Patent Description:
A planar conveyance apparatus in which a large number of small-sized conveyance cells (conveyance devices) are disposed planarly is disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>. In the planar conveyance apparatus described in Patent Document <NUM>, each conveyance cell has a short roller for placing an article, and the short rollers travel. Each conveyance cell has a turning mechanism, and each short roller turns to enable change in the moving direction of an article.

According to the planar conveyance apparatus of Patent Document, it is possible to introduce an article from a plurality of directions, and it is also possible to discharge the article in a plurality of directions.

Patent Document <NUM> describes a sorting device that includes a plurality of cells, each being equipped with transport rollers mounted at both ends of a rotary shaft, a magnetic cylinder attached to the central part of the rotary shaft rigidly, a magnetic disc attached to the forefront of a drive shaft directed perpendicularly to the rotary shaft and arranged in proximity to the magnetic cylinder so as to put it in the following motion, and a revolving means to change the direction of the transport rollers around the drive shaft. Patent Document <NUM> discloses a conveyance device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

While the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM> is an apparatus in which the small-sized conveyance cells (conveyance devices) are planarly disposed as described above, a configuration in which each conveyance cell in a certain area is turned to the same direction is assumed.

That is, in the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed Patent Document <NUM>, the conveyance cells are disposed in <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns. For example, a conveying surface is divided into a division of <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns and a division of <NUM> rows and <NUM> columns, and the turning mechanisms of the conveyance cells belonging to the respective divisions interlock with each other. Therefore, the short rollers of the conveyance cells belonging to each division rotate synchronously.

In the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, the turning mechanisms of the conveyance cells belonging to the respective divisions are connected in series by a series of spur gear trains.

In the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, the short rollers of the conveyance cells belonging to the respective divisions receive power from a horizontally disposed shaft.

In the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, a large number of conveyance cells are included in one area, and the large number of conveyance cells included in the one area are suitable for application of synchronous traveling/turning.

However, the planar conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document <NUM> is unsuitable for application of causing the conveyance cells to travel and turn one by one, and application of causing a small number of conveyance cell such as about four conveyance cells to travel and turn as one division.

According to Patent Document <NUM>, as the magnetic cylinder and the magnetic disc constitute a contactless power transmitting mechanism, the noise drops remarkably compared with the arrangement in which a mechanical type transmitting apparatus is incorporated. The merits therein are that no oiling is required to the part with the power transmitting mechanism and no dust is emitted. This power transmitting part is maintenance-free because the magnetic forces of the magnetic cylinder and magnetic disc last semi-permanently.

Nevertheless, the sorting device in Patent Document <NUM> does not solve the above mentioned problems.

The above problems of the conventional technology are noticed, and an object of the present invention is to develop a conveyance device (conveyance cell) suitable for application of causing the conveyance cells to travel and turn one by one, and application of causing a small number of conveyance cell such as about four conveyance cells to travel and turn as one division.

Additionally, an object of the present invention is to develop a planar conveyance apparatus enabling traveling and turning of conveyance cells one by one, and enabling traveling and turning of a small number of conveyance cell such as about four conveyance cells as one division.

Furthermore, an object is to develop a conveyance unit obtained by unitizing these conveyance devices or planar conveyance apparatuses.

A first aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; a motor for turning including a through hole axially passing through the motor for turning and an output part outputting turning force; a motor for traveling disposed below the motor for turning; and a drive shaft inserted into the through hole, wherein the motor for traveling rotates the drive shaft, the drive shaft driving the travel part, and wherein the turning table is directly or indirectly engaged with the output part of the motor for turning, the motor for turning turning the turning table and the travel part.

The conveyance device of this aspect is suitable as a conveyance cell of a planar conveyance apparatus.

In the conveyance device of this aspect, the travel part can convey the article, and further can turn the travel part, and therefore the conveying direction can be easily changed.

Additionally, the drive shaft is inserted into the through hole of the motor for turning, and therefore it is possible to achieve space saving of the conveyance device.

According to this aspect, the motor for traveling is disposed below the motor for turning, and the motor for traveling rotates the drive shaft, and therefore layout when the conveyance devices is incorporated in the planar conveyance apparatus is simplified, and space saving can be achieved.

Another aspect, not part of the invention, is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; a first engaging member; a motor for traveling; a drive shaft transmitting power to the travel part; and a second engaging member mounted on the drive shaft, the second engaging member rotating integrally with the drive shaft, wherein the motor for traveling rotates the drive shaft, the drive shaft driving the travel part, and wherein the second engaging member is capable of driving a travel part of another conveyance device whereas the first engaging member receives power transmission from outside to turn the turning table and the travel part.

The conveyance device of this aspect can drive the travel part of another conveyance device, and the number of power sources such as a motor can be reduced.

Another aspect, not part of the invention, is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; a first engaging member having a through hole axially passing therethrough; and a drive shaft transmitting power to the travel part, the drive shaft having a third engaging member, wherein the drive shaft is inserted into the through hole, wherein the third engaging member receives power transmission from another conveyance device to rotate, and wherein the first engaging member receives power transmission from outside to turn the turning table and the travel part.

The conveyance device of this aspect receives power transmission from another conveyance device or the like to operate, and therefore the number of power sources such as a motor can be reduced.

In the preferable aspect, the contact member is an endless member, the travel part includes: a pair of rotators freely rotating; the endless member suspended between the rotators; and a driving body receiving power of the drive shaft to rotate, and the driving body is engaged with the endless member between the rotators to cause the endless member to travel.

Another aspect, not part of the invention, is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table turning while supporting the travel part; and a drive shaft, wherein the contact member is an endless member, wherein the travel part includes: a pair of rotators freely rotating, the endless member suspended between the rotators; and a driving body receiving power of the drive shaft to rotate, and wherein the driving body is engaged with the endless member between the rotators to cause the endless member to travel.

According to this configuration, the article comes into contact with the endless member suspended between the pair of rotators that freely rotate and is conveyed, and therefore the article and the endless member come into face contact with each other. Additionally, the endless member travels, so that the article is conveyed, and therefore the article and the endless member are unlikely to be rubbed with each other, and it is possible to prevent abrasion or damage of the article or the endless member.

The driving body is engaged with the part between the rotators in the endless member to cause the endless member to travel, and therefore the driving body does not come into contact with the article. Therefore, it is possible to prevent abrasion or damage of the article by contact with the driving body.

The conveyance device desirably has an engaging part engaged with another conveyance device, wherein the each engaging part of a plurality of the conveyance devices are engaged with each other to allow planar connection of the plurality of the conveyance devices.

According to this aspect, the plurality of conveyance devices are connected, so that a planar conveyance apparatus can be configured.

Another aspect, not part of the invention, is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; a motor for turning that turns the turning table and the travel part; and a motor for traveling that drives the travel part, wherein the turning table is directly or indirectly engaged with an output part of the motor for turning.

The motor for turning and the motor for traveling are desirably located at overlapped positions.

In the above aspect, the conveyance device desirably includes a drive shaft, wherein the motor for turning or the motor for traveling disposed on an upper side has a through hole axially passing therethrough, and wherein the drive shaft is engaged with the motor disposed on a lower side, the drive shaft being inserted into the through hole to drive the travel part or the turning table.

Another aspect, not part of the invention, is a conveyance device including: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table that supports the travel part; a motor for turning; a motor for traveling; and a drive shaft, wherein the motor for turning or the motor for traveling disposed on an upper side has a through hole axially passing therethrough, and wherein the drive shaft is engaged with the motor disposed on a lower side, the drive shaft being inserted into the through hole to drive the travel part or the turning table.

In each of the above aspects, the motor for turning and the motor for traveling are desirably disposed on the same axial line.

In each of the above aspects, the conveyance device desirably includes a speed reduction mechanism decelerating rotation of the motor for turning to drive the turning table.

The motor for turning desirably has an enclosure member including a rotor, a stator, the speed reduction mechanism, and an internal gear therein, the speed reduction mechanism being a planet gear train having the internal gear as one of components.

In a configuration of the planar conveyance apparatus, a plurality of the conveyance devices described above are disposed planarly.

A planar conveyance apparatus of a preferable aspect is a planar conveyance apparatus including: one or more main conveyance devices each composed of the conveyance device according to any one of above conveyance devices; and one or more auxiliary conveyance devices each including a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; and a turning table supporting the travel part, wherein the travel part and/or the turning table of any of the auxiliary conveyance devices moves in synchronization with the travel part and/or the turning table of any of the main conveyance devices.

Herein, the "main conveyance device" and the "auxiliary conveyance device" are merely terms into which names are changed in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, and a conveyance device having a similar function to the "main conveyance device" may be used as the "auxiliary conveyance device".

A planar conveyance apparatus of another preferable aspect is a planar conveyance apparatus including: one or more main conveyance devices each composed of the conveyance device according to any one of any of the above conveyance devices; and one or more auxiliary conveyance devices, wherein the main conveyance device includes: a motor for turning; and a fourth engaging member connected to or engaged with an output part of the motor for turning, wherein the auxiliary conveyance device includes: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; and a first engaging member having a through hole axially passing therethrough, wherein the first engaging member is directly or indirectly engaged with the fourth engaging member to rotate with rotation of the fourth engaging member, wherein a drive shaft is inserted into the through hole to drive the travel part, and wherein the first engaging member turns the turning table and the travel part.

According to this configuration, it is possible to share a plurality of the motors for turning. That is, the number of the motors for turning can be reduced with respect to the number of the travel parts.

At least one of the main conveyance devices or the auxiliary conveyance devices desirably has a motor for traveling below the first engaging member, and the motor for traveling desirably rotates the drive shaft of the main conveyance device or the auxiliary conveyance device, and a drive shaft of another of the main conveyance devices or the auxiliary conveyance devices.

According to this configuration, it is possible to share a plurality of the motors for traveling. That is, the number of the motors for traveling can be reduced with respect to the number of the travel parts.

A planar conveyance apparatus of another preferable aspect is a planar conveyance apparatus including: one or more main conveyance devices each composed of the conveyance device according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>, and claims <NUM> to <NUM>; and one or more auxiliary conveyance devices, wherein the auxiliary conveyance device includes: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; and a first engaging member receiving power transmission from outside to rotate, wherein the main conveyance device or the auxiliary conveyance device includes a motor for traveling, wherein the main conveyance device or the auxiliary conveyance device including the motor for traveling has a second engaging member connected to or engaged with an output part of the motor for traveling, wherein the main conveyance device or the auxiliary conveyance device not including the motor for traveling has a third engaging member, wherein the third engaging member is directly or indirectly engaged with the second engaging member to rotate with rotation of the second engaging member, and wherein the third engaging member rotates a drive shaft.

According to this configuration, it is possible to share a plurality of the motors for traveling and a plurality of the motors for turning. That is, the number of the motors for traveling and the number of the motors for turning can be reduced with respect to the number of the travel parts.

Another aspect not part of the present invention is a planar conveyance apparatus including: a plurality of travel parts disposed planarly; and a drive shaft disposed below each of the travel parts, wherein each of the travel parts includes: a pair of rotators freely rotating; an endless member suspended between the rotators; and a driving body receiving power of the drive shaft to rotate, the driving body being engaged with the endless member between the rotators.

According to this configuration, the endless member suspended between the pair of rotators can convey the article without bringing the article into contact with the driving body. That is, in the endless member, there are an upper part on which the article is placed, and a lower part with which the driving body is engaged. Therefore, the endless member can be caused to travel by the driving body, and can convey the article.

The article can be conveyed while being placed on the endless member, and the endless member and the article are unlikely to be rubbed with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent abrasion or damage of the article during conveyance.

A preferable aspect as the conveyance unit is a conveyance unit including: a main conveyance device composed of the conveyance device according to any one of the above conveyance devices; and one or more auxiliary conveyance devices, wherein the main conveyance device, and each of the one or more auxiliary conveyance devices are each defined as one conveyance cell, and <NUM> or more of the conveyance cells are planarly or linearly disposed, wherein the main conveyance device includes: a motor for turning; and a fourth engaging member connected to an output part of the motor for turning, wherein the auxiliary conveyance device includes: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; and a first engaging member having a through hole axially passing therethrough, wherein the first engaging member is directly or indirectly engaged with the fourth engaging member to rotate with rotation of the fourth engaging member, wherein a drive shaft is inserted into the through hole to drive the travel part, and wherein the first engaging member turns the turning table and the travel part.

An aspect of another conveyance unit not part of the invention is a conveyance unit including: three or more conveyance cells planarly or linearly disposed; a fifth engaging member; a sixth engaging member; a motor for turning; and a motor for traveling, wherein each of the conveyance cells includes: a travel part moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel; a turning table supporting the travel part; and a drive shaft transmitting power to the travel part, wherein two or more of the conveyance cells each have a first engaging member, wherein each of the drive shafts belonging to two or more of the conveyance cells has a third engaging member, wherein the fifth engaging member and the sixth engaging member are located at such positions not to be overlapped with each other in a height direction, wherein the fifth engaging member receive power transmission from the motor for turning to rotate whereas the sixth engaging member receives power transmission from the motor for traveling to rotate, wherein the first engaging member is directly or indirectly engaged with the fifth engaging member, allowing to rotate with rotation of the fifth engaging member to turn the turning table and the travel part, and wherein the third engaging member of each of the drive shafts is directly or indirectly engaged with the sixth engaging member, allowing to rotate with rotation of the sixth engaging member to drive the travel part.

The three or more conveyance cells are desirably disposed such that a planar view shape of lines connecting centers of the three or more conveyance cells is a polygonal shape, and centers of the fifth engaging member and the sixth engaging member are located inside the polygonal shape.

In the conveyance unit, a small number of the conveyance cells synchronously travel and turn. Additionally, the single motor for turning can turn the travel part of each conveyance cell.

Furthermore, in the conveyance unit, the single motor for traveling can drive the travel part of each conveyance cell.

As the conveyance cell of the above conveyance unit, the conveyance device of the above aspect can be used. That is, the conveyance device of the above aspect is used as the main conveyance device, the main conveyance device has the fourth engaging member connected to the output part of the motor for turning, and the fifth engaging member is engaged with the fourth engaging member.

In the planar conveyance apparatus, in a case where a plurality of objects to be conveyed are put in the planar conveyance apparatus in an overlapped massive state, the travel parts and the turning tables are desirably driven, and the objects to be conveyed forming a mass are capable of being moved in such a direction as to be spread in four directions.

The planar conveyance apparatus can desirably include an information acquiring means for acquiring information from an object to be conveyed.

The conveyance device or the planar conveyance apparatus can desirably include a sensor that detects an article, wherein a detection part of the sensor is desirably a solar cell.

In the conveyance device of the present invention, the travel part can convey an article, and further can turn, and therefore it is possible to easily change the conveying direction. Additionally, it is possible to achieve space saving of the conveyance device.

When the conveyance devices of the present invention are incorporated in the planar conveyance apparatus, the conveyance cells can travel one by one, or a small number of conveyance cells such as four conveyance cells can travel or turn as one division.

When the conveyance units of the present invention are incorporated in the planar conveyance apparatus, a small number of conveyance cells such as four conveyance cells can travel or turn as one division.

The planar conveyance apparatus of the present invention can convey an article in a state where the article is placed on the endless member, the endless member and the article are unlikely to be rubbed with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent abrasion or damage of the article during conveyance.

In the conveyance unit of the present invention, a plurality of the conveyance cells and the travel parts can be turned by the single motor for turning, and furthermore the travel parts of a plurality of the conveyance cells can be caused to travel by the single motor for traveling.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the drawings.

A conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a component of a planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> in <FIG>. That is, the conveyance device <NUM> composes one conveyance cell of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the conveyance device (conveyance cell) <NUM> has a travel part <NUM>, a turning table <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, a motor for turning <NUM>, a motor for traveling <NUM>, and the like from a top.

The housing <NUM> is fixed to a fixing structure (not illustrated) of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

The motor for turning <NUM> is fixed to the housing <NUM>. Additionally, the motor for traveling <NUM> is fixed under the motor for turning <NUM>.

The travel part <NUM> is mounted on the turning table <NUM>.

The turning table <NUM> is rotatably mounted on the motor for turning <NUM>.

The travel part <NUM> is engaged with the motor for traveling <NUM>.

First, respective configurations of these will be described, and then operation of the conveyance device <NUM> will be described.

The travel part <NUM> has a belt <NUM> (contact member, endless member), two rollers <NUM> (rotators), and a driving roller <NUM> (driving body), as illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in, <FIG> and <FIG>, the belt <NUM> is wide belt-like, and has an annular (endless) structure. The two rollers <NUM> are disposed in an annular inner part of the belt <NUM>.

The two rollers <NUM> are rotatably supported by the turning table <NUM> described below. The axes of the two rollers <NUM> are parallel. The two rollers <NUM> are disposed at a predetermined interval, and the belt <NUM> is suspended between the two rollers. The upper side (travel side) of the belt <NUM> is a conveying surface on which an article (object to be conveyed) is placed (contacted).

The driving roller <NUM> is disposed near a center below the belt <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the driving roller <NUM> has pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, a bevel gear part (bevel gear) <NUM>, and a shaft part <NUM>.

The pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM> each are a part having a columnar shape with a circumferential surface.

The pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed at a predetermined interval.

In a portion facing the pressing part <NUM> in the pressing part <NUM>, the bevel gear part <NUM> is provided. The pressing part <NUM> and the bevel gear part <NUM> are integrated, and are coupled to the pressing part <NUM> through the shaft part <NUM>. An end of the shaft part <NUM> passes through the pressing part <NUM> and the bevel gear part <NUM>, and protrudes to the outside of the pressing part <NUM>. Similarly, the other end of the shaft part <NUM> passes through the pressing part <NUM>, and protrudes to the outside of the pressing part <NUM>. The pressing part <NUM>, the bevel gear part <NUM>, the pressing part <NUM>, and the shaft part <NUM> are integrally fixed to each other to integrally rotate.

In the driving roller <NUM>, the pressing part <NUM> (bevel gear part <NUM>) and the pressing part <NUM>, having a relatively large diameter, are coupled by the shaft part <NUM> having a relatively small diameter, and therefore has a structure in which a central part of the driving roller <NUM> is pinched in.

The both ends of the shaft part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> is rotatably supported by the turning table <NUM> described below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, respective circumferential parts of the pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> press the lower side (return side) of the belt <NUM>.

That is, as a result of pressing the lower side of the belt <NUM> by the driving roller <NUM>, the belt <NUM> are in close contact with the driving roller <NUM> and the two rollers <NUM>, and tension is applied to the whole of the belt <NUM>. When the driving roller <NUM> rotates, the annular belt <NUM> travels. When the belt <NUM> travels, the two rollers <NUM> rotate. Therefore, traveling of the belt <NUM> is smooth.

The turning table <NUM> is a cylindrical member having a circumferential surface, as illustrated in <FIG>. Inside the turning table <NUM>, a fixing part <NUM>, and an engaging part <NUM> are provided. The fixing part <NUM> and the engaging part <NUM> are vertically disposed, and the fixing part <NUM> is disposed on the upper side of the engaging part <NUM>. On an upper surface of the turning table <NUM>, a quadrangular opening <NUM> is formed.

The fixing part <NUM> has a pair of facing wall surfaces 26a, 26b continued to the opening <NUM>.

On the wall surface 26a, a driving roller fixing part <NUM>, and two roller fixing parts <NUM> are provided. The driving roller fixing part <NUM>, and the two roller fixing parts <NUM> are composed of known bearings.

The two roller fixing parts <NUM> are provided at a predetermined interval. The driving roller fixing part <NUM> is provided around an intermediate portion of the two roller fixing parts <NUM>. Additionally, the driving roller fixing part <NUM> is provided below the roller fixing parts <NUM>.

Although not illustrated for convenience for illustration, a driving roller fixing part <NUM> and two roller fixing parts <NUM> similar to the driving roller fixing part <NUM> and the two roller fixing parts <NUM> provided on the wall surface 26a are provided also on the wall surface 26b.

Shafts of the rollers <NUM> of the travel part <NUM> are rotatably mounted in the respective roller fixing parts <NUM> of the wall surfaces 26a, 26b. Additionally, the driving roller <NUM> (shaft part <NUM>) is rotatably mounted in the respective driving roller fixing part <NUM> of the wall surfaces 26a, 26b. That is, the rollers <NUM> and the driving roller <NUM> of the travel part <NUM> are rotatably supported by the fixing part <NUM>.

When the rollers <NUM> are mounted on the fixing part <NUM> of the turning table <NUM>, one part of each roller <NUM> is exposed from the opening <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. That is, the one part of an upper part of each roller <NUM> is exposed from the opening <NUM>, and other part is housed in the turning table <NUM>. Accordingly, the upper side (conveying surface side) of the belt <NUM> suspended between the rollers <NUM> is disposed above the opening <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the engaging part <NUM> disposed below the fixing part <NUM> forms an annularly continued internal gear.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a quadrangular prism outer shape. A disposing hole for a motor for turning 7a that vertically passes through the housing <NUM> is provided in the housing <NUM>. A below-described motor for turning <NUM> is housed and disposed in the disposing hole for a motor for turning 7a.

On an upper surface of the housing <NUM>, a sensor <NUM> is provided. The sensor <NUM> has a function of detecting existence or passing of an article. Additionally, the sensor <NUM> may be capable of reading conveyance destination information. A height position of an upper end of the sensor <NUM> is slightly lower than an upper part (conveying surface) of the belt <NUM>. Although each figure illustrates only one sensor <NUM>, the sensors <NUM> are preferably provided at four places around the disposing hole for a motor for turning 7a.

A fixing structure (not illustrated) is fixed to the housing <NUM>. As a result of fixing the housing <NUM> to the fixing structure, the posture of the conveyance device <NUM> is stabilized.

The motor for turning <NUM> (<FIG>) has a stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) similar to a known motor, and an output shaft <NUM> is connected to the rotor <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> of the motor for turning <NUM> is cylindrical, and is formed with a through hole <NUM> therein.

A through hole <NUM> is provided inside the output shaft <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> provided in the rotor <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> provided in the output shaft <NUM> are communicated with each other. Therefore, the motor for turning <NUM> has the through hole <NUM> that axially passes through the motor for turning.

The output gear <NUM> is integrally fixed to the outside of the output shaft <NUM>. That is, the output gear <NUM> rotates integrally with the output shaft <NUM>. Around the output gear <NUM>, a plurality of (for example, four) small gears <NUM> are disposed around the output gear <NUM> at equal intervals. A shaft of each of the small gears <NUM> is rotatably supported by a coupling member (not illustrated). The coupling member is fixed to the housing <NUM> by a fixing member (not illustrated), and each small gear <NUM> does not revolve.

The respective small gears <NUM> are engaged with the engaging part <NUM> (internal teeth) illustrated in <FIG> of the turning table <NUM>. Accordingly, power of the motor for turning <NUM> is transmitted to the engaging part <NUM> on the turning table <NUM> side through the output shaft <NUM>, the output gear <NUM>, and the plurality of small gears <NUM>.

The small gears <NUM> can be omitted. That is, the output gear <NUM>, and the engaging part <NUM> of the turning table <NUM> may be directly engaged with each other.

The motor for traveling <NUM> (<FIG>) has a stator <NUM>, and a rotor <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) similar to a known motor. A drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft) that is an output shaft is connected to the rotor <NUM>. A bevel gear part <NUM> is provided in a tip of the drive shaft <NUM>, and the bevel gear part <NUM> rotates integrally with the drive shaft <NUM>. The outer diameter of the drive shaft <NUM> is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole <NUM> of the output shaft <NUM> of the motor for turning <NUM> and the through hole <NUM> of the stator <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> of the motor for traveling <NUM> passes through the through holes <NUM>, <NUM> of the motor for turning <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The drive shaft <NUM> of the motor for traveling <NUM> and the output shaft <NUM> of the motor for turning <NUM> are concentric with each other.

The bevel gear part <NUM> is engaged with the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> of the travel part <NUM>. That is, power of the rotor <NUM> of the motor for traveling <NUM> is transmitted to the bevel gear part <NUM> in the travel part <NUM> side through the drive shaft <NUM>, and the bevel gear part <NUM>.

The conveyance device <NUM> includes a control device (not illustrated). The control device has a function of setting a rotation position of the turning table <NUM> based on a detection signal sent from the sensor <NUM> (<FIG>), and controlling operation of the motor for turning <NUM> and the motor for traveling <NUM>.

Now, operation of the conveyance device <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a large number of the conveyance devices <NUM> are disposed vertically and horizontally, so that the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> is configured. The conveyance device <NUM> forms one conveyance cell of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>, and the large number of conveyance cells (conveyance devices <NUM>) are planarly spread, so that the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> is configured. In this embodiment, the <NUM> conveyance devices (conveyance cells) <NUM> are arrayed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

The planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> is disposed in a branching unit or a sorting region of a conveyor line (not illustrated) for conveying an article.

An article that is conveyed from another conveyance device disposed on an upstream side of the conveyor line to the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> is laid on any of the conveyance cells (conveyance devices <NUM>). Then, the motor for turning <NUM> is driven by the control device (not illustrated), and the article passes through the conveyance device <NUM>, is sequentially transferred to a conveyance cell (conveyance device <NUM>) adjacent to the above conveyance device, and finally moves to the downstream side of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

More specifically, when the motor for traveling <NUM> is driven, the belt <NUM> composing the conveying surface travels, and the article is placed on the belt <NUM>. Furthermore, the belt <NUM> of any adjacent conveyance cell (conveyance device <NUM>) also travels. As a result, the article is discharged from the conveyance cell (conveyance device <NUM>), on which the article is first placed, by the traveling belt <NUM> of this conveyance cell (conveyance device <NUM>), and is transferred to any adjacent conveyance cell (conveyance device <NUM>).

Conveyance destination information of the article is recorded as optically read information such as a bar code on a lower surface of the article, and this conveyance destination information is read by the sensor <NUM>. The conveyance destination information read by the sensor <NUM> is sent to the control device (not illustrated), and the control devices sequentially rotate the respective traveling belts <NUM> of the conveyance cells (conveyance devices <NUM>) as a conveyance passage in response to a conveyance destination, and adjust rotation angle positions of the motors for turning <NUM> of the conveyance cells (conveyance devices <NUM>) as the conveyance passage.

When the motors for turning <NUM> are driven, the travel parts <NUM> turn along with the turning tables <NUM>. Therefore, when the motors for turning <NUM> are driven, it is possible to change the conveying direction of the article.

Additionally, a sequential control method for performing communication between the adjacent conveyance cells (conveyance devices <NUM>) and taking over the conveyance destination information of the article is effective.

In a case where the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> is disposed in the sorting region <NUM>, when the article is conveyed from the direction of an arrow W in the sorting region <NUM>, the respective conveying directions of the conveyance devices <NUM> are changed, so that it is possible to convey the article in the directions illustrated by arrows X, Y, Z, for example.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, all of a first column to a sixth column of an A row to an F row of the sorting region <NUM> are directed in the arrow Y direction, and an article that enters the sorting region <NUM> from any of the A and B rows, C and D rows, and E and F rows is conveyed in the arrow Y direction.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, all of the conveying directions of the conveyance devices <NUM> in the A and B rows of the sorting region <NUM> are directed in the arrow Y direction, and articles that enter from the A and B rows are conveyed in the arrow Y direction.

However, in the C and D rows, while the conveyance devices <NUM> in the first and second columns are directed in the arrow Y direction, the conveyance devices <NUM> in the third and fourth columns are directed in the intermediate direction between the arrow Y direction and the arrow Z direction, and the conveyance devices <NUM> in the fifth and sixth columns are directed in the arrow Z direction. Therefore, the traveling directions of articles that enter the sorting region <NUM> from the C and D rows are changed in the third and fourth columns by <NUM> degrees, and further changed in the fifth and sixth columns by <NUM> degrees to be smoothly conveyed in the arrow Z direction orthogonal to the arrow Y direction. Additionally, the conveying directions of the adjacent conveyance devices <NUM> in the fifth and sixth columns of the E and F rows are directed in the arrow Z direction, and therefore the articles that enter from the C and D rows pass through the E and F rows to be discharged in the arrow Z direction.

Articles that enter the sorting region <NUM> from the E and F rows are also finally discharged in the arrow Z direction by the conveyance devices <NUM> in the fifth and sixth columns.

Thus, the conveying direction of each conveyance device <NUM> is suitably changed, so that it is possible to convey an article in any of the X, Y and Z directions on the downstream side of the sorting region <NUM>.

Additionally, it is possible to more finely sort and convey articles.

For example, it is possible to perform operation for discharging an article from a conveyance device 1f3 in the F row of the third column, the article entering from a conveyance device 1a1 in the A row of the first column. Further, it is possible to perform operation for discharging an article from a conveyance device 1a6 in the A row of the sixth column, the article entering from a conveyance device 1c1 in the C row of the first column.

The number of the conveyance devices <NUM> to be used at the same time changes depending on the size of an article to be conveyed. That is, depending on the case such as, where an article that fits within only two rows, for example, the A row and the B row are conveyed, and where an article having a width from the A row to any of the C row, the D row, the E row, and the F row are conveyed, the conveyance devices <NUM> on which the article is placed, are operated to have the same conveying directions and speed.

Further, all of the traveling directions of the belts <NUM> coincide with the arrow Y direction, and the traveling speeds of the belts <NUM> of the respective control devices (not illustrated) provided in the conveyance devices <NUM> are set so as to be lowered from the A row side to the F row side, so that it is possible to move an article in the arrow Z direction.

In a case where the article conveying direction is changed, the direction of the one (<NUM> column) conveyance device <NUM> may be completely changed. However, when the angle of the conveyance device <NUM> on the upstream side is changed by only a predetermined angle, and the angle of the conveyance device <NUM> on the downstream side is further changed by a remaining angle, it is possible to smoothly change the article conveying direction. Additionally, when the conveying direction is thus gradually changed by a plurality of the conveyance device <NUM> from the upstream side to the downstream side, inertia force is unlikely to act on an article to be conveyed, and the article to be conveyed is unlikely to fall and be damaged.

Thus, the respective conveyance devices <NUM> of this embodiment include the respective motors for turning <NUM> and the respective motors for traveling <NUM>, and the control devices are mounted in the respective conveyance devices <NUM>. Therefore, the individual conveyance devices <NUM> can perform different operation, and can finely move an article in the sorting region <NUM>. For example, the article can be moved so as to meander in the sorting region <NUM>.

By use of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>, articles can be aligned, or the directions of articles can be aligned. For example, in a field of a conveyor, there is operation that is called palletizing. The palletizing is work for piling up articles on a pallet for placing the articles. As preparation for performing this work, work for aligning articles in a line, and aligning the directions of the articles. This work can be performed by the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

In the conveyance device <NUM>, the article is conveyed in a state of being placed on a portion composing the conveying surface of the belts <NUM> (contact member, endless member) of the travel part <NUM>, and therefore the article and the belt <NUM> are not rubbed. Therefore, the article is unlikely to be abrasion.

Now, a conveyance unit <NUM> which is desirably employed as a component of the planar conveyance apparatus will be described. The conveyance unit <NUM> is also the small-sized planar conveyance apparatus. The conveyance unit <NUM> described below is a unit obtained by combining the four conveyance devices, and a travel part <NUM> and a turning table <NUM> belonging to the unit synchronously operate.

A structure of each of four conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> belonging to the conveyance unit <NUM> is different from the structure of the above conveyance device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the conveyance unit <NUM> has one main conveyance device <NUM>, one sub conveyance device (auxiliary conveyance device in claims) <NUM>, two auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and a transmission mechanism part <NUM>. For the sake of convenience of description of the structure of the conveyance unit <NUM>, the "main conveyance device", the "sub conveyance device," and the "auxiliary conveyance device" are merely distinguished, and in a conveyance unit having other structure, a device having a function of the "main conveyance device" may be used as the "sub conveyance device" or the "auxiliary conveyance device". Additionally, the "sub conveyance device" is an aspect of the "auxiliary conveyance device" and is an aspect of the "main conveyance device".

In the conveyance unit <NUM>, the sub conveyance device <NUM>, the main conveyance device <NUM>, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> are employed as respective conveyance cells, and the conveyance cells are disposed in a quadrangular shape. That is, a line connecting respective centers of the conveyance cells (the sub conveyance device <NUM>, the main conveyance device <NUM>, the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>) composing the conveyance unit <NUM> forms a square. In a case where the conveyance unit is produced by the three conveyance cells, the conveyance cells are disposed in a triangular shape. In a case where the conveyance unit is produced by the five conveyance cells, the conveyance cells are disposed in a pentagonal shape. This is also applicable to other conveyance unit described below.

The conveyance unit <NUM> has the transmission mechanism part <NUM> as described below, gears composing the transmission mechanism part <NUM> are disposed in a polygonal shape formed by the line connecting the centers of the conveyance cells, and therefore the number of the conveyance cells is limited to a range of <NUM> to <NUM> on an actual layout.

The conveyance unit <NUM> has the transmission mechanism part <NUM>.

The sub conveyance device <NUM>, the main conveyance device <NUM>, the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> each have a travel part <NUM> and a housing <NUM> that are the same as those of the conveyance device <NUM>, and overlapped description will be omitted.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the transmission mechanism part <NUM> has a gear (engaging member for turning force transmission, fifth engaging member) <NUM>, a gear (engaging member for turning force transmission, fifth engaging member) <NUM>, a turning system transmission mechanism composed of a shaft <NUM>, and a traveling system transmission mechanism composed of a gear (engaging member for traveling force transmission, sixth engaging member) <NUM>.

The turning system transmission mechanism has a structure in which the gears <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed to the shaft <NUM>. That is, the shaft <NUM>, and the gears <NUM>, <NUM> are integrated with each other. The gears <NUM>, <NUM> are fixed to the shaft <NUM> at a predetermined distance.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a gear <NUM> belonging to the traveling system transmission mechanism is mounted on a portion in the middle of the shaft <NUM> through a bearing <NUM>. That is, a hole 48a (<FIG>) for allowing the bearing <NUM> to be disposed is provided at a central part of the gear <NUM>. The gear <NUM> belonging to the traveling system transmission mechanism is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft <NUM>.

The gears <NUM>, <NUM> as the engaging members for turning force transmission, and the gear <NUM> as the engaging member for traveling force transmission are installed at different heights.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the sub conveyance device <NUM> has a turning table <NUM>, a motor for turning <NUM>, and an output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output, fourth engaging member), and a drive shaft <NUM>.

The turning table <NUM> has a cylindrical structure, and a fixing part <NUM> and an opening <NUM> similar to those of the turning table <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are provided in an upper part of the turning table <NUM>. An engaging part <NUM> (engaging member for turning, first engaging member) is provided in a lower part of a cylindrical curved surface of the turning table <NUM>. The engaging part <NUM> composes an external gear.

The motor for turning <NUM> includes an output shaft <NUM> (<FIG>). The output shaft <NUM> is provided with the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output).

A driven gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling, third engaging member) is provided in a lower part of the drive shaft <NUM>. Additionally, a bevel gear part <NUM> is provided in an upper part of the drive shaft <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM>, the driven gear <NUM>, and the bevel gear part <NUM> are integrally fixed to each other.

The output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output) of the motor for turning <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force transmission) of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>.

The driven gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling) integrated with the drive shaft <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force transmission) of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>.

The bevel gear part <NUM> integrated with the drive shaft <NUM> is engaged with the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> of the travel part <NUM>.

In the sub conveyance device <NUM>, no motor for traveling <NUM> like the motor for traveling <NUM> of the conveyance device <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>) is provided.

The main conveyance device <NUM> has a turning table <NUM>, a motor for traveling <NUM>, an output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output, second engaging member), and a drive shaft <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

The turning table <NUM> has the same structure as the turning table <NUM> of the sub conveyance device <NUM>.

The drive shaft <NUM> composes an output shaft of the motor for traveling <NUM> that is a geared motor. In the drive shaft <NUM>, the output gear <NUM> is provided. The output gear <NUM> rotates integrally with the drive shaft <NUM>.

The bevel gear part <NUM> provided in the drive shaft <NUM> is engaged with the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> of the travel part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM> is engaged with the output gear <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM> is engaged with the engaging part <NUM> (external tooth) of the turning table <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> each have a turning table <NUM> and a drive shaft <NUM>. The turning table <NUM> has the same structure as the turning tables <NUM> of the sub conveyance device <NUM> and the main conveyance device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the engaging part <NUM> (external tooth) of the turning table <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the drive shaft <NUM>, the bevel gear part <NUM> and the driven gear <NUM> are provided.

The bevel gear part <NUM> is engaged with the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> of the travel part <NUM>.

The driven gear <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output) of the sub conveyance device <NUM> is engaged with the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the gear <NUM> of the transmission mechanism part <NUM> is engaged with the engaging part <NUM> (engaging member for turning) of the turning table <NUM> provided in each of the sub conveyance device <NUM>, the main conveyance device <NUM> and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

That is, power of the motor for turning <NUM> of the sub conveyance device <NUM> is transmitted to the engaging part <NUM> (engaging member for turning) of the turning table <NUM> provided in each of the sub conveyance device <NUM>, the main conveyance device <NUM> and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> through the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output), and the transmission mechanism part <NUM> (the gear <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, the gear <NUM>).

Power of the motor for traveling <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> is transmitted to the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> (driving body) of the main conveyance device <NUM> through the drive shaft <NUM> and the bevel gear part <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM>.

Power of the motor for traveling <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> is transmitted to each of the driven gears <NUM> (engaging members for traveling) of the sub conveyance device <NUM>, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> through the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output), and the gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force transmission) of the transmission mechanism part <NUM>. Then, the power of the motor for traveling <NUM> is transmitted to the bevel gear part <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> (driving body) of the travel part <NUM> through the drive shaft <NUM>, and the bevel gear part <NUM>, in each of the sub conveyance device <NUM>, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example in which the motor for traveling <NUM> is provided in the main conveyance device <NUM>. However, as illustrated in <FIG>, the motor for traveling <NUM> may be provided in the sub conveyance device <NUM>, and a configuration of the main conveyance device <NUM> may be the same as configurations of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM>.

Now, a conveyance unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The conveyance unit <NUM> is also a small-sized planar conveyance apparatus.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveyance unit <NUM> has a main conveyance device <NUM>, and auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM> to <NUM>.

The main conveyance device <NUM> has substantially the same configuration as the conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and the like, and overlapped description will be omitted. The main conveyance device <NUM> has an output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output), and an output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output) in addition to the configuration of the conveyance device <NUM>.

The output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output) is provided in an output shaft <NUM> (output part) of a motor for turning <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output) is provided in a drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft) that is an output shaft of a motor for traveling <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an intermediate gear <NUM> is engaged with the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output), and an intermediate gear <NUM> is engaged with the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output).

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> has a travel part <NUM> and a turning table <NUM> similar to those of the conveyance device <NUM>.

Additionally, the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> has an engaging member for turning <NUM> (first engaging member), and an engaging member for traveling <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the engaging member <NUM> for turning is cylindrical, and has a through hole <NUM>. Additionally, the engaging member <NUM> for turning has a turning table side gear part <NUM> (turning table connection part) and an intermediate gear side gear part <NUM>.

The turning table side gear part <NUM> is engaged with an engaging part <NUM> (internal teeth) of the turning table <NUM>. The intermediate gear side gear part <NUM> is engaged with the intermediate gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the engaging member for traveling <NUM> has a drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft). In the drive shaft <NUM>, a bevel gear part <NUM> is provided. The bevel gear part <NUM> is engaged with a bevel gear part <NUM> of a driving roller <NUM> (driving body) of a travel part <NUM>. In the engaging member for traveling <NUM>, a gear part 67a is provided. The gear part 67a is engaged with the intermediate gear <NUM>.

Power of the motor for turning <NUM> provided in the main conveyance device <NUM> is transmitted to the turning table <NUM> (engaging part <NUM>) of the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> through the engaging member <NUM> for turning, the intermediate gear <NUM>, the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for turning force output). Accordingly, when the motor for turning <NUM> is driven, respective turning tables <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> and the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> turn.

Power of the motor for traveling <NUM> provided in the main conveyance device <NUM> is transmitted to the travel part <NUM> (belt <NUM>) of the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> through the drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft), the engaging member for traveling <NUM> , the intermediate gear <NUM>, and the output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output). Accordingly, when the motor for traveling <NUM> is driven, the respective belt <NUM> (contact member, endless member) of the travel parts <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> and the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> travel.

The auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> each have the same structure as the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM>, and overlapped description will be omitted. That is, when the motor for turning <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> is driven, the respective turning tables <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> turn at the same time. Additionally, when the motor for traveling <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM> is driven, the respective belts <NUM> (contact members, endless members) of the travel parts <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> travel at the same time.

Now, a conveyance unit <NUM> (planar conveyance apparatus) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveyance unit <NUM> has a main conveyance device 61a, and auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, 63a, <NUM>. Configurations of the main conveyance device 61a and the auxiliary conveyance device 63a of the conveyance unit <NUM> are partially different from the configurations of the main conveyance device <NUM> and the auxiliary conveyance device <NUM> of the conveyance unit <NUM>, but other configuration of the conveyance unit <NUM> is the same of the configuration of the conveyance unit <NUM>.

Configurations of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> of the conveyance unit <NUM> are the same as the configurations of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> of the conveyance unit <NUM>.

The main conveyance device 61a has engaging members for traveling <NUM> in place of the motor for traveling <NUM>. That is, drive shafts <NUM> and the engaging members for traveling <NUM> are integrally fixed to each other. The centers of the drive shafts <NUM> and the engaging members for traveling <NUM> coincide with each other. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the engaging members for traveling <NUM> are engaged with an intermediate gear <NUM>.

The auxiliary conveyance device 63a has a motor for traveling <NUM>. An output shaft of the motor for traveling <NUM> is a drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft). On the drive shaft <NUM>, an output gear <NUM> (engaging member for traveling force output) is provided. The output gear <NUM> is engaged with the intermediate gear <NUM>.

That is, when the motor for traveling <NUM> is driven, the drive shaft <NUM> rotates, a belt <NUM> (contact member, endless member) of a travel part <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance device 63a travels. Additionally, when the motor for traveling <NUM> is driven, power is transmitted to each of the engaging members for traveling <NUM> through the output gear <NUM> integrated with the drive shaft <NUM>, and the intermediate gear <NUM>, and each drive shaft <NUM> rotates. Therefore, belts <NUM> (contact members, endless members) of travel parts <NUM> of the main conveyance device 61a, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> travel.

Turning tables <NUM> of the main conveyance device 61a, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, 63a, <NUM> in the conveyance unit <NUM> operate in a similar manner to the turning tables <NUM> of the main conveyance device <NUM>, auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM> to <NUM> in the conveyance unit <NUM>.

The belts <NUM> (contact members, endless members) of the travel parts <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> travel, when the motor for traveling <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance device 63a is driven. Additionally, the turning tables <NUM> of the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, <NUM> turn, when the motor for turning <NUM> of the main conveyance device 61a is driven.

That is, in the conveyance unit <NUM>, when the motor for turning <NUM> is driven, all the turning table <NUM> of the main conveyance device 61a, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, 63a, <NUM> similarly turn at the same time. Additionally, in the conveyance unit <NUM>, when the motor for traveling <NUM> is driven, all the belts <NUM> (contact members, endless members) of the main conveyance device 61a, and the auxiliary conveyance devices <NUM>, 63a, <NUM> similarly travel at the same time.

The conveyance units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as a planar conveyance apparatus are used in the following manner.

That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, each of the conveyance units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has four travel parts <NUM> (belts <NUM>) surrounded by the broken lines. These conveyance units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are disposed vertically and horizontally, so that the sorting region <NUM> of a conveyor apparatus (not illustrated) is composed.

That is, in <FIG>, four travel parts <NUM> (belts <NUM>) surrounded by solid lines belong to one conveyance unit <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the conveyance unit <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> has, for example, four travel parts <NUM> (belts <NUM>) of an A row and 1st column, an A row and 2nd column, a B row and 1st column, and a B row and 2nd column. As described above, the four travel parts <NUM> are driven by the one motor for turning <NUM> to turn at the same time and at the similar manner, and are driven by the one motor for traveling <NUM> to travel at the same speed and at the same time. Therefore, all the travel parts <NUM> and all the turning tables <NUM> can be driven by one fourth of the motors for turning <NUM> and one forth of the motors for traveling <NUM> in the sorting region <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Now, a modification of the conveyance device will be described. A conveyance device <NUM>' illustrated in <FIG> is a conveyance device obtained by improving the conveyance device <NUM> in <FIG>. That is, the conveyance device <NUM>' illustrated in <FIG> includes engaging parts <NUM>, <NUM> that are engaged with other conveyance device <NUM>. In this embodiment, the engaging parts <NUM>, <NUM> are provided on side surfaces of a housing <NUM>. The one engaging part <NUM> has a projecting shape, and the other engaging part <NUM> has a recess shape. An engaging part <NUM> of a certain conveyance device <NUM>' is engaged with an engaging part <NUM> of another conveyance device <NUM>'. According to the conveyance device <NUM>' of this embodiment, the engaging parts <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged with each other, so that a planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can be composed.

In each of the planar conveyance apparatuses and the conveyance units of the embodiments thus described, the conveyance devices are disposed vertically and horizontally. However, the conveyance devices may be disposed in a vertical line or a horizontal line.

In the embodiments thus described, all the travel parts <NUM> have the belts <NUM>, and an article is moved by causing the belts <NUM> to travel. The belts <NUM> described in the embodiments each have a width relatively wider than a circumferential length. However, an endless member having narrower width may be employed as each travel part <NUM>. For example, an endless member whose appearance shape is like an O-ring may be employed as each travel part <NUM>.

Additionally, a plurality of endless members may be suspended in parallel between a pair of rollers or the like.

A rotator such as a short roller and a roller may be brought into contact with an article, in place of the belt <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a conveyance device <NUM> having a structure in which rotators and an article are brought into contact with each other will be described. Components identical with the components of the conveyance devices of the previous embodiments are denoted by the same reference numeral, and overlapped description will be omitted.

The conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has two conveying rollers <NUM>, and has a structure in which the conveying rollers <NUM> are rotated to move an article.

A travel part <NUM> of the conveyance device <NUM> has the two conveying rollers <NUM> (rotators), and a driving roller <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The driving roller <NUM> has pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, a bevel gear part <NUM>, and a shaft part <NUM> similarly to those in the previous embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> are in direct contact with the two conveying rollers <NUM>. Therefore, the conveying rollers <NUM> rotate in accordance with rotation of the pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The conveying rollers <NUM> are partially exposed from rectangular openings <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and can come into contact with an article to move the article.

Similar to the previous embodiments, a planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can be configured by use of the conveyance device <NUM>.

A configuration of the travel part <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> can be employed as the travel part of each of the conveyance devices of all the above embodiments.

In the configuration illustrated in <FIG>, the two conveying rollers <NUM> are provided. However, the number of conveying rollers is arbitrary, and one or three or more may be employed.

In a case where one conveying roller is employed, the driving roller <NUM> in <FIG> may be directly exposed to the outside, and be used as a conveying roller.

In each of the above embodiments, the output gear <NUM> is integrally fixed to the motor for turning <NUM> (<FIG>), and the output gear <NUM> rotates integrally with the output shaft <NUM>. The output gear <NUM> is engaged with the engaging part <NUM> (internal teeth) of the turning table <NUM> through the small gears <NUM>. Therefore, turning force of the motor for turning <NUM> is decelerated by gear trains to be transmitted to the turning table <NUM>.

However, in these gear trains illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a reduction ratio is not sometimes enough.

On the other hand, a conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a speed reduction mechanism <NUM> that exhibits a larger reduction ratio.

The speed reduction mechanism <NUM> employed in the conveyance device <NUM> is incorporated in an enclosure member <NUM> common to a motor for turning <NUM>. It can be said that the motor for turning <NUM> employed in the conveyance device <NUM> is a sort of a geared motor.

The speed reduction mechanism <NUM> employed in the conveyance device <NUM> is multi-stage (three-stage in the embodiment) planet gear trains.

The planet gear train of each stage is composed of a single sun gear <NUM>, four planet gears <NUM>, and an internal gear <NUM> common to each stage.

The enclosure member <NUM> is cylindrical, and the inside thereof is divided into a motor part <NUM> and a speed reducer part <NUM>.

Inside the motor part <NUM>, the motor for turning <NUM> has a stator <NUM> and a rotor <NUM> similarly to the motor for turning <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and an output shaft <NUM> is connected to the rotor <NUM>. The rotor <NUM> of the motor for turning <NUM> is cylindrical, and a through hole <NUM> is formed inside the rotor.

Additionally, the output shaft <NUM> is connected to a sun gear 102a of a first stage. Also inside the sun gear 102a, a through hole 111a is provided. The through hole <NUM> provided in the rotor <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> provided in the output shaft <NUM> are communicated with each other, and a drive shaft <NUM> of a motor for traveling <NUM> passes through the through hole <NUM>.

In the speed reducer part <NUM> of the enclosure member <NUM>, the internal gear <NUM> is integrally provided. The internal gear <NUM> has a long whole length (tooth width), and is disposed over the whole length of the three-stage planet gear trains.

As illustrated above, the speed reducer part <NUM> incorporates the three-stage planet gear trains therein.

A planet gear train of the first stage is composed of the above first sun gear 102a connected to the rotor <NUM> of the above motor part <NUM>, the internal gear <NUM>, and the four planet gears 103a engaged with the both.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, pins 115a of the arm member 121a are inserted into the respective planet gears 103a.

In the planet gear train of the first stage, the first sun gear 102a rotates, so that the four planet gears 103a revolve around the first sun gear 102a, and the arm member 121a rotates.

Additionally, a second sun gear 102b is integrated with the arm member 121a. A through hole 111b is provided also in the second sun gear 102b, and the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor for traveling <NUM> passes through the through hole 111b.

A planet gear train of the second stage is composed of the above second sun gear 102b, the internal gear <NUM>, and the four planet gears 103b engaged with both the above gears.

As illustrated in <FIG>, pins 115b of the arm member 121b are inserted into the respective planet gears 103b.

In the planet gear train of the second stage, the second sun gear 102b rotates, so that the four planet gears 103b revolve around the second sun gear 102b, and the arm member 121b rotates. Additionally, the third sun gear 102c is integrated with the arm member 121b. A through hole 111c is provided also in the third sun gear 102c, and the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor for traveling <NUM> passes through the through hole 111c.

A planet gear train of the third stage is composed of the above third sun gear 102c, the internal gear <NUM>, and the four planet gears 103c engaged with both the above gears.

The four planet gears 103c of the planet gear train of the third stage are connected to a turning table <NUM>. Therefore, when the motor part <NUM> is rotated, the rotation is deaccelerated by the speed reducer part <NUM>, and the turning table <NUM> turns.

A configuration of the inside of the turning table <NUM> is similar to the configuration of the inside of the conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and the turning table <NUM> has two conveying rollers <NUM> (rotators), and a driving roller <NUM>. A structure of the driving roller <NUM> is the same as the structure of the driving roller of each of the previous embodiments, has pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, a bevel gear part <NUM>, and a shaft part <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the pressing parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the driving roller <NUM> are in direct contact with the two conveying rollers <NUM>.

Also in the conveyance device <NUM>, the motor for traveling <NUM> is disposed in a lower part of the motor for turning <NUM>. The motor for traveling <NUM> is a geared motor, and is a motor obtained by integrating a motor part <NUM> with a speed reduction mechanism <NUM>. The motor part <NUM> has a stator <NUM>, and a rotor <NUM>.

The speed reduction mechanism <NUM> is a single-stage planet gear train, and is composed of a single sun gear <NUM>, three planet gears <NUM>, an internal gear <NUM>, and an arm member <NUM>.

An output shaft <NUM> of the motor part <NUM> is connected to the sun gear <NUM>. Additionally, the three planet gears <NUM> are engaged with both the sun gear <NUM> and the internal gear <NUM>.

Pins <NUM> of the arm members <NUM> are inserted into the respective planet gears <NUM>.

Additionally, the drive shaft <NUM> is connected to the arm member <NUM>.

In the embodiment thus described, the motor for turning <NUM> and the motor for traveling <NUM> are located at overlapped positions, and the upper side is the motor for turning <NUM>, and the lower side is the motor for traveling <NUM>. Additionally, the motor for turning <NUM> and the motor for traveling <NUM> are disposed on the same axis.

The motor for turning <NUM> disposed on the upper side has the through hole <NUM>, and the drive shaft <NUM> (drive shaft) is inserted into the through hole <NUM>.

In the above embodiment, the motor for turning <NUM> and the motor for traveling <NUM> are disposed on the same axis. However, the axes of the both may be deviated.

Now, a recommended sensor <NUM> will be described.

In the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>, a characteristic load presence sensor S is used. The load presence sensor S has a quadrangular shape having one side of <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably about <NUM> to <NUM>, and is a solar cell <NUM> having a thickness of about <NUM> to <NUM>. More precisely, in the load presence sensor S, the solar cell <NUM> is used as a detection part.

Herein, the solar cell is a crystalline solar cell or a thin film solar cell, and receives visible light to generate electricity. The solar cell is thin plate-like. The solar cell is a solar cell obtained by laminating a semiconductor film on a thin semiconductor substrate or an insulated substrate.

The above sensor substrate <NUM> is a substrate formed with an electronic circuit <NUM> that outputs an ON/OFF signal based on a signal of the load presence sensor S.

The circuit of the sensor substrate <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, and has an amplifier circuit <NUM>, a comparator circuit <NUM>, and a threshold value changing circuit (threshold value changing means) <NUM>.

The amplifier circuit <NUM> is specifically an operational amplifier, and the comparator circuit <NUM> is a comparator.

The threshold value changing circuit <NUM> is a voltage divider composed of a variable resistor <NUM> and a fixed resistor <NUM>.

The solar cell <NUM> is connected to the sensor substrate <NUM>. Output of the solar cell <NUM> is input to the amplifier circuit <NUM> of the sensor substrate <NUM>, a signal amplified by the amplifier circuit <NUM> is input to the comparator circuit <NUM>, and output of the comparator circuit <NUM> is output from an output terminal <NUM> to the outside.

On the other hand, the threshold value changing circuit <NUM> reduces a positive power supply voltage (VCC) to generate and adjust a reference voltage as a threshold value. Furthermore, the reference voltage as the threshold value is input to the comparator circuit <NUM>.

Then, a voltage of the solar cell <NUM>, amplified by the amplifier circuit <NUM> is compared with the reference voltage which is input from the threshold value changing circuit <NUM> to the comparator circuit <NUM>. In this embodiment, in a case where a voltage coming from the solar cell <NUM> is higher than the reference voltage, an OFF signal is output from the comparator circuit <NUM>. In a case where the voltage coming from the solar cell <NUM> is lower than the reference voltage, an ON signal is output from the comparator circuit <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the load presence sensors S are mounted in the individual conveyance devices <NUM>. The load presence sensors S are each horizontally installed with the solar cell <NUM> side upward. Therefore, the solar cells <NUM> can receive light of an indoor illumination (not illustrated) as illustrated in <FIG>.

Then, an article <NUM> does not exist on the load presence sensors S as illustrated in <FIG>, the solar cell <NUM> directly receives light of the indoor illumination (not illustrated), and generates a relatively high voltage. Therefore, the voltage coming from the solar cell <NUM> becomes higher than the reference voltage, and an OFF signal is output from the comparator circuit <NUM>.

On the other hand, in a case where the article <NUM> exists on the load presence sensor S, the light from the indoor illumination (not illustrated) is blocked, and the solar cells <NUM> are shaded by the article <NUM>. Therefore, a voltage generated by each solar cell <NUM> is lowered, the voltage originating in each solar cell <NUM> becomes lower than the reference voltage, and an ON signal is output from the comparator circuit <NUM>.

Therefore, when the article <NUM> moves from a position of <FIG> to a position of <FIG>, ON/OFF states of the load presence sensors S are changed, and it is possible to detect the position of the article <NUM>.

Now, an example of use of the above planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> will be described. A similar function can be exhibited in the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM>.

The planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> includes the sensors <NUM> (not illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>). The sensors <NUM> each are, for example, a bar code reader, and can identify an object to be conveyed. The sensors <NUM> each are an information acquiring means for acquiring information from an object to be conveyed. Additionally, one conveyance cell of the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> has individually a motor for turning <NUM>, and a motor for traveling <NUM> like the conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the conveyance device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the conveyance devices <NUM> are used as the conveyance cells.

The planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> can be used for application of sorting miscellaneous objects to be conveyed. For example, unsold products are returned, and are sometimes housed in a predetermined shelf or box to be stored as stocks.

For example, in a case of a book, unsold books are returned from respective retail bookstores, and the books returned from the respective bookstores are various and a small amount.

A publisher of the books classifies the books to house the books in a predetermined shelf or the like.

In the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, returned various objects (object to be conveyed) <NUM> are put on the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Objects to be conveyed are put in an overlapped massive state, and swell in a mountain shape as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the planar conveyance apparatus <NUM> of this embodiment, the respective turning tables <NUM> of the conveyance devices (conveyance cells) <NUM> are driven, and a mountain of the objects to be conveyed is collapsed toward a direction radially away from the mountain of the objects to be conveyed which are swollen in the conveying directions by the travel part <NUM>, and distribution of the objects to be conveyed is spread.

The objects to be conveyed are spread in a plane shape such that the respective objects to be conveyed are not overlapped with each other as illustrate in <FIG>. Then, information for identifying the objects to be conveyed is acquired by the sensor <NUM>. Thereafter, the respective conveyance devices <NUM> are driven, and the objects <NUM> to be conveyed are moved to desired places.

Claim 1:
A conveyance device (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a travel part (<NUM>) moving an article and having a contact member, the contact member coming into contact with the article to rotate or travel;
a turning table (<NUM>) supporting the travel part (<NUM>);
a motor for turning comprising an output part outputting turning force; wherein the turning table (<NUM>) is directly or indirectly engaged with the output part of the motor for turning (<NUM>), the motor for turning (<NUM>) turning the turning table (<NUM>) and the travel part(<NUM>);
a motor for travelling (<NUM>,<NUM>) disposed below the motor for turning (<NUM>);
characterized by the motor for turning (<NUM>) comprising:
a through hole (<NUM>) axially passing through the motor for turning (<NUM>); and
the motor for travelling (<NUM>,<NUM>) comprising a drive shaft (<NUM>) inserted into the through hole (<NUM>),
wherein the motor for traveling (<NUM>, <NUM>) rotates the drive shaft (<NUM>), the drive shaft (<NUM>) driving the travel part (<NUM>).