Patent Description:
<NUM> A known example of the pallet supply apparatus as mentioned above is an apparatus (pallet conveyance apparatus) disclosed in <CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>). The disclosed pallet conveyance apparatus transfers and conveys pallets between a pallet storage, a machining station, and a set-up station. This pallet conveyance apparatus includes the pallet storage that stores pallets, a carriage that is movable between the pallet storage, the machining station, and the set-up station, first and second pallet placing tables that are mounted on the carriage with a distance therebetween in the moving direction of the carriage, and a single pallet transferring means that is configured to transfer a pellet between the first pallet placing table and the machining station or the set-up station when positioned with respect to the first pallet placing table and transfer a pallet between the second pallet placing table and the machining station or the set-up station when positioned with respect to the second pallet placing table.

<NUM> This pallet conveyance apparatus is configured to interchange the positions of the first and second pallet placing tables with respect to the machining station or the set-up station by moving the carriage in a state where the pallet transferring means is fixed. The carriage is configured to be moved in the forward and backward direction by a carriage driving means on a path that extends such that the carriage is movable between the pallet storage, the machining station, and the set-up station. The pallet transferring means is configured to be movable in the forward and backward direction relative to the carriage and to be fixed by a fixing means that locks and unlocks the pallet transferring means to and from the path.

<NUM> According to this conventional pallet conveyance apparatus, the pallet conveyance apparatus capable of placing a pallet on each of the first and second pallet placing tables is enabled to exchange pallets with each of the machining station and set-up station by the single pallet transferring means. Therefore, the manufacturing cost for the pallet conveyance apparatus is reduced as compared with a pallet conveyance apparatus having a pallet transferring means for each of a pair of pallet placing parts.

<NUM> Further, since the positions of the first and second pallet placing tables are interchanged in a state where the pallet transferring means is fixed at a position facing the machining station or the set-up station, it is not necessary to install the machining station and the set-up station in exact correspondence with the center-to-center pitch between the pallet placing parts, which facilitates installation of a pallet conveyance line in a plant or the like. <CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>) discloses a pallet supply apparatus according to the preamble of appended claim <NUM>.

<NUM> In the above-described conventional pallet conveyance apparatus, the pallet storage is typically constituted by holding units holding pallets and a frame supporting the holding units in a row. Further, operations of the carriage driving means and pallet transferring means are controlled by a dedicated controller. In view of saving the space for the whole pallet conveyance apparatus, the pallet conveyance apparatus typically has a configuration in which the controller is received inside the frame of the pallet storage.

<NUM> The installation of the thus-configured pallet conveyance apparatus in a plant is conventionally carried out in accordance with the following procedure. First, the structural components of the machining station, set-up station, and path are installed on their respective preset positions. Subsequently, the carriage is arranged on the path, and the controller is installed on its predetermined position and electrically connected to the carriage driving means and the pallet transferring means. Subsequently, the pallet storage is lifted by means of a hoisting device such as an overhead crane and installed on its predetermined position from above such that the controller is received in the pallet storage.

<NUM> However, this installation procedure has the problem that the installation is very difficult in a plant which is not provided with a hoisting device such as an overhead crane. In such a case, it may be possible to use a crane vehicle or the like; however, using a crane vehicle is disadvantageous in that accurate fine positioning is difficult. In the first place, installing the pallet storage on a predetermined position from above by means of a hoisting device involves poor braking performance of the pallet storage, such as the pallet storage swinging when lifted. Therefore, in order to install the controller and the pallet storage while avoiding interference between them, the installation has to be carefully carried out, which brings about the problem that the installation of the pallet conveyance apparatus needs long time.

<NUM> The present invention has been achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a pallet supply apparatus which can be installed in a short time without using a hoisting device such as an overhead crane.

<NUM> To solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a pallet supply apparatus including:.

<NUM> With this pallet supply apparatus, it is possible to install the components of the apparatus on their respective predetermined positions in the following manner. That is, first, the conveyance device is arranged on its predetermined position, and then the controller is temporarily placed near the conveyance device and the controller is connected to the conveyance device. Subsequently, with the lower end side of the cover in the flipped-up state, the frame is brought close to the conveyance device from the controller side such that the controller relatively passes under the cover, and arranged to be parallel to the conveyance device.

<NUM> Subsequently, the controller is moved to and installed on a normal position set under the holding units in the frame. Thereafter, the cover is returned to its original downward inclined state from the flipped-up state. Thus, the pallet storage device, the conveyance device, and the controller can be installed on their respective set positions in the above-described manner.

<NUM> As described above, with the pallet supply apparatus according to the present invention as well as the method of assembling the pallet supply apparatus, it is possible to, without using a hoisting device such as an overhead crane, fit together (install) the pallet storage device, the conveyance device, and the controller with the controller received in the space of the frame of the pallet storage device. Therefore, the pallet supply apparatus can be easily installed even in a plant which is not provided with a hoisting device such as an overhead crane.

<NUM> Further, as compared with installation using a hoisting device, the braking performance of the controller in putting the controller into the space of the frame is better, which facilitates the avoidance of interference between the controller and the frame. Therefore, the installation of the frame and the controller is easily carried out in a short time.

<NUM> In the present invention, a configuration is possible in which the cover is pivotally supported by the frame at its side opposite to the lower end side. This configuration facilitates the operation of flipping up the cover.

<NUM> Further, in the present invention, a configuration is possible in which the frame has a locking tool to keep the lower end side of the cover in the flipped-up state. This configuration enables the lower end side of the cover to be kept in the flipped-up state by the locking tool, so that the installation of the frame and the controller can be efficiently carried out.

<NUM> Further, in the present invention, a configuration is possible in which the frame and the controller each have a caster provided on a bottom thereof so that the frame and the controller can be transported by hand push. This configuration enables the frame and the controller to be easily moved, so that the installation of the frame and the controller can be efficiently carried out.

<NUM> Further, in the present invention, a configuration is possible in which the frame and the controller each further have a stand with a height adjustment function provided on the bottom thereof. This configuration enables the frame and the controller to be easily adjusted in height position by adjustment of the height adjustment function of their respective stands.

<NUM> As described above, with the present invention, it is possible to, without using a hoisting device such as an overhead crane, fit together the pallet storage device, the conveyance device, and the controller with the controller received in the space of the frame of the pallet storage device. Therefore, the pallet supply apparatus according to the present invention can be easily installed even in a plant which is not provided with a hoisting device such as an overhead crane.

<NUM> Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<NUM> As illustrated in <FIG>, a pallet supply apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a conveyance device <NUM>, a pallet storage device <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

<NUM> The conveyance device <NUM> is constituted by a traveling base <NUM> having a traveling path 11a for conveying a pallet P to and from a predetermined place (supply point) and a conveyance unit <NUM> traveling on the traveling path 11a to load and unload the pallet P into and from the pallet storage device <NUM> and to convey the pallet P to and from the supply point. Note that the traveling base <NUM>, which is partially illustrated in <FIG>, is arranged so as to connect the pallet storage device <NUM> and the supply point.

<NUM> The traveling base <NUM> has a U-shaped cross section and has a guide rail <NUM> on each of its parallel top surfaces. The guide rails <NUM> form the traveling path 11a that extends along the direction of arrow A-B.

<NUM> The conveyance unit <NUM> is constituted by a traveling carriage <NUM> placed on the pair of guide rails <NUM> via sliders, not illustrated, in a manner to lie across the pair of guide rails <NUM> and configured to be movable in the direction of arrow A-B, a moving mechanism <NUM> moving the traveling carriage <NUM> in the direction of arrow A-B, and a transferring mechanism <NUM> arranged on the traveling carriage <NUM>.

<NUM> The moving mechanism <NUM> may have any conventionally known structure capable of moving the traveling carriage <NUM> in the direction of arrow A-B. For example, the moving mechanism <NUM> may be constituted by a rack fixed on an inner wall surface of the traveling base <NUM> in a manner to extend along the longitudinal direction of the traveling base <NUM>, a pinion gear provided on the traveling carriage <NUM> and meshing with the rack, and a drive motor 17a driving the pinion gear. In this moving mechanism <NUM>, rotation of the pinion gear by the drive motor 17a causes the traveling carriage <NUM> to move in the direction of arrow A-B in accordance with the meshing between the pinion gear and the rack.

<NUM> The transferring mechanism <NUM> is constituted by an extension unit <NUM> constituted by a base member <NUM>, a first slide member <NUM>, and a second slide member <NUM>, which are sequentially arranged in a stack, and configured to be extendable toward the pallet storage device <NUM>, an extension drive unit (not illustrated) extending the extension unit <NUM>, a support unit 24a provided on the second slide member <NUM> so as to support a pallet P, and a lifting drive unit (not illustrated) lifting and lowering the support unit 24a.

<NUM> The controller <NUM> controls operations of the moving mechanism <NUM> and transferring mechanism <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is disposed inside the frame <NUM> of the pallet storage device <NUM>, which is descried in detail later.

<NUM> The pallet storage device <NUM> is constituted by holding plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> aligned along the traveling base <NUM>, plate-shaped inclined covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> respectively arranged on the rear side, i.e., the side far from the traveling base <NUM>, below and between the holding plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, plate-shaped flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> respectively arranged on the front side, i.e., the side close to the traveling base <NUM>, below and between the holding plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a frame <NUM> supporting the holding plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the inclined covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and an outer wall <NUM> provided on the rear side of the frame <NUM>.

<NUM> The holding plates <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> function as holding units for holding pallets P. The holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> together form a holding unit <NUM>, the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> together form a holding unit <NUM>, and the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> together form a holding unit <NUM>. In the holding unit <NUM>, a pallet P is to be placed on the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> so as to lie across them. In the holding unit <NUM>, a pallet P is to be placed on the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> so as to lie across them. In the holding unit <NUM>, a pallet P is to be placed on the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> so as to lie across them.

<NUM> The traveling carriage <NUM> is configured to be moved in the direction of arrow A-B and positioned at positions corresponding to the holding units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by the moving mechanism <NUM>. At each of the positions corresponding to the holding units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the transferring mechanism <NUM> loads a pallet P into the corresponding holding unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or unloads a pallet P held by the corresponding holding unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> onto the traveling carriage <NUM>.

<NUM> For example, when the traveling carriage <NUM> is positioned with respect to the holding unit <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, the transferring mechanism <NUM> extends the first slide member <NUM> and the second slide member <NUM> with the support unit 24a supporting a pallet P and having been lifted by the lifting drive unit (not illustrated), whereby the pallet P is moved to a position above the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> (the holding unit <NUM>). Subsequently, the transferring mechanism <NUM> causes the lifting drive unit (not illustrated) to lower the support unit 24a, whereby the pallet P is placed onto the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> (the holding unit <NUM>). Thereafter, the transferring mechanism <NUM> contracts the first slide member <NUM> and the second slide member <NUM>. In this manner, the pallet P is loaded into the holding unit <NUM>.

<NUM> On the other hand, in unloading a pallet P held by the holding unit <NUM> from the holding unit <NUM>, the transferring mechanism <NUM> extends the first slide member <NUM> and the second slide member <NUM> with the support unit 24a supporting no pallet P and having been lowered by the lifting drive unit (not illustrated), whereby the support unit 24a is moved to a position under the pallet P placed on the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> (the holding unit <NUM>). Subsequently, the transferring mechanism <NUM> causes the lifting drive unit (not illustrated) to lift the support unit 24a, whereby the pallet P is supported by the support unit 24a and raised from the holding plates <NUM> and <NUM> (the holding unit <NUM>). Subsequently, the transferring mechanism <NUM> contracts the first slide member <NUM> and the second slide member <NUM>, so that the pallet P is unloaded onto the traveling carriage <NUM>.

<NUM> The inclined covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged to be inclined downward toward an oil collection passage 11b formed on the traveling base <NUM>. An upper-end upper surface of the flip-up cover <NUM> is connected to a lower-end lower surface of the inclined cover <NUM>, an upper-end upper surface of the flip-up cover <NUM> is connected to a lower-end lower surface of the inclined cover <NUM>, and an upper-end upper surface of the flip-up cover <NUM> is connected to a lower-end lower surface of the inclined cover <NUM>. The lower ends of the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned above the oil collection passage 11b of the traveling base <NUM>. The inclined covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> function as oil collection plates that lead oil and the like (including chips and the like) falling from pallets P placed on the holding units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the oil collection passage 11b.

<NUM> Further, the flip-up cover <NUM> is mounted at both sides to the frame <NUM> via a pair of support stays <NUM> pivotally supported by the frame <NUM>. The flip-up cover <NUM> is mounted at both sides to the frame <NUM> via a pair of support stays <NUM> pivotally supported by the frame <NUM>. The flip-up cover <NUM> is mounted at both sides to the frame <NUM> via a pair of support stays <NUM> pivotally supported by the frame <NUM>.

<NUM> Thus, the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are each configured such that the lower end side thereof can be turned vertically with the pivots of the stays <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as the fulcrum. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the flip-up cover <NUM> is configured such that the lower end side thereof can be turned vertically (in the direction of arrow C-D) with the pivots (49a) of the support stays <NUM> as the fulcrum.

<NUM> Further, the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are each configured to be kept in a flipped-up state, in which the lower end side thereof is flipped up, by a locking tool that is to be engaged with the frame <NUM>. The locking tool may be of any type. In this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, a locking bolt 49b is used that is to be screwed into a column of the frame <NUM>. In <FIG>, the locking bolt 49b is screwed through a column of the frame <NUM> with the flip-up cover <NUM> in the flipped-up state, so that a lower end portion of the flip-up cover <NUM> is supported by the locking bolt 49b and thereby the flip-up cover <NUM> is kept in the flipped-up state. By removing the locking bolt 49b from the frame <NUM>, the flip-up cover <NUM> is allowed to turn downward.

<NUM> In this embodiment, when the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are flipped up (in the C direction), the controller <NUM> can pass under the flip-up coves <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> in this embodiment is installed on a position under the holding units <NUM> and <NUM>.

<NUM> The traveling base <NUM> is configured such that its horizontal level can be adjusted by means of jack bolts <NUM>. The frame <NUM> has a plurality of casters <NUM> provided on the bottom thereof, and the castes <NUM> enable the frame <NUM> to be transported by human hands. Further, a plurality of stands <NUM> provided on the bottom of the frame <NUM> enable the frame <NUM> to be installed on the floor with its height position adjusted (in this state, the casters <NUM> are floating above the floor).

<NUM> Similarly, a plurality of casters <NUM> provided on the bottom of the controller <NUM> enable the controller <NUM> to be transported by human hands, and a plurality of stands <NUM> provided on the bottom of the controller <NUM> enable the controller <NUM> to be installed on the floor with its height position adjusted (in this state, the casters <NUM> are floating above the floor).

<NUM> In the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, under control by the controller <NUM>, the traveling carriage <NUM> is driven by the moving mechanism <NUM> so that the traveling carriage <NUM> travels in the direction of arrow A-B along the traveling path 11a formed on the traveling base <NUM> to supply an appropriate pallet P stored in the pallet storage device <NUM> to the supply point and store a pallet P collected from the supply point into the pallet storage device <NUM>.

<NUM> In installing the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment, for example, in a plant, the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> is assembled and installed in the manner described below. Note that the frame <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are transportable by hand push by virtue of the casters <NUM>, <NUM>.

<NUM> First, the conveyance device <NUM> constituted by the traveling base <NUM> and the conveyance unit <NUM> is arranged on a predetermined position. Subsequently, the controller <NUM> is transported by hand push and temporally placed near the traveling base <NUM>, and then the controller <NUM> is electrically connected to the moving mechanism <NUM> and the transferring mechanism <NUM>. Note that the installation of the traveling base <NUM> can be performed using a transporting machine such as a forklift or a handlift.

<NUM> Subsequently, at least the flip-up cover <NUM> is flipped up and the locking bolt 49b is screwed with the frame <NUM> to keep the flip-up cover <NUM> in the flipped-up state. Thereafter, the frame <NUM> is moved close to the traveling base <NUM> from the controller <NUM> side such that the controller <NUM> relatively passes under the flip-up cover <NUM>, and arranged to be parallel to the traveling base <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<NUM> Subsequently, the controller <NUM> is adjusted in position by being turned, and moved to a normal position that is set under the holding units <NUM> and <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. Thereafter, the locking bolt 49b is removed from the frame <NUM> so that the flip-up cover <NUM> returns to the original downward inclined state from the flipped-up state.

<NUM> Subsequently, the stands <NUM>, <NUM> are adjusted so that the frame <NUM> and the controller <NUM> are supported by the stands <NUM>, <NUM> and adjusted in height position.

<NUM> In this manner, the conveyance device <NUM>, the pallet storage device <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> are installed on their respective set positions.

<NUM> As described above, with the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment, it is possible to, without using a hoisting device such as an overhead crane, fit together the conveyance device <NUM>, the pallet storage device <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> with the controller <NUM> received in the space inside the frame <NUM> of the pallet storage device <NUM>. Therefore, the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> can be easily installed even in a plant which is not provided with a hoisting device such as an overhead crane.

<NUM> Further, as compared with installation using a hoisting device, the braking performance of the controller <NUM> in putting the controller <NUM> into the space inside the frame <NUM> is better, which facilitates the avoidance of interference between the controller <NUM> and the frame <NUM>. Therefore, the installation of the frame <NUM> and the controller <NUM> can be easily carried out in a short time.

<NUM> Further, since the pallet supply apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment is configured such that the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be flipped up (in the C direction) and kept in the flipped-up state, for example, maintenance of the space under the holding units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and maintenance of the controller <NUM> can be performed from the traveling base <NUM> side; therefore, the maintenances are facilitated. If the flip-up covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> cannot be flipped up, it is necessary to remove the outer wall <NUM> and the like mounted on the frame <NUM> to perform the maintenances, which complicates the maintenances.

<NUM> Hereinbefore, an embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be implemented in other manners.

<NUM> For example, three holding units <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> as pallet holding units are provided in the above-described embodiment. However, as a matter of course, the number of holding units provided is not limited to three and may be more than or less than three. Further, the holding units in the above-described embodiment are arranged on one side of the traveling base <NUM>; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and a configuration is possible in which holding units are arranged on both sides of the traveling base <NUM>.

<NUM> As already mentioned above, the foregoing description of the embodiments is not limitative but illustrative in all aspects. The scope of the invention encompasses all modifications made from the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A pallet supply apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a pallet storage device (<NUM>) having: a plurality of holding units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) holding pallets (P); and a frame (<NUM>) supporting the plurality of holding units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a row;
a conveyance device (<NUM>) having: a traveling base (<NUM>) arranged parallel to the pallet storage device (<NUM>) and having a traveling path (11a) extending along the pallet storage device (<NUM>); and a conveyance unit (<NUM>) traveling on the traveling path (11a) to load and unload the pallets (P) into and from the holding units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and to convey the pallets (P) to and from a predetermined place; and
a controller (<NUM>) controlling operation of the conveyance device (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the frame (<NUM>) has under the holding units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) a space capable of receiving the controller (<NUM>) therein and has a cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of a plate shape arranged such that the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is located above the controller (<NUM>) with the controller (<NUM>) received in the space and is inclined downward toward the traveling base side;
the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is supported by the frame (<NUM>) such that a lower end side of the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) can be flipped up; and
the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured such that the controller (<NUM>) can pass under the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) when the lower end side of the cover (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is in a flipped-up state.