WO2006049468A1

WO2006049468A1 - Automatic conveyor system

Info

Publication number: WO2006049468A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003741
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Hyung Jeon
Original assignee: Jae Hyung Jeon
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2005-11-07
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Also published as: KR100591788B1; JP2008518866A; JP4785859B2; KR20060041089A

Abstract

Provided is an automatic conveyor system that doesn't limit the range of workers action, and permits construction for installation of the system to be easily and quickly performed. Besides, the automatic conveyor system permits reduction in installation costs, and ease of maintenance and repair. The automatic conveyor system includes a plurality of advancing direction switching units for transporting a paper roll in a lengthwise direction thereof, and switching the transporting direction; a plurality of transportation units connected to the advancing direction switching units in such a manner that the transportation units continuously transport the paper roll advancing in the lengthwise direction from the advancing direction switching units; a temporary pickup unit for temporarily picking up the paper roll being transported by the transportation units; a transportation combining unit connected to ends of the transportation units; and an advancing direction switching unit coupled to an end of the transportation combining unit.

Description

AUTOMATIC CONVEYOR SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an automatic conveyor system, and more par¬ ticularly, to an automatic conveyor system for automatically conveying paper for manufacture of corrugated paperboard, sack for cement, feedstuff, sugar, flour and rice grain, gypsum board, wall paper, print paper, photosensitive paper, writing paper, filter paper, tracing paper, electrical insulating paper, and a wide variety of paper containers for food, to a desired position through a mechanical force. Background Art

[2] Typically, a corrugated paperboard is produced by overlapping a linerboard, a medium and a core. In detail, liner paper wound into a roll is sequentially supplied, and a medium and a core are stacked into layers. Subsequently, the liner paper, medium and the core are bonded to produce a corrugated paperboard.

[3] Since a paper roll is heavyweight and has a large volume, the paper roll is conveyed to a desired place by means of a conveyor.

[4] A conveyor is a mechanical device for conveying articles to a desired place, and has a configuration for automatically and sequentially conveying articles. Conveyors can be classified into belt conveyors, roller conveyors, trolley conveyors, and wheel conveyors.

[5] The trolley conveyor is configured in that small wheels with brackets are arranged to travel along a rail, and the brackets are fixed at a chain such that an article can be hung beneath the brackets. Here, the chain is wound on at least plural sprockets in such a manner that the chain is driven together with the sprockets.

[6] The conveyor system disclosed in the Korean Patent Registration No 20-0071284, is configured in that a pair of rails connected through a plurality of cross bars are arranged in the vicinity of a floor, a guide rail is installed between the pair of rails, a sprocket having a pole is disposed at both sides of the guide rail, and a chain ac¬ commodated in a U-shaped groove of the guide rail is wound on the sprocket, to thereby form a driving conveyor. The above-described conveyor system further includes a slave conveyor connected to the pole of the sprocket, and a free conveyor connected through a locking pin.

[7] The chain is driven at predetermined pitches by being controlled for a preset time period by a controller in the driving conveyor and the slave conveyor, such that the chain is prevented from being loosened. Since the chain is accommodated in the U- shaped groove of the guide rail, the chain can be prevented from escaping from the groove. A vehicle with wheels is disposed on the rail in such a manner that the vehicle moves in a forward direction by the pole. A box type container for accommodating articles is loaded on the vehicle.

[8] However, the above-described conventional conveyor is quickly and temporarily installed in case of need, which makes it possible to apply an object having a large volume and a heavy weight, including a paper roll. Moreover, such a conventional conveyor is installed to a predetermined height from ground, which restricts a space for working.

[9] That is, free movement from one side to the other side in a working place is not allowed, and the range of action of works may be limited. In addition, the conventional conveyor has drawbacks in that interferences between vehicles may occur. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an automatic conveyor system capable of performing a continuous conveying operation for a large volume object including a paper roll. The automatic conveyor system of the present invention ensures a floor level same as ground, which does not restrict a space for working and range of action of workers neither, and prevents interferences between vehicles.

[11] In addition, the automatic conveyor system of the present invention does not ne¬ cessitate a wide and deep space for burial, which allows for ease and convenience of construction for installation of the system. This results in a reduction of costs and ease of maintenance and repair. Technical Solution

[12] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic conveyor system including a paper roll inlet unit for conveying a paper roll in a lengthwise direction; a paper roll loading unit coupled to an end of the paper roll inlet unit in such a manner that the paper roll loading unit moves the paper roll in a horizontal direction; a plurality of transportation units connected to the paper roll loading unit in such a manner that the transportation units continuously convey a pair of paper rolls advancing in a lengthwise direction from the paper roll loading unit; a temporary pickup unit for temporarily picking up the paper rolls being transported by the transportation units; and an advancing direction switching unit connected to ends of the transportation units.

[13] The transportation units include a first conveyor and a second conveyor installed in each of a pair of pits formed in both ends of ground; and a connector installed in another pit for interconnecting the pair of pits in an upper portion thereof.

[14] The first conveyor and the second conveyor include frames arranged in a pair of pits, respectively, formed in both ends of ground; driving sprockets mounted on the respective frames, and slave sprockets corresponding to the driving sprockets; chains wound on the driving sprockets and slave sprockets, respectively; slate groups hinge- coupled with each other and connected on each position of the chains; and a driving unit connected to one of the driving sprockets through a power transmission unit in such a manner that the driving unit drives the pair of driving sprockets at the same time.

[15] The driving sprockets can be connected to the respective driving units through respective power transmission units.

[16] The connector includes another frame arranged in another pit for interconnecting the pair of pits through an upper portion thereof. The frame includes a pair of flat plate guides having guide grooves for guiding rolling action of the rollers arranged on a plurality of slate pieces of the slate groups. The flat plate guides are extended in a horizontal direction from spaced upper ends of respective frames, at a state where the level of a floor is maintained at the level same as that of ground. The slave sprockets are mounted in the frame such that the slave sprockets are operable.

[17] The automatic conveyor system of the present invention is configured in that, when a paper roll is loaded on a first slate group by a paper roll inlet unit and a paper roll loading unit, a first driving unit operates to drive relevant sprockets and chain. Thereby, the first slate group having one site coupled to the chain is conveyed, and the paper roll mounted thereon is conveyed in a forward direction. This can be called as a primary conveyance of the paper roll.

[18] Here, the first slate group advances to a section of the connector overlapped with a second slate group, and the paper roll is temporarily picked up by the temporary pickup unit.

[19] When the second slate group moves in a rearward direction and is located at a pre¬ determined position, the paper roll released from the temporary pickup unit is mounted on the second slate group, and the second driving unit is driven in a forward direction. Thereby, the second slate group and the paper roll mounted thereon are conveyed in a forward direction by the operation of the relevant sprockets and chain. This can be called as a secondary conveyance of the paper roll.

[20] The primary conveyance and the secondary conveyance can be performed at the same time, and the time taken for conveyance can be shortened.

Advantageous Effects

[21] As described above, the automatic conveyor system of the present invention has advantages in that a large-sized object including a paper roll can be continuously conveyed and a level of a floor same as that of ground is ensured to thereby avoid a re- striction in a work space. [22] The automatic conveyor system of the present invention has merits in that the range of action of workers is not restricted and interference to an operation of a vehicle is not avoided. [23] In addition, the automatic conveyor system of the present invention eliminates the necessity of preparing a wide and deep space for installation and burial of the system, to thereby allow a construction to be easily and quickly completed and reduce in¬ stallation costs. [24] Moreover, the automatic conveyor system of the present invention allows for ease of maintenance and repair.

Brief Description of the Drawings [25] The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [26] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic conveyor system in accordance with the present invention; [27] Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views and plane views illustrating a transportation unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention; [28] Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section view illustrating the configuration of the conveyor unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention; [29] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating the configuration of the conveyor unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention; and [30] Fig. 7 is a partial side view of slate groups applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [31] Hereinafter, an automatic conveyor system of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. [32] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic conveyor system in accordance with the present invention. [33] The automatic conveyor system of the present invention includes a plurality of advancing direction switching units L for conveying a paper roll Pr in a lengthwise direction thereof, and switching the conveying direction. [34] The automatic conveyor system of the present invention further includes a plurality of transportation units T connected to the advancing direction switching units in such a manner that the transportation units continuously transport the paper roll advancing in the lengthwise direction toward the advancing direction switching units. [35] The automatic conveyor system of the present invention further includes a temporary pickup unit St for temporarily picking up the paper roll Pr being transported by the transportation units; a paper roll loading unit P connected to ends of the trans¬ portation units; and a paper roll inlet unit UL coupled to an end of the paper roll loading unit P.

[36] Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views and plane views illustrating a transportation unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section view illustrating the configuration of the conveyor unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view illustrating the configuration of the conveyor unit applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a partial side view of slate groups applied to the automatic conveyor system of the present invention.

[37] The transportation units include a first conveyor Pt2 and a second conveyor PtI arranged in each of a pair of pits Ep2 and EpI formed in ground; and a connector C arranged in another pit Ep3 for connecting the pits Ep2 and EpI in an upper portion thereof.

[38] The first conveyor Pt2 and the second conveyor PtI include frames 4a, 4b, 6a and

6b installed in each of pits prepared in both ends of ground.

[39] The first conveyor Pt2 and the second conveyor PtI further include driving sprockets mounted in each of frames 4a, 4b, 6a and 6b; slave sprockets corresponding to the respective driving sprockets; and chains 16a and 16b wound on the respective driving sprockets and slave sprockets.

[40] The first conveyor Pt2 and the second conveyor PtI further include slate groups Sl and S2 hinge-coupled with each other and connected on each position of the chains; and driving units Ml and M2 connected to the driving sprockets through a power transmission unit in such a manner that the driving units drive the driving sprockets at the same time.

[41] The connector C includes frames arranged in another pit Ep3 that interconnects the pits EpI and Ep2 through an upper portion thereof. The frames have a pair of flat plate guides with guide grooves 22 for guiding rolling action of rollers 20 arranged on a plurality of slate pieces of the slate groups S 1 and S2. The flat plate guides are extended in a horizontal direction from spaced upper ends of respective frames, at a state where the level of a floor is maintained at the level same as that of ground.

[42] As described above, the automatic conveyor system of the present invention is configured in that, when a paper roll is loaded on the first slate group S2 by the paper roll inlet unit UL and the paper roll loading unit P, the first driving unit M2 operates to drive relevant sprockets and the chain 16a. Thereby, the first slate group S2 having one site coupled to the chain 16a is conveyed, and the paper roll Pr mounted thereon is conveyed in a forward direction. This can be called as a primary conveyance of the paper roll Pr.

[43] Here, the first slate group S2 advances to a section of the connector overlapped with the second slate group Sl, and the paper roll Pr is temporarily picked up by the temporary pickup unit St.

[44] When the second slate group S 1 moves in a rearward direction and is located at a predetermined position, the paper roll Pr released from the temporary pickup unit St is mounted on the second slate group Sl, and the second driving unit Ml is driven in a forward direction. Thereby, the second slate group S 1 and the paper roll Pr mounted thereon are conveyed in a forward direction by the operation of the relevant sprockets and the chain 16b. This can be called as a secondary conveyance of the paper roll Pr.

[45] The above-mentioned primary conveyance and the secondary conveyance can be performed at the same time, and the time taken for conveyance can be shortened.

[46] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred em¬ bodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modi¬ fications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

[1] An automatic conveyor system comprising: a paper roll inlet unit for conveying a paper roll in a lengthwise direction; a paper roll loading unit coupled to an end of the paper roll inlet unit in such a manner that the paper roll loading unit moves the paper roll in a horizontal direction; a plurality of transportation units connected to the paper roll loading unit in such a manner that the transportation units continuously convey a pair of paper rolls advancing in a lengthwise direction from the paper roll loading unit; a temporary pickup unit for temporarily picking up the paper rolls being transported by the transportation units; and an advancing direction switching unit connected to ends of the transportation units. [2] The automatic conveyor system as recited in claim 1, wherein said transportation units include: a first conveyor and a second conveyor installed in each of a pair of pits formed in both ends of the transportation unit on the ground; and a connector installed in another pit for interconnecting the pair of pits in an upper portion thereof. [3] An automatic conveyor system as recited in claim 2, wherein said first conveyor and said second conveyor include: frames arranged in a pair of pits, respectively, formed in both ends on the ground; driving sprockets mounted on the respective frames, and slave sprockets cor¬ responding to the driving sprockets; chains wound on the driving sprockets and slave sprockets, respectively; slate groups hinge-coupled with each other and connected on each position of the chains; and a driving unit connected to one of the driving sprockets through a power transmission unit in such a manner that the driving unit drives the pair of driving sprockets at the same time. [4] An automatic conveyor system as recited in claim 3, including a plurality of driving units connected to the respective driving sprockets through a power transmission unit in such a manner that the driving units drive the pair of driving sprockets at the same time. [5] An automatic conveyor system as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector includes another frame arranged in another pit for interconnecting a pair of pits through an upper portion thereof, said frame having a pair of flat plate guides with guide grooves for guiding rolling action of rollers arranged on a plurality of slate pieces of the slate groups, said flat plate guides being extended in a horizontal direction from spaced upper ends of respective frames, at a state where the level of a floor is maintained at the level same as that of ground.