CN111867752A

CN111867752A - Holding device and cast component manufacturing device

Info

Publication number: CN111867752A
Application number: CN201980018025.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 津田和之; 畠中俊和; 森冈真
Original assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Showa Denko Materials Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-12
Filing date: 2019-03-08
Publication date: 2020-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-08
Also published as: WO2019176814A1; JPWO2019176814A1; CN111867752B; JP6756415B2

Abstract

When the chuck parts of the holding device are located at the separated position, the core metal component is held by the chuck surfaces formed on the back surfaces facing away from each other in the first direction, and the core metal component can be lifted upwards in the third direction. The chuck face has a holding portion formed closer to a position side than both end portions of the chuck face in the third direction, and a conical portion connecting the both end portions and both ends of the holding portion in the third direction, respectively, and a center position of the holding portion in the third direction is arranged below the center position of the chuck face in the third direction.

Description

Holding device and cast component manufacturing device

Technical Field

One aspect of the present invention relates to a holding device for a cast member used for a lead-acid battery and a cast member manufacturing device.

Background

A core bar or a lattice body as a current collector used in a lead-acid battery is manufactured by casting lead (lead alloy). The cast member produced by the casting apparatus is taken out of the casting machine by the holding apparatus and conveyed. For example, patent document 1 discloses a transport device including a hand for holding a cast member.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 6-344118

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Since a cast member such as a core bar or a grid body used in a lead-acid battery is manufactured by casting a lead alloy, the cast member generally has a soft and easily deformable property. The conventional hand described above does not consider the case of a cast component that retains such properties. Therefore, the deformed cast member may not be firmly held and may fall off, or the cast member may not be firmly held and may fall off due to the deformation of the cast member when holding the cast member. Such a decrease in the cast parts may cause a decrease in productivity.

Accordingly, an object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide a holding device and a cast component manufacturing apparatus capable of suppressing breakage or dropping when holding a cast component.

Means for solving the problems

The holding device according to one aspect of the present invention is a holding device for holding a cast member used for a lead-acid battery and extending along a plane parallel to a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, the holding device including a main body, a pair of chuck sections disposed on the cast member side of the main body when the main body is disposed so as to face the cast member in a third direction orthogonal to the plane, a driving section for moving the pair of chuck sections in a direction of approaching and a direction of separating the pair of chuck sections when the pair of chuck sections are disposed so as to approach each other along the plane as an approaching direction and the direction of separating the pair of chuck sections from each other along the plane as a separating direction, the pair of chuck sections forming a pair of chuck surfaces recessed in the approaching direction on opposite surfaces facing each other, the pair of chuck surfaces having holding sections formed on the side of the approaching direction with respect to both end portions of the chuck surface in the third direction in the moving direction of the pair of chuck sections, and a, The conical portions respectively connecting both end portions of the chuck surface and both end portions of the holding portion in the third direction are arranged such that, when the main body portion is arranged to face the cast member in the third direction, a center position of the holding portion in the third direction is arranged closer to the cast member than a center position of the chuck surface in the third direction.

In the holding device having this configuration, a conical portion connected to the holding portion is formed on the chuck surface holding the cast member. Therefore, when the pair of chuck sections are moved in the separating direction, the cast member comes into contact with the holding section or the conical section. When the cast member is in contact with the holding portion, the cast member is held by the holding portion as it is. When the cast member comes into contact with the conical portion, the cast member is guided to the holding portion by the conical portion and then held by the holding portion. Thus, the cast component is not held in an abnormal state at a position other than the holding portion. In the holding device having this configuration, the distance between the body and the cast member when the cast member is gripped can be longer than when the center position of the holding portion in the third direction is arranged on the body side than when the center position of the chuck surface in the third direction. This can suppress contact between the main body and the cast member. These results can suppress breakage (including deformation) or dropping when the cast component is held.

The holding device according to one aspect of the present invention is a holding device for holding a cast member that is used for a lead-acid battery and extends along a plane parallel to a first direction and a second direction that are orthogonal to each other, the holding device including a main body, a pair of chuck sections that are disposed on the cast member side of the main body when the main body is disposed so as to face the cast member in a third direction that is orthogonal to the plane, a driving section that moves the pair of chuck sections in a direction of approaching and a direction of separating the pair of chuck sections when the direction of approaching the pair of chuck sections along the plane is defined as a direction of approaching the pair of chuck sections to each other and the direction of separating the pair of chuck sections from each other is defined as a direction of separating the pair of chuck sections from each other, the pair of chuck sections forming a pair of chuck faces that are recessed in the direction of separating the pair of chuck sections from each other, the pair of chuck faces having holding sections that are formed on, The conical portions respectively connecting both end portions of the chuck surface and both end portions of the holding portion in the third direction are arranged such that the central position of the holding portion in the third direction is located closer to the casting member than the central position of the chuck surface in the third direction when the main body portion is arranged to face the casting member in the third direction.

In the holding device having this configuration, a conical portion connected to the holding portion is formed on the chuck surface holding the cast member. Therefore, when the pair of chuck sections are moved in the separating direction, the cast member comes into contact with the holding section or the conical section. When the cast member comes into contact with the holding portion, the cast member is held by the holding portion as it is. If the cast member comes into contact with the conical portion, the cast member is guided to the holding portion by the conical portion and then held by the holding portion. Thus, the cast component is not held in an abnormal state at a position other than the holding portion. In the holding device having this configuration, the distance between the body and the cast member when the cast member is gripped can be longer than when the center position of the holding portion in the third direction is arranged on the body side than when the center position of the chuck surface in the third direction. This can suppress contact between the main body and the cast member. These results can suppress breakage or dropping when holding the cast component.

In the holding device according to an aspect of the present invention, the conical portion may be formed in a curved shape. In the holding device having this configuration, the cast member can be guided to the holding portion more smoothly.

In the holding device according to an aspect of the present invention, the holding portion may extend in the third direction. In the holding device having this configuration, since the width in the normal state can be increased, breakage or dropping of the cast component can be more reliably suppressed when the cast component is held.

In the holding device according to one aspect of the present invention, the shape of the pair of chuck sections may be different when viewed from the moving direction and the direction orthogonal to the third direction. In the holding device having this configuration, since the shape of the cast member can be held, breakage or falling can be more reliably suppressed.

The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention may include the holding device, a mold for casting the cast component, and an articulated robot that moves the holding device toward and away from the mold. In the cast component manufacturing apparatus having this configuration, the holding device is moved by the articulated robot, and therefore can be freely moved with respect to the entire forming mold.

In the cast component manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, the mold release agent discharge nozzle for spraying the mold release agent to the mold may be disposed on the mold side in the moving direction of the holding device. In the casting device for a cast member having such a configuration, since the mold release agent is sprayed to the molding die while the cast member is taken out from the molding die, the production efficiency can be improved. In the cast component manufacturing apparatus having this configuration, since the holding device is moved by the articulated robot, the holding device can be freely moved with respect to the entire molding die, and the release agent can be spread to the corners.

In the cast component manufacturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the pair of chuck sections may include a first chuck, and a second chuck having a taper section in the third direction longer than the taper section of the first chuck, and the driving section and the articulated robot may move at least one of the pair of chuck sections and the holding section such that the second chuck holds the cast component before the first chuck. Here, if the cast member is held by one chuck (first chuck) first, there is a case where the position of the cast member to be held by the other chuck (second chuck) is varied. In the cast member manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, since the conical portion of the second chuck is made longer than the conical portion of the first chuck, the cast member can be reliably guided to the holding portion of the second chuck even if the position of the cast member varies as described above.

The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention further includes a supply device that supplies molten lead to the forming die, the forming die being disposed in a state of being inclined in the vertical direction, and a supply port through which lead is supplied from the supply device being formed in the lowermost portion.

In the cast component manufacturing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the forming die may have a first region in which the cores extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction are formed, two second regions in which a first connecting portion connected to one end portion of the cores arranged in the second direction and adjacent to the supply port and a second connecting portion connected to the other end portion of the cores arranged in the second direction are formed, and the forming die may be disposed such that the second region in which the second connecting portion is formed is located above the first region in the vertical direction. In this configuration, since molten lead having a low specific gravity is supplied to the second region, the second connecting portion is formed of a material having a deteriorated quality, and the core is formed of a material having a superior quality. The quality of the second connecting portion used as a commercial product without being cut in a subsequent process is reduced, whereby a high-quality core can be formed. As a result, a lead acid battery having excellent quality can be produced.

Effects of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, breakage or dropping when holding a cast component can be suppressed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a core rod manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a supply device and a forming device included in the core rod manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 3(a) and 3(b) are views showing the operation of the molding apparatus.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a core member.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a holding device included in the core rod manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a holding device included in the core manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a holding device included in the core rod manufacturing apparatus.

Fig. 8(a) is a front view of the front jaw, and fig. 8(b) is a front view of the rear jaw.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the forming apparatus and the conveying apparatus.

Fig. 10(a) is a front view of a front claw of a modification, and fig. 10(b) is a front view of a rear claw of the modification.

Fig. 11(a) is a front view of a front claw of a modification, and fig. 11(b) is a front view of a rear claw of the modification.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted. Fig. 4 to 8, 10, and 11 are provided with X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other for convenience of explanation.

As shown in fig. 1, a core rod manufacturing apparatus (cast member manufacturing apparatus) 1 includes a supply device 3, a molding device 5, a conveying device 7, a cutting device 8, an accumulating unit 9, and a control device 10. In the core bar manufacturing apparatus 1, a cast member for a lead electrode used in a lead-acid battery is manufactured. For example, in a clad lead-acid battery (clad valve lead-acid battery), a core E1 (see fig. 4) used for a clad positive electrode for a lead-acid battery having a clad pipe is manufactured.

The control device 10 is an electronic control element having a cpu (central Processing unit), a rom (read Only memory), a ram (random Access memory), and the like. The control device 10 controls various operations of the supply device 3, the forming device 5, the conveying device 7, and the cutting device 8.

The supply device 3 melts and supplies lead to the forming device 5. As shown in fig. 2, the supply device 3 includes a melting pot 11 and a supply mechanism 12.

The melting pot 11 melts lead (including lead alloys). For example, an ingot of lead is supplied to the melting pot 11. The melting pot 11 is disposed, for example, at a lower portion of the supply device 3. The melting pot 11 is provided with a supply part 13. The supply unit 13 is connected to a later-described forming die 30 of the forming apparatus 5, and supplies lead in the melting pot 11 to the forming die 30.

The supply mechanism 12 includes a servo motor 14 and a drive mechanism 16. The servo motor 14 is disposed, for example, above the supply device 3. The drive mechanism 16 includes a transmission unit 18, a ball screw unit 20, and a piston 22.

The transmission unit 18 connects an output shaft (not shown) of the servomotor 14 and a ball screw 20. The transmission part 18 is, for example, a belt. The ball screw portion 20 has a shaft member 24. The ball screw portion 20 converts the rotational motion of the output shaft of the servo motor 14 into the linear motion of the shaft member 24. The ball screw 20 moves the shaft member 24 in the vertical direction in accordance with the rotation of the output shaft of the servo motor 14.

The piston 22 is connected to the melting pot 11. The piston 22 pushes out the lead in the melting pot 11 toward the supply part 13. A shaft member 24 is coupled to the piston 22. The piston 22 moves in the up-down direction according to the movement of the shaft member 24. In the feeding device 3, the piston 22 moves downward, and the lead is fed (injected) from the melting pot 11 to the molding device 5 in a state where pressure is applied to the lead. The operation of the supply device 3 is controlled by the control device 10.

As shown in fig. 2, 3(a) and 3(b), the molding apparatus 5 includes a molding die 30, a moving mechanism 31, and a hydraulic mechanism 32.

The molding die 30 is a casting die for molding a core member E, which is used as a core E1. The forming die 30 extends along a plane parallel to the X-axis direction (first direction) and the Y-axis direction (second direction) orthogonal to each other. Specifically, as shown in fig. 4, the core member E includes a core E1 extending in the X-axis direction and arranged in the Y-axis direction and inserted as a current collector into the cladding tube, a first connecting portion E2 and a second connecting portion E3 for connecting a plurality of cores E1 arranged in the Y-axis direction, and an ear portion E4 connected to the second connecting portion E3 and connected to the terminal.

As shown in fig. 2, 3(a) and 3(b), the forming die 30 includes a first die 30a and a second die 30 b. In the present embodiment, the first mold 30a is provided movably in the direction of approaching and separating from the second mold 30 b. Specifically, the first die 30a is provided swingably about a shaft provided at one end (the end on the supply device 3 side). The forming die 30 is disposed obliquely to the horizontal direction (the left-right direction in fig. 2). Specifically, the forming die 30 is inclined so that one end portion on the supply device 3 side is a lower end portion. The inclination angle of the forming die 30 with respect to the horizontal direction is appropriately set.

The forming die 30 is provided with a connecting portion (supply port) 34. In the present embodiment, the connection portion 34 is provided in the second mold 30 b. The connection unit 34 is connected to the supply unit 13 of the supply device 34 and receives the supply of lead from the supply device 3. The connecting portion 34 communicates with a space divided by the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b when the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b are closed. The connection portion 34 is provided with a valve (not shown) for preventing backflow of lead from the molding die 30 to the supply device 3. The connecting portion 34 is disposed at a lower end (lowermost portion) of the second mold 30 b. In this configuration, lead is supplied from the lower end portion in the forming die 30. Thus, when lead is supplied to the molding die 30, the lead rises in the molding die 30 and fills the lead.

As shown in fig. 3(a) and 4, the forming die 30 includes a first region a1 in which the core E1 extending in the X-axis direction and arranged in the Y-axis direction is formed, a first connecting portion E2 forming the core E1 arranged in the Y-axis direction and a second region a2 adjacent to the ear E4 of the first connecting portion E2, and a second region a2 forming the second connecting portion E3 connecting the core E1 arranged in the Y-axis direction. In the molding apparatus 5, the molding die 30 is disposed so that the second region a2 on the side where the second connecting portion E3 is formed is located above the first region a1 in the Z-axis direction (the vertical direction — the third direction).

In the present embodiment, a plurality of ejector pins 36 are provided in the second mold 30 b. Each of the ejector pins 36 ejects the core member E from below so that the core member E molded by the molding die 30 is released from the second die 30 b. Each of the ejector pins 36 is provided movably at a protruding position (a position shown in fig. 3 b) protruding from the surface of the second mold 30b and a standby position not protruding from the surface. The ejector pin 36 is driven by an unillustrated air cylinder. Each of the ejector pins 36 releases the core member E from the second mold 30b by moving to the protruding position.

The moving mechanism 31 moves the forming die 30. The moving mechanism 31 moves the forming die 30 by a hydraulic cylinder not shown. The moving mechanism 31 slidably supports the second mold 30 b. The moving mechanism 31 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction such that the forming die 30 is arranged at the above-described inclination angle. The forming die 30 is moved by the moving mechanism 31 at a supply position (a position shown in fig. 3 a) where lead is supplied from the supply position 3 and a release position (a position where the connection between the supply portion 13 and the connection portion 34 is released) where the core member E is released from the supply position 3(a position shown in fig. 3 b).

The hydraulic mechanism 32 opens and closes the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b of the molding mold 30. The oil pressure mechanism 32 has a hydraulic cylinder 38. The hydraulic cylinder 38 is provided in plurality, for example. The hydraulic mechanism 32 maintains the closed state of the forming die 30 at a predetermined pressure (for example, about 30t to 50 t).

As shown in fig. 1, the conveying device 7 conveys the core member E molded in the molding die 30 to the cutting device 8, and then the core member E is collected in the collecting and accumulating section 9. The transfer device 7 includes an articulated robot 40 and a holding device 50. The conveying device 7 conveys the core member E molded in the molding die 30 to the cutting device 8 and the accumulating portion 9 in the next step. The articulated robot 40 includes an arm 41 formed of a plurality of joints, and a rotating unit 43 rotatably holding the arm 41. The arm 41 and the rotating portion 43 move the holding device 50 among the forming die 30, the cutting device 8, and the accumulating portion 9.

The holding device 50 is a device that holds the cored bar member E. As shown in fig. 5 to 8, the holding device 50 includes a main body portion 51, a chuck portion 60, and a driving portion 55. The main body 51 extends in one direction. The main body 51 is fixed to the articulated robot 40 such that the extending direction of the main body 51 coincides with the moving direction of the molding die 30, that is, the supply (injection) direction of the molten lead to the molding die 30 (X direction in the present embodiment) when the core member E is taken out (clamped) from the molding die 30.

The chuck section 60 has a pair of front claws (chuck section/second chuck) 61 and rear claws (chuck section/first chuck) 71. The front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 are plate-like members formed of a stainless material, and an example of the thickness thereof is 1.5mm to 4.5 mm. The driving unit 55 moves the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 in the approaching direction and the separating direction when a direction in which the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 (the pair of chuck units) approach each other is defined as the approaching direction and a direction in which the front claw and the rear claw 71 separate from each other is defined as the separating direction.

In the present embodiment, the driving portion 55 moves the first support member 57 supporting the rear claw 71 in the X-axis direction with respect to the main body portion 51. The front claw 61 is supported by the second support member 56 fixed to the body 51. Thereby, the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 move between a close position where they approach each other in the X-axis direction and a spaced position where they separate from each other. The front claw 61 is fixed to the second support member 56 by inserting a bolt or the like, not shown, into the insertion hole 69. The rear claw 71 is fixed to the first support member 57 by inserting a bolt, not shown, into the insertion hole 79. Examples of the driving portion 55 are an electric cylinder or an air cylinder.

As shown in fig. 8(a) and 8(b), the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 have a pair of

chuck surfaces

61F and 71F recessed in the approaching direction on back surfaces BF and BF facing away from each other. When the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 are located at positions separated from each other, the core member E is held by

chuck surfaces

61F and 71F formed on back surfaces BF and BF facing away from each other in the X-axis direction, and the core member E can be lifted upward in the Z-axis direction. The front jaw 61 holds the first coupling portion E2 of the core member E shown in fig. 4, and the rear jaw 71 holds the second coupling portion E3 of the core member E.

In the present embodiment, the front claws 61 and the rear claws 71 constituting the pair of chuck sections 60 are different from each other in shape when viewed from the Y axis direction. As shown in fig. 8(a), the chuck surface 61F of the front claw 61 has a holding portion 63 formed closer to the Z-axis direction than both

end portions

62A, 62B, and

conical portions

64A, 64B connecting the both

end portions

62A, 62B to both

end portions

63A, 63B of the holding portion 63, respectively. When the main body portion 51 is disposed so as to face the core member E in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the XY plane (see fig. 6 and 7), the center position M1 in the Z-axis direction of the holding portion 63 is disposed below the center position M in the Z-axis direction of the chuck surface 61F (on the core member E side). The holding portion 63 extends in the Z-axis direction. The length H1 in the Z-axis direction of the holding portion 63 is exemplified as 5.0mm to 10.0 mm. Examples of the distance D1 from both

end portions

62A, 62B in the X-axis direction to the holding portion 63 are 5.0mm to 10.0 mm.

As shown in fig. 8(B), the chuck surface 71F of the rear claw 71 has a holding portion 73 formed closer to the position than both

end portions

72A, 72B in the Z-axis direction, and

conical portions

74A, 74B connecting the both

end portions

72A, 72B and both

end portions

73A, 73B of the holding portion 73, respectively, and a center position M2 in the Z-axis direction of the holding portion 73 is disposed below a center position M in the Z-axis direction of the chuck surface 71F. Examples of the length H2 in the Z-axis direction of the holding portion 73 are 5.0mm to 10.0 mm. Examples of the distance D2 from both

end portions

72A, 72B to the holding portion 73 in the X-axis direction are 5.0mm to 10.0 mm.

When the core member E is removed from the molding die 30, the articulated robot 40 brings the holding device 50 close to the upper side of the core member E, and inserts the front jaw 61 and the rear jaw 71 into the space S (see fig. 4) between the core E1 and the core E1. The holding device 50 moves the front tab 61 and the rear tab 71 inserted into the space S in a direction away from each other, and holds the core member E by bringing the front tab 61 into contact with the first connecting portion E2 and the rear tab 71 into contact with the second connecting portion E3.

The release

agent discharging nozzles

81, 81 spread the release agent to the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b as the molding die 30. The release

agent discharging nozzles

81, 81 are disposed on the side of the molding die 30 in the direction in which the holding device 50 moves toward the molding die 30. The release

agent discharge nozzles

81 and 81 supply the release agent from a supply source through a pipe or the like not shown.

The cutting device 8 cuts the ear portion E4 as a part of the core member E shown in fig. 4. The cutting device 8 drops a part of the lug E4 from the lug E4 of the core member E by the carrying device 7 and cuts it. The accumulating section 9 has two guide rails 9A, and accumulates the core member E known from the core manufacturing apparatus 1. After the core member E is fed to the cutting device 8, the conveyance device 7 rotates the core member E180 degrees in the horizontal plane (XY plane) and feeds the core member E into the accumulating portion 9 from the first connecting portion E2 side. The core member E is assembled in a state where the first connecting portion E2 is suspended on the two guide rails 9A, 9A. When a certain amount of the core member E is accumulated in the accumulating portion 9, the core member E is conveyed to a downstream process. The first connecting portion E2 suspended from the two guide rails 9A and 9A in the accumulating portion 9 is cut in the downstream process.

Next, a method of manufacturing the core member E by the core manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to fig. 9. As shown in fig. 9, a release agent is sprayed into the forming die 30 (step S0). The release agent is spread to the molding die 30 by the holding device 50 held by the conveying device 7. That is, when the core member E cast by the molding die 30 is taken out from the molding die 30, the release agent is simultaneously sprayed. Next, the first die 30a of the molding die 30 is moved by the hydraulic mechanism 32 in the molding die 5, and the first die 30a and the second die 30b are closed (step S1). Then, the forming mold 30 is closed in a state where the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b are pressurized (step S2). At this time, the forming die 30 is located at the supply position (see fig. 3 (a)). The forming die 30 has a predetermined temperature. For example, the molding die 30 is set to 100 to 150 ℃.

Next, the servo motor 14 of the supply device 3 is operated, and the lead in the melting pot 11 is supplied in a pressurized state to the forming die 30 (step S3). In step S3, a predetermined amount of molten lead is supplied to the forming die 30. After the molten lead is supplied to the forming die 30, the first die 30a and the second die 30b in the pressurized state are released from the pressurized state after a predetermined time has elapsed. That is, the first mold 30a and the second mold 30b are closed in a relaxed state (step S4). Next, in the forming die 30, the core member E is cooled for a predetermined time (step S5). The core member E is cooled in a state where no pressure is applied. The cooling time of the core member E can be set appropriately. Next, the forming die 30 is moved to the mold-releasing position (see fig. 3(b)) by the moving mechanism 31.

Next, the hydraulic mechanism 32 moves the first mold 30a in the opening direction, and the molding mold 30 is opened (step S6). Next, the ejector pins 36 provided in the second mold 30b are moved to the projecting positions (step S7). Thereby, the core member E molded by the molding die 30 is released from the second die 30 b.

Next, the operation of the conveying device 7 will be described. In the molding device 5, when the core member E is released from the second mold 30b in step S7, the core member E is taken out from the second mold 30b by the holding device 50 held by the conveying device 7. In the present embodiment, the driving unit 55 of the holding device 50 and the conveying device 7 move the front claw 61 and the rear claw 71 so that the front claw 71 holds the core member E before the front claw 61. Hereinafter, the side where the front claw 61 is disposed is referred to as the front side, and the side where the rear claw 71 is disposed is referred to as the rear side in the X-axis direction.

The conveyance device 7 arranges the main body 51 so as to face the core member E in the Z-axis direction, brings the front jaw 61 and the rear jaw 71 closer to the holding device 50 from above the core member E, and inserts the front jaw 61 and the rear jaw 71 into a space S (see fig. 4) between the core E1 and the core E1. Next, the driving unit 55 is driven to move the rear claw 71 forward relative to the main body 51. Thereby, the rear claw 71 is brought into contact with (held by) the second coupling portion E3. At substantially the same time, the conveyance device 7 moves the holding device 50 to the rear side while maintaining the driving of the driving unit 55. Thereby, the front claw 61 contacts (holds) the first connecting portion E2. At this time, the driving of the driving unit 55 is stopped.

Next, the mold release agent is sprayed to the molding die 30 by the holding device 50 held by the conveying device 7 (step S0). Next, the core member E is held by the holding device 50 held by the carrying device 7 and carried to the cutting device 8 (step S11). The carrier 7 feeds the core member E from the ear E4 side to the cutting device 8. Then, the ear portion E4 as a part of the core member E is cut by the cutting device 8 (step S11). When the core member E is held by the holding device 50 held by the conveying device 7, the ejector pins 36 of the second mold 30b move to the standby position. The molding die 30 is moved to the supply device (see fig. 3 a) by a moving mechanism 31 in the molding device 5.

Next, the carrier device 7 rotates the core member E, which has cut the ear portion E4 by the cutting device 8, by 180 degrees in the horizontal plane, and feeds the stacking unit 9 from the first connecting unit E2 side (step S12). Next, the core member E is transferred to the two guide rails 9A and 9A in the stacking unit 9 by moving in the direction (approaching position) to close the chuck unit of the holding device 50 (step S13). In step S13, the core member E is gathered in a state where the first connecting portion E2 is suspended from the two guide rails 9A, 9A. Next, the carrying device 7 moves the holding device 50 to the removal position in the molding die 30, that is, above the core member E released from the molding die 30 (step S14). Then, the front claws 61 and the rear claws 71 in the chuck section 60 are moved in a direction to separate from each other, and the core member E is held (step S15). After the release agent is sprayed to the molding die 30, the held core member E is moved and conveyed to the cutting device 8. Thereafter, step S0 to step S15 are repeated.

As described above, in the core rod manufacturing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 8 a and 8B, the

conical portions

64A and 64B (74A and 74B) connected to the holding portions 63(73) are formed on the chuck surface 61F (71F) holding the core rod member E, and therefore, when the holding apparatus 50 holds the core rod member E, the core rod member E is guided to the holding portions 63(73) along the

conical portions

64A and 64B (74A and 74B) even when the core rod member E cannot be held by the holding portions 63 (73). Thus, the core member E cannot be held in an abnormal state where it cannot be held by the holding portion 63 (73).

In the holding device 50 of the above embodiment, the center position M1(M2) of the holding portion 63(73) in the Z axis direction is located below the center position M of the chuck surface 61F (71F) in the Z axis direction. Therefore, compared to the case where the center position M1(M2) of the holding portion 63(73) in the Z-axis direction is located above the center position M of the chuck surface 61F (71F) in the Z-axis direction, the distance between the main body portion 51 and the core member E can be secured longer when the core member E is gripped. This can prevent the body 51 from contacting the core member E. As a result, breakage or dropping of the core member E can be suppressed when it is held.

Since the holding portion 63(73) of the holding device 50 in the present embodiment extends in the Z-axis direction, the width of the holding device can be increased when the core member E is held in the normal state. As a result, breakage or dropping of the core member E when held can be more reliably suppressed.

In the holding device 50 according to the above embodiment, the pair of

chuck sections

60 and 60 have different shapes when viewed from the Y-axis direction, and therefore, the shape of the fitting core member E can be held. As a result, breakage or dropping of the core member E can be more reliably suppressed.

In the holding device 50 of the above embodiment, the pair of

chuck sections

60, 60 have the rear jaw 71, and the front jaw 61 in which the length H1 of the conical portion 64A in the Z-axis direction is longer than the conical portion 74A of the rear jaw 71, and the driving section 55 moves the pair of

chuck sections

60, 60 so that the rear jaw 71 holds the core member E before the front jaw 61. Here, if the core member E is held by one chuck (rear jaw 71), the position of the core member E held by the other chuck (front jaw 61) may vary in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), for example. In the holding device 50 of the above embodiment, the length of the conical portion 64A is made longer than that of the conical portion 74A, so that the core member E can be reliably guided to the holding portion 63 even if the position of the core member E varies as described above.

In the core rod manufacturing apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, since the release agent can be sprayed to the molding die 30 while the core rod member E is taken out from the molding die 30, the production efficiency can be improved. In the core manufacturing apparatus 1 having this configuration, since the holding device 50 is moved by the articulated robot 40, the holding device can be freely moved with respect to the entire molding die 30, and the release agent can be spread in the corners.

Since the forming die 30 of the core manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment is disposed such that the second region a2 in which the second connecting portion E3 is formed is located above the first region a1 in the Z-axis direction, molten lead having a low specific gravity is supplied to the second region a 2. Thus, the first connecting portion E2 is formed of a material of deteriorated quality, and the core E1 is formed of a material of superior quality. By preventing the quality of the first connecting portion E2, which is not cut in a subsequent step and is used as a commercial product, from being deteriorated, the core E1 having excellent quality can be formed. As a result, a lead acid battery having excellent quality can be produced.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The

conical portions

64A and 64B (74A and 74B) of the front claw 61 (the rear claw 71) according to the above embodiment are linearly formed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 10(a), the

conical portions

164A and 164B of the front claw 161 may be formed in a curved shape. For example, as shown in fig. 10(B), the

conical portions

174A and 174B of the rear claw 171 may be formed in a curved shape. In the front claw 161 (rear claw 171) having this configuration, the core member E can be guided to the holding portion 63(73) more smoothly.

The holding portions 63(73) of the front claw 61 (rear claw 71) in the above embodiment have a portion extending in the Z-axis direction by way of example, but are not limited thereto. For example, as shown in fig. 11(a) and 11(b), the holding portion 264 of the front claw 261 may be a little without a portion extending in the Z-axis direction. Also, for example, the holding portion 274 of the rear claw 271 may have no portion extending in the Z axis, which is a point.

The pair of chuck sections 60 (the front jaw 61 and the rear jaw 71) in the above embodiment are provided so as to hold the core member E by the chuck face 61F (71F) formed on the back face BF facing away from each other in the X axis direction and to be able to lift the core member E upward in the Z axis direction when the chuck sections are located at the spaced-apart positions, but may be provided so as to hold the core member E by the chuck face 61F (71F) formed on the facing face facing each other in the X axis direction and to be able to lift the core member E upward in the Z axis direction when the chuck sections are located at the close-up positions.

In the above-described embodiment and modification, the configuration including the driving unit 55 for moving the rear claw 71 with respect to the main body 51 is exemplified, but the driving unit for moving the rear claw 71 with respect to the main body 51 and the driving unit for moving the front claw 61 may be separately provided. Thereby, the respective driving portions can be controlled, and the rear claw 71 holds the core member E prior to the front claw 61.

In the above-described embodiment, the core member E having the core E1 applied to the clad positive electrode for a lead-acid battery having a clad pipe in a composite lead-acid battery (clad valve lead-acid battery) was described as an example of the cast member, but the cast member may be a lattice body used in an electrode plate used for a positive electrode and a negative electrode in a bonded lead-acid battery (control valve lead-acid battery).

In the above embodiment, the configurations of the supply device 3, the forming device 5, the conveying device 7, the cutting device 8, and the accumulating section 9 may be appropriately changed

Description of the symbols

1-a core metal manufacturing apparatus, 3-a supply apparatus, 5-a forming apparatus, 7-a carrying apparatus, 8-a cutting apparatus, 9-an accumulating section, 10-a control apparatus, 30-a forming mold, 34-a connecting section (supply port), 40-a multi-joint robot, 50-a holding apparatus, 51-a main body section, 55-a driving section, 56-a second supporting member, 57-a first supporting member, 60-a chuck section, 61-a front jaw, 61F-a chuck surface, 62A, 62B-both end sections, 63-a holding section, 64A, 64B-a conical section, 71-a rear jaw, 71F-a chuck surface, 72A, 72B-both end sections, 73-a holding section, 74A, 74B-a conical section, 79-an insertion hole, 81-a mold release agent discharge nozzle, a 1-a first region, a 2-a second region, BF-a back surface, E-a core metal member (casting member), E1-a core metal, E2-a first connecting section, e3-second coupling part, E4-ear.

Claims

1. A holding device for holding a cast member used for a lead-acid battery and extending along a plane parallel to a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, the holding device being characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a main body portion;

a pair of chuck sections disposed on the casting member side of the body section when the body section is disposed so as to face the casting member in a third direction orthogonal to the plane; and

a driving section that moves the pair of chuck sections in the approaching direction and the separating direction when a direction in which the pair of chuck sections approach each other along the plane is defined as an approaching direction and a direction in which the pair of chuck sections separate from each other along the plane is defined as a separating direction,

a pair of chuck surfaces recessed in the approaching direction are formed on opposite back surfaces of the pair of chuck sections,

the pair of chuck surfaces has:

a holding portion formed closer to the approaching direction side than both end portions of the chuck surface in the third direction in the moving direction of the pair of chuck portions; and

a conical portion connecting both end portions of the chuck surface and both end portions of the holding portion in the third direction,

When the main body is disposed so as to face the cast member in the third direction, a center position of the holding portion in the third direction is disposed closer to the cast member than a center position of the chuck surface in the third direction.

2. A holding device for holding a cast member used for a lead-acid battery and extending along a plane parallel to a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to each other, the holding device being characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with:

a main body portion;

a pair of chuck faces recessed in the separating direction are formed on the opposed faces of the pair of chuck sections,

the pair of chuck surfaces has:

A holding portion formed on the chuck surface in the third direction on the side of the separating direction with respect to both end portions of the chuck surface in the moving direction of the pair of chuck portions; and

3. Holding device according to claim 1 or 2,

the conical portion is formed in a curved shape.

4. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the holding portion extends in the third direction.

5. The holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the pair of chuck sections have different shapes when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the moving direction and the third direction.

6. A cast component manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that,

the disclosed device is provided with:

the holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;

A molding die for casting the cast member; and

and a multi-joint robot that moves the holding device so as to be able to approach and separate from the molding die.

7. The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6,

in the holding device, a mold release agent discharge nozzle for spraying a mold release agent to the mold is disposed on the mold side in the moving direction.

8. The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7,

the pair of chuck sections has a first chuck, a second chuck having a length of the conical section in the third direction longer than that of the first chuck,

the drive unit and the articulated robot move at least one of the pair of chuck units and the holding device so that the second chuck holds the cast member before the first chuck.

9. The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8,

further comprises a supply device for supplying molten lead to the forming mold,

the forming die is disposed in a state of being inclined with respect to a vertical direction, and a supply port for supplying the lead from the supply device is formed in a lowermost portion.

10. The cast component manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9,

the forming die comprises: a first region in which core bars extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction are formed; two second regions each having a first connecting portion connected to one end portion in the first direction of the cores arranged in the second direction and adjacent to the supply port, and a second connecting portion connected to the other end portion in the first direction of the cores arranged in the second direction,

the forming die is disposed such that the second region on the side where the second coupling portion is formed is located vertically above the first region.