 15 can be raised and lowered as described below. In the lowered position, the tip of the protruding member 15 is located below the tray 3, and in the raised position, the protruding member 15 passes through the through holes 3c of the tray 3 and protrudes above the tray 3, at which point the luggage placed in the tray 3 can be lifted above the tray 3.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the protruding members 15 are provided so that two of them are inserted into one through hole 3c side by side in the conveying direction.
More specifically, the protruding member 15 is a cylindrical pin-shaped member.

4, the take-out device 9 has a protruding member table drive device 17. The protruding member table drive device 17 has a first conveyor device 21 and a second conveyor device 23.
The first conveyor device 21 has a first chain drive device 25 that forms a trapezoidal transport path with a short upper side in a side view, and a motor (not shown) and a drive structure (not shown) that drive the first chain drive device 25. The second conveyor device 23 has a second chain drive device 27 that forms a trapezoidal transport path with a short upper side in a side view, and a motor (not shown) and a drive structure (not shown) that drive the second chain drive device 27. The first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 circulate clockwise in Figures 4 and 5.

Specifically, the upstream oblique side 25a in the conveying direction of the first chain driving device 25 is disposed upstream in the conveying direction of the upstream oblique side 27a in the conveying direction of the second chain driving device 27. Furthermore, the downstream oblique side 25b in the conveying direction of the first chain driving device 25 is disposed upstream in the conveying direction of the downstream oblique side 27b in the conveying direction of the second chain driving device 27.
The upstream oblique sides 25a, 27a in the conveying direction extend upward and downstream in the conveying direction from below the tray transport conveyor 7 to a position slightly below the conveying surface of the tray transport conveyor 7. In addition, the upstream oblique sides 25a, 27a in the conveying direction are spaced upstream in the conveying direction from the upstream end 11b in the conveying direction of the luggage transport conveyor 11. With the above configuration, the protruding member base 13 can cause the protruding member 15 to protrude upward from the conveying surface of the tray transport conveyor 7 when the upstream oblique sides 25a, 27a in the conveying direction of the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 move upward.
The downstream oblique sides 25b, 27b in the conveying direction extend downward and downstream in the conveying direction from a position slightly below the conveying surface of the tray conveying conveyor 7. The downstream oblique sides 25b, 27b in the conveying direction are slightly shifted downstream in the conveying direction from the upstream end 11b of the luggage conveying conveyor 11. The downstream part in the conveying direction of the upper horizontal moving part of the first chain driving device 25 and the second chain driving device 27 (the part connected to the downstream oblique sides 25b, 27b in the conveying direction) is at the same position in the conveying direction as the upstream end 11b of the luggage conveying conveyor 11. With the above configuration, the protruding member base 13 can retract the protruding member 15 downward from the conveying surface of the tray conveying conveyor 7 when moving downward on the downstream oblique sides 25b, 27b in the conveying direction of the first chain driving device 25 and the second chain driving device 27.

The second chain drive device 27 is disposed offset downstream in the conveying direction with respect to the first chain drive device 25. The first chain drive device 25 has a pair of first chains 25c disposed apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The second chain drive device 27 has a pair of second chains 27c disposed apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The pair of second chains 27c are disposed close to and on the outer sides of the first chains 25c in the second direction.
The downstream end of the protruding member base 13 in the conveying direction is connected to a pair of second chains 27c of the second chain driving device 27, and the upstream end of the protruding member base 13 in the conveying direction is connected to a pair of first chains 25c of the first chain driving device 25. This causes the protruding member base 13 to perform a circulating movement as described below.
That is, the protruding member base 13 rises on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the removal device 9 (more specifically, rises diagonally toward the downstream side in the conveying direction), moves horizontally toward the downstream side in the conveying direction while remaining in the raised position in the intermediate region of the conveying direction, and descends on the downstream side in the conveying direction (more specifically, descends diagonally toward the downstream side in the conveying direction), and moves horizontally toward the upstream side in the conveying direction while remaining in the lowered position in the intermediate region of the conveying direction.

(4) Basic operation of separating luggage from tray When the protruding member base 13 rises as described above, the protruding member 15 receives luggage W through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 at a position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the luggage transport conveyor 11 do not overlap in a plan view, as shown in the left part of FIG. 4. Furthermore, the protruding member base 13 moves downstream in the transport direction. In the above operation, the protruding member base 13 moves at the same speed as the tray 3 below the tray transport conveyor 7. Therefore, the luggage W moves at the same speed above the tray 3. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the luggage W is in a state of being lifted higher than the luggage transport conveyor 11, and when the protruding member base 13 descends at a position close to the luggage transport conveyor 11, the luggage W is transferred to the luggage transport conveyor 11. In the above operation, specifically, the protruding member 15 retreats downward through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 at a position where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the luggage transport conveyor 11 overlap in a plan view. During the above operation, the protruding member 15 descends between the widthwise gaps of the multiple conveyor belts 11a of the luggage transport conveyor 11.
When the protruding member base 13 moves downstream in the conveying direction, the protruding member 15 enters between the conveyor belts 11a and then descends as shown on the right side of FIG.

In the above operation, while being transported by the tray transport conveyor 7, the luggage W in the tray 3 is lifted from the tray 3 by the multiple protruding members 15 that are rising, and separated from the tray 3, and is then handed over to the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the multiple protruding members 15 that are descending. In other words, since the luggage W can be lowered from the tray 3 onto the luggage transport conveyor 11 while being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased.

As described above, the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 are endless drive members that move the multiple protruding member stages 13 downstream in the conveying direction and then return them to the upstream in the conveying direction. The first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 also move the multiple protruding member stages 13 together in the conveying direction. This increases the conveying capacity of the conveying system 1.
Furthermore, since the through hole 3c of the tray 3 extends long in the conveying direction, even if the speed of the protruding member 15 and the tray 3 differs slightly when the protruding member 15 is fitted into the through hole 3c of the tray 3, the protruding member 15 does not interfere with other parts of the tray 3. The difference in speed is caused by the fact that the speed of the protruding member 15 and the tray 3 are matched when the protruding member base 13 rises, so that the moving speed of the protruding member 15 becomes faster than that of the tray 3 in the horizontal movement portion.

(5) Control Configuration of the Transport System The control configuration of the transport system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the transport system. The transport system 1 has a controller 51.
The controller 51 is a computer system having a processor (e.g., a CPU), a storage device (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, a HDD, an SSD, etc.), and various interfaces (e.g., an A/D converter, a D/A converter, a communication interface, etc.) The controller 51 performs various control operations by executing a program stored in a storage unit (corresponding to a part or all of the storage area of the storage device).
The controller 51 may be configured with a single processor, or may be configured with multiple independent processors for each control.
A part or all of the functions of each element of the controller 51 may be realized as a program executable by a computer system constituting the controller 51. In addition, a part of the functions of each element of the control unit may be configured by a custom IC.

The controller 51 is connected to the tray transport conveyor 7, the take-out device 9, and the baggage transport conveyor 11. The controller 51 is capable of controlling these devices.
Although not shown, sensors for detecting the size, shape and position of the tray 3 and luggage W, sensors and switches for detecting the state of each device, and an information input device are connected to the controller 51 .
A carry-in possible state detection sensor 53 is connected to the controller 51. The carry-in possible state detection sensor 53 is a device that detects when the protruding member platform 13 returns to the upstream side in the conveying direction and then moves to the same position as or near the conveying surface of the tray conveyor 7 as shown on the left side of Fig. 5. The type of the carry-in possible state detection sensor 53 is not particularly limited, and may be a photoelectric sensor or a limit switch.

(6) Control Operation of the Loading Timing of the Tray Transport Conveyor The load carrying-in timing control operation of the tray transport conveyor 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the load carrying-in timing control operation of the tray transport conveyor.
The control flow charts described below are merely examples, and each step may be omitted or replaced as necessary. In addition, a plurality of steps may be executed simultaneously, or some or all of the steps may be executed in an overlapping manner.
Furthermore, each block in the control flowchart is not limited to a single control operation, but can be replaced with a plurality of control operations represented by a plurality of blocks.
The operation of each device is the result of commands from the control unit to each device, and these are represented by each step of the software application.

In this embodiment, the protruding member platform drive device 17 always drives the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 .
The controller 51 performs the following control to adjust the timing at which the tray transport conveyor 7 transports the tray 3 and the luggage W to the protruding member raised position.

In step S1, it is determined whether or not the tray 3 has reached a position in front of the ejection device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes this determination. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S2.
In step S2, the tray transport conveyor 7 stops its operation so that the trays 3 loaded with the luggage W stop in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transport conveyor 7 to perform the above-mentioned operation.
In step S3, it is determined whether or not the carry-in ready state detection sensor 53 is ON. Specifically, this determination is made by the controller 51. If the result is Yes, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the tray transport conveyor 7 starts to be driven, thereby starting to move the stopped tray 3. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transport conveyor 7 to perform the above-mentioned operation.
The tray transport conveyor 7 starts to be driven in accordance with the position of the protruding member base 13. More specifically, the tray transport conveyor 7 is divided into an upstream conveyor in the transport direction (not shown) and a downstream conveyor in the transport direction (shown as the tray transport conveyor 7), and when the downstream conveyor in the transport direction performs the above operation, the following tray 3 is stopped on the upstream conveyor in the transport direction. The following tray 3 is then moved to the downstream conveyor in the transport direction and stopped, and starts to move in accordance with the above timing. As a result, when the protruding member base 13 continues to move and rises, the protruding member 15 rises through the through hole 3c of the tray 3, and the baggage W can be released upward from the tray 3.
As a modified example of the timing adjustment, a stopper that moves in and out may be provided, and the tray may start moving by retracting the stopper in time.

(7) First Modification In the first embodiment, the protruding member table 13 is constantly driven, but may be stopped as necessary. For example, when trays 3 loaded with packages W are continuously conveyed, the protruding member table drive device 17 constantly drives the protruding member table 13, but if the trays 3 are not conveyed for a long time, the protruding member table drive device 17 may stop the protruding member table 13.
Such variations are described below.
The protruding member stand 13 can be stopped and wait below when the tray 3 and the luggage W are carried into the take-out device 9.
Then, the tray 3 is sent downstream in the transport direction by the tray transport conveyor 7 and stops at a predetermined pick-up position.

At this time, the tip of the protruding member 15 is positioned below the bottom surface 3a of the tray 3. Therefore, the protruding member 15 and the tray 3 do not interfere with each other. In addition, each through hole 3c of the positioned tray 3 is positioned above the protruding member 15.
Next, the protruding member base 13 rises, and the protruding member 15 passes through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and protrudes above the tray 3, and the baggage W on the tray 3 is removed upward.

(8) Second Modification The timing of entry of the protruding member platform 13 may be adjusted while the tray transport conveyor 7 is constantly driven.

(9) Third Modification A third modification will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of a transport system according to a third modification of the first embodiment.
The conveying system 1 further includes width-direction support members 41 (an example of a support member). The width-direction support members 41 support the luggage W in the width direction when the protruding members 15 place the luggage W on the luggage conveying conveyor 11. This prevents the luggage W from tipping over or falling in the width direction.
Specifically, the width direction support members 41 are a pair of plate-like members that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend in the conveying direction, and are provided beside the position where the luggage W is lifted from the tray 3. The width direction support members 41 are disposed slightly outboard in the width direction of both width direction ends of the tray 3. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the luggage W leaning against the wall of the tray 3 from falling off the tray 3 when the luggage W is lifted from the tray 3.

2. Second Embodiment The conveying system 1 of the first embodiment also functions as a device for placing the luggage W on the tray 3.
Such an example will be described as the second embodiment with reference to Figs. 9 and 10. Figs. 9 and 10 are schematic plan views of a conveying system of the second embodiment. The second embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment, but differs in operation and the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction are also different. In the second embodiment, the left side of Figs. 9 and 10 is the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the right side of Figs. 9 and 10 is the upstream side in the conveying direction.

When the luggage conveyor 11 conveys luggage W to the end side of the luggage conveyor 11 (to the left side in the figure) and the tray conveyor 7 conveys the tray 3 to the same side as the luggage W, the protruding member table drive device 17 raises the protruding member table 13 to a position where the protruding member 15 receives the luggage W at a position where the tray conveyor 7 and the luggage conveyor 11 overlap in a plan view, so that the luggage W passes through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and is further handed over from the luggage conveyor 11, and then moves the protruding member table 13 to the side away from the end of the luggage conveyor 11 (to the left side in the figure). Furthermore, the protruding member table drive device 17 lowers the protruding member table 13 to a position where the protruding member 15 retreats below the tray 3 at a position where the tray conveyor 7 and the luggage conveyor 11 do not overlap in a plan view, thereby lowering the luggage W onto the tray 3.

That is, while being transported by the luggage transport conveyor 11, the luggage W in the tray 3 is transferred from the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the ascending protruding members 15, and then lowered onto the tray 3 by the descending protruding members 15. Since the luggage W can be lowered from the luggage transport conveyor 11 to the tray 3 while being transported in this manner, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased. In this embodiment, the luggage W is transferred to the tray 3 while being moved, i.e., without being stopped, as described above.
The tray 3 containing the cargo W is stored in, for example, an automated warehouse (not shown).

The operation of controlling the timing of tray and luggage loading on the tray transport conveyor 7 and luggage transport conveyor 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of controlling the timing of tray and luggage loading on the tray transport conveyor and luggage transport conveyor.
In this embodiment, the protruding member platform drive device 17 always drives the first chain drive device 25 and the second chain drive device 27 .
The controller 51 performs the following control to adjust the tray entry timing of the tray transport conveyor 7 and the luggage carry-in timing of the luggage transport conveyor 11. In the second embodiment, the carry-in possible state detection sensor 53 is a device that detects when the protruding member base 13 returns to the upstream side in the transport direction (the right side in the figure) and then moves to the same position as the transport surface of the tray transport conveyor 7 or in the vicinity thereof.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the tray 3 has reached a position in front of the ejection device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes this determination. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S12.
In step S12, the tray transport conveyor 7 stops its operation so that the tray 3 stops just before the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transport conveyor 7 to perform the above-mentioned operation.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the baggage W has reached a position in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 makes this determination. If the determination is Yes, the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, the luggage transport conveyor 11 stops its operation so that the luggage W stops in front of the take-out device 9. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the luggage transport conveyor 11 to execute the above operation. Note that the order of arrival of the tray 3 and the luggage W is not limited.

In step S15, it is determined whether the load-ready state detection sensor 53 is ON. Specifically, the controller 51 makes the above determination. If the result is Yes, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the tray transport conveyor 7 starts moving. As a result, the tray 3 that was stopped starts moving. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the tray transport conveyor 7 to perform the above operation. The drive of the tray transport conveyor 7 is started in synchronization with the position of the protruding member base 13.
In step S17, the luggage transport conveyor 11 starts to move and continues to move thereafter. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the luggage transport conveyor 11 to perform the above-mentioned operations. The movement of the luggage transport conveyor 11 is started in synchronization with the movement of the protruding member base 13.

As a result, when the protruding member base 13 continues to move upward, the protruding member 15 passes through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and rises, enabling the luggage W to be received from the luggage transport conveyor 11.
Furthermore, when the protruding member base 13 continues to move downward, the protruding member 15 passes through the through hole 3c of the tray 3 and descends, allowing the baggage W to be placed on the tray 3.

A modified example of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the modified example of the second embodiment.
In this modification, the conveying system 1 further includes a width direction position adjustment guide 43 (an example of a width direction position adjustment means). The width direction position adjustment guide 43 is a member that adjusts the width direction position of the luggage W when the luggage W is placed on the tray 3 on the tray conveyor 7.
Specifically, the width direction position adjustment guide 43 is a pair of plate-like members that are separated in the width direction and extend in the transport direction, and is disposed above the end of the luggage transport conveyor 11. The pair of plate-like members of the width direction position adjustment guide 43 are disposed obliquely in a plan view so that the width between the two members narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, the luggage W is guided by the width direction position adjustment guide 43 to a width direction intermediate position of the luggage transport conveyor 11. As a result, the luggage W is accurately transferred to the tray 3.
The width direction position adjustment means may be, for example, a diagonal conveyor.
Furthermore, the width direction position adjustment guide 43 may be provided at the same position as the width direction support member 41 in the first embodiment, so that the width direction position can be corrected immediately before the luggage W is placed on the protruding member 15 .

3. Features of the Embodiment The first embodiment can also be described as follows.
The transport system 1 (an example of a transport system) includes a tray transport conveyor, a protruding member stage, a baggage transport conveyor, and a protruding member stage drive device.
The tray transport conveyor 7 (an example of a tray transport conveyor) transports a tray 3 (an example of a tray) having a plurality of through holes 3c (an example of a through hole) on the bottom surface.
The protruding member base 13 (an example of a protruding member base) has a plurality of protruding members 15 (an example of a protruding member) on the upper portion thereof, which pass through the through holes 3 c of the tray 3 .
A plurality of luggage transport conveyors 11 (an example of a luggage transport conveyor) are arranged above the tray transport conveyor 7 in parallel so as to overlap each other in a plan view.
When the tray transport conveyor 7 is moving the trays 3 and the luggage W stored in the trays 3 toward the luggage transport conveyor 11, the protruding member table drive device 17 (an example of a protruding member table drive device) separates the luggage W from the trays 3 by raising the protruding member table 13 to a position where the protruding member 15 protrudes above the trays 3 and where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the luggage transport conveyor 11 do not overlap in a planar view, and then moves the protruding member table 13 toward the luggage transport conveyor 11. Furthermore, the protruding member table drive device 17 delivers the luggage W to the luggage transport conveyor 11 by lowering the protruding member table 13 to a position where the protruding member 15 moves away below the trays 3 and where the tray transport conveyor 7 and the luggage transport conveyor 11 overlap in a planar view.

In this system, while being transported by the tray transport conveyor 7, the luggage W in the tray 3 is lifted from the tray 3 by the multiple protruding members 15 that rise, and separated from the tray 3, and is then handed over to the luggage transport conveyor 11 by the multiple protruding members 15 that descend. In other words, since the luggage W can be lowered from the tray 3 onto the luggage transport conveyor 11 while being transported, the transport capacity of the transport system 1 is increased.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. In particular, several embodiments and modifications described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as necessary.

(1) Modified Examples of the Tray The shape of the hole formed in the bottom surface of the tray is not limited to an elongated hole, and may be, for example, a circular shape.
(2) Modifications of the Protruding Members In the first embodiment, two protruding members are inserted into the elongated holes. However, a structure in which one protruding member is inserted into each hole may also be used.
In the first embodiment, the shape of the protruding member is cylindrical, but the shape of the protruding member may be, for example, an elliptical cylinder, a rectangular column, a cone, or a truncated cone.

(3) Modifications of the Protruding Member Table Driving Device In the first embodiment, three protruding member tables are provided, but the number is not limited thereto.
In the first embodiment, the protruding member stage drive device has a trapezoidal belt, but the protruding member drive device may have a triangular belt having one upper corner.
In the first embodiment, the protruding member table drive device realized the movement and lifting of the luggage with a single mechanism, but the protruding member table drive device may also be realized by combining a moving device that moves the tray in the conveying direction and a lifting device that is provided on the moving device and raises and lowers the protruding member table to separate the luggage from the tray by the protruding member.

The present invention can be widely applied to transport systems that transport luggage on trays.

1: Conveying system 3: Tray 3a: Bottom surface 3b: Wall 3c: Through hole 7: Tray conveying conveyor 9: Take-out device 11: Luggage conveying conveyor 11a: Conveyor belt 13: Protruding member base 15: Protruding member 17: Protruding member base drive device 21: First conveyor device 23: Second conveyor device 25: First chain drive device 25a: Pair of first chains 27: Second chain drive device 27a: Pair of second chains 41: Width direction position adjustment guide 43: Width direction position adjustment guide 51: Controller W: Luggage

Claims (6)

a tray transport conveyor that transports a tray having a plurality of through holes on a bottom surface and capable of storing luggage;
a protruding member base having a plurality of protruding members at an upper portion thereof, the protruding members passing through the through holes of the tray;
a luggage transport conveyor arranged in parallel with the transport direction of the luggage and the tray so as to overlap the tray transport conveyor in a plan view on the downstream side of the tray transport conveyor in the transport direction;
a protruding member table drive device which, when the tray transport conveyor is transporting the tray and the luggage stored in the tray from the upstream side of the transport direction of the tray transport conveyor to the luggage transport conveyor side, separates the luggage from the tray by raising the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member passes through the through hole of the tray and protrudes above the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor do not overlap in a planar view, and then moves the protruding member table to the luggage transport conveyor side and lowers the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member is separated below the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor overlap in a planar view, thereby transferring the luggage to the luggage transport conveyor;
Equipped with
The tray transport conveyor transports the tray after the luggage is transferred to the luggage transport conveyor downstream in the transport direction.
Conveying system. The protruding member base is provided in plurality,
The transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the protruding member stage drive device has an endless drive member that also moves in a return direction, and the plurality of protruding member stages are moved collectively by driving the endless drive member. the protruding member table drive device constantly drives the endless drive member to constantly move the protruding member table,
The conveying system of claim 2, further comprising a controller that stops the tray and the luggage at a position in front of the protruding member table drive device , and causes the tray conveying conveyor to convey the tray and the luggage to a protruding member raised position when the protruding member table moves upstream in the conveying direction to the same position as or near the conveying surface of the tray conveying conveyor. a tray transport conveyor that transports a tray having a plurality of through holes on a bottom surface and capable of storing luggage;
a protruding member base having a plurality of protruding members at an upper portion thereof, the protruding members passing through the through holes of the tray;
A luggage transport conveyor arranged in parallel above the tray transport conveyor so as to overlap each other in a plan view;
a protruding member table drive device which, when the tray transport conveyor is transporting the tray and the luggage stored in the tray toward the luggage transport conveyor, separates the luggage from the tray by raising the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member passes through the through hole of the tray and protrudes above the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor do not overlap in a planar view, and then moves the protruding member table toward the luggage transport conveyor and lowers the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member is separated below the tray at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor overlap in a planar view, thereby transferring the luggage to the luggage transport conveyor;
a support member that supports the package in a width direction when the protruding member lifts the package from the tray;
Equipped with
Conveying system. a tray transport conveyor that transports a tray having a plurality of through holes on a bottom surface and capable of storing luggage;
a protruding member base having a plurality of protruding members at an upper portion thereof, the protruding members passing through the through holes of the tray;
A luggage transport conveyor arranged in parallel above the tray transport conveyor so as to overlap each other in a plan view;
a protruding member table drive device which, when the luggage transport conveyor transports the luggage to the end side of the luggage transport conveyor and the tray transport conveyor transports the tray to the same side as the luggage, raises the protruding member table to a position where the protruding member receives the luggage at a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor overlap in a planar view, thereby passing the luggage from the luggage transport conveyor through the through hole of the tray, and then moves the protruding member table to a side away from the end of the luggage transport conveyor and lowers the protruding member table to a position where the tray transport conveyor and the luggage transport conveyor do not overlap in a planar view and where the protruding member retracts below the tray, thereby lowering the luggage onto the tray;
a width direction position adjusting means for adjusting a width direction position of the luggage on the luggage transport conveyor;
A transport system comprising: The conveying system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the through holes of the tray are elongated holes that are long in the conveying direction.

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