• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Apparatus (1) comprising shelf modules (6, 7) and a lifting and lowering mechanism (8). The modules (6, 7) have positioning trays (A) and (B) at different heights; each tray has a conveyor unit (10). The modules (6, 7) are raised and lowered by the mechanism (8); the positioning plate (A, B) of the module (6, 7) is set at the same height as the plate B (A) of the other module 7 (6) and an object (M) is then transferred from the plate of one of the modules to the tray of the other module. The modules (6, 7) are then raised again and lowered to adjust the plate B (A) of the other module 7 (6) to the same height as the plate A (B) of the module 6 (7) and it is at a different height, return the object to the module 6 (7) and transfer the object to the plate A (B) at a height different from that of the previous plate A (B).
    公开号:FR3072954A1
    申请号:FR1859201
    申请日:2018-10-04
    公开日:2019-05-03
    发明作者:Kazuo Itoh；Tatsuhiko Nakamura；Koji Takahashi
    申请人:Itoh Denki Co Ltd；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of the invention
    The present invention relates to a transfer device, that is to say an apparatus for lifting and lowering an object, for example, for a three-dimensional transfer line distributing objects between high and low conveyors or for three-dimensional switches.
    State of the art
    Company postal services and senders classify items such as packets that have been picked up, depending on their destination. For example, the collected packages are grouped in a determined location to be classified according to their destination and loaded onto trucks. At the filing location, lines of conveyors run in all directions and the packages collected are grouped by destination. The conveyor lines have a main transfer path which divides into auxiliary bypass paths (with transfer paths) which themselves branch out into a set of auxiliary paths and subdivision paths.
    Currently, the packaging is classified in more detail which makes the conveyor lines more complex. For this reason, the conveyor lines are assembled in three dimensions so that the horizontal transfer path is above or below other horizontal transfer paths and the packages are distributed between these high and low horizontal transfer paths. The lifting and lowering devices used for this purpose include, for example, a device which lifts and lowers a lifting platform by a pantograph-like mechanism.
    Document JP 2006-16203 A describes a structure for conveying an object by raising and lowering a carriage in the form of a chassis connected to a cable suspended around a pulley and equipped with a motor to ensure movement in the direction vertical. State of the art
    The conventional lifting and lowering device is considered to be a device equipped with a low post, a high post and a single lifting and lowering table which passes between the posts. This is why the known lifting and lowering device is not very effective. Specifically, to move an object from a low conveyor to a high conveyor, the conventional lifting and lowering apparatus transports the object from the low conveyor to the low position of the lifting and lowering apparatus. Then, this device, for example, a mobile table, lifts to transfer the object to the high station. This lifting and lowering device thus deposits the object up to the high conveyor from the high station.
    Thus, when the lifting and lowering table is in the top post of the lifting and lowering device, the table is not in the low post so that the lifting and lowering device cannot receive the item. Thus, in the low lifting and lowering apparatus, the object must wait in front of the apparatus until the arrival of the lifting and lowering table.
    Purpose of the invention
    Taking into account this state of the art, the aim of the present invention is to develop a very effective device avoiding the drawbacks mentioned.
    Presentation and advantages of the invention
    To this end, the subject of the invention is a lifting and lowering device comprising a first shelf module, a second shelf module adjacent to the first shelf module and a lifting and lowering mechanism which raises and lowers the first and / or second shelving module, the first shelving module having a set of first positioning trays at different heights and the second shelving module having a set of second positioning trays at different heights, the first and second shelf modules each having a conveyor unit which carries an object both in the normal direction and in the reverse direction, the lifting and lowering apparatus being able to perform a clearing operation by adjusting the height of one of the first positioning plates at a height from one of the second positioning plates for transferring the object d u first positioning plate to the second positioning plate by the conveyor unit, the lifting and lowering device being able, moreover, to perform a return operation which raises or lowers the first or the second shelf module to adjust the height of one of the second positioning plates at the height of another first positioning plate, thereby transferring the object that the release operation has transferred to one of the second positioning plates towards another first plate positioning with the conveyor unit, the lifting and lowering device being able to repeat the release operation and the return operation to transfer the object to the desired height.
    The conveyor unit allows the object to be transported both in the normal direction and in the opposite direction, regardless of which direction it is.
    Similarly, the release operation and the return operation are not linked to a direction.
    The lifting and lowering device according to the invention comprises two shelf modules; a first module and a second module, for example, arranged adjacent to each other. Each shelf module has several positioning trays. The positioning plates are at different heights. Each tray has a conveyor unit such as a conveyor.
    In the lifting and lowering device according to the invention, an object can be moved back and forth, zigzag between the positioning plates (a first positioning plate and a second positioning plate) of modules of adjacent shelves, which allows you to change the position of the object in the height direction.
    In detail, the lifting and lowering device according to the invention performs a release operation to transfer the object from the positioning plate (one of the first positioning plates) from one of the shelf modules towards the positioning plate (one of the positioning plates) of the other shelf module using the conveyor unit of the positioning plates (one of the first positioning plates and one of the second positioning plates) of adjacent shelf modules which are at the same height. Then the lifting and lowering mechanism is actuated to modify the state of the positioning plates by being at the same height for the adjacent shelf modules. In detail, the shelf modules are moved in the vertical direction so that the positioning plate (one of the second positioning plates) on which the object is placed, is at the same height as a plate positioning (a plate different from the first positioning plates) which is located at a different height. Then, the lifting and lowering device performs the return operation to transfer with the conveyor unit, the object to the positioning plate (different from the first positioning plates) and which belongs to one of the shelving modules which is at a different height from the previous positioning tray. The lifting and lowering apparatus repeats the release operation and the return operation as necessary to transfer the object to a position at the desired height while moving the object in a forward movement and back in a zigzag.
    It should be noted that the expression "desired height" of the position into which the object is finally transferred is not limited to being different from the height of the location where the object was introduced. The object inserted into the lifting and lowering device can be raised and lowered and evacuated to a position at the same height as that of the place where the object was introduced.
    The invention also relates to a lifting and lowering apparatus comprising a first shelf module, a second shelf module adjacent to the first shelf module and a lifting and lowering mechanism which raises and lowers the at least one of the first and second shelving modules, the first shelving module having a set of first positioning trays at different heights and the second shelving module having a set of second positioning trays having a different height , each of the first and second shelf modules having a conveyor unit which transports an object both in the normal direction and in the reverse direction, the lifting and lowering device being able to adjust the height of one of the first positioning trays at the height of one of the second positioning trays to transfer and place the object of one of the pre better positioning trays to one of the second positioning trays with the conveyor unit, the lifting and lowering device being able to raise or lower the first or second shelf module to adjust the height of the one of the second positioning plates at the height of another first positioning plate, so as to transfer and place the object which has been placed on one of the second positioning plates towards the other first positioning plate with the conveyor unit and, the lifting and lowering device being able to repeat the transfer of the object between the first and the second shelving module according to the needs of transfer of the object to the desired height.
    The lifting and lowering apparatus according to the present invention also transfers the object from the positioning plate (one of the first positioning plates) from one of the shelf modules to the positioning plate (one second positioning plates) of the other shelf module using the positioning plate conveyor unit (one of the first positioning plates and one of the second positioning plates) of modules d 'adjacent shelves that are at the same height. Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism is actuated to modify the state of the positioning plates by being at the same height for the adjacent shelf modules. Specifically, the shelf modules are moved in the vertical direction so that the positioning plate (one of the second positioning plates) on which the object is placed is at the same height as the positioning plate ( a plate different from one of the first positioning plates) which is at a different height. Then, the lifting and lowering device transfers, using the conveyor unit, the object to the positioning plate (different from one of the first positioning plates) and which belongs to the module shelves and is at a different height from that of the previous positioning tray.
    Preferably, the lifting and lowering mechanism raises and lowers at the same time the first and the second shelf module and when the first shelf module is lifted by the lifting and lowering mechanism, simultaneously the second shelving module is lowered and when the first shelving module is lowered, the second shelving module is simultaneously raised.
    According to one characteristic, the time required to adjust the positioning plates (first positioning plate and second positioning plate) of the adjacent shelf modules can be reduced to set them at the same height.
    It is preferable that, according to each of the above characteristics, the first shelf module and the second shelf module are connected to each other by a connection unit to be raised and lowered in synchronism.
    According to this characteristic, the time required to adjust the positioning plate (first positioning plate and second positioning plate) of the adjacent shelf modules is at the same height will be reduced.
    It is preferable that, according to the above developments, each positioning plate includes a load sensor detecting the presence of an object and according to this development, the conveyor unit is driven in a limited manner.
    It is preferable that, according to a development above, the lifting and lowering device transfers the object provided that this object is present on the first position plate and not on the second position plate at the same height absolute that the first positioning plate and to which the object must be transferred or the object is present on the second positioning plate and not on the first positioning plate which is at the same absolute height as the second positioning plate and to which the object is to be transferred. This feature helps prevent collisions.
    It is preferable that, according to each of the above developments, the set of first positioning shelves is organized vertically inside the first shelving module so that the intervals between the first adjacent positioning shelves are identical and the all of the second positioning trays are organized vertically inside the second shelf module so that the interval between the second adjacent positioning trays is identical and the lifting and lowering mechanism stops the shelving modules after their movement of raising or lowering by one degree corresponding to an interval or half an interval.
    Preferably, according to each of the above developments, the lifting and lowering apparatus comprises a lifting and lowering unit constituted by the combination of the first and the second shelf module with at least one distribution space for each side of the lifting and lowering unit.
    It is preferable that, according to a development, the lifting and lowering apparatus comprises a station device having stations at different heights and the station device is placed in a position adjacent to the first or second shelf module and the object is exchanged between the station and the first or second positioning plates.
    Preferably, according to the different characteristics above, the lifting and lowering apparatus comprises a station device having stations positioned at different heights and the interval between the adjacent stations of the station device is practically equal over the interval between the first adjacent positioning trays or the second adjacent positioning trays and the first and second shelf elements is raised and lowered by the lifting and lowering mechanism by a degree corresponding to the height or half the height of the interval between adjacent posts.
    According to a development, the invention also relates to a method of raising and lowering an object, consisting in using a first station and a second station positioned at different heights, using a first shelf module and a second shelving module adjacent to the first shelving module, the first shelving module having a set of first positioning trays placed at different heights while the second shelving module has a set of second positioning trays placed at different heights , the first and second shelf module lifting and lowering in synchronism so that when the first or second shelf module is raised, the other is lowered and when the other is raised, the first is lowered , adjust the height of one of the first positioning trays to the height of the first post to transfer an object placed on the first post ve rs one of the first positioning trays, change the height of the first shelving module and the height of the second shelving module simultaneously to adjust the height of one of the first positioning trays to the height of one of the second positioning plates, transfer the object from one of the first positioning plates to one of the second positioning plates, change the height of the first shelf module and the height of the second shelf module again simultaneously to adjust the height of one of the second positioning plates to the height of the other of the first positioning plates, transfer the object from one of the second positioning plates to the other of the first positioning plates, repeat the transfer of the object between the first and second shelf module according to the needs of transfer of the object to the desired height and unload the Object in the second post.
    The lifting and lowering device according to the invention makes it possible to modify the path of an object.
    drawings
    The present invention will be described below, in more detail using an embodiment of a lifting and lowering device shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lifting and lowering apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main part of a lifting and lowering unit of the lifting and lowering device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a front view of the lifting and lowering device of FIG. 1,
    - Figure 3 (a) showing the state in which a first shelf module is higher than a second shelf module, and
    - Figure 3 (b) showing the state in which the second shelf module is higher than the first shelf module, Figure 4 is a front view of a transfer line including the lifting device and lowering of Figure 1, Figures 5 (a) - (e) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus of Figure 1 and illustrating the condition in each stage when an object is transferred from a left fifth level post L5 to a right first level post RI, FIGS. 6 (a) -6 (e) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering of Figure 1 and the condition in each state when an object is transferred from a left first level post (L1) to a right fifth level post (R5), Figures 7 (a) -7 (f) are front views illustrating the operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus of FIG. 1 as well as the situation in each floor when the objects are transferred sequentially from the left fifth level post (L5) to the right first level post (RI), Figures 8 (g) -8 (h) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering device of FIG. 1 as well as the state in each stage corresponding to the sequence of the states of FIG. 7 when objects are transferred sequentially from the left fifth level station (L5) to the right first level post (RI), Figures 9 (a) -9 (f) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus of Figure 1 and illustrating the state in each floor, when an object is transferred from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5 and at the same time another object is transferred from the right first level post RI to the left fifth level post L5, the figures 10 (a) -10 (f ) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus of FIG. 1 and explaining the state in each stage when an object is transferred from the left first level station L1 to the fifth level station right R5 and at the same time another object is transferred from the left fifth level post L5 to the right first level post RI, Figure 11 shows the functioning of the structure of a lifting and lowering mechanism for the device according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 12 (a) -12 (f) are front views illustrating the operation of an lifting and lowering apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention as well as the condition of each stage, when the objects are transferred sequentially from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5, FIGS. 1 3 (g) -13 (l) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering device according to another embodiment of the invention as well as the conditions prevailing in each state following the states of FIG. 12 when the object is transferred sequentially from the left first level station L1 to the right fifth level station R5, FIGS. 14 (m) -14 (p) are front views showing the operation of the apparatus of raising and lowering according to another embodiment of the invention illustrating the state in each stage after that of FIG. 13 when the objects are transferred in sequence from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5, Figures 15 (a) and 15 (b) are front views of a lifting and lowering apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention, Figures 16 (a) and 16 (b) are front views showing how the ap similar lifting and lowering of Figure 15 and the situation in each state when an object is transferred from the left first level station L1 to the right fifth level station R5, Figures 17 (c) and 17 (d ) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus of FIG. 15 as well as the situation in each state after the states of FIG. 16 when the object is transferred from the left first level station L1 towards the right fifth level post R5, FIGS. 18 (e) and 18 (f) are front views showing the operation of the lifting and lowering device of FIG. 15 as well as the state as a result of the states of FIG. 17 when the object is transferred from the left first level station L1 to the right fifth level station R5, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the lifting and lowering device according to another mode of the Figure 20 is a perspective view of a conveyor device used in the lifting and lowering apparatus of Figure 19.
    Description of embodiments of the invention
    Different embodiments of the invention will be described below.
    A lifting and lowering apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a lifting and lowering unit 2, a left station 3 and a right station 5.
    The lifting and lowering unit 2 comprises an external frame 30 or gantry, two shelf modules 6 and 7 as well as a lifting and lowering mechanism 8 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. To facilitate the description, the shelving module 6 presented in the left part of each figure is called the first shelving module 6; the shelf module 7 shown on the right is called the second shelf module.
    The first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 have the same structure except that the border part is provided with a roller 31 and a guide 32; for this reason the first shelf module 6 will be described in the main.
    The first shelving module 6 has an elevator frame 18a as shown in FIG. 2 with positioning plates A (first positioning plates) with a four-level structure inside the elevator frame 18a.
    To facilitate the description, the positioning plates A of the different levels will be called first stage positioning plates A1, second stage positioning plate A2, third stage positioning plate A3 and fourth stage positioning plate A4.
    The four positioning plates A are spaced at regular intervals in the height direction; they are installed inside the lift frame. The intervals between the different adjacent positioning plates A are identical.
    The positioning plates A at different levels have the same structure with a compact conveyor device (conveyor unit) 10. The conveyor device 10 comprises a drive roller 18 and a follower roller 13 installed on a chassis 11.The drive roller 12 has inside a motor and a reduction gear (not shown) in the body of the roller; the roller body rotates when the motor inside the roller is powered. The follower roller 13 is a free roller.
    A belt 15 passes over the drive roller 12 and the follower roller 13 and between the follower rollers 13. When the drive roller 12 rotates, the follower rollers 13 rotate correspondingly.
    In the present embodiment, the conveyor devices 10 are installed in the various positioning plates A for transporting an object M in the normal direction and in the reverse direction.
    A load sensor 17 is associated with the positioning plate A of each level. The load sensor 17 is a photoelectric transmission sensor comprising a photoemitter (not shown) and a photoreceptor 21 which receives the light emitted by the photoemitter element. The load sensor 17 detects the object M placed on the plate A when the photoreceptor element 21 no longer receives light because of the object M which cuts the beam.
    The load sensor 17 is not particularly limited; it can be a photoelectric sensor working by reflection. The load sensor 17 can also be a component using other physical phenomena.
    The second shelf module 7 has the same structure as the first shelf module 6 described above. This is why, the same elements have the same references and their description will not be systematically repeated. To facilitate the description, the alphabetical letters A and a will be used for the positioning trays of the respective levels of the first shelf module 6 which are replaced by the references B and b for the second shelf module 7.
    This is why the second shelf module 7 has an elevator frame 18b as shown in FIG. 2 and it includes positioning plates B (second positioning plate) with a four-level structure installed in the frame d 'lift 18b.
    The positioning plates B of the different levels are designated respectively by first level positioning plate Bl, second level positioning plate B2, third level positioning plate B3 and fourth level positioning plate B4.
    The first shelving module 6 and the second shelving module 7 are suspended side by side from the external frame or gantry 30 which will be described next. The roller 31 and the guide 32 at the limit between the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7, are adjacent to each other.
    Specifically, the roller 31 has a vertical element 20a which is part of the elevator frame 18a of the first shelf module 6 and which faces the second shelf module 7.
    The guide 32 is equipped with a vertical element 20b forming part of the filling frame 18b of the second embodiment and which is opposite the first shelf module 6.
    The rollers 33 have an external part for the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 which are close to each other.
    The gantry 30 of the ascent and descent unit 2 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped using steel as shown in FIG. 1.
    According to Figures 1 and 2, two upper gears 35 and two upper gears 36 are provided in the gantry 30 at a high end. In addition, two upper gears 36 are provided internally with the gantry 30 at the upper end. In addition, two lower pinions 37 and two lower pinions 38 are provided inside the lower end of the outer frame 30.
    Guides (not shown) are provided for four vertical elements 23 which constitute the sides of the gantry 30.
    The first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are suspended by their gantry 30 from a cable strand (connection unit) 40 such as chains or cables. In the present embodiment, the chain is used as the cable strand 40.
    This means that the elevator frame 18a of the first shelf module 6 and the elevator frame 18b of the second elevator module 7 are connected to each other by their upper surface using the strand of cable 40. More specifically, the elevator chassis 18a is connected to one end of the cable 40 and the elevator chassis 18b is connected to the other end of the cable 40.
    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the intermediate part of the cable 40 cooperates with the high pinions 35 and 36 at the upper end of the frame outside the gantry 30.
    Thus, the first shelving module 6 and the second shelving module 7 are suspended from the cable 40 which descends from the high gables 35 and 36, the weight of the elevator frames 18a and 18b being carried by the high gables 35 and 36 .
    In addition, the lower part of the elevator frames 18a and 18b has bottoms connected to each other by a cable 41 passing over the lower pinions 37, 38 to the lower part of the gantry 30.
    Thus, the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are connected in a circular manner to each other by cables 40 and 41. As for a balance, when the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 is lifted, the others descend by the same distance.
    It should be noted that the rollers 33 of the elevator frames 18a, 18b cooperate with guides (not shown) on the vertical elements constituting the sides of the outer frame or gantry 30.
    The roller 31 and the guide 32 are installed at the limit between the elevator frames 18a, 18b to cooperate with each other. Thus, the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 move freely only in the vertical direction.
    The lifting and lowering mechanism 8 will be described below.
    In the embodiment, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 uses a connecting rod mechanism.
    In detail, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 comprises a rotary disc 50 and a connecting rod 51 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
    The rotary disc 50 and the connecting rod 51 are connected to each other by an axis 52 forming a joint. The other end of the connecting rod 51 and the elevator frame 18a are connected to each other by a pin 53 forming an axis of rotation.
    The rotary disc 50 rotates slowly, driven by the geared motor 43. The stop position of the rotary disc 50 is determined by an encoder or by a limit switch not shown.
    In the embodiment, the rotary disc 50 stops in an upward position when the axis 52 is located just above the center of rotation 55 of the rotary disc 50 as shown in Figure 3 (a) and in a position descending when the axis 52 is located just above the center of rotation 55 of the rotating disc 50 as shown in Figure 3 (b).
    In the present embodiment, when the rotary disc 50 stops in the upward position as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are offset one with respect to to the other in height so that the first shelving module 6 is higher than the second shelving module 7. Thus, each of the positioning plates A of the shelving module 6 is at the same level as the tray of positioning B of the shelf module 7 which is at a level above the positioning plate A.
    In the present embodiment, the first shelf module 6 comprises a first level positioning plate A1, a second level positioning plate A2, a third level positioning plate A3 and a fourth level positioning plate A4 ; the second shelf element 7 also includes the first level positioning plate B1, a second level positioning plate B2, a third level positioning plate B3 and a fourth level positioning plate B4. When the rotary disc 50 stops in the upward position, the first plate A1 which tells a story of the first shelf module 6 is only at the same height as the second positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7; the positioning plate A2 of the second level of the first shelf element 6 is at the same height as the positioning plate of the third level B3 of the second positioning plate and the positioning plate of the third level A3 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same level as the fourth positioning plate B4 of the fourth level of the second module 7.
    When the rotary disc 50 stops in the downward position as shown in FIG. 3b, the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are offset from each other in height so that the second module of shelves 7 is higher than the first module of shelves 6.
    Thus, each of the positioning plates A of the shelf module 6 is at the same height as the positioning plate B of the shelf module 7 which is one level below the positioning plate A.
    Specifically, the positioning plate A2 of the second level of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the positioning plate B1 of the first level of the second shelf module 7; the third third level table A3 of the first module is at the same height as the positioning plate B2 of the second level of the second shelf module 7; the fourth level positioning plate A4 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the third level positioning plate B3 of the second shelf module 7.
    Left station 3 and right station 5 will be described below.
    The left post 3 and the right post 5 have the same structure and that is why the description will mainly relate to the left post 3.
    The left station 3 functions as a temporary storage site for a set of points when the object M enters and leaves and also for the stations L (first stations) in the case of a five-level structure. The L stations function as a distribution space.
    To facilitate the description, the positions (distribution spaces) at the different levels are called below first left level positions L1, second left position L2, third level left position L3, fourth level left position L4 and fifth position left level L5.
    The five stations L are spaced at regular intervals in the vertical direction in a support frame 60.
    The interval between the adjacent stations L is the same as the interval between the adjacent positioning plates A.
    The structure of the stations L at the respective level is the same as the structure of the positioning plates A and B of the shelving modules 6 and 7. In detail, each station L comprises a compact conveyor device (conveyor unit) 61 which allows to transport an object M both in the normal direction and in the opposite direction.
    In addition, each station L has a load sensor 62. Each station L includes a code reading device (not shown) for detecting the destination of the object M from a bar code, for example, fixed to object M.
    The right station 5 is the same as the station 3, the structure of which has been described above. This is why the same elements have the same references and their description will not be repeated.
    However, it should be noted that the letter R completes the references of each right position 5 to facilitate the description.
    Therefore, the right station 5 has R stations (secondary stations) with a five-level structure as shown in Figure 3.
    The positions of the various levels are called first level right RI positions, second level right R2 position, third level right R3 position, fourth level right R4 position and fifth level right R5 position respectively.
    The operation of the lifting and lowering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. The lifting and lowering apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is installed for transfer lines C having a three-dimensional structure with five levels as shown in FIG. 4. By way of example; the device distributes the object M of the transfer line C from each level of the line to a different level.
    The transfer lines C shown in FIG. 4 include a first level line C1, a second level line C2, a third level line C3, a fourth level line C4 and a fifth level line C5.
    The transfer lines C of the different levels are connected to the stations L of the left station 3 according to the respective levels and the stations R of the right station 5 also at the respective level.
    The lifting and lowering apparatus 1 according to this embodiment performs unrelated operations to transfer the object M from the positioning plate A (B) of the shelf module 6 (7) which is one of the shelf modules 6 and 7 to the positioning plate B (A) of the other shelf module 7 (6) using the conveying devices (conveyor unit (10) of the positioning plates A and B the positioning plate A (B) of the shelving module 6 (7) is adjusted to the same level as the positioning plate B (A) of the other shelving module 7 (6).
    The lifting and lowering device 1 controls the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 to raise and lower the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 to adjust the positioning plate B (A) of the other shelf module 7 (6) to place it at the same level as the other positioning plate A (B) which belongs to the shelf module 6 (7) and is at the different height.
    The lifting and lowering device 1 performs a return operation to transfer the object M which has been previously moved by the unbound operation, to another positioning plate which belongs to the shelving module 6 (7) and which is at a height different from that of the previous positioning plate A (B) using the conveyor unit.
    The lifting and lowering device 1 repeats the unbound operation and the necessary return operation. Thus, the object M advances and moves back between the positioning plates A and B of the adjacent shelf modules 6 and 7, zigzagging according to the change of position in the vertical direction to be evacuated by the station L or R at the desired height .
    A typical example will be described below.
    In the present embodiment, the release operation and the return operation are carried out by driving the conveyor devices (conveyor units) 10 of the positioning plates A and B at the same height. Specifically, the conveyor unit 10 of the positioning plate A (B) on which the object M is located is driven towards the other positioning plate B (A) so as to transfer the object M positioned on the other positioning plate B (A). Furthermore, the conveyor device 10 of the other positioning plate B (A) is driven to pull the object M into this other positioning plate B (A).
    According to the present embodiment, there is a load sensor 17 for each of the positioning plates A and B. This makes it possible to identify the presence or the absence of the object M on each of the positioning plates A and B .
    In the present embodiment, the conveyor units 10 of the positioning plates A and B are controlled to execute the release operation and the return operation provided that the object M is present on the positioning plate A ( B) and that the object M is not on the positioning plate B (A) to which the object M is to be transferred.
    In addition, the object M is distributed between the stations L at the different levels of the station 3 and the positioning plates A of the shelving module 6 and between the stations R at respective levels of the station 5 and the positioning plates B of the shelving module 7. In the present embodiment, there is a load sensor 62 for each of the stations L and R. This is why it will be possible to identify the presence or the absence of the object M in each of the stations L and R.
    In the present embodiment, the condition of distribution of the object M between the station L (R) and the positioning plate A (B) of the shelving module 6 (7) is the same as that indicated above for distributing the object M between the positioning plates A and B. In detail, the object M is distributed by the control of the conveyor units 10 and 61 on the condition that the object M is present in the station L (R) or on the positioning plate A (B) and that the object is not present in the station R (L) or on the positioning plate B (A) to which the object M must be transferred.
    By way of example, an operation will be described below for transferring the object M from the left fifth level post L5 from post 3 to the right first level post RI.
    FIG. 5 shows the case for each level of the transfer of the object M from the left fifth level post L5 from post 3 to the right first level post RI.
    In the situation in FIG. 5a, the object M is in the left fifth level post L5. The destination of the object M is read by the code reading device installed in the left fifth level station L5; the destination read is transmitted to a control device not shown. The signal from the control device ensures the execution of the operation sequence described below.
    First, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to stop so that the first shelf module 6 is higher than the second shelf module 7 as shown in Figure 5a. In this state, the left fifth level station L5 and the fourth level positioning tray A4 of the first shelf module 6 are at the same height.
    While retaining this state, the conveyor unit 61 of the left fifth level station L5 and the conveyor unit 10 of the fourth level positioning tray A4 are controlled so that the object M passes from the left fifth level station L5 and be drawn into the fourth level positioning tray A4.
    In the same state illustrated in FIG. 5a, the object M is in the left fifth level station L5 and that is why the load sensor 62 of the left fifth level station L5 detects the object M. On the other hand , the fourth level positioning plate A4 of the first shelf module 6 is empty and that is why the load sensor 17 does not detect an object M. The drive condition of the conveyor unit 61 of the station of the fifth level left L5 and of the conveyor unit 10 of the fourth level positioning plate A4 is filled, which makes it possible to actuate the conveyor unit 61 and the conveyor unit 10.
    The conveyor units 10 and 61 are stopped; as the load sensor 62 of the left fifth level station L5 does not detect any object M, the load sensor 17 of the level positioning plate 4 A4 detects the object M and thus the conveyor unit 10 of the positioning plate of fourth level A4 is maintained for some time.
    Object M is thus transferred to the fourth level positioning tray A4 from the left fifth level station L5.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it is stopped so that the second shelf module 7 is higher than the first shelf module 6 as shown in Figure 5b. In this situation, the fourth level positioning plate A4 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the third level positioning plate B3 of the second shelf module 7.
    Maintaining this state, the conveyor unit 10 of the fourth level positioning tray A4 of the first shelf module 6 and the conveyor unit 10 of the third level positioning tray B3 of the second shelf module 7 are driven so that the object M passes from the fourth level positioning plate A4 to be pulled into the third level positioning plate B3. This corresponds to the release operation. The conveyor units 10 and 61 are stopped; as the load sensor 17 of the fourth level positioning plate A4 detects object M and the load sensor 17 of the third level positioning plate B3 detects object M, the drive of the conveyor unit 10 of the third level positioning plate B3 therefore remains maintained for a certain time.
    As a result, the object M is transferred to the third level positioning tray B3 of the second shelf module 7 from the fourth level positioning tray A4 of the first shelf module 6.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is actuated again and it stops so that its first shelf module 6 is higher than the second shelf module 7 as shown in FIG. 5c. In this state, the third level positioning plate B3 of the second shelf module 7 is at the same height as the second level positioning plate A2 of the first shelf module 6.
    This state being maintained, the conveyor unit 10 of the third level positioning tray B3 of the second shelf module 7 and the conveyor unit 10 of the second level positioning tray A2 of the first shelf module 6 are driven so that the object M passes from the third level positioning plate B3 and is pulled into the second level positioning plate A2. This corresponds to the return operation.
    Then, as shown in FIG. 5d, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is again driven and it stops so that the second shelf module 7 is higher than the first shelf module 6 so that the second level positioning plate A2 of the first shelf module 6 and the first level positioning plate B1 of the second shelf module 7 is at the same level. Then, the conveyor units 10 are actuated to transfer the object M from the second level positioning plate A2 to the first level positioning plate Bl. The second disengagement operation is thus carried out.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is again driven and it stops so that the first shelf module 6 is higher than the second shelf module 7 so that the first level positioning plate Bl and the right first level post RI are at the same level as that shown in FIG. 5e. Then the 10 net 61 conveyor units are driven to transfer the object M from the first level positioning platform Bl to the right first level station RI.
    Thus, the object M is transferred along a zigzag path by changing place in the vertical direction, little by little to be evacuated to the station at the desired height.
    In the example described with reference to FIG. 5, the object M is transferred while being lowered. However, object M can also be transferred to the upper station L or R by being lifted.
    FIG. 6 shows a situation according to which in each stage, there is transfer of the object M from the left first level station L1 to the right fifth level station R5.
    Thus, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the second shelf module 7 is higher than the first shelf module 6 so that the left first level station L1 and the first level positioning plate A1 are at the same height as shown in Figure 6a. Then the conveyor device 61 of the left first level station L1 and the conveyor device 10 of the first level positioning platform A1 are driven to transfer the object M from the left first level station L1 to the first level positioning platform al.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the first level positioning plate A1 of the first shelf module 6 and the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7 are at the same height as that shown in Figure 6b; then the conveyor device 10 of each of the positioning plates A1 and B2 is driven to transfer the object from the first level positioning plate Al to the second level positioning plate B2 (disengagement operation).
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the second level positioning tray B2 of the second shelf module 7 and the third level positioning tray A3 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as shown in Figure 6c; the conveyor device 10 of the positioning plates B2 and A3 is driven each time to transfer the object M from the second level positioning plate B2 to the third level positioning plate A3 (return operation).
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the third level positioning plate A3 of the first shelf module 6 and the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 is at the same height as shown in Figure 6d; the conveyor unit 10 of the respective positioning plates A3 and B3 is driven to transfer the object M from the third level positioning plate A3 to the fourth level positioning plate B4 (second disengagement operation).
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 and the right fifth level station R5 is at the same height as shown in Figure 6e; the conveyor units 10 and 61 of the fourth level positioning tray B4 and the right fifth level station R5 are trained to transfer the object M from the fourth level positioning tray B4 to the right fifth level station R5.
    In the example described above, the object M is transferred to the unit. However, M objects can also be transferred sequentially.
    Figures 7 and 8 show an example in which the object M is transferred from the left fifth level post L5 from post 3 to the right first level post RI as an example shown in Figure 5. However, in the figures 7 and 8, before an object M1 reaches its destination, the next object M2 arrives at the left fifth level station L5 and in the fourth level positioning tray A4.
    In detail, the states of Figures 7 (a) and 7 (b) are the same as those of Figure 5; but in FIG. 7 (c), when the empty fourth level positioning tray A4 is raised to the height of the left fifth level station L5 of station 3, the next object M2 is transferred to the positioning platform of fourth level A4.
    Thus, the added M2 object reaches the destination, the right first level position RI in the same way as described above.
    The movement of the previous object Ml is the same as the movement described with reference to Figure 5.
    The M2 object which is introduced later also reaches the destination, the right first level station RI by following the same path as that presented in FIG. 5.
    In the example described above, the object M is transferred to the same position. However, a set of M objects can also be transferred to different positions at the same time.
    FIG. 9 shows an example in which the object M1 is transferred from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5 and at the same time another object M2 is transferred from the right first level post RI to the fifth level left L5.
    In the present example, the object Ml is located in the left first level post L1 and another object M2 is located in the right first level post RI as shown in FIG. 9a.
    First, the first shelving module 6 stops when it descends below the second shelving module 7 so that the left first level station L1 and the first level positioning tray A1 are at the same height. Then, the conveyor units 10 and 61 are driven to transfer the object Ml from the left first level station L1 to the first level positioning plate A1.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the first level positioning plate A1 of the first shelf module 6 and the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7 are located at the same height as that shown in FIG. 9b and that the conveyor unit 10 of each of the positioning plates Al and B2 is driven to transfer the object Ml from the first level positioning plate Al to the second level positioning plate B2.
    Under these conditions, the right first level position RI and the first level positioning plate B1 are at the same height and thus the object M2 passes onto the first level positioning plate B1 from the right first level position RI by driving the conveyor unit 10 of the first level positioning platform B1 and the conveyor unit 61 of the right first level station RI.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the second level positioning tray B2 of the second shelf module 7 and the third level positioning tray A3 of the first shelf module 6 are at the same height as shown in FIG. 9c and that the conveyor device 10 of each of the positioning tables B2 and A3 are driven to transfer the object M1 from the second level positioning table B2 to the third level positioning table A3. Under these conditions, the first level positioning table B1 and the second level positioning table A2 are at the same height and thus the object M2 is transferred from the first level positioning table B1 to the second positioning table level A2 by training the conveyor units 10.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the third level positioning plate A3 of the first shelf module 6 and the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 are brought to the same height as shown in FIG. 9d that the conveyor unit 10 of each of the positioning plates A3 and B4 are driven to transfer the object M1 from the third level positioning plate A3 to the fourth level positioning plate B4.
    Under these conditions, the second level positioning plate A2 and the third level positioning plate B3 are at the same height and thus the object M2 is transferred from the second level positioning plate A2 to the third level positioning plate B3 by driving the conveyor units 10.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 and the right fifth level station R5 are at the same height as those shown in the figure 9th and that the conveyor units 10 and 61 respectively of the fourth level positioning plate B4 and of the right fifth level station R5 are driven to transfer the object Ml from the fourth level positioning plate B4 to the right fifth level station R5.
    Under these conditions, the third level positioning plate B3 and the fourth level positioning plate A4 are at the same height and thus the object M2 can be transferred from the third level positioning plate B3 to the fourth positioning plate level A4 by training the conveyor units 10.
    Consequently, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the fourth level positioning plate A4 of the first shelf module 6 and the left fifth level station L5 are at the same level as shown in the figure. 9 (f) and that the conveyor units 10 and 61 of the fourth level positioning tray A4 and the left fifth level station L5 are driven to transfer the object M2 from the fourth level positioning tray A4 to the fifth station left level L5.
    FIG. 10 shows the case of the object Ml transferred from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5 and at the same time that of another object M2 transferred from the left fifth level post L5 to the first level RI right.
    FIG. 10 shows an example in which the object M2 is transferred from the left fifth level post L5 to the right first level post RI as in FIG. 5 and at the same time the object M1 is transferred from the left first level post L1 to the right fifth level post R5 as in Figure 6.
    In more detail, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven and it stops so that the second shelf module 7 is higher than the first shelf module 6 as shown in FIG. 10a and that thus the left first level station L1 and the first level positioning plate Al are at the same height and that the object Ml can be transferred from the first level station or left calf Ll to the first level positioning plate Al.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to place at the same height as shown in FIG. 10b the first level positioning plate A1 of the first shelf module 6 and the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7; the object M1 is then transferred from the first level positioning plate A1 to the second level positioning plate B2.
    Under these conditions, the left fifth level station L5 and the fourth level positioning tray A4 are at the same height and thus the object M2 can pass from the left fifth level station L5 onto the fourth level positioning tray A4.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to place the second level positioning tray B2 of the second shelf module 7 and the third level positioning tray A3 of the first shelf module 6 at the same height as shown in Figure 10c; the object M1 is thus transferred from the second level positioning plate B2 to the third level positioning plate A3.
    Thus, the fourth level positioning plate A4 and the third level positioning plate B3 are at the same height; the M2 object is thus transferred from the fourth level positioning tray A4 to the third level positioning tray B3.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to put the third level positioning plate A3 of the first shelf module 6 and the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 at the same height as shown in Figure lOd; the object M1 is thus transferred from the third level positioning plate A3 to the fourth level positioning plate B4.
    Under these conditions, the third level positioning plate B3 and the second level positioning plate
    A2 are at the same height and the M2 object can pass from the third level positioning plate B3 to the second level positioning plate A2.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to put the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 and the right fifth level station R5 at the same height as those shown in FIG. 10e and the object M1 can be transferred from the fourth level positioning tray B4 to the right fifth level station R5.
    Thus, the second level positioning plate A2 and the first level positioning plate B1 are at the same height and the object M2 can pass from the second level positioning plate A2 to the first level positioning plate Bl.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven to put the first level positioning platform Bl and the right first level station RI at the same height as shown in Figure lOf and pass the object M2 of the platform first level positioning unit Bl in the right first level position RI.
    In the embodiment described above, a connecting rod mechanism is used as the lifting and lowering mechanism.
    8. However, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is not limited to such a connecting rod mechanism and may include other mechanisms such as a cam assembly.
    In addition, the lifting and lowering device 68 shown in FIG. 11 by way of example can be used to raise and lower the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 by rotating the pinion 35 by a simple rotation unit 65 such as a pinion motor fixed to the pinion 35.
    The lifting and lowering device 68 shown in FIG. 11 allows the shelf modules 6 and 7 to be raised and lowered vertically.
    In the embodiment described above, the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are connected to each other so that their first part is connected by a cable 41 so that the first shelving module 6 and the second shelving module 7 are connected in a circular fashion with the cables 40 and 41. However, the cable 41 of the lower part may not be used.
    The configuration of the embodiment described above is interesting because thanks to the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7, connected to each other to form the upper part, using the cable 40 and the weight is guaranteed to be balanced in the lateral direction and the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 can thus be moved in synchronism. However, one can also have an independent lifting and lowering mechanism, which combined with the first shelf element 6 and the second shelf element 7.
    In the above embodiment, both the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 go up and down. However, only one of them can go down and up.
    In the above embodiment, the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 stop after being raised or lowered, for a corresponding number of heights of one stage of the positioning plates A and B By way of example, during the process, according to the state of FIG. 5a up to the state of FIG. 5b, the four-stage positioning plate A4 of the first shelf module 6 descends from the height from the left five-level post L5 to the height of the left four-level post L4 which is one level below the left fifth level station L5 and then stops. During this process, the fourth level positioning plate B4 of the second shelf module 7 descends from the height of the right fourth level post R4 to the height of the right fifth level post R5 which is at a level at above the right fourth level post R4 then stops.
    In the above embodiment, each of the positioning plates A and B of the first shelf module 6 and of the second shelf module 7 are always stopped in a position in which there is the same height for the station L or R of each level and which does not stop at an intermediate level.
    However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and the positioning plates A and B can stop at an intermediate level.
    For example, each time the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 operates, each of the shelving modules 6 and 7 can stop after being raised or lowered, by a degree corresponding to the height of a half level . If the crank mechanism is used as a lifting and lowering mechanism 8, the dimension of the arm (rotary disc 50) of the crank can be designed to correspond to an appropriate rotation angle and which can be limited by stopping the chainrings positioning A and B at an intermediate level.
    If the lifting and lowering device 68 of FIG. 11 is used, the positioning plates A and B can be stopped at the intermediate level by controlling the speed of rotation of the rotary unit 65, for example by engine.
    FIGS. 12 to 14 show the operation during which each of the shelving modules 6 and 7 stops after having gone up or down by a degree corresponding to the height of a half-level, each time the lifting mechanism and lowering 8 is activated.
    According to this embodiment, if several objects M are transferred, these objects M can be raised and lowered without achieving an empty level with any object M and thus the lowering of more objects to be transferred by the unit of time while the device works.
    When using a lifting and lowering device 70 as shown in FIGS. 12-14, the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the second shelf module 7 for the states shown in (a), (c), (e), (g), (i), (k), (m), and (o) and the first shelving module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelving module shelves 7 in Figures (b), (d), (f), (h), (j), (1), (n), and (p).
    When the first shelving module 6 is at the same height as the second shelving module 7 as in Figures (a), (c), (e), (g), (i), (k), (m ), and (o), the positioning plates A and B of the respective levels of the first shelf module 6 and of the second shelf module 7 are at the same height as the stations L and R.
    When the first shelving module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelving module 7 in Figures (b), (d), (f), (h), (j), (1), (n) and (p), the positioning plates A and B corresponding to the same level are not at the same height as one of the stations L and R.
    However, the shelf modules 6 and 7 stop after having gone up or down by a degree corresponding to the height of a respective half-level, and thus when the first module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelf module 7, the total of the lifting / lowering distance corresponds to the height of one level. This is why, when the first shelving module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelving module 7 as shown in Figures (b), (d), (f), (h), (j), (1), (n) and (p), the positioning plate A belonging to the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the positioning plate B belonging to the second shelf module 7 and which is one level below the positioning plate A.
    The operation for the objects to be transferred sequentially from the left first level station L1 to the right fifth level station R5 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12-14.
    When the object Ml is in the left first level post L1 and the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are at the same height as that shown in FIG. 12a, the object Ml of the left first level station L1 is transferred to the first level positioning plate Al of the first shelf module 6.
    Then the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is actuated so that the first shelf module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelf module 7 as shown in Figure 12 (b).
    In this case, the positioning plates A and B of the respective levels are not at the same height as any of the stations L and R but the first level positioning plate Al of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7. The object M1 is thus transferred from the first level positioning plate A1 to the second level positioning plate B2.
    As a result, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is driven so that the first shelf module 6 and the second shelf module 7 are again at the same height as shown in Figure 12 (c) . In this state, the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7 is at the same height as the second level positioning plate A2 of the first shelf module 6 and thus the object M1 can be transferred from the second B2 positioning plate to the second shelf module 7 to the second level positioning plate A2 of the first shelf module 6. In addition, in this case, the first level positioning plate A1 of the first module d the shelves 6 returns to the height of the left first level station L1 and thus another object M2 is transferred to the first level positioning plate A1 of the first shelf module 6.
    In this state, the objects Ml and M2 are placed on the first level of the positioning plate A and on the second level of the positioning plate B.
    Then, the lifting and lowering mechanism 8 is activated so that the first shelf module 6 stops at a height greater than that of the second shelf module 7 as shown in FIG. 12d. In this state, the second level positioning plate A2 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the third level positioning plate B3 of the second shelf module 7; thus, the object M1 is transferred from the second level positioning plate A2 to the third level positioning plate B3.
    In addition, the first level positioning plate A1 of the first shelf module 6 is at the same height as the second level positioning plate B2 of the second shelf module 7 and thus the object M2 is transferred from the positioning plate first level A1 to the second level positioning plate B2.
    According to FIG. 12 (e), the first level positioning plate Al of the first shelf module 6 is returned to the height of the left first level station L1 and thus another object M3 is transferred to the second level positioning plate Al of the first shelf module 6.
    After the process according to FIG. 12 (e), the operations are repeated sequentially and thus the objects M1, M2, M3 and M4 are transferred one by one while gradually lifting them up and evacuating them to the right fifth level post R5.
    In the present embodiment, the object M is placed on each level which makes it possible to transfer several objects M sequentially.
    In the embodiment described above, the load sensors 17 and 62 are placed respectively relative to the positioning plates A and B and to the stations L and R to detect the presence / absence of an object M. However, a controller can independently receive positioning plates A and B and stations L and R to provide information indicating that object M has been transferred and to indicate information that object M has been transferred and that it may be provisionally recorded in a controller which globally controls the device and estimates the presence / absence of the object. Thus, the conveyor devices (conveyor units) 10 and 61 of the positioning plates A and B and the stations L and R are driven.
    In the embodiments described above, the lifting and lowering apparatus has two shelves 6 and 7. However, the lifting and lowering apparatus may have more than three shelves or less.
    The lifting and lowering apparatuses 75 and 76 shown in Figure 15 have four respective elements.
    In the lifting and lowering apparatus 75 shown in FIG. 15a, two lifting and lowering units 2 are connected respectively to two shell elements 6 and 7.
    The lifting and lowering device 76 of FIG. 15b has four shelf elements 77, 78, 80, 81 connected in series. In the lifting and lowering apparatus 76 shown in FIG. 15b, each of the four shelf elements 77, 78, 80, 81 has a lifting and lowering mechanism 8 so that the shelves can be raised and lowered independently. four shelf elements 77, 78, 80, 81.
    The lifting and lowering apparatus 1 described in relation to FIG. 1 and the other figures repeats the output operation for transferring an object from a table top that is chronologically part of the shelf modules to a shelf tray part of the other shelf modules and the return operation to transfer the object to a positioning plate which belongs to one of the elements and is placed at a different height from the different positioning plate, depends on the position and object M in the height direction. However, the lifting and lowering apparatuses 75 and 76 in Figure 15 do not necessarily perform the return operation.
    In detail, as shown in FIGS. 1618, the object M placed on a positioning plate is transferred to a positioning plate belonging to the adjacent shelf module which is placed at a different height by raising and lowering the modules. shelves to adjust the positioning plate carrying the object M to the same height as the positioning plate of the adjacent shelf module. This process is repeated in sequence to transfer the object to a location of desired height.
    In addition, the configuration of the lifting and lowering device 83 shown in FIG. 19 will be examined below. In this configuration, a set of shelf modules 6 has been combined in a three-dimensional combination.
    The lifting and lowering device 83 of FIG. 19 uses as a conveyor unit 120, a structure which makes it possible both to selectively convey the object M in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 20.
    In detail, the conveyor unit 120 has a direction change mechanism for changing the direction of transfer.
    As shown in FIG. 20, the conveyor unit 120 comprises a main conveyor 121 and an auxiliary conveyor 122. The main conveyor 121 of the conveyor unit 120 is a belt conveyor with a set of narrow belts 125 distributed according to regular intervals.
    The sub-conveyor 122 is a roller conveyor. The sub-conveyor 122 is positioned so that the rollers 126 are located between the belts 125 of the main conveyor 121 as shown in FIG. 20. In the conveyor unit 120, the main conveyor 121 and the auxiliary conveyor 122 are raised and lowered so that one projects upward from the other.
    For example, to unload the object M placed on the conveyor unit 120 in the transverse direction relative to the input direction, the object M is pulled with the main conveyor 121 in the raised position and then the auxiliary conveyor is raised 122 and the main conveyor 121 is lowered so that the auxiliary conveyor 122 protrudes upward relative to the main conveyor 121. Then, the auxiliary conveyor 122. is driven. Thus, the object M is unloaded in the direction orthogonal to the initial direction of transfer.
    In the lifting and lowering device 83 shown in FIG. 19, the shelf modules 6 can be raised and lowered independently of each other. The lifting and lowering device 83 can modify the position of the object M in the height direction by moving the object M relative to the shelving module 6 organized vertically, as did the raising and lowering 1 and 70 described above; he will be able to distribute the object to adjacent shelving modules 6 in the horizontal direction. Thus, the object M can be transferred in the horizontal direction. In addition, the object M can be transferred in the horizontal direction by changing the position of the object M in the vertical direction.
    In the embodiments described above, the shelf modules 6 and 7 of the lifting and lowering devices 1, 68, 70, 75 and the shelf modules 77, 78, 80, 81 of the device lifting and lowering 76 have the same shape and the same structure; the intervals between the positioning plates A and the positioning plates B are the same for the respective levels. This configuration is advantageous but the intervals between the positioning plates A and between the positioning plates B of the shelf modules are not necessarily identical.
    For example, if the lifting and lowering device 68 of FIG. 11 is used in which the shelf modules 6 and 7 can be raised and lowered from any height, the trays can be adjusted. positioning A and B so that they are at the same height even if the intervals between the positioning plates A and the positioning plates B of two adjacent shelf modules 6, 7 are different.
    In the example described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 10, the object M is introduced into the lifting and lowering apparatus 1 by the left station 3 and it is evacuated by the right station 5 by modifying the position of the object M in the vertical direction. In the example described with reference to FIG. 9, the object M is entered both by the left station 3 and the right station 5 and it is evacuated by the right station 5, opposite and the left station 3, by modifying the position of the object M in the height direction. However, the object can be inserted into the lifting and lowering device in any direction and the same can be said of the output in any direction from the lifting and lowering device. For example, the object M can be introduced into the lifting and lowering device 1 by the left post 3 and be taken out by the left post 3 after having changed the position of the object M in the height direction .
    In addition, the lifting and lowering device 1 can have a step for introducing the object M into the lifting and lowering device 1 from station 3 and evacuating the object M to the other station. 5 leaving unchanged the position of the object in the height direction.
    The object M can be introduced into the shelving module 6 (7) by station 3 (5) in a certain area and at the same time the object M can be unloaded from the shelving module 6 (7) by the extension 3 (5) in another area.
    The lifting and lowering apparatuses 1, 68, 70, 75 described according to the above embodiments have been developed to transfer an incoming object to a location at a height different from the entry position, by lifting or lowering the object and unloading the object through the outlet. However, lifting and lowering devices can also be used to reposition objects. When lifting and lowering devices are used to reposition objects, the incoming object can be unloaded while maintaining its position in the height direction.
    For example, if the MA objects are at respective levels of the left station 3 and the MB objects are at the level of the right station 5, the MA objects can be moved to the right station 5 and the MB objects can be moved to the left post 3.
    In addition, M objects can be moved and rearranged according to a type. For example, it is assumed that FIG. 4 shows objects MB in the stations L2 and L3 of the left station 3 and the conveyor lines C2, C3 connected to the station L2 and L3 and the objects MA are in the stations L4, L5 and on transmission lines C4, C5 linked to stations L4 and L5. Under these conditions, the MA, MB objects of the left station 3 are transferred to the right station 5. During this operation, the MA objects of the left station 3 are transferred to the stations R2 and R3 of the right station 5 and the objects MB from left station 3 are transferred to stations R4 and R5 from right station 5.
    In the embodiments described above, the compact roller conveyors serve as the conveying unit. However, other conveyor device structures can be used in conveyor units, for example, belt conveyors or chain conveyors.
    NOMENCLATURE OF MAIN ELEMSNTS
    1, 68, 70 75, 76, 83 Lifting and lowering devices
    23567810, 61 Lifting and lowering unitLeft postRight postFirst shelf moduleSecond shelving moduleLifting and lowering mechanismConveyors (conveyor unit / conveyor device) 12, 621315171818a, 18b21233031323335363738404141, 424350515253 Load sensorsFollower rollerBeltLoad sensorMotor rollerElevator framephotoreceptorVertical elementsOuter / portal framepebbleGuideRollerUpper gablesUpper gablesLower gearsLower gearsCable strandCableCables (connection unit)gearmotorRotating discrodAxisBrooch
    55606162687075, 7677, 78, 80, 81120121122125126AT Center of rotationSupport frameConveyor unitLoad sensorLifting and lowering deviceLifting and lowering equipment Lifting and lowering equipment Shelf elementsConveyor unitMain conveyorAuxiliary conveyor / sub-conveyorNarrow bands / beltsRollerPositioning plate (first positioning plate B Positioning plate (second positioning plate) TheMR Post (distribution space, first post)ObjectStation (distribution station, second station)
    权利要求:
    Claims (11)
    [1" id="c-fr-0001]
    1 °) Lifting and lowering device comprising:
    a first shelf module (6), a second shelf module (7) adjacent to the first shelf module (6), and a lifting and lowering mechanism (8) which raises and lowers at least the first or the second shelf module (6, 7), the first shelf module (6) having a set of first positioning plates (A) at different heights, the second shelf module (7) having a set of second positioning plates (B) at different heights, the first and second shelf modules (6, 7) each having a conveyor unit (10) which transports an object (M) both in the normal direction and in the reverse direction, the lifting and lowering device (1) being able to execute a disengagement operation by adjusting the height of one of the first positioning plates (A) to the height of one of the second positioning plates ( B) to transfer the object (M) from the first posi actuation towards the second positioning plate by the conveyor unit (10), the lifting and lowering device (1) being able, moreover, to perform a return operation which raises or lowers the first or the second shelf module (6,7) to adjust the height of one of the second positioning plates (B) to a height of another first positioning plate (A) thereby transferring the object (M) as the release operation transferred to one of the second positioning plates (B) to another first positioning plate (A) with the conveyor unit (10), and the lifting and lowering device (1) capable of repeating the 'release operation and return operation according to the needs of transfer of the object, at the desired height.
    [2" id="c-fr-0002]
    2 °) Lifting and lowering device comprising:
    a first shelf module (6), a second shelf module (7) adjacent to the first shelf module (6), and a lifting and lowering mechanism (8) which raises and lowers at least the first or the second shelf module (6, 7), the first shelf module (6) having a set of first positioning plates (A) at different heights, and the second shelf module (7) having a set second positioning plates (B) at different heights, the first and second shelf modules (6, 7) each having a conveyor unit (10) which transports an object (M) both in the normal direction and in the opposite direction, the lifting and lowering device (1) being able to adjust the height of one of the first positioning plates (A) to the height of one of the second positioning plates (B) for transferring and place the object (M) of one of the first positioning plates (A) v ers one of the second positioning plates (B) with the conveyor unit (10), the lifting and lowering device (1) being able to raise or lower the first or the second shelf module ( 6, 7) to adjust the height of one of the second positioning plates (B) to the height of another first positioning plate (A), so as to transfer and place the object (M) which has been placed on one of the second positioning plates (B) towards the other first positioning plate (A) with the conveyor unit (10), and the lifting and lowering device (1) being able to repeat the transfer of the object (M) between the first and the second shelving module (6, 7) according to the needs of transfer of the object (M) to the desired height.
    [3" id="c-fr-0003]
    3 °) lifting and lowering device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting and lowering mechanism (8) simultaneously raises and lowers the first and the second shelf module (6, 7) , and the first shelf module (6) is raised by the lifting and lowering mechanism (8) and simultaneously the second shelf module (7) is lowered and when the first shelf module (6) is lowered, the second shelf module (7) is simultaneously raised.
    [4" id="c-fr-0004]
    4) lifting and lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first shelf module (6) and the second shelf module (7) are connected one to the other by a connecting unit (40, 41) so as to raise and lower in synchronism.
    [5" id="c-fr-0005]
    5 °) lifting and lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each positioning plate (A, B) has a load sensor detecting the presence of the object (M).
    [6" id="c-fr-0006]
    6 °) lifting and lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lifting and lowering device (1) transfers the object (M) provided that the object is present on the first positioning plate (A) and that the object is not present on the second positioning plate (B) at the same absolute height as that of the first positioning plate, to which the object must be transferred or the object (M) is present on the second positioning plate (B) and the object is not present on the first positioning plate (A) at the same absolute height as the second positioning plate (B) to which the object (M) is to be transferred.
    [7" id="c-fr-0007]
    7 °) lifting and lowering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the set of first positioning plates (A) is organized vertically inside the first shelf module ( 6) so that the interval between the first adjacent positioning plates (A) is equal, the set of second positioning plates (B) is organized vertically in the second shelf module (7) so that the interval between the second adjacent trays (B) is equal, and the lifting and lowering mechanism (8) stops the shelving modules (6, 7) after raising or lowering the shelving modules by a degree corresponding to the interval or halfway through the interval.
    [8" id="c-fr-0008]
    8 °) lifting and lowering device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a lifting and lowering unit (8) formed by the combination of the first and second module d 'shelves (6, 7), at least one distribution space (L, R) being provided on each side of the lifting and lowering unit (8).
    [9" id="c-fr-0009]
    9 °) lifting and lowering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a station device (3, 5) having stations placed at different heights, the station device being provided in a position adjacent to the first and second shelf module, and the object is transferred between the station and the first or second positioning tray.
    [10" id="c-fr-0010]
    10 °) lifting and lowering device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9, comprising a station device having stations at different heights, the interval between adjacent stations (L , R) of the post device (3, 5) being practically equal to the interval between the first positioning plates (A), adjacent or the second positioning plates (B) adjacent, and the first and second module d 'shelves (6, 7) are raised and lowered by the lifting and lowering mechanism (8) by a degree corresponding to the height or half-height of the interval between adjacent positions (L, R).
    [11" id="c-fr-0011]
    11 °) Method of raising and lowering an object, method consisting in using a first station (3) and a second station (5) which are positioned at different heights, using a first module of shelves (6) and a second shelf module (7) adjacent to the first shelf module (6), the first shelf module (6) having a set of first positioning plates (A) placed at different heights while the second module of shelves (7) has a set of second positioning plates (B) placed at different heights, and the first and second module of shelves (6, 7) raise and lower in synchronism so that when one of the first and second shelf modules are raised, the other is lowered and when the other is raised, the first is lowered, adjust the height of one of the first positioning plates (A) to the height of the first station to transfer a placed object s ur the first station (3) towards one of the first positioning plates (A), change the height of the first shelf module (6) and the height of the second shelf module (7) simultaneously to adjust the height of one of the first positioning plates (A) at the height of one of the second positioning plates (B), transfer the object (M) from one of the first positioning plates (A) to one second positioning plates (B), change the height of the first shelving module (6) and the height of the second shelving module (7) again simultaneously to adjust the height of one of the second positioning trays ( B) at the height of another of the first positioning plates (A), transfer the object (M) from one of the second positioning plates (B) to the other of the first positioning plates (A),
    5 - repeat the transfer of the object (M) between the first and the second shelving module (6, 7) according to the needs of transfer of the object (M) to the desired height, and unload the object in the second post (5).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US20190127153A1|2019-05-02|
    DE102018126894A1|2019-05-02|
    US10597237B2|2020-03-24|
    GB2568803A|2019-05-29|
    CN109720767A|2019-05-07|
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    法律状态:
    2019-10-24| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 2 |
    2020-10-22| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
    2021-08-13| PLSC| Publication of the preliminary search report|Effective date: 20210813 |
    2021-10-25| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    JP2017210467|2017-10-31|
    JP2017210467|2017-10-31|
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