Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6340278
-
Patent Number
6,340,278
-
Date Filed
Friday, May 14, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 22, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Ellis; Christopher P.
- Tran; Khoi H.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 414 1409
- 414 1408
- 414 1422
- 198 594
- 198 588
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A stage (3) for holding a boom body (4), which is composed of a plurality of boom components (15, 41, 42), is mounted on a tower mast (2) so as to be turnable by means of a servomotor. A servomotor (56, 61) for turning the next boom component is provided on the distal end of each boom component. Each boom component is provided with a belt conveyor, and granule that is pulled up from the ground to the position of the stage (3) by means of a bucket (5) is transported by means of the conveyor and thrown out from a boom body end (66). As this is done, the respective turns of the stage 3 and each boom component are controlled in accordance with the rotation of the servomotor, and the boom body end (66) is controlled, whereby the granule can be thrown out into any desired position within a operable range.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an improvement of a granule transfer apparatus and a granule spreading method, used to transport and place fresh concrete for dams, building structures, etc., transport and spread mortar, or transport and spread earth and sand for reclamation.
BACKGROUND ART
A transfer apparatus for fresh concrete or the like, which comprises a tower mast, a stage, a boom body formed of two or more boom components, etc., is a generally known apparatus described in an international application (WO96/16242) that is subjected to international publication, for example.
Referring now to
FIG. 17
, there will be described an outline of this conventional concrete transfer apparatus.
A tower mast TM contains therein a vessel-shaped carrier CV for pulling up fresh concrete F (concrete not hardened) from a concrete plant or the like onto an elevator body portion EL through the space under the tower mast TM. The vessel-shaped carrier CV is pulled up by means of a lift winch
171
with the aid of a wire rope
170
. The lift winch
171
is fixed to a stage body portion
172
that constitutes the elevator body portion EL.
Supported on the stage body portion
172
is a boom body portion, which is formed of a first boom component C′ and a second boom component C″.
The fresh concrete, pulled up to the upper part of the tower mast TM by means of the vessel-shaped carrier CV, is fed onto a conveyor for fresh concrete transportation (belt conveyor G′), which is provided on the first boom component C′ on the stage body portion
172
, via fresh concrete delivery means
173
and
173
′.
The proximal end of the second boom component C″ is connected to the distal end of the first boom component C′, and these boom components C′ and C″ are arranged continuous with each other, in front and in rear, on a straight line. The first boom component C′ is provided with pulleys
174
and
175
on its opposite ends, individually, and the first belt conveyor G′ is stretched between the pulleys
174
and
175
. The first belt conveyor G′ is driven by a belt conveyor drive motor
176
that is placed on the first boom component C′. The second boom component C″ is provided with pulleys
177
and
178
on its opposite ends, individually, and a second belt conveyor G″ is stretched between the pulleys
177
and
178
. The second belt conveyor G″ is driven by a belt conveyor drive motor
179
that is placed on the second boom component C″.
The fresh concrete F, which is fed onto the first belt conveyor G′ via the fresh concrete delivery means
173
and
173
′, is transported away from the stage body portion
172
by the first belt conveyor G′ and delivered onto the second belt conveyor G″. The fresh concrete on the second belt conveyor G″ is further transported away from the first belt conveyor G′ and dropped onto the ground through the distal end of the second belt conveyor G″.
An upper lift frame
180
is fixed to the stage body portion
172
, while a lower lift frame
182
is fixed to a mast frame
181
of the tower mast TM. A hydraulic cylinder
183
is interposed between the upper and lower lift frames
180
and
182
so that the upper lift frame
180
or the stage body portion
172
can be lifted or lowered with respect to the lower lift frame
182
or the tower mast TM.
The first boom component C′ can be turned on a substantially horizontal plane with respect to the stage body portion
172
by means of a boom turning device
184
. Further, the drawn-up length of the second boom component C″ from the first boom component C′ is adjustable so that the overall transportation length that combines the first and second belt conveyors G′ and G″ can be changed. Accordingly, the point on which the fresh concrete drops through the distal end of the second belt conveyor G″ is settled depending on the angle of turn of the first boom component C′ (and second boom component C″) with respect to the stage body portion
72
and the drawn-up length of the second boom component C″ from the first boom component C′.
If the drawn-up length of the second boom component C″ from the first boom component C′ is reduced, however, the position of the distal end of the second belt conveyor G″, from which the fresh concrete drops, gets nearer to the tower mast TM, but, it never gets beyond the position of the distal end of the first boom component C′ as it approaches the tower mast TM. Thus, the fresh concrete cannot be dropped on any region near the tower mast TM by only making a combination of the first and second boom components C′ and C″ turnable on a substantially horizontal plane with respect to the stage body portion
172
and making the substantial length of the combination of the first and second boom components C′ and C″ changeable.
To solve this problem, a tripper device H is provided on the first boom component C′ so as to be movable with respect to the first boom component C′. The tripper device H enables the fresh concrete, delivered thereto by means of the first belt conveyor G′ on the first boom component C′, to be taken out sideways and dropped on the way. If the tripper device H is situated on the distal end of the first boom component C′, the fresh concrete delivered thereto by means of the first belt conveyor G′ is fed onto the second belt conveyor G″ on the second boom component C″ without being taken out sideways. Accordingly, the point on which the fresh concrete drops from the tripper device H is settled depending on the angle of turn of the first boom component C′ with respect to the stage body portion
172
and the position of the tripper device H on the first boom component C′.
Thus, the conventional fresh concrete transfer apparatus shown in
FIG. 17
has the following problems.
(1) Since the first and second boom components C′ and C″ turn on the horizontal plane with respect to the stage body portion
172
in a manner such that they are arranged continuous with each other, in front and in rear, on a straight line. It is necessary, therefore, to secure a wide area around the tower mast TM that is free from obstacles.
(2) The fresh concrete can be dropped in zigzags onto the ground by gradually moving in the distal end of the second boom component C″ in the dropping position or the tripper device H on the first boom component C′ in a certain direction while alternatingly turning the stage body portion
172
itself that is fitted with the first and second boom components C′ and C″. However, the heavyweight structure that includes the first and second boom components C′ and C″ and the stage body portion
172
has a great inertial mass, so that there is a problem on response when its movement is controlled for fine operation, in particular.
(3) Further, the structure in which the second boom component C″ is connected to the distal end of the first boom component C′ in a straight line requires the structure of the second boom component C″ to be designed for lighter weight. Accordingly, the second boom component C″ or the junction between the first and second boom components C′ and C″ is liable to suffer a problem in rigidity.
In order to solve this problem, the boom on the distal end side (second boom component C″) may be suspended from the tower mast TM in a manner such that one and the other ends of a suspension rope are fixed to the boom on the distal end side and the upper part of the tower mast TM, respectively. Since the boom components are contractible as mentioned before, however, the length of the suspension rope cannot be fixed. It is necessary, therefore, to change the length of the suspension rope as the boom is extended or contracted or give up attaching the suspension rope itself. Inevitably, the former arrangement requires use of a winch or other equipment that entails a complicated construction. If the attachment of the suspension rope is given up, on the other hand, the problem on rigidity cannot be solved.
(4) Further, the connected boom components are restricted in number by the aforesaid structural problem. Practically, the number of connectable boom components is limited to two (first and second boom components C′ and C″) , as shown in FIG.
17
. In the case where the combined boom in its minimum-length state is not very short and if the transfer apparatus is located in a narrow space, the mobility of the apparatus is restricted substantially.
(4) In the case where the combined boom body is supported on the tower mast that is built on the ground, moreover, the fresh concrete or the like can be spread and placed only in the region around the tower mast.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a granule transfer apparatus and a granule spreading method utilizing the granule transfer apparatus, which eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, and in which granule can be spread around a boom body supporting portion, such as a tower mast, without use of a tripper device, the granule can be spread without shifting the location of the boom body supporting portion such as the tower mast even in case there are any obstacles between a target position for spreading operation and the boom body supporting portion such as the tower mast, weaving operation can be smoothly effected in various directions, the rigidity of a boom component on the distal end side and its junction can be secured satisfactorily, and a boom body can be designed so that its minimum-state length is shorter than that for the conventional apparatus.
Further, the boom body supporting portion is attached to a traveling body, such as a vehicle or vessel, so that a granule spreading region can be selected freely.
In order to achieve the above object, a granule transfer apparatus according to the present invention is a granule transfer apparatus that comprises a boom body formed of two or more connected boom components each including transfer means for transferring granule, a boom body supporting portion for rotatably mounting a stage having the boom body, stage turning means for turning the stage relatively to the boom body supporting portion, and granule delivery means provided on the stage and serving to deliver the granule to the transfer means of the boom component situated nearest to the stage. The granule transfer apparatus further comprises a pivotal portion located between the two connected boom components and serving to connect the basal part of the next boom component to the distal end portion of the boom component on the stage side, boom turning means for turning the next boom component with respect to the stage-side boom component, and junction granule delivery means for delivering the granule from the transfer means of the stage-side boom component to the transfer means of the next boom component.
In an aspect of a granule spreading method according to the present invention using one such granule transfer apparatus, an operational movement program to order the position of the boom body end and a rectilinear or arcuate movement between positions is previously taught, and the controller is caused to drive the transfer means to move the boom body end along a movement path given by the taught program and spread the granule while throwing out the granule through the boom body end, in accordance with the taught program.
In another aspect of the granule spreading method, the control means is previously caused to set and store a movement pattern for the boom body end, a granule spreading region is set as an input in the control means to move the boom body end into the granule spreading region, and the transfer means is then driven to move the boom body end in the set granule spreading region, thereby automatically spreading the granule, in accordance with the set movement pattern, while the granule is being thrown out through the boom body end.
According to the granule transfer apparatus of the present invention and the granule spreading method using this granule transfer apparatus, fixed-position rotation of the stage and turning motion of each boom component are combined so that the granule can be spread all over the peripheral region of the boom component supporting portion (tower mast and traveling body), so that boom components need not be provided with a tripper device thereon. Thus, the construction of the granule transfer apparatus is simplified, so that the general manufacturing cost is reduced. As the weight is reduced, moreover, the rigidity and strength of the boom body are improved relatively.
Moreover, the angle of turn of the stage and the angle of turn of each boom component can be adjusted without changing the target spreading position for the granule. If there are any obstacles between the boom body supporting portion, such as the tower mast, and the target spreading position, therefore, the granule spreading operation can be carried out without making any large-scale rearrangement, such as relocation of the boom body supporting portion such as the tower mast.
Further, tamping operation based on weaving can be carried out with only the boom component in the leading position rocked bit by bit. Therefore, the tamping operation can be effected more quickly and smoothly than in the case of the conventional apparatus in which the weaving operation is performed by continuously extending and contracting the continuous boom body on a straight line or by alternatingly turning the stage bit by bit. Since the granule can be automatically spread over the set granule spreading region in accordance with the taught pattern, the tamping operation can be carried out easily. Furthermore, the granule can be automatically spread along a taught granule spreading path.
Since the substantial lengths of the boom components are subject to no change, moreover, the strength of each boom component and its pivotal portion can be secured with use of a very simple structure including a suspension rope, mast, etc., and the rigidity of the whole boom body can be improved. Furthermore, the rigidity can be secured without increasing the weight or complicating the construction. If the same rigidity of the boom body as in the conventional case is required ultimately, therefore, the boom body can be dividedly composed of more boom components and can be designed so that its minimum-state length is shorter than that for the conventional apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A
is a plan view of a granule transfer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B
is a side view of the granule transfer apparatus shown in
FIG. 1A
;
FIG. 2A
is a side view (partially in section) showing the way boom components of the granule transfer apparatus of
FIGS. 1A and 1B
are pivotally mounted and an arrangement of granule transfer means of each boom component;
FIG. 2B
is a front view of the granule transfer apparatus shown in
FIG. 2A
;
FIG. 3
is a view (partially in section) of the granule transfer apparatus of
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, showing the engagement between a tower mast, stage, and stage base and taken from above the top side of the stage;
FIG. 4
is a sectional view of the granule transfer apparatus of
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, showing the engagement between the tower mast, stage, and stage base and taken along the center plane of the tower mast;
FIG. 5
is view showing a portion taken in the direction of arrow B of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 6
is view showing a portion taken in the direction of arrow C of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 7
is view showing a portion taken in the direction of arrow D of
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 8
is a side view of a granule transfer apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a plan view of the granule transfer apparatus of
FIG. 8
;
FIG. 10
is a block diagram of a controller used in common in the first and second embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a flowchart showing manual processing the controller of
FIG. 10
executes;
FIG. 12
is a flowchart showing semiautomatic processing the controller of
FIG. 10
executes;
FIG. 13
is a flowchart showing automatic processing the controller of
FIG. 10
executes;
FIG. 14A
is a flowchart showing processing of a pattern A executed in the automatic processing of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 14B
is a flowchart showing processing of a pattern B executed in the automatic processing of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 15A
is a flowchart showing processing of a pattern E executed in the automatic processing of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 15B
is a flowchart showing processing of a pattern E executed in the automatic processing of
FIG. 13
;
FIG. 16
is a diagram for illustrating the individual patterns handled in the automatic processing of
FIG. 13
; and
FIG. 17
is a side view of a prior art granule transfer apparatus.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Granule transfer apparatus according to first embodiment)
A granule transfer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIG. 1A
(plan view) and
FIG. 1B
(side view).
A granule transfer apparatus
1
generally comprises a tower mast
2
(that constitutes a boom body supporting portion), a stage
3
, and a boom body
4
. The tower mast
2
is formed of a prism-shaped steel-frame structure, and has therein granule transfer means, i.e., a bucket elevator, for heaving up fresh concrete, mortar, or earth and sand (those substances to be transported will hereinafter be referred to generically as “granule”) from a concrete plant or the like onto the stage
3
.
Transportation buckets
5
and
6
, which constitute the bucket elevator, are vertically driven by winches
9
and
10
with the aid of wires
7
and
8
, respectively, and reciprocate between the basal part of the tower mast
2
and the stage
3
, thereby lifting the granule, delivered from a cart (not shown) in the concrete plant at the basal part of the tower mast
2
, to the height of the stage
3
.
The transportation buckets
5
and
6
, which has been moved to the stage
3
, discharge the granule into chutes
11
and
12
, whereupon the granule is delivered to granule transfer means of a first boom component
15
, i.e., a belt conveyor
16
(FIG.
2
B), which is situated nearest to the stage
3
, through a screw feeder
13
with a hopper, for use as granule delivery means, and a pressure-feed path
14
.
Numeral
17
denotes a counterweight, and
18
denotes a truss structure for maintaining the rigidity of the first boom component
15
. The stage
3
, which is mounted on a stage base
19
, can be finely adjusted in vertical position by extending or contracting a plurality of hydraulic cylinders
20
attached to a supporter
21
that is fixed to the tower mast
2
. Numeral
100
denotes a controller for controlling the granule transfer apparatus.
The above-described apparatus is constructed in the same manner as conventional granule transfer apparatuses (e.g., fresh concrete transfer apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application KOKAI No. 8-209937 mentioned before).
Referring now to
FIGS. 3
to
7
, there will be described a turning mechanism for the stage
3
.
FIG. 3
is a plan view (partially perspective) taken from above the top side of the stage
3
and schematically showing the engagement between the tower mast
2
, stage
3
, and stage base
19
.
FIG. 4
is a sectional view taken along the center plane of the tower mast
2
and schematically showing the engagement between the tower mast
2
, stage
3
, and stage base
19
.
The stage base
19
is bored with a rectangular hole in its central portion, having a shape and size such that the prism-shaped tower mast
2
can be freely passed through it. The stage base
19
is mounted on the tower mast
2
so as to be vertically movable and nonrotatable. Besides, the stage base
19
is supported on the supporter
21
by means of the hydraulic cylinders
20
that are arranged side by side on the supporter
21
(see FIG.
1
B).
The stage base
19
has a generally disk-shaped external shape, and a large-diameter portion
22
and a small-diameter portion
23
are arranged on its outer peripheral portion, as shown in
FIG. 4. A
channel-shaped peripheral groove is formed on the outer periphery of the large-diameter portion
22
, opening outward in the radial direction thereof. An outer peripheral gear is formed on the outside of the large-diameter portion
22
by driving a large number of pins
24
into the peripheral groove so that the pins are arranged at given pitches in the vertical direction on a concentric circle (see FIG.
3
).
A rail
25
is fixed to the top surface of the stage base
19
by means of a large number of clips
26
so as to form a circumferential track (see FIG.
3
). The rail
25
bears thereon the load of the stage
3
that is rotatably placed on the stage base
19
.
Further, a through hole
27
having a diameter a little longer than the diagonal line of a plane section of the tower mast
2
is bored through the central portion of the stage
3
(see FIG.
3
). The stage
3
is placed on the stage base
19
for fixed-position rotation with respect to the tower mast
2
and the stage base
19
.
More specifically, as shown in
FIG. 3
, four casters
28
are arranged at regular pitches of 90° on the circumference of a circle on the undersurface of the stage
3
, along the circumferential track of the rail
25
on the stage base
19
. The stage
3
is placed on the rail
25
by means of the four casters
28
.
Referring now to
FIG. 6
taken in the direction of arrow C of
FIG. 3
, there will be described the engagement between the casters
28
fixed to the stage
3
and the rail
25
fixed on the stage base
19
.
As shown in
FIG. 6
, each caster
28
is composed of two rollers
29
, a roller receiving member
30
holding the rollers for rotation, and a stay
31
for fixing the roller receiving member
30
to the undersurface of the stage
3
. In order to secure the grounding performance of the two rollers
29
on the rail
25
, the roller receiving member
30
is mounted on the stay
31
by means of a pin
32
so that it can rock in some measure. In order to avoid unnecessary friction with the rail
25
, moreover, the two rollers
29
are rotatably mounted on the roller receiving member
30
in a manner such that the center line of its axis of rotation is in line with a normal to the track of the rail
25
, as shown in FIG.
3
. The stay
31
is fixed to the undersurface of the stage
3
by welding or other means.
While the stage
3
is placed on the stage base
19
for fixed-position rotation by means of the casters
28
and the rail
25
, in this arrangement, the casters
28
should further be prevented from running off the rail
25
inward or outward.
In the present embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 3
, therefore, four track regulating rollers
33
, which externally touch the small-diameter portion
23
of the stage base
19
, are rotatably arranged at regular pitches of 90° on the circumference of a circle on the undersurface of the stage
3
, whereby horizontal dislocation of the stage
3
on the stage base
19
or derailment of the casters
28
can be prevented.
Referring now to
FIG. 7
taken in the direction of arrow D of
FIG. 3
, there will be described the way the track regulating rollers
33
are mounted on the stage
3
and the engagement between the track regulating rollers
33
and the small-diameter portion
23
.
As shown in
FIG. 7
, a prism-shaped stay
34
extends downward from the undersurface of the stage
3
. A second stay
35
extends horizontally from the lower end portion of the stay
34
toward the small-diameter portion
23
of the stage base
19
. The aforesaid track regulating roller
33
is rotatably supported on the distal end portion of the second stay
35
. The track regulating roller
33
is in sliding contact with the small-diameter portion
23
of the stage base
19
. As shown in
FIG. 3
, the four track regulating roller
33
are arranged so as to hold the small-diameter portion
23
of the stage base
19
between them from outside in the diametrical direction, each two opposite ones forming a pair. Accordingly, the horizontal position of the stage
3
relative to the stage base
19
is regulated completely, so that the casters
28
can never be disengaged from the rail
25
on the stage base
19
even when the stage
3
makes a fixed-position rotation.
The stage
3
and the various means arranged on the stage
3
are designed so that the center of gravity of the whole structure is situated in the center of the stage
3
by means of the counterweight
17
. Basically, therefore, the balance and safety of the stage
3
can be secured by only placing the stage
3
for fixed-position rotation on the stage base
19
and preventing positional deviation in the horizontal direction. In order to cope with abnormal vibrations attributable to natural disasters and the like, according to the present embodiment, however, a substantially L-shaped third stay
36
is further fixed to the lower end of the aforesaid stay
34
, as shown in FIG.
7
. Thus, the stage base
19
is held between the roller
29
of each caster
28
and the top surface of the distal end portion of the third stay
36
, whereby the stage
3
is prevented from fluctuating. There is a certain gap between the undersurface of the stage base
19
and the top surface of the distal end portion of the third stay
36
, so that the distal end portion of the third stay
36
can never come into contact with the undersurface of the stage base
19
as the stage
3
makes an ordinary fixed-position rotation.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, means for the fixed-position rotation of the stage
3
on the tower mast
2
and the stage base
19
is composed of a servomotor
37
and a speed reducer
38
fixed on the stage
3
, a pinion
40
fixed to the distal end of an output shaft
39
of the speed reducer
38
, etc.
Mounted on the output shaft of the servomotor
37
is a detector (not shown), such as a pulse coder, for detecting the rotational speed and rotational position of the servomotor
37
, thereby detecting the turn position of the stage
3
that is driven by the servomotor
37
. This detector may alternatively be mounted on the output shaft
39
of the speed reducer.
FIG. 5
shows the principal part of a portion corresponding to arrow B of FIG.
3
. As shown in
FIG. 5
, the output shaft
39
of the speed reducer
38
projects from the back surface of the stage
3
. The pinion
40
that is fixed to the distal end portion of the output shaft
39
is in mesh with the pins
24
(i.e., modules of the outer peripheral gear formed on the large-diameter portion
22
of the stage base
19
) driven in the large-diameter portion
22
of the stage base
19
.
Thus, the stage
3
can be turned around the tower mast
2
and the stage base
19
by driving the servomotor
37
to rotate the pinion
40
through the medium of the speed reducer
38
and the output shaft
39
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1A
,
1
B and
3
, there will be described the construction of the boom body
4
that is attached to the stage
3
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, the boom body
4
according to the present embodiment is a three-stage boom that is composed of the first boom component
15
, which is situated nearest to the stage
3
, a second boom component
41
continuous with the distal end of the first boom component
15
, and a third boom component
42
continuous with the distal end of the second boom component
41
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1B and 3
, the first boom component
15
, which is situated nearest to the stage
3
, is attached to one side of the stage
3
by means of a pin
43
, and is supported diagonally from above by means of the aforesaid truss structure
18
that is set up on the stage
3
, whereby its rigidity is maintained.
The following is a description of the details of the construction of a pivotal portion between “a stage-side boom component” and “the next boom component” continuous with the former boom component and the construction of the belt conveyor that constitutes the independent granule transfer means for each boom component, taking the case of the relation between the first boom component
15
on the stage side and the next or second boom component
41
.
In the relation between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
, the second boom component
41
is the stage-side boom component, and the third boom component
42
is the next boom component remoter from the stage (and at the same time, the boom component in the leading position). The pivotal portion between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
and the belt conveyor for each boom component are constructed in the same manner as in the case of the relation between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
.
FIGS. 2A and 2B
are perspective views showing the way the first and second boom components
15
and
41
are pivotally mounted and the constructions of belt conveyors
16
and
44
that constitute the granule transfer means for the first and second boom components
15
and
41
.
FIG. 2A
is a side view showing these components, and
FIG. 2B
is a front view.
As shown in
FIG. 2A
, an inner ring
46
of an external-tooth turntable bearing
45
is fixed to the undersurface of the distal end portion of the first boom component
15
, which is the stage-side boom component, by means of a stay
47
, while an outer ring
48
of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
is fixed to the top surface of the proximal portion of the second boom component
41
, which is the next boom component, by means of a stay
49
.
As is generally known, the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
is composed of the inner and outer rings
46
and
48
and rollers
50
interposed between the inner and outer rings
46
and
48
. The inner and outer rings
46
and
48
are constructed so as to be relatively rotatable and immovable in the thrust direction. The inner ring
46
, which is formed of an annular body, is formed with a hole
51
. An external gear module
52
is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the outer ring
48
throughout the circumference. Thus, the second boom component
41
, which is the next boom component that is continuous with the stage-side boom component (that is, the first boom component
15
), is rotatably mounted on the first boom component
15
by means of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
, and the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
constitutes the pivotal portion between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
.
Further, a turning mechanism for turning the next or second boom component
41
with respect to the first boom component
15
on the stage side comprises a module
52
formed on the outer peripheral portion of the outer ring
48
of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
, a motor (e.g., servomotor)
53
fixed to the distal end of the first boom component
15
and controllable in position and speed, and a pinion
54
fixed to the distal end of the motor shaft of the motor
53
and in mesh with the module
52
.
In short, the second boom component
41
, which is fixed to the outer ring
48
, is turned with respect to the first boom component
15
by driving the motor
53
to rotate the pinion
54
, thereby rotating the outer ring
48
around the inner ring
4
of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
.
Mounted on the motor shaft of the motor
53
, moreover, is a detector (not shown), such as a pulse coder, for detecting the rotational speed and rotational position of the motor
53
. This detector can detect the turning speed and turning position of the second boom component
41
that is turned with respect to the first boom component
15
.
Further, a hopper
55
, which is fixed to the distal end portion of the first boom component
15
, extends downward through a through hole
51
in the central portion of the inner ring
46
of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
, and constitutes granule delivery means at the junction between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
.
The belt conveyor
16
on the side of the first boom component
15
is driven by a motor
56
fixed on the first boom component
15
with the aid of a chain
57
, receives the granule discharged from the pressure-feed path
14
(see
FIG. 1B
) on the side of the stage
3
, transports it in the horizontal direction, and discharges it into the hopper
55
that constitutes the granule delivery means at the junction. Further, the granule dropped through the hopper
55
is received by he belt conveyor
44
on the side of the second boom component
41
, and is transported in the same manner as in the case of the belt conveyor
16
.
As shown in
FIG. 2B
, rollers
58
that support the top side of the belt conveyors
16
and
44
are divided in three in the width direction of the belt conveyors
16
and
44
, and the belt conveyors
16
and
44
are bent to project downward by means of the load of the granule so that the granule can be prevented from dropping out. As shown in
FIG. 2B
, each of rollers
59
for regulating the respective tracks of the belt conveyors
16
and
44
is in the form of a simple cylinder.
As mentioned before, the pivotal portion between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
and the individual belt conveyors are constructed in the same manner as in the case of the relation between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
, so that a detailed description of the arrangement of those components is omitted. In
FIG. 1B
, numerals are only used roughly to indicate the location of components including an external-tooth turntable bearing
60
that constitutes the pivotal portion between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
, a hopper
65
that constitutes granule delivery means at the junction between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
, a motor
61
(e.g., servomotor with position and speed detectors), of which the position and speed can be controlled, for rotating the third boom component
42
with respect to the second boom component
41
, a motor
62
for driving the belt conveyor
44
of the second boom component
41
, a belt conveyor
63
for use as granule transfer means of the third boom component
42
, a motor
64
as a drive source for the conveyor
63
, and a hopper
66
for dropping the granule from the distal end of the third boom component
42
.
The third boom component
42
is a boom component that is situated at the leading end and is preceded by no other boom component which is to rock. Accordingly, the third boom component
42
is not provided with any motor for rocking motion.
Further, a mast
69
is set up on the top surface of the distal end portion of the first boom component
15
on the stage side so as to be coaxial with the central axis of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
that constitutes the pivotal portion between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
. First ends of suspension ropes
67
and
68
, such as wires or chains, are fastened to the mast
69
. The respective other ends of the suspension ropes
67
and
68
are fastened to the distal end portion and central portion of the second boom component
41
. Thus, in the relation between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
, the second boom component
41
is diagonally supported from above by means of the suspension ropes
67
and
68
so that its rigidity is maintained. At the same time, an excessive bending moment can be prevented from being generated in the rotating portion of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
.
If the second boom component
41
is short or rigid enough, however, the suspension ropes
67
and
68
are not indispensable.
In the conventional apparatus, as mentioned before, the overall length of the boom body is changed by extending or contracting the next boom component, which is continuous with the stage-side boom component, with respect to this boom component. In the apparatus according to the present invention, however, the overall length of the boom body
4
is changed by turning the next or second boom component
41
with respect to the first boom component
15
on the stage side. Even if the second boom component
41
is turned with respect to the first boom component
15
in order to change the overall length of the boom body
4
, therefore, the distance from the distal end of the mast
69
to the distal end portion of the second boom component
41
and the distance from the distal end of the mast
69
to the central portion of the second boom component
41
cannot be changed. It is unnecessary, therefore, to adjust the lengths of the suspension ropes
67
and
68
in turning the second boom component
41
with respect to the first boom component
15
.
Accordingly, the suspension ropes
67
and
68
can be easily disposed without using any winch or the like for adjusting the lengths of the suspension ropes
67
and
68
, and the rigidity of the next or second boom component
41
and the strength of the external-tooth turntable bearing
45
that constitutes pivotal portion can be ensured.
In the present embodiment, the span of the third boom component
42
at the leading end is short, so that a mast need not be provided on the distal end of the second boom component
41
to support the third boom component
42
. In the case where the span of the third boom component
42
is long, however, the mast may be provided on the distal end of second boom component
41
with the same arrangement as aforesaid so that suspension ropes can be fastened to the mast to support the third boom component
42
.
In the present embodiment, moreover, the third boom component
42
at the leading end has a short span and small mass, so that it is suited for the case where the third boom component
42
is subjected to weaving for plane spreading such that it is continuously reversibly turned or rocked.
The following is a description of an outline of granule spreading operation by means of the granule transfer apparatus
1
according to the first embodiment.
First, adjustment of a distance r from the origin of a coordinate system based on the tower mast
2
, among position adjustments for the hopper
66
for spreading the granule, is achieved by adjusting the angle of turn of the second boom component
41
with respect to the first boom component
15
and the angle of turn of the third boom component
42
with respect to the second boom component
41
.
Let it be suppose that the substantial lengths of the first, second, and third boom components
15
,
41
and
42
are L
1
, L
2
and L
3
, respectively, as shown in FIG.
1
B. If the second and third boom components
41
and
42
are turned for about ±180° with respect to the first boom component
15
in a manner such that the angle of turn of the third boom component
42
with respect to the second boom component
41
is kept at 0° where L
1
=60 m, L
2
=40 m, and L
3
=12 m are given (i.e., with the second and third boom components
41
and
42
arranged substantially in a straight line to obtain an overall length of L
2
+L
3
=52 m), as shown in
FIG. 1A
, the hopper
66
at the distal end portion of the third boom component
42
(in a granule spreading position) approaches the basal part of the tower mast
2
, so that the granule can be spread at the basal part of the tower mast
2
.
Thus, the straight distance r from the axis of the tower mast
2
to the hopper
66
can be freely adjusted within a range given by [L
1
−(L
2
+L
3
)]<r≦[L
1
+L
2
+L
3
] by regulating the angle of turn of the second boom component
41
with respect to the first boom component
15
and the angle of turn of the third boom component
42
to the second boom component
41
.
According to the present embodiment, therefore, the granule can be spread at the basal part of the tower mast
2
(r≈L
1
−(L
2
+
13
)) and spread in either a position (r≈L
1
+L
2
+
13
)) remote from the tower mast
2
or any intermediate position. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to use the tripper device for taking out the granule directly from the belt conveyor of the first boom component that is situated nearest to the stage and spreading it, which is essential to the conventional apparatus in which the overall length of the boom body is adjusted by extending or contracting the next boom component continuous with the stage-side boom component, with respect to this boom component.
In the case where the distance from the tower mast
2
to a target position for spreading is relatively short, that is, if the straight distance r from the axis of the tower mast
2
to the hopper
66
is shorter than the aforesaid [L
1
+L
2
+L
3
], the position of the hopper
66
can be determined in accordance with the combination of (1) a turn angle θ of the stage
3
, (2) an angle θ′ between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
, and (3) an angle θ″ between the second and third boom components
41
and
42
.
The angles θ, θ′ and θ″ for the determination of the distance r may be combined in many ways. If the attitudes of the first, second, and third boom components
15
,
41
and
42
based on a specific combination of the angles θ, θ′ and θ″ result in interference with an obstacle, therefore, another combination of the angles θ, θ′ and θ″ can be selected such that the interference with the obstacle can be avoided. Thus, the granule can be dropped into the target position r.
While the boom body
4
according to the first embodiment is composed of three boom components, the rigidity of the boom components and the pivotal portions can be ensured by means of the simple construction that is formed of the suspension ropes and the mast to which the ropes are anchored. If necessary, therefore, the boom body
4
can be composed of four boom components.
In order to enable the granule to be spread in a desired position through the distal end of the boom body
4
(i.e., from the hopper at the distal end of the leading boom component), however, the boom body may only be provided with at least two pivotal portions for turning the boom components so that it enjoys the degree of freedom of 2.
Thus, according to the first embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, the granule can be dropped in the desired target position if the boom body
4
is composed of only the first and second boom components
15
and
41
without the use of the third boom component
42
so that the granule is bound to be discharged through the distal end portion of the second boom component
41
. In this case, the distal end of the boom body
4
(hence the distal end of the second boom component
41
) can be situated in any desired position within a plane region in which the boom body
4
is movable by controlling the turn angle θ of the stage
3
that supports the boom body
4
and the angle θ′ between the first and second boom components
15
and
41
.
(Granule transfer apparatus according to second embodiment)
The following is a description of a second embodiment of the present invention, which is composed of a boom body having the degree of freedom of 2 and in which a boom body supporting portion is attached to a vehicle.
FIG. 8
is a side view showing the second embodiment, and
FIG. 9
is a plan view. In this second embodiment, a caterpillar tractor
71
having a caterpillar on each side is provided with a boom body supporting portion
72
. A stage
73
is rotatably provided on the boom body supporting portion
72
in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The stage
73
is turned with respect to the boom body supporting portion
72
by means of a servomotor
74
. Mounted on the rotating shaft of the servomotor
74
is a detector (not shown), such as a pulse coder, for detecting the rotational speed and rotational position of the motor
74
. Since a turning mechanism for the stage
73
is constructed in the same manner as the one according to the first embodiment, a detailed description of its construction is omitted.
A pair of boom body mounting members
75
are fixed on the stage
73
, and a shaft is stretched between the pair of boom body mounting members
75
so as to extend parallel to the top surface of the stage
73
. The basal part of a first boom component
83
of a boom body
76
is rotatably mounted on the shaft.
As shown in
FIG. 8
, the distal end portion of the first boom component
76
is bent at an angle of about 20° to the other portion. One end of a pendant rope
77
is attached to the distal end portion of the first boom component
83
, while a movable pulley is mounted on the other end of the pendant rope
77
. An undulating rope
78
is stretched between the movable pulley and a fixed pulley mounted on a frame
79
that is set up on the stage
73
. The undulating rope
78
is wound up or off by means of a boom undulating winch
80
, whereby the tilt angle of the first boom component
83
can be adjusted.
A counterweight
82
is fixed on that side of the stage
73
which is remoter from the boom body
76
, and a controller
100
for controlling the granule transfer apparatus is placed on the stage
73
.
As in the first embodiment, the first boom component
83
is provided with a belt conveyor
85
that extends substantially covering the overall length of the first boom component
83
. A hopper
84
for delivering the granule to the belt conveyor
85
is located near a pivotal portion between the first boom component
83
and the stage. A motor
86
for driving the belt conveyor
85
is provided on the distal end portion of the first boom component
83
, and a hopper as granule delivery means for delivering the granule to a belt conveyor of a second boom component
90
is provided on the leading end portion.
Further, a pivotal portion, similar to the one according to the first embodiment shown in
FIG. 2
, and a turning mechanism
89
for turning the second boom component are arranged between the first and second boom components
83
and
90
. Numeral
88
denotes a servomotor for driving the turning mechanism
89
. A detector (not shown), such as a pulse coder, for detecting the rotational speed and rotational position is mounted on the motor shaft of the servomotor
88
. Since the turning mechanism
89
and the like are substantially the same as the examples shown in
FIG. 2
, a detailed description of those elements is omitted.
The second boom component
90
is provided with a belt conveyor
91
, which transports the granule delivered from the belt conveyor
85
of the first boom component
83
toward the distal end of the boom component
90
. The belt conveyor
91
is driven by a motor
92
that is mounted on the distal end portion of the second boom component
90
. Mounted on the distal end of the second boom component
90
, moreover, is a hopper
93
that throws out the granule, transported thereto by means of belt conveyor
91
, onto the ground.
According to the second embodiment, the boom component
76
is mounted on the caterpillar tractor
71
, so that the caterpillar tractor
71
can be moved to be situated in a required position. If the place where the caterpillar tractor
71
is located is inclined, in this case, the boom undulating winch
80
is actuated to adjust the tilt angle of the first boom component
83
so that the distal end of the second boom component
90
can move on the same horizontal plane.
Since the distal end portion of the first boom component
83
is bent, moreover, the angle of turn of the second boom component
90
is about ±150°, as shown in FIG.
9
. The angle of turn of the first boom component, i.e., the angle of turn of the stage, can be adjusted to ±180° or more. According to this second embodiment, the angle is adjusted to ±185°.
If the boom body supporting portion
72
is made as tall as a tower mast, as in the case of the first embodiment, the distal end portion of the first boom component
83
need not be bent in the manner shown in FIG.
8
. If the boom body supporting portion
72
is made taller, however, its stability worsens. In order to lower the center of gravity, according to the second embodiment, therefore, the boom body supporting portion
72
is limited in height, the first boom component
83
is inclined with its distal end portion bent, and the second boom component
90
is supported on the distal end of the bent portion to secure the height of a granule discharge section at the distal end of the boom body
76
, as shown in FIG.
8
.
Although the caterpillar tractor
71
having caterpillars is used as a traveling body according to the second embodiment, it may be replaced with a wheeled vehicle. In this case, the vehicle used may be one that is provided with an out-trigger for securing the stability of operation. Further, the traveling body may be a self-propelled vehicle having an engine or the like or a traction vehicle without an engine. If the traveling body is intended for reclamation, then it will be a vessel.
(Controller used in granule transfer apparatus according to first and second embodiments)
The following is a description of the controller
100
used for the operation of the granule transfer apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments. In the first embodiment, however, there are three boom components that constitute the boom with the degree of freedom of 3, so that three servomotors are used to turn each boom. However, the controller
100
shown in
FIG. 10
is applicable to the case where the third boom component
42
is removed so that the boom has the degree of freedom of 2.
In the description to follow, the turning mechanism for turning the stage
3
or
73
(first boom component
15
or
83
) is referred to as a first axis, and the servomotor
37
or
74
for driving the first axis as a first servomotor M
1
, for ease of explanation. Further, the turning mechanism for turning the second boom component
41
or
90
is referred to as a second axis, and the servomotor
53
or
88
for driving the second axis as a second servomotor M
2
.
The controller
100
includes a processor
101
for generally controlling the granule transfer apparatus. The processor
101
is bus-connected with a ROM
102
, RAM
103
, interfaces
104
,
108
,
109
and
110
, communication interface
105
, and servo circuits
106
and
107
.
The ROM
102
is loaded with system programs for the processor
101
, and the RAM
103
is utilized for temporary storage of data during the execution of processing. Further, the RAM
103
is provided partially with a nonvolatile memory, and operation pattern programs for automatic operation (mentioned later) are set and stored in the nonvolatile memory. The interface
104
is connected to various actuators and sensors of the granule transfer apparatus, and receives operation commands for the various actuators and signals from the sensors. In the case where the controller
100
is used in the granule transfer apparatus of the first embodiment, the interface
104
is connected to the motors
56
and
62
for driving the belt conveyor, motors for driving the transportation buckets, a drive source for the hydraulic cylinders
20
for finely adjusting the height of the stage
3
, etc. In the case where the controller
100
is used in the granule transfer apparatus of the second embodiment, moreover, the interface
104
is connected to the motors
86
and
92
for driving the belt conveyor, boom undulating winch
80
, etc.
The communication interface
105
is connected to a personal computer
116
for monitoring various set values and the present position of the distal end of the boom body
3
or
76
. In the first embodiment, the controller
100
is situated on the stage
3
over the tower mast
2
, and the personal computer
116
is located on the ground. Accordingly, the personal computer
116
and the communication interface
105
are connected by means of a cable, and the personal computer
116
and the communication interface
105
are provided with a serial/parallel converter for converting parallel signals into serial signals and converting serial signals into parallel signals, whereby serial communication is carried out.
The servo circuits
106
and
107
are digital servo circuits that are composed of a digital signal processor (DSP), ROM, RAM, etc., and carry out position loop control, speed loop control, and current loop control. More specifically, the servo circuit
106
drivingly controls the first servomotor M
1
(
37
or
74
) that drives the first axis (or drives the stage
3
or
73
). It obtains a position deviation in accordance with a move command delivered from the processor
101
and a position feedback signal from a detector
114
such as a pulse coder, obtains a speed command by multiplying the position deviation by a position loop gain, obtains a speed deviation in accordance with the speed command and a speed feedback signal fed back from the detector
114
, and effects proportional-plus-integral control or the like in accordance with the speed deviation, thereby obtaining a torque command. Further, the servo circuit
106
detects the torque command and the driving current of the first servomotor M
1
to effect current loop control processing, obtains current commands for individual phases, and drives a servo amplifier
112
, which is composed of a transistor-inverter or the like, thereby drivingly controlling the first servomotor M
1
(
37
or
74
).
Moreover, a feedback signal for the position of the first servomotor M
1
, detected by the detector
114
, is applied to the interface
108
. Based on a feedback signal for this position, the processor
101
can obtain the rotational position of the servomotor M
1
, thereby detecting the turn position of the stage
3
or
73
(first boom component
15
or
83
).
The servo circuit
107
is a circuit that controls a serve amplifier
113
to drive the second servomotor M
2
(
53
or
88
) for driving the second axis (mechanism for turning the second boom component
41
or
90
). The interface
109
is an interface that receives a position feedback from a detector
115
for detecting the rotational position and speed of the second servomotor M
2
. Since these elements
107
,
113
,
115
and
109
operate substantially in the same manner as the elements
106
,
117
,
114
and
108
for drivingly controlling the first servomotor M
1
, a description of their operations is omitted.
The processor
101
can detect the rotational position of the stage
3
or
73
or the first boom component
15
or
83
and the rotational position of the second boom component
41
or
90
in accordance with position feedback signals for the first and second servomotors M
1
and M
2
delivered from the detector
114
or
115
to the interface
108
or
109
. Therefore, the processor
101
can obtain the distal end position of the boom body
3
or
76
or granule release position, in an XY orthogonal coordinate system set by coordinate transformation, from the rotational positions, and transmit the obtained value to the personal computer
116
and a control panel
117
(mentioned later) and display it.
In the case where the first embodiment is provided with the third boom component
42
, which is driven by means of a servomotor, another set of elements including the aforesaid servo circuit, amplifier, inverter, detector must be added.
The interface
110
is connected to the control panel
117
by means of a cable. The interface
110
and the control panel
117
are provided with a converter for converting parallel signals into serial signals and converting serial signals into parallel signals, whereby serial communication is carried out between the interface
110
and the control panel
117
. If the controller
100
is situated on the stage
3
over the tower mast
1
so that operation is performed on the ground, as in the case of the first embodiment, the communication path may be replaced with a cable for radio operation. In this case, the interface
110
and the control panel
117
have to be provided with a transmitter and a receiver.
The control panel
117
is provided with a display
118
composed of a CRT or liquid crystal, which displays various set values, present position (position of the boom body end in the set XY orthogonal coordinate system and rotational angle of each boom component), operation mode, set boom body end movement region (set granule spreading region), etc.
In
FIG. 10
, symbol L
1
designates a first boom manual lever for turning the stage
3
or
73
or the first boom component
15
or
83
in accordance with a manual command. L
2
designates a second boom manual lever for turning the second boom component
41
or
90
. The first and second boom manual levers L
1
and L
2
are constructed so that they can be moved to the left or right from a center position. If the first boom manual lever L
1
is moved to the right, a command is generated to turn the first boom component
15
or
83
in the clockwise direction (+direction) of
FIG. 1A
or
9
around the boom body supporting portion
2
or
72
. If the lever L
1
is moved to the left, on the other hand, a command is generated to turn the first boom component in the counterclockwise direction (−direction). Three different speeds can be ordered for either direction, and the individual speeds are separately set in advance. The second boom manual lever L
2
is operated in like manner. Thus, commands are generated to turn the second boom component
41
or
90
in the clock and counterclockwise directions at speeds ordered by the lever L
2
.
Further, operating levers Lx and Ly are semiautomatic operating levers that are used to move the boom body end straight and parallel to the X- or Y-axis in the set XY orthogonal coordinate system. The origin for the angles of turn of the first and second boom components are located on an intermediate point in turnable range, and the first boom component
15
or
83
can rotate for angles of ±185° around the origin. On the other hand, the second boom component
41
or
90
can rotate for about ±150° around the origin.
When the first and second boom components are positioned individually on the origin, the axis of the first boom component
15
or
83
and the axis of the second boom component
41
or
90
are aligned with each other, as shown in
FIGS. 1A and 9
. This axis position is regarded as a Y-axis position in the XY orthogonal coordinate system, and the X-axis is set in the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis. Thus, in this XY orthogonal coordinate, system, the center of rotation of the first boom component
15
or
83
(stage
3
or
73
) is regarded as the origin, the axial direction of the boom body with the rotational positions of the first and second boom components at 0° is received as the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis is regarded as the X-axis direction. In
FIGS. 1A and 9
, the direction in which the boom body end is situated is set as the positive Y-axis direction, and the rightward direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction is set as the positive X-axis direction.
If the X-axis direction semiautomatic lever Lx is moved to the right (or in the +direction) in
FIG. 10
with respect to the orthogonal coordinate system set in this manner, a move command is generated to move the boom body end parallel to the X-axis in the positive direction. If the lever Lx is moved to the left (or in the −direction), on the other hand, a move command is generated to move the boom body end parallel to the X-axis in the negative direction. If the Y-axis direction semiautomatic lever Ly is moved upward (or in the +direction) in
FIG. 10
, a command is generated to move the boom body end parallel to the Y-axis in the positive direction. If the lever Lx is moved downward (or in the −direction), on the other hand, a command is generated to move the boom body end parallel to the Y-axis in the negative direction.
Numerals
120
,
121
and
122
denote mode switches. The first and second boom manual levers L
1
and L
2
are allowed to be operated only when the manual mode switch
120
is turned on. When the semiautomatic mode switch
121
is turned on, the boom body end is allowed to move straight as the semiautomatic levers Lx and Ly are operated. When the automatic mode switch
122
is turned on, moreover, operation based on set programs (pattern operation) can be started.
Numeral
119
denotes numeric keys for setting various commands and data, which include key switches for delivering power-on and -off commands and commands to the boom undulating winch
80
, motors
53
,
64
,
86
and
92
for driving the belt conveyor, and various actuators.
Numerals
123
and
124
denote switches for setting regions for granule spreading, such as fresh concrete placing (mentioned later), and numeral
125
denotes a key switch for ordering the pitch direction of pattern operation for automatic operation, which will be described later.
(Operation of granule transfer apparatus)
Referring now to the flowchart of
FIG. 11
, there will be described the operation of the granule transfer apparatus according to the first or second embodiment having the degree of freedom of 2, carried out in a manual mode by the processor
101
of the controller
100
.
When the manual mode switch
120
is turned on, the processor
101
determines whether or not any of the manual levers L
1
and L
2
have been operated (Steps a
1
and a
2
). If not determined that any of the manual levers have been operated, no movement commands are delivered to the servo circuits
106
and
107
, and a stop state is maintained (Step a
13
).
If the first boom manual lever L
1
is operated, then whether the lever is moved in the positive or negative direction is determined, and the stage of the operating position, in terms of the first, second or third, is detected (Steps a
2
, a
3
and a
5
). If the operating direction of the lever L
1
is positive, a move command to rotate the first boom component (stage) in the positive direction (clockwise direction) at a set speed corresponding to the operation stage number is delivered to the servo circuit
106
(Step a
4
). The processor
101
gives move commands to the servo circuits
106
and
107
with every predetermined distribution period. In this case, movements for the distribution period, corresponding to the ordered direction (positive direction), are delivered to the servo circuit
106
.
If the operating direction of the lever L
1
is negative, a move command is outputted to rotate the first boom component (stage) in the negative direction (counterclockwise direction) at the set speed corresponding to the operation stage number (Step a
6
). In consequence, the first boom component (stage) turns in the set speed in the ordered direction at the command speed.
If the second boom manual lever L
2
is operated (Step a
7
), the operating direction and the operation stage are read (Steps a
8
, a
9
and a
11
), and a move command for movement in the operating direction at the set speed corresponding to the operation stage number is delivered to the servo circuit
107
(Steps a
10
and a
12
). Thereupon, the second boom component turns in the ordered direction at the command speed.
When the manual levers L
1
and L
2
are returned to their respective neutral positions, the delivery of the move command is stopped (Step a
13
), and the boom components cease to turn.
The operations by means of the manual levers L
1
and L
2
include individually turning the boom components in response to manual commands, and are applied to the case where the boom components are individually turned to spread the granule or programs are taught in automatic operation. In the first and second embodiments, in particular, the operations are used in setting the boom body end movement region (granule spreading region).
Referring now to the flowchart of
FIG. 12
, there will be described processing the processor
101
executes when the semiautomatic mode switch
121
is turned on to establish a semiautomatic mode.
Before the execution of operation in the semiautomatic mode, the moving speed of the boom body end and an override value are first set in advance by means of the key switches
119
. The moving speed is set to be one used in normal automatic operation. The override value determines the actual speed of the boom body end position and is set as a percentage of the set speed. The percentage of the set speed is used as the moving speed. If the override value is set at 60%, for example, the moving speed command for the boom body end position is 60% of the set speed command. By changing this override value, therefore, the speed command to be used actually can be adjusted to any desired value without changing the set speed.
When the semiautomatic mode is selected, the processor
101
reads the set speed and the override value (Step b
1
), determines whether or not the semiautomatic levers Lx and Ly for the X- and Y-axis directions are operated (Steps b
2
and b
8
). If neither of the levers Lx and Ly are operated, the boom is kept in the stop state without the distribution of the move commands (Step b
14
).
If it is concluded that the X-direction semiautomatic lever Lx is operated while the processes of Steps b
1
, b
3
, b
8
and b
14
are being repeatedly executed (Step b
2
), the operating direction of the lever Lx is read (Step b
3
). If the operating direction is positive, the move command speed is obtained in accordance with the set speed and the override value read in Step b
1
, and the movement within the distribution period time for the move command corresponding to the move command speed is obtained and settled as the move command for the positive X-axis direction. Further, the respective rotational angles of the individual axes (individual boom components) corresponding to the movement in the aforesaid distribution period are obtained by a transformation matrix for transformation from the orthogonal coordinate system into the respective rotational angles of the individual axes (angles of turn of the first and second boom components), and movements corresponding to the individual rotational angles are delivered to the servo circuits
106
and
107
(Steps b
4
and b
5
).
Thereupon, the servo circuits
106
and
107
carry out feedback control for the position, speed, and current, thereby driving the servomotors M
1
and M
2
to move the boom body end in the positive direction parallel to the X-axis, as mentioned before.
If it is concluded in Step b
3
that the operating direction of the semiautomatic lever Lx is the negative, move commands are delivered to the servo circuits
106
and
107
so that the boom body end moves in the negative direction to the X-axis in the same manner as aforesaid (Steps b
6
and b
7
).
If it is concluded that the Y-direction semiautomatic lever Ly is operated (Step b
8
), on the other hand, the direction of the move command is read from the operating direction of the lever Ly (Step b
9
), the movements in the command direction for the distribution period based on the moving speed command obtained according to the set speed and the override value is obtained, the movements are converted into the angles of turn of the individual axes, and the movements corresponding to these angles of turn are delivered to the servo circuits
106
and
107
, whereupon the boom body end is moved straight and parallel to the Y-axis in the commanded direction (Steps b
10
, b
11
, b
12
and b
13
).
In the semiautomatic mode, as described above, the boom body end can be moved parallel to the X- or Y-axis in the XY orthogonal cooperate system in the positive or negative direction by operating the semiautomatic lever Lx or Ly. Thus, the semiautomatic operation can be utilized in rectilinearly spreading the granule parallel to the X- or Y-axis or in moving the boom body end to an instruction position to set the boom body end movement region (granule spreading region) in an automatic mode, which will be described later.
Referring now to flowcharts of
FIGS. 13
to
15
, there will be described processing the processor
101
executes in the automatic operation mode.
In the first and second embodiments, the automatic operation is carried out in accordance with set patterns. The set patterns will be described first.
The granule spreading operation, such as fresh concrete placing, consists mainly of spreading on flat surfaces. As shown in
FIG. 16
, therefore, eight patterns are first supposed to be able to be set for the spreading region (boom body end movement region) and the path of movement of the boom body end in the spreading region. First, eight patterns A to H are set and stored in the following manner, depending on (1) the direction, in terms of the X- or Y-axis direction, in which the boom body end reciprocates, (2) the movement pitch direction, in terms of positive or negative direction, for the reversal of course with respect to the axis perpendicular to the moving direction, and (3) the direction for the first movement at the start of the automatic operation.
|
DIRECTION OF
DIRECTION AT
PITCH
|
PATTERN
RECIPROCATION
MOVE START
DIRECTION
|
|
A:
X-axis
X+
Y+
|
B:
X-axis
X+
Y−
|
C:
X-axis
X−
Y+
|
D:
X-axis
X−
Y−
|
E:
Y-axis
Y+
X+
|
F:
Y-axis
Y+
X−
|
G:
Y-axis
Y−
X+
|
H
Y-axis
Y−
X−
|
|
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 13
, the direction of reciprocation is settled by previously setting a flag D. In the case where the flag D is set at “0”, the moving direction is adjusted to the X-axis direction. If the flag is set at “1”, the moving direction is adjusted to the Y-axis direction. The moving direction at the start of the automatic operation is ordered according to the operating direction of the X- or Y-axis semiautomatic lever Lx or Ly. The pitch direction is selected by means of the reversible switch
125
.
Further, the moving direction for rectilinear movement is set in accordance with the set speed and the override value (moving speed =set speed×override value). Furthermore, a pitch value and a spreading region
130
(see
FIG. 16
) are set. The setup of the spreading region (boom body end movement region)
130
is effected by moving the boom body end by the aforementioned manual, or semiautomatic operation and giving instructions for two points on a diagonal line of the target spreading region. Thus, XY coordinate positions (respective rotational angles of the first and second boom components) are taught and stored by depressing the spreading start position instruction switch
123
after positioning the boom body end in a spreading start position.
Then, the XY coordinate positions (respective rotational angles of the first and second boom components) are taught and stored by positioning the boom body end in a position diagonal to the spreading start position in the rectangular target spreading region and depressing the spreading end key switch
124
. If the XY coordinate position for the taught spreading start position and a spreading end position are (Xs, Ys) and (Xe, Ye), respectively, the spreading region
130
is set as a rectangular region having an X-axis value between Xs and Xe and a Y-axis value between Ys and Ye.
The processor
101
of the controller
100
starts the processing of
FIG. 13
if the automatic mode switch
122
is turned on after the spreading region
130
, set speed override value, pitch value, direction of reciprocation (flag D indicative of the X- or Y-direction), and reversible switch
125
for settling the pitch direction are set in the manner described above and the boom body end position is situated in the spreading region
130
manually or semiautomatically (normally, situated at the spreading start position).
First, the set speed and the override value are read (Step c
1
), and whether or not the flag D for storing the set direction of reciprocation is “0” is determined (Step c
2
). If the flag D is “0”, whether or not the X-direction semiautomatic lever Lx (this lever Lx serves as a lever for adjusting the moving direction at the start of the automatic operation to the X-axis direction) is operated is then determined (Step c
3
). If the flag D is “1”, on the other hand, whether or not the Y-direction semiautomatic lever Ly (this lever Ly serves as a lever for adjusting the moving direction at the start of the automatic operation to the Y-axis direction) is operated is determined (Step c
11
). If neither of the levers Lx and Ly is operated, the delivery of the move command is stopped so that the movement of the boom components is stopped (Step c
19
).
The motors for driving the belt conveyor and bucket are then actuated, it is ascertained that dropping of the granule from the boom body end is started, and the direction of reciprocation is adjusted to the X-axis direction (flag D=0). If an operator moves the X-direction semiautomatic lever Lx in, for example, the positive direction in this case (Step c
4
), the processor
101
concludes that “the moving direction for the start of the automatic operation is the positive X-direction” (If the semiautomatic lever for the direction different from the set direction of reciprocation is operated, it is ignored. If the Y-direction semiautomatic lever Ly is operated with the flag D=0, for example, it is ignored.) Further, reversal setting by means of the reversible switch
125
(switch for settling the pitch direction, positive or negative) is determined (Step c
5
). If the lever Lx is operated in the positive (+) direction, and if the reversible switch is set in the positive (+) direction, then the processor
101
starts processing the pattern A.
Referring now to the flowchart of
FIG. 14A
, there will be described the processing of the pattern A executed by the processor
101
.
First, the movements for the distribution period corresponding to the moving speed that is settled depending on the set speed and the override value are obtained, these movements are added to the present X coordinate position of the boom body end, and the XY coordinate position of the boom body end moving in the present distribution period, on the orthogonal cooperate system, is obtained (Step d
1
). Then, whether or not this position is a pitch position is determined. At this point of time, the decision implies a move command in the positive X-axis direction, so that the pitch position takes a maximum value on the X-axis of the spreading region
130
. Accordingly, it is determined by whether or not this maximum X-axis value is reached by a position ordered in the present distribution period (Step d
2
).
If this pitch position is not reached, the respective rotational angles of the individual axes corresponding to the XY coordinate position for the boom body end moving in the present distribution period are obtained by the transformation matrix for transformation from the XY coordinate system into the rotational angles, movements corresponding to the rotational angles are delivered to the rotation servo circuits
105
and
107
, and the XY coordinate value is updated (Step d
3
), whereupon the program returns to Step d
1
. As mentioned before, the servo circuits
105
and
107
carry out feedback control operations for the position, speed, and current, thereby driving the servomotors M
1
and M
2
to move the boom body end in the positive direction parallel to the X-axis.
Thereafter, the processes of Steps d
1
to d
3
are executed repeatedly, whereby the boom body end is moved in the positive X-axis direction at a moving speed based on the set speed and the override value. If it is concluded that a maximum X-coordinate value of the spreading region
130
is reached or exceeded by the X-axis coordinate value of the boom body end position to be moved with every distribution period (Step d
2
), whether or not the spreading end position is reached is determined (Step d
4
). Since the pitch direction for the pattern A is the positive Y-axis direction, this decision depends on whether or not a maximum Y-coordinate value of the spreading region
130
is exceeded by a value obtained by adding the pitch value to the Y-axis coordinate value of the present position. If the maximum value is exceeded, it implies that spreading into the spreading region
130
is finished, so that the automatic operation terminates. If the maximum value is not exceeded, on the other hand, pitch operation is carried out. Thus, movements for the distribution period during which the boom body end moves in the positive Y-axis direction at the moving speed are obtained and added to the Y-axis coordinate value of the present position, so that a target position is obtained, then the respective rotational angles of the individual axes are obtained from this position, and movements of the servomotors M
1
and M
2
for the rotational angles are obtained and outputted (Step d
5
). A move command for moving by a set pitch value is outputted, and whether or not the boom body end is moved by the pitch value is determined (Step d
6
). If this is not done, the processes of Steps d
5
and d
6
are executed repeatedly.
When the boom body end is thus moved for the set pitch value, the coordinate position in the orthogonal cooperate system of the boom body end moving in the distribution period for the movement in the negative direction at the aforesaid moving speed is obtained (Step d
7
), and whether or not this position is the pitch position is determined (Step d
8
). Since this decision implies a movement in the negative X-axis direction, it depends on the determination as to whether or not a minimum X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
is exceeded by the X-axis coordinate position of the position to be moved. The pitch position is not reached yet if the minimum X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
is exceeded by the X-axis coordinate position of the position to be moved. Therefore, the respective rotational angles of the individual axes corresponding to the XY coordinate position for the boom body end moving in the present distribution period are obtained by the transformation matrix for transformation from the XY coordinate system into the rotational angles, movements corresponding to the rotational angles are delivered to the rotation servo circuits
105
and
107
, and the XY coordinate value is updated (Step d
9
), whereupon the program returns to Step d
7
. Thereafter, the processes of Steps d
7
to d
9
are executed repeatedly.
If it is concluded in Step d
8
that the minimum X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
is not exceeded by the X-axis coordinate position to be moved and that a pitch switching position is reached, the program proceeds to Step d
10
, whereupon whether or not the spreading end position is reached is determined. This decision is the same process as the one in Step d
4
. The set pitch value is added to the present Y-axis coordinate value, and whether or not the maximum Y-axis coordinate value of the spreading region
130
is exceeded by the resulting value is determined. If the maximum value is exceeded, the automatic spreading operation is finished. If the maximum value is not exceeded, on the other hand, a move command for moving by the set pitch value in the positive Y-axis direction as in Steps d
5
and d
6
is outputted (Steps d
11
and d
12
). When this pitch operation is completed, the program returns to Step d
1
, whereupon the aforementioned process of Step d
1
and the subsequent processes are executed.
Returning to
FIG. 13
, processing of the pattern B is started if it is concluded in the process of Step c
5
that the reversible switch
125
is set at “reverse (−)”. More specifically, the processing of the pattern B is started when the flag D is set at “0” so that the direction of reciprocation is the X-axis direction and if the positive X-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction are ordered as the first moving direction and the pitch direction, respectively.
FIG. 14B
is a flowchart for the processing of the pattern B executed by the processor
101
of the controller
100
. The pattern B differs from the aforesaid pattern A only in that the pitch direction is reverse (negative Y-axis direction). Thus, the flowcharts are different in the following points. While the pitch direction for Steps d
5
and d
11
for the pattern A is the positive Y-axis direction, that for Steps e
5
and e
11
is the negative Y-axis direction. In Steps e
4
and e
10
, moreover, the spreading end position is detected depending on whether or not a value obtained by subtracting the set pitch value from the present Y-axis coordinate position is not greater than a minimum Y-axis value of the spreading region
130
is determined, and the automatic spreading operation is finished if the obtained value is not greater. Since the other processes are executed in the same manner, a detailed description of those processes is omitted.
Further, the processor
101
starts processing the pattern C if flag D=0 is given so that the X-direction semiautomatic lever Lx is operated in the negative direction with the reversible switch
125
set at “forward (+)” (Steps c
2
, c
3
, c
4
and c
8
), as shown in FIG.
13
.
The processing of the pattern C (not shown) differs from the processing of the pattern A in that the direction for the start of the first movement for the pattern C is the negative X-axis direction, while that for the pattern A is the positive X-axis direction. Thus, the processing of the pattern C differs from the processing of the pattern A only in the following points. In
FIG. 14A
, the “positive X-axis direction” is replaced with the “negative X-axis direction” in the process of Step d
1
, and the “negative X-axis direction” is replaced with the “positive X-axis direction” in the process of Step d
7
. While the detection of the pitch position in Step d
2
depends on whether or not the minimum X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
is not exceeded by the X-axis coordinate position to be moved, the detection of the pitch position in Step d
8
depends on whether or not the value of the X-axis coordinate position to be moved is not smaller than the maximum value of the X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
.
If it is concluded in Step c
8
of
FIG. 13
that the reversible switch
125
is set at “reverse (−)”, the processor
101
carries out processing of the pattern D. The processing of the pattern D (not shown) differs from the processing of the pattern B shown in
FIG. 14B
in that the direction for the start of the first movement for the pattern D is the negative X-axis direction, while that for the pattern B is the positive X-axis direction. Thus, the processing of the pattern D differs from the processing of the pattern B only in the following points. In
FIG. 14B
, the “positive X-axis direction” is replaced with the “negative X-axis direction” in the process of Step e
1
, and the “negative X-axis direction” is replaced with the “positive X-axis direction” in the process of Step e
7
. While the detection of the pitch position in Step e
2
depends on whether or not the minimum X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
is not exceeded by the X-axis coordinate position to be moved, the detection of the pitch position in Step e
8
depends on whether or not the value of the X-axis coordinate position to be moved is not smaller than the maximum value of the X-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
.
Returning to
FIG. 13
, processing of the pattern E is started (Step c
14
) when the flag D is set at “1” (Step c
2
), the Y-axis semiautomatic lever Ly is operated (Step c
11
), its operating direction is positive direction (Step c
12
), and the reversible switch
125
is set at “forward (+)” (Step c
13
).
FIG. 15A
is a flowchart showing the processing of the pattern E. The pattern E and the pattern A are different in the reciprocal relation between the X- and Y-axes. For the pattern E, the direction of reciprocation is the Y-axis direction, and the pitch direction is the positive X-axis direction. Thus, the detection of the pitch position in Step f
2
depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not smaller than the maximum Y-axis value of the spreading region
130
, while the detection in Step f
8
depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not greater than the minimum Y-axis value of the spreading region
130
. Further, it is concluded in Steps f
4
and f
10
that the automatic spreading is finished if the maximum X-axis value of the spreading region
130
is exceeded by a value obtained by adding the pitch value to the present X-axis coordinate position. Since the processing of the pattern E differs from the processing of the pattern A only in the points described above, it is only illustrated in the flowchart of
FIG. 15A
, and a detailed description of the processing is omitted.
If it is concluded that the reversible switch
125
is set at “reverse (−)” in Step c
13
of
FIG. 13
, the processor
101
starts processing the pattern F (Step c
15
). The processing of the pattern F is the processing shown in FIG.
15
B. As seen from the comparison between
FIGS. 15A and 15B
, the processing of the pattern F differs from the processing of the pattern E only in the following points. In the processes of Steps g
5
and g
11
, the pitch direction is the negative X-axis direction. Besides, the detection of the termination of automatic spreading in Steps g
4
and g
10
depends on whether or not a value obtained by subtracting the set pitch value from the present X-axis coordinate value is not greater than the minimum X-axis value of the spreading region
130
.
The processor
101
carries out processing of the pattern G (Step c
17
) when the flag D is set at “1”, the Y-axis semiautomatic lever Ly is operated in the negative direction, and the reversible switch
125
is set at “forward (+)” (Steps c
3
, c
11
, c
12
and c
16
). If the reversible switch
125
is set at “reverse (−)”, on the other hand, the processor
101
carries out processing of the pattern H.
Flowcharts for the processing of the patterns G and H are omitted. The pattern G differs from the pattern E in that the first direction of reciprocation is the negative Y-axis direction. The processing of the pattern G can be effected by only reversing the moving directions in Steps f
1
and f
7
in the processing of the pattern E shown in FIG.
15
A. In a step corresponding to Step f
2
, moreover, the detection of the pitch position depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not greater than the value of the minimum Y-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
. In a step corresponding to Step f
8
, the detection of the pitch position depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not smaller than the value of the maximum Y-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
.
Further, the processing of the pattern H differs from the processing of the pattern F shown in
FIG. 15B
in that the first moving direction is reversed to be the negative Y-axis direction. Thus, the processing of the pattern H can be effected by reversing the moving directions in Steps g
1
and g
7
in the processing of FIG.
15
B. In a step corresponding to Step g
2
, moreover, the detection of the pitch position depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not greater than the value of the minimum Y-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
. In a step corresponding to Step g
8
, the detection of the pitch position depends on whether or not the value of the Y-axis coordinate position to be moved is not smaller than the value of the maximum Y-axis coordinate position of the spreading region
130
.
According to the present embodiment, as described above, the automatic spreading operation can be executed by selecting any one operation pattern out of the eight patterns. In executing an automatic spreading operation, some spreading patterns for spreading granule in a rectangular plane region are set in advance and any one is selected from among these patterns. Then the granule such as fresh concrete is spread over the plane region with the selected pattern up to the predetermined height.
In the case where an optional path of movement (granule dropping position path) is provided for the boom body end in spreading the granule on a desired shape, however, this path is taught to the granule transfer apparatus so that the boom body end can be moved along the instruction path to drop the granule in playback operation.
In this case, the control panel
117
is provided with instruction buttons, and the boom body end is situated on the starting point of the path by the aforementioned manual or semiautomatic operation. The respective rotational positions of the boom components, that is, the respective rotational positions of the servomotors M
1
and M
2
, are taught and stored by depressing the instruction buttons. The boom body end is moved to the next position, and the respective rotational positions of the servomotors M
1
and M
2
for the reached position are taught in like manner by depressing the instruction buttons. A command for linear interpolation between the two points is inputted and stored. Thereafter, the subsequent points are successively taught and stored, and commands for linear interpolation between those points are taught. The boom body end can be moved along a circular arc between two points by teaching the starting and ending points of the circular arc and an intermediate point between them and teaching circular arc interpolation for the circular arc that passes through those three points. Thus, the points on the path are taught in succession, whether the line for the interpolation between the points is a straight line or a circular arc is ordered, and the path and operation programs are taught.
Then, the boom body end is moved along the instruction path at the set speed by giving a playback command, and the granule dropped from the boom body end is spread.
Claims
- 1. A granule transfer apparatus comprising:a boom body formed of two or more connected boom components each including a granule movement section, a basal end and a distal end; a stage holding the boom body; a boom body supporting portion that rotatably mounts the stage; a stage turner that turns the stage relative to the boom body supporting portion; a granule feeder provided on the stage that delivers the granule to the basal end of the boom component situated nearest to the stage; a pivotal connecter located between each of the two or more connected boom components that connects the basal end of one boom component to the distal end of an other boom component; a boom turner, located between each of the two or more connected boom components, that turns the one boom component with respect to the other boom component; a junction, located between each of the two or more connected boom components, that transfers the granule from the one boom component to the other boom component; and a controller that controls the stage turner and the boom turner, wherein the stage turner and the boom turner include a detector detecting the rotational position and speed of the stage and the boom.
- 2. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the junction is located between an undersurface of the distal end of the one boom component and the basal end of the other boom component so that the boom components are continuous with each other, and the junction comprises:a hole vertically penetrating the junction, wherein a distal end of a belt conveyor constituting the granule movement section of the one boom component is arranged over a basal end of a second belt conveyor constituting the granule movement section of the other boom component so that the granule falls through the hole.
- 3. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pivotal connector comprises:an turntable bearing with a plurality of external teeth; an inner ring fixed to an undersurface of the distal end of the one boom component; and an outer ring, with a plurality of external teeth, fixed to a top surface of the basal end of the other boom component, wherein the boom turner is formed by providing the distal end of the one boom component with a drive for driving a pinion in mesh with the plurality of external teeth of the outer ring.
- 4. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:a manual input controller that accepts reversible drive commands for the stage turner and the boom turner, wherein when an input is given from the manual input controller, the stage turner or the boom turner corresponding to the input is driven.
- 5. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:a semiautomatic input controller that moves the boom body distal end straight forward or rearward in a predetermined direction, by driving the stage turner and the boom turner so that the boom body distal end moves straight in the predetermined direction when an input is given to the semiautomatic input controller.
- 6. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:a first semiautomatic input controller that moves the boom body distal end straight forward or rearward in a predetermined direction; and a second semiautomatic input controller for forward or rearward straight movement in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, wherein the first and second semiautomatic input controllers control the boom body distal end by driving the stage turner and the boom turner so that the boom body distal end moves straight in the direction corresponding to an input direction.
- 7. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the stage turner and the boom turner in accordance with a set movement path for the boom body distal end.
- 8. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage turner and each boom turner further comprises:a detector detecting a rotational position and a speed of the stage or boom to be turned, wherein the controller feedback-controls the position and speed of the boom body distal end in accordance with the movement path programs and the rotational position and speed detected by the detectors.
- 9. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises:a setting controller setting a movement region, a movement path pattern, and a moving speed for the boom body end, wherein the controller controls the boom body end in accordance with the movement path pattern and moving speed set by the setting controller so that the boom body distal end moves with the movement path pattern at the moving speed in the movement region.
- 10. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller feedback-controls the boom body end in accordance with a movement path pattern and a moving speed set by the controller and the positions and speeds detected by the detector so that the boom body end moves with the movement path pattern at the moving speed in the movement region.
- 11. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the movement path pattern of the boom body distal end is set in accordance with a direction of reciprocation and a pitch value for a deflection of a path caused as the moving direction is reversed.
- 12. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the controller further comprises:a memory that stores a plurality of directions of reciprocation, wherein the setting controller sets the plurality of directions by selecting one of the stored directions of reciprocation.
- 13. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the setting controller sets the pitch direction and the pitch value.
- 14. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the boom body supporting portion further comprises:a tower mast fixed on a ground, the tower mast comprising a granule lifter that lifts the granule from a bottom part of the boom body supporting portion to the granule feeder on the stage.
- 15. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the boom body supporting portion is fixed to a traveling body.
- 16. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stage turner and each boom turner are provided with a motor as a drive source.
- 17. A granule transfer apparatus according to claim 15 further comprising: a boom body tilt angle adjuster, wherein the basal end of a first boom component is rockably mounted on the stage, the distal end of the first boom component is bent and connected with a second boom component, and a tilt angle of the boom body can be adjusted by the boom body tilt angle adjuster.
- 18. In a granule spreading method using a granule transfer apparatus, which comprises a boom body supporting portion for rotatably mounting a stage having thereon a boom body formed of two or more connected boom components each including transfer means for transferring granule, stage turning means for turning said stage relative to the boom body supporting portion, granule delivery means provided on said stage and serving to deliver the granule to said transfer means of the boom component situated nearest to the stage, junction granule delivery means for delivering the granule from the transfer means of the boom component to the transfer means of the next boom component, a pivotal portion located between the boom components and serving to connect the distal end portion of the boom component on the stage side and the basal part of the next boom component, boom turning means for turning the next boom component with respect to the stage-side boom component, detectors for detecting the rotational positions and speeds of the stage or boom to be turned by said stage turning means and each boom turning means, and a controller for feedback-controlling the position and speed of said boom body end in accordance with the positions and speeds detected by the detectors, said granule spreading method comprising:previously teaching an operational movement program to order the position of the boom body end and a rectilinear or arcuate movement between positions, and causing said controller to drive said transfer means to move said boom body end along a movement path given by the taught program and spread the granule while throwing out the granule through the boom body end, in accordance with the taught program.
- 19. In a granule spreading method using a granule transfer apparatus, which comprises a boom body supporting portion for rotatably mounting a stage having thereon a boom body formed of two or more connected boom components each including transfer means for transferring granule, stage turning means for turning said stage relative to the boom body supporting portion, granule delivery means provided on said stage and serving to deliver the granule to said transfer means of the boom component situated nearest to the stage, junction granule delivery means for delivering the granule from the transfer means of the boom component to the transfer means of the next boom component, a pivotal portion located between the boom components and serving to connect the distal end portion of the boom component on the stage side and the basal part of the next boom component, boom turning means for turning the next boom component with respect to the stage-side boom component, detectors for detecting the rotational positions and speeds of the stage or boom to be turned by said stage turning means and each boom turning means, and control means for feedback-controlling the position and speed of said boom body end in accordance with the positions and speeds detected by the detectors, said granule spreading method comprising:previously causing said control means to set and store a movement pattern for said boom body end, setting a granule spreading region as an input in said control means to move said boom body end into said granule spreading region, and then driving said transfer means to move said boom body end in said set granule spreading region, thereby automatically spreading the granule, in accordance with said set movement pattern, while throwing out the granule through the boom body end.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
9-249734 |
Aug 1997 |
JP |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/JP98/03881 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO99/11887 |
3/11/1999 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (6)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
596489 |
Oct 1925 |
FR |
1 005 403 |
Apr 1952 |
FR |
8-209937 |
Aug 1996 |
JP |